Discovery of YAP1/TAZ pathway inhibitors through phenotypic screening with potent anti-tumor activity via blockade of Rho-GTPase signaling.

This study describes the identification and target deconvolution of small molecule inhibitors of oncogenic Yes-associated protein (YAP1)/TAZ activity with potent anti-tumor activity in vivo. A high-throughput screen (HTS) of 3.8 million compounds was conducted using a cellular YAP1/TAZ reporter assay.

Performance of hybrid Innegra-carbon fiber composites.

In this work material synergy with high stiffness carbon fiber with ductile high strength polypropylene fiber (Innegra S), (referred to as Innegra, herein) have been evaluated in a range of laminate designs. Both woven and discontinuous carbon fiber have been considered. The discontinuous fibers are based on three-dimensional deposition (3DEP) (referred to as 3DEP, herein) carbon fiber preform process.

Constructing radical community: an ecological model for shifting from an EdD to a We-dD in online doctoral programs.

Online learning is often associated with the that suggests that online students are constantly connected to one another yet feel more alone due to a lack of real social connection. While research has approached this issue from an environmental perspective, some scholars have recently suggested that aspects of online students' complex ecologies, beyond the online program, may also influence the degree students engage socially. This phenomenological study explores the experiences of 10 students enrolled in an online doctoral program in education.

Improved Diazo-Transfer Reaction for DNA-Encoded Chemistry and Its Potential Application for Macrocyclic DEL-Libraries.

DNA-encoded libraries (DEL) are increasingly being used to identify new starting points for medicinal chemistry in drug discovery. Herein, we discuss the development of methods that allow the conversion of both primary amines and anilines, attached to DNA, to their corresponding azides in excellent yields. The scope of these diazo-transfer reactions was investigated, and a proof-of-concept has been devised to allow for the synthesis of macrocycles on DNA.

Comparison of [(11)C]Choline ([(11)C]CHO) and [(18)F]Bombesin (BAY 86-4367) as Imaging Probes for Prostate Cancer in a PC-3 Prostate Cancer Xenograft Model.

Purpose: Carbon-11- and fluorine-18-labeled choline derivatives are commonly used in prostate cancer imaging in the clinical setting for staging and re-staging of prostate cancer. Due to a limited detection rate of established positron emission tomography (PET) tracers, there is a clinical need for innovative tumor-specific PET compounds addressing new imaging targets. The aim of this study was to compare the properties of [(18)F]Bombesin (BAY 86-4367) as an innovative biomarker for prostate cancer imaging targeting the gastrin-releasing peptide receptor and [(11)C]Choline ([(11)C]CHO) in a human prostate tumor mouse xenograft model by small animal PET/X-ray computed tomography (CT).

Dosimetry and first clinical evaluation of the new 18F-radiolabeled bombesin analogue BAY 864367 in patients with prostate cancer.

Unlabelled: The aim of this first-in-man study was to demonstrate the feasibility, safety, and tolerability, as well as provide dosimetric data and evaluate the imaging properties, of the bombesin analogue BAY 864367 for PET/CT in a small group of patients with primary and recurrent prostate cancer (PCa).

Methods: Ten patients with biopsy-proven PCa (5 with primary PCa and 5 with prostate-specific antigen recurrence after radical prostatectomy) were prospectively selected for this exploratory clinical trial with BAY 864367, a new (18)F-labeled bombesin analogue. PET scans were assessed at 6 time points, up to 110 min after intravenous administration of 302 ± 11 MBq of BAY 864367.

First clinical results of (D)-18F-Fluoromethyltyrosine (BAY 86-9596) PET/CT in patients with non-small cell lung cancer and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Unlabelled: (D)-(18)F-fluoromethyltyrosine (d-(18)F-FMT), or BAY 86-9596, is a novel (18)F-labeled tyrosine derivative rapidly transported by the l-amino acid transporter (LAT-1), with a faster blood pool clearance than the corresponding l-isomer. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility of tumor detection in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) or head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) compared with inflammatory and physiologic tissues in direct comparison to (18)F-FDG.

Methods: 18 patients with biopsy-proven NSCLC (n = 10) or HNSCC (n = 8) were included in this Institutional Review Board-approved, prospective multicenter study.

[(18)F]Fluoropyruvate: radiosynthesis and initial biological evaluation.

The radiosynthesis of [(18)F]fluoropyruvate was investigated using numerous precursors were synthesized from ethyl 2,2-diethoxy-3-hydroxypropanoate (5) containing different leaving groups: mesylate, tosylate, triflate, and nonaflate. These precursors were evaluated for [(18)F]fluoride incorporation with triflate being superior. The subsequent hydrolysis step was investigated, and an acidic hydrolysis was optimized.

Studies toward the development of new silicon-containing building blocks for the direct (18)F-labeling of peptides.

Silicon-containing prosthetic groups have been conjugated to peptides to allow for a single-step labeling with (18)F radioisotope. The fairly lipophilic di-tert-butylphenylsilane building block contributes unfavorably to the pharmacokinetic profile of bombesin conjugates. In this article, theoretical and experimental studies toward the development of more hydrophilic silicon-based building blocks are presented.

Preclinical evaluation of BAY 1075553, a novel (18)F-labelled inhibitor of prostate-specific membrane antigen for PET imaging of prostate cancer.

Purpose: Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is a transmembrane protein overexpressed in prostate cancer and is therefore being explored as a biomarker for diagnosing and staging of the disease. Here we report preclinical data on BAY 1075553 (a 9:1 mixture of (2S,4S)- and (2R,4S)-2-[(18)F]fluoro-4-phosphonomethyl-pentanedioic acid), a novel (18)F-labelled small molecule inhibitor of PSMA enzymatic activity, which can be efficiently synthesized from a direct radiolabelling precursor.

Methods: The (18)F-radiolabelled stereoisomers of 2-[(18)F]fluoro-4-(phosphonomethyl)-pentanedioic acid were synthesized from their respective isomerically pure precursors dimethyl 2-{[bis(benzyloxy)phosphoryl]methyl}-4-(tosyloxy)pentanedioate.

Specific imaging of inflammation with the 18 kDa translocator protein ligand DPA-714 in animal models of epilepsy and stroke.

Inflammation is a pathophysiological hallmark of many diseases of the brain. Specific imaging of cells and molecules that contribute to cerebral inflammation is therefore highly desirable, both for research and in clinical application. The 18 kDa translocator protein (TSPO) has been established as a suitable target for the detection of activated microglia/macrophages.

Investigations into the synthesis, radiofluorination and conjugation of a new [¹⁸F]fluorocyclobutyl prosthetic group and its in vitro stability using a tyrosine model system.

The [(18)F]fluorocyclobutyl group has the potential to be a metabolically stable prosthetic group for PET tracers. The synthesis of the radiolabeling precursor cis-cyclobutane-1,3-diyl bis(toluene-4-sulfonate) 8 was obtained from epibromohydrin in 7 steps (2% overall yield). The radiolabeling of this precursor 8 and its conjugation to L-tyrosine as a model system was successfully achieved to give the new non-natural amino acid 3-[(18)F]fluorocyclobutyl-L-tyrosine (L-3-[(18)F]FCBT) [(18)F]17 in 8% decay-corrected yield from the non-carrier-added [(18)F]fluoride.

Radiofluorinated derivatives of 2-(phosphonomethyl)pentanedioic acid as inhibitors of prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) for the imaging of prostate cancer.

For prostate cancer, prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) has been identified as a diagnostic and therapeutic target. Fluorinated derivatives of 2-(phosphonomethyl)pentanedioic acid were designed and synthesized to explore whether this fluorine-substituent is tolerated in the pentanedioic acid moiety that is common to almost all PSMA targeting small molecule inhibitors. The binding affinities of the racemic and individual stereoisomers of 2-fluoro-4-(phosphonomethyl)pentanedioic acid were determined and showed that the introduction of fluorine was well tolerated.

18F-labeled bombesin analog for specific and effective targeting of prostate tumors expressing gastrin-releasing peptide receptors.

Unlabelled: Bombesin is a peptide exhibiting high affinity for the gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPr), which is highly overexpressed on prostate cancer cells. In the present study, we developed an (18)F-labeled bombesin analog, (18)F-BAY 86-4367, which is currently being clinically tested for use in PET of prostate cancer.

Methods: In vitro pharmacologic studies were performed to characterize the nonradioactive ((19)F) standard of the bombesin analog for binding affinity and selectivity for GRPr.

4-[18F]fluoroglutamic acid (BAY 85-8050), a new amino acid radiotracer for PET imaging of tumors: synthesis and in vitro characterization.

There is a high demand for tumor specific PET tracers in oncology imaging. Besides glucose, certain amino acids also serve as energy sources and anabolic precursors for tumors. Therefore, (18)F-labeled amino acids are interesting probes for tumor specific PET imaging.

In vitro and in vivo characterization of novel 18F-labeled bombesin analogues for targeting GRPR-positive tumors.

The gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR) is overexpressed on a number of human tumors and has been targeted with radiolabeled bombesin analogues for the diagnosis and therapy of these cancers. Seven bombesin analogues containing various linkers and peptide sequences were designed, synthesized, radiolabeled with (18)F, and characterized in vitro and in vivo as potential PET imaging agents. Binding studies displayed nanomolar binding affinities toward human GRPR for all synthesized bombesin analogues.

D-18F-fluoromethyl tyrosine imaging of bone metastases in a mouse model.

Unlabelled: The presence and localization of metastatic bone lesions is important for the staging of the disease and subsequent treatment decisions. Detecting tumor cells would have additional value over the current indirect bone scintigraphy method for detecting areas of elevated skeletal metabolic activity. d-(18)F-fluoromethyl tyrosine (d-(18)F-FMT) has recently shown good uptake and fast elimination, resulting in good tumor-to-background ratios.

Development of a potent DOTA-conjugated bombesin antagonist for targeting GRPr-positive tumours.

Purpose: Radiolabelled somatostatin-based antagonists show a higher uptake in tumour-bearing mouse models than agonists of similar or even distinctly higher receptor affinity. Very similar results were obtained with another family of G protein-coupled receptor ligands, the bombesin family. We describe a new conjugate, RM2, with the chelator DOTA coupled to D-Phe-Gln-Trp-Ala-Val-Gly-His-Sta-Leu-NH(2) via the cationic spacer 4-amino-1-carboxymethyl-piperidine for labelling with radiometals such as (111)In and (68)Ga.

Direct one-step 18F-labeling of peptides via nucleophilic aromatic substitution.

Methods for the radiolabeling molecules of interest with [18F]-fluoride need to be rapid, convenient, and efficient. Numerous [18F]-labeled prosthetic groups, e.g.

Organofluorosilanes as model compounds for 18F-labeled silicon-based PET tracers and their hydrolytic stability: experimental data and theoretical calculations (PET = positron emission tomography).

Silicon chemistry has only recently been discovered by radiochemists as a straightforward tool for the introduction of (18)F into biomolecules for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. (18)F-labeled PET tracers must be stable towards defluorination under physiological conditions, but it is known that the hydrolytic stability of the silicon-fluorine bond is determined by the nature of the substituents on silicon. In the presented study we performed an extensive investigation on the hydrolytic stability of various synthesized organofluorosilane model compounds.

Synthesis, 18F-labeling, and in vitro and in vivo studies of bombesin peptides modified with silicon-based building blocks.

The gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPr) is overexpressed on various human tumors. The goal of our study was the synthesis of new 18F-labeled bombesin analogues for the PET imaging of GRPr expression in prostate tumor using a silicon-based one-step n. c.

Peer-assisted learning in the acquisition of clinical skills: a supplementary approach to musculoskeletal system training.

Background: This study evaluates whether peer-assisted learning (PAL) can be used to improve students' clinical examination skills.

Methods: Four year 4 students trained in PAL techniques and musculoskeletal (MSS) examination used the Gait, Arms, Legs and Spine (GALS) system in a five-week student selected module. These students then recruited and trained 28 second-year trainees.

Synthesis and evaluation of intercalating somatostatin receptor binding peptide conjugates for endoradiotherapy.

Purpose: Intercalators, planar aromatic compounds, are able to interact with DNA by sandwiching themselves between the stacked bases at right angles to the long axis of the helix. Under certain circumstances, Auger-electron-emitting radionuclides can be extremely radiotoxic and produce extensive DNA damage. Auger electron-emitting radioisotopes, are known to be highly cytotoxic when localized in cell nuclei due to highly localized energy deposition by low energy Auger electrons.