Opportunities for new CT contrast agents to maximize the diagnostic potential of emerging spectral CT technologies.

The introduction of spectral CT imaging in the form of fast clinical dual-energy CT enabled contrast material to be differentiated from other radiodense materials, improved lesion detection in contrast-enhanced scans, and changed the way that existing iodine and barium contrast materials are used in clinical practice. More profoundly, spectral CT can differentiate between individual contrast materials that have different reporter elements such that high-resolution CT imaging of multiple contrast agents can be obtained in a single pass of the CT scanner. These spectral CT capabilities would be even more impactful with the development of contrast materials designed to complement the existing clinical iodine- and barium-based agents.

Therapeutic ultrasound: Increased HDL-Cholesterol following infusions of acoustic microspheres and apolipoprotein A-I plasmids.

Background: Low levels of HDL-C are an independent cardiovascular risk factor associated with increased premature cardiovascular death. However, HDL-C therapies historically have been limited by issues relating to immunogenicity, hepatotoxicity and scalability, and have been ineffective in clinical trials.

Objective: We examined the feasibility of using injectable acoustic microspheres to locally deliver human ApoA-I DNA plasmids in a pre-clinical model and quantify increased production of HDL-C in vivo.

Biological performance of a size-fractionated core-shell tantalum oxide nanoparticle x-ray contrast agent.

Objectives: Metal-containing nanoparticles show great promise as x-ray contrast media and could enable reduced radiation dose, increased contrast, and the visualization of smaller anatomic features. In this study, we report progress toward these goals using a size-fractionated core-shell tantalum oxide nanoparticle contrast agent.

Materials And Methods: A core-shell tantalum oxide nanoparticle contrast agent was synthesized and size fractionated for preclinical investigation of biodistribution, blood half-life, organ retention, and histopathology.

Preclinical assessment of a zwitterionic tantalum oxide nanoparticle X-ray contrast agent.

Tantalum oxide nanoparticles show great potential as the next generation of X-ray contrast media. Recently, we reported advances in tantalum oxide nanoparticles and identified improvements that were required for such particles to progress further. Namely, the viscosity of concentrated particles, the amount of retention in reticuloendothelial (RES) tissues, and the effect of large quantities of particles on the kidneys after administration were all identified as critical factors which needed further study, understanding, and development.

Correlates of nonmedical use of hydromorphone and hydrocodone:results from a national household survey.

Over the past decade, the misuse and abuse of opioid medications in the United States has risen dramatically. Although data show a substantial variation in the nonmedical use of individual opioids, relatively little is known about risk factors for the nonmedical use of specific opioid products. This study compared the prevalence and correlates of the nonmedical use of oral immediate-release hydromorphone (marketed under the brand name of Dilaudid), versus that of hydrocodone combination products using a nationally representative sample of the civilian noninstitutionalized United States population aged 12 years or older.

Measurement of brain microglial proliferation rates in vivo in response to neuroinflammatory stimuli: application to drug discovery.

Microglial activation is emerging as an important etiologic factor and therapeutic target in neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory diseases. Techniques have been lacking, however, for measuring the different components of microglial activation independently in vivo. We describe a method for measuring microglial proliferation rates in vivo using heavy water (2H2O) labeling, and its application in screening for drugs that suppress neuro-inflammation.

UK smokers' and ex-smokers' reactions to cigarettes promising reduced risk.

Aims: This study evaluated the impact of exposure to information about a novel cigarette claiming to reduce exposure to tobacco toxins ('potential reduced exposure product' cigarette or PREP-C) on smokers' and ex-smokers' perceptions of PREP-C, on quit interest among smokers and on interest in resuming smoking among ex-smokers.

Design And Participants: A random digit-dialed telephone survey was conducted in the United Kingdom with 500 current smokers and 106 ex-smokers who had quit within the last 2 years.

Intervention: The interviewer described a novel cigarette that claimed to significantly reduce exposure to smoke toxins.

Measurement of protein turnover rates by heavy water labeling of nonessential amino acids.

In vivo measurements of protein synthesis using isotope-labeled amino acids (AAs) are hampered by the heterogeneity of AA pools and, for slow turnover proteins, the difficulty and expense of long-term labeling. Continuous oral heavy water (2H2O) labeling can safely maintain stable body water 2H enrichments for weeks or months. 2H is metabolically incorporated into C-H bonds of nonessential AAs (NEAAs) and hence into proteins.

Non-medical use of OxyContin Tablets in the United States.

The non-medical use of OxyContin (controlled release oxycodone HCl) Tablets has been widely cited in media reports often leaving the impression that OxyContin was a source of primary or new onset drug abuse. However, no published research to date has examined the drug use history of those reporting non-medical use of OxyContin. This study examined rates of non-medical OxyContin use in the United States and the demographic and drug use profiles of those reporting such use, based on data from the 1999, 2000, and 2001 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration National Household Survey on Drug Abuse.

The effectiveness of nicotine patch and nicotine lozenge in very heavy smokers.

The efficacy of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) among very heavy and highly dependent smokers was examined in a secondary analysis of two randomized clinical trials of NRT. In the first trial, smokers were assigned to active patch (n=249) or placebo (n=253) plus intensive behavioral treatment. In the second trial, smokers were assigned to active 4-mg nicotine lozenge (n=450) or placebo (n=451) plus brief behavioral treatment.

Patterns of over-the-counter nicotine gum use: persistent use and concurrent smoking.

Aims: To examine the occurrence of persistent use (i.e. use beyond 12 weeks) and concurrent use of nicotine gum with cigarettes among consumers who purchase nicotine gum over-the-counter (OTC).

Real-world efficacy of prescription and over-the-counter nicotine replacement therapy.

Aims: To assess smoking cessation rates achieved with nicotine gum and patch in simulated over-the-counter (OTC) and actual prescription (Rx) settings.

Design: Separate open-label studies with gum and patch in OTC and Rx settings.

Participants: There were multiple samples: OTC gum: 2981 smokers; OTC patch: 2367; Rx gum: 324; Rx patch: 669.