Direct radiolabeling of Folate with Tc-99m using QbD approach: A step closer to folate based diagnostic agent.

The aim of the presented work was to develop folate based radiolabeled compound intended to be used as diagnostic aid for the various folate-receptor overexpressing cancers eg. breast cancer, brain tumors, lung cancer etc. Folate was directly radiolabeled with Tc-99m using Quality-by-Design and encapsulated in micellar nanocarriers.

Direct radiolabeling of methotrexate and methotrexate micelles with Tc-99m using QbD approach.

The aim of the work presented in this manuscript was to radiolabel methotrexate and prepare radiolabeled methotrexate micelles, an antifolate drug with Tc-99m using QbD approach. The radiolabeling was executed using the experimental design and the radiolabeled drug was further encapsulated in micelles. The authors are of the view that the radiolabeled MTX could be used to target the folate receptor overexpressing cancers such as the kidney, colorectal, breast, brain etc thereby opening newer possibilities to the theranostic applications of the formed conjugate.

Gastrointestinal manifestations seen in pediatric patients diagnosed with small fiber neuropathy.

Objectives: Small fiber neuropathy (SFN) affects the fibers involved in cutaneous and visceral pain and temperature sensation and are a crucial part of the autonomic nervous system. Autonomic dysfunction secondary to SFN and autoimmune receptor antibodies is being increasingly recognized, and gastrointestinal (GI) manifestations include constipation, early satiety, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Enteric nervous system involvement may be a possible explanation of abnormal GI motility patterns seen in these patients.

Modification and Functionalization of Polymers for Targeting to Bone Cancer and Bone Regeneration.

Bone is one of the most complex, inaccessible body structures, responsible for calcium storage and haematopoiesis. The second highest cause of death across the world is cancer. Amongst all the types of cancers, bone cancer treatment modalities are limited due to the structural complexity and inaccessibility of bones.

Effect of Caffeine on Colonic Manometry in Children.

Objectives: Coffee and caffeinated products have been widely consumed for many centuries. Previous adult studies have suggested that both coffee and decaffeinated beverages induce colonic motility. However, no study has been conducted in pediatrics, and the role of caffeine alone in pediatric colonic motility needs to be explored.

Expert survey on management of prostate cancer in India: Real-world insights into practice patterns.

To gain insights on the diverse practice patterns and treatment pathways for prostate cancer (PC) in India, the Urological Cancer Foundation convened the first Indian survey to discuss all aspects of PC, with the objective of guiding clinicians on optimizing management in PC. A modified Delphi method was used, wherein a multidisciplinary panel of oncologists treating PC across India developed a questionnaire related to screening, diagnosis and management of early, locally advanced and metastatic PC and participated in a web-based survey (WBS) (n = 62). An expert committee meeting (CM) (n = 48, subset from WBS) reviewed the ambiguous questions for better comprehension and reanalyzed the evidence to establish a revote for specific questions.

Eosinophil-Derived Neurotoxin Predicts Response to Proton-Pump Inhibitor Treatment in Pediatric Eosinophilic Esophagitis.

Objectives: There are no tests or patient factors to help predict the best treatment approach for a patient with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). The prevalence of proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) responsive EoE in children ranges from 30% to 71% with multiple studies showing similar characteristics in responders and nonresponders. Eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN), an eosinophilic granule protein, measured in esophageal brushing has been shown to be a viable measure of disease activity in EoE.

One decade of 'Bench-to-Bedside' peptide receptor radionuclide therapy with indigenous [Lu]Lu-DOTATATE obtained through 'Direct' neutron activation route: lessons learnt including practice evolution in an Indian setting.

The present treatise chronicles one decade of experience pertaining to clinical PRRT services in a large-volume tertiary cancer care centre in India delivering over 4,000 therapies, an exemplar of successful PRRT programme employing indigenous Lutetium production and resources. For the purpose of systematic discussion, we have sub-divided the communication into 3 specific parts: (a) Radiopharmaceutical aspects that describes Lutetium production through 'Direct' Neutron Activation Route and the subsequent radiolabeling procedures, (b) The specific clinical nuances and finer learning points (apart from the routine standard procedure) based upon clinical experience and how it has undergone practice evolution in our setting and (c) Dosimetry results with this indigenous product and radiation safety/health physics aspects involved in PRRT services. Initiated in 2010 at our centre, the PRRT programme is a perfect example of affordable quality health care delivery, with indigenous production of the radionuclide (Lu) in the reactor and subsequent radiolabeling of the radiopharmaceutical ([Lu]Lu-DOTATATE) at the hospital radiopharmacy unit of the centre, which enabled catering to the needs of a large number of patients of progressive, metastatic and advanced Neuroendocrine Neoplasms (NENs) and related malignancies.

Adjunctive Pain Control Methods Lower Narcotic Use and Pain Scores for Patients With Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Undergoing Posterior Spinal Fusion.

Study Design: This was a retrospective review of patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) undergoing posterior spinal fusion (PSF).

Objectives: To determine whether the use of adjunctive pain medications (bupivacaine pump, dexmedetomidine, and ketorolac) will reduce the need for opioids, reduce postoperative pain, and shorten length of hospital stay in patients with AIS undergoing PSF.

Summary Of Background Data: Posterior spinal fusion and instrumentation for AIS can cause significant postoperative pain.

The study of complications of vivax malaria in comparison with falciparum malaria in Mumbai.

Introduction: Severe malaria due to P. vivax infection is increasingly observed now a days. Organ failure in vivax malaria is caused by mechanisms of inflammation as well as sequestration.

Monitoring the sedimentary carbon in an artificially disturbed deep-sea sedimentary environment.

An area of 0.6 km(2) in the manganese nodule field of the Central Indian Basin was physically disturbed and sediments discharged in the near bottom waters to simulate seabed mining and study its impact on benthic ecosystem. An estimated 2 to 3 tonnes of sedimentary organic carbon (C(org)) was resuspended into the water column during a 9-day experiment.

Formulation and evaluation of novel micellar nanocarrier for nasal delivery of sumatriptan.

Aim: The investigation was aimed at designing a micellar nanocarrier of sumatriptan for nose-to-brain delivery and to identify the probable pathway of drug transport to the brain.

Materials & Methods: Micellar nanocarriers were formulated using various safe and acceptable excipients. Optimized formulation was characterized for particle size by multiangle dynamic light scattering, small-angle neutron scattering and cryo-transmission electron microscopy.

Micellar nanocarriers: potential nose-to-brain delivery of zolmitriptan as novel migraine therapy.

Purpose: The investigation was aimed at developing micellar nanocarriers for nose-to-brain delivery of zolmitriptan with the objective to investigate the pathway involved in the drug transport.

Methods: The micellar nanocarrier was successfully formulated and characterized for particle size and shape by multi-angle dynamic light scattering, small angle neutron scattering and cryo-transmission electron microscopy. Toxicity and biodistribution studies were carried out in rat.

Bronchoalveolar carcinoma of lung masquerading as iodine avid metastasis in a patient with minimally invasive follicular carcinoma of thyroid.

A 52-year-old man with follicular thyroid carcinoma was administered 182 mCi of radioiodine (I-131) a month after total thyroidectomy. Post-therapy scan revealed diffuse uptake of radioiodine in the apical left lung. CT-guided biopsy of this mass revealed mucinous bronchoalveolar carcinoma.

Impaired oxygen on-kinetics in persons with human immunodeficiency virus are not due to highly active antiretroviral therapy.

Objective: To determine the effects of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on oxygen on-kinetics in HIV-positive persons.

Design: Quasi-experimental cross-sectional.

Setting: Infectious disease clinic and exercise laboratory.

Reproducibility of the exponential rise technique of CO(2) rebreathing for measuring P(v)CO(2) and C(v)CO(2 )to non-invasively estimate cardiac output during incremental, maximal treadmill exercise.

The purpose of this study was to determine the reproducibility of the indirect Fick method for the measurement of mixed venous carbon dioxide partial pressure (P(v)CO(2)) and venous carbon dioxide content (C(v)CO(2)) for estimation of cardiac output (Q(c)), using the exponential rise method of carbon dioxide rebreathing, during non-steady-state treadmill exercise. Ten healthy participants (eight female and two male) performed three incremental, maximal exercise treadmill tests to exhaustion within 1 week. Non-invasive Q(c) measurements were evaluated at rest, during each 3-min stage, and at peak exercise, across three identical treadmill tests, using the exponential rise technique for measuring mixed venous PCO(2) and CCO(2) and estimating venous-arterio carbon dioxide content difference (C(v-a)CO(2)).

Decreased peak arteriovenous oxygen difference during treadmill exercise testing in individuals infected with the human immunodeficiency virus.

Objective: To determine if arteriovenous oxygen difference was lower in asymptomatic individuals with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection than in sedentary but otherwise healthy controls.

Design: Quasi-experimental cross-sectional.

Setting: Clinical exercise laboratory.

A comparison of Qt and a-vO2 in individuals with HIV taking and not taking HAART.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine whether highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), rather than the direct effect of HIV infection, limits peripheral muscle oxygen extraction-utilization (a-vO(2)) in individuals infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Methods: Fifteen subjects (6 female and 9 male) with HIV taking HAART, 15 subjects infected with HIV not taking HAART, and 15 healthy gender and activity level matched non-HIV infected controls (N = 45) performed an maximal treadmill exercise test to exhaustion. Noninvasive cardiac output Qt was measured at each stage and at peak exercise using the indirect Fick method based on the exponential rise carbon dioxide rebreathing method.

Effect of inhaled terbutaline on platelet activity in bronchial asthma.

Thirty five young subjects with long standing bronchial asthma were studied for the effects of terbutaline misthaler (500 micrograms) during acute asthma. Bronchodilators were omitted for a day before the test. Ten matched controls were also studied.

Dietary fiber sources lower blood cholesterol in C57BL/6 mice.

Five sources of dietary fiber were compared for their effect on blood and liver cholesterol. The effects of soybean fiber, rice bran (full fat), oat bran, barley bran and mixed bran on total blood cholesterol concentrations and liver cholesterol concentrations were measured in beef-fed C57BL/6 male mice. Each diet contained cooked beef, beef tallow, corn starch and 7% dietary fiber from one of the five fiber sources.