Ac-EAZY! Towards GMP-Compliant Module Syntheses of Ac-Labeled Peptides for Clinical Application.

The application of Ac (half-life T = 9.92 d) dramatically reduces the activity used for peptide receptor radionuclide therapy by a factor of 1000 in comparison to Y, Lu or Re while maintaining the therapeutic outcome. Additionally, the range of alpha particles of Ac and its daughter nuclides in tissue is much lower (47-85 μm for alpha energies E = 5.

Comparison of (90)Y activity measurements in nuclear medicine in Germany.

In 2014, PTB and the company Eckert & Ziegler organized a national comparison exercise to determine the activity of a (90)Y solution. One aim of the comparison was to assess the measurement capability of hospitals and medical practices in Germany. P6-type vials were filled with aliquots of a radioactive (90)Y solution and then sent to 19 participants who were asked to measure the activity in the ampoules as well as in their own standard geometry using syringes.

Main bronchus occlusion for treatment of congenital diaphragmatic hernia in fetal lambs.

Purpose: The present study investigates a new surgical approach in the treatment of left diaphragmatic hernia in fetal sheep. We postulated that unlike tracheal occlusion where both lungs are occluded, selective left main bronchus occlusion (LMBO) would accelerate growth of only the left lung, reduce left visceral herniation, and recover space in the both thoraces necessary for lung development.

Methods: Left-sided congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) was surgically created in 8 fetal lambs at approximately 65 days of gestation; in 4 of these animals, LMBO was performed at approximately 118 days.

Prenatal glucocorticoids improve lung morphology and partially restores surfactant mRNA expression in lambs with diaphragmatic hernia undergoing fetal tracheal occlusion.

In fetal sheep with surgically created diaphragmatic hernia (DH), tracheal occlusion (TO) can restore lung growth but does not ameliorate the increase in inter-alveolar wall thickness (T(W)). We determined whether prenatal exposure to glucocorticoids (GC) could reduce T(w) in fetuses with DH undergoing TO. At 65 days of gestation, DH was created in 12 fetal sheep, and TO subsequently performed at 110 days (DH/TO).

Prenatal glucocorticoids and exogenous surfactant therapy improve respiratory function in lambs with severe diaphragmatic hernia following fetal tracheal occlusion.

Fetal tracheal occlusion (TO) accelerates lung growth and can reverse severe lung hypoplasia associated with diaphragmatic hernia (DH), however, lung compliance (Cl) and respiratory gas exchange remain abnormal. We determined the individual and combined effects of prenatal glucocorticoids (GC) and exogenous surfactant therapy (S) on postnatal pulmonary function in lambs with DH that underwent prolonged TO. DH was created in 22 fetal sheep at 65 d of gestation and TO performed at 110 d.

Tracheal occlusion in fetal rats alters expression of mesenchymal nuclear transcription factors without affecting surfactant protein expression.

Background/purpose: Mesenchymal nuclear transcription factors (MNTF) are involved in lung development and maturation and regulate surfactant protein (SP) expression. Prolonged (>2 weeks) fetal tracheal occlusion (TO) has been shown to accelerate lung growth and inhibit pulmonary surfactant synthesis. The effects of TO on SP expression and MNTF, however, have not been formally assessed.

Surfactant protein expression is increased in the ipsilateral but not contralateral lungs of fetal sheep with left-sided diaphragmatic hernia.

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) impairs fetal lung growth and increases the density of alveolar epithelial type 2 (AE2) cells. There is controversy whether surfactant protein (SP) expression is altered in CDH. The primary aim of this study was to assess SP expression (mRNA and protein) in the left and right lungs of fetal sheep with and without a diaphragmatic hernia (DH).

The influence of cortical maturation on the BOLD response: an fMRI study of visual cortex in children.

We performed blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) functional MR imaging in 11 children younger than 5 y of age and 10 children older than 5 y of age. All but five of the children in the older age group were tested under light anesthesia. We examined the cerebral oxidative metabolism (CMRO(2)) associated with the processing of a flashed and a reversing checkerboard stimulus.

Prenatally diagnosed giant omphaloceles: short- and long-term outcomes.

Objectives: To review prenatal findings, short- and long-term outcomes of giant omphaloceles (GO) managed at a single institution (1996-2001).

Methods: Prenatal findings and early postnatal outcomes were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical short- and long-term outcomes were analyzed in eight and five children respectively.

What effect does measuring children under anesthesia have on the blood oxygenation level-dependent signal? A functional magnetic resonance imaging study of visual cortex.

We performed functional magnetic resonance measurements involving visual stimuli on 10 children. Half of the children were measured awake, the other half were measured under light Sevoflurane anesthesia corresponding to 0.5 mean alveolar concentration.

Anesthesia for fetal surgery.

Fetal surgery is a rapidly growing and evolving area. Fetal surgery is based on years of animal and clinical research. In contrast, anesthesia techniques for fetal surgery are based on clinical experience.

Temporary tracheal occlusion in fetal sheep with lung hypoplasia does not improve postnatal lung function.

Prolonged fetal tracheal occlusion (TO) accelerates lung growth but leads to loss of alveolar epithelial type II (AE2) cells. In contrast, temporary TO leads to recovery of AE2 cells and their ability to produce surfactant. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of temporary TO in fetal sheep with lung hypoplasia on postnatal lung function, structure, and surfactant protein mRNA expression.