Nutrition Facts Panel use is associated with diet quality and dietary patterns among Latinos with type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: The study aims were to (i) identify determinants of Nutrition Facts Panel (NFP) use and (ii) describe the association between NFP use and dietary intake among Latinos with type 2 diabetes. DESIGN: Baseline cross-sectional data from a clinical trial were used to assess the association between NFP use and dietary intake. Diet was measured using two methods: (i) a diet quality score (the Healthy Eating Index-2010) derived from a single 24 h recall and (ii) dietary pattern (exploratory factor analyses) from an FFQ. Multivariable logistic and non-parametric quantile regressions were conducted, as appropriate. Settings Hartford County, Connecticut, USA. SUBJECTS: Latino adults (n 203), ≥21 years of age, with diagnosed type 2 diabetes, glycosylated Hb≥7 %, and without medical conditions limiting physical activity. RESULTS: Participants' education level, diabetes-related knowledge and English speaking were positively associated with NFP use. At the higher percentiles of diet quality score, NFP use was significantly associated with higher diet quality. Similarly, NFP users were more likely to consume a 'healthy' dietary pattern (P=0·003) and less likely to consume a 'fried snack' pattern (P=0·048) compared with NFP non-users. CONCLUSIONS: The association between reported NFP use and diet quality was positive and significantly stronger among participants who reported consuming a healthier diet. While NFP use was associated with a healthier dietary pattern, not using NFP was associated with a less-healthy, fried snack pattern. Longitudinal studies are needed to understand whether improving NFP use could be an effective intervention to improve diet quality among Latinos with type 2 diabetes.

Effects of Food Label Use on Diet Quality and Glycemic Control Among Latinos With Type 2 Diabetes in a Community Health Worker-Supported Intervention.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the impact of an intervention led by community health workers (CHWs) on food label use and to assess whether food label use and diet quality mediate the intervention's impact on glycemic control. METHODS: From 2006 to 2010, 203 Latinos (intervention group, n = 100; control group, n = 103) in Hartford County, Connecticut, with type 2 diabetes were randomized to an intervention that included 17 CHW-led home-based sessions over a 12-month period in addition to the standard of care available in both study arms. Data on food label use, diet quality, covariates, and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were collected at baseline and at 3, 6, 12, and 18 months. Data were analyzed via mixed effects and multilevel structural equation modeling. RESULTS: Food label use in the intervention (vs control) group was significantly higher at 3, 12, and 18 months (odds ratio = 2.99; 95% confidence interval = 1.69, 5.29). Food label use and diet quality were positive mediators of improved HbA1c levels. CONCLUSIONS: Culturally tailored interventions led by CHWs could increase food label use. Also, CHW-delivered food label education may lead to better diet quality and improve glycemic control among Latinos with type 2 diabetes.

Preparation & in vitro evaluation of 9°Y-DOTA-rituximab.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Radioimmunotherapy is extensively being used for the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Use of rituximab, a chimeric anti-CD20 antibody directed against the CD20 antigen in combination with suitable beta emitters is expected to result in good treatment response by its cross-fire and bystander effects. The present work involves the conjugation of p-isothiocyanatobenzyl DOTA (p-SCN-Bn-DOTA) to rituximab, its radiolabelling with [90] Y and in vitro and in vivo evaluation to determine its potential as a radioimmunotherapeutic agent. METHODS: Rituximab was conjugated with p-SCN-Bn-DOTA at 1:1 antibody: DOTA molar ratio. The number of DOTA molecules linked to one molecule of rituximab was determined by radioassay and spectroscopic assay. Radiolabelling of rituximab with 90 Y was carried out and its in vitro stability was evaluated. In vitro cell binding studies were carried out in Raji cells expressing CD20 antigen. Biodistribution studies were carried out in normal Swiss mice. RESULTS: Using both radioassay and spectroscopic method, it was determined that about five molecules of DOTA were linked to rituximab. Radiolabelling of the rituximab conjugate with [90] Y and subsequent purification on PD-10 column gave a product with radiochemical purity (RCP) > 98 per cent which was retained at > 90 per cent up to 72 h when stored at 37°C. In vitro cell binding experiments of 90 Y-DOTA-rituximab with Raji cells exhibited specific binding of 20.7 ± 0.1 per cent with [90] Y-DOTA-rituximab which reduced to 15.5 ± 0.2 per cent when incubated with cold rituximab. The equilibrium constant K d for 90 Y-DOTA-Rituximab was determined to be 3.38 nM. Radiolabelled antibody showed clearance via hepatobiliary and renal routes and activity in tibia was found to be quite low indicating in vivo stability of [90] Y-DOTA-rituximab. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS: p-SCN-Bn-DOTA was conjugated with rituximab and radiolabelling with 90 Y was carried out. In vitro studies carried out in Raji cells showed the specificity of the radiolabelled conjugate suggesting the potential uitability of the formulation as a radiopharmaceutical for therapy of NHL.

Preliminary evaluation of indigenous 90 Y-labelled microspheres for therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Yttrium-90 ( 90 Y)-based radioembolization has been employed to treat hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) as commercial radioactive glass and polymeric resin microspheres. However, in India and other Asian countries, these preparations must be imported and are expensive, validating the need for development of indigenous alternatives. This work was aimed to develop an economically and logistically favourable indigenous alternative to imported radioembolizing agents for HCC therapy. METHODS: The preparation of 90 Y-labelled Biorex 70 microspheres was optimized and in vitro stability was assessed. Hepatic tumour model was generated in Sprague-Dawley rats by orthotopic implantation of N1S1 rat HCC cell line. In vivo localization and retention of the 90 Y-labelled Biorex 70 microspheres was assessed for seven days, and impact on N1S1 tumour growth was studied by histological examination and biochemical assays. RESULTS: Under optimal conditions, >95% 90 Y-labelling yield of Biorex70 resin microspheres was obtained, and these showed excellent in vitro stability of labelling (>95%) at seven days. In animal studies, 90 Y-labelled Biorex 70 microspheres were retained (87.72±1.56% retained in liver at 7 days). Rats administered with 90 Y-labelled Biorex 70 microspheres exhibited lower tumour to liver weight ratio, reduced serum alpha-foetoprotein level and greater damage to tumour tissue as compared to controls. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS: 90 Y-labelled Biorex 70 microspheres showed stable retention in the liver and therapeutic effect on tumour tissue, indicating the potential for further study towards clinical use.

Single vial kit formulation of DOTATATE for preparation of (177) Lu-labeled therapeutic radiopharmaceutical at hospital radiopharmacy.

The clinical applications of radiolabeled somatostatin analogue (177) Lu-DOTA-Tyr(3) -Thr(8) -Octreotide ((177) Lu-DOTATATE) constitute a promising treatment option for patients with disseminated and inoperable neuroendocrine (NET) tumors. Formulation of (177) Lu-DOTATATE in hospital radiopharmacy under aseptic conditions in a safe and reliable manner is a major constraint for its extensive use. The present work was intended to develop a kit for the safe preparation of the therapeutic radiopharmaceutical, viz. (177) Lu-DOTATATE of high quality that can be easily adapted at conventional hospital radiopharmacies. Single vial kits of DOTATATE were formulated and evaluated for suitability for radiolabeling as well as stability on its storage. Patient dose of (177) Lu-DOTATATE (7.4 GBq) could be successfully prepared using semi-automated in-house setup that assures safe handling and high yields of product of pharmaceutical purity suitable for clinical use. Fast clearance of activity via renal route was observed in preclinical biodistribution studies of (177) Lu-DOTATATE carried out in normal Swiss mice. Deployment of in-house produced (177) LuCl3 , cold kits and easy adaptability of synthesis setup at hospital radiopharmacy for preparation is likely to expand applications of peptide receptor radionuclide therapy.

Bioevaluation of (125) I Ocu-Prosta seeds for application in prostate cancer brachytherapy.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: In recent years, brachytherapy involving permanent radioactive seed implantation has emerged as an effective modality for the management of cancer of prostate. 125 I-Ocu-Prosta seeds were indigenously developed and studies were carried out to assess the safety of the indigenously developed 125 I-Ocu-Prosta seeds for treatment of prostate cancer. METHODS: Animal experiments were performed to assess the likelihood of in vivo release of 125 I from radioactive seeds and migration of seeds implanted in the prostate gland of the rabbit. In vivo release of 125 I activity was monitored by serial blood sampling from the auricular vein and subsequent measurement of 125 I activity. Serial computed tomography (CT) scans were done at regular intervals till 6 months post implant to assess the physical migration of the seeds. RESULTS: The laser welded seeds maintained their hermeticity and prevented the in vivo release of 125 I activity into the blood as no radioactivity was detected during follow up blood measurements. Our study showed that the miniature 125 I seeds were clearly resolved in CT images. Seeds remained within the prostate gland during the entire study period. Moreover, the seed displacement was minimal even within the prostate gland. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS: Our findings have demonstrated that indigenously developed 125 I-Ocu-Prosta seeds may be suitable for application in treatment of prostate cancer.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Participation is Associated with Lower Health Care Spending among Working Age Adults without Dependents.

Prior evidence suggests an association among food insecurity, poor health, and increased health care spending. In this study, we are using a natural experiment to confirm if longer participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is associated with reduced Medicaid spending among a highly impoverished group of adults. In 2013, the mandatory work requirements associated with SNAP benefits were lifted for able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs). Using 2013 to 2015 Medicaid and SNAP data of 24,181 Minnesotans aged 18-49, we examined if changes in SNAP enrollment duration affect health care expenditures. In fully adjusted within-participant regression models, for each additional month of SNAP, average annual health care spending was $98.8 lower (95% CI: -131.7, -66.0; p<.001) per person. Our data suggests that allowing ABAWDs to receive SNAP even in months they are not working may be critical to their health as well as cost-effective.

Mannosylated dextran derivatives labeled with fac-[M(CO)3]+ (M = (99m)Tc, Re) for specific targeting of sentinel lymph node.

Despite being widely used in the clinical setting for sentinel lymph node detection (SLND), (99m)Tc-based colloids (e.g., (99m)Tc-human serum albumin colloids) present a set of properties that are far from ideal. Aiming to design novel compounds with improved biological properties, we describe herein the first class of fully characterized (99m)Tc(CO)3-mannosylated dextran derivatives with adequate features for SLND. Dextran derivatives, containing the same number of pendant mannose units (13) and a variable number (n) of tridentate chelators (9, n = 1; 10, n = 4, 11, n= 12), have been synthesized and fully characterized. Radiolabeled polymers of the type fac-[(99m)Tc(CO)3(k³-L)] (12, L = 9, 13, L = 10, 14, L = 11) have been obtained quantitatively in high radiochemical purity (≥ 98%) upon reaction of the dextran derivatives with fac-[(99m)Tc(CO)3(H2O)3]+. The highly stable compounds 13 and 14 were identified by comparing their HPLC chromatograms with the ones obtained for the corresponding rhenium surrogates fac-[Re(CO)3(k³-10)] (13a) and fac-[Re(CO)3(k³-11)] (14a), which have been characterized both at the chemical (NMR and IR spectroscopy, and HPLC) and physical level (DLS, AFM and LDV). Compounds 13a and 14a present a positive zeta potential (+ 7.1 mV, pH 7.4) and a hydrodynamic diameter in the range 8.4-8.7 nm. Scintigraphic imaging and biodistribution studies in Wistar rats have shown good accumulation in the sentinel node at 60 min postinjection (6.71 ± 2.35%, 13; and 7.53 ± 0.69%, 14), with significant retention up to 180 min. A clear delineation of the sentinel lymph node without significant washout to other regions was observed in the scintigraphic images. The popliteal extraction of 94.47 ± 2.45% for 14 at 1 h postinjection, as compared to 61.81 ± 2.4% for 13, indicated that 14 is a very promising compound to be further explored as SLN imaging agent.

INCIDENCE OF RIFAMPICIN-RESISTANCE PRESUMPTIVE M. TUBERCULOSIS CASES AMONG OUTPATIENTS IN KEBBI STATE, NIGERIA.

BACKGROUND: The present study determined the incidence of rifampicin resistance M. tuberculosis among outpatients at the General Hospital Yauri, Kebbi State, Nigeria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study is a cross-sectional study conducted from February 2018 to October 2019. Sociodemographic data were collected from hospital registration books. Rifampicin resistance M. tuberculosis was detected using GeneXpert Model GX-IV following manufacturers' instruction. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were computed using SPSS version 20. The results were presented as odds ratios with associated 95% confidence intervals, and P-value at 0.05. RESULT: Of the 837 samples, 65.8% (551/837) were males, and 34.2% (286/837) females, 11.4% (95/837) HIV-seropositive. M. tuberculosis was detected in 15.5% (130/837), of which 116/130 (89.23%) were males and 14/130 (10.77%) females. M. tuberculosis-HIV coinfection was detected in 9.47% (9/95) of HIV positive. Rifampicin resistance was observed in 1.3% (11/837), 7.7% (10/130) in M. tuberculosis patients and 1.05% (1/94) in HIV seropositive. In logistic regression, the odds ratio for having a rifampicin-resistant M. tuberculosis was 0.49 (0.15-1.54) for > 30 years; taking <30 years as the reference value, 1.02 (1.00-1.03) for male; taking female as the reference value, and 0.78 (0.09-6.15) for HIV positive, taking negative as the reference value. CONCLUSION: This study reported the current incidence rate of rifampicin-resistant M. tuberculosis at the General Hospital Yelwa Yauri, Kebbi State, Nigeria, among presumptive TB patients. Patients diagnosed with rifampicin-resistant M. tuberculosis were predominantly male adults. Thus, frequent screening is vital for surveillance and reduces the risk of transmission and spread of M. tuberculosis infections.

Bioevaluation of (90)Y-labeled particles in animal model of arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the behaviour of (90)Y-labeled particles when injected into an arthritic knee joint of Wistar rats with severe inflammation induced using Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA). METHODS: (90)Y-ferric hydroxide macroaggregates ((90)Y-FHMA), (90)Y-hydroxyapatite ((90)Y-HA) and (90)Y-phosphate particles ((90)YPO(4)) were prepared, subjected to quality control analyses and in vitro stability studies. Biodistribution studies were carried out by intra-articular injection into knee joints of Wistar rats induced with chronic inflammatory arthritis using CFA and by monitoring the radioactivity for retention and leakage. RESULTS: All the three preparations exhibited ~99% localization in knee joints even at 24 h p.i. with very small amounts observed in the liver and lungs, possibly due to leakage of the radiolabeled particles from the inflamed knee joint. Absence of any radioactivity in the femur indicated the in vivo stability of the particle preparations. CONCLUSIONS: The biodistribution patterns were very similar in the normal and arthritic rats and were associated with negligible leakage (up to 24 h) from the knee joint indicating the potential of all the (90)Y-radiolabeled preparations reported here, for use in radiation synoviorthesis.

Synthesis and bio-evaluation of a new fatty acid derivative for myocardial imaging.

Development of a (99m)Tc-fatty acid analogue is of interest, as (99m)Tc is logistically advantageous over the cyclotron-produced (11)C and (123)I. Synthesis of a 16 carbon fatty acid derivative and its radiolabeling with the novel [(99m)TcN(PNP)](2+) core is described here. Hexadecanedioic acid was conjugated to cysteine in an overall yield of 55%. This ligand could be labeled with (99m)Tc via the [(99m)TcN(PNP)](2+) core, in 80% yield, as a mixture of two isomers (syn and anti). The major isomer isolated by HPLC was used for bioevaluation studies in swiss mice and compared with radioiodinated iodophenyl pentadecanoic acid (IPPA), an established agent for myocardial metabolic imaging. (99m)Tc-labeled complex cleared faster from the non-target organs, namely, liver, lungs, and blood compared to that of [(125)I]-IPPA. However, the complex exhibited lower uptake and faster washout from the myocardium as compared to [(125)I]-IPPA.

Bioevaluation studies of 32P incorporated mould brachytherapy sources for potential application in treatment of superficial tumors.

AIM: To prepare 32P-based user-friendly mould brachytherpy sources for the treatment of superficial tumors. METHODS: 32P as orthophosphoric acid was adsorbed on 15-25 mm (diameter) circular sheets of cellulose-based adsorbent paper to prepare sources containing approximately 37-74 MBq of 32P per cm of strip. The sources were immobilized between plastic sheets of 40 microm thickness. Autoradiography studies were carried out to determine the uniformity of 32P deposition in the source. Dosimetric evaluation of the sources was also carried out. Bioevaluation studies were carried out in C57BL6 mice bearing melanoma using 37-74 MBq sources. RESULTS: Cellulose-based sources containing 37-74 MBq of 32P per cm2 could be prepared from which no radioactivity leakage could be detected in water or saline. Autoradiography studies revealed 32P to be uniformly distributed in these sources. Dosimetric evaluation showed that the contact dose imparted was 10 Gy/h, sufficient for treatment of superficial tumors. In mice bearing melanoma, complete tumor regression could be achieved with two applications of 37-74 MBq sources, at an interval of 3 days. Histopathological examination of the skin tissue from the treated area proved the absence of tumor as compared with the controls. CONCLUSION: Preparation of P sources of various shapes and sizes (based on the tumor size) having uniform 32P activity distribution could be achieved. Efficacy of these sources in treating melanoma tumors could be established in the animal model.

Nutrition label use is associated with lower longer-term diabetes risk in US adults.

Background: Regular nutrition label use may have important long-term health implications. To our knowledge, the role of nutrition label use in protecting against the development of chronic diseases was unexplored prospectively before this study.Objective: We tested the association between nutrition label use and risk of a future diabetes diagnosis in a multiethnic US cohort.Design: Data from the ongoing National Longitudinal Survey of Youth-1979 (NLSY79) were analyzed. From 2002 (baseline) to 5 follow-up time points (2004-2012), 7150 diabetes-free, multiethnic young adults were prospectively followed for a diagnosis of incident diabetes. Nutrition label use, diabetes diagnosis, time to diabetes diagnosis, and all covariates were self-reported.Results: Between January 2002 and September 2013, 430 participants (6.0%) were diagnosed with diabetes. A weighted, multivariable, extended Cox regression was conducted, which suggested that in nutrition label users, the HR of diabetes diagnosis risk decreased significantly with time (P-nutrition label use × time interaction < 0.05) compared with risk in nutrition label nonusers.Conclusions: There is an association between nutrition label use and diabetes risk in the longer term. However, additional longitudinal research with a robust dietary intake assessment is needed to test this hypothesis.

Clinical utility of 99mTc-ubiquicidin (29-41) as an adjunct to bone scan in differentiating infected versus noninfected loosening of prosthesis before revision surgery.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of Tc-ubiquicidin (Tc-UBI) (29-41) as an adjunct to an methylene diphosphonate (MDP) bone scan in differentiating septic versus aseptic loosening in patients with painful prosthesis posted for revision surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A two-vial cold kit of UBI (29-41) was prepared and utilized for the preparation of patient dose of Tc-UBI (29-41). Twenty two patients with painful hip or knee prosthesis and scheduled for revision surgery were included in the study. Overall, 370-555 MBq of Tc-UBI (29-41) was injected intravenously in all the patients. A blood pool image at 20 min after injection was followed by spot views of the suspected region of infection (target) and a corresponding normal area (nontarget) at 60 min. All patients underwent a routine Tc-MDP three-phase whole-body bone scan, followed by single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography of the prosthesis within a week of the Tc-UBI (29-41) study. For Tc-UBI scans, a visual score (0-3) was used to categorize studies as positive or negative, with scores of 0 (minimal or no uptake; less than soft tissue or contralateral extremity) and 1 (mild; equivalent to soft tissue or contralateral extremity) being considered negative and scores of 2 (moderate; uptake greater than soft tissue or contralateral extremity, but less than the liver) or 3 (intense; uptake greater than soft tissue or contralateral extremity and equivalent to the liver) being considered positive. The final correlation was on the basis of bacterial culture as the major criterion and the results of clinical tests, radiography, fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose PET-CT, and three-phase bone scanning as the minor criteria. RESULTS: In all, 22 studies were carried out with Tc-UBI (29-41). Of these, 16 scans were considered positive and six were negative for infection foci. All negative scans were subsequently confirmed to be true negative. Adverse reactions were not observed during image acquisition and within 5 days after the study. The overall sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were 100, 85.7, 93.75, and 100%, respectively. A combination of an MDP bone scan and UBI scans was considered to yield maximum confidence toward reporting for the presence of infection. CONCLUSION: Patient dose of Tc-UBI (29-41) was prepared successfully and a simple quality control method to check radiolabeling yield was used at the hospital radiopharmacy. Tc-UBI (29-41) showed promise in localizing foci of infection, with optimal visualization at 20-60 min, for the evaluation of prosthesis loosening.

Radioactive skin bandages incorporating 32P for treatment of superficial tumors.

Radioactive bandages incorporating 32P, a high-energy beta- emitter, were prepared with an aim to have a radiation source that can be used for the treatment of superficial tumors. 32P-Chromic phosphate particles were prepared and filtered through Millipore filters. Filter incorporating 32P activity was immobilized between nitrocellulose membranes and placed on an adhesive bandage. There was no leakage of radioactivity from the bandage when tested in saline. Efficacy of the radioactive bandage for treatment of superficial tumors was tested in melanoma-bearing C57BL/6 mice. A single dose of treatment with 74 MBq 32P bandage resulted in tumor growth delay, whereas multiple dose treatment with 74 MBq 32P bandage at twice-weekly intervals resulted in complete tumor regression when treatment was started, when the tumor was merely palpable. Histology sections from the treated animals showed absence of tumor.

Preliminary evaluation of the potential of 99mTc carbonyl-DTPA-Rituximab as a tracer for sentinel lymph node detection.

Preliminary work with (99m)Tc carbonyl-DTPA-Rituximab was attempted to test its feasibility as a sentinel lymph node (SLN) tracer for patients with breast cancer. (99m)Tc labeling of DTPA-Rituximab conjugate was carried out via (99m)Tc carbonyl synthon which exhibited >95% radiochemical purity and good in vitro stability. In vitro studies of (99m)Tc carbonyl-DTPA-Rituximab in normal and malignant B cells showed higher binding in malignant cells. In vivo distribution of (99m)Tc carbonyl-DTPA-Rituximab in Wistar rat footpad model indicated good retention by B-cells present in the sentinel lymph node.

(68) Ga-labeled Ciprofloxacin Conjugates as Radiotracers for Targeting Bacterial Infection.

With an aim of developing a bacteria-specific molecular imaging agent, ciprofloxacin has been modified with a propylamine spacer and linked to two common bifunctional chelators, p-SCN-Bz-DOTA and p-SCN-Bz-NOTA. The two ciprofloxacin conjugates, CP-PA-SCN-Bz-DOTA (1) and CP-PA-SCN-Bz-NOTA (2), were radiolabeled with (68)Ga in >90% radiochemical yield and were moderately stable in vitro for 4 h. The efficacy of (68)Ga-1 and (68)Ga-2 has been investigated in vitro in Staphylococcus aureus cells where bacterial binding of the radiotracers (0.9-1.0% for (68)Ga-1 and 1.6-2.3% for (68)Ga-2) could not be blocked in the presence of excess amount of unlabeled ciprofloxacin. However, uptake of radiotracers in live bacterial cells was significantly higher (p < 0.01) than that in non-viable bacterial cells. Bacterial infection targeting efficacy of (68)Ga-1 and (68)Ga-2 was tested in vivo in rats where the infected muscle-to-inflamed muscle ((68)Ga-1: 2 ± 0.2, (68)Ga-2: 3 ± 0.5) and infected muscle-to-normal muscle ratios ((68)Ga-1: 3 ± 0.4, (68)Ga-2: 6.6 ± 0.8) were found to improve at 120 min p.i. Fast blood clearance and renal excretion was observed for both the radiotracers. The two (68)Ga-labeled infection targeting radiotracers could discriminate between bacterial infection and inflammation in vivo and are worthy of further detailed investigation as infection imaging agents at the clinical level.

Studies on batch formulation of a kit for the preparation of the 99mTc-Ubiquicidin (29-41): An infection imaging agent.

The aim of this study was to formulate an indigenous cold kit of Ubiquicidin, UBI (29-41), for easy preparation of (99m)Tc-UBI (29-41) to be used as an infection imaging agent. A two component kit with the peptide and SnCl2 as vial 1 and optimum amount of NaOH as vial 2 was successfully formulated as seen from the consistent radiochemical and pharmaceutical purity of the product over six consecutive batches of kits. The utility of the kit could be demonstrated through in-vitro and in vivo specificity of (99m)Tc-UBI (29-41).

Relevance of radiobiological concepts in radionuclide therapy of cancer.

PURPOSE: Radionuclide therapy (RNT) is a rapidly growing area of clinical nuclear medicine, wherein radionuclides are employed to deliver cytotoxic dose of radiation to the diseased cells/tissues. During RNT, radionuclides are either directly administered or delivered through biomolecules targeting the diseased site. RNT has been clinically used for diverse range of diseases including cancer, which is the focus of the review. CONCLUSIONS: The major emphasis in RNT has so far been given towards developing peptides/antibodies and other molecules to conjugate a variety of therapeutic radioisotopes for improved targeting/delivery of radiation dose to the tumor cells. Despite that, many of the RNT approaches have not achieved their desired therapeutic success probably due to poor knowledge about complex and dynamic (i) fate of radiolabeled molecules; (ii) radiation dose delivered; (iii) cellular heterogeneity in tumor mass; and (iv) cellular radiobiological response. Based on understanding gathered during recent years, it may be stated that besides the absorbed dose, the net radiobiological response of tumor/normal cells also determines the clinical response of radiotherapeutic modalities including RNT. The radiosensitivity of tumor/normal cells is governed by radiobiological phenomenon such as radiation-induced bystander effect, genomic instability, adaptive response and low dose hyper-radiosensitivity. These concepts have been well investigated in the context of external beam radiotherapy, but their clinical implications during RNT have received meagre attention. In this direction, a few studies performed using in vitro and in vivo models envisage the possibilities of exploiting the radiobiological knowledge for improved therapeutic outcome of RNT.

Weight Gain Prevention among Midlife Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial to Address Needs Related to the Physical and Social Environment.

Women tend to gain weight at midlife (40-60 years) increasing risk of obesity-related chronic diseases. Within specific eating occasions, needs related to the physical and social environment may result in less healthy eating behavior, which can lead to weight gain over time. The purpose of this study was to determine if a dietitian-delivered nutrition counseling intervention tailored to eating occasion needs could improve diet and prevent weight gain among midlife women over two years. A randomized controlled trial was conducted with healthy midlife women (n = 354) in one U.S. metropolitan area. The intervention group (n = 185) received ten hours of individual nutrition counseling from dietitians over six months, while women in a control group (n = 169) received no counseling. Measured height, weight and waist circumference, and dietary intakes were collected at baseline and every six months over two years. Mixed linear models were used to test for intervention effect on change in outcome variables over time. Dietary intakes of fruit, reduced/low-fat dairy foods and refined grains were significantly improved over time in the intervention compared to control group. However, the intervention had no effect on weight over time (p = 0.48). Nutrition counseling tailored to address eating occasion needs improved self-reported diet but did not significantly affect weight change.