Engineering of galectin-3 for glycan-binding optical imaging.

Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is a multifunctional glycan-binding protein that participates in many pathophysiological events and has been described as a biomarker and potential therapeutic target for severe disorders, such as cancer. Several probes for Gal-3 or its ligands have been developed, however both the pathophysiological mechanisms and potential biomedical applications of Gal-3 remain not fully assessed. Molecular imaging using bioluminescent probes provides great sensitivity for in vivo and in vitro analysis for both cellular and whole multicellular organism tracking and target detection. Here, we engineered a chimeric molecule consisting of Renilla luciferase fused with mouse Gal-3 (RLuc-mGal-3). RLuc-mGal-3 preparation was highly homogenous, soluble, active, and has molecular mass of 65,870.95 Da. This molecule was able to bind to MKN45 cell surface, property which was inhibited by the reduction of Gal-3 ligands on the cell surface by the overexpression of ST6GalNAc-I. In order to obtain an efficient and stable delivery system, RLuc-mGal-3 was adsorbed to poly-lactic acid nanoparticles, which increased binding to MKN45 cells in vitro. Furthermore, bioluminescence imaging showed that RLuc-mGal-3 was able to indicate the presence of implanted tumor in mice, event drastically inhibited by the presence of lactose. This novel bioluminescent chimeric molecule offers a safe and highly sensitive alternative to fluorescent and radiolabeled probes with potential application in biomedical research for a better understanding of the distribution and fate of Gal-3 and its ligands in vitro and in vivo.

Highlight selection of radiochemistry and radiopharmacy developments by editorial board.

BACKGROUND: The Editorial Board of EJNMMI Radiopharmacy and Chemistry releases a biannual highlight commentary to update the readership on trends in the field of radiopharmaceutical development. MAIN BODY: This selection of highlights provides commentary on 21 different topics selected by each coauthoring Editorial Board member addressing a variety of aspects ranging from novel radiochemistry to first-in-human application of novel radiopharmaceuticals. CONCLUSION: Trends in radiochemistry and radiopharmacy are highlighted. Hot topics cover the entire scope of EJNMMI Radiopharmacy and Chemistry, demonstrating the progress in the research field in many aspects.

Radiofarmácia e radiofármacos no Brasil: aspectos sanitários e fabris para a construção de uma linha de produção de radiofármacos PET / Radiopharmacy and radiopharmaceuticals in Brazil: sanitaries aspects related to a project of an industry of PET radiopharmaceuticals

O aumento do uso de radiofármacos PET (Pósitron Emission Tomography) vem chamando a atenção dos profissionais da área de Medicina Nuclear e Farmácia, assim como das agências reguladoras. O objetivo é prover parâmetros estruturais e legais mínimos como uma referência nacional em radiofarmácia, que possam auxiliar as agências regulatórias, focando principalmente no projeto fabril.

The increasing use of radiopharmaceuticals for PET (Positron Emission Tomography) has come to the attention of nuclear medicine staff and regulatory bodies. The aim of this study is to provide a national reference in radiopharmacy that could help all nuclear medicine staff and specially the Brazilian's regulatory bodies focused on the industrial project.

Técnicas para aplicação de FDG-18 na clínica médica oncológica / Techniques of use of FDG-18 in clinical oncology

Este artigo proverá a descrição das técnicas disponíveis para preparação de pacientes na realização de exames com FDG-18. O objetivo é formalizar e propor procedimentos a serem seguidos com o paciente de forma a se obter imagens com qualidade. Os resultados demonstram que técnicas de aplicação previamente definidas representam um fator de segurança e qualidade adicionais ao exame, aumentando o conforto e a qualidade de vida do paciente submetido à conduta clínica com uso de FDG-18

This article provides a description of current patient preparation and imaging techniques. The goal is to formalize and propose procedures to be used with patients, in order to obtain quality images. The results shows that the use of preview tested procedures to the application of FDG-18 represents a extra factor of safety and quality

Revisão sistemática em fitoterapia: padronização internacional de qualidade / Systematic review in phytoterapy: international standardization of quality

O presente trabalho discute a contribuição da adoção de critérios mais objetivos e de maior credibilidade na seleção e análise de fontes de informação, levando à utilização de maior rigor científico neste processo. Neste sentido, se propõe a adoção de uma metodologia previamente testada e reconhecidamente eficaz, a Revisão Sistemática (RS), como metodologia básica para a análise sistemática de fitoterápicos. A discussão acerca dos resultados, aponta para uma contribuição positiva da incorporação da metodologia de RS na análise de fitoterápicos.

This work discusses the contribution of adopting more objective criteria and greater credibility in the selection and analysis of information sources, which would result in greater scientific rigour in this process. In this sense, the adoption of a previously tested methodology that is known to be efficient, such as Systematic Review (SR), is proposed as a basic methodology for systematic analysis of phytoterapeutics. The discussion on results shows the positive contribution of incorporating the RS methodology in the analysis of herbal medicines.