Catechol-Based Functionalizable Ligands for Gallium-68 Positron Emission Tomography Imaging.

Four tris-bidentate catecholamide (CAM) ligands were synthesized, characterized, and evaluated as ligands for radiolabeling of gallium-68 for positron emission tomography (PET). Three of those ligands, 2,2-Glu-CAM, 3,3-Glu-CAM, and TREN-bisGlyGlu-CAM, incorporate ligand caps that contain a pendant carboxylic group for further conjugation to targeting moieties. The acyclic ligands all exhibited high (>80%) radiolabeling yields after short reaction times (<10 min) at room temperature, a distinct advantage over macrocyclic analogues that display slower kinetics. The stabilities of the four GaIII complexes are comparable to or higher than those of other acyclic ligands used for gallium-68 PET imaging, such as desferrioxamine, with pGa values ranging from 21 to >24, although the functionalizable ligands are less stable than the parent GaIII-TREN-CAM. In vivo imaging studies and ex vivo pharmacokinetic and biodistribution studies indicate that the parent [68Ga]Ga-TREN-CAM is stable in vivo but is rapidly cleared in <15 min, probably via a renal pathway. The rapid and mild radiolabeling conditions, high radiolabeling yields, and high stability in human serum (>95%) render TREN-bisGlyGlu-CAM a promising candidate for gallium-68 chelation.

Effectiveness and acceptability of intranasal povidone-iodine decolonization among fracture fixation surgery patients to reduce Staphylococcus aureus nasal colonization.

We evaluated povidone-iodine (PVI) decolonization among 51 fracture-fixation surgery patients. PVI was applied twice on the day of surgery. Patients were tested for S. aureus nasal colonization and surveyed. Mean S. aureus concentrations decreased from 3.13 to 1.15 CFU/mL (P = .03). Also, 86% of patients stated that they felt neutral or positive about their PVI experience.

Superficial Penile Vein Thrombophlebitis After Microsurgical Varicocelectomy: Case Series.

Varicocele is a common condition, estimated to be present in 15% of the general male population. It consists of abnormal dilation and tortuosity of the internal spermatic veins within the pampiniform plexus of the spermatic cord. In adults, varicocele repair may be considered in cases of scrotal pain, or of infertility associated with impaired sperm parameters. Microsurgical varicocelectomy is currently a common method for varicocele repair. Superficial penile vein thrombophlebitis has been previously reported to occur after microsurgical varicocelectomy but has not been well recognized as a possible complication of this surgery. We present three cases of superficial penile vein thrombophlebitis after microsurgical varicocelectomy. Diagnosis on this condition was based on physical examination, mainly a palpable cord-like structure along the involved vein, without overlying redness. Signs and symptoms of superficial penile vein thrombophlebitis resolved after a 4-8-week course of aspirin at the dose of 325 mg daily. Awareness of this possible post-operative complication and its possible management could be helpful to the clinicians involved in the care of patients with varicoceles.