Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs): A promising candidate for lung cancer targeting.

Lung cancer stands as the foremost health issue and the principal reason for mortality worldwide. It is projected that India will see over 1.73 million new cases and more than 880,000 deaths related to cancer, with lung cancer being a significant contributor. The efficiency of existing chemotherapy procedures is not optimal because of less soluble nature and short half-life of anticancer substances. More precipitated toxicity and non-existence of targeting propensity can lead to severe side effects, non-compliance, and inconvenience for patients. Nonetheless, the domain of nanomedicine has undergone a revolution in the past few years with the advent of novel drug delivery mechanisms that tackle the drawbacks of conventional approaches. Diverse nanoparticle-based drug delivery methods, including liposomes, nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carrier and solid lipid nanoparticle that encapsulated chemotherapy drugs, are currently employed for efficient lung cancer therapy. NLCs, recognized as the second-generation lipid nanocarriers, are a focused drug delivery mechanism that has garnered significant interest owing to their multitude of advantages such as increased stability, minimal toxicity, prolonged shelf life, superior encapsulation capability, and biocompatible nature. This review focuses on the NLCs carrier system, discussing its preparation methods, types, characterization, applications, and future prospects in lung cancer treatment.

Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging, 68Ga Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography, and Respective Quantitative Parameters in Detection and Localization of Clinically Significant Prostate Cancer in Intermediate- and High-Risk Group Patients: An Indian Demographic Study.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) and 68Ga prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PSMA PET-CT) and respective quantitative parameters (Ktrans - influx rate contrast, Kep - efflux rate constant, ADC - apparent diffusion coefficient, and SUVmax ratio - prostate SUVmax to background SUVmax ratio) in detection and localization of clinically significant prostate cancer (CSPCa) in D'Amico intermediate- and high-risk group patients (prostate-specific antigen [PSA] >10 ng/ml). METHODOLOGY: The study included thirty-three consecutive adult men with serum prostate specific antigen >10ng/ml, and systematic 12 core prostate biopsy proven prostate cancer. All the 33 patients, were evaluated with mpMRI, and 68Ga PSMA PET-CT. The biopsy specimens and imaging were evaluated for 12 sectors per prostate by a predetermined scheme. RESULTS: MpMRI Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System version 2 (PI-RADS v2) score ≥3 showed higher sensitivity than 68Ga PSMA PET-CT (96.3% vs. 82.4%), with similar specificity (54.5% vs. 54.5%) (n = 33 patients, 396 sectors). Combined use of MRI and 68Ga PSMA PET-CT in parallel increased sensitivity (99.5%) and NPV (98.7%) for detection of CSPCa and combined use of MRI and 68Ga PSMA PET-CT in series increased specificity (71.8%) and PPV (71.5%) (n = 33 patients, 396 sectors). ADC showed a strong negative correlation with Gleason score (r = -0.77), and the highest discriminative ability for detection and localization of CSPCa (area under curve [AUC]: 0.91), followed by Ktrans (r = 0.74; AUC: 0.89), PI-RADS (0.73; 0.86), SUVmax ratio (0.49; 0.74), and Kep (0.24; 0.66). CONCLUSION: MpMRI PI-RADS v2 score and 68Ga PSMA PET-CT (individually as well as in combination) are reliable tool for detection and localization of CSPCa. Quantitative MRI and 68Ga PSMA PET-CT parameters have potential to predict Gleason score and detect CSPCa.

In Vivo Assessment of Tau Deposition in Alzheimer Disease and Assessing Its Relationship to Regional Brain Glucose Metabolism and Cognition.

AIM: In this study, we investigated the relationship of cerebral tau deposition (F-tau-AD-ML 104 PET/CT) with glucose metabolism (F-FDG PET/CT) and cognitive function in patients with Alzheimer disease (AD). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventy subjects (Mini Mental State Examination [MMSE] score <18 = 37 [AD]; MMSE score, 18-24 = 16 [early AD]) and 17 controls were included in this study. All participants underwent detailed neurological and neuropsychological evaluation, followed by F-tau-AD-ML 104 and F-FDG PET/CT imaging. Region-wise SUVmax ratios at 50 to 60 minutes postinjection were calculated for F-tau-AD-ML 104 and F-FDG, using the cerebellar cortex as the reference region. Linear models were used to investigate the association of regional F-tau-AD-ML 104 retention with F-FDG uptake and cognition (MMSE scores). RESULTS: F-Tau-AD-ML 104 retention was observed in the parietal lobe, temporal lobe, hippocampus, parahippocampus, frontal lobe, anterior and posterior cingulate, and precuneus in advanced and early AD patient as compared with normal controls with regional hypometabolism in overlapping regions on F-FDG PET. Significant negative association was found between F-tau-AD-ML 104 regional retention and glucose metabolism in the parietal lobe, temporal lobe, hippocampus, parahippocampus, frontal lobe, anterior and posterior cingulate, and precuneus among patients with advanced and early AD. In advanced and early AD patients, a negative association was found between F-tau-AD-ML 104 regional retention (precuneus) and cognition (MMSE score), whereas a positive association was observed between F-FDG regional uptake (precuneus) and cognition (MMSE score). CONCLUSIONS: Tau pathology overlapped with areas of hypometabolism on FDG PET in the brains of AD patients. Tau deposition was found to have negative association with cognitive scores in these patients.

Pheochromocytoma: Positive on 131I-MIBG Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography-Computed Tomography and Negative on 68Ga DOTANOC Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography.

Pheochromocytomas are tumors arising from sympathetic lineage-derived cells in adrenal medulla, and 68Ga DOTANOC positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) has been found to be superior than 131I MIBG single-photon emission computed tomography-computed tomography (SPECT-CT) for initial localization/diagnosis of the adrenal lesion. We discuss the 68DOTANOC PET-CT and 131I MIBG SPECT-CT findings of a 24-year-old male who presented with clinical and biochemical findings suspicious of pheochromocytoma.

Demonstration of 68Ga-prostate-specific Membrane Antigen Uptake in Metastatic Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor.

We present the case of a 47-year-old female with metastatic pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (NET). The patient was treated with long-acting octreotide which failed to halt disease progression. The patient was being considered for 177Lu-peptide receptor radionuclide therapy, and a 68Ga-DOTANOC positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) was acquired initially, which showed good uptake in the primary and metastatic lesions. Metastatic pancreatic NETs have limited treatment options, and given the background that these tumors are highly vascular and prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) expression is known in the endothelium of tumor neovasculature, we decided to perform a 68Ga-PSMA-HBED-CC PET-CT scan. It revealed radiotracer uptake in the metastatic liver lesions although not as high as 68Ga-DOTANOC-PET-CT. PSMA expression needs to be researched further, especially in high-grade NETs where somatostatin expression may be poor.

Resource use efficiency of broiler production in tunnel-ventilated environmental control vis-à-vis open-sided conventional shed during summer.

Present study was conducted to assess the resource use efficiency of broilers production, in tunnel-ventilated environment control (ECBH) and open-sided conventional (OSCBH) house under different stocking densities. Different treatments comprised of T 0 (birds with floor space, 1.0/ft2/bird in open-sided conventional broiler house (OSCBH) as control, while different treatments in tunnel-ventilated environment control broiler house (ECBH) were T 1, T 2, T 3, T 4 and T 5 with floor space of 1.0, 0.9, 0.8, 0.7and 0.6 ft2 per bird, respectively. The results of shed microclimate indicated that shed temperature and temperature humidity index (THI) at 12:00 and 15:00 IST and maximum and minimum temperature in OSCBH were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher than ECBH. Litter moisture and pH did not differ significantly and were within permissible limits in both OSCBH and ECBH. Final body weight, body weight gain, feed intake were significantly higher and FCR, PER and EER were significantly better in ECBH than OSCBH (T 0) even at 10% increase in stocking density (T 2). Margin of receipt in T 2 in ECBH from sale of live bird/unit area and kilogram live weight per unit area was maximum which was Rs. 5.08/- and 3.56/- higher than T 0 for OSCBH.

Unusual Uptake of Prostate Specific Tracer 68Ga-PSMA-HBED-CC in a Benign Thyroid Nodule.

68Ga-Prostate specific membrane antigen- N,N'-bis[2-hydroxy-5-(carboxyethyl)benzyl]ethylenediamine-N,N'-diacetic acid- positron emission tomography/computed tomography or 68 Ga- HBED-CC-PSMA PET/CT, popularly known as PSMA PET/CT, is able to detect a small volume of recurrent prostate carcinoma (PC) when there is a prostate specific antigen (PSA) rise on follow-up after prostatectomy or other definitive treatment for PC. The use of PSMA PET/CT in the initial staging in PC is uncertain at this time. Clinical studies are underway to define its exact role in the management of the disease. At the same time it is important to be aware of unexpected sites of uptake of this ligand. We present here the case of a 62-year-old male patient who underwent prostatectomy for adenocarcinoma prostate. He also had a long-standing left solitary thyroid nodule (STN). Four months after surgery, he had a rising trend in serum PSA levels on three occasions, but the absolute value was less than 4 at all times. He underwent a 68Ga-PSMA-HBED-CC PET/CT, but it did not reveal any recurrent/metastatic site of disease. However, there was increased tracer uptake in the left STN. Fine needle aspiration cytology revealed features of atypia of undetermined significance, Bethesda category III. The patient underwent a left hemithyroidectomy and the histopathology showed features of a follicular adenoma.

Improving reporting of infant deaths, maternal deaths and stillbirths in Haryana, India.

Underreporting hampers the accurate estimation of the numbers of infant and maternal deaths and stillbirths in India. In Haryana state, a surveillance-based model - the Maternal Infant Death Review System - was launched in 2013 to try to resolve this issue. The system is a mixture of routine passive data collection and active surveillance by specially recruited and trained field volunteers. The volunteers gather the relevant data from child day-care centres, community health centres, cremation grounds, hospitals, the municipal corporation's offices and primary health centres and regularly visit health subcentres. The collected data are triangulated against the standard death registers and discussions with relevant community members. The details of any unregistered death are rapidly uploaded on the system's web-based platform. In April 2014, we made field observations, reviewed records and conducted in-depth interviews with the key stakeholders to see if the system's performance matched the state government's planned objectives. The data collected indicate that implementation of the system has led to quantitative and qualitative improvements in reporting of infant and maternal deaths and stillbirths. Completeness and consistency in the reporting of deaths are essential for focused policy and programmatic interventions and there remains scope for improvement in Haryana via further reform and changes in policy. The model in its current form is potentially sustainable and scalable in similar settings elsewhere.

En Inde, le sous-signalement empêche d'estimer correctement le nombre de décès infantiles et maternels et de mortinaissances. Dans l'État d'Haryana, un modèle basé sur la surveillance ­ le Maternal Infant Death Review System ­ a été lancé en 2013 afin de tenter de résoudre ce problème. Ce système mélange recueil passif de données de routine et surveillance active par des bénévoles de terrain spécialement recrutés et formés à cet effet. Ces derniers recueillent des données auprès de garderies, de centres de santé communautaires, de crématoriums, d'hôpitaux, de centres de soins primaires et des bureaux des municipalités et se rendent régulièrement dans des centres de soins secondaires. Les données ainsi recueillies sont triangulées par rapport aux registres standards des décès et aux discussions avec des membres de la communauté. Les détails de tout décès non enregistré sont rapidement chargés sur la plate-forme Internet du système. En avril 2014, nous avons effectué des observations de terrain, examiné des registres et mené des entretiens approfondis avec les principales parties prenantes afin de voir si les performances du système répondaient aux objectifs du gouvernement de l'État. Les données recueillies indiquent que la mise en œuvre de ce système a entraîné une amélioration quantitative et qualitative du signalement des décès infantiles et maternels ainsi que des mortinaissances. L'exhaustivité et la cohérence du signalement des décès sont essentielles pour avoir des politiques ciblées et des interventions programmatiques, et l'État d'Haryana présente d'autres possibilités d'amélioration, via d'autres réformes et des changements stratégiques. Le modèle, dans sa forme actuelle, est potentiellement utilisable à long terme et transposable dans des lieux similaires.

La escasez de informes obstaculiza una estimación exacta de las cifras de muertes maternas e infantiles y mortinatos en India. En 2013, en el estado de Haryana, se lanzó un modelo basado en el seguimiento (el Sistema de Análisis de la Mortalidad Infantil y Materna) para tratar de resolver este problema. El sistema combina una recopilación de datos rutinarios pasivos y un seguimiento activo realizados por voluntarios contratados capacitados en este campo. Los voluntarios reúnen información relevante de guarderías, centros de salud, terrenos destinados a incineraciones, hospitales, oficinas de la corporación municipal y centros de atención primaria, y visitan con asiduidad subcentros de salud. Los datos recopilados se triangulan según los registros normalizados de fallecimientos y análisis con miembros relevantes de la comunidad. Los detalles sobre todas las muertes no registradas se introducen con rapidez en la plataforma en línea del sistema. En abril de 2014, se realizaron observaciones de campo, se analizaron los registros y se llevaron a cabo entrevistas en profundidad con las partes interesadas fundamentales para comprobar que el rendimiento del sistema se equiparaba con los objetivos planificados por el gobierno estatal. Los datos recopilados indican que la implementación del sistema logró mejoras cuantitativas y cualitativas a la hora de redactar informes sobre la mortalidad infantil y materna y los mortinatos. Es fundamental que los informes sobre los fallecimientos sean minuciosos y coherentes para poder realizar intervenciones políticas y programáticas, y sigue existiendo margen para implementar mejoras en Haryana mediante más reformas y cambios de las políticas. El modelo actual puede mantenerse y ampliarse en otras ubicaciones similares.

An uncommon case showing three different pathologies on (99m)technetium-methylene diphosphonate bone scintigraphy.

(99m)Technetium-methylene diphosphonate bone scintigraphy (BS) has an important role in evaluating skeletal pathology, especially its extent. Incidental extra-osseous uptake may sometimes be seen in soft-tissue pathologies. We present a 64-year-old female with skull base osteomyelitis referred for BS which revealed involvement of the skull base on the left side, uptake was also noted in bilateral lungs secondary to hypercalcemia of renal failure and in the D12-L1 vertebrae as the patient had a history of Pott's spine. This is perhaps a unique case showing three findings each of a different etiology in the same scan.