A direct comparison of tumor angiogenesis with 68Ga-labeled NGR and RGD peptides in HT-1080 tumor xenografts using microPET imaging.

Peptides containing asparagine-glycine-arginine (NGR) and arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) sequence are being developed for tumor angiogenesis-targeted imaging and therapy. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of NGR- and RGD-based probes for imaging tumor angiogenesis in HT-1080 tumor xenografts. Two PET probes, (68)Ga-NOTA-G3-NGR2 and 68Ga-NOTA-G3-RGD2, were successfully prepared. In vitro stability, partition coefficient, tumor cell binding, as well as in vivo biodistribution properties were also analyzed for both PET probes. The results revealed that the two probes were both hydrophilic and stable in vitro and in vivo, and they were excreted predominately and rapidly through the kidneys. For both probes, the higher tumor uptake and lower accumulation in vital organs were determined. No significant difference between two probes was observed in terms of tumor uptake and the in vivo biodistribution properties. We concluded that these two probes are promising in tumor angiogenesis imaging. 68Ga-NOTA-G3-NGR2 has the potential as an alternative for PET imaging in patients with fibrosarcoma, and it may offer an opportunity to noninvasively monitor CD13-targeted therapy.

68Ga-labeled cyclic NGR peptide for microPET imaging of CD13 receptor expression.

Peptides containing the asparagines-glycine-arginine (NGR) motif have been identified as specific ligands binding to CD13/aminopeptidase N (APN) receptor, a tumor neovascular biomarker. In this study, we synthesized a novel NGR-containing peptide (NOTA-G3-NGR), and labeled NOTA-G3-NGR with (68)Ga (t1/2 = 67.7 min). The resulting (68)Ga-NOTA-G3-NGR peptide was subject to in vitro and in vivo characterization. The microPET imaging results revealed that the (68)Ga-NOTA-G3-NGR peptide exhibits rapid and specific tumor uptake, and high tumor-to-background contrast in a subcutaneous HT-1080 fibrosarcoma mouse model. We concluded that the (68)Ga-NOTA-G3-NGR peptide has potential in the diagnosis of CD13-targeted tumor angiogenesis.

Three-dimensional positron emission tomography/computed tomography analysis of 13NO3- uptake and 13N distribution in growing kohlrabi.

We report the application of three-dimensional positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) for the analysis of (13)NO(3)(-) uptake and (13)N distribution in growing kohlrabi. The analytical procedures, equipment parameters, and image reconstruction mode for plant imaging were tested and selected. (13)N in growing kohlrabi plants was imaged versus time using both PET movies and PET/CT tomograms. The (13)NO(3)(-) transport velocity in kohlrabi from root to petiole was estimated to be 1.0 cm/min. The appearance of shell-shaped (13)NO(3)(-) transport pathways, corresponding to the kohlrabi corm, suggests the existence of special routes with higher efficiency for (13)NO(3)(-) transport, which tends to have the shortest distances to the leaves or buds. Standardized uptake values (SUVs), used as the representative figures for describing (13)N distribution, were quantified versus time at some putative sites of interest. For multiple analysis of the same-plant, (13)N distribution in kohlrabi under normal conditions, methionine sulfoximine (MSX) stress, and recovery from MSX stress was examined. The (13)N distribution variation studies were also done under the above three growth conditions. Our results suggest a significant downregulation of nitrate uptake in kohlrabi in the presence of MSX.

Compression methods after femoral artery puncture: A protocol for systematic review and network meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Vascular complications at the puncture site is a common complication after femoral artery puncture. It will not only affect the postoperative effect and patient comfort, but also may endanger the life of the patient. The effective compression hemostasis methods at the puncture site can improve the comfort of the patient, shorten the hospital stay, and reduce the burden on the medical staff. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of different compression methods after femoral artery puncture. METHODS: We will include all relevant randomized controlled trials by searching major Chinese and English databases and clinical trial registration platforms. Use Cochrane Collaboration's Risk of bias tool for bias risk analysis. Use the Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation to assess the quality of evidence. Data analysis will be performed using Stata (V.15.0) and WinBUGS (V.1.4.3). RESULTS: Five hundred ninety-seven records were obtained by searching the database but no records were obtained by other means. After removing duplicate records, 377 records remain. We excluded 103 records through abstract and title, leaving 274 full-text articles. CONCLUSION: This study will compare the application effects of different compression methods after femoral artery puncture. We hope that this study will help guide clinical decision-making and provide evidence for the management of patients after femoral artery puncture. PROTOCOL REGISTRATION NUMBER: INPLASY2020120094.

Protective effect of propofol on hydrogen peroxide-induced human esophageal carcinoma via blocking the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the potential influences of propofol on the oxidative stress of H2O2-induced human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) Eca109 cell through mediating the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eca109 cells were classified into 5 groups: Control group, H2O2 group, Propofol + H2O2 group, Dkk1 (Dickkopf-1, Wnt/ß-catenin pathway antagonist) + H2O2 group, and Propofol + LiCl (Lithium chloride, Wnt/ß-catenin pathway agonist) + H2O2 group. Western blotting was performed to determine the protein expressions, flow cytometry to measure the content of ROS, immunofluorescence staining to detect the oxidative DNA damage, as well as MTT, AnnexinV-FITC/PI, Wound-healing, and Transwell assays to test the biological characteristics of Eca109 cells. RESULTS: H2O2 resulted in the increased nuclear and cytoplasmatic expression of ß-catenin, reduced p-GSK3ß expression, up-regulated ROS content, and induced oxidative DNA damage in Eca109 cells. Moreover, Eca109 cells treated with H2O2 alone had enhanced cell proliferation and metastasis but decreased cell apoptosis, as compared with those without any treatment; meanwhile, the declined Cyt C, Bax, and cleaved caspase-3, as well as the elevated Bcl-2 were also observed in Eca109 cells in the H2O2 group, which were reversed by Propofol or Dkk1. Moreover, Propofol could inhibit the effect of LiCl on activating the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway in H2O2-induced Eca109 cells. CONCLUSION: Propofol elicits protective effects to inhibit H2O2-induced proliferation and metastasis and promote apoptosis of Eca109 cells via blocking the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway, offering a possible therapeutic modality for ESCC.

Combining the Masking and Scaffolding Modalities of Colloidal Crystal Templates: Plasmonic Nanoparticle Arrays with Multiple Periodicities.

Surface patterns with prescribed structures and properties are highly desirable for a variety of applications. Increasing the heterogeneity of surface patterns is frequently required. This work opens a new avenue toward creating nanoparticle arrays with multiple periodicities by combining two generally separately applied modalities (i.e., scaffolding and masking) of a monolayer colloidal crystal (MCC) template. Highly ordered, loosely packed binary and ternary surface patterns are realized by a single-step thermal treatment of a gold thin-film-coated MCC and a nonclose-packed MCC template. Our approach enables control of the parameters defining these nanoscale binary and ternary surface patterns, such as particle size, shape, and composition, as well as the interparticle spacing. This technique enables preparation of well-defined binary and ternary surface patterns to achieve customized plasmonic properties. Moreover, with their easy programmability and excellent scalability, the binary and ternary surface patterns presented here could have valuable applications in nanophotonics and biomedicine. Specific examples include biosensing via surface-enhanced Raman scattering, fabrication of plasmonic-enhanced solar cells, and water splitting.