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The arrhythmogenic effects of endothelin-1 (ET-1) are mediated via ETA-receptors, but the role of ETB-receptors is unclear. We examined the pathophysiologic role of ETB-receptors on ventricular tachyarrhythmias (VT/VF) during myocardial infarction (MI). MI was induced by coronary ligation in two animal groups, namely in wild-type ( n  = 63) and in ETB-receptor-deficient ( n  = 61) rats. Using a telemetry recorder, VT/VF episodes were evaluated during phase I (the 1st hour) and phase II (2–24 h) post-MI, with and without prior β-blockade. Action potential duration at 90% repolarization (APD90) was measured from monophasic epicardial recordings and indices of sympathetic activation were assessed using fast-Fourier analysis of heart rate variability. Serum epinephrine and norepinephrine were measured with radioimmunoassay. MI size was similar in the two groups. There was a marked temporal variation in VT/VF duration; during phase I, it was higher ( p  = 0.0087) in ETB-deficient (1,519 ± 421 s) than in wild-type (190 ± 34 s) rats, but tended ( p  = 0.086) to be lower in ETB-deficient (4.2 ± 2.0 s) than in wild-type (27.7 ± 8.0 s) rats during phase II. Overall, the severity of VT/VF was greater in ETB-deficient rats, evidenced by higher ( p  = 0.0058) mortality (72.0% vs. 32.1%). There was a temporal variation in heart rate and in the ratio of low- to high-frequency spectra, being higher (<0.001) during phase I, but lower ( p  < 0.05) during phase II in ETB-deficient rats. Likewise, 1 h post-MI, serum epinephrine ( p  = 0.025) and norepinephrine ( p  < 0.0001) were higher in ETB-deficient (4.20 ± 0.54, 14.24 ± 1.39 ng/ml) than in wild-type (2.30 ± 0.59, 5.26 ± 0.67 ng/ml) rats, respectively. After β-blockade, VT/VF episodes and mortality were similar in the two groups. The ETB-receptor decreases sympathetic activation and arrhythmogenesis during the early phase of MI, but these effects diminish during evolving MI.

99m Tc-tetrofosmin ( 99m Tc-TF) is a single-photon emission computed tomography tracer that has been used for brain tumor imaging. The aim of the study was to assess if 99m Tc-TF uptake by glioblastoma cells correlates with their response to temozolomide (TMZ). We investigated the correlation of TMZ antitumor effect with the 99m Tc-TF uptake in two glioblastoma cell lines. The U251MG cell line is sensitive to TMZ, whereas T98G is resistant. Viability and proliferation of the cells were examined by trypan blue exclusion assay and xCELLigence system. Cell cycle was analyzed with flow cytometry. The radioactivity in the cellular lysate was measured with a gamma scintillation counter. TMZ induced G 2 /M cell cycle arrest in U251MG cells, whereas there was no effect on cell cycle in T98G cells. Lower 99m Tc-TF uptake was observed in U251MG cells that were exposed to TMZ compared to control (P = 0.0159). No significant difference in respect to 99m Tc-TF uptake was found in T98G cells when exposed to TMZ compared to control (P = 0.8). With 99m Tc-TF, it was possible to distinguish between TMZ-sensitive and resistant glioblastoma cells within 6 h of treatment initiation. Thus, 99m Tc-TF uptake may consist a novel approach to assess an early response of glioblastoma to chemotherapy and deserves further investigation.

Bone scintigraphy with Tc-99m-diphosphonate analogs are widely used in staging, restaging, and monitoring the therapy effectiveness of various cancer types. Bone-seeking agents are excreted through urination, resulting in the visualization of either anatomical abnormalities or pathological conditions of the kidneys and bladder. We present a case of a 63-year-old man with urinary bladder carcinoma depicted on whole body planar and single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography images.

Bone scintigraphy with Tc-99m-diphosphonate analogs are widely used in staging, restaging, and monitoring the therapy effectiveness of various cancer types. Bone-seeking agents are excreted through urination, resulting in the visualization of either anatomical abnormalities or pathological conditions of the kidneys and bladder. We present a case of a 63-year-old man with urinary bladder carcinoma depicted on whole body planar and single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography images.

(99m)Tc-Tetrofosmin ((99m)Tc-TF) and (99m)Tc-Sestamibi ((99m)Tc-MIBI) are SPECT tracers that have been used for brain tumor imaging. Tumor's multidrug resistance phenotype, namely, P-glycoprotein (p-gp), and the multidrug resistance related proteins (MRPs) expression have been suggested to influence both tracers' uptake. In the present study we set out to compare (99m)Tc-TF and (99m)Tc-MIBI uptake in high-grade glioma cell lines and to investigate the influence of gliomas p-gp expression on both tracers' uptake. We used four glioma cell lines (U251MG, A172, U87MG, and T98G). The expression of p-gp protein was evaluated by flow cytometry. Twenty μCi (7.4·10(5) Bq) of (99m)Tc-TF and (99m)Tc-MIBI were used. The radioactivity in the cellular lysate was measured with a dose calibrator. P-gp was significantly expressed only in the U251MG cell line (P < 0.001). In all gliomas cell lines (U251MG, U87MG, A172, and T98G) the (99m)Tc-TF uptake was significantly higher than (99m)Tc-sestamibi. The U251MG cell line, in which significant p-gp expression was documented, exhibited the strongest uptake difference. (99m)Tc-TF uptake was higher than (99m)Tc-MIBI in all studied high-grade glioma cell lines. Thus, (99m)Tc-TF may be superior to (99m)Tc-MIBI for glioma imaging in vivo.

Background: Myocardial perfusion imaging via single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT MPI) is a well-established method of diagnosing coronary artery disease (CAD). The purpose of this study was to assess the role of SPECT MPI in predicting major cardiovascular events. Methods: The study population was composed of 614 consecutive patients (mean age: 67 years, 55% male) referred for SPECT MPI due to symptoms of stable CAD. The SPECT MPI was performed using a single-day protocol. We conducted a follow-up on all patients at 12 months via a telephone interview. Results: The majority of our patients (78%) presented findings suggestive of reversible ischemia, fixed defects or both. Extensive perfusion defects were found in 18% of the population, while LV dilation was found in 7%. During the 12-month follow-up, 16 deaths, 8 non-fatal MIs and 20 non-fatal strokes were recorded. There was no significant association of SPECT findings with the combined endpoint of all-cause death, non-fatal MI and non-fatal stroke. The presence of extensive perfusion defects was an independent predictor of mortality at 12 months (HR: 2.90, 95% CI: 1.05, 8.06, p = 0.041). Conclusions: In a high-risk patient population with suspected stable CAD, only large reversible perfusion defects in SPECT MPI were independently associated with mortality at 1 year. Further trials are needed to validate our findings and refine the role of SPECT MPI findings in the diagnosis and prognosis of cardiovascular patients.

This study evaluates the appropriate use of myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) and determines patterns and variables associated with inappropriate testing. Over a 10-month period data were collected prospectively from consecutive patients referred for MPI in four academic departments and an appropriate use grade was assigned (appropriate, uncertain, inappropriate, and unclassifiable scans) according to established criteria. Among 3,032 referrals appropriate MPI had 72.8% of patients and 19.2% of studies were inappropriate, the remaining being uncertain (7.2%) or unclassifiable (0.8%). In multivariate analysis the asymptomatic status (odds ratio 10.7, P < .001), good functional capacity (odds ratio 1.9, P < .001), an interpretable resting electrocardiogram (odds ratio 1.8, P = .004), an age <65 years (odds ratio 1.5, P = .001) and the absence of diabetes (odds ratio 1.7, P < .001) or dyslipidemia (odds ratio 1.3, P = .014) were independent predictors of inappropriate scintigraphy. The most common indication for inappropriate testing was the assessment of asymptomatic patients <2 years after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) (38.9%). The appropriate use of MPI is relatively high, but a considerable proportion of inappropriate scans is noted which is associated with markers of lower risk. The most common source of inappropriate testing is the assessment of asymptomatic patients <2 years after PCI.

Tc-tetrofosmin ( Tc-TF) is a single-photon emission computed tomography tracer that has been used for brain tumor imaging. The aim of the study was to assess if Tc-TF uptake by glioblastoma cells correlates with their response to temozolomide (TMZ). We investigated the correlation of TMZ antitumor effect with the Tc-TF uptake in two glioblastoma cell lines. The U251MG cell line is sensitive to TMZ, whereas T98G is resistant. Viability and proliferation of the cells were examined by trypan blue exclusion assay and xCELLigence system. Cell cycle was analyzed with flow cytometry. The radioactivity in the cellular lysate was measured with a gamma scintillation counter. TMZ induced G /M cell cycle arrest in U251MG cells, whereas there was no effect on cell cycle in T98G cells. Lower Tc-TF uptake was observed in U251MG cells that were exposed to TMZ compared to control ( = 0.0159). No significant difference in respect to Tc-TF uptake was found in T98G cells when exposed to TMZ compared to control ( = 0.8). With Tc-TF, it was possible to distinguish between TMZ-sensitive and resistant glioblastoma cells within 6 h of treatment initiation. Thus, Tc-TF uptake may consist a novel approach to assess an early response of glioblastoma to chemotherapy and deserves further investigation.

Tc-Tetrofosmin (Tc-TF) and Tc-Sestamibi (Tc-MIBI) are SPECT tracers that have been used for brain tumor imaging. Tumor’s multidrug resistance phenotype, namely, P-glycoprotein (p-gp), and the multidrug resistance related proteins (MRPs) expression have been suggested to influence both tracers’ uptake. In the present study we set out to compare Tc-MIBI uptake in high-grade glioma cell lines and to investigate the influence of gliomas p-gp expression on both tracers’ uptake. We used four glioma cell lines (U251MG, A172, U87MG, and T98G). The expression of p-gp protein was evaluated by flow cytometry. Twenty μ Ci (7.4·10 5  Bq) of Tc-TF and Tc-MIBI were used. The radioactivity in the cellular lysate was measured with a dose calibrator. P-gp was significantly expressed only in the U251MG cell line (). In all gliomas cell lines (U251MG, U87MG, A172, and T98G) the Tc-TF uptake was significantly higher than Tc-sestamibi. The U251MG cell line, in which significant p-gp expression was documented, exhibited the strongest uptake difference. Tc-TF uptake was higher than Tc-MIBI in all studied high-grade glioma cell lines. Thus, Tc-TF may be superior to Tc-MIBI for glioma imaging in vivo .

99m Tc-Tetrofosmin (99mTc-TF) and 99mTc-Sestamibi (99mTc-MIBI) are SPECT tracers that have been used for brain tumor imaging. Tumor’s multidrug resistance phenotype, namely, P-glycoprotein (p-gp), and the multidrug resistance related proteins (MRPs) expression have been suggested to influence both tracers’ uptake. In the present study we set out to compare 99mTc-TF and 99mTc-MIBI uptake in high-grade glioma cell lines and to investigate the influence of gliomas p-gp expression on both tracers’ uptake. We used four glioma cell lines (U251MG, A172, U87MG, and T98G). The expression of p-gp protein was evaluated by flow cytometry. Twenty μCi (7.4·105 Bq) of 99mTc-TF and 99mTc-MIBI were used. The radioactivity in the cellular lysate was measured with a dose calibrator. P-gp was significantly expressed only in the U251MG cell line (P<0.001). In all gliomas cell lines (U251MG, U87MG, A172, and T98G) the 99mTc-TF uptake was significantly higher than 99mTc-sestamibi. The U251MG cell line, in which significant p-gp expression was documented, exhibited the strongest uptake difference. 99mTc-TF uptake was higher than 99mTc-MIBI in all studied high-grade glioma cell lines. Thus, 99mTc-TF may be superior to 99mTc-MIBI for glioma imaging in vivo.