(C) 2008 Elsevier B V All rights reserved “
“Viral diseases

(C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.”
“Viral diseases of psittacine birds are detected presently by PCR. However, conventional PCR methods are not quantitative and the products can sometimes include non-specific products of the same size. To avoid

these problems, real-time PCR assays based on the SYBR Green assay system were developed for the detection buy 10058-F4 and quantitation of four virus diseases of psittacine birds: psittacine beak and feather disease, avian polyomavirus infection, psittacid herpesvirus infection. and psittacine adenovirus infection. Up to 1 x 10(2) copies of virus DNA were detected, indicating that these assays are as sensitive as conventional PCR assays. The assays are specific because they did not Selleck Ro 61-8048 amplify any other pathogens including other viruses, bacteria, and fungi in psittacine birds. The assays measured successfully virus loads in clinical samples (blood, feathers, and tissues),

showing that these specimens were suitable targets for the detection and quantitation of viral DNA in psittacine birds. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.”
“An H5N1 avian influenza virus (AIV) hemagglutinin (HA) protein pseudotyped lentivirus, HIV/H5-HA, was generated, characterized in vitro and evaluated for its ability to induce protective immunity against virulent wild type AIV in mice. The HIV/H5-HA virus was able to infect 293T, BHK, Vero, PK-15, MDCK cells but not IBRS-2 cells and therefore demonstrated cell tropism similar to the wild type AIV. HIV/H5-HA agglutinated chicken erythrocytes and cell entry was blocked by ammonium chloride, indicating that the process is pH-dependent. In mice, HIV/H5-HA immunization resulted in low levels of virus in the lungs, elicited high levels of AIV HA-specific antibody as

indicated by the hemagglutination inhibition (HI) test, and the antibody induction was both earlier and with a higher titer than that induced by the inactivated AIV vaccine. These results confirmed the roles played by HA in AIV infection and immunogenicity and suggested that the pseudotyped lentivirus is a good model for studying the functions of AIV HA. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.”
“Real-time PCR hybridization probe sets were tested for the specific detection of amplified genome BGJ398 segment 2 cDNA from all nine serotypes of African horsesickness virus (AHSV). The hybridization probes were derived from the sequences of genome segments 2 of the nine reference strains of the virus and were designed to have clearly distinguishable peak melting temperatures. Viral dsRNA from each of the serotypes was specifically detected after reverse transcription, real-time PCR and melting curve analysis. The method was used to successfully serotype a range of field isolates, although most of the these showed peak melting temperature shifts.

RESULTS: Twenty-three lesions were in the midbrain, 3 were at the

RESULTS: Twenty-three lesions were in the midbrain, 3 were at the midbrain and extended to the thalamus, 9 were at the pontomesencephalic junction, and 10 were in the upper pons. All patients presented with hemorrhage. The median variant was used in 13 patients, Vorasidenib the paramedian variant in 9, and the extreme lateral variant in 23. Intraoperatively, all CMBs were associated with a developmental venous anomaly. At last follow-up, 88% of the patients were the same or better. After a mean follow-up of 20 months, their mean Glasgow Outcome Scale score was 4.1.

CONCLUSION: SCIT approaches provide excellent exposure

to CMBs located at the posterior incisural space, not only in the midline but also in the posterolateral surface of the upper pons and midbrain. Careful preoperative planning and neuronavigational assistance are needed to determine the best angle of attack and trajectory for SCIT approaches. Refined microsurgical techniques are paramount to achieve safe surgical removal of CMBs with good outcomes.”
“Purpose: Continent urinary diversion has a central role in treating various urinary tract conditions and traditionally has been performed as an open procedure. We report on 10 patients who underwent a robotic assisted laparoscopic Mitrofanoff procedure using the da Vinci(R) surgical system.

Materials Crenolanib and Methods: Patients had bladder dysfunction of various

etiologies, including posterior urethral valves and neurogenic bladder. Preoperatively Ipatasertib nmr all patients unsuccessfully attempted clean intermittent catheterization via the urethra.

Results: Mean operative time was 323 minutes (range 181 to 507). One case was converted to open surgery secondary to an inadequate appendix discovered intraoperatively. Mean estimated blood loss was 48.4 cc (range 5 to 200). Median hospitalization was 5 days. Median followup was 14.2 months. Urinary leakage developed postoperatively in 1 patient, requiring an open revision. Minor incontinence developed in 2 cases, of which

1 was corrected with dextranomer/hyaluronic acid injection and 1 resolved without intervention.

Conclusions: The robotic assisted laparoscopic Mitrofanoff procedure is feasible to perform, is associated with satisfactory outcomes and minimal complications, and has the benefits of a minimally invasive approach.”
“INTRODUCTION: Recent developments in optical science and image processing have miniaturized the components required for confocal microscopy. Clinical confocal imaging applications have emerged, including assessment of colonic mucosal dysplasia during colonoscopy. We present our initial experience with handheld, miniaturized confocal imaging in a murine brain tumor model.

METHODS:Twelve C57/BL6 mice were implanted intracranially with 10(5) GL261 glioblastoma cells. The brains of 6 anesthetized mice each at 14 and 21 days after implantation were exposed surgically, and the brain surface was imaged using a handheld confocal probe affixed to a stereotactic frame.

However, men in the isoflavone group had a higher baseline preval

However, men in the isoflavone group had a higher baseline prevalence of hot flashes and poor intercourse satisfaction compared to those on placebo. At 12 weeks there were no significant differences between the 2 groups TNF-alpha inhibitor in any outcome measure.

Conclusions: This pilot study of high dose isoflavones in androgen deprived men showed no significant improvement in cognition, vasomotor symptoms or any other aspect of quality of life measures compared to placebo. Future studies should use variable doses of isoflavones for a longer period before ruling out beneficial isoflavone effects in this population.”
“Purpose: Little data are available

on radical prostatectomy findings in men who experience disease progression

following active surveillance.

Materials and Methods: A total of 470 men in our active surveillance program underwent annual repeat needle biopsies to look for progression defined as any Gleason pattern grade 4/5, more than 50% cancer on any core or cancer in more than 2 cores. Slides were available for PDGFR inhibitor inhibitor review in 48 of 51 radical prostatectomies with progression.

Results: The average time between the first prostate biopsy and radical prostatectomy was 29.5 months (range 13 to 70), with 44% and 75% of the patients showing progression by the second and third biopsy, respectively. There were 31 (65%) organ confined cases, of which 25 (52%) were Gleason score 6. Of 48 cases 17 (35%) had extraprostatic however extension, 3 had seminal vesicle/lymph node involvement and 7 (15%) had positive margins.

Mean total tumor volume was 1.3 cm(3) (range 0.02 to 10.8). Of the 48 tumors 13 (27%) were potentially clinically 3 insignificant (organ confined, dominant nodule less than 0.5 cm(3), no Gleason pattern 4/5) and 19% (5 of 26) of the radical prostatectomies with a dominant tumor nodule less than 0.5 cm(3) demonstrated extraprostatic extension, 4 with Gleason pattern 4. All 10 tumors with a dominant nodule greater than 1 cm(3) were located predominantly anteriorly.

Conclusions: Most progression after active surveillance occurs 1 to 2 years after diagnosis suggesting undersampling of more aggressive tumor rather than progression of indolent tumor. Even with progression most tumors have favorable pathology (27% potentially insignificant). A small percentage of men have advanced stage disease (pT3b or N1). The anterior region should be sampled in men on active surveillance.”
“We examine in this paper the unfolding of craving concepts within 18 models that span roughly 60 years (1948-2009). The amassed evidence suggests that craving is an indispensable construct, useful as a research area because it has continued to destabilize patients seeking treatment for substances. The models fall into four categories: the conditioning-based models, the cognitive models, the psychobiological models, and the motivation models.

0072 and P= 0039, respectively) The mRNA expression of collagen

0072 and P=.0039, respectively). The mRNA expression of collagen Ia was also higher in DCM-UL.

Conclusions: Mechanical unloading preserved myocardial contractility and beta-adrenergic response but worsened myocardial relaxation. Furthermore, prolonged mechanical unloading

has a tendency to increase the ratio of the fibrotic area and myocardial apoptosis. These unfavorable responses, although secondary to prolonged mechanical unloading, may have a negative impact on the bridge to recovery in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. (J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2010; 140: 916-22)”
“BACKGROUND: Although microvascular decompression (MVD) is widely accepted as the effective therapy for hemifacial spasm (HFS) or trigeminal neuralgia (TN), the surgical treatment of coexistent Fludarabine order HFS and TN in an individual is seldom addressed.

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the operative strategy of MVD for both the hemifacial and trigeminal nerves.

METHODS: Nine consecutive cases of coexistent HFS and TN caused by neurovascular confliction in the same side were studied. Except for one, the patients suffered from HFS followed by ipsilateral TN. All patients underwent MVD and were followed up for

3 to 30 months. Each surgery was analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTS: GW4869 cell line Intraoperatively, a looped vertebral artery (VA) shifted to the suffered side was found in 8 patients. The VA was regarded as the direct or indirect offending artery. After MVDs, the spasm ceased immediately in 6 patients; the other 3 patients had delayed relief within 3 months. The pain disappeared immediately in 7 of 9 patients. One patient felt relief after a week, and 1 had pain but improved slightly. No recurrence or complication was found.

CONCLUSION: A shifted VA loop may account for this tic convulsif syndrome. MVD is a reasonable and effective therapy with a high cure rate for the disease. The key to the surgery is to move the VA proximally. The

dissection should be performed rostrally starting check details from the caudal cranial nerves.”
“Objective: Potential disadvantages, such as lower graft patency rates, that could lead to the need for more subsequent revascularization after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting are discussed. One mechanism may involve endothelial damage originating from tools to facilitate a bloodless surgical field during anastomosis. We investigated the effect of the use of a blower-mister device on in vitro endothelial and contractile functions of human internal thoracic arteries and greater saphenous veins.

Methods: The distal ends of both bypass graft types were exposed to the air and water stream of the device for 10 minutes, representing the usual time needed for completion of an anastomosis using the off-pump technique. Vessel segments of both groups were cut into 4-mm rings and stored in a modified Krebs-Henseleit solution.

CRP is widely accepted as a cardiac marker, e g in point-of-care

CRP is widely accepted as a cardiac marker, e.g. in point-of-care diagnostics, however, its heterologous expression has proven difficult. Here, we demonstrate the expression of CRP in different Escherichia coli strains AZD1080 mw as well as by in vitro transcription/translation. Although expression in these systems was straightforward, most of the protein that accumulated was insoluble. We therefore expanded our study to include the expression of CRP in two eukaryotic hosts, namely the yeast Kluyveromyces lactis and the protozoon Leishmania tarentolae. Both expression systems are optimized for secretion

of recombinant proteins and here allowed successful expression of soluble CRP. We also demonstrate the purification of recombinant CRP from Leishmania growth medium; the purification of protein expressed from K. lactis was not successful. Functional and intact CRP pentamer is known to interact with PCh in Ca(2+)-dependent manner. In this report we verify the binding specificity of recombinant CRP

from L tarentolae (2 mu g/mL culture medium) for PCh. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.”
“Background this website Enteral nutrition (EN) is recommended for patients in the intensive-care unit (ICU), but it does not consistently achieve nutritional goals. We assessed whether delivery of 100% of the energy target from days 4 to 8 in the ICU with EN plus supplemental parenteral nutrition (SPN) could optimise clinical outcome.

Methods This randomised controlled trial was undertaken in two centres www.selleck.cn/products/pha-848125.html in Switzerland. We enrolled patients on day 3 of admission to the ICU who had received less than 60% of their energy target from EN, were expected to stay for longer than 5 days, and to survive for longer than 7 days. We calculated energy targets with indirect calorimetry on day 3, or

if not possible, set targets as 25 and 30 kcal per kg of ideal bodyweight a day for women and men, respectively. Patients were randomly assigned (1: 1) by a computer-generated randomisation sequence to receive EN or SPN. The primary outcome was occurrence of nosocomial infection after cessation of intervention (day 8), measured until end of follow-up (day 28), analysed by intention to treat. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00802503.

Findings We randomly assigned 153 patients to SPN and 152 to EN. 30 patients discontinued before the study end. Mean energy delivery between day 4 and 8 was 28 kcal/kg per day (SD 5) for the SPN group (103% [SD 18%] of energy target), compared with 20 kcal/kg per day (7) for the EN group (77% [27%]). Between days 9 and 28, 41 (27%) of 153 patients in the SPN group had a nosocomial infection compared with 58 (38%) of 152 patients in the EN group (hazard ratio 0.65, 95% CI 0.43-0.97; p=0.


“Normalisation of data to minimise the impact of technical


“Normalisation of data to minimise the impact of technical variation on comparative sample analysis is often carried out. Using SELDI data as a model, we have examined the effects of normalisation by TIC which is commonly used for MS data. Significant intergroup differences in normalisation factor were found for serum profiles which could not be explained by experimental factors, implying that normalisation by TIC may in some situations also normalise biological differences and should be systematically evaluated.”
“Background. Protein anabolism in response to feeding may be impaired OSI-027 with aging. To determine if this could

contribute to muscle loss, we studied fed-state metabolic responses in healthy, non-sarcopenic elderly women. Methods. Whole-body [(3)H]glucose and protein ([(13)C]leucine) kinetics were measured, and muscle protein fractional synthesis rate ([(2)H(5)]phenylalanine) and signaling events were assessed from vastus lateralis biopsies in eight elderly (73 3 years) and eight young women https://www.selleckchem.com/products/PHA-739358(Danusertib).html (24 I years), using a simulated fed steady-state clamp. Results. Both groups had similar muscle and lean body mass indices and activity level. During insulin, glucose (8 mmol/L), and amino acid (AA; 2x fasting) infusions, serum insulin was lower in the elderly women and C-peptide increased less. Glucose uptake was stimulated, and

production suppressed similarly. Suppression of whole-body protein breakdown was less in the elderly women, leading to lower AA infusion rates, oxidation, and net positive protein balance, but differences were not present when adjusted for serum insulin. Whole-body protein synthesis and muscle protein fractional synthesis rate increased similarly. Similar increases in phosphorylated Akt(ser473), PRAS40(Thr246), FoxO3a(Thr32), and rpS6(ser240/244) indicated no alterations in insulin/nutrient signaling with aging. Conclusions. Both whole-body

and muscle fed-state protein anabolic responses were preserved, as was insulin sensitivity of glucose metabolism, in active, healthy elderly women. This is consistent with other factors such Its sedentarity, low protein intake, and concurrent diseases, being responsible for the sarcopenia of aging.”
“L-PGlu-(2-proPyl)-L-His-L-ProNH(2) (NP-647) is a CNS active thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) analog with potential application in various CNS disorders including seizures. In the present study, Tacrolimus (FK506) mechanism of action for protective effect of NP-647 was explored by studying role of NP-647 on epileptiform activity and sodium channels by using patch-clamp methods. Epileptiform activity was induced in subicular pyramidal neurons of hippocampal slice of rat by perfusing 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) containing Mg+2-free normal artificial cerebrospinal fluid (nACSF). Increase in mean firing frequency was observed after perfusion of 4-AP and zero Mg+2 (2.10+/-0.47 Hz) as compared with nACSF (0.12+/-0.08 Hz). A significant decrease in mean firing frequency (0.61+/-0.

Its latest

Its latest AG-014699 clinical trial manifestation – quantitative proteomics allows deeper insight

into biological systems. This article reviews the different methods used to extract quantitative information from mass spectra. It follows the technical developments aimed toward global proteomics, the attempt to characterize every expressed protein in a cell by at least one peptide. When applications of the technology are discussed, the focus is placed on yeast biology. In particular, differential quantitative proteomics, the comparison between an experiment and its control, is very discriminating for proteins involved in the process being studied. When trying to understand biological processes on a molecular level, differential quantitative proteomics tends to give a clearer picture than global transcription analyses. As a result,

MS has become an even more indispensable tool for biochemically motivated biological research.”
“Eight genotypes of HBV (A-H) are recognized. A simple, rapid, and more specific genotyping system for HBV involving PCR using type-specific primers is described. The complete genomes of 234 human HBV strains for all the genotypes submitted to GenBank were aligned. The type-specific primers were designed based on the differences in the sizes of bands for eight genotypes in two sets. This genotyping system was selleck inhibitor tested with 24 positive HBV DNA controls. PCR was performed using two sets of type-specific primers for each sample in two tube. AII24 samples were PCR positive and possessed type-specific bands. PCR mix containing set 1 primers revealed specific bands of genotypes B, C: F and G, whereas PCR mix containing set 2 primers revealed specific bands of genotypes A, D, E and H. Type-specific PCR products were identified accurately by their sizes in agarose gels. The simplicity and rapidity of this PCR assay may reduce the cost and complexity of recognizing these genotypes. This method may be useful for HBV genotyping in large-scale clinical and epidemiologic studies. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.”
“During

and following pregnancy, women are at considerable risk of experiencing depression. For treatment, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor drugs, such as fluoxetine, VX-661 are commonly prescribed, yet the potential effects of perinatal exposure to these drugs on the brain and behaviour have not been examined in humans beyond childhood. This is despite abundant evidence from studies using rodents indicating that altered serotonin levels early in life affect neurodevelopment and behavioural outcomes. These reported effects on behaviour are inconsistent, however, and the testing of females has often been overlooked. In the present study, the behavioural outcomes of female mice perinatally (embryonic day 15 to postnatal day 12) treated with fluoxetine (25 mg/kg/day) via a non-stressful method of maternal administration were assessed using a battery of tests.

Methods: Ninety patients who underwent extensive segmental artery

Methods: Ninety patients who underwent extensive segmental artery sacrifice (median, 13; range, 9-15) during open surgical repair from June 1994 to December 2007 were reviewed retrospectively. Fifty-five patients (mean age, 65 +/- 12 years; 49% were selleck chemicals llc male), most with extensive Crawford

type II thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms, had a single procedure (single-stage group). Thirty-five patients (mean age, 62 +/- 14 years; 57% were male) had 2 procedures (2-stage group), usually Crawford type III or IV repair after operation for Crawford type I descending thoracic aneurysm. The median interval between the 2-stage procedures was 5 years (3 months to 17 years). There were no significant differences

between the groups with regard to age, gender, cause of the aneurysm, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, urgency, previous cerebrovascular accidents, year of procedure, or cerebrospinal fluid drainage. In single-stage procedures, hypothermic circulatory arrest was used in 29% of patients, left-sided heart bypass was used in 40% of patients, and partial cardiopulmonary bypass was used in 27% of patients. Somatosensory-evoked potentials were monitored in all patients, and motor-evoked Taselisib purchase potentials were monitored in 39% of patients. Cerebrospinal fluid was drained in 84% of patients.

Results: Overall hospital mortality was 11.1%. There were no significant differences in mortality, stroke, postoperative bleeding, infection, renal failure, or pulmonary insufficiency between the groups. However, 15% of patients in the single-stage group had permanent 3-deazaneplanocin A solubility dmso spinal cord injury versus none in the 2-stage group (P = .02). The significantly lower rate of paraplegia and paraparesis in the 2-stage group occurred despite a significantly higher number of segmental arteries sacrificed in this group: a median of 14 (11-15) versus 12 (9-15) (P < .0001).

Conclusion: A staged approach to extensive thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair may reduce the incidence of spinal cord injury. This

is of particular importance in designing strategies involving hybrid or entirely endovascular procedures. (J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2010;139:1464-72)”
“Plants are replete with thousands of proteins and small molecules, many of which are species-specific, poisonous or dangerous. Over time humans have learned to avoid dangerous plants or inactivate many toxic components in food plants, but there is still room for ameliorating food crops (and plants in general) in terms of their allergens and toxins content, especially in their edible parts. Inactivation at the genetic rather than physical or chemical level has many advantages and classical genetic approaches have resulted in significant reduction of toxin content.

bulgaricus (L bulgaricus) and Streptococcus thermophilus, where

bulgaricus (L. bulgaricus) and Streptococcus thermophilus, where the pH falls to 4.2. Acid adaptation therefore plays an important role in the physiology of LAB. Here we present the results of a proteomic approach to reveal cellular changes associated with acid adaptation in L. bulgaricus. These results were complemented with transcription data for selected genes to show three major effects: (i) induction of the chaperones GroES, GroEL, HrcA, GrpE, DnaK, DnaJ, ClpE, ClpP, and ClpL,

and the repression of ClpC; (ii) induction of genes involved in the biosynthesis of fatty acids (fabH, accC, fabI); (iii) repression of genes selleck screening library involved in the mevalonate pathway of isoprenoid synthesis (mvaC, mvaS). Together with changes in the

expression of other genes from the local metabolic network, these results for the first time show a coherent picture of changes in gene Selleck 3-deazaneplanocin A expression expected to result in a rerouting of pyruvate metabolism to favor fatty acid biosynthesis, and thereby affect membrane fluidity.”
“Antibodies and immune effectors (IE) are crucial for protecting humans from Gram-negative bacteria. Antibodies can bind outer membrane or cell surface (e.g. flagella) structures, thereby preventing adhesion, disrupting specific virulence functions, or targeting bacteria for phagocytosis. IE (antimicrobial peptides, cytokines and hormones) impinge on bacterial infections and regulate immune responses. A developing paradigm is that bacteria ‘recognize’ antibodies and IE, which alert them to challenging environments, promoting resistance phenotypes and

increased virulence. A broader understanding of the interactions between bacteria and antibodies and IE will help define their relative contributions to pathogenesis, and perhaps indicate how we could use antibodies and IE to shape bacterial phenotypes that are easier for the immune system to control.”
“Enhanced oxidative stress and inflammation play important roles in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Amyloid beta-peptide (A beta), a major component of DAPT chemical structure amyloid plaques, is considered to have a causal role in the development and progress of AD by being the initiator of a pathological cascade leading to oxidative stress. The present study investigated the effect of N-trans-feruloyltyramine (NTF) purified from Polyalthia suberosa, an alkaloid shown to protect against oxidative stress and cell death. Pre-treatment of rat primary cortical cell cultures with 25-250 mu M NTF significantly attenuated 10 mu M A beta(1-42)-induced neuronal death in a dose-dependent manner. Apoptotic cell death was demonstrated morphologically as well as by detection of the presence of activated caspase-3 and Bax, levels of which could be reduced by NTF pre-treatment. NTF also reduced production of reactive oxygen species induced by A beta(1-42).

The distribution Volume ratio (DVR=BPND+1) was calculated from a

The distribution Volume ratio (DVR=BPND+1) was calculated from a Logan plot using 120 min of data and from a modified version using only selleck compound the last 60 min. Three of these rats were imaged again oil a second day to test the reproducibility. A two-tissue compartment model also was used to fit the time-activity Curves (TACs) of the 120-min scans to estimate the parameters K-1, k(2), k(on), k(4) and B-max. These parameters

were then used to simulate similar TACs while changing k(on) to reflect changes in the dopaminergic system. The simulated TACs were used as a means for exploring the differences in DVR estimates between the last 60 min only and the full 120 min of simulated data.

Results: The average DVR from the full 120-min scans was 13.8 +/- 0.9, whereas file average DVR estimated from only the last 60 min of data (DVR’) was 16.3 +/- 1.0.

The DVR estimates showed good reproducibility in the three rats (mean DVR=13.8 +/- 1.5 on Day 1 and DVR=13.8 +/- 0.9 on Day 2). The simulations showed that the relationship between DVR’ and DVR estimates follows it semilinear form with varying k(on).

Conclusion: Although MEK162 cell line the BPND estimates are slightly overestimated in a delayed scan mode (i.e., no initial radiotracer uptake measurements) compared to a full scan, this overestimation depends primarily on k(3) (approximate to k(on) x B-max) and has been evaluated in this work for a wide range of k(on) values using simulated TACs. In particular, MycoClean Mycoplasma Removal Kit the sensitivity of DVR’ to changes in k(on) is similar to that of DVR. This method of delayed scans eliminates the necessity of imaging during the initial uptake of the radiotracer and, thus, can be used to increase the throughput Of Studies. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.”
“Introduction: The cardinal pathological feature of Parkinson’s disease (PD) is progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons. Since dopamine transporter (DAT) is a protein located presynaptically on dopaminergic nerve terminals, radioligands that bind to these sites arc promising radiopharmaceuticals for evaluation

of the integrity of the dopamine system. This study using positron emission tomography (PET) tracers, [C-11]-2-carbomethoxy-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-tropane ([C-11]beta-CFT, radioligand for DAT), was aimed at evaluating the degree of nigrostriatal damage and its change over weeks in a rat model of PD.

Methods: The brains of these rats were unilaterally lesioned by mechanical transection of the nigrostriatal dopamine pathway at the medial forebrain bundle (MFB). Behavioral studies were carried out by apomorphine (APO) challenge prior to and 1, 2 and 4 weeks after MFB axotomy. Small animal PET scans were performed 2 days after the behavioral test. Immunohistochemisty was conducted 4 days after the last PET scan.

Results: Compared with the contralateral intact side, a progressively decreased [C-11]beta-CFT binding was observed oil the lesioned side which correlated inversely with the APO-induced rotations.