In the 1980s, techniques to image the human subjects in a rhree-dimensiona1 direction were developed, Two major techniques are SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography) and PET (Positron Emission Tomography) which allow the detector to detect a single photon or annihilation photons emitted from the subjects injected with radiopharmaceuticals. Since the latter two techniques can measure the density of receptors, enzymes and transporters in living human, it may be very important project to develop selective methods of labeling with radionuclides and to develop new radiopharmaceuticals. There has been a considerable interest in developing new compounds which specifically bind to dopamine and serotonin receptor and transporters, and it will be thus very useful to label those compounds with radionuclides in order to gain a better understanding in biochemical and pharmacological interactions in living human. This review rnentions the characteristics of radioligands for the imaging of dopamine and serotonin receptors and transporters. Although significant progress has been achieved in the development of new PET and SPECT ligands for in vivo imaging of those receptors and transporters, there are continuous needs of new diagnostic radioligands,
Dopamine* ; Humans ; Ligands ; Photons ; Radioisotopes ; Radiopharmaceuticals ; Receptors, Serotonin* ; Serotonin* ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon

No abstract available.
Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins* ; Dopamine* ; Humans ; Pilot Projects* ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon*

PURPOSE: N-(3-[18F]Fluoroporpy)-2beta- carbomethoxy-3beta-(4-iodophenyl) nortropane ([18F]FP-CIT) has been shown to be very useful for imaging the dopamine transporter. However, synthesis of this radiotracer is some what troublesome. In this study, we used a new method for the preparation of [18F]FP-CIT to increase radiochemical yield and effective specific activity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: [18F]FP-CIT was prepared by N-alkylation of nor-beta-CIT (2 mg) with 3-bromo-l-[18F]fluoropropane in the presence of Et3N (5-6 drops of DMF/CH3CN, 140 degree C, 20 min). 3-Bromo-l-[18F]fluoropropane was synthesized from 5 microliter of 3-bromo-l-trifluoromethanesulfonyloxypropane (3-bromopropyl -l-triflate) and nBu4N18F at 80 degree C. The final compound was purified by reverse phase HPLC and formulated in 13% ethanol in saline. RESULTS: 3-Bromo-l-[18F]fluoropropane was obtained from 3-bromopropyl-l-triflate and nBu4N18F in 77-80% yield. N-Alkylation of nor-beta-CIT with 3-bromo-l-[18F]fluoropropane was carried out at 140 degree C using acetonitrile containing a small volume of DMF as the solvents. The overall yield of [18F]FP-CIT was 5-10% (decay-corrected) with a radiochemical purity higher than 99% and effective specific activity higher than the one reported in the literature based on their HPLC data. The final [18F]FP-CIT solution had the optimal pH (7.0) and it was pyrogen-free. CONCLUSION:: In this study, 3-bromopropyl-l-triflate was used as the precursor for the [18F]fluorination reaction and new conditions were developed for purification of [18F]FP-CIT by HPLC. We established this new method for the preparation of [18F]FP-CIT, which gave high effective specific activity and relatively good yield.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins* ; Dopamine* ; Ethanol ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Solvents

After the development of two major techniques - SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography) and PET (Positron Emission Tomography) to image the human subjects in a three-dimensional direction in the 1980s, many radiotracers have been used for functional neuroimaging. Still it would be very important study to develop selective radiotracers for functional neuroimaging. New radiotracers will help to expand the knowledge of neurotransmitter systems and of the genetic contribution to receptor or transporter availability. Neurotransmitter depletion-restoration studies, the distribution of brain functions and their modulation by neurotransmitter system aid in better understanding and limiting the side effects of drugs used as well as newly developed. In addition, these radiotracers will be thus very useful to gain a better understanding in biochemical and pharmacological interactions in living human. This review mentions the introduction of radioligands for the functional neuroimaging. Although significant progress has been achieved in the development of new PET and SPECT ligands for in vivo imaging of those receptors and transporters, there are continuous needs of new diagnostic radioligands.
Brain ; Functional Neuroimaging* ; Humans ; Ligands ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; Radiopharmaceuticals ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon

We evaluated the in vivo kinetics, distribution, and pharmacology of N-(4-[F] fluorornethylbenzyl)spiperone ([F]FMBS), a newly developed derivative of spiperone, as a potentially more selective #radiotrar.er for the dopamine (DA) Dz receptors. Mice received 1.9-3.7 MBq (1.8-3.6 nmol/kg) of [F]FMBS by tail vein injectivn. The time course and regional distribution of the tracer in brain were assessed. Blocking studies were carried out by intravenously preinjecting DA Dp receptor blockers (spiperone, butaclamol) as well as drugs with high affinity for DA Dr lSCH 23390), DA transporter (GBR 12909), and serotonin Sp (5-HTz) (ketanserin) sites. After injection of the tracer, the radioactivity in striatum increased steadily over time, resulting in a striatal-to-cerebellar ratio of 4.8 at 120 min postinjection. By contrast, the radioactivity in cerebellum, frontal cortex, and remaining cortex washed out rapidly. Preinjection of unlabe1ed FMBS (1 rng/kg) and spiperone (1 mg/kg) reduced [F] FMBS striatal-to-cerebellar ratio by 41Zo and 80Ya, respectively. (+)-Butaclamol(1 mg/kg) blocked 80Yo of the striatal [F]FMBS binding, while (-)-butaclamol (1 rng/kg) did not. Preinjection of SCH 23390 (1 mg/kg) and GBR 12909 (5 mg/kg) had no significant effect. On [""F]FMBS binding. Ketanserin (1 mg/kg), a ligand for the 5-H1g receptors, did not cause significant inhibition either in striatum, in frontal cortex, or the remaining cortex. The results demonstrate that [F]FMEtS labels DA Dz receptors selectively in vivo in the mouse brain. It may hold promise as a selective radiotracer for studying DA Dz receptors in vivo by PET.
Animals ; Brain ; Cerebellum ; Dopamine* ; Ketanserin ; Kinetics ; Mice ; Pharmacology ; Radioactivity ; Receptors, Dopamine D2* ; Serotonin ; Spiperone* ; Veins

To estimate the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among Korean adults and to present the putative route of HCV transmission among them, serum samples from 4917 adults older than 20 years of age were tested for antibody to HCV (anti-HCV), and histories of blood transfusion and other pertinent information were obtained by self-administered questionnaires. The overall prevalence of anti-HCV was 1.7%; prevalence was 1.4% in subjects with normal levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), 3.3% in those with slightly elevated and 5.9% in those with markedly elevated levels of the enzymes. The prevalence of anti-HCV increased with increasing age (P < 0.01), but was not associated with blood transfusion. The present study suggests that the prevalence of HCV infection was 1.4% and that the major routes of HCV transmission may be other than blood transfusion in healthy Korean adults.
Adult ; Aged ; Chi-Square Distribution ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Hepacivirus/immunology/*isolation & purification ; Hepatitis Antibodies/*blood ; Hepatitis C/*epidemiology/immunology/transmission ; Hepatitis C Antibodies ; Humans ; Korea/epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Questionnaires ; Radioimmunoassay ; Retrospective Studies

Previous single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) studies have demonstrated decreased (1231)beta-CIT (2beta-carbomethoxy-3beta(4-iodophenyl) tropane) striatal binding in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. The present study extends our previous work by examining SPECT measures of (1231) beta-CIT binding in a larger group of PD patients with varying disease severity. Forty-six L-dopa-responsive PD patients(Hoehn-Yahr stage 1-3) had either a total of 15 SPECT scans over a 24 hr period or two scans at 12 hr and 24 hr after injection of (1231) beta-CIT. (1231) beta-CIT binding in the striatum was estimated using two indices: the specific-to nonspecific binding ratio, calculated as (striatal-cerebellar)/cerebellar radioactivity (specific binding ratio: SBR) at 24 hr postinjection as well as at its peak, which occurred at 12-24 hr postinjection; and the binding potential, the ratio of the rate constant of binding to the dopamine (DA) transporters (k3) to that of dissociation from the DA transporters (K4), as calculated by tracer kinetic modeling. The mean SBR at 24 hr postinjection, the mean peak SDR, and the mean binding potential in the striatum were all significantly correlated with Hoehn-Yahr stage, total store of UPDRS, motor score of UPDRS, and activities of daily living score of UPDRS. There were significant correlations between the sum of lateralizing UPDRS subscales (tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia) calculated for each individual limb and the SPECT measures of [123I]beta-CIT binding in the contralateral striatum. There were excellent correlations among the peak striatal SBR, the stiiatal SBR at 24 hr postinjection, and the binding potential. The results indicate that [123I]beta-CIT may be a useful marker of disease severity in PD. Additionally, the simple tissue ratio at 24 hr postinjection may be acceptable for the assessment of [123I]beta-CIT binding in PD, making repeated scanning and complicated modeling procedures less necessary. [123I]beta-CIT SPECT may be clinically useful for the early diagnosis and serial monitoring of PD.
Activities of Daily Living ; Dopamine ; Early Diagnosis ; Extremities ; Humans ; Parkinson Disease* ; Radioactivity ; Tomography, Emission-Computed* ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon

No abstract available.
Astrocytoma ; Brain* ; Drug Therapy ; Glioblastoma ; Glioma* ; Humans ; Nimustine* ; Radiotherapy*

BACKGROUND: Verrucous hemangioma (VH) and angiokeratoma (AK) are vascular birthmarks of an unclear nosology and these birthmarks commonly show a superficial hyperkeratotic vascular component. There are both similarilities and differences between VH and AK with some confusion concerning their overlapping features. OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to review the clinicopathological features of VHs and AKs and to determine the similarilities and differences between them. METHODS:We retrospectively reviewed 11 VHs and 7 AKs at the Vascular Anomaly Clinic of our hospital over the past 10 years. They were evaluated from the clinicopathologic point of view for factors such as the age of onset, location, size, symptoms, the histopathological epithelial change and involvement of deeper tissue. RESULTS: These birthmarks share common clinical features with the exception of gender and lesion size. Histopathologically, hyperkeratosis, acanthosis and capillary dilatation in the upper dermis were commonly seen. Yet lobular proliferation and dilatation of blood vessels in the deep dermis, or more importantly, the subcutis were detected in VH only. Furthermore there was a case of VH that showed diffusely scattered increased blood vessels in the subcutis, suggesting an evolving stage of VH and there was another case of VH that was erroneously diagnosed as AK via the initial biopsy, and the final diagnosis was changed according to the excised lesion. CONCLUSION:The two diseases share most of their clinicopathological features, but small parts of features like gender, the clinical size and the histological deep dermis/subcutis involvement were differences. Making the correct differential diagnosis between VH and AK through a deep biopsy with appropriate timing and long-term follow-up and/or radiological examination is helpful to avoid erroneous management.
Age of Onset ; Angiokeratoma ; Biopsy ; Blood Vessels ; Capillaries ; Dermis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Dilatation ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemangioma ; Retrospective Studies

Purpose: Thromboelastography (TEG) was investigated for the diagnosis of coagulopathy compared with traditional coagulation tests, in association with disease severity in patients with severe sepsis or septic shock. Methods: Retrospective data was collected from a single center between January 25th to March 24th, 2016. There were 18 patients with severe sepsis or septic shock admitted to intensive care units included in this study. Laboratory tests including TEG were performed at admission. Disease severity was measured using the Simplified Acute Physiology Score III, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score, and the level of lactate. Results: There were 18 patients (61% males; median age, 60.5 years) who were diagnosed with severe sepsis, or septic shock requiring a norepinephrine infusion (n = 10, 55.6%). Of these, 4 patients had traditional coagulation tests, and TEG profiles which confirmed hypercoagulability. Eight patients had follow-up tests 48 hours post-admission with a Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score of 6.5 (3-9.5) at admission, decreasing to 4 (2-11) after 48 hours (although not significantly lower), however, the lactate level decreased statistically significantly from 2.965 at admission, to 1.405 mmol/L after 48 hours (p < 0.05). The TEG profiles tended to normalize after 48 hours compared with admission, but there was no statistically significant difference. Conclusion Coagulopathy with severe sepsis or septic shock patients can be life-threatening, therefore it is important to diagnose coagulopathy early and precisely. TEG can be a feasible tool to confirm coagulopathy with traditional coagulation tests.