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An early stage mechanism of the age-associated mitochondrial dysfunction in the brain of SAMP8 mice; an age-associated neurodegeneration animal model.

In order to characterize the early stage of mitochondrial dysfunction, we investigated the redox state and oxidative phosphorylation of the brain mitochondria from 2-month-old Senescence-accelerated mouse (SAM)P8 and SAMR1 mice; SAMP8 mice exhibit various signs of age-associated neurodegeneration and rapid mitochondrial dysfunction, although SAMR1 mice do not. The redox state was estimated as the reduction rate of Cu-pyruvaldehyde-bis (N4-methylthiosemicarbazone) (Cu-PTSM), the reduction of which is closely related to the electron leakage from the mitochondrial electron transport system in the brain, using electron spin resonance spectrometry (ESRS). The oxidative phosphorylation was measured polarographically. The SAMP8 mouse brain mitochondria demonstrated higher redox state and a higher activity of mitochondrial respiration with lower respiration control ratio than the mitochondria of SAMR1 mouse brains. This indicates that an inefficient hyperactive state can exist in the mitochondrial electron transport system before the age-associated mitochondrial dysfunction develops.

Aging↗

The standardization of 62Cu and experimental determinations of dose calibrator settings for generator-produced 62CuPTSM.

The Positron Emission Tomography agent 62Cu Pyruvaldehyde Bis(N4-methyl)thiosemicarbazone (PTSM) has been standardized by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) using 4 pi beta liquid scintillation counting with 3H-standard efficiency tracing. Using a measurement model developed at NIST for the determination of experimental dose calibrator dial settings for short-lived radionuclides, the correct dial settings for 62CuPTSM in a clinically useful geometry (a 35 ml plastic syringe containing 33 ml of solution) as well as the standard NIST 5 ml glass ampoule have been elucidated. This measurement model is fully described, as is the treatment of associated uncertainties. The correct instrument settings for the NIST Capintec CRC-12 re-entrant ionization chamber ('dose calibrator') were found to be '499 +/- 6' and '489 +/- 8', respectively, for the syringe and ampoule geometries. The stated uncertainties are expanded (k = 2) uncertainties. The expanded uncertainties in the measured activity arising from these new dial settings are +/- 0.8% and +/- 1.4%, respectively, for the syringe and ampoule. The measured activities using these settings are lower than those obtained from the manufacture's recommended setting of '448' by 9.7% for the syringe and 7.7% for the ampoule, and underscore the need for experimental verification of the dose calibrator settings for each radionuclide and each geometry used in the clinic.

Calibration↗

Copper radionuclides and radiopharmaceuticals in nuclear medicine.

The chemistry, radiochemistry, radiobiology, and radiopharmacology of radiopharmaceuticals containing copper radionuclides are reviewed. Copper radionuclides offer application in positron emission tomography, targeted radiotherapy, and single photon imaging. The chemistry of copper is relatively simple and well-suited to radiopharmaceutical application. Current radiopharmaceuticals include biomolecules labelled via bifunctional chelators primarily based on cyclic polyaminocarboxylates and polyamines, and pyruvaldehyde-bis(N4-methylthiosemicarbazone) (PTSM) and its analogues. The chemistry of copper, of which only a fraction has yet been exploited, is likely to be applied more fully in the future.

Animals↗

Efficient production of high specific activity 64Cu using a biomedical cyclotron.

Copper-64 (T 1/2 = 12.7 h) is an intermediate-lived positron-emitting radionuclide that is a useful radiotracer for positron emission tomography (PET) as well as a promising radiotherapy agent for the treatment for cancer. Currently, copper-64 suitable for biomedical studies is produced in the fast neutron flux trap (irradiation of zinc with fast neutrons) at the Missouri University Research Reactor. Access to the fast neutron flux trap is only possible on a weekly basis, making the availability of this tracer very limited. In order to significantly increase the availability of this intermediate-lived radiotracer, we have investigated and developed a method for the efficient production of high specific activity Cu-64 using a small biomedical cyclotron. It has been suggested that it may be possible to produce Cu-64 on a small biomedical cyclotron utilizing the 64Ni(p,n)64Cu nuclear reaction. We have irradiated both natural nickel and enriched (95% and 98%) Ni-64 plated on gold disks. Nickel has been electroplated successfully at thicknesses of approximately 20-300 mm and bombarded with proton currents of 15-45 microA. A special water-cooled target had been designed to facilitate the irradiations on a biomedical cyclotron up to 60 microA. We have shown that it is possible to separate Cu-64 from Ni-64 and other reaction byproducts rapidly and efficiently by using ion exchange chromatography. Production runs using 19-55 mg of 95% enriched Ni-64 have yielded 150-600 mCi of Cu-64 (2.3-5.0 mCi/microAh) with specific activities of 94-310 mci/microgram Cu. The cyclotron produced Cu-64 had been used to radiolabel PTSM [pyruvaldehyde bis-(N4-methylthiosemicarbazone), used to quantify myocardial, cerebral, renal, and tumor blood flow], MAb 1A3 [monoclonal antibody MAb to colon cancer], and octreotide. A recycling technique for the costly Ni-64 target material has been developed. This technique allows the nickel eluted off the column to be recovered and reused in the electroplating of new targets with an overall efficiency of greater than 90%.

Copper Radioisotopes↗

MicroPET imaging of a gastrin-releasing peptide receptor-positive tumor in a mouse model of human prostate cancer using a 64Cu-labeled bombesin analogue.

The gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR) is overexpressed on a variety of carcinomas and has been the target for detection and treatment of these neoplasms in animals. In particular, analogues of the tetradecapeptide bombesin (BN) have been radiolabeled with (99m)Tc and (111)In for detection of GRPR-positive tumors by gamma ray scintigraphy. The goal of this study was to evaluate the potential of the bombesin analogue, DOTA-Aoc-BN(7-14), for positron-emission tomographic (PET) imaging after radiolabeling with the positron-emitter (64)Cu. A saturation binding assay on PC-3 human prostate cancer cells showed that (64)Cu-DOTA-Aoc-BN(7-14) had an equilibrium binding constant (K(d)) of 6.1 +/- 2.5 nM and a receptor concentration (B(max)) of 2.7 +/- 0.6 x 10(5) receptors/cell. The radiolabeled analogue also showed rapid internalization with 18.2% internalized into 10(5) PC-3 cells by 2 h. The tumor localization of (64)Cu-DOTA-Aoc-BN(7-14) was 5.5% injected dose per gram in athymic nude mice bearing PC-3 xenografts at 2 h postinjection. The tumor retention with respect to the 2 h value was 76% and 45% at 4 and 24 h, respectively, and was GRPR-mediated as shown by inhibition with a coinjection of excess peptide. MicroPET imaging of (64)Cu-DOTA-Aoc-BN(7-14) in athymic nude mice bearing subcutaneous PC-3 tumors showed good tumor localization. Further studies with (64)Cu-pyruvaldehyde-bis(N(4)-methylthiosemicarbazone) ((64)Cu-PTSM) suggested that low blood flow to the PC-3 tumors may have limited the localization of (64)Cu-DOTA-Aoc-BN(7-14). This study demonstrates that (64)Cu-DOTA-Aoc-BN(7-14) can be used to detect GRPR-positive tumors by PET imaging.

Animals↗

Mutagenic studies on histidine 98 of methylglyoxal synthase: effects on mechanism and conformational change.

Two detailed mechanisms [Marks et al. (2001) Biochemistry 40, 6805] have been proposed to explain the activity of methylglyoxal synthase (MGS), a homohexameric allosterically regulated enzyme that catalyzes the elimination of phosphate from DHAP to form enol pyruvaldehyde. This enol then tautomerizes to methylglyoxal in solution. In one of these mechanisms His 98 plays an obligate role in the transfer of a proton from the O(3) oxygen of DHAP to the O2 oxygen. To test this hypothesized mechanism, the variants H98N and H98Q were expressed and purified. Relative to the wild-type enzyme, the H98N variant shows a 50-fold decrease in k(cat) with all other kinetic parameters (i.e., K(m), K(PGA), etc.) being nearly the same. By contrast, the apparent catalytic rate for the H98Q variant is 250-fold lower than that of the wild-type enzyme. Inorganic phosphate acts as a competitive inhibitor (with a K(i) of 15 microM) rather than as an allosteric-type inhibitor as it does in the wild-type enzyme, and the competitive inhibitor phosphoglyolate (PGA) acts as an activator of this variant. These facts are explained by a shift in the conformational equilibrium toward an "inactive" state. When activation by PGA is accounted for, the catalytic rate for the "active" state of H98Q is estimated to be only 6-fold less than that of the wild-type enzyme, and thus His 98 is not essential for catalysis. Primary deuterium isotope effect data were measured for the wild-type enzyme and the two variants. At pH 7.0, the (D)V isotope effect (1.5) and the absence of a (D)(V/K) isotope effect for the wild-type enzyme suggest that the rate for the isotopically sensitive step is partially rate limiting but greater than the rate of substrate dissociation. Both the (D)V (2.0) and (D)(V/K) (3.4) isotope effects were more pronounced in the H98N variant, while the H98Q variant displayed an unusual inverse (D)V (0.8) isotope effect and a normal (D)(V/K) (1.5) isotope effect. The X-ray crystal structures of PGA bound to the H98Q and H98N variants were both determined to a resolution of 2.2 A. These mutations had little effect on the overall structure. However, the pattern of hydrogen bonding in the active site suggests an explanation as to how in the wild-type and H98N mutated enzymes the "inactive to active" equilibrium lies toward the active state, while with the H98Q mutated enzyme the equilibrium lies toward the inactive state. Thus, the role of His 98 appears to be more as a regulator of the enzyme's conformation rather than as a critical contributor to the catalytic mechanism.

Allosteric Regulation↗

Degradation of tert-butyl alcohol in dilute aqueous solution by an O3/UV process.

This paper describes the degradation of tert-butyl alcohol (TBA) in dilute aqueous solution by an O3/UV process. The degradation process was investigated experimentally in a semi-batch reactor under various operational conditions, i.e., ozone gas (O3) dosage, UV light intensity, and water quality in terms of varying bicarbonate concentration. TBA was oxidized rapidly in the O3/UV system, and acetone, hydroxy-iso-butyraldehyde, and formaldehyde were identified as primary intermediates, whereas pyruvaldehyde and acetic, formic, pyruvic, and oxalic acids were generated as a result of further oxidation process. A good organic carbon balance was obtained, indicating that most reaction intermediates have been identified and quantified.

Oxidants, Photochemical↗

Hypoxia-targeting copper bis(selenosemicarbazone) complexes: comparison with their sulfur analogues.

The first copper bis(selenosemicarbazone) complexes have been synthesized, using the ligands glyoxal bis(selenosemicarbazone), pyruvaldehyde bis(selenosemicarbazone), and 2,3-butanedione bis(selenosemicarbazone). Their spectroscopic properties indicate that they are structurally analogous to their well-known square-planar sulfur-containing counterparts, the copper bis(thiosemicarbazone) complexes. Spectroscopic comparison of the sulfur- and selenium-containing complexes provides insight into their electronic structure. The effects on spectroscopic and redox properties of replacing sulfur with selenium, and of successive addition of methyl groups to the ligand backbone, are rationalized in terms of their electronic structure using spin-unrestricted density functional calculations. These suggest that, like the sulfur analogues, the complexes have a very low-lying empty ligand-based pi-orbital immediately above the LUMO, while the LUMO itself has d(x2)-(y2) character (i.e., is the spin partner of the HOMO). Replacement of S by Se shifts the oxidation potentials much more than the reduction potentials, whereas alkylation of the ligand backbone shifts the reduction potentials more than the oxidation potentials. This suggests that oxidation and reduction involve spatially different orbitals, with the additional electron in the reduced species occupying the ligand-based pi-orbital rather than d(x2)-(y2). Density functional calculations on the putative singlet Cu(I)-reduced species suggest that this ligand pi-character could be brought about by distortion away from planarity during reduction, allowing the low-lying ligand pi-LUMO to mix into the d(x2)-(y2)-based HOMO. The analogy in the structure and reduction behavior between the sulfur- and selenium-containing complexes suggests that labeled with positron emitting isotopes of copper (Cu-60, Cu-62, Cu-64), the complexes warrant biological evaluation as radiopharmaceuticals for imaging of tissue perfusion and hypoxia.

Copper↗

Carbohydrate and amino acid degradation pathways in L-methionine/D-[13C] glucose model systems.

Maillard model systems consisting of labeled D-[(13)C]glucoses, L-[(15)N]methionine, and L-[methyl-(13)C]methionine, have been utilized to identify the amino acid and carbohydrate fragmentation pathways occurring in the model system through Py-GC/MS analysis. The label incorporation analyses have indicated that the carbohydrate moiety produces 1-deoxy- and 3-deoxyglucosones and undergoes C(2)/C(4) and C(3)/C(3) cleavages to produce glycolaldehyde, tetrose, and C(3)-reactive sugar derivatives such as acetol, glyceraldehyde, and pyruvaldehyde. Glycolaldehyde was found to incorporate C-1, C-2 (70%) and C-5, C-6 (30%) glucose carbon fragments, whereas the tetrose moiety incorporates only C-3, C-4, C-5, C-6 glucose carbon atoms. In addition, the major source of reactive C(3) fragments was found to contain C-4, C-5, C-6 sugar moiety. On the other hand, methionine alone also generated Strecker aldehyde as detected by its condensation product with 3-(methylthio)propylamine. Plausible mechanisms were proposed for the formation of the interaction products between sugar and amino acid degradation products on the basis of the label incorporation patterns.

Amino Acids↗

Origin of 2,3-pentanedione and 2,3-butanedione in D-glucose/L-alanine Maillard model systems.

Model studies using independently labeled D-[(13)C]glucoses and L-[(13)C]alanines have indicated that 2,3-butanedione is formed by a single pathway involving only glucose carbon atoms, whereas 2, 3-pentanedione is formed by two pathways, one involving glucose carbon atoms (10%) and the other (90%) through the participation of C2'-C3' atoms of L-alanine and a C(3) carbon unit from D-glucose. Analysis of label incorporation into selected mass spectral fragments of 2,3-pentanedione have indicated that the C(3) carbon unit originates either from C1-C2-C3 or from C4-C5-C6 fragments of D-glucose. In addition, model studies with pyruvaldehyde and glyceraldehyde have implicated these intermediates as plausible C(3) glucose carbon units capable of producing 2,3-pentanedione upon reaction with L-alanine. The labeling studies have also confirmed a previously identified chemical transformation of alpha-keto aldehydes affected by the amino acid that leads to the addition of the C-2 atom of the amino acid to the aldehydic carbon atom of alpha-keto aldehydes.

Alanine↗

Structure-activity relationships for metal-labeled blood flow tracers: comparison of keto aldehyde bis(thiosemicarbazonato)copper(II) derivatives.

Radiocopper-labeled pyruvaldehyde bis(N4-methylthiosemicarbazonato)copper(II), Cu[PTSM], is under investigation as a radiopharmaceutical for evaluation of regional blood flow in the brain, heart, and kidneys because it affords relatively high levels of radioactivity in these organs upon intravenous injection, followed by prolonged tissue retention of the radiolabel. To probe and differentiate the physicochemical properties that are critical for blood-brain barrier (BBB) penetration and tissue retention in complexes of this type, 17 67Cu-labeled copper(II) bis(thiosemicarbazone) derivatives of Cu[PTSM] have been prepared and characterized, focusing on the bis(thiosemicarbazone), bis(N4-methylthiosemicarbazone), bis(N4-dimethylthiosemicarbazone), and bis(N4-ethylthiosemicarbazone) derivatives of several alkylglyoxals (R(1) = Me, Et, n-Pr, i-Pr, n-Bu, or Me(EtO)CH) and phenylglyoxal. The compounds studied varied in lipophilicity from log P = 0.75 to log P = 3.5 (where P is the octanol/water partition coefficient). In rat biodistribution studies the N4-methylthiosemicarbazone (R(1)TSM) and N4-dimethylthiosemicarbazone (R(1)TSM2) complexes always show comparable cerebral uptake at 1 min postinjection (iv) for any given R(1) group, while the thiosemicarbazone (R(1)TS) complex always penetrates the BBB less efficiently. Comparison of the various Cu[R(1)TS] derivatives shows that their brain uptake does tend to increase with increasing lipophilicity over the range 0.75 less than log P less than 2.4, although it never reaches that of the N4-alkylated derivatives. The Cu[R(1)TS] and Cu[R(1)TSM] complexes are found to exhibit prolonged cerebral retention of activity, consistent with their known susceptibility to reductive decomposition by intracellular sulfhydryl groups, while the more inert Cu[R(1)TSM2] complexes clear from the brain relatively rapidly. Tracer clearance kinetics in the heart and kidney are similar to those observed for the brain with each of the tracers examined.

Animals↗

Vinylalumination for the synthesis of functionalized allyl alcohols, vinylepoxides, and alpha-alkylidene-beta-hydroxy-gamma-lactones.

A modified hydroalumination protocol for the preparation of [alpha-(ethoxycarbonyl)vinyl]diisobutylaluminum and its beta-methyl or -phenyl analogues was developed. These vinylaluminum reagents react with aldehydes and ketones to provide the corresponding functionalized allyl alcohols in good to excellent yields. Perfluoroalkyl and -aryl carbonyl compounds, alpha-keto esters, alpha-acyl cyanides, and alpha-acetylenic ketones provide the corresponding alpha-hydroxyalkenes in high yields. The allyl alcohol product ratios from the vinylalumination of unsymmetrical alpha-diketones with [alpha-(ethoxycarbonyl)vinyl]diisobutylaluminum and its beta-methyl or -phenyl analogues depend on the steric and electronic environments of the ketones as well as the reagents. The products from the vinylalumination of alpha-bromoaldehydes and -ketones were cyclized with K2CO3 or KF under nonaqueous conditions to provide functionalized vinylepoxides in high yields. Vinylaluminations of keto-protected pyruvaldehyde provided the products, which were converted to alpha-alkylidene-beta-hydroxy-gamma-lactones.

Journal Article↗

Acceleration of nucleophilic attack on an organophosphorothioate neurotoxin, fenitrothion, by reactive counterion cationic micelles. Regioselectivity as a probe of substrate orientation within the micelle.

31P NMR and UV-vis spectrometric evidence has revealed an unexpected regioselectivity in the reaction of fenitrothion, 1, an organophosphorus pesticide, with the cetyltrimethylammonium (CTA) surfactants CTAOH and CTAMINA, that incorporate the reactive counterions OH- and MINA- (the anti-pyruvaldehyde 1-oximate anion). While both micellar solutions accelerate decomposition of 1 compared to aqueous OH- alone, CTAMINA produced the largest rate enhancement (ca. 10(5)) at a pH (8.39) appropriate for environmental applications. In the absence of surfactant, reaction proceeds solely via the SN2(P) pathway. In the presence of surfactant but below the critical micelle concentration (cmc), a competitive SN2(C) pathway was observed in addition to SN2(P). Above the cmc, however, the CTAOH reaction again proceeded solely via the SN2(P) pathway while both pathways were operative with CTAMINA. The changes in reactivity and mechanistic pathway are discussed in terms of premicellar and micellar influences on rates and regioselectivity. A proposal that would account for the observed regioselectivity in the micellar system is that the aromatic ring and aliphatic side-chains of 1 are oriented toward the micellar interior, while the P=S moiety faces the aqueous pseudophase.

Cations↗

Hydroxyalkylation of conjugated nitroalkenes with activated nonenolizable carbonyl compounds.

[reaction: see text] The Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction of a variety of conjugated nitroalkenes with activated nonenolizable carbonyl compounds such as glyoxylate, trifluoropyruvate, pyruvaldehyde, and ninhydrin in the presence of 40-100 mol % of DMAP in acetonitrile or 100 mol % of imidazole in CHCl(3) or THF provided the adducts in decent to good yields. In most cases, the reactions catalyzed by DMAP in acetonitrile were faster and provided the desired MBH adducts in higher yields as compared to the imidazole catalyzed reactions.

Journal Article↗

Genetic and biochemical characterization of a short-chain alcohol dehydrogenase from the hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus furiosus.

The gene encoding a short-chain alcohol dehydrogenase, AdhA, has been identified in the hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus furiosus, as part of an operon that encodes two glycosyl hydrolases, the beta-glucosidase CelB and the endoglucanase LamA. The adhA gene was functionally expressed in Escherichia coli, and AdhA was subsequently purified to homogeneity. The quaternary structure of AdhA is a dimer of identical 26-kDa subunits. AdhA is an NADPH-dependent oxidoreductase that converts alcohols to the corresponding aldehydes/ketones and vice versa, with a rather broad substrate specificity. Maximal specific activities were observed with 2-pentanol (46 U x mg(-1)) and pyruvaldehyde (32 U x mg(-1)) in the oxidative and reductive reaction, respectively. AdhA has an optimal activity at 90 degrees C, at which temperature it has a half life of 22.5 h. The expression of the adhA gene in P. furiosus was demonstrated by activity measurements and immunoblot analysis of cell extracts. A role of this novel type of archaeal alcohol dehydrogenase in carbohydrate fermentation is discussed.

Alcohol Dehydrogenase↗

Continuous angiotensin II infusion increases tumour: normal blood flow ratio in colo-rectal liver metastases.

Insufficient blood flow within colo-rectal hepatic metastases is a factor which may limit drug delivery to, and thus the response of, these tumours to regional chemotherapy. Loco-regional flow may be manipulated pharmacologically to enhance the tumour blood flow relative to that of the normal liver. However, as yet, only transient effects have been studied. Patients receiving regional chemotherapy for unresectable hepatic disease were given a 45 min regional infusion of the vasoconstrictor Angiotensin II. Intrahepatic blood flow distribution was assessed serially by Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging together with the trapping tracer copper(II) pyruvaldehyde bis(N-4-methylthiosemicarbazone) (Cu-PTSM) labelled using copper-62. Eleven lesions in nine patients were studied, with no adverse effects. Prior to Angiotensin II administration tumour blood flow was generally found to be greater than that of liver (10/11 lesions; 8/9 patients; median TNR 1.3, iqr 0.9-2.5). A significant increase in relative flow to tumour was seen in response to 10 min Angiotensin II infusion in most cases (7/11 lesions; 7/9 patients; median TNR 2.1, iqr 1.4-4.1; P = 0.008), which appeared to be sustained throughout the 45 min infusion period (median TNR 1.85, iqr 1.3-3.8; P = 0.03). These effects were accompanied by transient elevation of mean arterial pressure, but no change in pulse rate. These observations suggest that prolonged regional vasoconstrictor administration could prove useful in the management of unresectable colo-rectal hepatic metastases, and that further development of vascular manipulation to enhance tumour targeting and drug delivery is warranted.

Angiotensin II↗

Monitoring the effect of mild hyperthermia on tumour hypoxia by Cu-ATSM PET scanning.

PURPOSE: Mild hyperthermia can improve tumour oxygenation and enhance radiosensitivity. Imaging the hypoxic fraction of a tumour can guide hyperthermia treatment planning and facilitate treatment optimization. 64Cu-ATSM (Copper-diacetyl-bis(N4-methylthiosemicarbazone)) is a positron emitting compound that has been demonstrated to have rapid uptake and selective retention in hypoxic cells and has been used for imaging human and animal tumours. The purpose of the present report is to establish methodology that will allow one to use Cu-ATSM PET scanning to detect the impact of hyperthermia on tumour physiology in as little time as possible. MATERIALS AND METHODS: EMT6 tumours (mouse mammary carcinoma) were implanted into the subcutaneous tissue of both thighs of 10 BALB/c mice (one heated, one control tumour per animal). The target thermal dose was 41.5 degrees C x 45 min. Without interrupting heating, 64Cu-ATSM (mean activity 1.8 mCi) was then injected and serial PET scans were obtained. In a sub-group of four animals, a low administered activity (approximately 0.3 mCi) 64Cu-ATSM scan was also conducted before heating to permit a direct comparison of the effects of hyperthermia on the same tumours. In another sub-group of five animals, a low activity (approximately 0.3 mCi) 64Cu-PTSM (pyruvaldehyde-bis(N*-methylthiosemicarbazone)) scan was conducted before heating, to confirm a posited correlation between perfusion and early 64Cu-ATSM uptake. RESULTS: This study corrected for perfusion differences by dividing tumour uptake by the average early (first minute) uptake ('self-normalized uptake'). The 10 heated tumours showed a significantly (p = 0.007) lower self-normalized uptake than control tumours by 2 min. For the four mice with low activity Cu-ATSM scans performed before hyperthermia, the tumours to be heated demonstrated self-normalized uptake consistent with the unheated control tumours and which departed significantly (p < or = 0.02) from their post-hyperthermia scans by 5 min. Comparisons between scans and needle electrode surveys were performed in an additional four animals with eight tumours. For technical reasons electrode surveys were done after the end of hyperthermia-and, therefore, these animals also had comparison scans taken after hyperthermia. Reduced self-normalized uptake on scans was associated with increased pO2 on electrode surveys. These data also suggested a substantial degradation of the effect on tumour hypoxia by approximately 15-45 min after the end of mild hyperthermia. CONCLUSION: Short imaging times of approximately 5 min with modest (approximately 4-10) numbers of mice can discriminate the effects of mild hyperthermia on tumour physiology. The long-term objective is to use this tool to identify as short and mild a hyperthermia session as possible.

Animals↗

Stable reagent for the detection of antibody to the specific fraction I antigen of Yersinia pestis.

A stable hemagglutinating antigen for detection of fraction I (FR-I) antibody of Yersinia pestis (Pasteurella pestis) is described. The antigen was prepared by sensitizing tanned, pyruvaldehyde-treated sheep erythrocytes (PAT SRBC) with FR-I antigen. Preliminary standardization by titration of each lot of FR-I was required to minimize the effect of molecular heterogeneity of specific FR-I antigen and to eliminate nonspecific reactions caused by the presence of a minor antigenic contaminant. In tests with sera from rabbits, dogs, and humans, FR-I PAT SRBC were as reactive as the previously employed standard antigen, FR-I-sensitized tanned erythrocytes. Fluid suspensions of FR-I PAT SRBC stored at 4 C for 3 months, or lyophilized preparations stored at ambient temperature for 6 months, showed no loss in antigenic activity.

Aldehydes↗