Evaluation of Glucose Uptake in Normal and Cancer Cell Lines by Positron Emission Tomography.

To date, there is no definitive demonstration of the utility of positron emission tomography (PET) in studying glucose metabolism in cultured cell lines. Thus, this study was designed to compare PET to more standardized methods for the quantitative assessment of glucose uptake in nontransformed and transformed living cells and to validate PET for metabolic studies in vitro. Human colon and breast carcinoma cell lines and mouse embryo fibroblasts were evaluated for [ 18 F]fluorodeoxyglucose ([ 18 F]FDG) uptake by PET and autoradiography and 2-deoxyglucose (2-DG) incorporation by colorimetric assay and analyzed for the radiotoxic effects of [ 18 F]FDG and the expression levels of glucose transporters. Indeed, [ 18 F]FDG incorporation on PET was comparable to [ 18 F]FDG uptake by autoradiography and 2-DG incorporation by colorimetric assay, although radiotracer-based methods exhibited more pronounced differences between individual cell lines. As expected, these data correlated with glucose transporters 1 to 4 and hexokinase II expression in tumor cell lines and mouse fibroblasts. Notably, [ 18 F]FDG incorporation resulted in low apoptotic rates, with fibroblasts being slightly more sensitive to radiotracer-induced cell death. The quantitative analysis of [ 18 F]FDG uptake in living cells by PET represents a valuable and reproducible method to study tumor cell metabolism in vitro, being representative of the differences in the molecular profile of normal and tumor cell lines

U-Pb detrital zircon ages and compositional features of Bifurto quartz-rich sandstones from Southern Apennine (Southern Italy): comparison with Numidian Flysch sandstones to infer source area

Two samples of quartz-rich sandstones belonging to Bifurto Formation in Southern Apennine, have been studied for their petrographical, geochemical and geochronological (U-Pb detrital zircon ages) features and compared with those of sandstones from five stratigraphic sections of Numidian Flysch in Southern Italy. The purpose of this comparison is to assess the homogeneity and provenance of detritus because quartz-rich sandstones of both formations are coeval having Burdigalian p.p. - Early Langhian age. The depositional domain of Bifurto Formation was located on the sinking carbonatic Campania-Lucania Platform whereas that of Numidian Flysch was within Lagonegro-Molise Basin at east of Campania-Lucania Platform. The Bifurto sandstones show sub-arkose - quartzarenitic composition with high Fe2O3 contents (Fe2O3 in the range 2.85 wt% - 4.83 wt%), however, the whole composition varies in the same compositional range of the Numidian Flysch sandstones. The U-Pb detrital zircon ages in Bifurto sandstones range from 2551±40 Ma to 425±9 Ma and the 93% of these age data is comprised in the same time lapse of detrital zircon ages of Numidian Flysch sandstones (3047±13 to 516±19Ma). These ages suggest a provenance area consisting by ancient orogens in which Pre-Cambrian and Silurian rocks are present. The absence of Paleozoic - Mesozoic ages excludes provenance from Variscan or Alpine rocks. On this basis, the African Craton represents the exclusive source area of Bifurto sandstones as well as of Numidian Flysch sandstones outcropping in Southern Apennine. Similar deductions have been proposed for Numidian sandstones outcropping along the Betic and Maghrebian chains from Spain to Morocco, Algeria and Sicily

Preliminary U-Pb Detrital Zircon Ages from Tufiti di Tusa Formation (Lucanian Apennines, Southern Italy): Evidence of Rupelian Volcaniclastic Supply

U-Pb spot ages have been determined on detrital zircons from two samples of volcaniclastic arenites belonging to the Tufiti di Tusa Formation (TTF) outcropping in the Lucanian Apennines (Southern Italy). Many petrographic and geochemical studies have been performed on these sandstones with the aim of defining their detritus source. A new and precise evaluation of the mineralogical composition of metamorphic lithic fragments, together with U-Pb detrital zircon ages, helps to clarify the deposition age of these syn-sedimentary volcaniclastic sandstones and constrains their source areas. Volcaniclastic arenites consist of andesitic fragments and single minerals of plagioclases, clinopyroxenes, and hornblendes, while the metamorphic lithics are mainly fragments of blue amphibole-bearing micaschists, serpentinites, ophicalcites, phyllites, and medium-grade micaschists. Phaneritic plutonic fragments consist of quartz, feldspar, and micas. Carbonate components include biomicritic and biosparitic fragments. Eighty age data collected from 56 zircons reveal a wide age spectrum, ranging from Neoarchean to Rupelian (from 2712 ± 25 to 30 ± 1 Millions of years (Ma)). The age data show that in volcaniclastic sandstones there is evidence of ancient crystalline basements involved in Cadomian and Variscan orogenesis (ages from 2712 ± 25 Ma to ≈260 Ma), whereas the measured ages of 157 Ma testify the events of Pangea fragmentation and the ages between 78 and 67 Ma are related to subduction metamorphism connected to the Alpine orogenesis. Fifty percent of the estimated detrital zircon ages show a mean concordant age of 33 ± 1 Ma, they have been measured on idiomorphic crystals with undisturbed magmatic oscillatory zoning. These data reveal the true sedimentation age of Tufiti di Tusa sandstones at least at the sampled levels, coeval with that recorded in other Rupelian volcaniclastic successions outcropping in the Northern Apennines and in the Western Alps (e.g., Val d’Aveto-Petrignacola Formation, Ranzano Formation and Taveyannaz Sandstone). These data represent preliminary suggestions of the sedimentation age of the Tufiti di Tusa Formation and Rupelian paleogeography in the Western Mediterranean area. During Priabonian-Rupelian times, the volcanic calc-alkaline detritus linked to a widespread syn-sedimentary igneous activity on the hinterland terranes of the foredeep basins in the Apennine-Maghrebian orogen extended from north to south in the Western-Central Mediterranean area

U–Pb detrital zircon ages from Gorgoglione Flysch sandstones in Southern Apennines (Italy) as provenance indicators

Abstract Twenty-one sandstone samples belonging to the intermediate part of Gorgoglione Flysch (GF) dated Middle-Miocene, cropping out in the Southern Apennines (Italy), have been studied to highlight the detritus provenance. Petrographic and chemical composition indicates that the successions consist of feldspatho-quartzose and litho-feldspatho-quartzose arenites interbedded with pelitic and calciclastic layers and reveals a provenance from a basement formed by low- to medium-grade metamorphic rocks with abundant granitoids covered by sedimentary rocks in which a volcanic component was also present. In the Mediterranean area, basements with these characteristics are widespread both in western and southwestern domains. The supply provenance of Gorgoglione Flysch has been better detailed utilizing U–Pb detrital zircon ages recording the geological history of the source rocks. Fifty-eight crystals from six samples of coarse- and fine-grained sandstones have been analysed using the U–Pb isotopic systematic (LA-ICP-MS). They produce 70 concordant zircon ages forming three defined clusters at 672 ± 28 Ma, 458 ± 9Ma and 297 ± 8 Ma, and four zircon ages corresponding to 24 ± 1 Ma. An evaluation of the entire collected data suggests that the provenance area is better identified in northwestern sectors of the Mediterranean area in which the Sardinia–Corsica (pro-part) block plays a fundamental role

Detrital zircon ages of Oligocene to Miocene sandstone suites of the Southern Apennines foreland basin system, Italy

U/Pb spot ages on detrital zircons from turbidite quartzarenites, quartz-feldspathic and volcaniclastic sandstones of the Tufiti di Tusa (TTF), Numidian Flysch (NF), Bifurto (BF), Gorgoglione (GF) and Serra Palazzo (SPF) formations, exposed in southern Italy, were detected to define their provenance signatures aiming to contribute to reconstructing the complex geodynamic evolution of the southern Apennine chain. The deposition ages of these sandstones range from Rupelian (TTF), Burdigalian p.p. Early Langhian (NF and BF) and Langhian-Serravallian Early Tortonian (GF and SPF). The detrital zircon ages in each deposit show different clusters. In TTF, the zircon age clusters are: 610 ± 6 Ma; 390 ± 4 Ma; 287 ± 3 Ma; 157 ± 2 Ma; 78 ± 1 Ma and 67 ± 1 Ma; 33 ± 1 Ma. In NF and BF formations, the prevalent zircon ages are clustered at 661 ± 10 Ma, 607 ± 8 Ma and 547 ± 8 Ma. In GF sandstones, the ages of detrital zircons are clustered around 672 ± 28 Ma, 458 ± 9 Ma, 297 ± 8 Ma and 24 ± 1 Ma. The sandstones of SPF contain zircons showing age clusters at 649 ± 10 Ma, 486 ± 7 Ma and 315 ± 5 Ma. Zircons and lithic fragments from TTF display a dominant provenance from Oligocene calc-alkaline effusive products located on western domains of the Mesomediterranean Microplate, and minor detritus from granitoids and metamorphic rocks of Variscan ages. Zircons of NF and BF indicate a provenance of detritus from the African Craton without evidence of Variscan or Alpine signatures. Zircons from GF and SPF show a provenance from both Variscan crystalline basement rocks forming the Alpine chain (Calabria-Peloritani Terranes) and Variscan magmatic and metamorphic rocks unaffected by Alpine tectonics, similar to Sardinia e Corsica (pro-parte) block. In addition, the Oligocene magmatic component dated at 24 Ma in GF sandstones is evidence for the maximum age of sedimentation for these deposits. In light of the recent and preliminary geochronological data acquired, a revised paleogeographic restoration could be inferred for the location of sedimentary basins during the Apennines tectonic evolution. The Rupelian sedimentation age of TTF suggests that the deposition domains of the Numidian sequences and the successive deposits of GF and SPF, were located in a more complex paleogeographic scenario along the orogenic system

Petrographic and Geochemical Inferences for Genesis of Terra Rossa: A Case Study from the Apulian Karst (Southern Italy)

Terra rossa is a reddish clay soil which is often present on the surface of limestone in regions with a Mediterranean-type climate. Its genesis is a controversial subject in terms of the origin of the parent material, from the residuum of underlying (carbonate/dolomite) bedrock in the absence/presence of an external silicate contribution (e.g., aeolian dust). Within this context the main goal of the present work was the understanding of the geochemical processes leading to the formation of the terra rossa starting from the carbonate bedrock. We report the results of a multi-method analysis on a terra rossa deposit occupying the bottom of a Quaternary karst depression on Mesozoic limestones exposed in the Murge area (Apulia Foreland, southern Italy). Geological, petrographic, textural, and chemical data were collected on karst products (reddish calcite incrustations and nodules, and fine-grained portion of terra rossa) by a detailed field mapping, optical microscopy, XRF and fusion ICP/MS analyses and by scanning electron microscope. New collected data show that the mineralogical composition of reddish incrustations and nodules is comparable, consisting of fibrous and impure calcite, detrital fragments of quartz, K-feldspar, zircon and authigenic minerals as (Mn, Ba, Ca) phases, (Al, Si, Mn, Fe, Mg, Ba, Ca) minerals, Fe-kaolinite and anatase. The prevailing minerals, instead, in the fine-grained portion of terra rossa are hematite, kaolinite, and goethite. Based on the chemical composition, and especially on REE patterns, a progressive interaction of silicate aqueous solutions (with Al, Si, Fe), containing pelite material, with the calcareous bedrock, as a source of carbonic acid, was the process driving the formation of terra rossa. Obtained results add new elements to the definition of the long-lasting question about the genetic processes responsible for the formation of terra rossa, corroborating their polygenetic origin, as result of limestone alteration in conjunction with the chemical interaction with allochthonous siliciclastic material

Palliative treatment of bone metastases with samarium-153 EDTMP at onset of pain

We evaluated the pain response and daily discomfort in patients suffering from a borderline degree of bone pain due to breast or lung cancer bone metastases, who had undergone early palliative radionuclide treatment. The results were compared with those from patients who had received standard analgesic therapy. Twenty-one patients (65.7 +/- A 3 years; 17 women) with metastatic bone cancer underwent samarium-153 (Sm-153) ethylene diamine tetramethylene phosphonate (EDTMP) administration (group A) and 18 patients (64.3 +/- A 8 years; 16 women) continued to receive standard analgesics (group B; control group). The patients kept a daily pain diary assessing both their discomfort and the pain at specific sites by means of a visual analog scale, rating from 0 (no discomfort-no pain) to 10 (worst discomfort-pain). These diaries were reviewed weekly for 2 months and three physicians rated the pain response on a scale from -2 (considerable deterioration) to +2 (considerable improvement). Baseline characteristics were similar in both groups. The reduction of total discomfort and of bone pain in group A was significantly greater compared to group B (p < 0.0001). A significant improvement of clinical conditions was observed in group A, where the physician rate changed from -1 to 1, compared to group B in which the rate changed from -1 to 0. Sm-153 EDTMP therapy can be considered for patients with bone pain from breast and lung cancer in advance, i.e., before the establishment of severe pain syndrome

Evaluation of Glucose Uptake in Normal and Cancer Cell Lines by Positron Emission Tomography

: To date, there is no definitive demonstration of the utility of positron emission tomography (PET) in studying glucose metabolism in cultured cell lines. Thus, this study was designed to compare PET to more standardized methods for the quantitative assessment of glucose uptake in nontransformed and transformed living cells and to validate PET for metabolic studies in vitro. Human colon and breast carcinoma cell lines and mouse embryo fibroblasts were evaluated for [(18)F]fluorodeoxyglucose ([(18)F]FDG) uptake by PET and autoradiography and 2-deoxyglucose (2-DG) incorporation by colorimetric assay and analyzed for the radiotoxic effects of [(18)F]FDG and the expression levels of glucose transporters. Indeed, [(18)F]FDG incorporation on PET was comparable to [(18)F]FDG uptake by autoradiography and 2-DG incorporation by colorimetric assay, although radiotracer-based methods exhibited more pronounced differences between individual cell lines. As expected, these data correlated with glucose transporters 1 to 4 and hexokinase II expression in tumor cell lines and mouse fibroblasts. Notably, [(18)F]FDG incorporation resulted in low apoptotic rates, with fibroblasts being slightly more sensitive to radiotracer-induced cell death. The quantitative analysis of [(18)F]FDG uptake in living cells by PET represents a valuable and reproducible method to study tumor cell metabolism in vitro, being representative of the differences in the molecular profile of normal and tumor cell lines