Direct enhancement of nuclear singlet order by dynamic nuclear polarization

Hyperpolarized singlet order is available immediately after dissolution DNP, avoiding need for additional preparation steps. We demonstrate this procedure on a sample of [1,2–13C2]pyruvic aci

Real-Time Polarimetry of Hyperpolarized 13C Nuclear Spins Using an Atomic Magnetometer

We introduce a method for nondestructive quantification of nuclear spin polarization, of relevance to hyperpolarized spin tracers widely used in magnetic resonance from spectroscopy to in vivo imaging. In a bias field of around 30 nT we use a high-sensitivity miniaturized 87Rb-vapor magnetometer to measure the field generated by the sample, as it is driven by a windowed dynamical decoupling pulse sequence that both maximizes the nuclear spin lifetime and modulates the polarization for easy detection. We demonstrate the procedure applied to a 0.08 M hyperpolarized [1-13C]-pyruvate solution produced by dissolution dynamic nuclear polarization, measuring polarization repeatedly during natural decay at Earth's field. Application to real-time and continuous quality monitoring of hyperpolarized substances is discussed

Combined homogeneous and heterogeneous hydrogenation to yield catalyst-free solutions of parahydrogen-hyperpolarized [1-13C]succinate

We show that catalyst-free aqueous solutions of hyperpolarized [1-13C]succinate can be produced using parahydrogen-induced polarization (PHIP) and a combination of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalytic hydrogenation reactions. We generate hyperpolarized [1-13C]fumarate via PHIP using para-enriched hydrogen gas with a homogeneous ruthenium catalyst, and subsequently remove the toxic catalyst and reaction side products via a purification procedure. Following this, we perform a second hydrogenation reaction using normal hydrogen gas to convert the fumarate into succinate using a solid Pd/Al2O3 catalyst. This inexpensive polarization protocol has a turnover time of a few minutes, and represents a major advance for in vivo applications of [1-13C]succinate as a hyperpolarized contrast agent

(13) C magnetic resonance spectroscopy measurements with hyperpolarized [1-(13) C] pyruvate can be used to detect the expression of transgenic pyruvate decarboxylase activity in vivo.

PURPOSE: Dissolution dynamic nuclear polarization can increase the sensitivity of the (13) C magnetic resonance spectroscopy experiment by at least four orders of magnitude and offers a novel approach to the development of MRI gene reporters based on enzymes that metabolize (13) C-labeled tracers. We describe here a gene reporter based on the enzyme pyruvate decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.1), which catalyzes the decarboxylation of pyruvate to produce acetaldehyde and carbon dioxide. METHODS: Pyruvate decarboxylase from Zymomonas mobilis (zmPDC) and a mutant that lacked enzyme activity were expressed using an inducible promoter in human embryonic kidney (HEK293T) cells. Enzyme activity was measured in the cells and in xenografts derived from the cells using (13) C MRS measurements of the conversion of hyperpolarized [1-(13) C] pyruvate to H(13) CO3-. RESULTS: Induction of zmPDC expression in the cells and in the xenografts derived from them resulted in an approximately two-fold increase in the H(13) CO3-/[1-(13) C] pyruvate signal ratio following intravenous injection of hyperpolarized [1-(13) C] pyruvate. CONCLUSION: We have demonstrated the feasibility of using zmPDC as an in vivo reporter gene for use with hyperpolarized (13) C MRS. Magn Reson Med 76:391-401, 2016. © 2015 The Authors. Magnetic Resonance in Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.PD was in receipt of a studentship funded by CRUK and S.-S.T. a Yousef Jameel studentship. TBR was in receipt of an Intra-European Marie Curie (FP7-PEOPLE- 2009-IEF, Imaging Lymphoma) and Long-term EMBO (EMBO-ALT-1145-2009) fellowships and E.M.S. and I.M.R were recipients of fellowships from the European Union Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under the Marie Curie Initial Training Network METAFLUX (project number 264780). E.M.S. also acknowledges the educational support of Programme for Advanced Medical Education from Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, Champalimaud Foundation, Ministerio de Saude and Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia, Portugal. The work was supported by a CRUK Programme Grant (17242) to KMB. The polarizer and related materials were provided by GE-Healthcare.This is the final version of the article. It first appeared from Wiley via http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/mrm.2587

Assessing Oxidative Stress in Tumors by Measuring the Rate of Hyperpolarized [1-13^{13}C] Dehydroascorbic Acid Reduction Using 13^{13}C Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

Rapid cancer cell proliferation promotes the production of reducing equivalents, which counteract the effects of relatively high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS levels increase in response to chemotherapy and cell death while an increase in antioxidant capacity can confer resistance to chemotherapy and is associated with an aggressive tumor phenotype. The pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) is a major site of NADPH production in the cell, which is used to maintain the main intracellular antioxidant, glutathione, in its reduced state. Previous studies have shown that the rate of hyperpolarized [1-$^{13}$C]dehydroascorbic acid (DHA) reduction, which can be measured $\textit{in vivo}$ using non-invasive $^{13}$C magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging, is increased in tumors and that this is correlated with the levels of reduced glutathione. We show here that the rate of hyperpolarized [1-$^{13}$C]DHA reduction is increased in tumors that have been oxidatively pre-stressed by depleting the glutathione pool by buthionine sulfoximine treatment. This increase was associated with a corresponding increase in PPP flux, assessed using $^{13}$C-labeled glucose, and an increase in glutaredoxin activity, which catalyzes the glutathione-dependent reduction of DHA. These results show that the rate of DHA reduction does not depend only on the level of reduced glutathione, but also on the rate of NADPH production, contradicting the conclusions of some previous studies. Hyperpolarized [1-$^{13}$C]DHA can be used therefore to assess the capacity of tumor cells to resist oxidative stress in vivo. However, DHA administration resulted in transient respiratory arrest and cardiac depression, which may prevent translation to the clinic.Work in K.M. Brindle’s laboratory is supported by a Cancer Research UK Programme grant (17242) and the CRUK-EPSRC Imaging Centre in Cambridge and Manchester (16465). K.N. Timm was in receipt of MRC and Cancer Research UK studentships, B.W.C. Kennedy and P. Dzien Cancer Research UK studentships and F. Bulat a CRUK -EPSRC Imaging Centre imaging center studentship. I. Marco -Rius acknowledges the European Union Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) for support under the M arie Curie Initial Training Network METAFLUX (project number 264780)

The Magnitude of Global Marine Species Diversity

Background: The question of how many marine species exist is important because it provides a metric for how much we do and do not know about life in the oceans. We have compiled the first register of the marine species of the world and used this baseline to estimate how many more species, partitioned among all major eukaryotic groups, may be discovered. Results: There are ∼226,000 eukaryotic marine species described. More species were described in the past decade (∼20,000) than in any previous one. The number of authors describing new species has been increasing at a faster rate than the number of new species described in the past six decades. We report that there are ∼170,000 synonyms, that 58,000–72,000 species are collected but not yet described, and that 482,000–741,000 more species have yet to be sampled. Molecular methods may add tens of thousands of cryptic species. Thus, there may be 0.7–1.0 million marine species. Past rates of description of new species indicate there may be 0.5 ± 0.2 million marine species. On average 37% (median 31%) of species in over 100 recent field studies around the world might be new to science. Conclusions: Currently, between one-third and two-thirds of marine species may be undescribed, and previous estimates of there being well over one million marine species appear highly unlikely. More species than ever before are being described annually by an increasing number of authors. If the current trend continues, most species will be discovered this century

Direct Enhancement of Nuclear Singlet Order by Dynamic Nuclear Polarization

Hyperpolarized singlet order is available immediately after dissolution DNP, avoiding need for additional preparation steps. We demonstrate this procedure on a sample of [1,2–13C2]pyruvic aci

Post-Franco Theatre

In the multiple realms and layers that comprise the contemporary Spanish theatrical landscape, “crisis” would seem to be the word that most often lingers in the air, as though it were a common mantra, ready to roll off the tongue of so many theatre professionals with such enormous ease, and even enthusiasm, that one is prompted to wonder whether it might indeed be a miracle that the contemporary technological revolution – coupled with perpetual quandaries concerning public and private funding for the arts – had not by now brought an end to the evolution of the oldest of live arts, or, at the very least, an end to drama as we know it

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries