Good practices for 68Ga radiopharmaceutical production

Background: The radiometal gallium-68 (Ga-68) is increasingly used in diagnostic positron emission tomography (PET), with Ga-68-labeled radiopharmaceuticals developed as potential higher-resolution imaging alternatives to traditional Tc-99m agents. In precision medicine, PET applications of Ga-68 are widespread, with Ga-68 radiolabeled to a variety of radiotracers that evaluate perfusion and organ function, and target specific biomarkers found on tumor lesions such as prostate-specific membrane antigen, somatostatin, fibroblast activation protein, bombesin, and melanocortin. Main body: These Ga-68 radiopharmaceuticals include agents such as [Ga-68]Ga-macroaggregated albumin for myocardial perfusion evaluation, [Ga-68]Ga-PLED for assessing renal function, [Ga-68]Ga-t-butyl-HBED for assessing liver function, and [Ga-68]Ga-PSMA for tumor imaging. The short half-life, favourable nuclear decay properties, ease of radiolabeling, and convenient availability through germanium-68 (Ge-68) generators and cyclotron production routes strongly positions Ga-68 for continued growth in clinical deployment. This progress motivates the development of a set of common guidelines and standards for the Ga-68 radiopharmaceutical community, and recommendations for centers interested in establishing Ga-68 radiopharmaceutical production. Conclusion: This review outlines important aspects of Ga-68 radiopharmacy, including Ga-68 production routes using a Ge-68/Ga-68 generator or medical cyclotron, standardized Ga-68 radiolabeling methods, quality control procedures for clinical Ga-68 radiopharmaceuticals, and suggested best practices for centers with established or upcoming Ga-68 radiopharmaceutical production. Finally, an outlook on Ga-68 radiopharmaceuticals is presented to highlight potential challenges and opportunities facing the community

NorKing Russet, A New Potato Variety

This article gives background into the breeding history that lead to the potato variety named Nor King Russet. It resulted from a cross between Nooksack and ND9567-2Russ. Nooksack is a russet variety grown for processing (french fry) in the northwestern states and ND9567-2Russ resulted from a cross between two number selections that have Norchip and B5141-6 in their pedigrees

The role of proboscis of the malaria vector mosquito Anopheles stephensi in host-seeking behavior

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The proboscis is an essential head appendage in insects that processes gustatory code during food intake, particularly useful considering that blood-sucking arthropods routinely reach vessels under the host skin using this proboscis as a probe.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Here, using an automated device able to quantify CO₂-activated thermo (35°C)-sensing behavior of the malaria vector <it>Anopheles stephensi</it>, we uncovered that the protruding proboscis of mosquitoes contributes unexpectedly to host identification from a distance. Ablation experiments indicated that not only antennae and maxillary palps, but also proboscis were required for the identification of pseudo-thermo targets. Furthermore, the function of the proboscis during this behavior can be segregated from CO₂detection required to evoke mosquito activation, suggesting that the proboscis of mosquitoes divide the proboscis into a "thermo-antenna" in addition to a "thermo-probe".</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our findings support an emerging view with a possible role of proboscis as important equipment during host-seeking, and give us an insight into how these appendages likely evolved from a common origin in order to function as antenna organs.</p

Loop-mediated isothermal amplification applied to filarial parasites detection in the mosquito vectors: Dirofilaria immitis as a study model

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Despite recent advances in our understanding of the basic biology behind transmission of zoonotic infectious diseases harbored by arthropod vectors these diseases remain threatening public health concerns. For effective control of vector and treatment, precise sampling indicating the prevalence of such diseases is essential. With an aim to develop a quick and simple method to survey zoonotic pathogen-transmitting vectors, LAMP (loop-mediated isothermal amplification) was applied to the detection of filarial parasites using a filarial parasite-transmitting experimental model that included one of the mosquito vectors, <it>Aedes aegypti</it>, and the canine heartworm, <it>Dirofilaria immitis</it>.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>LAMP reactions amplifying the cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene demonstrated high sensitivity when a single purified <it>D. immitis </it>microfilaria was detected. Importantly, the robustness of the LAMP reaction was revealed upon identification of an infected mosquito carrying just a single parasite, a level easily overlooked using conventional microscopic analysis. Furthermore, successful detection of <it>D. immitis </it>in wild-caught mosquitoes demonstrated its applicability to field surveys.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Due to its simplicity, sensitivity, and reliability, LAMP is suggested as an appropriate diagnostic method for routine diagnosis of mosquito vectors carrying filarial parasites. This method can be applied to the survey of not only canine filariasis but also lymphatic filariasis, another major public health problem. Therefore, this method offers great promise as a useful diagnostic method for filarial parasite detection in endemic filariasis regions.</p

Sleep in children with type 1 diabetes and their parents in the T1D Exchange

Objectives Sleep has physiological and behavioral impacts on diabetes outcomes, yet little is known about the impact of sleep disturbances in children with type 1 diabetes. The current study sought to characterize sleep in children with type 1 diabetes and in their parents and to examine the associations between child sleep, glycemic control and adherence, parent sleep and well-being, parental fear of hypoglycemia, and nocturnal caregiving behavior. Methods Surveys were emailed to parents of 2- to 12-year-old participants in the Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) Exchange clinic registry. Clinical data were obtained from the registry for the 515 respondents. Results In our sample, 67% of children met criteria for poor sleep quality. Child sleep quality was related to glycemic control (HbA1c of 7.9% [63 mmol/mol] in children with poor sleep quality vs 7.6% [60 mmol/mol] in children with non-poor sleep quality; P < 0.001) but not mean frequency of blood glucose monitoring (BGM) (7.6 times/day vs 7.4 in poor/non-poor quality; P = 0.56). Associations were similar for sleep duration. Children with poor sleep quality were more likely to experience severe hypoglycemia (4% in children with poor sleep quality vs 1% in children with non-poor sleep quality; P = 0.05) and more likely to experience DKA (7% vs 4%, respectively; P < 0.001). Poorer child sleep quality was associated with poorer parental sleep quality, parental well-being, and fear of hypoglycemia (P < 0.001 for all). Child sleep was not related to the use of diabetes-related technology (CGM, insulin pump). Conclusions Sleep may be a modifiable factor to improve glycemic control and reduce parental distress

Use of a Climate and Culture Survey to Assess Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives at the VCU School of Social Work

The project aimed to create a survey to assess the effectiveness of previously implemented diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, specifically racial equity at the VCU School of Social Work. The VCU School of Social Work has been actively working with their faculty and staff to address DEI at their school and encourage them to become active in DEI initiatives in other areas in the community. School of Social Work leadership was looking for a way to assess if those DEI initiatives met their intended purpose. This project researched ways to assess the effectiveness of DEI initiatives. The result was the creation of an electronic survey distributed to School of Social Work faculty and staff in the fall of 2021

Improving Implementation: Building Research Capacity in Maternal, Neonatal, and Child Health in Africa

As part of a series on maternal, neonatal, and child health in sub-Saharan Africa, Valerie Snewin and colleagues discuss the challenges of implementation and research capacity in Africa