Precipitation forecasting by a mesoscale numerical weather prediction (NWP) model: eight years of experience

International audienceThe Swiss Model, a hydrostatic numerical weather prediction model, has been used at MeteoSwiss for operational forecasting at the meso-beta scale (mesh-size 14 km) from 1994 until 2001. The quality of the quantitative precipitation forecasts is evaluated for the eight years of operation. The seasonal precipitation over Switzerland and its dependence on altitude is examined for both model forecasts and observations using the Swiss rain gauge network sampling daily precipitation at over 400 stations for verification. The mean diurnal cycle of precipitation is verified against the automatic surface observation network on the basis of hourly recordings. In winter, there is no diurnal forcing of precipitation and the modelled precipitation agrees with the observed values. In summer, the convection in the model starts too early, overestimates the amount of precipitation and is too short-lived. Skill scores calculated for six-hourly precipitation sums show a constant level of performance over the model life cycle. Dry and wet seasons influence the model performance more than the model changes during its operational period. The comprehensive verification of the model precipitation is complemented by the discussion of a number of heavy rain events investigated during the RAPHAEL project. The sensitivities to a number of model components are illustrated, namely the driving boundary fields, the internal partitioning of parameterised and grid-scale precipitation, the advection scheme and the vertical resolution. While a small impact of the advection scheme had to be expected, the increasing overprediction of rain with increasing vertical resolution in the RAPHAEL case studies was larger than previously thought. The frequent update of the boundary conditions enhances the positioning of the rain in the model. Keywords: numerical weather prediction, quantitative precipitation forecast, model verificatio

In vitro and in vivo targeting of different folate receptor-positive cancer cell lines with a novel 99mTc-radiofolate tracer

Purpose: For the assessment of folate-based radiopharmaceuticals, human nasopharyngeal KB carcinoma cells are traditionally used although nasopharyngeal cancer is rare. On the other hand, the folate receptor (FR) is frequently overexpressed on diverse cancer types, the highest frequency (>90%) being on ovarian carcinomas. The goal of our study was the in vitro and in vivo assessment of different FR-positive human carcinoma cells. In addition, a murine sarcoma cell line was assessed as a pre-clinical alternative to human xenograft models. Methods: FR-positive human nasopharyngeal, cervical, ovarian and colorectal cancer cell lines and the transgenic mouse sarcoma (24JK-FBP) cell line were targeted with a novel 99mTc-tricarbonyl folate derivative 2. Comparative in vitro cell binding studies were carried out under standardised folate-deficient conditions. In vivo studies were performed in nude mice and C6 black mice. Results: The in vitro cell experiments revealed only FR-specific binding (unspecific <0.02%), ranging from 3.5% to 52% of complex 2 owing to variable levels of FR expression of the cell lines. In vivo tumour uptake of radiotracer 2 varied less than in vitro. It ranged from 0.66±0.17% ID/g (LoVo) through 1.16±0.64%ID/g (IGROV-1) and 1.55±0.43% ID/g (24JK-FBP) to 2.33±0.36% ID/g (KB) 4h p.i. Conclusion: These pre-clinical studies indicate that in vitro data obtained in FR-positive cancer cells do not necessarily correspond with or predict in vivo radiofolate uptake in corresponding (xeno)grafts. In addition, the murine 24JK-FBP cell line proved to be a valuable pre-clinical alternative to human tumour model

Preclinical evaluation of novel organometallic 99mTc-folate and 99mTc-pteroate radiotracers for folate receptor-positive tumour targeting

Purpose: The folate receptor (FR) is a valuable tumour marker, since it is frequently overexpressed on various cancer types. The purpose of the present study was to pre-clinically evaluate novel site-specifically modified 99mTc(CO)3 folate (γ-derivative 4, α-derivative 5) and pteroate (6) conjugates for FR targeting. Methods: The 99mTc(CO)3 radiotracers 4-6 were prepared by a kit-like procedure. In vitro characterisation (K D and B max) of the radiotracers was performed with FR-positive KB cells. Tissue distribution was studied in tumour-bearing mice. SPECT/CT experiments were performed with a dedicated small animal SPECT/CT scanner. Results: The complexes 4-6 were formed in high yields (>92%). Binding constants of the radiotracers (K D in nM: 4: 2.09; 5: 2.51; 6: 14.52) were similar to those of 3H-folic acid (K D in nM: 7.22). In vivo the folate derivatives showed significantly better tumour uptake (4: 2.3±0.4% ID/g and 5: 1.2±0.2% ID/g, 4h p.i.) than the pteroate derivative (6: 0.4±0.2% ID/g, 4h p.i.). Clearance of all radiotracers from the blood pool and from non-targeted tissues was efficient (tumour to blood ratio approx. 200-350, 24h p.i.). FR-positive tissue and organs were successfully visualised via small animal SPECT/CT. Conclusion: Radiotracers 4-6 are the first 99mTc(CO)3 tracers prepared via a kit formulation which exhibit full biological activity in vitro and in vivo. Folate derivatives 4 and 5 revealed significantly better pharmacokinetic properties than the pteroate derivative 6. Promising pre-clinical SPECT results warrant further assessment of 99mTc(CO)3 radiofolates for detection of FR-positive tumour

Homology modeling and dynamics of the extracellular domain of rat and human neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subtypes α4β2 and α7

In recent years, it has become clear that the neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) is a valid target in the treatment of a variety of diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, anxiety, and nicotine addiction. As with most membrane proteins, information on the three-dimensional (3D) structure of nAChR is limited to data from electron microscopy, at a resolution that makes the application of structure-based design approaches to develop specific ligands difficult. Based on a high-resolution crystal structure of AChBP, homology models of the extracellular domain of the neuronal rat and human nAChR subtypes α4β2 and α7 (the subtypes most abundant in brain) were built, and their stability assessed with molecular dynamics (MD). All models built showed conformational stability over time, confirming the quality of the starting 3D model. Lipophilicity and electrostatic potential studies performed on the rat and human α4β2 and α7 nicotinic models were compared to AChBP, revealing the importance of the hydrophobic aromatic pocket and the critical role of the α-subunit Trp—the homolog of AChBP-Trp 143—for ligand binding. The models presented provide a valuable framework for the structure-based design of specific α4β2 nAChR subtype ligands aimed at improving therapeutic and diagnostic applications. Figure Electrostatic surface potential of the binding site cavity of the neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR). Nicotinic models performed with the MOLCAD program: a rat α7, b rat α4β2, c human α7, d human α4β2. All residues labeled are part of the α7 (a,c) or α4 (b,d) subunit with the exception of Phe 117, which belongs to subunit β2 (d). Violet Very negative, blue negative, yellow neutral, red very positiv

A stable neurotensin-based radiopharmaceutical for targeted imaging and therapy of neurotensin receptor-positive tumours

Purpose: Neurotensin (NT) and its high affinity receptor (NTR1) are involved in several neoplastic processes. Thus, NT-based radiopharmaceuticals are potential tracers for targeted diagnosis and therapy of NTR-positive tumours. A new analogue based on NT(8-13), NT-XIX, with the three enzymatic cleavage sites stabilised, was synthesised and tested. Methods: The synthesis was performed by Boc strategy. Labelling with 99mTc/188Re was performed using the tricarbonyl technique. Metabolic stability was tested in vitro and in vivo. NT-XIX was further characterised in vitro in HT-29 cells and in vivo in nude mice with HT-29 xenografts. Results: NT-XIX showed much longer half-lives than non-stabilised analogues. Binding to NTR1 was highly specific, although the affinity was lower than that of natural NT. Bound activity rapidly internalised into HT-29 cells and 50% remained trapped after 24h. In the time-course biodistribution, the highest uptake was found in the tumour at all p.i. times. In vivo uptake was specific, and accumulation of activity in the kidneys was low. Radioactivity clearance from healthy organs was faster than that from the tumour, resulting in improved tumour-to-tissue ratios and good SPECT/CT imaging. Treatment with 188Re-NT-XIX (30MBq, in three or four fractions) decreased tumour growth by 50% after 3weeks. Conclusion: The high in vivo stability and the favourable in vivo behaviour makes NT-XIX an excellent candidate for the imaging and therapy of NTR1-positive tumour

Application of technetium and rhenium carbonyl chemistry to nuclear medicine. Preparation of [NEt4]2[TcCl3(CO)3] from [NBu4][TcO4] and structure of [NEt4][Tc2(μ-Cl)3(CO)6]; structures of the model complexes [NEt4][Re2(μ-OEt)2(μ-OAc)(CO)6] and [ReBr({-CH2S(CH2)2Cl}2)(CO)3]

A detailed investigation of the one-pot synthesis of [NEt4]2[MX3(CO)3] [M=Tc (1a) or Re (1b); X= Cl−, Br−] is presented. The intermediates [NEt4][Tc2-(μ-Cl)3(CO)6] (2a), [NBu4][Tc3(μ3-H)(μ-H)3(CO)9] (3) and [Tc3(μ-H)3(CO)12] (4) have been isolated and characterized. The X-ray structure of (2a) is described. Complex (2a) crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/c with a=19.491(6), b=18.323(2) and c=17.497(9)AÅ, and β=97.59(2)°. Quantitative conversion of (2a), (3) and (4) into the aqua-ion [M(OH2)3(CO)3]+ [M=Tc (5a) or Re (5b)] is described. To evaluate an optimal and simple chelating group for the "fac-M(CO)3” moiety, the reaction with the bidentate thioether ligand Cl(CH2)2S(CH2)2S(CH2)2Cl (qyp) has been investigated and the structure of the neutral complex [ReBr(qyp)(CO)3] (6) is described. Complex (6) crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/c with a=15.935(6), b=2.788(4) and c= 7.955(10)AÅ, and β=98.57(1)°. To extend the knowledge about substitution chemistry of organometallic complexes in aqueous solution, the acetato ligand [OOCCH3]− has been reacted with (1b), resulting in the formation of the dinuclear, acetato-bridged complex [NEt4][Re2(μ-OH)2(μ-OAc)(CO)6], which converted into [Re2(μ-OEt)2(μ-OAc)(CO)6]− (7) after recrystallization from EtOH. The X-ray structure of (7) has been determined. Complex (7) crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/c with a=16.288(3), b=12.4272(10) and c=13.620(3)AÅ, and β=76.63(1)°. For a future application of the small "fac-M(CO)3” moiety, it seems thus advantageous to combine these two ligand groups in one simple chelating functio