Imaging infection and inflammation

No abstract availabl

Synthesis and Optimization of the Labeling Procedure of 99mTc-Hynic-Interleukin-2 for In vivo Imaging of Activated T lymphocytes

Introduction: We have previously described the labeling of interleukin-2 (IL2) with 123 I and 99m Tc-N3S. Both radiopharmaceuticals were successfully applied in humans to image several inflammatory lesions and autoimmune diseases characterized by tissue infiltrating lymphocytes expressing the IL2 receptor (CD25). However, both radiopharmaceuticals had some specific disadvantages, such as cost and time of synthesis

Leukocyte and bacteria imaging in prosthetic joint infection

There has been a significant increase in the number of joint prosthesis replacements worldwide. Although relatively uncommon, complications can occur with the most serious being an infection. Various radiological and nuclear imaging techniques are available to diagnose prosthetic joint infections (PJI). In this review article, we describe the pathophysiology of PJI, the principles of nuclear medicine imaging and the differences between Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET). The value of nuclear medicine techniques for clinical practice is also discussed.Then we provide an overview of the most often used radionuclide imaging techniques that may be helpful in diagnosing prosthetic joint infection: the 67Ga-citrate, labelled white blood cells in vitro and in vivo (monoclonal antibodies directed against specific targets on the leukocytes), and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG). We describe their working methods, the pitfalls, and the interpretation criteria. Furthermore, we review recent advances in imaging bacteria, a molecular imaging method that holds promises for the detection of occult infections. We conclude proposing two diagnostic flow-charts, based on data in the literature, that could help the clinicians to choose the best nuclear imaging method when they have a patient with suspicion of or with proven PJI

Stringent Constraint on Galactic Positron Production

The intense 0.511 MeV gamma-ray line emission from the Galactic Center observed by INTEGRAL requires a large annihilation rate of nonrelativistic positrons. If these positrons are injected at even mildly relativistic energies, higher-energy gamma rays will also be produced. We calculate the gamma-ray spectrum due to inflight annihilation and compare to the observed diffuse Galactic gamma-ray data. Even in a simplified but conservative treatment, we find that the positron injection energies must be $\lesssim 3$ MeV, which strongly constrains models for Galactic positron production.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures; minor revisions, accepted for publication in PR

Molecular signals from primordial clouds at high redshift

The possibility to detect cosmological signals from the post-recombination Universe is one of the main aims of modern cosmology. In a previous paper we emphasized the role that elastic resonant scattering through LiH molecules can have in dumping primary CBR anisotropies and raising secondary signals. Here we extend our analysis to all the evolutionary stages of a primordial cloud, starting with the linear phase, through the turn-around and to the non linear collapse. We have done calculations for proto-clouds in a CDM scenario and, more generally, for a set of clouds with various masses and various turn-around redshifts, in this case without referring to any particular structure formation scenario. We found that the first phase of collapse, for $t/t_{free-fall}=0.05\div 0.2$ is the best one for simultaneous detection of the first two LiH rotational lines. The observational frequency falls between 30 and 250 GHz and the line width ${\Delta \nu\over \nu}$ is between $10^{-5}$ and $10^{-4}$. As far as we know this is the most favourable process to detect primordial clouds before they start star formation processes.Comment: 26 pages, uuencoded compressed postscript, 7 figures included. Accepted for publication in Ap.

Gravitational waveforms from the evaporating ACO cosmic string loop

The linearly polarized gravitational waveforms from a certain type of rotating, evaporating cosmic string - the Allen-Casper-Ottewill loop - are constructed and plotted over the lifetime of the loop. The formulas for the waveforms are simple and exact, and describe waves which attenuate self-similarly, with the amplitude and period of the waves falling off linearly with time.Comment: 30 pages, 16 figure

Biodiversity of vegetable crops, a living heritage

Biodiversity is the natural heritage of the planet and is one of the key factors of sustainable development, due to its importance not only for the environmental aspects of sustainability but also for the social and economic ones. The purpose of this Special Issue is to publish high-quality research papers addressing recent progress and perspectives while focusing on different aspects related to the biodiversity of vegetable crops. Original, high-quality contributions that have not yet been published, or that are not currently under review by other journals, have been gathered. A broad range of aspects such as genetic, crop production, environments, customs and traditions were covered. All contributions are of significant relevance and could stimulate further research in this area

MeV Right-handed Neutrinos and Dark Matter

We consider the possibility of having a MeV right-handed neutrino as a dark matter constituent. The initial reason for this study was the 511 keV spectral line observed by the satellite experiment INTEGRAL: could it be due to an interaction between dark matter and baryons? Independently of this, we find a number of constraints on the assumed right-handed interactions. They arise in particular from the measurements by solar neutrino experiments. We come to the conclusion that such particles interactions are possible, and could reproduce the peculiar angular distribution, but not the rate of the INTEGRAL signal. However, we stress that solar neutrino experiments are susceptible to provide further constraints in the future.Comment: 7 pages, figure 1 changed, added reference

Retrieval of magnetic medical microrobots from the bloodstream

Untethered magnetic microrobots hold the potential to penetrate hard-to-reach areas of the human body and to perform therapy in a controlled way. In the past decade, impressive advancements have been made in this field but the clinical adoption of magnetoresponsive microrobots is still hampered by safety issues. A tool appointed for magnetic microrobots retrieval within body fluids could enable a real paradigm change, fostering their clinical translation.By starting from the general problem to retrieve magnetic microrobots injected into the bloodstream, the authors introduce a magnetic capture model that allows to design retrieval tools for magnetic cores of different diameters (down to 10 nm) and in different environmental conditions (fluid speed up to 7 cms-1). The model robustness is demonstrated by the design and testing of a retrieval catheter. In its optimal configuration, the catheter includes 27 magnets and fits a 12 F catheter. The model provides a good prediction of capture efficiency for 250 nm magnetic particles (experimental data: 77.6%, model prediction: 65%) and a very good prediction for 500 nm particles (experimental data: 93.6%, model prediction: 94%). The results support the proposed model-based design approach, which can be extended to retrieve other magnetoresponsive agents from body compartments