Search

Aims. We aim to locate previously unknown stellar clusters using the VISTA variables in the Vía Láctea Survey (VVV) catalogue data. Methods. The method fits a mixture model of Gaussian densities and background noise and uses the expectation maximization algorithm to pre-filtered near-infrared survey stellar catalogue data; it was developed by the authors for the UKIDSS Galactic Plane Survey (GPS). Results. The search located 88 previously unknown candidates, most of which are embedded stellar cluster candidates, and 39 previously unknown sites of star formation in the 562 deg2 covered by VVV in the Galactic bulge and the southern disk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. Data mining techniques must be developed and applied to analyse the large public data bases containing hundreds to thousands of millions entries. Aims. We develop methods for locating previously unknown stellar clusters from the UKIDSS Galactic Plane Survey (GPS) catalogue data. Methods. The cluster candidates are computationally searched from pre-filtered catalogue data using a method that fits a mixture mo Jel of Gaussian densities and background noise using the expectation maximization algorithm. The catalogue data contains a significant number of false sources clustered around bright stars. A large fraction of these artefacts were automatically filtered out before or during the cluster search. The UKIDSS data reduction pipeline tends to classify marginally resolved stellar pairs and objects seen against variable surface brightness as extended objects (or "galaxies" in the archive parlance). 10% or 66 x 106 of the aources in the IJKIDSS GPS catalogue brighter than 17m in the K band are classified as "galaxies". Young embedded clusters create variable NTR surface brightness because the gas/dust clouds in which they were formed scatters the light from the cluster members. Such clusters appear therefore an clusters of "galaxies" in the catalogue and can be found using only a subset of the catalogue data. The detected "galaxy clusters" were finally screened visually to eliminate the remaining false detections due to dala artefacts. Besides the embedded clusters the search also located locations of non clustered embedded star formation. Results. The search covered an area of 1302 deg2 and 137 previously unknown cluster candidates and 30 previously unknown sites of star formation were found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A method for the calculation of the energy distribution function and yield of electrons ejected by energetic protons in irradiated nitrogen gas is presented.The energy distribution of the ejected primary electrons is calculated with the Rudd model. The production rate of primary electrons obtained, differential in ejection energy, is energy normalised with a new method using known linear ionisation stopping power values for the incoming protons. The linear ionisation stopping power values are a measure of the energy degradation caused by multiple collisions of the incoming protons.Secondary electrons are produced by the energetic primary electrons. The production rate of secondary electrons, differential in ejection energy, is calculated with the Binary-Encounter-Bethe (BEB) model. The production rate of secondary electrons is energy normalised with a new method using the fraction of the kinetic energy available for ionising reactions versus all other loss channels in the nitrogen gas.The method developed was tested in calculations of 4.3 MeV protons being stopped in 500 kPa or 1500 kPa nitrogen gas.The method developed yields the total electron energy distribution function. This can then be used in numerical modelling of reaction dynamics of excited atomic and molecular species in the proton irradiated gas. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) is an oral immunomodulatory drug used in the treatment of autoimmune diseases. Here, we sought to study whether the effect of DMF can be detected using positron emission tomography (PET) targeting the 18-kDa translocator protein (TSPO) in the focal delayed-type hypersensitivity rat model of multiple sclerosis (fDTH-EAE). The rats were treated orally twice daily from lesion activation (day 0) with either vehicle (tap water with 0.08% Methocel, 200 µL; control group n = 4 (3 after week four)) or 15 mg/kg DMF (n = 4) in 0.08% aqueous Methocel (200 µL) for 8 weeks. The animals were imaged by PET using the TSPO tracer [18F]GE-180 in weeks 0, 1, 2, 4, 8, and 18 following lesion activation, and the non-displaceable binding potential (BPND) was calculated. Immunohistochemical staining for Iba1, CD4, and CD8 was performed in week 18, and in separate cohorts of animals, following 2 or 4 weeks of treatment. Results: Using the fDTH-EAE model, DMF reduced the [18F]GE-180 BPND in the DMF-treated animals compared to control animals after 1 week of treatment (two-tailed unpaired t test, p = 0.031), but not in weeks 2, 4, 8, or 18 when imaged in vivo by PET. Immunostaining for Iba1 showed that DMF had no effect on the perilesional volume or the core lesion volume after 2 or 4 weeks of treatment, or at 18 weeks. However, the optical density (OD) measurements of CD4+ staining showed reduced OD in the lesions of the treated rats. Conclusions: DMF reduced the microglial activation in the fDTH-EAE model after 1 week of treatment, as detected by PET imaging of the TSPO ligand [18F]GE-180. However, over an extended time course, reduced microglial activation was not observed using [18F]GE-180 or by immunohistochemistry for Iba1+ microglia/macrophages. Additionally, DMF did affect the infiltration of CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocytes at the fDTH-EAE lesion. Highlights: In a focal rat DTH-EAE model of neuroinflammation, dimethyl fumarate decreases the uptake of TSPO PET tracer [18F]GE-180 in the short term. Long-term [18F]GE-180 follow-up did not indicate a treatment effect. Decreased neuroinflammation, CD4+ T cell infiltration, and CD8+ T cell infiltration were detected using immunohistochemistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study of some oxygen reactions in irradiated high-pressure (0.34–3.3 MPa) nitrogen gas is presented. Nitrogen gas containing ⩽1 ppm H2O and O2 was irradiated in a closed target chamber with 4.3 MeV protons. Optical emission spectra of the NO-γ (A2Σ+–X2Π), the NO-β (B2Π–X2Π) and the O (1S–1D) transitions were recorded as a function of irradiation time at four different nitrogen-gas pressures. The results show a coupling between the NO-γ build-up half time and the NO-β decay and the O (1S–1D) decay half times as a function of irradiation time. The binding of free atomic oxygen in reactions forming NO has implications for the balance of [11C]CO2 versus [11C]CO production. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Introduction: The highly selective α2-agonist dexmedetomidine has become a popular sedative for neurointensive care patients. However, earlier studies have raised concern that dexmedetomidine might reduce cerebral blood flow without a concomitant decrease in metabolism. Here, we compared the effects of dexmedetomidine on the regional cerebral metabolic rate of glucose (CMRglu) with three commonly used anaesthetic drugs at equi-sedative doses.Methods: One hundred and sixty healthy male subjects were randomised to EC50 for verbal command of dexmedetomidine (1.5 ng ml-1; n=40), propofol (1.7 μg ml-1; n=40), sevoflurane (0.9% end-tidal; n=40) or S-ketamine (0.75 μg ml-1; n=20) or placebo (n=20). Anaesthetics were administered using target-controlled infusion or vapouriser with end-tidal monitoring. 18F-labelled fluorodeoxyglucose was administered 20 min after commencement of anaesthetic administration, and high-resolution positron emission tomography with arterial blood activity samples was used to quantify absolute CMRglu for whole brain and 15 brain regions.Results: At the time of [F18]fluorodeoxyglucose injection, 55% of dexmedetomidine, 45% of propofol, 85% of sevoflurane, 45% of S-ketamine, and 0% of placebo subjects were unresponsive. Whole brain CMRglu was 63%, 71%, 71%, and 96% of placebo in the dexmedetomidine, propofol, sevoflurane, and S-ketamine groups, respectively (P<0.001 between the groups). The lowest CMRglu was observed in nearly all brain regions with dexmedetomidine (P<0.05 compared with all other groups). With S-ketamine, CMRglu did not differ from placebo.Conclusions: At equi-sedative doses in humans, potency in reducing CMRglu was dexmedetomidine>propofol>ketamine=placebo. These findings alleviate concerns for dexmedetomidine-induced vasoconstriction and cerebral ischaemia.Clinical Trial Registration: NCT02624401. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the effects of sprint interval training (SIT) and moderate‐intensity continuous training (MICT) on glucose uptake (GU) during hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp and fatty acid uptake (FAU) at fasting state in thigh and arm muscles in subjects with type 2 diabetes (T2D) or prediabetes. Twenty‐six patients (age 49, SD 4; 10 women) were randomly assigned into two groups: SIT (n=13) and MICT (n=13). The exercise in the SIT group consisted of 4–6×30 s of all‐out cycling with 4‐ minute recovery and in the MICT group 40‐ to 60‐ minute cycling at 60% of VO2peak. Both groups completed six training sessions within two weeks. GU and FAU were measured before and after the intervention with positron emission tomography in thigh (quadriceps femoris, QF; and hamstrings) and upper arm (biceps and triceps brachii) muscles. Whole‐body insulin‐stimulated GU increased significantly by 25% in both groups, and this was accompanied with significantly increased insulin‐stimulated GU in all thigh and upper arm muscles and significantly increased FAU in QF. Within QF, insulin‐stimulated GU improved more by SIT than MICT in rectus femoris (P = .01), but not differently between the training modes in the other QF muscles. In individuals with T2D or prediabetes, both SIT and MICT rapidly improve insulin‐stimulated GU in whole body and in the thigh and arm muscles as well as FAU in the main working muscle QF. These findings highlight the underused potential of exercise in rapidly restoring the impaired skeletal muscle metabolism in subjects with impaired glucose metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUNSTORM 1 CubeSat was launched to Sun-synchronous low Earth orbit on August 17 2021. The primary purpose of the mission is an in-orbit demonstration of X-ray Flux Monitor (XFM) instrument. XFM is an innovative solar X-ray spectrometer for measuring and characterizing solar flares, which are known to be linked to a variety of space weather phenomena. XFM represents a next generation of solar X-ray flux monitors. It is based on silicon drift detector technology, which provides several notable performance improvements over its predecessors, which are based on Si PIN detectors. Transversal electric field and lower output capacitance allow operation at much faster pulse processing shaping times, allowing the system to achieve about 10 times higher throughput without saturation while also making it less sensitive to the increase of leakage current due to high temperature and/or radiation damage. Thus, XFM instruments can cover a very wide dynamic range of solar X-ray emission from the most quiescent conditions to the strongest X-class solar flares, while maintaining good spectral resolution (<200 eV at 6 keV). The instruments are thus well suited for both X-ray flux monitoring and spectroscopic studies of the solar corona. In this paper we describe the ground characterization and evaluation of the scientific performance of the first operational XFM instrument, a CubeSat version XFM-CS on-board SUNSTORM 1, which is a satellite built in the framework of the FLY element of ESA's General Support Technology Programme , dedicated to the early space testing of promising new technologies. We also provide an analysis of the first results obtained during the in-orbit commissioning and early operations of SUNSTORM 1. We show the comparison of the observed scientific performance of XFM-CS with the expected performance based on theoretical modeling and ground calibration results. Finally, we describe the cross calibration of the X-ray flux data from XFM-CS with the new GOES-R series GOES X-ray sensors. • XFM-CS is a solar X-ray flux monitor and spectrometer for space weather missions. • SUNSTORM 1 mission is an in-orbit demonstration of XFM-CS instrument on a CubeSat. • Si-drift detector technology provides XFM-CS with low noise and wide dynamic range. • Performance of XFM-CS agrees with theoretical predictions​ and calibration results. • XFM-CS is also suitable for in-situ electron observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unlabelled: The primary goals of this study were to determine the biodistribution and excretion of (18)F-EF5 in oncologic patients, to estimate the radiation-absorbed dose and to determine the safety of this drug. Methods: Sixteen patients with histologically confirmed malignancy received a mean intravenous infusion of 217  MBq (range 107-364  MBq) of (18)F-EF5. Over a 4-6-hour period, four to five serial positron emission tomography (PET) or PET/computed tomography (CT) scans were obtained. To calculate the radiation dosimetry estimates, volumes of interest were drawn over the source organs for each PET scan or on the CT for each PET/CT scan. Serial blood samples were obtained to measure (18)F-EF5 blood clearance. Bladder-wall dose was calculated based on urine activity measurements. Results: The urinary bladder received the largest radiation-absorbed dose, 0.12 ± 0.034 mSv/MBq (mean ± SD). The average effective dose equivalent and the effective dose of (18)F-EF5 were 0.021 ± 0.003 mSv/MBq and 0.018 ± 0.002 mSv/MBq, respectively. (18)F-EF5 was well tolerated in all subjects. Conclusions: (18)F-EF5 was demonstrated to be safe for patients, and the radiation exposure is clinically acceptable. As with any radiotracer with primary excretion in the urine, the bladder-wall dose can be minimized by active hydration and frequent voiding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: 2-(2-nitro-1H-imidazol-1-yl)-N-(2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropyl)-acetamide labeled with [(18)F]-fluorine ([(18)F]EF5), a promising tracer for tumor hypoxia, has previously been synthesized in low yields and low specific radioactivity. In pharmacokinetic evaluations, in the presence of non-radioactive EF5, a uniform and low background uptake and high in vivo stability of [(18)F]EF5 have been demonstrated. Our purpose was to increase the specific radioactivity of [(18)F]EF5 to enable to study the pharmacokinetics at trace level.Procedures: [(18)F]EF5 was synthesized using high specific radioactivity electrophilic [(18)F]F(2) as labelling reagent. Biodistribution of [(18)F]EF5 was determined in a prostate tumor mouse model, and formation of radiolabelled metabolites was studied in mouse, rat and human plasma.Results: On average, 595 ± 153 MBq of [(18)F]EF5 was produced. Specific radioactivity was 6.6 ± 1.9 GBq/μmol and the radiochemical purity exceeded 99.0%. [(18)F]EF5 was distributed uniformly in tissues, with highest uptake in liver, kidney, and intestine. Several radiolabelled metabolites were detected in mouse plasma and tissues, whereas low amounts of metabolites were detected in human and rat plasma.Conclusions: [(18)F]EF5 was synthesized by electrophilic labelling with high quality and high yields. Pharmacokinetics of [(18)F]EF5 was determined at trace level in several species. Our results suggest that the trace-level approach does not affect the biodistribution of [(18)F]EF5. Extensive metabolism was seen in mouse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Excitation functions were measured using the stacked foil irradiation technique from threshold energies to 28MeV for 3He- and to 21MeV for α-particle induced nuclear reactions on natural antimony leading to the formation of 121,123,124I radioisotopes. The measured excitation functions were compared with the contradicting results of the earlier investigations found in the literature and with the curves predicted by the ALICE-IPPE and EMPIRE-II codes. Integral yields were also calculated and compared with the experimental thick target yields reported in the literature. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Excitation functions of the 89Y(p, xn) nuclear reactions were measured up to 18MeV by the conventional activation method using the stacked-foil technique, and the irradiation of single foils. Activity assays of the irradiated foils were performed via ionization chamber and gamma spectroscopy methods. Activity ratios of the activation products were measured in two different facilities and evaluated for use as a practical and simple method for proton energy determinations. Cross section values measured in this work were compared with published data and with theoretical values as determined by the nuclear reaction model code EMPIRE II. In general, there was a good agreement between the experimental and theoretical values of the cross section data. Activity ratios of the isomeric and ground state of 89Zr measured via ionization chamber were found to be useful for proton energy determinations in the energy range from 7 to 15MeV. Proton energies above 13MeV were accurately determined using the 89gZr/88Zr and 89gZr/88Y activity ratios measured via gamma spectroscopy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Aims: Direct assessment of tissue metabolism in vivo is important to understand the pathogenesis of obesity. Labelled glucose analogues are potential candidates to be used for this purpose. The aim of this study was to compare the kinetics and metabolism of 2-[18 F]fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose (FDG) in obese (fa/fa) and lean (Fa/?) Zucker rat tissues with microdialysis, and the measurement of uptake and phosphorylation with or without insulin bolus injection. Methods: Obese (n = 10) and lean (n = 11) anaesthetized rats underwent a microdialysis study after FDG-injection either with or without insulin stimulation. Microdialysis probes were inserted in the jugular vein, quadriceps muscle and liver. After 110 min, tissue [18 F]-uptake and intracellular phosphorylation of FDG were studied in blood, liver, skeletal muscle, subcutaneous adipose tissue, intra-abdominal adipose tissue and hypothalamus. Results: When measured with microdialysis, insulin-enhanced FDG disappeared from the blood pool and interstitial space of skeletal muscle and liver more effectively in lean rather than in obese animals. Insulin-stimulated skeletal muscle and adipose tissue[18 F]-uptake was impaired in obese Zucker rats compared with lean animals. Hypothalamic FDG uptake was six to sevenfold higher than in other measured tissues, but was attenuated in obese rats. In liver and in mesenteric fat, insulin-enhanced FDG phosphorylation in lean rats compared with obese animals. Conclusions: Positron-emitting glucose analogue FDG, combined with microdialysis and tissue analysis, is a feasible method in studying glucose metabolism at the cellular level in animal studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent in vivo studies have shown low dopamine D[sub 2] receptor and dopamine transporter densities among late onset (type 1) alcoholics. We have now studied 6-[[sup 18]F]-FDOPA (FDOPA) uptake in 10 type 1 alcoholics and eight matched controls to test the hypothesis that striatal presynaptic dopamine function is lower among alcoholics. Markedly low FDOPA uptake (K[sub i]) was observed in the left caudate of two alcoholic patients, but the mean striatal uptake values of the patient group were higher than those of the control group. The greatest difference was observed in the mean FDOPA intake in the left putamen, which was 28% higher in the patient group (t=3.00, P=0.008, d.f. = 16, independent samples t-test), and in the right caudate (difference 36%, t=2.87, P=0.01). The elevated FDOPA uptake in putamen and caudate correlated with poor Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) performance (error %) among alcoholics (correlation coefficients from 0.49 to 0.56), which suggests that the magnitude of presynaptic dopamine function alteration correlates with the degree of disability to modify one's behavior. The results do not give support to the hypothesis of generally decreased striatal dopamine turnover in type 1 alcoholism, but on the contrary indicate an increased presynaptic dopamine function. This may represent a compensatory mechanism to low postsynaptic DA function. The low presynaptic DA function observed in the left caudate of two patients suggests that type 1 alcoholism may be a heterogeneous disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Positron emission tomography (PET) can be used for in vivo evaluation of the pathology associated with multiple sclerosis. We investigated the use of longitudinal PET imaging and the 18-kDa translocator protein (TSPO) binding radioligand [18F]GE-180 to detect changes in a chronic multiple sclerosis-like focal delayed-type hypersensitivity experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (fDTH-EAE) rat model during and after anti-VLA-4 monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatment. Thirty days after lesion activation, fDTH-EAE rats were treated with the anti-VLA-4 mAb (n = 4) or a control mAb (n = 4; 5 mg/kg, every third day, subcutaneously) for 31 days. Animals were imaged with [18F]GE-180 on days 30, 44, 65, 86 and 142. Another group of animals (n = 4) was used for visualisation the microglia with Iba-1 at day 44 after a 2-week treatment period. Results: After a 2-week treatment period on day 44, there was a declining trend (p = 0.067) in [18F]GE-180-binding in the anti-VLA-4 mAb-treated animals versus controls. However, cessation of treatment for 4 days after a 31-day treatment period increased [18F]GE-180 binding in animals treated with anti-VLA-4 mAb compared to the control group (p = 0.0003). There was no difference between the groups in TSPO binding by day 142. Conclusions: These results demonstrated that cessation of anti-VLA-4 mAb treatment for 4 days caused a transient rebound increase in neuroinflammation. This highlights the usefulness of serial TSPO imaging in the fDTH-EAE model to better understand the rebound phenomenon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presynaptic dopamine function (6-[18F]-fluorodopa uptake) in the brains of seven neuroleptic-naive first-admission schizophrenic patients and eight healthy controls was studied with positron emission tomography. The fluorodopa influx constant (Ki) in putamen was higher in the patients than in controls (average mean: 0.0149 vs 0.0129, p = 0.034). The changes in caudate were smaller but significantly lateralised to the left caudate. There was one catatonic schizophrenic patient in our sample. This patient had lower striatal Ki than any control. Alterations in striatal presynaptic dopamine function may constitute a part of disrupted neural circuits that predispose to schizophrenic psychosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Positron emission tomography (PET) has become a key imaging tool in clinical practice and biomedical research to quantify and study biochemical processes in vivo. Physiologically active compounds are tagged with positron emitters (e.g. 18F, 11C, 124I) while maintaining their biological properties, and are administered intravenously in tracer amounts (10−9–10−12 M quantities). The recent physical integration of PET and computed tomography (CT) in hybrid PET/CT scanners allows a combined anatomical and functional imaging: nowadays PET molecular imaging is emerging as powerful pharmacological tool in oncology, neurology and for treatment planning as guidance for radiation therapy. The in vivo pharmacokinetics of boron carrier for BNCT and the quantification of 10B in living tissue were performed by PET in the late nineties using compartmental models based on PET data. Nowadays PET and PET/CT have been used to address the issue of pharmacokinetic, metabolism and accumulation of BPA in target tissue. The added value of the use of l-[18F]FBPA and PET/CT in BNCT is to provide key data on the tumour extraction of 10B-BPA versus normal tissue and to predict the efficacy of the treatment based on a single-study patient analysis. Due to the complexity of a binary treatment like BNCT, the role of PET/CT is currently to design new criteria for patient enrolment in treatment protocols: the l-[18F]BPA/PET methodology could be considered as an important tool in newly designed clinical trials to better estimate the concentration ratio of BPA in the tumour as compared to neighbouring normal tissues. Based on these values for individual patients the decision could be made whether BNCT treatment could be advantageous due to a selective accumulation of BPA in an individual tumour. This approach, applicable in different tumour entities like melanoma, glioblastoma and head and neck malignancies, make this methodology as reliable prognostic and therapeutic indicator for patient undergoing BNCT. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]