Biodistribution Study of Niosomes in Tumor-Implanted BALB/C Mice Using Scintigraphic Imaging

The purpose of this work was to study the biodistribution of niosomes in tumor-implanted BALB/c mice using gamma scintigraphy. Niosomes were first formulated and characterized, then radiolabeled with Technetium-99 m (99mTc). The biodistribution of 99mTc-labeled niosomes was evaluated in tumor-bearing mice through intravenous injection and imaged with gamma scintigraphy. The labeled complexes possessed high radiolabeling efficiency (98.08%) and were stable in vitro (>80% after 8 h). Scintigraphic imaging showed negligible accumulation in the stomach and thyroid, indicating minimal leaching of the radiolabel in vivo. Radioactivity was found mainly in the liver, spleen and kidneys. Tumor-to-muscle ratio indicated a higher specificity of the formulation for the tumor area. Overall, the formulated niosomes are stable both in vitro and in vivo, and show preferential tumor accumulation.

Basis for the ICRP’s updated biokinetic model for systemic astatnie

The ICRP recently updated its biokinetic models for workers in a series of reports called the OIR (Occupational Intakes of Radionuclides) series. A new biokinetic model for astatine, the heaviest member of the halogen family, was adopted in OIR Part 5 (ICRP Publication 151, in press). This paper provides an overview of available biokinetic data for astatine; describes the basis for the ICRP’s updated model for astatine; and tabulates dose coefficients for intravenous injection of each of the two longest lived and most important astatine isotopes, 211At and 210At. Astatine-211 (T1/2 = 7.214 h) is a promising radionuclide for use in targeted α-particle therapy due to several favorable properties including its half-life and the absence of progeny that could deliver significant radiation doses outside the region of α-particle therapy. Astatine-210 (T1/2 = 8.1 h) is an impurity generated in the production of 211At in a cyclotron and represents a potential radiation hazard via its long-lived progeny 210Po (T1/2 = 138 d). Tissue dose coefficients for injected 210At and 211At based on the updated model are shown to differ considerably from values based on the ICRP’s previous model for astatine, particularly for the thyroid, stomach wall, salivary glands, lungs, spleen, and kidneys.

Agar phantoms of biological tissue for fluorescence monitoring of photodynamic therapy

An approach to fabricating agar phantoms mimicking spectral optical properties of biological tissues with fluorescent inclusions is proposed, which allows one to imitate the problem of optical visualisation of superficial biological tissues after the administration of a chlorin-based photosensitiser. The different arrangement of a fluorescent layer within a phantom makes it possible to simulate biological tissue in the cases of both topical application and intravenous injection of a photosensitiser. It is shown that absorption and scattering spectra of phantoms are in good agreement with the spectra of real biological tissues in the wavelength range of 500-800 nm. Changes in spectra of absorption and scattering coefficients of phantoms, as well as in their fluorescent properties induced by the addition of a fluorescent marker (chlorinbased photosensitiser) are demonstrated.

Tricuspid valve endocarditis following over-the-counter intravenous injection of skin-whitening products

Intravenous drug use, central catheters and intracardiac devices are known predispositions to right-sided infective endocarditis (IE). We report a case of tricuspid IE caused by Acinetobacter seifertii and Enterobacter bugandensis as a result of intravenous use of skin-whitening products bought online. Clinical implications and pharmaceutical regulations are briefly discussed.

Comparison of Intraperitoneal Bupivacaine and Intravenous Ketorolac for Postoperative Pain Management Following Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Background: Postoperative pain following laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) arises from incision sites and residual intraperitoneal CO2 gas. Opioids as a class of pain-relieving drugs are broadly used to control pain after LC; however, these drugs can cause various side effects. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of intraperitoneal injection of bupivacaine with that of intravenous ketorolac in managing postoperative pain in patients who had undergone LC. Methods: This randomized, double-blind clinical trial was carried out on patients who had undergone LC. Ninety patients who had undergone elective LC were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 30 for each group). Group A received 40 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine solution intraperitoneally at the end of the operation; group B received 30 mg of ketorolac intravenously 30 minutes before surgery and every 8 hours after surgery, and patients in group C received normal saline intraperitoneally and intravenous injection. The patients were postoperatively assessed for Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores, postoperative opioid consumption, shoulder pain, side effects (sedation, nausea, and vomiting), and satisfaction. The data were analyzed using SPSS. P values < 0.05 were considered significant. Results: The intraperitoneal injection of bupivacaine and intravenous injection of ketorolac were significantly effective in reducing postoperative abdominal pain, shoulder pain, and incidence of nausea and vomiting compared to the placebo group (P < 0.001). Although intraperitoneal bupivacaine and intravenous ketorolac had no significant difference in pain relief compared with each other, patients in both bupivacaine and ketorolac groups were significantly more satisfied with their analgesia compared to the control group (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Intraperitoneal injection of bupivacaine and intravenous injection of ketorolac both are safe and effective methods to control pain, nausea, and vomiting after LC.

Evaluation of Clinical Efficiency of Cardioprotective Therapy in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction

Aim. To evaluate the efficiency of cardioprotective therapy using intravenous metoprolol in combination with a high dose of atorvastatin in the prevention of myocardial remodeling (MR) and heart failure (HF) in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).Material AND methods. A prospective study included 100 STEMI patients who underwent primary percutaneous intervention (PCI). Depending on the regimens of drug cardioprotection, three groups of patients were formed: the first (2014–2015) — 34 patients who received 80 mg atorvastatin as a part of the basic therapy on the first day of STEMI, then 20–40 mg/day for 30 days. The second group (2017–2018) — 34 patients who received atorvastatin 80 mg/day for a month from the onset of STEMI. The third group (2018–2019) — 32 patients who received intravenous metoprolol tartrate (5–15 mg) and atorvastatin 80 mg/day before PCI for a month from the onset of STEMI. On days 1 and 2 of STEMI and one month later, patients were assessed for serum levels of cardiac biomarkers; on the 1st, 7th days and one month later, echocardiographic studies (EchoCG) were performed. At the end of the observation, clinical and imaging outcomes (MR and HF) were assessed, which were compared with the dynamics of biomarkers between the groups of patients.Results. The combined use of atorvastatin 80 mg/day for a month from the onset of STEMI and a single intravenous injection of metoprolol tartrate (5–15 mg) in the acute phase of STEMI before PCI showed the most significant effects in the prevention of the development of structural and functional myocardial disorders and clinically severe heart failure, and also caused the minimal serum activity of cardiomarkers in the third group of patients in comparison with the first and second groups of patients without this drug combination. Also, correlations between biomarkers and echocardiography indicators were established in the third group of patients who received cardioprotective therapy.Conclusion. The combined use of high-dose atorvastatin for a month with a single intravenous injection of metoprolol tartrate in acute STEMI before PCI prevents the formation of MR and clinically significant HF in the post-infarction period. Comprehensive dynamic assessment of cardiac biomarkers and echocardiography parameters within a month after post-STEMI is a highly informative tools for monitoring the efficiency of cardioprotective therapy.