Long-term prognostic impact of fasting plasma glucose and myocardial flow reserve beyond other risk factors and heart disease phenotypes.

Cardiometabolic risk factors, including high fasting plasma glucose (hFPG), are emerging prognostic determinants in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) or heart failure (HF). Coronary microvascular dysfunction might be a comprehensive risk predictor in these patients. The purpose of this study was to assess whether hFPG and global myocardial blood flow (MBF) reserve measured by positron emission tomography (PET), expressing global coronary function, predict long-term prognosis beyond other risk factors and presence of obstructive CAD or left ventricular (LV) dysfunction associated with HF.

Assessment of tissue response in vivo: PET-CT imaging of titanium and biodegradable magnesium implants.

To study in vivo the bioactivity of biodegradable magnesium implants and other possible biomaterials, we are proposing a previously unexplored application of PET-CT imaging, using available tracers to follow soft tissue and bone remodelling and immune response in the presence of orthopaedic implants. Female Wistar rats received either implants (Ti6Al7Nb titanium or WE43 magnesium) or corresponding transcortical sham defects into the diaphyseal area of the femurs. Inflammatory response was followed with [F]FDG and osteogenesis with [F]NaF, over the period of 1.

Early investigation of a novel SI306 theranostic prodrug for glioblastoma treatment.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the most aggressive malignancies with a high recurrence rate and poor prognosis. Theranostic, combining therapeutic and diagnostic approaches, arises as a successful strategy to improve patient outcomes through personalized medicine. Src is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase (nRTK) whose involvement in GBM has been extensively demonstrated.

Targeting the Translocator Protein (18 kDa) in Cardiac Diseases: State of the Art and Future Opportunities.

Mitochondria dysfunctions are typical hallmarks of cardiac disorders (CDs). The multiple tasks of this energy-producing organelle are well documented, but its pathophysiologic involvement in several manifestations of heart diseases, such as altered electromechanical coupling, excitability, and arrhythmias, is still under investigation. The human 18 kDa translocator protein (TSPO) is a protein located on the outer mitochondrial membrane whose expression is altered in different pathological conditions, including CDs, making it an attractive therapeutic and diagnostic target.

Extracellular Vesicles and Intercellular Communication: Challenges for In Vivo Molecular Imaging and Tracking.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are a heterogeneous class of cell-derived membrane vesicles released by various cell types that serve as mediators of intercellular signaling. When released into circulation, EVs may convey their cargo and serve as intermediaries for intracellular communication, reaching nearby cells and possibly also distant organs. In cardiovascular biology, EVs released by activated or apoptotic endothelial cells (EC-EVs) disseminate biological information at short and long distances, contributing to the development and progression of cardiovascular disease and related disorders.

Synthesis and Characterization of Multifunctional Nanovesicles Composed of POPC Lipid Molecules for Nuclear Imaging.

The integration of nuclear imaging analysis with nanomedicine has tremendously grown and represents a valid and powerful tool for the development and clinical translation of drug delivery systems. Among the various types of nanostructures used as drug carriers, nanovesicles represent intriguing platforms due to their capability to entrap both lipophilic and hydrophilic agents, and their well-known biocompatibility and biodegradability. In this respect, here we present the development of a labelling procedure of POPC (1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine)-based liposomes incorporating an ad hoc designed lipophilic NOTA (1,4,7-triazacyclononane-1,4,7-triacetic acid) analogue, derivatized with an oleic acid residue, able to bind the positron emitter gallium-68(III).

Spatial Inhomogeneity of Cardiac Norepinephrine Transport Protein and Meta-[I]Iodobenzylguanidine Uptake in Swine Myocardial Tissue.

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the expression of the cardiac norepinephrine transporter (NET) in the left ventricle (LV) of healthy pigs and its relationship with regional meta-[I]iodobenzylguanidine ([I]MIBG) myocardial uptake.

Procedures: Experiments were performed on animals injected with [I]MIBG and acquired 2 h later using an ultrafast CZT gamma camera to assess the regional myocardial uptake. After image acquisition, animals were euthanized; the heart was quickly excised and underwent to an ex vivo single photon emission tomography (SPECT) imaging.

Spectroscopic and photoacoustic characterization of encapsulated iron oxide super-paramagnetic nanoparticles as a new multiplatform contrast agent.

Recently, a number of photoacoustic (PA) agents with increased tissue penetration and fine spatial resolution have been developed for molecular imaging and mapping of pathophysiological features at the molecular level. Here, we present bio-conjugated near-infrared light-absorbing magnetic nanoparticles as a new agent for PA imaging. These nanoparticles exhibit suitable absorption in the near-infrared region, with good photoacoustic signal generation efficiency and high photo-stability.

Synthesis and In Vivo Imaging of N-(3-[C]Methoxybenzyl)-2-(3-Methoxyphenyl)ethylaniline as a Potential Targeting Agent for P-glycoprotein.

Purpose: The plasma membrane P-glycoprotein (Pgp) is an efflux transporter involved in multidrug resistance and in the onset of neurodegenerative disease. Its function and most mechanisms of action are still under investigation. We developed a C-11-labeled 2-arylethylphenylamine-([C]AEPH) derivative for positron emission tomography (PET), as a novel probe to better understand the activity and the function of Pgp in vivo.

Toward PET imaging of A2B adenosine receptors: a carbon-11 labeled triazinobenzimidazole tracer: Synthesis and imaging of a new A2B PET tracer.

Introduction: A2B adenosine receptors (ARs) are commonly defined as "danger" sensors because they are triggered during cell injury when the endogenous molecule, adenosine, increases rapidly. These receptors, together with the other receptor subtypes (A1, A2A and A3), exert a wide variety of immunomodulating and (cyto)protective effects, thus representing a pivotal therapeutic target for different pathologies including diabetes, tumors, cardiovascular diseases, pulmonary fibrosis and others. The limited availability of potent and selective ligands for A2B ARs has prevented this receptor to emerge both as therapeutic and diagnostic target.

MicroPET/CT imaging of αvβ₃ integrin via a novel ⁶⁸Ga-NOTA-RGD peptidomimetic conjugate in rat myocardial infarction.

Purpose: The αvβ3 integrin is expressed in angiogenic vessels and is a potential target for molecular imaging of evolving pathological processes. Its expression is upregulated in cancer lesions and metastases as well as in acute myocardial infarction (MI) as part of the infarct healing process. The purpose of our study was to determine the feasibility of a new imaging approach with a novel (68)Ga-2,2',2″-(1,4,7-triazonane-1,4,7-triyl)triacetic acid (NOTA)-arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) construct to assess integrin expression in the evolving MI.

[¹¹C]diclofenac sodium: synthesis and PET assessment of transdermal penetration.

The aim of this work was to study the feasibility of using Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging as a new tool to detect transdermal penetration of topical drugs in human subjects. The compound used in the study is sodium 2-[(2,6-dichlorophenyl)amino]phenyl]acetate, better known as diclofenac sodium. This molecule belongs to the family of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and is considered one of the first choices among non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for the treatment of inflammatory diseases; it is widely used and commercially present in a large number of pharmaceutical forms and formulations.

In vivo imaging shows abnormal function of vascular endothelial growth factor-induced vasculature.

Although the angiogenic effect of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is widely recognized, a central question concerns whether the vessels formed on its overexpression effectively increase tissue perfusion in vivo. To explore this issue, here we exploit AAV vectors to obtain the prolonged expression of VEGF and angiopoietin-1 (Ang1) in rat skeletal muscle. Over a period of 6 months, muscle blood flow (MBF) and vascular permeability were measured by positron emission tomography and single-photon emission computed tomography, respectively.