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Abstract: Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) remains a serious complication in patients exposed to iodinated X-ray contrast media (ICM). Animal models of CIN are useful to further understand the mechanisms involved, identify novel biomarkers and evaluate potential differences between ICM. The current investigation was undertaken to modify the rat-gentamicin model for potential usefulness for toxicological evaluation of ICM. A dose-range finding study (50, 60 and 70mg/kg body weight (bw)) of gentamicin was conducted over 4 consecutive days. Based on the kidney histopathology findings, a gentamicin dose of 70mg/kgbw was chosen to investigate whether ICM would cause further renal damage. Following gentamicin treatment, this group was given a single administration of ioversol (6gI/kgbw). Blood and urine samples were taken from all animals 3 days before the start of the study and at the end of treatment. Serum and urinary creatinine, urinary N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminidase (NAG), γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT), total protein, and urine cytology were evaluated as biomarkers of renal damage. Histopathological examination of kidneys was performed. Histopathological examination of the kidneys revealed vacuolation, dilatation, and necrosis of the proximal tubules in the gentamicin–ioversol treatment group. These changes were not seen in the gentamicin-only treatment groups. Data on GGT and urinary epithelial cells show clear differences between rats treated with gentamicin alone versus gentamicin plus ioversol. These findings show that the modified rat-gentamicin model was able to demonstrate the nephrotoxic effect of ioversol. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Pythiosis in Southern USA have been increasingly reported in the past ten years. The infection occurs more frequently in dogs and horses inhabiting the endemic areas. Cases of the disease are rarely diagnosed in other species including humans. Herein, we describe the first case of bovine pythiosis in a breed other than Brahman successfully treated by the used of immunotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the synthesis and characterization of a highly efficient thorium chelator, derived from the octadentate hydroxypyridinone class of compounds. The chelator forms extremely stable complexes with fast formation rates in the presence of Th-227 (ambient temperature, 20 min). In addition, mouse biodistribution data are provided which indicate rapid hepatobiliary excretion route of the chelator which, together with low bone uptake, supports the stability of the complex in vivo. The carboxylic acid group may be readily activated for conjugation through the ɛ-amino groups of lysine residues in biomolecules such as antibodies. This chelator is a critical component of a new class of Targeted Thorium Conjugates (TTCs) currently under development in the field of oncology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]