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The structure of the interface between aluminum and its amorphous surface oxide has been examined by high resolution electron microscopy. The interface was generated on (111) and (110) Al surfaces with oxide films grown by thermal oxidation in air or by anodization. The roughness of the interface consists of a long-range component originating in the native coarseness of the Al surface, and of a short-range component descriptive of the undulations of the interface over atomic-scale lateral distances. The short-range roughness arose from the presence of ledges on the aluminum at the interface. The ledge heights generally did not exceed two interplanar spacings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The effect of age on brain muscarinic receptor density is unclear. Some in vivo neuroimaging studies have reported a large age-related reduction in muscarinic receptor density; however, others have reported increases or no change. The variability in these results most likely arises because of the heterogeneity of the populations studied, differences in quantification methods employed, and a paucity of subtype selective ligands. Thus, we used the m1/m4 selective probe (R,R)[123I]-I-QNB to investigate age-related differences in brain muscarinic receptors in healthy females. We included 10 younger subjects (age range 26–37) and 22 older women (age range 57–82 years). The older women had significantly lower (R,R)[123I]-I-QNB binding in widespread brain regions including cerebral cortex and hippocampus. Across all subjects, regional binding was significantly negatively correlated with age. Thus, in this population of healthy women, there was an age-related reduction in muscarinic receptor density. This may contribute to age-related differences in cognitive function and risk for Alzheimer''s disease. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

N 1-Alkyl indazoles are a ubiquitous and privileged motif within medicinal chemistry, yet methods to selectively furnish N 1-alkyl indazoles with simple alkyl side chains remain sparse. Herein, negative data from high-throughput experimentation (HTE) enabled a confident pivot of resource from continued optimisation to the development of an alternative reaction. This workflow culminated in a methodology for the synthesis of N 1-alkyl indazoles. The procedure is highly selective for N 1-alkylation, practical, and broad in scope, with no N 2-alkyl products detected at completion. Mechanistic understandings were consistent with attributing the high selectivity to thermodynamic control. Additional data-driven process development led to this reaction being safely demonstrated on a 100 g scale, with potential for further scale up. This study highlights pragmatic principles followed to develop a necessitated methodology, suitable for large scale manufacture., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts to declare., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)

Purpose: To provide a guideline curriculum covering theoretical and practical aspects of education and training for Medical Physicists in Nuclear Medicine within Europe., Material and Methods: National training programmes of Medical Physics, Radiation Physics and Nuclear Medicine physics from a range of European countries and from North America were reviewed and elements of best practice identified. An independent panel of experts was used to achieve consensus regarding the content of the curriculum., Results: Guidelines have been developed for the specialist theoretical knowledge and practical experience required to practice as a Medical Physicist in Nuclear Medicine in Europe. It is assumed that the precondition for the beginning of the training is a good initial degree in Medical Physics at master level (or equivalent). The Learning Outcomes are categorised using the Knowledge, Skill and Competence approach along the lines recommended by the European Qualifications Framework. The minimum level expected in each topic in the theoretical knowledge and practical experience sections is intended to bring trainees up to the requirements expected of a Medical Physicist entering the field of Nuclear Medicine., Conclusions: This new joint EANM/EFOMP European guideline curriculum is a further step to harmonise specialist training of Medical Physicists in Nuclear Medicine within Europe. It provides a common framework for national Medical Physics societies to develop or benchmark their own curricula. The responsibility for the implementation and accreditation of these standards and guidelines resides within national training and regulatory bodies., (Copyright © 2012 Associazione Italiana di Fisica Medica. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Unlabelled: This study tested the principle that (68)Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT may be used to select children with primary refractory or relapsed high-risk neuroblastoma for treatment with (177)Lu-DOTATATE and evaluated whether this is a viable therapeutic option for those children., Methods: Between 2008 and 2010, 8 children with relapsed or refractory high-risk neuroblastoma were studied with (68)Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT. The criterion of eligibility for (177)Lu-DOTATATE therapy was uptake on the diagnostic scan equal to or higher than that of the liver., Results: Of the 8 children imaged, 6 had abnormally high uptake on the (68)Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT scan and proceeded to treatment. Patients received 2 or 3 administrations of (177)Lu-DOTATATE at a median interval of 9 wk and a median administered activity of 7.3 GBq. Of the 6 children treated, 5 had stable disease by the response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (RECIST). Of these 5 children, 2 had an initial metabolic response and reduction in the size of their lesions, and 1 patient had a persistent partial metabolic response and reduction in size of the lesions on CT, although the disease was stable by RECIST. One had progressive disease. Three children had grade 3 and 1 child had grade 4 thrombocytopenia. No significant renal toxicity has been seen., Conclusion: (68)Ga-DOTATATE can be used to image children with neuroblastoma and identify those suitable for molecular radiotherapy with (177)Lu-DOTATATE. We have shown, for what is to our knowledge the first time, that treatment with (177)Lu-DOTATATE is safe and feasible in children with relapsed or primary refractory high-risk neuroblastoma. We plan to evaluate this approach formally in a phase I-II clinical trial.