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In this study, we developed a saccharin (SAC)‐based radiopharmaceutical (68Ga‐NOTA‐SAC) and evaluated the possibility of its application as a PET tracer in the diagnosis of carbonic anhydrase IX (CA IX)‐overexpressed tumors. We did a water‐soluble tetrazolium assay and flow cytometry analysis to identify the cell viability decrease by SAC. The radiochemical purity and stability of 68Ga‐ NOTA‐SAC in human and mouse serum was greater than 98%. The small animal PET image‐based radioactivity distribution of all organs decreased over time.68Ga‐NOTA‐SAC presented the highest tumor‐to‐muscle ratio at 90 min post injection (p.i). The growth rates of tumor‐to‐muscle ratios of 68Ga‐NOTA‐SAC were 88% at 60 min and 220% at 90 min, compared to 30 min p.i. The potential of 68Ga‐NOTA‐SAC as a PET tracer is expected to contribute to the diagnostic research on CA IX‐overexpressed tumors with the advantages of a relatively simple synthesis method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Condensed phosphates are deliberately added to the fishery and processed marine food products on purpose to increase the weight of products. However, excessive intake overwhelming bodily homoeostasis can result in phosphate toxicity such as mineral and bone disorders, associated with chronic kidney diseases, and cardiovascular events. Rapid analysis for condensed phosphates is required to detect the illegal adulteration of processed marine products. We optimised an analytical method using ion chromatography for the rapid and selective detection of condensed phosphates in various kinds of fishery and processed marine products. We compared the performance of three columns (IonPac AS11, AS11-HC, and AS16) for the detection of condensed phosphates with respect to time of analysis and sensitivity. The IonPac AS11 column exhibited the shortest retention time for the major condensed phosphates (pyro-, tri-, and trimetaphosphate), the highest sensitivity for trimetaphosphate, and good repeatability and precision. Microwave and boiling processing were examined as methods to prevent hydrolysis of condensed phosphates into orthophosphate, which is critical in distinguishing intentionally added condensed phosphates from naturally occurring orthophosphate. Microwave treatment was determined to be the more effective method to suppress hydrolysis of condensed phosphates to orthophosphate. Furthermore, microwave processing could be used for thawing the frozen samples, saving extra effort and time. We confirmed that the method exhibits good recovery (80% or more) and precision (%RSD < 10%) for samples with various matrices. With the method, 14 kinds of fishery and processed marine food products were successfully analysed for condensed phosphates. Especially, we identified that phosphate levels in the processed shrimp and dried shredded squid samples exceeded the maximum allowable levels specified in the CODEX standard. We believe that our method would be useful for the rapid analysis of condensed phosphates in various types of fishery and processed marine food products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cigarette smoke (CS) has harmful effects on human fertility, reproduction, and development as well as on patients suffering from metabolic diseases such as diabetes than on healthy individuals. This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between CS exposure and histological alterations of reproductive organs in female diabetic rats. We evaluated the histology of uteruses and ovaries obtained from female rats exposed to smoke from standard cigarettes for 4 weeks (28 hours a week). After CS exposure, tissue slides were made from uterine and ovarian samples and examined after hematoxylin and eosin staining. Immunohistochemistry was used for detection of matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP9), C‐X‐C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4), and estrogen receptor (ER)α in the uterus and ovary. MMP9 is an inflammatory biomarker that increases during progression to endometriosis. As a chemokine receptor, CXCR4 is involved in development of the inner wall of the uterus and cell adhesion. In the uterus, the occurrence of MMP9, CXCR4, and ERα and the number of endometrial glands were increased by CS exposure, while in the ovary, occurrence of MMP9, CXCR4, ERα, proliferating cell nuclear antigen and the number of corpus lutea or cyst follicles were increased by CS exposure. Collectively, this study indicates that CS induced abnormal development of the uterus and ovary under induced diabetes, leading to adverse effects on normal function of reproductive organs in female rats. Highlights: Cigarette smoke (CS) exposure adversely affected reproductive organs of diabetic female rats.In the uterus, expression of matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP9), C‐X‐C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4), estrogen receptor (ER)α, and the number of endometrial glands were increased by CS exposure,In the ovary, the expression of MMP9, CXCR4, ERα, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen and the number of corpus lutea or cyst follicles were increased by CS exposure.Exposure to CS via the respiratory system exerted a harmful impact on the uterus and ovary in female rats with diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]