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Targeted alpha therapy (TAT) is a kind of nuclear medicine treatment based on alpha-emitting radionuclides and tumor-selective carrier molecules for targeted cancer cells. Due to its strong toxicity to targeted cancer cells and relatively less toxic to normal tissues, TAT has been a promising tumor treatment method. Attributed to its suitable half-life (9.9 d), unique decay properties (decay produceing 4α+2β particles), and suitable coordination, 225Ac has become one of the best choice for α nuclides in TAT. Studies have shown that the targeted 225Ac-radiopharmaceuticals exhibit excellent effectiveness on cancer treatment, but the preparation of 225Ac is facing research difficulties. This article summarized the properties of 225Ac nuclide, the status of the preparation process and 225Ac-radiopharmaceuticals for TAT. And prospects were proposed for the production process of 225Ac and its medical application. It is expected that the large-scale production of medical 225Ac will be standardized, and 225Ac-radiopharmaceuticals will be approved for tumor treatment in the future.

Background: Root plays an important role in the growth and development of fruit trees; however, the molecular mechanisms behind the differences among rootstock varie-ties remain unclear. Methods: This study examined the effects of different rootstocks on root structure and the endogenous hormone content of 1-year old apple seedlings in combinations of Tianhong 2 (T2)/Malus robusta (HT), T2/G935, and T2/Jizhen 2 (J2). Results: The results showed that the T2/HT treatment had greater root length, surface area, volume, average diameter, tips and forks, followed by G935 and J2. In T2/HT leaves and roots, the indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and gibberellins (GA3) levels were highest, and the abscisic acid (ABA) levels were the lowest. A root transcriptome analysis detected 10,064, 10,511, and 8,719 differentially expressed genes in T2/HT vs. T2/G935, T2/HT vs. T2/J2, and T2/J2 vs. T2/G935, respectively. The analysis of Gene Ontology (GO) terms indicated a significant enrichment in biological processes, cellular components, and molecular functions. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis showed that plant hormone signaling, MAPK signaling pathway–plant, and plant–pathogen interaction played important roles in differences in the rooting ability of different rootstocks. In addition, some key differential genes were associated with root growth and development and were involved in these metabolic pathways. This study is important for enriching theoretical studies of fruit tree roots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two styryl pyrimidine derivatives substituted by p-tosyloxymethyl, Boc-SPm2-OTs and Boc-SPm5-OTs, were designed and successful synthesized, which were labeled by 18F to prepared 18F-SPm2 and 18F-SPm5 by nucleophilic substitution. The radiochemical purities of both 18F-SPm2 and 18F-SPm5 were more than 99%. Both 18F-SPm2 and 18F-SPm5 had ideal lipophilicity (LogP=1-2.5) and can maintaining stability in normal saline for over 3 h and can bind to Aβ selectively, but both 18F-SPm2 and 18F-SPm5 displayed less binding affinity (the Ki values were 246.6 nmol/L and 318.2 nmol/L, respectively). The results of biodistribution in mice demonstrated that both 18F-SPm2 and 18F-SPm5 showed relatively high initial brain uptake, with slow washout from normal brain and obvious defluorination in vivo. In conclusion, both 18F-SPm2 and 18F-SPm5 might not be ideal Aβ imaging agents, and further modifications were needed to improve the disadvantages.

The lack of dwarf stock with good cold resistance has affected the production of apples in northern China. Annual dormant branches of 'Tianhong 2' apple were grafted on 10 different dwarf interstocks (the rootstocks were the seedlings of Malus hupehensis var. Pingyiensis) as test materials. Among these 10 interstocks, Huang 6, 244, NO.1, 53, 24-5, ZC9-3, Jizhen 1 were newly developed by us (Apple Research Group of Hebei Agricultural University), and three interstocks with different degrees of cold resistance (GM256–with strongest cold resistance, SH40–with stronger cold resistance, M9–with poor cold resistance) were used as controls. The semi-lethal temperature (LT50) and related physiological indexes of the branches in the overwintering process were studied. Based on the comprehensive physiological indexes, the effects of 10 interstocks on cold resistance of the 'Tianhong 2' apple were analyzed. The results showed that the effects of 10 kinds of interstocks on the cold resistance of 'Tianhong 2' apple were quite different. The order of effects on cold resistance from strong to weak was as follow: GM256 > Huang 6 > 244 >NO.1> 53 > 24-5 > ZC9-3 >Jizhen 1 > SH40 > M9. The purpose of this study was to screen out the interstocks with strong cold resistance, in order to provide some basis for the selection and utilization of interstocks with strong cold resistance in apple cultivation to further promote the development of the apple industry in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is no report on the effect of the length of Jizhen 2 interstock on the growth and fruit quality of Tianhong 2 apple trees, which are usually grown in Baoding, Hebei Province, China. We surveyed the tree size, branch types, fruit set, fruit quality and root parameters of 3–5-year-old 'Tianhong 2/Jizhen 2/Malus × robusta Rehder' apple trees, to study the effects of dwarfing interstock length on the growth of the tree's aboveground parts and roots, as well as fruit yield and quality. The tree height and the stem girths of the interstock and scion decreased as interstock length increased, and the dwarfing degree of the apple trees gradually increased. Trees with an interstock length of 30 cm had the fewest long branches, the most short branches, and the greatest proportion of short branches. An interstock length of 30 cm provided the highest fruit-set rate, the highest yield per tree and per unit cross-sectional area, the highest single fruit weight, the highest soluble: acid ratio, the highest color brightness (L*), and better red skin coloration (higher a*) of the fruit skin. The root length density, root surface area density, and root volume density exhibited two growth peaks in a year, during the slow growth period when spring and autumn shoots are stopped. Root length density, root surface area density, and root volume density decreased with interstock length. Root death peaked during the growth peak period of the autumn shoots, and root length density of dead roots and root turnover frequencyincreased with the interstock length. A 30 cm length was the most suitable for the Tianhong 2 apple trees when the Jizhen 2 was used as the interstock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gap junctional channels between cells provide a pathway for exchange of regulatory ions and small molecules. We previously demonstrated that expression of connexins and cell-to-cell communication parallel osteoblastic differentiation and that nonspecific pharmacological inhibitors of gap junctional communication inhibit alkaline phosphatase activity. In this study, we stably transfected connexin (Cx)43 antisense cDNA into the immortalized human fetal osteoblastic cell line hFOB 1.19 (hFOB/Cx[43.sup.-]). hFOB/Cx[43.sup.-] cells express lower levels of Cx43 protein and mRNA and display a 50% decrease in gap junctional intercellular communication relative to control [hFOB/ plasmid vector control (pvc)]. This suggests that other connexins, such as Cx45, which is expressed to a similar degree in hFOB/Cx[43.sup.-] cells and hFOB/pvc cells, contribute to cell-to-cell communication in hFOB I. 19 cells. We observed almost total inhibition of alkaline phosphatase activity in hFOB/Cx[43.sup.-] cells despite only a 50% decrease in cell-to-cell communication. This suggests the intriguing possibility that Cx43 expression per se, independent of cell-to-cell communication, influences alkaline phosphatase activity and perhaps bone cell differentiation. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR revealed that mRNA levels for osteoalcin and core binding factor [alpha]1 (Cbfal) increased as a function of time in hFOB/pvc but were inhibited in hFOB/Cx[43.sup.-]. Osteopontin mRNA levels were increased in hFOB/Cx[43.sup.-] relative to hFOB/pvc and decreased as a function of time in both hFOB/ Cx43 and hFOB/pvc. Transfection with Cx43 antisense did not affect express km of type I collagen in hFOB I. 19 cells. These results suggest that gap junctional intercellular communication and expression of Cx43 contribute to alkaline phosphatase activity, as well as osteocalcin, osteopontin, and Cbfal expression in osteoblastic cells. gap junction communication; alkaline phosphatase activity; osteopontin; osteocalcin; hFOB 1.19

Research indicates that the fluid flow-induced mobilization of intracellular Ca2+ may help to facilitate the mechanical transport system of cultured bovine articulated chondrocytes. A lack of extracellular Ca2+ or presence of blocking agent Gd3+ desensitizes the cellular response and indicates that Ca2+ influx may cause an increase in intracellular Ca2+ levels.

The role of cell-cell interactions on the regulation of alveolar epithelial cell response to injury in the presence of exogenous particles was analyzed to characterize the mechanisms of direct cell-cell communication. Western blot analysis of freshly isolated type II alveolar epithelial cells indicated the presence of a regulated expression of messenger RNA for specific gap junction proteins. Furthermore, functional gap junctions in alveolar cells mediated the passive diffusion of small molecules.

Objective: To analyze potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) and risk factors in older inpatients in Suining Central Hospital of Sichuan Province, so as to provide evidence for rational application of drugs. Methods: Based on the Criteria of potentially inappropriate medication in older patients in China, a statistical analysis was made on the older inpatients hospitalized in the gerontic ward of the hospital from July to December 2017. Single factor chi-square test and multiple logistic regression were used to identify risk factors. Results: Totally included in the study were 1196 older inpatients, of whom 758 were involved in PIM, accounting for 63.38%, and 726 inpatients were of drug-related PIM, accounting for 60.70%, and 110 inpatients were of disease-related PIM, accounting for 9.20%. Single factor chi-square test showed that there was close association between PIM and the number of diseases, the number of combined medication, the hospitalization days, insomnia, hypertension, blood coagulation disorder or anticoagulant therapy, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (CGPD), diabetes and pain, with statistically significant difference ( P < 0.05). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the number of diseases (≥10 diseases), the number of combined medication (10-19 drugs), the number of combined medication (≥20 drugs), insomnia, hypertension, CGPD, osteoporosis, diabetes and pain were influential factors of PIM, also with statistically significant difference (P<0.05). Conclusion: There are more PIM in older inpatients in the hospital, which is the result of the interaction of various influential factors such as the number of diseases the number of combined medication insomnia hypertension diabetes and pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Donahue, Henry J., Zhongyong Li, Zhiyi Zhou, and Clare E. Yellowley. Differentiation of human fetal osteoblastic cells and gap junctional intercellular communication. Am. J. Physiol. Cell Physiol. 278: C315-C322, 2000.--Gap junctional channels facilitate intercellular communication and in doing so may contribute to cellular differentiation. To test this hypothesis, we examined gap junction expression and function in a temperature-sensitive human fetal osteoblastic cell line (hFOB 1.19) that when cultured at 37 [degrees] C proliferates rapidly but when cultured at 39.5 [degrees] C proliferates slowly and displays increased alkaline phosphatase activity and osteocalcin synthesis. We found that hFOB 1.19 cells express abundant connexin 43 (Cx43) protein and mRNA. In contrast, Cx45 mRNA was expressed to a lesser degree, and Cx26 and Cx32 mRNA were not detected. Culturing hFOB 1.19 cells at 39.5 [degrees] C, relative to 37 [degrees] C, inhibited proliferation, increased Cx43 mRNA and protein expression, and increased gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC). Blocking GJIC with 18[Alpha]-glycyrrhetinic acid prevented the increase in alkaline phosphatase activity resulting from culture at 39.5 [degrees] C but did not affect osteocalcin levels. These results suggest that gap junction function and expression parallel osteoblastic differentiation and contribute to the expression of alkaline phosphatase activity, a marker for fully differentiated osteoblastic cells. connexin; alkaline phosphatase; osteocalcin; proliferation; bone

Investigates the expression of gap junction connexin 43 and connexin 43 mRNA in different regional tissues of intestine in dog. Characteristic ratios of the immunoreactive gap junction; Signal from the mRNA in small intestinal circular muscle.

Gap junctions are vital for cellular integrity, including homeostasis, morphogenesis, differentiation and growth in normal development of organs such as heart. Connexin 43 (Cx43) is a major gap junction protein. Our cDNA microarray analysis of normal and nitrofen-exposed neonatal mice with hypoplastic lungs, associated congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) and heart developmental defects showed up-regulation of Cx43. Our objective was to establish if cardiopulmonary defects in nitrofen-exposed mice may be linked to altered expression of the Cx43 gene. We addressed our objective by performing northern blot analysis, real-time RT-PCR, immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry by localizing Cx43 in hearts and lungs of normal and nitrofen-exposed mice at different gestational stages. The data confirmed up-regulation of Cx43 expression in both hearts and lungs of CDH neonate mice and in lungs at other developmental stages except the pseudoglandular stage. However, Cx43 protein levels were either the same or less in hearts and lungs of nitrofen-exposed mice than in normal tissues except in pseudoglandular lungs. Different expressions of mRNA and protein suggest possible post-transcriptional or translational defects in Cx43. We observed dysmorphic hearts with exaggerated interventricular grooves and deep notches at the apex of the hearts in nitrofen-exposed fetal/neonatal mice; narrowed pulmonary out-flow and various degrees of craniofacial defects in 15-20% of the affected mice. Our data suggest a possible involvement of Cx43 in craniofacial, heart and lung defects in nitrofen-exposed mice. Such cardiopulmonary defects are also observed in human newborns with CDH. Thus, the murine data may help elucidate the pathways of cardiopulmonary defects in the human newborn condition.