Cerebavis cenomanica gen. et sp. nov. from the Middle Cenomanian of the Volgograd Region (Russia) is described based on a brain mold. The brain of Cerebavisis characterized by a mosaic combination...

Studies evaluating the effects of high-saturated fat diets on cardiac function are most often confounded by diet-induced obesity and by systemic insulin resistance. We evaluated whether coconut oil, containing C12:0 and C14:0 as main fatty acids, aggravates pressure overload-induced cardiomyopathy induced by transverse aortic constriction (TAC) in C57BL/6 mice. Mortality rate after TAC was higher (p < 0.05) in 0.2% cholesterol 10% coconut oil diet-fed mice than in standard chow-fed mice (hazard ratio 2.32, 95% confidence interval 1.16 to 4.64) during eight weeks of follow-up. The effects of coconut oil on cardiac remodeling occurred in the absence of weight gain and of systemic insulin resistance. Wet lung weight was 1.76-fold (p < 0.01) higher in coconut oil mice than in standard chow mice. Myocardial capillary density (p < 0.001) was decreased, interstitial fibrosis was 1.88-fold (p < 0.001) higher, and systolic and diastolic function was worse in coconut oil mice than in standard chow mice. Myocardial glucose uptake was 1.86-fold (p < 0.001) higher in coconut oil mice and was accompanied by higher myocardial pyruvate dehydrogenase levels and higher acetyl-CoA carboxylase levels. The coconut oil diet increased oxidative stress. Myocardial triglycerides and free fatty acids were lower (p < 0.05) in coconut oil mice. In conclusion, coconut oil aggravates pressure overload-induced cardiomyopathy.

In this concept study a laser-electron X-ray generator (LEX) is considered for the medical imaging of the inner vessel structure. It is demonstrated that the modern lasers and linear electron accelerators are suitable for the design of the new generation of angiography medical equipment combining higher spatial and time resolution with the reduced patient dose. Angiography setup based on LEXG can make use of different contrast media (iodine, gadolinium) working on absorption edge due to the narrow tuneable spectrum which is not possible with conventional X-ray tubes. In the present study all estimations are made for iodine-based contrast agents. The conclusion is that modern technologies allow practical implementation of LEX for angiography based on multibunch linear accelerator and photon storage device.

The development of new drugs in nuclear medicine for diagnosis or treatment (chemotherapy) of brain tumors, in particular gliomas, is inextricably linked with the use of tumor models in animals (usually rats). Objective. To compare the widely used glioma cell model C6 and the new experimental tissue model of glioblastoma 101.8. Material and methods. A comparison was made of the diagnostic and morphological characteristics of the presented glioma models in two groups of animals with intracranially implanted tissue strain of experimental glioblastoma 101.8 (n=4) and the C6 glioma cell line (n=4) throughout the tumor development cycle within the rat brain. To monitor the progress of tumor growth and development, each animal underwent repeated diagnostic studies using PET-CT with 18F-FDG and 18F-FET to assess the metabolic activity and volume of the tumor. Also MRI images were collected. After the end of data acquisition, a histological examination of the tumor was carried out. Results. The tissue model of glioblastoma 101.8 demonstrated rapid growth and pronounced accumulation of the tracers in all animals during the tumor observation cycle. Formation of intratumoral necrosis and signs of disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) were detected. In PET-CT studies of animals with a transplanted C6 tumor, no visible necrosis in the tumor structure was observed. Tumor growth was less rapid than in the case of model 101.8. The obtained morphological characteristics of 101.8 tumors transplanted into the rat brain demonstrated similar properties observed in real clinical conditions in patients with glioblastoma of the brain (necrosis, neovascularization, multiple pseudopalisade structures). Conclusions. Tumor model 101.8 can be recommended for scientific research as it most closely reproduces the diagnostic and morphological features of a human glioblastoma.

This paper concerns the study of pharmacokinetic properties of rhenium-188 and gallium-68 bound to a ligand based on tetraphosphonic acid (188 Re,68 Ga-EDTMP). The pharmacokinetics of 188 Re,68...