Radioiodination and Biological Evaluation of Epinephrine as a Possible Adrenergic Receptors Imaging Agent.

An adopted method for the preparation of high radiochemical purity [125I] iodoepinephrine was developed in order to characterize the binding properties of adrenergic receptors. Direct radioiodination of epinephrine was carried out using chloramine-T as oxidizing agent. The reaction proceeds well within 15 min at ambient room temperature up to 25+1ºC and afforded a radiochemical yield up to 94%. Different chromatographic techniques (electrophoresis and paper chromatography) were used to evaluate the radiochemical yield and purity of the labeled product. Biodistribution studies were carried out in normal Albino Swiss mice and the results showed rapid and high cardiac uptake of 125I-epinephrine. The result indicates the possibility of using radioiodinated epinephrine as myocardial imaging agent.

Iodine-125-Chlorambucil as Possible Radio Anticancer for Diagnosis and Therapy of Cancer: Preparation and Tissue Distribution.

Chlorambucil (CLB) is an aromatic nitrogen mustard and an alkylating agent. It has been mainly used in the chemotherapy. A method for radiopharmaceutical preparation of [125I]- iodo-Chlorambucil a potential cancer therapeutic agent is described. The method is based on direct electrophilic radioiodination of Chlorambucil with [125I] in the presence of chloramine-T (CAT) as oxidizing agent. The reaction conditions were optimized in order to obtain a radiochemical yield higher than 98% of [125I]-iodo chlorambucil. Different chromatographic techniques (electrophoresis, and high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC)) were used to evaluate the radiochemical yield and purity of the labeled product. Biodistribution studies of 125I- chlorambucil were carried out in both normal and tumor bearing Albino Swiss mice. The results revealed that this new tracer, 125I-chlorambucil, has a high affinity to be localized in the tumor site for a long period which indicates the specificity of this tracer to the tumor cells. The results indicate the possibility of using [125I]- iodo chlorambucil for imaging and treatment of cancer.

Composition of gallstones and sequential events in biliary lithogenesis--is it different in south India compared to north?

AIMS: This study was carried out to determine the gross type and composition of gallstones from South India in order to compare it with published results from the North to see whether the sequential events in biliary lithogenesis are different in these two geographical areas. MATHODOLOGY: A total of 76 stones collected from various hospitals in South India including JIPMER were analysed using X-ray crystallography. Patient characteristics were recorded. Gross typing was done according to Bockus' morphological criteria. RESULTS: Patients with gallstones in South India were found to be older in age with near equal gender distribution. Pigment calcium stones accounted for 56.5%, pigment stones for 17.2% and mixed stones for 14.2% of gallstones. Bilirubin and its salts were the most frequently identified class of compounds by crystallography. Analysis of gallstones layer by layer revealed equal distribution of bilirubin compounds between the centre and outer layers except crystalline bilirubin which was found only in outer layers. Vaterite, a polymorph of calcium carbonate was found in the nucleus, whereas vaterite and aragonite were found in the outer layers. Combination of anhydrous cholesterol and cholesterol II were found in the nucleus. Epitaxial relationship were found to hold good except for vaterite and aragonite. CONCLUSION: Gallstones from South India are probably due to infection rather than supersaturation as evidenced by predominance of pigment calcium stones and various types of bilirubin and calcium carbonate compounds. Vaterite is important for nucleation. Further growth of stones is influenced by epitaxial relationship. These findings are dissimilar to that reported from North India indicating a different stimulus for stone precipitation in these two areas.

Traditional practices and childhood diarrhoea

A cross-sectional study was conducted to elicit traditional cultural beliefs and practices influencing health with special focus on diarrhea in two villages of Gadap which is a peripheral rural area of Karachi. A total of 100 child-bearing women from both villages were selected by simple random sampling and were asked about their concept of diarrhea, the causal attribution, management approaches and other demographic information. The study revealed that women laid major emphasis on effects of weather [50-55%], evil shadow or saya [20-24%] and evil eye [20-22%] as the main causes of diarrhea. Very low weightage was given to teething, contaminated food and water and no weightage to dirt, germs and soothers. The study showed that religion and belief had strong correlation whereas education and ethnic group when compared with belief did not. In case of diarrhea 40-50% women initiated home remedy, 25-40% contacted a shaman or traditional healer or quack and 5% of women did not take any remedial action. Various home remedies included rice water, wheat water, sugar solution, honey, curd, ORS and other [30%] which included the use of amulets, talismans rituals, holy scriptures and spiritually treated water. In conclusion the study highlights the effects of some traditional practices in the management of diarrhea. Attitudes knowledge and practices of women regarding diarrhea indicated the need for possible educational intervention and desirable measures to improve the existing health scenario