Radiolabelled DOTA-TATE: its evaluation for targeted radiotherapy

La marcación de péptido análogo de somatostatina DOTA-TATE (DOTA-D-phe-cys-tyr-D-trp-lys-thr-cys-thr) con 125I y sus propiedades biológicas fueron investigadas. 125I-DOTA-TATE se marco por el método de cloramina-T y se purificó por RP-HPLC a fin de aumentar su actividad especifica. La estabilidad fue evaluada por HPLC, cromatografía y electroforesis. La interacción del péptido marcado con receptores de somatostatina fue investigada usando membranas obtenidas de tejidos o de células AR42J, y por unión e internalización en cultivos celulares. El rendimiento de marcado fue mayor de 90 por ciento, el perfil de HPLC reveló dos especies radioquímicas con tiempos de retención diferentes respecto del péptido no marcado, permitiendo la obtención de una mayor actividad especifica. La máxima capacidad de unión fue de 23 por ciento y la concentración inhibitoria 50 ppor ciento fue 9 µg/mL. Se internalizó el 73 por ciento de la actividad unida en 3-4 horas. El radioconjugado presenta la capacidad de unirse específicamente a los receptores de somatostatina expresados en células tumorales viables así como en preparaciones de membranas obtenidas de tejidos animales.

Mapping study and private physicians' survey opportunities for expanded family planning services in Jamaica: final report

Reports on a project aimed at importing the effectiveness and sustainability of Jamaica's National Family Planning Programme in light of the planned phasedown of international donor support particularly the reduction of USAID-donated contraceptive supplies. A "Mapping Study and Private Physicians Survey" was designed to collect background information on the existing infrastructure of service delivery points (SDPs)and a better undrestanding of physicians' skill and interest levels pertaining to long-term and permanent methods. This information would enable interventions to be designed that would target less-well-served areas offer appropriate incentives for private-practice physicians to become more involved in family planning, and meet specific needs among the private physician community as they try to become more involved. Among the noteworthy findings of this study are, given that a key goal of the project is to increase use of longer-acting methods, these methods are not readily available at affordable prices to rural consumers/patients ie. half the Jamaican population. long-term and permanent methods are concentrated in urban areas and offered primarily by private physicians. Short-term or supply methods were widely available to both urban and rural users and were quite affordable. Another significant finding is that private physicians have an interest in increasing their understanding of and involvement in family planning, widespread interest was expressed in the Private Physicians' Pilot Project. The private sector it was found offers the most SDPs, the widest range of methods and the greatest number of hours of operation, however, it is the public sector that provides the most services ie. about 60 percent of family planning services. These was a tendency for private sector providers to be concentrated in urban areas due to available supporting medical services; a further intra-urban clustering of private sector sites was also found; ther was a tendency among newer doctors to establish practices in urban areas outside of Kingston; a more evenly distributed pattern for public sector SDP was found, along with a clear emphasis on serving rural communities; an expansionary trend in terms of number of SDPs in urban areas is noticeable whereas a slight reduction in overall number of SDPs serving rural areas was noted. The recommendations are, to use the findings from this mapping study to plan future activities; to improve availability on long-term and permanent methods for rural groups; to encourage the private sector to increase its participation in family planning; to engage pharmacies and private physicians in expanded social marketingprogrammes; and that the social marketing programme be encouraged to expand its marketing support to include longer-acting methods.