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We studied whether the (123)I-FP-CIT uptake in the striatum correlates with depressive symptoms and cognitive performance in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Twenty patients with PD without major depression and/or dementia (mean age 61.7 +/- 12.7 years) underwent the (123)I-FP-CIT SPECT. Depressive symptoms and cognitive performance were assessed in the ON state. The ratios of striatal to occipital binding for the entire striatum, putamina, and putamen to the caudate (put/caud) index were calculated in the basal ganglia. The association between neuropsychiatric measures and dopamine transporter (DAT) availability was calculated; multiple regression analysis was used to assess association with age and disease duration. We found significant correlations between Montgomery and Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MARDS) and Tower of London (TOL) task scores and (123)I-FP-CIT uptake in various striatal ROIs. Multiple regression analysis confirmed the significant relationship between TOL performance and put/caud ratio (P = 0.001) and to age (P = 0.001), and between MADRS and left striatal (P = 0.005) and putaminal DAT availability (P = 0.003). Our pilot study results demonstrate that imaging with (123)I-FP-CIT SPECT appears to be sensitive for detecting dopaminergic deficit associated with mild depressive symptoms and specific cognitive dysfunction in patients with PD, yet without a current depressive episode and/or dementia.

The aim of the study was to investigate the selenium metabolism in the maternal transfer of selenium to newborn calves. For a study, a total of 24 high-pregnant dairy cows at dry-off from two herds with different selenium status were used. While Herd I cows suffered from selenium deficiency, selenium status in cows of Herd II were adequate. Herd I cows were divided into three groups: E1, E2 and C. Selenium-and-vitamin supplement (Selevit inj. a.u.v.) was administered intramuscularly to cows of the E1 group 4 weeks before expected parturition, and the same supplement was administered to cows of the E2 group 8 and 4 weeks before expected parturition. The C group cows were controls, and received no supplement. On parturition days, samples of blood and of the first colostrum were collected from all of the cows. Blood samples were also collected from their newborn calves before they were given any colostrum. A statistically significantly higher selenium blood concentrations (p < 0.05) on parturition days were found in the E2 group cows compared with the control group (61.63 ± 8.23 µg·l -1 and 41.13 ± 11.08 µg·l -1 , respectively). Higher selenium blood concentrations were also found among cows in the E1 group. A similar trend was ascertained when a comparison between calves of groups E1 and E2 (63.96 ± 20.10 µg·l -1 and 66.86 ± 15.53 µg·l -1 ) and group C calves (51.98 ± 16.02 µg·l -1 ) was made. There was, however, no demonstrable difference in the glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity between groups from Herd I. Selenium concentrations in Herd II cows and their calves were 264.17 ± 48.71 µg·l -1 and 222.34 ± 52.95 µg·l -1 , respectively. Regression and correlation analyses demonstrated a statistically very close relationship (p < 0.01) between selenium blood concentrations of dams and their calves and blood GSH-Px activity of dams and their calves (y = 0.6489x + 28.049; r = 0.91, and y = 0.8033x + 91.169; r = 0.93, respectively). Because no significant correlation between blood and colostrum concentrations in cows was demonstrated (r = 0.21), colostrum should not be considered a suitable medium for the evaluation of selenium status in cows. The results showed the need to provide for a sufficient selenium saturation of dams also from the point of view of preventing selenium deficiency in calves.

The aim of the present work was to study the influence of different dose of parenteral administration selenium and vitamin E in dairy cows prior to parturition on selected metabolic parameters and colostrum quality. A&nbsp;total of 19 dairy cows from a farm with selenium deficiency were included in the study. The cows were divided in 3&nbsp;groups (C, E1, and E2). In group E1 a product containing selenium and vitamin E (Selevit inj. a.u.v.) was administered IM four weeks prior to the expected date of parturition. In group E2 the same product was administered twice, eight and four weeks prior to parturition. Group C consisted of control animals to which no product was administered. On the day of parturition samples of blood and first colostrum were collected for laboratory examination. Concentrations of selenium were determined in blood andthat ofvitamin E, thyroid hormones (T3&nbsp;and T4) and activities of enzymes detecting muscular damage (CK, AST, LD) were determined in serum. Colostrum was analysed to determine the concentrations of selenium, vitamin E, immunoglobulins, as well as to determine its density. The occurrence of the disease during the first month after parturition was evaluated in all groups. Higher concentrations of selenium and vitamin&nbsp;E were found in the samples (experimental groups E1 and E2) collected on the day of parturition. Group E2 showed a significantly (p &lt; 0.05) higher T3 concentration compared to groups C and E1 (3.05 &plusmn; 0.42 nmol/l vs 1.88 &plusmn; 0.71 and 1.81 &plusmn; 0.30 nmol/l, respectively). The same pattern was confirmed for immunoglobulins concentrations in colostrum (34.08 &plusmn; 5.93 U ZST vs 22.87 &plusmn; 5.41 and 21.38 &plusmn; 8.33 U ZST, respectively). Compared to group C, cows in group E2 also showed significantly (p &lt; 0.05) higher concentrations of selenium in colostrum (45.43 &plusmn; 10.56 vs 29.29 &plusmn; 8.42 &micro;g/l). The administration of selenium and vitamin E did not influence other parameters evaluated in the study. During the first 30 days of the postpartum period a trend of lower occurrence of mastitis was observed in group E2 compared to both group C and E1 (no case of mastitis compared to 5 and 4&nbsp;cases of treated mastitis, respectively).

We recommend to perform semiquantitative evaluation of neuroblastoma based on SPECT/CT scans, particularly in patients in clinical stages 3 and 4. It is advisable to include soft tissues in the score assessment, as well, given that only soft tissues may be involved in up to 25.

Our results suggest the capability of SPECT/PET imaging to select patients who will receive the maximum benefit from BMC therapy.

In our study, the statistically important effect of transplantation of mononuclear bone marrow cells on myocardial function was not found. Only an insignificant trend toward the improvement of global LV EF fraction was found at 3-month follow-up.