Background-The efficacy of intracoronary infusion of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) mobilized peripheral blood stem cells (PBSCs) has not been compared between patients with acute (AMI) versus old myocardial infarction (OMI). In addition, the potential risk of restenosis associated with G-CSF-based stem cell therapy has not been evaluated in the setting of drug eluting stent (DES) implantation. Methods and Results-We randomly allocated 96 patients with myocardial infarction who underwent coronary revascularization with DES for the culprit lesion into 4 groups. Eighty-two patients completed 6-month follow-up; AMI cell infusion (nϭ25), AMI control (nϭ25), OMI cell infusion (nϭ16), and OMI control group (nϭ16). In cell infusion groups, PBSCs were mobilized by G-CSF for 3 days and delivered to infarcted myocardium via intracoronary infusion. The AMI cell infusion group showed a significant additive improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and remodeling compared with controls (change of LVEF: ϩ5.1Ϯ9.1% versus Ϫ0.2Ϯ8.6%, PϽ0.05; change of end-systolic volume: Ϫ5.4Ϯ17.0 mL versus 6.5Ϯ21.9 mL, PϽ0.05). In OMI patients, however, there was no significant change of LVEF and ventricular remodeling in spite of significant improvement of coronary flow reserve after cell infusion. G-CSF-based cell therapy did not aggravate neointimal growth with DES implantation. Conclusions-Intracoronary infusion of mobilized PBSCs with G-CSF improves LVEF and remodeling in patients withAMI but is less definite in patients with OMI. G-CSF-based stem cell therapy with DES implantation is both feasible and safe, eliminating any potential for restenosis.

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Thick-film photolithography based on SU-8 has gained great interest in the field of microreplication technologies. For replication applications the SU-8 structures themselves or electroplated copies of the resist structures are used as casting or embossing tools. In this paper, a simple estimation model is proposed to predict the sidewall profiles of SU-8. This model is based on the effects of Fresnel diffraction and absorption resulting in useful approximations for the pattern profile of SU-8. Its usefulness is successfully verified by experimental results; the estimated and experimental results show similar trends. In addition, by utilizing this model two exposure methods based on reflection and refraction could be developed which avoid negatively sloped sidewall profiles of SU-8. Using these exposure methods, SU-8 preforms without undercut for the replication of optical waveguides have been achieved.

Integrated FDG PET/CT is a sensitive post-therapy surveillance modality for the detection of recurrent ovarian cancer; it aids decisions on treatment plans and may ultimately have a favourable impact on prognosis.

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Semiconductor quantum dots (QDs), which have broad absorption with narrow emission spectra, are useful for multiplex imaging. Here, fluorescence derby imaging using dual color QDs conjugated by the AS1411 aptamer (targeting nucleolin) and the arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (targeting the integrin alpha(v)beta(3)) in cancer cells is reported. Simultaneous fluorescence imaging of cellular distribution of nucleolin and integrin alpha(v)beta(3) using QDs enables easy monitoring of separate targets in the cancer cells and the normal healthy cells. These results suggest the feasibility of a concurrent visualization of QD-based multiple cancer biomarkers using small molecules such as aptamer or peptide ligands.

Background/PurposeAptamers are oligonucleotide or peptide molecules that bind to a target molecule with high affinity and specificity. The present study aimed to evaluate the target specificity and applicability for in vivo molecular imaging of an aptamer labeled with a radioisotope.MethodsThe human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2/ErbB2) aptamer was radiolabeled with 18F-fluoride. HER2-positive tumor cell uptake of the aptamer was evaluated in comparison to negative controls by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. Using 18F-labeled HER2-specific aptamer positron emission tomography (PET), in vivo molecular images of BT474 tumor-bearing mice were taken at 60, 90 and 120 minutes after injection.ResultsIn flow cytometric analysis, HER2 aptamer showed strong binding to HER2-positive BT474 cells, while binding to HER2-negative MDA-MB231 cells was quite low. Likewise, in confocal microscopic images, the aptamer was bound to HER2-positive breast cancer cells, with minimal binding to HER2-negative cells. In vivo PET molecular imaging of BT474 tumor-bearing mice revealed significant higher uptake of the 18F-labeled HER2 specific aptamer into the tumor compared to the that of HER2-negative cell tumor(p = 0.033). HER2 aptamer was able to preferentially bind to HER2-positive breast cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo, by recognizing HER2 structure on the surface of these cells.ConclusionThe 18F-labeled aptamer enabled appropriate visualization of HER2 expression by human breast cancer cells. The results suggest that a radiolabeled HER2 aptamer could potentially be applied in the development of treatment strategies or in targeted therapy against HER2-positive breast cancer cells.

Integrated PET/CT appears to be highly sensitive, specific, and accurate as a post-therapy surveillance modality for endometrial cancer in well-selected patients. The PET/CT might be used to improve patient surveillance and prognosis.