Ultraviolet-B-induced cyclobutane-pyrimidine dimer formation and repair in Arctic marine macrophytes

The significance of ultraviolet-B radiation (UVBR: 280-315 nm)-induced DNA damage as a stress factor for Arctic marine macrophytes was examined in the Kongsfjord (Spitsbergen, 78 degrees 55.5'N, 11 degrees 56.0'E) in summer. UVBR penetration in the water column was monitored as accumulation of cyclobutane-pyrimidine dimers (CPD) in bare DNA. This showed that UVBR transparency of the fjord was variable, with 1% depths ranging between 4 and 8 m. In addition, induction and repair kinetics of CPD were studied in several subtidal macrophytes obtained from the Kongsfjord (5-15 m). Surface exposure experiments demonstrated CPD accumulation in Palmaria palmata, Devaleraea ramentacea, Phycodrys rubens, Coccotylus truncatus and Odonthalia dentata. In artificial light, field collected material of P. palmata, D. ramentacea, P. rubens and Laminaria saccharina showed efficient CPD repair, with only 10% of the artificially induced CPD remaining after 5 h. No significant differences in repair rate were observed among these species. CPD repair was slower or absent in O. dentata, C. truncatus and Monostroma arcticum, indicating that fast repair mechanisms such as photolyase were not continuously expressed in these species. CPD repair rates were not directly related to the vertical distribution of algae in the water column and to the reported UV sensitivity of the examined species. Dosimeter incubations showed that maximal exposure to DNA damaging wavelengths was low for all examined species. Furthermore, most species collected below the 1% depth for DNA damage displayed efficient CPD repair, suggesting that UVBR-induced CPD currently impose a minor threat for mature stages of these species growing in the Kongsfjord, Spitsbergen.     

Speciation of no-carrier-added 68Ga prior to its labeling for PET imaging

The present article describes the probable speciation of ⁶⁸Ga radionuclide just before labeling to DOTA peptides for PET imaging. The ⁶⁸Ga eluted from an anion exchange column after its purification was analyzed for its elemental composition and pH at several stages. Neutron activation analysis of the eluted fractions yields the concentrations of Na and Cl, pH measurements indicate the concentration of free H⁺ ions in the medium and specific activity calculations indicate the concentration of ⁶⁸Ga in the solution. Using all these information we get the idea of speciation of no carrier added Ga in the eluted fractions from CHEAQS programme. The estimations indicate that Ga is mostly present as GaCl²⁺ in the total MiliQ eluate. However, just before labeling of DOTA the pH of the Ga-containing eluate is adjusted to ~3.5 using HEPES buffer and at that condition Ga remains as Ga³⁺ species which is responsible for a successful and efficient labeling. The MilliQ eluate collected before actual labeling was estimated for trace elements using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry was found to contain a few ppb of Al, Co, Pd and Pt that did not interfere in the actual labeling. A clear idea about the prerequisite of ⁶⁸Ga species before labeling to a peptide might be of special interest for its judicious application as a radiopharmaceutical.     

Determination of peptide content and purity of DOTA-peptides by metal ion titration and UPLC: an alternative method to monitor quality of DOTA-peptides

PRRT requires high specific activities, thus at low molar ratio between DOTA-peptide and radioactivity. Therefore, the ingredients of the reaction, including (radio)metals and DOTA-peptide must be pure and the content known. Our aim was to quantify content and purity of DOTA-peptide by a base-to-base separation of DOTA-peptide and metal-DOTA-peptide by UPLC and UV-detection. Quantification of these peaks reveals an accurate and sensitive method to quantify purity and content of DOTA-peptides. Moreover, this technique enables monitoring of the (radio)labeling process and co-introduction of impurities, including metal ions.     

Maintaining radiochemical purity of [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-PSMA-617 for PRRT by reducing radiolysis

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry - [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-PSMA-617 for PRRT is subject to radiolysis and therefore loses receptor affinity. This will be detrimental for treatment efficacy....