Identification of a novel endogenous memory facilitating cyclic dipeptide cyclo-prolylglycine in rat brain

Using high-performance liquid chromatography, gas-chromatography and chromato-mass spectrometry methods a novel endogenous cyclic dipeptide cyclo-prolylglycine was identified in rat brain. Its content according to gas chromatography is 2.8 +/- 0.3 nmol/g wet brain. Synthetic cyclo-prolylglycine has demonstrated antiamnesic activity in the passive avoidance test in rats at a dose of 0.1 mg/kg i.p. Cyclic dipeptide cyclo-prolylglycine seems to be a memory facilitating substance and its presence in rat brain suggests the existence of a new mechanism of memory regulation.     

Case report of ruptured endometriotic cyst in pregnancy treated by laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy

Pregnancy is thought to have an ameliorating effect on endometriosis, inducing a state of quiescence. We report a case of ruptured endometriotic cyst in pregnancy successfully treated by laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy. Our patient subsequently progressed uneventfully to deliver a healthy baby girl at term. Laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy in pregnancy, even with ruptured cysts, appeared to be safe in trained hands with similar benefits of reduced post-operative morbidity.     

Tracer kinetic modeling of the 5-HT1A receptor ligand [carbonyl-11C]WAY-100635 for PET

[Carbonyl-11C]WAY-100635 is a promising PET radioligand for the 5-HT1A receptor, having demonstrated more favorable characteristics for in vivo imaging than the previously available [O-methyl-11C]WAY-100635. The current study evaluates different tracer kinetic modelling strategies for the quantification of 5-HT1A receptor binding in human brain. Mathematical modelling of the carbonyl-labeled radiotracer is investigated using compartmental structures, including both plasma input and reference tissue approaches. Furthermore, the application of basis function methods allows for the investigation of parametric imaging, providing functional maps of both delivery and binding of the radioligand. Parameter estimates of binding from normal volunteers indicate a low intra- versus a high intersubject variability. It is concluded that a simplified reference tissue approach may be used to quantify 5-HT1A binding either in terms of ROI data or as parametric images.