A Novel Laser Lithotripsy System with Automatic Real-Time Urinary Stone Recognition: Computer Controlled Ex Vivo Lithotripsy is Feasible and Reproducible in Endoscopic Stone Fragmentation

AbstractDiabetic retinopathy, retinopathy of prematurity and retinal vein occlusion are potentially blinding conditions largely due to their respective neovascular components. The development of real-time in vivo molecular imaging methods, to assess levels of retinal neovascularization (NV), would greatly benefit patients afflicted with these conditions. mRNA hybridization techniques offer a potential method to image retinal NV. The success of these techniques hinges on the selection of a target mRNA whose tissue levels and spatial expression patterns correlate closely with disease burden. Using a model of oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR), we previously observed dramatic increases in retinal endoglin that localized to neovascular structures (NV), directly correlating with levels of neovascular pathology. Based on these findings, we have investigated Endoglin mRNA as a potential marker for imaging retinal NV in OIR mice. Also of critical importance, is the application of innovative technologies capable of detecting mRNAs in living systems with high sensitivity and specificity. To detect and visualize endoglin mRNA in OIR mice, we have designed and synthesized a novel imaging probe composed of short-hairpin anti-sense (AS) endoglin RNA coupled to a fluorophore and black hole quencher (AS-Eng shRNA). This assembly allows highly sensitive fluorescence emission upon hybridization of the AS-Eng shRNA to cellular endoglin mRNA. The AS-Eng shRNA is further conjugated to a diacyl-lipid (AS-Eng shRNA–lipid referred to as probe). The lipid moiety binds to serum albumin facilitating enhanced systemic circulation of the probe. OIR mice received intraperitoneal injections of AS-Eng shRNA–lipid. Ex vivo imaging of their retinas revealed specific endoglin mRNA dependent fluorescence superimposed on neovascular structures. Room air mice receiving AS-Eng shRNA–lipid and OIR mice receiving a non-sense control probe showed little fluorescence activity. In addition, we found that cells in neovascular lesions labelled with endoglin mRNA dependent fluorescence, co-labelled with the macrophage/microglia-associated marker IBA1. Others have shown that cells expressing macrophage/microglia markers associate with retinal neovascular structures in proportion to disease burden. Hence we propose that our probe may be used to image and to estimate the levels of retinal neovascular disease in real-time in living systems.

Download Full-text

Performance of a novel protease-activated fluorescent imaging system for intraoperative detection of residual breast cancer during breast conserving surgery

Breast Cancer Research and Treatment ◽

10.1007/s10549-021-06106-w ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 187 (1) ◽

pp. 145-153

Author(s):

Conor R. Lanahan ◽

Bridget N. Kelly ◽

Michele A. Gadd ◽

Michelle C. Specht ◽

Carson L. Brown ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Real Time ◽

Imaging System ◽

Ex Vivo ◽

Menopausal Status ◽

Fluorescent Imaging ◽

Cancer Subtypes ◽

Surgical Workflow ◽

Tumor Types

Abstract Purpose Safe breast cancer lumpectomies require microscopically clear margins. Real-time margin assessment options are limited, and 20–40% of lumpectomies have positive margins requiring re-excision. The LUM Imaging System previously showed excellent sensitivity and specificity for tumor detection during lumpectomy surgery. We explored its impact on surgical workflow and performance across patient and tumor types. Methods We performed IRB-approved, prospective, non-randomized studies in breast cancer lumpectomy procedures. The LUM Imaging System uses LUM015, a protease-activated fluorescent imaging agent that identifies residual tumor in the surgical cavity walls. Fluorescent cavity images were collected in real-time and analyzed using system software. Results Cavity and specimen images were obtained in 55 patients injected with LUM015 at 0.5 or 1.0 mg/kg and in 5 patients who did not receive LUM015. All tumor types were distinguished from normal tissue, with mean tumor:normal (T:N) signal ratios of 3.81–5.69. T:N ratios were 4.45 in non-dense and 4.00 in dense breasts (p = 0.59) and 3.52 in premenopausal and 4.59 in postmenopausal women (p = 0.19). Histopathology and tumor receptor testing were not affected by LUM015. Falsely positive readings were more likely when tumor was present < 2 mm from the adjacent specimen margin. LUM015 signal was stable in vivo at least 6.5 h post injection, and ex vivo at least 4 h post excision. Conclusions Intraoperative use of the LUM Imaging System detected all breast cancer subtypes with robust performance independent of menopausal status and breast density. There was no significant impact on histopathology or receptor evaluation.

Download Full-text

Ultrasound Doppler-guided real-time navigation of a magnetic microswarm for active endovascular delivery

Science Advances ◽

10.1126/sciadv.abe5914 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (9) ◽

pp. eabe5914 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Qianqian Wang ◽

Kai Fung Chan ◽

Kathrin Schweizer ◽

Xingzhou Du ◽

Dongdong Jin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Flow ◽

Real Time ◽

Targeted Delivery ◽

Ex Vivo ◽

Dynamic Environments ◽

Doppler Imaging ◽

Great Promise ◽

Mean Velocity ◽

Ultrasound Doppler ◽

Flowing Blood

Swarming micro/nanorobots offer great promise in performing targeted delivery inside diverse hard-to-reach environments. However, swarm navigation in dynamic environments challenges delivery capability and real-time swarm localization. Here, we report a strategy to navigate a nanoparticle microswarm in real time under ultrasound Doppler imaging guidance for active endovascular delivery. A magnetic microswarm was formed and navigated near the boundary of vessels, where the reduced drag of blood flow and strong interactions between nanoparticles enable upstream and downstream navigation in flowing blood (mean velocity up to 40.8 mm/s). The microswarm-induced three-dimensional blood flow enables Doppler imaging from multiple viewing configurations and real-time tracking in different environments (i.e., stagnant, flowing blood, and pulsatile flow). We also demonstrate the ultrasound Doppler–guided swarm formation and navigation in the porcine coronary artery ex vivo. Our strategy presents a promising connection between swarm control and real-time imaging of microrobotic swarms for localized delivery in dynamic environments.

Download Full-text

Abstract P466: Circadian Rhythm Disruptions in a Novel Diabetic db/db-mPer2 Luc Mouse Model

Hypertension ◽

10.1161/hyp.70.suppl_1.p466 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 70 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Tianfei Hou ◽

Wen Su ◽

Ming C Gong ◽

Zhenheng Guo

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Circadian Rhythms ◽

Real Time ◽

Clock Gene ◽

Ex Vivo ◽

Phase Advance ◽

Luciferase Reporter ◽

High Time Resolution ◽

Peripheral Tissues

Db/db mouse, which lacks functional leptin receptor, is an extensively used model of obesity and type 2 diabetes. We and others have demonstrated that db/db mouse has disruptions in circadian rhythms of behavior, physiology and some clock genes. However, systemic investigations of the alterations in clock gene oscillations in multiple systems with high time resolution in this model are impeded by the impractical demand for large number of animals. To overcome this limitation, we cross bred the db/db mouse with mPer2 Luc mouse in which the clock gene Period2 is fused with a luciferase reporter thus allow real-time monitoring of the clock gene Per2 oscillations. The generated db/db-mPer2 Luc mice had the typical diabetic mellitus including obesity, hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, glucose intolerance and insulin resistance. In addition, the db/db-mPer2 Luc mice also exhibited disruptions in circadian rhythms in behavior (locomotor activity), physiology (blood pressure) and metabolism (respiratory exchange ratio and energy expenditure). Using the LumiCycle system, we monitored in real-time of the Per2 oscillations in both the SCN central clock and multiple peripheral tissues ex vivo . The results showed no difference in the phase of the central SCN Per2 oscillation. However, the peripheral tissues that related to metabolism, such as liver and white adipose clocks, displayed 3.28±0.86 and 4.64±1.06 hours of phase advance respectively. Aorta, mesentery artery and kidney, organs play important role in blood pressure homeostasis, showed 0.99±0.37, and 2.12±0.4, and 2.21±0.5 hours phase advance respectively. Interestingly, no difference was observed in the lung and adrenal gland. We then investigated the Per2 oscillation in vivo by using the IVIS imaging system. Consistent with the ex vivo results, the liver Per2 oscillation were phase advanced in vivo. Our findings demonstrated that clock gene Per2 oscillations were disrupted in multiple peripheral tissues but not in central SCN. Moreover, the extent of phase advance in peripheral tissue varies largely. Our results suggest dyssynchrony of the clock oscillations among various peripheral systems likely contribute to the multiple disruptions in physiology and metabolism in diabetic db/db mice.

Download Full-text