Photoacoustic Imaging of Tattoo Inks: Phantom and Clinical Evaluation

Photoacoustic imaging (PAI) is a novel hybrid imaging modality that provides excellent optical contrast with the spatial resolution of ultrasound in vivo. The method is widely being investigated in the clinical setting for diagnostic applications in dermatology. In this report, we illustrate the utility of PAI as a non-invasive tool for imaging tattoos. Ten different samples of commercially available tattoo inks were examined for their optoacoustic properties in vitro. In vivo PAI of an intradermal tattoo on the wrist was performed in a healthy human volunteer. Black/gray, green, violet, and blue colored pigments provided higher levels of PA signal compared to white, orange, red, and yellow pigments in vitro. PAI provided excellent contrast and enabled accurate delineation of the extent of the tattoo in the dermis. Our results reveal the photoacoustic properties of tattoo inks and demonstrate the potential clinical utility of PAI for intradermal imaging of tattoos. PAI may be useful as a clinical adjunct for objective preoperative evaluation of tattoos and potentially to guide/monitor laser-based tattoo removal procedures.

Download Full-text

Fluorescence/photoacoustic imaging-guided nanomaterials for highly efficient cancer theragnostic agent

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-95660-w ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Vu Hoang Minh Doan ◽

Van Tu Nguyen ◽

Sudip Mondal ◽

Thi Mai Thien Vo ◽

Cao Duong Ly ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Near Infrared ◽

High Efficiency ◽

Imaging System ◽

Photoacoustic Imaging ◽

Imaging Techniques ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Cell Ablation ◽

Tumor Tissues

AbstractImaging modalities combined with a multimodal nanocomposite contrast agent hold great potential for significant contributions in the biomedical field. Among modern imaging techniques, photoacoustic (PA) and fluorescence (FL) imaging gained much attention due to their non-invasive feature and the mutually supportive characteristic in terms of spatial resolution, penetration depth, imaging sensitivity, and speed. In this present study, we synthesized IR783 conjugated chitosan–polypyrrole nanocomposites (IR-CS–PPy NCs) as a theragnostic agent used for FL/PA dual-modal imaging. A customized FL and photoacoustic imaging system was constructed to perform required imaging experiments and create high-contrast images. The proposed nanocomposites were confirmed to have great biosafety, essentially a near-infrared (NIR) absorbance property with enhanced photostability. The in vitro photothermal results indicate the high-efficiency MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell ablation ability of IR-CS–PPy NCs under 808 nm NIR laser irradiation. The in vivo PTT study revealed the complete destruction of the tumor tissues with IR-CS–PPy NCs without further recurrence. The in vitro and in vivo results suggest that the demonstrated nanocomposites, together with the proposed imaging systems could be an effective theragnostic agent for imaging-guided cancer treatment.

Download Full-text

Non-invasive skin sampling of tryptophan/kynurenine ratio in vitro towards a skin cancer biomarker

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-020-79903-w ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Skaidre Jankovskaja ◽

Johan Engblom ◽

Melinda Rezeli ◽

György Marko-Varga ◽

Tautgirdas Ruzgas ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Skin Cancer ◽

Relative Increase ◽

Cancer Biomarker ◽

Cancer Diagnostics ◽

Sampling Time ◽

Skin Permeability ◽

Experimental Conditions ◽

Non Invasive

AbstractThe tryptophan to kynurenine ratio (Trp/Kyn) has been proposed as a cancer biomarker. Non-invasive topical sampling of Trp/Kyn can therefore serve as a promising concept for skin cancer diagnostics. By performing in vitro pig skin permeability studies, we conclude that non-invasive topical sampling of Trp and Kyn is feasible. We explore the influence of different experimental conditions, which are relevant for the clinical in vivo setting, such as pH variations, sampling time, and microbial degradation of Trp and Kyn. The permeabilities of Trp and Kyn are overall similar. However, the permeated Trp/Kyn ratio is generally higher than unity due to endogenous Trp, which should be taken into account to obtain a non-biased Trp/Kyn ratio accurately reflecting systemic concentrations. Additionally, prolonged sampling time is associated with bacterial Trp and Kyn degradation and should be considered in a clinical setting. Finally, the experimental results are supported by the four permeation pathways model, predicting that the hydrophilic Trp and Kyn molecules mainly permeate through lipid defects (i.e., the porous pathway). However, the hydrophobic indole ring of Trp is suggested to result in a small but noticeable relative increase of Trp diffusion via pathways across the SC lipid lamellae, while the shunt pathway is proposed to slightly favor permeation of Kyn relative to Trp.

Download Full-text

Role of MRI in the diagnosis of adult traumatic and obstetric brachial plexus injury compared to intraoperative findings

Egyptian Journal of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine ◽

10.1186/s43055-020-00310-2 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 51 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Doria Mohammed Gad ◽

Mostafa Thabet Hussein ◽

Nagham Nabil Mahmoud Omar ◽

Mohamed Mostafa Kotb ◽

Mohamed Abdel-Tawab ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Brachial Plexus ◽

Tissue Characterization ◽

Brachial Plexus Injury ◽

Imaging Modality ◽

Preoperative Evaluation ◽

Diagnostic Modality ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Upper Limb Function ◽

Obstetric Brachial Plexus ◽

Sensitivity Specificity

Abstract Background Brachial plexus injury occurs following birth trauma or adult trauma as well, surgical repair is important to regain upper limb function, and preoperative evaluation with MRI is important and considered the accurate and safe imaging modality. Thirty-seven patients with clinically suspected obstetric (15 patients) or adult traumatic (22 patients) brachial plexus injury were included in our study; all of them underwent MRI examination including T1WI, T2WI, STIR, DWIBS, 3D STIR SPACE, and MR myelography sequences. Results In obstetric cases, MRI sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for preganglionic injury were 63%, 89%, and 82%, respectively, while for postganglionic lesions, MRI sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 60%, 99%, and 95%, respectively. In adult cases, MRI sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for preganglionic injury were 96%, 95%, and 95% respectively, while for postganglionic injury, MRI sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 60%, 100%, and 99%, respectively. Conclusion MRI represents a safe, non-invasive, diagnostic modality having the multiplanar capability and better soft tissue characterization.

Download Full-text

Immunocompatibility of a new dual modality contrast agent based on radiolabeled iron-oxide nanoparticles

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-89117-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Maria-Argyro Karageorgou ◽

Dimosthenis Stamopoulos

Keyword(s):

Complete Blood Count ◽

Morphological Characteristics ◽

Mononuclear Phagocyte ◽

Dual Modality ◽

Immunodeficient Mice ◽

Force Microscopy ◽

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Mri ◽

Diagnostic Applications

AbstractRadiolabeled magnetic nanoparticles are promising candidates as dual-modality-contrast-agents (DMCA) for diagnostic applications. The immunocompatibility of a new DMCA is a prerequisite for subsequent in vivo applications. Here, a new DMCA, namely Fe3O4 nanoparticles radiolabeled with 68Ga, is subjected to immunocompatibility tests both in vitro and in vivo. The in vitro immunocompatibility of the DMCA relied on incubation with donated human WBCs and PLTs (five healthy individuals). Optical microscopy (OM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were employed for the investigation of the morphological characteristics of WBCs and PLTs. A standard hematology analyzer (HA) provided information on complete blood count. The in vivo immunocompatibility of the DMCA was assessed through its biodistribution among the basic organs of the mononuclear phagocyte system in normal and immunodeficient mice (nine in each group). In addition, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) data were acquired in normal mice (three). The combined OM, AFM and HA in vitro data showed that although the DMCA promoted noticeable activation of WBCs and PLTs, neither degradation nor clustering were observed. The in vivo data showed no difference of the DMCA biodistribution between the normal and immunodeficient mice, while the MRI data prove the efficacy of the particular DMCA when compared to the non-radiolabeled, parent CA. The combined in vitro and in vivo data prove that the particular DMCA is a promising candidate for future in vivo applications.

Download Full-text

In Vivo Imaging of Biodegradable Implants and Related Tissue Biomarkers

Polymers ◽

10.3390/polym13142348 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (14) ◽

pp. 2348

Author(s):

Leon Riehakainen ◽

Chiara Cavallini ◽

Paolo Armanetti ◽

Daniele Panetta ◽

Davide Caramella ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Imaging Modality ◽

Imaging Techniques ◽

Special Focus ◽

Tissue Remodelling ◽

Biodegradable Implant ◽

Advantages And Disadvantages ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Positron Emission ◽

Longitudinal Imaging

Non-invasive longitudinal imaging of osseointegration of bone implants is essential to ensure a comprehensive, physical and biochemical understanding of the processes related to a successful implant integration and its long-term clinical outcome. This study critically reviews the present imaging techniques that may play a role to assess the initial stability, bone quality and quantity, associated tissue remodelling dependent on implanted material, implantation site (surrounding tissues and placement depth), and biomarkers that may be targeted. An updated list of biodegradable implant materials that have been reported in the literature, from metal, polymer and ceramic categories, is provided with reference to the use of specific imaging modalities (computed tomography, positron emission tomography, ultrasound, photoacoustic and magnetic resonance imaging) suitable for longitudinal and non-invasive imaging in humans. The advantages and disadvantages of the single imaging modality are discussed with a special focus on preclinical imaging for biodegradable implant research. Indeed, the investigation of a new implant commonly requires histological examination, which is invasive and does not allow longitudinal studies, thus requiring a large number of animals for preclinical testing. For this reason, an update of the multimodal and multi-parametric imaging capabilities will be here presented with a specific focus on modern biomaterial research.

Download Full-text

In Vitro and In Vivo Multispectral Photoacoustic Imaging for the Evaluation of Chromophore Concentration

Sensors ◽

10.3390/s21103366 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (10) ◽

pp. 3366

Author(s):

Aneline Dolet ◽

Rita Ammanouil ◽

Virginie Petrilli ◽

Cédric Richard ◽

Piero Tortoli ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Remote Sensing ◽

Photoacoustic Imaging ◽

Hyperspectral Remote Sensing ◽

Reference Spectrum ◽

In Vivo Experiments ◽

Mouse Tumors ◽

Chromophore Concentration ◽

Saturation Rate

Multispectral photoacoustic imaging is a powerful noninvasive medical imaging technique that provides access to functional information. In this study, a set of methods is proposed and validated, with experimental multispectral photoacoustic images used to estimate the concentration of chromophores. The unmixing techniques used in this paper consist of two steps: (1) automatic extraction of the reference spectrum of each pure chromophore; and (2) abundance calculation of each pure chromophore from the estimated reference spectra. The compared strategies bring positivity and sum-to-one constraints, from the hyperspectral remote sensing field to multispectral photoacoustic, to evaluate chromophore concentration. Particularly, the study extracts the endmembers and compares the algorithms from the hyperspectral remote sensing domain and a dedicated algorithm for segmentation of multispectral photoacoustic data to this end. First, these strategies are tested with dilution and mixing of chromophores on colored 4% agar phantom data. Then, some preliminary in vivo experiments are performed. These consist of estimations of the oxygen saturation rate (sO2) in mouse tumors. This article proposes then a proof-of-concept of the interest to bring hyperspectral remote sensing algorithms to multispectral photoacoustic imaging for the estimation of chromophore concentration.

Download Full-text

In vivo and in vitro tracking of erosion in biodegradable materials using non-invasive fluorescence imaging

Nature Materials ◽

10.1038/nmat3095 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 10 (9) ◽

pp. 890-890 ◽

Cited By ~ 124

Author(s):

Natalie Artzi ◽

Nuria Oliva ◽

Cristina Puron ◽

Sagi Shitreet ◽

Shay Artzi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fluorescence Imaging ◽

Biodegradable Materials ◽

Non Invasive

Download Full-text

Development and biopharmaceutical evaluation of extended release formulation of tramadol hydrochloride based on osmotic technology

Acta Pharmaceutica ◽

10.2478/v10007-009-0010-2 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 59 (1) ◽

pp. 15-30 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Pramod Kumar ◽

Sanjay Singh ◽

Brahmeshwar Mishra

Keyword(s):

Drug Release ◽

Extended Release ◽

Relative Bioavailability ◽

Pharmacokinetic Parameters ◽

Healthy Human ◽

Tramadol Hydrochloride ◽

Release Formulation ◽

Extended Release Formulation

Development and biopharmaceutical evaluation of extended release formulation of tramadol hydrochloride based on osmotic technologyExtended release formulation of tramadol hydrochloride (TRH) based on osmotic technology was developed and evaluated. Target release profile was selected and different variables were optimized to achieve it. Formulation variables such as the level of swellable polymer, plasticizer and the coat thickness of semipermeable membrane (SPM) were found to markedly affect drug release. TRH release was directly proportional to the levels of plasticizer but inversely proportional to the levels of swellable polymer and coat thickness of SPM. Drug release from developed formulations was independent of pH and agitation intensity but dependent on osmotic pressure of the release media.In vivostudy was also performed on six healthy human volunteers and various pharmacokinetic parameters (cmax,tmax,AUC0-24,MRT) and relative bioavailability were calculated. Thein vitroandin vivoresults were compared with the performance of two commercial TRH tablets. The developed formulation provided more prolonged and controlled TRH release compared to the marketed formulation.In vitro-in vivocorrelation (IVIVC) was analyzed according to the Wagner-Nelson method. The optimized formulation (batch IVB) exhibited good IVIV correlation (R= 0.9750). The manufacturing procedure was found to be reproducible and formulations were stable over 6 months of accelerated stability testing.

Download Full-text

Non-invasive, real-time reporting drug release in vitro and in vivo

Chemical Communications ◽

10.1039/c4cc09920f ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 51 (32) ◽

pp. 6948-6951 ◽

Cited By ~ 31

Author(s):

Yanfeng Zhang ◽

Qian Yin ◽

Jonathan Yen ◽

Joanne Li ◽

Hanze Ying ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Drug Release ◽

Real Time ◽

Near Infrared ◽

Reporting System ◽

Real Time Monitoring ◽

Near Infrared Fluorescence ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Fluorescence Dye

Anin vitroandin vivodrug-reporting system is developed for real-time monitoring of drug release via the analysis of the concurrently released near-infrared fluorescence dye.

Download Full-text

Menstrual flow as a non-invasive source of endometrial organoids

Communications Biology ◽

10.1038/s42003-021-02194-y ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Tereza Cindrova-Davies ◽

Xiaohui Zhao ◽

Kay Elder ◽

Carolyn J. P. Jones ◽

Ashley Moffett ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Early Pregnancy ◽

Recurrent Miscarriage ◽

Milk Proteins ◽

Receptor Expression ◽

In Vitro Fertilisation ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Menstrual Flow ◽

Pregnancy Hormones

AbstractAssessment of the endometrium often necessitates a biopsy, which currently involves an invasive, transcervical procedure. Here, we present an alternative technique based on deriving organoids from menstrual flow. We demonstrate that organoids can be derived from gland fragments recovered from menstrual flow. To confirm they faithfully reflect the in vivo state we compared organoids derived from paired scratch biopsies and ensuing menstrual flow from patients undergoing in vitro fertilisation (IVF). We demonstrate that the two sets of organoids share the same transcriptome signature, derivation efficiency and proliferation rate. Furthermore, they respond similarly to sex steroids and early-pregnancy hormones, with changes in morphology, receptor expression, and production of ‘uterine milk’ proteins that mimic those during the late-secretory phase and early pregnancy. This technique has wide-ranging impact for non-invasive investigation and personalised approaches to treatment of common gynaecological conditions, such as endometriosis, and reproductive disorders, including failed implantation after IVF and recurrent miscarriage.

Download Full-text