scholarly journals A Cost-Efficient Multiwavelength LED-Based System for Quantitative Photoacoustic Measurements

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (14) ◽  
pp. 4888
Author(s):  
Michalis Orfanakis ◽  
George J. Tserevelakis ◽  
Giannis Zacharakis
Keyword(s):  
Optical Absorption ◽  
Ultrasonic Transducer ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Spectral Unmixing ◽  
Single Element ◽  
Diagnostic Systems ◽  
Glucose Levels ◽  
Nanosecond Lasers ◽  
Cost Efficient

The unique ability of photoacoustic (PA) sensing to provide optical absorption information of biomolecules deep inside turbid tissues with high sensitivity has recently enabled the development of various novel diagnostic systems for biomedical applications. In many cases, PA setups can be bulky, complex, and costly, as they typically require the integration of expensive Q-switched nanosecond lasers, and also presents limited wavelength availability. This article presents a compact, cost-efficient, multiwavelength PA sensing system for quantitative measurements, by utilizing two high-power LED sources emitting at central wavelengths of 444 and 628 nm, respectively, and a single-element ultrasonic transducer at 3.5 MHz for signal detection. We investigate the performance of LEDs in pulsed mode and explore the dependence of PA responses on absorber’s concentration and applied energy fluence using tissue-mimicking phantoms demonstrating both optical absorption and scattering properties. Finally, we apply the developed system on the spectral unmixing of two absorbers contained at various relative concentrations in the phantoms, to provide accurate estimations with absolute deviations ranging between 0.4 and 12.3%. An upgraded version of the PA system may provide valuable in-vivo multiparametric measurements of important biomarkers, such as hemoglobin oxygenation, melanin concentration, local lipid content, and glucose levels.

scholarly journals Bone Chemical Composition Analysis Using Photoacoustic Technique

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ting Feng ◽  
Yejing Xie ◽  
Weiya Xie ◽  
Dean Ta ◽  
Qian Cheng
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Composition ◽  
Optical Absorption ◽  
Imaging Techniques ◽  
Diagnostic Technique ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Spectral Unmixing ◽  
Chemical Components ◽  
Composition Analysis ◽  
Feasibility Assessment ◽  
Multi Wavelength

Photoacoustic (PA) signal analysis based on ultrasonic wave detection can provide both high-sensitivity optical contrast information and micro-architectural information which is highly related with the chemical composition of tissue. In this study, the feasibility assessment of bone composition assessment was investigated using the multi-wavelength PA analysis (MWPA) method which could reflect the molecular information. By illuminating a bone specimen using a laser light with wavelength over an optical spectrum ranging from 680 to 950 nm, the optical absorption spectrum of the bone was acquired. Then, with the optical absorption spectra of all optical absorption chemical components in the known bone, a spectral unmixing procedure was performed to quantitatively assess the relative content of each chemical component. The experimental results from rabbit bones show that MWPA method can be used to assess chemical components related to bone metabolism. Our study confirmed that PA technique can be used as a novel bone diagnostic technique by providing new information about the quantity of bone and identifying biomarkers of bone that can improve the current diagnostic imaging techniques.

scholarly journals Thermal Ablation and High-Resolution Imaging Using a Back-to-Back (BTB) Dual-Mode Ultrasonic Transducer: In Vivo Results

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 1580
Author(s):  
Hae Gyun Lim ◽  
Hyunhee Kim ◽  
Kyungmin Kim ◽  
Jeongwoo Park ◽  
Yeonggeun Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Thermal Ablation ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Ultrasonic Transducer ◽  
High Intensity Focused Ultrasound ◽  
Coagulation Necrosis ◽  
Single Element ◽  
Focal Region ◽  
Dual Mode

We present a back-to-back (BTB) structured, dual-mode ultrasonic device that incorporates a single-element 5.3 MHz transducer for high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment and a single-element 20.0 MHz transducer for high-resolution ultrasound imaging. Ultrasound image-guided surgical systems have been developed for lesion monitoring to ensure that ultrasonic treatment is correctly administered at the right locations. In this study, we developed a dual-element transducer composed of two elements that share the same housing but work independently with a BTB structure, enabling a mode change between therapy and imaging via 180-degree mechanical rotation. The optic fibers were embedded in the HIFU focal region of ex vivo chicken breasts and the temperature change was measured. Images were obtained in vivo mice before and after treatment and compared to identify the treated region. We successfully acquired B-mode and C-scan images that display the hyperechoic region indicating coagulation necrosis in the HIFU-treated volume up to a depth of 10 mm. The compact BTB dual-mode ultrasonic transducer may be used for subcutaneous thermal ablation and monitoring, minimally invasive surgery, and other clinical applications, all with ultrasound only.

scholarly journals Clinically translatable quantitative molecular photoacoustic imaging with liposome-encapsulated ICG J-aggregates

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cayla A. Wood ◽  
Sangheon Han ◽  
Chang Soo Kim ◽  
Yunfei Wen ◽  
Diego R. T. Sampaio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Contrast Agent ◽  
Photoacoustic Imaging ◽  
Folate Receptor ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Spectral Unmixing ◽  
Estimation Accuracy ◽  
Spatiotemporal Resolution ◽  
Study Results

AbstractPhotoacoustic (PA) imaging is a functional and molecular imaging technique capable of high sensitivity and spatiotemporal resolution at depth. Widespread use of PA imaging, however, is limited by currently available contrast agents, which either lack PA-signal-generation ability for deep imaging or their absorbance spectra overlap with hemoglobin, reducing sensitivity. Here we report on a PA contrast agent based on targeted liposomes loaded with J-aggregated indocyanine green (ICG) dye (i.e., PAtrace) that we synthesized, bioconjugated, and characterized to addresses these limitations. We then validated PAtrace in phantom, in vitro, and in vivo PA imaging environments for both spectral unmixing accuracy and targeting efficacy in a folate receptor alpha-positive ovarian cancer model. These study results show that PAtrace concurrently provides significantly improved contrast-agent quantification/sensitivity and SO2 estimation accuracy compared to monomeric ICG. PAtrace’s performance attributes and composition of FDA-approved components make it a promising agent for future clinical molecular PA imaging.

scholarly journals Gpr1 is an active chemerin receptor influencing glucose homeostasis in obese mice

2014 ◽  
Vol 222 (2) ◽  
pp. 201-215 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jillian L Rourke ◽  
Shanmugam Muruganandan ◽  
Helen J Dranse ◽  
Nichole M McMullen ◽  
Christopher J Sinal
Keyword(s):  
Adipose Tissue ◽  
Glucose Homeostasis ◽  
Stromal Vascular Fraction ◽  
Tolerance Test ◽  
Glucose Levels ◽  
Brown Adipose ◽  
Elevated Glucose ◽  
And Function ◽  
G Protein Coupled

Chemerin is an adipose-derived signaling protein (adipokine) that regulates adipocyte differentiation and function, immune function, metabolism, and glucose homeostasis through activation of chemokine-like receptor 1 (CMKLR1). A second chemerin receptor, G protein-coupled receptor 1 (GPR1) in mammals, binds chemerin with an affinity similar to CMKLR1; however, the function of GPR1 in mammals is essentially unknown. Herein, we report that expression of murineGpr1mRNA is high in brown adipose tissue and white adipose tissue (WAT) and skeletal muscle. In contrast to chemerin (Rarres2) andCmklr1,Gpr1expression predominates in the non-adipocyte stromal vascular fraction of WAT. Heterozygous and homozygousGpr1-knockout mice fed on a high-fat diet developed more severe glucose intolerance than WT mice despite having no difference in body weight, adiposity, or energy expenditure. Moreover, mice lackingGpr1exhibited reduced glucose-stimulated insulin levels and elevated glucose levels in a pyruvate tolerance test. This study is the first, to our knowledge, to report the effects ofGpr1deficiency on adiposity, energy balance, and glucose homeostasisin vivo. Moreover, these novel results demonstrate that GPR1 is an active chemerin receptor that contributes to the regulation of glucose homeostasis during obesity.

scholarly journals Persistent luminescence nanoparticles for cancer theranostics application

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nian Liu ◽  
Xiao Chen ◽  
Xia Sun ◽  
Xiaolian Sun ◽  
Junpeng Shi
Keyword(s):  
Uv Light ◽  
Combined Therapy ◽  
Tumor Therapy ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Persistent Luminescence ◽  
Therapeutic Drugs ◽  
High Penetration ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Cancer Theranostics

AbstractPersistent luminescence nanoparticles (PLNPs) are unique optical materials that emit afterglow luminescence after ceasing excitation. They exhibit unexpected advantages for in vivo optical imaging of tumors, such as autofluorescence-free, high sensitivity, high penetration depth, and multiple excitation sources (UV light, LED, NIR laser, X-ray, and radiopharmaceuticals). Besides, by incorporating other functional molecules, such as photosensitizers, photothermal agents, or therapeutic drugs, PLNPs are also widely used in persistent luminescence (PersL) imaging-guided tumor therapy. In this review, we first summarize the recent developments in the synthesis and surface functionalization of PLNPs, as well as their toxicity studies. We then discuss the in vivo PersL imaging and multimodal imaging from different excitation sources. Furthermore, we highlight PLNPs-based cancer theranostics applications, such as fluorescence-guided surgery, photothermal therapy, photodynamic therapy, drug/gene delivery and combined therapy. Finally, future prospects and challenges of PLNPs in the research of translational medicine are also discussed.

scholarly journals Ubiquitylome Analysis Reveals a Central Role for the Ubiquitin-Proteasome System in Plant Innate Immunity

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiyu Ma ◽  
Chao Zhang ◽  
Do Young Kim ◽  
Yanyan Huang ◽  
Elizabeth Chatt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Immunity ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Ubiquitin Proteasome System ◽  
Immune Recognition ◽  
Atpase Subunit ◽  
Ample Evidence ◽  
Network Analyses ◽  
Affinity Enrichment ◽  
Regulatory Loop

Abstract Protein ubiquitylation profoundly expands proteome functionality and diversifies cellular signaling processes, with recent studies providing ample evidence for its importance to plant immunity. To gain a proteome-wide appreciation of ubiquitylome dynamics during immune recognition, we employed a two-step affinity enrichment protocol based on a 6His-tagged ubiquitin (Ub) variant coupled with high sensitivity mass spectrometry to identify Arabidopsis proteins rapidly ubiquitylated upon plant perception of the microbe-associated molecular pattern (MAMP) peptide flg22. The catalog from 2-week-old seedlings treated for 30 minutes with flg22 contained 690 conjugates, 64 Ub footprints, and all seven types of Ub linkages, and included previously uncharacterized conjugates of immune components. In vivo ubiquitylation assays confirmed modification of several candidates upon immune elicitation, and revealed distinct modification patterns and dynamics for key immune components, including poly- and monoubiquitylation, as well as induced or reduced levels of ubiquitylation. Gene ontology and network analyses of the collection also uncovered rapid modification of the Ub-proteasome system itself, suggesting a critical auto-regulatory loop necessary for an effective MAMP-triggered immune response and subsequent disease resistance. Included targets were UBIQUITIN-CONJUGATING ENZYME 13 (UBC13) and proteasome component REGULATORY PARTICLE NON-ATPASE SUBUNIT 8b (RPN8b), whose subsequent biochemical and genetic analyses implied negative roles in immune elicitation. Collectively, our proteomic analyses further strengthened the connection between ubiquitylation and flg22-based immune signaling, identified components and pathways regulating plant immunity, and increased the database of ubiquitylated substrates in plants.

scholarly journals High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry for Buprenorphine Evaluation in Plasma—Application to Pharmacokinetic Studies in Rabbits

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 437
Author(s):  
Marta Tikhomirov ◽  
Błażej Poźniak ◽  
Tomasz Śniegocki
Keyword(s):  
High Performance ◽  
Pharmacokinetic Profile ◽  
Pharmacokinetic Studies ◽  
Limit Of Quantification ◽  
Reliable Determination ◽  
Main Challenge ◽  
Analytical Protocol ◽  
Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass ◽  
Cost Efficient

The precise and reliable determination of buprenorphine concentration is fundamental in certain medical or research applications, particularly in pharmacokinetic studies of this opioid. The main challenge is, however, the development of an analytical method that is sensitive enough, as the detected in vivo concentrations often fall in very low ranges. Thus, in this study we aimed at developing a sensitive, repeatable, cost-efficient, and easy HPLC analytical protocol for buprenorphine in rabbit plasma. In order to obtain this, the HPLC-MS2 system was used to elaborate and validate the method for samples purified with liquid-liquid extraction. Fragment ions 468.6→396.2 and 468.6→414.2 were monitored, and the method resulted in a high repeatability and reproducibility and a limit of quantification of 0.25 µg/L with a recovery of 98.7–109.0%. The method was linear in a range of 0.25–2000 µg/L. The suitability of the analytical procedure was tested in rabbits in a pilot pharmacokinetic study, and it was revealed that the method was suitable for comprehensively describing the pharmacokinetic profile after buprenorphine intravenous administration at a dose of 300 µg/kg. Thus, the method suitability for pharmacokinetic application was confirmed by both the good validation results of the method and successful in vivo tests in rabbits.

scholarly journals Drug Delivery by Ultrasound-Responsive Nanocarriers for Cancer Treatment

Pharmaceutics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 1135
Author(s):  
Kristin Entzian ◽  
Achim Aigner
Keyword(s):  
Drug Delivery ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Invasive Technique ◽  
Stimuli Responsive ◽  
Comprehensive Overview ◽  
Drug Concentrations ◽  
Therapeutic Outcomes ◽  
Cost Efficient ◽  
Safety Considerations

Conventional cancer chemotherapies often exhibit insufficient therapeutic outcomes and dose-limiting toxicity. Therefore, there is a need for novel therapeutics and formulations with higher efficacy, improved safety, and more favorable toxicological profiles. This has promoted the development of nanomedicines, including systems for drug delivery, but also for imaging and diagnostics. Nanoparticles loaded with drugs can be designed to overcome several biological barriers to improving efficiency and reducing toxicity. In addition, stimuli-responsive nanocarriers are able to release their payload on demand at the tumor tissue site, preventing premature drug loss. This review focuses on ultrasound-triggered drug delivery by nanocarriers as a versatile, cost-efficient, non-invasive technique for improving tissue specificity and tissue penetration, and for achieving high drug concentrations at their intended site of action. It highlights aspects relevant for ultrasound-mediated drug delivery, including ultrasound parameters and resulting biological effects. Then, concepts in ultrasound-mediated drug delivery are introduced and a comprehensive overview of several types of nanoparticles used for this purpose is given. This includes an in-depth compilation of the literature on the various in vivo ultrasound-responsive drug delivery systems. Finally, toxicological and safety considerations regarding ultrasound-mediated drug delivery with nanocarriers are discussed.

scholarly journals A novel method for visualizing and tracking endogenous mRNA in a specific cell population in pathological neovascularization

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Md Imam Uddin ◽  
Tyler C. Kilburn ◽  
Sara Z. Jamal ◽  
Craig L. Duvall ◽  
John S. Penn
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Disease Burden ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Fluorescence Emission ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Living Systems ◽  
Specific Cell ◽  
Potential Marker

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.

scholarly journals Evidence for the Involvement of the Glc7-Reg1 Phosphatase and the Snf1-Snf4 Kinase in the Regulation of INO1 Transcription in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Genetics ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 152 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret K Shirra ◽  
Karen M Arndt
Keyword(s):  
Rna Polymerase Ii ◽  
Glucose Repression ◽  
Snf1 Kinase ◽  
Glucose Levels ◽  
Recessive Mutations ◽  
Mutant Strains ◽  
Rna Polymerase Ii Transcription ◽  
Two Hybrid

AbstractBinding of the TATA-binding protein (TBP) to the promoter is a pivotal step in RNA polymerase II transcription. To identify factors that regulate TBP, we selected for suppressors of a TBP mutant that exhibits promoter-specific defects in activated transcription in vivo and severely reduced affinity for TATA boxes in vitro. Dominant mutations in SNF4 and recessive mutations in REG1, OPI1, and RTF2 were isolated that specifically suppress the inositol auxotrophy of the TBP mutant strains. OPI1 encodes a repressor of INO1 transcription. REG1 and SNF4 encode regulators of the Glc7 phosphatase and Snf1 kinase, respectively, and have well-studied roles in glucose repression. In two-hybrid assays, one SNF4 mutation enhances the interaction between Snf4 and Snf1. Suppression of the TBP mutant by our reg1 and SNF4 mutations appears unrelated to glucose repression, since these mutations do not alleviate repression of SUC2, and glucose levels have little effect on INO1 transcription. Moreover, mutations in TUP1, SSN6, and GLC7, but not HXK2 and MIG1, can cause suppression. Our data suggest that association of TBP with the TATA box may be regulated, directly or indirectly, by a substrate of Snf1. Analysis of INO1 transcription in various mutant strains suggests that this substrate is distinct from Opi1.

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