Lanthanide upconversion luminescence at the nanoscale: fundamentals and optical properties

First published online: 26 Feb 2016Upconversion photoluminescence is a nonlinear effect where multiple lower energy excitation photons produce higher energy emission photons. This fundamentally interesting process has many applications in biomedical imaging, light source and display technology, and solar energy harvesting. In this review we discuss the underlying physical principles and their modelling using rate equations. We discuss how the understanding of photophysical processes enabled a strategic influence over the optical properties of upconversion especially in rationally designed materials. We subsequently present an overview of recent experimental strategies to control and optimize the optical properties of upconversion nanoparticles, focussing on their emission spectral properties and brightness.Annemarie Nadort, Jiangbo Zhao and Ewa M. Goldy

Sensitive cytokine assay based on optical fiber allowing localized and spatially resolved detection of interleukin-6

We demonstrated a cytokine detection device based on gold nanoparticle modified silica optical fiber for the monitoring of locally variable cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentrations using a sandwich immunoassay scheme. The fiber is designed to be introduced into an intrathecal catheter with micrometer-sized holes drilled along its length to enable fluid exchange between the outside and inside of the catheter. An exposed optical fiber (diameter 125 μm) modified with a layer of gold nanoparticles was functionalized with the IL-6 capture antibody to form the sensing interface. The immunocapture device was incubated with a cytokine solution to capture the analyte. The device was then exposed to the IL-6 detection antibody which was loaded on the fluorescently labeled magnetic nanoparticles, making it possible to quantify the cytokine concentration based on the intensity of fluorescence. A reliable method for quantifying the fluorescent signal on a 3D structure was developed. This device was applied to the detection of cytokine IL-6 with the low limit of detection of 1 pg mL⁻¹ in a sample volume of 1 μL. The device has the linear detection range of 1–400 pg mL⁻¹ and spatial resolution on the order of 200–450 μm, and it is capable of detecting localized IL-6 secreted by live BV2 cells following their liposaccharide stimulation. This biological detection system is suitable for monitoring multiple health conditions.Guozhen Liu, Kaixin Zhang, Annemarie Nadort, Mark R. Hutchinson, and Ewa M. Goldy

Implementation of outpatient schema therapy for borderline personality disorder: study design

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Schema Therapy (ST) is an integrative psychotherapy based upon a cognitive schema model which aims at identifying and changing dysfunctional schemas and modes through cognitive, experiential and behavioral pathways. It is specifically developed for patients with personality disorders. Its effectiveness and efficiency have been demonstrated in a few randomized controlled trials, but ST has not been evaluated in regular mental healthcare settings. This paper describes the study protocol of a multisite randomized 2-group design, aimed at evaluating the implementation of outpatient schema therapy for patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD) in regular mental healthcare and at determining the added value of therapist telephone availability outside office hours in case of crisis. METHODS/DESIGN: Patient outcome measures will be assessed with a semi-structured interview and self-report measures on BPD, therapeutic alliance, quality of life, costs and general psychopathology at baseline, 6, 12, 18 and 36 months. Intention-to-treat analyses will be executed with survival analysis for dichotomous variables, and one-sample t-tests and ANCOVAs for continuous variables with baseline as covariate and condition as between group factor. All tests will be two-tailed with a significance level of 5%. DISCUSSION: The study will provide an answer to the question whether ST can be effectively implemented and whether phone support by the therapist has an additional value. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The Dutch Cochrane Center, NTR (TC = 1781

Design of a multicentered randomized controlled trial on the clinical and cost effectiveness of schema therapy for personality disorders

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Despite international guidelines describing psychotherapy as first choice for people with personality disorders (PDs), well-designed research on the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of psychotherapy for PD is scarce. Schema therapy (ST) is a specific form of psychological treatment that proved to be effective for borderline PD. Randomized controlled studies on the effectiveness of ST for other PDs are lacking. Another not yet tested new specialized treatment is Clarification Oriented Psychotherapy (COP). The aim of this project is to perform an effectiveness study as well as an economic evaluation study (cost effectiveness as well as cost-utility) comparing ST versus COP versus treatment as usual (TAU). In this study, we focus on avoidant, dependent, obsessive-compulsive, paranoid, histrionic and narcissistic PD.</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>In a multicentered randomized controlled trial, ST, and COP as an extra experimental condition, are compared to TAU. Minimal 300 patients are recruited in 12 mental health institutes throughout the Netherlands, and receive an extensive screening prior to enrolment in the study. When eligible, they are randomly assigned to one of the intervention groups. An economic evaluation and a qualitative research study on patient and therapist perspectives on ST are embedded in this trial. Outcome assessments (both for clinical effectiveness and economic evaluation) take place at 6,12,18,24 and 36 months after start of treatment. Primary outcome is recovery from PD; secondary measures include general psychopathological complaints, social functioning and quality of life. Data for the cost-effectiveness and cost-utility analyses are collected by using a retrospective cost interview. Information on patient and therapist perspectives is gathered using in-depth interviews and focus groups, and focuses on possible helpful and impeding aspects of ST.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>This trial is the first to compare ST and COP head-to-head with TAU for people with a cluster C, paranoid, histrionic and/or narcissistic PD. By combining clinical effectiveness data with an economic evaluation and with direct information from primary stakeholders, this trial offers a complete and thorough view on ST as a contribution to the improvement of treatment for this PD patient group.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>Netherlands Trial Register (NTR): <a href="http://www.trialregister.nl/trialreg/admin/rctview.asp?TC=566">NTR566</a></p

Glow with the flow: Quantifying blood flow and photoluminescence signal in biological tissue

Thesis by publication."this thesis is being submitted for examination simultaneously to Macquarie University and the University of Amsterdam under a co-tutelle co-supervision agreement between the two universities".Includes bibliographical references.Chapter 1. General introduction -- Chapter 2. Laser speckle contrast imaging -- Chapter 3. Quantitative laser speckle flowmetry of the in vivo microcirculation using sidestream dark field (microscopy) -- Chapter 4. Quantitative blood flow velocity imaging using laser speckle flowmetry -- Chapter 5. Upconversion nanoparticles -- Chapter 6. Quantitative imaging of single upconversion nanoparticles in biological tissue -- Chapter 7. Feasibility study of the optical imaging of a breast cancer lesion labeled with upconversion nanoparticle biocomplexes -- Chapter 8. Discussion and conclusion -- Chapter 9. Outlook.This thesis contributes to the development of optical techniques to assess microcirculation functionality for the diagnosis, monitoring, therapy guidance and understanding of many diseases ranging from the onset of septic shock to the delivery of drugs to tumours. The first part of this thesis aims to develop a non-invasive technique to quantify microcirculatory blood flow velocity based on laser speckle flowmetry. The key results are the experimental and theoretical investigation of the characteristic decorrelation times of speckle dynamics, and the relationship with the flow velocity and optical propeerties of the scatterers, specifically multiple scattering in blood vessels and the scattering phase function of red blood cells. The second part is devoted to the quantification of optical signals arising from photluminescent upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) for sensitive detection in biomedical tissues. The key results demonstrate that the UCNP optical properties enable the detection of small amounts of particles in UCNP-guided imaging applications, ranging from the detection of a single nanoparticle in biological liquid to modelling of a small UCNP-labelled tumour lesion embedded in biological tissue. The combination of these techniques is particularly useful in the context of tumour therapy by providing information on tumour angiogenesis, enabling molecular contrast and delivering nanoparticle-based drugs.Mode of access: World wide web1 online resource (197 pages) illustrations (some colour

Idea promotion strategies in Germany and The Netherlands

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