Nanoscale control of Ag nanostructures for plasmonic fluorescence enhancement of near-infrared dyes

Potential utilization of proteins for early detection and diagnosis of various diseases has drawn considerable interest in the development of protein-based detection techniques. Metal induced fluorescence enhancement offers the possibility of increasing the sensitivity of protein detection in clinical applications. We report the use of tunable plasmonic silver nanostructures for the fluorescence enhancement of a near-infrared (NIR) dye (Alexa Fluor 790). Extensive fluorescence enhancement of ∼2 orders of magnitude is obtained by the nanoscale control of the Ag nanostructure dimensions and interparticle distance. These Ag nanostructures also enhanced fluorescence from a dye with very high quantum yield (7.8 fold for Alexa Fluor 488, quantum efficiency (Qy) = 0.92). A combination of greatly enhanced excitation and an increased radiative decay rate, leading to an associated enhancement of the quantum efficiency leads to the large enhancement. These results show the potential of Ag nanostructures as metal induced fluorescence enhancement (MIFE) substrates for dyes in the NIR “biological window” as well as the visible region. Ag nanostructured arrays fabricated by colloidal lithography thus show great potential for NIR dye-based biosensing applications

High Performance In Vivo Near-IR (>1 {\mu}m) Imaging and Photothermal Cancer Therapy with Carbon Nanotubes

Short single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) functionalized by PEGylated phospholipids are biologically non-toxic and long-circulating nanomaterials with intrinsic near infrared photoluminescence (NIR PL), characteristic Raman spectra, and strong optical absorbance in the near infrared (NIR). This work demonstrates the first dual application of intravenously injected SWNTs as photoluminescent agents for in vivo tumor imaging in the 1.0-1.4 {\mu}m emission region and as NIR absorbers and heaters at 808 nm for photothermal tumor elimination at the lowest injected dose (70 {\mu}g of SWNT/mouse, equivalent to 3.6 mg/kg) and laser irradiation power (0.6 W/cm2) reported to date. Ex vivo resonance Raman imaging revealed the SWNT distribution within tumors at a high spatial resolution. Complete tumor elimination was achieved for large numbers of photothermally treated mice without any toxic side effects after more than six months post-treatment. Further, side-by-side experiments were carried out to compare the performance of SWNTs and gold nanorods (AuNRs) at an injected dose of 700 {\mu}g of AuNR/mouse (equivalent to 35 mg/kg) in NIR photothermal ablation of tumors in vivo. Highly effective tumor elimination with SWNTs was achieved at 10 times lower injected doses and lower irradiation powers than for AuNRs. These results suggest there are significant benefits of utilizing the intrinsic properties of biocompatible SWNTs for combined cancer imaging and therapy.Comment: Nanoresearch, in pres

Multiplexed five-color molecular imaging of cancer cells and tumor tissues with carbon nanotube Raman tags in the near-infrared

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) with five different C13/C12 isotope compositions and well-separated Raman peaks have been synthesized and conjugated to five targeting ligands in order to impart molecular specificity. Multiplexed Raman imaging of live cells has been carried out by highly specific staining of cells with a five-color mixture of SWNTs. Ex vivo multiplexed Raman imaging of tumor samples uncovers a surprising up-regulation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) on LS174T colon cancer cells from cell culture to in vivo tumor growth. This is the first time five-color multiplexed molecular imaging has been performed in the near-infrared (NIR) region under a single laser excitation. Near zero interfering background of imaging is achieved due to the sharp Raman peaks unique to nanotubes over the low, smooth autofluorescence background of biological species.Comment: Published in Nano Researc

Tracking Referents

[Tsai88] R. Tsai, “Overview of a unified calibration trio for robot eye, eyeto-hand, and hand calibration using 3D machine vision, ” Research Report RC. International Business Machines Corporation, Research Division; RC 14218, 1988. [Tsai86] R. Tsai, “Review of the two-stage camera calibration technique plus some implementation tips and new techniques for center an

Results of surgical treatment of atypical endometrial hyperplasia

The results of surgical treatment in 132 patients with atypical endometrial hyperplasia have been studied. Post-operative diagnosis was: en- dometrial cancer – in 19 %, atypical hyperplasia – in 35 %, simple and complex hyperplasia – in 33 %, only atrophic endometrial changes – in 13 % of patients. The tumor was within the endometrium in 5 patients, the superficial invasion of the myometrium (1–2 mm) were in 8 patients, invasion to half of the myometrium – in 9 patients, invasion of more than half of the myometrium – in 3 patients. The questions of tactics of treatment of atypical endometrial hyperplasia is under discussion

THE RESULTS OF COMPUTER MORPHOMETRY USED IN ENDOMETRIAL HYPERPLASIA

Differencial diagnostics of simple, complex and atypical hyperplasia and endometrial cancer(SEH, CEH, AEH, EC) presents a number of difficulties which often lead to a different interpretation of the same histologic samples. Theaim: to evaluate the ability of computer morphometry(CM) used in case of endometrial hyperplasia. Material: 36 patients, including 12 patients with SEH, 11 patients with CEH, 7 patients with AEH and 5 patients with EC. Method of ImaScopeColor morphometric programme. Conclusion: morphometric changes that occur in case of endometrial hyperplasia expressed in quantitative terms are more varied than their schematic definition in modern classification which in its turn may be the cause of the discrepanies in diagnoses

Graphite-Coated Magnetic Nanoparticle Microarray for Few-Cells Enrichment and Detection

Graphite-coated, highly magnetic FeCo core–shell nanoparticles were synthesized by a chemical vapor deposition method and solubilized in aqueous solution through a unique polymer mixture modification, which significantly improved the biocompatibility and stability of the magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs). Such functionalized MNPs were proven to be very stable in different conditions which would be significant for biological applications. Cell staining, manipulation, enrichment, and detection were developed with these MNPs. Under external magnetic manipulation, the MNP-stained cells exhibited directed motions. Moreover, MNPs were printed on substrates to modulate the magnetic field distribution on the surface. Capture and detection of sparse populations of cancer cells spiked into whole blood has been explored in a microarray fashion. Cancer cells from hundreds down to only two were able to be simply and efficiently detected from 1 mL of whole blood on the MNP microarray chips. Interestingly, the cells captured through the MNP microarray still showed viability and adhered to the MNP spots after incubation, which could be utilized for cancer cell detection, localized growth, and proliferation

To the question of the pathogenesis of endometrial hyperplasia

Traditional attitude towards the role of hyperestrogenia in endometrial hyperplasia pathogenesis can be considered cogent only in case of simple endometrial hyperplasia (SEH). In case of complex endometrial hyperplasia (CEH) and atypical endometrial hyperplasia (AEH) excessive proliferation occurs only in endometrial glands not diffusely but as pockets. The signs of atrophy are often registered outside these pockets that reflects the state of estrogens.The aim: is to study the structure of pathological endometrial changes that patients with abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) have and natural combination of various forms of pathological endometrial changes.Material. The results of histological examination of endometrium collected from 668 patients have been studied.Results. The structure of pathological changes that occur in case of AUB has been identified. Various endometrial changes outside CEH and AEH pockets against the background of SEH, polyposis, atrophic endometrium have been detected without any regularity; the fact that does not confirm the role of hyperestrogenia in CEH and AEH pathogenesis.Conclusion. SEH being the result of estrogen and progesterone imbalance is subjected to cyclic progestin hormone therapy to prevent acyclic bleeding. Observation with regular control is acceptable in the absence of AUB after the curettage in case of SEH and CEH without atypia. In case of AEH surgical treatment is required