scholarly journals Recent Advances in the Detection of Neurotransmitters

Chemosensors ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bo Si ◽  
Edward Song
Keyword(s):  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Simultaneous Detection ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
Electrochemical Sensing ◽  
Fast Scan Cyclic Voltammetry ◽  
In Vivo Detection ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Materials Used

Neurotransmitters are chemicals that act as messengers in the synaptic transmission process. They are essential for human health and any imbalance in their activities can cause serious mental disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer’s disease. Hence, monitoring the concentrations of various neurotransmitters is of great importance in studying and diagnosing such mental illnesses. Recently, many researchers have explored the use of unique materials for developing biosensors for both in vivo and ex vivo neurotransmitter detection. A combination of nanomaterials, polymers, and biomolecules were incorporated to implement such sensor devices. For in vivo detection, electrochemical sensing has been commonly applied, with fast-scan cyclic voltammetry being the most promising technique to date, due to the advantages such as easy miniaturization, simple device architecture, and high sensitivity. However, the main challenges for in vivo electrochemical neurotransmitter sensors are limited target selectivity, large background signal and noise, and device fouling and degradation over time. Therefore, achieving simultaneous detection of multiple neurotransmitters in real time with long-term stability remains the focus of research. The purpose of this review paper is to summarize the recently developed sensing techniques with the focus on neurotransmitters as the target analyte, and to discuss the outlook of simultaneous detection of multiple neurotransmitter species. This paper is organized as follows: firstly, the common materials used for developing neurotransmitter sensors are discussed. Secondly, several sensor surface modification approaches to enhance sensing performance are reviewed. Finally, we discuss recent developments in the simultaneous detection capability of multiple neurotransmitters.

scholarly journals Glassy Carbon Microelectrode Arrays Enable Voltage-Peak Separated Simultaneous Detection of Dopamine and Serotonin Using Fast Scan Cyclic Voltammetry

The Analyst ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisa Castagnola ◽  
Sanitta Thongpang ◽  
Mieko Hirabayashi ◽  
Giorgio Nava ◽  
Surabhi Nimbalkar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cyclic Voltammetry ◽  
Electrochemical Detection ◽  
Glassy Carbon ◽  
Simultaneous Detection ◽  
Microelectrode Arrays ◽  
Fast Scan Cyclic Voltammetry ◽  
In Vivo Detection ◽  
Neuroscience Research ◽  
Voltage Peak

Progress in real-time, simultaneous in vivo detection of multiple neurotransmitters will help accelerate advances in neuroscience research. The need for development of probes capable of stable electrochemical detection of rapid...

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 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 Rationally Designing Simple Rod-Like Amphiphilic NIR-Emissive AIE Probes for Precise In-Vivo Detection of Aβ Fibrils/Plaques at A Super-Early Stage

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yipu Wang ◽  
Dong Mei ◽  
Xinyi Zhang ◽  
Da-Hui Qu ◽  
Ju Mei ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Performance ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Signal To Noise Ratio ◽  
High Signal ◽  
In Vivo Detection ◽  
Different Strains ◽  
Aβ Fibrils

With increase of social aging, Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been one of the serious diseases threatening human health. The occurrence of A<i>β </i>fibrils<i> </i>or plaques is recognized as the hallmark of AD.<i> </i>Currently, optical imaging has stood out to be a promising technique for the imaging of A<i>β</i> fibrils/plaques and the diagnosis of AD. However, restricted by their poor blood-brain barrier (BBB) penetrability, short-wavelength excitation and emission, and aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ) effect, the clinically used gold-standard optical probes such as <a>thioflavin</a> T (ThT) and thioflavin S (ThS), are not effective enough in the early diagnosis of AD <i>in vivo</i>. Herein, we put forward an “all-in-one” design principle and demonstrate its feasibility in developing high-performance fluorescent probes which are specific to A<i>β</i> fibrils/plaques and promising for super-early <i>in</i>-<i>vivo</i> diagnosis of AD. As a proof of concept, a simple rod-like amphiphilic NIR fluorescent AIEgen, i.e., AIE-CNPy-AD, is developed by taking the specificity, BBB penetration ability, deep-tissue penetration capacity, high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) into consideration. AIE-CNPy-AD is constituted by connecting the electron-donating and accepting moieties through single bonds and tagging with a propanesulfonate tail, giving rise to the NIR fluorescence, aggregation-induced emission (AIE) effect, amphiphilicity, and rod-like structure, which in turn result in high binding-affinity and excellent specificity to A<i>β</i> fibrils/plaques, satisfactory ability to penetrate BBB and deep tissues, ultrahigh SNR and sensitivity, and high-fidelity imaging capability. <i>In-vitro, ex-vivo,</i> and <i>in-vivo</i> <a>identifying of A<i>β</i> fibrils/plaques</a> in different strains of mice indicate that AIE-CNPy-AD holds the universality to the detection of A<i>β</i> fibrils/plaques. It is noteworthy that AIE-CNPy-AD is even able to trace the small and sparsely distributed A<i>β</i> fibrils/plaques in very young AD model mice such as 4-month-old APP/PS1 mice which are reported to be the youngest mice to have A<i>β</i> deposits in brains, suggesting its great potential in diagnosis and intervention of AD at a super-early stage.

Volumetric laser endomicroscopy in the biliary and pancreatic ducts: a feasibility study with histological correlation

Endoscopy ◽  
2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Corral ◽  
Omar Mousa ◽  
Murli Krishna ◽  
Iris Levink ◽  
Khela Pursell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ex Vivo ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Liver Parenchyma ◽  
Pancreatic Cysts ◽  
Pancreatic Ducts ◽  
Histological Changes ◽  
Low Profile ◽  
Inflammatory Infiltrates ◽  
Time Diagnosis

Abstract Background Volumetric laser endomicroscopy (VLE) provides circumferential images 3 mm into the biliary and pancreatic ducts. We aimed to correlate VLE images with the normal and abnormal microstructure of these ducts. Methods: Samples from patients undergoing hepatic or pancreatic resection were evaluated. VLE images were collected using a low-profile VLE catheter inserted manually into the biliary and pancreatic ducts ex vivo. Histological correlation was assessed by two unblinded investigators. Results 25 patients (20 liver and 5 pancreatic samples) and 111 images were analyzed. VLE revealed three histological layers: epithelium, connective tissue, and parenchyma. It identified distinctive patterns for primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), pancreatic cysts, neuroendocrine tumor, and adenocarcinoma adjacent to the pancreatic duct or ampulla. VLE failed to identify dysplasia in a dominant stricture and inflammatory infiltrates in PSC. Reflectivity measurements of the liver parenchyma diagnosed liver cirrhosis with high sensitivity. Conclusions VLE can identify histological changes in the biliary and pancreatic ducts allowing real-time diagnosis. Further studies are needed to measure the accuracy of VLE in a larger sample and to validate our findings in vivo.

scholarly journals Improved Detection of Molecular Markers of Atherosclerotic Plaques Using Sub-Millimeter PET Imaging

Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (8) ◽  
pp. 1838 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Bridoux ◽  
Sara Neyt ◽  
Pieterjan Debie ◽  
Benedicte Descamps ◽  
Nick Devoogdt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pet Imaging ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Radiochemical Yield ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Complexing Agent ◽  
Atherosclerotic Plaques ◽  
Atherosclerotic Lesions ◽  
Pet Ct

Since atherosclerotic plaques are small and sparse, their non-invasive detection via PET imaging requires both highly specific radiotracers as well as imaging systems with high sensitivity and resolution. This study aimed to assess the targeting and biodistribution of a novel fluorine-18 anti-VCAM-1 Nanobody (Nb), and to investigate whether sub-millimetre resolution PET imaging could improve detectability of plaques in mice. The anti-VCAM-1 Nb functionalised with the novel restrained complexing agent (RESCA) chelator was labelled with [18F]AlF with a high radiochemical yield (>75%) and radiochemical purity (>99%). Subsequently, [18F]AlF(RESCA)-cAbVCAM1-5 was injected in ApoE−/− mice, or co-injected with excess of unlabelled Nb (control group). Mice were imaged sequentially using a cross-over design on two different commercially available PET/CT systems and finally sacrificed for ex vivo analysis. Both the PET/CT images and ex vivo data showed specific uptake of [18F]AlF(RESCA)-cAbVCAM1-5 in atherosclerotic lesions. Non-specific bone uptake was also noticeable, most probably due to in vivo defluorination. Image analysis yielded higher target-to-heart and target-to-brain ratios with the β-CUBE (MOLECUBES) PET scanner, demonstrating that preclinical detection of atherosclerotic lesions could be improved using the latest PET technology.

scholarly journals Tools for diagnosis, monitoring and screening ofSchistosomainfections utilizing lateral-flow based assays and upconverting phosphor labels

Parasitology ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 141 (14) ◽  
pp. 1841-1855 ◽  
Author(s):  
PAUL L. A. M. CORSTJENS ◽  
CLAUDIA J. DE DOOD ◽  
DIEUWKE KORNELIS ◽  
ELISA M. TJON KON FAT ◽  
R. ALAN WILSON ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Full Range ◽  
Simultaneous Detection ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Low Complexity ◽  
Lateral Flow ◽  
Antibody Detection ◽  
Multiple Test ◽  
Control Programmes ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Single Worm

SUMMARYThe potential of various quantitative lateral flow (LF) based assays utilizing up-converting phosphor (UCP) reporters for the diagnosis of schistosomiasis is reviewed including recent developments. Active infections are demonstrated by screening for the presence of regurgitated worm antigens (genus specific polysaccharides), whereas anti-Schistosomaantibodies may indicate ongoing as well as past infections. The circulating anodic antigen (CAA) in serum or urine (and potentially also saliva) is identified as the marker that may allow detection of single-worm infections. Quantitation of antigen levels is a reliable method to study effects of drug administration, worm burden and anti-fecundity mechanisms. Moreover, the ratio of CAA and circulating cathodic antigen (CCA) is postulated to facilitate identification of eitherSchistosoma mansoniorSchistosoma haematobiuminfections. The UCP-LF assays allow simultaneous detection of multiple targets on a single strip, a valuable feature for antibody detection assays. Although antibody detection in endemic regions is not a useful tool to diagnose active infections, it gains potential when the ratio of different classes of antibody specific for the parasite/disease can be determined. The UCP-LF antibody assay format allows this type of multiplexing, including testing a linear array of up to 20 different targets. Multiple test spots would allow detection of specific antibodies, e.g. against differentSchistosomaspecies or other pathogens as soil-transmitted helminths. Concluding, the different UCP-LF based assays for diagnosis of schistosomiasis provide a collection of tests with relatively low complexity and high sensitivity, covering the full range of diagnostics needed in control programmes for mapping, screening and monitoring.

scholarly journals X-ray-Fluorescence Imaging for In Vivo Detection of Gold-Nanoparticle-Labeled Immune Cells: A GEANT4 Based Feasibility Study

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (22) ◽  
pp. 5759
Author(s):  
Arthur Ungerer ◽  
Theresa Staufer ◽  
Oliver Schmutzler ◽  
Christian Körnig ◽  
Kai Rothkamm ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fluorescence Imaging ◽  
Cell Tracking ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
Monte Carlo Simulation Study ◽  
X Ray ◽  
In Vivo Detection ◽  
Technological Developments

The growing field of cellular therapies in regenerative medicine and oncology calls for more refined diagnostic tools that are able to investigate and monitor the function and success of said therapies. X-ray Fluorescence Imaging (XFI) can be applied for molecular imaging with nanoparticles, such as gold nanoparticles (GNPs), which can be used in immune cell tracking. We present a Monte Carlo simulation study on the sensitivity of detection and associated radiation dose estimations in an idealized setup of XFI in human-sized objects. Our findings demonstrate the practicability of XFI in human-sized objects, as immune cell tracking with a minimum detection limit of 4.4 × 105 cells or 0.86 μg gold in a cubic volume of 1.78 mm3 can be achieved. Therefore, our results show that the current technological developments form a good basis for high sensitivity XFI.

A Miniature Robotic-Assisted Tool for Large Area Endomicroscopy Scanning

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Haibo Wang ◽  
Derui Kong ◽  
Siyang Zuo
Keyword(s):  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Human Thyroid ◽  
Margin Assessment ◽  
Large Area ◽  
Surgical Guidance ◽  
Tissue Identification ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Thyroid Gland Tissue ◽  
Small Field Of View

Abstract Recent developments in probe-based optical imaging tools such as confocal endomicroscopy have been demonstrated to be powerful techniques that can provide high-resolution in vivo morphological images at cellular and subcellular levels. Such tools may aid in real-time assessment of cancerous tissue and can also be used for intraoperative surgical guidance. However, it is a challenge to scan over a large area due to the small field-of-view and the difficulties associated with manually manipulating the probe. In this paper, a hand-held miniature scanning device for controlled, large area imaging is proposed. The device can scan target surfaces automatically. A passive linear mechanism is used to maintain good probe–tissue contacts. The results demonstrated that large area mosaics up to 31.4 mm2 can be obtained. The experimental results for ex vivo human thyroid gland tissue have shown the potential of the device for improving the prospects of intraoperative tissue identification and margin assessment.

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