Function analysis of rodent respiratory skeletal muscles, particularly the diaphragm, is commonly performed by isolating muscle strips using invasive surgical procedures. Although this is an effective method of assessing in vitro diaphragm activity, it involves non-survival surgery. The application of non-invasive ultrasound imaging as an in vivo procedure is beneficial since it not only reduces the number of animals sacrificed, but is also suitable for monitoring disease progression in live mice. Thus, our ultrasound imaging method may likely assist in the development of novel therapies that alleviate muscle injury induced by various respiratory diseases. Particularly, in clinical diagnoses of obstructive lung diseases, ultrasound imaging has the potential to be used in conjunction with other standard tests to detect the early onset of diaphragm muscle fatigue. In the current protocol, we describe how to accurately evaluate diaphragm contractility in a mouse model using a diagnostic ultrasound imaging technique. 相似文献
Over the past years it had been demonstrated that multimodal imaging combining the nonlinear modalities coherent anti‐Stokes Raman scattering (CARS), two‐photon excited auto‐fluorescence (TPEF) and second harmonic generation (SHG) show a great potential for tissue diagnosis and tumor identification. To extend the applicability of this multimodal imaging approach for in‐vivo tissue screening of difficult to access body regions the development of suitable fiber optic probes is required. Here we report about a novel CARS imaging fiber probe consisting of 10,000 coherent light guiding elements preserving the spatial relationship between the entrance and the output of the fiber. Therefore the scanning procedure can be shifted from the distal to the proximal end of the fiber probe and no moving parts or driving current are required to realize in‐vivo CARS endoscopy.
Back scattered CARS image of rabbit aorta with plaques (white) using a laser scanning microscope and an imaging fiber. 相似文献
A wide variety of subcutaneous soft‐tissue masses may be seen in clinical practice. Clinical examination based on palpation alone is often insufficient to identify the nature and exact origin of the mass, in which case imaging is necessary. We used handheld multispectral optoacoustic imaging technology (MSOT) in a proof‐of‐principle study to image superficial fatty tumors and compare the images with diagnostic ultrasound. Fatty tumors were clearly visualized by MSOT and exhibited a spectral signature which differed from normal fatty tissue or muscle tissue. Our findings further indicated that MSOT offers highly complementary contrast to sonography. Based on the performance achieved, we foresee a promising role for MSOT in the diagnosis and evaluation of subcutaneous soft‐tissue masses. Picture : Pseudo‐color representation of a cross‐sectional multi‐spectral optoacoustic slice through a subcutaneous lipoma. Multi‐spectral information is encoded in color. The lipoma can clearly be distinguished from the surrounding tissue based on its color. Scalebar 1 cm. 相似文献
Tetrasulfocyanine (TSC) has been described as a fluorescent probe for tumour imaging. The complex of TSC and the Fab antibody fragment MOR03268 has been crystallized in three different crystal forms. MOR03268 was identified from the HuCAL GOLD library and further optimized to bind TSC with high affinity (Kd = 0.6 nM). For two of the three crystal forms (forms 1 and 2), data sets could be collected to 2.8 and 2.85 Å resolution, respectively. Form 1 belongs to space group I222, with unit‐cell parameters a = 72, b = 99, c = 154 Å. Form 2 belongs to space group P43212, with unit‐cell parameters a = b = 77, c = 379 Å. Form 3 only diffracted to 8 Å and was not analyzed further. Molecular‐replacement solutions for forms 1 and 2 were found and rebuilding and refinement is in progress. Form 1 contains one Fab molecule per asymmetric unit, while form 2 harbours two. Judging from the green colour of the crystals, both forms contain the Fab molecule bound to the green TSC dye and in both the hydrolysis‐sensitive dye molecule is protected from degradation for several weeks to months. The structures should reveal the molecular basis of the high‐affinity recognition of TSC by the Fab molecule MOR03268. 相似文献
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), characterized by polyarthritis, is a chronic, systemic and inflammatory autoimmune disease. In this study, we developed a dual‐modality multiparametric photoacoustic and ultrasound imaging technique, and successfully derived multiple parameters such as relative concentration of total hemoglobin (CHbT), ratio of angiogenesis, joint size and area of synovia to assess the development and treatment of RA. We established a model of adjuvant arthritis using a total number of 15 rats and randomly divided them into three groups: (a) targeted group in which the rats received targeted antirheumatic drugs; (b) nontargeted group in which the rats were treated with nontargeted antirheumatic drugs; (c) control group. We longitudinally monitored the joints of the rats in all three groups for up to 20 days and carried out quantitative analysis to evaluate the development and treatment of RA based on the derived parameters. The results suggest that the proposed dual‐modality imaging technique is able to assess the effectiveness of the RA treatment using quantitative hemodynamic and morphological parameters. To show the clinical feasibility of this technique, we performed in vivo joint studies of health volunteers to visualize both structures and inside hemodynamics of the distal interphalangeal joint. 相似文献
Coronary artery disease (CAD) remains a leading cause of mortality and warrants new imaging approaches to better guide clinical care. We report on a miniaturized, hybrid intravascular catheter and imaging system for comprehensive coronary artery imaging in vivo. Our catheter exhibits a total diameter of 1.0 mm (3.0 French), equivalent to standalone clinical intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) catheters but enables simultaneous near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) and IVUS molecular-structural imaging. We demonstrate NIRF-IVUS imaging in vitro in coronary stents using NIR fluorophores, and compare NIRF signal strengths for prism and ball lens sensor designs in both low and high scattering media. Next, in vivo intravascular imaging in pig coronary arteries demonstrates simultaneous, co-registered molecular-structural imaging of experimental CAD inflammation on IVUS and distance-corrected NIRF images. The obtained results suggest substantial potential for the NIRF-IVUS catheter to advance standalone IVUS, and enable comprehensive phenotyping of vascular disease to better assess and treat patients with CAD. 相似文献
AIMS: Our thyroid cytology audit results of 1990-1995 showed an unsatisfactory rate of 43.1% and prediction of neoplasia with a sensitivity of 86.8%. Increasingly, ultrasound scan (USS)-guided core sampling for cytology is proving a valuable tool instead of freehand fine needle aspiration (FNA) or following unsatisfactory freehand FNA. We present the results of freehand FNA and USS-guided core samples for cytology in two separate patient groups in our centre. METHODS: Patients who had a thyroid resection and preoperative thyroid cytology in our institution between 1996 and 2002 were included. The histological diagnoses were correlated with the preceding cytology results. RESULTS: A total of 450 FNAs were performed on 394 patients. Freehand FNAs were performed for 348 (77.3%) samples and USS-guided core for 102 (22.7%) samples; 121 (26.8%) were repeat aspirates performed on 45 patients. Using aspiration cytology (AC) grading, freehand FNA was cytologically inadequate (AC0 or AC1) in 34.8% cases whereas USS-guided core was inadequate in 17.6% cases (P = 0.001). Freehand FNA (AC3, AC4, AC5) predicted neoplasia with a sensitivity of 83.2%, specificity of 46.6%, accuracy of 63.0%, positive predictive value of 56.0% and negative predictive value of 77.1%. USS-guided core sample for cytology (AC3, AC4, AC5) predicted neoplasia with a sensitivity of 93.5%, specificity of 26.0%, accuracy of 51.9%, positive predictive value of 43.9% and negative predictive value of 86.7%. CONCLUSIONS: Although USS-guided core provides more satisfactory specimens than freehand FNA, in our centre it does not provide increased accuracy. 相似文献
A bimorph transducer was proposed to improve the detection sensitivity and imaging depth of photoacoustic and ultrasound (PAUS) dermoscope. By applying the bimorph transducer, the imaging depth and sensitivity of PAUS dermoscope were enhanced by simultaneously improving excitation efficiency and reception bandwidth. The integrated design of the imaging head of the dermoscope makes it highly convenient for detecting human skin. The PAUS imaging performance was demonstrated via visualizing subcutaneous tumor and depicting full structures of different skin layers from epidermis to subcutaneous tissue. The results confirm that the dermoscope with the bimorph transducer is well suited for PA and US dual‐modality imaging, which can provide multi‐information for skin disease. 相似文献
BACKGROUND: Safety issues are of paramount importance in clinical human gene therapy. From this point of view, it would be better to develop a novel non-viral efficient gene transfer method. Recently, it was reported that ultrasound exposure could induce cell membrane permeabilization and enhance gene expression. METHODS: In this study, we examined the potential of ultrasound for gene transfer into the kidney. First, we transfected rat left kidney with luciferase plasmid mixed with microbubbles, Optison, to optimize the conditions (duration of ultrasound and concentration of Optison). Then, 4, 7, 14 and 21 days after gene transfer, luciferase activity was measured. Next, localization of gene expression was assessed by measuring luciferase activity and green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression. Expression of GFP plasmid was examined under a fluorescence microscope at 4 and 14 days after gene transfer. Finally, to examine the side effects of this gene transfer method, biochemical assays for aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Cre) were performed. RESULTS: Optison and/or ultrasound significantly enhanced the efficiency of gene transfer and expression in the kidney. Especially, 70-80% of total glomeruli could be transfected. Also, a significant dose-dependent effect of Optison was observed as assessed by luciferase assay (Optison 25%: 12.5 x 10(5) relative light units (RLU)/g tissue; 50%: 31.3 x 10(5) RLU/g tissue; 100%: 57.9 x 10(5) RLU/g tissue). GFP expression could be observed in glomeruli, tubules and interstitial area. Results of blood tests did not change significantly after gene transfer. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, an ultrasound-mediated gene transfer method with Optison enhanced the efficiency of gene transfer and expression in the rat kidney. This novel non-viral method may be useful for gene therapy for renal disease. 相似文献
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is one of the most important imaging modalities for biophotonics applications. In this work, an important step towards the clinical use of OCT in dental practice is reported, by following‐up patients treated from periodontal disease (PD). A total of 147 vestibular dental sites from 14 patients diagnosed with PD were evaluated prior and after treatment, using a swept‐source OCT and two periodontal probes (Florida probe and North Carolina) for comparison. The evaluation was performed at four stages: day 0, day 30, day 60 and day 90. Exceptionally one patient was evaluated 1‐year after treatment. It was possible to visualize in the two‐dimensional images the architectural components that compose the periodontal anatomy, and identify the improvements in biofilm and dental calculus upon treatment. In the follow‐up after the treatment, it was observed in some cases decrease of the gingival thickness associated with extinction of gingival calculus. In some cases, the improvement of both depth of probing with the traditional probes and the evidence in the images of the region was emphasized. The study evidenced the ability of OCT in the identification of periodontal structures and alterations, being an important noninvasive complement or even alternative for periodontal probes for treatment follow‐up. OCT system being used in a clinical environment. Above OCT image (left) prior treatment and (right) 30 days after treatment. 相似文献
Aortic dissection, occurring following a separation of the layers constituting the complex vascular walls, leads to the formation of a 'false' lumen and disrupts the regulation of aortic wall homeostasis and function. This clinical condition still represents an important health problem and is associated with high mortality. Its natural history mandates surgical intervention when exceeding 55 mm in diameter and involving the ascending portion of the aorta (Type A), on the bases of an anatomical classification dated back to 1965. An intriguing question rising is whether a dissection that overcomes that critic acute phase has still the indication to surgical intervention. Molecular analysis of chronic dissected aortic walls could help in understanding how morphology and structure are affected and whether tissue homeostasis is re-established. Thus, pursued by this consideration, we made a histological and immunohistochemical characterization of a chronic Type A dissection, reporting three major findings: endothelial cells line the aortic primitive lumen, as well as the 'false' one; walls of primitive and 'false' lumina are comparable in thickness; vascular layers in the 'false' lumen are made up of terminally differentiated cells. This evidence obtained in a single specimen encourages a meditation on the compulsory indication for surgical intervention. 相似文献
