基于智能手机的眼底成像系统

眼底成像技术可检测临床视网膜组织状态,其检测结果已成为多种眼底疾病诊断的重要依据。然而,传统的眼底成像系统需要专业医护人员操作,且具有体积大、价格昂贵等缺点。随着智能手机的图像采集、存储、数据传输等功能的不断提升,基于智能手机的眼底成像系统可有效弥补传统眼底成像系统的上述缺陷。在本研究中,我们设计了照明和成像光路并利用3D打印技术将其小型化,通过与智能手机相结合实现了对人眼视网膜图像的采集。结果表明,基于智能手机的眼底相机距离模拟眼的工作距离约为17 mm,安置于体积仅为88 mm×79 mm×42 mm(长×宽×高)的手机外设配件中。随后,利用Zemax对系统光学参数进行了进一步优化。经优化后的成像系统,畸变保持在0. 2%范围内,场曲小于10μm。该系统具有便携性良好、无创、价格低廉等优点,未来可用于多种眼底疾病的社区筛查工作。     

特异性识别半胱氨酸荧光探针的合成及细胞成像研究

基于光诱导电子转移(PET)机制,利用Cys亲核性较强,能够与探针分子发生亲核取代反应,使丙烯酰基离去,使探针分子体系内PET过程失效,合成了一种特异性识别半胱氨酸的荧光探针。当向探针溶液分别加入多种测试物时,除与Cys结构类似的Hcy和GSH会引起探针溶液微弱的荧光变化外,其他氨基酸均不会引起探针溶液荧光强度的变化,该探针对Cys具有良好的选择性和灵敏度,可在生理条件下检测Cys,并且区分Hcy和GSH。同时,该探针成功实现了细胞内Cys的荧光成像,为在生物学及医学中的实际应用建立了一种特异性识别Cys的分析方法。     

Review of FTIR microspectroscopy applications to investigate biochemical changes in C. elegans

Caenorhabditis elegans nematode has emerged as a model organism paving the ways for multidisciplinary research in biomedical, environmental toxicology, aging, metabolism, obesity, and drug discovery. The wide range of applications of this model organism are attributed to C. elegans’ unique features: C. elegans are inexpensive, easy to grow and maintain in a laboratory, has a short lifespan, and has a small body size. With this increased interest, the need for analytical techniques to assess the biochemical information on intact worms continues to grow. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) microspectroscopy is considered as a powerful technique that can be used to determine the chemical structure and composition of various materials, including biological samples. Furthermore, the development of focal plane array detectors has made this technique attractive to study complex biological systems such as whole nematodes. This review focuses on the use of FTIR microspectroscopy to study C. elegans. The first published work on the use of FTIR microspectroscopy to study a complex whole animal was reported in 2004. Since then, very few other studies were carried out. The objective of this review is to summarize work conducted to date using FTIR microspectroscopy to study nematodes and to discuss the information that can be gained by using this technique. This could allow scientists to add this technique to the arsenal of techniques already in use for C. elegans studies.     

超小金纳米簇用于荧光及CT双模态成像的研究

基于金纳米簇强烈的量子限制效应（strong quantum confinement effect,SQCE）,采用一步合成法,制备了同时具有高效近红外荧光与CT双模态成像能力的超小金纳米簇.实验表明,通过优化合成比例以及合成条件,所合成的超小金纳米簇具有很大的斯托克斯（Stokes）位移、较高的荧光强度和X射线吸收效率.除此之外,该超小金纳米簇具有良好的单分散性、稳定性和生物相容性.4T1肿瘤细胞荧光成像实验结果表明,该纳米粒子可被肿瘤细胞快速、高效地摄取.     

Synthesis of a Near‐Infrared BODIPY Dye for Bioimaging and Photothermal Therapy

The development of robust photothermal agents for near‐infrared (NIR) imaging is a great challenge. Herein, we report the design and synthesis of a new photothermal agent, based on the aza‐boron‐dipyrromethene framework (azaBDP). This compound possessed excellent photostability and high photothermal‐conversion efficiency (50 %) under NIR laser irradiation. When the photothermal properties of this compound were utilized for tumor inhibition, stable long‐term fluorescence was observed in living animals. Photothermal treatment efficiently suppressed tumor growth, as evidenced by in vitro and in vivo experiments. Furthermore, NIR emission could be detected by using an imaging system and therapeutic self‐monitoring was achieved by using NIR imaging.     

Bifunctional Fluorescent Probe for Sequential Sensing of Thiols and Primary Aliphatic Amines in Distinct Fluorescence Channels

Thiols and primary aliphatic amines (PAA) are ubiquitous and extremely important species in biological systems. They perform significant interplaying roles in complex biological events. A single fluorescent probe differentiating both thiols and PAA can contribute to understanding the intrinsic inter‐relationship of thiols and PAA in biological processes. Herein, we rationally constructed the first fluorescent probe that can respond to thiols and PAA in different fluorescence channels. The probe exhibited a high selectivity and sensitivity to thiols and PAA. In addition, it displayed sequential sensing ability when the thiols and PAA coexisted. The application experiments indicated that the probe can be used for sensing thiols and PAA in human blood serum. Moreover, the fluorescence imaging of endogenous thiols and PAA as well as antihypertensive drugs captopril and amlodipine in living cells were successfully conducted.     

Multipronged Biomimetic Approach To Create Optically Tunable Nanoparticles

Current biomimetics for medical applications use a single biomimetic approach to imitate natural structures, which can be insufficient for reconstructing structurally complex natural systems. Multipronged efforts may resolve these complexities. To achieve interesting nanostructure‐driven optical properties, a dual‐biomimetic system contained within a single nanoagent was engineered to recapitulate chlorosomes, efficient light‐harvesting organelles that have unique dye assemblies and tunable photonic properties. A series of chlorin dyes was synthesized, and these hydrophobic assemblies were stabilized inside a high‐density lipoprotein, a second biomimetic that enabled in vivo utility. This system resulted in tunable tumor imaging of intact (photoacoustic) and disrupted (activatable fluorescence) nanostructures. The successful demonstration of this multipronged biomimetic approach opens the door for reconstruction of complex natural systems for biomedical applications.     

Macrotheranostic Probe with Disease‐Activated Near‐Infrared Fluorescence,Photoacoustic, and Photothermal Signals for Imaging‐Guided Therapy

Theranostics provides opportunities for precision cancer therapy. However, theranostic probes that simultaneously turn on their diagnostic signal and pharmacological action only in respond to a targeted biomarker have been less exploited. We herein report the synthesis of a macrotheranostic probe that specifically activates its near‐infrared fluorescence (NIRF), photoacoustic (PA), and photothermal signals in the presence of a cancer‐overexpressed enzyme for imaging‐guided cancer therapy. Superior to the small‐molecule counterpart probe, the macrotheranostic probe has ideal biodistribution and renal clearance, permitting passive targeting of tumors, in situ activation of multimodal signals, and effective photothermal ablation. Our study thus provides a macromolecular approach towards activatable multimodal phototheranostics.     

BSA‐IrO2: Catalase‐like Nanoparticles with High Photothermal Conversion Efficiency and a High X‐ray Absorption Coefficient for Anti‐inflammation and Antitumor Theranostics

Intrinsically integrating precise diagnosis, effective therapy, and self‐anti‐inflammatory action into a single nanoparticle is attractive for tumor treatment and future clinical application, but still remains a great challenge. In this study, bovine serum albumin–iridium oxide nanoparticles (BSA‐IrO₂ NPs) with extraordinary photothermal conversion efficiency, good photocatalytic activity, and a high X‐ray absorption coefficient were prepared through one‐step biomineralization. The nanoparticles allow tumor phototherapy and simultaneous photoacoustic/thermal imaging and computed tomography. More importantly, BSA‐IrO₂ NPs can also act as a catalase to protect normal cells against H₂O₂‐induced reactive oxygen pressure and inflammation while significantly enhancing photoacoustic imaging through microbubble‐based inertial cavitation. These remarkable features may open up the exploration iridium‐based nanomaterials in theranostics.     

A Two‐Photon H2O2‐Activated CO Photoreleaser

Carbon monoxide (CO) is proposed as an active pharmaceutical agent with promising pharmaceutical prospects, as it has been involved in multifaceted modulation of diverse physiological and pathological processes. However, questions remain for therapeutic application of inhaled CO attributed to the inherent great affinity between CO and hemoglobin. Therefore, a robust platform with the function of CO transport and controllable release, depending on the local status of an organism, is of prominent significance for effectively avoiding the side effects of CO inhalation and optimizing the biological regulation function of CO. Utilizing the oxidative stress biomarker H₂O₂ as a trigger and combining with photo‐control, a two‐photon H₂O₂‐activated CO photoreleaser, FB, featuring highly sensitive and specific H₂O₂ sensing and photocontrollable CO release, was developed and the vasodilation effect of CO against angiotensin II was demonstrated.