68Ga-Labeled Magnetic-NIR Persistent Luminescent Hybrid Mesoporous Nanoparticles for Multimodal Imaging-Guided Chemotherapy and Photodynamic Therapy.

Featured with a zero-autofluorescence background, superior signal-to-noise ratio, high sensitivity, and deep penetration ability, near-infrared persistent luminescence nanoparticle (NIR-PLNP)-based multimodal nanoprobes show great potential for full-scale noninvasive cancer diagnosis. However, direct synthesis of NIR-PLNP-based multimodal nanoprobes with high drug loading capacity to meet growing cancer theranostic demands remains a challenge. In this work, multifunctional hybrid mesoporous nanoparticles (HMNPs) that integrate NIR-PLNPs (Ga2O3:Cr3+, Nd3+), magnetic nanoparticles (Gd2O3), and radionuclides (68Ga) are designed and constructed via a large-pore (mesoporous silica nanoparticle) MSN-templated strategy. The ingenious composition design endows HMNPs with rechargeable NIR-PL, superior longitudinal relaxivity, and excellent radioactivity, making these versatile nanoparticles available for long-term in vivo NIR-PL imaging, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. More importantly, the application of large-pore MSN templates maintains the mesoporous structure of HMNPs, promising excellent drug loading capacity of these nanoparticles. As a proof-of-concept, HMNPs loaded with a high dose of DOX (chemotherapy agent) and Si-Pc (photosensitizer) are rationally designed for chemotherapy and NIR-PL-sensitized photodynamic therapy (PDT), respectively. Studies with mice tumor models demonstrate that the DOX/Si-Pc-loaded HMNPs possess excellent cancer cell killing ability and an outstanding tumor suppression effect without systemic toxicity. This work shows the great potential of HMNPs as an "all-in-one" nanotheranostic tool for multimodal NIR-PL/MR/PET imaging-guided chemotherapy and NIR-PL-sensitized photodynamic cancer therapy and provides an innovative paradigm for the development of NIR-PLNP-based nanoplatforms in cancer theranostic.

Treatment of onychomycosis using a submillisecond 1064-nm neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser.

BACKGROUND: Laser treatment has emerged as a novel treatment modality for onychomycosis. OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine thermal response and optical effects of a submillisecond neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) 1064-nm laser on common fungal nail pathogens, and the clinical efficacy and safety of the Nd:YAG 1064-nm laser on onychomycotic toenails. METHODS: A 4-part in vitro and in vivo study was conducted using a Nd:YAG 1064-nm laser. The first portion evaluated 3 different nail pathogens in suspension at 7 heat and time exposures. The second and third parts of the study irradiated pure fungal colonies. The final portion involved an in vivo treatment of toenails over 5 treatment sessions. RESULTS: A fungicidal effect for Trichophyton rubrum was seen at 50°C after 15 minutes, and for Epidermophyton floccosum at 50°C after 10 minutes. Limited growth of Scytalidium was seen at 55°C after 5 minutes. No inhibition was observed after laser treatment of fungal colonies or suspensions. In vivo treatment of toenails showed no improvement in Onychomycosis Severity Index score. LIMITATIONS: The Nd:YAG 1064-nm laser was the only laser tested. CONCLUSIONS: Laser treatment of onychomycosis was not related to thermal damage or direct laser effects. In vivo treatment did not result in onychomycosis cure.

[The role of Nd-YAG in the management of tracheobronchial stenosis]. / Neodymium-YAG laser szerepe a tracheobronchialis szükületek kezelésében.

122 patients with the main airway stenosis were treated with Nd-YAG laser phototherapy. The endobronchial laser treatment was performed either with flexible bronchoscope (64%), or with rigid instrument (36%). This method can result a final recovery of the patients with benign tumors, or inflammatory processes, at the patients with malignant tumors can be achieved an effective palliation. Taking account the generally accepted indications and contraindications of the endobronchial laser phototherapy the number of the complications can be reduced.