Chelator-Free and Biocompatible Melanin Nanoplatform with Facile-Loading Gadolinium and Copper-64 for Bioimaging.

Development of a chelator-free and biocompatible platform for the facile construction of gadolinium3+ (Gd3+)-loaded nanoparticle based probes for in vivo magentic resonance imaging (MRI) is still challenging. Herein, biocompatible Gd3+-loading melanin dots (Gd-M-dots) have been easily prepared and have exhibited good loading efficiency for Gd3+, high stability, and higher T1 relaxivity compared to the commercial Gd-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid (DOTA) agent. Furthermore, Gd-M-dots showed unique photoacoustic (PA) properties, and a high PA imaging signal could be observed in vivo 1 h after injection. Compared to the traditional Gd3+-loaded nanoparticles for single-modal MRI, Gd-M-dots can also be radiolabeled with 64Cu2+ for positron emission tomography. Overall, these attractive properties of Gd-M-dots render them a promising imaging agent for various biomedical applications.

Characteristics of primary Sjögren's syndrome-associated peripheral nervous system lesions.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to investigate potential risk factors associated with peripheral nervous system lesions in primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) through a retrospective analysis of clinical manifestations, examination characteristics, and clinical electrophysiological features. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective case-control study was conducted at Nanfang Hospital, including 108 patients diagnosed with pSS following the criteria revised by the American College of Rheumatology in 2016. The study spanned from January 2015 to October 2020. The patient cohort was divided into two groups, an experimental group (N = 27) consisting of patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome-peripheral nervous system lesions (pSS-PNS), and a control group (N = 81) comprising patients without peripheral neurological impairment, i.e., primary Sjögren's syndrome-non peripheral nervous system lesions (pSS-nPNS). RESULTS: The results showed a significant correlation between immunoglobulin G (IgG), α-Fodrin immunoglobulin G (α-FIgG), platelet counts (PLT), dry mouth and peripheral neuropathy of Sjogren's syndrome (p < 0.01). The research also revealed that α-FIgG (OR 2.03; 95% CI 1.14-3.64), IgG (OR 1.23; 95% CI 1.06-1.42), and PLT (OR 1.01; 95% CI 1.00-1.01) were identified as risk factors for the onset of peripheral neuropathy of Sjogren's syndrome, while dry mouth had a negative correlation (OR 0.08; 95% CI 0.02-0.40). Remarkably, the total risk assessment of the independent variables demonstrated a high AUC (95%CI) of 0.923 (0.861-0.986; p < 0.001), indicating an excellent prediction of pSS-PNS occurrence through the ROC analysis. Additionally, high platelet counts and strong positive anti-SSB antibody titer were found to be risk factors for dual motor and sensory nerve damages among pSS-PNS patients. CONCLUSION: IgG, α-FIgG, and PLT were identified as independent risk factors for patients with pSS-PNS. The likelihood of peripheral neuropathy appeared to increase in tandem with the elevated levels of above three factors. Interestingly, we found that dry mouth might play a protective role in this context. Our study further noted that both high platelet counts and strong positive anti-SSB antibody titer may be associated with increased risk of both motor and sensory nerve involvement in pSS-PNS patients. These findings have significant implications for both the etiologies and therapeutics of pSS-PNS.

[Applications of magnetic resonance imaging in diagnosis of the complications after breast augmentation with polyacrylamide hydrogel injection].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical value of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in the diagnosis of the complications after breast augmentation with polyacrylamide hydrogel injection. METHODS: MRI was performed in 16 patients who had breast augmentation with polyacrylamide hydrogel injection. The results of magnetic resonance imaging were compared with the clinical symptoms. RESULTS: MRI examinations of the 16 patients showed that (1) 4 breasts in 2 patients were comparatively natural; (2) a large lacteal cyst was detected in one patients in lactation; (3) breast asymmetry occurred in 3 patients (6 sides); (4) in 10 patients (20 sides), the injected gel was in irregular form. The results of MRI were in accord with the clinical symptoms. CONCLUSION: MRI is of great diagnostic value for the complications after breast augmentation with polyacrylamide hydrogel injection.