An overview of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma imaging diagnosis methods.

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, a type of non-melanoma skin cancer, is a form of keratinocyte carcinoma that stands as one of the most prevalent cancers, exhibiting a rising frequency. This review provides an overview of the latest literature on imaging methods for diagnosing squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and actinic keratosis (AK). It discusses the diagnostic criteria, advantages, and disadvantages of various techniques such as dermatoscopy, skin ultrasound (US), in vivo and ex-vivo reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM), and line-field confocal optical coherence tomography (LC-OCT). These methods offer benefits including non-invasiveness, rapidity, comprehensive lesion imaging, and enhanced sensitivity, but face challenges like high costs and the need for specialized expertise. Despite obstacles, the use of these innovative techniques is expected to increase with ongoing technological advancements, improving diagnosis and treatment planning for keratinocyte carcinomas. Standardizing LC-OCT imaging algorithms for AK, Bowen's disease, and SCC remains an area for further research.

Advancing MRI with magnetic nanoparticles: a comprehensive review of translational research and clinical trials.

The nexus of advanced technology and medical therapeutics has ushered in a transformative epoch in contemporary medicine. Within this arena, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) emerges as a paramount tool, intertwining the advancements of technology with the art of healing. MRI's pivotal role is evident in its broad applicability, spanning from neurological diseases, soft-tissue and tumour characterization, to many more applications. Though already foundational, aspirations remain to further enhance MRI's capabilities. A significant avenue under exploration is the incorporation of innovative nanotechnological contrast agents. Forefront among these are Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles (SPIONs), recognized for their adaptability and safety profile. SPION's intrinsic malleability allows them to be tailored for improved biocompatibility, while their functionality is further broadened when equipped with specific targeting molecules. Yet, the path to optimization is not devoid of challenges, from renal clearance concerns to potential side effects stemming from iron overload. This review endeavors to map the intricate journey of SPIONs as MRI contrast agents, offering a chronological perspective of their evolution and deployment. We provide an in-depth current outline of the most representative and impactful pre-clinical and clinical studies centered on the integration of SPIONs in MRI, tracing their trajectory from foundational research to contemporary applications.

Plasmon-enhanced photocatalysis: New horizons in carbon dioxide reduction technologies.

The urgent need for transition to renewable energy is underscored by a nearly 50 % increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels over the past century. The combustion of fossil fuels for energy production, transportation, and industrial activities are the main contributors to carbon dioxide emissions in the anthroposphere. Present approaches to reducing carbon emissions are proving inefficient, thereby accentuating the relevance of carbon dioxide photocatalysis in combating climate change - one of the critical issues of public concern. This process uses sunlight to convert carbon dioxide into valuable products, e.g., clean fuels, effectively reducing the carbon footprint and offering a sustainable use of carbon dioxide. In this context, plasmonic nanoparticles such as gold, silver, and copper play a pivotal role due to their proficiency in absorbing a wide range of light spectra, thereby effectively generating the necessary electrons and holes for the degradation of pollutants and surpassing the capabilities of traditional semiconductor catalysts. This review meticulously examines the latest advancements in plasmon-based carbon dioxide photocatalysis, scrutinizing the methodologies, characterizations, and experimental outcomes. The critical evaluation extends to exploring adjustments in the dimensional and morphological aspects of plasmonic nanoparticles, complemented by the incorporation of stabilizing agents, which may offer additional benefits. Furthermore, the review includes a thorough analysis of production rates and quantum yields based on different plasmonic materials and nanoparticle shapes and sizes, enriching the ongoing discourse on effective solutions in the field. Thus, our work emphasizes the pivotal role of plasmon-based photocatalysts in reducing carbon dioxide, investigating both the merits and challenges associated with integrating this emerging technology into climate change mitigation efforts.

Recent advances towards point-of-care devices for fungal detection: Emphasizing the role of plasmonic nanomaterials in current and future technologies.

Fungal infections are a significant global health problem, particularly affecting individuals with weakened immune systems. Moreover, as uncontrolled antibiotic and immunosuppressant use increases continuously, fungal infections have seen a dramatic increase, with some strains developing antibiotic resistance. Traditional approaches to identifying fungal strains often rely on morphological characteristics, thus owning limitations, such as struggles in identifying several strains or distinguishing between fungal strains with similar morphologies. This review explores the multifaceted impact of fungi infections on individuals, healthcare providers, and society, highlighting the often-underestimated economic burden and healthcare implications of these infections. In light of the serious constraints of traditional fungal identification methods, this review discusses the potential of plasmonic nanoparticle-based biosensors for fungal infection identification. These biosensors can enable rapid and precise fungal pathogen detection by exploiting several readout approaches, including various spectroscopic techniques, colorimetric and electrochemical assays, as well as lateral-flow immunoassay methods. Moreover, we report the remarkable impact of plasmonic Lab on a Chip technology and microfluidic devices, as they recently emerged as a class of advanced biosensors. Finally, we provide an overview of smartphone-based Point-of-Care devices and the associated technologies developed for detecting and identifying fungal pathogens.

Portable microfluidic plasmonic chip for fast real-time cardiac troponin I biomarker thermoplasmonic detection.

Acute myocardial infarction is one of the most serious cardiovascular pathologies, impacting patients' long-term outcomes and health systems worldwide. Significant effort is directed toward the development of biosensing technologies, which are able to efficiently and accurately detect an early rise of cardiac troponin levels, the gold standard in detecting myocardial injury. In this context, this work aims to develop a microfluidic plasmonic chip for the fast and accurate real-time detection of the cardiac troponin I biomarker (cTnI) via three complementary detection techniques using portable equipment. Furthermore, the study focuses on providing a better understanding of the thermoplasmonic biosensing mechanism taking advantage of the intrinsic photothermal properties of gold nanoparticles. Specifically, a plasmonic nanoplatform based on immobilized gold nanobipyramids was fabricated, exhibiting optical and thermoplasmonic properties that promote, based on a sandwich-like immunoassay, the "proof-of-concept" multimodal detection of cTnI via localized surface plasmon resonance, surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy and thermoplasmonic effects under simulated conditions. Furthermore, after the integration of the plasmonic nanoplatform in a microfluidic channel, the determination of cTnI in 16 real plasma samples was successfully realized via thermoplasmonic detection. The results are compared with a conventional high-sensitivity enzyme-linked immunosorbent clinical assay (ELISA), showing high sensitivity (75%) and specificity (100%) as well as fast response features (5 minutes). Thus, the proposed portable and miniaturized microfluidic plasmonic chip is successfully validated for clinical applications and transferred to clinical settings for the early diagnosis of cardiac diseases, leading towards the progress of personalized medicine.

Innovative, Flexible, and Miniaturized Microfluidic Paper-Based Plasmonic Chip for Efficient Near-Infrared Metal Enhanced Fluorescence Biosensing and Imaging.

The implementation of metal enhanced fluorescence (MEF) as an efficient detection tool, especially in the near-infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum, is a rather new direction for diagnostic analytical technologies. In this context, we propose a novel microfluidic plasmonic design based on paper for efficient MEF detection of the "proof-of-concept" biotin-streptavidin recognition interaction. Our design made use of the benefits of gold nanobipyramids (AuBPs), considering the strong enhanced electromagnetic field present at their sharp tips, and filter paper to operate as a natural microfluidic channel due to excellent wicking abilities. The calligraphed plasmonic paper, obtained using a commercial pen filled with AuBPs, was integrated in a robust sandwich optically transparent polydimethylsiloxane chip, exhibiting portability and flexibility while preserving the chip's properties. To place the Alexa 680 fluorophore at an optimal distance from the nanobipyramid substrate, the human IgG-anti-IgG-conjugated biotin sandwich reaction was employed. Thus, upon the capture of Alexa 680-conjugated streptavidin by the biotinylated system, a 1.3-fold average enhancement of the fluorophore's emission was determined by bulk fluorescence measurements. However, the local enhancement factor was considerably higher with values spanning from 5 to 6.3, as proven by mapping the fluorescence emission under both re-scan microscopy and fluorescence lifetime imaging, endorsing the proposed chip's feasibility for bulk MEF biosensing as well as high-resolution MEF bioimaging. Finally, the versatility of our chip was demonstrated by adapting the biosensing protocol for cardiac troponin I biomarker detection, validated using 10 plasma samples collected from pediatric patients and corroborated with a conventional ELISA assay.

Gelatin-assisted fabrication of reduced nanographene oxide for dual-modal imaging of melanoma cells.

In this work we report a gelatin-based, simple two-steps approach for fabrication of reduced graphene oxide (rGO-GEL) possessing high stability and biocompatibility, as novel label-free intracellular contrast agents. Gelatin, a biopolymer that is known for its versatility, was employed not only to biocompatibilize the rGO, but also to prevent the aggregation of the GO nanosheets during the reduction process. To confirm the successful reduction process and the attachment of the gelatin to the rGO nanosheets, we employed multiple spectroscopic analyses such as FT-IR, Raman, UV-VIS and photoluminescence, while the morphology and the lateral dimensions of the resulting hybrid rGO-GEL were investigated by Scanning-Transmission Electron Microscopy (STEM). Cellular toxicity test proved that the rGO-GEL nanoflakes are nontoxic for melanoma B16-F10 cells, even at high concentrations. Finally, the intracellular tracking after 24 h of treatment was performed by non-invasive Super-resolution re-scan confocal microscopy as well as Confocal Raman imaging, thus implementing our nanoflakes as a suitable contrast agent candidate for cellular imaging of interest.

Antimicrobial and Antiproliferative Activity of Green Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles Using Bee Bread Extracts.

Bee bread (BB) is a fermented mixture of bee pollen, is rich in proteins, amino acids, fatty acids, polyphenols, flavonoids, as well as other bioactive compounds, and is considered functional food for humans. In this study, we explored an innovative green synthesis of colloidal silver nanoparticles, using BB extracts as reducing and stabilizing agents. A preliminary chemical characterization of the BB extracts was conducted. The plasmonic response of the as-synthesized silver nanoparticles (BB-AgNPs) was evaluated by UV-Vis spectroscopy, while their hydrodynamic diameter and zeta potential were investigated by dynamic light spectroscopy (DLS). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis pointed out polydisperse NPs with quasi-spherical shapes. The newly synthesized nanoparticles showed good antioxidant activity against the tested free radicals, DPPH, ABTS•+, and FRAP, the best results being obtained in the case of ABTS•+. BB-AgNPs exhibited good antibacterial activity on the tested Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains: herein S. aureus, B. cereus, E. faecalis, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, S. enteritidis, and on yeast C. albicans, respectively. The inhibition diameters varied between 7.67 ± 0.59 and 22.21 ± 1.06 mm, while the values obtained for minimum inhibitory concentration varied between 0.39 and 6.25 µg/mL. In vitro antiproliferative activity was tested on colon adenocarcinoma, ATCC HTB-37 cell line, and the results have shown that the green synthetized BB-AgNPs induced a substantial decrease in tumor cell viability in a dose-dependent manner with an IC50 ranging from 24.58 to 67.91 µg/mL. Consequently, more investigation is required to comprehend the processes of the cytotoxicity of AgNPs and develop strategies to mitigate their potentially harmful effects while harnessing their antimicrobial properties.

Albumin nanoparticles with tunable ultraviolet-to-red autofluorescence for label-free cell imaging and selective biosensing of copper ion.

Early and simple detection of aberrant cooper metabolism in diseases with neurological-manifestations and several other conditions, including cancer, becomes an urgent necessity. Instrumental methods used today are limited to high-cost equipment and reagents and demand highly qualified personnel. In this work, we report easy-to-use and cost-effective nano-sized sensors for the selective and quantitative detection of copper ion based on fluorescence quenching. Glutaraldehyde cross-linked albumin nanoparticles with tunable ultraviolet-to-red autofluorescence emissions are developed as dual-agents for sensing and imaging. These albumin nanoparticles show great selectivity towards copper ion when tested against a selection of biochemical components and other metal ions, and a limit of detection as low as 1.9 µM, relevant for sensing in clinical diagnosis, was determined. In addition, a lack of toxicity and good cellular uptake were observed and the ultraviolet-to-red intrinsic fluorescence of the albumin nanoparticles was preserved when tested in vitro on NIH:OVCAR3 cell line. Preliminary studies confirm the albumin nanoparticles' ability to detect Cu2+in vitro and establishes their potential for future practical use.

No country for old antibiotics! Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) as next-generation treatment for skin and soft tissue infection.

In recent years, the unprecedented rise of bacterial antibiotic resistance together with the lack of adequate therapies have made the treatment of skin infections and chronic wounds challenging, urging the scientific community to focus on the development of new and more efficient treatment strategies. In this context, there is a growing interest in the use of natural molecules with antimicrobial features, capable of supporting wound healing i.e., antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), for the treatment of skin and soft tissue infections. In this review, we give a short overview of the bacterial skin infections as well as some of the classic treatments used for topical application. We then summarize the AMPs classes, stressing the importance of the appropriate selection of the peptides based on their characteristics and physicochemical properties in order to maximize the antibacterial efficacy of the therapeutic systems against multi-drug resistant pathogens. Additionally, the present paper provides a comprehensive and rigorous assessment of the latest clinical trials investigating the efficacy of AMPs in the treatment of skin and soft tissue infections, highlighting the relevant outcomes. Seeking to obtain novel and improved compounds with synergistic activity, while also decreasing some of the known side effects of AMPs, we present two employed strategies using AMPs: (i) AMPs-conjugated nanosystems for systemic and topical drug delivery systems and (ii) antibiotics-peptide conjugates as a strategy to overcome antibiotics resistance. Finally, an important property of some of the AMPs used in wound treatment is highlighted: their ability to help in wound healing by generally promoting cell proliferation and migration, and in some cases re-epithelialization and angiogenesis among others. Thus, as the pursuit of improvement is an ongoing effort, this work presents the advances made in the treatment of skin and soft tissue infections along with their advantages and limitations, while the still remaining challenges are addressed by providing future prospects and strategies to overcome them.

NIR photothermal-activable drug-conjugated microcapsules for in vitro targeted delivery and release: An alternative treatment of diabetic retinopathy.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the most serious complications of diabetes, which leads to blindness. By addressing the traditional treatment limitations, we developed a novel light-responsive targeted polymeric microcapsule able to encapsulate a near infrared (NIR) photoactive fluorophore - Indocyanine Green, owing to its photothermal properties. Moreover, for an efficient in vitro targeted drug delivery, the fluorescent microsystem was conjugated with a therapeutic agent, i.e., Avastin drug - a Food and Drug Administration approved therapeutic antibody. The microcapsules were fabricated and evaluated in terms of morphology, encapsulation and drug conjugation efficiency and its release capacity. Avastin-conjugated microcapsules with an average dimension of 4.5 ± 0.35 µm were obtained, according to Scanning Electron Microscopy and Re-Scanning Confocal Microscopy (RCM) investigations. The capacity of the microcapsules to operate as effective phototherapeutic agents by generating heat under NIR laser irradiation was evaluated, followed by the investigation of the microcapsule's shell rupture and NIR laser-induced release of Avastin. The biocompatibility of the Avastin-conjugated microcapsules was proven by WST-1 assay. In vitro cellular internalization and localization of the Avastin microcarriers were determined through Conventional fluorescence microscopy, RCM and Transmission Electron Microscopy imaging techniques. Finally, the Avastin-conjugated microcapsules were validated for in vitro targeted drug delivery and release directly under simulated DR conditions, which could certainly become a successful strategy in DR fighting.

Portable Plasmonic Paper-Based Biosensor for Simple and Rapid Indirect Detection of CEACAM5 Biomarker via Metal-Enhanced Fluorescence.

Rapid, simple, and sensitive analysis of relevant proteins is crucial in many research areas, such as clinical diagnosis and biomarker detection. In particular, clinical data on cancer biomarkers show great promise in forming reliable predictions for early cancer diagnostics, although the current analytical systems are difficult to implement in regions of limited recourses. Paper-based biosensors, in particular, have recently received great interest because they meet the criteria for point-of-care (PoC) devices; the main drawbacks with these devices are the low sensitivity and efficiency in performing quantitative measurements. In this work, we design a low-cost paper-based nanosensor through plasmonic calligraphy by directly drawing individual plasmonic lines on filter paper using a ballpoint pen filled with gold nanorods (AuNR) as the colloidal ink. The plasmonic arrays were further successively coated with negatively and positively charged polyelectrolyte layers employed as dielectric spacers to promote the enhancement of the emission of carboxyl-functionalized quantum dots (QD)-previously conjugated with specific antibodies-for indirect detection of the carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 5 (CEACAM5). The efficiency, sensitivity, as well as the specificity of our portable nanosensor were validated by recording the luminescence of the QD@Ab complex when different concentrations of CEACAM5 were added dropwise onto the calligraphed plasmonic arrays.

Hybrid polymeric therapeutic microcarriers for thermoplasmonic-triggered release of resveratrol.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a severe ocular complication that causes retinal damage, being one of the leading causes of blindness globally, thus the development of new strategies to prevent and treat DR as well as other degenerative diseases is highly desired. This work is focused on the design and fabrication of an ingenious model of polymeric microcapsules (MC) for controlled drug delivery in human retina cells able to carry therapeutic resveratrol (RSV) molecules in tandem with active anisotropic gold bipyramidal nanoparticles (AuBPs) as efficient photothermal agents. Specifically, MC were developed via a Layer-by-Layer deposition technique, by successively adding oppositely charged polyelectrolytes on a RSV-conjugated calcium carbonate (CaCO3) core. For the monitorization and localization of the as-formed spherical fluorescent MC inside human retina pigmented epithelial (RPE) D407 cells, fluorescein isothiocyanate, a Food and Drug Administration approved fluorophore, was attached between the polyelectrolytes layers. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis revealed a loading efficiency of over 90% of RSV on the CaCO3 core and demonstrates its release upon NIR irradiation as a consequence of the thermoplasmonic effect of MC. The cytotoxicity of the RSV-carrying MC inside human retina cells was assessed by WST-1 assay. Finally, cellular internalization and localization of the MC inside living RPE cells were monitored via Conventional Fluorescence and Re-Scanning Confocal Fluorescence Microscopy. This research seeks to take use of the novel MC and implement them as potential intraocular RSV delivery vehicles for the therapy of DR.

Photoluminescent Histidine-Stabilized Gold Nanoclusters as Efficient Sensors for Fast and Easy Visual Detection of Fe Ions in Water Using Paper-Based Portable Platform.

Herein is presented a novel and efficient portable paper-based sensing platform using paper-incorporated histidine stabilized gold nanoclusters (His-AuNCs), for the sensitive and selective detection of Fe ions from low-volume real water samples based on photoluminescence (PL) quenching. Highly photoluminescent colloidal His-AuNCs are obtained via a novel microwave-assisted method. The His-AuNCs-based sensor reveals a limit of detection (LOD) as low as 0.2 µM and a good selectivity towards Fe ions, in solution. Further, the fabricated portable sensing device based on paper impregnated with His-AuNCs proves to be suitable for the easy detection of hazardous Fe levels from real water samples, under UV light exposure, through evaluating the level of PL quenching on paper. Photographic images are thereafter captured with a smartphone camera and the average blue intensity ratio (I/I0) of the His-AuNCs-paper spots is plotted against [Fe2+] revealing a LOD of 3.2 µM. Moreover, selectivity and competitivity assays performed on paper-based sensor prove that the proposed platform presents high selectivity and accuracy for the detection of Fe ions from water samples. To validate the platform, sensing assays are performed on real water samples from local sources, spiked with 35 µM Fe ions (i.e., Fe2+). The obtained recoveries prove the high sensitivity and accuracy of the proposed His-AuNCs-paper-based sensor pointing towards its applicability as an easy-to-use, fast, quantitative and qualitative sensor suitable for on-site detection of toxic levels of Fe ions in low-volume real water samples.

Glutathione-capped gold nanoclusters as near-infrared-emitting efficient contrast agents for confocal fluorescence imaging of tissue-mimicking phantoms.

An innovative research has been conducted focused on demonstrating the ability of novel dual-emissive glutathione-stabilized gold nanoclusters (GSH-AuNCs) to perform bright near-infrared (NIR)-emitting contrast agents inside tissue-mimicking agarose-phantoms via two complementary confocal fluorescence imaging techniques. First, using a new and fast microwave-assisted approach, we synthesized photostable dual-emitting GSH-AuNCs with an average size of 3.2 ± 0.4 nm and NIR emission quantum yield of 9.9%. Steady-state fluorescence measurements coupled with fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) assays performed on lyophilized GSH-AuNCs revealed that the obtained GSH-AuNCs exhibit PL emissions at 610 nm (red PL) and, respectively, 800 nm (NIR PL) in both solution and powder solid-state. Time-resolved fluorescence measurements showed that the two PL components are characterized by average lifetimes of 407 ns (red PL) and 1821 ns (NIR PL), respectively. Additionally, due to a partial overlap between the red PL and the absorption of the NIR PL, an energy transfer between the two coexisting emissive centers was discovered and confirmed via steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence measurements. Furthermore, the FLIM analysis performed on powder GSH-AuNCs under 640 nm, an excitation more suitable for bioimaging applications, revealed a homogeneous and photostable NIR PL signal from GSH-AuNCs. Finally, the ability of GSH-AuNCs to operate as reliable NIR-emitting contrast agents inside tissue-mimicking agarose-phantoms was demonstrated here for the first time via complementary FLIM and re-scan confocal fluorescence imaging techniques. In consequence, GSH-AuNCs show great promise for future in vivo imaging applications via confocal fluorescence microscopy.

Antioxidant Activity Evaluation and Assessment of the Binding Affinity to HSA of a New Catechol Hydrazinyl-Thiazole Derivative.

Polyphenols have attained pronounced attention due to their ability to provide numerous health benefits and prevent several chronic diseases. In this study, we designed, synthesized and analyzed a water-soluble molecule presenting a good antioxidant activity, namely catechol hydrazinyl-thiazole (CHT). This molecule contains 3',4'-dihydroxyphenyl and 2-hydrazinyl-4-methyl-thiazole moieties linked through a hydrazone group with very good antioxidant activity in the in vitro evaluations performed. A preliminary validation of the CHT developing hypothesis was performed evaluating in silico the bond dissociation enthalpy (BDE) of the phenol O-H bonds, compared to our previous findings in the compounds previously reported by our group. In this paper, we report the binding mechanism of CHT to human serum albumin (HSA) using biophysical methods in combination with computational studies. ITC experiments reveal that the dominant forces in the binding mechanism are involved in the hydrogen bond or van der Waals interactions and that the binding was an enthalpy-driven process. NMR relaxation measurements were applied to study the CHT-protein interaction by changing the drug concentration in the solution. A molecular docking study added an additional insight to the experimental ITC and NMR analysis regarding the binding conformation of CHT to HSA.

Cardiac Troponin Biosensor Designs: Current Developments and Remaining Challenges.

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is considered as one of the main causes of death, threating human lives for decades. Currently, its diagnosis relies on electrocardiography (ECG), which has been proven to be insufficient. In this context, the efficient detection of cardiac biomarkers was proposed to overcome the limitations of ECG. In particular, the measurement of troponins, specifically cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and cardiac troponin T (cTnT), has proven to be superior in terms of sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of myocardial damage. As one of the most life-threatening conditions, specific and sensitive investigation methods that are fast, universally available, and cost-efficient to allow for early initiation of evidence-based, living-saving treatment are desired. In this review, we aim to present and discuss the major breakthroughs made in the development of cTnI and cTnT specific biosensor designs and analytical tools, highlighting the achieved progress as well as the remaining challenges to reach the technological goal of simple, specific, cheap, and portable testing chips for the rapid and efficient on-site detection of cardiac cTnI/cTnT biomarkers in order to diagnose and treat cardiovascular diseases at an incipient stage.

Probing polyvinylpyrrolidone-passivated graphene oxide nanoflakes as contrast agents inside tissue-like phantoms via multimodal confocal microscopy.

Beside attractive electrical, thermal and mechanical properties, graphene oxide (GO) exhibits visible and near-infrared (NIR) photoluminescence (PL) and well-defined fingerprint Raman bands which are remarkable optical signatures to implement GO as new contrast agent for the visualization of cells or tissue, including cancer tumors. However, the biomedical use of GO as optical contrast agent is to some extent hindered by the intrinsic low emission efficiency especially at neutral pH. Herein, we successfully modulate the PL of GO nanoflakes in acidic and neutral medium by passivating them with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), an amphiphilic and biocompatible polymer, thus improving the PL at pH relevant for biomedical applications. We demonstrate the potential of as-fabricated PVP-GO nanocomposites to operate as dual Raman-PL contrast agents inside tissue-like agarose-phantoms via scanning confocal Raman microscopy (CRM) under excitation at 532 nm. Super-resolution re-scan confocal microscopy (RCM) was further employed to investigate the distribution of PVP-GO inside biological phantoms at 3D level under three excitation lines (405, 488, and 561 nm). Finally, two-photon excited fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (TPE-FLIM) at 810 nm excitation reveals the ability of PVP-GO to serve as NIR-activatable contrast agent inside tissue-like phantom. Notably, PVP coating empowers GO nanoflakes not only with enhanced optical signature, but also with excellent dispersibility inside biological phantoms, thus offering improved labeling performance of as-designed imaging contrast agent.

High-Sensitivity Troponin: A Review on Characteristics, Assessment, and Clinical Implications.

The use of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTn) assays has become part of the daily practice in most of the laboratories worldwide in the initial evaluation of the typical chest pain. Due to their early surge, the use of hs-cTn may reduce the time needed to recognise myocardial infarctions (MI), which is vital for the patients presenting in the emergency departments for chest pain. The latest European Society of Cardiology Guidelines did not only recognise their central role in the diagnosis algorithm but also recommended their use for rapid rule-in/rule-out of MI. High-sensitivity cardiac troponins are also powerful prognostic markers for long-term events and mortality, not only in a wide spectrum of other cardiovascular diseases (CVD) but also in several non-CVD pathologies. Moreover, these biomarkers became a powerful tool in special populations, such as paediatric patients and, most recently, COVID-19 patients. Although highly investigated, the assessment and interpretation of the hs-cTn changes are still challenging in the patients with basal elevation such as CKD or critically ill patients. Moreover, there are still various analytical characteristics not completely understood, such as circadian or sex variability, with major clinical implications. In this context, the present review focuses on summarizing the most recent research in the current use of hs-cTn, with a main consideration for its role in the diagnosis of MI but also its prognostic value. We have also carefully selected the most important studies regarding the challenges faced by clinicians from different specialties in the correct interpretation of this biomarker. Moreover, future perspectives have been proposed and analysed, as more research and cross-disciplinary collaboration are necessary to improve their performance.

Antibody-functionalized theranostic protein nanoparticles for the synergistic deep red fluorescence imaging and multimodal therapy of ovarian cancer.

Among women, ovarian cancer is the fifth most frequent type of cancer, and despite benefiting from current standard treatment plans, 90% of patients relapse in the subsequent 18 months and, eventually, perish. As a result, via embracing nanotechnological advancements in the field of medical science, researchers working in the areas of cancer therapy and imaging are looking for the next breakthrough treatment strategy to ensure lower cancer recurrence rates and improved outcomes for patients. Herein, we design a novel phototheranostic agent with optical features in the biological window of the electromagnetic spectrum via encapsulating a newly synthesized phthalocyanine dye within biocompatible protein nanoparticles, allowing the targeted fluorescence imaging and synergistic dual therapy of ovarian cancer. The nanosized agent displays great biocompatibility and enhanced aqueous biostability and photothermal activity, as well as high reactive-oxygen-species generation efficiency. To achieve the active targeting of the desired malignant tissue and suppress the rapid clearance of the photosensitive agent from the peritoneal cavity, the nanoparticles are biofunctionalized with an anti-folate receptor antibody. A2780 ovarian cancer cells are employed to confirm the improved targeting capabilities and the in vitro cytotoxic efficiency of the theranostic nanoparticles after exposure to a 660 nm LED lamp; upon measurement via MTT and flow cytometry assays, a significant 95% decrease in the total number of viable cells is seen. Additionally, the therapeutic performance of our newly designed nanoparticles was evaluated in vivo, via real-time thermal monitoring and histopathological assays, upon the irradiation of tumour-bearing mice with a 660 nm LED lamp (0.05 W cm-2). Foremost, separately from steady-state fluorescence imaging, we found that, via utilizing FLIM investigations, the differences in fluorescence lifetimes of antibody biofunctionalized and non-functionalized nanoparticles can be correlated to different intracellular localization and internalization pathways of the fluorescent agent, which is relevant for the development of a cutting-edge method for the detection of cancer cells that overexpress folate receptors at their surfaces.