Optical Nanosensor Passivation Enables Highly Sensitive Detection of the Inflammatory Cytokine Interleukin-6.

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is known to play a critical role in the progression of inflammatory diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, sepsis, viral infection, neurological disease, and autoimmune diseases. Emerging diagnostic and prognostic tools, such as optical nanosensors, experience challenges in translation to the clinic in part due to protein corona formation, dampening their selectivity and sensitivity. To address this problem, we explored the rational screening of several classes of biomolecules to be employed as agents in noncovalent surface passivation as a strategy to screen interference from nonspecific proteins. Findings from this screening were applied to the detection of IL-6 by a fluorescent-antibody-conjugated single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT)-based nanosensor. The IL-6 nanosensor exhibited highly sensitive and specific detection after passivation with a polymer, poly-l-lysine, as demonstrated by IL-6 detection in human serum within a clinically relevant range of 25 to 25,000 pg/mL, exhibiting a limit of detection over 3 orders of magnitude lower than prior antibody-conjugated SWCNT sensors. This work holds potential for the rapid and highly sensitive detection of IL-6 in clinical settings with future application to other cytokines or disease-specific biomarkers.

Bronchial artery to pulmonary artery fistula initially misdiagnosed as pulmonary embolism: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Bronchopulmonary arterial fistulas have been reported following lung transplant, and in association with COPD, trauma, radiation therapy, and infection. They may also arise congenitally. Embolization is the most frequent treatment. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of a 58-year-old male with a prior history of pulmonary tuberculosis who initially presented with minimal hemoptysis for several months. Right upper lobe bronchial artery to pulmonary artery fistulas were discovered by angiography. These were excluded by particle and microcoil embolizations. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Relatively unopacified blood from bronchial artery enters right pulmonary artery and causes ill-defined hypodensities mixing with opacified blood, especially compared to uniformly, brightly enhancing left pulmonary artery. As a result, interpreters will frequently incorrectly conclude that right pulmonary artery embolism exists rather than a bronchopulmonary arterial fistula. CONCLUSION: In most cases, bronchopulmonary arterial fistulas are treated by bronchial artery embolization; however, direct puncture or stent grafting are alternate considerations depending on the patient's anatomy. In all instances, a multidisciplinary approach is a must.

Comparison of Axillary Lymph Nodes on Breast MRI Before and After COVID-19 Booster Vaccination.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Vaccine-related lymphadenopathy is a frequent finding following initial coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination, but the frequency after COVID-19 booster vaccination is still unknown. In this study we compare axillary lymph node morphology on breast MRI before and after COVID-19 booster vaccination. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective, single-center, IRB-approved study included patients who underwent breast MRI between October 2021 and December 2021 after the COVID-19 booster vaccination. The axillary lymph node with the greatest cortical thickness ipsilateral to the side of vaccination was measured on MRI after booster vaccination and before initial COVID-19 vaccination. Comparisons were made between patients with and without increase in cortical thickness of ≥ 0.2 cm. Continuous covariates were compared using Wilcoxon rank-sum test and categorical covariates were compared using Fisher's exact test. Multiple comparison adjustment was made using the Benjamini-Hochberg procedure. RESULTS: All 128 patients were included. Twenty-four of 128 (19%) displayed an increase in lymph node cortical thickness of ≥ 0.2 cm. Patients who received the booster more recently were more likely to present cortical thickening, with a median of 9 days (IQR 5, 20) vs. 36 days (IQR 18, 59) (p < 0.001). Age (p = 0.5) and type of vaccine (p = 0.7) were not associated with thickening. No ipsilateral breast cancer or malignant lymphadenopathy were diagnosed on follow-up. CONCLUSION: Axillary lymphadenopathy on breast MRI following COVID-19 booster vaccination is a frequent finding, especially in the first 3 weeks after vaccination. Additional evaluation or follow-up may be omitted in patients with low concern for malignancy.

Nanoreporter Identifies Lysosomal Storage Disease Lipid Accumulation Intracranially.

Dysregulated lipid metabolism contributes to neurodegenerative pathologies and neurological decline in lysosomal storage disorders as well as more common neurodegenerative diseases. Niemann-Pick type A (NPA) is a fatal neurodegenerative lysosomal storage disease characterized by abnormal sphingomyelin accumulation in the endolysosomal lumen. The ability to monitor abnormalities in lipid homeostasis intracranially could improve basic investigations and the development of effective treatment strategies. We investigated the carbon nanotube-based detection of intracranial lipid content. We found that the near-infrared emission of a carbon nanotube-based lipid sensor responds to lipid accumulation in neuronal and in vivo models of NPA. The nanosensor detected lipid accumulation intracranially in an acid sphingomyelinase knockout mouse via noninvasive near-infrared spectroscopy. This work indicates a tool to improve drug development processes in NPA, other lysosomal storage diseases, and neurodegenerative diseases.