Photoacoustic (PA) microscopy allows imaging of the soft biological tissue based on optical absorption contrast and spatial ultrasound resolution. One of the major applications of PA imaging is its characterization of microvasculature. However, the strong PA signal from skin layer overshadowed the subcutaneous blood vessels leading to indirectly reconstruct the PA images in human study. Addressing the present situation, we examined a deep learning (DL) automatic algorithm to achieve high-resolution and high-contrast segmentation for widening PA imaging applications. In this research, we propose a DL model based on modified U-Net for extracting the relationship features between amplitudes of the generated PA signal from skin and underlying vessels. This study illustrates the broader potential of hybrid complex network as an automatic segmentation tool for the in vivo PA imaging. With DL-infused solution, our result outperforms the previous studies with achieved real-time semantic segmentation on large-size high-resolution PA images.
23 November 2022 in Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences
The efficiency of a cancer therapy agent depends on its ability to eliminate tumors without endangering neighboring healthy tissues. In this present study, a novel multifunctional property enriched nanostructured system was synthesized on manganese-doped hydroxyapatite (Mn-HAp) conjugated with counter folic acid (FA) IR-783 fluorescence dye. The tailored synthesis of nano rod-shaped Mn-HAp nanoparticles with high surface area allows to conjugate FA/IR-783 dye which enhanced retention time during in vivo circulation. The drug-free Photothermal Photodynamic therapy mediated cancer treatment permits the prevention of collateral damages to non-cancerous cells. The safe HAp biomaterial matrix allows a large number of molecules on its surface due to its active different charge moieties (Ca2+/PO43-) without any recurrence toxicity. The doped Mn allows releasing of Mn2+ ions which triggered the production of toxic hydroxyl radicals (•OH) via Fenton or Fenton-like reactions to decompose H2O2 in the tumor sites. Herein, IR-783 and FA were selected for targeted fluorescence imaging-guided photothermal therapy. 6The PTT performance of synthesized nanostructured system shows enhanced potential with ∼60°C temperature elevation with 0.75 W∙cm−2 power irradiated within 7 min of treatment. PDT activity was also observed initially with Methylene Blue (MB) as a targeted material which shows a drastic degradation of MB and further in vitro studies with MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line show cytotoxicity due to the generated reactive oxygen species (ROS) effect. FA/IR-783 conjugated Mn-HAp nanoparticles (2.0 mol% Mn-HAp/FA-IR-783) show significant tumor-specific targeting and treatment efficiency while intravenously injected in (tail vain) BALB/c nude mice model without any recurrence. The synthesized nanostructured system had ample scope to be a promising Photo-Therapeutic agent for cancer treatment.
The incorporation of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) into retinal imaging signifies a notable advancement in ophthalmology, offering improved accuracy in diagnosis and patient outcomes. This review explores the synthesis and unique properties of GNPs, highlighting their adjustable surface plasmon resonance, biocompatibility, and excellent optical absorption and scattering abilities. These features make GNPs advantageous contrast agents, enhancing the precision and quality of various imaging modalities, including photoacoustic imaging, optical coherence tomography, and fluorescence imaging. This paper analyzes the unique properties and corresponding mechanisms based on the morphological features of GNPs, highlighting the potential of GNPs in retinal disease diagnosis and management. Given the limitations currently encountered in clinical applications of GNPs, the approaches and strategies to overcome these limitations are also discussed. These findings suggest that the properties and efficacy of GNPs have innovative applications in retinal disease imaging.
Photoacoustic microscopy (PAM) is an important imaging tool that can noninvasively visualize the anatomical structure of living animals. However, the limited scanning area restricts traditional PAM systems for scanning a large animal. Here, we firstly report a dual-channel PAM system based on a custom-made slider-crank scanner. This novel scanner allows us to stably capture an ultra-widefield scanning area of 24 mm at a high B-scan speed of 32 Hz while maintaining a high signal-to-noise ratio. Our system's spatial resolution is measured at ∼3.4 μm and ∼37 μm for lateral and axial resolution, respectively. Without any contrast agent, a dragonfly wing, a nude mouse ear, an entire rat ear, and a portion of mouse sagittal are successfully imaged. Furthermore, for hemodynamic monitoring, the mimicking circulating tumor cells using magnetic contrast agent is rapidly captured in vitro. The experimental results demonstrated that our device is a promising tool for biological applications.
Scanning acoustic microscopy (SAM) system (TSAM-400) was designed and developed for evaluating the quality of resistance spot welding (RSW) joints of 1.5 mm-thick SUS 316 stainless steel sheets under different welding parameters. Indentation and nugget information (diameter and shape) were used for evaluating the RSW quality. SAM A-scan signals were used to calculate the indentation. The nugget diameter was determined in the C-scan image. Internal information (nugget shape, splashes, and defects) was visualized in the B- and C-scan images. In addition, the spot weld area was treated to examine the surface topography effect. The nugget diameters of treated and untreated areas were measured and compared to conclude that the surface topography effect can be neglected in the quality evaluation by SAM system. By implementing TSAM-400, some specimens were successfully tested with a scanning area of 55 × 15 mm2, and a scanning time of 33.5 s corresponding to a B-scan frame rate of 4.5 Hz, and a resolution of 0.1 × 0.1 mm2. Finally, the good input parameters for welding two 1.5 mm-thick SUS 316 were determined by analyzing the results from TSAM-400.