Fluorescence lifetime imaging can provide valuable diagnostic information relating to the functional status of diseases. In this study, a near-infrared (NIR) dye-labeled hexapeptide (abbreviated Cyp-GRD) was synthesized. In vitro, Cyp-GRD internalized in nonsmall cell lung cancer cells (A549) without observable cytotoxic or proliferative effects to the cells at a concentration up to $1×10−4M$. Time-domain fluorescence intensity and lifetime imaging of Cyp-GRD injected into A549 tumor-bearing mice revealed that the probe preferentially accumulated in the tumor and the major excretion organs. The fluorescence lifetime of the conjugate at the tumor site was mapped, showing the spatial distribution of the lifetime related to its environment. Additionally, fluorescence intensity image reconstruction obtained by integrating the time-resolved intensities enabled the contrast ratios of tumor-to-kidney or liver in slices at different depths to be displayed. The mean lifetime was $1.03ns$ for the tumor and $0.80ns$ for the liver when averaging those pixels exhibiting adequate signal-to-noise ratio, showing the tumor had a higher lifetime average and reflecting the altered physiopathology of the tumor. This study clearly demonstrated the feasibility of whole-body NIR fluorescence lifetime imaging for tumor localization and its spatial functional status in living small animals.

Quantitative instrumental methods offer a potentially objective means of assessing skin health that can supplement the conventional visual clinical observations. Moreover, such approaches can be used to provide early markers for tumor responses and to learn about the pathophysiology of the disease and its changes in response to treatment. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a noncontact and noninvasive method of monitoring changes in tissue blood volume and fractions of ${\mathrm{HbO}}_2$ and Hb.

Motor execution, observation, and imagery are important skills used in motor learning and rehabilitation. The neural mechanisms underlying these cognitive-motor processes are still poorly understood. We used a simultaneous recording of functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) and electroencephalogram (EEG) to elucidate the differences in neural activity across three conditions requiring these processes. Additionally, we used a new method called structured sparse multiset Canonical Correlation Analysis (ssmCCA) to fuse the fNIRS and EEG data and determine the brain regions of neural activity consistently detected by both modalities. Unimodal analyses revealed differentiated activation between conditions; however, the activated regions did not fully overlap across the two modalities (fNIRS: left angular gyrus, right supramarginal gyrus, as well as right superior and inferior parietal lobes; EEG: bilateral central, right frontal, and parietal). These discrepancies might be because fNIRS and EEG detect different signals. Using fused fNIRS-EEG data, we consistently found activation over the left inferior parietal lobe, superior marginal gyrus, and post-central gyrus during all three conditions, suggesting that our multimodal approach identifies a shared neural region associated with the Action Observation Network (AON). This study highlights the strengths of using the multimodal fNIRS-EEG fusion technique for studying AON. Neural researchers should consider using the multimodal approach to validate their findings.

With the incidence rate exceeding 11% in the United States and 15%¹ in the developing countries, preterm birth (PTB), defined as labor prior to 37 weeks of gestation, is the leading cause of infant death worldwide. PTB is reported to be responsible for infant neurological disorders,² long-term cognitive impairment,³ as well as chronic health issues involving the auditory, visual, digestive, and respiratory systems.⁴ In expectant mothers, causes for PTB can include infection, inflammation,⁵ vascular disease,⁶ short intervals between pregnancies,⁷ multiple gestations,⁶ and genetic factors.⁸

This paper reviews and summarizes existing information on the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of infrared thermography (IRT) utilized in screening for fever as well as the incidence of respiratory infectious diseases during a pandemic. The screening scale ranges from a small, well-controlled laboratory to a massive, uncontrolled airport. In addition, we discuss the advantages and limitations of IRT in detecting infection and suggest solutions for these limitations. Finally, we present options for the use of IRT toward the detection, diagnosis, and monitoring of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) during this ongoing pandemic.