Naphthalene-based fluorescent probes for glutathione and their applications in living cells and patients with sepsis

Rationale: Among the biothiols-related diseases, sepsis is defined as life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection and can result in severe oxidative stress and damage to multiple organs. In this study, we aimed to develop a fluorescence chemosensor that can both detect GSH and further predict sepsis.

Methods: In this study, two new naphthalene dialdehyde compounds containing different functional groups were synthesized, and the sensing abilities of these compounds towards biothiols and its applications for prediction of sepsis were investigated.

Results: Our study revealed that the newly developed probe 6-methoxynaphthalene-2, 3-dicarbaldehyde (MNDA) has two-photon is capable of detecting GSH in live cells with two-photon microscopy (TPM) under the excitation at a wavelength of 900 nm. Furthermore, two GSH detection probes naphthalene-2,3-dicarboxaldehyde (NDA) and 6-fluoronaphthalene-2,3-dicarbaldehyde (FNDA) not only can detect GSH in living cells, but also showed clinical significance for the diagnosis and prediction of mortality in patients with sepsis.

Conclusions: These results open up a promising direction for further medical diagnostic techniques.

Real-time monitoring of vesicle pH in an endocytic pathway using an EGF-conjugated two-photon probe

Herein, we developed a ratiometric two-photon probe (BHS3-EGF), derived from a pH sensitive dye and epidermal growth factor (EGF), for real-time monitoring and quantitative analysis of acidic luminal pH values during endocytic pathway activity. Two-photon microscopy imaging with BHS3-EGF allows the quantitative analysis of pH distributions of single vesicles and their dynamics in receptor-mediated endocytosis in real-time.

The clinical usefulness of initial serum procalcitonin as an aggravation predictor in a hepatobiliary tract infection at emergency department

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The ability to predict future clinical deterioration early in patients who present to an emergency care center with a hepatobiliary tract infection is difficult. We studied the clinical usefulness of the initial serum levels of procalcitonin in a hepatobiliary tract infection as an indicator for predicting aggravation in the early stages.

METHODS

Of the patients who presented with the clinical symptoms of a hepatobiliary tract infection, 99 were diagnosed with a hepatobiliary tract infection by imaging studies and subsequently enrolled in the study. Laboratory tests were obtained in the early stage of disease after presentation to an emergency care center. We assessed and compared the serum levels of many early inflammatory markers (white blood cell [WBC] counts, C-reactive protein and procalcitonin) between patients whose symptoms were initially stable upon arrival to an emergency care center but then deteriorated to, those whose symptoms remained consistently stable. Thus, we examined if the above serum markers are useful in predicting the possibility of future symptom aggravation.

RESULTS

Of a total of 99 patients, 27 were assigned to the symptom aggravation group. The serum levels of WBC counts and C-reactive protein in the aggravation group were elevated. However, the median value (interquartile range) of procalcitonin was relatively increased at 2.28 (0.41-7.84 ng/ml), demonstrating a significant difference.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, initial serum levels of procalcitonin might be used as an indicator for aggravation in patients with hepatobiliary tract infection at the emergency department, even though there is hemodynamic stability.

A Preclinical Cadaver Fitting Study of Implantable Biventricular Assist Device - AnyHeart™

A multifunctional, Korean-made artificial heart (AnyHeart™) was developed, and prior to its clinical application, a cadaver-fitting study was performed. The study proposed to determine the optimal cannulation approach, implantation technique and route of the cannula to minimize the organ compression of AnyHeart™. The anatomical feasibility and a variety of surgical techniques were evaluated using ten preserved, human cadavers. Implanting AnyHeart™ with ease is possible using various approaches, including a median sternotomy, and a right or left lateral thoracotomy. The lateral thoracotomy approach is shown to be safe and reproducible, especially in patients who have already undergone an operation that used a median sternotomy. The results of this study will guide improvements in the designs of cannulae and AnyHeart™ for future clinical applications.

A Two-Photon Ratiometric Fluorescent Probe for Imaging of Hydrogen Peroxide Levels in Rat Organ Tissues

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is important in the regulation of a variety of biological processes and is involved in various diseases. Quantitative measurement of H2O2 levels at the subcellular level is important for understanding its positive and negative effects on biological processes. Herein, a two-photon ratiometric fluorescent probe (SHP-Cyto) with a boronate-based carbamate leaving group as the H2O2 reactive trigger and 6-(benzo[d]thiazol-2'-yl)-2-(N,N-dimethylamino) naphthalene (BTDAN) as the fluorophore was synthesized and examined for its ability to detect cytosolic H2O2 in situ. This probe, based on the specific reaction between boronate and H2O2, displayed a fluorescent color change (455 to 528 nm) in response to H2O2 in the presence of diverse reactive oxygen species in a physiological medium. In addition, ratiometric two-photon microscopy (TPM) images with SHP-Cyto revealed that H2O2 levels gradually increased from brain to kidney, skin, heart, lung, and then liver tissues. SHP-Cyto was successfully applied to the imaging of endogenously produced cytosolic H2O2 levels in live cells and various rat organs by using TPM.

New Six-Membered pH-Insensitive Rhodamine Spirocycle in Selective Sensing of Cu2+ through C-C Bond Cleavage and Its Application in Cell Imaging

A new rhodamine-based chemosensor 1 with a six-membered spirocyclic ring has been synthesized, which exhibits excellent pH stability and shows selective "turn-on" fluorescent detection of Cu²⁺ ions over a series of other metal ions including Cu⁺ ions. The expansion of spirocycle improves the stability and selectivity of the chemosensors in sensing of metal ions. Till today only few rhodamine structures R1-R5 with thiourea-, hydrazine amide-, or pyrrole-decorated six-membered spirocyclic rings are known that exhibit metal-ion sensing via C-N bond cleavage of the spiro ring. In this context, rhodamine compound that responds to the metal ion through C-C bond cleavage of the six-membered spiro ring is completely unknown. The present example is a first-time report that demonstrates selective sensing of Cu²⁺ ions through C-C bond cleavage over the conventional existing systems in the literature. The chemosensor 1 is cell permeable and can detect Cu²⁺ in live cells using confocal microscopy in the biologically relevant pH range with high photostability.

iNKT cells prevent obesity-induced hepatic steatosis in mice in a C-C chemokine receptor 7-dependent manner

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis are characterized by an increase in hepatic triglyceride content with infiltration of immune cells, which can cause steatohepatitis and hepatic insulin resistance. C-C chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7) is primarily expressed in immune cells, and CCR7 deficiency leads to the development of multi-organ autoimmunity, chronic renal disease and autoimmune diabetes. Here, we investigated the effect of CCR7 on hepatic steatosis in a mouse model and its underlying mechanism. Our results demonstrated that body and liver weights were higher in the CCR7^−/− mice than in the wild-type (WT) mice when they were fed a high-fat diet. Further, glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity were markedly diminished in CCR7^−/− mice. The number of invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells was reduced in the livers of the CCR7^−/− mice. Moreover, liver inflammation was detected in obese CCR7^−/− mice, which was ameliorated by the adoptive transfer of hepatic mononuclear cells from WT mice, but not through the transfer of hepatic mononuclear cells from CD1d^−/− or interleukin-10-deficient (IL-10^−/−) mice. Overall, these results suggest that CCR7⁺ mononuclear cells in the liver could regulate obesity-induced hepatic steatosis via induction of IL-10-expressing iNKT cells.

Abstract S3-07: Impact of radiotherapy on complications and patient-reported satisfaction with breast reconstruction: Findings from the prospective multicenter MROC study

Background: Patients considering both post-mastectomy radiation (RT) and reconstruction require robust information regarding the expected outcomes of different combinations of approaches in order to make preference-concordant decisions.

Methods: In a prospective multicenter cohort study (the Mastectomy Reconstruction Outcomes Consortium, MROC, funded by NCI 1RO1CA152192) of women diagnosed with breast cancer at 11 institutions between 2012-15, we compared responses of 553 radiated and 1461 non-radiated pts who received different approaches to reconstruction. The primary dependent variables of interest were development of any breast complications (e.g. hematoma, wound infection) by one year post-reconstruction, along with satisfaction measured with the validated BREAST-Q instrument. Mixed-effects regression models assessed impact of reconstruction type and RT on the outcomes of interest. Covariate adjustment included reconstruction timing, age, extent of disease, bilateral vs unilateral treatment, chemotherapy receipt, nodal management, BMI, smoking, diabetes, race, ethnicity, education, employment, income, marital status, and hospital site.

Results: Median age was 49. Bilateral mastectomy was received by 45.6% of radiated and 53.3% of non-radiated pts (p=0.002). Autologous reconstruction was more commonly received by radiated pts (38.3% vs 25.1%, p<0.001). Immediate reconstruction was less common in radiated pts (82.6% vs 95.6%, p<0.001). By one year, at least one complication occurred in 28.8% of radiated pts (30.8% of implant pts and 25.5% of autologous pts) and 22.3% of non-radiated pts (20.4% of implant pts and 28.1% of autologous pts). Among pts with ≥2 years of follow up, a complication had occurred by 2 years in 34.1% of 331 radiated pts vs 22.5% of 946 non-radiated pts. Multivariable analysis showed immediate reconstruction, bilateral treatment, & higher BMI to be predictive of developing a complication by one year. RT effect differed by reconstruction type; RT was associated with 2.1 (95% CI = 1.45, 3.10) times higher odds of complication in implant pts, while showing no difference in autologous pts (OR=1.3, 95% CI = 0.76, 2.09). RT effect on patient outcomes also differed by reconstruction types. In implant pts, adjusted mean BREAST-Q satisfaction with breast scores were significantly lower in radiated pts than in non-radiated pts (51.5 vs. 58.0 at 1 year, p<.001; 48.9 vs. 59.8 at 2 years, p<.001), while satisfaction in autologous pts did not differ by radiation (61.3 in radiated vs. 63.5 in non-radiated at 1 year; 62.8 vs. 65.8 at 2 years). Similarly, in implant pts, satisfaction with outcomes was significantly lower in radiated versus non-radiated pts (66.5 vs. 70.8 at 1 year; p=0.03; 64.4 vs. 70.6 at 2 years, p =0.03), while there were no significant differences in autologous pts (72.7 vs. 75.2 in radiated vs. non-radiated at 1 year; 71.3 and 75.3 at year 2).

Conclusions: In the largest prospective multicenter study of outcomes of breast reconstruction to date, autologous reconstruction appears to yield superior patient-reported outcomes and lower risk of complications than implant-based approaches among patients receiving PMRT.

Citation Format: Jagsi R, Momoh AO, Qi J, Hamill JB, Billig J, Kim HM, Pusic AL, Wilkins EG. Impact of radiotherapy on complications and patient-reported satisfaction with breast reconstruction: Findings from the prospective multicenter MROC study [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2016 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(4 Suppl):Abstract nr S3-07.

Satisfaction, function and repair integrity after arthroscopic versus mini-open rotator cuff repair

AIMS

Advances in arthroscopic techniques for rotator cuff repair have made the mini-open approach less popular. However, the mini-open approach remains an important technique for repair for many surgeons. The aims of this study were to compare the integrity of the repair, the function of the shoulder and satisfaction post-operatively using these two techniques in patients aged > 50 years.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We identified 22 patients treated with mini-open and 128 patients treated with arthroscopic rotator cuff repair of July 2007 and June 2011. The mean follow-up was two years (1 to 5). Outcome was assessed using the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) and Simple Shoulder Test (SST) scores, and satisfaction. The integrity of the repair was assessed using ultrasonography. A power analysis ensured sufficient enrolment.

RESULTS

There was no statistically significant difference between the age, function, satisfaction, or pain scores (p > 0.05) of the two groups. The integrity of the repair and the mean SST scores were significantly better in the mini-open group (91% of mini-open repairs were intact versus 60% of arthroscopic repairs, p = 0.023; mean SST score 10.9 (standard deviation (sd) 1.3) in the mini-open group; 8.9 (sd 3.5) in arthroscopic group; p = 0.003). The ASES scores were also higher in the mini-open group (mean ASES score 91.0 (sd 10.5) in mini-open group; mean 82.70 (sd 19.8) in the arthroscopic group; p = 0.048).

CONCLUSION

The integrity of the repair and function of the shoulder were better after a mini-open repair than after arthroscopic repair of a rotator cuff tear in these patients. The functional difference did not translate into a difference in satisfaction. Mini-open rotator cuff repair remains a useful technique despite advances in arthroscopy. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2017;99-B:245-9.

A two-photon fluorescent probe for specific detection of hydrogen sulfide based on a familiar ESIPT fluorophore bearing AIE characteristics

A two-photon fluorescent probe based on an ESIPT fluorophore bearing AIE characteristics was utilized to detect H₂S.

An efficient two-photon fluorescent probe for human NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase (hNQO1) detection and imaging in tumor cells

The probe TPQ, which displays high selectivity and anti-interference ability, was successfully applied to endogenous hNQO1 imaging and for the identification of different cancer cells.

Visualization of vesicular transport from the endoplasmic reticulum to lysosome using an amidine derived two-photon probe

An amidine-based small molecule two-photon fluorescent probe for monitoring vesicle transport from the ER to lysosome in live cells was reported.

Correlates of family involvement before and during medical visits among older adults with high-risk diabetes

AIMS

To examine the characteristics of patients with diabetes who regularly receive help from a supporter in preparing for and attending medical visits, and the association between this help and clinical risk factors for diabetes complications.

METHODS

We linked survey data about family involvement for patients in the Veterans Health Administration system with poorly controlled Type 2 diabetes (n = 588; mean 67 years; 97% male) with health record data on blood pressure, glycaemic control and prescription-fill gaps. We used multivariable regression to assess whether supporter presence and, among patients with supporters, supporter role (visit preparation, accompaniment to medical visit or no involvement) were associated with concurrent trends in clinical risk factors over 2 years, adjusting for sociodemographic and health characteristics.

RESULTS

Most patients (78%) had a main health supporter; of these, more had regular support for preparing for appointments (69%) than were regularly accompanied to them (45%). Patients with preparation help only were younger and more educated than accompanied patients. Support presence and type was not significantly associated with clinical risk factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Family help preparing for appointments was common among these patients with high-risk diabetes. In its current form, family support for medical visits may not affect clinical factors in the short term. Supporters helping patients engage in medical visits may need training and assistance to have an impact on the clinical trajectory of patients with diabetes.

A viscosity sensitive fluorescent dye for real-time monitoring of mitochondria transport in neurons

We present here a viscosity sensitive fluorescent dye, namely thiophene dihemicyanine (TDHC), that enables the specific staining of mitochondria. In comparison to the common mitochondria tracker (Mitotracker Deep Red, MTDR), this dye demonstrated its unique ability for robust staining of mitochondria with high photostability and ultrahigh signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Moreover, TDHC also showed high sensitivity towards mitochondria membrane potential (ΔΨm) and intramitochondria viscosity change. Consequently, this dye was utilized in real-time monitoring of mitochondria transport in primary cortical neurons. Finally, the Two-Photon Microscopy (TPM) imaging ability of TDHC was also demonstrated.