Multicolor^(19)F magnetic resonance imaging:A promising medical technique for in vivo visualization of multiple biological targets

Driven by the needs of precision medicine,current imaging techniques are under continuous development to offer more accurate and comprehensive information beyond traditional macroscopic anatomical images.Multispectral color-coded(multicolor)^(19)F magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)is receiving increasing attention owing to its capability for visualizing quantitative and multiplexed molecular information during various biological processes.The chemical design and preparation of^(19)F probes lie at the core of multicolor^(19)F MRI since their performance dominates the accomplishment of this technique.Herein,the working principles of multicolor^(19)F MRI are briefly introduced.Recent progress on multicolor^(19)F MRI probes for simultaneous in vivo visualization of multiple biological targets is summarized.Finally,current challenges and potential solutions in this fast-developing field are discussed.

Development of a portable reflectance confocal microscope and its application in the noninvasive in vivo evaluation of mesenchymal stem cell-promoted cutaneous wound healing

The process of wound healing is routinely evaluated by histological evaluation in the clinic,which may cause scarring and secondary injury.Reflectance confocal microscopy(RCM)represents a noninvasive,real-time imaging technique that allows in vivo evaluation of the skin.Traditional RCM was wide-probe-based,which limited its application on uneven and covered skin.In this study,we report the development of a portable reflectance confocal microscope(PRCM)in which all components were assembled in a handheld shell.Although the size and weight of the PRCM were reduced based on the use of a microelectromechanical system,the resolution was kept at 0.91μm,and the field of view of the system was 343μm×532μm.When used in vivo,the PRCM was able to visualize cellular and nuclear morphology for both mouse and human skin.PRCM evaluations were then performed on wounds after topically applied mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs)or saline treatment.The PRCM allowed visualization of the formation of collagen bundles,re-epithelization from the wound edge to the wound bed,and hair follicle regeneration,which were consistent with histological evaluations.Therefore,we offer new insights into monitoring the effects of topically applied MSCs on the process of wound healing by using PRCM.This study illustrates that the newly developed PRCM represents a promising device for real-time,noninvasive monitoring of the dynamic process of wound healing,which demonstrates its potential to diagnose,monitor,or predict disease in clinical wound therapy.

From neurogenesis to neuronal regeneration: the amphibian olfactory system as a model to visualize neuronal development in vivo

How do individual neurons develop and how are they in- tegrated into neuronal circuitry？ To answer this question is essential to understand how the nervous system develops and how it is maintained during the adult life. A neural stem cell must go through several stages of maturation, including proliferation, migration, differentiation, and integration, to become fully embedded to an existing neuronal circuit. The knowledge on this topic so far has come mainly from cell culture studies. Studying the development of individual neurons within intact neuronal networks in vivo is inherently difficult. Most neurons are generated form neural stem cells during embryonic and early postnatal development.

Applications of Single-Walled Carbon Nanohorns and Their Toxicities

1 Results Single-walled carbon nanohorn (SWNH) aggregate ,composed of thousands of graphitic tubules (2 -5nmin diameter and 40 -50 nminlength) with a conical"horn-like"cap,has spherical structure with a diam-eter of about 100 nm(Fig.1)[1].The SWNHs contain no metal catalyst ,because they are produced bylaserablation of pure graphite targets .