Chronic exposure to high levels of manganese leads a pronounce and debilitating disorder known as manganism. Research on the toxic manifestation of manganese have focused primarily on its neurological effects because exposure to high levels of the metal produces a distinct and irreversible extrapyramidal dysfunction resembling the dystonic movements associated with Parkinson's physiological and biochemical systems in the body. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of manganeses on primary rat calvarial cell growth and toxicity. The experimental groups were in concentration of 0, 10, 30, 60, 100, 300 micrometer. Cell activity was assessed at day 1 and day 3 using a fluorescent molecular probe. Cell proliferation was evaluated at day 1 and day 3 by MTT assay. The amount of total protein synthesis was measured at day 3 and day 7. The results were as follows: The proliferation of primary rat calvarial cells were inhibited by MnCl2 in the concentration exceeding 100micrometer. The primary rat calvarial cells treated with MnCl2 showed similar protein synthesis to the control group except in 100 micrometer. These result suggest that manganese suppress the viability and protein synthesis of primary rat calvarial cells in concentration exceeding 100 micrometer.
Animals ; Cell Proliferation ; Manganese* ; Molecular Probes ; Rats*

Nanobodies are derived from the variable domain of the heavy-chain antibodies (HCAbs) that occur naturally in the serum of camels. Using nanobody-based probes, several imaging techniques such as radionuclide-based, optical and ultrasound have been employed for visualization of target expression in various disease models. Combined with application and clinical data of nanobody in molecular imaging in recent years, this paper introduces its application in the diagnosis of diseases and the future development as a novel molecular imaging tool.
Humans ; Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains ; Molecular Imaging ; methods ; Molecular Probes ; Nanotechnology

PURPOSE: To investigate the migration and redistribution of rabbit corneal epithelial cells when wearing reverse geometry lens (RGL) or rigid gas permeable lens (RGP). METHODS: In 30 rabbits, the right eyes were fitted with either RGL or RGP and the left eyes were untreated to serve as controls. The rabbits were sacrificed at 1, 3, 7, 10 and 14 days after lens fitting. The central and peripheral corneal thicknesses were measured by microscope and the ratio of right to left corneal thickness was calculated to evaluate the characteristics of change over time. By using the molecular probe 7-nitrobenz-2-ox-1,3-diazolylphallacidin (NBD phallacidin), the samples were examined with light microscope to determine the migration and redistribution of epithelial cells in the rabbit cornea. RESULTS: No consistent changes in the thickness of both central and peripheral corneal epithelium were found. The corneal epithelial cells of both eyes with RGL and RGP reacted positively to NBD phallacidin. The fluorescence was most increased at day 3 of sacrifice in RGL cases and at day 7 in RGP cases, and then decreased in both cases. The corneal epithelium of eyes with RGL exhibited marked increase in the intensity of fluorescence compared to the eyes with RGP. CONCLUSIONS: The corneal epithelium with RGL showed the strongest intensity of NBD phallacidin fluorescence. This result suggests that wearing RGL may induce the migration and redistribution of corneal epithelial cells.
Cornea ; Epithelial Cells* ; Epithelium, Corneal ; Fluorescence ; Molecular Probes ; Rabbits

Optically-triggered phase-transition droplets have been introduced as a promising contrast agent for photoacoustic and ultrasound imaging that not only provide significantly enhanced contrast but also have potential as photoacoustic theranostic molecular probes incorporated with targeting molecules and therapeutics. For further understanding the dynamics of optical droplet vaporization process, an innovative, methodical analysis by concurrent acoustical and ultrafast optical recordings, comparing with a theoretical model has been employed. In addition, the repeatability of the droplet vaporization-recondensation process, which enables continuous photoacoustic imaging has been studied through the same approach. Further understanding the underlying physics of the optical droplet vaporization and associated dynamics may guide the optimal design of the droplets. Some innovative approaches in preclinical studies have been recently demonstrated, including sono-photoacoustic imaging, dual-modality of photoacoustic and ultrasound imaging, and super-resolution photoacoustic imaging. In this review, current development of optically triggered phase-transition droplets and understanding on the vaporization dynamics, their applications are introduced and future directions are discussed.
Methods ; Models, Theoretical ; Molecular Probes ; Theranostic Nanomedicine ; Ultrasonography ; Volatilization

Molecular imaging visualizes cellular processes at a molecular or genetic level in living subjects, and diverse molecular probes are used for this purpose. Radiolabeling methods as well as radioisotopes are very important in preparation of molecular probes, because they can affect the biodistribution in tissues and the excretion route. In this review, the molecular probes are divided into small organic molecules and macromolecules such as peptides and proteins, and their commonly used radiolabeling methods are described.
Molecular Imaging ; Molecular Probes* ; Peptides ; Radioisotopes ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon

Molecular imaging technology, an advanced research area of imaging, can provide real-time, non-invasive image information of the target site in molecular level. The key of the molecular imaging technology is molecular probe. Aptamers are short oligonucleotides with high affinity and specificity to the target molecules. The targeting ability, stability and safety of aptamers are superior to traditional antibodies so that aptamers show prosperous usages in targeting drug delivery and disease diagnostics. Therefore, aptamers are considered to be an extremely ideal probes, which can guide quantum dots, magnetic nanoparticles and ultrasound contrast agents on the targets and realize optical, magnetic resonance, ultrasonic multimodal and multifunctional imaging. All of the advantages can further promote the application of molecular imaging in disease treatment and diagnosis. In this paper, we review recent developments in the application of aptamers as molecular probes in major branches of molecular imaging.
Animals ; Aptamers, Nucleotide ; Contrast Media ; Humans ; Molecular Imaging ; methods ; trends ; Molecular Probes ; SELEX Aptamer Technique

OBJECTIVE: To improve the methods to synthesize and purify of optical-magnetic bimodal molecular probe of Gd-[4, 7-Bis-carboxymethyl-10-(2-fluorescein thioureaethyl)-1, 4, 7, 10-tetraaza-cyclododec-1-yl]-acetic acid complexes. METHODS: Target compound (7), optical-magnetic bimodal molecular molecular probe, was synthesized by the use of 1, 4, 7, 10-tetraazacyclododecane (1) as starting material via substitution reaction, hydrolysis reaction, coupling reaction and complexation reaction with metal. RESULTS: The synthetic route of Gd-[4, 7-Bis-carboxymethyl-10-(2-fluoresceinthioureaethyl)-1, 4, 7, 10-tetraaza-cyclododec-1-yl]-acetic acid complexes was improved. The optical-magnetic bimodal molecular probes were synthesized by substitution reaction, hydrolysis reaction, coupling reaction and complex reaction with metal respectively. For the improved route, the total yield could reach 34.6% which was higher than the original route (18.0%). The structures of those compounds were identified by ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance, ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance, and mass spectrometry. The improved route could avoid the uncontrollable disadvantage of the substitution reaction, this process could reduce the formation of impurities and made the purification process easier, and in the aspect of purification and separation, the preparative high-performance liquid chromatography with less sample loading and high cost was improved to a column chromatography with many sample loads and being easy to operate. Therefore, the use of column chromatography could be more conducive to mass production of the optical-magnetic bimodal molecular molecular probe. CONCLUSION The improved synthetic route improves the controllability of the reaction conditions and makes it easier to purify and separate the compounds. At the same time, the improved synthetic route can increase the total yield significantly. The optical-magnetic bimodal molecular probe can combine the living magnetic resonance imaging with the in vitro optical imaging to realize the dual synchronous detection of magneto-optics, so that the detection results of the living magnetic resonance imaging and the in vitro optical imaging are mutually verified. In other words, this synthetic optical-magnetic bimodal molecular probe will make the experimental results more accurate and reliable. In subsequent biological experimental studies, the optical-magnetic bimodal molecular probe can be applied to related research of brain structure and function, and the probe can be used for the brain-related diseases researches, such as brain tumors. after intravenous administration, and thus the optical-magnetic bimodal molecular probe can play an important role in medical treatment of brain tumors and cerebrovascular diseases.
Acetic Acid ; Brain ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Molecular Probes

Quantum dots (QDs) are novel photo-stable semiconductor nanocrystals with wide excitation spectra and narrow, symmetrical emission spectra. QDs can be used as molecular probes by conjugating to a wide range of biological targets, including proteins, peptides and nucleic acids. It has been widely used in bio-labeling, fast detection and biological imaging. In this review, we focus on the applications of QDs in tissue engineering and its potential bio-safety issues.
Diagnostic Imaging ; Humans ; Molecular Probes ; Nucleic Acids ; Peptides ; Proteins ; Quantum Dots ; Tissue Engineering

OBJECTIVETo develop a method for (99m)Tc radiolabeling of a small molecular peptide targeting lung carcinoma and observe the biokinetics and biodistribution of the labeled peptide in normal mice and rabbits.

METHODSMAG3-peptide (cNGQGEQc) was labeled with (99m)Tc and the labeling rate was determined with paper chromatography. In vitro stability test, cysteine challenge test and serum incubation test were performed for radiochemical evaluation of the labeled peptide. Blood (99m)Tc-peptide clearance in rabbits was evaluated by determining blood radioactive concentrations at different time points after injection of 37 MBq (99m)Tc-peptide, and its dynamic distribution was investigated by SPECT imaging. The percent injected dose per gram of tissue was calculated for each organ of mice injected intravenously with 7.4 MBq (99m)Tc-peptide based on gamma counter readings.

RESULTSThe labeling rate of (99m)Tc-peptide exceeded 90%, and the radiochemical purity was 91% after placing for 12 h at room temperature and 85% after incubation at 37 degrees celsius; with human serum. The cysteine replacement rate was less than 7%, and the binding rate of (99m)Tc-peptide with serum proteins was below 5%. SPECT imaging showed that the labeled peptide could be quickly cleared from the blood in normal animals primarily through the kidneys, and the radioactivity in other tissues and organs remained low.

CONCLUSION(99m)Tc-peptide can be easily prepared with a high labeling yield. With good stability both in vitro and in vivo, (99m)Tc-peptide can be quickly cleared from the blood and excreted though the kidney with ideal biodistribution and biokinetics in vivo.

Animals ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Molecular Probes ; Organotechnetium Compounds ; blood ; Rabbits ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon ; methods

Neuroendocrine tumors are a type of heterogeneous tumors originating from neuroendocrine cells derived from the neural crest，which can secrete a variety of amines and peptide hormones.Based on different molecular biomarkers，histologic types and differentiation degrees，individualized nuclear imaging can provide information for the early diagnosis，clinical staging，treatment guidance，and detection of the recurrence and metastasis of neuroendocrine tumor. In this paper，we review the development and application of nuclear medicine molecular imaging probes such as glucose analogs，somatostatin analogues，amine precursors，hormone analogs and enzyme inhibitors in the diagnosis and treatment of neuroendocrine tumors.
Diagnostic Imaging ; Humans ; Molecular Probes ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Neuroendocrine Tumors/diagnostic imaging* ; Radionuclide Imaging