Detection of Pancreatic Cancer miRNA with Biocompatible Nitrogen-Doped Graphene Quantum Dots.

Early-stage pancreatic cancer remains challenging to detect, leading to a poor five-year patient survival rate. This obstacle necessitates the development of early detection approaches based on novel technologies and materials. In this work, the presence of a specific pancreatic cancer-derived miRNA (pre-miR-132) is detected using the fluorescence properties of biocompatible nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dots (NGQDs) synthesized using a bottom-up approach from a single glucosamine precursor. The sensor platform is comprised of slightly positively charged (1.14 ± 0.36 mV) NGQDs bound via π-π stacking and/or electrostatic interactions to the negatively charged (-22.4 ± 6.00 mV) bait ssDNA; together, they form a complex with a 20 nm average size. The NGQDs' fluorescence distinguishes specific single-stranded DNA sequences due to bait-target complementarity, discriminating them from random control sequences with sensitivity in the micromolar range. Furthermore, this targetability can also detect the stem and loop portions of pre-miR-132, adding to the practicality of the biosensor. This non-invasive approach allows cancer-specific miRNA detection to facilitate early diagnosis of various forms of cancer.

Acute Multi-Organ Toxicity During 24-Hour Dosing of Intravenous Amiodarone: A Case Report.

We present a unique case of a 60-year-old male with congestive heart failure who was admitted for a pre-syncopal episode and found to be in atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response (RVR). In order to effectively rate control the patient, he was administered an amiodarone bolus and intravenous (IV) infusion over 24 hours, along with a single oral 200 mg dose the following day. The patient subsequently developed acute hepatotoxicity along with features of acute kidney injury (AKI), pulmonary distress, and leukocytosis. After ruling out other etiologies for acute liver, pulmonary, and kidney injury, amiodarone-induced multi-organ toxicity was suspected and amiodarone was discontinued. Within hours of amiodarone discontinuation, the patient's clinical status and organ function improved remarkably. In the setting of a patient being treated with IV amiodarone and presenting with sudden signs of dyspnea, acute elevation of transaminases and AKI within one to two days of initial dosing, acute amiodarone-induced organ toxicity should be considered.