A novel near-infrared EGFR targeting probe for metastatic lymph node imaging in preclinical mouse models.

For the treatment of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), the imaging of cervical lymph nodes and the evaluation of metastastic progression are of great significance. In recent years, the development of new non-radioactive lymph node tracers has been an area of intense research. Here, we report the synthesis, good biocompatibility, and in vivo evaluation of a new small molecule near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence probe by the conjugation of Lapatinib to S0456 (LP-S). We show that like Lapatinib, LP-S binds to the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) resulting in high quality fluorescence imaging of metastatic lymph nodes in OSCC mouse models. After local injection of LP-S into the tumor, the lymphatic drainage pathway and lymph nodes can be clearly identified by NIR fluorescence imaging. Further, the LP-S probe shows higher contrast and longer retention in metastatic lymph nodes, allowing them to be differentiated from normal lymph nodes, and affording a new choice for fluorescence-guided surgery. Scheme. Chemical synthesis and application of EGFR targeting probe LP-S for imaging of metastatic lymph nodes (mLNs) in OSCC.

Simple pyrolysis of graphene-wrapped PtNi nanoparticles supported on hierarchically N-doped porous carbon for sensitive detection of carbendazim.

A novel electrochemical sensor was established based on graphene-wrapped PtNi nanoparticles supported on three-dimensional (3D) N-doped porous carbon (G-PtNi/3D-NPC) for the highly sensitive and selective detection of carbendazim (CBZ). In this sensing system, the encapsulation of PtNi nanoparticles (NPs) by graphene can effectively prevent the aggregation tendency and enhance the structural stability. The hierarchically porous nanostructures have a large specific surface area to expose a large number of active sites and the resulting enhanced electrical conductivity ultimate improves the electrocatalytic activity towards CBZ. Under the optimal conditions, the prepared sensor showed excellent electrochemical responses for the determination of CBZ with a linear range of 0.5-30 µM and lower limit of detection (LOD) of 0.04 µM (S/N = 3). It also shows excellent anti-interference ability at a working potential of 0.74 V. The feasibility of the senor is demonstrated for its practical assays in diluted peach and vegetable samples with acceptable recovery (95.8-97.3 %, peach; 97.2-97.6 %, vegetable) and a relative standard deviation (RSD) below 2.3%.

Plasma levels of soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products in Alzheimer's disease.

BACKGROUND: A decreased plasma level of soluble form of the receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE) in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been reported. However, no evidence has shown whether the sRAGE plasma level of AD patients may differentiate from other types of dementia. METHODS: Our study assessed sRAGE concentrations in the following 121 individuals in Chongqing area: 36 patients with AD, 12 with vascular dementia (VaD), 14 with mixed dementia (MD), 24 with other dementia (OD) including Parkinson's disease dementia, frontotemporal dementia, paralytic dementia and 35 cognitively normal controls. The total plasma level of sRAGE was determined using sandwich ELISA method. RESULTS: sRAGE concentration in AD is significantly decreased compared with healthy controls. However, the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis of sRAGE between the AD and the control shows a low diagnostic accuracy. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that sRAGE may assist the diagnosis of AD from normal individuals, but cannot differentiate AD from VaD, MD or OD.