Nanodiamond-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging

DNA Logic-Integrated Quantum Nanosensor for MicroRNA Diagnostics

Nanodiamonds (NDs) with nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers are emerging as powerful quantum nanosensors (QNs) in biomedical applications due to their exceptional sensitivity. However, achieving optimal diagnostics performance necessitates both high sensitivity and selectivity; especially in practical biomedical settings, it remains challenging for QNs to provide quantitative analyses when multiple analytes are present. Here, we present a biosensing platform that integrates DNA logic gates (DLGs) with spin-based quantum sensing, termed DLG-QN for ultrasensitive and ultraselective diagnostics. Utilizing an AND DLG, both NDs and magnetic beads (MBs) are functionalized with hairpin DNA strands. In the presence of both miRNA-21 and miRNA-155key biomarkers overexpressed in cancerthe hairpin DNAs undergo conformational changes that facilitate DNA-guided self-assembly of NDs and MBs, enriching the target signal. Resonant microwave modulation of ND fluorescence emission allows for high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) detection by separating the signal from background fluorescence via spin-enhanced analysis. This platform demonstrated ultrasensitive and ultraselective detection of miRNA-21 and miRNA-155 with a limit of detection of 19.8 fM, highlighting its potential as a general biosensing strategy for precision diagnostics involving multiple biomarkers.

Iron Oxide Nanoparticle-Based T1 Contrast Agents for Magnetic Resonance Imaging: A Review

This review highlights recent progress in utilizing iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) as a safer alternative to gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). It consolidates findings from multiple studies, discussing current T1 contrast agents (CAs), the synthesis techniques for IONPs, the theoretical principles for designing IONP-based MRI CAs, and the key factors that impact their T1 contrast efficacy, such as nanoparticle size, morphology, surface modifications, valence states, and oxygen vacancies. Furthermore, we summarize current strategies to achieve IONP-based responsive CAs, including self-assembly/disassembly and distance adjustment. This review also evaluates the biocompatibility, organ accumulation, and clearance pathways of IONPs for clinical applications. Finally, the challenges associated with the clinical translation of IONP-based T1 CAs are included.

Construction of fluorescent sensor array with nitrogen-doped carbon dots for sensing Sudan Orange G and identification of various azo compounds

In this study, nitrogen-doped carbon dots (N-CDs) were facilely fabricated by one-pot hydrothermal method with levulinic acid and triethanolamine. A fluorescent sensor array was established for identifying azo compounds including Sudan Orange G (SOG), p-diaminoazobenzene, p-aminoazobenzene, azobenzene and quantitative detection of SOG. Experimental results revealed that azo compounds could quench the fluorescent intensity of N-CDs. Owing to various azo compounds showing different affinities to N-CDs, the sensor array exhibited different fluorescence quenching changes, which were further analyzed with principal component analysis to discriminate azo compounds. The sensor array was able to differentiate and recognize diverse concentrations of azo compounds from 0.25 to 2 mg/L. Simultaneously, a variety of factors affecting the detection of SOG were optimized. Under the optimized conditions, the sensor showed excellent stability and sensitivity. The sensor possessed marvelous linearity in the range of 0.1-1 mg/L and 1-4 mg/L and the detection limit was 27.82 μg/L. Spiked recoveries of 90.8-98.2 % were attained at spiked levels of 0.2 mg/L and 1 mg/L, demonstrating that the constructed fluorescence sensor was dependable and feasible for sensing SOG in environmental water samples.

Functionalization of 68Ga-Radiolabeled Nanodiamonds with Octreotide Does Not Improve Tumor-Targeting Capabilities

Nanodiamonds (NDs) are emerging as a novel nanoparticle class with growing interest in medical applications. The surface coating of NDs can be modified by attaching binding ligands or imaging probes, turning them into multi-modal targeting agents. In this investigation, we assessed the targeting efficacy of octreotide-functionalized 68Ga-radiolabelled NDs for cancer imaging and compared it with the tumor uptake using [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-TOC. In vivo studies in mice bearing AR42J tumors demonstrated the highest accumulation of the radiolabeled functionalized NDs in the liver and spleen, with relatively low tumor uptake compared to [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-TOC. Our findings suggest that, within the scope of this study, functionalization did not enhance the tumor-targeting capabilities of NDs.

A Review on the Design of Carbon-Based Nanomaterials as MRI Contrast Agents

The administration of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents (CAs) has been conducted since 1988 by clinicians to enhance the clarity and interpretability of MR images. CAs based on gadolinium chelates are the clinical standard used worldwide for the diagnosis of various pathologies, such as the detection of brain lesions, the visualization of blood vessels, and the assessment of soft tissue disorders. However, due to ongoing concerns associated with the safety of gadolinium-based contrast agents, considerable efforts have been directed towards developing contrast agents with better relaxivities, reduced toxicity, and eventually combined therapeutic modalities. In this context, grafting (or encapsulating) paramagnetic metals or chelates onto (within) carbon-based nanoparticles is a straightforward approach enabling the production of contrast agents with high relaxivities while providing extensive tuneability regarding the functionalization of the nanoparticles. Here, we provide an overview of the parameters defining the efficacy of lanthanide-based contrast agents and the subsequent developments in the field of nanoparticular-based contrast agents incorporating paramagnetic species.