Fluorescence-guided surgery (FGS) is poised to revolutionize surgical medicine through near-infrared (NIR) fluorophores for tissue- and disease-specific contrast. Clinical open and laparoscopic FGS vision systems operate nearly exclusively at NIR wavelengths. However, tissue-specific NIR contrast agents compatible with clinically available imaging systems are lacking, leaving nerve tissue identification during prostatectomy a persistent challenge.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNerve-binding fluorophores with near-infrared (NIR; 650 to 900 nm) emission could reduce iatrogenic nerve injury rates by providing surgeons precise, real-time visualization of the peripheral nervous system. Unfortunately, current systemically administered nerve contrast agents predominantly emit at visible wavelengths and show nonspecific uptake in surrounding tissues such as adipose, muscle, and facia, thus limiting detection to surgically exposed surface-level nerves. Here, a focused NIR fluorophore library was synthesized and screened through multi-tiered optical and pharmacological assays to identify nerve-binding fluorophore candidates for clinical translation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe complete mitochondrial genome of the Critically Endangered Trinidad Piping Guan, (Jacquin 1784) synonym was sequenced for the first time in this study. The genome is 16,665 bp in length with overall base compositions of 30.1, 23.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBy inserting a microlens array at the intermediate image plane of an optical microscope, one can record four-dimensional light fields of biological specimens in a single snapshot. Unlike a conventional photograph, light fields permit manipulation of viewpoint and focus after the snapshot has been taken, subject to the resolution of the camera and the diffraction limit of the optical system. By inserting a second microlens array and video projector into the microscope's illumination path, one can control the incident light field falling on the specimen in a similar way.
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