Optical density based quantification of total haemoglobin concentrations with spectroscopic optical coherence tomography.

Spectroscopic optical coherence tomography (sOCT) has emerged as a new possibility for non-invasive quantification of total haemoglobin concentrations [tHb]. Recently, we demonstrated that [tHb] measured in ex-vivo human whole-blood with a conventional sOCT system achieves a precision of 9.10 g/dL with a bias of 1.

Dependency of the optical scattering properties of human milk on casein content and common sample preparation methods.

Significance: Quantifying human milk composition is important for daily nutritional management in neonatal intensive cares worldwide. Photonic solutions based on visible light can potentially aid in this analysis, as energy content of human milk depends largely on fat content, and the optical scattering properties of human milk predominantly depend on the size and concentration of fat globules. However, it is expected that human milk scattering changes upon homogenization, routinely done before analysis, which may affect fat globule size.

Quantification of total haemoglobin concentrations in human whole blood by spectroscopic visible-light optical coherence tomography.

The non-invasive quantification of total haemoglobin concentrations [tHb] is highly desired for the assessment of haematologic disorders in vulnerable patient groups, but invasive blood sampling is still the gold standard in current clinical practice. This work demonstrates the potential of visible-light spectroscopic optical coherence tomography (sOCT) for quantifying the [tHb] in human whole blood. To accurately quantify the [tHb] from the substantial optical attenuation by blood in the visible wavelength range, we used a combination of zero-delay acquisition and focus tracking that ensures optimal system sensitivity at any depth inside the sample.

Optical properties of human milk.

With human milk being the most important source of infant nutrition, the protection and support of breastfeeding are essential from a global health perspective. Nevertheless, relatively few objective methods are available to investigate human milk composition and lactation physiology when a mother experiences breastfeeding problems. We argue that optics and photonics offer promising opportunities for this purpose.

Spatially confined quantification of bilirubin concentrations by spectroscopic visible-light optical coherence tomography.

Spatially confined measurements of bilirubin in tissue can be of great value for noninvasive bilirubin estimations during neonatal jaundice, as well as our understanding of the physiology behind bilirubin extravasation. This work shows the potential of spectroscopic visible-light optical coherence tomography (sOCT) for this purpose. At the bilirubin absorption peak around 460 nm, sOCT suffers from a strong signal decay with depth, which we overcome by optimizing our system sensitivity through a combination of zero-delay acquisition and focus tracking.

Quantitative photoacoustic integrating sphere (QPAIS) platform for absorption coefficient and Grüneisen parameter measurements: Demonstration with human blood.

Quantitative photoacoustic imaging in biomedicine relies on accurate measurements of relevant material properties of target absorbers. Here, we present a method for simultaneous measurements of the absorption coefficient and Grüneisen parameter of small volume of liquid scattering and absorbing media using a coupled-integrating sphere system which we refer to as quantitative photoacoustic integrating sphere (QPAIS) platform. The derived equations do not require absolute magnitudes of optical energy and pressure values, only calibration of the setup using aqueous ink dilutions is necessary.

Quantitative blood oxygen saturation imaging using combined photoacoustics and acousto-optics.

In photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS), wavelength dependent optical attenuation of biological tissue presents a challenge to measure the absolute oxygen saturation of hemoglobin (sO2). Here, we employ the combination of photoacoustics and acousto-optics (AO) at two optical wavelengths to achieve quantification, where AO serves as a sensor for the relative local fluence. We demonstrate that our method enables compensation of spatial as well as wavelength dependent fluence variations in PAS without a priori knowledge about the optical properties of the medium.

Photoacoustic measurement of the Grüneisen parameter using an integrating sphere.

A method that uses an integrating sphere as a platform for photoacoustic measurement of the Grüneisen parameter Γ of absorbing liquids is developed. Derivation of a simple equation for determining Γ is presented. This equation only requires the voltage peak-to-peak value of the photoacoustic signal detected by a flat transducer and the relative energy of the incident light measured by a photodetector.

Light interactions with gold nanorods and cells: implications for photothermal nanotherapeutics.

Gold nanorods (AuNR) can be tailored to possess an intense and narrow longitudinal plasmon (LP) absorption peak in the far-red to near-infrared wavelength region, where tissue is relatively transparent to light. This makes AuNRs excellent candidates as contrast agents for photoacoustic imaging, and as photothermal therapeutic agents. The favorable optical properties of AuNR which depend on the physical parameters of shape, size and plasmonic coupling effects, are required to be stable during use.

In vitro toxicity studies of polymer-coated gold nanorods.

We evaluated cellular responses to polymer-treated gold nanorods, which were synthesized using the standard wet-chemistry method that utilizes hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). The nanorod dispersions were coated with either polystyrene sulfonate (PSS) or polyethylene glycol (PEG). Two sizes of nanorods were tested, with optical responses peaking at 628 and 773 nm.

Synthesis and bioconjugation of gold nanoparticles as potential molecular probes for light-based imaging techniques.

We have synthesized and characterized gold nanoparticles (spheres and rods) with optical extinction bands within the "optical imaging window." The intense plasmon resonant driven absorption and scattering peaks of these nanoparticles make them suitable as contrast agents for optical imaging techniques. Further, we have conjugated these gold nanoparticles to a mouse monoclonal antibody specific to HER2 overexpressing SKBR3 breast carcinoma cells.

Gene therapy for lipoprotein lipase deficiency: working toward clinical application.

Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) deficiency causes hypertriglyceridemia and recurrent, potentially life-threatening pancreatitis. There currently is no adequate treatment for this disease. Previously, we showed that intramuscular administration of an adeno-associated virus serotype 1 (AAV1) vector encoding the human LPL(S447X) variant cDNA (AAV1-LPL(S447X)) normalized the dyslipidemia of LPL-/- mice for more than 1 year.

Compromised LCAT function is associated with increased atherosclerosis.

Background: Prospective epidemiological studies have shown that low plasma levels of HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) are associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Despite nearly 40 years of research, however, it is unclear whether this also holds true for individuals with severely reduced levels of HDL-C due to mutations in the lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) gene. Better insight into CVD risk in these individuals may provide clues toward the potential of LCAT as a pharmaceutical target to raise HDL-C levels.

A novel apoA-I mutation (L178P) leads to endothelial dysfunction, increased arterial wall thickness, and premature coronary artery disease.

Objectives: We investigated the consequences of an apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) gene defect with regard to lipid metabolism, endothelial function, arterial wall thickness, and coronary artery disease (CAD) risk.

Background: Due to limited numbers of carriers of the apoA-I defects, data on the consequences of such defects have remained inconclusive.

Methods: Lipids and lipoproteins were measured in 54 apoA-I (L178P) carriers and 147 nonaffected siblings.