Types Of Probes Research Articles

An Assessment of the Feasibility, Patient Acceptance, and Performance of Point-of-Care Transient Elastography for Metabolic-Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD): A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Vibration-Controlled Transient Elastography (VCTE) with FibroScan is a non-invasive, reliable diagnostic tool for Metabolic-Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD), enabling early detection and management to prevent severe liver diseases. VCTE’s ease and portability suit primary care, streamlining referrals, promoting lifestyle changes, reducing costs, and benefiting underserved communities. Methods: Studies on point-of-care VCTE were systematically reviewed, followed by meta-analysis using a random-effects model. Pooled proportions with 95% confidence intervals were reported, and heterogeneity was assessed using I2%. Results: A total of twenty studies from 14 countries, including 6159 patients, were analyzed, with three studies from France, two from the U.S., and four from China. The population had a slight male preponderance, with a mean age range of 35–73 years and a BMI range of 24.4–41.1%. The diagnostic accuracy for detecting any fibrosis (≥F1) was reported in four studies (n = 210) with an AUC of 0.74, sensitivity of 69.5%, and specificity of 70.6%. For significant fibrosis (≥F2), eight studies (n = 650) reported an AUC of 0.69, sensitivity of 81.7%, and specificity of 64.6%. Advanced fibrosis (≥F3) was evaluated in 10 studies (n = 619), with an AUC of 0.84, sensitivity of 88.1%, and specificity of 63.8%. Cirrhosis (F4) was assessed in nine studies (n = 533), with an AUC of 0.65, sensitivity of 87.5%, and specificity of 62.6%. Steatosis diagnoses across stages S1 to S3 showed increasing diagnostic accuracies, with AUCs of 0.85, 0.76, and 0.80, respectively. Probe type and BMI were significant covariates influencing diagnostic performance for both fibrosis and steatosis, while the percentage of male participants also showed significant associations. Conclusions: VCTE shows high diagnostic accuracy for fibrosis and steatosis in MASLD patients at the point of care. Future research should assess its implementation in fibroscan settings.

Evaluating stress resilience of cyanobacteria through flow cytometry and fluorescent viability assessment.

Cyanobacteria are prokaryotic organisms characterised by their complex structures and a wide range of pigments. With their ability to fix CO2, cyanobacteria are interesting for white biotechnology as cell factories to produce various high-value metabolites such as polyhydroxyalkanoates, pigments, or proteins. White biotechnology is the industrial production and processing of chemicals, materials, and energy using microorganisms. It is known that exposing cyanobacteria to low levels of stressors can induce the production of secondary metabolites. Understanding of this phenomenon, known as hormesis, can involve the strategic application of controlled stressors to enhance the production of specific metabolites. Consequently, precise measurement of cyanobacterial viability becomes crucial for process control. However, there is no established reliable and quick viability assay protocol for cyanobacteria since the task is challenging due to strong interferences of autofluorescence signals of intercellular pigments and fluorescent viability probes when flow cytometry is used. We performed the screening of selected fluorescent viability probes used frequently in bacteria viability assays. The results of our investigation demonstrated the efficacy and reliability of three widely utilised types of viability probes for the assessment of the viability of Synechocystis strains. The developed technique can be possibly utilised for the evaluation of the importance of polyhydroxyalkanoates for cyanobacterial cultures with respect to selected stressor-repeated freezing and thawing. The results indicated that the presence of polyhydroxyalkanoate granules in cyanobacterial cells could hypothetically contribute to the survival of repeated freezing and thawing.

The effectiveness of sacral lateral branch radiofrequency neurotomy for posterior sacroiliac joint complex pain in patients selected by dual sacral lateral branch blocks; A real-world cohort study

BackgroundPrevious study of spinal neurotomy procedures indicates that stringent block selection improves outcomes. However, this pattern is not established for sacral lateral branch radiofrequency neurotomy (SLBRFN). Few SLBRFN studies have used stringent block selection criteria such as ≥80 % pain reduction following dual sacral lateral branch blocks (SLBB). ObjectiveEvaluate the effectiveness of SLBRFN in patients with ≥80 % pain relief following dual SLBBs. MethodsRetrospective single-arm cohort study of consecutive patients from two Canadian musculoskeletal and pain clinics who underwent first-time SLBRFN after report of ≥80 % pain relief following dual diagnostic SLBBs. Patients were identified by electronic medical record query between 2016 and 2022. The primary outcome was the proportion of individuals with a ≥50 % reduction in the numeric pain rating scale (NPRS) score three months after SLBRFN. Secondary outcomes included the proportion of responders achieving the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) on the pain disability quality-of-life questionnaire (PDQQ), and the duration and mean percentage of pain relief among those with recurrent symptoms after a successful SLBRFN. ResultsOf the 70 participants included, 32 (45.7 %; 95 % CI = 34.6–57.3) reported a ≥50 % reduction in NPRS, and 35 (50.0 %; 95 % CI = 38.6–61.4) achieved the MCID on the PDQQ at 3-months. Among the 17 patients who reported a return of symptoms, the mean duration of relief was 8.0 ± 3.5 months, and the mean percentage of pain relief was 77.9 % ± 16.4 %. Logistic regression models revealed that the use of multi-tined RF probes and lower patient BMI were associated with treatment success. Discussion/conclusionSLBRFN reduced pain and disability in approximately 50 % of patients at 3 months when selected using relatively restrictive selection criteria. Treatment success was associated with multi-tined RF probe type and lower patient BMI. Larger prospective studies assessing long-term outcomes are needed to further evaluate the impact of different selection criteria and techniques on SLBRFN effectiveness.

Detection of AFB1 by Immunochromatographic Test Strips Based on Double-Probe Signal Amplification with Nanobody and Biotin-Streptavidin System.

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is highly toxic and difficult to prevent. It is mainly produced by fungi and exists in plants and animals and is classified by the World Health Organization as a class I carcinogen, posing a serious threat to human and animal health. Therefore, it is important to establish an efficient, sensitive, and on-site detection method for AFB1 to protect human health. The immunochromatographic test strip method is simple, sensitive, and can achieve real-time detection. However, traditional immunochromatographic test strips have low sensitivity due to their relatively weak optical properties. In this study, Nb-G8 was biotinylated using a chemical method. Two sizes of gold nanoflowers (AuNFs) were prepared and combined with biotinylated G8 and streptavidin to form two types of probes. These probes were sprayed on gold standard pads and expanded pads, respectively, to enhance the signals through the high affinity interaction between streptavidin and biotin. Under the optimal experimental conditions, the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of this method was 5.0 ng/mL and the limit of detection (IC10) was 0.03 ng/mL, which increased the sensitivity of the test strip by four-fold compared with that of the traditional biotinylated nanoantibody immunochromatography test strip and had a wider detection range. In conclusion, the use of a high-affinity amplification signal between biotin and streptavidin is a valuable method for the detection of aflatoxin.

Analysis of ultrasonic device influence on the ultrasonic thickness measurement of the steel grade

ABSTRACT Ultrasonic thickness measurement depends on the capability of the equipment and its operating characteristics, as well as on the auxiliary means used to adjust the system and analyse the obtained results. The characteristics of the ultrasonic device commonly used as a flaw detector are crucial for achieving accurate and precise results and are very important for the reliability of the results obtained in the measurement process, especially in production systems. This article aims to determine the quantitative variations in thickness caused by influencing parameters of the ultrasonic device and chosen ultrasonic probe, their quantification of interactions, and the significance of their influence on the accuracy and precision of the results. In the experimental part of the research, a factorial plan of the experiment was carried out to determine the influence of the ultrasonic device and the type of ultrasonic probe on the variability of the results of the ultrasonic thickness measurement. The parameters of the ultrasonic device and probes were analysed, and the experimental plan for developing the regression model was elaborated. The response surface methodology was applied, and the in-service measurement process was simulated using Monte Carlo simulation.

Polydimethylsiloxanes - Based Fluorescent Probe for H2S Detection in Living Cells.

The development of fluorescent probes for H2S detection especially in living cells is of great significance due to its fundamental role as signal molecule. A promising scaffold for the development of such probes is polydimethylsiloxanes (PDMS), which is cost-effectiveness, non-toxicity, flexibility, and biocompatibility and easy to post-functionalize. Surprisingly, fluorescent probes for H2S detection based on PDMS have not been investigated. Moreover, 4-nitro - 2,1,3-benzoxadiazole (NBD) derivates provides high fluorescence quantum yield, a large molar absorption coefficient, and sensitivity to environmental changes. Through reasonable design and adjustment of substituents on the NBD group, precise control of its fluorescence properties can be achieved. Herein, a novel H2S fluorescent probe, P-NBD, was designed and synthesized by a one-step aromatic ring nucleophilic substitution of Cl-NBD with a PDMS derivative. Due to the occurrence of the cleavage reaction strategy and the intramolecular charge transfer process, P-NBD can detect H2S via a colorimetric method. The limit of detection is down to 93 nM. P-NBD demonstrated considerable detection capability comparable to other reported types of H2S probes. Moreover, the probe can also be utilized for H2S imaging in HeLa cells. This work provides new insights into the design and synthesis of novel H2S probes while also offering experimental evidence for the application of PDMS in cellular imaging.

Performance Investigation of Multi-Turn Pickup for Circular Fractal Flexible Planar Eddy Current Probe

ABSTRACT This paper aims to compare and analyze the performance differences between a single-coil and multi-coil pickup coil layout in a flexible circular fractal planar eddy current probe. Flexible planar eddy current probes offer flexibility and adaptability, making them widely used in the detection of complex structures. The circular fractal flexible planar eddy current probe is a new type of probe that has a lower miss rate in detecting cracks at specific angles compared to traditional circular and rectangular coil eddy current probes. However, the single-coil structure of the probe’s pickup coil has the drawback of being less sensitive to weak signals. This paper investigates the detection performance of the flexible circular fractal probe by varying the number of turns in the original pickup coil. Experimental comparisons were conducted by preparing and installing single-coil and multi-coil circular fractal planar eddy current probes. The performance differences between single-coil and multi-coil configurations were compared and analyzed under various excitation frequencies, liftoff distances, and internal crack depths. The results showed that, compared to the single-coil probe, the multi-coil probe exhibited significantly improved detection signal values and sensitivity.

Impact of ultrasonic probe type, frequency, and static pressure on large-scale graphene exfoliation

The ultrasonic liquid phase exfoliation method has emerged as an essential research direction for graphene preparation due to its cost-effectiveness and ability to minimize defects. However, this method faces challenges related to processing throughput when scaled up for industrial production. In this study, industrial grade ultrasonic homogenizers with different frequencies and probe types were evaluated for the preparation of FLG. In each experiment, 1.5 kg of graphite slurry was treated using a cyclic ultrasonic system. The results demonstrated that the 25 kHz dumbbell probe produced the thinnest FLG with the lowest defect density. Moreover, applying a static pressure of 0.2 MPa in the cycle system enhanced the cavitation-induced exfoliation of graphite sheets, effectively reducing the layer count and distribution range of FLG. This method improves the conductivity while minimizing defect density.

Observation of Body‐Centered‐Cubic Cu Nanocluster with Partial Cu(0) Character

The structure of nanoparticles is a key determinant of their material properties. The synthesis of non‐face‐centered‐cubic (FCC) Cu nanoclusters (NCs) with Cu(0) character is still challenging due to their instability. Herein, a Cu(0)‐containing Cu NC is first reported to contain a metallic framework of 23 Cu atoms with a body‐centered‐cubic Cu@Cu8 core, stabilized by 6 triphenylphosphine (TPP) and 18 4‐methylbenzenethiolate ligands, as determined by single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography. The observed structure stands in stark contrast to the FCC and other structures reported for Cu NCs. Moreover, this newly formed NC could react with Au+ ion with controlled concentration, rapidly yielding another identifiable and bright red‐emitting AuCu14 cluster upon irradiation. Based on this structural conversion, a new “turn‐on” type of photoluminescent probe can be developed for the detection of Au+ ion with an ultrafast response time (30 s) at a low detection limit (0.13 ppm). This work provides a new way of understanding the growth of metal clusters and exploring their applications in luminescent sensors.

Temperature Excursions in Cold Chain Management-Assessing the Accuracy of Refrigerator Temperature Probes.

Background: Medications requiring refrigeration for stability are commonly used across hospitals. Temperature-sensitive medications may not have their temperature requirements maintained due to breaches in the cold chain, especially refrigerator failure. This is usually caused by malfunction of the refrigerator unit or by power outage. After multiple power outages at our institution involving refrigerators with temperature probes located in different areas of the refrigerator, we hypothesised that the fixed temperature probe may not accurately reflect the temperature of the medications themselves. Methods: We conducted simulations of power outages in a commonly used medication refrigerator, using additional temperature data loggers, placed on the refrigerator shelf and inside a cardboard box to replicate the temperature inside medication containers to determine if there was a difference in the time to breach cold chain conditions (>8°C) and to return to appropriate refrigerated temperatures (<8°C) when power was restored. Results: All data loggers took a longer time to breach cold chain conditions than the refrigerator probe (12.5 minutes vs 23-26 minutes) but took longer to return to acceptable temperature after power was restored (17.5 minutes vs 70.5-89 minutes). Conclusion: This exploratory research suggests that temperatures vary within a refrigerator depending on the type and location of probe and that medications within may take longer to breach cold chain conditions but also take longer to return to cold chain conditions compared with fixed refrigerator temperature probes. Further research is required to determine whether these variations occur across different sizes/brands of refrigerators and the effect on stability on refrigerated medications.

Localization–delocalization transition for light particles in turbulence

Small bubbles in fluids rise to the surface due to Archimede's force. Remarkably, in turbulent flows this process is severely hindered by the presence of vortex filaments, which act as moving potential wells, dynamically trapping light particles and bubbles. Quantifying the statistical weights and roles of vortex filaments in turbulence is, however, still an outstanding experimental and computational challenge due to their small scale, fast chaotic motion, and transient nature. Here we show that, under the influence of a modulated oscillatory forcing, the collective bubble behavior switches from a dynamically localized to a delocalized state. Additionally, we find that by varying the forcing frequency and amplitude, a remarkable resonant phenomenon between light particles and small-scale vortex filaments emerges, likening particle behavior to a forced damped oscillator. We discuss how these externally actuated bubbles can be used as a type of microscopic probe to investigate the space-time statistical properties of the smallest turbulence scales, allowing to quantitatively measure physical characteristics of vortex filaments. We develop a superposition model that is in excellent agreement with the simulation data of the particle dynamics which reveals the fraction of localized/delocalized particles as well as characteristics of the potential landscape induced by vortices in turbulence. Our approach paves the way for innovative ways to accurately measure turbulent properties and to the possibility to control light particles and bubble motions in turbulence with potential applications to oceanography, medical imaging, drug/gene delivery, chemical reactions, wastewater treatment, and industrial mixing.

Rhodamine 6G-PAH probes for heavy metal: Fluorescence detection, bioimaging, and solid-phase sensing application

Four rhodamine 6G-PAH probes with pyrene (R6G-Pyr), anthracene (R6G-Ant), acenaphthene (R6G-Acp) or phenanthrene (R6G-PA) as fluorophore were designed and synthesized for Hg(II) detection. Probe R6G-PA, which had the lowest detection limit of 0.84 nmol/L, displayed the best fluorescence performance as compared to the other three probes. This type of probe had good anti-interference properties against most common metal ions except Cu(II). Metal Cu(II) had a certain quenching effect on the fluorescence generated by Hg(II), with a minimum detection limit of 0.31 nmol/L (for R6G-Acp), indicating its potential practicability for Cu(II) detection. The structure-fluorescence relationship was discussed based on density functional theory (DFT) calculations, and R6G-PA + Hg(II), which had the minimum dihedral angle between polycyclic aromatic rings and rhodamine spiro ring, produced the strongest π-π accumulation and provided the brightest fluorescence. Probe R6G-PA was successfully employed for fluorescence detection of Hg(II) in biological samples. Its solid-phase sensor PS@R6G-PA was developed by immobilizing R6G-PA on PS microspheres for the determination of Hg(II) in water and food samples, with excellent reproducibility and fluorescence “on/off” response. The relative error of the spiked recovery rate was less than 10 %.

Effect of particle size, probe type, position and glassware geometry on laboratory-scale ultrasonic extraction of Citrus maxima flavedo

Laboratory-scale ultrasonic extraction efficiency can be improved by selecting appropriate substrate size, glassware type and hardware configurations. For the first time, effects of using different common glassware shapes and geometries with two common ultrasonic probes on phytochemical extractability in 80 % ethanol were investigated. Citrus maxima peel powder was the model substrate. Smaller particles of 100–150 μm yielded higher mass (51.26 ± 0.25 %), however not consistently enhancing phenolic and flavonoid content owing to thermal effects. 300–500 μm particles exhibited higher antioxidant activities (92.38 ± 0.50 % DPPH reduction and 2.81 ± 0.05 mM/g FRAP). A 3 mm diameter probe gave superior yield (>43 %) and quality (>40 % TPC; >35 % TFC and >28 % FRAP) over a 13 mm probe. Deeper probe placements (50–70 mm) enhanced cavitation effects, improving extraction efficiency and bioactivity (>20 % yield; >10 % TPC and TFC; >21 % FRAP respectively). Curved vessel base was found to be appropriate for generating efficient cavitation effects and extraction zones. Narrow-bodied test tube and falcon tube outperformed wider beakers and conical flasks. Improvements up to 43 %, 40 %, 38 % and 28 % in yield, TPC, TFC and FRAP respectively were achieved in them. Principal component analysis highlighted the synergistic effects. Schemes of ultrasonic activities within the selected set-ups were hence theorized from this study.

NinjaCap: a fully customizable and 3D printable headgear for functional near-infrared spectroscopy and electroencephalography brain imaging.

Accurate sensor placement is vital for non-invasive brain imaging, particularly for functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) and diffuse optical tomography (DOT), which lack standardized layouts such as those in electroencephalography (EEG). Custom, manually prepared probe layouts on textile caps are often imprecise and labor intensive. We introduce a method for creating personalized, 3D-printed headgear, enabling the accurate translation of 3D brain coordinates to 2D printable panels for custom fNIRS and EEG sensor layouts while reducing costs and manual labor. Our approach uses atlas-based or subject-specific head models and a spring-relaxation algorithm for flattening 3D coordinates onto 2D panels, using 10-5 EEG coordinates for reference. This process ensures geometrical fidelity, crucial for accurate probe placement. Probe geometries and holder types are customizable and printed directly on the cap, making the approach agnostic to instrument manufacturers and probe types. Our ninjaCap method offers probe placement accuracy. Over the last five years, we have developed and validated this approach with over 50 cap models and 500 participants. A cloud-based ninjaCap generation pipeline along with detailed instructions is now available at openfnirs.org. The ninjaCap marks a significant advancement in creating individualized neuroimaging caps, reducing costs and labor while improving probe placement accuracy, thereby reducing variability in research.

Enhancing Flexible Neural Probe Performance via Platinum Deposition: Impedance Stability under Various Conditions and In Vivo Neural Signal Monitoring.

Monitoring neural activity in the central nervous system often utilizes silicon-based microelectromechanical system (MEMS) probes. Despite their effectiveness in monitoring, these probes have a fragility issue, limiting their application across various fields. This study introduces flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) neural probes characterized by robust mechanical and electrical properties. The probes demonstrate low impedance after platinum coating, making them suitable for multiunit recordings in awake animals. This capability allows for the simultaneous monitoring of a large population of neurons in the brain, including cluster data. Additionally, these probes exhibit no fractures, mechanical failures, or electrical issues during repeated-bending tests, both during handling and monitoring. Despite the possibility of using this neural probe for signal measurement in awake animals, simply applying a platinum coating may encounter difficulties in chronic tests and other applications. Furthermore, this suggests that FPCB probes can be advanced by any method and serve as an appropriate type of tailorable neural probes for monitoring neural systems in awake animals.

Multiplex Sensing of Biomarkers on the Cancer Cell Surface by an Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) Sensing Panel Enables Precise Differentiating of Cancer Cells at Various EMT Stages.

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a complex process that plays a critical role in tumor progression. In this study, we present an EMT sensing panel for the classification of cancer cells at different EMT stages. This sensing panel consists of three types of fluorescent probes based on boronic acid-functionalized carbon-nitride nanosheet (BCN) derivatives. The selective response toward different EMT-associated biomarkers, namely, EpCAM, N-cadherin, and sialic acid (SA), was achieved by conjugating the corresponding antibodies to each BCN derivative, whereas the rare-earth-doping ensures simultaneous sensing of the three biomarkers with fluorescent emission of the three probes at different wavelengths. Sensitive sensing of the three biomarkers was achieved at the protein level with LODs reaching 1.35 ng mL-1 for EpCAM, 1.62 ng mL-1 for N-cadherin, and 1.54 ng mL-1 for SA. The selective response of these biomarkers on the cell surface also facilitated sensitive detection of MCF-7 cells and MDA-MB-231 cells with LODs of 2 cells/mL and 2 cells/mL, respectively. Based on the simultaneous sensing of the three biomarkers on cancer cells that underwent different extents of EMT, precise discrimination and classification of cells at various EMT stages were also achieved with an accuracy of 93.3%. This EMT sensing panel provided a versatile tool for monitoring the EMT evolution process and has the potential to be used for the evaluation of the EMT-targeting therapy and metastasis prediction.

Gingival phenotype classification by visual and probe visibility assessments: Relationship with thickness and probe design.

This study investigated the agreement among dentists in classifying gingival phenotype (GP) through periodontal probe visibility (PPV) assessment with various probe types and the visual method. Additionally, the relationship between GP classifications and gingival thickness (GT) was evaluated. Photographs were taken with standard periodontal probe (SPP), color-coded periodontal probe (CCPP) tips in white, green, and blue, as well as metal phenotype probe (MPP) tips in gray and black. Evaluators (periodontist, periodontics resident, endodontics resident, dental student) assessed the photographs and classified the GPs. GT was measured by trans gingival probing. Visual method showed poor to fair agreement to classify GP. The lowest agreement regarding PPV was noted with white-tipped CCPP. The highest agreement in singular PPV was observed with CCPP blue (κ=0.932), followed by CCPP green (κ=0.791), MPP black (κ=0.783), SPP (κ=0.730), and MPP gray (κ=0.690). Combined PPV data revealed fair to moderate agreement with CCPP and moderate to substantial agreement with MPP in GP classification. The corresponding GT to different GP classifications based on combined PPV were comparable. The agreement between SPP and CCPP in classifying non-thin phenotypes was 89.8%, while the agreement between SPP and MPP was 75.4%. Based on PPV, no significant GT cutoff value was found to distinguish between thin and non-thin phenotypes. Determining a precise GT that guarantees the visibility of a given probe can be difficult when evaluating GP. Regardless of the type of probe, the PPV method has a high potential for misclassifying GP, despite having an acceptable agreement. Gingival phenotype (GP) is constituted by thickness of the gums and width of keratinized tissue around teeth. Direct visual evaluation or evaluating a periodontal probe's visibility beneath gums are established techniques to classify gingival phenotype. This study investigated how dentists classify GP using visual assessments and different types of periodontal probes, while also exploring the relationship between GP classifications and gingival thickness. Results showed varied agreement among dentists in classifying GP, with lower agreement observed when using certain types of probes, notably the white-tipped phenotype probe. The highest agreement was found with the blue phenotype probe. Data from periodontal probe visibility assessments indicated fair to moderate agreement with certain probes, suggesting some inconsistency in classification methods. Interestingly, GP classification with visual assessments or probes did not correlate with gingival thickness, which may highlight the importance of considering both factors in clinical practice. These findings underline the need for attention when relying solely on visual assessments or specific probe types for accurate GP classification.

Acute type B aortic dissection following transcatheter mitral valve edge-to-edge repair: a case report

Abstract Background Transoesophageal echocardiography is rarely reported as a possible cause of aortic dissection during the transcatheter edge-to-edge repair procedure. Herein, we present a case of type B aortic dissection following the transcatheter mitral valve edge-to-edge repair procedure, most likely related to the transoesophageal echocardiography probe. Case summary A 68-year-old Chinese man complained of exertional dyspnoea lasting over 2 years and had been diagnosed with severe mitral regurgitation. He was admitted to our hospital for the treatment of severe mitral regurgitation with transcatheter edge-to-edge repair. One MitraClip XTR (Abbott Vascular) was successfully implanted under the guidance of active transoesophageal echocardiography, and the mitral regurgitation became trace. However, the patient complained of persistent back pain after the treatment, and computed tomography angiography revealed a type B aortic dissection in the descending aorta. After 2 weeks of unsuccessful conservative treatment, he successfully underwent endovascular stenting and was discharged from the hospital. The patient recovered well and remained event free during the 6-month follow-up. Discussion Herein, we presented a rare complication following transcatheter mitral valve edge-to-edge repair that was most likely related to the transoesophageal echocardiography probe—type B aortic dissection. We postulated that repetitive flexion of the transoesophageal echocardiography probe led to compression-induced injury to the descending aorta wall at the mid-oesophageal level, which was the most probable aetiology of type B aortic dissection. Although this complication is rare, it is potentially fatal and therefore needs attention.

A complete 3D-printed tool kit for Solid-State NMR sample and rotor handling

Solid state NMR (SSNMR) is a highly versatile and broadly applicable method for studying the structure and dynamics of biomolecules and materials. For scientists entering the field of SSNMR, the many quotidian activities required in the workflow to prepare samples for data collection can present a significant barrier to adoption. These steps include transfer of samples into rotors, marking the reflective surfaces for high sensitivity tachometer signal detection, inserting rotors into the magic-angle spinning (MAS) stator, achieving stable spinning, and removing and storing rotors to ensure reproducibility of data collection conditions. Even experienced spectroscopists experience occasional problems with these operations, and the cumulative probability of a delay to successful data collection is high enough to cause frequent disruptions to instrument schedules, particularly in the context of large facilities serving a diverse community of users. These problems are all amplified when utilizing rotors smaller than about 4 mm in diameter. Therefore, to improve the reliability and robustness of SSNMR sample preparation workflows, here we describe a set of tools for rotor packing, unpacking, tachometer marking, extraction and storage. Stereolithography 3D printing was employed as a cost-effective and convenient method for prototyping and manufacturing a full range of designs suitable for several types of probes and rotor geometries.

Preclinical research progress in HER2-targeted small-molecule probes for breast cancer.

Breast cancer is amalignant tumor that has the highest morbidity and mortality in women worldwide. Human epidermal growth factor receptor2 (HER2) is akey driver of breast cancer development. Therefore, accurate assessment of HER2 expression in cancer patients and timely initiation or termination of anti-HER2 treatment are crucial for the prognosis of breast cancer patients. The emergence of radiolabeled molecular probes targeting HER2 makes this assessment possible. This article describes different types of small-molecule probes that target HER2 and are used in current preclinical applications and summarizes their advantages and disadvantages.