Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Sebastian Wolf, Juergen Popp, Torsten Frosch
Summary: High-throughput screening requires efficient spectral imaging techniques, but current designs lack the ability to measure hyperspectral images or microscopy setups. This study presents a novel setup for parallelized hyperspectral Raman spectroscopy that allows simultaneous acquisition of 64 high-resolution Raman spectra from a multi-well plate. This setup offers a time-saving solution for high-throughput screening applications and allows real-time chemical comparison between different micro-well spots.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS B-CHEMICAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Yamin Dai, Peiwen Zhou, Hong Xu, Yi Zhong, Bijia Wang, Linping Zhang, Xiaofeng Sui, Xueling Feng, Zhiping Mao
Summary: Confocal Raman microscopy was used to study the diffusion process of CI Reactive Blue 194 and CI Reactive Yellow 176 in single fibers, revealing that the initial dye concentration and the affinity between dye and fiber are the main factors affecting diffusion rate.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Sara Fateixa, Helena I. S. Nogueira, Tito Trindade
Summary: Raman imaging with cluster analysis was used to investigate structural and chemical transformations in carbamazepine polymorphs induced by temperature changes, allowing the identification of different polymorphs and degradation products.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Zhi Jin, Weili Cui, Jianfeng Ma, Qian Chen, Yuejin Fu
Summary: Confocal Raman microspectroscopy was used to observe the dissolution of hydroxycinnamates (HCMs) incorporated into lignin-carbohydrate complexes (LCCs) in energy crops Miscanthus sinensis cv. during NaOH treatment. The results showed that mild NaOH treatment led to a higher proportion of HCM depolymerization in highly lignified middle lamella areas compared to carbohydrate-abundant secondary walls. Raman imaging revealed that lignin depolymerization was more pronounced in the sclerenchyma fiber and parenchyma secondary wall with increasing treatment time, while the depolymerization of HCMs was closely related to lignin depolymerization. A better understanding of these processes is important for efficient breaking of LCC bonds in herbaceous biomass.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Optics
Xuefang Yang, Han Zhang, Zhexi Liu, Yubo Fan, Shuhua Yue, Dinglong Ma, Xun Chen, Pu Wang
Summary: Chromatic confocal technology is widely used in industry, especially in device defect detection and ranging. However, traditional chromatic confocal microscopy suffers from slow refresh rate. To overcome this limitation, a new time-stretch chromatic confocal microscopy is proposed, which significantly improves the speed and efficiency of multi-depth imaging.
LASER & PHOTONICS REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Florian Kleiner, Christian Matthes, Christiane Roessler
Summary: This study compared argon broad ion beam (BIB) sectioning with state-of-the-art sample preparation methods for hydrated alite in order to quantify pore size distributions in hardened pastes. It investigated the benefits of sample cooling during BIB to avoid deterioration of cement hydrates, and demonstrated the quantitative analysis of pores as small as 5 nm in hydrated alite pastes through image analysis.
CEMENT AND CONCRETE RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Cheng Fang, Zahra Sobhani, Xian Zhang, Luke McCourt, Ben Routley, Christopher T. Gibson, Ravi Naidu
Summary: The study developed an algorithm to merge multiple Raman images in order to enhance mapping accuracy for the identification of microplastics/nanoplastics, with validation conducted on microplastics/nanoplastics potentially generated by laser printers in offices or homes. This approach improves the certainty of mapping and identification in complex samples containing various materials with overlapping Raman signals.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
E. Enriquez, A. del Campo, J. J. Reinosa, G. Konstantopoulos, C. Charitidis, J. F. Fernandez
Summary: Quartz is a highly useful material in solid-state physics for material science and has various applications in devices and sensors. However, there is limited information on the effect of high local pressures on the structure and their correlation with mechanical properties. This study used nanoindentation combined with Raman Confocal microscopy to investigate the structural deformation and mechanical properties of a-quartz single crystal under high local pressures. The results showed permanent plastic deformation and the appearance of a denser phase under the indentation footprint, with the contribution increasing with the applied load.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY-JMR&T
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Chuanzhen Hu, Xianli Wang, Ling Liu, Chuanhai Fu, Kaiqin Chu, Zachary J. Smith
Summary: Compressive imaging strategy combined with context-aware image prior has significantly improved the speed and accuracy of Raman hyperspectral imaging. CARCI reduces the number of measurements by up to 85% while maintaining a high image quality, facilitating faster data acquisition and more reliable downstream analysis. Large datasets of chemical images can be obtained in a reasonable timescale, leading to improved biochemical modeling and identification of rare cells.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Bo Jiang, Wei Wei, Wenxuan Jiang, Mengqi Lv, Wei Wang, Hui Wang
Summary: This study directly visualizes the controllable recovery of electron transfer ability for single Prussian blue nanoparticles (PBNPs) after electron beam insertion using an electro-optical imaging technique. By eliminating e-beam damage and precisely controlling electron insertion behaviors, a lossless chemical reduction mechanism for metal ions on the framework structure of PBNP is induced, temporarily blocking electron transfer channels. A subsequent charge rebalance process at a sub-nanoparticle level rebuilds ion migration channels on the outer layer of single PBNP, repairing the electron transfer path. This work provides a generic methodology to study the electron-particle interplay and mechanism of electrode materials at a sub-nanoparticle level.
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Morgana D'Amico, Elisabetta Di Franco, Elena Cerutti, Vincenza Barresi, Daniele Condorelli, Alberto Diaspro, Luca Lanzano
Summary: Confocal fluorescence microscopy is a well-established imaging technique for generating thin optical sections of biological specimens. This study presents a simple method, called SPLIT-PIN, to achieve virtual confocal imaging at smaller pinhole sizes without compromising signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). The method involves sequential acquisition of multiple confocal images at different pinhole sizes and image processing based on phasor analysis, which improves imaging quality.
MICROSCOPY RESEARCH AND TECHNIQUE
(2022)
Article
Optics
Jianan Fang, Kun Huang, E. Wu, Ming Yan, Heping Zeng
Summary: This article introduces an infrared 3D imaging system capable of detecting three-dimensional structure and reflectivity information. The system operates at single-photon sensitivity and femtosecond timing resolution, enabling imaging under low-light conditions. By nonlinear frequency upconversion and recording with a silicon camera, the presented system achieves high lateral and depth resolutions for 3D reconstruction. Additionally, a numerical denoiser based on spatiotemporal correlation allows the retrieval of object profile and reflectivity even with a detected flux below 0.05 photons/pixel/second. This infrared 3D imager features high detection sensitivity, precise timing resolution, and wide-field operation, offering new possibilities in life and material sciences.
LIGHT-SCIENCE & APPLICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Huimin Zhuge, Brian Summa, Jihun Hamm, J. Quincy Brown
Summary: This study utilizes a Pix2Pix cGAN model to translate wide-field fluorescence microscopy images into optical section SIM images, demonstrating the potential for 2D to 3D image conversion and testing on fluorescent beads and human tissue samples.
BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Eloy Pena-Rodriguez, Teresa Garcia-Berrocoso, Ezequiel Vazquez Fernandez, Francisco J. Otero-Espinar, Joaquin Abian, Francisco Fenandez-Campos
Summary: Confocal Raman microscopy and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry imaging are two promising techniques for ex vivo skin imaging and quantification. The biodistribution of dexamethasone (DEX) loaded lipomers in the skin was compared using both techniques, with benzalkonium chloride (BAK) as a tracer. Confocal Raman microscopy showed higher DEX measurements, while MALDI-TOF MSI was more suitable for tracing BAK. Confocal Raman microscopy provided higher spatial resolution and observed specific skin structures, while MALDI-TOF MSI had a faster sampling rate and analyzed larger tissue areas.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Spectroscopy
Hannah Carruthers, Don Clark, Fiona C. Clarke, Karen Faulds, Duncan Graham
Summary: Chemical mapping by Raman spectroscopy is commonly used in the pharmaceutical industry to analyze component distribution within tablets, but current methods are limited to examining the sample's exposed surface. Recent research has explored a combination of Raman spectroscopic mapping and serial sectioning as an alternative method to obtain depth profiles of samples, providing appropriate lateral and axial resolution through the use of independent sample sectioning alongside Raman mapping.
JOURNAL OF RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY
(2022)
Article
Physics, Applied
Christopher Corden, Radu Boitor, Ioan Notingher
Summary: The use of time-gated Raman spectroscopy based on a single photon avalanche diode was investigated for acquiring Raman spectra of biological tissue under ambient lighting conditions. Optimal suppression of background light was observed for time gate widths of 300-1000 ps. The technique was able to detect subtle spectral differences required for medical diagnostics, such as differences in Raman spectra of cancer and normal tissue.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICS D-APPLIED PHYSICS
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Dai Le, Ekaterina Krasnopeeva, Faris Sinjab, Teuta Pilizota, Minsu Kim
Summary: Bacteria exhibit heterogeneous responses to protonophores, resulting in bimodal distributions of cell growth, substrate transport, and motility. Active efflux systems are required for this heterogeneous response, which is mediated by positive feedback between proton motive force and protonophores' action. These findings have broad implications for bacterial adaptation to stress, including antibiotics.
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
Max Dooley, Thomas Paterson, Louise Dexter, Pavel Matousek, Hamid Dehghani, Ioan Notingher
Summary: Spatially offset Raman spectroscopy (SORS) is a powerful technique for subsurface molecular analysis of optically turbid samples. Numerical modeling and experimental validation have shown that offsetting the laser source and detector in opposite directions can significantly improve spectral contrast and signal to noise ratio.
APPLIED SPECTROSCOPY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Ze-Xiang Wang, Rui-Si Hu, Xing-Quan Zhu, Xiao-Lin Sun, Hany M. Elsheikha
Summary: This study investigated the phosphoproteomic landscape of sporulated oocysts between virulent and avirulent Toxoplasma gondii strains, revealing significant differences in phosphopeptide profiles. Various motifs were identified in the differentially expressed phosphopeptides, and several kinases were associated with overrepresented phosphopeptides. Overall, the findings provide new insights into the mechanisms underlying the virulence of T. gondii.
MICROBIAL PATHOGENESIS
(2021)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Man-Yao Li, Xiao-Nan Gao, Jun-Yang Ma, Hany M. Elsheikha, Wei Cong
Summary: The global prevalence of T. gondii infection in wild marine mammals is estimated to be approximately 22.44%. The prevalence is higher in adult animals compared to younger age groups. North America has the highest prevalence among continents, and Spain has the highest prevalence among countries. Climatic variables, including a mean annual temperature >20 degrees C and an annual precipitation >800 mm, are associated with higher prevalence.
TRANSBOUNDARY AND EMERGING DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhiyu Liao, Klaas Wynne
Summary: Research on laser-induced crystal nucleation shows that the presence of amorphous intermediates is a general requirement for nucleation.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2022)
Review
Oncology
Surekha Barkur, Ioan Notingher, Emad Rakha
Summary: LN involvement is a strong prognostic factor in breast cancer, and the sentinel LN approach has reduced the need for extensive axillary surgery. While preoperative assessment has improved, intraoperative evaluation of the sentinel LN is important for accurate staging and management decisions. Optical techniques offer a cost-effective and accurate platform for intraoperative assessment of SLN within the operating theatre.
SURGICAL ONCOLOGY-OXFORD
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Hany M. Elsheikha, Alaa T. Al-Sandaqchi, Mohammad S. R. Harun, Francesca Winterton, Ali Altharawi, Nashwa A. Elsaied, Carl W. Stevenson, William MacNaughtan, John G. M. Mina, Paul W. Denny, Gianfelice Cinque, Ka Lung Andrew Chan
Summary: This study used FTIR microspectroscopy and synchrotron-based FTIR microspectroscopy to analyze the chemical changes associated with T. gondii infection of hBMECs. The results showed that both methods were able to reveal the chemical alterations in the infected cells. Furthermore, RNA sequencing analysis revealed significant changes in host cell genes and pathways in response to T. gondii infection.
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
Nathan Woodhouse, Jan Majer, Peter Marshall, Steve Hood, Ioan Notingher
Summary: Quantitative analysis of drug delivery in biological systems using Raman spectroscopy has been studied in rat brain and liver tissue models, showing promising results for assessing drug delivery in tissue applications.
APPLIED SPECTROSCOPY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Mohamed A. Helal, Ahmed M. Abdel-Gawad, Omnia M. Kandil, Marwa M. E. Khalifa, Alison A. Morrison, David J. Bartley, Gareth W. Cave, Hany M. Elsheikha
Summary: In this study, chitosan coated PLGA particles were used to encapsulate essential oil components, which showed potent anthelmintic activity against ovine gastrointestinal nematodes. The encapsulated particles improved the bioavailability and efficacy of the essential oil components.
Article
Parasitology
Lenu B. Fakae, Mohammad S. R. Harun, Darren Shu Jeng Ting, Harminder S. Dua, Gareth W. V. Cave, Xing-Quan Zhu, Carl W. Stevenson, Hany M. Elsheikha
Summary: We investigated the anti-acanthamoebic effect of green tea Camellia sinensis solvent extract and its chemical components against Acanthamoeba castellanii. The extract and two specific components, epigallocatechin-3-gallate and caffeine, were found to inhibit both the replication and encystation of the parasite. The extract did not show cytotoxicity to human corneal epithelial cells and Madin-Darby canine kidney cells. Further pre-clinical studies are needed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the extract in vivo.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jin-Lei Wang, Ting-Ting Li, Hany M. Elsheikha, Qin-Li Liang, Zhi-Wei Zhang, Meng Wang, L. David Sibley, Xing-Quan Zhu
Summary: Phenotypic switching between tachyzoite and bradyzoite is crucial for the pathogenicity and adaptability of Toxoplasma gondii. The protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) was found to play a key regulatory role in starch metabolism and bradyzoite differentiation in T. gondii.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Xiao-Nan Zheng, Jin-Lei Wang, Hany M. M. Elsheikha, Meng Wang, Zhi-Wei Zhang, Li-Xiu Sun, Xin-Cheng Wang, Xing-Quan Zhu, Ting-Ting Li
Summary: The analysis of the subcellular localization and function of dense granule proteins is crucial for understanding the pathogenesis of Toxoplasma gondii infection. This study identified 15 novel GRAs and determined their localization and functions in different life cycle stages and strains of T. gondii. Deletion of TGME49_266410 and TGME49_315910 significantly affected parasite growth and virulence, demonstrating their importance in T. gondii pathogenicity.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Wei Wang, Yi Yang, Huanping Guo, Ming-Han Li, Xiao-Qing Chen, Xin-Yu Wei, Yu Chen, Hany M. M. Elsheikha, Xiao-Xuan Zhang
Summary: Using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, we identified RNA modifications in three strains of Toxoplasma gondii and compared the diversity and patterns of modifications between different strains. We found significant differences in the modified nucleotides in tRNA and sncRNA, which were correlated with the expression of virulence proteins. These findings provide new insights into the diversity of RNA modifications in T. gondii and their potential role in virulence.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Surgery
Christopher Corden, Radu Boitor, Palminder Kaur Dusanjh, Andrew Harwood, Abhik Mukherjee, Dhanwant Gomez, Ioan Notingher
Summary: This study investigates the use of auto-fluorescence (AF) and Raman spectroscopy for ex vivo discrimination of colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) from normal liver tissue. The results demonstrate that AF imaging and Raman spectroscopy can effectively differentiate CRLM from normal liver tissue. These findings suggest the potential development of integrated multimodal AF-Raman techniques for intraoperative assessment of surgical margins.
JOURNAL OF SURGICAL RESEARCH
(2023)
