안철희 교수

Gold nanoprobe: Heparin–DOPA-coated gold nanoparticles (HEPA–AuNPs) showed low toxicity, prolonged stability, and an enhanced X-ray absorption coefficient in vitro. In vivo microCT images showed that HEPA–AuNPs produced enhanced liver-specific CT images compared with iodine-based contrast agents, thus highlighting its potential as a novel, liver-specific CT imaging agent (see figure).

Double spotlight: A dual imaging probe with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) for computed tomography (CT) and optical imaging exhibits have been developed (see picture). The excellent stability, tumor targeting ability, enhanced X-ray absorption, and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activatable fluorescence recovery was achieved by surface modification of AuNPs with glycol chitosan and fluorescent MMP peptide probes. Detailed facts of importance to specialist readers are published as ”Supporting Informa

A study of 271 patients infected with Mycobacterium kansasii and 226 patients with Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare complex has led to the proposal of new diagnostic criteria. These criteria, based on the presence or absence of cavitation and on the duration of sputum positivity after initiation of therapy, are proposed to more accurately distinguish colonizations from active invasion of tissue than the current diagnostic criteria.

Forty patients with pulmonary disease caused by Mycobacterium kansasii were treated initially with rifampin, isoniazid, and ethambutol daily for 12 months, and with streptomycin twice weekly for the first 3 months. Postchemotherapy follow-up examinations have ranged from 6 to 68 months, with an average of 31 months. One of the 40 patients (2.5%) relapsed 6 months after completion of chemotherapy. In vitro susceptibility of the mycobacteria to the drugs used, extent of disease, and/or the coexist

Forty-six patients with positive sputum cultures for Mycobacterium avium complex and cavitary disease were placed on a 4-drug regimen consisting of isoniazid, rifampin, and ethambutol daily and streptomycin twice weekly. Forty-two (91.3%) converted their sputum to negative and 4 (8.7%) failed to convert. All of the 4 nonconverters had prior subtotal gastrectomy. Twenty-two patients were available for long-term follow-up: 12 patients completed 24 months of chemotherapy, all experienced sputum con

An evaluation of chemotherapy was made for 256 patients with pulmonary infection due to Mycobacterium kansasii. Studies of in vitro resistance of M. kansasii and Mycobacterium tuberculosis to various drugs revealed important differences between the two species that should be considered when planning chemotherapy. Partial or no in vitro resistance to 1 microgram of isoniazid/ml did not adversely affect the time required for conversion of sputum from positive to negative, whereas complete resistan