People with albinism are also part of the colored African group,

People with albinism are also part of the colored African group, however, according to the data, there does not seem to be any difference between them and others. Cordylobia infection is a neglected disease of the

Niger Delta region. Therefore, there was the need to know the spread and factors that promote spreading as well as populations of the myiasis-causing agent in the Niger Delta. The data presented here provides good travel information to the Elafibranor nmr Niger Delta region as well as other parts of Nigeria. Human furuncular myiasis affects neonates ranging from 3 to 11 days old, children, and adults in Nigeria. C.anthropophaga maggots penetrate all types of skin; people with albinism, white skin, and black skin. Some of the factors that affect the distribution include unhygienic

situations, high humidity, poverty, and use of soiled clothes. Details of our findings are presented.”
“The authors report on the case of a 64-year-old man with solitary intradural extramedullary non-Hodgkin lymphoma of the cervical spine. The lesion mimicked the appearance of meningioma on MR imaging. Positron emission tomography showed increased accumulation of fluorine-18 labeled fluorodeoxyglucose only in the cervical lesion. Serum levels of C-reactive protein and soluble interleukin-2 receptor buy Rigosertib were mildly elevated. At surgery, the intradural tumor in the subarachnoid space was totally extirpated. Based on histopathological findings, diffuse, large B-cell type non-Hodgkin lymphoma was diagnosed. Postoperatively, the patient was treated with 2 courses of chemotherapy by intrathecal injection of methotrexate, cytarabine, and prednisolone and 4 courses of intravenous rituximab, an antibody binding to CD20 on the surface JQ1 research buy of B cells. All preoperative symptoms completely

resolved after surgery. Two years postoperatively, the patient was faring well with no evidence of local recurrence or new lesions at any other site. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this case is the first reported instance of solitary intradural extramedullary non-Hodgkin lymphoma of the cervical spine. (DOI: 10.3171/2009.11.SPINE08735)”
“Objectives: Growing clinical demands for stronger and faster bone bonding to the implant have motivated the development of methods enhancing osseointegration. Lately, the application of bisphosphonates (bis) in order to optimize bone healing has become a topic of great interest. N-containing bis, such as alendronate (ALN), are the more potent drugs of this class. It was the aim of this study to determine the effect of ALN on the osseointegration of a well-documented nanotreated implant system in a rabbit femoral condyle model. Material and methods: Thirty-two adult female New Zealand White rabbits received one implant (3.25 mm in diameter and 10 mm in length) in their left femoral condyle, a week after they were ovariectomized. Half of them were saline treated (control, group A) and the other half were ALN treated (group B).

Compared with the general African-American

population, Hb

Compared with the general African-American

population, HbAS was twice as common among African Americans with ESRD (15% versus 7%, P < 0.001). Prevalence of hemoglobin C trait (HbAC) was similarly more common (5% versus 2%, P < 0.01). The higher prevalence of HbAS and HbAC in the ESRD population raises the possibility that these hemoglobinopathies contribute to a decline in kidney function, either alone or in conjunction with other known risk factors for renal disease. The potential effect of HbAS on the development and progression of CKD and its effect on the course and management of patients with ESRD deserve further study.”
“Introduction: Fluticasone furoate (FF) is the latest glucocorticoid officially approved for the treatment of allergic rhinitis. FF has shown the highest affinity and selectivity for the glucocorticoid receptors as well the longest tissue retention

compared with other available intranasal steroids; these new pharmacologic characteristics https://www.selleckchem.com/products/smoothened-agonist-sag-hcl.html provide the basis for its potent and prolonged anti-inflammatory activity at the target site.\n\nAreas covered: A literature review achieved through PubMed and Medline research methods supports the clinical efficacy of FF versus placebo in reducing ocular and nasal symptoms related to allergic rhinitis (at the recommended starting doses of 110 mu g once daily for HDAC inhibitor adults and adolescents and 55 mu g once daily for children), with a good safety profile. Moreover, the present review also compares FF with other intranasal steroids: FF represents a molecular evolution of fluticasone propionate (FP), and there is scientific evidence of therapeutic advantages over FP.\n\nExpert opinion: Fluticasone furoate is a promising molecule in the treatment of allergic rhinitis as it fits fully all the official guidelines’ criteria. It is now being considered as a topical steroid that is quite close to the ideal pharmacological model for glucocorticoids due to its Selleckchem Bcl2 inhibitor satisfying safety/tolerability profile, both in adults and children, leads FF to be considered as a topical steroid that is quite close to the ideal pharmacologic

model for glucocorticoids. More studies should be directed to assess the improvement of quality of life in subjects with allergic rhinitis treated with FF, in comparison with other intranasal steroids and even H1-antihistamines; in addition, it could be also interesting to analyze eventual, additional effects of FF in patients with bronchial asthma, which is frequently associated with allergic rhinitis.”
“Nanobiomechanics of living cells is very important to understand cell-materials interactions. This would potentially help to optimize the surface design of the implanted materials and scaffold materials for tissue engineering. The nanoindentation techniques enable quantifying nanobiomechanics of living cells, with flexibility of using indenters of different geometries. However, the data interpretation for nanoindentation of living cells is often difficult.

Despite consuming and emitting c a 20% more than the SE pathway,

Despite consuming and emitting c.a. 20% more than the SE pathway, the oil obtained by SFE, proved to be more economically viable, with a cost of 365(sic)/kg(oil) produced and learn more simultaneously extracting high-value pigments. The bioH(2) as co-product may be advantageous in terms of product yield or profit. (c) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Spironolactone is effective at treating difficult to control hypertension in the general population,

and it is unknown if it is safe or effective for those with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and difficult-to-control hypertension. In a retrospective cohort design, 88 patients with difficult-to-control hypertension study were assessed for blood pressure (BP) response to spironolactone as well as for biochemical changes. In the CKD group (34 patients), the average systolic BP (SBP) fell from 153 18 to 143 20 mm Hg (P = .006) compared with a fall in SBP from 150 17 to 135 17 mm Hg (P < .0001) in the non-CKD group (P < .0001). In 44% of those with CKD and 59% of those without CKD, SBP decreased by >10 mm Hg (defined as responders; P = .22). Potassium rose by 0.5 +/- 0.6 mmol/L in the CKD group and 0.3 +/- 0.5 mmol/L in the non-CKD group (P = .12). The overall incidence of hyperkalemia was

5.7% in the CKD group and 0% in the non-CKD group (P = .07). Spironolactone is associated with a significant fall in BP among those with CKD and difficult-to-control MK-0518 BP. It is associated with a modest rise in serum potassium, which is more pronounced among those with glomerular filtration rate below 45 mL/minute. J Am Soc Hypertens 2010;4(6):295-301. (C) 2010 American Society of Hypertension. All rights reserved.”
“BACKGROUND & AIMS: Advanced liver disease is a significant risk factor for perioperative complications after cardiac surgery. However, no published studies have adjusted the observed outcomes for other well-known, non-liver-related factors that affect mortality. We evaluated the effects of cirrhosis on operative mortality and morbidity after cardiac surgery,

Etomoxir ic50 after adjusting for nonrelated risk factors associated with liver disease. METHODS: We analyzed data from patients with cirrhosis who underwent cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass from 1992 to 2009 (n = 54). Patients who underwent cardiac surgery at the same institution were identified during the same time period and matched 1: 4 by using propensity score matching (controls, n = 216). Child-Pugh (CP) class and score were calculated for the patients with cirrhosis. Mortality and morbidity were determined after 30 and 90 days. RESULTS: Within 90 days, 4.6% of patients with CP score <8 and 70% of patients with CP score >= 8 died (P < .017). Mortality of patients with CP score <8 was comparable to that of matched controls.

Most soils did not contain detectable concentrations of either my

Most soils did not contain detectable concentrations of either myo- or scyllo-inositol hexakisphosphate, which is in marked contrast to many temperate mineral soils that contain abundant inositol phosphates. We conclude that soil properties exert a strong control on the amounts and forms of soil organic phosphorus in tropical rain forests, but that the proportion of the total phosphorus in organic forms is relatively insensitive to variation in climate and soil properties. Further work is now required to assess the contribution of soil organic

phosphorus to the nutrition and diversity of plants in these species-rich ecosystems.”
“Purpose: To determine the optimal position and orientation of the coracoid bone graft for the Latarjet procedure

for recurrent instability in patients with recurrent anterior instability and high degrees of glenoid MEK pathway bone loss. Methods: A systematic review of the find more literature including the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed (1980-2012), and Medline (1980-2012) was conducted. The following search teams were used: glenoid bone graft, coracoid transfer, glenoid rim fracture, osseous glenoid defect, and Latarjet. Studies deemed appropriate for inclusion were then analyzed. Study data collected included level of evidence, patient demographic characteristics, preoperative variables, intraoperative findings, technique details, and postoperative recovery and complications where available. Results: The original search provided a total of 344 studies. A total of 334 studies were subsequently excluded because they were on an irrelevant topic, used an arthroscopic technique, or were not published in English or because they were review articles, leaving 10 studies eligible for inclusion. Given the different methods used in each of the studies included in the review, descriptive analysis

was performed. The www.selleckchem.com/products/AZD7762.html duration of follow-up ranged from 6 months to 14.3 years postoperatively. With the exception of 2 studies, all authors reported on recurrent shoulder instability after Latarjet reconstruction; the rate of recurrent anterior shoulder instability ranged from 0% to 8%. Overall patient satisfaction was listed in 4 studies, each of which reported good to excellent satisfaction rates of more than 90% at final follow-up. Conclusions: As noted in this review, the current literature on Latarjet outcomes consists mostly of retrospective Level IV case series. Although promising outcomes with regard to a low rate of recurrent instability have been seen with these reports, it should be noted that subtle variations in surgical technique, among other factors, may drastically impact the likelihood of glenohumeral degenerative changes arising in these patients. Level of Evidence: Level IV, systematic review of Level IV studies.

Daily treatment with quercetin (2 5, 5 and 10 mg/kg, p o ) starti

Daily treatment with quercetin (2.5, 5 and 10 mg/kg, p.o.) starting from the first dose of STZ showed a dose-dependent restoration of CBF and ATP

content. Further, quercetin prevented Cytoskeletal Signaling inhibitor STZ induced memory impairment as assessed by Morris water maze and passive avoidance tests. Biochemical analysis revealed that STZ significantly increased malondialdehyde (MDA), nitrite and depleted glutathione (GSH) levels in the mice brain. Quercetin decreased oxidative and nitrosative stress as evidenced by a significant decrease in MDA, nitrite and increase in GSH levels. Quercetin also attenuated elevated acetylcholinesterase activity in the STZ-treated mice. Neither STZ (i.c.) nor quercetin showed any change

in locomotor activity and blood glucose level. The present study demonstrates the beneficial effects of quercetin in improving CBF along with preventing memory impairment, oxidative stress, altered brain energy metabolism and cholinergic dysfunction caused by STZ in mice. Therefore, consumption of dietary stuff rich in quercetin should be encouraged to ward off dementia associated with vascular and neurodegenerative disorders. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.”
“Procyanidin oligomers in Cinnamon are thought to be responsible for the biological activity in the treatment of diabetes mellitus (DM). To clarify types of procyanidin https://www.selleckchem.com/products/a-1155463.html oligomers in different Cinnamon species and investigate their different effects, the present study investigated procyanidin oligomers in polyphenolic oligomer-rich extracts of three Cinnamon

samples by LC-MS methods, and their hypoglycemic activities were detected in vivo and in vitro. The results showed that two of the three samples from Cinnamomum cassia were rich in B-type procyanidin oligomers, and the other sample was rich in A-type procyanidin oligomers. The Cinnamon extracts were administered at doses of 200 and 300 mg/kg body wt. in high-fat diet-fed and low-dose streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice for 14 days. The results showed that blood glucose concentrations were significantly DMH1 ic50 decreased in all Cinnamon extract groups compared with the control group (p<0.05). Administration of the Cinnamon extracts significantly increased the consumption of extracellular glucose in insulin-resistant HepG2 cells and normal HepG2 cells compared with the control group. These results suggest that both A- and B-type procyanidin oligomers in different Cinnamon species have hypoglycemic activities and may improve insulin sensitivity in type 2 DM. (C) 2010 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.”
“Aims\n\nThis study used Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) data from smokers trying to quit to assess relations among coping, positive affect, negative affect and smoking. The effects of stress coping on affect and smoking were examined.

This review outlines the current evidence and determines whether

This review outlines the current evidence and determines whether histologic variants should change management of patients with nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer. Recent findings Patients with high-risk NMI tumors and variant histology should be offered early cystectomy, especially if harboring pure squamous, adenocarcinoma, sarcomatoid, plasmacytoid, or micropapillary disease. In patients with small cell disease, systemic DZNeP in vitro primary chemotherapy is the ideal option followed by local therapy for primary tumor control. For squamous/glandular

differentiation, nested variant, and other rare variants, intravesical therapy is an option based on standard risk stratification in patients with NMI disease. Diligence is needed in the presence of variant

histology to minimize the risk of understaging as well as close surveillance to not compromise the opportunity of cure. Summary The management of nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer with variant histology is challenging, largely in part to the high risk of understaging and the background of already existing controversy regarding the management of high-risk NMI disease for standard urothelial cell carcinoma (early learn more cystectomy vs. intravesical therapy). Future studies should be focused identifying if variant architecture confers different tumor biology than that of pure urothelial carcinoma, and if this difference translates into innovations in bladder sparing therapies.”
“We investigated substituted bis-THF-derived HIV-1 protease inhibitors in order to enhance liga:nd-binding https://www.selleckchem.com/products/dinaciclib-sch727965.html site interactions in the HIV-1 protease active site. In this context:, we have carried out convenient syntheses of optically active bis-THF and C4-substituted bis-THF ligands using a [2,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement as the key step. The synthesis provided convenient access to a number of substituted bis-THF derivatives. Incorporation of these ligands led to a series of potent HIV-1 protease inhibitors. Inhibitor 23c turned out to be the most potent (K-i = 2.9 pM; IC50 = 2.4 nM) among

the inhibitors. An X-ray structure of 23c-bound HIV-1 protease e showed extensive interactions of the inhibitor with the protease active site, including a unique water-mediated hydrogen bond to the Gly-48 amide NH in the S2 site.”
“Fluorogenic hybridization probes that allow RNA imaging provide information as to how the synthesis and transport of particular RNA molecules is orchestrated in living cells. In this study, we explored the peptide nucleic acid (PNA)-based FIT-probes in the simultaneous imaging of two different viral mRNA molecules expressed during the replication cycle of the H1N1 influenza A virus. PNA FIT-probes are non-nucleotidic, nonstructured probes and contain a single asymmetric cyanine dye which serves as a fluorescent base surrogate. The fluorochrome acts as a local intercalator probe and reports hybridization of target DNA/RNA by enhancement of fluorescence.

After equilibration of anesthesia for >= 10 minutes, 6 PhysioF

After equilibration of anesthesia for >= 10 minutes, 6 PhysioFlow electrodes were applied to the patient’s chest for continuous real-time monitoring for 10 minutes. Data were stored in 15-second epochs

and later averaged offline to obtain CO. Phase contrast MRI measurements i of flow volumes in the superior vena cava and ascending and descending aorta were made from a single imaging plane through all 3 vessels at the level of the right pulmonary artery. Both CO measurements were indexed to body surface area. The anesthetic technique was the same for both measurements. PF-562271 ic50 Agreement was assessed using Bland-Altman analysis.\n\nRESULTS: Thirty-one patients were enrolled and 23 were analyzed. The median age at study was 2.8 years (range, 0.02-8.02 years) and median body surface area was 0.54 m(2) (range, 0.21-1.00 m(2)). Eleven of the 23 patients (48%) were males. Patients were grouped into those with

univentricular physiology, 6 of 23 (26%); biventricular physiology with shunt, 3 of 23 CHIR98014 inhibitor (13%); biventricular without shunt, 10 of 23 (43%); and no structural heart disease, 4 of 23 (17%). The mean bias was -0.34 +/- 1.50 L/min/m(2) (P = 0.29). The 95% limits of agreement were -3.21 to +2.69 L/min/m(2). Only 8 of 23 measurements (35%) were within 20% and 14 of 23 measurements (61%) were within 30% of each other.\n\nCONCLUSION: PhysioFlow performance was not sufficiently accurate in this population. Modifications of the algorithm and further testing are required before this device can be recommended for routine clinical use in pediatric patients. (Anesth Analg 2012;114:771-5)”
“Voxel-based

analyses (VBA) are increasingly being used to detect white check details matter abnormalities with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in different types of pathologies. However, the validity, specificity, and sensitivity of statistical inferences of group differences to a large extent depend on die quality of die spatial normalization of the DTI images. Using high-dimensional nonrigid coregistration techniques that are able to align both the spatial and orientational diffusion information and incorporate appropriate templates that contain this complete DT information may improve this quality. Alternatively, a hybrid technique such as tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) may improve the reliability of the statistical results by generating voxel-wise statistics without the need for perfect image alignment and spatial smoothing. In this study, we have used (1) a coregistration algorithm that was optimized for coregistration of DTI data and (2) a population-based DTI atlas to reanalyze our previously published VBA, which compared the fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity maps of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) with those of healthy controls. Additionally, we performed a complementary TBSS analysis to improve our understanding and interpretation of the VBA results.

Removal of apoptotic cells usually involves three

central

Removal of apoptotic cells usually involves three

central elements: 1) attraction of phagocytes via soluble “find me” signals, 2) recognition and phagocytosis via cell surface-presenting “eat me” signals, and 3) suppression or initiation of inflammatory responses depending on additional innate immune stimuli. Suppression of inflammation involves both direct inhibition of proinflammatory cytokine production and release of anti-inflammatory factors, which all contribute to the resolution of inflammation. In the current study, using wild-type and adenosine A(2A) receptor (A2AR) null mice, we investigated whether A2ARs, known to mediate anti-inflammatory signals in macrophages, participate in the apoptotic cell-mediated immunosuppression. We found that macrophages engulfing apoptotic cells release adenosine

buy FK506 in sufficient amount to trigger A2ARs, and simultaneously increase the expression of A2ARs, as a result of possible activation of liver X receptor and peroxisome proliferators activated receptor delta. In macrophages engulfing apoptotic cells, stimulation of A2ARs suppresses the NO-dependent formation Selleckchem HDAC inhibitor of neutrophil migration factors, such as macrophage inflammatory protein-2, using the adenylate cyclase/protein kinase A pathway. As a result, loss of A2ARs results in elevated chemoattractant secretion. This was evident as pronounced neutrophil migration upon exposure of macrophages to apoptotic cells in an in vivo peritonitis model. S3I-201 datasheet Altogether, our data indicate that adenosine is one of the soluble mediators released by macrophages

that mediate engulfment-dependent apoptotic cell suppression of inflammation. The Journal of Immunology, 2011, 186: 7144-7155.”
“Rimonabant has been shown to not only decrease the food intake and body weight but also to increase serum adiponectin levels. This increase of the serum adiponectin levels has been hypothesized to be related to the rimonabant-induced amelioration of insulin resistance linked to obesity, although experimental evidence to support this hypothesis is lacking. To test this hypothesis experimentally, we generated adiponectin knock-out (adipo(-/-)) ob/ob mice. After 21 days of 30 mg/kg rimonabant, the body weight and food intake decreased to similar degrees in the ob/ob and adipo(-/-)ob/ob mice. Significant improvement of insulin resistance was observed in the ob/ob mice following rimonabant treatment, associated with significant up-regulation of the plasma adiponectin levels, in particular, of high molecular weight adiponectin. Amelioration of insulin resistance in the ob/ob mice was attributed to the decrease of glucose production and activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in the liver induced by rimonabant but not to increased glucose uptake by the skeletal muscle.

However, the respective susceptible and resistant predictive valu

However, the respective susceptible and resistant predictive values were 98.8% and 100% for OFX, and 100% and 80% for KM.\n\nCONCLUSION: Direct DST using KMO is useful, with clear advantages of a shorter turnaround time, procedural simplicity and low cost compared

to indirect DST. It may be most indicated in resource-poor settings for programmatic management of drug-resistant tuberculosis.”
“Hibernoma is a benign neoplasm comprised of brown fat and characteristic hibernoma cells often occurring in adults with proximal extremity/truncal predilection. Limited reports regarding imaging appearance and clinicopathological features of this rare tumor are available. Four histological subtypes have been described. We present nine patients with hibernoma evaluating preoperative imaging findings (eight MRI; one PET, Adriamycin research buy CT), which may distinguish hibernoma from more common benign or low-grade lipomatous neoplasms and attempt to correlate imaging with histological subtype. Clinicopathological data of 14 patients are presented.\n\nFollowing IRB approval, retrospective review identified 14

patients from our institution between 2000 and 2012. Preoperative imaging, pathology, and medical records were reviewed. We tested the reader’s ability to distinguish AZD1208 hibernoma from lipoma and atypical lipomatous tumor (ALT) at preoperative MRI based on specific imaging criteria. In a separate test, another reader attempted to predict histological subtype. Diagnostic accuracy was recorded.\n\nSix men and eight women with a mean age of 53 years were identified.

Tumors involved the thigh (4), buttock (3), paraspinal muscles Fludarabine (3), retroperitoneum (2), shoulder (1), and knee (1). Eleven underwent margin negative resection; three excisional biopsy. When asked to differentiate hibernoma from lipoma and ALT, readers correctly identified 80 %, 80 %, and 100 % of hibernomas. Specific histological subtype was accurately predicted in most cases. Mean follow-up was 38 months with no local recurrences or metastases.\n\nHibernomas can be difficult to differentiate from other lipomatous neoplasms, but identification of certain imaging features, common location, and patient demographics can improve preoperative confidence. Given benignity, accurate prospective diagnosis may affect treatment planning and surveillance strategy.”
“To find out the incidence of Gastro-esophageal reflux (GER) in neonates at risk for it and compare this with the incidence in the controls.\n\nThis prospective case control study was conducted on 34 neonates. Twenty-four test high risk neonates comprised of preterms, neonates on mechanical ventilation neonates with ALTE(Acute Life Threatening Episode) and post -operative neonates (Tracheo-esophageal fistula, congenital diaphragmatic hernia). There were ten matched controls. Esophageal pHmetry was done using double sensor antimony pH probe and the two groups were compared.

Usually diagnosis is established in adults older than

50

Usually diagnosis is established in adults older than

50 years and most cases are considered to be sporadic. Individuals with a familial form of IPF have at least one affected member in the same primary biological family and account for less than 5% of total patients. Sporadic and familial IPF are clinically and histologically indistinguishable from one another, although some familial forms appear to develop at an earlier age and exhibit different patterns of gene transcription. This case study describes the early clinical course of a patient diagnosed with a familial form of IPF.”
“Breast cancer is one of the most invasive cancers with high mortality. The immune stimulating Propionibacterium acnes is a Gram

positive bacterium that has the ability to cause inflammation SB273005 research buy and activate Th1-type cytokine immune response. Antitumor response was associated with the inflammation induced by P. acnes, but the antitumor effect of this bacterium was not evaluated in combination with other agents. The aim of this study was to test the antitumor potential of a combination of melatonin and P. acnes against breast cancer implanted in mice. Balb/C mice were transplanted with EMT6/P cell line and in vivo antitumor effect was assessed for P. acnes, melatonin, and a combination of melatonin and P. acnes. Tumor and organs sections were examined using hematoxylin/eosin staining protocol, and TUNEL

colorimetric IPI-549 PI3K/Akt/mTOR inhibitor assay was used to detect apoptosis. The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was measured in tumor sections and serum levels of INF-gamma, and IL-4 were measured to evaluate the immune system function. To evaluate the toxicity of our combination, AST and ALT levels were measured in the serum of treated mice. The combination of melatonin and P. acnes has high efficiency in targeting breast cancer in mice. Forty percent of treated mice were completely cured using this combination and the combination inhibited metastasis of cancer cells to other organs. The combination SN-38 research buy therapy reduced angiogenesis, exhibited no toxicity, induced apoptosis, and stimulates strong Th1-type cytokine antitumor immune response. The combination of melatonin and P. acnes represents a promising option to treat breast cancer. However, carful preclinical and clinical evaluation is needed before considering this combination for human therapy.”
“Non-invasive in vivo imaging offers great potential to facilitate translational drug development research at the animal testing phase. The emerging luminescent nanoparticles or quantum dots provide a new type of biological agents that can improve these applications.