Chlorin e6: a promising photosensitizer of anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory effects in PDT.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) involves the activation of photosensitizers (PSs) by visible laser light at the target site to catalyze the production of reactive oxygen species, resulting in tumor cell death and blood vessel closure. The efficacy of PDT depends on the PSs, the amount of oxygen, and the intensity of the excitation laser. PSs have been extensively researched, and great efforts have been made to develop an ideal photosensitizer.

Identification and validation of CDK1 as a promising therapeutic target for Eriocitrin in colorectal cancer: a combined bioinformatics and experimental approach.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a prevalent malignancy worldwide, associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) plays a crucial role in cell cycle regulation and has been implicated in various cancers. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of CDK1 in CRC and to identify traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) that can target CDK1 as potential treatments for CRC.

The oral microbiota: new insight into intracranial aneurysms.

Background: Intracranial aneurysms (IAs) are a significant clinical concern, with detection rates increasing due to advances in imaging technologies. However, precise mechanisms underlying their pathophysiology remain incompletely understood. Recent evidence suggests a pivotal role of oral microbiota dysbiosis, particularly periodontal pathogens, in systemic inflammation that may contribute to IA development and rupture.

Reduced contrast agent volume using a heart-rate dependent and free-breathing scanning protocol in coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Background: The personalized, free-breathing, heart rate-dependent computed tomography angiography (CTA) protocol can significantly reduce the utilization of contrast medium (CM). This proves especially beneficial for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) undergoing coronary artery CTA examinations.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of a personalized CT scanning protocol that was tailored to patients' heart rate and free-breathing for coronary CTA of patients with COPD.

A β-cyclodextrin-based supramolecular photonic crystal hydrogel biosensor with macroporous structures for naked-eye visual detection of cholesterol.

Cholesterol (CHO) is an essential lipid in cell membranes and a precursor for vital living substances. Abnormal CHO levels can cause cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, simple and accurate monitoring of CHO levels is crucial for early diagnosis and effective management of cardiovascular diseases.

A minimal transcription template-based amplification-free CRISPR-Cas13a strategy for DNA detection.

CRISPR-Cas13a has shown great potential for the rapid and accurate detection of pathogen nucleic acids. However, conventional CRISPR-Cas13a-based assays typically require pre-amplification, which can introduce aerosol contamination and operational complexities. In this study, we developed a Minimalist transcription template-based Amplification-free CRISPR-Cas13a strategy for DNA detection (MAD).

Feasibility of an artificial intelligence system for tumor response evaluation.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to measure the long-diameter of tumors for evaluating treatment response.

Methods: Our study included 48 patients with lung-specific target lesions and conducted 277 measurements. The radiologists recorded the long-diameter in axial imaging plane of the target lesions for each measurement.

Calix[6]arene-Functionalized Photonic Hydrogel Biosensor for Naked-Eye Cholesterol Detection Based on Supramolecular Host-Guest Interactions.

Cholesterol (CHO) is an essential constituent of human cellular tissues and a crucial activity indicator for the clinical diagnosis and prevention of various diseases. Abnormal CHO levels can lead to various cardiovascular diseases, including coronary heart disease, cerebral thrombosis, and atherosclerosis. Thus, developing simple and effective methods for CHO detection is of great significance.

Analysis of key targets for 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furfural-induced lung cancer based on network toxicology, network informatics, and experiments.

5-hydroxymethyl-2-furfural (5-HMF) is a by-product of Maillard reaction and widely exists in food and environment, which may lead to lung cancer. However, the relevant mechanism is unknown. This study aims to predict the key targets of 5-HMF-induced lung cancer through network toxicology, analyze the relationship between the key targets and lung cancer through network informatics, and further validate them through experiments.

Body mass index and pressure injuries risk in hospitalized adult patients: A dose-response analysis.

Background: The association between underweight and pressure injuries (PIs) has been established in several studies. However, there is a lack of well-designed research investigating the connection between overweight and obesity with these injuries.

Objective: This meta-analysis aims to investigate the dose-response relationship between body mass index (BMI) and the risk of PIs in adult hospitalized patients.

Indirubin-3'-monoxime exhibits potent antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects against human adenoviruses in vitro and in vivo.

Human adenovirus (HAdV) infection is a major cause of respiratory disease, yet no antiviral drugs have been approved for its treatment. Herein, we evaluated the antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects of cyclin-dependent protein kinase (CDK) inhibitor indirubin-3'-monoxime (IM) against HAdV infection in cells and a transgenic mouse model. After evaluating its cytotoxicity, cytopathic effect reduction, antiviral replication kinetics, and viral yield reduction assays were performed to assess the anti-HAdV activity of IM.

A penicillinase-modified poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylamide) smart hydrogel biosensor with superior recyclability for sensitive and colorimetric detection of penicillin G.

Antibiotics are widely used for treating bacterial infections. However, excessive or improper use of antibiotics can pose a serious threat to human health and water environments, and thus, developing cost-effective, portable and effective strategies to analyze and detect antibiotics is highly desired. Herein, we reported a responsive photonic hydrogel (RPH)-based optical biosensor (PPNAH) with superior recyclability for sensitive and colorimetric determination of a typical β-lactam antibiotic penicillin G (PG) in water.

Photo-responsive nanoporous liquid crystal polymer films for selective dye adsorption.

Photo-responsive nanoporous polymer films (AZOF-R(NC6)) have been developed by a template method based on a hydrogen-bonding supramolecular liquid crystal (LC) and a light-sensitive azobenzene LC crosslinker in this work. Anionic nanopores were obtained after the removal of template NC6 using KOH solution. The AZOF-R(NC6) demonstrates charge-selective dye adsorption and the maximum adsorption capacity for Rh6G is 504.

Diagnostic performance of contrast-enhanced ultrasound combined with shear wave elastography in differentiating benign from malignant breast lesions: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), shear wave elastography (SWE) and their combination in the diagnosis of benign and malignant breast lesions have not been systematically evaluated. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of CEUS combined with SWE in benign and malignant breast lesions.

Methods: We searched six electronic databases for literature to evaluate the value of CEUS combined with SWE in the diagnosis of benign and malignant breast lesions from inception to May 2023.

Pressure-sensitive multivesicular liposomes as a smart drug-delivery system for high-altitude pulmonary edema.

Changes in bodily fluid pressures, such as pulmonary artery pressure, play key roles in high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) and other disorders. Smart delivery systems releasing a drug in response to these pressures might facilitate early medical interventions. However, pressure-responsive delivery systems are unavailable.

Evaluation of Clinical Efficacy of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound in the Diagnosis of Ectopic Tubal Pregnancy.

Objective: To explore whether contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) can improve tubal ectopic pregnancy detection rate, tubal dilation, tubal hematoma, and gestational sac.

Methods: This retrospective study included 34 patients with suspected ectopic pregnancy who underwent contrast-enhanced ultrasound at Dongzhimen Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine between March 2021 and September 2016. Of these, 27 patients were confirmed to have tubal pregnancy by laparoscopic surgery and histopathology.

Reduced radiation dose and volume of contrast medium in heart rate-based, one-stop computed tomography angiography of coronary, carotid and cerebrovascular arteries.

Background: Computed tomography angiography (CTA) is a reliable, non-invasive screening method for diagnosing panvascular disease. By using low contrast agent volume, CTA imaging enables one-stop multi-organ scanning, thereby minimizing the potential risk of contrast-induced nephropathy in patients with impaired renal function.

Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility of one-stop CTA following a heart rate (HR)-based protocol using a low volume of contrast medium (CM) for examination of the coronary, carotid and cerebrovascular arteries.

A K-sensitive photonic crystal hydrogel sensor for efficient visual monitoring of hyperkalemia/hypokalemia.

Potassium ions (K) play crucial roles in many biological processes. Abnormal K levels in the body are usually associated with physiological disorders or diseases, and thus, developing K-sensitive sensors/devices is of great importance for disease diagnosis and health monitoring. Herein, we report a K-sensitive photonic crystal hydrogel (PCH) sensor with bright structural colors for efficient monitoring of serum potassium.

Targeted gene panel provides advantages over whole-exome sequencing for diagnosing obesity and diabetes mellitus.

A small fraction of patients diagnosed with obesity or diabetes mellitus has an underlying monogenic cause. Here, we constructed a targeted gene panel consisting of 83 genes reported to be causative for monogenic obesity or diabetes. We performed this panel in 481 patients to detect causative variants and compared these results with whole-exome sequencing (WES) data available for 146 of these patients.

Up-regulation of PUM1 by miR-218-5p promotes colorectal tumor-initiating cell properties and tumorigenesis by regulating the PI3K/AKT axis.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer and the fourth most common cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Advanced stage CRC, during the recent past, had a dismal prognosis and only a few available treatments. Pumilio homologous protein 1 (PUM1) is reportedly aberrant in human malignancies, including CRC.

A chiral magnetic molybdenum disulfide nanocomposite for direct enantioseparation of -propranolol.

We herein report a novel chiral magnetic molybdenum disulfide nanocomposite (MMoS/PNG-CD) with a high enantioselectivity and excellent thermosensitivity and magnetism. The prepared MMoS/PNG-CD shows temperature-dependent chiral discrimination and enantioselectivity toward a chiral drug -propranolol (-PPL), which is based on the molecular recognition ability of beta-cyclodextrin (β-CD) and the thermosensitivity of poly(-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM). The synthesized MMoS/PNG2-CD by using a monomer molar ratio of GMA to NIPAM of 2 : 1 demonstrates a high selectivity toward -PPL over -PPL due to the synergistic effect of the PNIPAM moieties and β-CD hosts.

GPSM1 impairs metabolic homeostasis by controlling a pro-inflammatory pathway in macrophages.

G-protein-signaling modulator 1 (GPSM1) exhibits strong genetic association with Type 2 diabetes (T2D) and Body Mass Index in population studies. However, how GPSM1 carries out such control and in which types of cells are poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that myeloid GPSM1 promotes metabolic inflammation to accelerate T2D and obesity development.