Enabling Visible Light Sensitization of Yb, Nd and Er in Dimeric Ln/Ga Metallacrowns through Functionalization with Ru Complexes for NIR-II Multiplex Imaging.

Multiplex imaging in the second near-infrared window (NIR-II, 1000-1700 nm) provides exciting opportunities for more precise understanding of biological processes and more accurate diagnosis of diseases by enabling real-time acquisition of images with improved contrast and spatial resolution in deeper tissues. Today, the number of imaging agents suitable for this modality remains very scarce. In this work, we have synthesized and fully characterized, including theoretical calculations, a series of dimeric Ln/Ga metallacrowns bearing Ru polypyridyl complexes, LnRu-3 (Ln=Y, Yb, Nd, Er).

Correction: Budesonide promotes airway epithelial barrier integrity following double-stranded RNA challenge.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Tuning white light emission using single-component tetrachroic Dy metallacrowns: the role of chromophoric building blocks.

White light production is of major importance for ambient lighting and technological displays. White light can be obtained by several types of materials and their combinations, but single component emitters remain rare and desirable towards thinner devices that are, therefore, easier to control and that require fewer manufacturing steps. We have designed a series of dysprosium(iii)-based luminescent metallacrowns (MCs) to achieve this goal.

Investigation of Ln complexation by a DOTA derivative substituted by an imidazothiadiazole: synthesis, solution structure, luminescence and relaxation properties.

We investigated the coordination properties of original macrocyclic Ln complexes comprising an imidazothiadiazole heterocycle. The thermodynamic stability of the Gd complex was determined by a combination of potentiometric and photophysical measurements. The kinetic inertness was assessed in highly acidic media.

A Dual-Mode Near-Infrared Optical and Photoacoustic Imaging Agent Based on a Low Energy Absorbing Ytterbium Complex.

Near-infrared (NIR) luminescence and photoacoustic (PA) imaging have attracted increasing attention for the real-time monitoring of biological samples due to high sensitivity, resolution, and pronounced signal detection depth, respectively. For improved contrast, both techniques require imaging agents possessing high absorption in the red-NIR range. Herein, we took advantage of a ternary complex formed with the anionic ytterbium(III) (2-thenoyltrifluoroacetonate) ([Yb(tta)]) and the cationic NIR-absorbing chromophore, 1,1'-diethyl-2,2'-dicarbocyanine (Cy), to evaluate its potential to act as a dual-mode NIR luminescence and PA imaging agent.

Parasite-induced IFN-γ regulates host defense via CD115 and mTOR-dependent mechanism of tissue-resident macrophage death.

Host resistance to a common protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii relies on a coordinated immune response involving multiple cell types, including macrophages. Embryonically seeded tissue-resident macrophages (TRMs) play a critical role in maintaining tissue homeostasis, but their role in parasite clearance is poorly understood. In this study, we uncovered a crucial aspect of host defense against T.

Lanthanide-Based Probes for Imaging Detection of Enzyme Activities by NIR Luminescence, T1- and ParaCEST MRI.

Applying a single molecular probe to monitor enzymatic activities in multiple, complementary imaging modalities is highly desirable to ascertain detection and to avoid the complexity associated with the use of agents of different chemical entities. We demonstrate here the versatility of lanthanide (Ln) complexes with respect to their optical and magnetic properties and their potential for enzymatic detection in NIR luminescence, CEST and T1 MR imaging, controlled by the nature of the Ln ion, while using a unique chelator. Based on X-ray structural, photophysical, and solution NMR investigations of a family of Ln DO3A-pyridine model complexes, we could rationalize the luminescence (Eu, Yb), CEST (Yb) and relaxation (Gd) properties and their variations between carbamate and amine derivatives.

Synthesis and evaluation of cellulose/polypyrrole composites as polymer electrolytes for lithium-ion battery application.

Natural polymers as battery components have a number of advantages, including availability, biodegradability, unleakage, stable form, superior process, electrochemical stability, and low cost. In other sides, conductive polymers can improve the electrochemical properties of the battery, such as charge/discharge rates, cycling stability, and overall energy storage capacity. Therefore, the combination of these two materials can provide acceptable features.

Synthesis of ZnFeO Nanospheres with Tunable Morphology for Lithium Storage.

ZnFeO (ZFO) nanospheres with complex structures have been synthesized by a one-step simple solvothermal method using two different types of precursors-metal chlorides and nitrates -and were fully characterized by XRD, SEM, XPS, and EDS. The ZFO nanospheres synthesized from chloride salts (ZFO_C) were loose with a size range of 100-200 nm, while the ZFO nanospheres synthesized from nitrate salts (ZFO_N) were dense with a size range of 300-500 nm but consisted of smaller nanoplates. The different morphologies may be caused by the different hydrolysis rates and different stabilizing effects of chloride and nitrate ions interacting with the facets of forming nanoparticles.

Investigating the Coating Effect on Charge Transfer Mechanisms in Composite Electrodes for Lithium-Ion Batteries.

The performance of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) relies on the characteristics of the cathode material, including both intentionally applied coatings and naturally formed surface layers or binder adhesion. This study investigated the influence of the ion-permeable surface fraction, distribution, and characteristics of the coating on the performance of a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) electrode material. We developed an extended Newman-type half-cell model and examined the impact of coating parameters on the galvanostatic discharge curves of the LFP electrode material.

Lower Energy Excitation of Water Soluble Near-Infrared Emitting Mixed-Ligand Metallacrowns.

By combining advantages of two series of lanthanide(III)/zinc(II) metallacrowns (MCs) assembled using pyrazine- (pyzHA ) and quinoxaline- (quinoHA ) hydroximate building blocks ligands, we created here water-soluble mixed-ligand MCs with extended absorption to the visible range. The Yb analogue demonstrated improved photophysical properties in the near-infrared (NIR) range in cell culture media, facilitating its application for NIR optical imaging in living HeLa cells.

Effects of somatic acupoint stimulation on anxiety and depression in cancer patients: An updated systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

Objectives: To explore the effectiveness of somatic acupoint stimulation (SAS) for cancer patients with anxiety and depression.

Methods: Thirteen electronic databases were searched systematically until August 2022. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating SAS for anxiety and/or depression in cancer patients were retrieved.

Vanadium Oxide-Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) Nanocomposite as High-Performance Cathode for Aqueous Zn-Ion Batteries: The Structural and Electrochemical Characterization.

In this work the nanocomposite of vanadium oxide with conducting polymer poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (VO@PEDOT) was obtained by microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis. The detailed study of its structural and electrochemical properties as cathode of aqueous zinc-ion battery was performed by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, X-ray diffraction analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge-discharge, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The initial VO@PEDOT composite has layered nanosheets structure with thickness of about 30-80 nm, which are assembled into wavy agglomerated thicker layers of up to 0.

Protein kinase D3 promotes neutrophil migration during viral infection.

Protein kinase D (PKD) is a serine/threonine kinase family with three isoforms (PKD1-3) that are expressed in most cells and implicated in a wide array of signaling pathways, including cell growth, differentiation, transcription, secretion, polarization and actin turnover. Despite growing interest in PKD, relatively little is known about the role of PKD in immune responses. We recently published that inhibiting PKD limits proinflammatory cytokine secretion and leukocyte accumulation in mouse models of viral infection, and that PKD3 is highly expressed in the murine lung and immune cell populations.

An Evidence-Based Somatic Acupressure Intervention Protocol for Managing the Breast Cancer Fatigue-Sleep Disturbance-Depression Symptom Cluster: Development and Validation following the Medical Research Council Framework.

Background: Somatic acupoint stimulation (SAS) has been frequently utilised as a promising intervention for individual cancer-related symptom management, such as fatigue, sleep disturbance and depression. However, research evidence regarding the role of SAS in mitigating the fatigue-sleep disturbance-depression symptom cluster (FSDSC) has been scant. This study was conducted to develop an evidence-based SAS intervention protocol that can be further implemented in a Phase II randomized controlled trial (RCT) to manage the FSDSC in breast cancer survivors.

Tunable Optical Molecular Thermometers Based on Metallacrowns.

The effect of ligands' energy levels on thermal dependence of lanthanide emission was examined to create new molecular nanothermometers. A series of LnGaLL metallacrowns (shorthand LnL), where Ln = Gd, Tb, or Sm (HL' = salicylhydroxamic acid (Hshi), 5-methylsalicylhydroxamic acid (Hmshi), 5-methoxysalicylhydroxamic acid (Hmoshi), and 3-hydroxy-2-naphthohydroxamic acid (Hnha)) and HL″ = isophthalic acid (Hiph), was synthesized and characterized. Within the series, ligand-centered singlet state (S) energy levels ranged from 23,300 to 27,800 cm, while triplet (T) energy levels ranged from 18,150 to 21,980 cm.

Tuning the photophysical properties of lanthanide(iii)/zinc(ii) 'encapsulated sandwich' metallacrowns emitting in the near-infrared range.

A family of ZnLn(HA) metallacrowns (MCs; Ln = Yb, Er, and Nd; HA = picoline- (picHA), pyrazine- (pyzHA), and quinaldine- (quinHA) hydroximates) with an 'encapsulated sandwich' structure possesses outstanding luminescence properties in the near-infrared (NIR) and suitability for cell imaging. Here, to decipher which parameters affect their functional and photophysical properties and how the nature of the hydroximate ligands can allow their fine tuning, we have completed this ZnLn(HA) family by synthesizing MCs with two new ligands, naphthyridine- (napHA) and quinoxaline- (quinoHA) hydroximates. ZnLn(napHA) and ZnLn(quinoHA) exhibit absorption bands extended into the visible range and efficiently sensitize the NIR emissions of Yb, Er, and Nd upon excitation up to 630 nm.

Near-Infrared Lanthanide-Based Emission from Fused Bis[Ln(III)/Zn(II) 14-metallacrown-5] Coordination Compounds.

A set of (Ln[14-MC-5])LnZn(quinHA)(ph)(Hph)(OH)(HO) metallacrowns (, Ln = Tb, Gd, or Yb; HquinHA = quinaldic hydroxamic acid, Hph = phthalic acid) have been synthesized via solution-state self-assembly. The metallacrowns possess an uncommon topology within the metallacrown family where two rarely seen 14-metallacrown-5 moieties are fused by a YbZn(quinHA) bridge. Moreover, analyzed in the solid state exhibits a characteristic near-infrared luminescence signal arising from Yb F→F transition despite the proximity of high energy O-H oscillators.

Visible and near-infrared emitting heterotrimetallic lanthanide-aluminum-sodium 12-metallacrown-4 compounds: discrete monomers and dimers.

The luminescence properties of two types of heterotrimetallic aluminum-lanthanide-sodium 12-metallacrown-4 compounds are presented here, LnNa(ben)[12-MC-4] (LnAl4Na) and {LnNa[12-MC-4]}(iph) (Ln2Al8Na2), where Ln = Gd, Tb, Er, and Yb, MC is metallacrown, ben is benzoate, shi is salicylhydroximate, and iph is isophthalate. The aluminum-lanthanide-sodium metallacrowns formed with benzoate are discrete monomers while, upon replacement of the benzoate with the dicarboxylate isophthalate, two individual metallacrowns can be joined to form a dimer. In the solid state, the terbium version of each structure type displays emission in the visible region, and the erbium and ytterbium complexes emit in the near-infrared.

Near-Infrared Emitting Poly(amidoamine) Dendrimers with an Anthraquinone Core toward Versatile Non-Invasive Biological Imaging.

Today, there is a very strong demand for versatile near-infrared (NIR) imaging agents suitable for non-invasive optical imaging in living organisms ( imaging). Here, we created a family of NIR-emitting macromolecules that take advantage of the unique structure of dendrimers. In contrast to existing fluorescent dendrimers bearing fluorophores at their periphery or in their cavities, a NIR fluorescent structure is incorporated into the core of the dendrimer.

Sustainability of healthcare professionals' adherence to clinical practice guidelines in primary care.

Background: Sustainability of adherence to clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) represents an important indicator of the successful implementation in the primary care setting.

Aim: To explore the sustainability of primary care providers' adherence to CPGs after receiving planned guideline implementation strategies, activities, or programmes.

Methods: Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL); Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL); EMBase; Joanna Briggs Institute; Journals@Ovid; Medline; PsycoINFO; PubMed, and Web of Science were searched from January 2000 through May 2021 to identify relevant studies.

Implementing an evidence-based somatic acupressure intervention in breast cancer survivors with the symptom cluster of fatigue, sleep disturbance and depression: study protocol of a phase II randomised controlled trial.

Introduction: The fatigue-sleep disturbance-depression (FSD) symptom cluster, as one of the most common symptom clusters in breast cancer (BC) survivors, can significantly decrease patients' quality of life. Since the management of the FSD symptom cluster has been unsatisfactory with the use of pharmacological treatments alone, non-pharmacological approaches have, therefore, been recommended. Somatic acupressure (SA) is a promising approach given its potential benefits of cancer-related symptom alleviation and the convenience of self-practice.

Budesonide promotes airway epithelial barrier integrity following double-stranded RNA challenge.

Airway epithelial barrier dysfunction is increasingly recognized as a key feature of asthma and other lung diseases. Respiratory viruses are responsible for a large fraction of asthma exacerbations, and are particularly potent at disrupting epithelial barrier function through pattern recognition receptor engagement leading to tight junction dysfunction. Although different mechanisms of barrier dysfunction have been described, relatively little is known about whether barrier integrity can be promoted to limit disease.

Stable Aqueous Colloidal Solutions of Nd: LaF Nanoparticles, Promising for Luminescent Bioimaging in the Near-Infrared Spectral Range.

Two series of stable aqueous colloidal solutions of Nd: LaF single-phase well-crystallized nanoparticles (NPs), possessing a fluorcerite structure with different activator concentrations in each series, were synthesized. A hydrothermal method involving microwave-assisted heating (HTMW) in two Berghof speedwave devices equipped with one magnetron (type I) or two magnetrons (type II) was used. The average sizes of NPs are 15.

Mice with high FGF21 serum levels had a reduced preference for morphine and an attenuated development of acute antinociceptive tolerance and physical dependence.

Because of increased opioid misuse, there is a need to identify new targets for minimizing opioid tolerance, and physical and psychological dependence. Previous studies showed that fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) decreased alcohol and sweet preference in mice. In this study, FGF21-transgenic (FGF21-Tg) mice, expressing high FGF21 serum levels, and wildtype (WT) C57BL/6J littermates were treated with morphine and saline to determine if differences exist in their physiological and behavioral responses to opioids.