Quinoidal Semiconductor Nanoparticles for NIR-II Photoacoustic Imaging and Photoimmunotherapy of Cancer.

Photoagents with ultra-high near-infrared II (NIR-II) light energy conversion efficiency hold great promise in tumor phototherapy due to their ability to penetrate deeper tissues and minimize damage to surrounding healthy cells. However, the development of NIR-II photoagents remain challenging. In this study, an all-fused-ring quinoidal acceptor-donor-acceptor (A-D-A) molecule, SKCN, with a BTP core is synthesized, and nanoparticles named FA-SNPs are prepared.

Shatianyu ( L. Osbeck) whole fruit alleviated loperamide-induced constipation enhancing gut microbiota-mediated intestinal serotonin secretion and mucosal barrier homeostasis.

This study aims to explore the effects of Shatianyu ( L. Osbeck) whole fruit powder (SWFP) enriched in flavonoids and dietary fiber on loperamide-induced constipation after a 4-week administration in the diet, together with possible microbiota-mediated mechanisms. The SWFP intervention shortened the first defecation time and increased defecation frequency; it also increased the serum serotonin (5-HT) level and decreased the LPS level in constipation mice.

Elucidating the substance basis and pharmacological mechanism of Fufang Qiling granules in modulating xanthine oxidase for intervention in hyperuricemia.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Fufang Qiling granules (FQG), derived from the traditional Qiling Decoction with a longstanding clinical history, is utilized for the treatment of hyperuricemia (HUA). FQG is formulated with a combination of seven Chinese herbs based on the principles of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theories. Clinical evidence indicates that FQG exhibits favorable therapeutic effects in reducing uric acid (UA) levels and attenuating renal damage.

Electrochemical Synthesis of Spirolactones from α-Tetralone Derivatives with Methanol as a C1 Source.

Spirolactones are widely found in pharmaceuticals and bioactive natural products. However, efficient and environmentally friendly approaches to accessing spirolactones are still highly desirable. Herein, a novel electrochemical synthesis of spirolactones from α-tetralone derivatives with methanol as a C1 source is described.

Biomimetic piezoelectric nanomaterial-modified oral microrobots for targeted catalytic and immunotherapy of colorectal cancer.

Lactic acid (LA) accumulation in the tumor microenvironment poses notable challenges to effective tumor immunotherapy. Here, an intelligent tumor treatment microrobot based on the unique physiological structure and metabolic characteristics of (VA) is proposed by loading cell membrane-coating BaTiO nanocubes (SAM@BTO) on the surface of VA cells (VA-SAM@BTO) via click chemical reaction. Following oral administration, VA-SAM@BTO accurately targeted orthotopic colorectal cancer through inflammatory targeting of SAM and hypoxic targeting of VA.

Colchicine Blocks Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Development by Maintaining Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Homeostasis.

Development of non-surgical treatment of human abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) has clinical significance. Colchicine emerges as an effective therapeutic regimen in cardiovascular diseases. Yet, whether colchicine slows AAA growth remain controversy.

Biomimetic Self-Propelled Asymmetric Nanomotors for Cascade-Targeted Treatment of Neurological Inflammation.

The precise targeted delivery of therapeutic agents to deep regions of the brain is crucial for the effective treatment of various neurological diseases. However, achieving this goal is challenging due to the presence of the blood‒brain barrier (BBB) and the complex anatomy of the brain. Here, a biomimetic self-propelled nanomotor with cascade targeting capacity is developed for the treatment of neurological inflammatory diseases.

Programmed microalgae-gel promotes chronic wound healing in diabetes.

Chronic diabetic wounds are at lifelong risk of developing diabetic foot ulcers owing to severe hypoxia, excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS), a complex inflammatory microenvironment, and the potential for bacterial infection. Here we develop a programmed treatment strategy employing live Haematococcus (HEA). By modulating light intensity, HEA can be programmed to perform a variety of functions, such as antibacterial activity, oxygen supply, ROS scavenging, and immune regulation, suggesting its potential for use in programmed therapy.

Correction: The impact of digital inclusive finance on SMEs' technological innovation activities-Empirical analysis based on the data of new third board enterprises.

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

Shatianyu dietary fiber (Citrus grandis L. Osbeck) promotes the production of active metabolites from its flavonoids during in vitro colonic fermentation.

Background: Recent studies reveal that dietary fiber (DF) might play a critical role in the metabolism and bioactivity of flavonoids by regulating gut microbiota. We previously found that Shatianyu (Citrus grandis L. Osbeck) pulp was rich in flavonoids and DF, and Shatianyu pulp flavonoid extracts (SPFEs) were dominated by melitidin, obviously different from other citrus flavonoids dominated by naringin.

The impact of digital inclusive finance on SMEs' technological innovation activities-Empirical analysis based on the data of new third board enterprises.

The landscape of financial technology is undergoing a continuous evolution, driven by the relentless advancement of information technology. In this transformative milieu, digital finance has emerged as a novel financial paradigm, offering a blueprint for fostering inclusive finance. With a particular emphasis on its implications for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), this article harnesses a comprehensive dataset spanning the years 2011 to 2021, encompassing digital inclusive finance and SMEs listed on the SME board.

Novel supramolecular deep eutectic solvent pretreatment for obtaining fluorescent lignin and promoting biomass pyrolytic saccharification.

In this study, β-CD was used as a receptor to prepare three novel SDES, which were used to pretreat corn stalks for obtaining fluorescent lignin and promoting biomass pyrolytic saccharification. It was found that GA-residue had a high cellulose retention ratio (94.63%) and the highest lignin removal ratio (61.

Self-triggered thermoelectric nanoheterojunction for cancer catalytic and immunotherapy.

The exogenous excitation requirement and electron-hole recombination are the key elements limiting the application of catalytic therapies. Here a tumor microenvironment (TME)-specific self-triggered thermoelectric nanoheterojunction (BiSbTe/CaO nanosheets, BST/CaO NSs) with self-built-in electric field facilitated charge separation is fabricated. Upon exposure to TME, the CaO coating undergoes rapid hydrolysis, releasing Ca, HO, and heat.

High resolution micro-confocal Raman spectrometer-based photo-affinity microarray technology for the investigation of active ingredients - Target protein recognition strategy.

Natural products has been used for the prevention and treatment of diseases for a long history. Research on the bioactive components from natural products and their interaction with target proteins are essential for drug discovery. However, studying the binding ability of natural products' active ingredients to target proteins is usually time-consuming and laborious due to their complex and diverse chemical structures.

Plasmon enhanced catalysis-driven nanomotors with autonomous navigation for deep cancer imaging and enhanced radiotherapy.

Radiosensitizers potentiate the radiotherapy effect while effectively reducing the damage to healthy tissues. However, limited sample accumulation efficiency and low radiation energy deposition in the tumor significantly reduce the therapeutic effect. Herein, we developed multifunctional photocatalysis-powered dandelion-like nanomotors composed of amorphous TiO components and Au nanorods (∼93 nm in length and ∼16 nm in outer diameter) by a ligand-mediated interface regulation strategy for NIR-II photoacoustic imaging-guided synergistically enhanced cancer radiotherapy.

In-Situ Assembly of Janus Nanoprobe for Cancer Activated NIR-II Photoacoustic Imaging and Enhanced Photodynamic Therapy.

Inorganic nanoprobes have attracted increasing attention in the biomedical field due to their versatile functionalities and excellent optical properties. However, conventional nanoprobes have a relatively low retention time in the tumor and are mostly applied in the first near-infrared window (NIR-I, 650-950 nm), limiting their applications in accurate and deep tissue imaging. Herein, we develop a Janus nanoprobe, which can undergo tumor microenvironment (TME)-induced aggregation, hence, promoting tumor retention time and providing photoacoustic (PA) imaging in the second NIR (NIR-II, 950-1700 nm) window, and enhancing photodynamic therapy (PDT) effect.

Surfactant-Stripped Semiconducting Polymer Micelles for Tumor Theranostics and Deep Tissue Imaging in the NIR-II Window.

Photoacoustic imaging (PA) in the second near infrared (NIR-II) window presents key advantages for deep tissue imaging owing to reduced light scattering and low background signal from biological structures. Here, a thiadiazoloquinoxaline-based semiconducting polymer (SP) with strong absorption in the NIR-II region is reported. After encapsulation of SP in Pluronic F127 (F127) followed by removal of excess surfactant, a dual functional polymer system named surfactant-stripped semiconductor polymeric micelles (SSS-micelles) are generated with water solubility, storage stability, and high photothermal conversion efficiency, permitting tumor theranostics in a mouse model.

Neodymium (3+)-Coordinated Black Phosphorus Quantum Dots with Retrievable NIR/X-Ray Optoelectronic Switching Effect for Anti-Glioblastoma.

Heteroatom interaction of atomically thin nanomaterials enables the improvement of electronic transfer, band structure, and optical properties. Black phosphorus quantum dots (BP QDs) are considered to be candidate diagnostic and/or therapeutic agents due to their innate biocompatibility and exceptional photochemical effects. However, BP QDs are not competitive regarding second near-infrared (NIR-II) window medical diagnosis and X-ray induced phototherapy.

Site-Specific Biomimicry of Antioxidative Melanin Formation and Its Application for Acute Liver Injury Therapy and Imaging.

Biocompatible nano-antioxidants composed of natural molecules/materials, such as dopamine and melanin, are of great interest for diverse biomedical applications. However, the lack of understanding of the precise structure of these biomaterials and thus the actual dose of effective components impedes their advancement to translation. Herein, a strategy to mimic in situ melanin formation and explore its antioxidative applications is reported, by developing a PEGylated, phenylboronic-acid-protected L-DOPA precursor (PAD) that can self-assemble into well-defined nanoparticles (PADN).

NIR-II Photoacoustic Reporter for Biopsy-Free and Real-Time Assessment of Wilson's Disease.

Wilson's disease (WD) is a rare inherited disorder of copper metabolism with pathological copper hyperaccumulation in some vital organs. However, the clinical diagnosis technique of WD is complicated, aggressive, and time-consuming. In this work, a novel ratiometric photoacoustic (PA) imaging nanoprobe in the NIR-II window is developed to achieve noninvasive, rapid, and accurate Cu quantitative detection in vitro and in vivo.

Structural Transformative Antioxidants for Dual-Responsive Anti-Inflammatory Delivery and Photoacoustic Inflammation Imaging.

We have synthesized a PEGylated, phenylboronic acid modified L-DOPA pro-antioxidant (pPAD) that can self-assemble into nanoparticles (pPADN) for the loading of a model glucocorticoid dexamethasone (Dex) through 1,3-diol/phenylboronic acid chemistry and hydrophobic interactions for more effective treatment of inflammation. Upon exposure to ROS, pPADN convert into the active form of L-DOPA, and a cascade of oxidative reactions transform it into antioxidative melanin-like materials. Concomitantly, the structural transformation of pPADN triggers the specific release of Dex, along with the acidic pH of inflammatory tissue.

In Vivo X-ray Triggered Catalysis of H Generation for Cancer Synergistic Gas Radiotherapy.

To date, hydrogen (H ) therapy has received widespread attention. However, X-ray triggered sustainable H -producing materials with controlled release for cancer treatment have not been reported. Herein, an X-ray triggered sustainable in situ H producing platform, Au NR-TiO @ZnS:Cu,Co-A(Au-TiO @ZnS), composed of Au-amorphous TiO nano-dumbbell-shaped heterostructure coated with long afterglow particles, was developed for cancer synergistic H -radiotherapy.

Polymeric Carbon Nitride-Derived Photocatalysts for Water Splitting and Nitrogen Fixation.

Photocatalysis is a promising energy conversion and environmental restoration technology. The main focus of photocatalysis is the development and manufacture of highly efficient photocatalysts. Semiconductor-based photocatalysis technology based on harnessing solar energy is considered as an attractive approach to solve the problems of global energy shortage and environmental pollution.

Plasmonic-Fluorescent Janus Ag/AgS Nanoparticles for HO-Activated NIR-II Fluorescence Imaging.

Silver sulfide (AgS) has gained widespread attention in second near-infrared (950-1700 nm, NIR-II) window imaging because of its high fluorescence quantum yield and low toxicity. However, its "always on" fluorescence shows inapplicability for targeted molecule-activated biomedical applications. Herein, we first developed a novel silver/silver sulfide Janus nanoparticle (Ag/AgS JNP) for specific activatable fluorescence imaging in the NIR-II window.