CXCR4-Targeted Ultrasound Microbubbles for Imaging and Enhanced Chemotherapy/Immunotherapy in Liver Cancer.

Ultrasound molecular imaging is an innovative imaging modality that combines ultrasound with molecular probes to observe live biological processes at the cellular and molecular levels. C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) is a specific target in liver tumors and plays a crucial role in promoting tumor growth, invasion, metastasis, and angiogenesis. This study pioneered the use of CXCR4-targeted ultrasound molecular imaging for visualized antitumor therapy and investigated the potential of CXCR4-targeted microbubbles (MBs) in sensitizing liver tumor treatment.

A novel synergistic inhibition mechanism of pancreatic lipase by 2-mercaptobenzothiazole and stearic acid migrants from dairy contact rubbers.

This study explores the inhibitory effects of two migrants-2-mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT) and stearic acid-from dairy rubber contact materials on pancreatic lipase (PL). Enzyme assays showed significant, dose-dependent inhibition, with stearic acid being more potent. MBT and stearic acid exhibited reversible inhibition, with MBT acting competitively and stearic acid non-competitively.

VDMUFusion: A Versatile Diffusion Model-Based Unsupervised Framework for Image Fusion.

Image fusion facilitates the integration of information from various source images of the same scene into a composite image, thereby benefiting perception, analysis, and understanding. Recently, diffusion models have demonstrated impressive generative capabilities in the field of computer vision, suggesting significant potential for application in image fusion. The forward process in the diffusion models requires the gradual addition of noise to the original data.

Noninvasive Quantification of Hepatic Steatosis Using Ultrasound-Derived Fat Fraction (CHESS2303): A Prospective Multicenter Study.

Ultrasound-derived fat fraction (UDFF) is designed to assess the hepatic fat content quantitatively. A multicenter study that verifies the diagnostic performance of UDFF for detecting hepatic steatosis has not yet been reported. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of UDFF for diagnosing and grading hepatic steatosis.

De novo-designed amphiphilic α-helical peptide Z2 exhibits broad-spectrum antimicrobial, anti-biofilm, and anti-inflammatory efficacy in acute Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia.

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) show considerable promise in combating bacterial infections due to their broad-spectrum efficacy, unique mechanisms of action, and resistance capabilities. In this study, we de novo designed a series of α-helical AMPs (Z1-Z6) with enhanced antimicrobial activity, anti-biofilm, and anti-inflammatory effects. The design incorporated isoleucine with long alkyl side chains and carefully balanced the positive charge and hydrophobicity.

Synergistic impact of macrolide resistance and H3N2 infection on outbreak in children.

In November 2023, there was a substantial increase in the incidence of infections in China following waves of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant and influenza outbreaks. This study aimed to elucidate the epidemiological features and clinical implications of infections in children and explore the potential influence of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants and influenza A infections on the outbreak. Among 38,668 children with lower respiratory tract infections from January to December 2023, 11,919 tested positive for , predominantly between October and December.

Clinical application of subharmonic aided pressure estimation (SHAPE) in the assessment of portal hypertension in patients with decompensated cirrhosis: A pilot study.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to explore the possibility of subharmonic aided pressure estimation (SHAPE) measurement for noninvasive evaluation of portal hypertension in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis.

Materials And Methods: Patients diagnosed with decompensated liver cirrhosis were prospectively enrolled. SHAPE measurement was performed by using an ultrasound system.

Ultrasound-guided attenuation parameter for identifying metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease: a prospective study.

Purpose: This study assessed the performance of the ultrasound-guided attenuation parameter (UGAP) in diagnosing and grading hepatic steatosis in patients with metabolic dysfunctionassociated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Magnetic resonance imaging proton density fat fraction (MRI-PDFF) served as the reference standard.

Methods: Patients with hepatic steatosis were enrolled in this prospective study and underwent UGAP measurements.

Macrophage Membrane-Encapsulated Carbon Dots for Precise Targeting Diagnosis and Treatment of Bacterial Infections.

How to accurately diagnose and treat bacterial infections in vivo remains a huge challenge. Therefore, we have developed a targeted delivery nanosystem by coextruding the pretreated macrophage membrane of with carbon dots (M@CD). The M@CD nanosystem demonstrates potent antibacterial effects both in vivo and in vitro through the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Network topology and metabolic alterations in early- and mid-stage Parkinson's disease: insights from fluorodeoxyglucose PET imaging.

Objectives: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder with distinct metabolic alterations in the brain, which are detectable via 18 F-FDG PET. This study aims to delineate glucose metabolism patterns and network topology changes across early- and mid-stage PD patients.

Methods: A total of 80 PD patients (Hoehn-Yahr stages 1-3) were retrospectively analyzed, including 40 early-stage and 40 mid-stage cases, along with 40 age-matched healthy controls.

Intra-arterial tenecteplase after successful endovascular recanalisation in patients with acute posterior circulation arterial occlusion (ATTENTION-IA): multicentre randomised controlled trial.

Objective: To assess whether intra-arterial tenecteplase administered after successful endovascular recanalisation improves outcomes in patients with acute arterial occlusion of the posterior circulation.

Design: Multicentre randomised controlled trial.

Setting: 31 hospitals in China, 24 January 2023 to 24 August 2023.

Impact of 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol on pancreatic lipase activity in emulsions: Multispectral, molecular docking, and in vitro digestion analysis.

2,4-di-tert-butylphenol (2,4-DTBP) is an additive used in food packaging. The inhibitory effects of 2,4-DTBP on pancreatic lipase (PL) were investigated in this study. Kinetic analysis indicated that 2,4-DTBP competitively and reversibly inhibited PL activity.

Heat acclimation mediates cellular protection via HSP70 stabilization of HIF-1α protein in extreme environments.

Heat acclimation (HA) is an evolutionarily conserved trait that enhances tolerance to novel stressors by inducing heat shock proteins (HSPs). However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this phenomenon remain elusive. In this study, we established a HA mouse model through intermittent heat stimulation.

Dexmedetomidine accelerates photoentrainment and affects sleep structure through the activation of SCN neurons.

Dexmedetomidine (DexM), a highly selective α-adrenoceptor agonist, significantly reduces postoperative adverse effects, including sleep and circadian rhythm disruptions. Vasoactive intestinal peptide neurons in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) regulate the synchronization of circadian rhythms with the external environment in mammals. We investigate the effects of DexM on sleep and circadian rhythms, as well as the underlying mechanisms.

Two l-Proline Cadmium Thiocyanates with Moderate Second-Harmonic-Generation Responses and Large Birefringences.

Two organic-inorganic cadmium thiocyanates, namely, Cd(SCN)(l-CHNO) () and Cd(SCN)(l-CHNO) (), have been synthesized using l-proline as the bridging ligand. The two compounds have double-chain-like and layered structures, respectively. They feature moderate second-harmonic-generation responses (0.

The interference and elimination of nitrite on determination of total urinary protein by Pyrogallol Red-Molybdate method.

Background: Some urine samples showed negative values of total urinary protein by Pyrogallol red-molybdate (PRM) method. Interestingly, these samples showed notably high levels of nitrite in the urine dipstick test.

Methods: A total of 120 urine samples were collected and categorized into four groups (0 - < 100, 100-<500, 500-<1000, ≥1000 mg/L) based on total urinary protein concentration.

Shield-armed probiotic delivery system based on co-deposition of poly-dopamine and poly-l-lysine helps Lactiplantibacillus plantarum relieve hyperuricemia.

Hyperuricemia (HUA) is a disease characterized by an abnormal metabolism of purine. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have attracted much attention for their safe and effective treatment of HUA by inhibiting xanthine oxidase (XOD) and regulating gut microbiota. However, the effectiveness of probiotics can be compromised by the harsh environment of the gastrointestinal tract.

Proteomic analysis of serum small extracellular vesicles identifies diagnostic biomarkers for neuroblastoma.

Background: Neuroblastoma (NB) primarily arises in children who are <10 years of age, and originates from developing sympathetic nervous system, which results in tumors in adrenal glands and/or sympathetic ganglia. The diagnosis of NB involves a combination of laboratory and imaging tests, and biopsies. Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) have gained attention as potential biomarkers for various types of tumors.

Oral microbiome and its relationship with oral cancer.

As the initial point for digestion, the balance of oral microorganisms plays an important role in maintaining local and systemic health. Oral dysbiosis, or an imbalance in the oral microbial community, may lead to the onset of various diseases. The presence or abnormal increase of microbes in the oral cavity has attracted significant attention due to its complicated relationship with oral cancer.

l-Homoproline-Directed Synthesis of Organic-Inorganic Metal Iodides for Second Harmonic Generation.

Three organic-inorganic metal iodides, namely, (NH)(l-hp)ZnI (), [Cd(l-hp)]CdI (), and (l-Hhp)(l-hp)PbI (), have been synthesized using l-homoproline (l-hp) as the structure-directing agent. These compounds feature different noncentrosymmetric structures and optical properties. In particular, compound shows a large second-harmonic-generation response of 3.

Dexmedetomidine Promotes NREM Sleep by Depressing Oxytocin Neurons in the Paraventricular Nucleus in Mice.

Dexmedetomidine (DEX) is a highly selective α-adrenoceptor agonist with sedative effects on sleep homeostasis. Oxytocin-expressing (OXT) neurons in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus (PVN) regulate sexual reproduction, drinking, sleep-wakefulness, and other instinctive behaviors. To investigate the effect of DEX on the activity and signal transmission of PVN in regulating the sleep-wakefulness cycle.

Efferent pathways from the suprachiasmatic nucleus to the horizontal limbs of diagonal band promote NREM sleep during the dark phase in mice.

The regulation of circadian rhythms and the sleep-wake states involves in multiple neural circuits. The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) is a circadian pacemaker that controls the rhythmic oscillation of mammalian behaviors. The basal forebrain (BF) is a critical brain region of sleep-wake regulation, which is the downstream of the SCN.

New therapeutic target NCF1-directed multi-bioactive conjugate therapies prevent preterm birth and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Preterm birth (PTB) is a leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide, yet the cellular and molecular mechanisms driving this condition remain undeciphered, thus limiting discovery of new therapies. In-depth analyses of human and mouse tissues associated with PTB, in combination with cellular studies, indicated that aberrantly high-expressed neutrophil cytoplasmic factor (NCF) 1 leads to oxidative distress, recruitment, and pro-inflammatory activation of neutrophils and macrophages, while sequentially overexpressed pro-inflammatory mediators induce contractions of uterine smooth muscle cells (USMCs) as well as apoptosis of USMCs and amniotic epithelial cells, thereby causing PTB. According to these new findings, we rationally engineered an amphiphilic macromolecular conjugate LPA by covalently integrating low-molecular-weight heparin, a reactive oxygen species-responsive/scavenging component, and an anti-inflammatory peptide.

Characterization and integrated analysis of extrachromosomal DNA amplification in hematological malignancies.

The study of extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA), an element existing beyond classical chromosomes, contributes to creating a more comprehensive map of the cancer genome. In hematological malignancies, research on ecDNA has lacked comprehensive investigation into its frequency, structure, function, and mechanisms of formation. We re-analyzed WGS data from 208 hematological cancer samples across 11 types, focusing on ecDNA characteristics.