Huangqi-Danshen Decoction Against Renal Fibrosis in UUO Mice via TGF-β1 Induced Downstream Signaling Pathway.

Background: Huangqi-Danshen decoction (HDD) is a Chinese medicinal herb pair with good efficacy in treating chronic kidney disease, but its mechanism needs to be clarified.

Aim: To uncover the underlying mechanism of HDD antagonizing renal fibrosis through network pharmacology (NP) analysis and experimental validation.

Materials And Methods: The chemical components of water extract of HDD were analyzed by combining the ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with Q-Exactive mass spectrum analysis (UHPLC-QE-MS) and HERB database.

Development of a time-resolved immunochromatographic test strip for rapid and quantitative determination of retinol-binding protein 4 in urine.

Urine retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) has recently been reported as a novel earlier biomarker of chronic kidney disease (CKD) which is a global public health problem with high morbidity and mortality. Accurate and rapid detection of urine RBP4 is essential for early monitor of impaired kidney function and prevention of CKD progression. In the present study, we developed a time-resolved fluorescence immunochromatographic test strip (TRFIS) for the quantitative and rapid detection of urine RBP4.

Biomarker identification and pathway analysis of and couplet medicines on adenine-induced chronic kidney disease in rats based on metabolomics.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is usually insidious, and most affected individuals are asymptomatic until the disease becomes advanced. The effective treatment of CKD would rely on the incorporation of multidisciplinary approaches. (AM) and (CZ) have been widely used in the treatment of CKD.

Mechanism of decoction in treatment of diabetic kidney disease based on network pharmacology and molecular docking.

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is the most common cause of end-stage renal disease. The effective treatment of DKD would rely on the incorporation of a multi-disciplinary. Studies have shown that and have remarkable curative effects in treating DKD, but their combination mechanism has not been fully elucidated.

Near-Infrared-II Light Induced Mild Hyperthermia Activate Cisplatin-Artemisinin Nanoparticle for Enhanced Chemo/Chemodynamic Therapy and Immunotherapy.

Chemodynamic therapy (CDT) is an effective cancer treatment that uses Fenton reaction to induce cancer cell death. Current clinical applications of CDT are limited by the dependency of external supply of metal ions as well as low catalytic efficiency. Here, a highly efficient metal-free CDT by using endoperoxide bridge-containing artesunate as free radical-generating substance is developed.

Tunable and Enhanced NIR-II Luminescence from Heavily Doped Rare-Earth Nanoparticles for In Vivo Bioimaging.

The last decade has witnessed the booming development of optical imaging in the second near-infrared (NIR-II, 1000-1700 nm) window for disease screening and image-guided surgical interventions, due to the merits of multi-color observations and high spatio-temporal resolution in deep tissue. Therefore, bright and multispectral NIR-II probes are required and play a key role. Here, we report the synthesis of a set of bright rare-earth based NIR-II downshifting nanoparticles (DSNPs) with hexagonal phase (β phase).

Orthogonal Multiplexed NIR-II Imaging with Excitation-Selective Lanthanide-Based Nanoparticles.

Multiplexed imaging in the second near-infrared (NIR-II, 1000-1700 nm) window, with much reduced tissue scattering and autofluorescence background noises, could offer comprehensive information for studying biological processes and accurate diagnosis. A critical requirement for harvesting the full potential of multiplexing is to develop fluorescent probes with emission profiles specifically tuned at distinct excitations toward their target applications. However, the lack of versatile probes with separated signals in this NIR-II window hinders the potential of in vivo multiplexed imaging.

Reclassification of as comb. nov. and description of sp. nov., isolated from the mud in a fermentation cellar used for the production of Chinese Luzhou-flavour Baijiu.

A novel Gram-stain-positive, strictly anaerobic, elliptical, non-motile and non-flagellated bacterium, designed LZLJ-2, was isolated from the mud in a fermentation cellar used for the production of Chinese Luzhou-flavour Baijiu. Growth occurred at 28-45 °C (optimum, 37 °C), at pH 6.0-7.

sp. nov., isolated from the mud in a fermentation cellar used for the production of Chinese strong-flavour liquor.

A novel Gram-positive, non-motile, non-flagellated, strictly anaerobic, non-spore-forming and dumbbell-shaped, coccoid- or chain-shaped bacterium, designated strain LZLJ-3, was isolated from a mud fermentation cellar which has been used for the production of Chinese strong-flavour liquor for over 100 years. Strain LZLJ-3 grew at 20-40 °C (optimum, 37 °C), at pH 6.0-8.

A novel lanthanide-based NIR-II nanoprobe for lung squamous cell carcinoma identification.

The morbidity and mortality of lung cancer, particularly squamous cell carcinoma and non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), is significantly higher than other malignant tumors. Currently, there is a lack of a real-time, nonradioactive detection method for early-stage squamous non-small-cell lung cancer diagnosis. In this study, we introduced fluorescence imaging in the second near-infrared (NIR-II) window to identify lung squamous cell carcinoma for the first time.

High-Fidelity NIR-II Multiplexed Lifetime Bioimaging with Bright Double Interfaced Lanthanide Nanoparticles.

Fluorescence lifetime imaging provides more possibility of in vivo multiplexing in second near infrared (NIR-II) window. However, it still faces the obstacle that fluorescent probes with differentiable lifetime often exhibit quite different fluorescence intensity, especially the short lifetime usually accompanies with a weak fluorescence intensity, resulting in the difficulty for simultaneously decoding multiplexed lifetime information due to the interference of background noise. To facilitate high-fidelity lifetime multiplexed imaging, we developed a series of Er doped double interface fluorescent nanoprobes (Er-DINPs): α-NaYF @NaErF : Ce@NaYbF @NaErF : Ce@NaYF with strong fluorescence intensity and easily distinguishable fluorescence lifetime.

A hybrid erbium(III)-bacteriochlorin near-infrared probe for multiplexed biomedical imaging.

Spectrally distinct fluorophores are desired for multiplexed bioimaging. In particular, monitoring biological processes in living mammals needs fluorophores that operate in the 'tissue-transparent' near-infrared (NIR) window, that is, between 700 and 1,700 nm. Here we report a fluorophore system based on molecular erbium(III)-bacteriochlorin complexes with large Stokes shift (>750 nm) and narrowband NIR-to-NIR downconversion spectra (full-width at half-maximum ≤ 32 nm).

X-ray-activated persistent luminescence nanomaterials for NIR-II imaging.

Persistent luminescence is not affected by background autofluorescence, and thus holds the promise of high-contrast bioimaging. However, at present, persistent luminescent materials for in vivo imaging are mainly bulk crystals characterized by a non-uniform size and morphology, inaccessible core-shell structures and short emission wavelengths. Here we report a series of X-ray-activated, lanthanide-doped nanoparticles with an extended emission lifetime in the second near-infrared window (NIR-II, 1,000-1,700 nm).

NIR-II pH Sensor with a FRET Adjustable Transition Point for In Situ Dynamic Tumor Microenvironment Visualization.

Monitoring the pH in tumor lesions provides abundant physiological information. However, currently developed pH sensors only achieve sensitive detection in the settled response region around the pH transition point (pH ). To realize tumor pH monitoring with high sensitivity within a wider response region, reported here are serial pH adjustable sensors (pTAS) that simply regulate the component ratio of second near-infrared (NIR-II) emission aza-BODIPY (NAB) donor and pH sensitive rhodamine-based pre-acceptor (NRh) in Förster resonance energy transfer system.

Immobilization of Cd Using Mixed and Bacterial Reagents in Pot Experiments with L.

sp. A11 and sp. A23 were isolated and identified.

Bright and Stable NIR-II J-Aggregated AIE Dibodipy-Based Fluorescent Probe for Dynamic In Vivo Bioimaging.

Organic dyes emitting in the second near-infrared (NIR-II, 900-1700 nm) window, with high molar extinction coefficients (MEC) and quantum yields (QY) in aqueous, are essential for in vivo bioimaging and biosensing. In this work, we developed a dibodipy-based aggregation-induced emission (AIE) fluorescent probe, THPP, to meet this aim. THPP exhibits a high MEC and has intensified absorption and emission in J-aggregated state, which significantly enhance the fluorescence intensity (≈55 folds) and extend the maximal absorption/emission wavelengths to 970/1010 nm in NIR-II region.

NIR-II bioluminescence for in vivo high contrast imaging and in situ ATP-mediated metastases tracing.

Bioluminescence imaging has been widely used in life sciences and biomedical applications. However, conventional bioluminescence imaging usually operates in the visible region, which hampers the high-performance in vivo optical imaging due to the strong tissue absorption and scattering. To address this challenge, here we present bioluminescence probes (BPs) with emission in the second near infrared (NIR-II) region at 1029 nm by employing bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) and two-step fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) with a specially designed cyanine dye FD-1029.

NIR-II Chemiluminescence Molecular Sensor for In Vivo High-Contrast Inflammation Imaging.

Chemiluminescence (CL) sensing without external excitation by light and autofluorescence interference has been applied to high-contrast in vitro immunoassays and in vivo inflammation and tumor microenvironment detection. However, conventional CL sensing usually operates in the range of 400-850 nm, which limits the performance of in vivo imaging due to serious light scattering effects and signal attenuation in tissue. To address this challenge, a new type of CL sensor is presented that functions in the second near-infrared window (NIR-II CLS) with a deep penetration depth (≈8 mm).

Organic NIR-II molecule with long blood half-life for in vivo dynamic vascular imaging.

Real-time monitoring of vessel dysfunction is of great significance in preclinical research. Optical bioimaging in the second near-infrared (NIR-II) window provides advantages including high resolution and fast feedback. However, the reported molecular dyes are hampered by limited blood circulation time (~ 5-60 min) and short absorption and emission wavelength, which impede the accurate long-term monitoring.

-Aggregates of Cyanine Dye for NIR-II Dynamic Vascular Imaging beyond 1500 nm.

Light in the second near-infrared window, especially beyond 1500 nm, shows enhanced tissue transparency for high-resolution optical bioimaging due to decreased tissue scattering, absorption, and autofluorescence. Despite some inorganic luminescent nanoparticles have been developed to improve the bioimaging around 1500 nm, it is still a great challenge to synthesize organic molecules with the absorption and emission toward this region. Here, we present -aggregates with 1360 nm absorption and 1370 nm emission formed by self-assembly of amphiphilic cyanine dye FD-1080 and 1,2-dimyristoyl--glycero-3-phosphocholine.

Tm -Sensitized NIR-II Fluorescent Nanocrystals for In Vivo Information Storage and Decoding.

In vivo fluorescence imaging in the second near-infrared window (NIR-II) affords deep-tissue penetration and high spatial resolution. Herein, we present a new type of Tm -sensitized lanthanide nanocrystals with both excitation (1208 nm) and emission (1525 nm) located in the NIR-II window for in vivo optical information storage and decoding. Taking advantage of the tunable fluorescence lifetimes, the optical multiplexed encoding capacity is enhanced accordingly.

Anti-quenching NIR-II molecular fluorophores for in vivo high-contrast imaging and pH sensing.

The contrast and sensitivity of in vivo fluorescence imaging has been revolutionized by molecular fluorophores operating in the second near-infrared window (NIR-II; 1000-1700 nm), but an ongoing challenge is the solvatochromism-caused quenching in aqueous solution for the long-wavelength absorbing fluorophores. Herein, we develop a series of anti-quenching pentamethine cyanine fluorophores that significantly overcome the severe solvatochromism, thus affording stable absorption/emission beyond 1000 nm with up to ~ 44-fold enhanced brightness and superior photostability in aqueous solution. These advantages allow for deep optical penetration (8 mm) as well as high-contrast and highly-stable lymphatic imaging superior to clinical-approved indocyanine green.

Supramolecularly Engineered NIR-II and Upconversion Nanoparticles In Vivo Assembly and Disassembly to Improve Bioimaging.

Contrast agents for bioimaging suffer from low accumulation at lesion area and high uptake in the reticuloendothelial system (RES). Assembly of nanoparticles in vivo improves their enrichment at tumors and inflamed areas. However, uncontrollable assembly also occurs at the liver and spleen owing to the uptake of nanoparticles by the RES.

NIR-II nanoprobes in-vivo assembly to improve image-guided surgery for metastatic ovarian cancer.

Local recurrence is a common cause of treatment failure for patients with solid tumors. Tumor-specific intraoperative fluorescence imaging may improve staging and debulking efforts in cytoreductive surgery and, thereby improve prognosis. Here, we report in vivo assembly of the second near-infrared window (NIR-II) emitting downconversion nanoparticles (DCNPs) modified with DNA and targeting peptides to improve the image-guided surgery for metastatic ovarian cancer.