Pitaya-Inspired Metal-Organic Framework Nanozyme for Multimodal Imaging-Guided Synergistic Cuproptosis, Nanocatalytic Therapy, and Photothermal Therapy.

Nature often provides invaluable insights into technological innovation and the construction of nanomaterials. Inspired by the pitaya fruit's strategy of wrapping seeds within its pulp to enhance seed survival, a unique nanocomposite based on metal-organic framework (MOF)-encapsulated CuS nanoparticles (NPs) is developed. This design effectively addresses the challenge of short retention time afforded by CuS NPs for therapeutic and imaging purposes.

Efficacy and safety of esketamine versus propofol in electroconvulsive therapy for treatment-resistant depression: A randomized, double-blind, controlled, non-inferiority trial.

Background: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a commonly used alternative for treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Although esketamine has a rapid pharmacological antidepressant action, it has not been studied as an ECT anesthetic. The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of esketamine with propofol when both are used as ECT anesthetic agents.

Hyperpolarized Xe Atoms Sense the Presence of Drug Molecules in Nanohosts Revealed by Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Assessing the effectiveness of nanomedicines involves evaluating the drug content at the target site. Currently, most research focuses on monitoring the signal responses from loaded drugs, neglecting the changes caused by the nanohosts. Here, we propose a strategy to quantitatively evaluate the content of loaded drugs by detecting the signal variations resulting from the alterations in the microenvironment of the nanohosts.

Transcranial alternating current stimulation for schizophrenia: a systematic review of randomized controlled studies.

Background: In randomized clinical trials (RCTs) investigating the application of transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) in schizophrenia, inconsistent results have been reported. The purpose of this exploratory systematic review of RCTs was to evaluate tACS as an adjunct treatment for patients with schizophrenia based on its therapeutic effects, tolerability, and safety.

Methods: Our analysis included RCTs that evaluated adjunctive tACS' effectiveness, tolerability, and safety in schizophrenia patients.

Comparison of Volatile and Nonvolatile Metabolites in Black Tea under Four Second-Drying Methods Using Widely Targeted Metabolomics.

Second-drying has an impact on the development of flavor and aroma in black tea. However, the effect of the shape changes of the tea leaves during second-drying on the quality of black tea has yet to be evaluated. In this study, GC-TOFMS and UPLC-HRMS identified 411 volatile metabolites and 253 nonvolatile metabolites.

Highly Sensitive Gas Sensor for Detection of Air Decomposition Pollutant (CO, NO): Popular Metal Oxide (ZnO, TiO)-Doped MoS Surface.

When partial discharges occur in air-insulated equipment, the air decomposes to produce a variety of contamination products, resulting in a reduction in the insulation performance of the insulated equipment. By monitoring the concentration of typical decomposition products (CO, NO, and NO) within the insulated equipment, potential insulation faults can be diagnosed. MoS has shown promising applications as a gas-sensitive semiconductor material, and doping metal oxides can improve the gas-sensitive properties of the material.

Dual-Signal Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer (Dusi-CEST): An Efficient Strategy for Visualizing Drug Delivery Monitoring in Living Cells.

We report a dual-signal chemical exchange saturation transfer (Dusi-CEST) strategy for drug delivery and detection in living cells. The two signals can be detected by operators in complex environments. This strategy is demonstrated on a cucurbit[6]uril (CB[6]) nanoparticle probe, as an example.

Protocol for detecting substrates in living cells by targeted molecular probes through hyperpolarized Xe MRI.

Due to limited detection sensitivity and contrast limitation, imaging substrates with Xe MRI in living cells is still a challenge. Here, we present an effective protocol to detect and image substrates in human lung cancer cells A549 with hyperpolarized Xe MRI. This protocol was optimized for a cryptophane-based probe sensitive to biothiols and can be expanded to other Xe-based probes to detect potential biomarkers in other mammalian cells.

Ultrasensitive molecular building block for biothiol NMR detection at picomolar concentrations.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides structural and functional information, but it did not probe chemistry. Chemical information could help improve specificity of detection. Herein, we introduce a general method based on a modular design to construct a molecular building block Xe probe to help image intracellular biothiols (glutathione (GSH), cysteine (Cys) and homocysteine (Hcy)), the abnormal content of which is related to various diseases.

The clinical significance of microRNA-409 in pancreatic carcinoma and associated tumor cellular functions.

In recent years, the increasing incidence of pancreatic carcinoma (PC) patients has become one of the hot issues in the world. microRNAs (miRNAs) can act as oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes and have unpredictable effects on tumors, thus affecting the prognosis and survival of cancer patients. In this paper, we mainly studied the role of microRNA (miR)-409 in PC.

Photosensitive MRI biosensor for BCRP-Targeted uptake and light-induced inhibition of tumor cells.

Riboflavin and its derivatives are the most important coenzymes in vivo metabolism, and are closely related to life activities. In this paper, the first photolysis Xe biosensor was developed by combining cryptophane-A with riboflavin moiety, which showed photosensitivity recorded by hyperpolarized Xe NMR/MRI technology with an obvious chemical shift change of 5.3 ppm in aqueous solution.

Efficient temperature-feedback liposome for F MRI signal enhancement.

A new non-encapsulated fluorinated liposome (TSL) was developed, which showed instantaneous temperature-induced 19F MR signal enhancement and excellent stability under reversible signal transition at different conditions.

Selective adsorption of PHC and regeneration of washing effluents by modified diatomite.

Selective removal of petroleum hydrocarbons (PHCs) from soil washing effluents is the key to the surfactant-enhanced soil washing technology. In this study, the diatomite was modified by nonionic surfactant TX-100 and applied in the selective adsorption of PHCs in the soil washing effluents. The modified diatomites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, N adsorption/desorption and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy respectively.

Hyperpolarized Xe NMR signal advancement by metal-organic framework entrapment in aqueous solution.

We report hyperpolarized Xe signal advancement by metal-organic framework (MOF) entrapment (Hyper-SAME) in aqueous solution. The Xe NMR signal is drastically promoted by entrapping the Xe into the pores of MOFs. The chemical shift of entrapped Xe is clearly distinguishable from that of free Xe in water, due to the surface and pore environment of MOFs.

A Small Molecular Multifunctional Tool for pH Detection, Fluorescence Imaging, and Photodynamic Therapy.

A smart multitool platform for theranostics would be useful for monitoring the administration of therapies in vivo. However, the integration of multiple functions into a single small-molecule platform remains a challenge. In this study, we developed a multifunctional probe based on a small-molecule platform.

Free-base porphyrins as CEST MRI contrast agents with highly upfield shifted labile protons.

Purpose: CEST has become a preeminent technology for the rapid detection and grading of tumors, securing its widespread use in both laboratory and clinical research. However, many existing CEST MRI agents exhibit a sensitivity limitation due to small chemical shifts between their exchangeable protons and water. We propose a new group of CEST MRI agents, free-base porphyrins and chlorin, with large exchangeable proton chemical shifts from water for enhanced detection.

An intracellular diamine oxidase triggered hyperpolarized Xe magnetic resonance biosensor.

Here, a novel method was developed for suppressing 129Xe signals in cucurbit[6]uril (CB6) until the trigger is activated by a specific enzyme. Due to its noncovalent interactions with amino-groups and CB6, putrescine dihydrochloride (Put) was chosen for blocking interactions between 129Xe and CB6. Upon adding diamine oxidase (DAO), Put was released from CB6 and a 129Xe@CB6 Hyper-CEST signal emerged.

Detection and differentiation of Cys, Hcy and GSH mixtures by F NMR probe.

Simultaneous detection and differentiation of biomolecules is of significance in biological research. Biothiols such as cysteine (Cys), homocysteine (Hcy), and glutathione (GSH) play an important role in regulating the vital functions of living organisms. However, existing methods for simultaneous detection and differentiation of Cys, Hcy, and GSH are still challenging because of their similarity in structure and chemical properties.

Increasing Cancer Therapy Efficiency through Targeting and Localized Light Activation.

Currently, the potential of cancer therapy is compromised by a variety of problems related to tumor specificity, drug access, and limited efficacy. We report a novel approach to improve the effectiveness of cancer treatment utilizing a light-responsive nanoconstruct. Effectiveness is increased by enhancing drug absorption through heating and the production of free radicals.

Mitochondria Targeted and Intracellular Biothiol Triggered Hyperpolarized Xe Magnetofluorescent Biosensor.

Biothiols such as gluthathione (GSH), cysteine (Cys), homocysteine (Hcy), and thioredoxin (Trx) play vital roles in cellular metabolism. Various diseases are associated with abnormal cellular biothiol levels. Thus, the intracellular detection of biothiol levels could be a useful diagnostic tool.

A Molecular Imaging Approach to Mercury Sensing Based on Hyperpolarized (129)Xe Molecular Clamp Probe.

Mercury pollution, in the form of mercury ions (Hg(2+)), is a major health and environmental hazard. Commonly used sensors are invasive and limited to point measurements. Fluorescence-based sensors do not provide depth resolution needed to image spatial distributions.