Nucleic acid-functionalized gold nanoparticles as intelligent photothermal therapy agents for precise cancer treatment.

We present an intelligent photothermal therapy agents by functionalizing gold nanoparticles with specific nucleic acid sequences. Hairpin nucleic acids are modified to the nanoparticles, forming AuNPs-1 and AuNPs-2. Upon infiltrating cancer cells, these nanoparticles undergo catalytic hairpin assembly in the presence of target miRNA, leading to aggregation and subsequent photothermal conversion.

ROS-Responsive Fluorescent Sensor Array for Precise Diagnosis of Cancer via pH-Controlled Multicolor Gold Nanoclusters.

Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) are closely associated with cancer cell types. Therefore, ROS-based pattern recognition is a promising strategy for precise diagnosis of cancer, but such a possibility has never been reported yet. Herein, we proposed an ROS-responsive fluorescent sensor array based on pH-controlled histidine-templated gold nanoclusters (AuNCs@His) to distinguish cancer cell types and their proliferation states.

Novel HIF-1α Inhibitor AMSP-30m Mitigates the Pathogenic Cellular Behaviors of Hypoxia-Stimulated Fibroblast-Like Synoviocytes and Alleviates Collagen-Induced Arthritis in Rats via Inhibiting Sonic Hedgehog Pathway.

Synovial hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) is a prospective therapeutic target for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). AMSP-30 m, a novel HIF-1α inhibitor, was reported to have notable anti-arthritic effects in rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis. However, its roles in inhibiting the pathogenic behaviors of fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) and the involved mechanisms remain unknown.

Self-assembled ratiometric sensor for specific detection of hypoxia in living cells based on lanthanide-doped upconversion nanoparticles and gold nanoparticles.

We describes the development of a self-assembled nanoprobe for ratiometric sensing of hypoxia in living cells. The probe, UC-AuNPs, is composed of azo-functionalized upconversion nanoparticles (azo-UCNPs) and gold nanoparticles functionalized with-cyclodextrin (CD-AuNPs). Under hypoxic conditions, reductases reduce azo derivatives on the UCNPs, leading to detachment of the CD-AuNPs and subsequent fluorescence recovery of the green emission.

Catalytic probes based on aggregation-induced emission-active Au nanoclusters for visualizing MicroRNA in living cells and in vivo.

Highly sensitive monitoring of cancer-related miRNAs is of great significance for tumor diagnosis. Herein, catalytic probes based on DNA-functionalized Au nanoclusters (AuNCs) were prepared in this work. The aggregation-induced emission-active Au nanoclusters showed an interesting phenomenon of aggregation induced emission (AIE) affected by the aggregation state.

Nucleic acid-driven aggregation-induced emission of Au nanoclusters for visualizing telomerase activity in living cells and in vivo.

Visual monitoring of telomerase activity in living cancer cells and in vivo is essential for clinical diagnosis and treatment. However, most detection methods were performed in vitro due to the difficulty of probes entering cells and the interferences from complex biological environments. Herein, we developed a novel probe based on Au nanoclusters (AuNCs) with a nucleic acid-driven aggregation-induced emission (AIE) property for the first time.

Long-term outcomes of Boston keratoprosthesis type I: the Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital experience.

Purpose: To report the long-term outcomes of Boston keratoprosthesis type I (B-KPro type I) implantation in the management of severe ocular surface disorders.

Methods: Retrospective case series. Patients who underwent B-KPro type I implantation at the People's Liberation Army General Hospital were enrolled between March 2011 and September 2019.

A study on the relationship between air pollution and pulmonary tuberculosis based on the general additive model in Wulumuqi, China.

Objective: This study aimed to explore the impact of atmospheric pollutants on the incidence of tuberculosis (TB), and provide new ideas for the prevention and control of TB in the future.

Methods: It explored the relationship between air pollutants and meteorological factors, as well as between air pollutants and heating through Spearman correlation analysis and rank sum test. Additionally, it analyzed the relationship between air pollutants and TB incidence using the general additive model.

Elevated β1-Adrenergic Receptor Autoantibody Levels Increase Atrial Fibrillation Susceptibility by Promoting Atrial Fibrosis.

Objective: Beta 1-adrenergic receptor autoantibodies (β1ARAbs) have been identified as a pathogenic factor in atrial fibrillation (AF), but the underlying pathogenetic mechanism is not well understood. We assessed the hypothesis that elevated β1ARAb levels increase AF susceptibility by promoting atrial fibrosis.

Methods: A total of 70 patients with paroxysmal AF were continuously recruited.

Aggregation-induced emission-active Au nanoclusters for ratiometric sensing and bioimaging of highly reactive oxygen species.

We prepared a nanoprobe through self-assembly of gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) and using FITC-modified hyaluronic acid (HA) for ratiometric sensing of highly reactive oxygen species (hROS). Taking advantage of the aggregation-induced emission (AIE) properties of the self-assembled AuNCs, hROS-responsive cleavage of HA, and the ratiometric signal change of dual-emission, the nanoprobe exhibited excellent performance in imaging hROS in living cells.

DNA-MnO nanosheets as washing- and label-free platform for array-based differentiation of cell types.

Accurate and facile differentiation of cell types is essential for accurate diagnosis and therapy of diseases. However, it remains challenging due to low specificity, requirement of sophisticated instruments, and tedious operation steps. Herein, a simple, washing- and label-free chemical tongue was constructed for differentiation of cell types.

Nanozyme as Artificial Receptor with Multiple Readouts for Pattern Recognition.

Nanozymes have been widely used for the construction of colorimetric sensors. However, the simultaneous discrimination of multiple targets using nanozymes is still a challenge. In this work, we construct a multiple-readout system for pattern recognition of proteins using nanozyme.

An intelligent 1:2 demultiplexer as an intracellular theranostic device based on DNA/Ag cluster-gated nanovehicles.

The logic device demultiplexer can convey a single input signal into one of multiple output channels. The choice of the output channel is controlled by a selector. Several molecules and biomolecules have been used to mimic the function of a demultiplexer.

A bifunctional nanomodulator for boosting CpG-mediated cancer immunotherapy.

Unmethylated cytosine-phosphate-guanine (CpG) oligonucleotides (ODNs) possess high immunostimulatory activity and represent attractive tools for cancer treatment. However, their success in eliminating large solid tumors was hampered by the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Herein, we report that the design of a novel MnO-CpG-silver nanoclusters (AgNCs)-doxorubicin (DOX) conjugate for enhanced cancer immunotherapy, in which MnO nanosheets function as unique supports to integrate the chemotherapy drug DOX and the immunotherapeutic agent CpG-AgNCs.

A DNA-Based Label-Free Artificial Tongue for Pattern Recognition of Metal Ions.

An array-based sensing method offers several advantages for detecting various analytes. DNA molecules as sensor elements have attracted considerable interest owing to their unique properties. Here, a label-free sensor array using DNA and commercially available dyes to differentiate metal ions is reported.

Hyaluronic Acid-Templated Ag Nanoparticles/Graphene Oxide Composites for Synergistic Therapy of Bacteria Infection.

Developing methods of decreasing the harm to cell and increasing the antibacterial efficiency is becoming a potential topic of medical treatments. We demonstrated a hyaluronidase-triggered photothermal platform for killing bacteria based on silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and graphene oxide (GO). The property of the hyaluronidase (HAase)-triggered release provided excellent antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus.

Russian Keratoprosthesis in Stevens-Johnson Syndrome.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Moscow Eye Microsurgery Complex in Russia (MICOF) keratoprosthesis (KPro) implantation in patients with Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS).

Methods: This was a retrospective case series. Fourteen eyes of 13 patients with SJS underwent KPro implantation at the Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital between April 1, 2000, and December 24, 2014.

DNA-fueled molecular machine for label-free and non-enzymatic ultrasensitive detection of telomerase activity.

Herein, a non-enzymatic and label-free strategy based on DNA-fueled molecular machine was developed for ultrasensitive detection of telomerase activity in cancer cell extracts even at the single-cell level.

Non-toxic lead sulfide nanodots as efficient contrast agents for visualizing gastrointestinal tract.

Non-invasive imaging of gastrointestinal (GI) tract using novel but efficient contrast agents is of the most important issues in the diagnosis and prognosis of GI diseases. Here, for the first time, we reported the design and synthesis of biothiol-decorated lead sulfide nanodots, as well as their usages in functional dual-modality imaging of GI tract in vivo. Due to the presence of glutathione on the surface of the nanodots, these well-prepared contrast agents could decrease the unwanted ion leakage, withstand the harsh conditions in GI tract, and avoid the systemic absorption after oral administration.

Self-Assembly and Compartmentalization of Nanozymes in Mesoporous Silica-Based Nanoreactors.

Herein, to mimic complex natural system, polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM)-coated mesoporous silica nanoreactors were used to compartmentalize two different artificial enzymes. PEMs coated on the surface of mesoporous silica could serve as a permeable membrane to control the flow of molecules. When assembling hemin on the surface of mesoporous silica, the hemin-based mesoporous silica system possessed remarkable peroxidase-like activity, especially at physiological pH, and could be recycled more easily than traditional graphene-hemin nanocompounds.

Artificial tongue based on metal-biomolecule coordination polymer nanoparticles.

We construct an array-based recognition system (the so-called artificial tongue) through the self-assembly of nucleotides, dyes and lanthanide ions. Metal ions are selected as model analytes for verifying its discrimination ability. The work provides valuable insights into the application and development of biomolecule-based materials.

Diversity and structure of soil bacterial communities in the Fildes Region (maritime Antarctica) as revealed by 454 pyrosequencing.

This study assessed the diversity and composition of bacterial communities in four different soils (human-, penguin-, seal-colony impacted soils and pristine soil) in the Fildes Region (King George Island, Antarctica) using 454 pyrosequencing with bacterial-specific primers targeting the 16S rRNA gene. Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Acidobacteria, and Verrucomicrobia were abundant phyla in almost all the soil samples. The four types of soils were significantly different in geochemical properties and bacterial community structure.

Nucleic-acid-programmed Ag-nanoclusters as a generic platform for visualization of latent fingerprints and exogenous substances.

We display a nucleic acid controlled AgNC platform for latent fingerprint visualization. The versatile emission of aptamer-modified AgNCs was regulated by the nearby DNA regions. Multi-color images for simultaneous visualization of fingerprints and exogenous components were successfully obtained.

Single-layer tungsten oxide as intelligent photo-responsive nanoagents for permanent male sterilization.

Permanent male sterilization has been recognized as useful tools for the development of neuter experimental animals and fattening livestock, as well as efficient control of pet overpopulation. Traditional routes such as surgical ways, chemical injections, and anti-fertility vaccines have addressed these crucial problems with idea outcomes. However, these routes usually bring out serious pain and infection towards animals, as well as induce long-term adverse reaction and immune suppression.