Aging and senescence: Key players in brain tumor progression and drug resistance.

Aging plays a critical role in the development, progression, and therapeutic challenges associated with brain tumors, particularly glioblastomas (GBM). As the population ages, the incidence of brain tumors, including GBM, increases, with aging emerging as a significant prognostic factor influencing survival outcomes. This review examines the molecular mechanisms linking aging and brain tumor progression, with a specific focus on glioblastomas.

The association between systemic inflammation markers and the risk of incident dilated cardiomyopathy: a prospective study of 351,148 participants.

Background: The role of systemic inflammation in the development and progression of cardiovascular diseases has been attractive, but its association with incident dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is rarely investigated. This study aimed to systematically investigate the association between various inflammatory markers and DCM incidence.

Methods: The data were derived from the UK Biobank database.

Effects of Red Clover Isoflavones on Growth Performance, Immune Function, and Cecal Microflora of Mice.

Isoflavone components extracted from red clover have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immune boosting effects. We hypothesize that red clover isoflavones (RCIs) achieve health-promoting effects via altering the gut microbiota. A total of 48 mice (20 ± 2 g) were randomly divided into a control group, low-dose group (0.

"On-demand" nanosystem-integrated microneedles for amplified triple therapy against recalcitrant bacteria and biofilm growth.

Phototherapy has emerged to eradicate recalcitrant bacteria without causing drug resistance, but it is often accompanied by considerable limitations owing to a high tolerance of recalcitrant bacteria to heat and oxidative damage, leading to low efficiency of monotherapy and unwanted side effects. Assuming that employing antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) to disrupt bacterial membranes could reduce bacterial tolerance, a multifunctional "on-demand" nanosystem based on zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) with metal ions for intrinsic antibacterial activity was constructed to potently kill methicillin-resistant (MRSA). Then, microneedles (MNs) were used to transdermally deliver the ZIF-8-based nanosystem for localized skin infection.

Biomineralized catalytic nanoreactor integrated microneedle patch for on demand immunomodulator supply to combat psoriasis.

The endogenous immunomodulator adenosine (ADO) was expected to be potentialized as an efficacious mediator to combat psoriasis. However, its efficacy is severely hindered by its poor metabolic stability and insufficient accumulation at the dermatological lesions. In this study, a biomineralized catalytic nanoreactor was delicately customized by encapsulating ADO precursor (adenosine monophosphate, AMP) within the internal porous skeleton of zeolitic imidazolate framework-90, followed by the biomineralization of the AMP catabolic enzyme on the outer layer.

Farnesol ameliorates DSS-induced IBD by regulating inflammatory cytokines, repairing the intestinal barrier, reversing the gut microbiota imbalance, and influencing fecal metabolome in C57BL/6 mice.

The incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is rising globally, increasing interest in food ingredients for its prevention and control. This study evaluated the effect of farnesol (FAR), a key component of pomelo flower volatile oil, on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis in C57BL/6 mice. FAR significantly alleviated DSS-induced colitis and secondary liver injury, as shown by improved body weight, DAI, colon length, and pathology, as well as liver function and blood lipid indices.

A novel tetrahedral framework nucleic acid-derived chemodynamic therapy agent for effective glioblastoma treatment.

Chemodynamic therapy (CDT) has garnered significant attention for treating diverse malignant tumours due to its minimally invasive nature, reduced damage to healthy tissues, and potential mitigation of side effects. However, its application in glioblastoma (GBM) is hindered by the diminished capacity of CDT agents to traverse the blood-brain barrier (BBB), inadequate tumour targeting efficiency, and restricted availability of HO within the tumour microenvironment (TME). To address these challenges, we devised a novel CDT agent (Fe@tFNAs-ANG-3AT) based on a tetrahedral framework nucleic acids (tFNAs).

Independent risk factor of drug eruption in immune checkpoint inhibitors treated liver cancer patients: high systemic immune-inflammation index.

Purpose: The clinical application of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has significantly improved the prognosis of liver cancer patients. However, drug eruption associated with ICI monotherapy or combination therapy not only impacts the quality of life and treatment progress of liver cancer patients but also poses a potential threat to their lives. The study aims to investigate the risk factors of drug eruption in liver cancer patients undergoing ICIs in real-world settings.

Framework nucleic acid-based nanoparticles enhance temozolomide sensitivity in glioblastoma.

O-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) is a crucial determinant of temozolomide (TMZ) sensitivity in patients with glioblastoma (GBM). The therapeutic potential of small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting MGMT to enhance TMZ sensitivity has been hampered by serum nuclease degradation, off-target effects, poor accumulation at tumor sites, and low circulation in blood stream. In this study, we developed a framework nucleic acid-based nanoparticles (FNN), which is constructed from a six-helix DNA bundle, to encapsulate and protect siMGMT for improving TMZ sensitivity in GBM treatment.

A Reconfigurable DNA Framework Nanotube-Assisted Antiangiogenic Therapy.

A major limitation of tumor antiangiogenic therapy is the pronounced off-target effect, which can lead to unavoidable injury in multiple organs. Ensuring sufficient delivery and controlled release of these antiangiogenic agents at tumor sites is crucial for realizing their clinical application. Here, we develop a smart DNA-based nanodrug, termed Endo-rDFN, by precisely assembling the antiangiogenic agent, endostar (Endo), into a reconfigurable DNA framework nanotube (rDFN) that could recognize tumor-overexpressed nucleolin to achieve the targeted delivery and controllable release of Endo.

Engineering tumor-oxygenated nanomaterials: advancing photodynamic therapy for cancer treatment.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT), a promising treatment modality, employs photosensitizers to generate cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) within localized tumor regions. This technique involves administering a photosensitizer followed by light activation in the presence of oxygen (O), resulting in cytotoxic ROS production. PDT's spatiotemporal selectivity, minimally invasive nature, and compatibility with other treatment modalities make it a compelling therapeutic approach.

ATP-adenosine axis regulation combined with microneedle assisted photoimmunotherapy to boost the immunotherapy efficiency.

Immunogenic cell death (ICD) is associated with the release of damage-associated molecular patterns, including ATP, to promote an effective immune cycle against tumors. However, tumors have evolved an effective strategy for degrading extracellular immunostimulatory ATP via the ATP-adenosine axis, allowing the sequential action of the ectonucleotidases CD39 to degrade accumulated immunostimulatory ATP into pleiotropic immunosuppressive adenosine. Here, an ingenious dissolving microneedle patch (DMNs) is designed for the intralesional delivery of CD39 inhibitor (sodium polyoxotungstate, POM-1) and ICD inducer (IR780) co-encapsulated solid lipid nanoparticles (P/I SLNs) for antitumor therapy.

Enhancing the sensitization of neuroblastoma to radiotherapy by the construction of a dual-channel parallel free radicals nanoamplifier.

Radiation therapy (RT) has emerged as one of the most promising anti-tumor strategies for neuroblastoma. Nevertheless, the special tumor microenvironment (TME), including hypoxic and GSH-overexpressed TME, often greatly restricts the RT outcome. In this study, we demonstrated a dual-channel parallel radicals nanoamplifier (ATO@PAE-PEG-AS1411/Fe).

Demonstrating Biological Fate of Nanoparticle-Loaded Dissolving Microneedles with Aggregation-Caused Quenching Probes: Influence of Application Sites.

Integrating dissolving microneedles (DMNs) and nanocarriers (NC) holds great potential in transdermal drug delivery because it can simultaneously overcome the stratum corneum barrier and achieve efficient and controlled drug delivery. However, different skin sites with different thicknesses and compositions can affect the transdermal diffusion of NC-loaded DMNs. There are few reports on the biological fate (especially transdermal diffusion) of NC-loaded DMNs, and inaccurate bioimaging information of intact NC limits the accurate understanding of the in vivo fate of NC-loaded DMNs.

Activation of cholinergic basal forebrain neurons improved cognitive functions in adult-onset hypothyroid mice.

Cognitive dysfunction is common in hypothyroid patients, even after undergoing sufficient levothyroxine (LT4) replacement therapy for euthyroid. Our previous studies indicated that cholinergic neurons might contribute to the decline of cognition in adult-onset hypothyroidism. Nevertheless, the role of the cellular and neural control of basal forebrain (BF) cholinergic neurons in hypothyroidism-induced cognitive impairments is unknown.

Application of persulfate-based oxidation processes to address diverse sustainability challenges: A critical review.

Over the past years, persulfate (PS) is widely applied due to their high versatility and efficacy in decontamination and sterilization. While treatment of organic chemicals, remediation of soil and groundwater, sludge treatment, disinfection on pathogen microorganisms have been covered by most published reviews, there are no comprehensive and specific reviews on its application to address diverse sustainability challenges, including solid waste treatment, resources recovery and regeneration of ecomaterials. PS applications mainly rely on direct oxidation by PS itself or the reactive sulfate radical (SO) or hydroxyl radical (OH) from the activation of peroxodisulfate (PDS, SO) or peroxymonosulfate (PMS, HSO) in SO-based advanced oxidation processes (SO-AOPs).

Casted MoS nanostructures and their Raman properties.

Two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) have been widely investigated for optoelectronic applications. Here, by employing the nanocasting method, molybdenum disulfide (MoS) nanostructures, including supercrystals, nanoparticles and nanowires, are synthesized with curved features by changing the precursor concentration and template types. The Raman properties of different MoS nanostructures are investigated by varying the laser power under both resonant and non-resonant excitations.

The Effect of Task Performance and Partnership on Interpersonal Brain Synchrony during Cooperation.

Interpersonal brain synchrony (IBS) during cooperation has not been systematically investigated. To address this research gap, this study assessed neural synchrony during a cooperative jigsaw puzzle solving task using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS)-based hyperscanning. IBS was measured for successful and failed tasks in 31 dyads in which the partners were familiar or unknown to each other.

Systematic screening and structural characterization of dipeptides using offline 2D LC-LTQ-Orbitrap MS: A case study of .

() is a widely used and highly valuable traditional Chinese medicine. Several dipeptides have been detected in , but current scientific knowledge of its chemical makeup remains limited. In this study, an improved approach that integrates offline two-dimensional liquid chromatography (2D LC) separation, precursor ion list, library screening, and diagnostic ion filtering was established to systematically screen and characterize dipeptides in .

Light modulation based on the enhanced Kerr effect in molybdenum disulfide nanostructures with curved features.

A novel type of molybdenum disulfide (MoS) nanoparticles (NPs) was chemically synthesized, which possessed curved features with three-dimensional (3D) freedom compared with planar two-dimensional (2D) materials. Due to the introduction of curved features, the synthesized NPs exhibited a strongly enhanced nonlinear refractive index ( ∼ 10 cm W) and third-order susceptibility ( ∼ 10 esu), which were experimentally verified by the spatial self-phase modulation effect in the visible wavelength range. Both the nonlinear parameters were two orders of magnitude higher than their planar MoS nanostructure counterparts.

Combined application of extended depth of field imaging, image stitching and polarized microscopy techniques in identification of .

Objective: As traditional techniques for microscopic identification of Chinese medicines currently lack objective and high-quality reference images, here we developed a systemic procedure to be used in microscopic identification of Chinese medicines, which would lead to more objective, effective and accurate identification process.

Methods: (Jixueteng in Chinese) was used as the specimen in the development of such procedure. Jixueteng samples were microscopically examined in bright- and dark-field microscopy.

A Fluorescent Coumarin-Based Probe for the Fast Detection of Cysteine with Live Cell Application.

A new coumarin-based fluorescent probe, containing an allylic esters group, has been designed and synthesized for sensing cysteine in physiological pH. In this fluorescent probe, the coumarin was applied as the fluorophore and an allylic esters group was combined as both a fluorescence quencher and a recognition unit. The probe can selectively and sensitively detect cysteine (Cys) over homocysteine, glutathione, and other amino acids, and has a rapid response time of 30 min and a low detection limit of 47.