Development of high-efficiency superparamagnetic drug delivery system with MPI imaging capability.

In this study, a high-efficiency superparamagnetic drug delivery system was developed for preclinical treatment of bladder cancer in small animals. Two types of nanoparticles with magnetic particle imaging (MPI) capability, i.e.

Berberine Alleviates Ischemic Brain Injury by Enhancing Autophagic Flux via Facilitation of TFEB Nuclear Translocation.

Berberine has been demonstrated to alleviate cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury, but its neuroprotective mechanism has yet to be understood. Studies have indicated that ischemic neuronal damage was frequently driven by autophagic/lysosomal dysfunction, which could be restored by boosting transcription factor EB (TFEB) nuclear translocation. Therefore, this study investigated the pharmacological effects of berberine on TFEB-regulated autophagic/lysosomal signaling in neurons after cerebral stroke.

A Fast and Reversible Responsive Bionic Transmembrane Nanochannel for Dynamic Single-Cell Quantification of Glutathione.

Biological channels can rapidly and continuously modulate ion transport behaviors in response to external stimuli, which play essential roles in manipulating physiological and pathological processes in cells. Here, to mimic the biological channels, a bionic nanochannel is developed by synergizing a cationic silicon-substituted rhodamine (SiRh) with a glass nanopipette for transmembrane single-cell quantification. Taking the fast and reversible nucleophilic addition reaction between glutathione (GSH) and SiRh, the bionic nanochannel shows a fast and reversible response to GSH, with its inner-surface charges changing between positive and negative charges, leading to a distinct and reversible switch in ionic current rectification (ICR).

Organic Molecular Probe Enabled Ionic Current Rectification toward Subcellular Detection of Glutathione with High Selectivity, Sensitivity, and Recyclability.

Single-cell interrogation with the solid-state nanoprobes enables understanding of the linkage between cellular behavior and heterogeneity. Herein, inspired by the charge property of the organic molecular probe (OMP), a generic ionic current rectification (ICR) single-cell methodology is established, exemplified by subcellular detection of glutathione (GSH) with high selectivity, sensitivity, and recyclability. The as-developed nanosensor can transduce the subcellular OMP-GSH interaction via a sensitive ionic response, which stems from the superior specificity of OMP and its essential charge property.

LINC00511/miRNA-143-3p Modulates Apoptosis and Malignant Phenotype of Bladder Carcinoma Cells via PCMT1.

Bladder cancer has easy recurrence characteristics, but its occurrence and development mechanism are still unclear. Non-coding RNA is a kind of RNA that exists widely and cannot be translated into proteins, which has played a key role in the regulation of biological functions of tumor cells. However, the regulation mechanism of non-coding RNA on bladder tumors is not fully understood.

Twin Nanopipettes for Real-Time Electrochemical Monitoring of Cytoplasmic Microviscosity at a Single-Cell Level.

Cytoplasmic microviscosity (CPMV) plays essential roles in governing the diffusion-mediated cellular processes and has been recognized as a reliable indicator of the cellular response of many diseases and malfunctions. Current CPMV studies are exclusively established by probe-assisted optical methods, which nevertheless necessitate the complicated synthesis and delivery of optical probes into cells and thus the issues of biocompatibility and bio-orthogonality. Using twin nanopipettes integrated with a patch-clamp system, a practical electrochemical single-cell measurement is presented, which is capable of real-time and long-term CPMV detection without cell disruption.

Photocontrolled Nanopipette Biosensor for ATP Gradient Electroanalysis of Single Living Cells.

Emerging nanopipette tools have demonstrated substantial potential for advanced single-cell analysis, which plays vital roles from fundamental cellular biology to biomedical diagnostics. Highly recyclable nanopipettes with easy and quick regeneration are of special interest for precise and multiple measurements. However, existing recycle strategies are generally plagued by operational complexity and limited efficiency.

Role of p-ERK1/2 in Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia during Hyperinsulinemia.

Purpose: Using a rat model of hyperinsulinemia, the present study investigated the role of p-ERK1/2 in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Materials And Methods: Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly selected and assigned to four groups: high fat diet (HFD)+BPH (n=10), HFD (n=10), BPH (n=10), and control (n=10) groups. Hyperinsulinemia was induced by HFD feeding, while BPH was induced using testosterone propionate.

Boosting the biocatalytic precipitation with enzyme-loaded liposomes: Toward a general platform for amplified photoelectrochemical immunoassay.

Liposome-assisted photoelectrochemical (PEC) bioanalysis represents one of the latest frontiers in the arena of PEC bioanalysis. This work reports a general enzyme-amplified liposomal PEC bioanalysis protocol via the use of enzyme-loaded liposomes to boost the biocatalytic precipitation (BCP) effect. In the representative system, the horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-loaded liposome (HRPLL) and the Au nanoclusters (NCs)/Au nanoparticles (NPs)/TiO nanotubes (NTs) framework (AATF) were used as liposomal label and photoelectrode, respectively.

In situ chemical redox and functionalization of graphene oxide: toward new cathodic photoelectrochemical bioanalysis.

This report outlines the first exploration of graphene oxide (GO) itself as a light harvesting material with an innovative in situ chemical redox and functionalization (CRF) strategy for versatile and high-throughput cathodic photoelectrochemical (PEC) bioanalysis.

Unique Redox Reaction between CuO Photocathode and Cysteine: Insight into the Mechanism for Cathodic Photoelectrochemical Bioanalysis.

Previously reported copper oxide-based cathodic photoelectrochemical bioanalysis of cysteine had attributed the decrease of the photocurrents to the binding of cysteine onto the CuO surface. However, our latest investigation found that the previous explanation was not correct. This Letter presents the in-depth study of such phenomena and a new insight into the underlying mechanism.

Three-Dimensional TiO@CuO@Nickel Foam Electrodes: Design, Characterization, and Validation of O-Independent Photocathodic Enzymatic Bioanalysis.

This work reports the innovative design and application of a three-dimensional (3D) TiO@CuO@nickel foam electrode synergized with enzyme catalysis toward the proof-of-concept study for oxygen-independent photocathodic enzymatic detection. Specifically, a 3D-nanostructured photoelectrode has great potential in the semiconductor-based photoelectrochemical (PEC) biological analysis. On the other hand, using various photocathodes, cathodic PEC bioanalysis, especially the photocathodic enzymatic detection, represents an attractive frontier in the field.

Nanoporous Semiconductor Electrode Captures the Quantum Dots: Toward Ultrasensitive Signal-On Liposomal Photoelectrochemical Immunoassay.

Liposomal photoelectrochemical (PEC) bioanalysis has recently emerged and exhibited great potential in sensitive biomolecular detection. Exploration of the facile and efficient route for advanced liposomal PEC bioanalysis is highly appealing. In this work, we report the split-type liposomal PEC immunoassay system consisting of sandwich immunorecognition, CdS quantum dots (QDs)-loaded liposomes (QDLL), and the release and subsequent capture of the QDs by a separated TiO nanotubes (NTs) electrode.

Additive antitumor effect of arsenic trioxide combined with intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin immunotherapy against bladder cancer through blockade of the IER3/Nrf2 pathway.

Background: As an inorganic compound used to treat various cancers and other diseases, arsenic trioxide (AsO) has been reported to induce cellular apoptosis in certain kinds of cancers including bladder cancer. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the crucial cooperative role of AsO and intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) immunotherapy and its ability to protect against bladder cancer by targeting the IER3/Nrf2 pathway.

Method: Initially, an orthotopic bladder cancer model was established in mice by means of intravesical instillation of the human bladder cancer cell line 5637.

Ferroelectric Perovskite Oxide@TiO Nanorod Heterostructures: Preparation, Characterization, and Application as a Platform for Photoelectrochemical Bioanalysis.

This work reports the first synthesis and characterization of a ferroelectric perovskite oxide-based heterostructure as well as its application for photoelectrochemical (PEC) bioanalytical purposes. Specifically, exemplified by [KNbO][BaNiNbO] (KBNNO), the ferroelectric perovskite oxides were prepared by solid-state synthesis, while the TiO nanorod (NR) arrays were obtained via a hydrothermal method. Using the technique of pulsed laser deposition (PLD), KBNNO were then deposited on TiO NRs to form KBNNO@TiO NR heterostructures.

Hierarchical CuInS-based heterostructure: Application for photocathodic bioanalysis of sarcosine.

In this study, on the basis of hierarchical CuInS-based heterostructure, a novel cathodic photoelectrochemical (PEC) enzymatic bioanalysis of the sarcosine detection was reported. Specifically, heterostructured CuInS/NiO/ITO photocathode was prepared and sarcosine oxidases (SOx) were integrated for the construction of the enzymatic biosensor. In the bioanalysis, the O-dependent suppression of the cathodic photocurrent can be observed due to the competition between the as-fabricated O-sensitive photocathode and the SOx-catalytic event toward O reduction.

Minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy improves stone-free rates for impacted proximal ureteral stones: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Urinary stones are common medical disorders and the treatment of impacted proximal ureteral stones (IPUS) is still a challenge for urologists. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy (MI-PCNL) and ureteroscopic lithotripsy (URL) in the treatment of IPUS via a meta-analysis.

Methods: We collected studies using PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library from 1978 to November 2016 and analyzed them using Stata 12.

The Value of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasonography and Contrast-Enhanced CT in the Diagnosis of Malignant Renal Cystic Lesions: A Meta-Analysis.

We compared the efficacy of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) for the diagnosis of renal cystic lesions via a meta-analysis to determine the value of CEUS in the prediction of the malignant potential of complex renal cysts. Eleven studies were evaluated: 4 control studies related to CEUS and CECT, 3 studies related to CEUS and 4 studies related to CECT. According to the random effects model, the pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, and negative likelihood ratio for CEUS/CECT were 0.

A Novel Method for Sensitive Determination of Subclinical Left-Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction in Subjects With Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Background: This study was to evaluate the subclinical left-ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction with 2-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography in subjects with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with normal left ventricular ejection fraction and without any confounding disease that can cause myocardial dysfunction.

Methods: Nineteen healthy individuals and 60 subjects with OSA were included in this study. According to the severity of disease, OSA subjects were examined in 3 groups: mild, moderate, and severe OSA.

Urinary nerve growth factor could be a biomarker for interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome: a meta-analysis.

To examine whether urinary nerve growth factor (NGF) could serve as a biomarker for interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS), we conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis of 9 studies. Among the studies considered, patients with IC/PBS had higher urinary NGF and NGF/Cr levels compared to those of healthy people (SMD = 1.94, 95%CI = 0.

[Inhibitory effect of cocoomyxa gloeobotrydifomis on benign prostate hyperplasia in aged rats and its action mechanism].

Objective: To investigate the inhibitory effect of cocoomyxa gloeobotrydifomis (CGD) on benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) in aged rats and its underlying mechanism.

Methods: Thirty SD male rats aged 21 months were equally randomized to three groups, aged control, low-dose CGD and high-dose CGD, the latter two groups fed on a diet with CGD at 50 and 100 mg per kg per d for 3 months, while the aged controls on normal laboratory chow. Another 10 3-month-old male rats were included in a young control group and fed on the same diet as the aged control rats.

Differential effects of selective and non-selective nitric oxide synthase inhibitors on the blood perfusion of ischemia-reperfused myocardium in dogs.

Background: Nitric oxide (NO) is protective for the cardiovascular system, and excessive NO exerts negative effects on the circulatory system. This study aimed to compare the effects of selective or non-selective NO synthase (NOS) inhibitors on blood flow perfusion of ischemia-reperfused myocardium.

Material And Methods: Male mongrel dogs were randomly assigned to 4 groups: only ischemia-reperfusion (control), ischemia-reperfusion plus Nù-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (NAME) treatment, ischemia-reperfusion plus aminoguanidine (AMD) treatment, and sham operation group.

Role of the CASP-9 Ex5+32 G>A polymorphism in susceptibility to cancer: A meta-analysis.

Failure of apoptosis is one of the hallmarks of cancer. As an execution-phase caspase, caspase-9 plays a crucial role during apoptosis. To examine whether the Ex5+32 G>A (rs1052576) polymorphism in the CASP-9 gene alters cancer risk, we conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis of 7 case-control studies consisting of a total of 1668 cancer cases and 2294 healthy controls.