Regulation of transmembrane current through modulation of biomimetic lipid membrane composition.

Ion transport through biological channels is influenced not only by the structural properties of the channels themselves but also by the composition of the phospholipid membrane, which acts as a scaffold for these nanochannels. Drawing inspiration from how lipid membrane composition modulates ion currents, as seen in the activation of the K channel in Streptomyces A (KcsA) by anionic lipids, we propose a biomimetic nanochannel system that integrates DNA nanotechnology with two-dimensional graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets. By modifying the length of the multibranched DNA nanowires generated through the hybridization chain reaction (HCR) and varying the concentration of the linker strands that integrate these DNA nanowire structures with the GO membrane, the composition of the membrane can be effectively adjusted, consequently impacting ion transport.

NIR-II Image-Guided Wound Healing in Hypoxic Diabetic Foot Ulcers: The Potential of Ergothioneine-Luteolin-Chitin Hydrogels.

Hypoxic diabetic foot ulcers (HDFUs) pose a challenging chronic condition characterized by oxidative stress damage, bacterial infection, and persistent inflammation. This study introduces a novel therapeutic approach combining ergothioneine (EGT), luteolin (LUT), and quaternized chitosan oxidized dextran (QCOD) to address these challenges and facilitate wound healing in hypoxic DFUs. In vitro, assessments have validated the biosafety, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties of the ergothioneine-luteolin-chitin (QCOD@EGT-LUT) hydrogel.

Near-Infrared Activatable Copper Nanoplatforms Synergize with the 5-Azacytidine Prodrug to Potentiate Cuproptosis.

Cuproptosis, a newly discovered cell death modality, is gaining recognition for its crucial role in antitumor therapy. Here, we demonstrated that Ferredoxin 1 (FDX1), a key gene involved in cuproptosis, is negatively correlated with malignancy and T-cell exhaustion in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Based on these findings, we developed near-infrared (NIR) light-controlled nanoparticles (NPs), CuD@PM, which can selectively deliver copper to HNSCC cells and induce cuproptosis in the presence of microneedles loaded with triacetylated azacitidine (TAc-AzaC) and 808 nm laser irradiation.

Efferocytosis drives a tryptophan metabolism pathway in macrophages to promote tissue resolution.

Macrophage efferocytosis prevents apoptotic cell (AC) accumulation and triggers inflammation-resolution pathways. The mechanisms linking efferocytosis to resolution often involve changes in macrophage metabolism, but many gaps remain in our understanding of these processes. We now report that efferocytosis triggers an indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase-1 (IDO1)-dependent tryptophan (Trp) metabolism pathway that promotes several key resolution processes, including the induction of pro-resolving proteins, such interleukin-10, and further enhancement of efferocytosis.

Field-Deployable Colorimetric Array for On-Site Diagnosis of Urinary Tract Infection and Identification of Causative Pathogens.

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common and prevalent disease caused by a spectrum of pathogens. Lack of access to rapid, portable, and high-quality diagnostics in resource-limited settings aggravates the improper treatment of UTIs, which is also a major driver of antibiotic misuse worldwide. Here, we describe a custom-made portable colorimetric array (PoCA) for reading out polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplicons, the rationale of which is to transfer the previously developed dsDNA-based photosensitization colorimetric assay (solution) onto paper discs for detection.

[Distribution and Drug Resistance Characteristics of Pathogenic Bacteria in the Elderly Population in China in 2021].

Objective: To study the distribution and drug resistance characteristics of pathogenic bacteria in the elderly population of China by collecting and analyzing the standardized case data on the pathogens of infections in elderly patients, and to facilitate the establishment of a standardized layered surveillance system for pathogenic bacteria in China.

Methods: We collected the case data of elderly patients (≥65 years old) from 62 sentinel hospitals across the country in 2021. Then, we statistically analyzed the data by patient age, their geographical region, the distribution of pathogenic bacteria, and the drug resistance characteristics of main pathogens.

Near-Infrared II Fluorescence Imaging and Image-Guided siRNA Therapy of Atherosclerosis.

Targeting Ca/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase γ (CaMKIIγ) in macrophages using RNAi nanotechnology represents an innovative and promising strategy in the diagnosis and treatment of atherosclerosis. Nevertheless, it remains elusive because of the current challenges associated with the systemic delivery of siRNA nanoparticle (NP) to atheromatous plaques and the complexity of atherosclerotic plaques. Here, we demonstrate the potential of a thienothiadiazole-based near-infrared-II (NIR-II) organic aggregation-induced emission (AIE) platform encapsulated with the Camk2g siRNA to effectively target CaMKIIγ in macrophages for dynamic imaging and image-guided gene therapy of atherosclerosis.

Label-free and ultrasensitive detection of environmental lead ions based on spatially localized DNA nanomachines driven by hyperbranched hybridization chain reaction.

A label-free fluorescent sensing strategy for the rapid and highly sensitive detection of Pb was developed by integrating Pb DNAzyme-specific cleavage activity and a tetrahedral DNA nanostructure (TDN)-enhanced hyperbranched hybridization chain reaction (hHCR). This strategy provides accelerated reaction rates because of the highly effective collision probability and enriched local concentrations from the spatial confinement of the TDN, thus showing a higher detection sensitivity and a more rapid detection process. Moreover, a hairpin probe based on a G-triplex instead of a G-quadruplex or chemical modification makes hybridization chain reaction more controlled and flexible, greatly improving signal amplification capacities and eliminating labeled DNA probes.

Two novel species, sp. nov. and sp. nov., recovered from clinical samples carrying multiple virulence factors.

Two strains 170198 and 170250 were isolated from clinical blood samples from distinct patients in a hospital in Chengdu, China, in 2022. These isolates were subjected to whole-genome sequencing. A phylogenomic tree based on 2,096 concatenated core genes showed that the two strains were clustered within the genus .

Thermo-immune synergy: Camrelizumab plus microwave ablation in preoperative early-stage breast cancer.

Immunotherapy has enhanced breast cancer outcomes, but optimizing combination therapies is crucial. Integrating additional treatment modalities, like physical therapies, holds promise for optimizing efficacy. Pan et al.

Clinical manifestations, antimicrobial resistance and genomic feature analysis of multidrug-resistant Elizabethkingia strains.

Background: Elizabethkingia is emerging as an opportunistic pathogen in humans. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical epidemiology, antimicrobial susceptibility, virulence factors, and genome features of Elizabethkingia spp.

Methods: Clinical data from 71 patients who were diagnosed with Elizabethkingia-induced pneumonia and bacteremia between August 2019 and September 2021 were analyzed.

Effects of dietary intervention on human diseases: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic potential.

Diet, serving as a vital source of nutrients, exerts a profound influence on human health and disease progression. Recently, dietary interventions have emerged as promising adjunctive treatment strategies not only for cancer but also for neurodegenerative diseases, autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and metabolic disorders. These interventions have demonstrated substantial potential in modulating metabolism, disease trajectory, and therapeutic responses.

Direct single-molecule detection of CoA-SH and ATP by the membrane proteins TMEM120A and TMEM120B.

Membrane proteins are vital resources for developing biosensors. TMEM120A is a membrane protein associated with human pain transmission and lipid metabolism, and recent studies have demonstrated its ability to transport ions and bind to coenzyme A (COA-SH), indicating its potential to develop into a single-molecule sensor based on electrical methods. In this study, we investigated the ion transport properties of TMEM120A and its homolog TMEM120B on an artificial lipid bilayer using single-channel recording.

Large-scale analysis reveals splicing biomarkers for tuberculosis progression and prognosis.

Background: Emerging evidence suggests that aberrant alternative splicing (AS) may play an important role in tuberculosis (TB). However, current knowledge regarding the value of AS in TB progression and prognosis remains unclear.

Method: Public RNA-seq datasets related to TB progression and prognosis were searched and AS analyses were conducted based on SUPPA2.

[Distribution and Antibiotic Resistance Analysis of Ocular Bacterial Pathogens at a Tertiary Hospital From 2012 to 2021].

Objective: To analyze the distribution of ocular bacterial pathogens and their antibiotic resistance status at a tertiary-care hospital and to provide a reference for the appropriate use of antibiotics.

Methods: Retrospective analysis was conducted with bacteria isolated from the ophthalmic samples sent for lab analysis at a tertiary-care hospital from 2012 to 2021. The suspected bacterial strains were identified with automated systems for microbial identification and susceptibility analysis and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometer.

A NIR-II Photoacoustic/NIR-IIa Fluorescent Probe for Targeted Imaging of Glioma under NIR-II Excitation.

Fluorescence and photoacoustic (PA) imaging in the second near-infrared (NIR-II, 1000-1700 nm) window has garnered massive interest owing to high maximum permissible exposure of light, reduced autofluorescence, and improved deep penetration. However, active targeted NIR-II photoacoustic/NIR-IIa fluorescence imaging of glioma under NIR-II excitation has been seldom reported, which is partly ascribable to the lack of suitable materials. In this study, a small-molecule-based αβ-targeted NIR-II photoacoustic/NIR-IIa fluorescent probe was generated and subsequently evaluated in U87MG tumor-bearing mice excited with NIR-I and NIR-II light.

Neutral pH photoenzymatic activity of Au-doped g-CN nanosheet for colorimetric detection of total antioxidant capacity in food samples.

Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) is vital for food quality evaluation. The emergence of various nanozymes with TMB as substrate offered a new avenue for TAC detection due to simple operation and fast response, but a long-standing challenge is its low activity at physiological pH, which may account for the discrepancy between the measured TAC and the actual antioxidant capacity in vivo. Herein, Au doping was explored to break the pH limitation of g-CN nanosheets (CNNS) photozyme.