Simultaneous Application of Methylene Blue and Chlorin e6 Photosensitizers: Investigation on a Cell Culture.

Unlabelled: The application of photosensitizers for inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation in order to temporally decrease oxygen uptake by tumor cells in the course of photodynamic therapy (PDT) evokes growing interest. is to overcome tumor hypoxia for further photodynamic therapy with simultaneous use of type I photosensitizer methylene blue (MB) and type II photosensitizer chlorin e6.

Material And Methods: A photodynamic activity of MB and its combined use with chlorin e6 has been studied on the HeLa cell culture, their effect on cell metabolism in their co-accumulation and subsequent irradiation has also been assessed.

Spectroscopic Study of Methylene Blue Interaction with Coenzymes and its Effect on Tumor Metabolism.

Unlabelled: is to study the interaction of methylene blue (MB) with NADH, FADH coenzymes and lactate, and to evaluate a long-term effect of its intravenous or oral introduction on tumor metabolism .

Materials And Methods: The MB interaction with NADH, FADH coenzymes and lactate was studied using absorption spectrophotometry. A long-term effect of MB on tumor metabolism was investigated on a mice model of Ehrlich carcinoma.

Low-dose irradiation of the gut improves the efficacy of PD-L1 blockade in metastatic cancer patients.

The mechanisms governing the abscopal effects of local radiotherapy in cancer patients remain an open conundrum. Here, we show that off-target intestinal low-dose irradiation (ILDR) increases the clinical benefits of immune checkpoint inhibitors or chemotherapy in eight retrospective cohorts of cancer patients and in tumor-bearing mice. The abscopal effects of ILDR depend on dosimetry (≥1 and ≤3 Gy) and on the metabolic and immune host-microbiota interaction at baseline allowing CD8 T cell activation without exhaustion.

Well-Defined Nanostructures: Concept, Impact and Perspective.

Well-defined nanostructures (WDNSs) represent a transformative frontier in nanotechnology, enabling precise control over material properties through nanoscale engineering. The connectivity of nanoscale building blocks is increasingly critical in defining the properties and applications of WDNSs. Traditional dimensionality-based classifications provide foundational insights but overlook the delicate influence of connectivity architectures on functionality.

Halogen-Atom-Substituted DOPA with Enhanced Wet Adhesion and Antioxidization Ability.

3,4-Dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) has inspired the development of artificial adhesives, but efforts to enhance its adhesion strength and durability continue to evolve. However, it is tough work to improve DOPA wet adhesion by chemically decorating DOPA itself, despite the potential benefit of a concise and high-quality adhesion unit. Here, we synthesized a series of DOPA substituents by introducing different electron-withdrawing groups at the ortho position of the phenyl ring.

Single-Molecule Imaging of Wood Xylans on Surfaces and Their Interaction with GH11 Xylanase.

The knowledge of the molecular properties and arrangements of biopolymers in both solid and solution state are essential in the design of sustainable materials and biomedicine as they are decisive for mechanical strength, flexibility, and biodegradability. However, the structure of most biopolymers at charged interfaces can vary considerably, and their time-dependent visualization in liquid-state still remains challenging. In this work, we employed high-speed atomic force microscopy (HS-AFM) to visualize single xylan macromolecules from alkali-extracted birch and beechwood.

New Approach as Inhibitor Against Head-Neck Cancer by In silico, DFT, FMOs, Docking, Molecular Dynamic, and ADMET of (Pencil Cactus).

Background: Head and neck cancer (HNC) is on the rise worldwide, endangering lives and straining healthcare systems in both developing and developed nations. Despite the availability of a number of therapy options, the success rate for treating and controlling head and neck cancer remains dismal. To combat the aggressiveness and drug resistance of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive Head-Neck cancer cells, this study looks into the potential of Euphorbia tirucalli (pencil cactus) leaf extract.

Engineering of Genetically Encoded Bright Near-Infrared Fluorescent Voltage Indicator.

Genetically encoded voltage indicators (GEVIs) allow for the cell-type-specific real-time imaging of neuronal membrane potential dynamics, which is essential to understanding neuronal information processing at both cellular and circuit levels. Among GEVIs, near-infrared-shifted GEVIs offer faster kinetics, better tissue penetration, and compatibility with optogenetic tools, enabling all-optical electrophysiology in complex biological contexts. In our previous work, we employed the directed molecular evolution of microbial rhodopsin Archaerhodopsin-3 (Arch-3) in mammalian cells to develop a voltage sensor called Archon1.

Phenolic Content, Antioxidant Activity and In Vitro Anti-Inflammatory and Antitumor Potential of Selected Bulgarian Propolis Samples.

Background/objectives: Propolis (bee glue) is a valuable bee product widely used as a natural remedy, a cosmetic ingredient, a nutritional value enhancer and a food biopreservative. The present research aims to investigate the phenolic content, antioxidant activity and in vitro anti-inflammatory and antitumor potential of six propolis samples from three regions of Bulgaria (Vidin, Gabrovo and Lovech).

Methods: the analysis of propolis phenolic compounds was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC); the antioxidant activity of ethanolic propolis extracts was assessed by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay; the in vitro anti-inflammatory activity was assessed by the inhibition of albumin denaturation method; the in vitro antitumor activity was determined in human metastatic breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 using 3-(4,5-Dimethyl -2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay.

Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy for Biomedical Applications: Recent Advances and Future Challenges.

The year 2024 marks the 50th anniversary of the discovery of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). Over recent years, SERS has experienced rapid development and became a critical tool in biomedicine with its unparalleled sensitivity and molecular specificity. This review summarizes the advancements and challenges in SERS substrates, nanotags, instrumentation, and spectral analysis for biomedical applications.

1000 fold Ultra-Photosensitized Fluorescent Protein Mimics Toward Photocatalytic Proximity Labeling and Proteomic Profiling Functions.

Photosensitizing fluorescent proteins (FP) (e.g. KillerRed) have been shown not capable of photo-catalytic protein proximity labeling for downstream proteomic profiling applications.

Bioinspired Materials for Controlling Mineral Adhesion: From Innovation Design to Diverse Applications.

The advancement of controllable mineral adhesion materials has significantly impacted various sectors, including industrial production, energy utilization, biomedicine, construction engineering, food safety, and environmental management. Natural biological materials exhibit distinctive and controllable adhesion properties that inspire the design of artificial systems for controlling mineral adhesion. In recent decades, researchers have sought to create bioinspired materials that effectively regulate mineral adhesion, significantly accelerating the development of functional materials across various emerging fields.

Alpha rhythm and Alzheimer's disease: Has Hans Berger's dream come true?

In this "centenary" paper, an expert panel revisited Hans Berger's groundbreaking discovery of human restingstate electroencephalographic (rsEEG) alpha rhythms (8-12 Hz) in 1924, his foresight of substantial clinical applications in patients with "senile dementia," and new developments in the field, focusing on Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most prevalent cause of dementia in pathological aging. Clinical guidelines issued in 2024 by the US National Institute on Aging-Alzheimer's Association (NIA-AA) and the European Neuroscience Societies did not endorse routine use of rsEEG biomarkers in the clinical workup of older adults with cognitive impairment. Nevertheless, the expert panel highlighted decades of research from independent workgroups and different techniques showing consistent evidence that abnormalities in rsEEG delta, theta, and alpha rhythms (< 30 Hz) observed in AD patients correlate with wellestablished AD biomarkers of neuropathology, neurodegeneration, and cognitive decline.

Nanoscale Resolution Imaging of Whole Mouse Embryos Using Expansion Microscopy.

Nanoscale imaging of whole vertebrates is essential for the systematic understanding of human diseases, yet this goal has not yet been achieved. Expansion microscopy (ExM) is an attractive option for accomplishing this aim; however, the expansion of even mouse embryos at mid- and late-developmental stages, which have fewer calcified body parts than adult mice, is yet to be demonstrated due to the challenges of expanding calcified tissues. Here, we introduce a state-of-the-art ExM technique, termed whole-body ExM, that utilizes cyclic digestion.

Sustainable Nonwoven Scaffolds Engineered with Recycled Carbon Fiber for Enhanced Biocompatibility and Cell Interaction: From Waste to Health.

Carbon fibers, driven by ever-increasing demand, are contributing to a continuous rise in the generation of waste and byproducts destined for landfills or incineration. Recycling carbon fibers presents a promising strategy for reducing carbon emissions and conserving resources, thus contributing to more sustainable waste management practices. Discovering applications of recycled carbon fibers (rCFs) would inevitably accelerate the targeted integration of sustainable materials, fostering a circular economy.

Thiolated gellan gum/polyethylene glycol diacrylate hydrogels containing timolol maleate-loaded chitosan nanoparticles for ophthalmic delivery.

The combination of hydrogels with nanoformulations can significantly enhance the delivery and effectiveness of drugs in ophthalmic drug delivery systems. In the current study, the polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA)/thiolated gellan gum (GGSH) hydrogels based on GGSH and PEGDA were prepared via thiol-ene reaction using Irgacure 2959 as a photoinitiator. To this end, the modification of GG was achieved by esterification of the hydroxyl groups of GG with the carboxyl group of mercaptopropionic acid with a free thiol amount of 95.

Dual Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence from a Single Carbazole Derivative with Multiple Charge Transfer Pathways.

Two carbazole derivatives BPA-BNC and 4BPABNC are designed and synthesized to explore the probable dualemission behavior and mechanisms. BPA-BNC contains two arylamino donors and one B-N multi-resonance (MR) segment at 3,6,9-positions of a single carbazole, while 4BPABNC has two extraarylamine donors at 1,8-positions in addition to the above substituent groups. Two compounds in polar solvents show a clear dual emission peaked at near 490 and 540 nmwith high photoluminescence quantum yields of up to 98 %, short delayed lifetimesand extremely small single-triplet splitting energies.

Can muscle synergies shed light on the mechanisms underlying motor gains in response to robot-assisted gait training in children with cerebral palsy?

Background: Children with cerebral palsy (CP) often experience gait impairments. Robot-assisted gait training (RGT) has been shown to have beneficial effects in this patient population. However, clinical outcomes of RGT vary substantially from patient to patient.

Structural insights into light-gating of potassium-selective channelrhodopsin.

Structural information on channelrhodopsins' mechanism of light-gated ion conductance is scarce, limiting its engineering as optogenetic tools. Here, we use single-particle cryo-electron microscopy of peptidisc-incorporated protein samples to determine the structures of the slow-cycling mutant C110A of kalium channelrhodopsin 1 from Hyphochytrium catenoides (HcKCR1) in the dark and upon laser flash excitation. Upon photoisomerization of the retinal chromophore, the retinylidene Schiff base NH-bond reorients from the extracellular to the cytoplasmic side.

Recent Advances in DNA-Templated Protein Patterning.

In recent decades, the advancement of DNA nanotechnology enables precise nanoscale organization of diverse functional materials with DNA templates. Particularly, a variety of DNA-templated protein patterns are constructed as powerful tools for programming biomimetic protein complexes. In this review, recent progress in DNA-templated protein patterning, including cutting-edge methods for arranging proteins with DNA templates, and protein patterns across varying dimensions are briefly summarized.

Engineered PepFect14 analog for efficient cellular delivery of oligonucleotides.

The broad use of oligonucleotides (ON) in therapeutic and biotechnological applications is limited due to inefficient delivery methods. In parallel with lipids and polymeric carriers, cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are efficient vehicles for delivering nucleic acids of various types and activity into cells. In the current work, we examined the structural motifs required for the high efficacy of PepFect14, an often-used CPP for ON delivery, by introducing point mutations into the peptide sequence.

DNA-based Precision Tools to Probe and Program Mechanobiology and Organ Engineering.

DNA nanotechnology represents an innovative discipline that combines nanotechnology with biotechnology. It exploits the distinctive characteristics of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) to create nanoscale structures and devices with remarkable accuracy and functionality. Researchers may create complex nanostructures with precision and specialized functions using DNA's innate stability, adaptability, and capacity to self-assemble through complementary base-pairing interactions.

Emerging of Ultrafine Membraneless Organelles as the Missing Piece of Nanostress: Mechanism of Biogenesis and Implications at Multilevels.

Understanding the interaction between nanomaterials and cellular structures is crucial for nanoparticle applications in biomedicine. We have identified a subtype of stress granules, called nanomaterial-provoked stress granules (NSGs), induced by gold nanorods (AuNRs). These NSGs differ from traditional SGs in their physical properties and biological functions.

Optimizing interventional therapy: A homogeneous lipiodol formulation of Tirapazamine and Sorafenib responsive to post-embolization microenvironment.

Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is the principal treatment option for patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the hypoxic microenvironment following TACE can promote angiogenesis and suppress tumor ferroptosis, resulting in an unfavorable prognosis. Tirapazamine (TPZ), a hypoxia-activated prodrug with specific cytotoxicity for hypoxic cells, making it a potential candidate for TACE.

White Fluorescent Carbon Dots for Specific Fe Detection and Imaging Applications.

In recent years, carbon dots (CDs) with fluorescence imaging function have been widely used in biomedicine, electronic manufacturing and environmental monitoring. However, monochromatic fluorescence is often limited by the application environment and loses its effectiveness. Here, we carefully designed white fluorescent CDs (WF-CDs) by solvothermal method, which is used for fluorescence imaging applications under different environmental conditions.