A Bifunctional Peptide with Penetration Ability for Treating Retinal Angiogenesis via Eye Drops.

Numerous diseases, such as diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration, can lead to retinal neovascularization, which can seriously impair the visual function and potentially result in blindness. The presence of the blood-retina barrier makes it challenging for ocularly administered drugs to penetrate physiological barriers and reach the ocular posterior segments, including the retina and choroid. Herein, we developed an innovative bifunctional peptide, Tat-C-RP7, which exhibits excellent penetration capabilities and antiangiogenic properties aimed at treating retinal neovascularization diseases.

Hypoxia-Initiated Supramolecular Free Radicals Induce Intracellular Polymerization for Precision Tumor Therapy.

Despite the development of various controlled release systems for antitumor therapies, off-target side effects remain a persistent challenge. In situ therapeutic synthesis from biocompatible substances offers a safer and more precise alternative. This study presents a hypoxia-initiated supramolecular free radical system capable of inducing intracellular polymerization, thereby disrupting the cytoskeleton and organelles within 4T1 cells.

MHCI trafficking signal-based mRNA vaccines strengthening immune protection against RNA viruses.

The major histocompatibility complex class I (MHCI) trafficking signal (MITD) plays a pivotal role in enhancing the efficacy of mRNA vaccines. However, there was a lack of research investigating its efficacy in enhancing immune responses to RNA virus infections. Here, we have developed an innovative strategy for the formulation of mRNA vaccines.

Zebrafish as a Visible Neuroinflammation Model for Evaluating the Anti-Inflammation Effect of Curcumin-Loaded Ferritin Nanoparticles.

It is crucial to inhibit the neuroinflammation response as it is a prominent factor contributing to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders. However, the limited development of neuroinflammation models dramatically hinders the efficiency of nanomedicine discovery. In recent years, the optically transparent zebrafish model provided unique advantages for imaging of the whole body, allowing the progression of the disease to be visualized.

The role of hospital pharmacists in supporting the appropriate and safe use of CGT/ATMPs: a scoping review of current insights.

Background: The role of hospital pharmacists in managing cell and gene therapy (CGT) and advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs) is gradually being recognized but the evidence about impact of their role has not been systematically reported.

Objective: This study was aimed to summarize the professional services provided by hospital pharmacists on managing CGT/ATMPs and the evidence about the effects on patient care, as well as to identify the perceptions about pharmacists assuming a role that supports the appropriate and safe use of CGT/ATMPs.

Methods: Literature from 4 electronic databases (PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, Scopus) were searched following PRISMA checklist to yield publications on the interventions provided by hospital pharmacists in the management of CGT/ATMPs dated since 1 January 2013 till 30 April 2023.

Pterostilbene protects against lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation and blood-brain barrier disruption in immortalized brain endothelial cell lines in vitro.

Brain microvascular endothelial cells are connected by tight junction (TJ) proteins and interacted by adhesion molecules, which participate in the selective permeability of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The disruption of BBB is associated with the progression of cerebral diseases. Pterostilbene is a natural compound found in blueberries and grapes with a wide range of biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-diabetic effects.

Dimeric guaianolide sesquiterpenoids from the flowers of Chrysanthemum indicum ameliorate hepatic steatosis through mitigating SIRT1-mediated lipid accumulation and ferroptosis.

Introduction: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) acts as the primary contributor to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and potentially hepatocellular carcinoma. The flowers of Chrysanthemum indicum, a traditional edible medicinal herb, have been widely used in China for more than 2000 years. However, the function of C.

BMSCs-derived small extracellular vesicles antagonize cerebral endothelial Caveolin-1 driven autophagic degradation of tight-junction proteins to protect blood-brain barrier post-stroke.

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) -derived extracellular vesicles (EVs), especially small EVs (sEVs), were vastly reported to enable multiple restorative effects on ischemic stroke, yet the protective mechanism of blood-brain barrier (BBB) has not been fully illustrated. In the present study, we investigated the therapeutic effects and mechanism of BMSCs-derived sEVs on BBB injury after ischemic stroke. In-vivo, administering sEVs to transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAo) mice mitigated the brain infarct volume, BBB permeability and neural apoptosis, and improved the cerebral blood flow perfusion and neurological function.

Using system dynamics modeling approach to strengthen health systems to combat cancer: a systematic literature review.

Aim: Dynamic cancer control is a current health system priority, yet methods for achieving it are lacking. This study aims to review the application of system dynamics modeling (SDM) on cancer control and evaluate the research quality.

Methods: Articles were searched in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus from the inception of the study to 15 November 2023.

Periostin-mediated NOTCH1 activation between tumor cells and HSCs crosstalk promotes liver metastasis of small cell lung cancer.

Background: Metastasis is the primary cause of mortality in small cell lung cancer (SCLC), with the liver being a predominant site for distal metastasis. Despite this clinical significance, mechanisms underlying the interaction between SCLC and liver microenvironment, fostering metastasis, remain unclear.

Methods: SCLC patient tissue array, bioinformatics analysis were performed to demonstrate the role of periostin (POSTN) in SCLC progression, metastasis, and prognosis.

A galacturonic acid-rich polysaccharide from Citrus medica 'fingered' alleviated the dextran sulfate sodium-induced ulcerative colitis.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) treatment is often limited by adverse reactions and high recurrence rates, highlighting the need for safer, more effective therapies. Citrus medica 'Fingered' (C. medica), known for its anti-inflammatory properties, remains underexplored, particularly its polysaccharide components.

Cost-effectiveness of camrelizumab plus rivoceranib versus sorafenib as first-line treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related mortality globally. Recent advancements in targeted therapies have improved outcomes for advanced HCC, yet therapeutic options remain limited. The CARES-310 trial demonstrated that camrelizumab plus rivoceranib significantly improves survival compared to sorafenib for advanced HCC.

Aidi injection inhibits the migration and invasion of gefitinib-resistant lung adenocarcinoma cells by regulating the PLAT/FAK/AKT pathway.

Background: With extended gefitinib treatment, the therapeutic effect in some non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients declined with the development of drug resistance. Aidi injection (ADI) is utilized in various cancers as a traditional Chinese medicine prescription. This study explores the molecular mechanism by which ADI, when combined with gefitinib, attenuates gefitinib resistance in PC9GR NSCLC cells.

Polymerization of dietary fructans differentially affects interactions among intestinal microbiota of colitis mice.

The intestinal microbiota plays a critical role in maintaining human health and can be modulated by dietary interventions and lifestyle choices. Fructans, a dietary carbohydrate, are selectively utilized by the intestinal microbiota to confer health benefits. However, the specific effects of different fructan types on microbial changes and functions remain incompletely understood.

Understanding the self-assembly and molecular structure of mRNA lipid nanoparticles at real size: Insights from the ultra-large-scale simulation.

Messenger RNA (mRNA) encapsulated in lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) represents a cutting-edge delivery technology that played a pivotal role during the COVID-19 pandemic and in advancing vaccine development. However, molecular structure of mRNA-LNPs at real size remains poorly understood, with conflicting results from various experimental studies. In this study, we aim to explore the assembly process and structural characteristics of mRNA-LNPs at realistic sizes using coarse-grained molecular dynamic simulations.

Challenges and strategies of developing internet hospital: Combining qualitative interview and documentary research.

Objectives: As an innovative technology, internet hospitals have the potential to improve healthcare services. However, the pioneering nature of internet hospitals means that they are still in the early stages of development. This study aimed to investigate the challenges and strategies involved in establishing internet hospitals by public medical institutions in China.

Selective detection of mitochondrial Cu in living cells by a near-infrared iridium(III) complex.

The widespread use of copper (Cu) has raised concerns about environmental pollution and adverse effects on human health, highlighting the need to develop copper detection methods. Developing near-infrared (NIR) luminescent probes for imaging subcellular Cu is still a challenge. In this work, we have developed a luminescence probe based on a NIR iridium(III) complex, which rapidly detects Cu by combining salicylaldehyde and amine groups through a simple Schiff base reaction on the N^N ligand.

Rebalancing immune homeostasis in combating disease: The impact of medicine food homology plants and gut microbiome.

Background: Gut microbiota plays an important role in multiple human physiological processes and an imbalance in it, including the species, abundance, and metabolites can lead to diseases. These enteric microorganisms modulate immune homeostasis by presenting a myriad of antigenic determinants and microbial metabolites. Medicinal and food homologous (MFH) plants, edible herbal materials for both medicine and food, are important parts of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

Artificial intelligence-driven rational design of ionizable lipids for mRNA delivery.

Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have proven effective in mRNA delivery, as evidenced by COVID-19 vaccines. Its key ingredient, ionizable lipids, is traditionally optimized by inefficient and costly experimental screening. This study leverages artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual screening to facilitate the rational design of ionizable lipids by predicting two key properties of LNPs, apparent pKa and mRNA delivery efficiency.

Gold nanoclusters-based dual-mode ratiometric sensing system for selective and sensitive detection of paraquat.

Unreasonable or illegal utilization of pesticides may lead to pollution of agricultural products, especially with some persistent but effective pesticides. Hence, there is an urgent need to develop sensitive and rapid methods for pesticide detection to ensure the safety of agricultural products. Herein, a dual-mode ratiometric sensing system utilizing two gold nanoclusters (G/R-AuNCs) was designed and constructed for paraquat (PQ) detection, a typical, highly toxic, widely used pesticide.

AMBRA1 drives gastric cancer progression through regulation of tumor plasticity.

Background: Stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD) is an aggressive malignancy characterized by high tumor plasticity and heterogeneity. This study investigates the role of Autophagy and Beclin 1 Regulator 1 (AMBRA1) in regulating tumor plasticity in STAD progression.

Methods: Combined with clinical data, the pan-cancer analysis of AMBRA1 was performed to analyze the role of AMBRA1 in STAD.

AI-directed formulation strategy design initiates rational drug development.

Rational drug development would be impossible without selecting the appropriate formulation route. However, pharmaceutical scientists often rely on limited personal experiences to perform trial-and-error tests on diverse formulation strategies. Such an inefficient screening manner not only wastes research investments but also threatens the safety of clinical volunteers and patients.

Identification of VDAC1 as a cardioprotective target of Ginkgolide B.

Ginkgolide B (GB), a compound derived from Ginkgo biloba, exhibits significant cardioprotective properties, although its precise molecular target has yet to be identified. In this study, we synthesized a biotin-labeled GB probe (GB-biotin) to identify the molecular targets of GB. Our experiments demonstrated that treatment with GB or GB-biotin reduced mitochondrial injury, restored mitochondrial membrane potential, and decreased cell apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner.