Cascade Energy Transformation in Hybrid Nanosensitizer Enables Ultrasound-Activated Luminescence Imaging and Enhanced Sonodynamic Therapy.

Optical imaging plays a pivotal role in the diagnosis and management of cancer, yet conventional techniques often suffer from limitations such as tissue autofluorescence, insufficient imaging depth, and signal persistence. Here, we introduce a hybrid nanosensitizer, SPNs(SP1)@CoOOH, that leverages cascade energy transformation (ultrasonic → chemical → photonic energy) to enable ultrasound-activated luminescence imaging concomitant with enhanced sonodynamic therapy (SDT). By integrating semiconducting polymer nanoparticles (SPNs) with cobalt oxide hydroxide (CoOOH), our platform facilitates dual-pathway reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation under acidic and ultrasound costimulation.

Ultrabright difuranfluoreno-dithiophen polymers for enhanced afterglow imaging of atherosclerotic plaques.

Cardiovascular diseases, including stroke driven by atherosclerosis, remain a leading global health concern. Current diagnostic imaging modalities such as magnetic resonance imaging fail to characterize oxidative stress within atherosclerotic plaques. Here, we introduce difuranfluoreno-dithiophen-based polymers designed for afterglow imaging, offering ultrabright luminescence, ultralow-power excitation (0.

Responsive probes for in vivo magnetic resonance imaging of nitric oxide.

Nitric oxide (NO), a pivotal signalling molecule, plays multifaceted roles in physiological and pathological processes, including cardiovascular and immune functions, neurotransmission and cancer progression. Nevertheless, measuring NO in vivo is challenging due to its transient nature and the complexity of the biological environment. Here we describe NO-responsive magnetic probes made of crosslinked superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles tethered to a NO-sensitive cleavable linker for highly sensitive and selective NO magnetic resonance imaging in vivo.

Enhancing Fractionated Cancer Therapy: A Triple-Anthracene Photosensitizer Unleashes Long-Persistent Photodynamic and Luminous Efficacy.

Conventional photodynamic therapy (PDT) is often limited in treating solid tumors due to hypoxic conditions that impede the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are critical for therapeutic efficacy. To address this issue, a fractionated PDT protocol has been suggested, wherein light irradiation is administered in stages separated by dark intervals to permit oxygen recovery during these breaks. However, the current photosensitizers used in fractionated PDT are incapable of sustaining ROS production during the dark intervals, leading to suboptimal therapeutic outcomes (Table S1).

The Love-Hate Relationship Between TGF-β Signaling and the Immune System During Development and Tumorigenesis.

Since TGF-β was recognized as an essential secreted cytokine in embryogenesis and adult tissue homeostasis a decade ago, our knowledge of the role of TGF-β in mammalian development and disease, particularly cancer, has constantly been updated. Mounting evidence has confirmed that TGF-β is the principal regulator of the immune system, as deprivation of TGF-β signaling completely abrogates adaptive immunity. However, enhancing TGF-β signaling constrains the immune response through multiple mechanisms, including boosting Treg cell differentiation and inducing CD8 T-cell apoptosis in the disease context.

Using Cell Type-Specific Genes to Identify Cell-Type Transitions Between Different Culture Conditions.

differentiation or expansion of stem and progenitor cells under chemical stimulation or genetic manipulation is used for understanding the molecular mechanisms of cell differentiation and self-renewal. However, concerns around the cell identity of -cultured cells exist. Bioinformatics methods, which rely heavily on signatures of cell types, have been developed to estimate cell types in bulk samples.

Serum free light chain is associated with histological activity and cirrhosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Background: The antiviral immune response is the main cause of hepatocyte damage and inflammatory necrosis. The serum free light chain, reflecting the immune function of B-cells, is strongly associated with inflammation and disease activity. We aimed to investigate the association of serum free light chain with the progression of chronic hepatitis B.

Evaluation of Sysmex XN-1000 hematology analyzer for cell count and screening of malignant cells of serous cavity effusion.

Over the years, with the advancement in hematology analyzer technology, the use of fluid analysis method has seen a drastic increase in clinical examinations. Cell counting and classification in independent body fluid analysis method are conducted by semiconductor laser flow cytometry and nucleic acid fluorescence staining techniques. This study is to evaluate the efficacy of Sysmex XN-1000 hematology analyzer in cell counting and to screen malignant cells with serous cavity effusion.

RDW to platelet ratio: a novel noninvasive index for predicting hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis in chronic hepatitis B.

Objective: To develop a simple predictive model for significant fibrosis and cirrhosis in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) using the routine hematological parameters of a complete blood count.

Methods: A total of 458 eligible CHB patients who had undergone a liver biopsy were randomly divided into two cohorts: an estimation group (n = 310) and a validation group (n = 148). Liver histology was assessed according to the Metavir scoring scheme.

Performance evaluation and result comparison of the automated hematology analyzers Abbott CD 3700, Sysmex XE 2100 and Coulter LH 750 for cell counts in serous fluids.

Background: Automated hematology analyzers are used to perform cell counts in body fluids. However, little is known about how the results compare between different analyzers.

Methods: A single batch of serous fluid samples was used to evaluate the cell counting performance of 3 hematology analyzers: CD 3700, XE 2100, and LH 750.

Simultaneous detection of influenza A, influenza B, and respiratory syncytial viruses and subtyping of influenza A H3N2 virus and H1N1 (2009) virus by multiplex real-time PCR.

A multiplex real-time PCR assay was developed to simultaneously detect and discriminate influenza A virus subtypes, including novel H1N1 (2009) and seasonal H3N2 virus, influenza B virus, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in a single test tube, with detection sensitivity and specificity of 99% and 100%, respectively, for the four pathogens.

[Prokaryotic expression of HPV 16L1 and optimization of expression conditions].

Objective: To construct the HPV16 L1 prokaryotic expression plasmid and to optimize its expression.

Methods: A pair of primers was designed according to plasmid sequences of pGEX-KG and the HPV16L1 genes published by GeneBank. The DNA fragment of 1500 bp was amplified by PCR from the HPV recombinant plasmid with HPV16L1 gene, then cloned into pGEX-KG and transformed into the host E.

The prevalence of microalbuminuria and its relationships with the components of metabolic syndrome in the general population of China.

Background: Few studies have examined the relationships between the prevalence of microalbuminuria and the metabolic risk factors in the general population of China. We performed a population based study to investigate the prevalence of microalbuminuria and its relationships with the components of the metabolic syndrome in Hangzhou, China.

Methods: The subjects of this cross-sectional study were the individuals from 19 to 87 y.

The effect of transformation on the virulence of Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Although pneumococcus is one of the most frequently encountered opportunistic pathogen in the world, the mechanisms responsible for its infectiveness have not yet been fully understood. In this paper, we have attempted to characterize the effects of pneumococcal transformation on the pathogenesis of the organism. We constructed three transformation-deficient pneumococcal strains, which were designated as Nos.