A lipid droplets-targeting fluorescent probe for visualized viscosity detection in cells, zebrafish and NAFLD models.

As a global health threat, early and effective diagnosis and treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is crucial. Once the optimal treatment window is missed, NAFLD will progress to various severe and irreversible liver dysfunctions, imposing a heavy burden on patients and the medical system. Here, a novel "D-π-A" type fluorescent probe (CzTP-CNPh) has been successfully constructed for exploring changes in lipid droplets (LDs) viscosity during the process of nonalcoholic fatty liver development.

Nonswelling Lubricative Nanocolloidal Hydrogel Resistant to Biodegradation.

Hydrogels derived from biopolymers have numerous applications in bioengineering, drug delivery, wound healing, and wearable devices. Yet, their strong swelling and uncontrollable degradation stimulate the development of hydrogels that overcome these limitations. Here, we report nanocolloidal hydrogels formed from nanoparticles of methacryloyl-modified biopolymers that exhibit resistance to swelling and enzymatic degradation both in vitro and in vivo, along with exhibiting a broad-range of mechanical and lubrication properties, wear resistance and biocompatibility.

SREBP-2 promotes cancer progression through the mevalonate-Akt pathway in non-small cell lung cancer.

Sterol regulatory element-binding protein-2 (SREBP-2) is a transcriptional factor, which mainly regulates cholesterogenesis-associated genes. The metabolism of cholesterol was found to be abnormal in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the clinical relevance of SREBP-2 in NSCLC has yet to be elucidated.

Efferocytosis in inflammatory bone disorders.

Efferocytosis, the clearance of apoptotic cells (ACs) by phagocytes, is crucial for bone homeostasis and immune balance. This tightly regulated process depends on molecular markers such as phosphatidylserine on ACs and MERTK on phagocytes. In the bone microenvironment, multiple cell types participate in efferocytosis, including osteal macrophages, mesenchymal stem cells, osteoblasts, and osteoclasts, directly influencing bone remodeling and immune responses.

LIPUS Responsive Dopamine-Modified PVDF Piezoelectric Nanofiber Membrane for Full-Thickness Skin Wound Healing.

Objective: Large full-thickness skin wounds pose significant challenges, particularly in achieving scar-free healing and the regeneration of skin appendages. This study introduces a portable approach for promoting scarless healing and skin appendage regeneration by utilizing low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) activated piezoelectric electrospun membranes to modulate the local electrical environment.

Methods: Dopamine-modified polyvinylidene fluoride (DA/PVDF) nanomembranes were fabricated via electrospinning, followed by piezoelectric characterization under varying LIPUS stimulation.

Erythropoietin-Stimulated Macrophage-Derived Extracellular Vesicles in Chitosan Hydrogel Rescue BMSCs Fate by Targeting EGFR to Alleviate Inflammatory Bone Loss in Periodontitis.

Loss of periodontal tissue due to persistent inflammation in periodontitis is a major cause of tooth loss in adults. Overcoming osteogenic inhibition in the inflammatory periodontal environment and restoring the regenerative capacity of endogenous bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) remain critical challenges in current treatment approaches. Macrophage-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) are key regulators of osteogenesis in recipient cells, yet the role of erythropoietin (EPO) in modifying macrophages and the function of their EVs in bone regeneration remain unclear.

Autophagy: regulating the seesaw of bone-fat balance.

The interrelationship between bone and fat can be described as a seesaw in bone homeostasis, in which both osteogenesis and adipogenesis occur in a delicate balance. Osteoblasts and adipocytes share a common origin and play key roles in osteogenesis and adipogenesis. Bone-fat balance indicates osteogenesis and adipogenesis keeps a balance for concordant distribution of trabecular bone and bone marrow adipose tissue in bone, thereby leading to the balance between bone metabolism and lipid metabolism.

Dual-Action flavonol carbonized polymer dots spray: Accelerating burn wound recovery through immune responses modulation and EMT induction.

Effective immune homeostasis modulation and re-epithelialization promotion are crucial for accelerating burn wound healing. Cell migration is fundamental to re-epithelialization, with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) as a key mechanism. A sustained inflammatory environment or impaired macrophage transition to M2 phenotype can hinder pro-resolving cytokine activation, further delaying the recruitment, migration, and re-epithelialization of epidermal cells to the injury site, ultimately compromising wound healing.

Impact of Early Life Famine Exposure on Body Composition and Metabolic Profiles in Adulthood.

The relationship between the famine and metabolic syndrome has been reported, but there is a lack of more detailed changes in metabolic profiles. It is unclear how famine affects body composition. This study included 21,142 participants from the China National Health Survey.

Blocking Metallothionein-2 Expression by Copper-Doped Carbon Dots Induces Cellular Antioxidant System Collapse for Antitumor Therapy.

The insufficient antioxidant reserves in tumor cells play a critical role in reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated therapeutics. Metallothionein-2 (MT-2), an intracellular cysteine-rich protein renowned for its potent antioxidant properties, is intricately involved in tumor development and correlates with a poor prognosis. Consequently, MT-2 emerges as a promising target for tumor therapy.

AI-Powered Microfluidics: Shaping the Future of Phenotypic Drug Discovery.

Phenotypic drug discovery (PDD), which involves harnessing biological systems directly to uncover effective drugs, has undergone a resurgence in recent years. The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) over the past few years presents numerous opportunities for augmenting phenotypic drug screening on microfluidic platforms, leveraging its predictive capabilities, data analysis, efficient data processing, etc. Microfluidics coupled with AI is poised to revolutionize the landscape of phenotypic drug discovery.

Novel L-(CaP-ZnP)/SA Nanocomposite Hydrogel with Dual Anti-Inflammatory and Mineralization Effects for Efficient Vital Pulp Therapy.

Background: Vital pulp therapy (VPT) is considered a conservative treatment for preserving pulp viability in caries and trauma-induced pulpitis. However, Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) as the most frequently used repair material, exhibits limited efficacy under inflammatory conditions. This study introduces an innovative nanocomposite hydrogel, tailored to simultaneously target anti-inflammation and dentin mineralization, aiming to efficiently preserve vital pulp tissue.

NF-κB-Signaling-Targeted Immunomodulatory Nanoparticle with Photothermal and Quorum-Sensing Inhibition Effects for Efficient Healing of Biofilm-Infected Wounds.

The development of therapeutics with high antimicrobial activity and immunomodulatory effects is urgently needed for the treatment of infected wounds due to the increasing danger posed by recalcitrant-infected wounds. In this study, we developed light-controlled antibacterial, photothermal, and immunomodulatory biomimetic N/hPDA@M nanoparticles (NPs). This nanoplatform was developed by loading flavonoid naringenin onto hollow mesoporous polydopamine NPs in a π-π-stacked configuration and encasing them with macrophage membranes.

Erythrocyte-Like Mesoporous PDA@CeO Nanozyme with Dual Drugs for Periodontitis Treatment.

Periodontitis is a chronic oral inflammatory disease with the characteristic of excess oxidative stress in the inflammatory site, dramatically decreasing the quality of life. Studies show that nanozymes can be ideal candidates for ROS scavenging in periodontitis. Here, we design a multipath anti-inflammatory mesoporous polydopamine@cerium oxide nanobowl (mPDA@CeO NB) with multienzyme mimicking properties, which combines the advantages of both CeO NP and mPDA NB for synergistically eliminating reactive oxygen species (ROS), including hydroxyl radical (OH), hydrogen peroxide (HO), and superoxide (O).

Revisited and innovative perspectives of oral ulcer: from biological specificity to local treatment.

Mouth ulcers, a highly prevalent ailment affecting the oral mucosa, leading to pain and discomfort, significantly impacting the patient's daily life. The development of innovative approaches for oral ulcer treatment is of great importance. Moreover, a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of mouth ulcers will facilitate the development of innovative therapeutic strategies.

Adhesive hydrogel releases protocatechualdehyde-Fe complex to promote three healing stages for accelerated therapy of oral ulcers.

Oral ulcers can significantly reduce the life quality of patients and even lead to malignant transformations. Local treatments using topical agents are often ineffective because of the wet and dynamic environment of the oral cavity. Current clinical treatments for oral ulcers, such as corticosteroids, have limitations and side effects for long-term usage.

Fe-doped carbon dots: a novel biocompatible nanoplatform for multi-level cancer therapy.

Background: Tumor treatment still remains a clinical challenge, requiring the development of biocompatible and efficient anti-tumor nanodrugs. Carbon dots (CDs) has become promising nanomedicines for cancer therapy due to its low cytotoxicity and easy customization.

Results: Herein, we introduced a novel type of "green" nanodrug for multi-level cancer therapy utilizing Fe-doped carbon dots (Fe-CDs) derived from iron nutrient supplement.

Carbon Dots as Potential Therapeutic Agents for Treating Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Associated Inflammatory Bone Loss.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has emerged as one of the most significant metabolic diseases worldwide and is associated with heightened systemic inflammation, which has been shown to foster the development of extrahepatic complications. So far, there is no definitive, effective, and safe treatment for NAFLD. Although antidiabetic agents show potential for treating NAFLD, their efficacy is significantly limited by inadequate liver accumulation at safe doses and unwanted side effects.

Novel PVAMA/GelMA aerogels prepared by liquid-phase collection of photoinitiated polymerisation: injectable and flowable low-density 3D scaffolds for bone regeneration.

Nanofibrous scaffolds, which are morphologically/structurally similar to native extracellular matrix, are ideal biomaterials for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. However, the use of traditional electrospinning techniques to produce three-dimensional (3D) nanofibrous scaffolds with desired structural properties presents difficulty. To address this challenge, we prepared a novel liquid-phase-collected photoinitiated polymerised aerogel 3D scaffold (LPPI-AG) using the thermally induced (nanofiber) self-aggregation method after liquid-phase electrospinning of the hydroxyapatite-doped methacrylated polyvinyl alcohol/methacrylated gelatine solution obtained by photoinitiated polymerisation.

A CT based radiomics nomogram for differentiation between focal-type autoimmune pancreatitis and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to develop and validate an CT-based radiomics nomogram for the preoperative differentiation of focal-type autoimmune pancreatitis from pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Methods: 96 patients with focal-type autoimmune pancreatitis and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma have been enrolled in the study (32 and 64 cases respectively). All cases have been confirmed by imaging, clinical follow-up and/or pathology.

Ferroptosis: The Entanglement between Traditional Drugs and Nanodrugs in Tumor Therapy.

Ferroptosis is a non-apoptotic programmed cell death caused by the accumulation of lipid peroxide. System Xc-/glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) axis and iron axis are two main pathways regulating ferroptosis. Simultaneously, multiple pathways are also involved in the ferroptosis regulation.

ENCD: a manually curated database of experimentally supported endocrine system disease and lncRNA associations.

ENCD (http://www.bio-server.cn/ENCD/) is a manually curated database that provides comprehensive experimentally supported associations among endocrine system diseases (ESDs) and long non-coding ribonucleic acid (lncRNAs).

Associations between pulmonary function and cognitive decline in the middle-aged and older adults: evidence from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study.

Background: Studies observing the relationship between pulmonary function and the risk of cognitive impairment in middle-aged and older adults was increasing, but the results were inconsistent. To date, evidence from longitudinal data is scarce and further research is urgently needed.

Methods: We used data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study.