Celastrol Activates SIRT1/PGC-1α/Nrf2 Axis to Inhibit Oxidative Damage for Subconjunctival Fibrosis Alleviation.

Purpose: Subconjunctival fibrosis can lead to symblepharon and recurrent pterygium, seriously threatening vision. Our previous research found that celastrol could inhibit subconjunctival fibrosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the underlying mechanisms of celastrol-nanomicelles (Cel) in inhibiting subconjunctival fibrosis.

A Multiparametric MRI-based Model for decoding Extraprostatic Extension in Prostate Cancer via Habitat-guided Radiomics and Clinical Integration.

Rationale And Objectives: Develop and validate a multiparametric MRI-based integrative model that combines intratumoral microenvironmental heterogeneity, peritumoral radiomic features, and clinicopathological variables for the noninvasive preoperative prediction of extraprostatic extension (EPE) in prostate cancer, aiming to support surgical decision-making and reduce postoperative biochemical recurrence.

Methods: MRI and clinicopathological data from 590 prostate cancer (PCa) patients across four centers (August 2013-September 2023) were retrospectively collected and divided into a training cohort (n = 249), internal validation cohort (n = 106), and two external test cohorts (n₁ = 199, n₂ = 36). Radiomic and habitat features were extracted from T2WI, DWI, ADC, and DCE MRI sequences.

Oxidative stress in ARDS: mechanisms and therapeutic potential.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a life-threatening condition characterized by acute lung inflammation, increased vascular permeability, and hypoxemic respiratory failure. Oxidative stress, driven by excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS), is a key contributor to ARDS pathogenesis, causing cellular damage, inflammation, and alveolar-capillary barrier disruption. This review elucidates the mechanisms of oxidative stress in ARDS, focusing on ROS production via NADPH oxidase (NOX) and mitochondria, which activate pathways like NF-κB and MAPK, promoting pro-inflammatory cytokine release.

Zwitterionic chitosan-modified amorphous ZnCuAl-LDH eye drops for efficient treatment of bacterial keratitis.

Bacterial keratitis caused by microbial invasion represents a significant cause of visual impairment characterized by corneal perforation, epithelial defect, intense pain, and conjunctival congestion. The widespread misuse of antibiotic eye drops in clinical treatment has accelerated the global rise of antibiotic-resistant infections, dimming the prospects for antibiotic therapy. In response, inorganic nanomaterial-based antibacterial eye drops have been developed for bacterial keratitis leveraging their structural controllability, composition diversity and ease of functionalization, However, they typically exert antibacterial effects with the assistance of laser, ultrasound, or X-ray irradiation that may cause irritation or damage to the human eye, or involve intricate structural modifications for antibacterial activation.

Accelerated Recombination Reaction through Interfacial Accumulation on Photoanode Surfaces.

The observation of third-order water oxidation kinetics by accumulation at the semiconductor-electrolyte interface is a milestone for understanding the four-electron transfer reaction mechanism. However, the consequences of such accumulation for the associated recombination reaction kinetics at the interface have not been fully explored so far. Here, we observe fast second-order recombination reaction kinetics for as the result of its accumulation at the model hematite-electrolyte interface, compared to the first-order recombination reaction kinetics for a lesser amount of available .

Switching between Limiting Charge Extraction Regimes in an Illuminated Semiconductor-Metal-Organic Framework Junction.

Surface modification is an effective method to realize high performance photoelectrodes. While current investigations mostly aim to leverage surface layers for improved charge carrier kinetics during charge separation, interfacial charge transfer, and decreased recombination, carrier transport within the surface layer is largely unattended. Herein, we explore this charge transport process on a model photocathode consisting of p-Si and GaP semiconductors (SCs) that are coated with a redox-active Zn-NDI (NDI = naphthalene diimide bis-pyrazolate) metal-organic framework (MOF) surface layer.

Hydrogel tissue adhesive: Adhesion strategy and application.

Hydrogel tissue adhesives have emerged as a promising alternative to conventional wound closure methods such as sutures and staples due to their operational simplicity demonstrated biocompatibility and capacity for multifunctional integration. However, complex and variable tissue microenvironments and dynamic adhesion surfaces still challenge the actual adhesion performance of adhesives, especially natural polymer-based adhesives. In addition, to expand the application of adhesives in biomedical fields, there is an urgent need to further improve tissue adhesion performance through composition design, adhesion mechanism research and bioeffect development.

Ambient Solvent Evaporation-Triggered Irreversible Covalent Crosslinking for Robust Adhesion in Extreme Conditions.

Covalently crosslinked polymers, renowned for their stability and superior performance, play a pivotal role in materials science and technology. Yet, conventional crosslinking, reliant on external agents and energy-intensive processes, prompts a growing demand for sustainable and energy-efficient alternatives. Here, it is demonstrated that irreversible covalent crosslinking can be achieved simply through ambient solvent evaporation in a molecularly engineered polydimethylsiloxane system functionalized with dithiolane moieties.

Hydrogel adhesives for tissue recovery.

Hydrogel adhesives (HAs) are promising and rewarding tools for improving tissue therapy management. Such HAs had excellent properties and potential applications in biological tissues, such as suture replacement, long-term administration, and hemostatic sealing. In this review, the common designs and the latest progress of HAs based on various methodologies are systematically concluded.

Synthesis and Characterization of In Situ Chitosan/Cyclodextrin/Catechol Gel for Rapamycin Delivery.

Innovative in situ drug-releasing hydrogels are emerging as a promising therapeutic strategy for anterior segment ocular diseases, leveraging the unique anatomy of the eye. Rapamycin (RAP) is an effective immunosuppressive agent for organ transplantation; however, high hydrophobicity and low bioavailability have strongly constrained its clinical application. Chitosan (CS) is used as the backbone, and RAP can be loaded through supramolecular host-guest interactions of cyclodextrin (CD) to obtain chitosan-conjugated-(cydodextrin with 3,4-dihydroxyhrocinnamic acid) and loaded with rapamycin (CCH/RAP) with controlled drug release properties.

Dynamic multimodal information encryption combining programmable structural coloration and switchable circularly polarized luminescence.

Multimodal optical-materials are highly desirable due to their advantages in enhancing information security, though independent modulation is challenging, especially accurately controlling the orthogonal relationship between the structural coloration (SC) and fluorescence (FL) pattern. Herein, we report a strategy which combines programmable structural coloration and switchable circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) for multimodal information encryption. Using photomask with aligned grating, programmable periodic patterns are fabricated on a polydiacetylene (PDA) gel film, which produces image in tunable structural colors.

Dual-corn-derived nanofiber membrane for subconjunctival injury: Sequential release of dual-natural products for programmed anti-inflammation and anti-fibrosis.

Subconjunctival injuries represent significant clinical challenges due to the complexities of post-injury inflammation and subsequent fibrosis, which lead to vision impairment; however, currently, no clinical interventions are available to resolve this problem. In this work, a novel dual drug-loaded core-shell nanofiber membrane based on two corn derivatives was fabricated via coaxial electrospinning to address this unmet clinical need. The nanofiber structure, comprising a polylactic acid shell and a zein core, sequentially released two natural products, rutin and celastrol.

An injectable shape-adaptive hydrogel system for subconjunctival injuries: and permanently releases rapamycin to prevent fibrosis promoting autophagy.

Subconjunctival fibrosis (SCF) is a common and refractory eye disease that is a serious threat to vision. The severe side effects of existing drugs and low drug bioavailability due to the ocular barrier are major challenges in SCF treatment. Hence, there is an urgent need to explore safer and more effective strategies for administering anti-SCF drugs.

Amplifying and Reversing the Chiral Bias in Asymmetric Photo-Polymerization Reaction.

Circularly polarized light (CPL) is inherently chiral and is regarded as one possible source for the origin of homochirality. Coincidentally, chiral metal nanoparticles have great prospects in asymmetric photochemical reactions since they can enhance the chiral light-matter interactions. Nonetheless, little is known about how the spin angular momentum of light competes with the chiral electromagnetic field in the vicinity of a chiral nanoparticle during the chiral induction and amplification process.

The acidic microenvironment in the perisinusoidal space critically determines bile salt-induced activation of hepatic stellate cells.

Cholestatic liver diseases, accompanied by the hepatic accumulation of bile salts, frequently lead to liver fibrosis, while underlying profibrogenic mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Here, we evaluated the role of extracellular pH (pHe) on bile salt entry and hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation and proliferation. As modulators of intracellular pH (pHi), various proton pump inhibitors (PPI) were tested for their ability to prevent bile salt entry and HSC activation.

Hyaluronic acid/chitosan microcapsules capped with hollow CuS nanoparticles for NIR/pH dual-responsive drug release.

Hollow natural polysaccharide microcapsules have broad applications in drug delivery field due to their excellent biocompatibility and drug loading efficiency. In this paper, pH/near-infrared (NIR) dual-responsive microcapsules composed of hyaluronic acid (HA), chitosan (CS) and hollow CuS (HA/CS/HA@CuS) had been fabricated via a layer-by-layer (LbL) approach. The negative charge, rough surface and hollow structure of microcapsules are very favorable for loading positively charged DOX.

The Molecular Nature of Redox-Conductive Metal-Organic Frameworks.

ConspectusRedox-conductive metal-organic frameworks (RC-MOFs) are a class of porous materials that exhibit electrical conductivity through a chain of self-exchange reactions between molecularly defined, neighboring redox-active units of differing oxidation states. To maintain electroneutrality, this electron hopping transport is coupled to the translocation of charge balancing counterions. Owing to the molecular nature of the redox active components, RC-MOFs have received increasing attention for potential applications in energy storage, electrocatalysis, reconfigurable electronics, etc.

Self-assembled hollow CuS@AuNRs/PDA nanohybrids with synergistically enhanced photothermal efficiency.

The design of multifunctional nanocarriers with enhanced photothermal efficiency is of great significance for the photothermal therapy of cancer. In this study, hollow CuS@gold nanorods/polydopamine (HCuS@AuNRs/PDA) nanohybrids with synergistically enhanced photothermal efficiency were prepared by electrostatic self-assembly method. The high photothermal conversion efficiency of HCuS@AuNRs (55.

Brittle cornea syndrome: A novel mutation.

Purpose: To report the clinical, tomographic, histopathological and genetic findings of a patient with brittle cornea syndrome and a novel mutation in the gene likely implicated in the development of this disorder.

Methods: A 64-year-old man presented with a two-year history of worsening vision in both eyes. The patient and his son were examined by imaging and genetic analysis.

Halogen-functionalized covalent organic frameworks for photocatalytic Cr(VI) reduction under visible light.

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are a type of novel organic catalysts which show great potential in the treatment of environmental contaminations. Herein, we synthesized three isoreticular halogen-functionalized (F, Cl and Br) porphyrin COFs for visible-light (420 nm ≤ λ ≤ 780 nm) photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III). Halogen substituents with tunable electronegativity can regulate the band structure and modulate the charge carrier kinetics of COFs.

Celastrol alleviates subconjunctival fibrosis induced by silicone implants mimicking glaucoma surgery.

Subconjunctival fibrosis is critical to the outcomes of several ophthalmic conditions or procedures, such as glaucoma filtering surgery. This study aimed to investigate the anti-fibrotic effect of celastrol on subconjunctival fibrosis and to further reveal the underlying mechanisms. We used celastrol-loaded nanomicelles hydrogel hybrid as a sustained-release drug.

ROS-responsive celastrol-nanomedicine alleviates inflammation for dry eye disease.

Dry eye disease (DED) is a major global eye disease leading to severe eye discomfort and even vision impairment. The incidence of DED has been gradually increasing with the high frequency of use of electronic devices. It has been demonstrated that celastrol (Cel) has excellent therapeutic efficacy in ocular disorders.

Pantoprazole suppresses carcinogenesis and growth of hepatocellular carcinoma by inhibiting glycolysis and Na/H exchange.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the deadliest cancers. The prevention and therapy for this deadly disease remain a global medical challenge. In this study, we investigated the effect of pantoprazole (PPZ) on the carcinogenesis and growth of HCC.