Indocyanine green (ICG) enhances penetration of 1300 nm optical coherence tomography imaging for murine skin.

Optical scattering in biological tissues presents a major challenge for achieving deep penetration in optical coherence tomography (OCT). Recent approaches leveraging the Kramers-Kronig (KK) relations suggest that strongly absorbing dyes can reduce scattering by modulating the tissue's refractive index. In this study, we investigate the use of indocyanine green (ICG), an FDA clinically approved near-infrared dye, as an optical clearing agent (OCA) for 1300 nm OCT imaging.

Transform waste into profit: Extract licorice residue fiber to load Zr-MOF as a promising adsorbent.

The research on the reuse of resources is crucial for achieving high-value utilization of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). In this study, licorice residues were selected to extract fibers by alkaline hydrogen peroxide oxidation because of their high cellulose content and widespread use. The cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin content of obtained fibers were found to be 55 %, 8.

A comparison of image reconstruction methods for ring array photoacoustic computed tomography.

This work compares the effectiveness of four image reconstruction techniques for a ring-array photoacoustic computed tomography (PACT) system: the delay-and-sum (DAS), the interpolated-model-matrix-inversion (IMMI), the frequency-domain model-based (FDMB), and the time-reversal (TR) methods. Image quality, computational efficiency, and robustness to noise and spatial/electrical impulse response are evaluated to assess the four methods for two-dimensional (2D) imaging. Although it is thought to have limitations in producing high-resolution and artifact-free images, the DAS method is commonly employed in clinical applications because of its simplicity and real-time imaging capability.

Advancing precision photothermal therapy by integrating armored gold nanostars with real-time photoacoustic thermometry and imaging.

Nanoparticle-mediated photothermal therapy (PTT) is a promising strategy for cancer treatment; however, nanoparticle instability and lack of precise imaging tools for real-time temperature monitoring during therapy and nanoparticle tracking have hindered investigations in animal models. To address these critical issues, we present a theranostic platform that seamlessly integrates armored core-gold nanostar (AC-GNS)-mediated PTT with full-view photoacoustic computed tomography (PACT), enabling nanoparticle tracking and real-time imaging-guided PTT in deep tissues. The AC-GNS platform delivered exceptional photostability and thermal resilience beyond those of conventional nanoparticles while serving as a high-performance contrast agent for PACT and a photothermal transducer for PTT.

The anti-inflammatory mechanism of a new skeleton alkaloid isolated from Portulaca oleracea L.

A new skeleton alkaloid was isolated from Portulaca oleracea L., which was identified as ethyl (2Z,4E,6E)-3-amino-7-(4-amino-6-ethyl-3-glycyl-5-methylpyridin-2-yl)-2-methylocta-2,4,6-trienoate, trivial named, olerapyridin and the structure was clarified through IR, UV, 1D and 2D NMR as well as UHPLC-ESI-Q-TOF/MS methods. Moreover, the bioactivities of anti-inflammation of the compound were investigated via testing RAW 264.

A duet: Seeing and hearing the brain in action.

A hybrid photoacoustic-fluorescence microscope films oxygen-carrying blood and spike-firing neurons across the mouse cortex in real time, revealing the hidden duet of neurovascular coupling.

Deep-tissue high-sensitivity multimodal imaging and optogenetic manipulation enabled by biliverdin reductase knockout.

Performance of near-infrared probes and optogenetic tools derived from bacterial phytochromes is limited by availability of their biliverdin chromophore. To address this, we use a biliverdin reductase-A knock-out mouse model (Blvra), which elevates endogenous biliverdin levels. We show that Blvra⁻/⁻ significantly enhances function of bacterial phytochrome-based systems.

Effect of tuina at different muscle positions on surface electromyography in chronic nonspecific neck pain: A randomized clinical study.

Background: This study aimed to examine the effects of muscle-start-stop tuina and muscle belly tuina on the surface electromyography(sEMG) of chronic nonspecific neck pain. The research sought to provide empirical evidence for the efficacy of muscle start-stop tuina in treating chronic nonspecific neck pain.

Methods: A total of 60 patients diagnosed with chronic nonspecific neck pain were randomly allocated into 2 equal groups: an experimental group (n = 30) and a control group (n = 30).

ChatABL: Abductive Learning via Natural Language Interaction With ChatGPT.

Large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT have recently demonstrated significant potential in mathematical abilities, providing a valuable reasoning paradigm consistent with human natural language. However, LLMs currently have difficulty in bridging perception, language understanding, and reasoning (PLR) capabilities due to incompatibility of the underlying information flow among them, making their reasoning ability not fully elicited and challenging to accomplish complicated reasoning tasks autonomously. To resolve the above problem, a novel method called ChatABL is proposed by integrating LLMs into an abductive learning (ABL) framework, capable of unifying the three abilities effectively in a more user-friendly and understandable manner.

A Novel Flavonoid Derivative of Icariside II (YS-10) Improves Erectile Dysfunction in a Diabetic Rat Model by Inhibiting Ferroptosis via Activation of the Nrf2/HO-1/GPX4 Pathway.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of YS-10, a novel flavonoid derivative of icariside II (ICA II), and to explore its mechanism of action in a diabetic rat model of erectile dysfunction (DMED).

Methods: Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups: control, DMED, DMED + ICA II (2.5 mg/kg/day), and DMED + YS-10 (2.

Hidden pathway: the role of extracellular matrix in type 2 diabetes mellitus-related sarcopenia.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus-related sarcopenia (T2DMRS) is a common complication in elderly and advanced diabetes patients that affects long-term prognosis and quality of life. Skeletal muscle is the main unit of glucose metabolism, and it is surrounded by extracellular matrix (ECM), which is a microenvironment that acts as an efficient highway system. The ECM is essential for cellular communication and nutrient transport and supports muscle cell growth and repair.

A new alkaloid and five known compounds from L. and their anti-inflammatory activities.

A new alkaloid, identified (,)-2-hydroxy-8-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4,5-diimino-4,5-dihydro-9-1,3,6-trioxonin-9-one, named oleracimine C (), together with five known compounds, 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde (), 2-piperidone (), thymidine (), 5-hydroxypicolinic acid (), 7-hydroxy-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4-chromen-4-one (), were successfully derived from L. The structures of the compounds were successfully elucidated NMR, CD, and UHPLC-ESI-Q-TOF/MS methods. Furthermore, the findings indicated that compounds , , can possess the ability to suppress the release of nitric oxide, an inflammatory factor, and demonstrate substantial anti-inflammatory effects.

Acoustic loudness factor as an experimental parameter for benchmarking small molecule photoacoustic probes.

Photoacoustic imaging (PAI) is an emerging biomedical imaging modality with promise as a point-of-care diagnostic. This imaging modality relies on optical excitation of an absorber followed by production of ultrasound through the photoacoustic effect, resulting in high spatial resolution with imaging depths in the centimeter range. Herein, we disclose the discovery of the first benchmarking parameter for small molecule dye performance in PAI, which we term the acoustic loudness factor (ALF).

Pharmacokinetics of Oleracrylimide E in Rats Plasma Using UHPLC/-ESI-Q-TOF/MS.

Oleracrylimide E, a new alkaloid from Portulaca oleracea L., shows significant bioactivity. Then, the pharmacokinetics of this alkaloid after its intravenous administration at dose of 2.

Three-dimensional diffractive acoustic tomography.

Acoustically probing biological tissues with light or sound, photoacoustic and ultrasound imaging can provide anatomical, functional, and/or molecular information at depths far beyond the optical diffusion limit. However, most photoacoustic and ultrasound imaging systems rely on linear-array transducers with elevational focusing and are limited to two-dimensional imaging with anisotropic resolutions. Here, we present three-dimensional diffractive acoustic tomography (3D-DAT), which uses an off-the-shelf linear-array transducer with single-slit acoustic diffraction.

Acupotomy therapy for knee osteoarthritis: An overview of systematic reviews.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the methodological quality, report quality, and evidence quality of a meta-analysis (MA) and systematic review (SR) of the efficacy of acupotomy in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (KOA), and provided a reference for clinical decision-making.

Methods: We searched 8 databases to collect systematic reviews and meta-analyses on the efficacy of acupotomy in the treatment of KOA from January 30, 2018, to January 31, 2023. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using the assessment of multiple systematic reviews (AMSTAR) 2 scale, the quality of the literature reports was scored using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systems Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 Version (PRISMA 2020),and the quality of the evidence was graded using the grading of recommendations assessment, development, and evaluation (GRADE) scale.

Two new chromones from L. and their bioactivities.

Two new chromones, oleracone H () and oleracone I (), were isolated from L. and identified by UV, IR, UHPLC-ESI-QTOF/MS, 1D NMR, 2D NMR, and CD spectra. In 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical quenching assay, oleracone H () and oleracone I () presented scavenging activities with IC values (half maximal inhibitory concentration) of 16.

Cuproptosis and Serine Metabolism Blockade Triggered by Copper-Based Prussian Blue Nanomedicine for Enhanced Tumor Therapy.

Cuproptosis, a newly defined cell death process, represents a novel modality with significant therapeutic potential in cancer treatment. Nevertheless, the modest concentration and transient half-life of copper ions in the bloodstream constrain their efficient delivery into tumor cells. In this study, a copper-based prussian blue nanostructure loaded with serine metabolic inhibitor (NCT-503@Cu-HMPB) is constructed for selectively inducing cuproptosis combined with disrupting serine metabolism.

High speed innovations in photoacoustic microscopy.

Photoacoustic microscopy (PAM) is a key implementation of photoacoustic imaging (PAI). PAM merges rich optical contrast with deep acoustic detection, allowing for broad biomedical research and diverse clinical applications. Recent advancements in PAM technology have dramatically improved its imaging speed, enabling real-time observation of dynamic biological processes in vivo and motion-sensitive targets in situ, such as brain activities and placental development.

Deep tissue photoacoustic imaging with light and sound.

Photoacoustic computed tomography (PACT) can harvest diffusive photons to image the optical absorption contrast of molecules in a scattering medium, with ultrasonically-defined spatial resolution. PACT has been extensively used in preclinical research for imaging functional and molecular information in various animal models, with recent clinical translations. In this review, we aim to highlight the recent technical breakthroughs in PACT and the emerging preclinical and clinical applications in deep tissue imaging.

Dynamic synthetic-scanning photoacoustic tracking monitors hepatic and renal clearance pathway of exogeneous probes in vivo.

Advancements in precision medicine necessitate understanding drug clearance pathways, especially in organs like the liver and kidneys. Traditional techniques such as PET/CT pose radiation hazards, whereas optical imaging poses challenges in maintaining both depth penetration and high resolution. Moreover, very few longitudinal studies have been performed for drug candidates for different symptoms.

Clinical application of myofascial therapy in the treatment of postpartum pain-related functional disorders: A review.

During pregnancy, fetal growth could lead to changes in human biomechanics. If postpartum recovery was not properly managed, it could be exacerbated, resulting in myofascial system disorders and various functional impairments. Among them, pain-related functional disorders were an important issue affecting quality of life in postpartum women.