Nonemissive Ruthenium Complexes for Near Infrared-II Photodynamic, Photothermal, Sonodynamic, and Sonothermal Therapy Against Drug-Resistant Cancer.

Nine nonemissive Ru(II) complexes have been designed for synergistic NIR-II (1064 nm) photodynamic, photothermal, sonodynamic, and sonothermal therapy targeting cisplatin-resistant nonsmall cell lung cancer. Their quantum yields of singlet oxygen and superoxide anions are significantly elevated under low-power NIR-II laser irradiation or ultrasound treatment. The selected complex completely eradicated drug-resistant lung cancer tumors in all tested mice when treated simultaneously with NIR-II laser and ultrasound at a minimal drug dosage in vivo and was promptly eliminated from the organism.

Dinuclear Ru(II) Complexes for Synergetic Photodynamic, Photothermal, and Sonodynamic Therapy against Cisplatin-Resistant Cancer.

A new series of dinuclear Ru(II) complexes with a novel bridging ligand were developed for the treatment of cisplatin-resistant non-small-cell lung cancer via a synergistic photodynamic, photothermal, and sonodynamic therapy mechanism. Comprehensive experimental and theoretical studies investigated their photophysical and photochemical properties along with the influence of ancillary ligands. The complexes exhibit significant two-photon absorption at the IR region, facilitating ROS generation through both type I and II mechanisms under IR laser and ultrasound exposure.

Novel triphenylamine-based polyimides as promising organic cathode for lithium/sodium-ion batteries.

Organic carbonyl cathode materials are expected to be excellent candidates for widespread application in next-generation lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) owing to their high theoretical specific capacity, low cost, sustainability, environmental friendliness, and structural diversity. However, organic carbonyl cathode materials face some key challenges, including high solubility in organic electrolytes and low discharge platform, which hinder their practical applications. Herein, a novel poly(4-aminotriphenylamine-3,3',4,4'-benzophenone tetramide) (PTNBI) electrode has been synthesized through the polymerization of 4-aminotriphenylamine with 3,3',4,4'-benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTDA), addressing the two crucial issues of solubility and low discharge platform.

Template-free synthesis of a multilayer manganese oxide/graphene oxide nanoflake-modified carbon felt as an anode material for microbial fuel cells.

A novel multilayer nanoflake structure of manganese oxide/graphene oxide (γ-MnO/GO) was fabricated a simple template-free chemical precipitation method, and the modified carbon felt (CF) electrode with γ-MnO/GO composite was used as an anode material for microbial fuel cells (MFCs). The characterization results revealed that the γ-MnO/GO composite has a novel multilayer nanoflake structure and offers a large specific surface area for bacterial adhesion. The electrochemical analyses demonstrated that the γ-MnO/GO composite exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activity and enhanced the electrochemical reaction rate and reduced the electron transfer resistance, consequently facilitating extracellular electron transfer (EET) between the anode and bacteria.

Dinuclear Dicationic Iridium Complexes for Highly Synergistic Photodynamic and Photothermal Therapy to Chemoresistant Cancer.

A series of dinuclear Ir(III) complexes have been constructed for enhanced photodynamic and photothermal therapy (PDT and PTT) for cisplatin-resistant non-small-cell lung cancer. They enter cells via caveolar endocytosis, target mitochondria but not nuclear, generate both singlet oxygen and superoxide anion, and release heat when exposed to infrared (IR) irradiation, thus inducing reactive oxygen species (ROS)-associated cell disruption and thermal ablation. The IR-generated ROS can further activate caspases, triggering apoptosis.

Antitumor Cream: Transdermal Hydrogel Containing Liposome-Encapsulated Ruthenium Complex for Infrared-Controlled Multimodal Synergistic Therapy.

A transdermal drug delivery cream, which is non-invasive and painless, containing a liposome-encapsulated Ru(II) complex (LipoRu) is created for the treatment of skin cancer. This formulation capitalizes on the synergistic antitumor effects of two-photon excited photodynamic therapy (PDT), photothermal therapy (PTT), and chemotherapy. LipoRu exhibits effective tumor accumulation, efficient cellular uptake, pH-sensitive and infrared-accelerated release, and dual localization to the nucleus and mitochondria.

Substituent-Modulated Excited Triplet States and Activities of Ruthenium Complexes for Dual Photodynamic/Sonodynamic Therapy to Cisplatin-Resistant Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Six polypyridyl Ru(II) complexes were designed for single-molecule photodynamic and sonodynamic therapy (PDT/SDT) synergistic multimodal anticancer toward cisplatin-resistant NSCLC. They demonstrated lowest 3ES with distinct intraligand transition nature, which is beneficial for singlet oxygen generation. Remarkable quantum yields of both singlet oxygen and superoxide anion under either 808 nm laser irradiation or ultrasonic treatment and could induce apoptosis and ferroptosis of A549R cells.

Bithiophene-Functionalized Infrared Two-Photon Absorption Metal Complexes as Single-Molecule Platforms for Synergistic Photodynamic, Photothermal, and Chemotherapy.

A planar conjugated ligand functionalized with bithiophene and its Ru(II), Os(II), and Ir(III) complexes have been constructed as single-molecule platform for synergistic photodynamic, photothermal, and chemotherapy. The complexes have significant two-photon absorption at 808 nm and remarkable singlet oxygen and superoxide anion production in aqueous solution and cells when exposed to 808 nm infrared irradiation. The most potent Ru(II) complex Ru7 enters tumor cells via the rare macropinocytosis, locates in both nuclei and mitochondria, and regulates DNA-related chemotherapeutic mechanisms intranuclearly including DNA topoisomerase and RNA polymerase inhibition and their synergistic effects with photoactivated apoptosis, ferroptosis and DNA cleavage.

Enhanced Microbial Protein Production from CO and Air by a MoS Catalyzed Bioelectrochemical System.

Carbon dioxide can be relatively easily reduced to organic matter in a bioelectrochemical system (BES). However, due to insufficient reduction force from in-situ hydrogen evolution, it is difficult for nitrogen reduction. In this study, MoS was firstly used as an electrocatalyst for the simultaneous reduction of CO and N to produce microbial protein (MP) in a BES.

Polarization insensitive flexible ultra-broadband terahertz metamaterial absorber.

We propose a polarization insensitive, flexible ultra-broadband terahertz (THz) metamaterial absorber. It consists of a chromium composite resonator on the top, a polyimide (PI) dielectric layer in the middle, and a chromium substrate. The simulation results show that the absorption achieves more than 90% ultra-wideband absorption in the range of 1.

Iridium(III)-Based Infrared Two-Photon Photosensitizers: Systematic Regulation of Their Photodynamic Therapy Efficacy.

Cyclometalated iridium(III) complexes are of significant importance in the field of antitumor photodynamic therapy (PDT), whether they exist as single molecules or are incorporated into nanomaterials. Nevertheless, a comprehensive examination of the relationship between their molecular structure and PDT effectiveness remains awaited. The influencing factors of two-photon excited PDT can be anticipated to be further multiplied, particularly in relation to intricate nonlinear optical properties.

Heme and Cu-induced vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) tyrosine nitration: A possible molecular mechanism for the attenuated anti-inflammatory effect of VIP in inflammatory diseases.

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is a neuropeptide that play an important role in immunoregulation and anti-inflammation. Numerous inflammatory/autoimmune disorders are associated with decreased VIP binding ability to receptors and diminished VIP activation of cAMP generation in immune cells. However, the mechanisms linking oxidative/nitrative stress to VIP immune dysfunction remain unknown.

Bleeding the Excited State Energy to the Utmost: Single-Molecule Iridium Complexes for In Vivo Dual Photodynamic and Photothermal Therapy by an Infrared Low-Power Laser.

A series of cyclometalated Ir(III) complexes with morpholine and piperazine groups are designed as dual photosensitizers and photothermal agents for more efficient antitumor phototherapy via infrared low-power laser. Their ground and excited state properties, as well as the structural effect on their photophysical and biological properties, are investigated by spectroscopic, electrochemical, and quantum chemical theoretical calculations. They target mitochondria in human melanoma tumor cells and trigger apoptosis related to mitochondrial dysfunction upon irradiation.

Terahertz metamaterial biosensor for diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma at early stage.

We propose a method for diagnosis of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by using a terahertz (THz) metamaterial (MM) biosensor. The biosensor has a resonance frequency at about 0.801 THz and can measure the concentration of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in serum.

Surface-Functionalized Terahertz Metamaterial Biosensor Used for the Detection of Exosomes in Patients.

Owing to their stability in bodily fluids, exosomes have attracted increased attention as colorectal cancer (CRC) biomarkers for early diagnosis. To validate the potential of the plasma exosomes as a novel biomarker for the monitoring of CRC, we demonstrated a terahertz (THz) metamaterials (MMs) biosensor for the detection of exosomes in this work. The biosensor with two resonant frequencies is designed using full wave electromagnetic simulation software based on the finite integration time domain (FITD) method and fabricated by a surface micromachining process.

High Sensitivity Plasmonic Sensor Based on Fano Resonance with Inverted U-Shaped Resonator.

Herein, we propose a tunable plasmonic sensor with Fano resonators in an inverted U-shaped resonator. By manipulating the sharp asymmetric Fano resonance peaks, a high-sensitivity refractive index sensor can be realized. Using the multimode interference coupled-mode theory and the finite element method, we numerically simulate the influences of geometrical parameters on the plasmonic sensor.

An Integrated Detection Based on a Multi-Parameter Plasmonic Optical Fiber Sensor.

In this paper, a multi-parameter integrated detection photonic crystal fiber (PCF) sensor based on surface plasmon resonance (SPR) is proposed for its application in detecting temperature, magnetic field, and refractive index. The air holes on both sides of the fiber core were coated with gold film and introduced to the temperature-sensitive medium (PDMS) and magnetic fluid (MF), detecting temperature and magnetic field, respectively. The graphene layer is also presented on the gold film of the D-type side polished surface to improve the sensor sensitivity.

Peroxynitrite scavenger FeTPPS effectively inhibits hIAPP aggregation and protects against amyloid induced cytotoxicity.

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is associated with pancreatic β-cell dysfunction, which can be induced by oxidative stress or/and the aggregation of human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP). Therefore, ONOO and hIAPP become the crucial targets of T2D treatment. Previously, we found heme could be an effective inhibitor of hIAPP aggregation.

Co-modified MoO nanoparticles highly dispersed on N-doped carbon nanorods as anode electrocatalyst of microbial fuel cells.

Cobalt-modified molybdenum dioxide nanoparticles highly dispersed on nitrogen-doped carbon nanorods (Co-MoO/NCND), are synthesized from anilinium trimolybdate dihydrate nanorods, for the performance improvement of microbial fuel cell based on a mixed bacterial culture. Electrochemical measurements demonstrate that the as-synthesized Co-MoO/NCND exhibits excellent electrocatalytic activity for the charge transfer on anode, providing the cell with a maximum power density of 2.06 ± 0.

Nano-FeC@PGC as a novel low-cost anode electrocatalyst for superior performance microbial fuel cells.

We report a novel anode electrocatalyst, iron carbide nanoparticles dispersed in porous graphitized carbon (Nano-FeC@PGC), which is synthesized by facile approach involving a direct pyrolysis of ferrous gluconate and a following removal of free iron, but provides microbial fuel cells with superior performances. The physical characterizations confirm the unique configuration of iron carbide nanoparticles with porous graphitized carbon. Electrochemical measurements demonstrate that the as-synthesized Nano-FeC@PGC exhibits an outstanding electrocatalytic activity toward the charge transfer between bacteria and anode.

Early prediction of preeclampsia and small-for-gestational-age via multi-marker model in Chinese pregnancies: a prospective screening study.

Background: Recent evidence suggests early screening of preeclampsia and small-for-gestational-age (SGA) would benefit pregnancies followed by subsequent prophylactic use of aspirin. Multi-marker models have shown capability of predicting preeclampsia and SGA in first trimester. Yet the clinical feasibility of combined screening model for Chinese pregnancies has not been fully assessed.

A facile synthesis of molybdenum carbide nanoparticles-modified carbonized cotton textile as an anode material for high-performance microbial fuel cells.

A novel macroscale porous structure electrode, molybdenum carbide nanoparticles-modified carbonized cotton textile (MoC/CCT), was synthesized by a facile two-step method and used as an anode material for high-performance microbial fuel cells (MFCs). The characterization results show that the carbonized cotton textile modified with MoC nanoparticles offers a great specific surface area (832.17 m g) for bacterial adhesion.

Porous NiMnO microellipsoids as high-performance anode electrocatalyst for microbial fuel cells.

A novel bi-component composite of porous self-assembled micro-/nanostructured NiMnO microellipsoids as high-performance anode electrocatalyst for microbial fuel cells (MFCs) is successfully synthesized via a simple coprecipitation reaction in microemulsion and calcination method in air atmosphere. The morphology and structural characterization indicate that the as-fabricated NiMnO product is consist of MnO and NiMnO (n(MnO: n(NiMnO) = 0.35: 0.

Tiotropium in Early-Stage Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Background: Patients with mild or moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) rarely receive medications, because they have few symptoms. We hypothesized that long-term use of tiotropium would improve lung function and ameliorate the decline in lung function in patients with mild or moderate COPD.

Methods: In a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial that was conducted in China, we randomly assigned 841 patients with COPD of Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) stage 1 (mild) or 2 (moderate) severity to receive a once-daily inhaled dose (18 μg) of tiotropium (419 patients) or matching placebo (422) for 2 years.