Exploration (Beijing, China)最新文献

Bioprinted research models (BRMs) play a vital role in modern biomedicine. Herein, Wang et al. review the recent advances on the BRMs of urological malignancy, and prospect current challenges and future development directions. BRMs with programmed spatial structures and functions can serve as powerful research tools, and are likely to disrupt traditional research paradigm.

This research paper presents a comprehensive investigation, spanning from the atomic level to the nanoscale and culminating in the development of prototype fuel cells. By exploring the functionality of the cathode interface in proton-conducting solid oxide fuel cells (H-SOFCs), it has been discovered that the interfaces significantly enhance cathode performance, shedding light on the cathode design for H-SOFCs.

Via the tissue-SELEX method, a few cornea-targeting aptamers were isolated, facilitating the efficient delivery of cyclosporine A encapsulated in liposomes for both in vivo and in vitro management of dry eye disease. This approach ensures prolonged drug retention on the corneal surface, establishing a general platform for ocular drug delivery.

Mitochondria-targeting theranostic agents combine diagnostic imaging and therapeutic functions, and benefiting from the efficiency of mitochondrial targeting strategies, they could optimize the treatment process and track the therapeutic progresses of multiple mitochondria-related diseases. Cheng et al. reviewed the research progress in this field, summarizing design strategies and biomedical applications, and emphasizing the importance and prospects for precision medicine.

Yellow light-emitting diodes (LEDs) with a wavelength of 570–590 nm can reduce the excitability of peripheral nerves and the sensitivity of the skin, stimulate collagen synthesis, and tighten the skin, which plays an important role in skin rejuvenation. In general, commercial LEDs are made of phosphor excited by ultraviolet chips. It is very important for the development of yellow light emitters with high luminous efficiency, good stability, and environmental protection. For the first time, a simple organic structural unit (2-methylimidazole, 2-MIM) was used to collect a mixture of two metal precursors (CsI and CuI) and successfully synthesized an all-inorganic lead-free yellow light CsCu₂I₃ powder in water. The prepared CsCu₂I₃ powder exhibited excellent optical properties and considerable stability. Finally, a phosphor-converted LED (pc-LED) device was fabricated via the CsCu₂I₃ phosphor coated on a 310 nm ultraviolet chip. The pc-LED device's electroluminescence spectra may be a good fit for the blood's absorption regions. Therefore, this work provides a facile method for the synthesis of novel lead-free metal halide CsCu₂I₃ powder in eco-friendly solvents. In addition, the stable and efficient CsCu₂I₃ powder shows promising exciting potential applications in photoluminescence and phototherapy fields.

Fluorescence-assisted tools based on organic molecules have been extensively applied to interrogate complex biological processes in a non-invasive manner with good sensitivity, high resolution, and rich contrast. However, the signal-to-noise ratio is an essential factor to be reckoned with during collecting images for high fidelity. In view of this, the wash-free strategy is proven as a promising and important approach to improve the signal-to-noise ratio, thus a thorough introduction is presented in the current review about wash-free fluorescent tools based on organic molecules. Firstly, generalization and summarization of the principles for designing wash-free molecular fluorescent tools (WFTs) are made. Subsequently, to make the thought of molecule design more legible, a wash-free strategy is highlighted in recent studies from four diverse but tightly binding aspects: (1) special chemical structures, (2) molecular interactions, (3) bio-orthogonal reactions, (4) abiotic reactions. Meanwhile, biomedical applications including bioimaging, biodetection, and therapy, are ready to be accompanied by. Finally, the prospects for WFTs are elaborated and discussed. This review is a timely conclusion about wash-free strategy in the fluorescence-guided biomedical applications, which may bring WFTs to the forefront and accelerate their extensive applications in biology and medicine.

Silver nanoclusters (AgNCs) have shown broad application prospects in catalysis, sensing, and biological fields. However, the limited stability of AgNCs has become the main challenge restricting their practical application in complex environments. Herein, a mussel-inspired, dopamine-assisted self-assembly approach is reported to fabricate 3D AgNC aerogels (PDA/AgNCs), which possess significantly enhanced structural stability and synergistic functional properties. The prepared AgNC aerogels display a hierarchical network structure with an ultrafine ligament size of 10.3 ± 1.2 nm and a high specific surface area of 50.7 m² g⁻¹. The gelation mechanism is elucidated by in-depth characterization and time-lapse monitoring of the gelation process vis spectroscopic and microscopic approaches. Owing to the distinct features of aerogels and the synergistic effect of AgNCs and PDA, the fabricated aerogels can not only efficiently decolorize dyes with a faster kinetic than individual AgNCs, but also exhibit remarkable broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. Consequently, a conceptual water-treatment device is established by depositing PDA/AgNC aerogels on the cotton substrate, which shows good performance in both catalytic dye degradation and bacterial killing in the flowing system. This mussel-inspired self-assembly strategy has great potential in developing robust AgNC-based functional materials, which also provides a new guideline for designing sophisticated materials with integrated functions and synergistic properties.

Sonodynamic therapy offers a non-invasive approach to induce the death of tumor cells. By harnessing ultrasound waves in tandem with sonosensitizers, this method produces reactive oxygen species (ROS) that inflict oxidative damage upon tumor cells, subsequently causing their demise. Ferroptosis is a regulatory form of cell death that differs from other forms, characterized by iron accumulation, ROS accumulation, and lipid peroxidation. In the presented research, a nanoparticle formulation, parthenolide/ICG-CaCO₃@lipid (PTL/ICG-CaCO₃@Lip), has been engineered to amplify ferroptosis in tumor cells, positioning it as a potent agent for sonodynamic cancer immunotherapy. This nanoparticle significantly augments ROS levels within tumor cells, inducing oxidative stress that leads to cell death. The therapeutic potential of PTL/ICG-CaCO₃@Lip, both in vivo and in vitro, has been convincingly demonstrated. Furthermore, RNA-seq analysis insights revealed that PTL/ICG-CaCO₃@Lip facilitates tumor cell ferroptosis by regulating P53 to downregulate SLC7A11 protein expression, thereby inhibiting the glutamate-cystine antiporter system Xc⁻ and stimulating ACSL4/LPCAT3 pathways. This pioneering work uncovers an innovative strategy for combatting tumors, leveraging enhanced oxidative stress to promote cell ferroptosis, and paves the way for groundbreaking cancer immunotherapeutic interventions.

High expression of cellular self-activated immunosuppressive molecules and extensive infiltration of suppressive immune cells in the tumor microenvironment are the main factors contributing to glioma's resistance to immunotherapy. Nonetheless, technology to modify the expression of glioma cellular self-molecules through gene editing requires further development. This project advances cell therapy strategies to reverse the immunosuppressive microenvironment of glioma (TIME). Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are engineered to express bioactive proteins and demonstrate tumor-homing characteristics upon activation by TGF-β. These MSCs are designed to secrete the anti-tumor immune cytokine IL-12 and the nCD47-SLAMF7 fusion protein, which regulates T-cell activity and macrophage phagocytosis. The engineered MSCs are then injected in situ into the glioma site, circumventing the blood-brain barrier to deliver high local concentrations of bioactive proteins. This approach aims to enhance the M1 polarization of infiltrating macrophages, stimulate macrophage-mediated tumor cell phagocytosis, activate antigen-presenting cells, and promote effector CD8⁺ T cell infiltration, effectively controlling glioma. Additionally, the engineered MSCs may serve as a universal treatment for other tumors that express TGF-β at high levels. This study proposes a novel treatment strategy for the clinical management of glioma patients.

The cover depicts the potential of surface-modified nanoparticles in treating atherosclerosis by targeting over-expressed receptors. It highlights advances in ligand-modified nanoparticle systems for precise molecular-level treatment and explores the challenges and future prospects, aiming to inspire novel designs of targeted nanomedicines for atherosclerosis treatment.