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Materials Today. Bio Jun 2024Photoaging, primarily caused by ultraviolet (UV) light, is the major factor in extrinsic skin aging. Existing anti-photoaging strategies mainly focus on early sun...
Photoaging, primarily caused by ultraviolet (UV) light, is the major factor in extrinsic skin aging. Existing anti-photoaging strategies mainly focus on early sun protection or repairing damaged skin, lacking a comprehensive treatment strategy. Therefore, this study developed a dressing that actively shields against UV radiation and repairs photoaged skin, offering double protection. This study utilized exosome-like nanovesicles derived from leaves (OLELNVs), enhancing them into a potent core biomaterial with high-dose effects and skin-friendly, non-cytotoxic inhibition of cell aging. These nanovesicles were incorporated into a cross-linked hyaluronic acid (HA) and tannic acid (TA) hydrogel with strong UV-absorbing properties, creating the OLELNVs@HA/TA hydrogel system. and experiments demonstrated that OLELNVs@HA/TA hydrogel can effectively reduce UV-induced skin damage and promote skin repair and regeneration. Additionally, RNA-seq and clustering analysis of miR168a-5p predicted targets revealed significant down-regulation of the NF-κB signaling pathway, mediating inflammatory aging responses. Overall, the OLELNVs@HA/TA hydrogel represents a novel dual-strategy approach for clinical application in combating photoaging.
PubMed: 38933415
DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2024.101103 -
Viruses Jun 2024The epidemiology of different respiratory viral infections is believed to be affected by prior viral infections in addition to seasonal effects. This PROSPERO-registered... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
The epidemiology of different respiratory viral infections is believed to be affected by prior viral infections in addition to seasonal effects. This PROSPERO-registered systematic review identified 7388 studies, of which six met our criteria to answer the question specifically. The purpose of this review was to compare the prevalence of sequential viral infections in those with previously documented positive versus negative swabs. The pooled prevalence of sequential viral infections over varying periods from 30-1000 days of follow-up was higher following a negative respiratory viral swab at 0.15 than following a positive swab at 0.08, indicating the potential protective effects of prior respiratory viral infections. However, significant heterogeneity and publication biases were noted. There is some evidence, albeit of low quality, of a possible protective effect of an initial viral infection against subsequent infections by a different virus, which is possibly due to broad, nonspecific innate immunity. Future prospective studies are needed to validate our findings.
Topics: Humans; Respiratory Tract Infections; Virus Diseases; Cross Protection; Prevalence
PubMed: 38932273
DOI: 10.3390/v16060982 -
Pharmaceutics May 2024Astatine-211 (At) has emerged as a promising radionuclide for targeted alpha therapy of cancer by virtue of its favorable nuclear properties. However, the limited in... (Review)
Review
Astatine-211 (At) has emerged as a promising radionuclide for targeted alpha therapy of cancer by virtue of its favorable nuclear properties. However, the limited in vivo stability of At-labeled radiopharmaceuticals remains a major challenge. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current strategies for At radiolabeling, including nucleophilic and electrophilic substitution reactions, as well as the recent advances in the development of novel bifunctional coupling agents and labeling approaches to enhance the stability of At-labeled compounds. The preclinical and clinical applications of At-labeled radiopharmaceuticals, including small molecules, peptides, and antibodies, are also discussed. Looking forward, the identification of new molecular targets, the optimization of At production and quality control methods, and the continued evaluation of At-labeled radiopharmaceuticals in preclinical and clinical settings will be the key to realizing the full potential of At-based targeted alpha therapy. With the growing interest and investment in this field, At-labeled radiopharmaceuticals are poised to play an increasingly important role in future cancer treatment.
PubMed: 38931860
DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16060738 -
Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Neuropathic pain (NP) is a common type of chronic pain caused by a lesion or disease of the somatosensory nervous system. This condition imposes a considerable economic...
Neuropathic pain (NP) is a common type of chronic pain caused by a lesion or disease of the somatosensory nervous system. This condition imposes a considerable economic burden on society and patients. Daphnetin (DAP) is a natural product isolated from a Chinese medicinal herb with various pharmacological activities, such as anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. However, the underlying mechanisms of these effects are not fully understood. In the present study, we aimed to investigate DAP's anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects and explore the underlying mechanisms of action. The NP model was established as chronic constrictive injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve, and pain sensitivity was evaluated by measuring the mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) and thermal withdrawal threshold (TWT). The activation of microglia in the spinal dorsal horn was measured via immunofluorescence staining. Protein levels were measured using a western blot assay. Using a mass-spectrometry proteomics platform and an LC-MS/MS-based metabolomics platform, proteins and metabolites in spinal cord tissues were extracted and analyzed. DAP treatment ameliorated the MWT and TWT in CCI rats. The expression of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α was inhibited by DAP treatment in the spinal cords of CCI rats. Moreover, the activation of microglia was suppressed after DAP treatment. The elevation in the levels of P2X, IRF8, IRF5, BDNF, and p-P38/P38 in the spinal cord caused by CCI was inhibited by DAP. Proteomics and metabolomics results indicated that DAP ameliorated the imbalance of glycerophospholipid metabolism in the spinal cords of CCI rats. DAP can potentially ameliorate NP by regulating microglial responses and glycerophospholipid metabolism in the CCI model. This study provides a pharmacological justification for using DAP in the management of NP.
PubMed: 38931456
DOI: 10.3390/ph17060789 -
Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have emerged as a promising approach for drug delivery strategies because of their unique properties. These strategies include stem cell... (Review)
Review
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have emerged as a promising approach for drug delivery strategies because of their unique properties. These strategies include stem cell membrane-coated nanoparticles, stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles, immunomodulatory effects, stem cell-laden scaffolds, and scaffold-free stem cell sheets. MSCs offer advantages such as low immunogenicity, homing ability, and tumor tropism, making them ideal for targeted drug delivery systems. Stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles have gained attention for their immune properties and tumor-homing abilities, presenting a potential solution for drug delivery challenges. The relationship between MSC-based drug delivery and the self-renewal and differentiation capabilities of MSCs lies in the potential of engineered MSCs to serve as effective carriers for therapeutic agents while maintaining their intrinsic properties. MSCs exhibit potent immunosuppressive functions in MSC-based drug delivery strategies. Stem cell-derived EVs have low immunogenicity and strong therapeutic potential for tissue repair and regeneration. Scaffold-free stem cell sheets represent a cutting-edge approach in regenerative medicine, offering a versatile platform for tissue engineering and regeneration across different medical specialties. MSCs have shown great potential for clinical applications in regenerative medicine because of their ability to differentiate into various cell types, secrete bioactive factors, and modulate immune responses. Researchers are exploring these innovative approaches to enhance drug delivery efficiency and effectiveness in treating various diseases.
PubMed: 38931374
DOI: 10.3390/ph17060707 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Specialized chemicals are used for intensifying food production, including boosting meat and crop yields. Among the applied formulations, antibiotics and pesticides pose... (Review)
Review
Specialized chemicals are used for intensifying food production, including boosting meat and crop yields. Among the applied formulations, antibiotics and pesticides pose a severe threat to the natural balance of the ecosystem, as they either contribute to the development of multidrug resistance among pathogens or exhibit ecotoxic and mutagenic actions of a persistent character. Recently, cold atmospheric pressure plasmas (CAPPs) have emerged as promising technologies for degradation of these organic pollutants. CAPP-based technologies show eco-friendliness and potency for the removal of organic pollutants of diverse chemical formulas and different modes of action. For this reason, various types of CAPP-based systems are presented in this review and assessed in terms of their constructions, types of discharges, operating parameters, and efficiencies in the degradation of antibiotics and persistent organic pollutants. Additionally, the key role of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) is highlighted. Moreover, optimization of the CAPP operating parameters seems crucial to effectively remove contaminants. Finally, the CAPP-related paths and technologies are further considered in terms of biological and environmental effects associated with the treatments, including changes in antibacterial properties and toxicity of the exposed solutions, as well as the potential of the CAPP-based strategies for limiting the spread of multidrug resistance.
Topics: Plasma Gases; Atmospheric Pressure; Environmental Pollutants; Food Industry; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Reactive Oxygen Species; Organic Chemicals
PubMed: 38930977
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29122910 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) causes thinning hair, but poor hair quality in balding areas and damage from UV radiation have been overlooked. Plant extracts like...
BACKGROUND
Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) causes thinning hair, but poor hair quality in balding areas and damage from UV radiation have been overlooked. Plant extracts like flavonoids (POFs) may improve hair quality in AGA. This study examines POFs' effectiveness in treating AGA-affected hair and repairing UV-induced damage.
METHODS
Hair samples were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to examine surface characteristics, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy to measure free radicals in the hair, and spectrophotometry to assess changes in hair properties.
RESULTS
POFs effectively removed hydroxyl radicals from keratinocytes and had antioxidant properties. They also reduced UV-induced damage to AGA hair by mitigating the production of melanin free radicals. Following POF treatment, the reduction in peroxidized lipid loss in AGA hair was notable at 59.72%, thereby effectively delaying the progression of hair color change. Moreover, protein loss decreased by 191.1 μ/g and tryptophan loss by 15.03%, ultimately enhancing hair's tensile strength.
CONCLUSION
compared to healthy hair, hair damaged by AGA shows more pronounced signs of damage when exposed to UV radiation. POFs help protect balding hair by reducing oxidative damage and slowing down melanin degradation.
Topics: Alopecia; Ultraviolet Rays; Humans; Antioxidants; Hair; Flavonoids; Plant Extracts; Melanins; Keratinocytes
PubMed: 38930941
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29122876 -
Microorganisms Jun 2024A Gram-positive, rod-shaped, aerobic, motile, and spore-forming bacterium, designated SCL10, was isolated from exposure to Co-60 radiation. In this study, whole-genome...
A Gram-positive, rod-shaped, aerobic, motile, and spore-forming bacterium, designated SCL10, was isolated from exposure to Co-60 radiation. In this study, whole-genome sequencing was performed to identify the strain as and functional characterization, with a focus on stress resistance. The genome of the SCL10 strain was sequenced and assembled, revealing a size of 4,979,182 bp and 5167 coding genes. The genes involved in biological functions were annotated by using the GO, COG, KEGG, NR, and Swiss-Prot databases. The results showed that genes related to alkyl hydroperoxide reductase (, ), DNA-binding proteins from starved cells (), spore and biofilm formation (, 0, ), cold shock-like protein (, ), ATP-dependent chaperone (), and photolyase, small, acid-soluble spore protein (SASP) and DNA repair protein (, ) could explain the stress resistance. These findings suggest that antioxidant activity, sporulation, biofilm formation, and DNA protection may be considered as the main resistance mechanisms under exposure to radiation in the SCL10 strain.
PubMed: 38930550
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12061168 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jun 2024Although the moderate thermal stimulation of articular cartilage exerts chondroprotective effects, it is difficult to effectively heat deep articular cartilage with...
Although the moderate thermal stimulation of articular cartilage exerts chondroprotective effects, it is difficult to effectively heat deep articular cartilage with conventional methods. Photosensitizers increase the ambient temperature using near-infrared (NIR) radiation, which has high tissue permeability. We hypothesized that the intra-articular administration of photosensitizers and NIR irradiation would exert a greater heating effect on articular cartilage. We aimed to evaluate the heating effect of this method on cultured chondrocytes and rat knee cartilage. In vitro, we irradiated a photosensitizer-containing medium with NIR and measured changes in the medium temperature, cytotoxicity, and gene expression of heat shock protein () and aggrecan (). In vivo, the knee joints of rats treated with photosensitizers were irradiated with NIR, and changes in intra-articular temperature and gene expression were measured, alongside histological analysis. The results showed that the medium and intra-articular temperature were raised to approximately 40 °C with no apparent disruption to articular cartilage or the immunohistochemically enhanced staining of HSP70 in chondrocytes. The gene expression of and was increased in both cultured and articular cartilage. In summary, this method can safely heat joints and enhance cartilage metabolism by inducing HSP70 expression in articular cartilage. It presents a new hyperthermia therapy with effective cartilage protection.
Topics: Animals; Rats; Cartilage, Articular; Chondrocytes; Photosensitizing Agents; HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins; Aggrecans; Male; Cells, Cultured; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Infrared Rays; Hyperthermia, Induced
PubMed: 38928434
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25126728 -
Bioengineering (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024This study assessed AI-processed low-dose cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images for single-tooth diagnosis. Human-equivalent phantoms were used to evaluate CBCT...
This study assessed AI-processed low-dose cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images for single-tooth diagnosis. Human-equivalent phantoms were used to evaluate CBCT image quality with a focus on the right mandibular first molar. Two CBCT machines were used for evaluation. The first CBCT machine was used for the experimental group, in which images were acquired using four protocols and enhanced with AI processing to improve quality. The other machine was used for the control group, where images were taken in one protocol without AI processing. The dose-area product (DAP) was measured for each protocol. Subjective clinical image quality was assessed twice by five dentists, with a 2-month interval in between, using 11 parameters and a six-point rating scale. Agreement and statistical significance were assessed with Fleiss' kappa coefficient and intra-class correlation coefficient. The AI-processed protocols exhibited lower DAP/field of view values than non-processed protocols, while demonstrating subjective clinical evaluation results comparable to those of non-processed protocols. The Fleiss' kappa coefficient value revealed statistical significance and substantial agreement. The intra-class correlation coefficient showed statistical significance and almost perfect agreement. These findings highlight the importance of minimizing radiation exposure while maintaining diagnostic quality as the usage of CBCT increases in single-tooth diagnosis.
PubMed: 38927812
DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering11060576