-
Environment International Jun 2024
PubMed: 38936068
DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.108807 -
Advanced Healthcare Materials Jun 2024Tumor vaccines stand at the vanguard of tumor immunotherapy, demonstrating significant potential and promise in recent years. While tumor vaccines have achieved... (Review)
Review
Tumor vaccines stand at the vanguard of tumor immunotherapy, demonstrating significant potential and promise in recent years. While tumor vaccines have achieved breakthroughs in the treatment of cancer, they still encounter numerous challenges, including improving the immunogenicity of vaccines and expanding the scope of vaccine application. As natural immune activators, bacterial components offer inherent advantages in tumor vaccines. Bacterial membrane components, with their safer profile, easy extraction, purification, and engineering, along with their diverse array of immune components, activate the immune system and improve tumor vaccine efficacy. This review systematically summarizes the mechanism of action and therapeutic effects of bacterial membrane and its derivatives (including bacterial membrane vesicles and hybrid membrane biomaterials) in tumor vaccines. Subsequently, we delve into the preparation and advantages of tumor vaccines based on bacterial membranes and hybrid membrane biomaterials. Following this, the immune effects of tumor vaccines based on bacterial outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) are elucidated, and their mechanisms are explained. Moreover, their advantages in tumor combination therapy are analyzed. Lastly, the challenges and trends in this field are discussed. Our comprehensive analysis aims to offer a more informed reference and scientific foundation for the design and implementation of bacterial membrane-based tumor vaccines. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
PubMed: 38935934
DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202401615 -
Plant Biology (Stuttgart, Germany) Jun 2024The flower perianth has various, non-mutually exclusive functions, such as visual signalling to pollinators and protecting the reproductive organs from the elements and...
The flower perianth has various, non-mutually exclusive functions, such as visual signalling to pollinators and protecting the reproductive organs from the elements and from florivores, but how different perianth structures and their different sides play a role in these functions is unclear. Intriguingly, in many species there is a clear colour difference between the different sides of the perianth, with colour patterns or pigmentation present on only one side. Any adaptive benefit from such colour asymmetry is unclear, as is how the asymmetry evolved. In this viewpoint paper, we address the phenomenon of flowers with differently coloured inner and outer perianth sides, focusing on petals of erect flowers. Guided by existing literature and our own observations, we delineate three non-mutually exclusive evolutionary hypotheses that may explain the factors underlying differently coloured perianth sides. The pollen-protection hypothesis predicts that the outer side of petals contributes to protect pollen against UV radiation, especially during the bud stage. The herbivore-avoidance hypothesis predicts that the outer side of petals reduces the flower's visibility to herbivores. The signalling-to-pollinators hypothesis predicts that flower colours evolve to increase conspicuousness to pollinators. The pollen-protection hypothesis, the herbivore-avoidance hypothesis, and the signalling-to-pollinators hypothesis generate largely but not entirely overlapping predictions about the colour of the inner and outer side of the petals. Field and laboratory research is necessary to disentangle the main drivers and adaptive significance of inner-outer petal side colour asymmetry.
PubMed: 38935692
DOI: 10.1111/plb.13680 -
Advanced Materials (Deerfield Beach,... Jun 2024Battery materials with different phases often play a pivotal role in determining their performance. For instance, the disordered phase of spinel LiMnNiO (LNMO) is more...
Battery materials with different phases often play a pivotal role in determining their performance. For instance, the disordered phase of spinel LiMnNiO (LNMO) is more appealing as high-voltage cathode due to its superior electrochemical performance compared to its ordered counterpart. Various methods have been developed to induce a phase transition from an ordered to a disordered structure. However, the resulting materials often suffer from capacity degradation due to the adverse influence of accompanying Mn ions. This study presents the utilization of local magnetic fields generated by a magnetic FeO shell to induce a disordered phase transition in LNMO at lower temperature, transitioning it from an order state without significantly increasing the Mn content. The pivotal role played by the local magnetic fields is evidenced through comparisons with samples with nonmagnetic AlO shell, samples subjected to sole heat treatment, and samples heat-treated within magnetic fields. The key finding is that magnetic fields can initiate a radical pair mechanism, enabling the induction of order-disorder phase transition even at lower temperatures. The disordered spinal LNMO with a magnetic FeO shell exhibits excellent cycling stability and kinetic properties in electrochemical characterization as a result. This innovation not only unravels the intricate interplay between the disordered phase and Mn content in the cathode spinel but also pioneers the use of magnetic field effects for manipulating material phases. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
PubMed: 38935407
DOI: 10.1002/adma.202405876 -
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Jun 2024Soil fluoride is a critical determinant of soil fertility, human health and crop productivity. Soil fluoride can be increased by climatic conditions, irrigation water...
Soil fluoride is a critical determinant of soil fertility, human health and crop productivity. Soil fluoride can be increased by climatic conditions, irrigation water and anthropogenic activity, and it is important to control fluoride by understanding the complex relationships between atmospheric conditions and water systems. In this research, a detailed focus is on the hydrological and meteorological aspects of soil fluorides in semi-saturated and saturated soils to discuss the impact of irrigation, capillary rise and the combination of rainfall and anthropogenic activities such as fertilizer application on the soils in the dry spell and monsoon seasons of 2021 and 2022. A Sentinel-1 data can be used to estimate fluoride levels to the above soil conditions. In an effort to estimate fluoride levels in different hydro-meteorological scenarios, we have put forward a hypothesis that focuses on understanding the potential connections between hydro-meteorological factors (precipitation, groundwater levels, and temperature) and the levels of fluoride. The findings indicate that the extensive use of groundwater for irrigation leads to a rise in fluoride levels, posing a significant threat to crop health over time. Furthermore, the combined effects of irrigation and upheaval leaching on fluoride levels have shown strong statistical conformity (R > 0.85) with the relevant field-measured fluoride data for the year 2022. Importantly, areas affected by are more sensitive to the sand and clay percentage in the soil because potential and dispersion behaviour enlarge the capillaries to decelerate the upward movement. A region-based discussion details the factors contributing to the increase of fluoride in soil helpful in taking remedial measures and mitigation plans.
Topics: Fluorides; Environmental Monitoring; Soil; Soil Pollutants; Microwaves; Remote Sensing Technology; Groundwater
PubMed: 38935154
DOI: 10.1007/s10661-024-12806-9 -
Journal of Food and Drug Analysis Jun 2024Cell nucleus status decides the activities of corresponding cells, making its rapid and effective staining important for revealing the actual condition of biological...
Cell nucleus status decides the activities of corresponding cells, making its rapid and effective staining important for revealing the actual condition of biological environment in life science and related fields. In this study, fast staining of cell nucleus is realized by fluorescent carbon nanodots (CDs). The staining mechanism is due to the positively charged CD surface-induced cell membrane penetration, which facilitates the CD-nucleus binding via electrostatic attraction. The size of cell nucleus is easily measured with fluorescence imaging technique. In addition, the CD-based cell nucleus stain is applied for discriminating the normal and cancer cells by determining the cell-to-nucleus ratio with fluorescence images.
Topics: Carbon; Humans; Cell Nucleus; Staining and Labeling; Fluorescent Dyes; Quantum Dots; Nanoparticles; Fluorescence; Optical Imaging
PubMed: 38934693
DOI: 10.38212/2224-6614.3503 -
China CDC Weekly Jun 2024Traditional methods for determining radiation dose in nuclear medicine include the Monte Carlo method, the discrete ordinate method, and the point kernel integration...
INTRODUCTION
Traditional methods for determining radiation dose in nuclear medicine include the Monte Carlo method, the discrete ordinate method, and the point kernel integration method. This study presents a new mathematical model for predicting the radiation dose rate in the vicinity of nuclear medicine patients.
METHODS
A new algorithm was created by combining the physical model of "cylinder superposition" of the human body with integral analysis to assess the radiation dose rate in the vicinity of nuclear medicine patients.
RESULTS
The model accurately predicted radiation dose rates within distances of 0.1-3.0 m, with a deviation of less than 11% compared to observed rates. The model demonstrated greater accuracy at shorter distances from the radiation source, with a deviation of only 1.55% from observed values at 0.1 m.
DISCUSSION
The model proposed in this study effectively represents the spatial and temporal distribution of the radiation field around nuclear medicine patients and demonstrates good agreement with actual measurements. This model has the potential to serve as a radiation dose rate alert system in hospital environments.
PubMed: 38933663
DOI: 10.46234/ccdcw2024.108 -
European Heart Journal Open May 2024Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) represents the gold standard in the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) and the use of single-shot techniques, such as cryoballoon...
AIMS
Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) represents the gold standard in the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) and the use of single-shot techniques, such as cryoballoon ablation (CBA) and pulsed field ablation (PFA) using a pentaspline catheter, has gained prominence. Recent studies hypothesize that PFA might be superior to CBA, although procedural efficacy and safety data are inconsistent. A meta-analysis was conducted to compare both energy sources for the treatment of AF.
METHODS AND RESULTS
A structured systematic database search and meta-analysis were performed on studies investigating outcomes, periprocedural complications, and/or procedural parameters of AF patients treated by either CBA or PFA. Eleven studies reporting data from 3805 patients were included. Pulmonary vein isolation by PFA was associated with a significantly lower recurrence of atrial fibrillation/atrial tachycardia [odds ratio (OR) = 0.73, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.54-0.98, I = 20%] and fewer periprocedural complications (OR = 0.62, 95% CI = 0.40-0.96, I = 6%) compared to CBA. The lower complication rate following PFA was mainly driven by fewer phrenic nerve injuries (OR = 0.19, 95% CI = 0.08-0.43, I = 0%). However, there were more cases of cardiac tamponades after PFA (OR = 2.56, 95% CI = 1.01-6.49, I = 0%). Additionally, using PFA for PVI was associated with shorter total procedure times [mean difference (MD) = -9.68, 95% CI = -14.92 to -4.43 min, I = 92%] and lower radiation exposure (MD = -148.07, 95% CI = -276.50 to -19.64 µGy·mI = 7%).
CONCLUSION
Our results suggest that PFA for PVI, compared to CBA, enables shorter procedure times with lower arrhythmia recurrence and a reduced risk of periprocedural complications. Randomized controlled trials need to confirm our findings.
PubMed: 38933428
DOI: 10.1093/ehjopen/oeae044 -
Sheng Wu Yi Xue Gong Cheng Xue Za Zhi =... Jun 2024Near-infrared fluorescence imaging technology, which possesses superior advantages including real-time and fast imaging, high spatial and temporal resolution, and deep... (Review)
Review
Near-infrared fluorescence imaging technology, which possesses superior advantages including real-time and fast imaging, high spatial and temporal resolution, and deep tissue penetration, shows great potential for tumor imaging and therapy. Ⅰ-Ⅲ-Ⅵ quantum dots exhibit high brightness, broad excitation, easily tunable emission wavelength and superior stability, and do not contain highly toxic heavy metal elements such as cadmium or lead. These advantages make Ⅰ-Ⅲ-Ⅵ quantum dots attract widespread attention in biomedical field. This review summarizes the recent advances in the controlled synthesis of Ⅰ-Ⅲ-Ⅵ quantum dots and their applications in tumor imaging and therapy. Firstly, the organic-phase and aqueous-phase synthesis of Ⅰ-Ⅲ-Ⅵ quantum dots as well as the strategies for regulating the near-infrared photoluminescence are briefly introduced; secondly, representative biomedical applications of near-infrared-emitting cadmium-free quantum dots including early diagnosis of tumor, lymphatic imaging, drug delivery, photothermal and photodynamic therapy are emphatically discussed; lastly, perspectives on the future directions of developing quantum dots for biomedical application and the faced challenges are discussed. This paper may provide guidance and reference for further research and clinical translation of cadmium-free quantum dots in tumor diagnosis and treatment.
Topics: Quantum Dots; Humans; Cadmium; Neoplasms; Optical Imaging; Animals; Photochemotherapy; Drug Delivery Systems; Infrared Rays; Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared
PubMed: 38932550
DOI: 10.7507/1001-5515.202404002 -
Pharmaceutics Jun 2024Skin is the largest organ and a multifunctional interface between the body and its environment. It acts as a barrier against cold, heat, injuries, infections, chemicals,... (Review)
Review
Skin is the largest organ and a multifunctional interface between the body and its environment. It acts as a barrier against cold, heat, injuries, infections, chemicals, radiations or other exogeneous factors, and it is also known as the mirror of the soul. The skin is involved in body temperature regulation by the storage of fat and water. It is an interesting tissue in regard to the local and transdermal application of active ingredients for prevention or treatment of pathological conditions. Topical and transdermal delivery is an emerging route of drug and cosmetic administration. It is beneficial for avoiding side effects and rapid metabolism. Many pharmaceutical, technological and cosmetic innovations have been described and patented recently in the field. In this review, the main features of skin morphology and physiology are presented and are being followed by the description of classical and novel nanoparticulate dermal and transdermal drug formulations. The biophysical aspects of the penetration of drugs and cosmetics into or across the dermal barrier and their investigation in diffusion chambers, skin-on-a-chip devices, high-throughput measuring systems or with advanced analytical techniques are also shown. The current knowledge about mathematical modeling of skin penetration and the future perspectives are briefly discussed in the end, all also involving nanoparticulated systems.
PubMed: 38931938
DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16060817