Covered stent treatment for arterial complications after pancreatic surgery: risk assessment for recurrence and peri-stent implantation management.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the risk factors for recurrence of arterial complications after pancreatectomy during the period of covered stent implantation and to provide some opinions on peri-stent implantation management. METHODS: Data on patients implanted with covered stents due to arterial complications after pancreatectomy between January 2017 and December 2021 were analyzed retrospectively. Technical success, clinical success, recurrence, and survival were evaluated to elucidate the practicability of covered stents. Wilson score, Random Forest, logistic regression, and Pearson's chi-square test with bootstrap aggregation were performed for determining the perioperative risk factors for recurrence. RESULTS: Among all fifty-five patients, success stent implantation (technical success) was achieved 100%. Patients who were hemodynamically stabilized without further treatment for artery complications in situ (clinical success) accounted for 89.1%. Based on statistical analysis, pre-stent implantation pancreatic fistula was identified as a robust recurrence-related risk factor for preoperative assessment (p = 0.02, OR = 4.5, 95% CI [1.2, 16.9]; pbootstrap = 0.02). Post-stent implantation pancreatic fistula (p = 0.01, OR 4.5, 95% CI [1.4, 14.6]; pbootstrap < 0.05) and SMA branches or GDA stumps (p = 0.02, OR 3.4, 95% CI [1.1, 10.3]) were relevant to recurrence. The survival rate during hospitalization was 87.3%. All survivors were free from recurrence during the subsequent follow-up. Vasospasm and stent occlusion were observed as short-term and long-term complications, respectively. CONCLUSION: A covered stent implantation is a feasible and effective treatment option for post-pancreatectomy arterial complications. Rigorous management of pancreatic fistula, timely detection of problems, sensible strategies during stent implantation, and reasonable anticoagulation therapy are necessary for a better prognosis. KEY POINTS: • A covered stent is feasible for various artery-related complications after pancreatectomy and has an ideal therapeutic effect. • Pancreatic fistula during the perioperative period of the covered stent is an independent risk factor for recurrent arterial complications and SMA branches or GDA stumps are prone to be recurrent offending arteries. • Rigorous management of pancreatic fistula, timely detection of problems, sensible strategies during stent implantation, and reasonable anticoagulation therapy are necessary for a better prognosis.

Penetrating Micelle for Reversing Immunosuppression and Drug Resistance in Pancreatic Cancer Treatment.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is on of the most lethal malignant tumors with relatively poor prognosis, characterized with insufficient drug penetration, low immune response and obvious drug resistances. The therapeutic inefficiency is multifactorially related to its specific tumor microenvironment (TME), which is representatively featured as rich stroma and immunosuppression. In this work, a versatile drug delivery system is developed that can coencapsulate two prodrugs modified from gemcitabine (GEM) and a signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) inhibitor (HJC0152), and the gradient pH variation is further sensed in the TME of PDAC to achieve a higher penetration by reversing its surficial charges. The escorted prodrugs can release GEM intracellularly, and respond to the hypoxic condition to yield the parental STAT3 inhibitor HJC0152, respectively. By inhibiting STAT3, the tumor immunosuppression microenvironment can be re-educated through the reversion of M2-like tumor associated macrophages (M2-TAMs), recruitment of cytotoxic T lymphocytes and downregulation of regulatory T cells (Treg s). Furthermore, cytidine deaminase (CDA) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression can be downregulated, plus the lipid modification of GEM, the drug resistance of GEM can be greatly relieved. Based on the above design, a synergetic therapeutic efficacy in PDAC treatment can be achieved to provide more opportunity for clinical applications.

The clinical applicability of percutaneous splenic vein stent implantation for pancreatic portal hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic portal hypertension (PPH) is a type of extrahepatic portal hypertension. We compared the clinical efficacy of different treatment methods for PPH caused by splenic vein stenosis in chronic pancreatitis. METHODS: This article retrospectively analyzed the PPH cases that were caused by splenic vein stenosis after chronic pancreatitis. Patients were divided into three groups according to the different treatments: splenic vein stent implantation (stent group), splenectomy, and only medications (conservative group). The treatment effects from each group were compared. RESULTS: A total of 33 patients were retrospectively analyzed in this study (9, 12, and 12 patients in each group respectively). All the procedures were successful in the stent and splenectomy groups. During the follow-up, no patient had gastrointestinal bleeding recurrence in the stent and splenectomy groups. However, in the conservative group, the incidence of portal hypertensive gastropathy and upper gastrointestinal bleeding were 50% and 25%. In the stent group, all the varicose veins at the base of the stomach had shrunk by varying degrees, and the red color signs regressed. The stent patency rate was 100%. No major complication occurred. The average platelet count at 1, 3, 6-months postoperatively were all significantly higher than the preoperative value (P < 0.05). The average postoperative hospital stay duration was significantly shorter than that of the splenectomy group (3.1 ± 1.4 days vs. 16.1 ± 8.1 days; P < 0.05). In the splenectomy group, postoperative fever occurred in 4 patients. Postoperative infection occurred in 2 patients (one with abdominal cavity infection and the other with incision infection). Delayed abdominal bleeding occurred in one patient. Portal vein thrombosis occurred in 2 patients during follow up. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous splenic vein stent implantation for PPH treatment reduces the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding with minimal invasive. It has a high safety and reliable efficacy and is worthy of further clinical promotion.

An allosteric PGAM1 inhibitor effectively suppresses pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Glycolytic enzyme phosphoglycerate mutase 1 (PGAM1) plays a critical role in cancer metabolism by coordinating glycolysis and biosynthesis. A well-validated PGAM1 inhibitor, however, has not been reported for treating pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), which is one of the deadliest malignancies worldwide. By uncovering the elevated PGAM1 expressions were statistically related to worse prognosis of PDAC in a cohort of 50 patients, we developed a series of allosteric PGAM1 inhibitors by structure-guided optimization. The compound KH3 significantly suppressed proliferation of various PDAC cells by down-regulating the levels of glycolysis and mitochondrial respiration in correlation with PGAM1 expression. Similar to PGAM1 depletion, KH3 dramatically hampered the canonic pathways highly involved in cancer metabolism and development. Additionally, we observed the shared expression profiles of several signature pathways at 12 h after treatment in multiple PDAC primary cells of which the matched patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models responded similarly to KH3 in the 2 wk treatment. The better responses to KH3 in PDXs were associated with higher expression of PGAM1 and longer/stronger suppressions of cancer metabolic pathways. Taken together, our findings demonstrate a strategy of targeting cancer metabolism by PGAM1 inhibition in PDAC. Also, this work provided "proof of concept" for the potential application of metabolic treatment in clinical practice.

A retrospective study of CT-guided percutaneous irreversible electroporation (IRE) ablation: clinical efficacy and safety.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of ablating renal cell carcinoma (RCC) by irreversible electroporation (IRE). METHODS: Fifteen patients (19 lesions) with RCC who underwent IRE were retrospectively reviewed. Seven patients had solitary kidneys. Two lesions were located in the renal hilus. One patient had chronic renal insufficiency. Percutaneous biopsy for histopathology was performed. The best puncture path plan was evaluated before CT-guided IRE. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was compared vs baseline at 1-2 months after the ablation. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography imaging changes were evaluated immediately after IRE. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography/magnetic resonance was performed 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months and every year thereafter. The complications after treatment were also reviewed. RESULTS: The success rate of the procedure was 100%. The median tumor size was 2.4 (IQR 1.3-2.9) cm, with an median score of 6 (IQR 5.5-8) per R.E.N.A.L. criteria (radius, exophytic/endophytic, nearness to collecting system or sinus, anterior/posterior, and location relative to polar lines). Two cases (3 lesions) were punctured through the liver. In other cases, puncture was performed through the perirenal space. There were no severecomplications in interventional therapy. Transient gross hematuria occurred in 2 patients (centrally located). Self-limiting perinephric hematomas occurred in 1 patient. Needle puncture path metastasis was found in 1 patient 2.5 years after IRE. The subcutaneous metastasis was surgically removed, and there was no evidence of recurrence. There was no significant change in eGFR levels in terms of short- term clinical outcomes (t = 0.348, P = 0.733). At 6 months, all 15 patients with imaging studies available had no evidence of recurrence. At 1 year, 1 patient (1 of 15) was noted to have experienced needle tract metastasis and accepted salvage radiofrequency ablation (RFA) therapy. CONCLUSIONS: IRE appears to be a safe and effective treatment for RCC that may offer a tissue-sparing method and complete ablation as an alternative therapy for RCC.

Immunological effect of irreversible electroporation on hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: This study intends to investigate the immunological effects of tumor ablation with irreversible electroporation (IRE). METHODS: We evaluated the systemic immune response in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after IRE treatment. Furthermore, we analyzed the tumor infiltrating T lymphocytes and the level of serum cytokines in IRE and control groups of tumor-bearing mice. RESULTS: We observed that IRE induced an increase in WBC, neutrophil and monocyte counts and a decrease in lymphocyte count 1 day post-IRE and returned to baseline values within 7 days in the patients. Meanwhile, circulating CD4+ T cell subsets, but not CD8+, decreased 1 day post-IRE. The activated T cells and natural killer (NK) cells increased, and regulatory T (Treg) cells decreased. Furthermore, a significant increase in cytotoxic CD8+ T cells infiltration was observed on ablative tumors in mice. The level of serum IFN-γ also significantly increased in the IRE group. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that IRE upregulated activated T cells and downregulated Tregs in the peripheral blood of patients. Meanwhile, the results from the animal model indicated that IRE could induce antitumor adaptive immunity dominated by the infiltration of cytotoxic CD8+ T cells into the tumors, accompanied by reduced Tregs.

Risk factors for developing high-output ileostomy in CRC patients: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Anastomotic leakage is one of the most serious postoperative complications of rectal cancer. Prophylactic ileostomy has been widely used to reduce the risk and severity of complications of anastomotic leakage. However, prophylactic ileostomy itself has some complications, and ileostomy high output syndrome (HOS) is one of them. This study was performed to explore the risk factors of HOS in ileostomy. METHODS: A total of 114 patients with HOS were screened out from 494 eligible ileostomy patients in the last 5 years. The relationship between HOS and the clinicopathological data was analyzed using the Chi-square test and Fisher's exact probability. Multivariate analysis was performed by logistic regression. RESULTS: The incidence of HOS was 23.07% in this study. Dehydration was the most common symptom of HOS (37.7%). There was no clear correlation between HOS occurrence with sex, age, gross typing, histological grade, tumor location, lymph node metastasis, and TNM stage (p > 0.05). The incidence of HOS was 14/18 in inflammatory bowel disease patients, 18/28 in diabetes mellitus patients, and 23/72 in neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy patients, 13/17 in total colectomy and abdominal infection patients. Multivariate analysis showed that they are risk factors for HOS (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: HOS occurred occasionally but rarely studied and lacks attention. Inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes mellitus, neoadjuvant radiotherapy chemotherapy, total colectomy and abdominal infection are the risk factors for HOS.

Cleaner agricultural production in drinking-water source areas for the control of non-point source pollution in China.

With continuous population growth and acceleration of urbanization in China, environmental problems in drinking-water source areas have become increasingly prominent. In some places, domestic wastewater and aquaculture sewage are directly discharged into water bodies without any treatment. Also, large amounts of domestic garbage and aquaculture waste are often randomly stacked, seriously polluting the surrounding groundwater and surface water and deteriorating the water quality. Notably, some agricultural production activities can also cause non-point source pollution, resulting from eutrophication of water bodies. In some instances, these activities can lead to nitrogen losses of 0.7%-83.9% and phosphorus losses of 0.6%-82.8%. In view of this situation, the implementation of cleaner agricultural production is of great significance for protecting the environment in drinking-water source areas and maintaining drinking-water safety. Specific practicable measures include formula fertilization through soil testing, integrated pest management, and water-saving irrigation technology. For the livestock- and poultry-breeding industry, it is necessary for large-scale farms to construct excreta discharge treatment facilities, carry out harmless treatment and resource utilization of organic wastes, establish rural biogas septic tanks, and make use of domestic-sewage and livestock-breeding wastewaters. Also, fixed garbage-dumping sites should be built in rural water-source areas, and a unified garbage-disposal station set up to reduce the pollution discharge of domestic garbage. Moreover, it is crucial to strictly control the development and utilization of hillsides in the middle and upper reaches of the drinking-water source area, as well as strengthen the restoration of vegetation and the construction of soil and water conservation forests in these areas.

Thermally sensitive fluorescence imaging system for radiofrequency ablation guidance.

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has been clinically used as a minimally invasive procedure for the treatment of many solid tumors. However, the current imaging techniques have some shortages in RFA guidance, especially for the assessment of the margin of ablation. Herein, we developed a novel optical imaging platform to guide RFA utilizing fluorescence resonance energy transfer from a thermally sensitive fluorescent protein conjugated to a near-infrared fluorescent dye. Additionally, attaching receptor-targeting ligands further equipped the system with high specificity to tumors overexpressing the targeted receptor.

SUMO-fusion and autoinduction-based combinatorial approach for enhanced production of bioactive human interleukin-24 in Escherichia coli.

High-level production of recombinant human interleukin-24 (IL-24), a multifunctional immunomodulatory cytokine, has been challenging due primarily to its aggregation as inclusion bodies in the bacterial host while persistent poor-expression in the insect/mammalian expression systems. The present study presents a robust, vector-host combination (pE-SUMO-IL24), auto-inducible medium (YNG/M9NG), and a simple purification scheme for soluble, bioactive, and cost-effective production of native-like IL-24 (nIL-24) in Escherichia coli. The final protein yield, following a three-step purification scheme (IMAC, SEC, dialysis), was 98 mg/L in shake-flask culture (with scale-up potential), which was several folds higher than reported earlier. In vitro cytotoxicity assays with HeLa and HCT116 cancer cell lines (performed using different concentrations of nIL-24) and the fluorescence activated cell sorting analysis (FACS) revealed a dose- and concentration-dependent increase in the population of pro-apoptotic cells with concomitant, statistically significant drop in the number of cells existent at Go/G1-, S-, and G2/M-phases (P < 0.002). The bioactive nIL-24, developed through this study, holds promise for use in further functional characterizations/applications. KEY POINTS: • Yeast SUMO fusion partner at N-terminus for improved solubility of an otherwise insoluble IL-24 in E. coli. • Enhanced cell densities with concomitant several-fold increase in protein yield by lactose-inducible media. • Improved inhibition of cervical and colorectal carcinomas by native-like nIL-24 compared with Met-containing IL. • Heterologous nIL-24 may enable better understanding of the functional intricacies linked up with its unique cancer-specific features. Graphical abstract.

KDM4B promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition through up-regulation of ZEB1 in pancreatic cancer.

Lysine (K)-specific demethylase 4B (KDM4B) is a histone H3K9 demethylase and is reported to activate gene transcription through regulation of chromatin structures. Previous research has revealed that KDM4B plays special regulatory roles in colorectal, prostate and gastric cancers. However, its physiological role in pancreatic cancer remains largely unknown. In the present study, it is demonstrated KDM4B plays a crucial in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in pancreatic cancer. siRNA mediated silencing of KDM4B inhibits cell migration, invasion and EMT. Moreover, KDM4B was demonstrated to epigenetically regulate the expression of ZEB1 in the TGF-ß-induced EMT process. In tumor tissues of pancreatic cancer patient, the protein level of KDM4B was positively correlated with ZEB1. In conclusion, our results suggested that KDM4B is a key mediator in EMT process, and may serve as an important prognostic marker and therapeutic target for the metastatic progression of human pancreatic cancer.

Ethnicity modifies the association between functional microRNA polymorphisms and breast cancer risk: a HuGE meta-analysis.

Common functional polymorphisms in the promoter region of microRNAs (miRNAs), based on multiple lines of evidence, might participate in transcriptional regulation and other biological processes, which interact to increase the risk of developing breast cancer. Since 2005, many studies have investigated the association between breast cancer risk and common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in miRNAs. However, the findings of several meta-analyses are inconclusive or ambiguous. The aim of this Human Genome Epidemiology meta-analysis was to determine more precisely the relationship between common miRNA polymorphisms and breast cancer risk. Twelve case-control studies with a total of 7,170 breast cancer patients and 8,783 healthy controls were included. Eight SNPs in miRNA genes were examined. When all eligible studies were pooled in the meta-analysis, the miR-196a-2 rs11614913*T, miR-499 rs3746444*T, and miR-605 rs2043556*A alleles predicted a decreased risk of breast cancer among Asians, while not Caucasians. In addition, the miR-27a rs895919*C allele might be a protective factor for breast cancer among Caucasians. However, for the miR-146a rs2910164 (G>C), miR-149 rs2292832 (G>T), miR-373 rs12983273 (C>T), and miR-423 rs6505162 (C>A) polymorphisms, we failed to find any significant association with the risk of breast cancer in any genetic model. In conclusion, the current meta-analysis supports that the miR-196a-2 rs11614913*T, miR-499 rs3746444*T, miR-605 rs2043556*A, and miR-27a rs895919*C alleles might be protective factors for breast cancer.

Selection of endovascular treatment strategies and analysis of the efficacy of different locations and types of splenic artery aneurysms.

PURPOSE: To analyze the selection of endovascular treatment strategies and the efficacy of various locations and types of splenic artery aneurysms (SAAs). METHODS: Sixty-three cases of patients diagnosed with SAA from January 2016 to October 2021 were collected, and their clinical data and follow-up results were analyzed. RESULTS: Among the 63 patients, 55 had true SAAs, and 8 had false SAAs. The average diameter of the true SAAs was 2.0 ± 0.8 cm. There were 10 cases of intra-aneurysm embolization, 24 cases of intra-aneurysm and aneurysm-bearing artery embolization, 10 cases of bare stent-assisted coil embolization, and 11 cases of stent grafts. The false SAAs had an average diameter of 2.3 ± 1.1 cm. Aneurysm-bearing artery embolization was applied in 5 cases, and stent grafts were applied in 3 cases. The incidence of complications after embolization of the aneurysm-bearing artery was higher (P < 0.01). Postembolization syndrome occurred in 10 patients; 7 patients developed splenic infarction to varying degrees, 1 patient had mildly elevated blood amylase, and 1 patient developed splenic necrosis with abscess formation, all of which improved after active treatment. The average length of hospital stay was 5.5 ± 3.2 days. The average follow-up time was 17.2 ± 16.1 months, and the aneurysm cavity of all patients was completely thrombotic. CONCLUSION: Endovascular treatments of SAAs are safe and effective. For various locations and types of SAAs, adequate selection of treatment is necessary. Stent grafts are recommended for their safety, economy, practicality, and preservation of the physiological functions of the human body.

Performance of magnetic resonance elastography and diffusion-weighted imaging for the staging of hepatic fibrosis: A meta-analysis.

UNLABELLED: A meta-analysis was performed to assess and compare the accuracies of magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) for the staging of hepatic fibrosis. Online journal databases and a manual search from January 2000 to May 2011 were used. We identified 41 studies, but only 14 met the criteria to perform a meta-analysis assessing MRE (five trials) or DWI (10 trials). Fibrosis was categorized by redistribution into five stages according to histopathological description. A bivariate binomial model was used to combine the sensitivity and specificity and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs), from which diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), positive likelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR), and summary receiver operating characteristic (sROC) were derived to indicate the diagnostic accuracy of imaging modalities. With MRE, the sensitivity, specificity, DOR, PLR, NLR, and area under sROC curve (with 95% CIs) for staging F0 ∼ F1 versus F2 ∼ F4 and F0 ∼ F2 versus F3 ∼ F4 were 0.94 (0.81-0.98), 0.95 (0.87-0.98), 20 (7-57), 0.06 (0.02-0.22), 317 (55-1,796), 0.98 (0.97-0.99) and 0.92 (0.85-0.96), 0.96 (0.91-0.98), 21 (10-45), 0.08 (0.04-0.16), 251 (103-609), and 0.98 (0.96-0.99), respectively; and with DWI, these values were 0.77 (0.71-0.82), 0.78 (0.69-0.85), 3 (2-5), 0.30 (0.22-0.40), 12 (6-21), 0.83 (0.79-0.86) and 0.72 (0.60-0.81), 0.84 (0.77-0.89), 5 (3-7), 0.34 (0.23-0.50), 13 (6-29), and 0.86 (0.83-0.89), respectively. A z test demonstrated that MRE had a significantly higher accuracy than DWI in those indicators (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: MRE is more reliable for staging hepatic fibrosis, compared with DWI, with a high combination of sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratios, DOR, and area under sROC curve.

Appendiceal mucocele: A diagnostic dilemma in differentiating malignant from benign lesions with CT.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of using CT to differentiate malignant from benign lesions in patients with pathologically confirmed appendiceal mucoceles. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CT scans of 18 consecutively registered patients (11 men, seven women; age range, 21-78 years) with pathologically confirmed appendiceal mucocele were reviewed retrospectively. Patients were classified into three groups according to pathologic results: nonneoplastic mucocele (n = 3), mucinous cystadenoma (n = 10), and mucinous cystadenocarcinoma (n = 5). The nonneoplastic and mucinous cystadenoma groups were formed into a benign group, and the mucinous cystadenocarcinoma constituted the malignant group. Two experienced radiologists working in consensus assessed the shape, short diameter, density, contour, and wall thickness of the masses. The presence of calcifications, internal septations, soft-tissue thickening, periappendiceal fat stranding, intraperitoneal free fluid and pseudomyxoma peritonei were also evaluated. The CT results were compared for malignant and benign appendiceal mucoceles. RESULTS: CT showed statistically significant differences in wall irregularity and soft-tissue thickening between malignant and benign cases (p < 0.05). Short diameter of mucoceles, attenuation of intraluminal contents, maximal wall thickness, calcifications, internal septations, periappendiceal fat stranding, intraperitoneal free fluid, and pseudomyxoma peritonei in the lesions did not differ significantly between the benign and malignant groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Differentiating malignant from benign mucoceles can be difficult with CT. Irregular walls and soft-tissue thickening are features most likely to be associated with malignancy.

Recent Advancements on Self-Immolative System Based on Dynamic Covalent Bonds for Delivering Heterogeneous Payloads.

The precisely spatial-temporal delivery of heterogeneous payloads from a single system with the same pulse is in great demand in realizing versatile and synergistic functions. Very few molecular architectures can satisfy the strict requirements of dual-release translated from single triggers, while the self-immolative systems based on dynamic covalent bonds represent the "state-of-art" of ultimate solution strategy. Embedding heterogeneous payloads symmetrically onto the self-immolative backbone with dynamic covalent bonds as the trigger, can respond to the quasi-bio-orthogonal hallmarks which are higher at the disease's microenvironment to simultaneously yield the heterogeneous payloads (drug A/drug B or drug/reporter). In this review, the modular design principles are concentrated to illustrate the rules in tailoring useful structures, then the rational applications are enumerated on the aspects of drug codelivery and visualized drug-delivery. This review, hopefully, can give the general readers a comprehensive understanding of the self-immolative systems based on dynamic covalent bonds for delivering heterogeneous payloads.

Tungsten-based nanoparticles as contrast agents for liver tumor detection using dual-energy computed tomography.

Dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) is a commonly used imaging technique for detecting and diagnosing liver cancer. Currently, it is performed using clinically approved iodinated small molecule contrast agents (CAs). However, these iodinated CAs have several drawbacks, including sub-optimal contrast generation and contra-indication in patients with renal insufficiency. Herein, we synthesized tungsten-based CAs (i.e., WO3-x NPs) with excellent biocompatibility and investigated their effectiveness in DECT imaging. WO3-x NPs significantly enhanced the contrast between liver tumors and normal liver tissues as indicated by in vivo DECT imaging. Furthermore, WO3-x NPs exhibited excellent biocompatibility and minimal systemic toxicity. This study introduces a novel class of CAs for DECT and presents a promising method for accurate early diagnosis of liver tumors.

Ratiometric Fluorescence and Afterglow Lifetime Dual-Channel Nanoprobe for Simultaneous Imaging of HOCl and Temperature in Arthritis.

Arthritis is a joint disorder that potentially causes permanent joint damage and eventual disability without effective treatment. Clinical detection methods, including in vitro blood tests and anatomical imaging, still have limitations in achieving real-time in situ early detection of arthritis. In this work, a dual-channel luminescence nanoprobe (AGNPs-Cy7) is reported, which combines a cyanine dye and a photochemical reaction-based afterglow system for real-time in vivo imaging of arthritis. AGNPs-Cy7 simultaneously detect hypochlorous acid (HOCl) and temperature, two important indicators associated with the early development of arthritis, by monitoring the respective changes in independent ratiometric fluorescence and afterglow lifetime signals. The anti-interference properties of both the ratiometric fluorescence signal and afterglow lifetime signal enhance sensing accuracy compared to the single luminescence intensity. The developed probe successfully reveals the simultaneous increase in HOCl concentration and temperature in an arthritis mouse model.

Facile TMSOTf-catalyzed preparation of 2-deoxy α-O-aryl-D-glycosides from glycosyl acetates.

2-Deoxy α-O-aryl glycosides were conveniently obtained by reaction of 2-deoxy-glycosyl acetates with phenols in the presence of TMSOTf as the promoter. The current method provides the O-aryl glycosides with good to excellent yields, and sole alpha selectivity.

An NIR-II Photothermally Triggered "Oxygen Bomb" for Hypoxic Tumor Programmed Cascade Therapy.

Hypoxia, as a characteristic feature of solid tumors, has a close relationship with tumor resistance to photodynamic therapy (PDT) and chemotherapy. Perfluorocarbon (PFC) is reported to relieve hypoxic in solid tumors by acting as an oxygen carrier via several nanostructures. However, the oxygen delivery process is mostly driven by a concentration gradient, which is uncontrollable. Herein, a photothermally controlled "oxygen bomb" PSPP-Au980 -D is designed by encapsulating a PFC core within a functionalized bilayer polymer shell. Near-infrared second window photothermal agent gold nanorods with excellent photo-to-heat energy-conversion ability are fabricated on the surface of the polymer shell via an innovative modified two-step seedless ex situ growth process to thermally trigger O2  release. Then, a programmed cascade therapy strategy is customized for hypoxic orthotopic pancreatic cancer. First, PSPP-Au980 -D is irradiated by a 980 nm laser to photothermally trigger O2  infusing into the hypoxic tumor microenvironment, which is accompanied by local hyperemia and doxorubicin release. Subsequently, a 680 nm laser is used to generate singlet oxygen in the oxygenated tumor microenvironment for PDT. This choreographed programmed cascade therapy strategy will provide a new route for suppressing hypoxic tumor growth under mild conditions based on controllable and effective oxygen release.