An ER-targeted, Viscosity-sensitive Hemicyanine Dye for the Diagnosis of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver and Photodynamic Cancer Therapy by Activating Pyroptosis Pathway.

The concept of molecular design, integrating diagnostic and therapeutic functions, aligns with the general trend of modern medical advancement. Herein, we rationally designed the smart molecule ER-ZS for endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-targeted diagnosis and treatment in cell and animal models by combining hemicyanine dyes with ER-targeted functional groups (p-toluenesulfonamide). Owing to its ability to target the ER with a highly specific response to viscosity, ER-ZS demonstrated substantial fluorescence turn-on only after binding to the ER, independent of other physiological environments. In addition, ER-ZS, being a small molecule, allows for the diagnosis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) via liver imaging based on high ER stress. Importantly, ER-ZS is a type I photosensitizer, producing O2 ⋅- and ⋅OH under light irradiation. Thus, after irradiating for a certain period, the photodynamic therapy inflicted severe oxidative damage to the ER of tumor cells in hypoxic (2 % O2 ) conditions and activated the unique pyroptosis pathway, demonstrating excellent antitumor capacity in xenograft tumor models. Hence, the proposed strategy will likely shed new light on integrating molecular optics for NAFLD diagnosis and cancer therapy.

Activatable Near-Infrared Versatile Fluorescent and Chemiluminescent Dyes Based on the Dicyanomethylene-4H-pyran Scaffold: From Design to Imaging and Theranostics.

Activatable fluorescent and chemiluminescent dyes with near-infrared emission have indispensable roles in the fields of bioimaging, molecular prodrugs, and phototheranostic agents. As one of the most popular fluorophore scaffolds, the dicyanomethylene-4H-pyran scaffold has been applied to fabricate a large number of versatile activatable optical dyes for analytes detection and diseases diagnosis and treatment by virtue of its high photostability, large Stokes shift, considerable two-photon absorption cross-section, and structural modifiability. This review discusses the molecular design strategies, recognition mechanisms, and both in vitro and in vivo bio-applications (especially for diagnosis and therapy of tumors) of activatable dicyanomethylene-4H-pyran dyes. The final section describes the current shortcomings and future development prospects of this topic.

Long-term trends in inorganic aerosol chemical composition and chemistry at an urban and rural site in the northeastern US.

Atmospheric nitrate and sulfate are major inorganic particulate matter components that impact human and ecosystem health and air quality. Over the last several decades, emissions of the precursor gases, nitrogen oxides (NOx = NO + NO2) and sulfur dioxide (SO2), have dramatically decreased in the US in response to federal regulations. However, the response in concentrations of particulate nitrate (pNO3) and sulfate (pSO4) have not followed predictions due to complex non-linear chemistry feedbacks that may differ amongst environments (i.e., urban vs. rural). In this study, we explored the long-term response of particle chemistry for urban and rural environments in southern New England, a region historically impacted by NOx and SO2 emissions. Particulate matter (PM10) samples collected via the same method from 2005 to 2015 at urban and rural locations in Rhode Island were analyzed for their major inorganic components, and air mass trajectories and statistical analysis were used to identify source regions over time. Our results indicated a significant urban-rural aerosol chemical composition gradient for sampling locations within 40 km. Over time, as anthropogenic influences have decreased, the relative contribution of marine and crustal sources has increased greatly, impacting fine and coarse particle chemistry in recent years. Total mass concentrations of chemical species, particularly anthropogenic pSO4 and particulate ammonium (pNH4), have shown dramatic decreases over the ten years at both the urban and rural sites; however, pNO3 concentration increased by 95 % and 57 % in the urban and rural sites, respectively, despite significant NOx emission reductions. Our results demonstrate that changes in chemical mechanisms due to the decrease in SO2 emissions contributed to decreases in pNH4, along with enhanced pNO3 concentration. Furthermore, the change in SO2 emissions has significantly impacted the atmospheric lifetime and transport distance of pNH4, favoring more localized contributions in recent years.

Fluorescent dyes based on rhodamine derivatives for bioimaging and therapeutics: recent progress, challenges, and prospects.

Since their inception, rhodamine dyes have been extensively applied in biotechnology as fluorescent markers or for the detection of biomolecules owing to their good optical physical properties. Accordingly, they have emerged as a powerful tool for the visualization of living systems. In addition to fluorescence bioimaging, the molecular design of rhodamine derivatives with disease therapeutic functions (e.g., cancer and bacterial infection) has recently attracted increased research attention, which is significantly important for the construction of molecular libraries for diagnostic and therapeutic integration. However, reviews focusing on integrated design strategies for rhodamine dye-based diagnosis and treatment and their wide application in disease treatment are extremely rare. In this review, first, a brief history of the development of rhodamine fluorescent dyes, the transformation of rhodamine fluorescent dyes from bioimaging to disease therapy, and the concept of optics-based diagnosis and treatment integration and its significance to human development are presented. Next, a systematic review of several excellent rhodamine-based derivatives for bioimaging, as well as for disease diagnosis and treatment, is presented. Finally, the challenges in practical integration of rhodamine-based diagnostic and treatment dyes and the future outlook of clinical translation are also discussed.

Effects of nursing professionalism and self-efficacy on job embeddedness in nurses.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effects of nursing professionalism on job embeddedness to stay in hospital nurses. Methods: This cross-sectional survey recruited 438 nurses working at four general hospitals and three small to medium hospitals in K province, South Korea. Data were collected from June 10 to September 10, 2022 using structured questionnaires and then analyzed with IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 25.0. Results: The scores, out of 5.0, were 3.30 for nursing professionalism, 3.73 for self-efficacy, and 3.15 for job embeddedness. The three variables were different according to participants' general characteristics. The correlation between self-efficacy and nursing professionalism had a positive correlation to job embeddedness. Nursing professionalism had a mediating effect on the relation between self-efficacy and job embeddedness. Self-efficacy exerted an influence on organizational commitment through the mediating effect of nursing professionalism and is expected to lay the foundation for the promotion of job embeddedness. Conclusion: To increase nurses' job embeddedness, nursing and hospital managers must develop and implement programs that help improve nurses' self-efficacy and nursing professionalism to adjust well in their organization.

Infection-Induced Rhabdomyolysis in a Pregnant Woman with Undiagnosed Myotonic Dystrophy: A Case Report.

A 34-year-old nulliparous gravid female presented with acute bilateral pyelonephritis at 29 + 5 weeks gestation. The patient was relatively well until two weeks ago when a slight increase in amniotic fluid was noted. Further investigation revealed myoglobinuria and significantly elevated levels of creatine phosphokinase. The patient was subsequently diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis. Twelve hours after admission, the patient noted reduced fetal movements. A non-stress test revealed fetal bradycardia and non-reassuring variability in fetal heart rate. An emergency cesarean section was performed, and a "floppy" female child was delivered. Genetic testing revealed congenital myotonic dystrophy, and the mother was also diagnosed with myotonic dystrophy. Rhabdomyolysis has a very low incidence in pregnancy. Herein, we report a rare case of myotonic dystrophy with rhabdomyolysis in a gravid female with no history of myotonic dystrophy. Acute pyelonephritis is a causative agent of rhabdomyolysis that results in preterm birth.

ATF4-activated parkin induction contributes to deferasirox-mediated cytoprotection in Parkinson's disease.

The E3 ubiquitin ligase parkin plays neuroprotective functions in the brain and the deficits of parkin's ligase function in Parkinson's disease (PD) is associated with reduced survival of dopaminergic neurons. Thus, compounds enhancing parkin expression have been developed as potential neuroprotective agents that prevent ongoing neurodegeneration in PD environments. Besides, iron chelators have been shown to have neuroprotective effects in diverse neurological disorders including PD. Although repression of iron accumulation and oxidative stress in brains has been implicated in their marked neuroprotective potential, molecular mechanisms of iron chelator's neuroprotective function are largely unexplored. Here, we show that the iron chelator deferasirox provides cytoprotection against oxidative stress through enhancing parkin expression under basal conditions. Parkin expression is required for cytoprotection against oxidative stress in SH-SY5Y cells with deferasirox treatment as confirmed by abolished deferasirox's cytoprotective effect after parkin knockdown by shRNA. Similar to the previously reported parkin inducing compound diaminodiphenyl sulfone, deferasirox-mediated parkin expression was induced by activation of the PERK-ATF4 pathway, which is associated with and stimulated by mild endoplasmic reticulum stress. The translational potential of deferasirox for PD treatment was further evaluated in cultured mouse dopaminergic neurons. There was a robust ATF4 activation and parkin expression in response to deferasirox treatment in dopaminergic neurons under basal conditions. Consequently, the enhanced parkin expression by deferasirox provided substantial neuroprotection against 6-hydroxydopamine-induced oxidative stress. Taken together, our study results revealed a novel mechanism through which an iron chelator, deferasirox induces neuroprotection. Since parkin function in the brain is compromised in PD and during aging, maintenance of parkin expression through the iron chelator treatment could be beneficial by increasing dopaminergic neuronal survival.

Involvement of CYP3A4 and MDR1 in altered metabolism and transport of indinavir in 1,25(OH)2D3-treated Caco-2 cells.

Altered drug concentrations may induce unexpected toxicity or treatment failure; thus, understanding the factors that alter the pharmacokinetic profiles of drugs is crucial for optimal disease treatment. Vitamin D receptor (VDR), a nuclear receptor, regulates the expression of cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) and multidrug resistance protein 1 (MDR1), which are crucial determinants of drug pharmacokinetics. In this study, we investigated the effects of 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3], a VDR ligand, on the metabolism, transport, and pharmacokinetics of indinavir, a dual substrate of CYP3A4 and MDR1. 1,25(OH)2D3 treatment for three days upregulated the expression levels of CYP3A4 and MDR1 in Caco-2 cells and consequently led to an increase in the level of a metabolite formed via CYP3A4 (indinavir M6) and the efflux ratio of indinavir in transport study. The increase in the metabolic reaction was also confirmed through a metabolism assay performed using the lysate of 1,25(OH)2D3-treated Caco-2 cells. In the Ussing chamber study conducted with the rat intestine, 1,25(OH)2D3 treatment did not alter the transport of indinavir into the basolateral side but increased indinavir M6 formation. Similarly, plasma levels of the metabolite increased in 1,25(OH)2D3-treated rats; however, systemic exposure to indinavir led to insignificant alterations. Considering the overlapping substrate specificities for CYP3A4 and MDR1 and their significant roles in drug pharmacokinetics, VDR may play an important role in drug interactions of CYP3A4 and MDR1 substrates for accessing more effective and safe disease treatments.

Recent advances in fluorescent and colorimetric chemosensors for the detection of chemical warfare agents: a legacy of the 21st century.

Chemical warfare agents (CWAs) are among the most prominent threats to the human population, our peace, and social stability. Therefore, their detection and quantification are of utmost importance to ensure the security and protection of mankind. In recent years, significant developments have been made in supramolecular chemistry, analytical chemistry, and molecular sensors, which have improved our capability to detect CWAs. Fluorescent and colorimetric chemosensors are attractive tools that allow the selective, sensitive, cheap, portable, and real-time analysis of the potential presence of CWAs, where suitable combinations of selective recognition and transduction can be integrated. In this review, we provide a detailed discussion on recently reported molecular sensors with a specific focus on the sensing of each class of CWAs such as nerve agents, blister agents, blood agents, and other toxicants. We will also discuss the current technology used by military forces, and these discussions will include the type of instrumentation and established protocols. Finally, we will conclude this review with our outlook on the limitations and challenges in the area and summarize the potential of promising avenues for this field.

Pharmacological inhibition of AIMP2 aggregation attenuates α-synuclein aggregation and toxicity in Parkinson's disease.

The aggregation of aminoacyl transfer RNA synthetase complex-interacting multifunctional protein-2 (AIMP2) accelerates α-synuclein aggregation via direct interaction, leading to enhanced dopaminergic neurotoxicity in Parkinson's disease (PD). Thus, it would be beneficial to prevent AIMP2 aggregation to suppress α-synucleinopathy in PD. In this study, we screened small compounds that could inhibit the in vitro aggregation of AIMP2 using a 1909 small-compound library. The AIMP2 inhibitors (SAI-04, 06, and 08) with the most effective inhibition of AIMP2 aggregation bind to AIMP2, disaggregate the pre-formed AIMP2 aggregates, and prevented AIMP2/α-synuclein coaggregation and cytotoxicity in SH-SY5Y cells. Moreover, AIMP2 inhibitors prevented α-synuclein preformed fibril (PFF)-induced pathological AIMP2 aggregation in both mouse cortical and embryonic stem cell-derived human dopaminergic neurons, thereby blocking PFF-induced α-synuclein aggregation and neurotoxicity. Collectively, our results suggest that the use of brain-permeable AIMP2 aggregation inhibitors may serve as an effective therapeutic strategy for α-synucleinopathy in PD.

Tumor Selective Metabolic Reprogramming as a Prospective PD-L1 Depression Strategy to Reactivate Immunotherapy.

Currently, the role of the lysosome, endoplasmic reticulum, or dictyosome in the transcription and translation of programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) is well revealed, but the role and function of mitochondria in the PD-L1 expression in tumors is still not fully researched, making it hard to offer a novel PD-L1 regulation strategy. In this research, it is newly revealed that mitochondria oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) depression can be used as an effective PD-L1 down-regulation method. To offer an ideal and high-effective tumor mitochondria-targeted OXPHOS depression nanosystem, IR-LND is prepared by conjugating mitochondria-targeted heptamethine cyanine dye IR-68 with mitochondrial complexes I and II depression agent lonidamine (LND), which then further self-assembled with albumin (Alb) to form IR-LND@Alb nanoparticles. By doing this, PD-L1 expression in tumors is selectively and effectively depressed by IR-LND@Alb nanoparticles. As expected, the anti-tumor efficacy of such a PD-L1 depression strategy is superior to conventional anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibodies. Interestingly, IR-LND can also be served as a novel ideal promising photodynamic therapy (PDT) drug with self-oxygen and self-PD-L1 regulation capacity. All in all, this tumor-selective metabolic reprogramming platform to reactivate immunotherapy and sensitize for PDT effect, would open a new window for mitochondrial immunotherapy for cancer patients.

HMGB1 increases RAGE expression in vascular smooth muscle cells via ERK and p-38 MAPK-dependent pathways.

The increased expression of receptors for advanced glycation end-product (RAGE) is known as a key player in the progression of vascular remodeling. However, the precise signal pathways regulating RAGE expression in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in the injured vasculatures are unclear. Given the importance of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling in cell proliferation, we investigated the importance of MAPK signaling in high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1)-induced RAGE expression in VSMCs. In HMGB1 (100 ng/ml)-stimulated human VSMCs, the expression of RAGE mRNA and protein was increased in association with an increase in AGE-induced VSMC proliferation. The HMGB1-induced RAGE expression was attenuated in cells pretreated with inhibitors for ERK (PD98059, 10 µM) and p38 MAPK (SB203580, 10 µM) as well as in cells deficient in ERK and p38 MAPK using siRNAs, but not in cells deficient of JNK signaling. In cells stimulated with HMGB1, the phosphorylation of ERK, JNK, and p38 MAPK was increased. This increase in ERK and p38 MAPK phosphorylation was inhibited by p38 MAPK and ERK inhibitors, respectively, but not by JNK inhibitor. Moreover, AGE-induced VSMC proliferation in HMGB1-stimulated cells was attenuated in cells treated with ERK and p38 MAPK inhibitors. Taken together, our results indicate that ERK and p38 MAPK signaling are involved in RAGE expression in HMGB1-stimulated VSMCs. Thus, the ERK/p38 MAPK-RAGE signaling axis in VSMCs was suggested as a potential therapeutic target for vascular remodeling in the injured vasculatures.

Synthetic Peucedanocoumarin IV Prevents α-Synuclein Neurotoxicity in an Animal Model of Parkinson's Disease.

Pathological protein inclusion formation and propagation are the main causes of neuronal dysfunction in diverse neurodegenerative diseases; therefore, current disease-modifying therapeutic strategies have targeted this disease protein aggregation process. Recently, we reported that peucedanocoumarin III (PCiii) is a promising therapeutic compound with the ability to disaggregate α-synuclein inclusion and protect dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson's disease (PD). Here, we found that trans-4'-acetyl-3'-tigloylkhellactone (racemic peucedanocoumarin IV [PCiv]), a structural isomer of PCiii with a higher synthetic yield presented a strong anti-aggregate activity to a degree comparable to that of PCiii. PCiv retained effective inhibitory function against ß-sheet aggregate-mimic ß23 cytotoxicities and potently prevented α-synucleinopathy in α-synuclein preformed fibril (PFF)-treated mice cortical neurons. In detailed pharmacokinetic profiling of PCiv, oral administration of PCiv in rats exhibited an approximately 97-min half-life and 10% bioavailability. Moreover, tissue distribution analysis revealed favorable profiles of brain penetration with a 6.4 brain-to-plasma concentration ratio. The therapeutic efficacy of PCiv was further evaluated in a sporadic PD mouse model with a combinatorial co-injection of α-synuclein preformed fibril and recombinant adeno-associated virus expressing α-synuclein. Motor dysfunctions induced in this combinatorial α-synucleinopathy PD mouse model was almost completely rescued by PCiv diet administration, and this therapeutic effect is consistent with the marked prevention of dopaminergic neuron loss and suppression of α-synuclein aggregation. Taken together, our translational study suggests that PCiv is advantageous as a therapeutic agent for neurodegenerative diseases, especially with its good synthetic yield, high brain distribution, and anti-aggregate activity. PCiv may be useful in the management of α-synuclein inclusion formation and propagation at different stages of PD.

Gender-Specific Factors Associated with Health-Related Quality of Life in Obese Korean Older Adults: Evidence from the 2020 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Given the increasing aging population in South Korea, the quality of life of older adults must be ensured. This cross-sectional descriptive study investigated the gender-specific factors associated with health-related quality of life in obese older adults aged 65 years and above based on Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHNES) 2020 data. In total, 507 obese Korean older adults participated in the 8th KNHNES. Chi-square tests and logistic regression analysis were performed to determine the variation in health-related quality of life according to socioeconomic and health-related factors and assess their inter-relationships. The influencing factors of health-related quality of life in obese Korean older adults were national health insurance (odds ratio (OR) = 1.02, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.40-2.21), private health insurance (OR = 0.36, 95% CI: 0.28-0.75), arthritis (OR = 6.64, 95% CI: 2.57-17.14), and good dietary lifestyle (OR = 0.07, 95% CI: 0.05-0.93) in men; and private health insurance (OR = 2.66, 95% CI: 1.05-6.72), arthritis (OR = 2.81, 95% CI: 1.44-5.51), and physical activity (OR = 4.33, 95% CI: 1.71-10.94) affected health-related quality of life in women. The importance of health behaviors should be considered in the development of health programs and interventions for improving the quality of life of older adults.

Structure-oriented design strategy to construct NIR AIEgens to selectively combat gram (+) multidrug-resistant bacteria in vivo.

Multidrug-resistant (MDR) gram-positive bacteria are an inevitable source of infection for hospitalized patients and one of the reasons for the increased proportion of severe diseases. Therefore, constructing smart agents for specific and effective combating infections in vivo caused by MDR gram-positive strains is very urgent. Herein, we reported a structure-oriented design strategy (SODS) to reasonably construct an organic photo-antimicrobial near-infrared (NIR) AIEgen BDPTV equipped with a phenylboronic acid moiety, which could be bound to the thick peptidoglycan layer of MDR gram-positive bacteria, resulting in a tight distribution with the cell wall in a confined space. Compared to the contrast compounds DQVTA and DPTVN, upon photoirradiation of AIEgen BDPTV, the generation of abundant and highly toxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) irreversibly destroys MDR gram-positive bacteria through photodynamic therapy, which is better than commercial photosensitizers (including methylene blue, chlorin e6, and protoporphyrin IX) and antibiotic (cefoxitin). As a proof of concept, in vitro experimental results showed that methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) were completely killed using AIEgen BDPTV. More importantly, AIEgen BDPTV was capable of successfully combating MRSA-infected wounds of mice, but not Escherichia coli (E. coli)-infected wounds. We hope that this strategy could provide a new method to design powerful AIEgens to avoid the overuse and misuse of antibiotics.

Acid-Responsive Nanoporphyrin Evolution for Near-Infrared Fluorescence-Guided Photo-Ablation of Biofilm.

Combating biofilm infections remains a challenge due to the shield and acidic conditions. Herein, an acid-responsive nanoporphyrin (PN3-NP) based on the self-assembly of a water-soluble porphyrin derivative (PN3) is constructed. Additional kinetic control sites formed by the conjugation of the spermine molecules to a porphyrin macrocycle make PN3 self-assemble into stable nanoparticles (PN3-NP) in the physiological environment. Noteworthily, near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence monitoring and synergistic photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photothermal therapy (PTT) effects of PN3-NP can be triggered by the acidity in biofilms, accompanied by intelligent transformation into dot-like nanospheres. Thus, damage to normal tissue is effectively avoided and accurate diagnosis and treatment of biofilms is achieved successfully. The good results of fluorescence imaging-guided photo-ablation of antibiotic-resistant strains methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) biofilms verify that PN3-NP is a promising alternative to antibiotics. Meanwhile, this strategy also opens new horizons to engineer smart nano-photosensitizer for accurate diagnosis and treatment of biofilms.

Activity-based NIR fluorescent probes based on the versatile hemicyanine scaffold: design strategy, biomedical applications, and outlook.

The discovery of a near-infrared (NIR, 650-900 nm) fluorescent chromophore hemicyanine dye with high structural tailorability is of great significance in the field of detection, bioimaging, and medical therapeutic applications. It exhibits many outstanding advantages including absorption and emission in the NIR region, tunable spectral properties, high photostability as well as a large Stokes shift. These properties are superior to those of conventional fluorogens, such as coumarin, fluorescein, naphthalimides, rhodamine, and cyanine. Researchers have made remarkable progress in developing activity-based multifunctional fluorescent probes based on hemicyanine skeletons for monitoring vital biomolecules in living systems through the output of fluorescence/photoacoustic signals, and integration of diagnosis and treatment of diseases using chemotherapy or photothermal/photodynamic therapy or combination therapy. These achievements prompted researchers to develop more smart fluorescent probes using a hemicyanine fluorogen as a template. In this review, we begin by describing the brief history of the discovery of hemicyanine dyes, synthetic approaches, and design strategies for activity-based functional fluorescent probes. Then, many selected hemicyanine-based probes that can detect ions, small biomolecules, overexpressed enzymes and diagnostic reagents for diseases are systematically highlighted. Finally, potential drawbacks and the outlook for future investigation and clinical medicine transformation of hemicyanine-based activatable functional probes are also discussed.

Reactivity Differences Enable ROS for Selective Ablation of Bacteria.

An effective strategy to engineer selective photodynamic agents to surmount bacterial-infected diseases, especially Gram-positive bacteria remains a great challenge. Herein, we developed two examples of compounds for a proof-of-concept study where reactive differences in reactive oxygen species (ROS) can induce selective ablation of Gram-positive bacteria. Sulfur-replaced phenoxazinium (NBS-N) mainly generates a superoxide anion radical capable of selectively killing Gram-positive bacteria, while selenium-substituted phenoxazinium (NBSe-N) has a higher generation of singlet oxygen that can kill both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. This difference was further evidenced by bacterial fluorescence imaging and morphological changes. Moreover, NBS-N can also successfully heal the Gram-positive bacteria-infected wounds in mice. We believe that such reactive differences may pave a general way to design selective photodynamic agents for ablating Gram-positive bacteria-infected diseases.