Tannin-Mn coordination polymer coated carbon quantum dots nanocomposite for fluorescence and magnetic resonance bimodal imaging.

The MR/FI bimodal imaging has attracted widely studied due to combining the advantages of MRI and FI can bridge gaps in sensitivity and depth between these two modalities. Herein, a novel MR/FI bimodal imaging probe is facile fabricated by coating the Mn-phenolic coordination polymer on the surface of the carbon quantum dots. The structure of the as-prepared nanocomposite probe is carefully validated via SEM, TEM, and XPS. The content of Mn2+ is calculated through the EDS and TGA. The quantum yield (QY) and emission wavelength of the probe are about 7.24% and 490 nm, respectively. The longitudinal r1 value (2.43 mM-1 s-1) with low r2/r1 (4.45) of the probe is obtained. Subsequently, fluorescence and MR imaging are performed. The metabolic pathways in vivo are inferred by studying the bio-distribution of the probe in major organs. Thus, these results indicate that probe would be an excellent dual-modal imaging probe for enhanced MR imaging and fluorescence imaging. MR/FI bimodal imaging probe is built via in-situ coated Mn-phenolic coordination polymer on the surface of the carbon quantum dots. The in vitro and vivo image property of the probe is evaluated.

Knockdown of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), a novel target to protect neurons from parthanatos induced by simulated post-spinal cord injury oxidative stress.

Parthanatos is a form of regulated cell death (RCD) that is closely linked to DNA damage, which is a common consequence of oxidative stress due to central nervous trauma, such as spinal cord injury (SCI). The mechanism by which apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) mediates DNA strand breaks in parthanatos was not clear until the discovery of the nuclease function of MIF. A previous study suggested that observed results may not be reliable if the oxidative stress induced in cells observed under experimental pathological conditions does not accurately replicate the specific pathologies being studied. According to an earlier direct measurement of extracellular oxidative stress in a rat SCI model, post-SCI oxidative stress was approximately the same as exposure to 150 µM H2O2. However, this concentration has been reported as sublethal oxidative stress in other cell types related to senescence, apoptosis, and parthanatos. Using sublethal H2O2 concentrations to induce oxidative stress is equivocal. Also, different cell types have diverse tolerances and responses to oxidative stress, and, therefore, exposure to H2O2. To avoid these limitations, the present study explored the mechanism of neuronal death under this simulated post-SCI oxidative stress and determined the effects of MIF knockdown in parthanatos associated with SCI. Immunofluorescence and flow cytometry were used to reveal typical characteristics of parthanatos that were blocked by PARP-1 inhibitors but not caspase inhibitors. In addition to classic features like PARP-1 and caspase-3 cleavage that were absent, we determined that parthanatos instead of apoptosis played a major role in the cell death caused by oxidative stress following SCI. Flow cytometry analysis of cells transfected by adenovirus with MIF-shRNA then exposed to H2O2 showed a significant decrease in cell death for MIF knockdown cells, even after AIF nuclear translocation. The comet assay also displayed significantly fewer DNA strand breaks after MIF knockdown. This is the first study has verified that MIF knockdown enables to protect neurons from parthanatos under a simulated in vivo oxidative stress following SCI. It suggests that MIF knockdown is a promising therapy to rescue neurons suffering from oxidative stress-induced SCI pathology.

Resveratrol alleviates lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation in PC-12 cells and in rat model.

BACKGROUND: Spinal cord injury (SCI) remains a huge medical problem nowadays as there is no hospital providing the versatile strategies for repairing central nervous system and restoring function. Herein, we focused on PC-12 cells as an important research tool and studied the potential role of resveratrol (RSV) in inflammation induced by LPS. RESULTS: RSV improved inflammatory injury and functional recovery in rat model of SCI. RSV inhibited LPS-induced inflammatory injury in PC-12 cells via increasing viability, decreasing apoptosis, and suppressing IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α expression. miR-132 was down-regulated after LPS treatment but up-regulated after RSV administration. miR-132 silence curbed the protective effect of RSV. The results including increase of cell growth, suppression of inflammatory response, and blocking of NF-κB and p38MAPK pathways produced by RSV were all reversed by miR-132 silence. CONCLUSION: RSV could up-regulate miR-132 and further ameliorate inflammatory response in PC-12 cells by inhibiting NF-κB and p38MAPK pathways.

[N,N'-Bis(2,6-diethyl-4-phenyl-phen-yl)butane-2,3-di-imine-κ(2) N,N']di-bromido-nickel(II).

The complex molecule in the title compound, [NiBr2(C36H40N2)], has mirror symmetry. The Ni(II) atom and two Br atoms are located on the mirror plane. The Ni(II) atom is four-coordinated by the two Br atoms and two N atoms from an N,N'-bis(2,6-diethyl-4-phenyl-phen-yl)butane-2,3-di-imine ligand in a distorted tetra-hedral geometry. The dihedral angle formed between the two adjacent benzene rings is 47.1 (1)°.

2,3-Bis[(3-methyl-biphenyl-4-yl)imino]-butane.

The title compound, C30H28N2, is a product of the condensation reaction of 2-methyl-4-phenyl-aniline and butane-2,3-dione. The mol-ecule lies on a crystallographic inversion centre. The C=N bond has an E conformation. The dihedral angle between the two benzene rings of the 4-phenyl-2-methyl-phenyl group is 29.19 (76)°. The 1,4-di-aza-butadiene plane makes an angle of 70.1 (10)° with the N-bonded methyl-phenyl ring and an angle of 81.08 (97)° with the terminal phenyl group.

2,3-Bis{[2,3-dimethyl-6-(phenyl-vin-yl)phen-yl]imino}-butane.

In the title compound, C36H36N2, a product of the condensation reaction of 2,3-dimethyl-6-phenyl-vinyl-benzenamine and 2,3-butane-dione, the complete mol-ecule is generated by the application of an inversion centre. The central C-C bond in the 1,4-di-aza-butadiene fragment is trans-configured and situated about the inversion center. The dihedral angle between the ring attached to N and the 1,4-di-aza-butadiene plane is 78.24 (36)°, while the 1,4-di-aza-butadiene plane makes an angle of 30.71 (26)° with the phenyl ring.

[Comparison of effectiveness between unilateral biportal endoscopic decompression and unilateral biportal endoscopic lumbar interbody fusion for degree â degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis].

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of unilateral biportal endoscopic decompression and unilateral biportal endoscopic lumbar interbody fusion (ULIF) in the treatment of degreeⅠdegenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis (DLS). Methods: A clinical data of 58 patients with degreeⅠDLS who met the selection criteria between October 2021 and October 2022 was retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 28 cases were treated with unilateral biportal endoscopic decompression (decompression group) and 30 cases with ULIF (ULIF group). There was no significant difference between the two groups ( P>0.05) in the gender, age, lesion segment, and preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score of low back pain, VAS score of leg pain, Oswestry disability index (ODI), C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), disk height (DH), segmental lordosis (SL), and other baseline data. The operation time, postoperative drainage volume, postoperative ambulation time, VAS score of low back pain, VAS score of leg pain, ODI, laboratory examination indexes (CRP, ESR), and imaging parameters (DH, SL) were compared between the two groups. Results: Compared with the ULIF group, the decompression group had shorter operation time, less postoperative drainage, and earlier ambulation ( P<0.05). All incisions healed by first intention, and no complication such as nerve root injury, epidural hematoma, or infection occurred. All patients were followed up 12 months. Laboratory tests showed that ESR and CRP at 3 days after operation in decompression group were not significantly different from those before operation ( P>0.05), while the above indexes in ULIF group significantly increased at 3 days after operation compared to preoperative values ( P<0.05). There were significant differences in the changes of ESR and CRP before and after operation between the two groups ( P<0.05). Except that the VAS score of low back pain at 3 days after operation was not significantly different from that before operation in decompression group ( P>0.05), there were significant differences in VAS score of low back pain and VAS score of leg pain between the two groups at other time points ( P<0.05). The VAS score of low back pain in ULIF group was significantly higher than that in decompression group at 3 days after operation ( P<0.05), and there was no significant difference in VAS score of low back pain and VAS score of leg pain between the two groups at other time points ( P>0.05). The ODI of the two groups significantly improved after operation ( P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between 3 days and 6 months after operation ( P>0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups at the two time points after operation ( P<0.05). Imaging examination showed that there was no significant difference in DH and SL between pre-operation and 12 months after operation in decompression group ( P>0.05). However, the above two indexes in ULIF group were significantly higher than those before operation ( P<0.05). There were significant differences in the changes of DH and SL before and after operation between the two groups ( P<0.05). Conclusion: Unilateral biportal endoscopic decompression can achieve good effectiveness in the treatment of degree Ⅰ DLS. Compared with ULIF, it can shorten operation time, reduce postoperative drainage volume, promote early ambulation, reduce inflammatory reaction, and accelerate postoperative recovery. ULIF has more advantages in restoring intervertebral DH and SL.

AIE/AEE tripodal PEGyl-melphalan supramolecules and detection of trinitrophenol in water.

Herein, the design of a novel aggregation-induced emission (AIE) supramolecular fluorescence sensor (TA-PEGn) based on a tridentate melphalan derivative and three different molecular weight PEGs is presented. The three TA-PEGn sensors could self-assemble into a supramolecular system in water and show sensitive and selective responses toward trinitrophenol.

An unusual highly sensitive dual-channel bis(salamo)-like chemical probe for recognizing B4O72-, sensing mechanism, theoretical calculations and practical applications.

A bis(salamo)-like chemical sensor H3L ((1E,3E)-2-hydroxy-5-methylisophthalaldehyde O,O -di(3-((((E)-(2-hydroxynaphthalen-1-yl)methylene)amino)oxy)propyl) dioxime) was constructed. H3L is capable of recognizing B4O72- in H2O/DMF (1:9, v/v) solution by both fluorescent and colorimetric channels, bright green fluorescence was turned on when B4O72- was added to H3L and changed from colorless to yellow in natural light. The detection limit was 3.21 × 10-8 M. The identification has good anti-interfering ability, quickly responsive time (5 S) and broad pH detecting range (pH = 5-12). The mechanism of action was determined by 1H NMR titration, infrared spectrometry, HRMS spectra and further elucidated by theory calculations. The fluorescence imaging of bean sprouts and spiked recovery assays of actual water samples demonstrated the practical use of sensor H3L for the detection of B4O72-, which is expected to have applications for the detection of B4O72- in plants and the environment.

Synthesis of three cisplatin-conjugated asymmetric porphyrin photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy.

Photodynamic therapy provides a promising solution for treating various cancer types. In this study, three distinct asymmetric porphyrin-cisplatin complex photosensitizers (ZnPt-P1, ZnPt-P2, and ZnPt-P3) were synthesized, each having unique side chains. Through a set of experiments involving singlet oxygen detection and density functional theory, ZnPt-P1 was demonstrated to have excellent efficacy, exceeding that of ZnPt-P2 and ZnPt-P3. Notably, ZnPt-1 showed significant phototoxicity while maintaining low dark toxicity when tested on HepG2 cells. Additionally, further examination revealed that ZnPt-P1 had the capability to generate reactive oxygen species within cancer cells when exposed to light irradiation. Taken together, these results highlight the potential of ZnPt-P1 as a photosensitizer for use in photodynamic therapy. This study contributes to enhancing cancer treatment methodologies and provides insights for the future development of innovative drugs for photosensitization.

Self-organized CdSe quantum dots onto the low bandgap 3-hexylthiophene/pyridine copolymers.

The low bandgap 3-hexylthiophene/pyridine copolymers (P3HT/PY) were synthesized and the composites of P3HT/PY and CdSe QDs were prepared. The characterization are performed with 1H NMR, UV-vis, PL, TEM, XPS and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The results show that the P3HT/PY copolymers have an electrochemical bandgap of 1.67 eV, while the composites show a broader absorption and a lower bandgap than the copolymers. The highly efficient fluorescence quenching of the composites indicates that the ultrafast charge transfer happened between the P3HT/PY copolymers and the CdSe QDs. The composites show a uniform dispersion and good compatibility, and the surface chemistry study verified the chemical bonding between them. In addition, both the copolymers and the composites exhibited p- and n-type doping ability, and the P3HT/PY/CdSe composites have a better donor-acceptor match, which is a promising p-n type semiconductor material.

Prediction models for the survival in patients with intestinal-type gastric adenocarcinoma: a retrospective cohort study based on the SEER database.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the influencing factors of survival in intestinal-type gastric adenocarcinoma (IGA) and set up prediction model for the prediction of survival of patients diagnosed with IGA. DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: A total of 2232 patients with IGA who came from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Patients' overall survival (OS) rate and cancer-specific survival (CSS) at the end of follow-up. RESULTS: Of the total population, 25.72% survived, 54.93% died of IGA and 19.35% died of other causes. The median survival time of patients was 25 months. The result showed that age, race, stage group, T stage, N stage, M stage, grade, tumour size, radiotherapy, number of lymph nodes removed and gastrectomy were independent prognostic factors of OS risk for patients with IGA; age, race, race, stage group, T stage, N stage, M stage, grade, radiotherapy and gastrectomy were associated with CSS risk for patients with IGA. In view of these prognostic factors, we developed two prediction models for predicting the OS and CSS risk for patients with IGA separately. For the developed OS-related prediction model, the C-index was 0.750 (95% CI: 0.740 to 0.760) in the training set, corresponding to 0.753 (95% CI: 0.736 to 0.770) in the testing set. Likewise, for the developed CSS-related prediction model, the C-index was 0.781 (95% CI: 0.770 to 0.793) in the training set, corresponding to 0.785 (95% CI: 0.766 to 0.803) in the testing set. The calibration curves of the training set and testing set revealed a good agreement between model predictions in the 1-year, 3-year and 5-year survival for patients with IGA and actual observations. CONCLUSION: Combining demographic and clinicopathological features, two prediction models were developed to predict the risk of OS and CSS in patients with IGA, respectively. Both models have good predictive performance.

In situ self-exsolved ultrasmall Fe2P quantum dots from attapulgite nanofibers as superior cocatalysts for solar hydrogen evolution.

Developing highly active, stable, and cost-efficient cocatalysts for photocatalytic H2 evolution is pivotal in the area of renewable energy conversion. Herein, we present a straightforward, low-temperature phosphidation strategy for in situ exsolving doped Fe ions from natural attapulgite (ATP) nanofibers into a supported Fe2P cocatalyst for the photocatalytic H2 evolution reaction (HER). The resulting Fe2P QDs/ATP features highly dispersed Fe2P QDs with an average size of <2 nm and a strong interfacial interaction between self-exsolved Fe2P QDs and the ATP substrate, thus providing ample and stable active sites for the photocatalytic HER. When employed as a cocatalyst, Fe2P QDs/ATP exhibits superior catalytic activity and notable stability in a molecular system with low-cost xanthene dyes as the photosensitizer under visible light irradiation. More importantly, Fe2P QDs/ATP can also efficiently and stably catalyze the photocatalytic HER when simply combined with various semiconductor photocatalysts (g-C3N4, TiO2, and CdS). This strategy of exsolving transition metal ions from substrates is an effective yet simple approach for the development of highly active supported HER cocatalysts for renewable and clean energy conversion.

Preparation and in vivo imaging of NIR-emissive carbonized polymer dots derived from biomass olive leaves with a quantum yield of 71.4.

The conversion of biomass materials into high value-added chemicals is receiving more and more attention. Herein, biomass olive leaves are converted into carbonized polymer dots (CPDs) through a simple hydrothermal reaction. The CPDs show near infrared light emission properties, and the absolute quantum yield reaches a record breaking value of 71.4% under the excitation wavelength of 413 nm. Detailed characterization determines that CPDs only contain three elements: carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, which is very different from most carbon dots which contain nitrogen atoms. Subsequently, NIR fluorescence imaging both in vitro and in vivo is performed to test their feasibility as fluorescence probes. The metabolic pathways of CPDs in the living body are inferred by studying the bio-distribution of CPDs in major organs. Their outstanding advantage is expected to further broaden the application field of this material.

Combination of Chlorambucil and Mercaptopurine Show Effective Anti-Cancer Effects in Mice Model.

Background: Combination therapy employing multiple drugs has been shown to enhance the efficacy of cancer treatment. Chlorambucil (Chl) and 6-mercaptopurine (6MP) are the first-line medicines for chronic lymphocytic leukemia and ovarian cancer. However, both were limited by their short half-life of disintegration, unsatisfactory water solubility, and adverse reactions. Methods: In this work, the drug Chl and 6MP were introduced into the polymerized N-(2-hydroxypropyl) methacrylamide (polyHPMA) by pH and glutathione responsive linker to construct the polymer nanodrug delivery system for effective co-delivery. Results: The drug load capacities, release, morphology, and cytotoxicity of the pro-drug were systematic. The two drugs showed satisfactory synergism with a combination index of 0.81, and a better ability to induce apoptosis. In and ex vivo fluorescence imaging showed a rapid systemic distribution of the conjugate within mice, majorly metabolized by liver and kidneys and eliminated after 24 hr. No significant pathological damage was observed in the major organs. This polymeric prodrug system holds promise for improved therapeutic efficiency and reduced side effects through the synergistic delivery of various chemotherapeutics. Conclusion: The introduction of HPMA as a carrier not only enhanced the solubility and biocompatibilities of Chl and 6 MP but also improved their drug effect. This strategy might be a promising alternative for constructing multi-drug-release system.

Unilateral Bi/Multi-Portal Endoscopy for the Treatment of Complicated Lumbar Degenerative Diseases with Utilization of Uniaxial Spinal Endoscope, Instead of Arthroscope: Technique Note and Clinical Results.

Objective: This article aims to discuss a novel surgical strategy, referred to as unilateral bi/multi-portal endoscopy (UME), which used a uniaxial spinal endoscope instead of an arthroscope in the traditional unilateral biportal endoscopy (UBE) surgical procedure in our study of the treatment of complicated lumbar degenerative diseases. Methods: This retrospective study included 42 patients diagnosed with high-migrated lumbar disc herniation and bilateral spinal stenosis who underwent UME surgery from January 2021 to December 2021. Patients included 20 men and 22 women, with an average age of 55.97±14.92 years. The average follow-up period was 13.19 months. The demographic data, operation time (min), and complications were recorded and analyzed. The visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores were used to evaluate the surgical outcomes. Three-dimensional CT scans and MRI were conducted to evaluate the radiographic improvement. Results: A total of 26 patients were diagnosed with lumbar disc herniation and 16 with lumbar spinal stenosis. All 42 patients underwent UME surgery and achieved satisfactory outcomes. The operation time was 154.46±46.09 min. The average follow-up time was 13.19±1.33 months. The preoperative back pain (VAS-Back) and the last follow-up VAS-Back were 3.84±1.00 and 0.70±0.46, respectively (P < 0.05). The preoperative leg pain (VAS-Leg) and the last follow-up VAS-Leg were 6.46±1.08 and 1.03±0.64, respectively (P <0.05). Significant differences existed between preoperative ODI scores (58.70±11.22%) and the last follow-up ODI scores (9.24±3.04%; P<0.05). All patients achieved significant pain relief and functional improvement after the surgery. No severe complications occurred, except for two cases of postoperative dysesthesia and one case suffered from vertebral compression fractures induced by a postoperative accidental injury. Symptoms of numbness disappeared within one week with treatment using dexamethasone and neurotrophic drugs. The vertebral fracture case recovered with percutaneous kyphoplasty treatment. Conclusion: This study suggests that UME is a promising treatment strategy for high-migrated disc herniation and bilateral spinal stenosis.

(Z)-N-[(Z)-3-(2,4-Dimethyl-phenyl-imino)-butan-2-yl-idene]-2,4-dimethyl-aniline.

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C(20)H(24)N(2), contains one half -mol-ecule which exhibits a crystallographically imposed center of symmetry. The benzene rings are inclined to the 1,4-diaza-butadiene mean plane by 78.3 (2)°.

(Z)-3-Chloro-N-[(Z)-3-(3-chloro-2-methyl-phenyl-imino)-butan-2-yl-idene]-2-methyl-aniline.

In the title compound, C(18)H(18)Cl(2)N(2), the complete molecule is generated by the application of C(2) symmetry. The C=N bond has an E configuration. The dihedral angle between the benzene ring and the 1,4-diaza-butadiene plane is 66.81 (9)°.

Clinical efficacy and imaging outcomes of unilateral biportal endoscopy with unilateral laminotomy for bilateral decompression in the treatment of severe lumbar spinal stenosis.

Objective: To investigate the clinical efficacy and imaging outcomes of unilateral biportal endoscopy (UBE) with unilateral laminotomy for bilateral decompression (ULBD) in the treatment of severe lumbar spinal stenosis (SLSS). Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 50 patients with SLSS treated with UBE-ULBD from October 2018 to March 2021. Visual analog scale (VAS) for back and legs pain, Oswestry disability index (ODI), modified Macnab criteria, complications, hospital stay, preoperative and postoperative dural sac cross-sectional area (DSCA) and Schizas grade, mean angle of facetectomy and osseous lateral recess decompression rate were examined. Results: The mean follow-up period was 10.7 months. The mean hospital stay was 2.76 ± 1.02 days. At the final follow-up, VAS for back pain and legs pain decreased from 7.22 ± 0.95 to 1.26 ± 0.44 and from 7.88 ± 0.69 to 1.18 ± 0.39, respectively; ODI decreased from 69.88 ± 6.32% to 14.96 ± 2.75%. According to the modified Macnab criteria, the results were excellent in 24 (48%), good in 22 (44%), and fair in 4 (8%). Excellent or good results (a satisfactory outcome) were obtained in 92% of the patients. There were 2 cases of complications of dural sac tear. The postoperative DSCA was significantly enlarged compared with that before surgery, from 44.74 ± 9.85 to 126.86 ± 14.81 mm2. According to Schizas grade, the stenosis grade changes from preoperative grade C in 16 cases, grade D in 34 cases, to postoperative grade A in 40 cases, and grade B in 10 cases. The mean angle of facetectomy of the ipsilateral facet joint was 70.87 ± 5.68 ∘ , contralateral was 65.07 ± 4.98 ∘ . The decompression rate was 70.81 ± 4.43% (ipsilateral side) and 71.22 ± 3.68% (contralateral). Conclusions: UBE-ULBD has a good clinical effect in the treatment of SLSS, and has achieved satisfactory results in spinal canal enlargement, undercutting of facet joints, and decompression effect. It is a safe and effective surgical for SLSS.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Cervical Spondylotic Radiculopathy Using Selective Nerve Root Block (SNRB): Where are We Now?

Cervical spondylotic radiculopathy (CSR) is one of the most common degenerative diseases of the spine that is commonly treated with surgery. The primary goal of surgery is to relieve symptoms through decompression or relieving pressure on compressed cervical nerves. Nevertheless, cutaneous pain distribution is not always predictable, making accurate diagnosis challenging and increasing the likelihood of inadequate surgical outcomes. With the widespread application of minimally invasive surgical techniques, the requirement for precise preoperative localization of the affected segments has become critical, especially when treating patients with multi-segmental CSR. Recently, the preoperative use of a selective nerve root block (SNRB) to localize the specific nerve roots involved in CSR has increased. However, few reviews discuss the currently used block approaches, risk factors, and other aspects of concern voiced by surgeons carrying out SNRB. This review summarized the main cervical SNRB approaches currently used clinically and the relevant technical details. Methods that can be used to decrease risk during cervical SNRB procedures, including choice of steroids, vessel avoidance, guidance with radiographs or ultra-sound, contrast agent usage, and other concerns, also are discussed. We concluded that a comprehensive understanding of the current techniques used for cervical SNRB would allow surgeons to perform cervical SNRB more safely.