Anthocyanin-loaded milk-derived extracellular vesicles nano-delivery system: Stability, mucus layer penetration, and pro-oxidant effect on HepG2 cells.

Anthocyanin (ACN) has attracted considerable attention due to its wide range of physiological effects. However, challenges such as poor stability and limited bioavailability have hindered its utilization in functional foods. To address these issues, this research utilized milk-derived extracellular vesicles (MEV) as carriers for encapsulating and binding ACN through various techniques, including ultrasonic, electroporation, saponin treatment, incubation, and freeze-thaw cycles. The objective of these approaches was to enhance the stability of ACN and improve its oral delivery. Notably, the ACN-loaded MEV (MEV-ACN) prepared through ultrasonic exhibited small particle sizes and good stability under processing, storage, and simulated digestion conditions. Cellular studies revealed that MEV-ACN exhibited pro-oxidant properties and induced oxidative stress, leading to cell apoptosis with greater efficacy compared to free ACN. These findings suggest that encapsulating ACN within MEV can significantly enhance its processing and oral stability, as well as strengthening its dietary defense capabilities in anti-tumor applications.

Nebulized Inhalation of Peptide-Modified DNA Origami To Alleviate Acute Lung Injury.

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a severe inflammatory lung disease, with high mortality rates. Early intervention by reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavengers could reduce ROS accumulation, break the inflammation expansion chain in alveolar macrophages (AMs), and avoid irreversible damage to alveolar epithelial and endothelial cells. Here, we reported cell-penetrating R9 peptide-modified triangular DNA origami nanostructures (tDONs-R9) as a novel nebulizable drug that could reach the deep alveolar regions and exhibit an enhanced uptake preference of macrophages. tDONs-R9 suppressed the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and drove polarization toward the anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype in macrophages. In the LPS-induced ALI mouse model, treatment with nebulized tDONs-R9 alleviated the overwhelming ROS, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and neutrophil infiltration in the lungs. Our study demonstrates that tDONs-R9 has the potential for ALI treatment, and the programmable DNA origami nanostructures provide a new drug delivery platform for pulmonary disease treatment with high delivery efficiency and biosecurity.

Differential expression of miRNA-769-5p and Smad2 in patients with or without oral cGVHD.

BACKGROUND: Oral chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) impacts quality of life of patients after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). However, its precise pathogenesis remains unknown, with potential associations with differential microRNA (miRNA) expression and the TGF-â/Smad signaling pathway. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to explore miRNA expression profiles in the peripheral blood of oral cGVHD patients, focusing on miRNA-769-5p and its relationship with Smad2. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Peripheral venous blood samples were collected for RNA extraction from 8 patients with oral cGVHD, 8 patients without cGVHD and 8 participants from the healthy control group. The miRNA library was constructed using the Illumina Hiseq 2500 platform. We focused on identifying miRNAs associated with the TGF-â/Smad signaling pathway and subsequently conducted validation experiments. The oral cGVHD and without cGVHD groups were each expanded to include 15 individuals. Peripheral blood samples were subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis to assess miRNA levels and to evaluate Smad2 mRNA levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Additionally, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was conducted to determine the Smad2 protein levels in peripheral blood. RESULTS: The most significantly differentially expressed miRNAs among the 3 groups were miRNA-505-5p and miRNA-769-5p. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis indicated an enrichment of the target genes of miRNA-769-5p in the TGF-â signaling pathway. It was observed that miRNA-769-5p expression was higher in patients without oral cGVHD in comparison to those with oral cGVHD. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis demonstrated that miRNA-769-5p holds diagnostic value for oral cGVHD. As a target of miRNA-769-5p, Smad2 mRNA exhibited a negative correlation with it. Moreover, both Smad2 mRNA and protein levels were higher in patients with oral cGVHD as opposed to those without cGVHD. CONCLUSIONS: Differential expression of miRNAs, particularly the downregulation of miRNA-769-5p, may influence the development of oral cGVHD by diminishing its inhibitory effect on the TGF-â/Smad signaling pathway through its interaction with Smad2.

Trends and benefits of early hip arthroplasty for femoral neck fracture in China: a national cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Limited studies have examined the benefits of early arthroplasty within 48 h from admission to surgery for femoral neck fractures (FNFs). Using the national inpatient database, the authors aimed to investigate the trends in early arthroplasty within 48 h for FNFs in China and to assess its effect on in-hospital complications and 30-day readmission patterns. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study. Patients receiving primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) or hemiarthroplasty (HA) for FNFs in the Hospital Quality Monitoring System between 2013 and 2019 were included. After adjusting for potential confounders with propensity score matching, a logistic regression model was performed to compare the differences in in-hospital complications [i.e. in-hospital death, pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), wound infection, and blood transfusion], rates and causes of 30-day readmission between early and delayed arthroplasty. RESULTS: During the study period, the rate of early THA increased from 18.0 to 19.9%, and the rate of early HA increased from 14.7 to 18.4% ( P <0.001). After matching, 11 731 pairs receiving THA and 13 568 pairs receiving HA were included. Compared with delayed THA, early THA was associated with a lower risk of pulmonary embolism [odds ratio (OR) 0.51, 95% CI: 0.30-0.88], DVT (OR 0.59, 95% CI: 0.50-0.70), blood transfusion (OR 0.62, 95% CI: 0.55-0.70), 30-day readmission (OR 0.82, 95% CI: 0.70-0.95), and venous thromboembolism-related readmission (OR 0.50, 95% CI: 0.34-0.74). Similarly, early HA was associated with a lower risk of DVT (OR 0.70, 95% CI: 0.61-0.80) and blood transfusion (OR 0.74, 95% CI: 0.68-0.81) than delayed HA. CONCLUSION: Despite a slight increase, the rate of early arthroplasty remained at a low level in China. Given that early arthroplasty can significantly improve prognosis, more efforts are needed to optimize the procedure and shorten the time to surgery.

Corydalis saxicolaBunting total alkaloid eliminates Porphyromonas gingivalis strain 33277 internalized into macrophages by inhibition of TLR2.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the impact of Corydalis Saxicola Bunting Total Alkaloid (CSBTA) on Porphyromonas gingivalis internalization within macrophages and explore the potential role of Toll-Like Receptor 2 (TLR2) in this process. METHODS: We established a P. gingivalis internalization model in macrophages by treating P. gingivalis-infected macrophages (MOI=100:1) with 200 µg/mL metronidazole and 300 µg/mL gentamicin for 1 h. Subsequently, the model was exposed to CSBTA at concentrations of 0.02 g/L or 1 µg/mL Pam3CSK4. After a 6 h treatment, cell lysis was performed with sterile water to quantify bacterial colonies. The mRNA expressions of TLR2 and interleukin-8 (IL-8) in macrophages were analyzed using RT-qPCR, while their protein levels were assessed via Western blot and ELISA respectively. RESULTS: P. gingivalis could internalize into macrophages and enhance the expression of TLR2 and IL-8. Activation of TLR2 by Pam3CSK4 contributed to P. gingivalis survival within macrophages and increased TLR2 and IL-8 expression. Conversely, 0.02 g/L CSBTA effectively cleared intracellular P. gingivalis, achieving a 90 % clearance rate after 6 h. Moreover, it downregulated the expression of TLR2 and IL-8 induced by P. gingivalis. However, the inhibitory effect of CSBTA on the internalized P. gingivalis model was attenuated by Pam3CSK4. CONCLUSION: CSBTA exhibited the ability to reduce the presence of live intracellular P. gingivalis and lower IL-8 expression in macrophages, possibly by modulating TLR2 activity.

In-hospital complications and readmission patterns in 13,937 patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip undergoing total hip arthroplasty: Evidence from the Chinese national database.

PURPOSE: Clarifying the prognosis and readmission patterns of patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) following total hip arthroplasty (THA) would provide important references for clinical management for this population. Using the Chinese national inpatient database (i.e., Hospital Quality Monitoring System [HQMS]), we aimed to compare in-hospital complications and readmission patterns following THA in patients with DDH and primary osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS: Patients undergoing THA for DDH and OA between 2013 and 2019 were identified using the HQMS. Demographics and clinical characteristics were compared between the two groups. After propensity score matching, in-hospital complications and readmission patterns were compared using a logistic regression model. RESULTS: According to the analysis of 13,937 propensity-score matched pairs, there were no significant differences in the incidence of in-hospital death (0.01 % vs 0.04 %, P = 0.142), transfusion (8.09 % vs 7.89 %, P = 0.536), wound infection (0.31 % vs 0.25 %, P = 0.364), deep venous thrombosis (0.45 % vs 0.43 %, P = 0.786), pulmonary embolism (0.03 % vs 0.05 %, P = 0.372) or all-cause readmission (2.87 % vs 3.12 %, P = 0.219) between two groups. However, DDH patients had higher surgical readmission rates than OA patients (1.43 % vs 1.14 %, P = 0.033). When analyzing causes of surgical readmission, DDH patients had increased risk of dislocation (0.37 % vs 0.21 %, P = 0.011) and aseptic loosening (0.17 % vs 0.07 %, P = 0.024) than OA patients. CONCLUSION: DDH patients had an increased risk of surgical readmission following THA, mainly driven by dislocation and aseptic loosening, which should be recognized and appropriately prevented.

Trends, complications, and readmission of allogeneic red blood cell transfusion in primary total hip arthroplasty in china: a national retrospective cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Decrease in allogenic red blood cell (RBC) transfusion rates following total hip arthroplasty (THA) has been reported in the United States, but whether other countries share the same trend remains unclear. Additionally, the relation of allogenic RBC transfusion to the risk of complications in THA remains controversial. Using the Chinese national inpatient database, the current study aimed to examine trends, complications, charges, and readmission patterns of allogeneic RBC transfusion in THA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients undergoing primary THA between 2013 and 2019 were included, and then stratified into the transfusion and the non-transfusion group based on the database transfusion records. A generalized estimating equation model was used to investigate trends in transfusion rates. After propensity-score matching, a logistic regression model was used to compare the complications, rates and causes of 30-day readmission between two groups. RESULTS: A total of 10,270 patients with transfusion and 123,476 patients without transfusion were included. Transfusion rates decreased from 19.11% in 2013 to 9.94% in 2019 (P for trend < 0.001). After matching, no significant differences in the risk of of in-hospital death (odds ratio [OR], 4.00; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.85-18.83), wound infection (OR 0.72; 95%CI 0.45-1.17), myocardial infarction (OR 1.17; 95%CI 0.62-2.19), deep vein thrombosis (OR 1.25; 95%CI 0.88-1.78), pulmonary embolism (OR 2.25; 95%CI 0.98-5.17), readmission rates (OR 1.07; 95%CI 0.88-1.30) and readmission causes were observed between two groups. However, the transfusion group had higher hospitalization charges than the non-transfusion group (72,239.89 vs 65,649.57 Chinese yuan [CNY], P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study found that allogeneic RBC transfusion in THA was not associated with the increased risk of complications and any-cause readmission. However, the currently restrictive transfusion policy should be continued because excessive blood transfusion may increase the socioeconomic burden.

Ultrasensitive Detection of MicroRNA in Human Saliva via Rolling Circle Amplification Using a DNA-Decorated Graphene Oxide Sensor.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a family of conserved small noncoding RNAs whose expression is associated with many diseases, including cancer. Salivary miRNAs are gaining popularity as noninvasive diagnostic biomarkers for cancer and other systemic disorders, but their use is limited by their low abundance and complicated detection procedure. Herein, we present a novel self-assembly approach based on rolling circle amplification (RCA) and graphene oxide (GO) for the ultrasensitive detection of miRNA21 and miRNA16 (miRNA oral cancer biomarkers in human saliva). First, target miRNA hybridizes with the RCA template. In the presence of DNA polymerase, the RCA reaction is induced and sequences matching the template are generated. Then, a nicking enzyme cuts the long ssDNA product into tiny pieces to obtain the amplified products. The DNA-decorated GO sensor was fabricated by preabsorbing the ssDNA fluorescence-labeled probe on the GO surface, resulting in fluorescence quenching. The DNA-decorated GO sensor could detect the amplified product via the self-assembly of dsDNA, leading to the desorption and recovery of the fluorescence-labeled probe. Under optimal conditions, the proposed system exhibited ultrasensitive detection; the detection limits of miRNA16 and miRNA21 were 8.81 and 3.85 fM, respectively. It showed a wide range of detection between 10 fM and 100 pM for miRNA16 and between 10 fM and 1 nM for miRNA16. It demonstrated high selectivity, distinguishing between 1- and 3-mismatch nucleotides in target miRNA. Overall, our proposed DNA-decorated GO sensor can accurately detect the salivary miRNAs and may potentially be used for the diagnosis and screening of early-stage oral cancer.

Mid-infrared analogue polaritonic reversed Cherenkov radiation in natural anisotropic crystals.

Cherenkov radiation (CR) excited by fast charges can serve as on-chip light sources with a nanoscale footprint and broad frequency range. The reversed CR, which usually occurs in media with the negative refractive index or negative group-velocity dispersion, is highly desired because it can effectively separate the radiated light from fast charges thanks to the obtuse radiation angle. However, reversed CR at the mid-infrared remains challenging due to the significant loss of conventional artificial structures. Here we observe mid-infrared analogue polaritonic reversed CR in a natural van der Waals (vdW) material (i.e., α-MoO3), whose hyperbolic phonon polaritons exhibit negative group velocity. Further, the real-space image results of analogue polaritonic reversed CR indicate that the radiation distributions and angles are closely related to the in-plane isofrequency contours of α-MoO3, which can be further tuned in the heterostructures based on α-MoO3. This work demonstrates that natural vdW heterostructures can be used as a promising platform of reversed CR to design on-chip mid-infrared nano-light sources.

DNA Nanomaterials-Based Platforms for Cancer Immunotherapy.

The past few decades have witnessed the evolving paradigm for cancer therapy from nonspecific cytotoxic agents to selective, mechanism-based therapeutics, especially immunotherapy. In particular, the integration of nanomaterials with immunotherapy is proven to improve the therapeutic outcome and minimize off-target toxicity in the treatment. As a novel nanomaterial, DNA-based self-assemblies featuring uniform geometries, feasible modifications, programmability, surface addressability, versatility, and intrinsic biocompatibility, are extensively exploited for innovative and effective cancer immunotherapy. In this review, the successful employment of DNA nanoplatforms for cancer immunotherapy, including the delivery of immunogenic cell death inducers, adjuvants and vaccines, immune checkpoint blockers as well as the application in immune cell engineering and adoptive cell therapy is summarized. The remaining challenges and future perspectives regarding the pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics, in vivo fate and immunogenicity of DNA materials, and the design of intelligent DNA nanomedicine for individualized cancer immunotherapy are also discussed.

A nationwide comparison of staggered and simultaneous bilateral knee arthroplasty during a single hospitalization: Trends, risks and benefits.

Background: We aimed to: (1) perform a nationwide trend analysis of staggered and simultaneous bilateral knee arthroplasty (KA); (2) investigate patient demographics and hospital characteristics in two groups; and (3) compare the outcomes of two groups with a focus on complications, length of stay (LOS) and hospitalization costs. Methods: Utilizing the Hospital Quality Monitoring System, we included patients who underwent bilateral KA during a single hospitalization between 2013 and 2019. Patient demographics and hospital characteristics were compared between two groups. Outcomes were compared between propensity-score matched groups using logistic and linear regression. Results: During the study period, 6291 staggered bilateral KA and 6284 simultaneous bilateral KA were performed. From 2013 to 2019, the proportion of staggered bilateral KA increased from 32.74% to 59.08%. Patients who were older, were single, had more comorbidities and had a non-osteoarthritis indication for surgery tended to receive staggered bilateral KA. Compared with 3327 propensity-score matched patients undergoing simultaneous bilateral KA, patients undergoing staggered bilateral KA were associated with a significantly lower incidence of wound infection (odds ratio [OR] â€‹= â€‹0.22; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.07-0.65), and readmission within 30 days (OR â€‹= â€‹0.73; 95%CI, 0.54-0.99) and 90 days (OR â€‹= â€‹0.70; 95%CI, 0.55-0.89). However, staggered bilateral KA had higher odds of blood transfusion (OR â€‹= â€‹1.20; 95%CI, 1.02-1.40) and deep venous thrombosis (DVT) (OR â€‹= â€‹2.62; 95%CI, 1.82-3.98). Moreover, staggered bilateral KA can lead to higher costs (108,316.21 Chinese yuan [CNY] vs 103,367.60 CNY) and longer LOS (17.29 days vs 12.18 days) than simultaneous bilateral KA. Conclusion: Our study indicates that staggered bilateral KA has become more common than simultaneous bilateral KA in China. Compared to simultaneous bilateral KA, staggered bilateral KA was associated with a lower incidence of wound infection and readmission. Staggered bilateral KA may be an alternative for patients who can't tolerate simultaneous surgery.The translational potential of this article: Our study indicates that staggered bilateral KA is a safe and economical option for elderly patients who require bilateral KA but are at high clinical risk. The rising proportion of staggered bilateral KA will be a new trend in bilateral KA.

Incidence, patterns and risk factors for readmission following knee arthroplasty in China: A national retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Limited data exist on readmission following knee arthroplasty (KA) in countries without well-established referral or extended care systems. This study aimed to investigate the incidence, patterns and risk factors for readmission following KA in China. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this national retrospective cohort study, we reviewed 167,265 primary KAs registered in the Hospital Quality Monitoring System in China between 2013 and 2018. Readmissions after KA within 30 and 90 days were evaluated. The causes for readmission were identified and classified as surgical or medical. The potential risk factors of readmission were assessed using multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: 4017 (2.4%) patients readmitted within 30 days, and 7258 (4.3%) patients readmitted within 90 days. The readmission rate exhibited a downward trend during the period from 2013 to 2018 (2.7%-2.3% for 30-day readmission; 4.5%-4.2% for 90-day readmission). Surgical causes contributed to 54.3% readmissions within 30 days and 47.3% readmissions within 90 days. Wound infection/complication, joint pain, and thromboembolism were the most frequently reported reasons for surgical readmission. Older age, male sex, single marital status, non-osteoarthritis indication, a high comorbidity index, non-provincial hospitals, low hospital volume, and longer length of stay were associated with an increased risk of readmission. The geographic regions of hospitals contributed greatly to the variety of readmissions. CONCLUSION: The readmission rate following KA decreased from 2013 to 2018. Surgery-related causes, especially wound infection/complication and pain, accounted for a large proportion. Both patient and hospital factors were associated with readmissions. Improved primary care and targeted measures are needed to help further prevent readmissions and optimize resource utilization.

Mucosal bacterial dysbiosis in patients with nodular lymphoid hyperplasia in the terminal ileum.

BACKGROUND: Nodular lymphoid hyperplasia (NLH) in the small intestine is a rare benign lesion characterized by multiple small nodules on the intestinal surface. Patients with terminal ileal NLH may experience long-term abdominal pain, diarrhea, and abdominal distension, among other symptoms. Supplementation with probiotics could mitigate these symptoms. NLH is linked to the immune system, and it may result from accumulation of plasma-cell precursors due to a maturational defect during the development of B lymphocytes. The intestinal microbiome plays an essential role in the immune system. Thus, we speculate that the gut flora plays a key role in terminal ileal NLH. AIM: To explore the correlation between intestinal flora and terminal ileal NLH. METHODS: We collected mucosal biopsy samples that were obtained via colonoscopy from 15 patients with terminal ileal NLH (the test group) and 15 normal subjects (the control group). We subsequently performed 16S-rRNA gene amplicon sequencing of these samples, and the results were evaluated using alpha diversity, beta diversity and microbial composition analyses. The Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States was used to predict the metabolic pathways and orthologous groups according to the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes database. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the terminal ileal NLH group showed an increased alpha diversity (P < 0.05). The overall intestinal microbiota in the NLH group was significantly different from that of the control group (P < 0.05), implying that there was the dysbiosis in the terminal ileal NLH patients. The relative abundance of phylum Bacteroidetes was significantly lower in the NLH group, while that of Patescibacteria and Campilobacterota was significantly higher. The genus Bacteroides was the dominant gut microbiota in both groups, but its abundance was significantly lower in the test group than it was in the control group. Conversely, the relative abundances of Haemophilus, Streptococcus, Pseudomonas, Actinomyces, TM7X, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Parvimonas, Granulicatella, Helicobacter, and the [Eubacterium] nodatum group were significantly higher in the test group than they were in the control group. In addition, several altered metabolic pathways, orthologous groups, and modules were found. For example, the Peptidoglycan biosynthesis and Aminoacyl tRNA biosynthesis were both increased in the test group. CONCLUSION: Maintaining the microbial balance and supplementing targeted protective bacteria could improve symptoms and potentially reduce the risk of lymphoma transformation in patients with terminal ileal NLH.

A DNA-Based Plasmonic Nanodevice for Cascade Signal Amplification.

Here, we describe a DNA circuit-aided, origami nanodevice-based plasmonic system, which performs DNA-regulated, cascade amplification of faint chemical/biological signals. In this system, two gold-nanorods (GNRs) are co-assembled onto a DNA lock-containing, tweezer-like DNA origami template. Logic circuits serve as recognition and amplification elements for specific messengers, producing DNA keys for driving conformational changes of the plasmonic nanodevices. In the presence of input signals including nucleic acids, adenosines, chiral tyrosinamides or specific receptors expressed by tumor cells, the plasmonic nanodevices can be activated to perform dynamic structural motions, reporting robust responses via plasmonic circular dichroism (CD) spectral changes. This DNA nanodevice-based system provides a different design to enrich the strategies for constructing synthetic nanomachines, enabling the customized bottom-up nanostructure construction for sensitive biological signaling.

Effects of chitooligosaccharide-functionalized graphene oxide on stability, simulated digestion, and antioxidant activity of blueberry anthocyanins.

In this study, we tested the in vitro efficacy of a graphene oxide-chitooligosaccharide (GO-COS) complex developed to protect blueberry anthocyanins (An) from degradation by various physicochemical factors and the digestive process. We prepared a GO-COS complex to adsorb An and protect them from the destructive effects of their ambient environment. The complex protected the An under various temperature, pH, light, oxidant, and reductant conditions. We evaluated An content and composition in a simulated digestive system using the pH differential method and the high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS). The GO-COS carrier stabilized An in the intestine and protected their peroxyl radical-scavenging capacity. Additionally, we observed a dose-response relationship between An content and cellular antioxidant activity, and simultaneous improvement of An bioavailability when the An were encapsulated in the complex. The complex inhibited HepG2 cell proliferation at the tested dose range. This study provides valuable information for stability of An-rich products.

Stimuli-Responsive DNA Origami Nanodevices and Their Biological Applications.

DNA origami nanotechnology has provided predictable static nanoarchitectures and dynamic nanodevices with rationally designed geometries, precise spatial addressability, and marked biocompatibility. Multiple functional elements, such as peptides, aptamers, nanoparticles, fluorescence probes, and proteins, etc. can be easily integrated into DNA origami templates with nanoscale precision, leading to a variety of promising applications. Triggered by chemical/physical stimuli, dynamic DNA origami nanodevices can switch between defined conformations or translocate autonomously, providing powerful tools for intelligent biosensing and drug delivery. In this minireview, we summarize the recent progress of dynamic DNA origami nanodevices with desired reconfigurability and feasibility to perform multiple biological tasks. We introduce varieties of DNA nanodevices that can be controlled by different molecular triggers and external stimuli. Subsequently, we highlight the recent advances in employing DNA nanodevices as biosensors and drug delivery vehicles. At last, future possibilities and perspectives are also discussed.

Detection of cell-surface sialic acids and photodynamic eradication of cancer cells using dye-modified polydopamine-coated gold nanobipyramids.

A nanoprobe based on polydopamine-coated gold nanobipyramids surface modified with molecules of a phenylboronic acid-substituted distyryl boron dipyrromethene has been fabricated and characterised using various physical and spectroscopic methods. It serves as an ultrasensitive sensor for sialic acids on the surface of cancer cells based on its dual surface-enhanced Raman scattering and fluorescence response. This biomarker can also trigger the photodynamic activity of these nanobipyramids, effectively eradicating the cancer cells mainly through apoptosis as shown by various bioassays.

Current progress on the mechanisms of hyperhomocysteinemia-induced vascular injury and use of natural polyphenol compounds.

Cardiovascular disease is one of the most common diseases in the elderly population, and its incidence has rapidly increased with the prolongation of life expectancy. Hyperhomocysteinemia is an independent risk factor for various cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis, and damage to vascular function plays an initial role in its pathogenesis. This review presents the latest knowledge on the mechanisms of vascular injury caused by hyperhomocysteinemia, including oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, protein N-homocysteinization, and epigenetic modification, and discusses the therapeutic targets of natural polyphenols. Studies have shown that natural polyphenols in plants can reduce homocysteine levels and regulate DNA methylation by acting on oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum stress-related signaling pathways, thus improving hyperhomocysteinemia-induced vascular injury. Natural polyphenols obtained via daily diet are safer and have more practical significance in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases than traditional drugs.

Evaluation of a novel Cardiac Peri-Operative Transfusion Trigger Scoring system in patients with coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: A simple and accurate scoring system to guide perioperative blood transfusion in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) undergoing cardiac surgery is lacking. The trigger point for blood transfusions for these patients may be different from existing transfusion guidelines. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a new scoring strategy for use in guiding transfusion decisions in patients with CAD. METHODS: A multicenter randomized controlled trial was conducted at three third-level grade-A hospitals from January 2015 to May 2018. Data of 254 patients in a Cardiac Peri-Operative Transfusion Trigger Score (cPOTTS) group and 246 patients in a group receiving conventional evaluation of the need for transfusion (conventional group) were analysed. The requirements for transfusion and the per capita consumption of red blood cells (RBCs) were compared between groups. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics of the two groups were comparable. Logistic regression analyses revealed no significant differences between the two groups in primary outcomes (1-year mortality and perioperative ischemic cardiac events), secondary outcomes (shock, infections, and renal impairment), ICU admission, and ICU stay duration. However, patients in the cPOTTS group had significantly shorter hospital stays, lower hospital costs, lower utilization rate and lower per capita consumption of transfused RBCs than controls. Stratified analyses revealed no significant differences between groups in associations between baseline characteristics and perioperative ischemic cardiac events, except for hemofiltration or dialysis and NYHA class in I. CONCLUSIONS: This novel scoring system offered a practical and straightforward guideline of perioperative blood transfusion in patients with CAD. Trial registration chiCTR1800016561(2017/7/19).