A photo-responsive self-healing hydrogel loaded with immunoadjuvants and MoS2 nanosheets for combating post-resection breast cancer recurrence.

Tumor recurrence after surgical resection remains a significant challenge in breast cancer treatment. Immune checkpoint blockade therapy, as a promising alternative therapy, faces limitations in combating tumor recurrence due to the low immune response rate. In this study, we developed an implantable photo-responsive self-healing hydrogel loaded with MoS2 nanosheets and the immunoadjuvant R837 (PVA-MoS2-R837, PMR hydrogel) for in situ generation of tumor-associated antigens at the post-surgical site of the primary tumor, enabling sustained and effective activation of the immune response. This PMR hydrogel exhibited potential for near-infrared (NIR) light response, tissue adhesion, self-healing, and sustained adjuvant release. When implanted at the site after tumor resection, NIR irradiation triggered a photothermal effect, resulting in the ablation of residual cancer cells. The in situ-generated tumor-associated antigens promoted dendritic cell (DC) maturation. In a mouse model, PMR hydrogel-mediated photothermal therapy combined with immune checkpoint blockade effectively inhibited the recurrence of resected tumors, providing new insights for combating post-resection breast cancer recurrence.

Chondroitin sulphate modified MoS2 nanoenzyme with multifunctional activities for treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Nano-MoS2 exhibit oxidoreductase-like activities, and has been shown to effectively eliminate excessive intracellular ROS and inhibit Aß aggregation, thus demonstrating promising potential for anti-Alzheimer's disease (anti-AD) intervention. However, the low water dispersibility and high toxicity of nano-MoS2 limits its further application. In this study, we developed a chondroitin sulphate (CS)-modified MoS2 nanoenzyme (CS@MoS2) by harnessing the excellent biocompatibility of CS and the exceptional activities of nano-MoS2 to explore its potential in anti-AD research. Promisingly, CS@MoS2 significantly inhibited Aß1-40 aggregation and prevented toxic injury in SH-SY5Y cells caused by Aß1-40. In addition, CS@MoS2 protected these cells from oxidative stress damage by regulating ROS production, as well as promoting the activities of SOD and GSH-Px. CS@MoS2 also modulated the intracellular Ca2+ imbalance and downregulated Tau hyperphosphorylation by activating GSK-3ß. CS@MoS2 suppressed p-NF-κB (p65) translocation to the nucleus by inhibiting MAPK phosphorylation, and modulated the expression of downstream anti- and proinflammatory cytokines. Owing to its multifunctional activities, CS@MoS2 effectively improved spatial learning, memory, and anxiety in D-gal/AlCl3-induced AD mice. Taken together, these results indicate that CS@MoS2 has significant potential for improving the therapeutic efficacy of the prevention and treatment of AD, while also presenting a novel framework for the application of nanoenzymes.

An NIR-II-enhanced nanozyme to promote wound healing in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections.

Deep tissue bacterial infections, especially methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections, pose challenges to clinical therapy due to their low debridement efficiency and relapsing. Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) is used in the antibacterial field as a classic photothermal agent (NIR-I) with good biocompatibility. However, due to its limited NIR-I tissue penetration ability and single treatment mode, MoS2 has poor therapeutic effects on deep tissue infection. Herein, we prepared a defect-type hybrid 2H-MoS2 nanozyme (MoWS2) using hydrothermal method fabricate the MoWS2 composite, which is a new antibacterial strategy involving photothermal and enzyme catalysis, and further enhances the activity of the nanozyme through overheating. The regulation of 2H-MoS2 defects through tungsten ion doping endows MoWS2 with better near-infrared two-region absorption (NIR-II) and enzyme catalytic performance. Antibacterial activity experiments in vitro have shown that MoWS2 can achieve efficient bactericidal activity and biofilm clearance through hyperthermia and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Deep MRSA infection experiments have shown that MoWS2 rapidly removes bacteria from subcutaneous infected tissues through photothermal therapy (PTT) and chemodynamic therapy (CDT), accelerates the dissipation of abscesses, and promotes the healing of infected wounds. Additionally, the versatile treatment mode of MoWS2 was further confirmed through tissue sectioning and immunofluorescence staining analysis. Overall, these results provide a feasible approach for achieving efficient treatment of deep tissue infections through tungsten ion doping to regulate defective 2H-MoS2. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: The photothermal effect of MoS2 nanosheets in the NIR-I (650-900 nm) window in anti-MRSA therapy is considered to be highly reliable and efficient in PTA. However, most of the developed PPT therapies or antimicrobial systems based on PTT therapies developed with 1T-MoS2 have in vivo sterilization temperatures of more than 55°C, which have the risk of damaging the normal tissues of the skin. In this study, we prepared W@MoS2 with a good photothermal effect (36.9%) in the NIR-II window and good peroxidase-like activity. The combined effect of PTT and CDT has a stronger bactericidal effect while avoiding high-temperature damage, which makes the W@MoS2 material more advantageous in terms of antimicrobial effect.

Promoting collateral formation in type 2 diabetes mellitus using ultra-small nanodots with autophagy activation and ROS scavenging.

BACKGROUND: Impaired collateral formation is a major factor contributing to poor prognosis in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. However, the current pharmacological treatments for improving collateral formation remain unsatisfactory. The induction of endothelial autophagy and the elimination of reactive oxygen species (ROS) represent potential therapeutic targets for enhancing endothelial angiogenesis and facilitating collateral formation. This study investigates the potential of molybdenum disulfide nanodots (MoS2 NDs) for enhancing collateral formation and improving prognosis. RESULTS: Our study shows that MoS2 NDs significantly enhance collateral formation in ischemic tissues of diabetic mice, improving effective blood resupply. Additionally, MoS2 NDs boost the proliferation, migration, and tube formation of endothelial cells under high glucose/hypoxia conditions in vitro. Mechanistically, the beneficial effects of MoS2 NDs on collateral formation not only depend on their known scavenging properties of ROS (H2O2, •O2-, and •OH) but also primarily involve a molecular pathway, cAMP/PKA-NR4A2, which promotes autophagy and contributes to mitigating damage in diabetic endothelial cells. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, this study investigated the specific mechanism by which MoS2 NDs mediated autophagy activation and highlighted the synergy between autophagy activation and antioxidation, thus suggesting that an economic and biocompatible nano-agent with dual therapeutic functions is highly preferable for promoting collateral formation in a diabetic context, thus, highlighting their therapeutic potential.

Green Nanopesticide: pH Response and Molybdenum Selenide Carrier with Photothermal Effect to Transport Prochloraz to Inhibit Sclerotinia Disease.

Accurate pesticide delivery is a key factor in improving pesticide utilization, which can effectively reduce the use of pesticides and environmental risks. In this study, we developed a nanocarrier preparation method which can be controlled by pH/near-infrared response. Mesoporous molybdenum selenide (MoSe2) with a high loading rate was used as the core, poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) with acid response was used as the shell, and prochloraz (Pro) was loaded to form a pH-/near-infrared-responsive core-shell nanosystem (Pro@MoSe2@PAA NPs, abbreviated as PMP). Sclerotinia sclerotiorum infection secretes oxalic acid, forming an acidic microenvironment. In an acidic environment, PMP could quickly release Pro, and the cumulative release amount of Pro at pH = 5.0 was 3.1 times higher than that at pH = 7.4, and the efficiency of releasing Pro in the acidic environment was significantly enhanced. In addition, the release rate of PMP under near-infrared light irradiation was also significantly improved, and the cumulative release of Pro under simulated sunlight was 2.35 times higher than that under no light. The contact angles of PMP droplets on rapeseeds were reduced by 31.2 and 13.9% compared to Pro and MoSe2, respectively, which proved that the nanosystems had good wettability. In addition, PMP shows excellent adhesion and resistance to simulated rain washout. In the plate antibacterial experiment, the inhibitory effect of 0.5 µg/mL PMP on S. sclerotiorum was as high as 75.2% after 6 days, which showed a higher bactericidal activity than Pro. More importantly, PMP shows excellent biocompatibility and safety to plants, microorganisms, and cells. In a word, PMP is a green nanopesticide with a dual response of pH/near-infrared light, which provides a new strategy for the sustainable development of agriculture.

Study on synergistic mechanism of molybdenum disulfide/sodium carboxymethyl cellulose composite nanofiber mats for photothermal/photodynamic antibacterial treatment.

Innovative antibacterial therapies using nanomaterials, such as photothermal (PTT) and photodynamic (PDT) treatments, have been developed for treating wound infections. However, creating secure wound dressings with these therapies faces challenges. The primary focus of this study is to prepare an antibacterial nanofiber dressing that effectively incorporates stable loads of functional nanoparticles and demonstrates an efficient synergistic effect between PTT and PDT. Herein, a composite nanofiber mat was fabricated, integrating spherical molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanoparticles. MoS2 was deposited onto polylactic acid (PLA) nanofiber mats using vacuum filtration, which was further stabilized by sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) adhesion and glutaraldehyde (GA) cross-linking. The composite nanofibers demonstrated synergistic antibacterial effects under NIR light irradiation, and the underlying mechanism was explored. They induce bacterial membrane permeability, protein leakage, and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) elevation, ultimately leading to >95 % antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli), which is higher than that of single thermotherapy (almost no antibacterial activity) or ROS therapy (about 80 %). In addition, the composite nanofiber mats exhibited promotion effects on infected wound healing in vivo. This study demonstrates the great prospects of composite nanofiber dressings in clinical treatment of bacterial-infected wounds.

Bioresorbable molybdenum temporary epicardial pacing wires.

Cardiac pacing with temporary epicardial pacing wires (TEPW) is used to treat rhythm disturbances after cardiac surgery. Occasionally, TEPW cannot be mechanically extracted and remain in the thorax, where they may rarely cause serious complications like migration and infection. We aim to develop bioresorbable TEPW that will dissolve over time even if postoperative removal is unsuccessful. In the present study, we demonstrate a completely bioresorbable design using molybdenum (Mo) as electric conductor and the resorbable polymers poly(D, L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and polycaprolactone (PCL) for electrically insulating double-coating. We compared the pacing properties of these Mo TEPW demonstrators to conventional steel TEPW in Langendorff-perfused rat hearts and observed similar functionality. In vitro, static immersion tests in simulated body fluid for up to 28 days elucidated the degradation behaviour of uncoated Mo strands and the influence of polymer coating thereon. Degradation was considerably reduced in double-coated Mo TEPW compared to the uncoated and the PLGA-coated condition. Furthermore, we confirmed good biocompatibility of Mo degradation products in the form of low cytotoxicity in cell cultures of human cardiomyocytes and cardiac fibroblasts. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Temporary pacing wires are routinely implanted on the heart surface to treat rhythm disturbances in the days following cardiac surgery. Subsequently, these wires are to be removed. When removal attempts are unsuccessful, wires are cut at skin level and the remainders are left inside the chest. Retained fragments may migrate within the body or become a centre of infection. These complications may be prevented using resorbable pacing wires. We manufactured completely resorbable temporary pacing wires using molybdenum as electrical conductor and assessed their function, degradation and biological compatibility. Our study represents an important step in the development of a safer approach to the treatment of rhythm disturbances after cardiac surgery.

Molybdenum inhibited the growth of Phytophthora nicotiana and improved the resistance of Nicotiana tabacum L. against tobacco black shank.

Tobacco black shank (TBS) is a soil-borne fungal disease caused by Phytophthora nicotiana (P. nicotianae), significantly impeding the production of high-quality tobacco. Molybdenum (Mo), a crucial trace element for both plants and animals, plays a vital role in promoting plant growth, enhancing photosynthesis, bolstering antioxidant capacity, and maintaining ultrastructural integrity. However, the positive effect of Mo on plant biotic stress is little understood. This study delves into the inhibitory effects of Mo on P. nicotianae and seeks to unravel the underlying mechanisms. The results showed that 16.32 mg/L of Mo significantly inhibited mycelial growth, altered mycelial morphological structure, damaged mycelial cell membrane, and ultimately led to the leakage of cell inclusions. In addition, 0.6 mg/kg Mo applied in soil significantly reduced the severity of TBS. Mo increased photosynthetic parameters and photosynthetic pigment contents of tobacco leaves, upregulated expression of NtPAL and NtPPO resistance genes, as well as improved activities of SOD, POD, CAT, PPO, and PAL in tobacco plants. Furthermore, Mo could regulate nitrogen metabolism and amino acids metabolism to protect tobacco plants against P. nicotianae infection. These findings not only present an ecologically sound approach to control TBS but also contribute valuable insights to the broader exploration of the role of microelements in plant disease management.

Molybdenum and cadmium co-induce apoptosis and ferroptosis through inhibiting Nrf2 signaling pathway in duck (Anas platyrhyncha) testes.

Cadmium (Cd) and high molybdenum (Mo) are injurious to the body. Previous research has substantiated that Cd and Mo exposure caused testicular injury of ducks, but concrete mechanism is not fully clarified. To further survey the toxicity of co-exposure to Cd and Mo in testis, 40 healthy 8-day-old Shaoxing ducks (Anas platyrhyncha) were stochasticly distributed to 4 groups and raised with basic diet embracing Cd (4 mg/kg Cd) or Mo (100 mg/kg Mo) or both. At the 16th wk, testis tissues were gathered. The characteristic ultrastructural changes related to apoptosis and ferroptosis were observed in Mo or Cd or both groups. Besides, Mo or Cd or both repressed nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway via decreasing Nrf2, Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), Glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC) and Glutamate-cysteine ligase modifier subunit (GCLM) mRNA expression of and Nrf2 protein expression, then stimulated apoptosis by elevating Bcl-2 antagonist/killer-1 (Bak-1), Bcl-2-associated X-protein (Bax), Cytochrome complex (Cyt-C), caspase-3 mRNA expression, cleaved-caspase-3 protein expression and apoptosis rate, as well as reducing B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) mRNA expression and ratio of Bcl-2 to Bax, and triggered ferroptosis by upregulating Acyl-CoA Synthetase Long Chain Family Member 4 (ACSL4), transferrin receptor (TFR1) and Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthase 2 (PTGS2) expression levels, and downregulating ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1), ferritin light chain 1 (FTL1), ferroportin 1 (FPN1), solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SCL7A11) and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) expression levels. The most obvious changes of these indexes were observed in co-treated group. Altogether, the results announced that Mo or Cd or both evoked apoptosis and ferroptosis by inhibiting Nrf2 pathway in the testis of ducks, and co-exposure to Mo and Cd exacerbated these variations.

Boric acid and Molybdenum trioxide synergistically stimulate osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells.

INTRODUCTION: Metals and their metal ions have been shown to exhibit certain biological functions that make them attractive for use in biomaterials, for example in bone tissue engineering (BTE) applications. Recent data shows that Molybdenum (Mo) is a potent inducer of osteogenic differentiation in human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (BMSCs). On the other hand, while boron (B) has been shown to enhance vascularization in BTE applications, its impact on osteogenic differentiation is volatile: while improved osteogenic differentiation has been described, other data show that B might slow down osteogenic differentiation or reduce the calcification of the extracellular matrix (ECM) when applied in higher doses. Still, the combination of pro-osteogenic Mo and pro-angiogenic B is certainly attractive in the context of biomaterials intended for the use in BTE. METHODS: Therefore, the combined effect of molybdenum trioxide and boric acid at different ratios was investigated in this study to evaluate the effects on the viability, proliferation, osteogenic differentiation, ECM production and maturation of BMSCs. RESULTS: Mo ions proved to be stronger osteoinductive compared to B, in fact, while some osteogenic differentiation markers were downregulated in the presence of B, the presence of Mo provided compensation. The combined application of B and Mo indicated a combination of individual effects, partially even enhancing the expected combined performance of the single stimulations. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of B and Mo might be beneficial for BTE applications since the limited osteogenic properties of B can be compensated by Mo. Furthermore, since B is known to be pro-angiogenic, the combination of both substances may synergistically lead to improved vascularization and bone regeneration. Future studies should assess the angiogenic performance of this combination in greater detail.

Molybdenum-Copper Antagonism In Metalloenzymes And Anti-Copper Therapy.

The connection between 3d (Cu) and 4d (Mo) via the "Mo-S-Cu" unit is called Mo-Cu antagonism. Biology offers case studies of such interactions in metalloproteins such as Mo/Cu-CO Dehydrogenases (Mo/Cu-CODH), and Mo/Cu Orange Protein (Mo/Cu-ORP). The CODH significantly maintains the CO level in the atmosphere below the toxic level by converting it to non-toxic CO2 for respiring organisms. Several models were synthesized to understand the structure-function relationship of these native enzymes. However, this interaction was first observed in ruminants, and they convert molybdate (MoO4 2- ) into tetrathiomolybdate (MoS4 2- ; TTM), reacting with cellular Cu to yield biological unavailable Mo/S/Cu cluster, then developing Cu-deficiency diseases. These findings inspire the use of TTM as a Cu-sequester drug, especially for treating Cu-dependent human diseases such as Wilson diseases (WD) and cancer. It is well known that a balanced Cu homeostasis is essential for a wide range of biological processes, but negative consequence leads to cell toxicity. Therefore, this review aims to connect the Mo-Cu antagonism in metalloproteins and anti-copper therapy.

Ultrasound assisted electrodeposition of photocatalytic antibacterial MoS2-Zn coatings controlled by sodium dodecyl sulfate.

Photocatalytic MoS2 with visible light response is considered as a promising bactericidal material owing to its non-toxicity and high antibacterial efficiency. However, photocatalysts always exist as powder, so it is difficult to settle photocatalysts on the metal surface, which limits their application in aqueous environments. To solve this problem, ultrasound and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) were introduced into the co-deposition process of MoS2 and zinc matrix, so that novel MoS2-Zn coatings were obtained. In this process, ultrasound and SDS strongly promoted the dispersion and adsorption of MoS2 on the co-depositing surfaces. Then MoS2 were proved to be composited into the Zn matrix with effective structures, and the addition of SDS effectively increased the loading content of MoS2 in the MoS2-Zn coatings. Besides, the antibacterial performance of the MoS2-Zn coatings was evaluated with three typical fouling bacteria E.coli, S.aureus and B.wiedmannii. The MoS2-Zn coating showed high and broad-spectrum antibacterial properties with over 98 % inhibition rate against these three bacteria. Furthermore, it is proved that the MoS2-Zn coatings generated superoxide (·O2-) and hydroxyl radicals (·OH) under visible light, which played the dominant and subordinate roles in the antibacterial process, respectively. The MoS2-Zn coatings also showed high antibacterial stability after four "light-dark" cycles. According to the results of the attached bacteria, the MoS2-Zn coatings were considered to effectively repel the living pelagic bacteria instead of killing the attached ones, which was highly environmentally friendly. The obtained MoS2-Zn coatings were considered promising in biofilm inhibiting and marine antifouling fields.

Macrophage Membrane-Modified MoS2 Quantum Dots as a Nanodrug for Combined Multi-Targeting of Alzheimer's Disease.

The complex pathological mechanism of Alzheimer's disease (AD) limits the efficacy of simple drug therapy, and drugs are difficult to penetrate the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Therefore, it is a breakthrough to enhance the therapeutic effect of AD by rationally using multiple therapeutic strategies to inhibit multiple pathological targets. In this study, macrophage membrane (MM) with active targeting inflammation function is used to functionalize molybdenum disulfide quantum dots (MoS2 QDs) with the properties of elimination of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and anti-Aß1-42 deposition to form the nano drug (MoS2 QDs/MM), and play the role of multi-target combined therapy with NIR. The results show that MoS2 QDs/MM has a targeted therapeutic effect on ROS elimination and anti-deposition of Aß1-42 . In addition, the combined therapy group effectively reduced Aß1-42 mediated cytotoxicity. The modification of MM could effectively target the brain, and NIR irradiation could actively increase the cross of BBB of materials. In vivo behavioral study also show that APP/PS1 mice in the combined treatment group showed the similar exploration desire and learning ability to mice in the group of WT. MoS2 QDs/MM is an excellent nano drug with multiple effects, which has advantages in the field of neurological diseases with crisscross pathogenesis.

Unveiling the antibacterial strategies and mechanisms of MoS2: a comprehensive analysis and future directions.

Antibiotic resistance is a growing problem that requires alternative antibacterial agents. MoS2, a two-dimensional transition metal sulfide, has gained significant attention in recent years due to its exceptional photocatalytic performance, excellent infrared photothermal effect, and impressive antibacterial properties. This review presents a detailed analysis of the antibacterial strategies and mechanism of MoS2, starting with its morphology and synthesis methods and focusing on the different interaction stages between MoS2 and bacteria. The paper summarizes the main antibacterial mechanisms of MoS2, such as photocatalytic antibacterial, enzyme-like catalytic antibacterial, physical antibacterial, and photothermal-assisted antibacterial. It offers a comprehensive discussion focus on recent research studies of photocatalytic antibacterial mechanisms and categorizes them, guiding the application of MoS2 in the antibacterial field. Overall, the review provides an in-depth understanding of the antibacterial mechanisms of MoS2 and presents the challenges and future directions for the improvement of MoS2 in the field of high-efficiency antibacterial materials.

Photothermal antibacterial MoS2 composited chitosan hydrogel for infectious wound healing.

Pathological bacterial infection poses a serious threat to public health security. The excessive use of antibiotics has resulted in a serious decline in treatment effect and bacterial resistance. For the treatment of infected wounds, we compounded dopamine-assisted exfoliated molybdenum disulfide (MoS2@PDA) into lipoic acid modified chitosan (LAMC) to obtain a composite hydrogel dressing (LAMC-MoS2@PDA). LAMC-MoS2@PDA hydrogels exhibited excellent photothermal conversion ability and the LAMC-MoS2@PDA2 group (0.3 wt%) has a photothermal conversion efficiency of 26.29 %. Meanwhile, they showed good biocompatibility and ROS scavenging activity in vitro. Photothermal therapy usually utilizes photothermal agents to convert near-infrared light into heat energy for bacterial cell membrane destruction and bacterial protein inactivation. Under the near-infrared light irradiation, the antibacterial ratio of LAMC-MoS2@PDA hydrogels against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli reached nearly 100 %, and the morphology of the bacteria showed obvious contraction and cleavage. The hydrogels also showed an excellent antibacterial effect and wound healing promotion in the infected wound of rats. In particular, the LAMC-MoS2@PDA2 (+) group (with NIR) showed almost complete wound closure after 14 days, indicating that the LAMC-MoS2@PDA hydrogels have great potential in clinical anti-infected treatment.

The role of MoS2 QDs coated with DSPE-PEG-TPP in the protection of protein secondary structure of the brain tissues in an Alzheimer's disease model.

In this investigation, we have explored the protective capacity of MoS2 QDs coated with 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-[amino(polyethyleneglycol) -2000] (DSPE-PEG) linked with (3-carboxypropyl) triphenylphosphonium-bromide (TPP), on the secondary structure of proteins in Alzheimer's disease (AD)-affected brain tissues. Using a cohort of fifteen male SWR/J mice, we establish three groups: a control group, a second group induced with AD through daily doses of AlCl3 and D-galactose for 49 consecutive days, and a third group receiving the same AD-inducing doses but treated with DSPE-PEG-TPP-MoS2 QDs. Brain tissues are meticulously separated from the skull, and their molecular structures are analyzed via FTIR spectroscopy. Employing the curve fitting method on the amide I peak, we delve into the nuances of protein secondary structure. The FTIR analysis reveals a marked increase in ß-sheet structures and a concurrent decline in turn and α-helix structures in the AD group in comparison to the control group. Notably, no statistically significant differences emerge between the treated and control mice. Furthermore, multivariate analysis of the FTIR spectral region, encompassing protein amide molecular structures, underscores a remarkable similarity between the treated and normal mice. This study elucidates the potential of DSPE-PEG-TPP-MoS2 QDs in shielding brain tissue proteins against the pathogenic influences of AD.

Multi-Enzyme Activity of MIL-101 (Fe)-Derived Cascade Nano-Enzymes for Antitumor and Antimicrobial Therapy.

The clinical application of oncology therapy is hampered by high glutathione concentrations, hypoxia, and inefficient activation of cell death mechanisms in cancer cells. In this study, Fe and Mo bimetallic sulfide nanomaterial (FeS2@MoS2) based on metal-organic framework structure is rationally prepared with peroxidase (POD)-, catalase (CAT)-, superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activities and glutathione depletion ability, which can confer versatility for treating tumors and mending wounds. In the lesion area, FeS2@MoS2 with SOD-like activity can facilitate the transformation of superoxide anions (O2 -) to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and then the resulting H2O2 serves as a substrate for the Fenton reaction with FMS to produce highly toxic hydroxyl radicals (∙OH). Simultaneously, FeS2@MoS2 has an ability to deplete glutathione (GSH) and catalyze the decomposition of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) to curb the regeneration of GSH from the source. Thus it can realize effective tumor elimination through synergistic apoptosis-ferroptosis strategy. Based on the alteration of the H2O2 system, free radical production, glutathione depletion and the alleviation of hypoxia in the tumor microenvironment, FeS2@MoS2 NPS can not only significantly inhibit tumors in vivo and in vitro, but also inhibit multidrug-resistant bacteria and hasten wound healing. It may open the door to the development of cascade nanoplatforms for effective tumor treatment and overcoming wound infection.

Mucilage-assisted fabrication of molybdenum trioxide nanostructures for photothermal ablation of breast cancer cells.

Nanostructures have been used for various biomedical applications due to their optical, antibacterial, magnetic, antioxidant, and biocompatible properties. Cancer is a prevalent disease that severely threatens human life and health. Thus, innovative and effective therapeutic approaches are urgently required for cancer. Photothermal therapy (PTT) is a promising approach to killing cancer cells. In this investigation, we developed a low-cost, simple, green technique to fabricate molybdenum trioxide nanostructures (MNs) using Opuntia ficus-indica mucilage as a template. Moreover, the MNs were functionalized with folic acid (FA) for cancer PTT. The X-ray diffractometer results revealed that the prepared MNs have an orthorhombic crystal phase. The transmission electron microscope image of MNs shows a flake shape with 20-150 nm diameter. The cytotoxicity of MNs and FA-conjugated MNs was studied in vitro. These cell viability assay results suggested that fabricated MoO3 nanostructures reduced 25% of cell viability in MCF-7 cells, even at high doses. However, even with high-dose treatment, FA/MNs do not cause significant cell death. Acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EB) staining revealed DNA and chromatin condensation in MCF-7 cells exposed to MNs. Overall, the in vitro study results suggested that FA/MNs have excellent biocompatibility, which applies to biomedical applications. MNs dispersion temperature gradually increases from 26 to 58°C under 808 nm laser irradiation. We found significant mortality rates after NIR irradiation in MNs- or FA/MNs-treated MCF-7 cells. These findings suggest that FA/MNs can be used as an effective photothermal agent to treat breast cancer.

3D Molybdenum Disulfide Nanospheres Loaded with Metformin to Enhance SCPP Scaffolds for Bone Regeneration.

Conventional strontium-doped calcium polyphosphate (SCPP) ceramics have attracted a lot of attention due to good cytocompatibility and controlled degradation. However, their poor mechanical strength, brittleness, and difficulty in eliminating unavoidable postoperative inflammation and bacterial infections in practical applications limit their further clinical application. In this study, carboxylated molybdenum disulfide nanospheres (MoS2-COOH) were first prepared via a one-step hydrothermal method. The optimal doping concentration of MoS2-COOH was then incorporated into SCPP to overcome its poor mechanical strength. To further enhance the anti-inflammatory properties of scaffolds, metformin (MET) was loaded onto MoS2-COOH through covalent bond cross-linking (MoS2-MET). Then MoS2-MET was doped into SCPP (SCPP/MoS2-MET) according to the previously obtained concentration, resulting in the controlled and sustained release of MET from the SCPP/MoS2-MET scaffolds for 21 days in vitro. The SCPP/MoS2-MET scaffolds were shown to have good biological activity in vitro to promote stem cell proliferation and the potential to promote mineralization in vitro. It also showed good osteoimmunomodulatory activity could reduce the expression of proinflammatory factors and effectively induce the differentiation of BMSCs under inflammatory conditions, upregulating the expression of relevant osteoblastic cytokines. In addition, SCPP/MoS2-MET scaffolds could effectively inhibit Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. In vivo experiments also demonstrated better osteogenic potential of SCPP/MoS2-MET scaffolds compared with the other scaffold-samples. Thus, the introduction of carboxylated molybdenum disulfide nanospheres is a promising approach to improve the properties of SCPP and may provide a new modification strategy for inert ceramic scaffolds and the construction of multifunctional composite scaffolds for bone tissue engineering.

Molybdenum nanoparticles as a potential topical medication for alopecia treatment through antioxidant pathways that differ from minoxidil.

BACKGROUND: Hair loss is a common dermatological condition including various types such as alopecia areata, androgenetic alopecia, etc. Minoxidil is a topical medication used for treating hair loss, which is effective for various types of alopecia. However, minoxidil has limitations in treating hair loss, such as slow onset of action and low efficacy, and it cannot effectively inhibit one of the major pathogenic factors of hair loss - excessive oxidative stress. METHODS: Transition metal elements with rapid electron transfer, such as molybdenum, have been extensively studied and applied for inhibiting oxidative stress. We established a mouse model for hair growth and intervened with nano-sized molybdenum, minoxidil, and a combination of both. The physicochemical properties of nano-sized molybdenum enabled it to mediate oxidative stress more quickly. RESULTS: The results showed that nano-sized molybdenum can accelerate hair growth, increase the number of local hair follicles, and reduce the expression of oxidative stress-related molecules such as iNOS, COX2, and androgen receptors. The combination of nano-sized molybdenum and minoxidil showed an additive effect in promoting hair growth. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that nano-sized molybdenum might be a potential topical medication for treating hair loss by inhibiting the oxidative stress pathway. Nano-sized molybdenum, alone or in combination with minoxidil, could be a promising therapeutic approach for patients with hair loss, particularly those who do not respond well to current treatments. Further clinical studies are warranted to confirm the efficacy and safety of this novel treatment.