The Value of CEUS LI-RADS combined with AFP in early diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma in low- and high-risk patients.

BACKGROUND: We found that the occurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has increased significantly in non-cirrhotic individuals, with HCC being frequently overlooked or misdiagnosed. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) is known to have a high diagnostic quality in high-risk HCC patients. Therefore, we aimed to compare the detection accuracy of CEUS LI-RADS for HCC between low- and high-risk individuals, to confirm its value in low-risk patients at increased risk of HCC, but not yet included in the high-risk groups of LI-RADS. In addition, since CEUS LR-4 and LR-M categories contain a relatively high proportion of HCC, and serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is the most commonly used biomarker for HCC, and the clinically valid, we attempted to further improve the early diagnostic capability of CEUS LI-RADS for HCC in the low-risk and high-risk patients by combining CEUS LR-4 and LR-M categories with AFP. METHODS: We defined high-risk groups (HR)-included in the high-risk patients of LI-RADS, low-risk groups (LR)-not included in the high-risk patients of LI-RADS and enrolled 189 HCC patients with LR and HR settings in a retrospective study. All lesions were confirmed histopathologically. The CEUS LI-RADS accuracy for detecting HCC in these two patients was compared. In addition, the diagnostic algorithm in our study was proposed (for CEUS LR-4 and LR-M patients with AFP>20 ng/ml). we analyzed the ability of CEUS LI-RADS as a valid method of establishing the early diagnosis of HCC in LR and HR patients by combining LR-4 and LR-M categories with AFP. RESULTS: Through comparative analysis, the specificity of the CEUS LR-5 category for HCC in the HR group was 78.4%, whereas in the LR group, it was 94.2%. Meanwhile, the sensitivity (63.2% vs. 63.0%) and positive predictive value (PPV) (75.0% vs. 88.7%) did not differ between the LR and HR groups (P = 0.990, P = 0.299). It is noteworthy that there were the high proportion of HCC in CEUS LR-4 and LR-M categories in our cases and when we combined CEUS LR-4 and LR-M categories with AFP significantly improved the sensitivity by 21.0% (84.2%) in the LR group, and by 16.0% (79.0%) in the HR group, with statistically difference in sensitivity after combination in the HR group (P = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: The CEUS LR-5 category has real meaningful utility in the diagnosis of HCC in both LR and HR patients. The early detection power of the CEUS LI-RADS category for HCC patients was further increased when the CEUS LR-4 and LR-M categories were combined with elevated AFP.

A Multifunctional Nanocatalytic Metal-Organic Framework as a Ferroptosis Amplifier for Mild Hyperthermia Photothermal Therapy.

Hyperthermia therapy is considered an effective anticancer strategy. However, high temperature can trigger an excessive inflammatory response, leading to tumor self-protection, immunosuppression, metastasis, and recurrence. To address this issue, we reported a multifunctional photothermal nanoplatform to achieve mild hyperthermia photothermal therapy (mild PTT) based on cisplatin (DDP) and a ferrocene metal-organic framework (MOF-Fc) nanocomposite, which can specifically enhance ferroptosis-triggered oxidative stress levels and synchronously amplify mild hyperthermia PTT-mediated anticancer responses. Both in vitro and in vivo antineoplastic results verify the superiority of mild PTT with DDP/MOF-Fc@HA. The combination of DDP and MOF-Fc exhibits Fenton catalytic activity and glutathione depletion capacity, magnifying mild hyperthermia effects via the radical oxygen species (ROS)-adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-HSP silencing pathway, with important implications for clinical hyperthermia therapy.

Biosynthesis and Biotechnological Synthesis of Hydroxytyrosol.

Hydroxytyrosol (HT), a plant-derived phenolic compound, is recognized for its potent antioxidant capabilities alongside a spectrum of pharmacological benefits, including anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-bacterial, and anti-viral properties. These attributes have propelled HT into the spotlight as a premier nutraceutical and food additive, heralding a new era in health and wellness applications. Traditional methods for HT production, encompassing physico-chemical techniques and plant extraction, are increasingly being supplanted by biotechnological approaches. These modern methodologies offer several advantages, notably environmental sustainability, safety, and cost-effectiveness, which align with current demands for green and efficient production processes. This review delves into the biosynthetic pathways of HT, highlighting the enzymatic steps involved and the pivotal role of genetic and metabolic engineering in enhancing HT yield. It also surveys the latest progress in the biotechnological synthesis of HT, examining innovative strategies that leverage both genetically modified and non-modified organisms. Furthermore, this review explores the burgeoning potential of HT as a nutraceutical, underscoring its diverse applications and the implications for human health. Through a detailed examination of both the biosynthesis and biotechnological advances in HT production, this review contributes valuable insights to the field, charting a course towards the sustainable and scalable production of this multifaceted compound.

Modulating the Microstructure and Surface Acidity of MnO2 by Doping-Induced Phase Transition for Simultaneous Removal of Toluene and NOx at Low Temperature.

It is a great challenge to remove VOCs and NOx simultaneously from flue gas in nonelectric industries. This study focuses on the construction of Fe-MnO2 catalysts that perform well in the simultaneous removal of toluene and NOx at low temperatures. Utilizing the Fe-induced phase transition of MnO2, Fe-MnO2-F&R catalysts with a composite morphology of nanoflowers and nanorods were successfully prepared that provided an abundant microporous structure to facilitate the diffusion of molecules of different sizes. Through in-depth investigation of the active sites and reaction mechanism, we discovered that Fe-induced phase transition could modulate the surface acidity of Fe-MnO2-F&R. The higher concentration of surface Mn4+ provided numerous Brønsted acid sites, which effectively promoted the activation of toluene to reactive intermediates, such as benzyl alcohol/benzoate/maleic acid. Simultaneously, Fe provided a large number of Lewis acid sites that anchor and activate NH3 species, thereby inhibiting NH3 nonselective oxidation. Furthermore, additional Brønsted acid sites were generated during the simultaneous reaction process, enhancing toluene activation. Consequently, the simultaneous removal of toluene and NOx was achieved through regulation of the physical structure and the concentration of acidic sites. The present work provides new insights into the rational design of bifunctional catalysts for the synergistic control of VOCs and NOx emissions.

The regulating mechanism of salt tolerance of black walnut seedlings was revealed by the physiological and biochemical integration analysis.

Salt stress is an important abiotic stress that seriously affects plant growth. In order to research the salt tolerance of walnut rootstocks so as to provide scientific basis for screening salt-tolerant walnut rootstocks, two kinds of black walnut seedlings, Juglans microcarpa L. (JM) and Juglans nigra L. (JN), were treated under salt stress with different concentrations of NaCl (0, 50, 100, and 200 mM) and the growth situation of seedlings were observed. The physiological indexes of JM and JN seedlings were also measured in different days after treatment. Our study showed salt stress inhibited seedlings growth and limited biomass accumulation. Walnut mainly increased osmotic adjustment ability by accumulation Pro and SS. Furthermore, with the duration of treatment time increased, SOD and APX activities decreased, TPC and TFC contents increased. Walnut accumulated Na mostly in roots and transported more K and Ca to aboveground parts. The growth and physiological response performance differed between JM and JN, specifically, the differences occurred in the ability to absorb minerals, regulate osmotic stress, and scavenge ROS. Salt tolerance of JM and JN was assessed by principal component analysis (PCA) and resulted in JN > JM. In conclusion, our results indicated that JN has higher salt tolerance than JM, and JN might be used as a potential germplasm resource for the genetic breeding of walnuts.

A Common Neuronal Ensemble in the Lateral Habenula Regulates Ciprofol Anesthesia in Mice.

General anesthetics were first used over 170 years ago; however, the mechanisms of how general anesthetics induce loss of consciousness (LOC) remain unclear. Ciprofol, a novel intravenous anesthetic, has been developed by incorporating cyclopropyl into the chemical structure of propofol. This modification offers the benefits of rapid onset and minimal injection pain. Recent studies have revealed that the glutamatergic neurons of the lateral habenula (LHb) play a crucial role in modulating the LOC induced by propofol and sevoflurane. Nevertheless, the specific involvement of LHb in the anesthetic effects of ciprofol remains uncertain. Here, using targeted recombination in active populations (TRAP) combined with electroencephalogram/electromyography recordings and the righting reflex behavioral test, our study revealed that intravenous infusion of ciprofol for 1 h could lead to the induction of c-Fos expression in the LHb in mice. The combination of TRAP and gene ablation, aimed at selectively ablating ciprofol-activated neurons in the LHb, has been shown to facilitate the emergence of ciprofol anesthesia and decrease the proportion of delta waves during the emergence phase. Chemogenetic inhibition of these neurons produced a comparable effect, whereas chemogenetic activation resulted in the opposite outcome. Chemogenetic activation of ciprofol-activated neurons in the LHb delays the emergence of anesthesia and induces a deep hypnotic state during the emergence phase. Taken together, our findings suggest that LHb ciprofol-activated neurons modulate the state of consciousness and could potentially be targeted to manipulate consciousness during ciprofol anesthesia.

Effect of Exogenous and Endogenous Ectoine on Monascus Development, Metabolism, and Pigment Stability.

Monascus, a key player in fermented food production, is known for generating Monascus pigments (MPs) and monacolin K (MK), possessing bioactive properties. However, the limited stability of MPs and mycotoxin citrinin (CTN) constrain the Monascus industry. Extremolytes like ectoine, derived from bacteria, exhibit cytoprotective potential. Here, we investigated the impact of ectoine on Monascus purpureus ATCC 16365, emphasizing development and secondary metabolism. Exogenous 5 mM ectoine supplementation substantially increased the yields of MPs and MK (105%-150%) and reduced CTN production. Ectoine influenced mycelial growth, spore development, and gene expression in Monascus. Remarkably, ectoine biosynthesis was achieved in Monascus, showing comparable effects to exogenous addition. Notably, endogenous ectoine effectively enhanced the stability of MPs under diverse stress conditions. Our findings propose an innovative strategy for augmenting the production and stability of bioactive compounds while reducing CTN levels, advancing the Monascus industry.

Comprehensive analysis of the oncogenic and immunological role of SPON2 in human tumors.

BACKGROUND: Sapiens spondin-2 (SPON2) is a protein found in the extracellular matrix that plays a role in a number of processes, including immune reactions and cell adhesion, and is closely linked to the emergence of a number of tumor types. However, we know very little about Sapiens spondin-2. Therefore, we performed a systematic pan-carcinogenic analysis to explore the relationship between Sapiens spondin-2 and cancers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: By comprehensive use of datasets from TCGA, GEO, GTEx, HPA, CPTAC, GEPIA2, TIMER2, cBioPortal, STRING, we adopted bioinformatics methods to dig up the potential carcinogenesis of SPON2, including dissecting the correlation between SPON2 and gene expression, prognosis, gene mutation, Immunohistochemistry staining, immune cell infiltration, and constructed the interaction network of a total of 54 SPON2-binding proteins as well as explored the enrichment analysis of SPON2-related partners. RESULTS: The expression of Sapiens spondin-2 in most tumor tissues was higher than that of normal tissues. In addition, SPON2 showed the early diagnostic value in 33 kinds of tumors and was positively or negatively associated with the prognosis of different tumors. It also validates that SPON2 is the gene associated with the majority of immune-infiltrating cells in pan-cancer. High SPON2 expression is associated with tumor progression related pathways. CONCLUSION: We found and validated the potential use of SPON2 in cancer detection for the first time through pan-cancer analysis. The expression levels of SPON2 in various tumors were quite different from those in normal tissues. Furthermore, the performance of SPON2 in tumorigenesis and tumor immunity verified our hypothesis. At the same time, it has high specificity and sensitivity in cancer detection. Therefore, SPON2 can be employed as an auxiliary index for the initial diagnosis of tumors and a prognostic marker for various types of tumors.

Composite elastomers with on-demand convertible phase separations achieve large and healable electro-actuation.

Phase separation has been widely exploited for fabricating structured functional materials. Generally, after being fabricated, the phase structure in a hybrid material system has been set at a specific length scale and remains unchanged during the lifespan of the material. Herein, we report a strategy to construct on-demand and reversible phase switches among homogenous, nano- and macro-phase separation states in a composite elastomer during its lifespan. We trigger the nanophase separation by super-saturating an elastomer matrix with a carefully selected small-molecule organic compound (SMOC). The nanoparticles of SMOC that precipitate out upon quenching will stretch the elastomer network, yet remain stably arrested in the elastomer matrix at low temperatures for a long time. However, at elevated temperatures, the nano-phase separation will transform into the macro-one. The elastic recovery will drive the SMOC onto the elastomer surface. The phase-separated structures can be reconfigured through the homogeneous solution state at a further elevated temperature. Taking advantage of the reversible phase switches leads to a novel strategy for designing high-performance dielectric elastomers. The in situ formed nanoparticles can boost the electro-actuation performance by eliminating electro-mechanical instability and lead to a very large actuation strain (∼146%). Once the actuator broke down, SMOC could on-demand be driven to the breakdown holes and heal the actuator.

Isobutyric acid promotes colorectal cancer metastasis through activating RACK1.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) metastasis plays a crucial role in disease progression, yet the regulatory mechanisms underlying metastasis remain incompletely understood. Isobutyric acid (IBA), a short-chain fatty acid found at high levels in serum of CRC patients, has been shown to be a critical metabolite influencing CRC proliferation. However, its role in tumor metastasis remains unknown. Here, utilizing liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis, we found that levels of IBA were significantly higher in patients with distant organ metastasis of CRC than in those without. Furthermore, IBA promoted CRC metastasis both in vitro and in vivo. Mass spectrometry, immunofluorescence, and cellular thermal shift assay revealed that IBA interacts with RACK1. Mechanistically, IBA binding to and activating RACK1 promotes regulation of downstream Akt and FAK signaling and CRC metastasis. Collectively, our study highlights the critical interplay between IBA and RACK1 and its impact on tumor metastasis. This study suggests that targeting the IBA-RACK1 signaling axis may be an effective therapeutic strategy for controlling CRC metastasis.

A Novel Microbial Consortia Catalysis Strategy for the Production of Hydroxytyrosol from Tyrosine.

Hydroxytyrosol, a valuable plant-derived phenolic compound, is increasingly produced from microbial fermentation. However, the promiscuity of the key enzyme HpaBC, the two-component flavin-dependent monooxygenase from Escherichia coli, often leads to low yields. To address this limitation, we developed a novel strategy utilizing microbial consortia catalysis for hydroxytyrosol production. We designed a biosynthetic pathway using tyrosine as the substrate and selected enzymes and overexpressing glutamate dehydrogenase GdhA to realize the cofactor cycling by coupling reactions catalyzed by the transaminase and the reductase. Additionally, the biosynthetic pathway was divided into two parts and performed by separate E. coli strains. Furthermore, we optimized the inoculation time, strain ratio, and pH to maximize the hydroxytyrosol yield. Glycerol and ascorbic acid were added to the co-culture, resulting in a 92% increase in hydroxytyrosol yield. Using this approach, the production of 9.2 mM hydroxytyrosol was achieved from 10 mM tyrosine. This study presents a practical approach for the microbial production of hydroxytyrosol that can be promoted to produce other value-added compounds.

Multifunctional Nanoparticles-Mediated PTT/PDT Synergistic Immune Activation and Antitumor Activity Combined with Anti-PD-L1 Immunotherapy for Breast Cancer Treatment.

Introduction: Photoimmunotherapy is a breakthrough treatment for malignant tumors. Its uniqueness is that it uses antibody mediated targeted delivery to achieve high tumor specificity and uses laser-activated biophysical mechanism to accurately induce the rapid death of cancer cells and avoid damaging the surrounding normal tissues. Methods: In this paper, an iron-based micelle was designed to encapsulate the photothermal agent indocyanine green (ICG) and a cyclic tripeptide of arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (cRGD) as targeted multifunctional ICG@SANPs-cRGD nanoparticles for combined photothermal/photodynamic/immune therapy of breast cancer. Results: The experimental results show that ICG@SANPs-cRGD nanoparticles have good biocompatibility and photothermal conversion ability. Photothermal therapy (PTT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) based on ICG@SANPs-cRGD can not only inhibit the proliferation, invasion and migration of tumor cells, but also directly kill tumor cells by inducing apoptosis or necrosis. Dual-mode fluorescence light (FL) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) imaging in mice confirmed the selective accumulation at tumor sites and imaging ability of ICG@SANPs-cRGD. PTT/PDT combined with Anti-PD-L1 immunotherapy based on ICG@SANPs-cRGD mediated the immunogenic cell death (ICD) of tumor cells by regulating the expression of immune-related indicators and activated the body's immune response mechanism, which enhanced the immunotherapy effect of immune checkpoint block (ICB). PTT/PDT combined with Anti-PD-L1 therapy not only prevented the progression of the primary tumor but also inhibited the distant metastasis of the tumor. Discussion: This study explores the biomedical application of PTT/PDT combined with Anti-PD-L1 based on ICG@SANPs-cRGD nanomaterials for breast cancer treatment and demonstrates the potential of ICG@SANPs-cRGD as a multifunctional therapeutic platform for future cancer therapy.

Clinical manifestation and treatment of small intestinal lymphangioma: A single center analysis of 15 cases.

Background: Small intestinal lymphangioma is a very rare benign lesion. Thus far, the literature on small intestinal lymphangioma has mainly involved case reports. The present study retrospectively examined the clinical features of patients with a pathological diagnosis of small intestinal lymphangioma. Materials and methods: From January 2010 to January 2021, 15 patients were pathologically diagnosed with small intestinal lymphangioma. The age, gender, clinical manifestation, computed tomography (CT) findings, endoscopic findings, localization of the lesion, treatment method, complications, and follow-up were retrospectively analyzed. Results: Most of the patients had no symptoms, and those with symptoms had melena or abdominal pain. Lymphangioma was located in the duodenum in nine cases (60.0%), jejunum in two (13.3%), jejunal-ileal junction with mesentery involvement in one (6.7%) and ileum in three (20.0%). Three cases (20.0%) had multiple lesions, and the other 12 (80.0%) had single lesions. The median size of the lesions was 0.8 cm. Thirteen cases were found by endoscopy, and nine cases of them had white-colored spots on the surface. Ten cases (66.7%) underwent endoscopic treatment, three (20.0%) underwent surgical treatment, and two (13.3%) were followed up. Postoperative acute pancreatitis developed in one patient after endoscopic resection of duodenal papillary lymphangioma; postoperative abdominal bleeding occurred in one patient with jejunal lymphangioma who underwent partial small bowel resection. Conclusion: Small intestinal lymphangioma is extremely rare, and its clinical manifestations are non-specific. Endoscopy is of great value in the diagnosis of small intestinal lymphangioma. Depending on the clinical manifestations, the size, location and scope of the lesions, follow-up, endoscopic treatment and surgery can be selected.

Renal fibrosis as a hallmark of diabetic kidney disease: potential role of targeting transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-ß) and related molecules.

INTRODUCTION: Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is the most common cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) worldwide. Currently, there is no effective treatment to completely prevent DKD progression to ESRD. Renal fibrosis and inflammation are the major pathological features of DKD, being pursued as potential therapeutic targets for DKD. AREAS COVERED: Inflammation and renal fibrosis are involved in the pathogenesis of DKD. Anti-inflammatory drugs have been developed to combat DKD but without efficacy demonstrated. Thus, we have focused on the mechanisms of TGF-ß-induced renal fibrosis in DKD, as well as discussing the important molecules influencing the TGF-ß signaling pathway and their potential development into new pharmacotherapies, rather than targeting the ligand TGF-ß and/or its receptors, such options include Smads, microRNAs, histone deacetylases, connective tissue growth factor, bone morphogenetic protein 7, hepatocyte growth factor, and cell division autoantigen 1. EXPERT OPINION: TGF-ß is a critical driver of renal fibrosis in DKD. Molecules that modulate TGF-ß signaling rather than TGF-ß itself are potentially superior targets to safely combat DKD. A comprehensive elucidation of the pathogenesis of DKD is important, which requires a better model system and access to clinical samples via collaboration between basic and clinical researchers.

Effects of Salt Stress on the Morphology, Growth and Physiological Parameters of Juglansmicrocarpa L. Seedlings.

In this study, to screen for walnut salt-tolerant rootstocks, Juglans microcarpa L. seedlings were treated in different NaCl concentrations (0, 50, 100, 200, and 300 mmol/L), and the growth situation of seedlings was observed. Moreover, we determined the physiological indexes of seedlings on different days (6, 12, 18, and 24 d) after treatment. The results showed that after salt stress, the external morphology of seedlings displayed salt injury, which manifested as yellowing, withering, curling, and falling off of leaves. High concentrations and long-term stress led to more serious damage, with numerous leaves undergoing withering and shedding. Salt stress significantly inhibited the growth of seedlings. With the increase in salt concentration and stress time, the chlorophyll content and photosynthetic parameters of seedlings reduced to varying degrees; the relative electrical conductivity (REC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) increased. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) activities generally increased, followed by a decrease; proline (Pro) accumulated; and soluble sugar (SS) content first increased and then decreased. In addition, it promoted the production of abscisic acid (ABA) and inhibited the synthesis of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), gibberellic acid 3 (GA3), and zeatin riboside (ZR). It was found that J.microcarpa L. seedlings were more tolerant under 100 mmol/L salt stress, whereas the damage to growth was more severe at 200 mmol/L to 300 mmol/L salt stress.

Trojan Nanobacteria System for Photothermal Programmable Destruction of Deep Tumor Tissues.

A novel bacteria-based drug delivery system, termed "Trojan nanobacteria system", has been developed in which nanoagents are internalized into engineered bacteria through bacteria-specific maltodextrin (MD) transporters. Compared to the method of attaching nanoagents to bacterial surfaces, this Trojan system features higher payloads and better stability. In cancer therapy, Trojan nanobacteria can specifically discriminate the tumor region and then penetrate deep tumor tissues. Once in the tumor, the Trojan nanobacteria systems are able to destroy deep tumor tissues due to the combined effects of antitumor protein expression (e.g., tumor necrosis factor-α, TNF-α) and photothermal properties.

Phenotypic Differences and Physiological Responses of Salt Resistance of Walnut with Four Rootstock Types.

Walnut is one of the world's four largest nuts. Currently, the bottleneck in walnut breeding is the production of resistant variants. Soil salinization is a global problem, and the use of salt-tolerant rootstocks is a basic strategy to overcome the challenge of sustained walnut production. Providing a scientific basis for the selection of walnut salt-tolerant rootstocks is possible by studying the physiological and biochemical response characteristics and salt tolerance variations of different walnut genotypes under salt stress. In the present study, seedlings of four genotypes of walnut rootstocks, including J1 (Juglans hindsii), J2 (J. mandshurica), J3 (J. regia × J. mandshurica), and J4 (J. regia × J. hindsii), were employed as test materials to conduct a 28-day pot experiment under NaCl stress with five NaCl concentrations (0, 50, 100, 200, and 300 mmol/L). Under different NaCl treatment concentrations, seedling morphology, growth indices, chlorophyll content, photosynthetic parameters, relative electrical conductivity (REC), malondialdehyde (MDA), proline (Pro), soluble sugar (SS), and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) in the leaves were examined. Salt stress altered the morphological characteristics and growth indices of seedlings from four genotypes to varying degrees. In addition, according to the analysis of physiological and biochemical data, salt stress had a considerable impact on both the physiological and biochemical processes of seedlings. Salt stress decreased the chlorophyll content and photosynthetic parameters of four genotypes, the REC, MDA content, Pro content, and SS content of each genotype increased by different degrees, and the enzymatic activities showed different trends. The salt tolerance of rootstocks was evaluated thoroughly using principal component analysis and membership function analysis based on the 16 parameters. The results of a comprehensive evaluation of salt tolerance showed that the order of salt tolerance of the four genotypes was J4 > J1 > J3 > J2, which corresponded to the order of the morphological symptoms of salt injury. In conclusion, J4 has strong salt tolerance and is an important germplasm resource for walnut salt-tolerant rootstock breeding.

Bacteria eat nanoprobes for aggregation-enhanced imaging and killing diverse microorganisms.

Currently optical-based techniques for in vivo microbial population imaging are limited by low imaging depth and highly light-scattering tissue; and moreover, are generally effective against only one specific group of bacteria. Here, we introduce an imaging and therapy strategy, in which different bacteria actively eat the glucose polymer (GP)-modified gold nanoparticles through ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter pathway, followed by laser irradiation-mediated aggregation in the bacterial cells. As a result, the aggregates display ~15.2-fold enhancement in photoacoustic signals and ~3.0-fold enhancement in antibacterial rate compared with non-aggregated counterparts. Significantly, the developed strategy allows ultrasensitive imaging of bacteria in vivo as low ~105 colony-forming unit (CFU), which is around two orders of magnitude lower than most optical contrast agents. We further demonstrate the developed strategy enables the detection of ~107 CFU bacteria residing within tumour or gut. This technique enables visualization and treatment of diverse bacteria, setting the crucial step forward the study of microbial ecosystem.

Selective removal of Au(III) from wastewater by pyridine-modified chitosan.

A pyridine-modified chitosan (PMCS) adsorbent with excellent adsorption performance and specific selectivity for Au(III) in wastewater was prepared. FTIR, SEM, XPS and XRD were used to study its adsorption performance, and various models were used to fit and analyze the experimental adsorption data. The maximum adsorption capacity of PMCS for Au(III) is 549.41 mg/g (298 K, pH = 4). The data analysis results prove that the PSO and Langmuir models best describe the adsorption process. Adsorption experiments in the presence of multiple ions proved that PMCS is selective for the adsorption of Au(III). The adsorption and desorption experiments showed that the adsorption rate of PMCS could still reach 94.77% after three cycles. In summary, PMCS was demonstrated to be a high-quality material for the adsorption of Au(III) from wastewater due to its excellent adsorption performance, specific selectivity and reusability.

Highly efficient metal-organic frameworks adsorbent for Pd(II) and Au(III) recovery from solutions: Experiment and mechanism.

With the boom of modern industry, the demand for precious metals palladium (Pd) and gold (Au) is increasing. However, the discharge of Pd(II) and Au(III) wastewater has caused environmental pollution and shortage of resources. Here, a new metal-organic frameworks adsorbent (MOF-AFH) was synthesized to efficiently separate Pd(II) and Au(III) from the water. The adsorption behavior of Pd(II) and Au(III) was explored at the same time. When gold and palladium are adsorbed separately, the adsorption capacity of gold and palladium is 389.02 mg/g and 191.27 mg/g, respectively. The equilibration time is 3 h. When gold and palladium coexist, the adsorption capacities of Au(III) and Pd(II) are 238.71 and 115.02 mg/g, respectively. The experimental results show that the adsorption of Pd(II) and Au(III) on MOF-AFH is a single-layer chemical adsorption, which is an endothermic process. MOF-AFH has excellent selectivity and after MOF-AFH is repeatedly used 4 times, the removal effect can still reach more than 90%. The adsorption mechanisms include reduction reaction and chelation with N and O-containing functional groups on the adsorbent. There is also electrostatic interaction for Au(III) adsorption. The adsorbent can be used to efficiently recover gold and palladium from wastewater.