The highly selective and sensitive fluorescence probe for detection of copper (II) ions and its bioimaging in vitro and vivo.

We designed and developed the probe W-3 for detection of Cu2+. The results showed probe can selectively detect Cu2+, accompanied by noticeable color change. The probe can detect the Cu2+ in water samples and drinks based on absorption detection. In addition, the combination of portable test paper and the smartphone platform obtained great convenience for on-site and visual detection of Cu2+, with satisfactory sensitivity and reliability. More importantly, the fluorescence probe W-3 can be used for the detection of Cu2+ in cells and mice. Therefore, the W-3 provided potential chemical tools for detecting Cu2+ in vitro and vivo.

Multifunctional fluorescence probe for simultaneous detection of viscosity, polarity, and ONOO- and its bioimaging in vitro and vivo.

Intracellular microenvironment (viscosity and polarity) and peroxynitrite ions (ONOO-) are involved in maintaining cell morphology, cell function, and signaling so that it is crucial to explore their level changes in vitro and vivo. In this work, we designed and synthesized a mitochondria-targeted fluorescence probe XBL for monitoring the dynamic changes of viscosity, polarity, and ONOO- based on TICT and ICT mechanism. The fluorescence spectra showed obvious changes for polarity at 500 nm as well as ONOO- and viscosity at 660 nm, respectively. The XBL can image simultaneously viscosity, polarity, and ONOO- in cells, and the results showed excess ONOO- leaded to the increase of viscosity in mitochondrial. The ferroptosis process was accompanied by increase of intracellular viscosity and ONOO- levels (or decrease of polarity), which allowed us to better understand the relevant physiological and pathological processes. The XBL can distinguish normal cells and cancerous cells by the fluorescence intensity changes in green and red channels, and image viscosity in inflamed mice. Thus, XBL can provided the chemical tool to understand the physiological and pathological mechanisms of disease by simultaneous detection of viscosity, polarity and ONOO-.

SdrR, a LysR-Type Regulator, responds to the mycobacterial antioxidant defense.

Protection against oxidative stress is a vital defense mechanism for Mycobacterium tuberculosis within the host. However, few transcription factors that control bacterial antioxidant defense are known. Here, we present evidence that SdrR, encoded by the MSMEG_5712 (Ms5712) gene, functions as an oxidative stress response regulator in Mycobacterium smegmatis. SdrR recognizes an 11-bp motif sequence in the operon's upstream regulatory region and negatively regulates the expression of short-chain dehydrogenases/reductases (SDR). Overexpressing sdrR inhibited SDR expression, which rendered the strain oxidative more stress-sensitive. Conversely, sdrR knockout alleviates SDR repression, which increases its oxidative stress tolerance. Thus, SdrR responds to oxidative stress by negatively regulating sdr expression. Therefore, this study elucidated an underlying regulatory mechanism behind mycobacterial oxidative stress adaptation.

Chitosan biomaterial enhances the effect of OECs on the inhibition of sciatic nerve injury-induced neuropathic pain.

Neuropathic pain is a common symptom experienced by most clinical diseases at different levels, and its treatment has always been a clinical difficulty. Therefore, it is particularly important to explore new and effective treatment methods. The role of olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) in nerve injury and pain is recognized by different studies. Our previous study found that transplantation of OECs alleviated hyperalgesia in rats. However, single-cell transplantation lacks medium adhesion and support, and exerts limited analgesic effect. Therefore, on the basis of the previous study, this study investigated the effect of pain relief by co-transplanting OECs with chitosan (CS) (a biological tissue engineering material, as OECs were transplanted into the host medium) to the injured sciatic nerve. The results showed that the pain threshold of sciatic nerve injury of rats was significantly reduced, and the expression level of P2×4 receptor in the spinal cord was significantly increased. While olfactory ensheathing cells combined with chitosan (OECs+CS) transplantation could significantly relieve pain, and the analgesic effect was stronger than that of OECs transplantation alone. OECs+CS transplantation promoted the formation of sciatic nerve remyelination, improved the changes of demyelination, and promoted the repair of sciatic nerve injury more significantly. In addition, the effect of OECs+CS to down-regulate the expression of P2×4 receptor was significantly stronger than that of OECs transplantation, and exerted a better analgesic effect. These data reveal that OECs+CS have a better analgesic effect in relieving neuropathic pain induced by sciatic nerve injury, and provide a new therapeutic strategy for pain treatment.

P2Y12 receptor involved in the development of chronic nociceptive pain as a sensory information mediator.

Direct or indirect damage to the nervous system (such as inflammation or tumor invasion) can lead to dysfunction and pain. The generation of pain is mainly reflected in the activation of glial cells and the abnormal discharge of sensory neurons, which transmit stronger sensory information to the center. P2Y12 receptor plays important roles in physiological and pathophysiological processes including inflammation and pain. P2Y12 receptor involved in the occurrence of pain as a sensory information mediator, which enhances the activation of microglia and the synaptic plasticity of primary sensory neurons, and reaches the higher center through the ascending conduction pathway (mainly spinothalamic tract) to produce pain. While the application of P2Y12 receptor antagonists (PBS-0739, AR-C69931MX and MRS2359) have better antagonistic activity and produce analgesic pharmacological properties. Therefore, in this article, we discussed the role of the P2Y12 receptor in different chronic pains and its use as a pharmacological target for pain relief.

Analysis of microplastics released from plastic take-out food containers based on thermal properties and morphology study.

Plastic take-out food containers may release microplastics (MPs) into food and pose a potential risk to food safety and human health. Here, after being subjected to hot water treatment, MPs released from three types of plastic food containers (polypropylene, PP; polyethylene, PE; expanded polystyrene, EPS) were identified by micro-Raman spectroscopy. The results showed that the size of released MPs ranged from 0.8-38 µm and over 96% MPs were smaller than 10 µm. Various MPs concentrations were found from the three types of containers, that is, 1.90 × 104, 1.01 × 105, and 2.82 × 106 particles/L on average from PP, PE, and EPS, respectively. Moreover, based on thermal and morphology analysis, we discovered that both relaxations of the polymer chains in the rubbery state and defects caused by processing techniques might contribute to the release of MPs. Thus, such release can be reduced by increasing the thermal stability of the materials and mitigating the defects generated during production.

The role and pharmacological properties of P2Y12 receptor in cancer and cancer pain.

The G protein-coupled P2Y12 receptor (P2Y12R) was cloned in platelets and found to play a key role in maintaining platelet function in hemostasis and thrombosis, and these effects could be mediated by the P2Y12R. However, it has recently been found that P2Y12R-mediated the progression of tumor through interactions between platelets and tumor and stromal cells, as well as through products secreted by platelets. During tumor progression, tumor cells or other cells in the tumor microenvironment (such as immune cells) can secrete large amounts of ATP into the extracellular matrix, and extracellular ATP can be hydrolyzed into ADP. ADP is a P2Y12R activator and plays an important regulatory role in the proliferation and metastasis of tumor cells. P2Y12R is involved in platelet-cancer cell crosstalk and become a potential target for anticancer therapy. Moreover, tumor progression can induce pain, which seriously affects the quality of life of patients. P2Y12R is expressed in microglia and mediates the activities of microglial and participates in the occurrence of cancer pain. Conversely, inhibiting P2Y12R activation and down-regulating its expression has the effect of inhibiting tumor progression and pain. Therefore, P2Y12R can be a common therapeutic target for both. In this article, we explored the potential link between P2Y12R and cancer, discussed the intrinsic link of P2Y12R in cancer pain and the pharmacological properties of P2Y12R antagonists in the treatment of both.

SARS-CoV-2: Operating room management strategies and recommendations.

Since the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 in Wuhan, China in 2019, it has rapidly spread to the world, and the number of infections has gradually increased. The hospitalization rate of patients has also gradually increased, which poses a huge challenge to hospitals and medical staff for patients with SARS-CoV-2 requiring surgical treatment. Therefore, avoiding cross-infection in the operating room is an important protective work. The operating room is an important department of the hospital, scientific and reasonable management is particularly important. Therefore, we have put forward corresponding suggestions and strategies for preoperative preparation and evaluation of patients, intraoperative management, postoperative terminal management, and protection of medical staff, and hope that these measures can better prevent and control the infection of SARS-CoV-2 in the operating room.

P2X7 receptor in inflammation and pain.

Different studies have confirmed P2X7 receptor-mediated inflammatory mediators play a key role in the development of pain. P2X7 receptor activation can induce the development of pain by mediating the release of inflammatory mediators. In view of the fact that P2X7 receptor is expressed in the nervous system and immune system, it is closely related to the stability and maintenance of the nervous system function. ATP activates P2X7 receptor, opens non-selective cation channels, activates multiple intracellular signaling, releases multiple inflammatory cytokines, and induces pain. At present, the role of P2X7 receptor in inflammatory response and pain has been widely recognized and affirmed. Therefore, in this paper, we discussed the pathological mechanism of P2X7 receptor-mediated inflammation and pain, focused on the internal relationship between P2X7 receptor and pain. Moreover, we also described the effects of some antagonists on pain relief by inhibiting the activities of P2X7 receptor. Thus, targeting to inhibit activation of P2X7 receptor is expected to become another potential target for the relief of pain.