Search

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have become an effective tool for tumor treatment. The combination of photodynamic therapy (PDT) and chemodynamic therapy (CDT) takes advantage of various ROS and enhances therapeutic effects. However, the activation of CDT usually occurs before PDT, which hinders the sustained maintenance of hydroxyl radicals (⋅OH) and reduces the treatment efficiency. Herein, we present a light‐triggered nano‐system based on molecular aggregation regulation for converting cancer therapy from PDT/photothermal therapy (PTT) to a long‐lasting CDT. The ordered J‐aggregation enhances the photodynamic properties of the cyanine moiety while simultaneously suppressing the chemodynamic capabilities of the copper‐porphyrin moiety. Upon light irradiation, Cu‐PCy JNPs demonstrate strong photodynamic and photothermal effects. Meanwhile, light triggers a rapid degradation of the cyanine backbone, leading to the destruction of the J‐aggregation. As a result, a long‐lasting CDT is sequentially activated, and the sustained generation of ⋅OH is observed for up to 48 hours, causing potent cellular oxidative stress and apoptosis. Due to their excellent tumor accumulation, Cu‐PCy JNPs exhibit effective in vivo tumor ablation through the converting therapy. This work provides a new approach for effectively prolonging the chemodynamic activity in ROS‐based cancer therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic dyes hold great promise for application in photodynamic therapy (PDT). However, they currently face challenges such as inadequate photodynamic activity, limited tumor penetration, and constraints imposed by tumor hypoxia. Here, a facile and efficient strategy is presented for multi‐enhanced PDT through the fluorination of a squarylium indocyanine dye‐based photosensitizer (FCy). The amphiphilic FCy features perfluorooctane and PEG‐biotin moieties conjugated to a squarylium indocyanine core. In aqueous environments, FCy spontaneously self‐assembles into stable nano‐sized photosensitizers (FCy NPs), demonstrating a high oxygen loading ability attributable to the presence of perfluoroalkyl groups. Consequently, the aggregation of squarylium indocyanine dyes remarkably boosts the photodynamic effect, yielding a 15‐fold improvement in singlet oxygen quantum yield. Owing to the perfluoroalkyl group, FCy NPs exhibit increased endoplasmic reticulum (ER)‐ accumulating abilities, which further induce ER stress upon laser irradiation and enhance the PDT effect. Furthermore, the superior deep tumor penetration ability of FCy NPs is confirmed through both in vitro and in vivo studies. With efficient oxygen supply to the deep tumor regions, FCy NPs demonstrate potent imaging‐guided PDT against hypoxia tumors. The study substantiates the enhanced ER‐accumulating ability of the perfluoroalkyl group and presents a facile fluorination strategy for the multi‐enhancement of photosensitizers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims/Introduction: To summarize the development of the criteria for diagnosing gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in China, and investigate how different GDM diagnostic criteria influence the national prevalence of GDM, the national health system and the economic burden of GDM in China. Materials and Methods: Retrospectively using data from women undergoing a 2‐h, 75‐g oral glucose tolerance test at 24–28 gestational weeks in the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University (Guangzhou, Guangdong, China) from January 2011 to December 2017, the prevalence rate of GDM and its impacts on the national health system were evaluated using different criteria (the 7th edition textbook criteria, National Diabetes Data Group 1979, World Health Organization 1985, European Association for the Study of Diabetes 1996, Japan 2002, American Diabetes Association [ADA] 2011 [International Association of the Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups], and National Institute for Heath and Care Excellence 2015). Results: The incidence rates of GDM based on the ADA 2011 and National Institute for Heath and Care Excellence 2015 were, respectively, 22.94% (P < 0.01) and 21.72% (P < 0.01), over threefold higher than implementing the 7th edition textbook criteria (P < 0.001). On the contrary, the incidence rates of GDM diagnosed with the National Diabetes Data Group 1979 and World Health Organization 1985 guidelines were significantly less than the 7th edition textbook criteria (P < 0.001). From 2001 to 2016, the estimated national cost of treating GDM rose from ¥3.9 billion to ¥27.4 billion after implementing the ADA 2011 guidelines. Conclusions: With the implementation of ADA 2011 (International Association of the Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups) guidelines, there are fewer adverse perinatal outcomes and cases of type 2 diabetes mellitus in the long term, but the medical costs increased significantly, and the cost‐effectiveness of diagnostic criteria in China is still yet to be confirmed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are common endocrine disorders that occur during pregnancy.Objective: To determine whether the risk of GDM differs between pregnant women with normal thyroid function and those with SCH.Search Strategy: MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science were searched for studies published in English from inception to March 1, 2017, using combinations of the search terms "thyroid dysfunction", "thyroid diseases", "subclinical hypothyroidism", "hypothyroxinemia", "thyrotropin", "gestational diabetes", "hyperglycemia in pregnancy", and "adverse pregnancy outcomes".Selection Criteria: We selected cohort studies that included pregnant women with SCH; in which the outcome of interest was, or included, the incidence of GDM; and that had data available for both the SCH and GDM groups. Studies were excluded if assisted reproductive technologies were used to achieve pregnancy; reviews, abstracts, and case reports were also excluded.Data Collection and Analysis: Eleven studies were included in the analysis. Summary odds ratios (ORs) for the risk of GDM were calculated.Main Results: SCH with positive antithyroid autoantibodies markedly increased GDM risk (OR 3.22, 95% confidence interval 1.72-6.03, I2 =55%).Conclusion: SCH with positive antithyroid autoantibodies in pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of GDM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]