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Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is growing into a major public health crisis worldwide. The reducing alternatives to conventional agents starve for novel antimicrobial agents. Due to their unique magnetic properties and excellent biocompatibility, iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) are the most preferable nanomaterials in biomedicine, including antibacterial therapy, primarily through reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. IONP characteristics, including their size, shape, surface charge, and superparamagnetism, influence their biodistribution and antibacterial activity. External magnetic fields, foreign metal doping, and surface, size, and shape modification improve the antibacterial effect of IONPs. Despite a few disadvantages, IONPs are expected to be promising antibacterial agents of a new generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease. Metrnl is a secreted protein that plays an important role in kidney disease. The aim of this study was to investigate DKD-related factors and the correlation between serum Metrnl levels and the severity of DKD. Methods: Ninety-six type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients and 45 DKD patients were included in the study. A range of parameters were measured simultaneously, including waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), body mass index (BMI), urinary albumin/creatinine ratio (UACR), monocyte–lymphocyte ratio (MLR), albumin/globulin (A/G), liver and kidney function, blood lipid profile, islet function, and others. Subsequently, the related factors and predictive significance of DKD were identified. The correlation between the relevant factors of DKD and serum Metrnl levels with DKD was evaluated. Results: The duration of the disease (OR: 1.12, 95% CI: 1.01– 1.24, P=0.031), hypertension (OR: 4.86, 95% CI: 1.16– 20.49, P=0.031), fasting blood glucose (OR: 1.23, 95% CI: 1.03– 1.48, P=0.025), WHR (OR: 2.53, 95% CI: 1.03– 6.22, P=0.044), and MLR (OR: 1.91, 95% CI: 1.18– 3.08, P=0.008) are independent risk factors for DKD (P < 0.05). Conversely, A/G (OR: 0.13, 95% CI: 0.02– 0.76, P=0.024) and Metrnl (OR: 0.99, 95% CI: 0.98– 1.00, P=0.001) have been identified as protective factors against DKD. Furthermore, the level of Metrnl was negatively correlated with the severity of DKD (rs=− 0.447, P< 0.001). The area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves for the diagnostic accuracy of Metrnl for DKD is 0.765 (95% CI: 0.686– 0.844). Conclusion: The duration of the disease, hypertension, fasting blood glucose, WHR, and MLR are major risk factors for DKD. Metrnl and A/G are protective factors for DKD. Serum Metrnl concentrations are inversely correlated with DKD severity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mitochondrial diseases are a group of inherited or acquired metabolic disorders caused by mitochondrial dysfunction which may affect almost all the organs in the body and present at any age. However, no satisfactory therapeutic strategies have been available for mitochondrial diseases so far. Mitochondrial transplantation is a burgeoning approach for treatment of mitochondrial diseases by recovery of dysfunctional mitochondria in defective cells using isolated functional mitochondria. Many models of mitochondrial transplantation in cells, animals, and patients have proved effective via various routes of mitochondrial delivery. This review presents different techniques used in mitochondrial isolation and delivery, mechanisms of mitochondrial internalization and consequences of mitochondrial transplantation, along with challenges for clinical application. Despite some unknowns and challenges, mitochondrial transplantation would provide an innovative approach for mitochondrial medicine. This review presents different techniques used in mitochondrial isolation and delivery, mechanisms of mitochondrial internalization and consequences of mitochondrial transplantation, along with challenges for clinical application. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]