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Background: Although CT urography (CTU) is widely used for the evaluation of the entire urinary tract, the most important drawback is the radiation exposure., Purpose: To evaluate the effect of a noise reduction filter (NRF) using a phantom and to quantitatively and qualitatively compare excretory phase (EP) images using a low noise index (NI) with those using a high NI and postprocessing NRF (pNRF)., Material and Methods: Each NI value was defined for a slice thickness of 5 mm, and reconstructed images with a slice thickness of 1.25 mm were assessed. Sixty patients who were at high risk of developing bladder tumors (BT) were divided into two groups according to whether their EP images were obtained using an NI of 9.88 (29 patients; group A) or an NI of 20 and pNRF (31 patients; group B). The CT dose index volume (CTDI(vol)) and the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of the bladder with respect to the anterior pelvic fat were compared in both groups. Qualitative assessment of the urinary bladder for image noise, sharpness, streak artifacts, homogeneity, and the conspicuity of polypoid or sessile-shaped BTs with a short-axis diameter greater than 10 mm was performed using a 3-point scale., Results: The phantom study showed noise reduction of approximately 40% and 76% dose reduction between group A and group B. CTDI(vol) demonstrated a 73% reduction in group B (4.6 ± 1.1 mGy) compared with group A (16.9 ± 3.4 mGy). The CNR value was not significantly different (P = 0.60) between group A (16.1 ± 5.1) and group B (16.6 ± 7.6). Although group A was superior (P < 0.01) to group B with regard to image noise, other qualitative analyses did not show significant differences., Conclusion: EP images using a high NI and pNRF were quantitatively and qualitatively comparable to those using a low NI, except with regard to image noise.

Sepsis is an infection‐triggered, rapidly progressive systemic inflammatory syndrome with a high mortality rate. Currently, there are no promising therapeutic strategies for managing this disease in the clinic. Heparanase plays a crucial role in the pathology of sepsis, and its inhibition can significantly relieve related symptoms. Here, a novel heparanase inhibitor CV122 is rationally designed and synthesized, and its therapeutic potential for sepsis with Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and Cecal Ligation and Puncture (CLP)‐induced sepsis mouse models are evaluated. It is found that CV122 potently inhibits heparanase activity in vitro, protects cell surface glycocalyx structure, and reduces the expression of adhesion molecules. In vivo, CV122 significantly reduces the systemic levels of proinflammatory cytokines, prevents organ damage, improves vitality, and efficiently protects mice from sepsis‐induced death. Mechanistically, CV122 inhibits the activity of heparanase, reduces its expression in the lungs, and protects glycocalyx structure of lung tissue. It is also found that CV122 provides effective protection from organ damage and death caused by Crimean‐Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) infection. These results suggest that CV122 is a potential drug candidate for sepsis therapy targeting heparanase by inhibiting cytokine storm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conservation of a rare species requires an understanding of its habitat requirements, including its response to different light levels. Accordingly, we conducted a study of the light requirements of Pycnanthemum verticillatum var. verticillatum, a New York State S1S2-Endangered perennial forb found on Staten Island, Richmond County, NY. Much of its present habitat in this urban county is along disturbed roadsides and is undergoing increased shading due to woody encroachment. We grew plants in full sunlight (no shade cloth), medium sunlight (30% shade cloth), and low sunlight (60% shade cloth), and measured their growth, reproductive, and morphological responses. Plants were largest and most likely to produce flowers in the full and medium sunlight treatments. Plants exhibited typical shade-avoidant responses such as stem elongation and increased secondary ramet production in the low sunlight treatment. We conclude that Pycnanthemum verticillatum var. verticillatum may survive in deep shade, but partial and full sun result in more vigorous growth and reproduction. Canopy thinning to maintain no more than 30–50% shade is necessary for the plants to thrive. Managing for sunny habitats, such as meadows and open-canopy forests, would have broad conservation benefits for this species and other native plants that require high-light environments in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An interventional-radiology computed-tomography (IVR-CT)/angio system is a combination of an angiographic unit and a CT scanner. This system allows patient's movement in and out of the two imaging units, on the same table. Since June 2003, we have applied our conventional protocol for evaluation of cerebral blood perfusion during interventional radiology (IVR) procedures. We reviewed our experience using the IVR-CT/angio system and investigated the efficacy and limitations of this technique. No complications relating to radiation exposure, contrast medium use, or IVR procedures were observed. CT perfusion was useful for detecting cerebral perfusion impairment during IVR procedures. This was helpful in deciding the postoperative management. Because patients do not need to be transported to another radiographic suite to evaluate cerebral blood perfusion, the IVR-CT/angio system is ideal for safely and simply detecting cerebral perfusion defects during IVR procedures. However, it is important to consider whether there is sufficient indication for the procedure, because radiation exposure and the amount of contrast medium use are increased if the IVR procedures become difficult.

Carboxylate and ammonium functionalities-32 of each-facilitate electrostatic interaction between oppositely charged dendrimer electrolytes and porphyrin cores, which leads in protic media to a supramolecular, fluorescence-active aggregate of two chromophores that communicate and have a predictable topology (see drawing on the right; A=acceptor, D=donor). In contrast to the complexation of linear polyelectrolytes, the contact area for the two dendrimer molecules is very limited, just as one would expect for an assembly of spherical molecules., (© 1998 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH, Weinheim, Fed. Rep. of Germany.)

Defining next-generation immune therapeutics for the treatment of sepsis will involve biomarker-based therapeutic decision-making. Bone morphogenetic protein 9 (BMP9) is a cytokine in the transforming growth factor–β superfamily. Here, circulating BMP9 concentrations were quantified in two independent cohorts of patients with sepsis. Decreased concentrations of serum BMP9 were observed in the patients with sepsis at the time of admission as compared with healthy controls. Concentrations of BMP9 at the time of admission were also associated with 28-day mortality, because patients with sepsis at a higher risk of death had lower BMP9 concentrations. The mechanism driving the contribution of BMP9 to host immunity was further investigated using in vivo murine sepsis models and in vitro cell models. We found that BMP9 treatment improved outcome in mice with experimental sepsis. BMP9-treated mice exhibited increased macrophage influx into the peritoneal cavity and more efficient bacterial clearance than untreated mice. In vitro, BMP9 promoted macrophage recruitment, phagocytosis, and subsequent bacterial killing. We further found that deletion of the type 1 BMP receptor ALK1 in macrophages abolished BMP9-mediated protection against polymicrobial sepsis in vivo. Further experiments indicated that the regulation of macrophage activation by the BMP9-ALK1 axis was mainly mediated through the suppressor of mother against decapentaplegic 1/5 signaling pathway. Together, these results suggest that BMP9 can both serve as a biomarker for patient stratification with an independent prognostic value and be developed as a host-directed therapy for sepsis. Editor's summary: Current therapeutic strategies for sepsis are limited, and additional therapies tailored to individual patients are urgently needed. Here, Bai et al. identified bone morphogenetic protein 9 (BMP9) as a protein that was decreased in two cohorts of patients with sepsis. BMP9 concentrations at admission were higher in survivors, prompting the authors to ask whether exogenous BMP9 treatment could be a therapeutic option. BMP9 treatment improved outcomes in murine sepsis models by promoting macrophage recruitment, phagocytosis, and bacterial killing. Together, these data highlight the potential value of BMP9 both as a prognostic biomarker and as a host-directed therapy. —Courtney Malo [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is challenging for nanovaccines (NVs) to effectively deliver antigens/neoantigens to prime specifically potent immunities and remodel immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) for combating immune "cold" cancers. Herein, a novel kind of mannosylated fluoropolypeptide NVs of MFPCOFG (i.e., mannosylated fluoropoly( D,L -cysteine) ovalbumin-loaded Fe 2+ -gallic acid) is designed that synergistically integrates triple antigen-metal-thermoimmunity to remodel immunosuppressive TME and achieve highly potent immunities. MFPCOFG plus near-infrared irradiation (NIR) effectively facilitated antigen uptake and escape, induced the maturation and antigen cross-presentations of dendritic cells and macrophages, polarized anti-inflammatory macrophage phenotype M2 into tumoricial M1, primed potent CD4 + /CD8 + T cells responses, proinflammatory cytokines secretion and immune memory effects, showcasing triple antigen-metal-thermoimmunity outperforming combo/mono-immunity. Importantly, both MFPCOFG + NIR and personalized NVs can remarkably enhance the tumor infiltration of CD4 + /CD8 + T and NK cells to boost potent immunities and long-lasting memory effects, reduce regulatory T (Tregs) and M2 to remodel immunosuppressive TME in B16-OVA and 4T1 models, achieving superior tumor prevention, ablation, and tumor relapse and metastasis inhibition, as further orchestrated with anti-PD-1. Consequently, this work opens up a new avenue to design biocompatible polypeptide nanovaccines with potent immune-priming and TME-remodeling capabilities, holding great potentials to combat immune "cold" cancers with clinic-used anti-PD-1 for cancer immunotherapy and personalized immunotherapy., (© 2024 Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

Hyperbranched polymers are a class of three-dimensional dendritic polymers with highly branched architectures. Their unique structural features endow them with promising physical and chemical properties, such as abundant surface functional groups, intramolecular cavities, and low viscosity. Therefore, hyperbranched-polymer-constructed cargo delivery carriers have drawn increasing interest and are being utilized in many biomedical applications. When applied for photodynamic therapy, photosensitizers are encapsulated in or covalently incorporated into hyperbranched polymers to improve their solubility, stability, and targeting efficiency and promote the therapeutic efficacy. This review will focus on the state-of-the-art studies concerning recent progress in hyperbranched-polymer-fabricated phototherapeutic nanomaterials with emphases on the building-block structures, synthetic strategies, and their combination with the codelivered diagnostics and synergistic therapeutics. We expect to bring our demonstration to the field to increase the understanding of the structure–property relationships and promote the further development of advanced photodynamic-therapy nanosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marantaceae forests are tropical rainforests characterized by a continuous understory layer of perennial giant herbs and a near absence of tree regeneration. Although widespread in West-Central Africa, Marantaceae forests have rarely been considered in the international literature. Yet, they pose key challenges and opportunities for theoretical ecology that transcend the borders of the continent. Specifically, we ask in this review whether open Marantaceae forests and dense closed-canopy forests can be considered as one of the few documented examples of alternative stable states in tropical forests. First, we introduce the different ecological factors that have been posited to drive Marantaceae forests (climate, soil, historical and recent anthropogenic pressures, herbivores) and develop the different hypotheses that have been suggested to explain how Marantaceae forests establish in relation with other vegetation types (understory invasion, early succession after disturbance, and intermediate successional stage). Then, we review the underlying ecological mechanisms that can explain the stability of Marantaceae forests in the long term (tree recruitment inhibition, promotion of and resilience to fire, adaptive reproduction, maintenance by megaherbivores). Although some uncertainties remain and call for further empirical and theoretical research, we found converging evidence that Marantaceae forests are associated with an ecological succession that has been deflected or arrested. If verified, Marantaceae forests may provide a useful model to understand critical transitions in forest ecosystems, which is of particular relevance to achieve sustainable forest management and mitigate global climate change., (© 2024 The Authors. American Journal of Botany published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Botanical Society of America.)

The role of metabolites exchanged in the tumor microenvironment is largely thought of as fuels to drive the increased biosynthetic and bioenergetic demands of growing tumors. However, this view is shifting as metabolites are increasingly shown to function as signaling molecules that directly regulate oncogenic pathways. Combined with our growing understanding of the essential role of stromal cells, this shift has led to increased interest in how the collective and interconnected metabolome of the tumor microenvironment can drive malignant transformation, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, drug resistance, immune evasion, and metastasis. In this review, we discuss how metabolite exchange between tumors and various cell types in the tumor microenvironment—such as fibroblasts, adipocytes, and immune cells—can activate signaling pathways that drive cancer progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a well-known remedial treatment for cancer, infections, and various other diseases. PDT uses nontoxic dyes called photosensitizers (PS) that are activated in visible light at the proper wavelength to generate ROS (reactive oxygen species) that aid in killing tumor cells and destroying pathogenic microbes. Deciding a suitable photosensitizer is essential for enhancing the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy. It is challenging to choose the photosensitizer that is appropriate for specific pathological circumstances, such as different cancer species. Porphyrin, chlorin, and bacteriochlorin are tetrapyrroles used with proper functionalization in PDT, among which some compound has been clinically approved. Most photosensitizers are hydrophobic, have minimum solubility, and exhibit cytotoxicity due to the dispersion in biological fluid. This paper reviewed some nanotechnology-based strategies to overcome these drawbacks. In PDT, metal nanoparticles are widely used due to their enhanced surface plasmon resonance. The self-assembled nano-drug carriers like polymeric micelles, liposomes, and metal-based nanoparticles play a significant role in solubilizing the photosensitizer to make them biocompatible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For colors with the same luminance, increasing the saturation increases the color brightness. This phenomenon, known as the Helmholtz–Kohlrausch (H–K) effect, is a characteristic of human vision. In our estimations of the H–K effect in natural images, we found that the brightness‐to‐luminance (B/L) ratio decreases with increasing the lightness. However, the estimation was not enough for high lightness images containing a large amount of cyan. We, therefore, propose an estimation equation considering the decreasing B/L ratio with increasing the lightness. This estimation method takes into account the characteristic that the B/L ratio is 1.0 or higher. First, we create a function that reflects the decrease of the magnitude of the H–K effect with respect to the increase of the lightness at each hue. Then, the difference between the lightness and the standard lightness (the lightness used in Nayatani's estimation equation) is multiplied. The effectiveness of the proposed method was verified in a subjective‐evaluation experiment of high‐lightness images containing a large amount of cyan. Moreover, the method improved the accuracy of the estimation, and we confirmed the decrease in B/L ratio with increasing the lightness by excluding B/L values below 1.0. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is the most common complication of sepsis with a high mortality rate. In this study, we focus on the renal injury caused by the immune response of renal tubular epithelial cells and inflammation-induced renal tubular epithelial cell apoptosis. We studied the role of GRP120 in the inflammation and apoptosis of human renal cell line HK-2 and mouse primary renal tubular epithelial cells. GPR120 agonist GW9508 activated the GPR120 pathway. Inflammatory factors were detected using quantitative real-time PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Cell apoptosis experiments included the annexin V and PI double-staining method combined with flow cytometry, TUNEL method, and Western blot. The level of cytokines including TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, and iNOS was significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in HK-2 and TECs after the activation of the GPR120 pathway. Besides, the cell apoptosis of both cells increased. Overexpressed GPR120 and shGPR120 were established. Treatment with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) increased the level of cytokines including TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, and iNOS in HK-2 cell and TECs. Compared with control-LPS and negative control (NC)-LPS, the overexpression of GPR120 and shGPR120 could decrease and increase the level of secreted cytokines significantly (P < 0.05), respectively, after LPS-induced apoptosis. After H2O2- and LPS-induced apoptosis, respectively, compared with the control and NC groups, overexpressed GPR120 and shGPR120 could reduce and increase the expression of caspase-3, respectively. GPR120 could suppress the cellular immune response and apoptosis in renal tubular epithelial cells, thereby possibly protecting the kidney and relieving sepsis-induced AKI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inflammatory macrophages stimulated by LPS disrupt homeostasis in the production of inflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide (NO). These are the causes of inflammation-related diseases and various cancers. The present study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of Korean ginseng berry extract (KGB) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in RAW264.7 macrophage cells. NO and prostaglandin E2 (PGE 2) production was elevated in response to LPS stimulation and was dose-dependently reduced by pretreatment with KGB. The expression levels of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) mRNA and protein were also reduced by KGB treatment. KGB treatment significantly suppressed the LPS-induced gene expression and production of cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1 β , IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor- α (TNF- α). Furthermore, KGB inhibited the translocation of nuclear expression of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF- κ B) by preventing inhibitory factor-kappa B (I κ B α) phosphorylation and suppressing the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK1/2), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38. Additionally, decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and increased glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) activities were observed following KGB treatment. Taken together, these results indicated that KGB possesses anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects, mediated by the inhibition of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) signaling pathway in LPS-induced RAW264.7 macrophages. KGB may represent a potential therapeutic agent for inflammatory and oxidative stress-related diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Raman imaging was applied to investigate calcification process in situ in primary human aortic valve interstitial cells (HAVICs) isolated from patients with developed non‐rheumatic aortic stenosis (AS). To invoke calcification, cells were incubated in an osteogenic medium (OSM) in some cases supplemented with glucose. Surprisingly, upon 7 days of incubation, no calcification in the form of inorganic salts was detected, instead, the increase of lipid inclusions containing phospholipids inside HAVICs was observed, probably in the sites involved in further mineral precipitation. Glucose supplementation (reflecting diabetes mellitus influence on AS) slightly decreased the overall content of phospholipids. A long incubation time resulted in the formation of significant amounts of inorganic calcium salts extracellularly and only in the presence of type I collagen. In the absence of type I collagen, calcium oxalate dihydrate was observed inside the cells. Due to application of Raman imaging, an unbiased, label‐free method of high‐spatial resolution and chemical specificity, it was possible to demonstrate unequivocally that calcification in the form of hydroxyapatite took place extracellularly in the presence of type I collagen and required long incubation with OSM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dendrimeric polymers are the subject of intense research activity geared towards their implementation in nanodevice applications such as energy harvesting systems, organic light-emitting diodes, photosensitizers, low-threshold lasers, and quantum logic elements, etc. A recent development in this area has been the construction of dendrimers specifically designed to exhibit novel forms of optical nonlinearity, exploiting the unique properties of these materials at high levels of photon flux. Starting from a thorough treatment of the underlying theory based on the principles of molecular quantum electrodynamics, it is possible to identify and characterize several optically nonlinear mechanisms for directed energy transfer and energy pooling in multichromophore dendrimers. Such mechanisms fall into two classes: first, those where two-photon absorption by individual donors is followed by transfer of the net energy to an acceptor; second, those where the excitation of two electronically distinct but neighboring donor groups is followed by a collective migration of their energy to a suitable acceptor. Each transfer process is subject to minor dissipative losses. In this paper we describe in detail the balance of factors and the constraints that determines the favored mechanism, which include the excitation statistics, structure of the energy levels, laser coherence factors, chromophore selection rules and architecture, possibilities for the formation of delocalized excitons, spectral overlap, and the overall distribution of donors and acceptors. Furthermore, it transpires that quantum interference between different mechanisms can play an important role. Thus, as the relative importance of each mechanism determines the relevant nanophotonic characteristics, the results reported here afford the means for optimizing highly efficient light-harvesting dendrimer devices. © 2004 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two novel thiadiazolo[3,4-g]quinoxaline (TQ) photosensitizers (PSs), TQs-3 and TQs-4, were designed and synthesized. Both of them presented ultra-high singlet oxygen quantum yields under red light irradiation. By carrying out in vitro photodynamic therapy (PDT) experiments using TQs-4 loaded nanoparticles (TQs-4 NPs) to treat three kinds of tumor cell lines: 4T1, HeLa and MCF-7 cells, it was demonstrated that TQs-4 NPs had outstanding PDT efficacies. An ultra-low dose of TQs-4 (0.14 μg mL−1) can realize the death of more than 90% HeLa cells (635 nm, 60 mW cm−2, 10 min), which indicated that TQs-4 show promising potential as a novel PS for PDT applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel series of dendronized porphyrins bearing pyrene units in the periphery (Porph-O-Gn) and their metal complexes (M-[Porph-O-Gn]) are reported. The pyrene-containing Frechet-type dendrons up to the first generation were synthesized and further reacted with 5-phenol-10,15,20-triphenylporphyrin via an esterification reaction to afford the desired pyrene-labeled dendronized porphyrins. Later, these compounds were used as ligands to produce the corresponding complexes of Zn2+, Cu2+, Mg2+ and Mn3+. With the compounds in hand, the optical and photophysical properties of the dendritic metalloporphyrins were studied by absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. The quantum yields, Förster radius and efficiency of energy transfer were determined and discussed as a function of the structure and the donor–acceptor distances, finding an efficient energy transfer from the pyrene moiety to the metallated porphyrin core in each case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new class of porphyrin-cored fluorenodendrimers were synthesized by a convergent approach through click chemistry. The zeroth-, first-, and second-generation porphyrin-cored fluorenodendrimers were characterized by means of 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy, UV-vis spectroscopy, fluorescent spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. The UV-vis spectrum of the dendrimers showed an increase in the absorption intensity on increasing the dendrimer generation, and a bathochromic shift was observed for highergeneration dendrimers compared with lower-generation dendrimers. The dendrimers showed emission bands at 317, 604–668, and 617–668 nm, the intensity of which increased with increasing dendrimer generation. All the synthesized dendrimers exhibited a reversible oxidation potential in cyclic voltammetry. The therapeutic efficacy of the porphyrincored fluorenodendrimers for the inhibition of a growth tumor cell (PA-1) increased with increasing generation number of the dendrimer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The medical field remains challenged with many unmet needs, prompting rigorous research for solutions. Dendrimers are emerging as innovative solutions to many unmet clinical needs. Indeed, commercial dendrimer-enabled gene transfection technologies exist and work is ongoing to translate many other dendrimer products into the market to assist patients. Here, we review the ongoing work on dendrimer-enabled drug delivery technologies, diagnostic platforms, and antimicrobial agents. Our goal is to inspire the continuous exploration of the dendritic scaffold to address many issues in the biomedical landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantitative and dynamic analyses of immune cell secretory cytokines are essential for precise determination and characterization of the “immune phenotype” of patients for clinical diagnosis and treatment of immune-related diseases. Although multiple methods including the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) have been applied for cytokine detection, such measurements remain very challenging in real-time, high-throughput, and high-sensitivity immune cell analysis. In this paper, we report a highly integrated microfluidic device that allows for on-chip isolation, culture, and stimulation, as well as sensitive and dynamic cytokine profiling of immune cells. Such a microfluidic sensing chip is integrated with cytometric fluorescent microbeads for real-time and multiplexed monitoring of immune cell cytokine secretion dynamics, consuming a relatively small extracted sample volume (160 nl) without interrupting the immune cell culture. Furthermore, it is integrated with a Taylor dispersion-based mixing unit in each detection chamber that shortens the immunoassay period down to less than 30 minutes. We demonstrate the profiling of multiple pro-inflammatory cytokine secretions (e.g. interleukin-6, interleukin-8, and tumor necrosis factors) of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) with a sensitivity of 20 pg ml−1 and a sample volume of 160 nl per detection. Further applications of this automated, rapid, and high-throughput microfluidic immunophenotyping platform can help unleash the mechanisms of systemic immune responses, and enable efficient assessments of the pathologic immune status for clinical diagnosis and immune therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Though we crossed many milestones in the field of medicine and health care in eradicating some deadly diseases over the past decades, cancer remained a challenge taking the lives of millions of people and having adverse effects on the quality of life of survivors. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy, the two existing major treatment modalities, have severe side effects and patients undergoing these treatments experience unbearable pain. Consequently, clinicians and researchers are working for the alternate treatment regimens, which can provide complete cure with minimum or no side effects. To this end, the present review highlights the major advances and future promises of photodynamic therapy, an emerging and promising therapeutic modality for combating cancer. We delve on various important aspects of photodynamic therapy including principle, mechanism of action, brief history and development of photosensitizers from first generation to the existing third generation, delivery strategies, development or suppression of immunity, combination therapy and future prospects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective:A 320-row multidetector CT (MDCT) is expected for a good artery–vein separation in terms of temporal resolution. However, a shortened scan duration may lead to insufficient vascular enhancement. We assessed the optimal scan timing for the artery–vein separation at whole-brain CT angiography (CTA) when bolus tracking was used at 320-row MDCT.Methods:We analyzed 60 patients, who underwent whole-brain four-dimensional CTA. Difference in CT attenuation between the internal carotid artery (ICA) and the superior sagittal sinus (Datt) was calculated in each phase. Using a visual evaluation score for the depiction of arteries and veins, we calculated the difference between the mean score for the intracranial arteries and the mean score for the veins (Dscore). We assessed the time at which the maximum Datt and Dscore were simultaneously observed.Results:The maximum Datt was observed at 6.0 s and 8.0 s in the arterial-dominant phase and at 16.0 s and 18.0 s in the venous-dominant phase after the contrast media arrival time at the ICA (Taa). The maximum Dscore was observed at 6.0 s and 8.0 s in the arterial-dominant phase and at 16.0 s in the venous-dominant phase after the Taa. There were no statistically significant differences in Datt (p = 0.375) or Dscore (p = 0.139) between these scan timings.Conclusion:The optimal scan timing for artery–vein separation at whole-brain CTA was 6.0 s or 8.0 s for the arteries and 16.0 s for the veins after the Taa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gene dispersal and clonality are important aspects of plant evolution affecting the spatial genetic structure (SGS) and the long-term survival of species. In the tropics these parameters have mostly been investigated in trees and some herbs, but rarely in climbers which frequently: (1) show clonal growth leading to a patchy distribution pattern similar to that of understory herbs; and (2) flower in the canopy where they may have access to long-distance dispersal like canopy trees. We thus hypothesize for climbers an intermediate genetic structure between herbs and trees. The study aims at assessing breeding system and spatial extent of clonality and gene dispersal in Haumania danckelmaniana (Marantaceae), a common climber in the tropical rain forests from western Central Africa. In eastern Cameroon, 330 ramets were sampled at three spatial scales and genotyped at seven microsatellite loci. Clonality was moderate (clonal extend: 15-25 m, clonal diversity 0.4-0.65) indicating the importance of recruitment from seeds at this locality. The low inbreeding ( FIS) suggested predominant outcrossing. The rate of decay of the relatedness between individuals with distance indicated limited gene dispersal distance ( σg = 9-50 m, neighborhood sizes Nb = 23-67) in accordance with narrowly gravity dispersed seeds and restricted pollen transfer distance in densely flowering populations. The marked SGS ( Sp = 0.011-0.026) was similar to that reported in tropical trees, but might increase with augmented clonality as in many herbs, especially under more severe disturbance regimes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three novel porphyrins, including two Schiff-bases porphyrins, 5,10,15-triphenyl-20-[4-(2-(4-formyl)phenoxy)ethoxy]phenyl porphyrin ( H2Pp( 1)), 5,10,15-triphenyl-20-[4-(2-(4-hydroxyimino)phenoxy)ethoxy]phenyl porphyrin ( H2Pp( 2)) and 5,10,15-triphenyl-20-[4-(2-(4- m-hydroxyanilinodeneformyl)phenoxy)ethoxy]phenyl porphyrin ( H2Pp( 3)), as well as three metalloporphyrins ( CuPp ( 1a), ZnPp ( 1b), and CoPp ( 1c)) of porphyrin H2Pp( 1) were synthesized. Their molecular structures were characterized by 1H-NMR, MS, UV/VIS, and FT-IR spectra. Furthermore, they were evaluated by their cytotoxicities against human epidermal squamous cell carcinoma cell (A431) and normal human horn cells (HaCaT) in vitro with MTT assay. Interestingly, these porphyrins and metalloporphyrins, which had a negligible cytotoxicity to HaCaT cells, showed highly cytotoxicity against A431 cells with IC50 values in the range of 6.6-9.8 μ M, and metalloporphyrins exhibited higher cytotoxicity than that of metal-free porphyrins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is currently great interest in the development of efficient and specific carrier delivery platforms for systemic photodynamic therapy. Therefore, we aimed to develop covalent conjugates between the photosensitizer chlorin e6 (Ce6) and PAMAM G4.5 dendrimers. Singlet oxygen generation (SOG) efficiency and fluorescence emission were moderately affected by the covalent binding of the Ce6 to the dendrimer. Compared to free Ce6, PAMAM anchored Ce6 displays a much higher photodynamic effect, which is ascribable to better internalization in a tumor cell model. Intracellular fate and internalization pathway of our different compounds were investigated using specific inhibition conditions and confocal fluorescence microscopy. Free Ce6 was shown to enter the cells by a simple diffusion mechanism, while G4.5-Ce6-PEG internalization was dependent on the caveolae pathway, whereas G4.5-Ce6 was subjected to the clathrin-mediated endocytosis pathway. Subcellular localization of PAMAM anchored Ce6, PEGylated or not, was very similar suggesting that the nanoparticles behave similarly in the cells. As a conclusion, we have demonstrated that PEGylated G4.5 PAMAM-Ce6 dendrimers may offer effective biocompatible nanoparticles for improved photodynamic treatment in a preclinical tumor model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The immune system in sepsis is impaired as seen by reduced numbers and function of immune cells and impaired antigen-specific antibody responses. We studied T cell function in septic mice using cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) as a clinically relevant mouse model for sepsis. The proliferative response of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells was suppressed in septic mice. Adoptive transfer experiments demonstrated that the T cells were not intrinsically altered by CLP. Instead, the septic host environment was responsible for this T cell suppression. While CLP-induced suppression was dependent on TNF activity, neither the activation of TNF receptors type 1 nor TNF receptor type 2 alone was sufficient to generate sepsis-induced suppression showing that the two TNF receptors can substitute each other. Specific depletion of regulatory T (Treg) cells improved the impaired T cell proliferation in septic recipients demonstrating participation of Treg in sepsis-induced suppression. In summary, sepsis leads to TNF-dependent suppression of T cell proliferation in vivo involving induction of Treg cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, there have been tremendous advances in the development of various nanotechnology-based platforms for diagnosis and therapy. These nanoplatforms, which include liposomes, micelles, polymers, and dendrimers, comprise highly integrated nanoparticles that provide multiple functions, such as targeting, imaging, and therapy. This review focuses on dendrimer-based nanocarriers that have recently been developed for 'theranostics (or theragnosis)', a combination of therapy and diagnostics. We discuss the in vitro and in vivo applications of these nanocarriers in strategies against diseases including cancer. We also explore the use of dendrimers as imaging agents for fluorescence imaging, magnetic resonance imaging, X-ray computed tomography, and nuclear medical imaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to preliminarily investigate the effects of resveratrol on the treatment of systemic inflammatory response induced by severe burn wounding. Through the simulation experiment in vivo on burned mice and simulative experiment in vitro on mice macrophage respectively, differences of the related pro-inflammatory cytokines and SIRT1 expression levels between the resveratrol-treated group and the untreated control group were detected and analyzed. The results of the simulation experiment in vivo on burned mice manifested that the survival rate of the mice in the resveratrol-treated group was markedly higher than that of controls ( p < 0.05). Resveratrol could significantly reduce the levels of pro-inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in serum ( p < 0.01) and greatly elevate the expression level of SIRT1 ( p < 0.01). The results of the simulative experiment in vitro on mice macrophage showed no significant difference in TNF-α, IL-1β, or IL-6 contents among three groups (C, mice macrophage control group; R, resveratrol-treated macrophage group; I, SIRT1-inhibitor-treated macrophage group). Whereas, after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activation (L group), macrophage TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 levels were significantly increased in L group, dramatically higher than those in L+R group (LPS and resveratrol treatment group) ( p < 0.01). After adding SITR1 inhibitor, three pro-inflammatory cytokines in L+R+I group all showed significant increases compared with those in L+R group ( p < 0.01). LPS activated macrophages were able to promote the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. By upregulating the expression levels of SIRT1, resveratrol could effectively inhibit the inflammation cascade reaction and increase the survival rate of severe burn with bacterial infections in a large extent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new classes of dendrimers bearing 8 and 32 fluorene donor groups have been synthesized. The first and second generations of these porphyrin-PAMAM-fluorene dendrimers were characterized by 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, FTIR, UV-vis spectroscopy, elemental analyses and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. The UV-vis spectra showed that the individual properties of donor and acceptor moieties were preserved, indicating that the new dendrimers could be used as photosynthetic antennae. Furthermore, for fluorescent spectroscopy, these dendrimers showed good energy transfer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]