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A series of β-alkylaminoporphyrins conjugated with different amines at β position ( D1 – D3 ) or with electron-donating and electron-withdrawing substituents at phenyl position ( D4 – D6 ) were synthesized. Their photophysical and photochemical properties, intracellular localization, photocytotoxicities in vitro and vivo were also investigated. All target compounds exhibited no cytotoxicities in the dark and excellent photocytotoxicities against HeLa cells. Among them, D6 showed the highest phototoxicity and the lowest dark toxicity, which was more phototoxic than Hematoporphyrin monomethyl ether ( HMME ). In addition, D6 exhibited best photodynamic antitumor efficacy on BALB/c nude mice bearing HeLa tumor. Therefore, D6 is a powerful and promising antitumor photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photodynamic therapy is a minimally invasive and promising new method in cancer treatment and has attracted considerable attention in recent years. An ideal photosensitizer is a crucial element to photodynamic therapy. In the present paper, a novel porphyrin derivative, 5, 10, 15, 20-tetrakis (5-(pyrrolidin-1-yl) pentyl) porphin (TPPP) was synthesized. Its spectroscopic and physicochemical properties, therapeutic efficacy as a photosensitizer in photodynamic therapy for human bladder cancer in vitro and in vivo were investigated. TPPP had strong absorption at 648 nm (ε = 1.75 × 10 4 M − 1 cm − 1 ), and two fluorescence emission peaks at 652 nm and 718 nm. PDT with TPPP showed low dark toxicity and high phototoxicity to human bladder cancer T24 cells in vitro. In bearing T24 tumor nude mice, the growth of tumor was significantly inhibited by combining use of 5 mg/kg TPPP with 100 J/cm 2 (650 nm, 180 mW/cm 2 ) laser irradiation at 3 h following injection of TPPP. The antitumor effect was also confirmed with histopathological assay. The histopathological study results revealed that PDT using TPPP and 100 J/cm 2 (650 nm, 180 mW/cm 2 ) laser irradiation induced tumor cells shrunken and necrotic. These results indicate that TPPP is useful as a new photosensitizer in PDT for cancer, and deserves further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Bacteriochlorin derivatives are promising photosensitive agents for photodynamic therapy (PDT) of tumors. In the current study, the photodynamic activity of a novel bacteriochlorin derivative, cis-2, 3, 12, 13-tetracarboxymethyl-5, 10, 15, 20-tetraphenyl bacteriochlorin (TCTB), was evaluated both in vitro and in vivo. Methods: Physicochemical characteristics of the novel photosensitizer were measured. The efficiency of TCTB-PDT in vitro was analyzed by MTT assay, clonogenic assay and in situ trypan blue exclusion test. The intracellular distribution of photosensitizer was detected with laser scanning confocal microscopy. The accumulation of TCTB in human malignant tumor cells was measured by fluorescence spectrometer, and the pathway of cell death was analyzed by flow cytometry. S180 tumor model was used to evaluate the anti-tumor effects of TCTB-PDT. And histopathological study was also used to confirm the anti-tumor effect. Results: TCTB shows a singlet oxygen quantum yield of 0.56 and displays a characteristic long wavelength absorption peak at 732 nm. The accumulation of TCTB increased in time-dependent manner, and it was found in cytoplasm and nuclear membranes. In vitro PDT using TCTB and Nd:YAG laser showed drug concentration-, laser dose-dependent cytotoxicity to human esophageal cancer Eca-109 cells. In mice bearing osteosarcoma S180 tumors, the combined use of 10 mg/kg TCTB and 120 J/cm showed superior anti-tumor activity. Histology examination of tumor tissues revealed that PDT using TCTB and the Nd:YAG laser induced tumor cells shrunken and necrotic. Conclusion: In in vitro and in vivo studies, we found that TCTB has excellent anti-tumor effect. It suggests that TCTB is a potential photosensitizer of PDT for cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A major challenge of photodynamic cancer therapy is to improve the selectivity of photosensitizers to the target pathological tissue. To overcome this issue, a series of chlorophyll derivatives containing thiadiazole sulfonamide moiety or 4-(2-aminoethyl)benzene sulfonamide moiety were designed and synthesized. These compounds showed intense absorption at 670 nm with high molar extinction coefficients, and strong fluorescence emission around 674 nm. Their singlet oxygen generation ability was also demonstrated to be excellent. They displayed obvious photo-cytotoxic effects to MDA-MB-231 cells in vitro and to tumor-bearing Balb/c nude mice in vivo. The fluorescence images exhibited that N -[2-((5-Sulfamoyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)amino)-2-oxoethyl]pyropheophorbide (AZ-Ppa-2) preferentially accumulated in MDA-MB-231 cell lines overexpressing CAIX (Carbonic anhydrase IX). Molecular Docking simulation revealed that AZ-Ppa-2 could closely bind to the active site residues of CAIX. Sub-organelle localization test indicated that AZ-Ppa-2 primarily localized in the lysosomes. These experiments suggested that AZ-Ppa-2, as a photosensitizer targeting CAIX, possessed an outstanding PDT anti-tumor effect with lasting regression of tumors, and deserved for further study. • New chlorophyll derivatives containing the CAIX-targeting moiety were designed and synthesized. • Their fluorescence emission of around 670 nm was observed for photo-imaging. • They have distinctive singlet oxygen generation ability and obvious photodynamic effects against MDA-MB-231 breast tumor cells. • Compound AZ-Ppa-2 showed significant suppression of tumor overexpressed CAIX, and deserved further exploration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, the evolution of photovoltaic cells in together with flexible electronics rapidly grows up so as to satisfy the flexibility and elasticity needs. Therefore, it will be a breakthrough impact if it is able to develop flexible single-crystalline photovoltaic cells which are fabricated with traditional procedure and provide highly electrical properties as well. This study aims to fabricate the flexible solar photovoltaic device with practical and reproducible method. Generally, the flexible solar photovoltaic is manufactured on the 30 μm-thickness single-crystalline silicon chip by chemical etching process. Versatile design on the flexible device can enhance light trapping effect. The surface texturization and antireflection layer deposition successfully minimize the reflectivity losses from the incident light. In addition, the developed devices under concave bending morphology demonstrates better operating performance than convex and flat configurations. As to the concave bending type, the significant improvement of power conversion efficiency (129% better than flat type, and 161% better than convex type) is observed from a large device current, which is related to the contribution of light trapping enhancement. In combination of all optimal conditions, the flexible device exhibits conversion efficiency up to 13.8%. The development of novel flexible solar photovoltaics with the excellent mechanical flexibility, low silicon material consumption and low fabrication cost demonstrates the potential capability for future solar cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising noninvasive treatment, which has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of localized tumors. With the aim to select an appropriate photosensitizer for tumor treatment in PDT, the antitumor effect of a novel chlorin-based photosensitizer, meso-tetra (3-morphlinomethyl-4-methoxyphenyl) chlorin (TMMC) (Fig. 1a) on two types of human malignant tumor cells in vitro and a esophageal cancer model in nude mice, was evaluated in the present paper.[Figure not available: see fulltext.] Methods: The efficiency of TMMC-PDT in vitro was analyzed by MTT assay and clonogenic assay. The intracellular distribution of photosensitizers was detected with laser scanning confocal microscopy. The accumulation of TMMC in human malignant tumor cells was measured by Fluorescence Spectrometer, and the pathway of cell death was analyzed by flow cytometry. Eca-109 tumor model was used to evaluate the antitumor effects of TMMC-mediated PDT. And the singlet oxygen quantum yield of TMMC was also measured using DPBF as substrate. Results: TMMC shows a singlet oxygen quantum yield of 0.59 and displays a characteristic long wavelength absorption peak at 655 nm. The accumulation of TMMC increased in time-dependent manner, and it was found in cytoplasm and nuclear membranes. TMMC-PDT induced cell death by the major death pathway of necrosis and significantly reduced the growth of Eca-109 tumors in nude mice (180 mW/cm, 120 J/cm). Conclusion: The studies suggest that TMMC is an effective photosensitizer for PDT to tumors. Therefore, TMMC has great potentials for tumor treatment in PDT and deserves further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The discovery of new photosensitizers with excellent photodynamic anti-tumor effects remains a challenge for photodynamic therapy and diagnosis. Here a series of chlorophyll derivatives containing fluorine-substituted alkyl side chain were designed and synthesized. These compounds exhibited strong absorption at 660–665 nm with excellent molar extinction coefficients. Their singlet oxygen generation ability was also proved to be excellent. Upon excitation with a 411 nm laser, strong fluorescence emission around 660–670 nm was observed. They also showed obvious photodynamic antitumor activity to A549 cell in vitro and to tumor-bearing mice in vivo. Their photodynamic anti-proliferative abilities were confirmed in vivo with histotomy. Flow cytometry test showed that new compounds could induce late period cell apoptosis or necrosis. Sub-organelle localization test indicated that they primarily localized in the endoplasmic reticulum. Among them, compound F-C 4 -Ppa possesses the most outstanding anti-tumor effect and therefore, it is a promising anti-tumor drug candidate in photodynamic therapy and photo-imaging diagnosis. • New chlorophyll derivatives with fluorine at periphery group were designed and synthesized. • Their fluorescence emission of around 660–670 nm was observed for photo-imaging. • They have distinctive singlet oxygen generation ability and obvious photodynamic effects against A549 lung tumor cells. • Compound F-C 4 -Ppa showed excellent photodynamic antitumor activity both in vitro and in vivo , and deserved further exploration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The synthesis and pharmaceutical activity of new potent non-tetrazole angiotensin II (Ang II) receptor antagonists were described. These compounds were fluorine substituted derivatives of Losartan, Valsartan and Irbesartan with carboxylic acid group as replacements to the known potent tetrazole moiety at the 2′-biphenyl position. Their activities were evaluated by Ang II receptor binding assay as well as by in vivo assay. All of the synthesized compounds showed nanomolar affinity for the AT1 receptor subtype. The vivo biological evaluation showed that compounds 1a, 2 and 4 produced a dose-dependent antihypertensive effect both in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and renal hypertensive rats (RHR). Compound 4 especially showed an efficient and long-lasting effect in reducing blood pressure which can last more than 24h at dose of 10mg/kg in SHR, which was much better than control Losartan and Valsartan. Compound 4 can also inhibit the prostate cancer in vitro and in vivo. So compound 4 was selected for in-depth investigation as potent, novel and long-lasting non-tetrazole anti-hypertension and anti-tumor drug candidate. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A series of novel angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonists were prepared. Radioligand binding assay suggested that compounds 1b and 1c could be recognized by the AT1 receptor with an IC50 value of 1.6±0.09nM and 2.64±0.7nM, respectively. In vivo anti-hypertension experiments showed that compounds (1a, 1b, 1c, 1e) elicited a significant decrease in SBP and DBP of spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHRs). The antihypertensive effects maintained for 10h, which indicated that these compounds had a favorable blood pressure-lowering effect. Acute toxicity testing suggested that the LD50 value of compound 1b was 2316.8mg/kg which was lower than valsartan (LD50 =307.50mg/kg) but higher than losartan (LD50 =2248mg/kg). So they could be considered as novel anti-hypertension candidates and deserved for further investigation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Polyaniline (PANI)/maghemite (γ-Fe2O3) nanocomposites were prepared by using the reverse micelle polymerization, where aniline, ferrous and ferric salts and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) act as monomer, precursor of γ-Fe2O3 and surfactant, respectively. The effect of the molar ratio of [SDS]/[H2O] on the electromagnetic properties of PANI/γ-Fe2O3 nanocomposites was investigated by Fourier transform spectroscopy (FTIR), UV–visible spectroscopy (UV–vis), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), wide angle X-ray diffraction diffractometer (WAXD), impedance analysis analyzer, micro-ohmetry and superconductor quantum interference device (SQUID). The nanostructure of the PANI/γ-Fe2O3 nanocomposites was characterized by micrographs of transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Results showed that both the γ-Fe2O3 content and particle size in the nanocomposites decreased with molar ratio of [SDS]/[H2O]. The γ-Fe2O3 phase is non-uniformly distributed in the PANI matrix, and exhibits a broader size distribution at higher [SDS]/[H2O] molar ratio due to the reduced strength of PANI–γ-Fe2O3 interactions. In the presence of γ-Fe2O3, the growth rate of quinoid ring is markedly retarded. The retard effect is significantly reduced by increasing the [SDS]/[H2O] molar ratio, leading to the improvement of crystallinity, conductivity and dielectric properties (i.e., permittivity and loss factor) of nanocomposites. Simultaneously, the ionic polarization relaxation time is shortened from 2.61×10−9 to 1.04×10−9 s. For SQUID analysis at room temperature, the typical superparamagnetic behavior is found with the saturation magnetization decreased with the [SDS]/[H2O] molar ratio, resulting from the reduced γ-Fe2O3 content, smaller γ-Fe2O3 particle size, and the wider particle size distribution. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Polyaniline coated silica/maghemite nanoparticles (PANI/SiO2/γ-Fe2O3 composites) were synthesized by the combination of a sol–gel process and an in-situ polymerization method, in which ferrous and ferric salts as well as tetraethyl orthosilica (TEOS) acted as the precursor for γ-Fe2O3 and silica, respectively. As a result, the SiO2/γ-Fe2O3 particle showed a core-shell structure, with γ-Fe2O3 as the magnetic core and silica as the shell of the particle. The shell thickness can be controlled by changing the TEOS concentration. The PANI/SiO2/γ-Fe2O3 composites revealed a multilayer core-shell structure, where PANI is the outer shell of the composite. The doping level and the conductivity of PANI/SiO2/γ-Fe2O3 composites decreased with increasing the TEOS content due to the presence of the less coated PANI on the SiO2/γ-Fe2O3 core at higher TEOS content. For a SQUID analysis at room temperature, all γ-Fe2O3 containing composites showed a typical superparamagnetic behavior. The saturation magnetization of SiO2/γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles decreased with increasing the TEOS content due to the increase in silica shell thickness, while the saturation magnetization of PANI/SiO2/γ-Fe2O3 composites also decreased with increasing the TEOS content, which is attributed to the lower conductivity of PANI in the composites at higher TEOS content. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• One-pot procedure was selected to synthesize the target compounds. • All photosensitizers showed preferable photodynamic activity against A549 lung tumor cells. • II 3 revealed the excellent anti-tumor effects in vitro and in vivo. A photosensitizer with high phototoxicity, suitable amphipathy and low dark toxicity could play a pivotal role in photodynamic therapy (PDT). In this study, a facile and versatile approach was adopted to synthesize a series of novel fluorinated hematoporphyrin ether derivatives (I 1 - I 5 and II 1 - II 4), and the photodynamic activities of these compounds were studied. Compared to hematoporphyrin monomethyl ether (HMME), all PSs showed preferable photodynamic activity against A549 lung tumor cells. The longest visible absorption wavelength of these compounds was approximately 622 nm. Among them, II 3 revealed the highest singlet oxygen yield (0.0957 min−1), the strongest phototoxicity (IC 50 = 1.24 μM), the lowest dark toxicity in vitro , and exhibited excellent anti-tumor effects in vivo. So compound II 3 could act as new drug candidate for photodynamic therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Series of new AT 1 antagonists were designed and synthesized. • 1g and 2a could lowered the blood pressure of SHR obviously over 24 h in vivo. • 1g and 2a may be considered as potent and long-lasting anti-hypertension drug candidates. A series of new fluoro-substituted benzimidazole derivatives were designed, synthesized and pharmacologically evaluated. All the target compounds were characterized by 1HNMR, 13CNMR, mass spectra and elemental analysis. The biological evaluation showed that most of the synthesized compounds displayed nanomolar affinity to the angiotensin II type 1 (AT 1) receptor and could decrease blood pressure efficiently in spontaneously hypertensive rats. The maximal response of mean blood pressure (MBP) lowered 74.5 ± 3.5 mmHg (1g) and 69.2 ± 0.9 mmHg (2a) at 10 g/kg after oral administration, and the antihypertensive effect lasted beyond 24 h, which performed better than both losartan and telmisartan. So, compounds 1g and 2a may be considered as potential antihypertension drug candidates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been developed as a promising therapeutic method in cancer treatment. The discovery of effective photosensitizer, which is the key factor of PDT, is highly desired. This paper reports the synthesis of novel chlorin derivatives, 5,10,15,20-tetraphenyl-[2:3]-[(methoxycarbonyl, carboxy)methano] chlorin I and 5,10,15,20-tetraphenyl-[2:3]- {[methoxycarbonyl, (2-hydroxyethyl)amide]methano}chlorin II. Their structures were characterized with UV–vis, 1HNMR, 13CNMR and HRMS spectroscopies. Photophysical and photochemical experiments results showed that compound I and II had an absorption maximum around 650 nm, with molar extinction coefficients of 1 × 104 M−1 cm−1. They had strong fluorescence emission in 650–660 nm upon excitation with 419–422 nm light. ESR showed that singlet oxygen was produced upon irradiation of compounds with 650 nm light in the presence of molecular oxygen. The photo-bleaching test indicated that the structure of compounds was stable. These new compounds exhibit excellent anti-tumor effects and lower toxicity compared to m -THPC in vitro and in vivo. Compound I and II had high tumor selectivity, which could induced tumor cells shrinkage and necrosis under 650 nm laser irradiation. Flow cytometry revealed that the compounds might mediate PDT effect at late apoptotic phase. These results make these compound I and II promising candidates for future study in photo-diagnosis and photodynamic therapy of cholangiocarcinoma. Image 1 • Two chlorin derivatives with high tumor selectivity were synthesized. • The photophysical properties, photochemical properties and anti-tumor activities in vitro and in vivo were investigated. • The resultes demonstrated that compound I and II induced tumor cells apoptosis and necrosis under 650 nm laser irradiation. • The two compounds exhibited lower skin photo-toxicity than positive reference m-THPC in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chlorophyll a exhibits excellent photosensitive activity in photosynthesis. The unstability limited its application as photoensitizer drug in photodynamic therapy. Here a series of novel chlorophyll a degradation products pyropheophorbide-a derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for lung cancer in PDT. These compounds have strong absorption in 660–670 nm with high molar extinction coefficient, and fluorescence emission in 660–675 nm upon excitation with 410–415 nm light. They all have much higher ROS yields than pyropheophorbide-a, and compound 10 was even higher than [3-(1-hexyloxyethyl)]-pyrophoeophorbide a (HPPH). Distinctive phototoxicity was observed in vitro and the inhibition effect was in light dose-dependent and drug dose-dependent style. They can effectively inhibit the growth of lung tumor in vivo. Among them, compound 8 and 11 have outstanding photodynamic anti-tumor effects without obvious skin photo-toxicity, so they can act as new drug candidates for photodynamic therapy. Image 1 • A series of novel chlorophyll a derivatives, conjugated with 5-aminolevulinic acid, have been synthesized in good yields. • Their photophysical properties, photochemical properties, intracellular localization and anti-tumor activities in vitro and in vivo were also investigated. • Cellular investigations against A549 cells showed that compounds displayed the high phototoxicity. • More significant tumor inhibition was observed in compound 8 – 11 PDT groups compared to other groups in vivo. Therefore, compound 8 and 11 had outstanding photodynamic anti-tumor effects without obvious skin photo-toxicity, and could act as new drug candidates for photodynamic therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of new 6-substituted aminocarbonyl benzimidazole derivatives with 1, 4-disubsituted or 1, 5-disubsituted indole moiety and benzoic acid moiety were designed, synthesized and pharmacologically evaluated. Most of the synthesized compounds could bind to the AT 1 receptor and decrease blood pressure significantly. Notably, 2e and 1h could obviously decrease MBP in a dose dependent manner. The maximal response lowered 57.9 ± 2.3 mmHg (2e) and 57.6 ± 1.9 mmHg (1h) of MBP at 10 mg/kg after oral administration, and the antihypertensive effect lasted beyond 24 h, which performed better than Losartan (Fig. 1). These results indicate that 2e and 1h are effective and long-lasting anti-hypertension drug candidates and deserve further investigation for therapeutic application. Compounds 1h and 2e have a high affinity to AT 1 receptor and efficient anti-hypertensive effect. Image 1 • A series of new 6-substituted aminocarbonyl benzimidazoles derivatives with 1, 4-disubsituted or 1, 5-disubsituted indole moiety and benzoic acid moiety were designed and synthesized. • Remarkably compounds 1h and 2e displayed the highest specific affinity to the AT 1 receptor with the IC 50 value of 2.3 ± 0.9 nM and the Ki value of 1.9 ± 0.8 nM. • Notably, 2e and 1h were much more potent compounds with maximal reducing response 57.9 ± 2.3 mmHg and 57.6 ± 1.9 mmHg of MBP separately at 10 mg/kg after oral administration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To discover effective photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy (PDT), a series of new meso -tetraphenyltetrabenzoporphyrin ( m -Ph 4 TBP) derivatives were designed, prepared, and characterized. All m -Ph 4 TBPs own two characteristic absorption bands in the range of 450-500 and 600-700 nm and have the ability to generate singlet oxygen upon photoexcitation. Most of the m -Ph 4 TBPs demonstrated high photoactivity, among which compounds I 4 , I 6 , I 12 , and I 13 induced apoptosis and also exhibited excellent photodynamic activities in vivo . Nonetheless, the liver organs of the I 4 and I 6 -PDT groups showed clear calcifications, whereas the liver tissues of the other PDT groups showed no calcification. It was indicated that compared to phenolic m -Ph 4 TBPs, glycol m -Ph 4 TBPs exhibited superior biological safety in mice. According to comprehensive evaluations, m -Ph 4 TBP I 12 displayed excellent photodynamic antitumor efficacy and biological safety and can be regarded as a promising antitumor drug candidate., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (© 2024 American Chemical Society.)

Gliding is a crucial phase in swimming, yet the understanding of fluid force and flow fields during gliding remains incomplete. This study analyzes gliding through Computational Fluid Dynamics simulations. Specifically, a numerical model based on the Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) method for flow-object interactions is established. Fluid motion is governed by continuity, Navier-Stokes, state, and displacement equations. Modified dynamic boundary particles are used to implement solid boundaries, and steady and uniform flows are generated with inflow and outflow conditions. The reliability of the SPH model is validated by replicating a documented laboratory experiment on a circular cylinder advancing steadily beneath a free surface. Reasonable agreement is observed between the numerical and experimental drag force and lift force. After the validation, the SPH model is employed to analyze the passive drag, vertical force, and pitching moment acting on a streamlined gliding 2D swimmer model as well as the surrounding velocity and vorticity fields, spanning gliding velocities from 1 m/s to 2.5 m/s, submergence depths from 0.2 m to 1 m, and attack angles from -10° to 10°. The results indicate that with the increasing gliding velocity, passive drag and pitching moment increase whereas vertical force decreases. The wake flow and free surface demonstrate signs of instability. Conversely, as the submergence depth increases, there is a decrease in passive drag and pitching moment, accompanied by an increase in vertical force. The undulation of the free surface and its interference in flow fields diminish. With the increase in the attack angle, passive drag and vertical force decrease whereas pitching moment increases, along with the alteration in wake direction and the increasing complexity of the free surface. These outcomes offer valuable insights into gliding dynamics, furnishing swimmers with a scientific basis for selecting appropriate submergence depth and attack angle., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Liu, Yu, Meng, Hao, Chen and He.)

The conventional von Neumann architecture has proven to be inadequate in keeping up with the rapid progress in artificial intelligence. Memristors have become the favored devices for simulating synaptic behavior and enabling neuromorphic computations to address challenges. An artificial synapse utilizing the perovskite structure PbHfO 3 (PHO) has been created to tackle these concerns. By employing the sol-gel technique, a ferroelectric film composed of Au/PHO/FTO was created on FTO/glass for the purpose of this endeavor. The artificial synapse is composed of Au/PHO/FTO and exhibits learning and memory characteristics that are similar to those observed in biological neurons. The recognition accuracy for both MNIST and Fashion-MNIST data sets saw an increase, reaching 92.93% and 76.75%, respectively. This enhancement resulted from employing a convolutional neural network architecture and implementing an improved stochastic adaptive algorithm. The presented findings showcase a viable approach to achieve neuromorphic computation by employing artificial synapses fabricated with PHO.

This meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate and contrast the effectiveness of robotic-assisted and laparoscopic colorectal surgery in the treatment of obese patients. In February 2024, we carried out an exhaustive search of key global databases including PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar, limiting our focus to studies published in English and Chinese. We excluded reviews, protocols lacking published results, articles derived solely from conference abstracts, and studies not relevant to our research objectives. To analyze categorical variables, we utilized the Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel method along with random-effects models, calculating inverse variances and presenting the outcomes as odds ratios (ORs) along with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Statistical significance was determined when p values were less than 0.05. In our final meta-analysis, we included eight cohort studies, encompassing a total of 5,004 patients. When comparing the robotic surgery group to the laparoscopic group, the findings revealed that the robotic group experienced a longer operative time (weighted mean difference (WMD) = 37.53 min, 95% (CI) 15.58-59.47; p = 0.0008), a shorter hospital stay (WMD = -0.68 days, 95% CI -1.25 to -0.10; p = 0.02), and reduced blood loss (WMD = -49.23 mL, 95% CI -64.31 to -34.14; p < 0.00001). No significant differences were observed between the two groups regarding overall complications, conversion rates, surgical site infections, readmission rates, lymph node yield, anastomotic leakage, and intestinal obstruction. The results of our study indicate that robot-assisted colorectal surgery offers benefits for obese patients by shortening the length of hospital stay and minimizing blood loss when compared to laparoscopic surgery. Nonetheless, it is associated with longer operation times and shows no significant difference in terms of overall complications, conversion rates, rehospitalization rates, and other similar metrics., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag London Ltd., part of Springer Nature.)

Aim: A study of the enhancement of photodynamic activities of pyropheophorbide-a using PG-Ag-PPa nanoconjugates. Materials & methods: The nanoconjugates were formulated from silver nanoparticles and PPa via amide linkage, then characterized, and their photodynamic activities were examined. Results: The nanoconjugates displayed a higher rate of reactive oxygen species generation, commendable cellular uptake by Eca-109 cancer cells, higher photocytotoxicity toward the cancer cells and better bio-safety. They revealed strong antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli following internal reactive oxygen species generation and membrane disintegration. The in vivo anticancer studies confirmed higher cytotoxicity of the nanoconjugates toward cancer cells and better safety than PPa. Conclusion : Therefore, PG-Ag-PPa nanoconjugates could be considered potential nano photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy of tumors and bacterial infection with good bio-safety.

Background: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) of cancer has been limited by the poor solubility of most photosensitizers, use of high drug dosages, and the pH difference between the tumor tissue microenvironment (slightly acidic) and the bloodstream. These affect cellular uptake, selectivity and singlet oxygen generation. Materials & methods: We formulated Photinia glabra -green synthesized zinc oxide-protoporphyrin IX (PG-ZnO-PP) nanoconjugates by conjugating the ZnO nanoparticles enriched with amino groups and PP. Results: PG-ZnO-PP nanoconjugates showed higher rate of reactive oxygen species generation, improved cellular uptake in the acidic pH and lower IC 50 toward Eca-109 cells for PDT. Conclusion: PG-ZnO-PP nanoconjugates are a potential solution to reducing drug dosage of PP through improved drug uptake, for enhanced targetability and reduced skin photosensitivity with improved PDT efficacy.

Objective: To evaluate the psychometric properties of the 14-item health literacy scale (HL-14) in patients living with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in clinical setting., Methods: Cross-sectional study using item response theory and structural equation modeling (SEM) for testing the item difficulty and three dimensional-HL configurations was adopted in this study. Chinese patients living with T2DM admitted to endocrinology department of Huadong hospital were evaluated by the HL-14 including communication, functional and critical health literacy from August to December 2021., Results: The multidimensional random coefficients multinomial logistic model indicated the difficulty settings of the scale are appropriate for the study populations, and differential item functioning was not observed for sex in the study. SEM demonstrated that the three-dimensional configuration of the scale is good in the study population ( x 2 /df=2.698, Comparative Fit Index = 0.965, Root Mean Square Error of Approximation = 0.076, standard residual mean root = 0.042)., Conclusion: The HL-14 scale is a reliable and valid measurement, which can perform equitably across sex in evaluating the health literacy in Chinese patients living with T2DM. Moreover, the scale may help fill the gaps of multidimensional health literacy assessment and rapid screening of health literacy ability for clinical practice., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests for this work., (© 2023 Wu et al.)

Aims: We prepared Photinia glabra (PG) aqueous fruit extract, utilized it to synthesize silver nanoparticles (PG-Ag NPs) and evaluated the antibacterial and anticancer activities of the nanoparticles (NPs). Materials & methods: Silver nitrate aqueous solution was reduced to PG-Ag NPs using aqueous PG fruit extract. NP shape, size, composition and functionalization were determined using transmission electron microscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared and x-ray diffraction. Results & conclusions: PG-Ag NPs were spherical, approximately 39-77 nm-sized, functionalized surfaces with notable antibacterial activity against both Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus , with an MIC <30 ug/ml and cytotoxicity toward esophageal cancer cells, with IC 50 values less than 20 ug/ml. PG-Ag@rt NPs have been shown to be a potent antibacterial and anticancer agent, and their enriched particle surfaces can be conjugated with other compounds for multibiomedical applications.

Background: One of the tasks of anticancer photodynamic therapy is increasing the efficacy of treatment of cancer nodes with large (clinically relevant) sizes using near-infrared photosensitizers (PS). We study the photodynamic action against A549 human lung cancer cells using PS based on polycationic derivatives of synthetic bacteriochlorin., Methods: The efficacy and mechanisms of the photodynamic action of PS based on polycationic derivatives of synthetic bacteriochlorin against A549 lung cancer cells were studied in vitro using immunocytochemical and morphological methods., Results: It was found that PS based on tetracationic and octacationic derivatives of synthetic bacteriochlorin induce necrosis, apoptosis, decreasing of proliferative and mitotic activity, as well as reducing the number of ALDH1-positive cancer cells with signs of stem cells in A549 human lung cancer cell culture. The IC 50 values (concentration of a PS that reduces cells survival by 50%) were about 0.69 μM for tetracationic PS and 0.57 μM for octacationic PS under irradiation at 30 J/cm 2 while in the "dark" control they were higher than 100 μM for both PSs., Conclusions: Photosensitizers based on polycationic derivatives of synthetic bacteriochlorin have high phototoxicity against A549 cancer cells caused by the induction of necrosis and apoptosis of cancer cells, including cells with signs of stemness, and a sharp decrease of mitotic and proliferative activity., (Copyright © 2022. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

The fast-rising CRISPR-derived gene editing technologies has been widely used in the fields of life science and biomedicine, as well as plant and animal breeding. However, the efficiency of homology-directed repair (HDR), an important strategy for gene knock-in and base editing, remains to be improved. In this study, we came up with the term Donor Adapting System (DAS) to summarize those CRISPR/Cas9 systems modified with adaptor for driving aptamer-fused donor DNA. A set of CRISPR/Cas9-Gal4BD DAS was designed in our study. In this system, Gal4 DNA binding domain (Gal4BD) is used as adaptor to fuse with Cas9 protein, and Gal4 binding sequence (Gal4BS) is used as aptamer to bind to the double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) donor, in order to improve the HDR efficiency. Preliminary results from the HEK293T-HDR.GFP reporter cell line show that the HDR editing efficiency could be improved up to 2-4 times when donor homologous arms under certain length (100-60 bp). Further optimization results showed that the choice of fusion port and fusion linker would affect the expression and activity of Cas9, while the Cas9-Gal4BD fusion with a GGS5 linker was the prior choice. In addition, the HDR efficiency was likely dependent on the aptamer-dsDNA donor design, and single Gal4BD binding sequence (BS) addition to the 5'-end of intent dsDNA template was suggested. Finally, we achieved enhanced HDR editing on the endogenous AAVS1 and EMX1 sites by using the CRISPR/Gal4BD-Cas9 DAS, which we believe can be applied to facilitate animal molecular design breeding in the future.

Background: Photodynamic therapy has been increasingly used to cope with the alarming problem of cancer. Porphyrins and their derivatives are widely used as Potent Photosensitizers (PS) for PDT. However, the hydrophobicity of porphyrins poses a challenge for their use in clinics, while most of the carbon dots (CDs) are known for good biocompatibility, solubility, and pH sensitivity., Objective: This study aimed to improve the properties/biocompatibility of the pyropheophorbide-α for PDT., Methods: The PPa-CD conjugate was synthesized through covalent interaction using amide condensation. The structure of synthesized conjugate was confirmed by TEM, 1HNMR, and FTIR. The absorption and emission spectra were studied. In vitro, cytotoxicity of the conjugate was examined in human esophageal cancer cell line (Eca-109)., Results: The results showed that the fluorescence of the drug was increased compared to its precursor. CDbased conjugate could generate ROS as well as enhanced biocompatibility by decreasing cytotoxicity. The conjugated drug also showed pH sensitivity in different solutions., Conclusion: The dark toxicity, as well as hemocompatibility, was improved., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Objective: To compare the clinical effect between the lamina osteotomy and former vertebral plates regraft method and total laminectomy and interbody fusion method in treating single-segment lumbar degenerative disease., Methods: The clinical data of 167 patients with single-segment lumbar degenerative disease underwent surgical treatment from January 2010 to December 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 92 males and 75 females, aged from 45 to 75 years old with an average of (59.6±12.4) years. The patients were divided into lamina osteotomy and former vertebral plates regraft group(82 cases) and total laminectomy and interbody fusion group(85 cases) according to the different surgical methods used. The general conditions and clinical effects were compared between two groups. General conditions included the operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage, hospitalization time and the clinical effects included the visual analogue scale (VAS), Japanese Orthopaedic Association(JOA), Oswestry Dability Index(ODI), MacNab results, epidural fibrosis (EF), the incidence of adjacent segment degeneration (ASD)., Results: All the patients were followed for 18 to 36 months with an average of (24.8±5.7) months, furthermore, there was no significant difference in the follow-up time between two groups. There was no significant difference in general conditions such as operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage, or hospitalization time between two groups. At final follow-up, the VAS, ODI, JOA, of all patients were significantly improved ( P <0.05);and the three factors above in the lamina osteotomy and former vertebral plates regraft group respectively were(2.0±1.1) points, (24.0±1.8) %, (19.8±8.2) point, while the results of total laminectomy and interbody fusion group were(2.5±1.6) points, (23.3±2.0)%, and(22.5±8.5) point;there was statistical difference between two groups( P <0.05). According to the standard of MacNab, 59 cases obtained excellent results, 20 good, 3 fair results in the lamina osteotomy and former vertebral plates regraft group;while 47 cases got excellent results, 26 good, and 12 fair results in the total laminectomy and interbody fusion group;there was significant difference between two groups( P <0.05). Sixteen patients(19.51%) with EF and 20 patients(24.39%) with ASD were found in lamina osteotomy and former vertebral plates regraft group;and 30 patients(35.29%) with EF and 37 patients(43.53%) with ASD were found in total laminectomy and interbody fusion group; there was significant difference between two groups( P <0.05)., Conclusions: Both two methods can achieve the ideal effects for the treatment of single-segment lumbar degenerative disease, but the lamina osteotomy and former vertebral plates regraft method can reserve the integrity of posterior ligamentous complex, reducing the incidence of EF and ASD, and is a better surgical method., Competing Interests: The authors of this article and the planning committee members and staff have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose., (Copyright© 2018 by the China Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology Press.)

A novel porphyrin derivative, 5, 10, 15, 20-tetrakis (5-morpholinopentyl)-21H, 23H-Porphin (MPP, 4) and its photophysical characteristics, therapeutic efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in vitro and in vivo, tumor selectivity, and clearance from normal tissues were investigated here. MPP has strong absorption at relatively long wavelength (λmax = 648 nm, molar absorption coefficient ε ∼ 17,200 M(-1)cm(-1)) and can emit strong fluorescence at 653 and 718 nm. When administered to the animal tumor models by tail vein injection, MPP was capable of accumulating in the tumor site, as examined in vivo with the fluorescence signal of MPP. By the combination of MPP and a 650-nm laser irradiation, the viability of T24 cells could decrease by 4.37 %, and inhibition rate of T24 tumor could increase up to 91.21 % compared with control group, demonstrating the potential of MPP as an effective photosensitizer in PDT for tumor treatment.

In this paper, the antitumor activity of a novel porphyrin-based photosensitizer 5,10,15,20-tetrakis[(5-diethylamino)pentyl] porphyrin (TDPP) was reported in vitro and in vivo. The photophysical and cellular properties of TDPP were investigated. The singlet oxygen generation quantum yield of TDPP was detected; it showed a high singlet oxygen quantum yield of 0.52. The intracellular distribution of photosensitizer was detected with laser scanning confocal microscopy. The efficiency of TDPP-photodynamic therapy (PDT) in vitro was analyzed by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and in situ trypan blue exclusion test. Treated with a 630-nm laser, TDPP can kill cultured human esophageal cancer cell line (Eca-109) cells and reduce the growth of Eca-109 xenograft tumors significantly in BABL/c nude mice. And histopathological study was also used to confirm the antitumor effect. It has the perspective to be developed as a new antitumor drug in photodynamic therapy and deserves further investigation.

Chlorin derivatives are promising photosensitive agents for photodynamic therapy (PDT) of tumors. The aim of the current study is to investigate the PDT therapeutic effects of a novel chlorin-based photosensitizer, meso-tetra[3-(N,N-diethyl)aminomethyl-4-methoxy]phenyl chlorin (TMPC) for gliomas in vitro and in vivo. Physicochemical characteristics of TMPC were recorded by ultraviolet visible spectrophotometer and fluorescence spectrometer. The rate of singlet oxygen generation of TMPC upon photo-excitation was detected by using 1,3-diphenylisobenzofuran (DPBF). The accumulation of TMPC in gliomas U87 MG cells was measured by fluorescence spectrometer. The efficiency of TMPC-PDT in vitro was analyzed by MTT assay and clonogenic assay. The biodistribution and clearance of TMPC were determined by fluorescence measuring. Human gliomas U87 MG tumor-bearing mice model was used to evaluate the antitumor effects of TMPC-PDT. TMPC shows a singlet oxygen generation rate of 0.05 and displays a characteristic long wavelength absorption peak at 653 nm (ε = 15,400). The accumulation of TMPC increased with the increase of incubation time. In vitro, PDT using TMPC and laser showed laser dose- and concentration-dependent cytotoxicity to U87 MG cells. In U87 MG tumor-bearing mice, TMPC-PDT significantly reduced the growth of the tumors. Both in vitro and in vivo, TMPC showed little dark toxicity. In vitro and in vivo studies, it found that TMPC has excellent antitumor activities. It suggests that TMPC is a potential photosensitizer of photodynamic therapy for cancer.

As a fast developing alternative of traditional therapeutics, photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an effective, noninvasive, nontoxic therapeutics for cancer, senile macular degeneration, and so on. But the efficacy of PDT was compromised by insufficient selectivity and low solubility. In this study, novel multifunctional silica-based magnetic nanoparticles (SMNPs) were strategically designed and prepared as targeting drug delivery system to achieve higher specificity and better solubility. 2,7,12,18-Tetramethyl-3,8-di-(1-propoxyethyl)-13,17-bis-(3-hydroxypropyl) porphyrin, shorted as PHPP, was used as photosensitizer, which was first synthesized by our lab with good PDT effects. Magnetite nanoparticles (Fe(3)O(4)) and PHPP were incorporated into silica nanoparticles by microemulsion and sol-gel methods. The prepared nanoparticles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy. The nanoparticles were approximately spherical with 20-30 nm diameter. Intense fluorescence of PHPP was monitored in the cytoplasm of SW480 cells. The nanoparticles possessed good biocompatibility and could generate singlet oxygen to cause remarkable photodynamic anti-tumor effects. These suggested that PHPP-SMNPs had great potential as effective drug delivery system in targeting photodynamic therapy, diagnostic magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic hyperthermia therapy. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT: Novel multifunctional photosensitizer loaded magnetic silica nanoparticles were strategically prepared with low toxicity, good biocompatibility and remarkable photodynamic anti-tumor efficacy. The nanoparticles were believed to be of great value as drug delivery system in targeting photodynamic therapy, diagnostic magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic hyperthermia therapy.

In the mol-ecule of the title compound, C(9)H(9)NOS, the seven-membered ring has a twist conformation. In the crystal structure, inter-molecular N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds link the mol-ecules into centrosymmetric dimers.

Objective: To investigate the influence of dermal template on the biomechanical compliance of wound tissue during wound repair., Methods: One hundred and forty-four SD rats subjected to full-thickness skin loss on the dorsum were enrolled in the study, and they were randomly divided into A (n = 6, without grafting on wound), B (n = 6, with full thickness skin grafting on wound), C (n = 6, with razor thin skin grafting on wound) and D [n = 6, with acellular dermal matrix (ADM) and razor thin skin grafting on wound] groups. The tissue samples from the wounds were harvested 1, 2, 4, 6, 12 and 20 weeks after the operation. The biomechanical compliance of the wound was assessed by Instron biomechanics tensiometer. The expression of alpha-SMA in the dermal fibroblasts of each group was determined by immunohistochemistry (ABC) method., Results: The biomechanical compliance of the wound in D group was higher than that in A and C groups (P < 0.05), but lower than that in B group during 4 to 20 weeks after operation (P < 0.05). The expression of alpha-SMA in D group (7.53 +/- 0.98)% was lower than that in A (26.99 +/- 2.90)% and C (2.18 +/- 2.79)% groups (P < 0.01), but higher than that in B group at 4 weeks after operation (P < 0.05)., Conclusion: Dermal template might affect the scar formation during wound healing, in improving wound healing quality by enhancing the biomechanical compliance of wound tissue.

General enantioselective routes to 3,4-cis-dialkyl substituted gamma-lactones and 4,5-cis-dialkyl substituted delta-lactones using TiCl(4)-mediated Evans asymmetric aldolization as the key step are reported. The syntheses are exemplified with two natural fragrant molecules, cis-3-methyl-4-decanolide (1) and aerangis lactone (2). The (R,R) steroegenic centers were established using (S)-phenylalanine-derived 2-oxazolidinone or thiazolidinethione as chiral auxiliary, whereas the (S,S) ones were constructed with auxiliary prepared from (R)-phenylglycine. NaBH(4)/CaCl(2)/THF in the presence of a small amount of EtOH was introduced as a new effective method for reductive cleavage of chiral oxazolidinone auxiliaries. Previously unknown, tricky concentration effects were observed during the monotosylation of diol 7 and BOM protection of Evans aldol 23.