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Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a major bone-related disease, which is characterized by joint deterioration, bone destruction, and whole joint damage, leading to permanent disability. The present study aimed to assess the anti-inflammatory and anti-osteoarthritic effects of esculetin in a monosodium iodoacetate (MI)-induced OA model in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Materials and Methods: The anti-osteoarthritic efficacy of esculetin was determined in an MI-induced OA animal model. Rats were divided into the following groups: group I: normal control (saline), group II (MI only treated), group III (MI + esculetin), and group IV (MI + indomethacin). The potent outcome of esculetin treatment was assessed through its effects on the proinflammatory cytokines' levels, weight-bearing distribution, and histopathologic observation. Anti-inflammation efficacy of esculetin was evaluated in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced Ralph and William's cell line 264.7 (RAW 264.7) cells. Results: In vitro results showed that esculetin has an anti-inflammatory efficacy through lessening the production of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6 in LPS-induced RAW cells. Furthermore, esculetin also reinforced the retrieval of hind limb weight-holding capacity, downregulated the generation of inflammatory mediators and proinflammatory cytokines, and shielded or protected the cartilage tissue from damage in the OA model SD rats. Conclusion: Esculetin seems to be a beneficial therapeutic compound for handling OA and OA-based disease conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] An easy-to-make Cu2+ colorimetric sensor SH was designed and synthesized. [•] SH displayed colorimetric specific selectivity for Cu2+ in aqueous solution. [•] The simple approach is useful for routine analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel multifunctional sensor based on the ‘privileged ligand’ salen scaffold conjugated with BODIPY was designed and synthesized. This conjugate displays a sequential recognition of Hg 2+ and I − with high selectivity and sensitivity via formation of three-component ensembles.These new approaches have been successfully applied for the detection of their corresponding targets in Haihe River with acceptable recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new multifunctional probe made up of boron dipyrromethene (BODIPY) and benzimidazole neighboring phenol was designed and synthesized. This probe displays a colorimetric recognition of Hg 2+ and a ‘turn off’ fluorescent response to Cr 3+ at physiological condition. The ‘in situ’ ensemble of host and Hg 2+ shows a selective and ratiometric detection of I − via the formation of three-component ensemble. These systems were further used to detect their corresponding targets in real water sample with acceptable recovery. Compared to the comprehensive report of the single-target responsive chemosensor, these results provided an approach to design the challenging multifunctional probe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanomaterial-based mimetic enzymes, called nanozymes, received more and more attention in recent decades; however, their lack of biocompatibility limited the biomedical applications, which could be solved by surface modification. In this work, the Co 3 O 4 nanoplates were modified by different functional groups, including the amino group, carboxyl group, hydroxyl group, and sulfhydryl group (NH 2 -Co 3 O 4 , COOH-Co 3 O 4 , OH-Co 3 O 4 , and SH-Co 3 O 4 ). And the modified Co 3 O 4 nanoplates were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, XPS, FTIR, TG, and the Zeta potential, verifying the successful modification of different functional groups. Their mimetic peroxidase properties and kinetics process were further studied and showed that the order of their catalytic activities was as follows: NH 2 -Co 3 O 4 > SH-Co 3 O 4 > COOH-Co 3 O 4 > pure Co 3 O 4 > OH-Co 3 O 4 , and the catalysis of modified Co 3 O 4 nanozymes all followed Michaelis-Menten kinetics. The results indicated that the different functional groups changed their electron transfer ability, and further affected their catalytic activity. H 2 O 2 detection was selected as an application model system to evaluate the modified Co 3 O 4 nanozymes. Compared with other Co 3 O 4 nanozymes, a wider linear range from 0.01 to 40 mmol L -1 and a lower detection limit of 1.5 μmol L -1 was constructed with NH 2 -Co 3 O 4 nanozymes. The results suggested that surface modification by functional groups was a robust strategy to improve the application of Co 3 O 4 nanozymes. The enhanced catalytic activity and good biocompatibility of modified Co 3 O 4 nanozymes provided valuable materials for the relative application, such as medical detection and antioxidation.

Paclitaxel-loaded methoxy poly (ethylene glycol )-b-poly (L-lactic acid) diblock copolymer nanoparticles (PMT) were prepared by a self-emulsification/solvent evaporation method. The PMT morphology, size and its distribution, and drug release in vitro were investigated by DLS, UV, TEM and HPLC. The results indicate that PMT show a spherical morphology with inner core and outer shell. The diameter (nm) of PMT increases with the increase of the drug-loaded amount. The initial burst release is not observed, the drug releasing rate in vitro is lower, and the accumulated release increases with the increase of replacement amout of the pH7. 4 medium. This study develops a new formulation for paclitaxel and provides an experimental basis for the intravenous administration of paclitaxel.