Enhancement of Aggregation-Induced Emission in Dye-Encapsulating Polymeric Micelles for Bioimaging

Wu, Wen-Chung,Chen, Ching-Yi,Tian, Yanqing,Jang, Sei-Hum,Hong, Yuning,Liu, Yang,Hu, Rongrong,Tang, Ben Zhong,Lee, Yi-Ting,Chen, Chin-Ti,Chen, Wen-Chang,Jen, Alex K.-Y. WILEY-VCH Verlag 2010 Advanced Functional Materials Vol.20 No.9

<P>Three amphiphilic block copolymers are employed to form polymeric micelles and function as nanocarriers to disperse hydrophobic aggregation-induced emission (AIE) dyes, 1,1,2,3,4,5-hexaphenylsilole (HPS) and/or bis(4-(N-(1-naphthyl) phenylamino)-phenyl)fumaronitrile (NPAFN), into aqueous solution for biological studies. Compared to their virtually non-emissive properties in organic solutions, the fluorescence intensity of these AIE dyes has increased significantly due to the spatial confinement that restricts intramolecular rotation of these dyes and their better compatibility in the hydrophobic core of polymeric micelles. The effect of the chemical structure of micelle cores on the photophysical properties of AIE dyes are investigated, and the fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) from the green-emitting donor (HPS) to the red-emitting acceptor (NPAFN) is explored by co-encapsulating this FRET pair in the same micelle core. The highest fluorescence quantum yield (∼62%) could be achieved by encapsulating HPS aggregates in the micelles. Efficient energy transfer (>99%) and high amplification of emission (as high as 8 times) from the NPAFN acceptor could also be achieved by spatially confining the HPS/NPAFN FRET pair in the hydrophobic core of polymeric micelles. These micelles could be successfully internalized into the RAW 264.7 cells to demonstrate high-quality fluorescent images and cell viability due to improved quantum yield and reduced cytotoxicity.</P> <B>Graphic Abstract</B> <P>Highly efficient fluorescence probes are achieved through the encapsulation of aggregation-induced emission molecules, 1,1,2,3,4,5-hexaphenylsilole (HPS) and/or bis(4-(N-(1-naphthyl) phenylamino)-phenyl)fumaronitrile (NPAFN) in the core of polymeric micelles. Bright fluorescence cell images are shown with tunable colors of green directly from HPS aggregates and red through efficient fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) from HPS aggregates to NPAFN aggregates. <img src='wiley_img_2010/1616301X-2010-20-9-ADFM200902043-content.gif' alt='wiley_img_2010/1616301X-2010-20-9-ADFM200902043-content'> </P>

Earthquake-related Crush Injury versus Non-Earthquake Injury in Abdominal Trauma Patients on Emergency Multidetector Computed Tomography: A Comparative Study

Tian-wu Chen,Zhi-gang Yang,Zhi-hui Dong,Zhi-gang Chu,Si-shi Tang,Wen Deng 대한의학회 2011 Journal of Korean medical science Vol.26 No.3

The aim of this study was to investigate features of abdominal earthquake-related crush traumas in comparison with non-earthquake injury. A cross sectional survey was conducted with 51 survivors with abdominal crush injury in the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, and 41with abdominal non-earthquake injury, undergoing non-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scans, serving as earthquake trauma and control group, respectively. Data were analyzed between groups focusing on CT appearance. We found that injury of abdominalwall soft tissue and fractures of lumbar vertebrae were more common in earthquake trauma group than in control group (28 vs 13 victims, and 24 vs 9, respectively; all P <0.05); and fractures were predominantly in transverse process of 1-2 vertebrae among L1-3 vertebrae. Retroperitoneal injury in the kidney occurred more frequently in earthquake trauma group than in control group (29 vs 14 victims, P < 0.05). Abdominal injury in combination with thoracic and pelvic injury occurred more frequently in earthquake trauma group than in control group (43 vs 29 victims, P < 0.05). In conclusion, abdominal earthquake-related crush injury might be characteristic of high incidence in injury of abdominal-wall soft tissue, fractures of lumbar vertebrae in transverse process of 1-2 vertebrae among L1-3 vertebrae, retroperitoneal injury in the kidney, and in combination with injury in the thorax and pelvis.

Hepatitis B Virus DNA Negativity Acts as a Favorable Prognostic Factor in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients

Li, Xing,Zhong, Xiang,Chen, Zhan-Hong,Xing, Yan-Fang,Wu, Dong-Hao,Chen, Jie,Ma, Xiao-Kun,Lin, Qu,Wen, Jing-Yun,Wei, Li,Wang, Tian-Tian,Ruan, Dan-Yun,Lin, Ze-Xiao,Wu, Xiang-Yuan,Dong, Min Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.22

Background: This retrospective study was aimed to investigate the efficacy of prophylactic agents in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients receiving TACE and compare the difference between lamivudine and entecavir. Materials and Methods: A consecutive series of 203 HBV-related HCC patients receiving TACE were analyzed including 91 patients given prophylactic agents. Virologic events, defined as an increase in serum HBV DNA level to more than 1 log10 IU/ml higher than the nadir level, hepatitis flares due to HBV reactivation and progression free survival (PFS) were the main endpoints. Results: Some 48 (69.6%) reached virologic response. Prophylaxis significantly reduced virologic events (8.8% vs 58.0%, p=0.000) and hepatitis flares (1.1% vs 13.4%, p=0.001). Patients presenting undetectable HBV DNA levels displayed a significantly improved PFS as compared to those who never achieved undetectable HBV DNA. Prophylaxis and e-antigen positivity were the only significant variables associated with virologic events. In addition, prophylaxis was the only independent protective factor for hepatitis flares. Liver cirrhosis, more cycles of TACE, HBV DNA negativity, a lower Cancer of the Liver Italian Program score, non-metastasis and no hepatitis flares were protective factors for PFS. Prophylactic lamivudine demonstrated similar efficacy as entecavir. Conclusions: Prophylactic agents are efficacious for prevention of HBV reactivation in HCC patients receiving TACE. Achievement of undetectable HBV DNA levels displayed a significant capability in improving PFS. Moreover, persistent tumor residual lesions, positive HBV DNA and hepatitis B flares might be causes of tumor progression in these patients.

Efficacy of Prophylactic Entecavir for Hepatitis B Virus-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma Receiving Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization

Li, Xing,Zhong, Xiang,Chen, Zhan-Hong,Wang, Tian-Tian,Ma, Xiao-Kun,Xing, Yan-Fang,Wu, Dong-Hao,Dong, Min,Chen, Jie,Ruan, Dan-Yun,Lin, Ze-Xiao,Wen, Jing-Yun,Wei, Li,Wu, Xiang-Yuan,Lin, Qu Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.18

Background and Aims: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation was reported to be induced by transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) in HBV-related hepatocellular carcinonma (HCC) patients with a high incidence. The effective strategy to reduce hepatitis flares due to HBV reactivation in this specific group of patients was limited to lamivudine. This retrospective study was aimed to investigate the efficacy of prophylactic entecavir in HCC patients receiving TACE. Methods: A consecutive series of 191 HBV-related HCC patients receiving TACE were analyzed including 44 patients received prophylactic entecavir. Virologic events, defined as an increase in serum HBV DNA level to more than 1 log10 copies/ml higher than nadir the level, and hepatitis flares due to HBV reactivation were the main endpoints. Results: Patients with or without prophylactic were similar in host factors and the majorities of characteristics regarding to tumor factors, HBV status, liver function and LMR. Notably, cycles of TACE were parallel between the groups. Ten (22.7%) patients receiving prophylactic entecavir reached virologic response. The patients receiving prophylactic entecavir presented significantly reduced virologic events (6.8% vs 54.4%, p=0.000) and hepatitis flares due to HBV reactivation (0.0% vs 11.6%, p=0.039) compared with patients without prophylaxis. Kaplan-Meier analysis illustrated that the patients in the entecavir group presented significantly improved virologic events free survival (p=0.000) and hepatitis flare free survival (p=0.017). Female and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 2 was the only significant predictors for virological events in patients without prophylactic antiviral. Rescue antiviral therapy did not reduce the incidence of hepatitis flares due to HBV reactivation. Conclusion: Prophylactic entecavir presented promising efficacy in HBV-related cancer patients receiving TACE. Lower performance status and female gender might be the predictors for HBV reactivation in these patients.

Arginine-Rich Manganese Silicate Nanobubbles as a Ferroptosis-Inducing Agent for Tumor-Targeted Theranostics

Wang, Shuaifei,Li, Fangyuan,Qiao, Ruirui,Hu, Xi,Liao, Hongwei,Chen, Lumin,Wu, Jiahe,Wu, Haibin,Zhao, Meng,Liu, Jianan,Chen, Rui,Ma, Xibo,Kim, Dokyoon,Sun, Jihong,Davis, Thomas P.,Chen, Chunying,Tian, American Chemical Society 2018 ACS NANO Vol.12 No.12

<P>Ferroptosis, an iron-based cell-death pathway, has recently attracted great attention owing to its effectiveness in killing cancer cells. Previous investigations focused on the development of iron-based nanomaterials to induce ferroptosis in cancer cells by the up-regulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by the well-known Fenton reaction. Herein, we report a ferroptosis-inducing agent based on arginine-rich manganese silicate nanobubbles (AMSNs) that possess highly efficient glutathione (GSH) depletion ability and thereby induce ferroptosis by the inactivation of glutathione-dependent peroxidases 4 (GPX4). The AMSNs were synthesized <I>via</I> a one-pot reaction with arginine (Arg) as the surface ligand for tumor homing. Subsequently, a significant tumor suppression effect can be achieved by GSH depletion-induced ferroptosis. Moreover, the degradation of AMSNs during the GSH depletion contributed to <I>T</I><SUB>1</SUB>-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) enhancement as well as on-demand chemotherapeutic drug release for synergistic cancer therapy. We anticipate that the GSH-depletion-induced ferroptosis strategy by using manganese-based nanomaterials would provide insights in designing nanomedicines for tumor-targeted theranostics.</P> [FIG OMISSION]</BR>

Input-output Finite-time Stability of Switched Singular Continuous-time Systems

Tian Feng,Baowei Wu,Yue-E Wang,YangQuan Chen 제어·로봇·시스템학회 2021 International Journal of Control, Automation, and Vol.19 No.5

This paper is concerned with the problem of input-output finite-time stability (IO-FTS) for a class of switched singular continuous-time systems. First, the concept of IO-FTS is extended to switched singular systems. Then, by using the average dwell time switching approach and constructing multiple Lyapunov functions, a sufficient condition of IO-FTS for the considered system is presented in the form of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). Furthermore, based on the derived conditions, a suitable state feedback controller is designed to stabilize the switched singular systems. Finally, an illustrative example is provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed technique.

Aspartate Transaminase to Platelet Ratio Index (APRI) and Albumin-Bilirubin Grade (ALBI) Predict Postoperative Morbidity Following Hepatectomy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma A Multicenter Cohort Study

( Tian Yang ),( Li-yang Sun ),( Lei Liang ),( Ya-hao Zhou ),( Wei-min Gu ),( Hong Wang ),( Ting-hao Chen ),( Yong-yi Zeng ),( Wan Yee Lau ),( Meng-chao Wu ),( Feng Shen ) 대한간학회 2020 춘·추계 학술대회 (KASL) Vol.2020 No.1

Aims: Postoperative morbidity following hepatectomy remains high, and understanding its risk factors is important to improve perioperative outcomes. We aimed to identify the role of two non-invasive markers - albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) and aspartate transaminase to platelet ratio index (APRI) - in predicting postoperative morbidity following hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: A multicenter data of patients undergoing hepatectomy for HCC at 8 centers were retrospectively analyzed. These patients were divided into normal and high groups according to preoperative ALBI and APRI scores. ALBI and APRI’s predictive accuracy of postoperative 30-day overall and major morbidity were evaluated by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and compared with two conventional scores: Child-Pugh grade and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD). Results: In 2,301 patients, 866 (37.6%) and 400 (17.4%) were in the high ALBI and APRI groups, respectively. There were significant differences of postoperative overall morbidity between the normal and high ALBI groups (26.2% vs. 40.1%, P<0.001), as well as between the normal and high APRI groups (29.2% vs. 42.4%, P<0.001). The AUCs of the ALBI and APRI scores for predicting overall morbidity are greater than those of Child- Pugh grade and MELD score. Multivariable analyses revealed that ALBI and APRI were independent predictors of overall morbidity in both preoperative and postoperative prediction models. Similar results existed in predicting postoperative major morbidity. Conclusions: Preoperative ALBI and APRI could predict postoperative 30-day overall and major morbidity following hepatectomy for HCC before or after surgery.

P3H4 promotes renal cell carcinoma progression and suppresses antitumor immunity via regulating GDF15-MMP9-PD-L1 axis

Tian, Shuo,Huang, Yan,Lai, Dong,Wang, Hanfeng,Du, Songliang,Shen, Donglai,Chen, Weihao,Xuan, Yundong,Lu, Yongliang,Feng, Huayi,Zhang, Xiangyi,Zhao, Wenlei,Wang, Chenfeng,Wang, Tao,Wu, Shengpan,Huang, Techno-Press 2022 Advances in nano research Vol.12 No.6

The prolyl 3-hydroxylase family member 4 (P3H4), is associated with post-translational modification of fibrillar collagens and aberrantly activated in cancer leading to tumor progression. However, its role in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is still unknown. Here we reported that P3H4 was highly expressed in renal cancer tissues and significantly positive correlated with poor prognosis. Knockdown of P3H4 inhibited the proliferation, migration and metastasis of renal cancer cells in vitro and in vivo, and also, overexpression of it enhanced the oncogenic process. Mechanistically, P3H4 depletion decreased the levels of GDF15-MMP9 axis and repressed its downstream signaling. Further functional studies revealed that inhibition of GDF15 suppressed renal cancer cell growth and GDF15 recombinant human protein (rhGDF15) supplementation effectively rescued the inhibitory effect induced by P3H4 knockdown. Moreover, decreased levels of MMP9 caused by inhibition of P3H4-GDF15 signaling constrained the expression of PD-L1 and suppression of P3H4 accordingly promoted anti-tumor immunity via stimulating the infiltration of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in syngeneic mice model. Taken together, our findings firstly demonstrated that P3H4 promotes ccRCC progression by activating GDF15-MMP9-PD-L1 axis and targeting P3H4-GDF15-MMP9 signaling pathway can be a novel strategy of controlling ccRCC malignancy.

SEINA: A two-dimensional steam explosion integrated analysis code

Wu Liangpeng,Sun Ruiyu,Chen Ronghua,Tian Wenxi,Qiu Suizheng,Su G.H. 한국원자력학회 2022 Nuclear Engineering and Technology Vol.54 No.10

In the event of a severe accident, the reactor core may melt due to insufficient cooling. the hightemperature core melt will have a strong interaction (FCI) with the coolant, which may lead to steam explosion. Steam explosion would pose a serious threat to the safety of the reactors. Therefore, the study of steam explosion is of great significance to the assessment of severe accidents in nuclear reactors. This research focuses on the development of a two-dimensional steam explosion integrated analysis code called SEINA. Based on the semi-implicit Euler scheme, the three-phase field was considered in this code. Besides, the influence of evaporation drag of melt and the influence of solidified shell during the process of melt droplet fragmentation were also considered. The code was simulated and validated by FARO L-14 and KROTOS KS-2 experiments. The calculation results of SEINA code are in good agreement with the experimental results, and the results show that if the effects of evaporation drag and melt solidification shell are considered, the FCI process can be described more accurately. Therefore, it is proved that SEINA has the potential to be a powerful and effective tool for the analysis of steam explosions in nuclear reactors.

Hierarchical porous ECM scaffolds incorporating GDF-5 fabricated by cryogenic 3D printing to promote articular cartilage regeneration

Wu Jiang,Fu Liwei,Yan Zineng,Yang Yu,Yin Han,Li Pinxue,Yuan Xun,Ding Zhengang,Kang Teng,Tian Zhuang,Liao Zhiyao,Tian Guangzhao,Ning Chao,Li Yuguo,Sui Xiang,Chen Mingxue,Liu Shuyun,Guo Quanyi 한국생체재료학회 2023 생체재료학회지 Vol.27 No.00

In recent years, there has been significant research progress on in situ articular cartilage (AC) tissue engineering with endogenous stem cells, which uses biological materials or bioactive factors to improve the regeneration microenvironment and recruit more endogenous stem cells from the joint cavity to the defect area to promote cartilage regeneration.In this study, we used ECM alone as a bioink in low-temperature deposition manufacturing (LDM) 3D printing and then successfully fabricated a hierarchical porous ECM scaffold incorporating GDF-5.Comparative in vitro experiments showed that the 7% ECM scaffolds had the best biocompatibility. After the addition of GDF-5 protein, the ECM scaffolds significantly improved bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) migration and chondrogenic differentiation. Most importantly, the in vivo results showed that the ECM/GDF-5 scaffold significantly enhanced in situ cartilage repair.In conclusion, this study reports the construction of a new scaffold based on the concept of in situ regeneration, and we believe that our findings will provide a new treatment strategy for AC defect repair.