External Stimuli Research Articles

A light-temperature neuron and its adaptive regulation

Abstract The appropriate firing modes for a neuron can be excited under the external stimulus. From the viewpoint of physical, the intrinsic biophysical effects, functional encoding, and the mechanism for the transcription of external signals play an extremely important role in building reliable neuron models. In this paper, a light-temperature neuron model is proposed by connecting a phototube and a thermistor into a nonlinear circuit for investigating the information encoding and responses of neurons under the external optical signals and temperature signals. In this neuron model, a phototube is used to encode external light signals, similar to artificial eyes, and a thermistor can encode temperature intensity. Furthermore, the Hamilton energy (HE) function of neurons is calculated based on the Helmholtz’s theorem, and a self-regulation method is designed by applying the ratio of electric field energy to magnetic field energy to estimate the self-regulation of neurons. The results show that the proposed neuron can reproduce the main characteristics of biological neurons by adjusting the external stimulus. The double coherence resonance is induced under noise temperature. These results could be helpful for researching the collective behaviors in functional neural networks.

Artificial mechano-nociceptive system based on transparent ITO/AlN/ITO memristor nociceptor neuron

Artificial nociceptors demonstrate significant potential in emerging fields such as intelligent prosthetics, humanoid robotics, and electronic skin, capable of transducing external noxious stimuli to the central nervous system. Unlike common sensory neurons, nociceptors exhibit unique characteristics, including “no adaptation,” “relaxation,” “threshold firing,” and “sensitization of allodynia/hyperalgesia.” This study presents a forming-free volatile transparent ITO/AlN/ITO memristor that emulates biological nociceptor behaviors. Leveraging this artificial nociceptor, an artificial mechano-nociceptive system is developed by integrating the ITO/AlN/ITO memristor into a piezoelectric force sensor system for pain sensing and noxious stimuli warning. This research contributes to the advancement of human cognitive capability emulation and artificial intelligence systems, particularly in the domain of pain perception and response.

Stereodivergent Macrocyclization in Dynamic Chiral Confinement

The absolute and relative configurations of a macrocyclic natural product bearing multiple chirality have a crucial influence on its physical and biological properties. Nevertheless, their preparation with full stereocontrol remains largely unexplored in synthetic community. Here, we show a stereodivergent macrocyclization under dynamic chiral confinement in which the stepwise chirality switching of a chiral space directs complete stereocontrol. To confine a substrate in a dynamic chiral space, we used a chiral capsule enclosing a substrate which is collectively switchable in the chirality in response to external stimuli, but their conformations are firmly fixed by subsequent self‐assembly. The consecutive chirality switching enables the confined reactions of an enclosed achiral substrate to sequentially install diverse chirality on a macrocycle product with full stereocontrol in a single pot operation, thus changing only a sequence of physical stimuli enables access to a remarkable stereodivergence in a macrocyclization process.

A Global Synthesis of Environmental Enrichment Effect on Fish Stress

ABSTRACTThe stress‐coping ability (SCA) is one of the core aspects of fish welfare and is of vital importance for fish production in the aquaculture industry and for fish fitness in hatchery release. Environmental enrichment (EE), a method of introducing external stimuli into the husbandry environment, has been recently proposed to improve fish SCA, but the present experimental evidence is mixed, and the reasons for these discrepancies are unclear. Here, we conducted a global meta‐analysis using a data set that consists of 1786 cases from 107 studies across 42 fish species to solve this problem. Overall, we found that enriched fish had significantly higher SCA than control fish, reflected in either basal stress levels or stress responses. Meta‐regression analyses showed that specific subgroups of enrichment type, fish developmental stage, stress category, stress duration, stress place, sample tissue and indicator system showed significant positive EE effects on SCA. Multi‐model inference indicated that the indicator system, fish developmental stage, stress characteristic and enrichment mode are important drivers for the high heterogeneity among effect sizes. These results highlight the importance of introducing EE into the rearing systems, which will not only increase the welfare of aquaculture fish but also improve the ecological adaptability of released fish. The comprehensive knowledge obtained in this analysis will provide insights into fish ontogenetic plasticity and its responses to EE and have important implications for improving the production cycle in fish aquaculture and fisheries conservation.

Modification of the Spin Transition Properties in Hetero‐Anionic Iron(II)‐Triazole Complexes

AbstractThe phenomenon which is called spin crossover is known to occur in some coordination compounds with an octahedral ligand field and electron configurations from 3d4 to 3d7. Thereby, a reversible transition between spin states (high spin and low spin state) is possible, through several external stimuli. Iron(II) triazole complexes exhibit this phenomenon at a wide range of temperatures depending on the ligands and anions used. For this reason, they are often considered for several possible practical applications. It is also possible to combine ligands or anions to modify the transition temperature. The latter of which was rarely discussed in the past. In this study we synthesized a series of iron(II)‐4‐Aminotriazole complexes, with different ratios of chloride‐ and tetrafluoroborate‐anions, of the formula [Fe(Atrz)3]Cl2−X(BF4)X. We show that the combination of these anions leads to transition temperatures between those of their corresponding pure anion complexes. We furthermore present that a simple modification of the synthesis leads to a possible easy way of fine‐tuning transitions temperatures.

In-Plane Chirality Control of a Charge Density Wave by Means of Shear Stress.

The transition metal dichalcogenide 1T-TaS2 exhibits a Charge Density Wave(CDW) with in-plane chirality. Due to the rich phase diagram, the Ferro-Rotational Order (FRO) can be tuned by external stimuli. The FRO is studied by Angle-Resolved Photoelectron Spectroscopy (ARPES), Raman spectroscopy, and Selected Area Electron Diffraction (SAED). The in-plane chirality of the CDW is lost at the transition from Nearly-Commensurate (NC) to In-Commensurate (IC) phase and can be controlled by applying shear stress to the sample while cooling it through the transition from IC-CDW to NC-CDW. Based on these observations, a protocol is proposed to achieve reliable, non-volatile state switching of the FRO configuration in 1T-TaS2 bulk crystals. These results pave the way for new functional devices in which in-plane chirality can be set ondemand.

Neuroeducación en el aula

The present study seeks to establish the way in which neuroeducation can be used in classroom activities through a documentary review. Where it was found that early childhood is a fundamental stage of human development and, therefore, the Ministry of Education has given high priority to children from their conception to their first years of life. At this time, the brain undergoes an irreversible transformation. For it to grow and develop, going through sensitive moments for the acquisition of certain specific learning, millions of phenomenal neural connections are created. For this reason, it requires that external stimuli be of high quality, allowing children to live experiences according to each need, using physical resources and multisensory tools. It is crucial to understand that the brain develops properly considering the harmonious interaction between genetics and environmental cues. For this reason, the experiences lived by children are crucial because they allow the brain development process to be adjusted, resulting in positive or negative outcomes depending on whether adults are present in children’s lives.

Visualizing supramolecular assembly behavior, stimulus response, and solid state emission of higher-order Pt2+ aggregates.

Here, we present the first instance of a highly efficient red tetramer aggregate with tunable emission based on a cationic platinum(II) complex in conjunction with a silver cluster anion counterpart. This system exhibits multicolor emission response behaviors, which can be conveniently and directly detected through spectroscopic analysis, showcasing intriguing luminescence changes. The self-assembly of Pt⋯, π-π, and hydrogen bonding interactions not only enables an intriguing color adjustment from green to yellow emission, and eventually to red emission, but also demonstrates the co-existence of the monomer, excimer, and aggregation. These phenomena are further accompanied by well-defined nanostructures. The self-assembly process of these structures exhibits an isodesmic growth mechanism, which is dependent on temperature. In this regard, it exhibits potential applicability in multi-mode logic gates that rely on external stimuli such as concentration, solvent, and temperature. The sensitivity of the aggregates towards chemical stimuli combined with their exceptionally bright emission characteristics renders them suitable for diverse applications including solid-state lighting sensing mechanisms and anticounterfeiting measures. The multi-stimuli responsive phosphorescence and self-assembly behaviors of the cationic platinum(II) complex were substantiated by X-ray crystal structure determination, 1H NMR analysis spectroscopic investigations, computational calculations and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies.

Recent Advances of Stimuli-Responsive Liquid-Liquid Interfaces Stabilized by Nanoparticles.

Liquid-liquid interfaces offer highly controlled, flexible, and adaptable platforms for precise molecular assemblies, enabling the construction of sophisticated functional materials. Interfacial assemblies of specific nanoparticles (NPs) and ligands can alter their physicochemical states under external stimuli, leading to macroscopic dynamic transformations at the interface. This Review summarizes and analyzes the recent advances of the assembly and disassembly behaviors of various stimuli-responsive nanoparticle surfactants (NPSs) at liquid-liquid interfaces, focusing on their responsive behaviors when exposed to external stimuli and the interaction forces between interfacial molecules. Additionally, we outline recent advancements in applications such as reconfigurable all-liquid devices, all-liquid 3D printing, and chemical reaction platforms. Finally, we discuss current challenges and future prospects for the development of applications in this rapidly evolving field.

Emergent topological quasiparticle kinetics in constricted nanomagnets

The ubiquitous domain wall kinetics under magnetic field or current application describes the dynamic properties in nanostructured magnets. However, when the geometrical size of a nanomagnetic system is constricted to the limiting domain wall length scale, the competing energetics between anisotropy, exchange, and dipolar interactions can cause emergent kinetics due to quasiparticle relaxation, similar to bulk magnets of atomic origin. This paper presents a joint experimental and theoretical study to support this argument: constricted nanomagnets, made of antiferromagnetic and paramagnetic neodymium thin film with honeycomb motif, reveal fast kinetic events at picosecond timescales due to the relaxation of topological quasiparticles that persist to low temperature in the absence of any external stimuli. This discovery is especially important considering the fact that paramagnets or antiferromagnets have no net magnetization. Yet, the kinetics in neodymium nanostructures is quantitatively similar to that found in ferromagnetic counterparts and only varies with the thickness of the specimen. This suggests that a universal, topological quasiparticle-mediated dynamical behavior can be prevalent in nanoscopic magnets, irrespective of the nature of the underlying magnetic material. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

MULTUM IN PARVO-THE GLASGOW COMA SCALE

Introduction Coma assessment scales have been developed to facilitate ease of communication between emergency team members and to facilitate ease of clinical assessment for patients with severe impairment of consciousness. In 1974 Graham Teasdale and Bryan Jennett published in the Lancet a scale which theoretically helped physicians get a quick and accurate status of comatose patients. The scale they described assessed patient behaviour regarding three key aspects – motor reactivity, verbal communication and eye opening. As the two authors were working in Glasgow, the scale was dubbed the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) a name which all neurologists and neurosurgeons are well-accustomed with. Material The use of the GCS is based on the patient’s capacity to react using language and motion to external stimuli. Eye movement (1-4 points), Speech (1-5 points) and Motion (1-6 points) for a maximum total of 15 points or a minimum total of 3 points. A patient with a Glasgow Coma Score of 3 is completely non-reactive, while a patient with a Glasgow Coma Score of 15 is perfectly aware. This scale introduced in neurotrauma has simplified enormously the communication in neurosurgery, accompanying neurotrauma to the whole spectrum of neurosurgical pathology. Despite its wide use today, the GCS has been seriously criticised due to its incapacity to determine the functional status of brainstem structures. Therefore, various improvements and updates were performed for the Glasgow Coma Scale. Conclusions Over the years, the use of the GCS extended in the entire medical meme despite its criticism. The simplicity and ease of use which characterize the GCS made it a very useful instrument for neurological examination since the first moment a patient is seen by a medical professional. The Glasgow Coma Scale which recently reached its 50th birthday became a universal language for physicians. Since it has been in use neurological status can be expressed with great ease and without loss of meaning.

Wise Roles and Future Visionary Endeavors of Current Emperor: Advancing Dynamic Methods for Longitudinal Microbiome Meta-Omics Data in Personalized and Precision Medicine.

Understanding the etiological complexity of diseases requires identifying biomarkers longitudinally associated with specific phenotypes. Advanced sequencing tools generate dynamic microbiome data, providing insights into microbial community functions and their impact on health. This review aims to explore the current roles and future visionary endeavors of dynamic methods for integrating longitudinal microbiome multi-omics data in personalized and precision medicine. This work seeks to synthesize existing research, propose best practices, and highlight innovative techniques. The development and application of advanced dynamic methods, including the unified analytical frameworks and deep learning tools in artificial intelligence, are critically examined. Aggregating data on microbes, metabolites, genes, and other entities offers profound insights into the interactions among microorganisms, host physiology, and external stimuli. Despite progress, the absence of gold standards for validating analytical protocols and data resources of various longitudinal multi-omics studies remains a significant challenge. The interdependence of workflow steps critically affects overall outcomes. This work provides a comprehensive roadmap for best practices, addressing current challenges with advanced dynamic methods. The review underscores the biological effects of clinical, experimental, and analytical protocol settings on outcomes. Establishing consensus on dynamic microbiome inter-studies and advancing reliable analytical protocols are pivotal for the future of personalized and precision medicine.

Significant Advancements and Evolutions in Chimeric Antigen Receptor Design

Recent times have witnessed remarkable progress in cancer immunotherapy, drastically changing the cancer treatment landscape. Among the various immunotherapeutic approaches, adoptive cell therapy (ACT), particularly chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy, has emerged as a promising strategy to tackle cancer. CAR-T cells are genetically engineered T cells with synthetic receptors capable of recognising and targeting tumour-specific or tumour-associated antigens. By leveraging the intrinsic cytotoxicity of T cells and enhancing their tumour-targeting specificity, CAR-T cell therapy holds immense potential in achieving long-term remission for cancer patients. However, challenges such as antigen escape and cytokine release syndrome underscore the need for the continued optimisation and refinement of CAR-T cell therapy. Here, we report on the challenges of CAR-T cell therapies and on the efforts focused on innovative CAR design, on diverse therapeutic strategies, and on future directions for this emerging and fast-growing field. The review highlights the significant advances and changes in CAR-T cell therapy, focusing on the design and function of CAR constructs, systematically categorising the different CARs based on their structures and concepts to guide researchers interested in ACT through an ever-changing and complex scenario. UNIVERSAL CARs, engineered to recognise multiple tumour antigens simultaneously, DUAL CARs, and SUPRA CARs are some of the most advanced instances. Non-molecular variant categories including CARs capable of secreting enzymes, such as catalase to reduce oxidative stress in situ, and heparanase to promote infiltration by degrading the extracellular matrix, are also explained. Additionally, we report on CARs influenced or activated by external stimuli like light, heat, oxygen, or nanomaterials. Those strategies and improved CAR constructs in combination with further genetic engineering through CRISPR/Cas9- and TALEN-based approaches for genome editing will pave the way for successful clinical applications that today are just starting to scratch the surface. The frontier lies in bringing those approaches into clinical assessment, aiming for more regulated, safer, and effective CAR-T therapies for cancer patients.

Key roles of two-component systems in intestinal signal sensing and virulence regulation in enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli.

Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) is a foodborne pathogen that infects humans by colonizing the large intestine. Upon reaching the large intestine, EHEC mediates local signal recognition and the transcriptional regulation of virulence genes to promote adherence and colonization in a highly site-specific manner. Two-component systems (TCSs) represent an important strategy used by EHEC to couple external stimuli with the regulation of gene expression, thereby allowing EHEC to rapidly adapt to changing environmental conditions. An increasing number of studies published in recent years have shown that EHEC senses a variety of host- and microbiota-derived signals present in the human intestinal tract and coordinates the expression of virulence genes via multiple TCS-mediated signal transduction pathways to initiate the disease-causing process. Here, we summarize how EHEC detects a wide range of intestinal signals and precisely regulates virulence gene expression through multiple signal transduction pathways during the initial stages of infection, with a particular emphasis on the key roles of TCSs. This review provides valuable insights into the importance of TCSs in EHEC pathogenesis, which have relevant implications for the development of antibacterial therapies against EHEC infection.

Improving the Characteristics of Fruiting Bodies in Lentinus edodes: The Impact of Rolipram-Induced cAMP Modulation

Background: Strains XG04 and XGT2 of Lentinus edodes (Berk.) Singer demonstrate a high degree of genomic similarity, with XGT2 representing a systematic selection of XG04 and exhibiting enhanced phenotypic traits. Methods: An investigation into the differences between these strains was conducted using untargeted metabolomics to identify potential causal factors. Five exogenous inducers were assessed for their relationship with the observed phenotypes, and their impacts on fruiting body characteristics were analyzed. Results: Notably, the exogenous inducer rolipram, at a concentration of 0.4%, was found to increase cAMP expression levels in L. edodes primordia, which subsequently affected gill development, leading to the formation of gill-free fruiting bodies. Morphological differences between the two strains were evident; XG04 exhibited a spherical morphology with absent gills, rendering it commercially unviable, whereas XGT2 displayed a thicker cap and a more robust stipe, maintaining its characteristic umbrella shape. Conclusions: As the concentration of rolipram increased, both cap retraction and gill reduction in XGT2 occurred in a dose-dependent manner. The endogenous cAMP levels in the fruiting bodies were measured before and after rolipram treatment, revealing that the cap retraction and gill reduction in XGT2 progressed in a dose-dependent manner alongside increasing cAMP expression levels. Furthermore, a positive correlation was observed between cAMP levels and rolipram concentration. This study provides a foundation for improving the quality and productivity of mushroom cultivation by manipulating fruiting body characteristics through external stimuli.

Preparation of Smart Self-Healing Coatings on Zinc Surfaces Using Halloysite Nanotubes Loaded with Corrosion Inhibitors.

This work presents the development of a novel nanotube (S12HNTS-T-P) that is coated with polyethylenimine (PEI) and internally loaded with a corrosion inhibitor (thiourea) utilizing vacuum negative pressure and electrostatic adsorption methods. A smart self-healing coating with self-repairing properties was fabricated on the basis of S12HNTS-T-P. Bis[3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl]tetrasulfide (Si69), a widely used organosilane coupling agent, provides stability and corrosion resistance. The integration of S12HNTS-T-P into Si69 significantly enhances the coating's corrosion resistance and self-healing capabilities. To further evaluate the performance of the smart self-healing coating, a control group comprising Si69 coatings without S12HNTS-T-P was established. Electrochemical tests revealed that the coating with 3 wt % S12HNTS-T-P exhibited markedly superior corrosion resistance compared to those with 0, 1, and 5 wt % S12HNTS-T-P. In comparison to the control group, the coating with 3 wt % S12HNTS-T-P demonstrated a 99.4% increase in corrosion inhibition efficiency after 72 h of immersion in a 3.5 wt % NaCl solution. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and immersion tests further corroborated that the smart self-healing coating exhibited self-repairing behavior when subjected to external scratching stimuli. Simulation results indicated that thiourea released from the nanotubes can adsorb and form a protective film at the scratch sites, effectively repairing the coating's defects. The exceptional corrosion resistance and high healing rates of the smart self-healing coating suggest that S12HNTS-T-P plays a pivotal role in enhancing the corrosion protection of zinc.

Efficient coding in biophysically realistic excitatory-inhibitory spiking networks.

The principle of efficient coding posits that sensory cortical networks are designed to encode maximal sensory information with minimal metabolic cost. Despite the major influence of efficient coding in neuroscience, it has remained unclear whether fundamental empirical properties of neural network activity can be explained solely based on this normative principle. Here, we derive the structural, coding, and biophysical properties of excitatory-inhibitory recurrent networks of spiking neurons that emerge directly from imposing that the network minimizes an instantaneous loss function and a time-averaged performance measure enacting efficient coding. We assumed that the network encodes a number of independent stimulus features varying with a time scale equal to the membrane time constant of excitatory and inhibitory neurons. The optimal network has biologically-plausible biophysical features, including realistic integrate-and-fire spiking dynamics, spike-triggered adaptation, and a non-specific excitatory external input. The excitatory-inhibitory recurrent connectivity between neurons with similar stimulus tuning implements feature-specific competition, similar to that recently found in visual cortex. Networks with unstructured connectivity cannot reach comparable levels of coding efficiency. The optimal ratio of excitatory vs inhibitory neurons and the ratio of mean inhibitory-to-inhibitory vs excitatory-to-inhibitory connectivity are comparable to those of cortical sensory networks. The efficient network solution exhibits an instantaneous balance between excitation and inhibition. The network can perform efficient coding even when external stimuli vary over multiple time scales. Together, these results suggest that key properties of biological neural networks may be accounted for by efficient coding.

DECOMPOSITION MECHANISM OF ALKYLIDENE BRIDGED TETRAZOLES WITH DIFFERENT CARBON CHAIN LENGTHS.

Nitrogen-rich heterocycles, particularly tetrazole-based high-energy density materials (HEDMs) offer high performance, low sensitivity, and are eco-friendly. Despite the diversity of nitrogen-rich energetic heterocycles, many are sensitive to external stimuli, and the introduction of a methylene, ethylene, or C-C linkage between nitrogen-rich heterocycles is a successful strategy to improve mechanical sensitivity and thermal stability. Understanding the potential anomalous thermal or kinetic behavior of such molecules is crucial for the design of new HEDMs and practical applications of these molecules. We have investigated the influence of introducing an alkylidene bridge between the energetic nitrogen heterocycles on the decomposition mechanism and pathway of different bridged tetrazoles, namely 5,5'-Bis-1H-tetrazole, 1,2-Bis(5-tetrazolo)methane, and 1,2-Bis(5-tetrazolo)ethane, using thermal experiments, mass spectrometry, and computational analysis. Kinetic parameters were evaluated using a non-linear integral method, and decomposition pathways were proposed based on mass fragmentation data. Stability comparisons were made using HOMO-LUMO gap and electrostatic potential (ESP) values from computational calculations.

Effects of TABATA Exercise Volume and Royal Jelly Supplementation on NLRP3 Inflammasome and lncRNA-H19 Expression in Obese Men

Background: Both coding and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as vital regulators in almost every cellular process, and their expression can be modulated by external stimuli, such as physical exercise. Objectives: The current research aimed to investigate the effects of different volumes of TABATA-high-intensity interval training (HIIT) exercises combined with royal jelly (RJ) supplementation on the NLRP3 inflammasome and lncRNA-H19 expression in obese males. Methods: Forty-two healthy men [Body Mass Index (BMI) = 30 kg/m², waist-to-hip ratio = 0.95, age range: 40 - 60 years] volunteered to participate in the study. The individuals were randomly divided into five experimental groups (N = 35) and one control + placebo group (N = 7). The high-volume (HV) or low-volume (LV) TABATA exercise programs were performed twice a week for 8 weeks. Participants in the RJ supplementation groups received a 1000 mg capsule once a day for 8 weeks. The expression of NLRP3 and lncRNA-H19 genes was evaluated using the real-time PCR method. Results: The NLRP3 gene expression in the Bruce test, measured before and after the 8-week exercise interventions and RJ supplementation, showed insignificant changes across the different groups. However, the H19 gene expression in the Bruce test showed a significant reduction in the HV-TABATA HIIT intervention groups, which was more pronounced than in the LV groups after 8 weeks: HV group (P = 0.004), RJ group (P = 0.001), HV + RJ group (P = 0.007), and LV + RJ group (P = 0.002). After 8 weeks of non-pharmacological interventions involving exercise training and supplementation, a significant decrease in NLRP3 and a significant increase in H19 gene expression were detected in the HV group compared to the LV group (P = 0.05 and P = 0.010). Significant improvement was also found in the resting H19 levels between the RJ and LV groups (P = 0.011) and the LV + RJ group (P = 0.44). Moreover, a significant reduction in resting NLRP3 gene expression was observed between the RJ + LV and LV groups (P = 0.038). Conclusions: Chronic HV TABATA HIIT exercise, when combined with RJ supplementation, is effective in attenuating inflammatory responses to acute stress.

Dual-Responsive Nanoparticles for Smart Drug Delivery: A NIR Light-Sensitive and Redox-Reactive PEG-PCL-Based System.

Stimuli-responsive polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) can serve as smart drug delivery systems (DDSs) by triggering drug release upon external or internal stimuli. A dual-responsive DDS made of a triblock poly(ε-caprolactone)-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL-SS-PEG-SS-PCL) copolymer, bearing disulfide bonds between PCL and PEG, was synthesized. The copolymer was functionalized with coumarin and sensitive to near-infrared (NIR) light irradiation, while the S-S bonds could be cleaved by GSH (10 mM). Characterization was achieved by nuclear magnetic resonance, size exclusion chromatography, and Fourier transform infrared analyses. Nile Red (NR)-loaded NPs were prepared through self-assembly of the copolymer in water and analyzed by dynamic light scattering and field-emission scanning electron microscopy. The NR release upon ultraviolet (UV)/NIR light irradiation as well as by GSH concentrations was monitored by using fluorescence spectroscopy, while simultaneous exposure to UV/NIR light and intracellular GSH concentration led to faster NR release. AlamarBlue assay showed satisfactory cell viability of the NR-loaded NPs, while their cellular uptake in human dermal fibroblast cells was investigated by fluorescence microscopy and fluorescence emission measurements.