TICAM1 inhibits angiogenesis and accelerates inflammation in the healing of diabetic wounds via the NF-κB pathway.

Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor at Work: Promoting Vascular Maturation for Accelerated Wound Healing.

Zirconium metal-organic cage integrated with fluorescein sodium: A dye-functionalized dual-emission platform for ratiometric sensing of sunset yellow

A first-in-class orally available DC-SIGN agonist octaparin alleviates TNBS-induced colitis by preserving gut barrier integrity.

BackgroundCongenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO) is a common cause of epiphora in children. Lacrimal intubation is often performed when probing fails, but the optimal approach remains debated. This study compared the outcomes of nasal endoscopy–guided and blind closed lacrimal intubation in pediatric patients with CNLDO.MethodsThis prospective comparative study (single‐center retrospectively registered) was conducted on 63 eyes of 39 children under 16 years. Participants were randomly assigned to blind closed intubation (n = 31) or nasal endoscopy–guided intubation (n = 32). Outcomes included operative time, epiphora score, fluorescein dye disappearance test (FDDT), complications, and patient satisfaction.ResultsOperation time was significantly lower in the nasal endoscopy–guided group than that in the closed group (p < 0.001). Epiphora score, FDDT, postoperative complications, and satisfaction were comparable. Cut tube occurred in 3.23% of the blind group versus 3.45% of the nasal endoscopy–guided group, while cheese‐wiring and persistent tube were observed in 3.23% and 6.9% of the blind cases compared with 6.9% and 6.9% of the nasal endoscopy–guided cases, respectively. Prominent tube and postoperative lacrimation were noted only in the nasal endoscopy–guided group (13.79% and 6.9%), whereas dacryocystitis and recurrence were confined to the blind group (6.45% and 12.9%). Regarding satisfaction, high satisfaction was reported in 70.97% of the blind group versus 59.38% of the nasal endoscopy–guided group, moderate satisfaction in 12.9% versus 31.25%, and no satisfaction in 16.13% versus 9.38%, respectively.ConclusionsBoth blind and endoscopic lacrimal intubation achieved high success rates in children with CNLDO. The nasal endoscopy‐guided technique shortened operative time and offered better visualization, but overall outcomes and satisfaction were comparable.Trial Registration: Pan African Clinical Trials Registry (PACTR): PACTR202510699342440

The rational design of functional nanomaterials requires precise control over molecular architecture and interfacial reactivity. Here, we report the synthesis of amine‐functionalized block copolymer nanoparticles via aqueous polymerization‐induced self‐assembly, combining synthetic efficiency with rigorous characterization to bridge molecular design and macroscopic functionality. The incorporation of 2‐aminoethyl methacrylate into a macrochain transfer agent enabled the formation of stable, monodisperse nanoparticles while providing quantifiable interfacial amines for postassembly modification. Near‐quantitative conjugation with fluorescein isothiocyanate (86% yield) or thermoresponsive poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (91% efficiency) demonstrated the platform versatility, with the latter exhibiting a tunable lower critical solution temperature transition at 41°C. Furthermore, the nanoparticles could be self‐assembled into crosslinked colloidosomes, highlighting their potential as modular building blocks for the fabrication of hierarchical architectures. This work establishes a paradigm for engineering functional polymeric nanomaterials with tailored properties, offering transformative opportunities in drug delivery, diagnostics, and nanoreactor design. By linking molecular‐scale precision to predictable performance, our approach advances the field from empirical optimization to true molecular engineering of polymeric nanoparticles.

An organic-inorganic hybrid copper nanocluster for ratiometric fluorescence of tobramycin.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) has long been one of the leading opportunistic pathogens responsible for serious healthcare-associated infective diseases. Development of rapid and accurate detection techniques for this pathogen is highly desired to achieve efficient prevention and control. This study developed a fluorescent detection technique targeting this pathogen by using recombinant phage tail fiber protein Gp47 as the recognition element. This protein was identified from a phage PAB1 isolated from hospital wastewater through genomic sequencing and bioinformatic analysis. It was then produced in its functional form via recombinant expression and purification. Gp47 exhibited broad-spectrum binding capability toward P. aeruginosa strains, recognizing all 30 clinical isolates tested, while completely lacking lytic activity. Thus, it effectively overcame the key limitations of the whole phage, including the narrow host range and tendency to lyse target bacteria. A sandwich method was constructed to detect P. aeruginosa by using Gp47 conjugated magnetic beads as capture carriers and fluorescein isothiocyanate labeled antimicrobial peptide as signal reporter. The method responded to P. aeruginosa linearly from 3.2 × 102 to 3.2 × 106 CFU/mL, with a limit of detection of 109 CFU/mL and ideal specificity. It has been employed for detecting P. aeruginosa in complex matrices such as physiological saline, human urine, and milk powder with acceptable recoveries ranging from 71.23% to 110.87%. This work provides a high-performance recognition element for P. aeruginosa and helps develop valuable diagnostic tools for infective diseases.

To develop a Scheimpflug-based image analysis technique to quantify tear exchange during scleral lens wear and investigate fluid reservoir tear dynamics during fenestrated lens wear. Nine healthy participants wore a scleral lens (KATT™, Capricornia Contact Lenses) with a single 0.3 mm diameter limbal fenestration in one eye for 90 min. Central (0-2.5 mm from the corneal apex) and peripheral (-1.0 to 0 mm from the scleral spur) stromal cornea oedema was measured using optical coherence tomography. Scheimpflug images were obtained during lens wear at multiple time points following the application of sodium fluorescein to the bulbar conjunctiva. These images were exported and annotatedmanually to select the region of interest (the fluid reservoir) from which the intensity of each pixel was extracted to provide a measure of fluorescent intensity (in arbitrary units [AU] on a scale of 0-255) throughout lens wear across the central 10 mm. The coefficient of repeatability for central fluid reservoir intensity measurements was 7 AU (on a scale of 0-255 AU). Fluid reservoir fluorescent intensity varied with measurement location (p < 0.001), being greater towards the periphery (4 and 5 mm from the centre). On average, intensity differences between the peripheral and central fluid reservoir diminished within 10 min of sodium fluorescein application. Two patterns of tear dynamics were observed and were classified as low and high flow. Low flow participants (n = 6) exhibited greater central (3.72× more) and peripheral (2.25× more) corneal oedema, but the difference was not statistically significant. The ingress and mixing of sodium fluorescein within the fluid reservoir stabilised between central and peripheral locations after 10 min of fenestrated scleral lens wear. Two patterns of tear dynamics were observed (low and high flow), with low flow participants exhibiting greater corneal oedema. Future research utilising the developed technique may provide further insights into tear exchange during scleral lens wear with different fenestration sizes and configurations.

Copper sulfide nanoparticles coated with Fe-EGCG networks for targeted MR imaging and chemo/photothermal/chemodynamic synergetic therapy of tumors.

Synthetic strategies for the modification of primary hydroxyl and carboxyl groups of Gellan towards the development of advanced biomaterials.

Development of a cationic bionanocomplex from N-aryl-chitosan derivatives for controlled drug release.

Proanthocyanidins inhibit the inflammation response of dry eye by regulating IRAK4/JAK1/STAT1 signaling pathway.

Silicone tubes have been used as nasolacrimal stents for over 40 years due to their excellent elastic and biocompatible properties. Nonetheless, long-standing clinical issues persist, including biofilm formation, insufficient tear drainage, and invasiveness during insertion through occluded ducts. To address these issues, a prospective, single-arm, open-label clinical study was performed with 16 patients over 20 weeks using a shape memory stent. The shape memory function reduces invasiveness through temporarily thinned insertion by pulling, followed by diameter expansion upon accumulation of inner-body heat energy (on-site programming). The unique semicrystalline surface suppresses bacterial adhesion due to the spreading of anti-fouling crystalline ridges and the consequent narrow widths of the adhesive amorphous regions, effectively suppressing bacterial adhesion and subsequent biofilm formation. Furthermore, in aligned patterns, water-impenetrable crystalline ridges facilitate the flow-down of tears to the absorbable amorphous regions, thereby improving the drainage efficiency. Consequently, the clinical success rate (Munk's score of 0-1) reached 78.6% with a significant decrease in tear meniscus height over 20 weeks and postoperative fluorescein dye disappearance test grades ≤2 in all patients. Four cautionary symptoms occurred, leading to early stent removal in two patients due to corneal abrasion and insertion-site granuloma. These results suggest that the shape memory stent is a promising noninferior option to the silicone stent.

Introduction: The evolution of caries management has shifted towards minimally invasive approaches, with resin infiltration emerging as a promising treatment for non cavitated carious lesions. Resin infiltration is a minimally invasive treatment for early enamel lesions, but its effectiveness depends on optimal etching. Current protocols lack consensus on the ideal etching time for maximum resin penetration. This study evaluates how varying etching durations affect infiltration depth in demineralised enamel, aiming to improve clinical outcomes and refine evidence-based guidelines for non invasive caries management. Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of resin infiltration by varying etching times and assessing the material’s penetration depth in enamel. Materials and Methods: This in-vitro experimental study was conducted Department of Paediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Guru Nanak Institute of Dental Sciences and Research, Kolkata, West Bengal, India, from January 2017 to December 2018. It involved 40 premolars extracted for orthodontic purposes that had sound enamel. The samples were divided into four groups, with the control group etched for two minutes as recommended by the manufacturer, and the experimental groups etched for one, three, and four minutes (R1-R4), respectively. Artificial lesions were created using a caries demineralisation solution. The resin infiltration process involved etching with Hydrochloric acid (HCl) gel { Infiltration Concept (ICON®) }, (ICON® Etch), drying the lesions with ICON® Dry (ethanol), and then applying ICON® infiltrant. The treated teeth were sectioned, stained with Sodium Fluorescein dye, and analysed using a fluorescent microscope. The results were tabulated and statistically evaluated using paired t-tests, with a significance level set at p-value&lt;0.05. Results: Etching the teeth for four minutes (p-value=0.002) prior to resin infiltration resulted in the deepest penetration of the material, thus being more efficacious in arresting the progression of caries in comparison to three minutes (p-value=0.044), two minute and one minute (p-value=0.002) etching times. It also showed four minute etching time to have greater penetration of the material into the lesion. Conclusion: According to the results obtained, two minute etching, used as the control, was adequate but less effective than the three and four minute groups, and the one minute etching was the least effective. This finding highlights the importance of optimising the etching time for improved resin infiltration outcomes in the management of non cavitated carious lesions.

Decreased corneal biomechanical stability and structural integrity in PPAR-α knockout mice.

Purpose To evaluate the effectiveness of argon laser phototherapy as an adjunctive treatment to standard medical therapy for refractory infectious keratitis. Methods We report the results of a retrospective interventional case series. Patients diagnosed with infectious keratitis with no clinical response to standard medical therapy who were referred for corneal photocoagulation with an argon laser at the Asociación Para Evitar La Ceguera (APEC) in Mexico City from May 2022 to March 2024, were included. Diagnosis was based on clinical and microbiological evaluations. Argon laser corneal photocoagulation was performed by applying sodium fluorescein, followed by laser using a wavelength of 530 nm, power of 900–950 mW, spot of 250 μm, and a pulse duration of 0.2 s. Survival analysis was performed to determine the difference in corneal epithelial healing time with and without the presence of hypopyon. Results Thirty eyes (30 patients) with a mean age of 49.9 ± 14.9 years (SD) were included. 66.7% were male. Fungal infections were found in 43.4% of patients, and Gram (+) bacterial infections in 20.0%. Hypopyon was present in 33.3% (n = 10). A total of 43.3% of eyes (n = 13) were treated with a combination of 5% natamycin, 0.5% netilmicin, and 1% voriconazole. Four eyes underwent surgical treatment with conjunctival flap (one eye) and penetrating keratoplasty (three eyes). The median preoperative uncorrected visual acuity was 2.00 ± 0.7 (logMAR), which improved to 1.30 ± 0.8 (logMAR) after treatment. No statistically significant association was found between the germ type and epithelialization time (p = 0.35). The presence of hypopyon was associated as a risk factor for delayed corneal epithelialization (p < 0.01). Conclusion The use of argon laser photocoagulation plus standard topical treatment in patients with refractory infectious keratitis can be considered a safe and accessible adjuvant therapy in daily ophthalmic practice. The presence of hypopyon was associated with delayed corneal healing and could be considered a risk factor for severe complications.

An intramedullary spinal cord clear cell meningioma (CCM) is an exceptionally rare diagnosis; there are only 2 similar cases reported in the literature. The authors present a case of an intramedullary spinal cord CCM that was successfully resected with the assistance of sodium fluorescein to guide resection. A 68-year-old male presented with gait instability, decreased sensation, and loss of proprioception in the lower extremities, concerning for thoracic myelopathy. MRI of the thoracic spine revealed an intradural, intramedullary contrast-enhancing mass most concerning for a spinal ependymoma or astrocytoma. Given his progressive neurological decline, need for tissue diagnosis, and tumor cytoreduction, fluorescence-guided resection of the mass was performed. Postoperative pathological analysis demonstrated the presence of polygonal tumor cells with clear cytoplasm that harbored a known pathogenic SMARCE1 frameshift mutation that supported the diagnosis of an intramedullary CCM. The authors present the first reported case of a fluorescence-guided resection of an intramedullary CCM. https://thejns.org/doi/10.3171/CASE251031.

We developed a telehealth-enabled fiber-bundle endomicroscopy platform and evaluated its preclinical feasibility for targeted fluorescence imaging in cervical cancer models. The platform integrates a portable fiber-bundle endomicroscopy (FBE) system, fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled candidate peptides, and a secure web-based telehealth platform for remote consultation. The FBE probe achieved a field of view of 1,700 µm and a lateral resolution of 4 µm, enabling cellular-level fluorescence imaging in a compact, portable format. Four FITC-labeled peptides (SHS1*, SHS2*, FPP*, and CRL*) were evaluated in A549, SiHa, and CaSki cell lines. Ex vivo testing was performed on commercial cervical tissue-array samples. The telehealth platform was assessed for secure medical-image/video transmission and end-to-end latency in a simulated remote-consultation setting. Among the tested probes, FPP*-FITC and CRL*-FITC showed higher fluorescence-positive fractions in the p16-overexpressing cervical cancer cell lines than in the A549 comparator line, with the strongest signals observed in CaSki cells. In ex vivo testing, CRL*-FITC generated higher fluorescence intensity in malignant cervical tissue-array samples than in non-malignant comparator tissues, with a reported 4.6- to 7.4-fold difference in mean signal intensity (p < 0.001). The telehealth platform supported the secure transmission of medical images and video and demonstrated an end-to-end latency of <500 ms in a simulated remote consultation setting. These results support the technical and preclinical feasibility of integrating targeted fluorescence imaging, portable fiber-bundle endomicroscopy, and telehealth into a single platform. This study should therefore be interpreted as a preclinical feasibility study evaluating optical, molecular, and telehealth integration, rather than as a clinically validated cervical cancer screening test.

The integrity of epithelial barriers is essential for maintaining tissue homeostasis, particularly in the intestinal tract, where it separates the host from the complex luminal environment. Two complementary, standard methods for assessing this barrier are transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER), which provides a rapid, non-destructive measure of ionic conductance across tight junctions, and the fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran assay, which directly quantifies paracellular macromolecule flux. This protocol details a robust and reproducible method for performing both assays using intestinal epithelial cell monolayers (e.g., Caco-2, T84) cultured on permeable Transwell supports. We outline the procedure from cell culture and monolayer differentiation to TEER measurement with an Epithelial Volt/Ohm Meter 3 (EVOM3) and the subsequent FITC-dextran permeability assay. By combining these techniques, this protocol provides a comprehensive assessment of barrier function, making it ideal for studying tight junction dynamics and regulation under various experimental conditions, such as cytokine stimulation, drug screening, or microbial challenges.Key features• Combines electrical resistance (TEER) and macromolecular flux (FITC-dextran) assays for a comprehensive assessment of intestinal epithelial barrier integrity.• Applicable to various intestinal models, including Caco-2 and T84 cell lines; can be applied to other immortalized or primary epithelial and endothelial cells.• Utilizes the Epithelial Volt/Ohm Meter 3 (EVOM3) for accurate, non-destructive, and rapid TEER measurements in intestinal epithelial cell monolayers.• Provides clear guidelines for EVOM3 electrode handling and measurement to ensure reproducible results.