Near-infrared Light Research Articles

Single Atom-Dispersed Silver Incorporated in ZIF-8-Derived Porous Carbon for Enhanced Photothermal Activity and Antibacterial Activities.

Recently, Single-atom-loaded carbon-based material is a new environmentally friendly and stable photothermal antibacterial nanomaterial. It is still a great challenge to achieve single-atom loading on carbon materials. Herein, We doped single-atom Ag into ZIF-8-derived porous carbon to obtain Ag-doped ZIF-8-derived porous carbon(AgSA-ZDPC). The as-prepared samples were characterized by XRD, XPS, FESEM, EDX, TEM, and HAADF-STEM which confirmed that the single-atom Ag successfully doped into the porous carbon. Further, the photothermal properties and antimicrobial activity of AgSA-ZDPC have been tested. The results showed that the temperature increased by 30 °C after near-infrared light irradiation(1 W/cm2) for 5 min which was better than ZIF-8-derived porous carbon(ZDPC). It also exhibits excellent photothermal stability after the laser was switched on and off 5 times. When the AgSA-ZDPC concentration was greater than 50 µg/mL and the near-infrared irradiation was performed for 5 min, the growth inhibition of S. aureus and E. coli was almost 100%. This work provides a simple method for the preparation of single-atom Ag-doped microporous carbon which has potential antibacterial application.

Preparation and characterization of co-loaded indocyanine green and elemene nano-emulsion in situ gel and its effect on proliferation of breast cancer MCF-7 cells

This study aims to prepare co-loaded indocyanine green(ICG) and elemene(ELE) nano-emulsion(NE) in situ gel(ICG-ELE-NE-gel) and evaluate its physicochemical properties and antitumor activity in vitro. ICG-ELE-NE-gel was prepared by aqueous phase titration and cold solution methods, followed by characterization of the morphology, particle size, corrosion, and photothermal conversion characteristics. The human breast cancer MCF-7 cells were taken as the model, combined with 808 nm laser irradia-tion. Cell inhibition rate test and cell uptake test were performed. ICG-ELE-NE was spherical and uniform in size. The average particle size and Zeta potential were(85.61±0.35) nm and(-21.4±0.6) mV, respectively. The encapsulation efficiency and drug loading rate were 98.51%±0.39% and 10.96%±0.24%, respectively. ICG-ELE-NE-gel had a good photothermal conversion effect and good photothermal stability. The dissolution of ICG-ELE-NE-gel had both temperature and pH-responsive characteristics. Compared with free ELE, ICG-ELE-NE-gel combined with near-infrared light irradiation significantly enhanced the inhibitory effect on MCF-7 cells and could be uptaken in large amounts by MCF-7 cells. ICG-ELE-NE-gel was successfully prepared, and its antitumor activity was enhanced after 808 nm laser irradiation.

Gold Nanorod-Loaded Nano-Contrast Agent with Composite Shell-Core Structure for Ultrasonic/Photothermal Imaging-Guided Therapy in Ischemic Muscle Disorders.

This study aims to broaden the application of nano-contrast agents (NCAs) within the realm of the musculoskeletal system. It aims to introduce novel methods, strategies, and insights for the clinical management of ischemic muscle disorders, encompassing diagnosis, monitoring, evaluation, and therapeutic intervention. We developed a composite encapsulation technique employing O-carboxymethyl chitosan (OCMC) and liposome to encapsulate NCA-containing gold nanorods (GNRs) and perfluoropentane (PFP). This nanoscale contrast agent was thoroughly characterized for its basic physicochemical properties and performance. Its capabilities for in vivo and in vitro ultrasound imaging and photothermal imaging were authenticated, alongside a comprehensive biocompatibility assessment to ascertain its effects on microcirculatory perfusion in skeletal muscle using a murine model of hindlimb ischemia, and its potential to augment blood flow and facilitate recovery. The engineered GNR@OCMC-liposome/PFP nanostructure exhibited an average size of 203.18±1.49 nm, characterized by size uniformity, regular morphology, and a good biocompatibility profile. In vitro assessments revealed NCA's potent photothermal response and its transformation into microbubbles (MBs) under near-infrared (NIR) irradiation, thereby enhancing ultrasonographic visibility. Animal studies demonstrated the nanostructure's efficacy in photothermal imaging at ischemic loci in mouse hindlimbs, where NIR irradiation induced rapid temperature increases and significantly increased blood circulation. The dual-modal ultrasound/photothermal NCA, encapsulating GNR and PFP within a composite shell-core architecture, was synthesized successfully. It demonstrated exceptional stability, biocompatibility, and phase transition efficiency. Importantly, it facilitates the encapsulation of PFP, enabling both enhanced ultrasound imaging and photothermal imaging following NIR light exposure. This advancement provides a critical step towards the integrated diagnosis and treatment of ischemic muscle diseases, signifying a pivotal development in nanomedicine for musculoskeletal therapeutics.

Slowing myopia progression in children

Background: A large proportion of individuals develop myopia, which is recognized as a global health concern and is predicted to increase in prevalence. Long-term eye problems are associated with myopia, particularly in young individuals. Retinal detachment and choroidal degeneration are among the causes of visual impairments associated with myopia. In this narrative review, we summarized the current measures for slowing myopia progression in children, including their safety profiles and potential drawbacks. Methods: We conducted an English literature search for articles published between January 1, 2000, and October 31, 2023, using various combinations of keywords related to myopia, myopia progression, childhood myopia, myopia control, atropine, orthokeratology, and contact lenses. We included original or review articles pertaining to lifestyle changes and pharmacological, optical, or laser interventions for managing myopia progression in children. Our search was conducted using PubMed/MEDLINE, Google Scholar, and the Wiley Online Library. We reviewed the full text of included articles and qualitatively summarized the results of relevant studies using a narrative synthesis approach. Results: Multiple meta-analyses indicated that increased outdoor time is associated with a lower myopia prevalence, with each extra hour spent outside each week reducing the risk of myopia by 2%. Candidate drugs, such as atropine, pirenzepine, and 7-methylxanthine, and certain intraocular pressure-lowering medications, such as timolol, have been studied in human trials for their ability to manage myopia. The nonselective antimuscarinic drug atropine, followed by the M1-selective antimuscarinic drug pirenzepine, displayed positive results in slowing myopia. Oral 7-methylxanthine, a nonselective adenosine receptor antagonist, reduces axial myopia caused by hyperopic defocus in a primate model. Low-intensity laser therapy using low doses of red and near-infrared light, visual biofeedback training, bifocal or multifocal spectacles, orthokeratology using a rigid gas-permeable contact lens, combined orthokeratology and atropine, soft contact lenses with a central distance zone and higher positive power in the periphery, and peripheral defocus contact lenses are among the interventional therapies with promising results in managing myopia progression in children. Conclusions: The current literature supports the efficacy of increased outdoor time, administration of pharmacological agents, and special contact lenses as treatment modalities for slowing myopia progression in children. The effectiveness of orthokeratology alone and in combination with topical atropine therapy has also been assessed. Further research is needed to pinpoint the precise mechanisms of action of these therapies and to determine the best course of treatment. The increasing global prevalence of childhood myopia necessitates robust interventional studies into slowing myopia progression and preventing high myopia and related sight-threatening conditions in adulthood.

Fluorescence-Encoded Time-Domain Coherent Raman Spectroscopy in the Visible Range.

Fluorescence-encoded vibrational spectroscopy has attracted increasing attention by virtue of its high sensitivity and high chemical specificity. We recently demonstrated fluorescence-encoded time-domain coherent Raman spectroscopy (FLETCHERS), which enables low-frequency vibrational spectroscopy of low-concentration fluorophores using near-infrared (800-900 nm) light excitation. However, the feasibility of this study was constrained by the scarcity of excitable molecules in the near-infrared range. Consequently, the broader applicability of FLETCHERS has not been investigated. Here we extend the capabilities of FLETCHERS into the visible range by employing a noncollinear optical parametric amplifier as a light source, significantly enhancing its versatility. Specifically, we use the method, which we refer to as visible FLETCHERS (vFLETCHERS), to individually acquire Raman spectra from five visible fluorophores that have absorption peaks in the 600-700 nm region. These results not only confirm the versatility of vFLETCHERS for a wide range of molecules but also allude to its widespread applicability in biological research through highly sensitive supermultiplexed imaging.

Melanin-Ce6-loaded polydopamine nanoparticles-based enhanced phototherapy for B16 melanoma cancer cells

Melanoma is one of the most aggressive and lethal types of cancer owing to its metastatic propensity and chemoresistance property. An alternative therapeutic option is photodynamic and photothermal therapies (PDT/PTT), which employ near-infrared (NIR) light to generate heat and reactive oxygen species (ROS). As per previous reports, Melanin (Mel), and its synthetic analogs (i.e. polydopamine nanoparticles) can induce NIR light-mediated heat energy, thereby selectively targeting and ameliorating cancer cells. Similarly, chlorin e6 (Ce6) also has high ROS generation ability and antitumor activity against various types of cancer. Based on this tenet, In the current study, we have encapsulated Mel-Ce6 in a polydopamine (PDA) nanocarrier (MCP NPs) synthesized by the oxidation polymerization method. The hydrodynamic diameter of the synthesized spherical MCP NPs was 139 ± 10 nm. The MCP NPs, upon irradiation with NIR 690 nm laser for 6 min, showed photothermal efficacy of more than 50 °C. Moreover, the red fluorescence in the MCP NPs due to Ce6 can be leveraged for diagnostic purposes. Further, the MCP NPs exhibited considerable biocompatibility with the L929 cell line and exerted nearly 70% ROS-mediated cytotoxicity on the B16 melanoma cell line after the laser irradiation. Thus, the prepared MCP NPs could be a promising theranostic agent for treating the B16 melanoma cancer.

Photobiomodulation Therapy: A Novel Therapeutic Approach to Alzheimer's Disease Made Possible by the Evidence of a Brain-Gut Interconnection.

The evidence of brain-gut interconnections in Alzheimer's disease (AD) opens novel avenues for the treatment of a pathology for which no definitive treatment exists. Gut microbiota and bacterial translocation may produce peripheral inflammation and immune modulation, contributing to brain amyloidosis, neurodegeneration, and cognitive deficits in AD. The gut microbiota can be used as a potential therapeutic target in AD. In particular, photobiomodulation (PBM) can affect the interaction between the microbiota and the immune system, providing a potential explanation for its restorative properties in AD-associated dysbiosis. PBM is a safe, non-invasive, non-ionizing, and non-thermal therapy that uses red or near-infrared light to stimulate the cytochrome c oxidase (CCO, complex IV), the terminal enzyme of the mitochondrial electron transport chain, resulting in adenosine triphosphate synthesis. The association of the direct application of PBM to the head with an abscopal and a systemic treatment through simultaneous application to the abdomen provides an innovative therapeutic approach to AD by targeting various components of this highly complex pathology. As a hypothesis, PBM might have a significant role in the therapeutic options available for the treatment of AD.

Why Does One Measure Resonance Raman Optical Activity? A Unique Case of Measurements under Strong Resonance versus Far-from-Resonance Conditions.

Raman optical activity (ROA) spectroscopy exhibits significant potential in the study of (bio)molecules as it encodes information on their molecular structure, chirality, and conformations. Furthermore, the method reveals details on excited electronic states when applied under resonance conditions. Here, we present a combined study of the far from resonance (FFR)-ROA and resonance ROA (RROA) of a single relatively small molecular system. Notably, this study is the first to employ the density functional theory (DFT) analysis of both FFR-ROA and RROA spectra. This is illustrated for cobalamin derivatives using near-infrared and visible light excitation. Although the commonly observed monosignate RROA spectra lose additional information visible in bisignate nonresonance ROA spectra, the RROA technique acts as a complement to nonresonance ROA spectroscopy. In particular, the combination of these methods integrated with DFT calculations can reveal a complete spectral picture of the structural and conformational differences between tested compounds.

Near-infrared mechanoluminescence sensor: A new method for on-site infrastructure detection.

Near-infrared mechanoluminescence is a phenomenon that produces high penetrating near-infrared light under external stimulation. Near-infrared light coincides with the biological window, lower optical loss, and the fact that the mechanoluminescence material is a medium that converts mechanical energy into light energy. The near-infrared mechanoluminescence material has potential application prospects in the fields of biological imaging, medical diagnosis, and monitoring of building materials. In this article, we report on a perovskite-type Sr3Sn2O7:Nd3+ near-infrared mechanoluminescence material, and its peaks locate in the first near-infrared window (800-1000 nm) and the second near-infrared window (1080, 1350 nm), respectively. Under the condition of pre-sintering with Li2CO3 as flux, the best sintering conditions are obtained, and the luminescence of material is in perfect agreement with the applied mechanical stress. In addition, a near-infrared mechanoluminescence sensor is proposed to solve the problem of building damage and timely maintenance.

Photothermal effect of graphene oxide accelerate singlet oxygen release from artesunate to endow the scaffold with antibacterial properties

Artesunate, as a semi-synthetic artemisinin derivative, exhibits a broad-spectrum bactericidal effect via the release of singlet oxygen. However, its release is slow due to the difficulty breaking the endoperoxide bridge bond. Ammoniated graphene oxide could be electrostatic adsorbed with artesunate and efficiently transfer thermal energy to artesunate by interfacial heat transfer, thereby facilitating the breaking of the endoperoxide bridge bond. In detail, artesunate was anchored on graphene oxide by a one-pot hydrothermal synthesis method and introduced to the PLLA scaffold fabricated by selective laser sintering. Under near-infrared light irradiation, graphene oxide could convert light to heat through photothermal conversion. Then the heat energy was transferred to artesunate by interfacial heat transfer, accelerating the release of singlet oxygen. Meanwhile, graphene oxide could achieve the purpose of thermal ablation for bacterial infection by increasing the local temperature. Based on the combination of singlet oxygen and thermal ablation therapy, the scaffold possesses a high bactericidal ability triggered by near-infrared light. Under the near-infrared light irradiation, the singlet oxygen production from artesunate increased by 39 %, and the antibacterial ratio against S. aureus and E. coli reached 91.6 % and 93.3 %, respectively. Additionally, the scaffold was favorable cytocompatibility with mBMSCs. All the results highlight the great potential of artesunate-mediated graphene oxide scaffold in eliminating bacterial infections.

A 700nm LED Light Activated Ru(II) Complex Destroys Tumor Cytoskeleton via Photosensitization and Photocatalysis.

Photoactivable chemotherapy (PACT) using metallic complexes provides spatiotemporal selectivity over drug activation for targeted anticancer therapy. However, the poor absorption in near-infrared (NIR) light region of most metallic complexes renders tissue penetration challenging. Herein, an NIR light triggered dinuclear photoactivable Ru(II) complex (Ru2) is presented and the antitumor mechanism is comprehensively investigated. The introduction of a donor-acceptor-donor (D-A-D) linker greatly enhances the intramolecular charge transition, resulting in a high molar extinction coefficient in the NIR region with an extended triplet excited state lifetime. Most importantly, when activated by 700nm NIR light, Ru2 exhibits unique slow photodissociation kinetics that facilitates synergistic photosensitization and photocatalytic activity to destroy diverse intracellular biomolecules. In vitro and in vivo experiments show that when activated by 700nm NIR light, Ru2 exhibits nanomolar photocytotoxicity toward 4T1 cancer cells via the induction of calcium overload and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. These findings provide a robust foundation for the development of NIR-activated Ru(II) PACT complexes for phototherapeutic application.

Achieving Smart Photochromics Using Water-Processable, High-Contrast, Oxygen-Sensing, and Photoactuating Thiazolothiazole-Embedded Polymer Films.

Water-soluble dipyridinium thiazolo[5,4-d]thiazole (TTz) compounds are incorporated into inexpensive poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/borax films and exhibit fast (<1 s), high-contrast photochromism, photofluorochromism, and oxygen sensing. Under illumination, the films change from clear/yellow TTz2+ to purple TTz•+ and then blue TTz0. The contrast and speed of the photochromism are dependent on the polymer matrix redox properties and the concentration of TTz2+. The photoreduced films exhibit strong, near-infrared light (1000-1500 nm) absorbances in addition to visible color changes. Spectroscopic ellipsometry was used to establish the complex dielectric function for the TTz2+ and TTz0 states. Incorporating non-photochromic dyes yields yellow-to-green and pink-to-purple photochromism. Additionally, when illuminated, reversible photoactuation occurs, causing mechanical contraction in the TTz-embedded films. The blue film returns to its colorless state via exposure to O2, making the films able to sense oxygen and leak direction for smart packaging. These films show potential for use in self-tinting smart windows, eyeglasses, displays, erasable memory devices, fiber optic communication, and oxygen sensing.

Ce3+ and Cr3+ co-activated ultra-wide visible-NIR garnet phosphor for phosphor-converted light emitting diode

In the past decade, the near-infrared (NIR) phosphor-converted light emitting diode (pc-LED) and NIR phosphors has made considerable progress. However, for the field of non-destructive testing, ultra-wide Vis-NIR pc-LED light source can detect a wider range of components compared to NIR pc-LED. Therefore, the development of high-performance ultra-wide Vis-NIR phosphors is quite necessary. Based on the CaLu2Mg2Si3O12 (CLMSO):Cr3+ with excellent performance, this article proposes the introduction of activator Ce3+ into CLMSO:Cr3+ phosphor, which significantly increase the emission band-width. Co-doped phosphor exhibit excellent thermal stability (maintain 75 % room temperature intensity @ 150 °C). The Vis-NIR light output power can reached 64.4 mW @ 100 mA and 60.9 mW@ 100 mA for pc-LED fabricated with CLMSO:0.01Ce3+, 0.001Cr3+ and CLMSO:0.01Ce3+, 0.002Cr3+ with the electricity to Vis-NIR conversion efficiency reached 30.5 %@10 mA and 29.5 % @10 mA, respectively. The CLMSO: Ce3+, Cr3+ phosphor is expected to become the new generation light sources for miniaturized spectrometer.

Shape Memory Polyurethane Composite With Fast Response to Near-Infrared Light Based on Tannic Acid-Iron and Dynamic Phenol-Carbamate Network.

Intelligent materials derived from green and renewable bio-based materials garner widespread attention recently. Herein, shape memory polyurethane composite (PUTA/Fe) with fast response to near-infrared (NIR) light is successfully prepared by introducing Fe3+ into the tannic acid-based polyurethane (PUTA) matrix through coordination between Fe3+ and tannic acid. The results show that the excellent NIR light response ability is due to the even distribution of Fe3+ filler with good photo-thermal conversion ability. With the increase of Fe3+ content, the NIR light response shape recovery rate of PUTA/Fe composite films is significantly improved, and the shape recovery time is reduced from over 60 s to 40s. In addition, the mechanical properties of PUTA/Fe composite film are also improved. Importantly, owing to the dynamic phenol-carbamate network within the polymer matrix, the PUTA/Fe composite film can reshape its permanent shape through topological rearrangement and show its good NIR light response shape memory performance. Therefore, PUTA/Fe composites with high content of bio-based material (TA content of 15.1-19.4%) demonstrate the shape memory characteristics of fast response to NIR light; so, it will have great potential in the application of new intelligent materials including efficient and environmentally friendly smart photothermal responder.

Near-infrared photoimmunotherapy targeting PD-L1: Improved efficacy by preconditioning the tumor microenvironment.

Near-infrared photoimmunotherapy (NIR-PIT) is a new type of cancer therapy that employs antibody-IRDye700DX conjugates (AbPCs) and near-infrared (NIR) light at a wavelength of 689 nm, the excitation wavelength of IR700. Administered intravenously, injected AbPCs bind specifically to cells expressing the target antigen, whereupon NIR light exposure causes rapid, selective killing. This process induces an anticancer T cell response, leading to sustained anticancer host immune response. Programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) is a major inhibitory immune checkpoint molecule expressed in various cancers. In this study, we first assessed the efficacy of PD-L1-targeted NIR-PIT (αPD-L1-PIT) in immune-competent tumor mouse models. αPD-L1-PIT showed a significant therapeutic effect on the tumor models with high PD-L1 expression. Furthermore, αPD-L1-PIT induced an abscopal effect on distant tumors and long-term immunological memory. In contrast, αPD-L1-PIT was not as effective for tumor models with low PD-L1 expression. To improve the efficacy of PD-L1-targeted NIR-PIT, PEGylated interferon-gamma (IFNγ) was administered with αPD-L1-PIT. The combination therapy improved the treatment efficacy by increasing PD-L1 expression leading to more efficient cell killing by αPD-L1-PIT. Furthermore, the PEGylated IFNγ led to a CD8+ T cell-dominant tumor microenvironment (TME) with an enhanced anticancer T cell response after αPD-L1-PIT. As a result, even so-called cold tumors exhibited complete responses after αPD-L1-PIT. Thus, combination therapy of PEGylated IFNγ and PD-L1-targeted NIR-PIT has the potential to be an important future strategy for cancer immunotherapy.

Control of chemical release in hydrogel microvalve array for localized chemical stimulations

Chemical stimulation is considered as one of the most promising therapeutic solutions for degenerated retina due to its ability to mimic a natural chemical signaling pathway. However, the majority of demonstrated platforms actuate chemicals using bulky external setups. Hence, developing high-resolution chemical release platforms with remote-controlled actuation mechanism is of great interest to the next generation of chemical prosthetics. Moreover, the effectiveness of chemical stimulation depends on several parameters, such as the chemical dosage, pulse duration, and spread radius. Therefore, to engineer the chemical release profile, the actuation mechanism of these localized chemical release platforms needs to be thoroughly studied to facilitate modifications. In this study, we have presented a high-resolution chemical release platform based on a macroporous silicon membrane structure. Chemical release ports defined in the membrane pores can be remotely actuated through thermo-responsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) hydrogel with near-infrared (NIR) light. As plasmonic heating elements, gold nanorod (GNR) was incorporated within PNIPAAm hydrogel. The pore size of the hydrogel was tuned by varying tetrahydrofuran content in the hydrogel polymerization solution. We have shown that the chemical release properties through membrane pores can be controlled as required using this approach. This insight can be used to engineer the relevant chemical release parameters, thereby creating an efficient chemical stimulation platform.

Impact of halogens in ruthenium complexes on spin-forbidden transitions and near-infrared absorption

Capturing near-infrared light is crucial for improving solar energy conversion. Spin-forbidden transitions in metal complexes absorb lower-energy photons than spin-allowed transitions without exchange-energy loss. However, their potential in molecular engineering is underutilized. In this study, Ru complexes with linear X–Ru–X structures by substituting halogens were synthesized to control the spin–orbit interactions. Perturbation theory has shown discrepancies in estimating these interactions, but applying the two-component ZORA relativistic Hamiltonian has reduced these issues. Halogen substitution has increased the intensity of spin-forbidden transition by 20%, indicating a promising avenue for optimizing solar energy devices.

Using spectral derivatives to remove the influence of hair on optical images of the static absorbing properties of tissue-like turbid media.

Although measurements of near-infrared light diffusely reflected from the head and other biological tissues are commonly used to generate images revealing changes in the concentrations of oxy- and deoxy-hemoglobin, static imaging of absolute concentrations has been inhibited by the unknown and variable coupling between the optical probe and the skin, to which hair is often a significant contributor. Measurements of spectral derivatives provide a means of overcoming this shortcoming. The aim is to demonstrate experimentally that measurements of the derivative of the attenuation of the detected signal with respect to wavelength can be used to achieve images that are immune to the spatial variation of hair on the surface. The objective is to generate topographic images representative of static absorbing properties rather than retrieving absolute optical coefficients, which requires a tomographic approach. The surface of a tissue-equivalent phantom, containing targets with different concentrations of absorbing dye, was coated with a layer of dark hair. The phantom was then imaged using a broadband source and spectrometer, and prior knowledge of the absorbing characteristics of the dye and of melanin was used to acquire separate images of each. The targets within the phantom are revealed with remarkable clarity, although a nonlinear relationship between the target contrast and absorption was observed. This nonlinear behavior was confirmed and explained using a Monte Carlo model of light propagation in a slab of similar absorbing properties. A spectral derivative approach could be an effective tool for in vivo topographic imaging of the static optical properties of the brain and other tissues, avoiding the deleterious effects of hair.

Transcranial photobiomodulation in children aged 2-6 years: a randomized sham-controlled clinical trial assessing safety, efficacy, and impact on autism spectrum disorder symptoms and brain electrophysiology.

Small pilot studies have suggested that transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM) could help reduce symptoms of neurological conditions, such as depression, traumatic brain injury, and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). To examine the impact of tPBM on the symptoms of ASD in children aged two to six years. We conducted a randomized, sham-controlled clinical trial involving thirty children aged two to six years with a prior diagnosis of ASD. We delivered pulses of near-infrared light (40 Hz, 850 nm) noninvasively to selected brain areas twice a week for eight weeks, using an investigational medical device designed for this purpose (Cognilum™, JelikaLite Corp., New York, United States). We used the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS, 2nd Edition) to assess and compare the ASD symptoms of participants before and after the treatment course. We collected electroencephalogram (EEG) data during each session from those participants who tolerated wearing the EEG cap. The difference in the change in CARS scores between the two groups was 7.23 (95% CI 2.357 to 12.107, p = 0.011). Seventeen of the thirty participants completed at least two EEGs and time-dependent trends were detected. In addition, an interaction between Active versus Sham and Scaled Time was observed in delta power (Coefficient = 7.521, 95% CI -0.517 to 15.559, p = 0.07) and theta power (Coefficient = -8.287, 95% CI -17.199 to 0.626, p = 0.07), indicating a potential trend towards a greater reduction in delta power and an increase in theta power over time with treatment in the Active group, compared to the Sham group. Furthermore, there was a significant difference in the condition (Treatment vs. Sham) in the power of theta waves (net_theta) (Coefficient = 9.547, 95% CI 0.027 to 19.067, p = 0.049). No moderate or severe side effects or adverse effects were reported or observed during the trial. These results indicate that tPBM may be a safe and effective treatment for ASD and should be studied in more depth in larger studies.Clinical trial registration: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04660552, identifier NCT04660552.

A “three-in-one” multifunctional palladium/platinum nanoparticles-driven multimodal lateral flow immunoassays for point-of-care testing of Staphylococcus aureus

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a prevalent bacterium that affects patient recovery post-surgery and can cause postoperative complications. Consequently, detecting S. aureus in clinical settings is critical for ensuring patient well-being. In our work, a “visual-colorimetric-photothermal” three-in-one multimodal lateral flow immunoassays (LFIA) was developed for S. aureus detection to meet the growing demand for point-of-care testing (POCT) of bacteria in the field. The sensors relied on Pd/Pt@Ab1 NPs nanoprobes, created by decorating the surface of bimetallic nanoprobes (Pd/Pt NPs) with S. aureus antibodies (Ab1). A visual detection mode was realized by the Pd/Pt@Ab1 NPs being captured on the surface of test line (T line) using the sandwich method, offering a limit of detection (LOD) of 103 CFU/mL. Subsequently, Pd/Pt@Ab1 NPs catalyzed the TMB system into oxTMB to achieve colorimetric analysis, covering a detection range from 102 to 107 CFU/mL. Remarkably, the oxTMB exhibited the photothermal conversion efficiency under near-infrared (NIR) light, leading to temperature variations under 808 nm irradiation, correlating with different bacteria concentrations, with an LOD as low as 4 CFU/mL. The methodology enabled quantitative analysis of bacteria in clinical samples with satisfactory results. The diversity, complementarity, and synergy of the integrated output signals in this multimode LFIA improved the flexibility, utility, and accuracy of the assay, performing well as a POCT platform for various application scenarios.