Abstract Silver nanoclusters (AgNCs) have emerged as highly adaptable nanomaterials with vast potential in theranostic applications, by integrating therapeutic and diagnostic capabilities within a single platform. This review summarizes current developments in the synthesis, characterization, and use of AgNCs for theranostics. AgNC synthesis has substantially advanced, and a variety of techniques such as chemical reduction, green synthesis, and templated methods are being used to manage stability, size, and form. AgNCs’ optical characteristics, including high fluorescence and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) signals, make them ideal for bioimaging and diagnostic applications. Furthermore, AgNCs’ surface chemistry enables simple functionalization with therapeutic drugs and targeting ligands, thus improving effectiveness and selectivity. AgNCs have been used in several diagnostic imaging modalities, including photoacoustic imaging, fluorescence imaging, and SERS-based sensing. They are suitable for both in vitro and in vivo imaging applications because of their exceptional photostability and biocompatibility, which enables real-time tracking of disease progression and therapy response.

Abstract Bacteria-related cancer immunotherapy, because of its mechanisms and useful applications in the induction of anti-tumor immunity, has gained substantial attention in recent decades. Bacteria can enable targeting of tumors, and specifically can colonize the core tumor area. Because they contain many pathogen-associated molecular patterns—which efficiently stimulate immune cells, even within microenvironments that suppress anti-tumor immunity—bacteria boost immunological recognition leading to the destruction of malignant cells. This Editorial highlights various bacteria with immunotherapeutic effects and their by-products used as immunotherapeutics.

Abstract Objective This study aimed to observe the clinical imaging features of patients with severe atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (ARAS) receiving stent implantation, and to evaluate the associations between baseline clinical and imaging factors and renal-function deterioration at a 1-year follow-up. Methods This study was a single-center retrospective cohort study. A total of 159 patients with unilateral severe ARAS who underwent stent implantation at Beijing Hospital between July 2017 and December 2020 were consecutively enrolled. According to the renal glomerular filtration rate (GFR), detected by radionuclide renal imaging at 1-year follow-up, all patients were divided into a poor-prognosis group (with a ≥30% decrease in renal GFR; n=32 cases) and a control group (127 cases). Clinical imaging data, including the renal cortical blood perfusion pre- and post-sent implantation, were analyzed. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the associations between clinical and imaging factors and renal-function deterioration. Results Of the 159 patients enrolled, 83 (52.2%) were men, with an average age of (57.2±14.7) years. The patient age, rate of diabetes, and systolic blood and diastolic blood pressure in the poor-prognosis group were significantly higher than those in the control group (all P<0.05). Before stent treatment, patients in the poor-prognosis group, compared with the control group, had a significantly smaller area under the ascending curve (AUC1), area under the descending curve (AUC2), and peak intensity (PI), and a longer time to peak intensity (TTP) and mean transit time (MTT) (all P<0.05). After stent treatment, patients in the poor-prognosis group, compared with the control group, showed significantly smaller AUC1, AUC2, and PI, and longer MTT (all P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that age (OR=1.251, 95%CI: 1.113–1.406, P=0.0002), diabetes (OR=1.472, 95%CI: 1.110–1.952, P=0.007), systolic blood pressure (OR=1.339, 95%CI: 1.082–1.657, P=0.007), renal GFR (OR=2.025, 95%CI: 1.217–3.369, P=0.006), and AUC1 post-stent (OR=2.173, 95%CI: 1.148–4.113, P=0.017) were the factors associated with renal deterioration at the 1-year follow-up. Conclusions Patients with severe RAS with renal-function deterioration after stent implantation were older, and often had diabetes, hypertension, and impaired renal cortical perfusion. Age, diabetes, systolic blood pressure, renal GFR, and AUC1 after stent implantation were independent factors associated with short-term renal deterioration.

Abstract Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is associated with a range of neural changes. A comprehensive understanding of the injury-induced lysine acetyltransferase 6A (KAT6A) response, particularly the temporal profile of biochemical alterations, is crucial to design effective therapeutic interventions. Methods: Experiments were performed in male Sprague-Dawley rats. The influence of post-traumatic hypothermia (32°C) or hyperthermia (39°C) on the temporal and regional expression profiles of KAT6A was assessed after moderate or severe TBI. qPCR and western blotting were used to determine the expression of KAT6A in different groups. Results: In the ipsilateral and contralateral hemispheres, significantly lower protein and mRNA expression of KAT6A was found after TBI than sham injury. Moreover, two expression minima of KAT6A were observed in the cortex and hippocampus of the ipsilateral hemisphere. A decrease in injury severity was associated with lower levels of KAT6A mRNA at 12 h and protein at 24 h, but KAT6A mRNA at 48 h and protein at 72 h had alterations. Compared with normothermia and hyperthermia, post-traumatic hypothermia intensified the decrease in KAT6A at both the mRNA and protein levels. In contrast, hyperthermia, as compared with normothermia, did not significantly affect the levels of KAT6A mRNA at 12 h and protein at 24 h, but triggered a significant increase in levels of KAT6A mRNA at 24 h and protein at 72 h. Furthermore, an overall upregulation of KAT6A after TBI was associated with greater injury severity in a time-dependent manner. Conclusions: Post-traumatic hypothermia plays a key role in the regulation of KAT6A expression and thus may at least partially explain the phenotype of post-traumatic temperature in secondary injury after TBI.

Abstract Ferroptosis, a new mode of nonapoptotic cell death, is increasingly recognized as a new hope in overcoming resistance to chemotherapy in cancer. Both canonical and noncanonical pathways can trigger ferroptosis execution via an iron-dependent lethal lipid peroxidation manner. However, growing evidence has shown that some cancer cells can survive ferroptotic stress through metabolic remodeling as regards iron metabolism, anti-oxidative systems, and lipid metabolism. In addition to the well-known roles of the XC−/glutathione/glutathione peroxidase 4 (XC–/GSH/GPX4) axis in blocking ferroptosis, several recently identified pathways, including the Mevalonate-ferroptosis suppressor protein 1 (MVA-FSP1) axis, the GTP cyclohydrolase 1-Tetrahydrobiopterin (GCH1-BH4) axis, the peroxisome-ether-phospholipid axis, the acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 3-monounsaturated fatty acids (ACSL3-MUFA) axis, and the Liver kinase B1-AMP-activated protein kinase (LKB1-AMPK) axis, can negatively regulate susceptibility to ferroptosis. Prominin-2, a newly identified ferroptosis-modulating protein, also drives cancer cells to escape from ferroptosis induction. These findings collectively led to major challenges and opportunities in the development of novel therapies that target the ferroptosis resistance of cancer cells. Significance Ferroptosis is a lethal consequence of accumulated lipid peroxidation catalyzed by ferrous iron and oxygen. This unique cell death process appears to involve many diseases, such as neurodegeneration, ischemia/reperfusion injury, kidney disease, and a druggable target in therapy-resistant cancers. There is great expectation of being able to exploit ferroptosis for the treatment of as yet incurable diseases. However, the state of ferroptosis susceptibility is linked to various regulation pathways. This perspective aims to integrate the current understanding of signaling mechanisms for ferroptotic defenses and facilitates movement toward novel cancer therapeutic strategies.

Abstract Background: Orthodontic relapse is fairly common; however, the mechanisms between relapse and the dental arch form remain unclear. The purpose of our study was to establish three-dimensional (3D) finite element models of different dental arch forms after orthodontic treatment and to analyze the states of different arches applied with various sagittal forces. Methods: By calculating the equations of different dental arch forms and combining them with a full maxillary arch (14 teeth), 3D finite element models of square, oval, and tapered dental arches were established; they were designed to be subjected to anterior lingual, posterior mesial, and combined forces, respectively. Results: The von Mises stress and displacement of teeth under different forces were calculated for each loading scenario. Under the different forcing scenarios, all incisors had irregularity trends, and the inclination and intrusion of the canines were increased, and the premolars had a tendency to buccal or lingual crown tipping or even intrusion in our study. The tapered arch was the most stable and had the smallest displacement and von Mises stress, followed by the ovoid arch; the most unstable arch was the square arch. Conclusions: To achieve a stable orthodontic effect, a tapered or ovoid arch, rather than a square arch, should be chosen as the final outcome of treatment.