Central nervous system (CNS) diseases are the leading causes of death and disabilities in the world. It is quite challenging to treat CNS diseases efficiently because of the blood-brain barrier ...(BBB). It is a physical barrier with tight junction proteins and high selectivity to limit the substance transportation between the blood and neural tissues. Thus, it is important to understand BBB transport mechanisms for developing novel drug carriers to overcome the BBB. This paper introduces the structure of the BBB and its physiological transport mechanisms. Meanwhile, different strategies for crossing the BBB by using nanomaterial-based drug carriers are reviewed, including carrier-mediated, adsorptive-mediated, and receptor-mediated transcytosis. Since the viral-induced CNS diseases are associated with BBB breakdown, various neurotropic viruses and their mechanisms on BBB disruption are reviewed and discussed, which are considered as an alternative solution to overcome the BBB. Therefore, most recent studies on virus-mimicking nanocarriers for drug delivery to cross the BBB are also reviewed and discussed. On the other hand, the routes of administration of drug-loaded nanocarriers to the CNS have been reviewed. In sum, this paper reviews and discusses various strategies and routes of nano-formulated drug delivery systems across the BBB to the brain, which will contribute to the advanced diagnosis and treatment of CNS diseases.
The early diagnosis of breast cancer highly relies on the detection of mutant DNA at low concentrations. Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) quenching may offer a solution to quickly detect a ...small amount of single-strand DNA (ssDNA) through the combination of nanomaterials with special luminescence and unique structures of DNA double helix structure. Here, carbon quantum dots (CDs) modified with Capture ssDNA act as the FRET donor which interact with the two-dimensional fluorescence quencher, i.e., graphene oxide nanosheets (GO), to detect breast cancer-associated Target ssDNA at a low concentration. CDs bioconjugated with the designed Capture ssDNA (named CDs-Capture ssDNA) have the maximum fluorescence intensity (
I
max
) at the emission (
λ
em
) = 510 nm. The fluorescence of CDs-Capture ssDNA is quenched, while they interact with GO due to the
π
–
π
* interaction between ssDNA and GO. In the presence of Target ssDNA, the
I
max
is restored because of the stronger interaction between Target ssDNA and CDs-Capture ssDNA through the hydrogen bond. The restored fluorescence intensity of CDs has a linear relationship with the concentration of Target ssDNA from 0.25 to 2.5 μM with a detection limit around 0.24 μM. The selectivity of the sensing system has been further evaluated by testing the 3-base mismatched and non-base matched in which efficient restoration of photoluminescence of the sensing system cannot be observed. This carbon nanostructure-based DNA sensing system offers a user-friendly and quick detection of single-strand DNA at lower concentration.
Soil particle size distribution is a crucial factor in determining soil properties and classifying soil types. Traditional methods, such as hydrometer tests, have limitations in terms of time ...required, labor, and operator dependency. In this paper, we propose a novel approach to quantify soil particle size analysis using machine vision analysis with an RGB camera. The method aims to overcome the limitations of traditional techniques by providing an efficient and automated analysis of fine-grained soils. It utilizes a digital camera to capture the settling properties of soil particles, eliminating the need for a hydrometer. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the machine vision-based approach in accurately determining soil particle size distribution. The comparison between the proposed method and traditional hydrometer tests reveals strong agreement, with an average deviation of only 2.3% in particle size measurements. This validates the reliability and accuracy of the machine vision-based approach. The proposed machine vision-based analysis offers a promising alternative to traditional techniques for assessing soil particle size distribution. The experimental results highlight its potential to revolutionize soil particle size analysis, providing precise, efficient, and cost-effective analysis for fine-grained soils.
Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS)-driven colorectal cancer (CRC) is notorious to target with drugs and has shown ineffective treatment response. The seeds of
also known as morning ...glory, have been used as traditional medicine in East Asia. We focused on whether
seeds have a suppressive effect on mutated KRAS-driven CRC as well as reserving muscle cell functions during CRC progression. Seeds of
(
semen) were separated by chromatography and the active compound of
semen (PN) was purified by HPLC. The compound PN efficiently suppressed the proliferation of mutated KRAS-driven CRC cells and their clonogenic potentials in a concentration-dependent manner. It also induced apoptosis of SW480 human colon cancer cells and cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase. The CRC related pathways, including RAS/ERK and AKT/mTOR, were assessed and PN reduced the phosphorylation of AKT and mTOR. Furthermore, PN preserved muscle cell proliferation and myotube formation in cancer conditioned media. In summary, PN significantly suppressed mutated KRAS-driven cell growth and reserved muscle cell function. Based on the current study, PN could be considered as a promising starting point for the development of a nature-derived drug against KRAS-mutated CRC progression.
Bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) techniques offer a high degree of sensitivity, reliability and ease of use for their application to sensing biomolecules. BRET is a distance ...dependent, non-radiative energy transfer, which uses a bioluminescent protein to excite an acceptor through the resonance energy transfer. A BRET sensor can quickly detect the change of a target biomolecule quantitatively without an external electromagnetic field, e.g., UV light, which normally can damage tissue. Having been developed quite recently, this technique has evolved rapidly. Here, different bioluminescent proteins have been reviewed. In addition to a multitude of bioluminescent proteins, this manuscript focuses on the recent development of BRET sensors by utilizing quantum dots. The special size-dependent properties of quantum dots have made the BRET sensing technique attractive for the real-time monitoring of the changes of target molecules and bioimaging in vivo. This review offers a look into the basis of the technique, donor/acceptor pairs, experimental applications and prospects.
is a commonly used medicinal mushroom containing various therapeutic effects such as anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, and anti-cancer activities. This study examined whether
on germinated soybeans ...(GSC) has a suppressive effect on a v-ki-ras2 Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS)-driven colorectal cancer which is notorious for its un-druggable features and the ineffectiveness of conventional therapies against it. GSC extract was prepared and its proximate composition and amino acids were analyzed. The suppressive effects were investigated with the KRAS-driven colorectal cancer cell-line, SW480. SW480 proliferation, clonogenic potential, apoptosis, and the RAS/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway under the GSC treatment were analyzed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium (MTS) assay, flow cytometry, and Western blot, respectively. An
experiment with the SW480 xenograft mouse model was performed. As a result, GSC suppressed cell proliferation by inducing the apoptosis of KRAS-driven colorectal cancer cells and inhibited clonogenic capabilities. The decrease of KRAS and ERK phosphorylation was detected by Western blot. Tumor growth was significantly suppressed when GSC was introduced to the tumor-xenograft mouse model. In conclusion, GSC suppressed KRAS-driven colorectal cancer growth both in vitro and in vivo, and can be used as an alternative or simultaneous approach in colorectal cancer therapy.
Carbon-dots (CDs), the emerging fluorescent nanoparticles, show special multicolor properties, chemical stability, and biocompatibility, and are considered as the new and advanced imaging probe in ...replacement of molecular fluorophores and semiconductor quantum dots. However, the requirement of external high power light source limits the application of fluorescent nanomaterials in bio-imaging. The present study aims to take advantage of bioluminescence resonance energy transfer mechanism (BRET) in creating self-illuminating C-dots. Renilla luciferase (Rluc) is chosen as the BRET donor molecule. Conjugation of Renilla luciferase and C-dots is necessary to keep their distance close for energy transfer. The optimal condition for achieving BRET is investigated by studying the effects of different factors on the performance of BRET, including the type of conjugation, concentration of carbon dots, and conjugation time. The linear relationship of BRET efficiency as a function of the amount of C-dots in the range of 0.20-0.80 mg/mL is observed. The self-illuminating carbon dots could be applied in bioimaging avoiding the tissue damage from the external high power light source.
Aims
This study aimed to evaluate the health‐related quality of life of nursing workers and influential factors.
Background
Nursing workers are under great occupational stress. However, few ...population‐level studies of nursing workers' health conditions have been reported from China.
Design
This was a cross‐sectional study conducted in 12 medical institutions in east China between January and March 2015.
Methods
Social‐demographic information, nursing workers' work‐related information and health‐related quality of life using the Chinese (mainland) version of the Short Form 36 health survey were collected by a self‐administrated questionnaire.
Results
Nursing workers reported significantly lower scores of the vitality, mental health dimensions, and mental component summary of the Short Form 36 survey compared with general population reference values. They scored significantly higher for five other dimensions and comparably for the physical role dimension. Pre‐job training, families' positive attitudes to their job, and good relationships with clients were positively related with nursing workers' mental well‐being.
Conclusion
To promote nursing workers' mental health, compulsory work‐related training, voluntary psychological counselling, and targeted legislation are needed.
SUMMARY STATEMENT
What is already known about this topic?
Shortages of professional medical staff in medical institution at all levels will not be quickly met, and nursing workers are thought to be an important supplement in China.
Population‐level study on nursing workers' point of view of their work and health condition has been little reported in China.
What this paper adds?
Nursing workers were mentally vulnerable regarding their vitality and mental health scores.
Job training, families' positive attitudes to their job, and good relationships with clients were all protective factors for nursing workers' mental well‐being.
The implications of this paper:
Compulsory work‐related training for nursing workers provided by intermediary companies can help promote nursing workers' well‐being.
Voluntary psychological counselling provided by hospitals can also be helpful to build a supportive work environment for nursing workers.
Governments need to regulate this market and protect nursing workers' rights and benefits by legislation.
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