According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the number of cancer cases and deaths worldwide is predicted to nearly double by 2030, reaching 21.7 million cases and 13 million fatalities. The increase in cancer mortality is due to limitations in the diagnosis and treatment options that are currently available. The close relationship between diagnostics and medicine has made it possible for cancer patients to receive precise diagnoses and individualized care. This article discusses newly developed compounds with potential for photodynamic therapy and diagnostic applications, as well as those already in use. In addition, it discusses the use of artificial intelligence in the analysis of diagnostic images obtained using, among other things, theranostic agents.

UNASSIGNED: COVID-19 modulates many serological biomarkers during the progress of disease severity. The study aimed to determine COVID-19 severity-associated perturbance in the serum profile.
UNASSIGNED: A retrospective study including COVID-19-positive individuals (n = 405) was accomplished. The serum profile of COVID-19 participants was mined from laboratory records. Severity-associated alteration in the serum profile was evaluated using Pearson correlation, regression, VCramer, Bayesian posterior VCramer, and bias factor using R-base-RStudio-version-3.3.0 with a significant cut-off of p < 0.05.
UNASSIGNED: Significantly different mean ± standard deviation (SD) (highly versus moderately severe) of C-reactive protein (CRP), ferritin, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), D-dimer, platelets, prothrombin time (PT), partial prothrombin time (PTT), troponin 1, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), aspartate-aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and AST/ALT ratio was observed (p < 0.001). Highly severe COVID-19 associated with CRP, ferritin, NLR, in D-dimer, PT, PTT, troponin 1, AST/ALT ratio, AST and ALT (adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 1.346, 1.05, 1.46, 1.33, 1.42, 1.23, 4.07, 3.9, 1.24, 1.45, p < 0.001). CRP with ferritin (r = 0.743), NLR (r = 0.77), white blood cells (WBC) (r = 0.8), troponin1 with LDH (r = 0.757), and D-dimer with platelets (r = -0.81) were highly correlated. X2pearson (p < 0.001), VCramer (0.71), Bayesian-VCramer (0.7), and bias-factor (-125) for troponin 1 indicate the strong association of troponin 1 level and with COVID-19 severity. X2pearson (p < 0.001), VCramer (1), Bayesian-VCramer (0.98), and bias-factor (-266.3) for NLR exhibited a very strong association of pathologic conditions with the high severity of the disease.
UNASSIGNED: These biomarkers of inflammation (CRP, Ferritin, NLR), coagulation disorders (D-dimer, PT, and PTT) cardiac abnormality (troponin 1), and liver injury (AST/ALT) could be crucial in low-medical resource settings as potential prognosticator/predictors of the COVID-19 severity and clinical outcomes. Moreover, the outcome of this study could be leveraged for the early prediction of disease severity during SARS-CoV or Middle East Respiratory Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection.

The hypoxic tumor microenvironment (TME) of osteosarcoma (OS) is the Achilles\' heel of oxygen-dependent photodynamic therapy (PDT), and tremendous challenges are confronted to reverse the hypoxia. Herein, we proposed a \"reducing expenditure of O2 and broadening sources\" dual-strategy and constructed ultrasmall IrO2@BSA-ATO nanogenerators (NGs) for decreasing the O2-consumption and elevating the O2-supply simultaneously. As O2 NGs, the intrinsic catalase (CAT) activity could precisely decompose the overexpressed H2O2 to produce O2 in situ, enabling exogenous O2 infusion. Moreover, the cell respiration inhibitor atovaquone (ATO) would be at the tumor sites, effectively inhibiting cell respiration and elevating oxygen content for endogenous O2 conservation. As a result, IrO2@BSA-ATO NGs systematically increase tumor oxygenation in dual ways and significantly enhance the antitumor efficacy of PDT. Moreover, the extraordinary photothermal conversion efficiency allows the implementation of precise photothermal therapy (PTT) under photoacoustic guidance. Upon a single laser irradiation, this synergistic PDT, PTT, and the following immunosuppression regulation performance of IrO2@BSA-ATO NGs achieved a superior tumor cooperative eradicating capability both in vitro and in vivo. Taken together, this study proposes an innovative dual-strategy to address the serious hypoxia problem, and this microenvironment-regulable IrO2@BSA-ATO NGs as a multifunctional theranostics platform shows great potential for OS therapy.

BACKGROUND: Identifying prognosticators/predictors of COVID-19 severity is the principal focus for early prediction and effective management of the disease in a time-bound and cost-effective manner. We aimed to evaluate COVID-19 severity-dependent alteration in inflammatory and coagulopathy biomarkers.
METHODS: A hospital-dependent retrospective observational study (total: n = 377; male, n = 213; and female, n = 164 participants) was undertaken. COVID-19 exposure was assessed by performing real-time PCR on nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied for both continuous and categorical variables using Rstudio-version-4.0.2. Pearson correlation and regression were executed with a cut-off of p < 0.05 for evaluating significance. Data representation by R-packages and ggplot2.
RESULTS: A significant variation in the mean ± SD (highly-sever (HS)/moderately severe (MS)) of CRP (HS/MS: 102.4 ± 22.9/21.3 ± 6.9, p-value < 0.001), D-dimer (HS/MS: 661.1 ± 80.6/348.7 ± 42.9, p-value < 0.001), and ferritin (HS/MS: 875.8 ± 126.8/593.4 ± 67.3, p-value < 0.001) were observed. Thrombocytopenia, high PT, and PTT exhibited an association with the HS individuals (p < 0.001). CRP was correlated with neutrophil (r = 0.77), ferritin (r = 0.74), and WBC (r = 0.8). D-dimer correlated with platelets (r = -0.82), PT (r = 0.22), and PTT (r = 0.37). The adjusted odds ratios (Ad-OR) of CRP, ferritin, D-dimer, platelet, PT, and PTT for HS compared to MS were 1.30 (95% CI -1.137, 1.50; p < 0.001), 1.048 (95% CI -1.03, 1.066; p < 0.001), 1.3 (95% CI -1.24, 1.49, p > 0.05), -0.813 (95% CI -0.734, 0.899, p < 0.001), 1.347 (95% CI -1.15, 1.57, p < 0.001), and 1.234 (95% CI -1.16, 1.314, p < 0.001), respectively.
CONCLUSIONS: SARS-CoV-2 caused alterations in vital laboratory parameters and raised ferritin, CRP, and D-dimer presented an association with disease severity at a significant level.

High-carbon hardline steels are primarily used for the manufacture of tire beads for both automobiles and aircraft, and vanadium (V) microalloying is an important means of adjusting the microstructure of high-carbon hardline steels. Using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), the microstructure and precipitation phases of continuous cooled high-carbon steels were characterized, and the vanadium content, carbon diffusion coefficient, and critical precipitation temperature were calculated. The results showed that as the V content increased to 0.06 wt.%, the interlamellar spacing (ILS) of the pearlite in the experimental steel decreased to 0.110 μm, and the carbon diffusion coefficient in the experimental steel decreased to 0.98 × 10-3 cm2·s-1. The pearlite content in the experimental steel with 0.02 wt.% V reached its maximum at a cooling rate of 5 °C·s-1, and a small amount of bainite was observed in the experimental steel at a cooling rate of 10 °C·s-1. The precipitated phase was VC with a diameter of ~24.73 nm, and the misfit between ferrite and VC was 5.02%, forming a semi-coherent interface between the two. Atoms gradually adjust their positions to allow the growth of VC along the ferrite direction. As the V content increased to 0.06 wt.%, the precipitation-temperature-time curve (PTT) shifted to the left, and the critical nucleation temperature for homogeneous nucleation, grain boundary nucleation, and dislocation line nucleation increased from 570.6, 676.9, and 692.4 °C to 634.6, 748.5, and 755.5 °C, respectively.

In the treatment of various cancers, photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been extensively studied as an effective therapeutic modality. As a potential alternative to conventional chemotherapy, PDT has been limited due to the low Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) yield of photosensitisers. Herein, a nanoplatform containing mesoporous Fe3O4@TiO2 microspheres was developed for near-infrared (NIR)-light-enhanced chemodynamical therapy (CDT) and PDT. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) has been shown to be a very effective PDT agent; however, the hypoxic tumour microenvironment partly affects its in vivo PDT efficacy. A peroxidase-like enzyme, Fe3O4, catalyses the decomposition of H2O2 in the cytoplasm to produce O2, helping overcome tumour hypoxia and increase ROS production in response to PDT. Moreover, Fe2+ in Fe3O4 could catalyse H2O2 decomposition to produce cytotoxic hydroxyl radicals within tumour cells, which would result in tumour CDT. The photonic hyperthermia of Fe3O4@TiO2 could not only directly damage the tumour but also improve the efficiency of CDT from Fe3O4. Cancer-killing effectiveness has been maximised by successfully loading the chemotherapeutic drug DOX, which can be released efficiently using NIR excitation and slight acidification. Moreover, the nanoplatform has high saturation magnetisation (20 emu/g), making it suitable for magnetic targeting. The in vitro results show that the Fe3O4@TiO2/DOX nanoplatforms exhibited good biocompatibility as well as synergetic effects against tumours in combination with CDT/PDT/PTT/chemotherapy.

Lung cancer has the lowest survival rate due to its late-stage diagnosis, poor prognosis, and intra-tumoral heterogeneity. These factors decrease the effectiveness of treatment. They release chemokines and cytokines from the tumor microenvironment (TME). To improve the effectiveness of treatment, researchers emphasize personalized adjuvant therapies along with conventional ones. Targeted chemotherapeutic drug delivery systems and specific pathway-blocking agents using nanocarriers are a few of them. This study explored the nanocarrier roles and strategies to improve the treatment profile\'s effectiveness by striving for TME. A biofunctionalized nanocarrier stimulates biosystem interaction, cellular uptake, immune system escape, and vascular changes for penetration into the TME. Inorganic metal compounds scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) through their photothermal effect. Stroma, hypoxia, pH, and immunity-modulating agents conjugated or modified nanocarriers co-administered with pathway-blocking or condition-modulating agents can regulate extracellular matrix (ECM), Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF),Tyro3, Axl, and Mertk receptors (TAM) regulation, regulatory T-cell (Treg) inhibition, and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) inhibition. Again, biomimetic conjugation or the surface modification of nanocarriers using ligands can enhance active targeting efficacy by bypassing the TME. A carrier system with biofunctionalized inorganic metal compounds and organic compound complex-loaded drugs is convenient for NSCLC-targeted therapy.

Blood pressure (BP) management is important worldwide, and BP monitoring is a crucial aspect of maintaining good health. Traditional BP meter measures BP independently in various situations, such as at home or work, using a cuff to maintain a stable condition. However, these devices can causes a foreign body sensation and discomfort, and are not always practical for periodic monitoring. As a result, studies have been conducted on the use of photoplethysmography (PPG) for measuring BP. However, PPG also has limitations similar to those of traditional BP meters, as it requires the placement of sensors on two regions of the body (fingers or toes). To address this issue, researchers have conducted studies on non-contact methods for measuring BP using face and hand videos. These studies have utilized two cameras to measure PTT and have focused on internal environments, resulting in low accuracy of BP measurement in external environments. We proposes a method for robust BP measurement using pulse wave velocity (PWV) and PTT calculated from facial videos. PTT is estimated by measuring the phase difference between two different regions of interest (ROIs) and PWV is calculated using PTT and the actual distance between two ROIs. In addition, our proposed method extracts the pulse wave from the ROI to measure BP. The actual distance between the ROIs and PTT are estimated using the two extracted pulse waves, and BP is then measured using PWV and PTT. To evaluate the BP measurement performance, the BP calculated from both BP meters and facial videos (in indoor, outdoor, driving car, and flying drone environments) are compared. Our results reveal that the proposed method can robustly measure BP in diverse environments.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignancies with a high mortality rate worldwide. While surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy have shown some effectiveness in improving survival rates, they come with drawbacks such as side effects and harm to healthy tissues. The theranostic approach, which integrates the processes of cancer diagnosis and treatment, can minimize biological side effects. Photothermal therapy (PTT) is an emerging treatment method that usages light-sensitive agents to generate heat at the tumor site and induce thermal erosion. The development of nanotechnology for CRC treatment using imaging-guided PTT has garnered significant. Nanoparticles with suitable physical and chemical properties can enhance the efficiency of cancer diagnosis and PTT. This approach enables the monitoring of cancer treatment progress and safeguards healthy tissues. In this article, we concisely introduce the application of metal nanoparticles, polymeric nanoparticles, and carbon nanoparticles in imaging-guided PTT of colorectal cancer.

UNASSIGNED: Peripheral nerve adhesion occurs following injury and surgery. Functional impairment leading by peripheral nerve adhesion remains challenging for surgeons. Local tissue overexpression of heat shock protein (HSP) 72 can reduce the occurrence of adhesion. This study aims to develop a photothermal material polydopamine nanoparticles@Hyaluronic acid methacryloyl hydrogel (PDA NPs@HAMA) and evaluate their efficacy for preventing peripheral nerve adhesion in a rat sciatic nerve adhesion model.
UNASSIGNED: PDA NPs@HAMA was prepared and characterized. The safety of PDA NPs@HAMA was evaluated. Seventy-two rats were randomly assigned to one of the following four groups: the control group; the hyaluronic acid (HA) group; the polydopamine nanoparticles (PDA) group and the PDA NPs@HAMA group (n = 18 per group). Six weeks after surgery, the scar formation was evaluated by adhesion scores and biomechanical and histological examinations. Nerve function was assessed with electrophysiological examination, sensorimotor analysis and gastrocnemius muscle weight measurements.
UNASSIGNED: There were significant differences in the score on nerve adhesion between the groups (p < 0.001). Multiple comparisons indicated that the score was significantly lower in the PDA NPs@HAMA group (95% CI: 0.83, 1.42) compared with the control group (95% CI: 1.86, 2.64; p = 0.001). Motor nerve conduction velocity and muscle compound potential of the PDA NPs@HAMA group were higher than the control group\'s. According to immunohistochemical analysis, the PDA NPs@HAMA group expressed more HSP72, less α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and had fewer inflammatory reactions than the control group.
UNASSIGNED: In this study, a new type of photo-cured material with a photothermic effect was designed and synthesized-PDA NPs@HAMA. The photothermic effect of PDA NPs@HAMA protected the nerve from adhesion to preserve the nerve function in the rat sciatic nerve adhesion model. This effectively prevented adhesion-related damage.