A new generation of photothermal theranostic agents is developed based on Cu3BiS3 nanocrystals. A computed tomography imaging response and photothermal effect, as well as near-infrared fluorescence emission, can be simultaneously achieved through Cu3BiS3 nanocrystals rather than frequently used nanocomposites. These results provide some insight into the synergistic effect from bimetal sulphide semiconductor compounds for photothermal theragnosis therapy.

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Inflammatory macrophages play pivotal roles in the development of atherosclerosis. Theranostics, a promising approach for local imaging and photothermal therapy of inflammatory macrophages, has drawn increasing attention in biomedical research. In this study, gold nanorods (Au NRs) were synthesized, and their in vitro photothermal effects on the macrophage cell line (Ana-1 cells) under 808 nm near infrared reflection (NIR) were investigated by the CCK8 assay, calcein AM/PI staining, flow cytometry, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), silver staining and in vitro micro-computed tomography (CT) imaging. These Au NRs were then applied to an apolipoprotein E knockout (Apo E) mouse model to evaluate their effects on in vivo CT imaging and their effectiveness as for the subsequent photothermal therapy of macrophages in femoral artery restenosis under 808 nm laser irradiation. In vitro photothermal ablation treatment using Au NRs exhibited a significant cell-killing efficacy of macrophages, even at relatively low concentrations of Au NRs and low NIR powers. In addition, the in vivo results demonstrated that the Au NRs are effective for in vivo imaging and photothermal therapy of inflammatory macrophages in femoral artery restenosis. This study shows that Au nanorods are a promising theranostic platform for the diagnosis and photothermal therapy of inflammation-associated diseases.

Copper-based ternary bimetal chalcogenides have very promising potential as multifunctional theragnosis nanoplatform for photothermal treatment of tumors. However, the design and synthesis of such an effective platform remains challenging. Herein, hydrophilic CuCo2S4 nanocrystals (NCs) with a desirable size of ~10 nm were synthesized by a simple one-pot hydrothermal route. The as-prepared ultrasmall CuCo2S4 NCs show: 1) intense near-infrared (NIR) absorption, which is attributed to 3d-electronic transitions from the valence band (VB) to an intermediate band (IB), as identified by Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations; 2) high photothermal performance with a photothermal conversion efficiency up to 73.4%; and 3) capability for magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, as a result of the unpaired 3d electrons of cobalt. Finally, we, for the first time, demonstrated that the CuCo2S4 NCs are a promising "all-in-one" photothermal theragnosis nanoplatform for photothermal cancer therapy under the irradiation of a 915 nm laser at a safe power density of 0.5 W cm-2 , guided by MR and infrared thermal imaging. Our work further promotes the potential applications of ternary bimetal chalcogenides for photothermal theragnosis therapy. B. Li, F. K. Yuan and G. J. He contributed equally to this work. The authors acknowledge our membership of the UK's HPC Materials Chemistry Consortium, which is funded by Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/L000202). The authors would thank the use of the UCL Legion High Performance Computing Facility and associated support services, in the completion of this work.

BackgroundReconstruction of the aortic major branches during thoracic endovascular aortic repair is complicated because of the complex anatomic configuration and variation of the aortic arch. In situ laser fenestration has shown great potential for the revascularization of aortic branches. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility, effectiveness, and safety of in situ laser fenestration on the three branches of the aortic arch during thoracic endovascular aortic repair.Methods and ResultsBefore clinical application, the polytetrafluoroethylene and Dacron grafts were fenestrated by an 810‐nm laser system ex vivo, which did not damage the bare metal portion of the endografts and created a clean fenestration while maintaining the integrity of the endografts. In vivo, 6 anesthetized female swine survived after this operation, including stent‐graft implantation in the aortic arches, laser fenestration, and conduit implantation through the innominate arteries and the left carotid arteries. Based on the animal experiments, in situ laser fenestration during thoracic endovascular aortic repair was successively performed on 24 patients (aged 33–86 years) with aortic artery diseases (dissection type A: n=4, type B: n=7, aneurysm: n=2, mural thrombus: n=7). Fenestration of 3 aortic branches was performed in 2 (8.3%) patients. Both the left carotid artery and the left subclavian artery were fenestrated in 6 (25%) patients. Only left subclavian artery fenestration surgery was done in 16 (66.7%) patients. Among these patients, 1 fenestration was abandoned secondary to an acute takeoff of the innominate artery in a type III aortic arch. The average operative time was 137±15 minutes. The technical success rate was 95.8% (n=23). No fenestration‐related complications or neurological morbidity occurred after this operation. During a mean postoperative 10‐month follow‐up (range: 2–17 months), 1 patient died of severe pneumonia, and all the left subclavian artery and carotid artery stents were patent with no fenestration‐related endoleaks upon computed tomography angiography images.ConclusionsIn situ laser fenestration is a feasible, effective, rapid, repeatable, and safe option for the reconstruction of aortic arch during thoracic endovascular aortic repair, which might be available to revascularize the 3 branches. However, follow‐up periods should be extended to evaluate the robustness of this technique.

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The gold standard treatment for peripheral nerve injuries (PNIs) is the autologous graft, while it is associated with the shortage of donors and results in major complications. In the present study, we engineer a graphene mesh-supported double-network (DN) hydrogel scaffold, loaded with netrin-1. Natural alginate and gelatin-methacryloyl entangled hydrogel that is synthesized via fast exchange of ions and ultraviolet irradiation provide proper mechanical strength and excellent biocompatibility and can also serve as a reservoir for netrin-1. Meanwhile, the graphene mesh can promote the proliferation of Schwann cells and guide their alignments. This approach allows scaffolds to have an acceptable Young’s modulus of 725.8 ± 46.52 kPa, matching with peripheral nerves, as well as a satisfactory electrical conductivity of 6.8 ± 0.85 S/m. In addition, netrin-1 plays a dual role in directing axon pathfinding and neuronal migration that optimizes the tube formation ability at a concentration of 100 ng/mL. This netrin-1-loaded graphene mesh tube/DN hydrogel nerve scaffold can significantly promote the regeneration of peripheral nerves and the restoration of denervated muscle, which is even superior to autologous grafts. Our findings may provide an effective therapeutic strategy for PNI patients that can replace the scarce autologous graft.

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