Neuromodulation is crucial for the understanding of brain circuits and treatment of neurological diseases. This work demonstrates a new photoacoustic nanoparticlebased neural stimulation technique. Synthesized nanoparticles transduce nearinfrared light to ultrasound locally at the neuronal membrane and evoke neural activation in vitro and in vivo. Through targeting the mechanosensitive ion channel TRPV4, the modified nanotransducers achieve neural activation with enhanced specificity. Together, photoacoustic nanotransducers offer opportunities for nongenetic neuromodulation with deep tissue penetration.

Transient absorption (TA) spectroscopy has been extensively used in the study of excited state dynamics of various materials and molecules. The transition from TA spectroscopy to TA microscopy, which enables the space-resolved measurement of TA, is opening new investigations toward a more complete picture of excited state dynamics in functional materials, as well as the mapping of crucial biopigments for precision diagnosis. Here, we review the recent instrumental advancement that is pushing the limit of spatial resolution, detection sensitivity, and imaging speed. We further highlight the emerging application in materials science and life science.

Background/AimsChronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (CIPO) is a serious, life-threatening motility disorder that is often related to bacterial overgrowth. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) results in restoration of the normal intestinal microbial community structure. We investigated the efficacy of FMT in the treatment of CIPO patients. MethodsNine patients (age 18-53 years) with CIPO were enrolled in this prospective, open-label study. Patients received FMT for 6 consecutive days through nasojejunal (NJ) tubes and were followed up for 8 weeks after treatment. We evaluated the rate of clinical improvement and remission, feeding tolerance of enteral nutrition, and CT imaging scores of intestinal obstructions. Lactulose hydrogen breath tests were performed before FMT and 8 weeks after FMT to evaluate for the presence small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). ResultsFMT significantly alleviated bloating symptoms, and symptoms of pain were relieved 2 weeks after FMT. Enteral nutrition administered through a NJ tube after FMT was well-tolerated by 66.7% (6/9) of patients. CT scores of intestinal obstructions were significantly reduced after FMT (P = 0.014). SIBO was eliminated in 71.0% (5/7) of patients. ConclusionsThis pilot study demonstrated the safety of using FMT. FMT may relieve symptoms in selected patients with CIPO. FMT may also improve patient tolerance of enteral nutrition delivered via a NJ tube.

We disclose two unprecedented complexes built with a central dithienylethene photochrome connecting two cyclometalated Pt(ii) moieties either on the reactive carbon atoms or on the lateral non-reactive carbon atoms of the photochrome. The two systems show vastly different properties that are rationalised thanks to quantum-chemical calculations.