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With few options available for the effective treatment of multidrug‐resistant bacteria, photodynamic therapy (PDT) has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy that does not promote the development of antibiotic resistance. Unfortunately, the beneficial bactericidal effect of PDT is oftentimes accompanied by the uncontrollable production of reactive oxygen species. To overcome this issue, a pore‐forming toxin (PFT)‐responsive biomimetic nanobubble is designed, which is constructed by co‐encapsulating a perfluorocarbon nanoemulsion and a photosensitizer within the red blood cell membrane. It is shown that PFTs derived from three pathogens, including methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), group A Streptococcus (GAS), and Listeria monocytogenes (LM), can be effectively absorbed by the nanobubble. Upon toxin absorption, the formation of pores on the nanobubble surface allows the accelerated release of oxygen dissolved inside the nanoemulsion along with the photosensitizer, thus resulting in enhanced PDT and bactericidal efficacy. In three skin infection models, treatment with the nanobubbles results in significantly decreased lesion formation and reduced inflammation. In addition to oxygen, the platform can be used to deliver nitric oxide in a bacterial toxin‐dependent manner. Overall, biomimetic nanobubbles may work as a broad gas delivery system that is capable of responding to a variety of PFT‐based stimuli for precision PDT.

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As the Metaverse continues to grow, the need for efficient communication and intelligent content generation becomes increasingly important. Semantic communication focuses on conveying meaning and understanding from user inputs, while AI-Generated Content utilizes artificial intelligence to create digital content and experiences. Integrated Semantic Communication and AI-Generated Content (ISGC) has attracted a lot of attentions recently, which transfers semantic information from user inputs, generates digital content, and renders graphics for Metaverse. In this paper, we introduce a unified framework that captures ISGC's two primary benefits: integration gain for optimized resource allocation and coordination gain for goaloriented high-quality content generation to improve immersion from both communication and content perspectives. We also classify existing ISGC solutions, analyze the major components of ISGC, and present several use cases. We then construct a case study based on the diffusion model to identify an optimal resource allocation strategy for performing semantic extraction, content generation, and graphic rendering in the Metaverse. Finally, we discuss several open research issues, encouraging further exploring the potential of ISGC and its related applications in the Metaverse.

Worldwide, aspirin and ibuprofen are the most commonly used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Some adverse reactions, including gastrointestinal reactions, have been concerned extensively. Nevertheless, the mechanism of liver injury remains unclear. In the present study, we focused on the metabolism of liver cytochrome P450 (CYP450) and ultrastructural morphology of liver cells. A total of thirty rats were divided into three groups of 10. Rats in the aspirin and ibuprofen groups were given enteric-coated aspirin (15 mg/kg) and ibuprofen (15 mg/kg), respectively by gavage for four weeks. The body weights were recorded every two days. Liver function and metabolic capacity of CYP450 were studied on days 14 and 28. We then conducted ultrastructural examinations. Body weights in the Ibuprofen group were lower than those of the Control group, and ALT and AST levels were significantly higher (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in terms of body weight, ALT or AST between the Aspirin and Control groups. The metabolic capacity of CYP450 was evaluated using five probe drugs, phenacetin, tolbutamide, metoprolol, midazolam, and bupropion. We found that ibuprofen and aspirin induced metabolism of the probe drugs. Moreover, according to the pharmacokinetic data, the Control, Aspirin and Ibuprofen groups could be discriminated accurately. Ultrastructural examination showed that the number of mitochondria was increased in both the Ibuprofen and Aspirin groups. Long-term administration of enteric-coated aspirin and ibuprofen induced the metabolic activity of the CYP450 enzyme. Aspirin had better tolerability than did ibuprofen, as reflected by pharmacokinetic data of probe drug metabolism.

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Phototherapy is an effective strategy to control Candida albicans (C. albicans) infection without raising the concern of drug resistance. Despite its effectiveness, a higher dose of phototherapeutic power is required for C. albicans elimination compared to bacteria that have to be used, which is readily accompanied by off-target heat and toxic singlet oxygen to damage normal cells, thus limiting its usefulness for antifungal applications. Here to overcome this, we develop a “three-in-one” biomimetic nanoplatform consisting of an oxygen-dissolved perfluorocarbon camouflaged by a photosensitizer-loaded vaginal epithelial cell membrane. With a cell membrane coating, the nanoplatform is capable of specifically binding with C. albicans at the superficial or deep vaginal epithelium, thereby centering the phototherapeutic agents on C. albicans. Meanwhile, the cell membrane coating endows the nanoplatform to competitively protect healthy cells from candidalysin-medicated cytotoxicity. Upon candidalysin sequestration, pore-forming on the surface of the nanoplatform accelerates release of the preloaded photosensitizer and oxygen, resulting in enhanced phototherapeutic power for improved anti-C. albicans efficacy under near-infrared irradiation. In an intravaginal C. albicans-infected murine model, treatment with the nanoplatform leads to a significantly decreased C. albicans burden, particularly when leveraging candidalysin for further elevated phototherapy and C. albicans inhibition. Also, the same trends hold true when using the nanoplatform to treat the clinical C. albicans isolates. Overall, this biomimetic nanoplatform can target and bind with C. albicans and simultaneously neutralize the candidalysin and then transform such toxins that are always considered a positive part in driving C. albicans infection with the power of enhancing phototherapy for improved anti-C. albicans efficacy.

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