Bing Zhang, Wanida Phetsang, Sanjaya Kc, Mark S. Butler, Ruby Pelingon, Alysha G. Elliott, Maite Amado, Alejandra Gallardo-Godoy, Matthew A. Cooper, Mark A.T. Blaskovich
{"title":"Rapid profiling of polymyxin B susceptibility in Gram-negative bacteria with a novel polymyxin-derived fluorescent probe","authors":"Bing Zhang, Wanida Phetsang, Sanjaya Kc, Mark S. Butler, Ruby Pelingon, Alysha G. Elliott, Maite Amado, Alejandra Gallardo-Godoy, Matthew A. Cooper, Mark A.T. Blaskovich","doi":"10.1016/j.jare.2026.01.019","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jare.2026.01.019","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Polymyxins are considered last-resort antibiotics for treating Gram-negative bacterial infections. The alarming global rise in polymyxin-resistant bacteria coupled with the slowness of conventional antimicrobial susceptibility testing methods leads to an unmet need for rapid susceptibility testing to facilitate timely and targeted therapeutic interventions.</div></div><div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>In this study, we aimed to develop novel polymyxin-derived fluorescent probes and improve the identification of polymyxin resistance by using these pathway-specific tools.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We designed, synthesized, and profiled a polymyxin-fluorophore derivative (PMX-NBD) with the small fluorophore NBD attached the central cyclic core of polymyxin via a triazole linker. We then applied PMX-NBD to develop RAPID<sub>FC</sub>, a flow cytometry method that can rapidly and accurately profile polymyxin susceptibility of various Gram-negative pathogens.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>In contrast to many previously reported polymyxin probes, the fluorescent PMX-NBD retains the antimicrobial activity and profile of the parent polymyxin. Furthermore, we tested probe labeling in 49 strains encompassing <em>E. coli</em>, <em>K. pneumoniae</em>, <em>P. aeruginosa</em>, <em>A. baumannii</em> and <em>S. aureus</em> with a range of polymyxin sensitivity, leading to a susceptibility testing method RAPID<sub>FC</sub>. Susceptibility to polymyxin B was defined by the difference between the Geometric Mean of PMX-NBD fluorescence intensity at the two concentrations, with sensitive strains showing a greater variation compared to resistant strains. The RAPID<sub>FC</sub> method is easy to implement and only requires 45 min compared to the broth microdilution method, which requires at least 24 h. However, the standard protocol failed to provide clear discrimination for<!--> <em>A. baumannii</em>, a key WHO-priority pathogen, necessitating a modified, species-specific approach for this organism.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The RAPID<sub>FC</sub> method, based on the polymyxin-derived fluorescent probe, is fast and applicable to multiple species, making it a promising antimicrobial susceptibility method to guide appropriate therapy in the clinic. The case of<!--> <em>A. baumannii</em> <!-->demonstrates that species-specific resistance mechanisms may require tailored optimization of detection protocols.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":14952,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Advanced Research","volume":"88 ","pages":"Pages 263-274"},"PeriodicalIF":17.1,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145949918","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Niklas Roeder, Antje Geiken, Vivian Schaarschmidt, Louisa Pannenbeckers, Stefan Dussling, Louise Holtmann, Julia Jensen-Kroll, Fynn Brix, Tim Hollstein, Tobias Demetrowitsch, Helen Gorges, Stanislav N. Gorb, Frank Will, Dominik M. Schulte, Mario Hasler, Ralf Schweiggert, Christof Dörfer, Karin Schwarz
{"title":"Apple phenolic compounds enhance dental remineralization in human: a multifactorial in situ study","authors":"Niklas Roeder, Antje Geiken, Vivian Schaarschmidt, Louisa Pannenbeckers, Stefan Dussling, Louise Holtmann, Julia Jensen-Kroll, Fynn Brix, Tim Hollstein, Tobias Demetrowitsch, Helen Gorges, Stanislav N. Gorb, Frank Will, Dominik M. Schulte, Mario Hasler, Ralf Schweiggert, Christof Dörfer, Karin Schwarz","doi":"10.1016/j.jare.2026.01.034","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jare.2026.01.034","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Excessive consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages is a major contributor to dental caries and a global public health concern due to its negative effects on oral health. Phenolic compounds found in edible plants have shown promising effects on caries prevention. Several studies indicate that these bioactive substances can inhibit caries formation through various mechanisms. However, studies which consider the complex interplay of the various factors are missing. In particular, human studies on the caries reducing effects of phenolic compounds in the co-presence of fermentable sugars are lacking.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This human intervention study investigated the effect of daily consumption of an apple juice-based drink enriched with phenolic compounds on caries development, compared to the exact same drink without phenolic compounds.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>30 healthy male participants were enrolled in a double-blind, randomized, cross-over design. Caries development was measured using lesion depth in bovine tooth enamel samples installed in a removable dental appliance. A mixed model was used to analyze the data, including treatment effects, various oral parameters and interaction terms.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The analysis showed that consumption of the drink enriched with phenolic compounds resulted in a significant reduction in enamel lesion depth compared to the control, after adjustment for oral parameters and their interactions.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Enrichment of phenolic compounds could be a promising strategy to mitigate the cariogenic effects of fermentable sugars in beverages. Analyzing the complex interactions between the oral parameters and treatment we bridge the translational gap of <em>in vitro</em> studies and achieve physiological relevance.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":14952,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Advanced Research","volume":"88 ","pages":"Pages 677-688"},"PeriodicalIF":17.1,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145972576","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A novel extracellular vesicle-engineered immunotherapy drug for Her2+ breast cancer","authors":"Xinliang Lu, Weiyi Yuan, Xianchang Zeng, Fanghui Zhang, Chengyan Zhang, Xinrong Li, Jufeng Guo, Jiayue Hao, Gensheng Zhang, Jianli Wang, Hao Wu, Zhijian Cai","doi":"10.1016/j.jare.2026.01.067","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jare.2026.01.067","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Trastuzumab profoundly improves outcomes of Her2<sup>+</sup> breast cancer (BC) patients, but eventual drug resistance is inevitable. Therefore, new treatment options are urgently needed. Here, we modify extracellular vesicles (EVs) with a Her2 single-chain variable fragment of trastuzumab (EVs/Her2-scFv) to target Her2<sup>+</sup> BC and found that EVs/Her2-scFv inhibit human Her2<sup>+</sup> orthotopic BC comparable to trastuzumab and also uniquely suppress brain metastasies. Moreover, EVs/Her2-scFv loaded with rabeprazole (EVs/Her2-scFv/Rabe) effectively improve tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment and abnormal vasculature of Her2<sup>+</sup> BC by reducing tumor EVs. When further anchored with CD8<sup>+</sup> T cell chemotactic CXCL9, CXCL9-loaded EVs/Her2-scFv/Rabe (EVs/Her2-scFv/CXCL9/Rabe) facilitate CD8<sup>+</sup> T cell recruitment and subsequent activation, thereby exhibiting immunotherapeutic effects on mouse Her2<sup>+</sup> BC. In BC patient-derived tumor organoids (PDOs) and peripheral blood mononuclear cell coculture systems, EVs/Her2-scFv/CXCL9/Rabe limit PDO growth by blocking Her2 signaling and activating CD8<sup>+</sup> T cells. Besides, EVs/Her2-scFv/CXCL9/Rabe are low-immunogenic with biosafety. Altogether, EVs/Her2-scFv/CXCL9/Rabe hold high potential in Her2<sup>+</sup> BC therapy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":14952,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Advanced Research","volume":"88 ","pages":"Pages 561-576"},"PeriodicalIF":17.1,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146043084","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Biomimetic and personalized nanovaccines in cancer immunotherapy: Design innovations, translational challenges, and future directions","authors":"Suling Xu, Haitao Yang, Boris Minev, Wenxue Ma","doi":"10.1016/j.jare.2026.01.070","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jare.2026.01.070","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Personalized nanovaccines represent advancing frontier in cancer immunotherapy by integrating patient-specific tumor antigens with biomimetic delivery systems to enhance immune activation, targeting precision and clinical efficacy. Biomimetic platforms including exosome-, red blood cell (RBC)-, and immune cell membrane-coated nanoparticles, as well as artificial antigen-presenting cell (aAPC) systems, recreate native biological interfaces to improve antigen presentation, macrophage polarization, and adaptive immune priming. Despite significant progress, major translational challenges remain, including incomplete mechanistic understanding, regulatory complexity, and manufacturing scalability. This review synthesizes recent advances in biomimetic and personalized nanovaccine design, highlighting clinical progress in lipid nanoparticle (LNP)-based vaccines such as BNT111 and mRNA-4157, emerging innate immune adjuvants including Toll-like receptor (TLR) and stimulator of interferon genes (STING) agonists, and rational combination strategies with immune checkpoint blockade. Key safety and quality consideration including immunotoxicity, off-target immune activation, and batch heterogeneity are critically evaluated alongside emerging engineering solutions. Finally, future directions integrating AI-guided neoantigen prediction, modular microfluidic manufacturing, and multi-omic biomarker frameworks are discussed to accelerate next generation cancer nanovaccine translation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":14952,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Advanced Research","volume":"88 ","pages":"Pages 1137-1158"},"PeriodicalIF":17.1,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146098396","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jimyeong Park, Minseo Kim, Changhyun Jin, Kyu Hyoung Lee, Myung Sik Choi
{"title":"Simultaneous engineering of the surface (oxygen/amorphous carbon) and interface (amorphous carbon/ZnO) of ZnO using a one-spoon amorphous carbon deposition technique","authors":"Jimyeong Park, Minseo Kim, Changhyun Jin, Kyu Hyoung Lee, Myung Sik Choi","doi":"10.1016/j.jare.2026.01.057","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jare.2026.01.057","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Introduction:</em> Surface and interface engineering of metal oxide semiconductors is important for improving their gas-sensing performance.</div><div><em>Objectives:</em> This study aimed to simultaneously engineer the surface and interface of ZnO porous nanosheets (PNSs) using a simple one-spoon amorphous carbon deposition (OSaCD) technique and to investigate its effect on NO<sub>2</sub> gas-sensing performance.</div><div><em>Methods:</em> Amorphous carbon/ZnO porous nanosheets (aC/ZnO PNSs) were synthesized using an innovative OSaCD coating technique combined with water quenching during flame chemical vapor deposition (FCVD). The coating characteristics were tuned by adjusting simple processing parameters.</div><div><em>Results:</em> The incorporation of amorphous carbon (aC) enhanced NO<sub>2</sub> gas-sensing performance at both the surface and interfacial levels. At the surface, this improvement arose from interactions among oxygen species, the target gas, and aC, whereas at the interface, it was associated with the aC/ZnO junction. An enhanced sensor response of 18.8 ± 1.2 was achieved at an NO<sub>2</sub> concentration of 4 ppm at 200 °C. Notably, the sensor was capable of detecting NO<sub>2</sub> at concentrations as low as 200 ppb. This enhanced performance was attributed to the expansion of the surface electron depletion layer and the reduction of oxygen vacancies at the interface.</div><div><em>Conclusion:</em> Owing to the intrinsic fluidity of the OSaCD process, this strategy is broadly applicable and can potentially be extended beyond specific material systems, morphologies, compositions, or degrees of crystallinity.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":14952,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Advanced Research","volume":"88 ","pages":"Pages 731-742"},"PeriodicalIF":17.1,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146089748","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Feipeng Cui, Mengfan Wang, Linxi Tang, Yudiyang Ma, Jianing Wang, Lei Zheng, Meiqi Xing, Junqing Xie, Lin Han, Yaohua Tian
{"title":"Residential greenness, air pollution, and epilepsy: Insight in genetic susceptibility and life expectancy","authors":"Feipeng Cui, Mengfan Wang, Linxi Tang, Yudiyang Ma, Jianing Wang, Lei Zheng, Meiqi Xing, Junqing Xie, Lin Han, Yaohua Tian","doi":"10.1016/j.jare.2026.01.043","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jare.2026.01.043","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders worldwide, yet evidence on its environmental determinants remains limited. Although a few studies have linked air pollution to epilepsy onset, the potential influence of residential greenness has not been investigated. Moreover, whether genetic susceptibility modifies these associations remains unclear.</div></div><div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>We aimed to examine the associations of residential greenness and air pollutants with incident epilepsy and to evaluate the modification effect of genetic susceptibility. We also assessed the relationship between environmental factors and life expectancy among people with epilepsy.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Residential greenness was quantified using the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) for 437,526 UK Biobank participants. Air pollution levels were estimated using land-use regression models. Polygenic risk scores (PRS) were calculated to assess genetic susceptibility to epilepsy. These relationships were examined using Cox models. Causal mediation analysis was employed to estimate the mediation effects. Furthermore, we calculated population attributable risk (PAR%) and life expectancy.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Over a median follow-up of 11.78 years, 2,448 incident epilepsy were identified. Each interquartile-range increase in greenness was associated with a 7–8% lower risk of epilepsy, whereas air pollution was associated with a 5–9% higher risk. Additive and multiplicative interactions were observed between greenness and PRS (all SIs < 1; <em>P</em><sub>interaction</sub> < 0.1), but not for air pollutants. PAR% for greenness and air pollutants ranged from 16.1% to 24.3%. PM<sub>2.5</sub> mediated 38.26–48.38% of the association between greenness and epilepsy. Epileptics exposed to high greenness or low air pollution had 1.76–2.67 years longer life expectancy at age 45. Given the observational design, further studies are warranted to confirm these findings.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Residential greenness and air pollutants were associated with epilepsy incidence and progression. Interactions between greenness and genetic susceptibility were observed. Mitigating air pollution and enhancing greenness may provide substantial neurological health benefits.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":14952,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Advanced Research","volume":"88 ","pages":"Pages 1045-1053"},"PeriodicalIF":17.1,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146033652","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Yao Xiao, Xiaoyong Zhang, Dandan Che, Chao Ren, Wanyi Chen, Qiang Zeng, Guoxing You, Hui Zhang, Yongming Yao, Hong Zhou, Gan Chen
{"title":"Engineering a multifunctional nanoplatform with cascade catalytic and bidirectional immunomodulatory capacities for integrating sepsis therapy","authors":"Yao Xiao, Xiaoyong Zhang, Dandan Che, Chao Ren, Wanyi Chen, Qiang Zeng, Guoxing You, Hui Zhang, Yongming Yao, Hong Zhou, Gan Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.jare.2026.01.041","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jare.2026.01.041","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Sepsis is a life-threatening condition characterized by organ dysfunction due to a dysregulated immune response to infection. Despite extensive research into its complex pathogenesis, effective clinical treatments remain limited, necessitating novel therapeutic strategies.</div></div><div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>This study aims to develop a multifunctional nanozyme-based therapy for severe sepsis, combining broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity and reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging to counteract organ injury, immune dysregulation, and high mortality.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We designed biocompatible resveratrol-Ag + -Prussian blue nanozymes (ARPB NZs) and evaluated their therapeutic effects in two murine sepsis models: E. coli-induced abdominal infection and cecal ligation puncture (CLP). Mechanistic studies focused on oxidative stress attenuation, cytokine storm suppression, lymphocyte function, and dendritic cell pyroptosis via the NLRP3/caspase-1/GSDMD pathway.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>ARPB NZs effectively alleviated organ damage, maintained immune homeostasis by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, and significantly improved survival rates in both sepsis models. They also inhibited lymphocyte apoptosis and dampened dendritic cell pyroptosis.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>ARPB NZs represent a promising synergistic strategy for severe sepsis by simultaneously targeting infection and immune dysregulation. This approach may translate into broader applications for infectious diseases.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":14952,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Advanced Research","volume":"88 ","pages":"Pages 349-366"},"PeriodicalIF":17.1,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146001214","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Gut microbiota dysbiosis transmits deoxynivalenol toxicity and triggers liver inflammation","authors":"Jing Jin, Fangfang Li, Yafan Hu, Zipei Zhang, Ruojie Zhang, Fuguo Xing","doi":"10.1016/j.jare.2026.01.011","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jare.2026.01.011","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Deoxynivalenol (DON), a mycotoxin produced by <em>Fusarium</em> species, is known to compromise gut barrier integrity and induce systemic inflammation.</div></div><div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>This study demonstrates that intestinal microbiota play a central role in DON-induced liver inflammation.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Through oral exposure and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) experiments in mice, we observed that DON disrupts intestinal structure, alters microbial composition, and activates liver inflammation via the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Notably, liver inflammation was replicated in pseudo-germ-free mice colonized with microbiota from DON-exposed donors, even in the absence of direct DON exposure. Microbial analysis identified <em>Alloprevotella</em>, a mucin-degrading genus associated with increased intestinal permeability, and <em>Pseudomonas</em>, a pathogenic genus enriched in the liver, as key candidate microbial drivers of this effect.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>These findings underscore that dysbiosis, especially involving specific bacterial genera, can independently trigger liver inflammation, highlighting a microbiota-mediated pathogenic mechanism in mycotoxin toxicity.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":14952,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Advanced Research","volume":"88 ","pages":"Pages 1-16"},"PeriodicalIF":17.1,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145902913","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}