Elastin-like polypeptide fusion for precision design of protein-polymer conjugates with improved pharmacology

Therapeutic proteins and peptides are characteristic by their high biological activity and specificity,but their clinical uses are bottlenecked by their poor stability,short in vivo half-life and immunogenicity[1].One typical example is recombinant human interferon alpha(IFN-α),FDA-approved and widely used in treatments of viral diseases and cancer,yet its short plasma half-life(t1/2=2-4 h)necessi-

A Stable Open-Shell Conjugated Diradical Polymer with Ultra-High Photothermal Conversion Efficiency for NIR-Ⅱ Photo-Immunotherapy of Metastatic Tumor

Massive efforts have been concentrated on the advance of eminent near-infrared(NIR) photothermal materials(PTMs) in the NIR-Ⅱ window(1000–1700 nm), especially organic PTMs because of their intrinsic biological safety compared with inorganic PTMs. However, so far, only a few NIR-Ⅱresponsive organic PTMs was explored, and their photothermal conversion efficiencies(PCEs) still remain relatively low. Herein, donor–acceptor conjugated diradical polymers with open-shell characteristics are explored for synergistically photothermal immunotherapy of metastatic tumors in the NIR-Ⅱ window. By employing side-chain regulation, the conjugated diradical polymer TTB-2 with obvious NIR-Ⅱ absorption was developed, and its nanoparticles realize a record-breaking PCE of 87.7% upon NIR-Ⅱ light illustration. In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrate that TTB-2 nanoparticles show good tumor photoablation with navigation of photoacoustic imaging in the NIR-Ⅱ window, without any side-effect. Moreover, by combining with PD-1 antibody,the pulmonary metastasis of breast cancer is high-effectively prevented by the efficient photo-immunity effect. Thus, this study explores superior PTMs for cancer metastasis theranostics in the NIR-Ⅱ window, offering a new horizon in developing radical-characteristic NIR-Ⅱ photothermal materials.

Recent advances and innovations in the design and fabrication of wearable flexible biosensors and human health monitoring systems based on conjugated polymers

Wearable biosensors have received great interest as patient-friendly diagnostic technologies because of their high flexibility and conformability.The growing research and utilization of novel materials in designing wearable biosensors have accelerated the development of point-of-care sensing platforms and implantable biomedical devices in human health care.Among numerous potential materials,conjugated polymers(CPs)are emerging as ideal choices for constructing high-performance wearable biosensors because of their outstanding conductive and mechanical properties.Recently,CPs have been extensively incorporated into various wearable biosensors to monitor a range of target biomolecules.However,fabricating highly reliable CP-based wearable biosensors for practical applications remains a significant challenge,necessitating novel developmental strategies for enhancing the viability of such biosensors.Accordingly,this review aims to provide consolidated scientific evidence by summarizing and evaluating recent studies focused on designing and fabricating CP-based wearable biosensors,thereby facilitating future research.Emphasizing the superior properties and benefits of CPs,this review aims to clarify their potential applicability within this field.Furthermore,the fundamentals and main components of CP-based wearable biosensors and their sensing mechanisms are discussed in detail.The recent advancements in CP nanostructures and hybridizations for improved sensing performance,along with recent innovations in next-generation wearable biosensors are highlighted.CPbased wearable biosensors have been—and will continue to be—an ideal platform for developing effective and user-friendly diagnostic technologies for human health monitoring.

Site-specific protein-polymer conjugate micelles with dramatically enhanced pharmacology

Protein drugs are increasingly used in the clinical treatment of various diseases including cancer and infectious diseases because of their specificity and high biological activity[1]. Nevertheless, the efficacy of protein drugs is constrained by their relatively short in vivo circulation half-life [2].As a result,frequent administration at high concentrations is often required,leading to undesirable side effects and poor patient compliance [3].

Hydroxychloroquine and a low antiresorptive activity bisphosphonate conjugate prevent and reverse ovariectomy-induced bone loss in mice through dual antiresorptive and anabolic effects

Osteoporosis remains incurable.The most widely used antiresorptive agents,bisphosphonates(BPs),also inhibit bone formation,while the anabolic agent,teriparatide,does not inhibit bone resorption,and thus they have limited efficacy in preventing osteoporotic fractures and cause some side effects.

Effect of electron-electron interaction on polarization process of exciton and biexciton in conjugated polymer

By using one-dimensional tight-binding model modified to include electron-electric field interaction and electron-electron interaction,we theoretically explore the polarization process of exciton and biexciton in cis-polyacetylene.The dynamical simulation is performed by adopting the non-adiabatic evolution approach.The results show that under the effect of moderate electric field,when the strength of electron-electron interaction is weak,the singlet exciton is stable but its polarization presents obvious oscillation.With the enhancement of interaction,it is dissociated into polaron pairs,the spin-flip of which can be observed through modulating the interaction strength.For the triplet exciton,the strong electron-electron interaction restrains its normal polarization,but it is still stable.In the case of biexciton,the strong electron-electron interaction not only dissociate it,but also flip its charge distribution.The yield of the possible states formed after the dissociation of exciton and biexciton is also calculated.

Conjugated microporous polymers-scaffolded enzyme cascade systems with enhanced catalytic activity

Enhancing catalytic activity of multi-enzyme in vitro through substrate channeling effect is promis-ing yet challenging.Herein,conjugated microporous polymers(CMPs)-scaffolded integrated en-zyme cascade systems(I-ECSs)are constructed through co-entrapping glucose oxidase(GOx)and horseradish peroxidase(HRP),in which hydrogen peroxide(H_(2)O_(2)) is the intermediate product.The interplay of low-resistance mass transfer pathway and appropriate pore wall-H_(2)O_(2) interactions facilitates the directed transfer of H_(2)O_(2),resulting in 2.4-fold and 5.0-fold elevation in catalytic activ-ity compared to free ECSs and separated ECSs,respectively.The substrate channeling effect could be regulated by altering the mass ratio of GOx to HRP.Besides,I-ECSs demonstrate excellent stabili-ties in harsh environments and multiple recycling.

Design of pH-responsive antimicrobial peptide melittin analog-camptothecin conjugates for tumor therapy

Melittin,a classical antimicrobial peptide,is a highly potent antitumor agent.However,its significant toxicity seriously hampers its application in tumor therapy.In this study,we developed novel melittin analogs with pH-responsive,cell-penetrating and membranelytic activities by replacing arginine and lysine with histidine.After conjugation with camptothecin(CPT),CPT-AAM-1 and CPT-AAM-2 were capable of killing tumor cells by releasing CPT at low concentrations and disrupting cell membranes at high concentrations under acidic conditions.Notably,we found that the C-terminus of the melittin analogs was more suitable for drug conjugation than the N-terminus.CPT-AAM-1 significantly suppressed melanoma growth in vivo with relatively low toxicity.Collectively,the present study demonstrates that the development of antitumor drugs based on pH-responsive antimicrobial peptide-drug conjugates is a promising strategy.

Antibody-platinum(IV)prodrugs conjugates for targeted treatment of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma

Antibody-drug conjugates(ADCs)are a new type of targeting antibodies that conjugate with highly toxic anticancer drugs via chemical linkers to exert high specificity and efficient killing of tumor cells,thereby attracting considerable attention in precise oncology therapy.Cetuximab(Cet)is a typical antibody that offers the benefits of good targeting and safety for individuals with advanced and inoperable cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma(cSCC);however,its anti-tumor activity is limited to a single use.Cisplatin(CisPt)shows good curative effects;however,its adverse effects and non-tumor-targeting ability are major drawbacks.In this study,we designed and developed a new ADC based on a new cytotoxic platinum(IV)prodrug(C8Pt(IV))and Cet.The so-called antibody-platinum(IV)prodrugs conjugates,named Cet-C8Pt(IV),showed excellent tumor targeting in cSCC.Specifically,it accurately delivered C8Pt(IV)into tumor cells to exert the combined anti-tumor effect of Cet and CisPt.Herein,metabolomic analysis showed that Cet-C8Pt(IV)promoted cellular apoptosis and increased DNA damage in cSCC cells by affecting the vitamin B6 metabolic pathway in tumor cells,thereby further enhancing the tumor-killing ability and providing a new strategy for clinical cancer treatment using antibody-platinum(IV)prodrugs conjugates.

Bioinspired Passive Tactile Sensors Enabled by Reversible Polarization of Conjugated Polymers

Tactile perception plays a vital role for the human body and is also highly desired for smart prosthesis and advanced robots.Compared to active sensing devices,passive piezoelectric and triboelectric tactile sensors consume less power,but lack the capability to resolve static stimuli.Here,we address this issue by utilizing the unique polarization chemistry of conjugated polymers for the first time and propose a new type of bioinspired,passive,and bio-friendly tactile sensors for resolving both static and dynamic stimuli.Specifically,to emulate the polarization process of natural sensory cells,conjugated polymers(including poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophen e):poly(styrenesulfonate),polyaniline,or polypyrrole)are controllably polarized into two opposite states to create artificial potential differences.The controllable and reversible polarization process of the conjugated polymers is fully in situ characterized.Then,a micro-structured ionic electrolyte is employed to imitate the natural ion channels and to encode external touch stimulations into the variation in potential difference outputs.Compared with the currently existing tactile sensing devices,the developed tactile sensors feature distinct characteristics including fully organic composition,high sensitivity(up to 773 mV N^(−1)),ultralow power consumption(nW),as well as superior bio-friendliness.As demonstrations,both single point tactile perception(surface texture perception and material property perception)and two-dimensional tactile recognitions(shape or profile perception)with high accuracy are successfully realized using self-defined machine learning algorithms.This tactile sensing concept innovation based on the polarization chemistry of conjugated polymers opens up a new path to create robotic tactile sensors and prosthetic electronic skins.

Co and postseismic fault slip models of the 2022 M_(W)6.7 Menyuan earthquake reveal conjugated faulting tectonics at the central section of the Lenglongling fault

The 2022 M_(W)6.7 Menyuan earthquake ruptured the western end of the Tianzhu seismic gap,providing an opportunity to study the regional seismogenic characteristics and seismic hazards.Here we use interferometric synthetic aperture radar(InSAR)and seismic data to study the mainshock rupture,early afterslip and the second largest aftershock of the 2022 Menyuan earthquake sequences.Our modeling results show that the mainshock ruptured the Lenglongling fault and the Tuolaishan fault with a maximum slip of~3 m.Rapid postseismic transient deformation occurred at the center of the Lenglongling fault.Our afterslip modeling reveals that the majority of afterslip occurred in the deeper part of the Lenglongling fault.A high-angle conjugated faulting event is found at the middle section of the Lenglongling fault.We use the stress inversion to investigate the possible triggering mechanism of the conjugated rupture event.The results indicate the maximum principal stress direction is in~222°,forming a~22°angle between the conjugated fault of second largest aftershock and the mainshock.The calculated normal stress changes indicate the region is within a pull-apart stress field,which favors such a conjugated rupturing event.Our study will help understand the rupture behavior of such kind of conjugated fault in other regions.

Magnetohydrodynamic Conjugate Free Convective Heat Transfer Analysis of an Isothermal Horizontal Circular Cylinder with Temperature Dependent Viscosity

Heat transfers due to MHD-conjugate free convection from the isothermal horizontal circular cylinder while viscosity is a function of temperature is investigated. The governing equations of the flow and connected boundary conditions are made dimensionless using a set of non-dimensional parameters. The governing equations are solved numerically using the finite difference method. Numerical results are obtained for various values of viscosity variation parameter, Prandtl number, magnetic parameter, and conjugate conduction parameter for the velocity and the temperature within the boundary layer as well as the skin friction coefficients and heat transfer rate along the surface.

An Adaptive Spectral Conjugate Gradient Method with Restart Strategy

As a generalization of the two-term conjugate gradient method(CGM),the spectral CGM is one of the effective methods for solving unconstrained optimization.In this paper,we enhance the JJSL conjugate parameter,initially proposed by Jiang et al.(Computational and Applied Mathematics,2021,40:174),through the utilization of a convex combination technique.And this improvement allows for an adaptive search direction by integrating a newly constructed spectral gradient-type restart strategy.Then,we develop a new spectral CGM by employing an inexact line search to determine the step size.With the application of the weak Wolfe line search,we establish the sufficient descent property of the proposed search direction.Moreover,under general assumptions,including the employment of the strong Wolfe line search for step size calculation,we demonstrate the global convergence of our new algorithm.Finally,the given unconstrained optimization test results show that the new algorithm is effective.

5-year vaccine protection following a single dose of Vi-tetanus toxoid conjugate vaccine in Bangladeshi children(TyVOID):a cluster randomised trial

Background:WHO currently recommends a single dose of typhoid conjugate vaccine(TCV)in high-burden countries based on 2-year vaccine efficacy data from large randomised controlled trials.Given the decay of immunogenicity,the protection beyond 2 years is unknown.We therefore extended the follow-up of the TyVAC trial in Bangladesh to assess waning of vaccine protection to 5 years after vaccination.

Optimization of the Process for Preparing Bivalent Polysaccharide Conjugates to Develop Multivalent Conjugate Vaccines against Streptococcus pneumoniae or Neisseria meningitidis and Comparison with the Corresponding Licensed Vaccines in Animal Models

Objective:This study aimed to describe,optimize and evaluate a method for preparing multivalent conjugate vaccines by simultaneous conjugation of two different bacterial capsular polysaccharides(CPs)with tetanus toxoid(TT)as bivalent conjugates.Methods:Different molecular weights(MWs)of polysaccharides,activating agents and capsular polysaccharide/protein(CP/Pro)ratio that may influence conjugation and immunogenicity were investigated and optimized to prepare the bivalent conjugate bulk.Using the described method and optimized parameters,a 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine and a bivalent meningococcal vaccine were developed and their effectiveness was compared to that of corresponding licensed vaccines in rabbit or mouse models.Results:The immunogenicity test revealed that polysaccharides with lower MWs were better for Pn1-TT-Pn3 and MenA-TT-MenC,while higher MWs were superior for Pn4-TT-Pn14,Pn6A-TT-Pn6B,Pn7F-TT-Pn23F and Pn8-TT-Pn11A.For activating polysaccharides,1-cyano-4-dimethylaminopyridinium tetrafluoroborate(CDAP)was superior to cyanogen bromide(CNBr),but for Pn1,Pn3 and MenC,N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-N’-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride(EDAC)was the most suitable option.For Pn6A-TT-Pn6B and Pn8-TT-Pn11A,rabbits immunized with bivalent conjugates with lower CP/Pro ratios showed significantly stronger CP-specific antibody responses,while for Pn4-TT-Pn14,higher CP/Pro ratio was better.Instead of interfering with the respective immunological activity,our bivalent conjugates usually induced higher IgG titers than their monovalent counterparts.Conclusion:The result indicated that the described conjugation technique was feasible and efficacious to prepare glycoconjugate vaccines,laying a solid foundation for developing extended-valent multivalent or combined conjugate vaccines without potentially decreased immune function.

High Level of Ubiquitin Conjugate Enzyme E2O Indicates Poor Prognosis of Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Objective Ubiquitin conjugate enzyme E2O(UBE2O)is a ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme that has been reported to be involved in tumorigenesis.This study investigated the role of UBE2O in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Methods The expression of UBE2O was detected using qRT-PCR,Western blotting,and immunohistochemical staining.Cell proliferation and Transwell assays were used to detect proliferation,migration,and invasion of HCC cells,respectively.Bioinformatic analysis was performed to analyze the relationship between UBE2O and the clinical features,prognosis,and immune cell infiltration of HCC.Results UBE2O was significantly over-expressed in HCC tissues.High expression of UBE2O was associated with poor tumor grade and poor prognosis.Functional experiments showed that down-regulation of UBE2O inhibited HCC cell proliferation,migration,and invasion.Co-expression gene analysis and gene set enrichment analysis showed that UBE2O was associated with protein hydrolysis,cell cycle,and cancer-related pathways in HCC.The results of immune analysis revealed that the expression of UBE2O was positively correlated with the immune infiltration and expression of immune-related chemokines of HCC.Conclusions UBE2O is significantly correlated with the prognosis of HCC and may be a valuable prognostic biomarker for HCC.

When insulating polymers meet conjugated polymers:the noncovalent bonding does matter

Insulating polymers are characterized by a predominantlyσ-covalent structure,which localize electrons in the atoms and exhibit dielectricity.Insulating polymers typically adopt a more linear and extended conformation,as the repeating units are connected by single covalent bonds,resulting in a relatively straight and extended chain structure.For most insulating polymers,the contour length(L_(c))is significantly larger than their persistence length(Lp)due to the rotation of C−C single bonds(Fig.1(a)).Consequently,this leads to a flexible,random-coil chain conformation.This structural feature contributes to the great mechanical durability and resistance to crack initiation during stretching or bending processes.In contrast,conjugated polymers possess aπ-conjugated molecular structure,allowing electron mobility along the main chain,called delocalization,which imparts semiconducting properties[1,2].The presence of rigid,alternating single and multiple bonds results in comparable Lc and Lp,thereby yielding a stiff or semi-flexible conformation(Fig.1(b))[3,4].As a consequence,most conjugated polymers are prone to fracture under low strain levels(<10%)[5−7].

The ABC of ADCs (Antibody-Drug Conjugates): A Comprehensive Review of Technical, Regulatory, and Clinical Challenges

Over the past several decades, there has been a significant surge in the development of Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs). Designing an ideal ADC presents a multifaceted challenge, requiring the precise orchestration of various elements such as antigens, antibodies, linkers, and payloads. While ADCs aim to target tumor cells specifically, several antigens can also be found in regular tissues, potentially compromising the specificity of ADCs in therapeutic applications. The complexity extends to antibody selection, necessitating effective targeting of the desired antigen and ensuring compatibility with linkers for effective payload delivery. Additionally, the linker and payload combination are critical for the ADC’s therapeutic efficiency, balancing stability in circulation and timely payload release upon target binding. ADC doses must be safe for normal tissues while ensuring the released payloads are effective. The success of ADCs is attributed to their unmatched efficacy compared to traditional chemotherapy agents. The current research article aims to provide a technical review of Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs) for cancer therapies. A brief discussion on the basics of ADCs, regulatory approach, overview, and technical complexities for quantification is presented. This review also summarizes recently approved ADCs and introduces the concepts of antibodies, linkers, and payloads. The article also outlines cancer-specific ADCs currently in late-stage clinical trials for cancer treatment.

Classification of Hallux Valgus Using Conjugated Deformity

Hallux valgus is a complex deformity of the forefoot. It is the result of multiple effects of endogenous and exogenous etiological factors with different degrees of influence. The degree of hallux valgus deformity was assessed by radiological values of hallux valgus (HVA) and intermetatarsal (IMA) angle. Thus, each hallux valgus deformity corresponds to a pair (HVA, IMA) of hallux valgus angle (HVA) and intermetatarsal angle (IMA) values in the plane of the deformity. The intensity of the point position vector S (HVA, IMA) in the deformation plane determined by the relation represents the absolute (conjugate) value of the power deformities. The goal of the article is to explain the advantage of the definition of the degree of hallux valgus deformity using its absolute (conjugate) value, and then to show that the degree of deformity defined in this way enables a better classification of deformities for all values of the HVA and IMA angles. Furthermore, in this article, applying the definition of conjugate deformity, analytical expressions were constructed for the assessment of the average value of deformity correction after operative treatment, as well as the error assessment of deformity correction after operative treatment. All obtained results were checked on a sample of 396 operatively treated feet.

Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs): Navigating Four Pillars of Safety, Development, Supply Chain and Manufacturing Excellence

Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are pioneering biologics that merge antibodies’ specificity with small molecules’ potency. With a handful of FDA-approved ADCs in the market and many under development, ADCs are poised to revolutionize therapeutics. This paper examines the complexities of ADC production, emphasizing the importance of process characterization and the pivotal role of supply chain characteristics, safety requirements, and Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMOs) with proficiency. The swift transition of antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) programs from early to advanced clinical stages underscores the urgency for quick and efficient commercial launch preparation. This article delves into strategies to hasten commercial readiness, supply chain strategy, the significance of partnering with adept contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMOs), and the challenges of ADC production.