2024-03-20 2024, Volume 2 Issue 3

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  • REVIEW
    Yuexin Li , Haiyan Zhang , Yu Jiang , Jian Yang , Daozhang Cai , Xiaochun Bai
    2024, 2(3): e20230055. https://doi.org/10.1002/inmd.20230055

    Orthopedic diseases, such as osteoarthritis and fractures, place a significant burden on individuals and healthcare systems worldwide. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), which are membrane-derived particles, have emerged as a novel tool in the field of orthopedics. EVs play a crucial role in diagnosing, regenerating, and treating orthopedic diseases. In terms of diagnosis, EVs serve as potential biomarkers, carrying unique donor cell information and circulating effectively in bodily fluids. Specific biomolecules within EVs, including proteins, nucleic acids, and microRNAs, hold promise as biological markers for the early detection and monitoring of orthopedic diseases. EVs have shown significant potential in promoting bone and cartilage regeneration. They can enhance tissue regeneration by stimulating various stem cells to proliferate, migrate, and differentiate into mature chondrocytes and osteocytes. EVs can also target specific tissues, making them attractive candidates for drug delivery in orthopedic diseases. They can efficiently deliver therapeutic cargo, such as anti-inflammatory agents and growth factors, to the affected sites, enhancing treatment efficacy while minimizing toxicity and adverse effects. In conclusion, EVs have significant potential in diagnosing, regenerating, and treating orthopedic diseases.

  • REVIEW
    Heying Xie , Yin Jia , Shanrong Liu
    2024, 2(3): e20230056. https://doi.org/10.1002/inmd.20230056

    Artificial intelligence (AI)-driven analysis of comprehensive clinical parameters is bringing about a significant transformation in traditional routine clinical laboratory testing. This transformation impacts the prediction, prevention, diagnosis, and prognosis of human diseases. AI possesses the capability to efficiently analyze and process vast and intricate datasets, thereby facilitating the development of diverse and efficient diagnostic or predictive models. This advancement is fueling significant improvements in laboratory quality, automation, and the accuracy of diagnoses. In this context, we conducted a thorough review and discussion on the progression of AI applications in clinical laboratory medicine, encompassing advancements, implementation, and challenges. Our conclusion underscores that integrating AI into clinical laboratory testing will notably propel personalized precision medicine forward and enhance diagnostic accuracy, especially benefiting patients for whom accurate diagnoses are elusive through traditional laboratory testing systems.

  • REVIEW
    Jia-Wei Tang , Quan Yuan , Xin-Ru Wen , Muhammad Usman , Alfred Chin Yen Tay , Liang Wang
    2024, 2(3): e20230060. https://doi.org/10.1002/inmd.20230060

    Infectious diseases caused by microbial pathogens remain a primary contributor to global health burdens. Prompt control and effective prevention of these pathogens are critical for public health and medical diagnostics. Conventional microbial detection methods suffer from high complexity, low sensitivity, and poor selectivity. Therefore, developing rapid and reliable methods for microbial pathogen detection has become imperative. Surface-enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS), as an innovative non-invasive diagnostic technique, holds significant promise in pathogenic microorganism detection due to its rapid, reliable, and cost-effective advantages. This review comprehensively outlines the fundamental theories of Raman Spectroscopy (RS) with a focus on label-free SERS strategy, reporting on the latest advancements of SERS technique in detecting bacteria, viruses, and fungi in clinical settings. Furthermore, we emphasize the application of machine learning algorithms in SERS spectral analysis. Finally, challenges faced by SERS application are probed, and the prospective development is discussed.

  • REVIEW
    Zhenzhan Zhang , Donghua Huang , Junjie Feng , Wangji Li , Zhe Wang , Mengting Lu , Yangyang Luo , Weihao Yang , Zhou Xu , Qingfeng Xie , Wenfu Ding , Xin Tan , Wenjun He , Guoxin Li , Hao Liu , Shangtong Lei
    2024, 2(3): e20230062. https://doi.org/10.1002/inmd.20230062

    Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors are used clinically for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, pulmonary arterial hypertension, and other urological diseases. Emerging evidences have suggested the therapeutic capacity of PDE5 inhibitors as the repurposed drugs in oncology. However, the essential immune function of PDE5 inhibitors against cancer in tumor microenvironment (TME) remains unclear. This review aimed to summarize the recent advances regarding the repurposing of PDE5 inhibitors as anti-cancer agents for cancer management to enhance the anti-tumor immune response by mediating various immune cells, which included the myeloid-derived suppressor cells, macrophages, T cells, fibroblasts, and natural killer cells in TME. Moreover, artificial intelligence (AI), as a new approach, is composed of traditional machine learning and deep learning methods and could be potentially used to identify the targets of immune cells in TME and predict the efficacy for repurposed drug toward malignancies. In summary, these endeavors provide novel insights into the comprehensive strategies for PDE5 inhibitors mediating immune cells against cancer and AI-based approach for future drug repurposing exploration.

  • RESEARCH ARTICLE
    Mohammed Kamal Hadi , Huanzhong Zeng , Manasa Pantrangi , Sambasivam Sangaraju , Fen Ran
    2024, 2(3): e20240004. https://doi.org/10.1002/inmd.20240004

    Polymer-based membranes such as polyethersulfone are widely used for hemodialysis and bio-related applications; however, this type of membrane still fails to satisfy optimum performance in terms of clearance, safety, and bioadaptability. Herein, a polymer brush of polyvinylpyrrolidone is decorated on the surface of magnetic nanoparticles by using reversible additionfragmentation chain transfer polymerization (RAFT), and under the guidance of an external magnetic field, the prepared magnetic nanoparticles with the polymer brush system are blended with a polyethersulfone membrane during a liquid-liquid phase inversion process. The prepared membranes with different loads of the pure magnetic nanoparticle and polyvinylpyrrolidone@magnetic nanoparticle polymer brushes are prepared, compared with the pristine membrane, the modified membrane shows a high flux value at 349 L m-2 h-1 and 99.9% bovine serum albumin protein rejection. This membrane also demonstrated improved hydrophilicity and pore structure compared with the pristine membrane. Concerning the blood biocompatibility analysis, the modified membranes acquire prolonged time for clotting factors such as prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, and thrombin time while exhibiting less fibrinogen concertation at 0.4 g L-1. Furthermore, for the first time, an innovative method for fouling detection based on magnetic field attenuation due to protein accumulation on the membrane surface is reported; the method in this work could be a positive booster for the safe use of polymeric membranes in hemodialysis and biobased applications.

  • REVIEW
    Menglu Hu , Yihui Wang , Xiaoming Zhou
    2024, 2(3): e20240006. https://doi.org/10.1002/inmd.20240006

    Nucleic acids are not only essential biomolecules that drive critical life processes such as growth, development, reproduction, inheritance, and mutation, but also serve as significant markers for disease diagnosis, pathogen identification, and cancer screening. Nevertheless, several challenges have hindered the widespread use of nucleic acids in biomedicine, such as susceptibility to degradation, limited cellular uptake efficiency, potential toxicity, and uncontrollable activity. Photo-regulation offers an effective solution to address these challenges. It allows for the precise control of nucleic acid structure and function and enhances the stability and safety of their application in biomedicine. In this review, we systematically review the structural characteristics of the three primary photosensitive groups commonly used in the regulation of nucleic acid molecules (i.e., photocleavable molecules, photoisomerization molecules, and photo-crosslinking molecules) under light irradiation. Subsequently, recent research advances in the development and application of photo-modulation strategies based on these photosensitive molecules in antisense oligonucleotides, RNA interference, nucleic acid amplification, and CRISPR/Cas systems are outlined. Finally, we discuss the challenges faced in the widespread application of these photo-regulatory strategies and outline potential future directions for their development.

  • REVIEW
    Hanxu Ji , Ziyang Zheng , Siqi Li , Xian Xiao , Wenxia Tang , Xuehao Zhang , Qimin Guo , Qi He , Shulong Cai , Pan Jiang , Hongxun Wang , Longjie Li , Xianjin Xiao , Limei Wang
    2024, 2(3): e20240010. https://doi.org/10.1002/inmd.20240010

    As a drug delivery system with wide application potential, serum albumin drug-carrying nanoparticles have attracted extensive attention in the field of drug delivery in recent years. This review aims to summarize the research progress of serum albumin drug-loaded nanoparticles in the field of drug delivery. Firstly, the excellent properties of serum albumin as a drug carrier were introduced, several methods of preparing serum albumin nanoparticles were discussed in depth, and their advantages and disadvantages were compared. Then, the design of the nanoparticle albumin drug carrier is discussed, including the control of the size of the nanoparticle, the surface properties and the amount of drug loading, so as to achieve better drug delivery effect. Finally, a series of therapeutic approaches using serum albumin nanoparticles as drug carriers, such as anti-cancer drug delivery and drug delivery across the blood-brain barrier, are systematically summarized. In summary, the research of serum albumin drug-carrying nanoparticles has brought new possibilities and opportunities to the field of drug delivery, and inspired more innovative research and practical applications.

  • REVIEW
    Juan Wang , Siqi Yuan , Yidong Tu , Zhi Lv , Hua Cheng , Xiaolei Ding
    2024, 2(3): e20240011. https://doi.org/10.1002/inmd.20240011

    The skin interfaces with the external environment, acting as both a physical barrier and an immunologic defense. The dynamic interactions between various cell types are essential for skin homeostasis and function. Emerging research has unveiled the significant role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) as key mediators of cell communication in regulating many aspects of skin physiological and pathological processes. In this review, we provide an overview of recent advances in understanding the physiological and pathological roles of EVs in skin health, aging, and diseases, and discuss natural and engineered EVs in skin disease treatment along with the potential challenges. The burgeoning area of EVs may expand new therapeutic approaches for various skin disorders and open new avenues for personalized skincare treatments.

  • REVIEW
    Hossein Chamkouri , Jianmin Si , Peng Chen , Haiyong Ni , Denis E. Bragin , Majid Ahmadlouydarab , Chaoshi Niu , Lei Chen
    2024, 2(3): e20240013. https://doi.org/10.1002/inmd.20240013

    Photobiomodulation (PBM) has emerged as a rapidly growing and innovative therapeutic method for various illnesses in recent years. Due to the irreversible nature of Parkinson’s disease (PD), it has proven challenging to impede or postpone the progression of the disease. Despite research on pharmacological approaches to halt neuronal degeneration, the viability of these techniques has been called into doubt due to apprehensions over potential side effects and the ethical implications associated with the utilization of embryonic cell transplantation. Hence, developing an innovative therapeutic approach to halting neuronal degeneration and safeguarding neurons from this neurodegenerative disorder is imperative. This review examines the pathogenesis, challenges, and limitations of conventional PD therapies, allowing a closer examination of PBM’s distinctive approach within this medical context. Delving into PBM’s therapeutic mechanisms in the cells, the effects of different wavelengths on cell therapies in PD patients, and considerations for patient care administration to overcome traditional challenges, this study offers insights into its potential as a promising avenue for PD management.

  • REVIEW
    Xin Wang , Kuirong Mao , Xiaonan Zhang , Yuning Zhang , Yong-Guang Yang , Tianmeng Sun
    2024, 2(3): e20240014. https://doi.org/10.1002/inmd.20240014

    Nano drug delivery systems have been widely used in tumor therapy. Researchers have been devoted to exploring novel nano-carriers to prolong circulation time biocompatibility and tumor targeting efficiency in vivo. Erythrocyte membranes as bionic nano-drug delivery systems have attracted more attention recently. There are abundant red blood cells (RBCs) in circulation, which are natural carriers for nanomaterial delivery. There are mainly two strategies to use RBCs as nanomaterial carriers: RBC-hitchhiking and bionic nanomaterial coated with erythrocyte membrane loading with drugs. Although nano-carrier based on RBCs have yielded some progress, the mechanism of mutual effect between nanoparticles and RBCs is still unclear. Here, we review the effects of nanoparticles on RBCs (morphology and function, etc) and application of RBCs membrane as nano-drug delivery carriers in tumor therapy.