Bacterial infections, particularly those caused by drug-resistant strains and biofilm-associated wounds, pose serious challenges in clinical treatment. Although phototherapy is a promising antibacterial approach, conventional photosensitizers suffer from poor stability, low photothermal conversion efficiency, and limited biofilm penetration. Herein, we developed an infection-responsive hyaluronic acid-modified cationic liposomal platform (HA@ICG@Lip) for synergistic photodynamic and photothermal antibacterial therapy. Elevated hyaluronidase (HAase) levels in infected tissues specifically degrade the outer HA layer, triggering enzyme-responsive deshielding to expose the positively charged liposomal core, which enhances bacterial adhesion and deep biofilm penetration. Upon near-infrared irradiation, indocyanine green (ICG) generates reactive oxygen species and localized heat, inducing bacterial membrane disruption and biofilm disintegration. Moreover, ICG forms J-aggregates within the liposomal matrix, improving near-infrared absorption and photothermal conversion efficiency. In vivo, HA@ICG@Lip combined with 808 nm LED irradiation effectively eradicated mixed-species biofilm infections and accelerated wound healing. This study provides a polysaccharide-based, infection-responsive phototherapeutic nanoplatform with potential for treating biofilm-associated infections.

After decades of development, organic light‐emitting diode (OLED) technology has matured significantly. OLED displays are now ubiquitous in consumer electronics and household appliances. As another major application branch, OLED lighting has also entered the automotive market. Futhermore, owing to its inherent characteristics such as a surface light source, thinness, and flexibility, OLEDs demonstrate unique advantages for phototherapy and attract growing research interest. Clinical studies validate the efficacy of OLEDs in both photobiomodulation and photodynamic therapy. However, to unlock their full potential, key challenges regarding the emission wavelength range, optical power density, and mechanical flexibility must be addressed, as they currently limit therapeutic scope. Future advancements may enable precise spatial control for targeted therapy, while integration with photodetectors could facilitate combined diagnosis and treatment. This review comprehensively outlines OLED applications in phototherapy, identifies current challenges, and discusses future prospects, providing valuable insights for the field's development.

IntroductionAntimicrobial resistance (AMR) continues to rise globally, highlighting the need for rapid, label-free, and cost-effective bacterial identification methods. In this proof-of-concept study, portable Raman spectroscopy combined with machine learning was used to identify five clinically relevant bacterial species: Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Streptococcus mutans.MethodsRaman spectra were acquired from cultured, washed, PBS-resuspended, and OD-standardized bacterial suspensions. After SNIP baseline correction, binary and five-class classification models were constructed using Auto-Sklearn with eight algorithms: ADB, ET, GB, LDA, SVM, MLP, PA, and QDA. Model performance was evaluated using accuracy, precision, recall, F1-score, MCC, and ROC-AUC.ResultsPairwise binary classification showed variable performance among bacterial pairs. The best result was obtained for P. gingivalis versus S. aureus, with a testing accuracy of 98.3%, precision of 0.984, recall of 0.983, F1-score of 0.983, MCC of 0.967, and ROC-AUC of 1.000. Five-class classification was more limited, with LDA achieving the highest testing accuracy of 60.1%, MCC of 0.506, and ROC-AUC of 0.867.DiscussionThese findings support the feasibility of portable Raman spectroscopy combined with machine learning for bacterial recognition under standardized sample conditions.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease. Amyloid β-protein (Aβ) is one of the key pathological features of AD, which is cytotoxic and can damage neurons, thereby causing cognitive dysfunction. Photobiomodulation (PBM) is a non-invasive physical therapy that induces changes in the intrinsic mechanisms of cells and tissues through low-power light exposure. Although PBM has been employed in the treatment of AD, the effect and precise mechanism of PBM on AD-induced neurological damage are still unclear. In vivo experiments, PBM (808 nm, 20 mW/cm2) was used to continuously interfere with APP/PS1 mice for 6 weeks, and then their cognitive function and AD pathological changes were evaluated. In vitro experiments, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used to induce microglia to model inflammation, and the effect of PBM treatment on microglia polarization status and phagocytic Aβ ability was evaluated. Hexokinase 2 (HK2) inhibitor 3-bromopyruvate (3BP) was used to study the effect of PBM treatment on mitochondrial energy metabolism in microglia. PBM further ameliorates AD-induced cognitive impairment by alleviating neuroinflammation and neuronal apoptosis, thereby attenuating nerve damage. In addition, PBM can also reduce neuroinflammation by promoting microglial anti-inflammatory phenotypic polarization; Promotes Aβ clearance by enhancing the ability of microglia to engulf Aβ. Among them, PBM regulates microglial polarization and inhibits neuronal apoptosis, which may be related to its regulation of mitochondrial energy metabolism, promotion of oxidative phosphorylation, and inhibition of glycolysis. PBM regulates neuroinflammatory response and inhibits neuronal apoptosis, thereby repairing Aβ-induced neuronal damage and cognitive dysfunction. Mitochondrial energy metabolism plays an important role in PBM in improving nerve injury in AD mice. This study provides theoretical support for the subsequent application of PBM in the treatment of AD.

Photobiomodulation (PBM), which utilizes specific light wavelengths to regulate cellular metabolism, signal transduction, and gene expression, has emerged as a promising intervention for enhancing cognitive function in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The blood–brain barrier (BBB) plays a critical role in protecting the central nervous system, and its dysfunction is a major contributor to AD pathogenesis. Although PBM has shown therapeutic potential, its effects on BBB integrity and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Six-month-old female APP/PS1 transgenic mice were subjected to PBM intervention (808 nm, 20 mW/cm2) for six weeks. Cognitive function was assessed using behavioral tests, while biochemical and histological analyses were conducted to evaluate BBB integrity, β-amyloid (Aβ) deposition, and protein expression related to tight junction proteins (TJs). In vitro, an inflammatory model was established by treating brain microvascular endothelial cells (bEnd.3) with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce an inflammatory response, and the mechanisms of PBM were further explored by analyzing mitochondrial function. PBM significantly improved cognitive deficits and anxiety-like behaviors in AD mice. It enhanced BBB integrity by upregulating the TJs Occludin, Claudin-5, and ZO-1, while also facilitating Aβ clearance via the low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1) pathway and microglial phagocytosis, thereby reducing Aβ accumulation in the brain. Mechanistically, PBM attenuated apoptosis and mitochondrial oxidative stress while promoting mitochondrial energy metabolism. Notably, PBM markedly increased phosphorylated AMPK (p-AMPK) levels in the brains of AD mice. In vitro, the protective effects of PBM on BBB integrity were substantially diminished upon AMPK inhibition, confirming that PBM exerts its neuroprotective effects through the activation of the AMPK pathway. This study demonstrates that PBM enhances BBB integrity and mitigates Aβ pathology in AD mice by activating the AMPK signaling pathway, underscoring its potential as a novel, non-invasive therapeutic strategy for AD.

Photobiomodulation (PBM) has shown potential in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) models, but substantial heterogeneity in irradiation parameters and the lack of intracerebral dose quantification have limited reproducibility and mechanistic interpretation. In transcranial PBM, surface power density does not reliably reflect energy delivery to brain targets due to wavelength-dependent tissue attenuation. We developed a target-area dosimetry- guided PBM framework by integrating Monte Carlo–based light transport modeling with inverse calibration for selected representative wavelength–target conditions. Based on these simulations, inverse calibration was performed for selected representative wavelength–target combinations, with 810 nm irradiation optimized for PFC-directed PBM and 1060 nm, 40 Hz pulsed irradiation optimized for HIPP-directed PBM. APPswe/PS1dE9 mice received region-oriented and comparative PBM treatments, followed by behavioral, pathological, and electrophysiological assessments. Monte Carlo simulations revealed marked wavelength-dependent differences in intracerebral light distribution under identical surface irradiation. Inverse calibration supported the selection of region-specific irradiation parameters and highlighted the need to consider target-area light exposure rather than surface power alone. Among the tested irradiation conditions, PBM improved spatial learning and memory and modulated amyloid burden, neuroinflammatory responses, synaptic markers, and neural network activity. Among these treatments, combined hippocampal irradiation with 810 nm and 1060 nm light produced the most consistent overall responses, while 810 nm PFC irradiation also showed beneficial effects across several outcome measures. These findings support target-area dosimetry as an important physical consideration for the design and interpretation of region-oriented PBM protocols in AD models. By integrating intracerebral light propagation modeling with biological evaluation, this study provides a methodological framework for improving PBM parameter selection and guiding future optimization of transcranial PBM interventions.

This study aims to develop a spatio-temporal predictive model for the luminous intensity distribution of the laser welding molten pool—a key visual indicator of process stability and quality—to overcome the limitations of conventional analytical models in handling complex multi-physical interactions. A data-driven framework based on a nonparametric artificial neural network architecture is proposed. Gaussian functions are employed as radial basis functions to capture localized spatio-temporal variations in the light field. The root mean square error is adopted as the evaluation metric and integrated into a systematic hyperparameter optimization procedure to enhance model fidelity and robustness. The optimized model successfully predicts two distinct molten pool luminous patterns under different welding conditions. Predictions show strong agreement with synchronized high-speed experimental images, confirming the model’s accuracy and generalization capability. This method effectively reconstructs the molten pool’s luminous signature, demonstrating significant potential for real-time process monitoring, online anomaly detection, and non-destructive quality assessment in advanced laser welding operations.

A novel strategy is imperative to address the limitations of conventional mechanical and pharmacological periodontal treatments, which are constrained by the inherent difficulty in completely eradicating plaque biofilm and the tendency for bacterial resistance to develop. Photothermal therapy (PTT) emerges as an innovative therapeutic approach for managing periodontitis, offering the distinct advantage of circumventing drug resistance. Furthermore, Near-Infrared-II (NIR-II) guided PTT enhances therapeutic efficacy and provides a viable method for eliminating bacteria in deep periodontal pockets. In this study, we encapsulated 2TT-oC6B, a fluorophore with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) properties, into liposomes to make AIE nanoparticles (2TT-oC6B@LIP), thereby improving their water dispersibility and enabling their use as photothermal agents for treating periodontitis. Upon exposure to 808 nm NIR irradiation, 2TT-oC6B@LIP effectively eradicated a broad spectrum of periodontal pathogens, including both Gram-positive Streptococcus gordonii (S. gordonii) and Gram-negative Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis). Post-PTT treatment with 2TT-oC6B@LIP resulted in significant damage to bacterial cell membranes, cytoplasmic leakage, and potent anti-biofilm activity against periodontal pathogens. Additionally, an experimental periodontitis model was established in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, and the application of 2TT-oC6B@LIP significantly mitigated the progression of periodontitis under NIR light irradiation at an intensity of 1 W cm-2. 2TT-oC6B@LIP nanoparticles exhibit remarkable photothermal bactericidal efficacy and good biocompatibility, offering promising potential for periodontitis therapy.

OBJECTIVES:To systematically evaluate wavefront shaping (WFS) as a strategy for deep-tissue phototherapy, assessing progress and translational readiness across four clinically relevant dimensions. METHODS:Narrative review of three mainstream WFS strategies-feedback iterative optimization, transmission matrix (TM) measurement, and optical phase conjugation (OPC)-evaluated against the core requirements of phototherapy: penetration depth, energy deposition accuracy, dynamic stability, and clinical translation. RESULTS:Time-reversal of ultrasound-encoded (TRUE)-based WFS has achieved TRUE-based WFS has demonstrated focusing through approximately 2 mm of living brain tissue, substantially exceeding the approximately 1 mm limit of conventional optics. Peak-to-background ratios (PBR) exceeding 400 have been demonstrated with natural gradient optimization algorithms, and millisecond-scale system response times have been achieved with digital optical phase conjugation. However, no study has simultaneously demonstrated millisecond-scale correction and sustained, therapeutically effective, and safe light-dose delivery in a living model, and only one study has established a quantitative relationship between WFS optical optimization and a biophysical therapeutic endpoint. CONCLUSIONS:WFS demonstrates compelling optical capabilities that directly address the physical barriers limiting conventional phototherapy. Clinical translation requires a shift from optical demonstration to therapeutic validation, incorporating standardized preclinical protocols, absolute light-dose measurement at the target, and multidimensional biological endpoint assessment.

Time-dependent diffusion MRI (td-dMRI) has potential in characterizing microstructural features; however, its value in imaging endometrioid endometrial adenocarcinoma (EEA) remains uncertain. Patients surgically confirmed with EEA were finally enrolled in our study. The td-dMRI data were acquired using pulsed gradient spin echo sequence and oscillating gradient spin echo sequences. The microstructural markers, including cell diameter, intracellular volume fraction (Vin), cellularity, and extracellular diffusivity (Dex), were fitted with the imaging microstructural parameters using a limited spectrally edited diffusion (IMPULSED) model. The parameters were compared between low- and high-risk groups and between low- and high-proliferation groups. The diagnostic performance was evaluated using receiver-operating characteristic curve and logistic regression analysis. Diameter, Dex, ADCPGSE, ADCN1, and ADCN2 were significantly low, whereas cellularity, ΔADC1 and ΔADC2 were significantly high in the high-risk and high-proliferation groups. Cellularity, ΔADC1, and ΔADC2 demonstrated excellent diagnostic efficacy in predicting both risk stratification and proliferation status. Cellularity was the only independent predictor for risk stratification, which exhibited a satisfactory positive correlation with cell density in histopathologic examination. The diagnostic potential of td-dMRI-based microstructural mapping was demonstrated to noninvasively probe the pathologic characteristics of patients with EEA in a clinical setting, which provided a valuable contribution to surgical guidance.

This study evaluated the effects of irreversible electroporation (IRE), a non-thermal ablation method, on carotid atherosclerotic plaques induced by high-fat feeding combined with balloon dilation in 30 rabbits. Carotid plaques were subjected to IRE ablation (1000 V/cm alone, 2000 V/cm alone, or 1000 V/cm with rapamycin). There were no acute vascular changes post-ablation; however, IRE induced apoptosis and polarity of cells. At 7–30 days post-ablation, there was a significant decrease in lipid density within the plaque, with replacement by multilayered anterograde smooth muscle cells. Remodeling led to residual plaque becoming sandwiched between the new and original smooth muscle layers and to vessel wall thickening but with improved elasticity. Addition of rapamycin delayed remodeling. IRE reduced lipid deposition, triggered structural vascular reorganization, and improved elasticity, suggesting a potential therapeutic role in atherosclerosis. The tissue selectivity of this technique and non-thermal mechanism may offer advantages over conventional treatments.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection presents increasing challenges to antibiotic therapies owing to limited drug bioavailability, multi-drug resistance and collateral damage to commensal intestinal microflora. To address these problems, here, an ingestible magnetically controlled light-emitting diode (LED) light source was designed for an ingestible capsule to perform antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) without an exogenous photosensitizer (ex-PS) at 630 nm. Specifically, we first optimized the antibacterial rates of aPDT with ex-PS and aPDT without ex-PS against H. pylori at the bacterial suspension level by varying the wavelength (405, 530, 630 nm), photosensitizer concentration (2, 4, 6, 8, 10 μg/mL), power density (15, 30 mW/cm2), and energy density (0, 3.6, 7.2, 10.8, 14.4, 18.0 J/cm2). Then, we compared the antibacterial effect of aPDT with ex-PS and aPDT without ex-PS against H. pylori at the biofilm level, revealing that the antibacterial rate of aPDT without ex-PS reached approximately 97 % at 405 nm and 18 J/cm2, similar to that of aPDT with ex-PS under the same conditions. Furthermore, 80 SD rats infected with H. pylori were treated with aPDT with ex-PS and aPDT without ex-PS at the above wavelengths. Histopathological analysis of rat gastrointestinal tissues revealed that aPDT with ex-PS and aPDT without ex-PS exhibited significant antibacterial activity against H. pylori, without side effects on normal tissues. Additionally, aPDT without ex-PS at 630 nm induced an anti-inflammatory response and regulated the intestinal flora. Ultimately, we developed a magnetically controlled LED capsule for in vivo aPDT without ex-PS at 630 nm against H. pylori.

As an effective minimally invasive therapy for skin aging, 5-aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy (ALA–PDT) demonstrates superior efficacy. While Light-emitting diode (LED)-PDT offers advantages of broad-spectrum capabilities and low-cost over conventional laser-PDT, the absence of standardized parameter optimization impedes its clinical application. This study systematically investigated the combined effects of varying ALA concentrations and LED wavelengths to establish an optimized anti-aging protocol. Sixty mice (40 UVB-induced photoaging, 20 natural aging) were randomized into 12 groups receiving PDT with different ALA concentrations (2

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a major neurodegenerative disorder with limited effective and affordable therapies. Photobiomodulation (PBM) offers a safe, non-invasive treatment strategy, yet conventional transcranial PBM (tc-PBM) is restricted by low skull penetration. To overcome this limitation, gut microbiota-targeted PBM (gm-PBM) has been proposed to modulate the gut–brain axis, though its efficacy and mechanisms remain unclear. Here, six-month-old APPswe/PS1dE9 mice received gm-PBM or tc-PBM (810 nm, 25 mW/cm2, 20 min/day for 4 weeks). Behavioral testing revealed that both treatments improved spatial learning and memory, while histological analyses showed reduced amyloid-β deposition and microglial shift toward an anti-inflammatory phenotype. Notably, gm-PBM specifically enriched short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria, elevated propionate, butyrate, and secondary bile acids, and restored intestinal barrier integrity, whereas tc-PBM induced minimal microbiota changes. These findings suggest that gm-PBM confers neuroprotective effects comparable to or exceeding tc-PBM through modulation of the gut microbiota–metabolism–immune axis, highlighting its potential as a non-invasive and cost-effective therapeutic approach for AD.

Optical neuromodulation is a technique for regulating neural activity using light. Due to the limited penetration depth of light in biological tissues, precise stimulation typically requires implantable optoelectronic devices. Among these, LED-based devices are the most widely used, and their thermal management is critical for ensuring long-term operational stability. This review first discusses the impact of temperature elevation on neural tissue and defines the thermal safety threshold. It then analyzes the primary heat sources within LED chips, encapsulation structures, and circuit modules. The tissue photothermal effect and current thermal monitoring techniques are also introduced. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in thermal management strategies in light and power modules, wireless communication systems, control algorithms, and encapsulation materials. Moreover, this review underscores key challenges associated with device miniaturization, dynamic stimulation conditions, and encapsulation complexity, while also exploring future directions in the integration of thermal management with emerging intelligent technologies.

Persistent or refractory apical periodontitis is primarily caused by microbial retention, as conventional root canal treatment often fails to eliminate infections completely, and systemic antibiotic therapy is insufficient to achieve effective concentrations for eradicating bacterial biofilms within root canals. This highlights the urgent need for novel therapeutics offering safe and effective antimicrobial strategies. Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) is a promising approach for root canal disinfection. However, commonly used photosensitizers such as Ce6 suffer from poor water solubility and strong aggregation tendencies, resulting in limited penetration into infected sites. In this study, we developed a DNase I-Lip@Ce6 nanodelivery system by combining deoxyribonuclease I (DNase I) with liposome-encapsulated Ce6. The liposomal carrier facilitated efficient delivery of Ce6 into target bacterial cells, while DNase I degraded extracellular DNA in the biofilm matrix, weakening its protective barrier. This synergistically enhanced Ce6 penetration and therapeutic efficacy, leading to the successful eradication of planktonic Enterococcus faecalis and in vitro biofilms. This strategy offers a novel approach for the precision treatment of persistent oral infections and holds strong potential for clinical translation.

Although nanocatalytic medicine has demonstrated its advantages in tumor therapy, the outcomes heavily relie on substrate concentration and the metabolic pathways are still indistinct. We discover that violet phosphorus quantum dots (VPQDs) can catalyze the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) without requiring external stimuli and the catalytic substrates are confirmed to be oxygen (O2) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) through the computational simulation and experiments. Considering the short of O2 and H2O2 at the tumor site, we utilize calcium peroxide (CaO2) to supply catalytic substrates for VPQDs and construct nanoparticles together with them, named VPCaNPs. VPCaNPs can induce oxidative stress in tumor cells, particularly characterized by a significant increase in hydroxyl radicals and superoxide radicals, which cause substantial damage to the structure and function of cells, ultimately leading to cell apoptosis. Intriguingly, O2 provided by CaO2 can degrade VPQDs slowly, and the degradation product, phosphate, as well as CaO2-generated calcium ions, can promote tumor calcification. Antitumor immune activation and less metastasis are also observed in VPCaNPs administrated animals. In conclusion, our study unveils the anti-tumor activity of VPQDs as catalysts for generating cytotoxic ROS and the degradation products can promote tumor calcification, providing a promising strategy for treating tumors. Reactive oxygen species (ROS)-based nanocatalytic cancer therapy is hindered by insufficient substrates at the tumor site and potential side effects arising from metabolites. Here the authors report a violet phosphorus-based nanosystem that supplies catalysts and substrates for producing cytotoxic ROS and generates the degradation products that can promote tumor calcification.

The hippocampus is the brain structure that is responsible for the formation of learning memories. Sleep disorders leading to cognitive impairment are strongly associated with the hippocampus. Phototherapy offers a new physical therapy for the treatment of sleep disorders, with the advantages of being noninvasive and having few side effects. However, the mechanism by which phototherapy improves cognitive impairment caused by sleep disorders remains unclear. In this study, we used phototherapy combined with optogenetic technology to investigate the effect of noninvasive phototherapy on cognitive functions in sleep-deprived mice. Our results suggest that phototherapy might improve cognitive functions in sleep-deprived mice by modulating the hippocampus. Our study expands the research progress on noninvasive phototherapy for the treatment of sleep disorders.