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Open Access Research Article Issue
In-situ biosynthesis of melanin by genetically engineered probiotics for efficient treatment of acute radiation enteritis
Nano Research 2026, 19(6): 94908605
Published: 29 April 2026
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Acute radiation enteritis (ARE) commonly limits escalation during abdominopelvic radiotherapy, and conventional therapies are ineffective in reversing tissue damage. This study introduces EcNTyr, a genetically engineered probiotic created through a synthetic biology-nanomedicine approach. Based on the clinical-grade probiotic Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (EcN), this strain integrates three core functional modules through comprehensive engineering. By knocking out the genes of chorismate competitive pathways (ΔpheAtrpRpykA) and optimizing codon expression for tyrosinase, melanin could be effectively biosynthesized in situ in the intestinal tract. Targeted colonization facilitated by F1 fimbriae, along with the covalent binding of melanin quinones to mucin, increased EcNTyr adhesion to the inflamed lesions by fourfold over wild-type EcN and achieved prolonged local retention. In murine ARE models, EcNTyr demonstrated a therapeutic effect by mitigating oxidative stress and inflammation (by modulating IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)), restoring gut microbiota composition (by enriching Bacteroidetes/Akkermansiaceae, reducing pathogenic Proteobacteria), and regulating genes associated with intestinal repair. Transcriptome analysis further demonstrated that EcNTyr treatment reprogrammed intestinal gene expression profiles, attenuating inflammation-associated signaling while restoring metabolic and redox homeostasis programs. This "colonization-synthesis-repair" system addresses conventional probiotic limitations, offering a safe, efficient, and translatable precision therapy for radiation-induced tissue injury.

Open Access Original Research Issue
Clinical applications of SPECT/CT in assessment of bone lesions in POEMS syndrome
Oral Science and Homeostatic Medicine 2024, 3
Published: 29 July 2024
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Purpose

Retrospectively analyse the 99mTc-MDP SPECT whole-body bone scan in POEMS syndrome to explore its clinical value.

Methods

Twenty-four untreated patients with pathologically confirmed POEMS syndrome were included in the study. 24 of them underwent 99mTc-MDP SPECT whole-body bone scan, 24 underwent CT examination and 18 patients underwent X-ray examination in different parts. Features of bone lesions in 99mTc-MDP SPECT, and X-ray, CT were analysed. Three experienced radiologists read the images and gave diagnosed results for bone lesions.

Results

Of the 24 POEMS syndrome patients, three types of bone lesions were found: osteosclerotic lesions, osteolytic lesions and mixed lesions, of which the most common type was osteosclerotic. 54.16% (13/24) patients were found bone lesions by SPECT; 44.44% (8/18) patients underwent X-ray and 62.50% (15/24) patients underwent CT were detected bone lesions. We compared the difference of the X-ray, CT and SPECT scans of the bone lesions by chi-square and found that there was no difference (P = 0.51) in detection of bone lesions among the three methods.

Conclusion

99mTc-MDP SPECT wholebody bone scan also useful in evaluating patients with suspected POEMS syndrome. We can use it as a supplement examination of the CT in the confirmation of one minor diagnostic criterion for POEMS syndrome: bone lesions.

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