The identification of markers expressed by pathological cells or their microenvironment would help to distinguish such cells from the normal tissues. The strategies derived from this theory can be a promising modality for imaging and treating diseases. LyP-1, a tumor homing peptide, can selectively bind to its receptor p32 protein overexpressed in various tumor-associated cells and atherosclerotic plaque macrophages. During recent decades, multiple types of LyP-1-based imaging probes and drug delivery systems have been designed and developed for diagnostic and therapeutic applications. This review first introduces LyP-1 and its receptor p32, as well as its homing, internalization and proapoptotic properties. Next, we highlight recent studies focusing on the applications of LyP-1-based strategies in the diagnosis and treatment of tumors, metastatic lesions, and atherosclerotic plaques. Finally, several limitations in the clinical translation of LyP-1-based bioconjugates are summarized.

This study was designed to investigate the toxic metal (aluminum (Al), arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn)) concentrations in drinking water and different foodstuffs meat (pork, beef, and mutton), cereals (rice, flour, corn, millet), beans (cowpeas, tofu), potatoes (potato, sweet potato), solanaceous fruits (pepper, eggplant, bitter gourd, cucumber), vegetables (cabbage, cauliflower, spinach), and fruits (apples, watermelons, pears, grapes)) and then estimate the potential health risks of toxic metal consumption to local residents in industrial regions of northern Ningxia, China. As in drinking water, Cr in meat, Pb in cereals, Pb in beans, As and Pb in potatoes, Pb in solanaceous fruits, Cr and Ni in vegetables, and Ni and Pb in fruits were the most contaminated heavy metals in the corresponding food with over-standard rates of 16.7%, 12.5%, 5.1%, 60%, 50%, 50%, 38.2%, 44.4%, 44.4%, 31.8%, and 31.8%, respectively.The results of the deterministic assessment of health risks showed that the total noncarcinogenic risk value of dietary intake of toxic metals by the local population was 5.6106, indicating that toxic metals pose a high noncarcinogenic risk. The order of the non-carcinogenic risk is HI_cereal (1.2104) > HI_{solanaceous fruit} (0.9134) > HI_Vegetables (0.8726) > HI_Fruit (0.8170) > HI_Meat (0.7269) > HI_{Drinking water} (0.6139) > HI_Beans (0.2991) > HI_Potatoes (0.1573). The total carcinogenic health risk from exposure to toxic metals through dietary intake was 9.98 × 10⁻⁴, indicating that the total cancer risk value of residents is beyond the acceptable range (10⁻⁴) under the current daily dietary exposure and implies a high risk of cancer. The order of the carcinogenic risk is R_{Drinking water} (2.34 × 10⁻⁴) > R_Meat (2.11 × 10⁻⁴) > R_{solanaceous fruit} (1.89 × 10⁻⁴) > R_Fruit (1.88 × 10⁻⁴) > R_cereal (1.36 × 10⁻⁴) > R_Potatoes (2.44 × 10⁻⁵) > R_Vegetables (1.51 × 10⁻⁵) > R_Beans (0). The probabilistic assessment results showed that 98.83% of the population is exposed to severe noncarcinogenic risk and 87.02% is exposed to unacceptable carcinogenic risk. The sensitivity analysis showed that drinking water, local cereals, vegetables, and fruits were the major contributors to health risks. Our results indicated that the daily dietary exposure of residents in industrial regions of northern Ningxia poses a serious threat to human health, and it is suggested that relevant departments should strengthen monitoring and control of the current situation of toxic metal pollution in the environment and continue to pay attention and take measures to reduce the exposure of toxic metals in the diets of residents in this area. Graphical Abstract

Background: Industrial and agricultural activities result in elevated levels of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in the local environment. PTEs can enter the human body through the food chain and pose severe health risks to inhabitants. In this study, PTE levels in maize, soil, and irrigation water were detected, and health risks through maize consumption were evaluated. Methods: Maize, soil, and irrigation water samples were collected in northern Ningxia, China. Inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry was applied to determine the contents of six PTEs. Bioaccumulation factor was used to reflect the transfer potential of a metal from soil to maize. Health risks associated with maize consumption were assessed by deterministic and probabilistic estimation. Sensitivity analysis was performed to determine variables that pose the greatest effect on health risk results. Results: The levels of Pb and Cr in maize exceeded the standards, while the PTE levels in soil and irrigation water did not exceed the corresponding standards. The bioaccumulation factor values of the six PTEs in maize were all lower than 1 and followed the order of Cd > Zn = As > Cr > Cu > Pb. The hazard index (0.0986) was far less than 1 for all inhabitants implying no obvious non-carcinogenic risk. The carcinogenic risk value was 3.261 × 10^− 5, which was lower than the maximum acceptable level of 1 × 10^− 4 suggested by United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). Females were at greater risk than males, and the age group of below 20 years had the greater risk among all the groups evaluated. Approximately 0.62% of inhabitants exceeded the level for non-carcinogenic risk, while 8.23% exceeded the level for carcinogenic risk. The As concentration and daily intake of maize contributed 35.8, and 29.4% for non-carcinogenic risk results as well as 61.0 and 18.5% for carcinogenic risk results. Conclusions: Maize was contaminated by Pb and Cr, whereas the associated soil and irrigation water were not contaminated by PTEs. Inhabitants would not suffer obvious harmful health risks through maize consumption. Arsenic level and daily intake of maize were the most sensitive factors that impact health risks.

E-cigarettes are now very popular in the world. Compared to traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes are often considered safer and healthier. However, their safety remains controversial and requires further research and regulation. In this study, we aimed to understand the possible hazards to humans of four compounds (formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acrolein, and acetone) and seven heavy metals (arsenic, cadmium, manganese, lead, copper, nickel, and chromium) contained in e-cigarette liquids and aerosols and perform a health risk assessment. We searched PubMed, CNKI, and other databases for relevant literature to obtain data on organic compounds and heavy metals in e-cigarette liquids and aerosols, and conducted acute, chronic, and carcinogenic risk assessments of various chemicals by different exposure routes. This study showed that exposure to four organic compounds and seven heavy metals in e-cigarette aerosols and e-liquids can cause varying levels of health risks in humans through different routes, with the inhalation route posing a higher overall risk than dermal exposure and oral intake. Various chemicals at high exposure doses can produce health risks beyond the acceptable range. E-cigarette designers must improve their products by changing the composition of the e-liquid and controlling the power of the device to reduce the health effects on humans.

Background: Glioma is the deadliest brain cancer in adults because the blood–brain-barrier (BBB) prevents the vast majority of therapeutic drugs from entering into the central nervous system. The development of BBB-penetrating drug delivery systems for glioma therapy still remains a great challenge. In this study, we aimed to design and develop a theranostic nanocomplex with enhanced BBB penetrability and tumor-targeting efficiency for glioma single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging and anticancer drug delivery. Results: This multifunctional nanocomplex was manufactured using branched polyethylenimine (PEI) as a template to sequentially conjugate with methoxypolyethylene glycol (mPEG), glioma-targeting peptide chlorotoxin (CTX), and diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) for ^99mTc radiolabeling on the surface of PEI. After the acetylation of the remaining PEI surface amines using acetic anhydride (Ac₂O), the CTX-modified PEI (mPEI-CTX) was utilized as a carrier to load chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin (DOX) in its interior cavity. The formed mPEI-CTX/DOX complex had excellent water dispersibility and released DOX in a sustainable and pH-dependent manner; furthermore, it showed targeting specificity and therapeutic effect of DOX toward glioma cells in vitro and in vivo (a subcutaneous tumor mouse model). Owing to the unique biological properties of CTX, the mPEI-CTX/DOX complex was able to cross the BBB and accumulate at the tumor site in an orthotopic rat glioma model. In addition, after efficient radiolabeling of PEI with ^99mTc via DTPA, the ^99mTc-labeled complex could help to visualize the drug accumulation in tumors of glioma-bearing mice and the drug delivery into the brains of rats through SPECT imaging. Conclusions: These results indicate the potential of the developed PEI-based nanocomplex in facilitating glioma-targeting SPECT imaging and chemotherapy.