A composition includes a photon upconversion nanoparticle coupled to a photosensitizer nanoparticle that can absorb light and convert tissue oxygen into reactive oxygen species. A low temperature hydrothermal method of making photon upconversion nanoparticles includes dispersing Yb(NO.sub.3).sub.3, Y(NO.sub.3).sub.3, and Er(NO.sub.3).sub.3 in water to prepare a mixture; adding an ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and NaF with sonication to make a solution; adjusting a pH of the solution to approximately 3.5 using HNO.sub.3 and NaOH; treating the solution hydrothermally at approximately 130° C. for approximately 4 hours; quenching to approximately 20° C.; collecting and washing the photon upconversion nanoparticles. A near infrared triggered photon upconversion method for synergistic photodynamic and photothermal cancer therapy includes administering a nanocomposite comprising a photon upconversion nanoparticle coupled to a photosensitizer nanoparticle that can absorb light and convert tissue oxygen into reactive oxygen species; and exposing the mammal and the nanocomposite to a near infrared source of actinic radiation.

The present invention contemplates a topical ophthalmic system for treating a Gram-positive bacterially-infected mammalian eye. The system comprises an ophthalmic composition containing a halogenated fluorescein or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof dissolved or dispersed in an aqueous ophthalmic carrier and present in an anti-bacterial keratitis-treating effective concentration of about 0.2 .Math.g/mL to about 50 .Math.g/mL. The ophthalmic composition has a pH value of about 6.5 to about 7.6, a viscosity of about 10 to about 300 cps and an osmolality of about 270 mOsm/kg to about 340 mOsm/kg. The ophthalmic composition is present in a vessel opaque to actinic light. Also contemplated is a method of treating a mammal having a Gram-positive bacterial infection of an eye by administering the ophthalmic composition to the infected eye and maintaining the treated eye in the substantial absence of actinic light for about 3 hours to about 12 hours.

One aspect of the invention provides a method of preventing or reducing stenosis in a subject. The method includes implanting a passivated graft comprising vein into an artery. The implanting of the graft replaces and/or bypasses a diseased segment of the artery. The passivated graft including vein is prepared by exposing the exterior surface of the passivated graft comprising vein to a tissue structure stabilizing agent (“TSSA”) under conditions sufficient to promote cross-linking of proteins within the vein.

Chitosan nanoparticles are provided for use in the in vivo treatment of connective tissues in root canal therapies. The nanoparticles are optionally linked with one or more photoactivatable compounds for providing antibacterial/antibiofilm properties, neutralizing bacterial byproducts and/or chemical/photodynamic crosslinking to achieve enhanced mechanical properties, chemical stability in connective tissues and/or to improve surface/interfacial integrity between filling material and connective tissue.

In one aspect, a method of preconditioning stem cells comprising exposing stem cells to low dose radiation (LDR) is provided. In another aspect, a population of preconditioned stem cells is provided, wherein the population of 5 preconditioned stem cells is obtained by exposing stem cells to LDR. Uses of the preconditioned stem cells are also provided. In other aspects, the stem cells are muscle stem cells.

A formulation for an eye treatment includes a photosensitizer and a permeability enhancing composition. The permeability enhancing composition includes one or more permeability enhancers. The permeability enhancing composition has a hydrophilic and lipophilic balance increases a permeability of an area of the eye for the photosensitizer. The hydrophilic and lipophilic balance can be characterized by a Hydrophile-Lipophile Balance (HLB) number. For example, the area of the eye may include a corneal epithelium, the photosensitizer may include riboflavin, and the permeability enhancing composition may have a corresponding HLB number between approximately 12.6 and approximately 14.6.

The invention relates to small photosensitizers, their process of preparation and uses of the compounds in optical imaging and photodynamic therapy. The invention provides a compound of formula (I), a derivative or a salt thereof Wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of amines, anilines, phenols, thiophenols, selenols and aryl groups; R2 and R3 independently are H or halogen; R4 is selected from the group consisting of H, nitre and cyano: and R5 and R6 independently are either absent or oxygen or methyl.

##STR00001##

Method and apparatus for producing a broad-spectrum therapeutic for inactivating multiple coronavirus strains including COVID-19. The present invention generates an in situ light source which can inactivate the coronavirus within the body without damaging host cells. This invention couples chemiluminescence-generating compounds with various light-sensitive anti-viral compounds. When activated by chemiluminescence-generated light, the anti-viral compounds inactivate nearby virus particles. In one aspect, the coupled components are co-encapsulated in polymer nanospheres for oral and intranasal delivery. In another aspect of the invention, the coupled components are co-encapsulated in phospholipid nanosomes for intravenous delivery.

The present disclosure provides biophotonic topical compositions and methods useful in phototherapy. In particular, the biophotonic topical compositions of the present disclosure are substantially resistant to leaching such that very low amounts of chromophore(s) present in the biophotonic composition leach out of the composition. The biophotonic compositions and the methods of the present disclosure are useful for promoting wound healing and skin rejuvenation, as well as treating acne and various skin disorders.

Disclosed are a self-assembled drug-loading system containing a hydrophilic phototherapeutic drug and a hydrophobic chemotherapeutic drug, a preparation method therefor and the use thereof for preparing an anti-tumor drug. The self-assembled drug-loading system is a water-soluble complex or water-dispersible nanoparticles formed by means of π-π interaction or hydrophobic interaction between the phototherapeutic drug and the chemotherapeutic drug, wherein the molar ratio of the phototherapeutic drug to the chemotherapeutic drug is 2:1 to 1:10.