Targeting tumor microenvironment with photodynamic nanomedicine.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is approved for the treatment of certain cancers and precancer lesions. While early Photosensitizers (PS) have found their way to the clinic, research in the last two decades has led to the development of third-generation PS, including photodynamic nanomedicine for improved tumor delivery and minimal systemic or phototoxicity. In terms of nanoparticle design for PDT, we are witnessing a shift from passive to active delivery for improved outcomes with reduced PS dosage.

Combinatorial Delivery of Docetaxel- and Erlotinib-Loaded Functionalized Nanostructured Lipid Carriers for the Treatment of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Using Quality-by-Design Approach.

This study explored the combined administration of docetaxel (DOC) and erlotinib (ERL) using nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs), with folic acid (FA) conjugation to enhance their synergistic anticancer efficacy against triple-negative breast cancer. NLCs were developed through hot melt homogenization-ultrasound dispersion, and optimized by a quality-by-design (QbD) approach using Plackett-Burman design and Box-Behnken design. Plots were generated based on maximum desirability.

Scalable phosphorylated cellulose production with improved environmental sustainability, crosslinkability and processability using 3D bioprinting for dye remediation.

In the present work, phosphorylated cellulose (PC) gel has been produced following an environmentally benign approach using agro-based chemicals with improved yield. The PC gels produced were transparent, negatively charged with high consistency, charge content (1133.33 mmol/kg), degree of substitution (DS) of 0.

Biogenic synthesis of gold nanoparticles using dual extract of tulsi- for breast cancer tumor regression in mice.

This work aims to synthesize the gold nanoparticles (GNPs) using a dual extract of tulsi and (T+V-Gold) for breast cancer tumor regression. The GNPs were synthesized and characterized for their microscopic, spectroscopic and crystalline properties. Further, the GNPs were investigated for and studies for the treatment of the 4T1-induced triple-negative breast cancer murine model.

Effect of carbon quantum dots derived from extracts of UV-B-exposed Eclipta alba on alcohol-induced liver cirrhosis in Golden Hamster.

The Eclipta alba plant is considered hepatoprotective, owing to its phytoconstituents wedelolactone. In the current study, effect of elevated ultraviolet-B (eUV-B) radiation was investigated on biochemical, phytochemical, and antioxidative enzymatic activities of E. alba (Bhringraj) plant.

Fabrication of white light emitting diodes via high yield surface passivated carbon quantum dots doped with terbium.

Exploiting the unique characteristics of various materials to create novel hybrid materials opens up innovative possibilities for cutting-edge applications across numerous fields. Here, we have synthesized novel surface functionalized photoluminescent carbon quantum dots (CQDs) doped with a rare-earth element (Tb) for white light emitting diodes. High quantum yield CQDs were produced utilizing leaves as a precursor using a one-step hydrothermal approach, and further, its optical characterization was thoroughly investigated.

A systemic review on liquid crystals, nanoformulations and its application for detection and treatment of SARS - CoV- 2 (COVID - 19).

The COVID-19 is a pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has instigated major health problems and prompted WHO to proclaim a worldwide medical emergency. The knowledge of SARS-CoV-2 fundamental structure, aetiology, its entrance mechanism, membrane hijacking and immune response against the virus, are important parameters to develop effective vaccines and medicines. Liquid crystals integrated nano-techniques and various nanoformulations were applied to tackle the severity of the virus.

A Strategic Review on Carbon Quantum Dots for Cancer-Diagnostics and Treatment.

The understanding of the genesis of life-threatening cancer and its invasion calls for urgent development of novel technologies for real-time observations, early diagnosis, and treatment. Quantum dots (QDs) grabbed the spotlight in oncology owing to their excellent photostability, bright fluorescence, high biocompatibility, good electrical and chemical stability with minimum invasiveness. Recently, carbon QDs (CQDs) have become popular over toxic inorganic QDs in the area of bioimaging, biosensing, and drug delivery.

Synthesis and characterization of novel protein nanodots as drug delivery carriers with an enhanced biological efficacy of melatonin in breast cancer cells.

Melatonin is a potent antioxidant, chemotherapeutic and chemo preventive agent against breast cancer. However, its short half-life is one of the major limitations in its application as a therapeutic drug. To overcome this issue, the green-emitting protein nanodot (PND) was synthesized by a one-step hydrothermal method for loading melatonin.

Large Area Few-Layer Hexagonal Boron Nitride as a Raman Enhancement Material.

Increasingly, two-dimensional (2D) materials are being investigated for their potential use as surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) active substrates. Hexagonal Boron Nitride (hBN), a layered 2D material analogous to graphene, is mostly used as a passivation layer/dielectric substrate for nanoelectronics application. We have investigated the SERS activity of few-layer hBN film synthesized on copper foil using atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition.

Color removal from model dye effluent using PVA-GA hydrogel beads.

A low cost polyvinyl alcohol-glutaraldehyde cross-linked hydrogel beads were prepared and used for color removal from model industrial effluent containing Congo Red dye, using adsorption technique. The adsorption studies were performed using batch and fixed-bed reactor. Developed adsorbent, achieved adsorption capacity as high as ~34 mg of dye per gram of bead (condition: pH 6 and 45 °C).

Printability assessment of psyllium husk (isabgol)/gelatin blends using rheological and mechanical properties.

The primary goal of this study is to highlight the rheological and mechanical properties of a new blend composed of naturally-derived hydrogel materials- psyllium husk (PH) and gelatin (G) for its potential use in three-dimensional (3D) printing technology. The mixtures were prepared at various weight ratios of 100PH, 75PH + 25G and 50PH + 50G. A suitable selection of the printable ink was made based on the preliminary screening steps of manual filament drop test and layer stacking by 3D printing.

Water-Templated, Polysaccharide-rich Bioartificial 3D Microarchitectures as Extra-Cellular Matrix Bioautomatons.

This is the first report of exploiting the "quasi-spherical" shape of water molecules for recapitulating a true human extracellular matrix (ECM). Herein, water behaved as a quasi-spherical porogen, for engineering polysaccharide-rich and chemically defined 3D-microarchitecture, with semi-interpenetrating networks (S-IPNs). Furthermore, their viscoelastic behavior along with a heterogeneous, fibroporous morphology, facilitated instructive, self-remodeling of the bioartificial scaffolds, thence effectively permitting and promoting the growth of 3D tumor spheroids of divergent origins.

DNA biodots based targeted theranostic nanomedicine for the imaging and treatment of non-small cell lung cancer.

The light absorption and emission characteristics of DNA biodots (DNA-BD), along with biocompatibility, give them a high potential for use in various medical applications, particularly in diagnostic purpose. DNA, under high pressure and temperature, condenses to form luminescent biodots. The objective of this research is to develop DNA-biodots (BD) loaded and cetuximab conjugated targeted theranostic liposomes of etoposide for lung cancer imaging and therapy.

Sandalwood-derived carbon quantum dots as bioimaging tools to investigate the toxicological effects of malachite green in model organisms.

Malachite green is an N-methylated diaminophenylmethane dye that has generated much concern over its suggestive carcinogenic nature. After its excessive use in aquaculture industry as an effective ectoparasitide, much debate was raised over its toxicological effects leading to scientific studies conducted on animal models. Even after several bans, malachite green is still easily available in many parts of the world and unscrupulously even used to give green vegetables a fresher look.

Characterization of Self-Assembled Protein Scaffolds from Collagen-Mimetic Peptides.

Collagen-mimetic peptides have been utilized to form structures of different morphology for various biomedical and nanotechnology applications. This chapter describes the characterization of collagen-mimetic peptide self-assembled structures formed by tuning the interactions between peptides. Inclusion of varying hydrophobicity, electrostatic forces, and stereoselectivity was mainly employed in CMP designs discussed herein.