Antitumoral action of carvedilol-a repositioning study of the drug incorporated into mesoporous silica MCM-41.

We have studied repositioning of carvedilol (an antihypertensive drug) incorporated into MCM-41 mesoporous silica. The repositioning proposes a reduction in the slow pace of discovery of new drugs, as well as toxicological safety and a significant reduction in high research costs, making it an attractive strategy for researchers and large pharmaceutical companies. We obtained MCM-41 bysynthesis and functionalized it by post-synthesis grafting with aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) only or with folic acid (FA), which gave MCM-41-APTES and MCM-41-APTES-FA, respectively.

Luminescence properties of neodymium, samarium, and europium niobate and tantalate thin films.

Thin films of lanthanide orthoniobate LnNbO (LnNO) and orthotantalate LnTaO (LnTO), (Ln = Nd, Sm, Eu) were fabricated using the sol-gel method with subsequent spin-coating on the PbZrO /Al O substrate and annealing at 1000°C. X-ray diffraction patterns showed monoclinic M-LnNbO or M´-LnTaO , which coexists with the orthorhombic or tetragonal phase. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy demonstrated the presence of Nd , Sm /Sm and Eu /Eu ions.

Silver nanoparticle incorporation into flexible polyamide 12 membranes.

To meet the demands of the market and society, the development of structured polymeric materials for application in the medical field is constantly increasing. Over the last decades, metallic silver nanoparticles have been explored due to their antimicrobial action. Here, we aimed to incorporate metallic silver nanoparticles into polymeric pieces obtained by additive manufacture via a chemical route involving silver nitrate and sodium borohydride.

NIR Luminescence Enhancement of YVO:Nd Phosphor for Biological Application.

This work reports two systematic studies related to yttrium vanadate (YVO) phosphors. The first evaluates how the annealing temperature and V/Y molar ratio determine the emergence of a single YVO tetragonal phase, whereas the second concerns the optimal Nd concentration to improve the infrared emission properties for bio-labelling applications. The YVO:Nd phosphors were synthesized by adapting the non-hydrolytic sol-gel route.

Incorporation of indomethacin into a mesoporous silica nanoparticle enhances the anti-inflammatory effect Indomethacin into a mesoporous silica.

Purpose: We evaluated the analgesic, anti-inflammatory and toxicological effects of indomethacin incorporated into mesoporous silica nanoparticles (IND+NP).

Methods: Nociception was evaluated by the formalin assay. The anti-inflammatory potential was assessed by cell migration and paw edema assays, modulation of nitric oxide and cytokines (IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-α) by macrophages production.

Anti-Melanoma Activity of Indomethacin Incorporated into Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles.

Unlabelled: Melanoma is the deadliest type of skin cancer. Treatments that directly address tumor survival are required. Indomethacin (IND) is a well-known drug used worldwide.

Effect of ytterbium amount on LaNbO:Tm,Yb nanoparticles for bio-labelling applications.

Purpose: This work investigates how Yb concentration affects the luminescent properties of LaNbO nanoparticles for medical imaging applications. Due to the highly transparent optical window for organic tissues in the near infrared region (650-1000 nm), upconversion fluorescence allows near infrared wavelengths to penetrate deeply into tissues, which is useful in biomedical areas such as biodetection, activated phototherapy, and screening.

Materials/method: Upconversion nanoparticles based on LaNbO doped with Tm and Yb were prepared by the one-step industrial process called Spray Pyrolysis.

Non-hydrolytic Sol-Gel Route: a Powerful Process to Develop UV-Vis-IR Luminescent YVO Phosphors.

The spectroscopic properties of lanthanide ions stem from absorption and emission radiation in the solar spectrum range, which promotes numerous applications in areas such as white light emission, bio-imaging, biological markers, and photovoltaic cells, among others. To intensify these properties, several matrixes have been studied, particularly the yttrium vanadate matrix due to its structural, mechanic, and physicochemical properties. The non-hydrolytic sol-gel process is a versatile way to prepare inorganic oxides doped with lanthanide ions.

White and Red Brazilian São Simão's Kaolinite-TiO Nanocomposites as Catalysts for Toluene Photodegradation from Aqueous Solutions.

The presence of volatile organic compounds in groundwater is a major concern when it is used as a drinking water source because many of these compounds can adversely affect human health. This work reports on the preparation and characterization of white and red Brazilian São Simão's kaolinite-TiO nanocomposites and their use as catalysts in the photochemical degradation of toluene, a significant volatile organic compound. The nanocomposites were prepared by a sol-gel procedure, using titanium bis(triethanolaminate)diisopropoxide as a precursor.

The preparation of benzyl esters using stoichiometric niobium (V) chloride versus niobium grafted SiO catalyst: A comparison study.

Two solvent free methods of a one-to-one alcohol/acid mol ratio synthesis of benzyl esters of the formic, acetic, benzoic, salicylic, nicotinic, and oxalic acids are described. The stoichiometric reactions used 1.5 mol ratio solid NbCl as the reagent and required from two to three hours for completion at room temperature; for the catalytic processes, NbCl was grafted directly, at room temperature, onto a silica gel of specific area of 507 mg, produced from construction sand and sodium carbonate, forming a 5.

Effect of gadolinium incorporation on the structure and luminescence properties of niobium-based materials.

In this work, we have investigated how the concentration of Gd ions affects the structural and luminescent properties of niobium oxide-based matrices doped with Eu ions obtained by the adapted non-hydrolytic sol-gel route. X-ray diffractograms revealed that increasing the concentration of Gd ions favored the onset of the GdO structure decreasing the GdNbO phase. The excitation spectra (λ  = 613 nm) presented bands corresponding to the F → L transitions (L = D, G, and L, where J = 0-7), attributed to the Eu ions, and a broad band at 270 nm, assigned to the charge transfer of the [Formula: see text] group.

Europium(III)-doped yttrium vanadate nanoparticles reduce the toxicity of cisplatin.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antitumor efficiency of chemotherapy with cisplatin alone and incorporated into europium(III)-doped yttrium vanadate nanoparticles functionalized with 3‑chloropropyltrimethoxysilane with folic acid and without folic acid in a syngeneic mouse melanoma model. Histopathological, biochemical and genotoxic analyses of treated animals were performed to assess the toxicity of treatments. The treatment of the animals with cisplatin alone and the nanoparticles functionalized with cisplatin at a dose of 5 mg/kg b.

Incorporation of the chemotherapy medication cisplatin into polyamide membrane.

The search for more efficient and less aggressive cancer treatment methods has intensified over the last decades and has involved many scientific areas. To provide skin cancer patients with better quality of life, this work aims to incorporate chemotherapy into polyamide membranes, functionalized by the sol-gel methodology, for controlled drug release at the target tissue. A 200-micrometer-thick flexible polyamide membrane prepared by Additive Manufacture was activated and functionalized with the alkoxide 3-chloropropyltriethoxysilane, which was followed by incorporation of the antitumor agent cisplatin.

Incorporation of anti-inflammatory agent into mesoporous silica.

The unique properties of macroporous, mesoporous, and microporous systems, including their ability to accommodate molecules of different sizes inside their pores and to act as drug delivery systems, have been the object of extensive studies. In this work, mesoporous silica with hexagonal structure was obtained by template synthesis via the sol-gel process. The resulting material was used as support to accommodate the anti-inflammatory agent indomethacin.

Organically Modified Saponites: SAXS Study of Swelling and Application in Caffeine Removal.

This study aimed to assess the capacity of saponite modified with n-hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and/or 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTS) to adsorb and remove caffeine from aqueous solutions. Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) revealed increased basal spacing in the modified saponites. Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) confirmed the PXRD results; it also showed how the different clay layers were stacked and provided information on the swelling of natural saponite and of the saponites functionalized with CTAB and/or APTS.

Nanospherical silica as luminescent markers obtained by sol-gel.

Hybrid nanosilicas constitute a broad study field. They find application as catalysts, pigments, drug delivery systems, and biomaterials, among others, and it is possible to obtain them via the sol-gel methodology. Lanthanide ions present special properties like light emission.

Poly(L-lactic acid) membranes: absence of genotoxic hazard and potential for drug delivery.

The use of poly(L-lactic acid) (PLA) has been considered an important alternative for medical devices once this polyester presents biomechanical, optical and biodegradable properties. Moreover, the use of PLA results in less inflammatory reactions and more recently it has been proposed its application in drug delivery systems. Genotoxicological evaluations are considered part of the battery assays in toxicological analysis.

Ureasil-poly(ethylene oxide) hybrid matrix for selective adsorption and separation of dyes from water.

Herein, we present a cross-linked ureasil-polyether-siloxane hybrid (labeled PEO500) that can function as a stimuli-sensitive material; it swells or shrinks in response to changes in the environmental conditions and it can also, effectively and selectively, remove dyes from water solution. We also developed a methodology to separate a mixture of cationic and anionic dyes present in water. Addition of PEO500 to an aqueous solution of the anionic orange II (OII) or the ponceau S (PS) dye rendered the solution colorless, but an aqueous solution of cationic methylene blue (MB) remained unchanged after 2 h of contact with the insoluble matrix.

Takovite-aluminosilicate-Cr materials prepared by adsorption of Cr3+ from industrial effluents as catalysts for hydrocarbon oxidation reactions.

The catalytic efficiency of takovite-aluminosilicate-chromium catalysts obtained by adsorption of Cr(3+) ions from aqueous solutions by a takovite-aluminosilicate nanocomposite adsorbent is reported. The adsorbent was synthesized by the coprecipitation method. The catalytic activity of the final Cr-catalysts depended on the amount of adsorbed chromium.

Influence of catalyses on the preparation of YVO4:Eu 3+ phosphors by the sol-gel methodology.

YVO(4):Eu(3+) phosphors have been prepared by the hydrolytic sol-gel methodology, with and without alkaline catalyst. The solid powder was obtained by reaction between yttrium III chloride and vanadium alkoxides; the europium III chloride was used as structural probe. The powder was treated at 100, 400, 600, or 800 °C for 4 h.

New highly luminescent hybrid materials: terbium pyridine-picolinate covalently grafted on kaolinite.

Luminescent hybrid materials derived from kaolinite appear as promising materials for optical applications due to their specific properties. The spectroscopic behavior of terbium picolinate complexes covalently grafted on kaolinite and the influence of the secondary ligand and thermal treatment on luminescence are reported. The resulting materials were characterized by thermal analysis, element analysis, X-ray diffraction, infrared absorption spectroscopy, and photoluminescence.

Synthesis and biocompatibility of an experimental glass ionomer cement prepared by a non-hydrolytic sol-gel method.

The aims of this study were to demonstrate the synthesis of an experimental glass ionomer cement (GIC) by the non-hydrolytic sol-gel method and to evaluate its biocompatibility in comparison to a conventional glass ionomer cement (Vidrion R). Four polyethylene tubes containing the tested cements were implanted in the dorsal region of 15 rats, as follows: GI - experimental GIC and GII - conventional GIC. The external tube walls was considered the control group (CG).

Porphyrin-kaolinite as efficient catalyst for oxidation reactions.

The preparation, characterization, and application in oxidation reactions of new biomimetic catalysts are reported. Brazilian Sao Simao kaolinite clay has been functionalized with [meso-tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)porphinato]iron(III), Fe(TPFPP). To obtain the functionalized clay, the natural clay was purified by dispersion-sedimentation, expanded by insertion of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and functionalized with amino groups by substitution of DMSO with ethanolamine.

New synthesis strategies for effective functionalization of kaolinite and saponite with silylating agents.

Functionalization of Brazilian São Simão kaolinite and Spanish Yunclillos saponite with the alkoxysilanes 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane and 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane is reported. The resulting hybrids were characterized by X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis, infrared absorption spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy, which demonstrated the effectiveness of the interlamellar grafting process. The X-ray diffractograms revealed incorporation of the alkoxide molecules into the interlayer space of the clays.