EGFR-targeted semiconducting polymer nanoparticles for photoacoustic imaging.

Semiconducting polymer nanoparticles (SPN), formulated from organic semiconducting polymers and lipids, show promise as exogenous contrast agents for photoacoustic imaging (PAI). To fully realise the potential of this class of nanoparticles for imaging and therapeutic applications, a broad range of active targeting strategies, where ligands specific to receptors on the target cells are displayed on the SPN surface, are urgently needed. In addition, effective strategies for quantifying the level of surface modification are also needed to support development of ligand-targeted SPN.

The performance and environmental impact of pro-oxidant additive containing plastics in the open unmanaged environment-a review of the evidence.

Pro-oxidant additive containing (PAC) plastics is a term that describes a growing number of plastics which are designed to degrade in the unmanaged natural environment (open-air, soil, aquatic) through oxidation and other processes. It is a category that includes 'oxo-degradable' plastics, 'oxo-biodegradable' plastics and those containing 'biotransformation' additives. There is evidence that a new standard PAS 9017 : 2020 is relevant to predicting the timescale for abiotic degradation of PAC plastic in hot dry climates under ideal conditions (data reviewed for South of France and Florida).

Nanotechnology-augmented sonodynamic therapy and associated immune-mediated effects for the treatment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Purpose: Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) is emerging as a cancer treatment alternative with significant advantages over conventional therapies, including its minimally invasive and site-specific nature, its radical antitumour efficacy with minimal side effects, and its capacity to raise an antitumour immune response. The study explores the efficacy of SDT in combination with nanotechnology against pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Methods: A nanoparticulate formulation (HPNP) based on a cathepsin B-degradable glutamate-tyrosine co-polymer that carries hematoporphyrin was used in this study for the SDT-based treatment of PDAC.

Biobased Elastomer Nanofibers Guide Light-Controlled Human-iPSC-Derived Skeletal Myofibers.

Generating skeletal muscle tissue that mimics the cellular alignment, maturation, and function of native skeletal muscle is an ongoing challenge in disease modeling and regenerative therapies. Skeletal muscle cultures require extracellular guidance and mechanical support to stabilize contractile myofibers. Existing microfabrication-based solutions are limited by complex fabrication steps, low throughput, and challenges in measuring dynamic contractile function.

Investigating the performance of a novel pH and cathepsin B sensitive, stimulus-responsive nanoparticle for optimised sonodynamic therapy in prostate cancer.

Nano-formulations that are responsive to tumour-related and externally-applied stimuli can offer improved, site-specific antitumor effects, and can improve the efficacy of conventional therapeutic agents. Here, we describe the performance of a novel stimulus-responsive nanoparticulate platform for the targeted treatment of prostate cancer using sonodynamic therapy (SDT). The nanoparticles were prepared by self-assembly of poly(L-glutamic acid-L-tyrosine) co-polymer with hematoporphyrin.

Photoactivity of New Octacationic Magnesium(II) and Zinc(II) Porphyrazines in a Water Solution and G-Quadruplex Binding Ability of Differently Sized Zinc(II) Porphyrazines.

The new octacations [(2-Mepy)PzM] [M = Mg(HO), Zn], isolated as iodide salts, were obtained from the corresponding neutral complexes [PyPzM] (Py = 2-pyridyl; Pz = porphyrazinato dianion) upon quaternization with CHI of the N atoms of the 2-pyridyl rings under mild experimental conditions. The absorption spectra registered in organic solvents as well as in water (HO) confirm the presence of the complexes in their monomeric form in all cases. The two octacations behave as photosensitizers in a HO/sodium dodecyl sulfate solution for the production of singlet oxygen, O, and exhibit quantum yield values (Φ) 2.

Octakis(2-pyridyl)porphyrazine and Its Neutral Metal Derivatives: UV-Visible Spectral, Electrochemical, and Photoactivity Studies.

Tetrapyrrolic porphyrazine macrocycles with externally appended 2-pyridyl rings were synthesized and characterized as to their spectroscopic, electrochemical, and photophysical properties. The investigated compounds are represented as [PyPzH], the unmetalated octakis(2-pyridyl)porphyrazine, and the metal complexes [PyPzM], where M is Mg(HO), Cu, Zn, or Co. The spectroscopic properties and the electrochemical behavior of these compounds were examined in solution of polar (pyridine, dimethyl sulfoxide, and dimethylformamide) and nondonor solvents (CHCl, CHCl), and the data were compared with those obtained from earlier studies on the related tetrapyrazinoporphyrazines, [PyTPyzPzM], and the tetraquinoxalinoporphyrazines, [PyQxPzM], also bearing externally 2-pyridyl rings, and characterized by a more extended central π-conjugated macrocyclic framework.

Tetra-2,3-pyrazinoporphyrazines with externally appended pyridine rings. 17. Photosensitizing properties and cellular effects of Zn octacationic and Zn/Pt hexacationic macrocycles in aqueous media: Perspectives of multimodal anticancer potentialities.

The photosensitizing activity of two multiply charged porphyrazine derivatives, i.e. the Zn species [(CH)LZn] and the Zn/Pt heterobimetallic complex [(PtCl)(CH)LZn] (neutralized byI ions; L=tetrakis-2,3-[5,6-di(2-pyridyl)pyrazino]porphyrazinato dianion) has been examined in the water medium in the presence of SDS under experimental conditions in which the two species are present exclusively in their monomeric form.

Ion distribution around synthetic vesicles of the cat-anionic type.

Aqueous alkyltrimethylammonium bromides, or dialkyldimethylammonium ones, were mixed with sodium alkyl sulfates and dialkanesulfonates. Depending on the overall surfactant concentration, charge and/or mole ratios, cat-anionic vesicles were formed by mixing nonstoichiometric amounts of oppositely charged species. The resulting vesicles are thermodynamically and kinetically stable.