A Dual-Emission Nanohybrid of Gold Nanoclusters and Carbon Dots for Ratiometric Fluorescence Detection of Reactive Oxygen Species and Glucose.

Detecting reactive oxygen species (ROS) is critical for understanding the mechanisms of diseases. In this work, a convenient ratiometric fluorescent method for determination of ROS was developed basing on a nontoxic nanohybrid system which was constructed by carbon dots (CDs) and gold nanoclusters (Au NCs). The combination was prepared easily basing on self-assembly without any complex process, achieving maximum reservation of the two fluorescent properties.

Fabrication of Carbohydrate-Conjugated Fingerprintlike Mesoporous Silica Net for the Targeted Capture of Bacteria.

Herein, a rapid, straightforward, reliable, and low-cost strategy for targeted capture and detection of bacteria using carbohydrate-conjugated mesoporous silica structure was developed. Fingerprint-like mesoporous silica net (FMSN) with well-defined three-dimensional architecture and ordered morphology was first facilely synthesized by the aid of tetrabutylammonium iodine (TBAI) as cotemplates with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). When conjugated with maltoheptaose as targeting moiety, FMSN showed efficient and selective capturing capability of Staphylococcus epidermidis.

BSA Protein-Mediated Synthesis of Hollow Mesoporous Silica Nanotubes, and Their Carbohydrate Conjugates for Targeting Cancer Cells and Detecting Mycobacteria.

A straightforward method was developed to synthesize hollow mesoporous silica nanotubes (HMSNTs) using bovine serum protein (BSA) as the protective coating and phosphate buffered saline (PBS) as the etching agent at room temperature. Galactose-grafted HMSNTs significantly reduced phagocytosis by macrophages, and enhanced cellular uptake by A549 cells via caveolae-mediated uptake pathway. Trehalose-conjugated HMSNTs interacted strongly with mycobacteria, showing the linear detection range from 1 × 10 to 1 × 10 bacteria/mL and the detection limit of 1 × 10 bacteria/mL.

One-Pot Synthesis of Fe3O4@PS@P(AEMH-FITC) Magnetic Fluorescent Nanocomposites for Bimodal Imaging.

Magnetic fluorescent nanocomposites have attracted much attention because of their merging magnetic and fluorescent properties for biomedical application. However, the procedure of synthesis of magnetic fluorescent nanocomposites is always complicated. In addition, the properties of fluorescent component could be easily influenced by magnetic component, retaining both of the magnetic and fluorescent properties into one single nanoparticle considered to be a significant challenge.

Shape matters when engineering mesoporous silica-based nanomedicines.

Mesoporous silica nanomaterials have been successfully employed in the development of novel carriers for drug delivery. Numerous studies have been reported on engineering mesoporous silica-based carriers for drug loading, release, cellular uptake, and biocompatibility. A number of design parameters that govern the in vitro and in vivo performance of the carriers, including particle diameter, surface chemistry, and pore size, have been tuned to optimize nanomedicine efficacy.

One-pot synthesis of active copper-containing carbon dots with laccase-like activities.

Herein, an effective strategy for designing a new type of nanozyme, blue fluorescent laccase mimics, is reported. Active copper-containing carbon dots (Cu-CDs) were synthesized through a simple, nontoxic and one-pot hydrothermal method, which showed favorable photoluminescence properties and good photostability under high-salt conditions or in a broad pH range (3.0-13.

Fast synthesis of fluorescent SiO@CdTe nanoparticles with reusability in detection of HO.

In this study, highly fluorescent core/shell SiO@CdTe nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized conveniently and efficiently via a hydrothermal method. The as-prepared SiO@CdTe NPs were uniform with good fluorescence preservation. The SiO@CdTe NPs could be used for the rapid detection of HO with good sensitivity within several minutes.

A smart all-in-one theranostic platform for CT imaging guided tumor microwave thermotherapy based on IL@ZrO nanoparticles.

This study develops a simple hollow ZrO nanostructure as a carrier to encapsulate ionic liquid (IL), which integrates the CT imaging function of the ZrO shell and the microwave susceptibility function of the IL core. The simple nanostructure can be used as a multifunctional theranostic agent combining diagnostic and therapeutic modalities into one "package". Based on the microwave susceptibility properties, the tumor inhibiting ratio can be over 90% in mice models after one-time thermal therapy upon microwave irradiation.

Fatigue damage to pig erythrocytes during repeated swelling and shrinkage.

During the removal of cryoprotectants from cryopreserved-thawed blood with the dialysis-based or dilution-filtration method, due to the change in the extracellular osmolality, erythrocytes usually undergo repeated swelling and shrinkage. However, the erythrocyte fatigue damage induced by this repeated volume change has not yet been studied. In this work, by successively loading hypotonic and hypertonic solutions, we mimicked the repeated swelling and shrinkage of pig erythrocytes and then examined the effect of the number of cycle loops on the steady-state volume and the mortality of the pig erythrocytes.

Encapsulating Ionic Liquid and Fe₃O₄ Nanoparticles in Gelatin Microcapsules as Microwave Susceptible Agent for MR Imaging-guided Tumor Thermotherapy.

The combination of therapies and monitoring the treatment process has become a new concept in cancer therapy. Herein, gelatin-based microcapsules have been first reported to be used as microwave (MW) susceptible agent and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging contrast agent for cancer MW thermotherapy. Using the simple coacervation methods, ionic liquid (IL) and Fe3O4 nanoparticles (NPs) were wrapped in microcapsules, and these microcapsules showed good heating efficacy in vitro under MW irradiation.

Shape-mediated biological effects of mesoporous silica nanoparticles.

For biomedical applications, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs)-based theranostic agents have shown to be a promising alternative. Rational design of particulate systems should consider, beside the physicochemical properties of particle size and surface chemistry, shape features as aspect ratio (AR) and morphology. Recent advances of fabrication technologies for manufacturing different shaped MSNs and evaluation means of its in vitro and in vivo biological performance provide new aspects and wisdom in nanomedicine development.

Gelatin microcapsules for enhanced microwave tumor hyperthermia.

Local and rapid heating by microwave (MW) irradiation is important in the clinical treatment of tumors using hyperthermia. We report here a new thermo-seed technique for the highly efficient MW irradiation ablation of tumors in vivo based on gelatin microcapsules. We achieved 100% tumor elimination in a mouse model at an ultralow power of 1.

A sensitive biosensor for the fluorescence detection of the acetylcholinesterase reaction system based on carbon dots.

The carbon dots (C-dots) with high fluorescence quantum yield were prepared using hydrothermal method. C-dots have been adopted as probes for the fluorescence turn-off detection of H2O2 based on the special sensibility for the hydroxyl radical. And then the biosensors for the detection of substrate and enzymes activities were established in the acetylcholinesterase reaction system, which were related to the production of H2O2.

Synthesis of ultra-stable fluorescent carbon dots from polyvinylpyrrolidone and their application in the detection of hydroxyl radicals.

Highly biocompatible and highly photostable fluorescent carbon dots (C dots) were obtained through a simple and nontoxic one-pot hydrothermal method. Polyvinylpyrrolidone, a common and low-cost biocompatibility reagent, was used as the only carbon source for the first time. The resulting water-soluble C dots showed a quantum yield of up to 23.

Icosahedral gold-platinum alloy nanocrystals in hollow silica: a highly active and stable catalyst for Ullmann reactions.

Icosahedral Au-Pt alloy nanocrystals are prepared in porous hollow silica nanospheres via a hydrothermal method without using capping agents. These nanoparticles with unique shape and structure exhibit excellent catalytic activity and stability in Ullmann reactions.

Smaller silica nanorattles reabsorbed by intestinal aggravate multiple organs damage.

Recent advances in design and controllable synthesis of rattle-type silica nanoparticles have led to a dramatic expansion of their potential drug delivery application. However, the relationship between physico-chemical parameters and bio-effects of silica nanoparticles is still unclear. In the present study, we investigated the effect of particle size on acute toxicity caused by intravenously administered silica nanorattles (SNs) in vivo.

An eco-friendly, simple, and sensitive fluorescence biosensor for the detection of choline and acetylcholine based on C-dots and the Fenton reaction.

A simple and novel method is proposed for the preparation of Carbon dots (C-dots) with excellent properties. We firstly demonstrated that the fluorescence of C-dots decreased apparently in the presence of H2O2 and Fe(2+). Based on the this finding, C-dots are successfully adopted as probes for the detection of H2O2.

Sensitive and selective detection of Hg2+ and Cu2+ ions by fluorescent Ag nanoclusters synthesized via a hydrothermal method.

An easily prepared fluorescent Ag nanoclusters (Ag NCs) probe for the sensitive and selective detection of Hg(2+) and Cu(2+) ions was developed here. The Ag NCs were synthesized by using polymethacrylic acid sodium salt as a template via a convenient hydrothermal process. The as-prepared fluorescent Ag NCs were monodispersed, uniform and less than 2 nm in diameter, and can be quenched in the presence of mercury (Hg(2+)) or copper (Cu(2+)) ions.

A new amperometric glucose biosensor based on one-step electrospun poly(vinyl alcohol)/chitosan nanofibers.

In this work, a new glucose amperometric biosensor was developed by directly electrospinning poly(vinyl alcohol)/chitostan nanofibers on the surface of the platinum electrode, in which glucose oxidase (GOD) was effectively immobilized in nanofibers by encapsulation. After been cross-linked in glutaraldehyde vapor and modified with a thin nafion film, the nanofibers (PVA/chitosan/GOD)/nafion electrode was used for glucose amperometric measurements. The electrospun nanofibrous enzyme membrane served as a better sensing element than the casing one due to the unique properties of nanofibers such as the special three-dimensional network structure, large pores, high porosity, and large surface to volume ratios.

Preparation of magnetic rattle-type silica through a general and facile pre-shell-post-core process for simultaneous cancer imaging and therapy.

Here we report a novel pre-shell-post-core method for the fabrication of monodispersed magnetic rattle-type silica (MRS) through an entrapment process, which could be used as a promising theranostic agent for simultaneous magnetic resonance imaging and drug delivery.

LHRH-PE40 fusion protein tethered silica nanorattles for imaging-guided tumor-specific drug delivery and bimodal therapy.

Docyanine green (ICG) and LHRH-PE40 fusion protein are tethered onto drug carriers of silica nanorattles for imaging-guided tumor-specific drug delivery and bimodal therapy. The synergistic therapeutic effect of toxin PE40 and the chemotherapeutic drug docetaxel (Dtxl), specifically directed by LHRH to cancer, improves cancer treatment. Simultaneously, ICG enables real-time monitoring of the silica nanocomposites and therapeutic response.

Impact of PEGylation on the biological effects and light heat conversion efficiency of gold nanoshells on silica nanorattles.

As an excellent photothermal agent candidate, gold nanoshells have attracted a great deal of attention, but the influences of PEGylation on their biological effects and light heat conversion efficiency remain unclear. Here we investigate the influences of PEGylation density on the gold nanoshells on silica nanorattles (GSNPs) to their biological effects, including their cellular uptake, "corona" of biological macromolecules they are covered with, in vivo biodistribution and toxicities, and their in vitro and in vivo light heat conversion efficiency. The results suggest PEGylation obviously impacts the uptake patterns of GSNPs.

Multifunctional Fe3O4@P(St/MAA)@chitosan@Au core/shell nanoparticles for dual imaging and photothermal therapy.

Merging different components into a single nanoparticle can exhibit profound impact on various biomedical applications including diagnostics, imaging, and therapy. However, retaining the unique properties of each component after integration has proven to be a significant challenge. Our previous research demonstrated that gold nanoshells on polystyrene spheres have potential in photohermal therapy.