Luteinizing Hormone-Releasing Hormone (LHRH)-Conjugated Cancer Drug Delivery from Magnetite Nanoparticle-Modified Microporous Poly-Di-Methyl-Siloxane (PDMS) Systems for the Targeted Treatment of Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cells.

This study presents LHRH conjugated drug delivery via a magnetite nanoparticle-modified microporous Poly-Di-Methyl-Siloxane (PDMS) system for the targeted suppression of triple-negative breast cancer cells. First, the MNP-modified PDMS devices are fabricated before loading with targeted and untargeted cancer drugs. The release kinetics from the devices are then studied before fitting the results to the Korsmeyer-Peppas model.

Hydroxyapatite nano-pillars on TI-6Al-4V: Enhancements in cell spreading and proliferation during cell/surface integration.

Despite the attractive combinations of cell/surface interactions, biocompatibility, and good mechanical properties of Ti-6Al-4V, there is still a need to enhance the early stages of cell/surface integration that are associated with the implantation of biomedical devices into the human body. This paper presents a novel, easy and reproducible method of nanoscale and nanostructured hydroxyapatite (HA) coatings on Ti-6Al-4V. The resulting nanoscale coatings/nanostructures are characterized using a combination of Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy.

Targeted drug-loaded PLGA-PCL microspheres for specific and localized treatment of triple negative breast cancer.

The paper presents the results of the experimental and analytical study of targeted drug-loaded polymer-based microspheres made from blend polymer of polylactic-co-glycolic acid and polycaprolactone (PLGA-PCL) for targeted and localized cancer drug delivery. In vitro sustained release with detailed thermodynamically driven drug release kinetics, over a period of three months using encapsulated targeted drugs (prodigiosin-EphA2 or paclitaxel-EphA2) and control drugs [Prodigiosin (PGS), and paclitaxel (PTX)] were studied. Results from in vitro study showed a sustained and localized drug release that is well-characterized by non-Fickian Korsmeyer-Peppas kinetics model over the range of temperatures of 37 °C (body temperature), 41 °C, and 44 °C (hyperthermic temperatures).

Shear Assay Protocol for the Determination of Single-Cell Material Properties.

Irregular biomechanics are a hallmark of cancer biology subject to extensive study. The mechanical properties of a cell are similar to those of a material. A cell's resistance to stress and strain, its relaxation time, and its elasticity are all properties that can be derived and compared to other types of cells.

Self-organized mycelium biocomposites: Effects of geometry and laterite composition on compressive behavior.

This study investigates the compressive deformation and the effect of structural architecture on the compressive strength of bioprocessed mycelium biocomposites reinforced with laterite particles. In the mycelium blocks, lignocellulosic hemp hurds function as reinforcing and nutritional substrates. The mycelium acts as a supportive matrix, binding the hemp hurds and the laterite particles which are integrated for further reinforcement to improve the compressive strength of the composite.

Sustained release of alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase (AMACR) antibody-conjugated and free doxorubicin from silica nanoparticles for prostate cancer cell growth inhibition.

This article presents silica nanoparticles for the sustained release of AMACR antibody-conjugated and free doxorubicin (DOX) for the inhibition of prostate cancer cell growth. Inorganic MCM-41 silica nanoparticles were synthesized, functionalized with phenylboronic acid groups (MCM-B), and capped with dextran (MCM-B-D). The nanoparticles were then characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, zeta potential analysis, nitrogen sorption, X-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis, before exploring their potential for drug loading and controlled drug release.

Adhesion of LHRH/EphA2 to human Triple Negative Breast Cancer tissues.

The adhesive interactions between molecular recognition units (such as specific peptides and antibodies) and antigens or other receptors on the surfaces of tumors are of great value in the design of targeted nanoparticles and drugs for the detection and treatment of specific cancers. In this paper, we present the results of a combined experimental and theoretical study of the adhesion between Luteinizing Hormone Releasing Hormone (LHRH)/Epherin type A2 (EphA2)-AFM coated tips and LHRH/EphA2 receptors that are overexpressed on the surfaces of human Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) tissues of different histological grades. Following a histochemical and immuno-histological study of human tissue extracts, the receptor overexpression, and their distributions are characterized using Immunohistochemistry (IHC), Immunofluorescence (IF), and a combination of fluorescence microscopy and confocal microscopy.

Triptorelin-functionalized PEG-coated biosynthesized gold nanoparticles: Effects of receptor-ligand interactions on adhesion to triple negative breast cancer cells.

This paper presents the results of an experimental and computational study of the adhesion of triptorelin-conjugated PEG-coated biosynthesized gold nanoparticles (GNP-PEG-TRP) to triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells. The adhesion is studied at the nanoscale using a combination of atomic force microscopy (AFM) experiments and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The AFM measurements showed that the triptorelin-functionalized gold nanoparticles (GNP-TRP and GNP-PEG-TRP) have higher adhesion to triple-negative breast cancer cells (TNBC) than non-tumorigenic breast cells.

Laser-induced heating of polydimethylsiloxane-magnetite nanocomposites for hyperthermic inhibition of triple-negative breast cancer cell proliferation.

This paper presents the results of an experimental and computational study of the effects of laser-induced heating provided by magnetite nanocomposite structures that are being developed for the localized hyperthermic treatment of triple-negative breast cancer. Magnetite nanoparticle-reinforced polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) nanocomposites were fabricated with weight percentages of 1%, 5%, and 10% magnetite nanoparticles. The nanocomposites were exposed to incident Near Infrared (NIR) laser beams with well-controlled powers.

Cell-surface interactions on gold-coated polydimethylsiloxane nanocomposite structures: Localized laser heating on cell viability.

This article presents the results of cell-surface interactions on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based substrates coated with nanoscale gold (Au) thin films. The surfaces of PDMS and PDMS-magnetite (MNP)-based substrates were treated with UV-ozone, prior to thermal vapor deposition (sputter-coated) of thin films of titanium (Ti) onto the substrates to improve the adhesion of Au coatings. The thin layer of Ti was thermally evaporated to improve interfacial adhesion, which was enhanced by a 40-nm thick film microwrinkled/buckled wavy layer of Au, that was coated to enhance cell-surface interactions and protein absorption.

In vitro studies of Annona muricata L. extract-loaded electrospun scaffolds for localized treatment of breast cancer.

This paper presents in vitro studies of the sustained release of Annona muricata leaf extracts (AME) from hybrid electrospun fibers for breast cancer treatment. Electrospun hybrid scaffolds were fabricated from crude AME extracts, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)/gelatin (PLGA/Ge) and pluronic F127. The physicochemical properties of the AME extract and scaffolds were studied.

Concentration-driven phase transition and self-assembly in drying droplets of diluting whole blood.

Multi-colloidal systems exhibit a variety of structural and functional complexity owing to their ability to interact amongst different components into self-assembled structures. This paper presents experimental confirmations that reveal an interesting sharp phase transition during the drying state and in the dried film as a function of diluting concentrations ranging from 100% (undiluted whole blood) to 12.5% (diluted concentrations).

Mechanical stimulation improves osteogenesis and the mechanical properties of osteoblast-laden RGD-functionalized polycaprolactone/hydroxyapatite scaffolds.

This article presents the results of the combined effects of RGD (arginine-glycine-aspartate) functionalization and mechanical stimulation on osteogenesis that could lead to the development of implantable robust tissue-engineered mineralized constructs. Porous polycaprolactone/hydroxyapatite (PCL/HA) scaffolds are functionalized with RGD-C (arginine-glycine-aspartate-cysteine) peptide. The effects of RGD functionalization are then explored on human fetal osteoblast cell adhesion, proliferation, osteogenic differentiation (alkaline phosphatase activity), extracellular matrix (ECM) production, and mineralization over 28 days.

Compressive deformation of Bambusa Vulgaris-Schrad in the transverse and longitudinal orientations.

This paper presents the results of theoretical and experimental studies of the compressive deformation of bamboo (Bambusa Vulgaris-Schrad) in the middle section. The deformation mechanisms are elucidated via in-situ observations of deformation in specimens oriented for loading in directions that are either longitudinal or transverse. Compressive deformation is shown to result in progressive micro-buckling and kink band formation.

An investigation of the viscoelastic properties and the actin cytoskeletal structure of triple negative breast cancer cells.

An improved understanding of the evolution of cell structure and viscoelasticity with cancer malignancy could enable the development of a new generation of biomarkers and methods for cancer diagnosis. Hence, in this study, we present the viscoelastic properties (moduli and viscosities) and the actin cytoskeletal structures of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells with different metastatic potential. These include: MCF-10A normal breast cells (studied as a control); MDA-MB-468 cells (less metastatic TNBC cells), and MDA-MB-231 cells (highly metastatic TNBC cells).

Synthesis and Characterization of Alkylamine-Functionalized Si(111) for Perovskite Adhesion With Minimal Interfacial Oxidation or Electronic Defects.

We investigated synthetic strategies for the functionalization of Si(111) surfaces with organic species containing amine moieties. We employed the functionalized surfaces to chemically "glue" perovskites to silicon with efficient electron transfer and minimal oxidation leading to deleterious recombination at the silicon substrate. A two-step halogenation-alkylation reaction produced a mixed allyl-methyl monolayer on Si(111).

Adhesion of ligand-conjugated biosynthesized magnetite nanoparticles to triple negative breast cancer cells.

This paper presents the results of an experimental study of the adhesion forces between components of model conjugated magnetite nanoparticle systems for improved selectivity in the specific targeting of triple negative breast cancer. Adhesion forces between chemically synthesized magnetite nanoparticles (CMNPs), biosynthesized magnetite nanoparticles (BMNPs), as well as their conjugated systems and triple negative breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231) or normal breast cells (MCF 10A) are elucidated at a nanoscale. In all cases, the BMNPs had higher adhesion forces (to breast cancer cells and normal breast cells) than CMNPs.