Bioengineering stimuli-responsive organic-inorganic nanoarchitetures based on carboxymethylcellulose-poly-l-lysine nanoplexes: Unlocking the potential for bioimaging and multimodal chemodynamic-magnetothermal therapy of brain cancer cells.

Regrettably, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) remains the deadliest form of brain cancer, where the early diagnosis plays a pivotal role in the patient's therapy and prognosis. Hence, we report for the first time the design, synthesis, and characterization of new hybrid organic-inorganic stimuli-responsive nanoplexes (NPX) for bioimaging and killing brain cancer cells (GBM, U-87). These nanoplexes were built through coupling two nanoconjugates, produced using a facile, sustainable, green aqueous colloidal process ("bottom-up").

Investigating the Metal-TiO Influence for Highly Selective Photocatalytic Oxidation of Methane to Methanol.

Methane conversion to valuable chemicals is a highly challenging and desirable reaction. Photocatalysis is a clean pathway to drive this chemical reaction, avoiding the high temperature and pressure of the syngas process. Titanium dioxide, being the most used photocatalyst, presents challenges in controlling the oxidation process, which is believed to depend on the metal sites on its surface that function as heterojunctions.

Nanozymes with Peroxidase-like Activity for Ferroptosis-Driven Biocatalytic Nanotherapeutics of Glioblastoma Cancer: 2D and 3D Spheroids Models.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary brain cancer in adults. Despite the remarkable advancements in recent years in the realm of cancer diagnosis and therapy, regrettably, GBM remains the most lethal form of brain cancer. In this view, the fascinating area of nanotechnology has emerged as an innovative strategy for developing novel nanomaterials for cancer nanomedicine, such as artificial enzymes, termed nanozymes, with intrinsic enzyme-like activities.

Photophysical, photobiological, and biomolecule-binding properties of new tri-cationic meso-tri(2-thienyl)corroles with Pt(II) and Pd(II) polypyridyl derivatives.

We report the synthesis and characterization of new tri-cationic corrole derivatives, containing Pt(II) or Pd(II) complexes attached at the peripheral position of thienyl moieties. Corrole derivatives were characterized through microanalysis, electrochemical, spectrometry and spectroscopy analysis. Singlet and triplet excited-states are investigated by photophysical/theoretical calculation methods and photobiological parameters were also evaluated spectroscopic techniques (UV-Vis and EPR).

Extrinsic Point Defects in TiO-Acetylacetone Charge-Transfer Complex and Their Effects on Optical and Photochemical Properties.

TiO-based visible-light-sensitive nanomaterials are widely studied for photocatalytic applications under UV-Vis radiation. Among the mechanisms of visible-light sensitization, extrinsic oxygen vacancies have been introduced into TiO and charge-transfer complexes (CTCs) have been formed between chelating ligands, such as acetylacetone, and nanocrystalline TiO (TiO-ACAC). However, the influence of extrinsic oxygen vacancies on the photocatalytic performance of TiO-based CTCs is unknown.

Extrinsic Point Defects in Low-Positive Thermal Expansion AlWO and Their Effects on Thermal and Optical Properties.

AMO-type ceramics are potentially useful in a variety of applications due to their peculiar thermal and mechanical properties. In addition, their intrinsic coefficients of thermal expansion can be finely tuned through different mechanisms. Despite the great influence of extrinsic point defects on physical properties, only a few reports have dealt with their relationship to thermal expansion and thermal conductivity.

Selective methane photooxidation into methanol under mild conditions promoted by highly dispersed Cu atoms on crystalline carbon nitrides.

Here we report a photocatalytic system based on crystalline carbon nitrides (PHI) and highly dispersed transition metals (Fe, Co and Cu) for controlled methane photooxidation to methanol under mild conditions. The Cu-PHI catalyst showed a remarkable methanol production (2900 μmol g) in 4 hours, with a turnover number of 51 moles of oxygenated liquid product per mole of Cu. To date, this result is the highest value for methane oxidation under mild conditions (1 bar, 25 °C).

Exploring electronic, structural and dynamics parameters of phenylbenzothiazole complexes with Mn, Cu and Zn for designing new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) probes: congruence between computation and spectroscopic data.

Cancer is one of the leading causes of human death worldwide, being one of the most serious problems faced by mankind. For the diagnosis, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), through effective contrast agents (Cas), has greatly helped in the diagnosis at the initial stages. However, it is necessary to include new compounds more effective and selective for cancer diagnosis.

Post-synthetic modification of aluminum trimesate and copper trimesate with TiO nanoparticles for photocatalytic applications.

Organic pollutants have been a significant source of concern in recent years due to their facile dissemination and harmful effects. In this work, two different metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) were initially prepared by hydrothermal treatment, namely aluminum trimesate (MIL-100(Al)) and copper trimesate (HKUST-1). These materials were subsequently submitted to a post-synthetic modification step to grow titania nanoparticles on their surface.

Hybrid polymer aerogels containing porphyrins as catalysts for efficient photodegradation of pharmaceuticals in water.

Polymer aerogels of poly(acrylic acid)/poly(vinyl alcohol) (labeled as CPA) were prepared and tested as support materials for different cationic porphyrin organocatalysts (denoted as TMPyP, TMPyPZn, or TMPyPMn). The hybrid aerogels were characterized by various techniques, while their catalytic activity was investigated towards the photodegradation of amoxicillin (AMX), caffeine (CAF), and naproxen (NPX) under artificial visible light. Photodegradation experiments revealed that the CPA-TMPyPMn aerogel shows superior catalytic potential when compared to the others aerogels or the "free" TMPyPMn porphyrin.

Photophysical, photooxidation, and biomolecule-interaction of -tetra(thienyl)porphyrins containing peripheral Pt(II) and Pd(II) complexes. Insights for photodynamic therapy applications.

We report the synthesis and characterization of two novel tetra-cationic porphyrins, containing Pt(II) or Pd(II) polypyridyl complexes attached at the peripheral position of N-macrocycle. Compounds were characterized through elemental analysis, molar conductivity, cyclic voltammetry, and spectroscopy analysis. Photophysical and photobiological parameters were also evaluated.

Detection of singlet oxygen by EPR: The instability of the nitroxyl radicals.

The use of spin traps and redox probes coupled with electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) is a method frequently applied in the evaluation of the efficiency of photosensitizers and photocatalysts in phototherapeutic and photocatalytic processes that involve reactive oxygen species. In this way, the method helps to clarify the mechanism behind photo-induced reactions. Hydroxy-TEMP is a very specific redox probe for selectively identifying and quantifying singlet oxygen (O).

Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of the nanocomposite Fullerol decrease the severity of intestinal inflammation induced by gut ischemia and reperfusion.

Intestinal ischemia is a vascular emergency that arises when blood flow to the intestine is compromised. Reperfusion is necessary to restore intestinal function but might lead to local and systemic inflammatory responses and bacterial translocation, with consequent multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). During reperfusion occurs production of reactive oxygen species.

Tunable magnetothermal properties of cobalt-doped magnetite-carboxymethylcellulose ferrofluids: smart nanoplatforms for potential magnetic hyperthermia applications in cancer therapy.

Magnetite nanoparticles are one of the most promising ferrofluids for hyperthermia applications due to the combination of unique physicochemical and magnetic properties. In this study, we designed and produced superparamagnetic ferrofluids composed of magnetite (FeO, MION) and cobalt-doped magnetite (Co -MION, = 3, 5, and 10% mol of cobalt) nanoconjugates through an eco-friendly aqueous method using carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) as the biocompatible macromolecular ligand. The effect of the gradual increase of cobalt content in FeO nanocolloids was investigated in-depth using XRD, XRF, XPS, FTIR, DLS, zeta potential, EMR, and VSM analyses.

Amoxicillin photodegradation under visible light catalyzed by metal-free carbon nitride: An investigation of the influence of the structural defects.

Herein, the structural defects of metal-free polymeric carbon nitrides were controlled by making use of different precursors in their syntheses, i.e. melamine (CN-M) and thiourea (CN-T), as well as a 1:1 mixture of them (CN-1M:1 T).

Peroxidation and photo-peroxidation of pantoprazole in aqueous solution using silver molybdate as catalyst.

In this study, silver molybdate was used as a catalyst in different oxidation processes to degrade pantoprazole (PAN) from aqueous suspension. The catalyst was synthesized using a controlled precipitation method and characterized by XRD, FTIR spectroscopy, BET analysis, Zeta potential, FEG-SEM/EDS, DRS and EPR. The α- and β-phases of AgMoO were identified as crystalline structure of the butterfly-shaped particles.

Photophysical and electrochemical properties of two trans-AB-corroles: differences between phenyl or pyrenyl groups at the meso-10 position.

The present study reports on the optical and photophysical properties of trans-AB-corroles possessing pyrenyl units attached at the meso-10-position and compares them with those of model trans-AB-corroles having phenyl substituents at that position. In contrast to the model meso-substituted corrole, the new pyrenyl-corrole shows slightly red-shifted absorption bands and blue-shifted emission, slightly higher fluorescence quantum yield, and more importantly, it shows better photo-stability under white-light illumination. Theoretical calculations were used to determine the electronic transitions and geometries of the singlet and triplet excited states (TD-DFT and NTO).

Supramolecular magnetonanohybrids for multimodal targeted therapy of triple-negative breast cancer cells.

Despite the undeniable advances in recent decades, cancer remains one of the deadliest diseases of the current millennium, where the triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is very aggressive, extremely metastatic, and resistant to conventional chemotherapy. The nanotheranostic approach focusing on targeting membrane receptors often expressed at abnormal levels by cancer cells can be a strategic weapon for fighting malignant tumors. Herein, we introduced a novel "all-in-one nanosoldier" made of colloidal hybrid nanostructures, which were designed for simultaneously targeting, imaging, and killing TNBC cells.

Photophysical, photodynamical, redox properties and BSA interactions of novel isomeric tetracationic peripheral palladium(II)-bipyridyl porphyrins.

New isomeric tetra-cationic porphyrins containing peripheral [Pd(bpy)Cl]+ units attached to pyridyl substituents were synthesized and fully characterized. The porphyrins present an intense Soret band located in the blue spectral region and an additional four weaker red-shifted Q bands in the visible spectral region (about 500-700 nm). The obtained Strickler-Berg parameters indicate fully spin and symmetry allowed transitions for all the observed absorption bands.

Initialization and read-out of intrinsic spin defects in a van der Waals crystal at room temperature.

Optically addressable spins in wide-bandgap semiconductors are a promising platform for exploring quantum phenomena. While colour centres in three-dimensional crystals such as diamond and silicon carbide were studied in detail, they were not observed experimentally in two-dimensional (2D) materials. Here, we report spin-dependent processes in the 2D material hexagonal boron nitride (hBN).

Synthesis and characterization of iron oxide nanoparticles/carboxymethyl cellulose core-shell nanohybrids for killing cancer cells in vitro.

Novel core-shell superparamagnetic nanofluids composed of magnetic iron oxide (FeO, MION) and cobalt-doped (CoFeO, Co-MION) nanoparticles functionalized with carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) ligands were designed and produced via green colloidal aqueous process. The effect of the degree of substitution (DS = 0.7 and 1.

Nanocrystalline Transition-Metal Gallium Oxide Spinels from Acetylacetonate Precursors via Solvothermal Synthesis.

The synthesis of mixed-metal spinels based on substituted γ-Ga₂O₃ is reported using metal acetylacetonate precursors in solvothermal reactions with alcohols as solvents at 240 °C. New oxides of Cr, Mn and Fe have been produced, all of which are formed as nanocrystalline powders, as seen by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM). The first chromium-gallium mixed oxide is thus formed, with composition GaCrO₄ ( = vacant site).

Bifunctional magnetopolymersomes of iron oxide nanoparticles and carboxymethylcellulose conjugated with doxorubicin for hyperthermo-chemotherapy of brain cancer cells.

Glioblastoma is the most aggressive primary brain cancer, which has no cure yet. Emerging nanotheranostic alternatives such as magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MIONs) have great potential as multimodal cancer therapy mediators. They can act as nanocarriers of anticancer drugs and generate localized heat when exposed to an alternating magnetic field (AMF), resulting in combined effects of chemotherapy and magnetic hyperthermia therapy.

Efficient antibacterial nanosponges based on ZnO nanoparticles and doxycycline.

Bacterial soft rot is responsible for the loss of about 25% of worldwide production in vegetables and fruits. Efforts have been made to develop an effective nanosponge with the capacity to load and release antibacterial drugs to protect plants. Based on the potential of the ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) to achieve this goal, this study synthesized NP via the sol-gel and hydrothermal methods by controlling native defects, such as oxygen vacancies, using thermal treatments and reduced atmospheres.

Fluorescence and electron paramagnetic resonance studies of norfloxacin and N-donor mixed-ligand ternary copper(II) complexes: Stability and interaction with SDS micelles.

The stability of ternary copper(II) complexes of a heterocyclic ligand, L (L being 2,2'-bipyridine (bipy) or 1,10-phenanthroline (phen)) and the fluorescent antibacterial agent norfloxacin (NFX) as the second ligand was studied at pH7.4 and different ionic strengths. Fluorescence quenching upon titration of NFX with the binary complexes allowed to obtain stability constants for NFX binding, K, as a function of ionic strength.