Synthesis of ZnS:Ag,Co water-soluble blue afterglow nanoparticles and application in photodynamic activation.

Silver and cobalt co-doped ZnS (ZnS:Ag,Co) water-soluble afterglow nanoparticles were synthesized using a wet chemistry method followed by aging at room temperature. The nanoparticles had a cubic zinc blende structure with average sizes of approximately 4 nm and emitted a blue fluorescence emission centered at 441 nm due to radiative transitions from surface defects to Ag(+) luminescent centers. Intense afterglow emission peaking at 475 nm from the obtained nanoparticles was observed and was red-shifted compared to the fluorescence emission peak.

Enhancement of protoporphyrin IX performance in aqueous solutions for photodynamic therapy.

Molecular modification of protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) was conducted to improve its water solubility and therapeutic performance for photodynamic therapy. The carboxylic acid and the two nitrogen atoms in the core of PpIX molecule were protonated following by conjugation with 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane (APTES). Then, folic acid (FA) was conjugated to the APTES-coated PpIX (MPpIX) through chemical bonding between FA and protonated PpIX.

X-ray-induced nanoparticle-based photodynamic therapy of cancer.

Aim: In this study, Ce(3+)-doped lanthanum(III) fluoride (LaF3:Ce(3+)) nanoparticles were synthesized by a wet-chemistry method in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and their application as an intracellular light source for photodynamic activation was demonstrated.

Materials & Methods: The LaF3:Ce(3+)/DMSO nanoparticles have a strong green emission with a peak at approximately 520 nm, which is effectively overlapped with the absorption of protoporphyrin IX (PPIX). The nanoparticles were encapsulated into poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide (PLGA) microspheres along with PPIX.

Enhancement of biophoton emission of prostate cancer cells by Ag nanoparticles.

Ultraweak intrinsic bioluminescence of cancer cell is a noninvasive method of assessing bioenergetic status of the investigated cells. This weak biophoton emission generated by prostate cancer cells (PC) was measured in the presence of Ag nanoparticles and its correlation with singlet oxygen production was investigated. The comparison between nanoparticles concentration, bioluminescence intensity, and cell survival showed that Ag nanoparticles do not significantly affect cell survival at used concentration but they increase cell bioluminescent processes.

Local field enhanced Au/CuS nanocomposites as efficient photothermal transducer agents for cancer treatment.

Photothermal therapy (PTT) for cancer treatment is the use of heat between 41 degrees C and 45 degrees C to damage cancer cells. As a new type of transducer agent for PPT of cancer, CuS nanoparticles have several advantages over gold nanostructures. The most favorable features are the low cost, simple and easy preparation, and small size for targeting.

Formation mechanism and characterization of black silicon surface by a single-step wet-chemical process.

We report a simple single-step etching method for formation of black surface on silicon wafer by using HAuCl4-HF-H2O2 etching solution, in which catalytic Au particles were deposited in situ. The black surface suppresses the reflectivity in a wide spectral region. The formation mechanism involved has been discussed.

Luminescence of lanthanide-dimethyl sulfoxide compound solutions.

Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) has the ability to penetrate living tissues without causing significant damage. Of foremost importance to our understanding of the possible functions of DMSO in biological systems is its ability to replace some of the water molecules associated with the cellular constituents or to affect the structure of the omnipresent water. Luminescence probes have been widely used for biological studies such as labeling, imaging, and detection.

Interaction of porphyrins with CdTe quantum dots.

Porphyrins may be used as photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy, photocatalysts for organic pollutant dissociation, agents for medical imaging and diagnostics, applications in luminescence and electronics. The detection of porphyrins is significantly important and here the interaction of protoporphyrin-IX (PPIX) with CdTe quantum dots was studied. It was observed that the luminescence of CdTe quantum dots was quenched dramatically in the presence of PPIX.

Nonlinear enhancement of spontaneous biophoton emission of sweet potato by silver nanoparticles.

Ultraweak biophoton emission of cutting-injured sweet potato is enhanced by the incubation with Ag nanoparticles in a nonlinear way. The late peak of the emission after the cutting injury is amplified as much as 15 times, while only little amplification was identified for the emission measured immediately after the cutting. The effect requires the presence of nutritive media to support the active metabolic processes and is also affected by the timing of the addition of the Ag nanoparticles.

Folic acid-CdTe quantum dot conjugates and their applications for cancer cell targeting.

In this study, we report the preparation, luminescence, and targeting properties of folic acid-CdTe quantum dot conjugates. Water-soluble CdTe quantum dots were synthesized and conjugated with folic acid using 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide-N-hydroxysuccinimide chemistry. The influence of folic acid on the luminescence properties of CdTe quantum dots was investigated, and no energy transfer between them was observed.

Quantum events of biophoton emission associated with complementary and alternative medicine therapies: a descriptive pilot study.

Introduction: Biophoton emission (BPE) is a quantum event characterized by a relatively stable but ultralow- rate emission of visible photons from living organisms. It has been associated with high energy processes such as: cell metabolism, growth, phagocytosis, neural activity, and oxidative stress. BPE has also been suggested to reflect the organism's global state of health as well as the response to stimulation including therapeutic interventions.