Targeted NIR-triggered doxorubicin release using carbon dots-poly(ethylene glycol)-folate conjugates for breast cancer treatment.

Carbon dot (CD)-based theranostics offers a promising approach for breast cancer (BC) treatment, integrating ultra-localized chemo-photothermal effects to address chemoresistance and enhance therapeutic control. Herein, the development of a targeted theranostic nanosystem for the chemo-phototherapy of breast cancer is described. Fluorescent and biocompatible CDs were passivated with 1,2-bis(3-aminopropylamino)ethane (bAPAE) and decorated with the targeting agent folic acid (FA) through conjugation with a PEG spacer.

Synergistic Anticancer Effects by Enhancing the G-Quadruplex Binding of Nickel(II) Salphen Complexes through Coupling with S-Doped Carbon Nanodots.

In recent decades, researchers have focused on developing less toxic and more precise cancer therapies. Carbon nanodots (CDs) are among the most promising technologies due to their high biocompatibility, tunable fluorescence, and ability to facilitate photothermal and photodynamic therapy. This study explores the synthesis and characterization of two CDs conjugated with Salphen metal complexes, namely, and , through Sonogashira coupling.

Biotinylated polyaminoacid-based nanoparticles for the targeted delivery of lenvatinib towards hepatocarcinoma.

In this work, we describe the development of targeted polymeric nanoparticles loaded with lenvatinib for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). A synthetic brush copolymer (PHEA-g-BIB-pButMA-g-PEG-biotin) was synthesized from α-poly(N-2-hydroxyethyl)-D,L-aspartamide (PHEA) by a three-step reaction involving atom transfer radical polymerisation (ATRP) to graft hydrophobic polybutylmethacrylate pendant groups and further conjugation with biotinylated polyethylene glycol via carbonate ester. Subsequently, lenvatinib-loaded nanoparticles were obtained and characterized demonstrating colloidal size, negative zeta potential, biotin exposure on the surface and the ability to release lenvatinib in a sustained manner.

Ultrasmall Carbon Nanodots as Theranostic Nanoheaters for Precision Breast Cancer Phototherapy: Establishing the Translational Potential in Tumor-in-a-Dish Models.

This study investigates the remarkable attributes of sulfur-doped carbon nanodots (CDs) synthesized in high yield and a narrow size distribution (4.8 nm). These CDs exhibit notable features, including potential bioelimination through renal clearance and efficient photothermal conversion in the near-infrared region with multicolor photoluminescence across the visible spectrum.

Microporous Fluorescent Poly(D,L-lactide) Acid-Carbon Nanodot Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Engineering Applications.

In this study, we introduce novel microporous poly(D,L-lactide) acid-carbon nanodot (PLA-CD) nanocomposite scaffolds tailored for potential applications in image-guided bone regeneration. Our primary objective was to investigate concentration-dependent structural variations and their relevance to cell growth, crucial aspects in bone regeneration. The methods employed included comprehensive characterization techniques such as DSC/TGA, FTIR, rheological, and degradation assessments, providing insights into the scaffolds' thermoplastic behavior, microstructure, and stability over time.

Polyamidoamine-Carbon Nanodot Conjugates with Bioreducible Building Blocks: Smart Theranostic Platforms for Targeted siRNA Delivery.

This study focuses on designing hybrid theranostic nanosystems, utilizing gadolinium-doped carbon nanodots decorated with bioreducible amphoteric polyamidoamines (PAAs). The objective is to synergize the exceptional theranostic properties of gadolinium-doped carbon nanodots (CDs) with the siRNA complexation capabilities of PAAs. Linear copolymeric polyamidoamines, based on ,'-bis(acryloyl)cystamine, arginine, and agmatine, were synthesized, resulting in three distinct amphoteric copolymers.

Gadolinium-Doped Carbon Nanodots as Potential Anticancer Tools for Multimodal Image-Guided Photothermal Therapy and Tumor Monitoring.

This study focuses on the synthesis and characterization of gadolinium-doped carbon nanodots (CDs-Gd) and their potential applications in multimodal imaging and precision cancer therapy. CDs-Gd were synthesized through a solvothermal decomposition method combining citric acid, GdCl, and urea. The incorporation of Gd ions within the carbonaceous structure resulted in stable CDs-Gd with a peculiar architecture that retained optical and paramagnetic properties.

Controlled delivery of sildenafil by β-Cyclodextrin-decorated sulfur-doped carbon nanodots: a synergistic activation of ROS signaling in tumors overexpressing PDE-5.

Fluorescent sulfur- and nitrogen-doped carbon nanodots (CDs) are zero-dimensional nanoparticles that mediate ROS production in cancer cells, displaying inherent anticancer properties. Thus, they have been proposed as nanotheranostic tools useful in image-guided cancer therapy. Here, we try to show that cancerous cells (high PDE-5 expression) receiving sildenafil delivered by CDs-based nanostructures promote positive reinforcement of PDE-5-mediated cell death via the overexpression of genes involved in the production of ROS.

Arginine-Rich Peptidomimetic Ampicillin/Gentamicin Conjugate To Tackle Nosocomial Biofilms: A Promising Strategy To Repurpose First-Line Antibiotics.

Combined therapy with penicillins and aminoglycosides has been proved beneficial to address many persistent bacterial infections with possible synergistic effects. However, the different pharmacokinetic profiles of these two antibiotic classes may not guarantee a concerted spatio-temporal delivery at the site of action, decreasing the efficacy of this combination and promoting resistance. Herein, we propose a multifunctional antibiotic-polymer conjugate, designed to colocalize ampicillin and gentamicin to tackle persistent biofilm infections.

Galactosylated Polymer/Gold Nanorods Nanocomposites for Sustained and Pulsed Chemo-Photothermal Treatments of Hepatocarcinoma.

In this paper, we propose a rational design of a hybrid nanosystem capable of locally delivering a high amount of hydrophobic anticancer drugs (sorafenib or lenvatinib) and heat (hyperthermia) in a remote-controlled manner. We combined in a unique nanosystem the excellent NIR photothermal conversion of gold nanorods (AuNRs) with the ability of a specially designed galactosylated amphiphilic graft copolymer (PHEA-g-BIB-pButMA-g-PEG-GAL) able to recognize hepatic cells overexpressing the asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR) on their membranes, thus giving rise to a smart composite nanosystem for the NIR-triggered chemo-phototherapy of hepatocarcinoma. In order to allow the internalization of AuNRs in the hydrophobic core of polymeric nanoparticles, AuNRs were coated with a thiolated fatty acid (12-mercaptododecanoic acid).

Structural evolution in Au- and Pd-based metallic glass forming liquids and the case for improved molecular dynamics force fields.

The results of a combined experimental and computational investigation of the structural evolution of AuSi, PdSi, and PdCuSi metallic glass forming liquids are presented. Electrostatically levitated metallic liquids are prepared, and synchrotron x-ray scattering studies are combined with embedded atom method molecular dynamics simulations to probe the distribution of relevant structural units. Metal-metalloid based metallic glass forming systems are an extremely important class of materials with varied glass forming ability and mechanical processibility.

Justification of recommender systems results: a service-based approach.

With the increasing demand for predictable and accountable Artificial Intelligence, the ability to explain or justify recommender systems results by specifying how items are suggested, or why they are relevant, has become a primary goal. However, current models do not explicitly represent the services and actors that the user might encounter during the overall interaction with an item, from its selection to its usage. Thus, they cannot assess their impact on the user's experience.

Synthesis of Biocompatible and Biodegradable Polyamidoamines Microgels via a Simple and Reliable Statistical Approach.

Polyamidoamines (PAAs) are biocompatible and biodegradable polymers with a huge potential as biomaterials for pharmaceutical applications. They are obtained by the step-wise aza-Michael polyaddition of bifunctional or multifunctional amines with bisacrylamides in water. To the best of our knowledge, no synthetic protocols leading to hyperbranched PAAs as well as PAA microgels have been published so far.

Cholesterol-Inulin Conjugates for Efficient SN38 Nuclear Delivery: Nanomedicines for Precision Cancer Therapy.

An amphiphilic inulin-thiocholesterol conjugate (INU-Cys-TC) was strategically designed as a biodegradable core-shell nanocarrier of 7-ethyl-10-hydroxy-camptothecin (SN38) to enhance its solubility and stability in aqueous media, thus exploiting its brilliant anticancer effect. INU-Cys-TC was designed to have the hydrophilic inulin backbone (external shell) partially functionalized with hydrophobic thiocholesterol moieties (internal core) through a biodegradable disulfide bond due to cysteamine bridges. Thiocholesterol moieties impair redox-sensitive self-assembling abilities, yielding to nano-sized micelles in aqueous media capable of efficiently encapsulating a high amount of SN38 (DL = 8.

Fabrication of silver nanoparticles by a diethylene triamine-hyaluronic acid derivative and use as antibacterial coating.

In this work a synthetic protocol for the functionalization of hyaluronic acid with diethylenetriamine (DETA) was standardized. HA-DETA derivatives were characterized by NMR and proton carbon correlation analysis HSQC and HMBC to confirm chemical structure. A selected derivative was used to set up a green fabrication procedure for HA-DETA capped silver nanoparticles with the aim to achieve a polymeric based coating with potential application in the treatment of medical devices associated infections.

Decagram-Scale Synthesis of Multicolor Carbon Nanodots: Self-Tracking Nanoheaters with Inherent and Selective Anticancer Properties.

Carbon nanodots (CDs) are a new class of carbon-based nanoparticles endowed with photoluminescence, high specific surface area, and good photothermal conversion, which have spearheaded many breakthroughs in medicine, especially in drug delivery and cancer theranostics. However, the tight control of their structural, optical, and biological properties and the synthesis scale-up have been very difficult so far. Here, we report for the first time an efficient protocol for the one-step synthesis of decagram-scale quantities of N,S-doped CDs with a narrow size distribution, along with a single nanostructure multicolor emission, high near-infrared (NIR) photothermal conversion efficiency, and selective reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in cancer cells.

Ultrafast Interface Charge Separation in Carbon Nanodot-Nanotube Hybrids.

Carbon dots are an emerging family of zero-dimensional nanocarbons behaving as tunable light harvesters and photoactivated charge donors. Coupling them to carbon nanotubes, which are well-known electron acceptors with excellent charge transport capabilities, is very promising for several applications. Here, we first devised a route to achieve the stable electrostatic binding of carbon dots to multi- or single-walled carbon nanotubes, as confirmed by several experimental observations.

Breakdown of the Stokes-Einstein relationship and rapid structural ordering in CuZrAl metallic glass-forming liquids.

The results of a combined structural and dynamical study of Cu-Zr-Al metallic glass forming liquids are presented. Containerless high-energy x-ray scattering experiments made using electrostatic levitation are combined with molecular dynamics simulations to probe the onset of rapid structural ordering as well as the temperature-dependent diffusivity and viscosity in three liquids: CuZrAl, CuZrAl, and CuZrAl. These compositions were chosen because they are reported to have dramatically different glass forming-ability.

Hyaluronic acid dressing of hydrophobic carbon nanodots: A self-assembling strategy of hybrid nanocomposites with theranostic potential.

We propose a rational design of hyaluronic acid-dressed red-emissive carbon dots (CDs), with a well-structured hydrophobic core capable of locally delivering high amount doxorubicin (Doxo) (> 9% w/w) and heat (hyperthermia) in a light stimuli sensitive fashion. We combined in a unique micelle-like superstructure the peculiar optical properties of CDs (NIR photothermal conversion and red fluorescence) with the ability of hyaluronic acid (HA) shell of stabilizing nanomedicines in aqueous environment and recognizing cancer cells overexpressing CD44 receptors on their membranes, thus giving rise to smart theranostic agents useful in cancer imaging and NIR-triggered chemo-phototherapy of solid tumors. Hydrophobic CDs, named HCDs, were used as functional beads to self-assemble amphiphilic HA derivatives carrying polylactic acid side chains (HA-g-PLA), yielding to light-sensitive and biodegradable core-shell superstructures.

Functionalization of Metal and Carbon Nanoparticles with Potential in Cancer Theranostics.

Cancer theranostics is a new concept of medical approach that attempts to combine in a unique nanoplatform diagnosis, monitoring and therapy so as to provide eradication of a solid tumor in a non-invasive fashion. There are many available solutions to tackle cancer using theranostic agents such as photothermal therapy (PTT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) under the guidance of imaging techniques (e.g.

Pressure-Dependent Tuning of Photoluminescence and Size Distribution of Carbon Nanodots for Theranostic Anticancer Applications.

Carbon nanodots (CDs) have recently attracted attention in the field of nanomedicine because of the biocompatibility, cost-effective nature, high specific surface, good near infrared (NIR) photothermal conversion into heat and tunable fluorescence properties, which have paved the way toward incorporating use of CDs into innovative anticancer theranostic platforms. However, a reliable synthesis of CDs with established and controlled physiochemical proprieties is precluded owing to the lack of full manipulation of thermodynamic parameters during the synthesis, thus limiting their use in real world medical applications. Herein, we developed a robust solvothermal protocol which allow fine controlling of temperature and pressure in order to obtain CDs with tunable properties.

Carbon Nanodots as Functional Excipient to Develop Highly Stable and Smart PLGA Nanoparticles Useful in Cancer Theranostics.

Theranostic systems have attracted considerable attention for their multifunctional approach to cancer. Among these, carbon nanodots (CDs) emerged as luminescent nanomaterials due to their exceptional chemical properties, synthetic ease, biocompatibility, and for their photothermal and fluorescent properties useful in cancer photothermal therapy. However, premature renal excretion due to the small size of these particles limits their biomedical application.

Carbon Nanodots for On Demand Chemophotothermal Therapy Combination to Elicit Necroptosis: Overcoming Apoptosis Resistance in Breast Cancer Cell Lines.

Background: Engineered luminescent carbon nanodots (CDs) are appealing nanomaterials for cancer image-guided photothermal therapy combining near infrared (NIR)-triggered hyperthermia, imaging, and drug delivery in a single platform for efficient killing of cancer cells. This approach would allow eliciting synergistic regulated cell death (RCD) routes such as necroptosis, targeting breast cancer cells refractory to apoptosis, thus overcoming drug resistance.

Methods: We report the preparation of CDs bearing biotin as a targeting agent (CDs-PEG-BT), which are able to load high amounts of irinotecan (23.

A self-sterilizing fluorescent nanocomposite as versatile material with broad-spectrum antibiofilm features.

Hematogenous spread of infections from colonized central intravenous catheters or central lines is a long-recognized problem with infection rates of 2 and 6.8 per 1000 days, respectively. Besides, removal of severe microbial colonization of implanted biomaterials is still a challenge and usually requires invasive operations.

Production and physicochemical characterization of a new amine derivative of gellan gum and rheological study of derived hydrogels.

The production of an amine derivative of gellan gum, named GG-EDA, was here obtained by functionalizing the polysaccharide backbone with pendant ethylenediamine moieties. The obtained derivative was characterized by spectroscopic, colorimetric, chromatographic and rheological analyses to study the effect of the free amino groups on the physicochemical properties of the macromolecule. A titration experiment was conducted to study the acid-base dissociation constants in aqueous media for the carboxylic and amino groups in the GG-EDA and to shed light on the possibility that the derivative shows a polyampholyte structure under physiological conditions.