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.

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.

Hypersensitive luminescence of Eu3+ in dimethyl sulfoxide as a new probing for water measurement.

Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is a well-known organic solvent that can be used for biological applications. DMSO is miscible with water, and it is very common that the two solvents are mixed for some applications. It is important to detect water in DMSO, and this has been done using the luminescence decay lifetimes from Eu(3+) ions.

Synthesis and luminescence of CePO4:Tb/LaPO4 core/sheath nanowires.

CePO(4):Tb/LaPO(4) nanowires with a core/sheath architecture have been successful synthesized by a facile aqueous chemical method mediated by original CePO(4):Tb aggregation seeds. The seed crystals serve as both a luminescence center and a nucleation site for epitaxial growth. The seed nanocrystals have an irregular sphere-like shape with an average size of around 6.

Luminescence and energy transfer in water soluble CeF3 and CeF3:Tb3+ nanoparticles.

CeF3 and CeF3:Tb3+ water soluble nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared by wet chemistry, and their structure and luminescence properties were studied systematically. The results of XRD indicate that the obtained CeF3 and CeF3:Tb3+ NPs have a hexagonal structure with the P 6(3)/mcm space group. The average size of CeF3 NPs is about 10 nm, and that of CeF3:Tb3+ NPs is about 5.

Luminescence Decay Dynamics and Trace Biomaterials Detection Potential of Surface-Functionalized Nanoparticles.

We have studied the luminescence decay and trace biomaterials detection potential of two surface-functionalized nanoparticles, poly(ethylene glycol) bis(carboxymethyl) ether-coated LaF(3):Ce,Tb (~20 nm) and thioglycolic acid-coated ZnS/Mn (~5 nm). Upon UV excitation, these nanoparticles emitted fluorescence peaking at 540 and 597 nm, respectively, in solution. Fluorescence imaging revealed that these nanoparticles targeted the trace biomaterials from fingerprints that were deposited on various nonporous solid substrates.