Luminescence characterization of BioGlass undoped and doped with europium and silver ions.

The objective of this study was to investigate the properties of BioGlass, with and without doping with europium and silver, with a specific focus on its potential application in thermoluminescent (TL) and optically stimulated luminescent (OSL) dosimetry. The structural and optical characteristics of the samples were also analyzed using techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), optical absorption (OA), and fluorescence spectroscopy (FL). An XRD analysis confirmed the amorphous phase of the BioGlass.

Zn[Formula: see text]Ni[Formula: see text]Te semiconductor nanocrystals in transparent glass for optoelectronic device applications.

Doping glass with semiconductors, particularly with nanostructured semiconductors, has attracted attention due to the large optical absorption cross-sections of the latter. Based on this property, Ni[Formula: see text] (5 wt%) doped phosphate glass and Zn[Formula: see text]Ni[Formula: see text]Te (x = 0.5, 1.

Obtaining the spectroscopic quality factor through the luminescent thermometry in 50LiO · 45BO · 5AlO glasses doped with Nd and fluorides.

Lithium-boron-aluminum (LBA) glasses doped with and fluorides were produced. From the absorption spectra, their Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters, , and spectroscopic quality factors were calculated. Exploiting their near infrared temperature dependent luminescence, we investigated their potential for optical thermometry based on the luminescence intensity ratio (LIR) methodology.

Mechanical and morphological responses of osteoblast-like cells to two-photon polymerized microgrooved surfaces.

Microgrooved surfaces are recognized as an important strategy of tissue engineering to promote the alignment of bone cells. In this work, we have investigated the mechanical and morphological aspects of osteoblasts cells after interaction with different micro-structured polymeric surfaces. Femtosecond laser writing technique was used for the construction of circular and parallel microgrooved patterns in biocompatible polymeric surfaces based on pentaerythritol triacrylate.

TiO2 Nanocrystals and Annona crassiflora Polyphenols Used Alone or Mixed Impact Differently on Wound Repair.

Wounds treated with TiO2 nanoparticles (TiO2-NPs) show an improvement in healing time. However, little is known about the parameters that can contribute to this result. On the other hand, the treatment of wounds with polyphenols is widely known.

CdSe magic-sized quantum dots attenuate reactive oxygen species generated by neutrophils and macrophages with implications in experimental arthritis.

The biological applicability of nanomaterials has been limited due to cytotoxicity. Studies have described the effects of nanomaterials on different tissues and cell types, but their actions on immune cells are less elucidated. This study describes unprecedented in vitro and in vivo antioxidant activities of cadmium selenide magic-sized quantum dots (CdSe MSQDs) with implications on rheumatoid arthritis.

Increased selenium concentration in the synthesis of CdSe magic-sized quantum dots affects how the brain responds to oxidative stress.

CdSe magic-sized quantum dots (MSQDs) have been widely used as fluorescent probes in biological systems due to their excellent optical properties with a broader fluorescence spectrum and stable luminescence in biological media. However, they can be cytotoxic and alter the redox balance depending on the amounts of Cd adsorbed on their surface. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate whether increases in selenium concentration in the synthesis of CdSe-MSQDs decrease the oxidative stress caused by Cd -based quantum dots.

Immunosensor Based on Zinc Oxide Nanocrystals Decorated with Copper for the Electrochemical Detection of Human Salivary Alpha-Amylase.

(1) Background: Nanocrystals (NCs)-based electrochemical sensors have been proposed for biomarkers detection, although immunosensors using ZnO NCs decorated with copper are still scarce. (2) Methods: Electrochemical immunodetection of human salivary alpha-amylase (HSA) used ZnO, CuO, and ZnO:xCu (x = 0.1, 0.

Baltetin: a new C-type lectin-like isolated from Bothrops alternatus snake venom which act as a platelet aggregation inhibiting.

C-type lectin-like proteins found in snake venom, known as snaclecs, have important effects on hemostasis through targeting membrane receptors, coagulation factors and other hemostatic proteins. Here, we present the isolation and functional characterization of a snaclec isolated from Bothrops alternatus venom, designated as Baltetin. We purified the protein in three chromatographic steps (anion-exchange, affinity and reversed-phase chromatography).

Application of ZnO Nanocrystals as a Surface-Enhancer FTIR for Glyphosate Detection.

Glyphosate detection and quantification is still a challenge. After an extensive review of the literature, we observed that Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) had practically not yet been used for detection or quantification. The interaction between zinc oxide (ZnO), silver oxide (AgO), and Ag-doped ZnO nanocrystals (NCs), as well as that between nanocomposite (Ag-doped ZnO/AgO) and glyphosate was analyzed with FTIR to determine whether nanomaterials could be used as signal enhancers for glyphosates.

Effects of zinc oxide and calcium-doped zinc oxide nanocrystals on cytotoxicity and reactive oxygen species production in different cell culture models.

Objectives: This study aimed to synthesize nanocrystals (NCs) of zinc oxide (ZnO) and calcium ion (Ca)-doped ZnO with different percentages of calcium oxide (CaO), to evaluate cytotoxicity and to assess the effects of the most promising NCs on cytotoxicity depending on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation.

Materials And Methods: Nanomaterials were synthesized (ZnO and ZnO:xCa, x = 0.7; 1.

Cytotoxicity and Effects of a New Cacium Hydroxide Nanoparticle Material on Production of Reactive Oxygen Species by LPS-Stimulated Dental Pulp Cells.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to synthesize and characterize calcium hydroxide (CH) nanoparticles [CH-NP] and compare the cytotoxicity of these materials with that of mineral trioxide aggregate (White MTA) in human dental pulp mesenchymal cells (hDPMCs) stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS).

Methods And Materials: The CH-NP were synthesized by the co-precipitation method, and the physical properties were investigated through X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive x-ray spectrometry (EDS). LPS-stimulated hDPMCs were placed in contact with different dilutions of culture media previously exposed to CH-NP and white MTA for 24 h.

Characterization of Crystalline Phase of TiO Nanocrystals, Cytotoxicity and Cell Internalization Analysis on Human Adipose Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

Titanium dioxide (TiO) is manufactured worldwide as crystalline and amorphous forms for multiple applications, including tissue engineering, but our study proposes analyzing the impact of crystalline phases of TiO on Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs). Several studies have already described the regenerative potential of MSCs and TiO has been used for bone regeneration. In this study, polydispersity index and sizes of TiO nanocrystals (NCs) were determined.

Development of an Electrochemical Immunosensor for Specific Detection of Visceral Leishmaniasis Using Gold-Modified Screen-Printed Carbon Electrodes.

Visceral leishmaniasis is a reemerging neglected tropical disease with limitations for its diagnosis, including low concentration of antibodies in the serum of asymptomatic patients and cross-reactions. In this context, this work proposes an electrochemical immunosensor for the diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis in a more sensitive way that is capable of avoiding cross-reaction with Chagas disease (CD). Crude antigens tested in the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were methodologically standardized to best engage to the sensor.

Nanocomposite of Ag-Doped ZnO and AgO Nanocrystals as a Preventive Measure to Control Biofilm Formation in Eggshell and spp. Entry Into Eggs.

spp. is an important foodborne agent of salmonellosis, whose sources in humans often include products of avian origin. The control of this bacterium is difficult especially when spp.

Chemical analysis of in vivo-irradiated dentine of head and neck cancer patients by ATR-FTIR and Raman spectroscopy.

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of in vivo radiotherapy on the chemical properties of human dentine by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Raman analysis.

Materials And Methods: Chemical composition was evaluated comparing control and irradiated group (n = 8). Irradiated teeth were obtained from radiotherapy patients subjected to fractionated X-ray radiation of 1.

In vitro tracking of phospholipase A from snake venom conjugated with magic-sized quantum dots.

Phospholipases A represent a family of enzymes with important application in medicine. However, direct tracking is difficult due to the absence of a stable, effective and specific marker for these enzymes. Magic-sized quantum dots (MSQDs) are inorganic semiconducting nanocrystals with unique physical properties.

Assessment of mutagenic, recombinogenic and carcinogenic potential of titanium dioxide nanocristals in somatic cells of Drosophila melanogaster.

Nanoparticles have been widely used in several sectors and their long-term effect on the body and environment remains unknown. To evaluate the mutagenic, recombinogenic and carcinogenic potential of 11 nm titanium dioxide nanocrystals (TiO2 NCs), the Somatic Mutation and Recombination Test (SMART) and the Test for Detection of Epithelial Tumors Clones (Warts-Wts) were used, both in Drosophila melanogaster. Third-instar larvae (72 + 4 h), obtained in both tests, were treated with different concentrations of TiO2 NCs ranging from 6.

A New Platelet-Aggregation-Inhibiting Factor Isolated from Snake Venom.

This work reports the purification and functional characterization of BmooPAi, a platelet-aggregation-inhibiting factor from snake venom. The toxin was purified by a combination of three chromatographic steps (ion-exchange on DEAE-Sephacel, molecular exclusion on Sephadex G-75, and affinity chromatography on HiTrap™ Heparin HP). BmooPAi was found to be a single-chain protein with an apparent molecular mass of 32 kDa on 14% SDS-PAGE, under reducing conditions.

BaltDC: purification, characterization and infrared spectroscopy of an antiplatelet DC protein isolated from snake venom.

Background: Snake venoms are a complex mixture of proteins, organic and inorganic compounds. Some of these proteins, enzymatic or non-enzymatic ones, are able to interact with platelet receptors, causing hemostatic disorders. The possible therapeutic potential of toxins with antiplatelet properties may arouse interest in the pharmacological areas.

Synthesis and Study of Fe-Doped Bi₂S₃ Semimagnetic Nanocrystals Embedded in a Glass Matrix.

Iron-doped bismuth sulphide (BiFeS₃) nanocrystals have been successfully synthesized in a glass matrix using the fusion method. Transmission electron microscopy images and energy dispersive spectroscopy data clearly show that nanocrystals are formed with an average diameter of 7-9 nm, depending on the thermic treatment time, and contain Fe in their chemical composition. Magnetic force microscopy measurements show magnetic phase contrast patterns, providing further evidence of Fe incorporation in the nanocrystal structure.

Effect of Co co-doping on the optical properties of ZnTe:Mn nanocrystals.

We study the effect of Co co-doping on the optical properties of Mn-doped ZnTe nanocrystals (NCs) embedded in a glass matrix. Optical absorption (OA) and crystal field theory strongly indicated the substitutional incorporation of Co ions into these semiconducting NCs as well as the characteristic transitions of these ions in the visible and near infrared spectral region. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images revealed an invariant NC lattice parameter with the incorporation of Mn and Co ions.

Evaluation of titanium dioxide nanocrystal-induced genotoxicity by the cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay and the Drosophila wing spot test.

Titanium dioxide nanocrystals (TiO2 NCs) crystalline structures include anatase, rutile and brookite. This study evaluated the genotoxic effects of 3.4 and 6.

Tunable dual emission in visible and near-infrared spectra using Co(2+)-doped PbSe nanocrystals embedded in a chalcogenide glass matrix.

Semimagnetic Pb1-xCoxSe nanocrystals were synthesized by a fusion protocol in a glass matrix and characterized by optical absorption (OA), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and photoluminescence (PL) techniques. OA spectra and TEM images strongly indicated the formation of Pb1-xCoxSe magnetic phases in the glass system and the quantum dot size was manipulated by tuning the annealing time. The OA spectra together with crystal field theory indicate that Co(2+) is located in the tetrahedral site (Td) and the PL of the Pb1-xCoxSe nanocrystals presents characteristic recombination in the visible (∼700 nm) and near-IR (1300-1600 nm) electromagnetic spectral range.

CdSe magic-sized quantum dots incorporated in biomembrane models at the air-water interface composed of components of tumorigenic and non-tumorigenic cells.

Cadmium selenide (CdSe) magic-sized quantum dots (MSQDs) are semiconductor nanocrystals with stable luminescence that are feasible for biomedical applications, especially for in vivo and in vitro imaging of tumor cells. In this work, we investigated the specific interaction of CdSe MSQDs with tumorigenic and non-tumorigenic cells using Langmuir monolayers and Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films of lipids as membrane models for diagnosis of cancerous cells. Surface pressure-area isotherms and polarization modulation reflection-absorption spectroscopy (PM-IRRAS) showed an intrinsic interaction between the quantum dots, inserted in the aqueous subphase, and Langmuir monolayers constituted either of selected lipids or of tumorigenic and non-tumorigenic cell extracts.