In-Brain Multiphoton Imaging of Vaterite Cargoes Loaded with Carbon Dots.

Biocompatible fluorescent agents are key contributors to the theranostic paradigm by enabling real-time in vivo imaging. This study explores the optical properties of phenylenediamine carbon dots (CDs) and demonstrates their potential for fluorescence imaging in cells and brain blood vessels. The nonlinear absorption cross-section of the CDs was measured and achieved values near 50 Goeppert-Mayer (GM) units with efficient excitation in the 775-895 nm spectral range.

One-Pot Synthesis of Affordable Redox-Responsive Drug Delivery System Based on Trithiocyanuric Acid Nanoparticles.

Redox-responsive drug delivery systems present a promising avenue for drug delivery due to their ability to leverage the unique redox environment within tumor cells. In this work, we describe a facile and cost-effective one-pot synthesis method for a redox-responsive delivery system based on novel trithiocyanuric acid (TTCA) nanoparticles (NPs). We conduct a thorough investigation of the impact of various synthesis parameters on the morphology, stability, and loading capacity of these NPs.

Ligand-free template-assisted synthesis of stable perovskite nanocrystals with near-unity photoluminescence quantum yield within the pores of vaterite spheres.

Ligand-free methods for the synthesis of halide perovskite nanocrystals are of great interest because of their excellent performance in optoelectronics and photonics. In addition, template-assisted synthesis methods have become a powerful tool for the fabrication of environmentally stable and bright nanocrystals. Here we develop a novel approach for the facile ligand-free template-assisted fabrication of perovskite nanocrystals with a near-unity absolute quantum yield, which involves CaCO vaterite micro- and submicrospheres as templates.

Development of Nanocarrier-Based Radionuclide and Photothermal Therapy in Combination with Chemotherapy in Melanoma Cancer Treatment.

Conventional cancer therapy methods have serious drawbacks that are related to the nonspecific action of anticancer drugs that leads to high toxicity on normal cells and increases the risk of cancer recurrence. The therapeutic effect can be significantly enhanced when various treatment modalities are implemented. Here, we demonstrate that the radio- and photothermal therapy (PTT) delivered through nanocarriers (gold nanorods, Au NRs) in combination with chemotherapy in a melanoma cancer results in complete tumor inhibition compared to the single therapy.

Overcoming the blood-brain barrier for the therapy of malignant brain tumor: current status and prospects of drug delivery approaches.

Besides the broad development of nanotechnological approaches for cancer diagnosis and therapy, currently, there is no significant progress in the treatment of different types of brain tumors. Therapeutic molecules crossing the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and reaching an appropriate targeting ability remain the key challenges. Many invasive and non-invasive methods, and various types of nanocarriers and their hybrids have been widely explored for brain tumor treatment.

Fluorescence-based thermometry for precise estimation of nanoparticle laser-induced heating in cancerous cells at nanoscale.

Photothermal therapy (PTT) has attracted increasing interest as a complementary method to be used alongside conventional therapies. Despite a great number of studies in this field, only a few have explored how temperatures affect the outcome of the PTT at nanoscale. In this work, we study the necrosis/apoptosis process of cancerous cells that occurs during PTT, using a combination of local laser heating and nanoscale fluorescence thermometry techniques.

Halide Perovskite Nanocrystals with Enhanced Water Stability for Upconversion Imaging in a Living Cell.

Halide perovskite nanomaterials are widely used in optoelectronics and photonics due to their outstanding luminescent properties, whereas their strong multiphoton absorption makes them prospective for bioimaging. Nonetheless, instability of perovskites in aqueous solutions is an important limitation that prevents their application in biology and medicine. Here, we demonstrate fluorescence and upconversion imaging in living cells by employing CsPbBr nanocrystals (NCs) that show an improved water-resistance (at least for 24 h) after their coating as individual particles with various silica-based shells.

Real-Time Temperature Monitoring of Photoinduced Cargo Release inside Living Cells Using Hybrid Capsules Decorated with Gold Nanoparticles and Fluorescent Nanodiamonds.

Real-time temperature monitoring within biological objects is a key fundamental issue for understanding the heating process and performing remote-controlled release of bioactive compounds upon laser irradiation. The lack of accurate thermal control significantly limits the translation of optical laser techniques into nanomedicine. Here, we design and develop hybrid (complex) carriers based on multilayered capsules combined with nanodiamonds (NV centers) as nanothermometers and gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) as nanoheaters to estimate an effective laser-induced temperature rise required for capsule rupture and further release of cargo molecules outside and inside cancerous (B16-F10) cells.

Comprehensive Characterization of Titania Nanotubes Fabricated on Ti-Nb Alloys: Surface Topography, Structure, Physicomechanical Behavior, and a Cell Culture Assay.

In this study, hybrid composites based on β-alloy Ti-Nb and oxide nanotubes (NTs) have been successfully prepared. NTs of different sizes were grown on Ti-Nb substrates with different Nb contents (5, 25, and 50 wt %) via electrochemical anodization at 30 and 60 V. Scanning electron microscopy imaging revealed that vertically aligned nanotubular structures form on the surface of Ti-Nb alloy substrates and influence Nb content in alloys based on NT length.

Radiolabeling Strategies of Micron- and Submicron-Sized Core-Shell Carriers for Studies.

Core-shell particles made of calcium carbonate and coated with biocompatible polymers using the Layer-by-Layer technique can be considered as a unique drug-delivery platform that enables us to load different therapeutic compounds, exhibits a high biocompatibility, and can integrate several stimuli-responsive mechanisms for drug release. However, before implementation for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes, such core-shell particles require a comprehensive evaluation in terms of physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties. Positron emission tomography (PET) is an advanced imaging technique for the evaluation of biodistribution of drug carriers; nevertheless, an incorporation of positron emitters in these carriers is needed.

Correction to: Current outlook on radionuclide delivery systems: from design consideration to translation into clinics.

After publication of this article, an error was found in the description of the holmium isotopes. Ho is a stable isotope a fraction of which is activated to Ho by neutron activation in a nuclear reactor [2]. In one paragraph of the published article, describing holmium containing QuiremSpheres, Ho should be replaced with Ho.

Development of Optimized Strategies for Growth Factor Incorporation onto Electrospun Fibrous Scaffolds To Promote Prolonged Release.

Growth factor incorporation in biomedical constructs for their local delivery enables specific pharmacological effects such as the induction of cell growth and differentiation. This has enabled a promising way to improve the tissue regeneration process. However, it remains challenging to identify an appropriate approach that provides effective growth factor loading into biomedical constructs with their following release kinetics in a prolonged manner.

Biomimetic drug delivery platforms based on mesenchymal stem cells impregnated with light-responsive submicron sized carriers.

Synthetic organic and inorganic carriers often have limitations associated with problematic targeting ability or non-optimized pharmacokinetics, and, therefore, they have restricted therapeutic potential. Natural drug carriers (e.g.

Current outlook on radionuclide delivery systems: from design consideration to translation into clinics.

Radiopharmaceuticals have proven to be effective agents, since they can be successfully applied for both diagnostics and therapy. Effective application of relevant radionuclides in pre-clinical and clinical studies depends on the choice of a sufficient delivery platform. Herein, we provide a comprehensive review on the most relevant aspects in radionuclide delivery using the most employed carrier systems, including, (i) monoclonal antibodies and their fragments, (ii) organic and (iii) inorganic nanoparticles, and (iv) microspheres.

Safe and Effective Delivery of Antitumor Drug Using Mesenchymal Stem Cells Impregnated with Submicron Carriers.

An important area in modern malignant tumor therapy is the optimization of antitumor drugs pharmacokinetics. The use of some antitumor drugs is limited in clinical practice due to their high toxicity. Therefore, the strategy for optimizing the drug pharmacokinetics focuses on the generation of high local concentrations of these drugs in the tumor area with minimal systemic and tissue-specific toxicity.

Multifunctional Scaffolds with Improved Antimicrobial Properties and Osteogenicity Based on Piezoelectric Electrospun Fibers Decorated with Bioactive Composite Microcapsules.

The incorporation of bioactive compounds onto polymer fibrous scaffolds with further control of drug release kinetics is essential to improve the functionality of scaffolds for personalized drug therapy and regenerative medicine. In this study, polymer and hybrid microcapsules were prepared and used as drug carriers, which are further deposited onto polymer microfiber scaffolds [polycaprolactone (PCL), poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB), and PHB doping with the conductive polyaniline (PANi) of 2 wt % (PHB-PANi)]. The number of immobilized microcapsules decreased with increase in their ζ-potential due to electrostatic repulsion with the negatively charged fiber surface, depending on the polymer used for the scaffold's fabrication.