A folic acid conjugated silica-titania porous hollow nanosphere for improved topical photodynamic therapy.

The folic acid conjugated hollow nanosphere is used to encapsulate protoporphyrin IX and is utilized for photodynamic therapy. This system represents a 3.33 times higher photodynamic efficiency than previous protoporphyrin IX-based systems.

Fabrication of barium- and strontium-doped silica/titania hollow nanoparticles and their synergetic effects on promoting neuronal differentiation by activating ERK and p38 pathways.

Pristine, barium-doped, and strontium-doped hollow nanoparticles (p-HNPs, Ba-HNP, and Sr-HNP; HNPs) are prepared by sonication-mediated etching and redeposition (SMER) method and alkali-earth-metal hydroxide solution treatment. The HNPs are investigated to facilitate synergetic neuronal differentiation through alkali-earth-metal doping and in conjunction with nerve growth factor (NGF). PC12 cells are used as model cells for neuronal differentiation.

Inkjet-printed polyaniline patterns for exocytosed molecule detection from live cells.

Polyaniline (PANi) patterns on flexible substrate are fabricated for biomolecule detection from live cells. PANi patterns are prepared by inkjet printing on polyethylene terephthalate film. Subsequently, arginine-glycine-aspartate (RGD) peptide is immobilized on the PANi pattern to selectively adhere cells.

Screen-printed fluorescent sensors for rapid and sensitive anthrax biomarker detection.

Since the 2001 anthrax attacks, efforts have focused on the development of an anthrax detector with rapid response and high selectivity and sensitivity. Here, we demonstrate a fluorescence sensor for detecting anthrax biomarker with high sensitivity and selectivity using a screen-printing method. A lanthanide-ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid complex was printed on a flexible polyethersulfone film.

Fluorescent polymer nanoparticle for selective sensing of intracellular hydrogen peroxide.

Fluorescent boronate-modified polyacrylonitrile (BPAN) nanoparticles of 50 nm diameter were fabricated for use as a selective H(2)O(2) sensor. The fluorescence intensity changed and an emission peak shifted when BPAN nanoparticles selectively interacted with H(2)O(2), relative to other reactive oxygen species (ROS). The BPAN nanoparticles undergo photoinduced electron transfer (PET) between a Schiff base moiety and boronate, which enhances the fluorescence and makes the nanoparticles suitable for selective ROS recognition.

Spatially controlled carbon sponge for targeting internalized radioactive materials in human body.

Carbon sponge, an adsorbent with spatially controlled structure is demonstrated for targeting internalized radiocesium and other radionuclides in human body. Three dimensionally ordered macroporous (3DOM) carbons derived from inverse opal replicas of colloidal-crystal template exhibit large surface area and high porosity, resulting in highly efficient adsorbents for radionuclides. It is also possible to enhance binding affinity and selectivity to radionuclide targets by decoration of 3DOM carbon surfaces with Prussian blue (PB) nanoparticles, and synthesized PB nanoparticles reveal low toxicity toward macrophage cells with potential advantages over oral administration.

Efficient intracellular delivery of camptothecin by silica/titania hollow nanoparticles.

Silica/titania hollow nanoparticles (HNPs) with 50 nm were fabricated by using the dissolution and redeposition method and modified with anti-[human epidermal growth factor receptor 2] monoclonal antibody (herceptin), and their application as camptothecin (CPT) delivery agents to human breast cancer SK-BR-3 cells was investigated. Although the diameter of herceptin-modified HNPs (HER-HNP) is smaller than that of other reported mesoporous silica nanoparticles, the extensive hollow cavity of HNPs (ca. 30 nm) allowed the loading of a large amount of CPT.

Fluorescent europium-modified polymer nanoparticles for rapid and sensitive anthrax sensors.

Novel fluorescent polyacrylonitrile nanoparticles were synthesized by microemulsion polymerization and Schiff base modification. By further modification with europium, the polyacrylonitrile nanoparticles could be used as a highly sensitive and rapid sensor for Bacillus anthracis spore detection in aqueous solution. The europium-modified polyacrylonitrile nanoparticles were readily combined with dipicolinic acid as a unique biomarker of B.

Shape-dependent cytotoxicity of polyaniline nanomaterials in human fibroblast cells.

The toxicity of polyaniline (PANI) nanomaterials with four different aspect ratios on human lung fibroblast cells was investigated by cell viability assay, cytotoxicity assay, apoptosis/necrosis measurement, and reactive oxygen species production. The toxicity increased with decreasing aspect ratio of PANI nanomaterials. In contrast, the highest aspect ratio PANI nanomaterials showed similar results with bulk PANI materials.

Cellular uptake, cytotoxicity, and ROS generation with silica/conducting polymer core/shell nanospheres.

The cellular response to conducting polymer (CP) nanospheres with similar physical properties was evaluated by in vitro cellular uptake and cytotoxicity in mouse macrophage RAW 264.7 and rat pheochromocytoma PC-12 cells. Four different CPs (polythiophene, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene), polyaniline, and polypyrrole) were deposited onto silica nanoparticles with a diameter of ca.

Cytotoxicity of, and innate immune response to, size-controlled polypyrrole nanoparticles in mammalian cells.

Monodisperse polypyrrole (PPy) nanoparticles with five different diameters (20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 nm) were fabricated via chemical oxidation polymerization in order to evaluate size-dependent cytotoxicity. The cellular uptake of PPy nanoparticles in human lung fibroblasts (IMR90) and mouse alveolar macrophages (J774A.1) was observed by transmission electron microscopy.

Cellular uptake, cytotoxicity, and innate immune response of silica-titania hollow nanoparticles based on size and surface functionality.

Silica-titania hollow nanoparticles (HNPs) with uniform diameters of 25, 50, 75, 100, and 125 nm were fabricated by dissolution and redeposition method in order to evaluate size dependent cellular response. Surface-modified HNPs with cationic, anionic, and neutral functional group were prepared by silane treatment. We systematically investigated cellular internalization, toxicity, and innate immune response of HNPs in human breast cancer (SK-BR-3) and mouse alveolar macrophage (J774A.

Photoluminescent polymer nanoparticles for label-free cellular imaging.

Novel polymer based photoluminescent nanoparticles were fabricated by ultra-sound induced emulsion polymerization and applied to bioimaging of human breast cancer SK-BR-3 cells after ethylenediamine treatment and conjugation with anti-ErbB2 antibody.

Shape-dependent cytotoxicity and proinflammatory response of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) nanomaterials.

Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDT) is recognized as one of the most promising conducting polymers for future applications in the fields of electronics, optics, energy storage/conversion, and biomedical science. The toxicity of PEDT could be considered to affect the potential for its widespread application. Herein, the cytotoxicity and proinflammatory response of PEDT nanomaterials of three different shapes toward human lung fibroblast (IMR90) and mouse alveolar macrophage (J774A.