Explore the vast range of titles available.

In this study, L-arginine (Arg) modified magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles (RMNPs) were firstly synthesized through a one-step co-precipitation method, and then these aminated nanoparticles (NPs) were, again, coated by pre-oxidized dextran (Dext), in which aldehyde groups (DextCHO) have been introduced on the polymer chain successfully via a strong chemical linkage. Arg, an amino acid, acts as a mediator to link the Dext to a magnetic core. The as-synthesized Arg-modified and Dext-coated arginine modified Fe3O4 NPs were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). Both synthesized samples, XRD pattern and FT-IR spectra proved that the core is magnetite. FT-IR confirmed that the chemical bonds of Arg and Dext both exist in the samples. SEM images showed that the NPs are spherical and have an acceptable distribution size, and the VSM analysis indicated the superparamagnetic behavior of samples. The saturation magnetization was decreased after Dext coating, which confirms successive coating RMNPs with Text. In addition, the TGA analysis demonstrated that the prepared magnetic nanocomposites underwent various weight loss levels, which admitted the modification of magnetic cores with Arg and further coating with Dext.

Objectives: In this research study, we introduce a novel approach to develop an innovative nanocarrier system comprising gold nanoparticles (GNPs) loaded with doxorubicin (D) in combination with natural molecules, such as trans-resveratrol (R), piperine (P), and icariin (Ic), against human cervical cancer. The final objective is to improve the anticancer efficacy of doxorubicin on HeLa and CaSki cell lines. Methods: Resveratrol was also used for the synthesis of GNP_R1 nanoparticles. Multi-functional GNPs loaded with D, R, P, and Ic (e.g., GNP_R1@D/R/P/Ic) were successfully prepared and fully characterized by SPR, TEM, HR-TEM, XRD, AFM, DLS, and zeta potential. They were investigated for in vitro stability in various biological media. The cytotoxicity activity was tested on HeLa and CaSki cell lines, using the MTT assay, for their applications as anticancer agents. Results: Our results demonstrate that the novel multi-functional GNPs (such as GNP_R1@D/R and GNP_R1@D/R/P/Ic) can effectively target the cervical cancer cells, improving the bioavailability of therapeutic agents and enhancing their cytotoxicity against cervical cancer cells. In vitro assessments demonstrated that the multi-functional GNPs exhibited improved stability and potential anticancer efficacy on human cervical cancer cells. Conclusions: The described strategy connects the benefits of biomolecules with functional nanoparticles toward the development of various GNP_R1@D/R/P/Ic nanocarriers for their applications as anticancer agents against human cervical cancer. This study provides compelling evidence that the innovative nanoparticles can enhance the therapeutic efficacy of doxorubicin against cervical cancer and offer a more advantageous alternative compared to doxorubicin monotherapy.

Retinoblastoma is a rare type of cancer, and its treatment, as well as diagnosis, is challenging, owing to mutations in the tumor-suppressor genes and lack of targeted, efficient, cost-effective therapy, exhibiting a significant need for novel approaches to address these concerns. For this purpose, nanotechnology has revolutionized the field of medicine with versatile potential capabilities for both the diagnosis, as well as the treatment, of retinoblastoma via the targeted and controlled delivery of anticancer drugs via binding to the overexpressed retinoblastoma gene. Nanotechnology has also generated massive advancements in the treatment of retinoblastoma based on the use of surface-tailored multi-functionalized nanocarriers; overexpressed receptor-based nanocarriers ligands (folate, galactose, and hyaluronic acid); lipid-based nanocarriers; and metallic nanocarriers. These nanocarriers seem to benchmark in mitigating a plethora of malignant retinoblastoma via targeted delivery at a specified site, resulting in programmed apoptosis in cancer cells. The effectiveness of these nanoplatforms in diagnosing and treating intraocular cancers such as retinoblastoma has not been properly discussed, despite the increasing significance of nanomedicine in cancer management. This article reviewed the recent milestones and future development areas in the field of intraocular drug delivery and diagnostic platforms focused on nanotechnology.

Ice accumulation is a key and unsolved problem for many composite structures with polymer matrices, e.g., wind turbines and airplanes. One of the solutions to avoid icing is to use anti-icing coatings. In recent years, the influence of hydrophobicity of a surface on its icephobic properties has been studied. This solution is based on the idea that a material with poor wettability maximally reduces the contact time between a cooled drop of water and the surface, consequently prevents the formation of ice, and decreases its adhesion to the surface. In this work, a hybrid modification of a gelcoat based on unsaturated polyester resin with nanosilica and chemical modifiers from the group of triple functionalized polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) and double organofunctionalized polysiloxanes (generally called multi-functionalized organosilicon compounds (MFSC)) was applied. The work describes how the change of modifier concentration and its structural structure finally influences the ice phobic properties. The modifiers used in their structure groups lowered the free surface energy and crosslinking groups with the applied resin, lowering the phenomena of migration and removing the modifier from the surface layer of gelcoat. The main studies from the icephobicity point of view were the measurements of ice adhesion forces between modified materials and ice. The tests were based on the measurements of the shear strength between the ice layer and the modified surface and were conducted using a tensile machine. Hydrophobic properties of the obtained nanocomposites were determined by measurement of the contact angle and contact angle hysteresis. As the results of the work, it was found that the modification of gelcoat with nanosilica and multi-functionalized silicone compounds results in the improvement of icephobic properties when compared to unmodified gelcoat while no direct influence of wettability properties was found. Ice adhesion decreased by more than 30%.

Protein p300 is a transcriptional co-activator that participates in many physiological processes including cell cycle control, differentiation and apoptosis. It serves (a) as a protein bridge that links specific transcription factors to the fundamental transcription machinery, (b) as a scaffold to complete multiple transcription cofactors, and (c) as an enzyme for acetylating histone and non-histone proteins. An ultrasensitive electrochemiluminescence (ECL) immunosensor is described here that is based on the use of a magnetic glassy carbon electrode modified with tetrahedral DNA with hollow structure, graphene oxide (GO) and gold nanocrystals. The use of a GO monolayer allows for greater carrying capacity and warrants a wider outer Helmholtz plane. Strong and stable ECL signals were achieved due to antigen-antibody interaction by using the ECL probe Ru(phen) 3 2+ . This immunosensor has a response that covers the 0.005 to 80 nM p300 concentration range and has a 1 pM detection limit. It was exploited for the determination of p300 in HeLa cell lysate and (spiked) serum. Graphical abstract Schematic presentation of an ultrasensitive Faraday-cage electrochemiluminescence immunosensor toward the transcriptional co-activator p300 analysis is presented based on a graphene oxide monolayer and tetrahedral DNA-mediated signal amplification.

This chapter contains sections titled: Introduction Diagnostic Applications Therapeutic Applications Physiological Aspects Toxic Effects