Preparation and characterization of BaLiF_3:Er^(3+) nanoparticles by the hydrothermal microemulsion synthesized method

Nanoparticles of BaLiF3：Er^3＋ were prepared from the quaternary microemulsions of Cetyltrim-Enthyl Ammonium Bromide （CTAB）, n-butanol, n-octane, and water, using the hydrothermal-microemulsion technique. The complex fluorides were characterized by means of X-ray power diffraction, Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy （ESEM）, and fluorescence spectra. The positions and intensifies of the peaks in the XRD pattern of the final products indicate the formation of BaLiF3·Er^3＋. No other peaks or impurities were detected. The average size of the nanoparticles, calculated with the Debye-Scherrer equation was 98.45 nm, which was in agreement with the result of ESEM. The infrared fluorescence spectra consisted of four peaks with a predominant peak located at 1540 nm.

Nanoparticles for targeted delivery of therapeutics and small interfering RNAs in hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) is the 5th most common malignancy which is responsible for more than half million annual mortalities; also, it is the third leading cause of cancer related death. Unfavorablesystemic side-effects of chemotherapeutic agents and susceptibility to the degradation of small interfering RNAs(si RNAs), which can knock down a specific gene involved in the disease, have hampered their clinical application. So, it could be beneficial to develop an efficient carrier for the stabilization and specific delivery of drugs and si RNA to cells. Targeted nanoparticles have gained considerable attention as an efficient drug and gene delivery system, which is due to their capability in achieving the highest accumulation of cytotoxic agents in tumor tissue, modifiable drug pharmacokinetic- and bio-distribution, improved effectiveness of treatment, and limited sideeffects. Recent studies have shed more light on the advantages of novel drug loaded carrier systems vs free drugs. Most of the animal studies have reported improvement in treatment efficacy and survival rate using novel carrier systems. Targeted delivery may be achieved passively or actively. In passive targeting, no ligand as homing device is used, while targeting is achieved by incorporating the therapeutic agent into a macromolecule or nanoparticle that passively reaches the target organ. However, in active targeting, the therapeutic agent or carrier system is conjugated to a tissue or cell-specific receptor which is overexpressed in a special malignancy using a ligand called a homing device. This review covers a broad spectrum of targeted nanoparticles as therapeutic and nonviral si RNA delivery systems, which are developed for enhanced cellular uptake and targeted gene silencing in vitro and in vivo and their characteristics and opportunities for the clinical applications of drugs and therapeutic si RNA are discussed in this article. Asialoglycoprotein receptors, low-density lipoprotein, ganglioside GM1 cell surface ligand, epidermal growth factor receptor receptors, monoclonal antibodies, retinoic acid receptors, integrin receptors targeted by Arg-Gly-Asp peptide, folate, and transferrin receptors are the most widely studied cell surface receptors which are used for the site specific delivery of drugs and si RNA-based therapeutics in HCC and discussed in detail in this article.

Resonance Light-Scattering Spectroscopy Study on Interaction between Gold Colloid and Thiol Containing Pharmaceutical

In this paper, we used resonance light\|scatter i ng (RLS) spectroscopy to study the interaction between thiol\|containing pharmac eutical and gold colloid. And for the first time, we proposed that this highly s ensitive, gold colloid\|based assay using RLS technique may have potential appli cation in detecting thiol\|containing substances.

Study on Targeting and in vitro Anti-oxidation of Baicalin Solid Lipid Nanoparticles

Objective To prepare liver-targeted baicalin solid lipid nanoparticles(BSLNs) and to study their in vitro anti-oxidative activity.Methods BSLNs were prepared by emulsification ultrasonic dispersion method and characterized by transmission electron microscopy and laser particle size distribution;The tissue in vivo distribution was detected by pharmacokinetics;In vitro anti-superoxide dismutase(SOD) activity and reduction capacity of BSLNs were determined;The ability of removing hydroxyl radical was determined by phenanthroline-Fe2+ oxidation.Results The best prescription was baicalin-soybean lecithin-glyceryl monostearate-poloxamer 188(1:5:15:30);The encapsulation efficiency and drug loading were 84.7% and 5.65%,respectively,mean size of particles was(68.6 ± 8) nm,Zeta potential was 22.13 mV;The in vitro anti-oxidant results showed that BSLNs had a significant inhibitory effect on SOD and a strong reducing capacity as well as a removing hydroxide radical ability.The targeting rate of BSLNs was 6.931 for liver.Conclusion The results demonstrate that BSLNs could enhance the liver targeting ability and in vitro anti-oxidative activity significantly.

Prussian blue and collagen loaded chitosan nanofibers with NIR-controlled NO release and photothermal activities for wound healing

Nitric oxide(NO)has emerged as a potential wound therapeutic agent due to its pivotal role in the wound healing processes.Nevertheless,NO-based therapy for clinical applications is still restricted due to its gaseous state and short half-life.Here we exploited a wound dressing by incorporating sodium nitroprusside doped prussian blue nanoparticals and Type I collagen into the chitosan/poly(vinyl alcohol)nanofibers through the electrospinning method.This hybrid nanofibrous scaffold possess the excellent abilities of NIR controlled NO release,photothermal therapy,and imitation of extra-cellular matrix-like architecture.These synergistic effects could enhance their anti-bactericidal effects in vitro and furthermore accelerate wound healing in vivo when compared to control groups.Histological analysis demonstrated the scaffold could promote fibroblast growth and accelerate epithelialization.Moreover,no apparent histological toxicology and negligible damage to major organs were observed,which provided sufficient biosafety for in vivo application.These data indicate the fabricated hybrid nanofibrous scaffold could be used as an ideal candidate for accelerating wound healing and treating chronic wounds.