Nanoscale Research Letters最新文献

Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and antibody-conjugated nanoparticles (ACNPs) are targeted therapies achieved by combining monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) with cytotoxic payloads or nanocarriers. ADCs consist of mAbs conjugated to the cytotoxic payloads via a linker, thus enabling tumor-specific delivery and reducing systemic toxicity. ACNPs add to this targeted therapeutic window by using nanoparticles. This conjugation promotes controlled drug release, higher drug-to-antibody ratios (DAR), and reduced off-target effects. ADCs exhibit precision in cell killing but face limitations such as antigen heterogeneity and Fc-mediated sequestration, whereas ACNPs enhance payload capacity and tumor penetration through their tunable physicochemical properties. ACNPs also facilitate multivalent binding by functionalizing multiple antibody molecules on their surface, improving target cell recognition and binding strength. Recent advancements include 14 FDA-approved ADCs and ACNPs in Phase I/II trials. A critical analysis of synthesis methods reveals that site-specific conjugation techniques enhance batch consistency, while characterization technologies, such as SEC-HPLC, LC-MS/MS, and SPR, address challenges related to DAR quantification and aggregation. Linker chemistry innovations, such as PEGylated maleimides balancing hydrophilicity and stability, are highlighted alongside emerging payloads. Despite progress, both platforms face translational hurdles: ADCs contend with manufacturing complexity and resistance mechanisms, while ACNPs require standardized in vitro models to predict in vivo behavior. This review emphasizes the significance of comparative efficacy studies and strategies for optimizing antibody density and orientation on nanoparticles. Together, these insights connect the gaps between synthesis, characterization, and therapeutic outcomes, steering the future development of targeted bioconjugates.

As bacterial strains become increasingly resistant to antibiotics, many researchers are seeking novel, effective, and inexpensive antibiotics. Some nanomaterials have been suggested as potential candidates for use as novel antibacterial agents. In this study, cesium oxide nanoparticles were synthesized and preliminarily investigated for their ability to inhibit the growth of bacteria. Although there are few studies on the applications of cesium oxide, it is possible that this oxide could have a substantial impact on biological activities. Cesium oxide nanoparticles were synthesized via fast calcination at 500 °C for 3 h. The composition and morphology of the prepared samples were characterized via X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscope analysis, which verified the synthesis of cesium oxide nanoparticles. Agar well diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration assays were used to study the antibacterial activity of cesium oxide nanoparticles against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. The experimental results provide preliminary support for developing cesium oxide nanostructures as antibacterial agents against a wide range of infections and diseases caused by bacteria.

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Grazing Incident Wide Angle X-ray Scattering (GIWAXS) studies on organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) fabricated with an aliphatic functionalized α,α'-quinquethiophene (i.e. 5,5′′′′-dihexyl-2,2′:5′,2′′:5′′,2′′′:5′′′,2′′′′-quinquethiophene, DH5T) thin film, were carried out. The structure-property relationships of the semiconductor material were investigated. A detailed, spatially resolved microstructural characterization of the active layer was carried out with the aim of understanding the role of the film’s microstructure on electrical performance. For this purpose, a custom-made setup designed for in-operando tests of OFETs was used, allowing a correlation under measured conditions of the complex microstructure with the thin film electrical behavior, under operating conditions. The GIWAXS measurements revealed a significant anisotropy of the DH5T thin films, under source-drain applied voltages (V_sd). Particularly notable variations were observed for both in-plane and out-of-plane directions. Upon applying the V_sd, the microstructure remained relatively stable in the out-of-plane (001) direction, suggesting that this orientation is less affected by the applied voltages. However, in the in-plane (020) direction, an increase of the π–π stacking of the DH5T molecules was found, indicating a stronger response of the microstructure to the applied voltage. Notably, a higher tensile strain, exceeding 1%, was observed at a V_sd of − 10 V, suggesting that the application of voltage induces significant structural reorganization in the thin film, which may have implications for optimizing the performance of OFETs in practical applications.

Deep ultraviolet (DUV) nanophotonic technologies are of vital importance for applications in biomedical sensing, advanced lithography, light sources, and optoelectronic devices. Plasmonic nanostructures with DUV resonance properties can generate highly confined optical fields. They therefore have great potential in amplifying spectral signals from molecules with intense vibronic transitions in the DUV region and improving the sensitivity of solar-blind detection. However, practical applications of DUV plasmonic structures are hindered by challenges such as oxidation, photo-induced damage, high material loss, and costly fabrication. Herein, we employ hybrid Si Fabry-Pérot nanoresonators constructed from random Si nanodisk arrays and a Si mirror to improve the DUV plasmonic properties of individual Si nanostructures. The hybrid nanoresonators exhibit strong resonance modes that are tunable in the DUV regime, resulting from the coupling between nanodisk plasmon resonances and Fabry-Pérot cavity modes. In addition, we fabricate centimeter-scale nanoresonator arrays that support distinct DUV plasmon resonances using a low-cost hole-mask colloidal lithography method. We further demonstrate that the hybrid Si nanoresonator substrate can enhance the molecular ultraviolet photoluminescence by a factor of up to 2.7. By combining the advantages of Si nanodisks’ DUV localized surface plasmon and Fabry-Pérot cavity resonances, our design offers a promising platform for molecular detection, solar-blind photodetection, and biosensing.

Biogenic gold nanostructures have been obtained, for the first time, by bio-reduction of Au³⁺ ions with an aqueous extract of Opuntia joconostle fruit peel (Oj-AuNPs). This particular methodology is completely green, since room temperature was used, and no infusion preparation was required. The Oj-AuNPs exhibit a broad surface plasmon resonance (SPR) signal, with a maximum at 556 nm. SEM and TEM observations show Oj-AuNPs with mean size around 80 nm and raspberry-like morphologies, mainly, made of smaller nanoparticles glued by the biomass. When freshly prepared Oj-AuNPs solution is placed in contact with Fe²⁺, the solution changes from brown to a green-grayish color, being the only metal ion changing the Oj-AuNPs solution color among the other twelve metal ions probed, including Fe³⁺. Once the Fe²⁺ ions are detected, the SPR of the Oj-AuNPs becomes broader with a considerable red shift. Furthermore, smaller Au nanostructures, with better defined morphologies than those in the original Oj-AuNPs, are observed by TEM. Therefore, the conceivable mechanism of the naked eye and plasmonic detection of Fe²⁺ by Oj-AuNPs involves the disaggregation of the original larger gold nanostructures. Sensitivity studies of the Oj-AuNPs detection of Fe²⁺ were performed from 200 ppm to 0.1 ppb. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) for Fe²⁺ are 0.023 and 0.079 ppb, respectively. Moreover, the Oj-AuNPs colorimetric sensor was effectively tested for highly sensitive detection of Fe²⁺ in tap water.

In recent years, new medications like proteasome inhibitors (PIs) have significantly improved cancer patients’ response rate and overall survival. Carfilzomib (CFZ), a second-generation proteasome inhibitor, has shown promising results in clinical trials for treating multiple myeloma patients. In the current study, a Fe–Co metal-organic framework (MOF) was developed as a drug delivery system for targeted therapy of cancer cells. CFZ-loaded Fe–Co MOFs were synthesized and characterized using DLS, VSM, SEM-EDS, and BET analyses. The in vivo effects of CFZ-loaded Fe–Co MOFs were compared with standard drugs using a male Wistar rat model. Based on the results, DLS revealed a polydisperse size distribution, while VSM showed strong magnetic properties with 20 emu/g saturation magnetization. SEM-EDS confirmed a well-defined crystalline structure with uniform elemental distribution, and BET analysis indicated a mesoporous structure with a surface area of 84.984 m²/g. The MOFs demonstrated a high drug loading efficiency of 74.86% and a controlled release profile, with an initial burst followed by sustained release. When administered intravenously to rats, free CFZ at doses of 0.4 mg/kg and 0.8 mg/kg led to significant increases in serum liver enzymes, kidney function markers, and liver malondialdehyde content. Furthermore, high doses of CFZ-loaded Fe–Co MOFs caused significant histopathological changes in the rats. These findings provide a basis for further research on using Fe–Co MOFs as carriers of proteasome inhibitors like CFZ for targeted drug delivery.

Various surface modification techniques have been developed to improve the survival rate of dental implants. This study aimed to evaluate both in vitro and in vivo outcomes of implants coated with a nano/micro-assembled hydroxyapatite (HA) structure using a laser-induced single-step coating (LISSC) technique. Four types of implant surfaces were examined: machined surface implants (MA), sandblasted large-grit acid-etched implants (SLA), resorbable blasting media implants (RBM), and HA-coated implants (HA). In vitro analyses included surface morphology, surface hydrophilicity, and cell attachment. Twelve rabbits and two beagle dogs were used in the in vivo experiments. The implant stability quotient (ISQ) was measured immediately after placement and again at sacrifice (rabbits: 3 and 6 weeks; beagles: 12 weeks), followed by histological evaluation and quantification of bone-to-implant contact (BIC%) and bone volume (BV%). ISQ values increased from the postoperative period to 6 or 12 weeks across all implant types. In vitro, surface roughness ranked as HA > RBM > SLA > MA, while surface wettability ranked as RBM > HA > MA > SLA. No significant differences were observed in initial cell adhesion or viability among the groups. In vivo, BV ranked as MA > RBM > SLA > HA at 3 weeks, and MA > HA > RBM > SLA at 6 weeks. BIC ranked as RBM > MA > SLA > HA at 3 weeks and HA > RBM > SLA > MA at 6 weeks. HA exhibited the greatest increases in both BV and BIC from 3 to 6 weeks. In beagles, ISQ at 12 weeks was higher than baseline for both SLA and HA, with HA demonstrating superior BV compared to SLA. Within the limitations of this preclinical study, HA-coated implants produced via the LISSC method demonstrated comparable or superior biological performance relative to conventional MA, SLA, and RBM surfaces.

In recent years, research and development in nanoscale science and technology have grown significantly, with electrical transport playing a key role. A natural challenge for its description is to shed light on anomalous behaviours observed in a variety of low-dimensional systems. We use a synergistic combination of experimental and mathematical modelling to explore the transport properties of the electrical discharge observed within a micro-gap based sensor immersed in fluids with different insulating properties. Data from laboratory experiments are collected and used to inform and calibrate four mathematical models that comprise partial differential equations describing different kinds of transport, including anomalous diffusion: the Gaussian Model with Time Dependent Diffusion Coefficient, the Porous Medium Equation, the Kardar-Parisi-Zhang Equation and the Telegrapher Equation. Performance analysis of the models through data fitting reveals that the Gaussian Model with a Time-Dependent Diffusion Coefficient most effectively describes the observed phenomena. This model proves particularly valuable in characterizing the transport properties of electrical discharges when the micro-electrodes are immersed in a wide range of insulating as well as conductive fluids. Indeed, it can suitably reproduce a range of behaviours spanning from clogging to bursts, allowing accurate and quite general fluid classification. Finally, we apply the data-driven mathematical modeling approach to ethanol-water mixtures. The results show the model’s potential for accurate prediction, making it a promising method for analyzing and classifying fluids with unknown insulating properties.

Semiconductor Quantum-dots (QDs), characterized by their unique optoelectronic tunability, high efficiency, and multifunctionality, have emerged as transformative materials in diverse fields, including display technologies, energy conversion, solar cells, biomedical applications, and quantum technologies. With ongoing advancements in material synthesis and device engineering, the application scope of QDs is anticipated to expand further, thereby driving interdisciplinary technological innovations and fostering breakthroughs across multiple scientific fields. However, in recent years, the rapid development of Cd, Pb, and Hg-based QDs has raised significant environmental and biological concerns due to the inherent toxicity of these heavy metals. Consequently, these materials have been classified as restricted substances by major global entities, including international organizations, the European Union, and the United States, through international treaties and domestic legislation. To mitigate legal risks associated with environmental pollution, the development of non-toxic and environmentally friendly (eco-friendly) QDs has become imperative. This review focuses on several eco-friendly QDs, such as indium phosphide (InP), copper indium sulfide (CuInS₂), and graphene QDs (GQDs), from the perspective of environmental compliance. It comprehensively discusses their synthesis methods, application domains, and the advantages and disadvantages of different preparation techniques, along with their environmental impacts. Finally, the review summarizes the existing challenges, limitations, and potential solutions for the development of environmentally benign QDs.

This study employs Mie’s scattering theory and van de Hulst’s mixing model to predict the refractive indices (n, k) of silver nanowire (AgNW) networks in the visible and near-infrared wavelengths, allowing the comparison to the experimentally determined k spectra. Transmittance spectra calculated via the numerical resolution of Fresnel’s equations are compared to experimental data, showing excellent agreement, particularly for nanowires with larger diameters and at shorter wavelengths. These findings, both theoretical and empirical, pave the way for accurate optical simulations of metallic nanowire networks, supporting their integration into complex multilayer systems and devices such as displays or smart windows. Notably, our work proposes the first demonstration of the dominance of the metallic character of AgNW networks over their dielectric behavior in terms of optical response.