Journal of Cluster Science最新文献

Autonomous nanomedicine, a burgeoning field within nanotechnology and biomedical sciences, is poised to revolutionize healthcare by eliminating the need for external intervention in targeted applications within the body. This article elucidates the promise and challenges of autonomous nanomedicine, emphasizing its ability to overcome the limitations of traditional methods such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Central to its efficacy are nano-sized carriers, which autonomously navigate the body to deliver therapeutic agents with precision and control. By integrating automated nanoscale tools into disease detection processes, this technology offers swift and personalized assessments, reshaping disease management paradigms. To advance the clinical translation of autonomous nanomedicine, rigorous preclinical studies are imperative. However, challenges persist in ensuring reproducibility and safety, hindering progress in clinical trials. This article examines current studies with potential clinical translation, shedding light on the regulatory and ethical considerations crucial for its safe implementation. As the field progresses, maintaining a balance between innovation and safety remains paramount for harnessing the full potential of autonomous nanomedicine while safeguarding patient well-being.

Graphical Abstract

The discovery of cyclic boron oxide clusters has prompted investigations into their distinctive structures and bonding characteristics. Notably, the majority of reported cyclic boron oxide structures consist predominantly of four to six-membered rings. In this study, we employ theoretical methods to predict the global-minimum (GM) structure of B₆O₆²⁺. Our analyses, including global-minimum searches and calculations using B3LYP, PBE, PBE0, and single-point CCSD(T), reveal that the D_2h B₆O₆²⁺ (¹A_g) configuration represents a planar and tricyclic structure, resulting from the fusion of B₃O₂/B₄O₂/B₃O₂ units. Remarkably, this structure establishes the B₆O₆²⁺ cluster as the smallest boron oxide cluster with a planar tricyclic motif. Further bonding analysis indicates that B₆O₆²⁺ is a weakly antiaromatic system with 12π delocalized electrons. The reported B₆O₆ has a planar structure with a 6-membered B₃O₃ ring and 6 π electrons distributed over the ring. Because of the absence of two electrons from the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) of neutral B₆O₆, the structure of B₆O₆²⁺ is distinctly different from that of B₆O₆.

The aim of this work is to develop a self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS) for Hesperidin (HES) and Rutin (RUT) to improve their biopharmaceutical properties. The wound healing potential of HES-RUT-SNEDDS was compared to those of pure HES suspension (HES-s), empty SNEDDS (E-SNEDDS), and standard Fusidic Acid via topical application. To produce various HES-RUT-loaded SNEDDS, aqueous phase titration was used to select cinnamon oil, Labrasol and Tween 80 (surfactants), Transcutol (co-surfactant) from a diverse pool of surfactants, oils and co-surfactants. The thermodynamic stability of HES-RUT-loaded SNEDDS was assessed by examining the globule size, surface morphology, zeta potential, polydispersity index (PDI), and percent (%) transmittance. The improved physicochemical properties of the optimized HES-RUT-SNEDDS (S-N4) formulation included particle size, zeta potential, and % transmittance. Smooth and spherical particles were discovered using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). These improved SNEDDS formulations demonstrated enhanced solubility and skin permeation. When compared to HES-s, E-SNEDDS, and standard fusidic acid, the optimized HES-RUT-SNEDDS demonstrated significant wound healing activity following topical application. HES-RUT-SNEDDS is a promising approach for enhancing the wound-healing potential of HES and RUT through topical administration.

A new “signal-off” probe based on silver nanoclusters modified with tryptophan amino acid (TRP@Ag NCs) has been developed for the sensitive and selective fluorometric detection of the anticancer drug gemcitabine. The probe exhibits a blue-emission at 460 nm upon excitation at 320 nm. Various reaction parameters were optimized to enhance the probe’s performance. The addition of gemcitabine results in a decrease in the fluorescence emission, which is attributed to the aggregation of the TRP@Ag NCs. The interaction between the TRP@Ag NCs and gemcitabine involves multiple types of chemical bonds, including non-covalent hydrogen bonding, Van der Waals, and electrostatic forces. The fluorescence ratio (F°/F) exhibits a linear correlation with gemcitabine concentrations ranging from 0.005 to 60 µM, with a low limit of detection (LOD) of 1.7 nM (S/N = 3). The TRP@Ag NCs probe demonstrates high sensitivity, good selectivity, and reliability. The developed probe was successfully applied for the detection of gemcitabine in authentic samples, including pharmaceutical injections, serum, and urine, with acceptable recovery percentages and low relative standard deviation (RSD), indicating the accuracy and reliability of the probe.

In this study, a novel Z-scheme heterojunction based on g-C₃N₄/TiO₂/NiCo₂O₄ nanocomposite was synthesized using a combination of hydrothermal and ultrasonic methods and investigated the photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) dye. The synthesized nanocomposite was characterized XRD, FT-IR, FE-SEM, TEM, EDS, PL, UV–Vis DRS techniques. Subsequently, various parameters such as the effect of NiCo₂O₄ amount in the composite structure, pH, initial pollutant concentration, photocatalyst dosage, and different scavengers were investigated to determine the exact mechanism of the photocatalytic process. In different concentrations of NiCo₂O₄, the base value (X: 1) was determined as the optimal value in photocatalytic degradation. g-C₃N₄/TiO₂/NiCo₂O₄ composite had the highest percentage of 99.5% Rh.B dye degradation in 60 min. In addition, by examining the pH, it was found that its optimal value is 7, and the rate of dye degradation in this condition is more than other materials, and the rate constant value is 0.069 min^–1. In addition, the g-C₃N₄/TiO₂/NiCo₂O₄ catalyst showed good performance for each reuse and retained about 82% of its initial photocatalytic activity after 5 cycles. The results indicate that photoinducd (RhB) holes play a crucial role in the photocatalytic degradation of RhB in the presence of the g-C₃N₄/TiO₂/NiCo₂O₄ nanocomposite via pair Z-scheme system. In the Z-scheme system, the rapid recombination between the hole-electron pair is not observed due to the electron trapping effect of the needle-shaped NiCo₂O₄ structure, resulting in high photocatalytic efficiency and dye degradation. Therefore, Z-scheme systems are efficient and effective for the removal of water pollutants.

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a serious pandemic in March 2020. The situation demands, development of rapid, convenient and easy to handle detection system for SARS-CoV-2. In this regard, the optical biosensing assay was developed using antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) conjugated Poly-l-Lysine functionalized gold nanoparticles (PLL-AuNPs) for detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA. The negatively charged ASOs were conjugated with positively charged PLL-AuNPs by electrostatic interactions which were characterized by UV–Vis spectroscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). ASO-PLL-AuNPs conjugate was used to detect target SARS-CoV-2 RNA within 5–6 min from COVID-19 positive samples. In presence of target SARS-CoV-2 RNA, the DNA-RNA (ASO-RNA) hybrid structure was formed that released PLL-AuNPs which was aggregated in presence of sodium chloride (NaCl). This has rendered observable red shift in Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) with maximum absorbance at 660 nm and visual aggregation of PLL-AuNPs. Selectivity of ASO-PLL-AuNPs conjugate was evaluated in presence of Influenza A RNA with limit of detection 0.52 ng/µL. The obtained results were compared with qRT-PCR results for nasopharyngeal samples collected from COVID-19 positive patients and were found in good agreement with qRT-PCR results. This study reports selective and sensitive optical biosensing assay for detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA using ASO-PLL-AuNPs conjugate without utilization of any sophisticated instruments.

Graphical Abstract

Herein, silver ions modified α-Fe₂O₃ (Ag: α-Fe₂O₃) nanoparticles were synthesized using a sol-gel auto-combustion method comprising of dual phase i.e. trigonal structure of α-Fe₂O₃ and FCC structure of Ag. The refinement results verified the existence of both the phase with R-3c: R s and Fm-3 m space group. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) showed the crystallite size around 34.24 ± 2.00 nm. The percentage of Ag⁰ and Ag⁺ verified through X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) clearly indicate that around 74% of the Ag present is in the metallic form. The cyclic voltammetry showed that the C_sp of the Ag: α-Fe₂O₃ NPs modified electrode is 132 Fg ^− 1 and 100 Fg ^− 1 when recorded at a scan rate of 50 mVs^− 1 and 75 mVs^− 1, respectively. The Zones of Inhibition (ZOI) against bacterial strains generated by utilizing Ag: α-Fe₂O₃ NPs are clearly showed the ZOI of 19 ± 1 mm against Bacillus subtilis. The synthesized nanoparticles exhibited higher inhibition against the bacterial strains in comparison to the standard antibiotic ampicillin. Further, cell viability analysis suggested to use a concentration of 9 to 12 µg/ml for Ag: α-Fe₂O₃in invitro experiments.