Electrospinning of Poly(L-lactide) Nanofibers Encapsulated with Water-Soluble Fullerenes for Bioimaging Application

Photoluminescent fullerene nanoparticles/nanofibers have potential applications in bioimaging. A novel fluorescent nanofibrous material, consisting of fullerene nanoparticles and poly­(L-lactide) (PLLA), was fabricated via a simple electrospinning method, and the composite nanofibers were characterized by various techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The nanofibers were uniform, and their surfaces were reasonably smooth, with the average diameters of fibers ranging from 300 to 600 nm. The fullerene nanoparticles were encapsulated within the composite nanofibers, forming a core–shell structure. The nanofiber scaffolds showed excellent hydrophilic surface due to the addition of water-soluble fullerene nanoparticles. The composite nanofibers used as substrates for bioimaging <i>in vitro</i> were evaluated with human liver carcinoma HepG2 cells, the fullerene nanoparticles signal almost displayed in every cell, implying the potential of fluorescent fullerene nanoparticles/PLLA nanofibers to be used as scaffolds for bioimaging application

Optical and Antibacterial Properties of Chiral Arginine-Stabilized ZnO Nanoparticles

The surface ligands of nanoparticles (NPs) play essential roles in material synthesis, properties, and applications. Chiral molecules have been the new hot topic in tuning the properties of inorganic NPs. Herein, l-arginine- and d-arginine-stabilized ZnO NPs were prepared, and the TEM, UV–vis, and PL spectra were investigated, which demonstrated that the l-arginine and d-arginine have different effects on the self-assembly and photoluminescence properties of ZnO NPs, showing an evident chiral effect. Furthermore, the results of the cell viability assays, plate counting method, and bacterial SEM images showed that ZnO@LA possessed lower biocompatibility and higher antibacterial efficiency than those of ZnO@DA, implying that the chiral molecules on the surface of nanomaterials may affect their bioproperties

Representative immunohistological detection of COL I of bone formation within defects 2, 4 and 8 weeks post-surgery.

<p>The COL I was positively expressed at 2, 4 and 8 weeks in PLLA, HA/PLLA and PBLG-g-HA/PLLA scaffold. The result suggested that the HA/PLLA group had the greatest staining intensity (bar = 100 µm).</p

DataSheet1_Fucoidan-Mediated Anisotropic Calcium Carbonate Nanorods of pH-Responsive Drug Release for Antitumor Therapy.DOCX

The shape of nanoparticles can determine their physical properties and then greatly impact the physiological reactions on cells or tissues during treatment. Traditionally spherical nanoparticles are more widely applied in biomedicine but are not necessarily the best. The superiority of anisotropic nanoparticles has been realized in recent years. The synthesis of the distinct-shaped metal/metal oxide nanoparticles is easily controlled. However, their biotoxicity is still up for debate. Hence, we designed CaCO3 nanorods for drug delivery prepared at mild condition by polysaccharide-regulated biomineralization in the presence of fucoidan with sulfate groups. The CaCO3 nanorods with a pH sensitivity–loaded antitumor drug mitoxantrone hydrochloride (MTO) showed excellent antitumor efficacy for the HeLa cells and MCF-7 cells in vitro. We believe that anisotropic nanoparticles will bring forth an emblematic shift in nanotechnology for application in biomedicine.</p

SEM images for porous scaffolds of PLLA (A), HA/PLLA (B), PBLG-g-HA/PLLA (C).

<p>(bar = 50 µm).</p

Quantification of the mineralized areas as depicted by new bone volume/total volume (BV/TV).

<p>(n = 6 animals per time point, *p<0.05).</p

Representative HE staining of bone formation within defects 2, 4 and 8 weeks post-surgery.

<p>Abundant new bone formation was found in HA/PLLA (G, H, I) and PBLG-g-HA/PLLA (J, K, L) scaffolds, moderate bone deposition was found in pure PLLA scaffolds (D, E, F), and only minor new bone were found at the borders of drill controls (A, B, C). Black pentagon represented new bone, red triangle represented scafffolds, while the green triangle represented native bone (bar = 200 µm).</p

Osteoclast number in defect sites at 2, 4 and 8 weeks post implantation.

<p>(*p<0.05, **p<0.01).</p

Two for One: A Biomass Strategy for Simultaneous Synthesis of MnO₂ Microcubes and Porous Carbon Microcubes for High Performance Asymmetric Supercapacitors

The capacitive properties of asymmetric supercapacitors (ASCs) are inseparable from the development of anode and cathode materials, which usually require high accessible surface area and uniform porous distribution. Herein, a simple and economical “two for one” strategy is introduced for the simultaneous synthesis of microscale porous MnO2 microcubes (PMMs) and porous carbon microcubes (PCMs) derived from a single precursor cubic MnCO3/biocarbon (CM) which are prepared by natural agaric. Benefiting from a high specific surface area, delicate construction, and adequate mesoporous distribution, PCMs and PMMs could help to realize fast ion diffusion and easy ion accessibility. As expected, microscale PCM anode and PMM cathode materials exhibit superior capacitive performances, including high specific capacitance and impressive rate performance in a three-electrode system, respectively. Moreover, the assembled ASCs physical device PCM//PMM presents a high energy density (46.1 Wh kg–1 at 1.0 kW kg–1) and an excellent long-term cyclability (91% capacitance retention after 10 000 cycles at 1.0 A g–1). Therefore, the two-for-one strategy not only provided a simple and effective method to prepare high-performance electrode materials for ASCs, but also it is of great significance for natural biomass to achieve multidirectional applications and effectively replace commercial carbon sources from fossil fuels

Representative Saffarin O staining of bone formation within defects 2, 4 and 8 weeks post-surgery.

<p>Abundant new bone were found in HA/PLLA (G, H, I) and PBLG-g-HA/PLLA (J, K, L) scaffolds, moderate bone deposition was found in pure PLLA scaffolds (D, E, F),and only minor new bone formation found in the drill controls (A, B, C). Black pentagons represented new bone, red triangle represented scaffolds, while black triangles represented native bone (bar = 200 µm).</p