Trojan Horse nanotheranostics with dual transformability and multifunctionality for highly effective cancer treatment.

Nanotheranostics with integrated diagnostic and therapeutic functions show exciting potentials towards precision nanomedicine. However, targeted delivery of nanotheranostics is hindered by several biological barriers. Here, we report the development of a dual size/charge- transformable, Trojan-Horse nanoparticle (pPhD NP) for delivery of ultra-small, full active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) nanotheranostics with integrated dual-modal imaging and trimodal therapeutic functions. pPhD NPs exhibit ideal size and charge for drug transportation. In tumour microenvironment, pPhD NPs responsively transform to full API nanotheranostics with ultra-small size and higher surface charge, which dramatically facilitate the tumour penetration and cell internalisation. pPhD NPs enable visualisation of biodistribution by near-infrared fluorescence imaging, tumour accumulation and therapeutic effect by magnetic resonance imaging. Moreover, the synergistic photothermal-, photodynamic- and chemo-therapies achieve a 100% complete cure rate on both subcutaneous and orthotopic oral cancer models. This nanoplatform with powerful delivery efficiency and versatile theranostic functions shows enormous potentials to improve cancer treatment

Simulation of Vetilligo Therapy Equipment

Vitiligo is a skin disorder caused by a lack of melanin pigment in the skin, which causes white patches on certain parts of the skin because this melanin pigment is not able to produce the skin color. Previously, one of the treatments for vitiligo was using a UVB lamp with a 311 nm wavelength that could not yet be adjusted to dim the lights as safety when conducting therapy. Therefore, the research aims to design a simulation of the vitiligo therapy device equipped with a timer LED lamp, a safety of lighting, and the data storage. The data are stored in the SD Card to make it easier for patients to control changes before and after therapy. The simulation of this therapeutic apparatus is controlled using the Arduino Uno system and regulates lightning protection using a PWM circuit and ultrasonic sensors. The highest error obtained is 2.4%. at 5 cm. The overall device system, namely timer, buzzer, hour meter, and data storage has been working well and the error value is still within tolerance which is below 5%. Thus, it is hoped that this vitiligo therapy simulation device is able to operate as a real therapeutic devic

Optical engineering of iii-nitride nanowire light-emitting diodes and applications

Applications of III-nitride nanowires are intensively explored in different emerging technologies including light-emitting diodes (LEDs), laser diodes, photodiodes, biosensors, and solar cells. The synthesis of the III-nitride nanowires by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) is investigated with significant achievements. III-nitride nanowires can be grown on dissimilar substrates i.e., silicon with nearly dislocation free due to the effective strain relaxation. III-nitride nanowires, therefore, are perfectly suited for high performance light emitters for cost-effective fabrication of the advanced photonic-electronic integrated platforms. This dissertation addresses the design, fabrication, and characterization of III-nitride nanowire full-color micro-LED (µLED) on silicon substrates for µLED display technologies, high-efficient ultraviolet (UV) LEDs, and spectral engineering for narrow band LEDs. In this dissertation, InGaN/AlGaN nanowire µLEDs were demonstrated with highly stable emission which can be varied from the blue to red spectrum. Additionally, by integrating full-color emissions in a single nanowire, phosphor-free white-color µLEDs are achieved with an unprecedentedly high color rendering index of ~ 94. Such high-performance µLEDs are perfectly suitable for the next generation high-resolution micro-display applications. Moreover, the first demonstration of two-step surface passivation using Potassium Hydroxide (KOH) and Ammonium Sulfide (NH4)2Sx is reported. The photoluminescence, electroluminescence, and optical power of the 335 nm AlGaN nanowire UV LEDs show improvements by 49%, 83%, and 65%, respectively. Such enhanced performance is attributed to the mitigation of the surface nonradiative recombination on the nanowire surfaces. A combination of KOH and (NH4)2Sx treatment shows a promising approach for high efficiency and high power AlGaN nanowire UV LEDs. The LEDs with narrow spectra are highly desirable light sources for precisely controlled applications such as phototherapy. In this regard, we have further demonstrated narrow spectral nanowire LEDs using on-chip integrated bandpass filters. To achieve narrow band spectra, the bandpass filters are designed and fabricated using all-dielectric and metal-dielectric multilayers for visible and UV regions, respectively. They are fabricated onto LED devices as a single photonic platform to achieve the narrow band LEDs for innovative applications like phototherapy for wound healing

Nanoparticles-based phototherapy systems for cancer treatment : Current status and clinical potential

Remarkable progress in phototherapy has been made in recent decades, due to its non-invasiveness and instant therapeutic efficacy. In addition, with the rapid development of nanoscience and nanotechnology, phototherapy systems based on nanoparticles or nanocomposites also evolved as an emerging hotspot in nanomedicine research, especially in cancer. In this review, first we briefly introduce the history of phototherapy, and the mechanisms of phototherapy in cancer treatment. Then, we summarize the representative development over the past three to five years in nanoparticle-based phototherapy and highlight the design of the innovative nanoparticles thereof. Finally, we discuss the feasibility and the potential of the nanoparticle-based phototherapy systems in clinical anticancer therapeutic applications, aiming to predict future research directions in this field. Our review is a tutorial work, aiming at providing useful insights to researchers in the field of nanotechnology, nanoscience and cancer.Peer reviewe

Exploring acceptability and feasibility of a wearable device to facilitate home phototherapy treatment for newborn jaundice in rural Scotland: an interpretive description study.

Jaundice is a common condition in newborn infants, turning skin colour yellow due to the build-up of bilirubin. Internationally, jaundice continues to result in newborn infants' hospital admission, forcing separation of family units at the pivotal point for breastfeeding initiation and bonding. The aim of this research was to explore - with healthcare professionals and parents - the acceptability and feasibility of a wearable device to facilitate home phototherapy treatment for newborn jaundice in rural Scotland. The research was undertaken through qualitative interviews, using Interpretive Description to accommodate various perspectives influencing acceptability and feasibility of a wearable device to facilitate home phototherapy treatment. Participants were recruited via purposive sampling from one NHS board in Scotland. Semi- structured interviews were used with parental dyads (n=4) and mothers (n=6). Healthcare professionals (n=9) were recruited onto two focus groups conducted in different geographical locations (an urban and regional hospital) in NHS Grampian. The Framework approach was used to thematically analyse the data. Miranda Fricker's concept of epistemic injustice, which proposes inequity due to unequal power dynamics between people or systems, provided a theoretical perspective to interpret key findings. The study found that, although parents expressed a desire for wearable phototherapy devices to facilitate breastfeeding and comfort for the newborn infant, they primarily wanted home-based phototherapy treatment. Study participants described a 'one-size-fits-all' focus for newborn jaundice, centred around quickly reducing serum bilirubin levels. Furthermore, healthcare professionals assumed that parents would agree that the use of overhead phototherapy devices was worthwhile despite the distress to mothers and newborn infants, because it was an effective means of lowering serum bilirubin levels and facilitating timely discharge from care. Parents perceived postnatal care of newborn infants with jaundice to be paternalistic, which was interpreted by parents as being evidence of healthcare professionals' lack of trust in their parental capabilities. Moreover, healthcare professionals did not trust their clinical judgement to assess and manage newborn jaundice, due to the fear that they would be held clinically accountable for serum bilirubin levels not improving. This affected healthcare professionals' ability to trust parental capabilities. As a result, the rural aspect of the study became inconsequential. The study concluded that parents were willing to compromise on size, functions, and usability of phototherapy devices to facilitate home-based phototherapy treatment in the short term. However, epistemic injustice towards parents and midwives impacted shared decision-making within care teams, which in turn obstructed the acceptability and feasibility of both home-based phototherapy in general, and more specifically a wearable device that could facilitate home-based phototherapy

Design principles governing the development of theranostic anticancer agents and their nanoformulations with photoacoustic properties

The unmet need to develop novel approaches for cancer diagnosis and treatment has led to the evolution of theranostic agents, which usually include, in addition to the anticancer drug, an imaging agent based mostly on fluorescent agents. Over the past few years, a non-invasive photoacoustic imaging modality has been effectively integrated into theranostic agents. Herein, we shed light on the design principles governing the development of theranostic agents with photoacoustic properties, which can be formulated into nanocarriers to enhance their potency. Specifically, we provide an extensive analysis of their individual constituents including the imaging dyes, drugs, linkers, targeting moieties, and their formulation into nanocarriers. Along these lines, we present numerous relevant paradigms. Finally, we discuss the clinical relevance of the specific strategy, as also the limitations and future perspectives, and through this review, we envisage paving the way for the development of theranostic agents endowed with photoacoustic properties as effective anticancer medicines