One-Pot Aqueous Synthesis of Fluorescent Ag-In-Zn-S Quantum Dot/Polymer Bioconjugates for Multiplex Optical Bioimaging of Glioblastoma Cells

Cancer research has experienced astonishing advances recently, but cancer remains a major threat because it is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most malignant brain tumor, where the early diagnosis is vital for longer survival. Thus, this study reports the synthesis of novel water-dispersible ternary AgInS2 (AIS) and quaternary AgInS2-ZnS (ZAIS) fluorescent quantum dots using carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) as ligand for multiplexed bioimaging of malignant glioma cells (U-87 MG). Firstly, AgInS2 core was prepared using a one-pot aqueous synthesis stabilized by CMC at room temperature and physiological pH. Then, an outer layer of ZnS was grown and thermally annealed to improve their optical properties and split the emission range, leading to core-shell alloyed nanostructures. Their physicochemical and optical properties were characterized, demonstrating that luminescent monodispersed AIS and ZAIS QDs were produced with average sizes of 2.2 nm and 4.3 nm, respectively. Moreover, the results evidenced that they were cytocompatible using in vitro cell viability assays towards human embryonic kidney cell line (HEK 293T) and U-87 MG cells. These AIS and ZAIS successfully behaved as fluorescent nanoprobes (red and green, resp.) allowing multiplexed bioimaging and biolabeling of costained glioma cells using confocal microscopy

Advanced Nanocomposite Coatings of Fusion Bonded Epoxy Reinforced with Amino-Functionalized Nanoparticles for Applications in Underwater Oil Pipelines

The performance of fusion-bonded epoxy coatings can be improved through advanced composite coatings reinforced with nanomaterials. Hence, in this study a novel organic-inorganic nanocomposite finish was designed, synthesized, and characterized, achieved by adding γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane modified silica nanoparticles produced via sol-gel process in epoxy-based powder. After the curing process of the coating reinforced with nanoparticles, the formation of a homogenous novel nanocomposite with the development of interfacial reactions between organic-inorganic and inorganic-inorganic components was observed. These hybrid nanostructures produced better integration between nanoparticles and epoxy matrix and improved mechanical properties that are expected to enhance the overall performance of the system against underwater corrosion

CARACTERIZAÇÃO SISTEMA DE COLAGEM DUPLA-FACE PARA ASSENTAMENTO DE REVESTIMENTO CERÂMICO

Neste estudo foi realizada a caracterização de sistema de colagem dupla-face para assentamento de placas cerâmicas. Foram realizados ensaios de determinação da densidade, dureza, propriedades mecânicas à tração, difração de raios-X, espectroscopia na região do infravermelho e microscopia eletrônica de varredura acoplada com espectroscopia de energia dispersiva. Os resultados obtidos confirmaram algumas informações disponibilizadas pelo fabricante do priduto e permitiram o conhecimento de propriedades que serão importantes na análise do desempenho e durabilidade do mesmo no assentamento de placas cerâmicas de revestimento

One-Step Biofunctionalization of Quantum Dots with Chitosan and N-palmitoyl Chitosan for Potential Biomedical Applications

Carbohydrates and derivatives (such as glycolipids, glycoproteins) are of critical importance for cell structure, metabolism and functions. The effects of carbohydrate and lipid metabolic imbalances most often cause health disorders and diseases. In this study, new carbohydrate-based nanobioconjugates were designed and synthesized at room temperature using a single-step aqueous route combining chitosan and acyl-modified chitosan with fluorescent inorganic nanoparticles. N-palmitoyl chitosan (C-Pal) was prepared aiming at altering the lipophilic behavior of chitosan (CHI), but also retaining its reasonable water solubility for potential biomedical applications. CHI and C-Pal were used for producing biofunctionalized CdS quantum dots (QDs) as colloidal water dispersions. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermal analysis (TG/DSC), surface contact angle (SCA), and degree of swelling (DS) in phosphate buffer were used to characterize the carbohydrates. Additionally, UV-Visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL), dynamic light scattering (DLS), scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM/TEM) were used to evaluate the precursors and nanobioconjugates produced. The FTIR spectra associated with the thermal analysis results have undoubtedly indicated the presence of N-palmitoyl groups “grafted” to the chitosan chain (C-Pal) which significantly altered its behavior towards water swelling and surface contact angle as compared to the unmodified chitosan. Furthermore, the results have evidenced that both CHI and C-Pal performed as capping ligands on nucleating and stabilizing colloidal CdS QDs with estimated average size below 3.5 nm and fluorescent activity in the visible range of the spectra. Therefore, an innovative “one-step” process was developed via room temperature aqueous colloidal chemistry for producing biofunctionalized quantum dots using water soluble carbohydrates tailored with amphiphilic behavior offering potential applications as fluorescent biomarkers in the investigation of glycoconjugates for the nutrition, biology, pharmaceutical, and medicine fields

One-Step Biofunctionalization of Quantum Dots with Chitosan and N-palmitoyl Chitosan for Potential Biomedical Applications

Carbohydrates and derivatives (such as glycolipids, glycoproteins) are of critical importance for cell structure, metabolism and functions. The effects of carbohydrate and lipid metabolic imbalances most often cause health disorders and diseases. In this study, new carbohydrate-based nanobioconjugates were designed and synthesized at room temperature using a single-step aqueous route combining chitosan and acyl-modified chitosan with fluorescent inorganic nanoparticles. N-palmitoyl chitosan (C-Pal) was prepared aiming at altering the lipophilic behavior of chitosan (CHI), but also retaining its reasonable water solubility for potential biomedical applications. CHI and C-Pal were used for producing biofunctionalized CdS quantum dots (QDs) as colloidal water dispersions. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermal analysis (TG/DSC), surface contact angle (SCA), and degree of swelling (DS) in phosphate buffer were used to characterize the carbohydrates. Additionally, UV-Visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL), dynamic light scattering (DLS), scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM/TEM) were used to evaluate the precursors and nanobioconjugates produced. The FTIR spectra associated with the thermal analysis results have undoubtedly indicated the presence of N-palmitoyl groups “grafted” to the chitosan chain (C-Pal) which significantly altered its behavior towards water swelling and surface contact angle as compared to the unmodified chitosan. Furthermore, the results have evidenced that both CHI and C-Pal performed as capping ligands on nucleating and stabilizing colloidal CdS QDs with estimated average size below 3.5 nm and fluorescent activity in the visible range of the spectra. Therefore, an innovative “one-step” process was developed via room temperature aqueous colloidal chemistry for producing biofunctionalized quantum dots using water soluble carbohydrates tailored with amphiphilic behavior offering potential applications as fluorescent biomarkers in the investigation of glycoconjugates for the nutrition, biology, pharmaceutical, and medicine fields

Composition-Tunable Optical Properties of Zn x Cd(1 − x)S Quantum Dot–Carboxymethylcellulose Conjugates: Towards One-Pot Green Synthesis of Multifunctional Nanoplatforms for Biomedical and Environmental Applications

Abstract Quantum dots (QDs) are colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals with unique properties that can be engineered by controlling the nanoparticle size and chemical composition by doping and alloying strategies. However, due to their potential toxicity, augmenting their biocompatibility is yet a challenge for expanding to several biomedical and environmentally friendly applications. Thus, the main goal of this study was to develop composition-tunable and biocompatible Zn x Cd1 − x S QDs using carboxymethylcellulose polysaccharide as direct capping ligand via green colloidal aqueous route at neutral pH and at room temperature for potential biomedical and environmental applications. The ternary alloyed QDs were extensively characterized using UV–vis spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS), and X-ray photoelectrons spectroscopy (XPS). The results indicated that Zn x Cd(1 − x)S QDs were surface stabilized by carboxymethylcellulose biopolymer with spherical morphology for all composition of alloys and narrow sizes distributions ranging from 4 to 5 nm. The XRD results indicated that monophasic ternary alloyed Zn x Cd1 − x S nanocrystals were produced with homogenous composition of the core as evidenced by EELS and XPS analyses. In addition, the absorption and emission optical properties of Zn x Cd1 − x S QDs were red shifted with increasing the amount of Cd2+ in the alloyed nanocrystals, which have also increased the quantum yield compared to pure CdS and ZnS nanoparticles. These properties of alloyed nanomaterials were interpreted based on empirical model of Vegard’s law and chemical bond model (CBM). As a proof of concept, these alloyed-QD conjugates were tested for biomedical and environmental applications. The results demonstrated that they were non-toxic and effective fluorophores for bioimaging live HEK293T cells (human embryonic kidney cells) using confocal laser scanning fluorescence microscopy. Moreover, these conjugates presented photocatalytic activity for photodegradation of methylene blue used as model organic industrial pollutant in water. Hence, composition-tunable optical properties of ternary Zn x Cd1 − x S (x = 0–1) fluorescent alloyed QDs was achieved using a facile eco-friendly aqueous processing route, which can offer promising alternatives for developing innovative nanomaterials for applications in nanomedicine and environmental science and technology

Engineered Hybrid Scaffolds of Poly(vinyl alcohol)/Bioactive Glass for Potential Bone Engineering Applications: Synthesis, Characterization, Cytocompatibility, and Degradation

The synthesis, characterization, preliminary cytocompatibility, and degradation behavior of the hybrids based on 70% Poly(vinyl alcohol) and 30% bioactive glass (58SiO2–33CaO–9P2O5, BaG) with macroporous tridimensional structure is reported for the first time. The effect of glutaraldehyde covalent crosslinker in the organic-inorganic nanostructures produced and, as a consequence, tailoring the hybrids properties was investigated. The PVA/BaG hybrids scaffolds are characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray Microcomputed tomography analysis (μCT). Cytotoxicity assessment is performed by the MTT method with VERO cell culture. Additionally, the hybrid in vitro degradation assay is conducted by measuring the mass loss by soaking in deionized water at 37°C for up to 21 days. The results have clearly shown that it is possible to modify the PVA/BaG hybrids properties and degradation behavior by engineering the structure using different concentrations of the chemical crosslinker. Moreover, these hybrid crosslinked nanostructures have presented 3D hierarchical pore size architecture varying within 10–450 μm and a suitable cytocompatibility for potential use in bone tissue engineering applications

Bioengineered Fluorescent Nanoprobe Conjugates for Tracking Human Bone Cells: In Vitro Biocompatibility Analysis

Herein, we validated novel functionalized hybrid semiconductor bioconjugates made of fluorescent quantum dots (QD) with the surface capped by chitosan (polysaccharide) and chemically modified with O-phospho-L-serine (OPS) that are biocompatible with different human cell sources. The conjugation with a directing signaling molecule (OPS) allows preferential accumulation in human bone mesenchymal stromal cells (HBMSC). The chitosan (Chi) shell with the fluorescent CdS core was characterized by spectroscopical (UV spectrophotometry and photoluminescence), by morphological techniques (Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM)) and showed small size (ø 2.3 nm) and a stable photoluminescence emission band. The in vitro biocompatibility results were not dependent on the polysaccharide chain length (Chi with higher and lower molecular weight) but were remarkably affected by the surface modification (Chi or Chi-OPS). In addition, the efficiency of nanoparticles uptake by the cells was dependent on cells nature (human primary cells or cell lines) and tissue source (bone or skin) in the presence or absence of the OPS modification. The complex cellular uptake pathways involved in the cell labeling with the nanoparticles do not interfere on the normal cellular biology (adhesion and proliferation), osteogenic differentiation, and gene expression. The bone cells particles uptake evaluation showed a possible pathway by Caveolin-1 that regulates cell transduction in the membrane’s Caveolae. Caveolae mediates non-specific endocytosis, and it is upregulated in HBMSC. The OPS-modified nanoparticles promoted an intense intracellular trafficking by the HBMSCs that showed late-osteoblast phenotype with an increase of extracellular matrix (ECM) mineralization (Alizarin red and Von Kossa staining for calcium phosphate crystals). In this work, the OPS modified bioconjugated QD proved to be a reliable and stable fluorescent bioprobe for cell imaging and targeting research that could also help in clarifying some cellular mechanisms of particles intracellular traffic through the cytoplasmic membrane and osteogenic differentiation induction. The in vitro HBMSC’s biocompatibility responses indicated that the OPS-modified chitosan QDs have a prospective future in laboratory and pre-clinical applications such as bioimaging analysis and for ex-vivo cellular evaluation of biomedical implants

Niobium-Doped Hydroxyapatite Bioceramics: Synthesis, Characterization and In Vitro Cytocompatibility

Doping calcium phosphates with ionic species can play an important role in biological responses promoting alkaline phosphatase activity, and, therefore inducing the generation of new bone. Thus, in this study, the synthesis of niobium-doped hydroxyapatite (Nb-HA) nanosize particles obtained by the precipitation process in aqueous media followed by thermal treatment is presented. The bioceramics were extensively characterized by X-ray diffraction, wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis, transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy and thermal analysis regarding their chemical composition, structure and morphology. The results showed that the precipitate dried at 110 °C was composed of amorphous calcium phosphate and HA, with polidisperse particles ranging from micro to nano dimensions. After the thermal treatment at 900 °C, the bioceramic system evolved predominantly to HA crystalline phase, with evident features of particle sintering and reduction of surface area. Moreover, the addition of 10 mol% of niobium salt precursor during the synthesis indicated the complete incorporation of the Nb(V) species in the HA crystals with detectable changes in the original lattice parameters. Furthermore, the incorporation of Nb ions caused a significant refinement on the average particle size of HA. Finally, the preliminary cytocompatibility response of the biomaterials was accessed by human osteoblast cell culture using MTT and resazurin assays, which demonstrated no cytotoxicity of the Nb-alloyed hydroxyapatite. Thus, these findings seem promising for developing innovative Nb-doped calcium phosphates as artificial biomaterials for potential use in bone replacements and repair