High-efficiency freezing-induced loading of inorganic nanoparticles and proteins into micron- and submicron-sized porous particles

We demonstrate a novel approach to the controlled loading of inorganic nanoparticles and proteins into submicron- and micron-sized porous particles. The approach is based on freezing/thawing cycles, which lead to high loading densities. The process was tested for the inclusion of Au, magnetite nanoparticles, and bovine serum albumin in biocompatible vaterite carriers of micron and submicron sizes. The amounts of loaded nanoparticles or substances were adjusted by the number of freezing/thawing cycles. Our method afforded at least a three times higher loading of magnetite nanoparticles and a four times higher loading of protein for micron vaterite particles, in comparison with conventional methods such as adsorption and coprecipitation. The capsules loaded with magnetite nanoparticles by the freezing-induced loading method moved faster in a magnetic field gradient than did the capsules loaded by adsorption or coprecipitation. Our approach allows the preparation of multicomponent nanocomposite materials with designed properties such as remote control (e.g. via the application of an electromagnetic or acoustic field) and cargo unloading. Such materials could be used as multimodal contrast agents, drug delivery systems, and sensors

Recrystallization of CaCO3 submicron magnetic particles in biological media

Background and Objectives: The development of magnetic theranostics is associated with the determination of the behavior of magnetic carriers in biosimilar media. In this work, we analyze the formation of different crystalline phases from magnetic mineral submicron calcium carbonate particles during incubation under conditions of cell cultivation in vitro for 3 days. The study of mineralmagneticsubmicron particles recrystallization was analyzed by XRD and electron scanning microscopy. The shape of calcium carbonate particles begins to change from elliptical to spherical under cell culture cultivations. As the amount of magnetite nanoparticle particles in calcium carbonate increases, the recrystallization process is faster with fallout of calcite, vaterite and magnetite phases. Materials and Methods: Scanning electron microscopy, processing of results using a self-written Python code, XRDwere utilized in this study. Results: The study of the process of recrystallization of magnetic mineral particles shows has shown that increasing the content of magnetic carriers leads to accelerated recrystallization of particles with simultaneous precipitation of calcite, vaterite and magnetite phases. Conclusion: Magnetic mineral submicron calcium carbonate particles are promising targets for theranostics with the self-destruction property in biological environments

Severe early onset preeclampsia: short and long term clinical, psychosocial and biochemical aspects

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy specific disorder commonly defined as de novo hypertension and proteinuria after 20 weeks gestational age. It occurs in approximately 3-5% of pregnancies and it is still a major cause of both foetal and maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide1. As extensive research has not yet elucidated the aetiology of preeclampsia, there are no rational preventive or therapeutic interventions available. The only rational treatment is delivery, which benefits the mother but is not in the interest of the foetus, if remote from term. Early onset preeclampsia (<32 weeks’ gestational age) occurs in less than 1% of pregnancies. It is, however often associated with maternal morbidity as the risk of progression to severe maternal disease is inversely related with gestational age at onset2. Resulting prematurity is therefore the main cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity in patients with severe preeclampsia3. Although the discussion is ongoing, perinatal survival is suggested to be increased in patients with preterm preeclampsia by expectant, non-interventional management. This temporising treatment option to lengthen pregnancy includes the use of antihypertensive medication to control hypertension, magnesium sulphate to prevent eclampsia and corticosteroids to enhance foetal lung maturity4. With optimal maternal haemodynamic status and reassuring foetal condition this results on average in an extension of 2 weeks. Prolongation of these pregnancies is a great challenge for clinicians to balance between potential maternal risks on one the eve hand and possible foetal benefits on the other. Clinical controversies regarding prolongation of preterm preeclamptic pregnancies still exist – also taking into account that preeclampsia is the leading cause of maternal mortality in the Netherlands5 - a debate which is even more pronounced in very preterm pregnancies with questionable foetal viability6-9. Do maternal risks of prolongation of these very early pregnancies outweigh the chances of neonatal survival? Counselling of women with very early onset preeclampsia not only comprises of knowledge of the outcome of those particular pregnancies, but also knowledge of outcomes of future pregnancies of these women is of major clinical importance. This thesis opens with a review of the literature on identifiable risk factors of preeclampsia

Discutindo a educação ambiental no cotidiano escolar: desenvolvimento de projetos na escola formação inicial e continuada de professores

A presente pesquisa buscou discutir como a Educação Ambiental (EA) vem sendo trabalhada, no Ensino Fundamental e como os docentes desta escola compreendem e vem inserindo a EA no cotidiano escolar., em uma escola estadual do município de Tangará da Serra/MT, Brasil. Para tanto, realizou-se entrevistas com os professores que fazem parte de um projeto interdisciplinar de EA na escola pesquisada. Verificou-se que o projeto da escola não vem conseguindo alcançar os objetivos propostos por: desconhecimento do mesmo, pelos professores; formação deficiente dos professores, não entendimento da EA como processo de ensino-aprendizagem, falta de recursos didáticos, planejamento inadequado das atividades. A partir dessa constatação, procurou-se debater a impossibilidade de tratar do tema fora do trabalho interdisciplinar, bem como, e principalmente, a importância de um estudo mais aprofundado de EA, vinculando teoria e prática, tanto na formação docente, como em projetos escolares, a fim de fugir do tradicional vínculo “EA e ecologia, lixo e horta”.Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educació

SERS Platform Based on Hollow-Core Microstructured Optical Fiber: Technology of UV-Mediated Gold Nanoparticle Growth

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is a powerful technique for biosensing. However, SERS analysis has several concerns: the signal is limited by a number of molecules and the area of the plasmonic substrate in the laser hotspot, and quantitative analysis in a low-volume droplet is confusing due to the change of concentration during quick drying. The usage of hollow-core microstructured optical fibers (HC-MOFs) is thought to be an effective way to improve SERS sensitivity and limit of detection through the effective irradiation of a small sample volume filling the fiber capillaries. In this paper, we used layer-by-layer assembly as a simple method for the functionalization of fiber capillaries by gold nanoparticles (seeds) with a mean diameter of 8 nm followed by UV-induced chloroauric acid reduction. We also demonstrated a simple and quick technique used for the analysis of the SERS platform formation at every stage through the detection of spectral shifts in the optical transmission of HC-MOFs. The enhancement of the Raman signal of a model analyte Rhodamine 6G was obtained using such type of SERS platform. Thus, a combination of nanostructured gold coating as a SERS-active surface and a hollow-core fiber as a microfluidic channel and a waveguide is perspective for point-of-care medical diagnosis based on liquid biopsy and exhaled air analysis

Upconversion nanoparticles with anti-Stokes luminescence as bioimaging agents

Lanthanide-based upconversion nanoparticles attach great attention in theranostics due to their unique physicochemical and optical properties. It is innovative platform possessing peculiar properties for luminescent imaging, temperature mapping, sensing, and therapy. In present work we demonstrate advantages of new luminescent agents based on upconversion nanoparticles and hydrophylic biocompatible polymer

Upconversion nanoparticles with anti-Stokes luminescence as bioimaging agents

Lanthanide-based upconversion nanoparticles attach great attention in theranostics due to their unique physicochemical and optical properties. It is innovative platform possessing peculiar properties for luminescent imaging, temperature mapping, sensing, and therapy. In present work we demonstrate advantages of new luminescent agents based on upconversion nanoparticles and hydrophylic biocompatible polymer

Near-infrared photopolymerization assisted by upconversion nanophosphors for biomedical applications

We present the concept and the experimental demonstration of near-infrared photopolymerization assisted by specially designed upconversion nanophosphors. The principle of this technique is based on conversion of 980 nm laser irradiation to ultraviolet photons subsequently absorbed by photoinitiator. The nonlinearity of upconversion allows for activation of the process locally in the laser beam waist. This approach enables precise fabrication of 3D constructs directly in the volume of photocurable composition. Furthermore, the presented technique is suitable for polymerization of a wide range of photocurable resins as well as gelation of hydrogels for biomedical applications