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The strategic integration of multi-functionalities within a singular nanoplatform has received growing attention for enhancing treatment efficacy, particularly in chemo-photothermal therapy. This study introduces a comprehensive concept of Janus nanoparticles (JNPs) composed of Au and Fe 3 O 4 nanostructures intricately bonded with β-cyclodextrins (β-CD) to encapsulate 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) and Ibuprofen (IBU). This strategic structure is engineered to exploit the synergistic effects of chemo-photothermal therapy, underscored by their exceptional biocompatibility and photothermal conversion efficiency (∼32.88 %). Furthermore, these β-CD-conjugated JNPs enhance photodynamic therapy by generating singlet oxygen (1O 2) species, offering a multi-modality approach to cancer eradication. Computer simulation results were in good agreement with in vitro and in vivo assays. Through these studies, we were able to prove the improved tumor ablation ability of the drug-loaded β-CD-conjugated JNPs, without inducing adverse effects in tumor-bearing nude mice. The findings underscore a formidable tumor ablation potency of β-CD-conjugated Au-Fe 3 O 4 JNPs, heralding a new era in achieving nuanced, highly effective, and side-effect-free cancer treatment modalities. The emergence of multifunctional nanoparticles marks a pivotal stride in cancer therapy research. This investigation unveils Janus nanoparticles (JNPs) amalgamating gold (Au), iron oxide (Fe 3 O 4), and β-cyclodextrins (β-CD), encapsulating 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) and Ibuprofen (IBU) for synergistic chemo-photothermal therapy. Demonstrating both biocompatibility and potent photothermal properties (∼32.88 %), these JNPs present a promising avenue for cancer treatment. Noteworthy is their heightened photodynamic efficiency and remarkable tumor ablation capabilities observed in vitro and in vivo , devoid of adverse effects. Furthermore, computational simulations validate their interactions with cancer cells, bolstering their utility as an emerging therapeutic modality. This endeavor pioneers a secure and efficacious strategy for cancer therapy, underscoring the significance of β-CD-conjugated Au-Fe 3 O 4 JNPs as innovative nanoplatforms with profound implications for the advancement of cancer therapy. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, suitable bioactive materials coated nanoparticles have attracted substantial attention in the field of biomedical applications. The present study emphasizes experimental details for the synthesis of boiling rice starch extract (BRE) coated iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) to treat cancer by photoacoustic imaging (PAI)-guided chemo-photothermal therapy. The solvothermal method was used to synthesize IONPs. The physical immobilization method helps to coat BRE-loaded doxorubicin (DOX) molecules on the iron oxide surface. In vitro drug release was estimated in basic (pH 9.0), neutral (pH 7.2), and acidic (pH 4.5) media for varying time periods using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. The chemical and physical properties of the synthesized spherical BRE-IONPs were characterized using sophisticated analytical instrumentation. A magnetic saturation experiment was performed with BRE-IONPs for evaluating possible hyperthermia in targeted drug delivery. The biological activity of the synthesized BRE-IONPs was investigated by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay and acridine orange/propidium iodide fluorescence cell viability study. BRE-IONPs showed excellent photothermal stability, with a high photothermal conversion efficiency (η = 29.73%), biocompatible property, and high near-infrared region absorption for PAI-guided PTT treatment. This study will provide a better understanding of rice starch as a suitable bioactive coating material for possible theranostic applications. • A facile synthesis technique of natural polymer boiling rice extract-coated IONPs is studied for biomedical applications. • The drug loading (~78% DOX) with pH regulated releasing property (~46% DOX) makes DOX-BRE-IONPs a promising anticancer agent. • The synthesized DOX-BRE-IONPs acts as an excellent photothermal agent with a heat conversion efficiency of ~29.73%. • DOX-BRE-IONPs have potential photoacoustic imaging contrast efficiency for bio-imaging applications. • DOX-BRE-IONPs could be a promising multifunctional imaging-guided chemo-photo-thermal therapeutic agent for cancer treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The design and synthesis of alternative biocompatible, luminescent bioimaging agent for application in diagnostics imaging and preventive medicine is very important for the future of biomedicine. With an advanced flexible structure of hydroxyapatite (HAp), rare earth ions (Gd3+, Eu3+) were doped to achieve an enhanced luminescent optical property. A facile wet co-precipitation method was employed to dope Gd3+, and Eu3+ on host HAp structure (Eu x -Gd x -HAp). Different sophisticated characterization instruments, such as powder X-Ray diffraction, Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, micro Raman spectroscopy, Thermogravimetric-differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area analysis confirms the hexagonal crystal structure, functional groups, high thermal stability, with large surface area and average pore size. The optical properties were measured by diffusive reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, and fluorescence imaging. The enhanced luminescence could be observed due to "Gd–Eu" co-doping, which causes energy transfer ( 6 I J of Gd 3+ → 5 H J of Eu 3+ ) under 273 nm excitation with possible combination effect of the cooperative up-conversion and subsequent energy transfer under 394 nm excitation respectively. The in vitro study confirms the intracellular nontoxic behavior of Eu x -Gd x -HAp nanocrystals with good biocompatibility. Further in vivo studies with Eu x -Gd x -HAp nanocrystals confirms the cell labelling and in vivo imaging capabilities. The synthesized biocompatible, nontoxic Eu x -Gd x -HAp nanomaterials has the potential to act as a luminescence enhanced contrast agent for biomedical fluorescent imaging applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diagnosis and imaging play an essential key role in primary detection, screening, and image-guided smart nanomedicine for healthcare solutions. This study illustrates the successful fabrication of luminescent lanthanide (erbium)-doped hydroxyapatite (Er-HAp) by one step facile wet-chemical precipitation method. The chemical compositions, morphology, optical, and biological properties were systematically characterized using relevant different structural, compositional analytical instrumentation and cytotoxicity assays. After erbium doping, synthesized luminescent nano-structured materials exhibited elongated morphology, with well dispersed <50 nm size distribution. The photoluminescence (PL) study confirmed three emission bands assigned to 4 F 3/2 → 4 I 15/2 (purple), 4 F 7/2 → 4 I 15/2 (blue), and 4 S 3/2 → 4 I 15/2 (green) transition states, respectively. In vitro bioactivity and optical imaging studies conducted in osteoblast like MG-63 cells confirmed the nontoxic luminescent behavior of the synthesized nanomaterials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To achieve optimum functionality and mechanical properties of advanced manufacturing-based scaffolds for biomedical application, it is important to study their mechanical strength by 3D-printing at different orientations. This study examined the effects of printing at different orientations on the mechanical properties of synthesized 3D-polylactic acid (PLA) and hydroxyapatite-modified PLA (PLA-HAp) scaffolds. A total number of 30 samples were printed in three orientations on the XY plane: 0°, 45°, and 90°. Finite element modeling and simulation was employed to identify the strongest scaffold in terms of compression strength, which is the primary criterion for load bearing bone tissue scaffolds. These findings indicate that 3D-printing at an orientation of 90° on the XY plane resulted in a scaffold with the highest compression strength. Moreover, the fabricated PLA scaffolds showed very poor cell attachment and proliferation on their surface, which is not suitable for their biomedical application. This study additionally showed the optimization of a very simple post-fabrication modification technique with nano HAp for better cell attachment and proliferation with enhanced mechanical properties. The post-fabrication modification of PLA scaffolds by nano-HAp results in excellent cell attachment property with enhanced mechanical strength and stability of up to 47.16% for 90° 3D-printed PLA-HAp scaffolds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fabrication of nanostructured materials with multifunctional properties and improved biocompatibility have immense potential for biomedical applications. The novelty of this research is to synthesize nanostructured hollow hydroxyapatite (H-HAp) for enhanced drug delivery applications. The nano hollow structure synthesis mechanism involves the controlled precipitation of calcium and phosphate ions over a pre-synthesized nano carbon template, followed by calcination to eliminate the core carbon structure. The synthesized nano-structured H-HAp was analyzed to determine its chemical, elemental, structural, and morphological characteristics by different spectroscopic, gravimetric, and electron microscopy techniques. The potential advances of H-HAp nanoparticles in biological applications were studied by using MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines, and drug kinetics experiments. The cytotoxicity and the efficacy of H-HAp as a drug carrier agent were studied by MTT and fluorescence staining assay. The comparative drug loading/releasing kinetics were studied using nanostructured H-HAp and HAp with the model drug doxorubicin (DOX) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) protein. The synthesized nanostructured materials show relatively enhanced drug (DOX = ∼53.33%) and protein (BSA = ∼43.06%) loading capacities compared to conventional HAp (DOX = ∼46% and BSA = ∼23.62%). The H-HAp nanostructured system shows a pH-dependent sustained in vitro release behavior of model drug molecules. The novelty of this study relies on its facile synthesis mechanism to fabricate a hollow nano HAp structure, which differs from limited reported articles based mostly on microstructure H-HAp for biomedical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract A rapid microwave assisted facile synthetic technique was adopted to load gold nanoparticles (Au) on hydroxyapatite (HAp) surface. HAp nanoparticles were primarily synthesized by wet precipitation technique and further used for gold loading and successive collagen coating for biomedical applications. The microwave-assisted controlled synthesis technique with three heating cycles allows the very fast growing of Au seeds over HAp facets. Different sophisticated analytical techniques and spectroscopic characterization were employed to confirm the structural, chemical, and morphological features. The synthesized different concentration "Au" loaded hetero nanostructures coated with collagen (Au–HAp–Col) optimized for drug (Doxorubicin: DOX) loading and releasing purposes for biomedical applications. The maximum drug-loading efficiency of ~58.22% and a pH responsive releasing of ~53% (at pH 4.5) was obtained for 0.1 wt% Au–HAp–Col nanoparticles. To study the cytotoxic effects from the hetero nanostructures, MG-63 osteoblast-like cells were exposed to different concentration ranges on Au–HAp, Au–HAp–Col, and DOX loaded Au–HAp–Col nanoparticles. The non-toxic and bioactive properties of the synthesized nanoparticle-fabricated scaffold promotes cellular attachment, growth, and proliferation. These results indicated that optimized Au–HAp–Col nanoparticles may be promising drug delivery and scaffold materials for multifunctional biomedical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract An innovative biomimetic approach has been employed for the synthesis of human and environmental friendly nanomaterials for biomedical application. The aim of this research is to study the structural analysis of biomimetic-synthesized gold (Au) and silver (Ag) nanoparticles loaded on pristine hydroxyapatite (HAp) and their potential advances in biomedical applications. The synthesized metal–hydroxyapatite nanoparticles’ structural and morphological characteristics were studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), different spectroscopies (UV–vis, DRS, FTIR, zeta potential), BET surface area and pore size analyzer and electron microscopy (FE-TEM, FE-SEM). Biological activity was established using osteoblast-like MG-63 cell line and antibacterial tests with Escherichia coli (E. coli), which is one of the most common bacteria in the human body. Cell cytotoxicity test (MTT assay and fluorescence imaging with AO/PI staining) was conducted with MG-63 cells to study the toxicity of Au-HAp, Ag-HAp, and Au-Ag-HAp (bimetallic) nanoparticles. Antimicrobial studies have shown that all Ag-HAp nanoparticles have excellent in vitro antibacterial activity with E. coli. The present research investigates the structural stability and biocompatibility of Au-HAp, Ag-HAp, and Au-Ag-HAp nanoparticles, which may be the best materials to repair bone infection (osteomyelitis) and could be useful as a potential scaffold material to prevent postoperative infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Composite biomaterials can improve the mechanical and biological properties of ceramic scaffolds for bone tissue engineering application. In this study hydroxyapatite (HAp), and bioactive glass ceramics were synthesized by co-precipitation and ultrasound assisted sol-gel method. The synthesized HAp (80 wt.-%) and bioglass (15 wt.-%) bioceramics were further used with aluminum oxide (3 wt.-%) and starch (2 wt%) to prepare a composite biomaterial. The composite biomaterial was finally used to fabricate scaffold materials by employing nontoxic binder mediated gel-casting approach. The synthesized composite material and developed scaffolds were characterized through different physical, chemical, and morphological analyses, mechanical study, and in vitro biological assays. The synthesized scaffold exhibited 20–25% porosity, with a high compressive strength of ~ 157 ± 2 MPa, and Tensile strength of ~ 83 ± 2 MPa after sintering at 1200 °C for 2 h. The in vitro biological study confirmed the nontoxic behavior of the composite biomaterial and developed scaffolds with MG-63 osteoblast-like cell line. The developed composite scaffold facilitated new cell attachment, growth, and proliferation on its surface, all of which correlates with good osteoconductive properties. The developed scaffolds effectively simulated the morphology, porosity, mechanical property, and bioactivity of the bone structure for load-bearing tissue engineering application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maternal RNAs are stored from minutes to decades in oocytes throughout meiosis I arrest in a transcriptionally quiescent state. Recent reports, however, propose a role for nascent transcription in arrested oocytes. Whether arrested oocytes launch nascent transcription in response to environmental or hormonal signals while maintaining the meiosis I arrest remains undetermined. We test this by integrating single-cell RNA sequencing, RNA velocity, and RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization on C. elegans meiosis I arrested oocytes. We identify transcripts that increase as the arrested meiosis I oocyte ages, but rule out extracellular signaling through ERK MAPK and nascent transcription as a mechanism for this increase. We report transcript acquisition from neighboring somatic cells as a mechanism of transcript increase during meiosis I arrest. These analyses provide a deeper view at single-cell resolution of the RNA landscape of a meiosis I arrested oocyte and as it prepares for oocyte maturation and fertilization. [Display omitted] • Individual oocytes were extracted using femtosecond laser microdissection • Oocyte transcript abundance changes during meiosis I arrest • Maternal transcripts are acquired from somatic cells Maternal transcripts, which are important for early embryogenesis, are all thought to originate exclusively from the germ cell lineage. Trimmer et al. show that a few unique transcripts are produced in the somatic cells and loaded into oocytes, suggesting other sources of maternal transcripts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synthesis and fabrication of multifunctional nanostructures with enhanced biocompatibility are the most important characteristics for biomedical research. The goal of our present research is to study the optimum zinc (Zn)-loading on pure hydroxyapatite (HAp) bioceramics and its potential advantages in biomedical application. In this study, different mole concentrations (1, 2, 5 mol%) of Zn doped HAp (Zn-HAp) nanoparticles were synthesized through a facile co-precipitation technique using zinc nitrate as a source for Zn metal. The synthesized Zn-HAp nanoparticles were critically characterized for their structural and morphological changes by different spectroscopy and electron microscopy analysis. The potential advances of Zn-HAp nanoparticles in biological application was studied by using MG-63 cell line, drug model experiment and scaffold cell attachment, proliferation study. The cell cytotoxicity test (MTT assay and trypan blue) was first conducted to confirm the nontoxic characteristics of Zn-HAp with enhanced MG-63 cell proliferation activity. The drug loading experiment of Zn-HAp nanoparticles was then confirmed with 1 mol% Zn-HAp (which had the maximum drug loading efficiency with pH responsive drug interaction). Furthermore, the optimized 1 mol% Zn-HAp constructed biomimetic scaffold shows excellent cell attachment and proliferation behavior with MG-63 cells. The result suggests that the biomimetic 1 mol% Zn-HAp scaffolds may be of enormous potential in bone repair and regeneration. This research distinguishes from other research by showing an advanced analysis of the Zn-HAp and its enhanced physicochemical properties for tissue engineering and pH responsive drug delivery application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fish scales derived natural hydroxyapatite (FS-HAp) scaffolds were prepared through solvent casting technique, which could mimic the structure of cortical and cancellous bone tissues of body system. The hydroxyapatite (HAp) biomaterial was synthesized by thermal decomposition of chemically treated fish scales. Fabricated scaffolds were characterized through morphological analysis, volumetric shrinkage, mechanical tests, and in vitro , in vivo biological studies. The projected scaffolds successfully mimic the cancellous/cortical bone system in terms of structure, porosity, mechanical strength, and exhibit excellent bioactive behavior. The FS-HAp scaffolds manifest good mechanical behaviors with Vickers Hardness (HV) of ~0.78 GPa, 0.52 GPa compressive stress, 190 MPa tensile stress and ~35% porosity on sintering at 1200 °C. In vitro and in vivo studies suggest these nontoxic HAp scaffolds graft with osteoconductive support, facilitating new cell growth on the developed scaffold surface. The graded grafts have a great potential for application as traumatized tissue augmentation substitute, and ideal for load-bearing bone applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highly fluorescent, stable, water-soluble Ag nanoclusters (AgNCs) have been successfully prepared via a sonochemical approach using lipoic acid as a capping agent to sense the presence of mercury selectively in the environmental samples. The synthetic route follows the principles of green chemistry. Mass spectrometric analysis shows that nanoclusters are made of two to six silver atoms (Ag 2 –Ag 6 ) and its size remains within 2–3 nm (diameter). Such nanoclusters exhibit high fluorescence property as evident from photoluminescence spectroscopy. Based on fluorescence property, an analytical method has been developed to trace mercuric ions (Hg 2+ ) selectively, even at subnanomolar concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract A lanthanide co-doped (Eu3+ and Tb3+) yttrium based metal–organic framework has been synthesized through isomorphous substitution strategy in a three-dimensional MOF using solvothermal procedure. This MOF shows luminescence based sensitive and selective detection of azinphos-methyl pesticide over the other analytes in aqueous medium with detection limit of 212 ppb. Abstract For the utilization of large stokes shift and low self quenching of luminescence, we have successfully constructed a luminescent europium and terbium co-doped yttrium based metal–organic framework [Y 1.8 Eu 0.1 Tb 0.1 (PDA) 3 (H 2 O) 1 ]·2H 2 O (where PDA = 1,4-phenylenediacetate), 1 , through isomorphous substitution strategy in a three-dimensional yttrium based MOF using solvothermal method. The structure and size of 1 was systematically characterized by PXRD, TGA, SEM and EDX analysis. On the exposure to UV light, the aqueous dispersion of 1 exhibits light green emission in the visible region. This emissive property was employed for the highly sensitive and selective detection of azinphos-methyl pesticide in aqueous medium through luminescence quenching for the first time. Using this compound ppb level detection of azinphos-methyl has been achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A highly luminescent three–dimensional cadmium based metal–organic framework (Cd-MOF), 1 , has been employed for the luminescence-based aqueous phase detection of iodide ion. Emission at 290 nm upon excitation at 226 nm was used for the sensing of iodide ions in aqueous medium through very high luminescence quenching. It was also observed that in presence of other common anions such as NO 3 − , H 2 PO 4 − , CH 3 COO − , Br − , SO 4 2− , B 4 O 7 2− , Cl − , CO 3 2− , HPO 4 2− and F − in aqueous medium it shows negligible luminescence quenching. The selectivity of iodide sensing has also been performed in the presence of other halide ions (F − , Cl − and Br − ) and the quenching efficiency of iodide remains unaffected by the presence of halide ions. The compound 1 shows high sensitivity even in very low concentration regions towards the sensing of iodide with K SV (quenching constant based on linear Stern–Volmer plot) value of 1.8 × 10 4  M −1 and with detection limit of iodide of 0.63 μM (80 ppb), which is among the best value known for any luminescence based selective iodide sensor reported to date. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Comprehensive study of Cu-HAp nano-powders for promising biomedical applications. • Optimized Cu-HAp exhibits enhanced drug interaction with excellent bioactivity. • Finite element modeling data well correlated with experimental mechanical results. • Fabricated Cu-HAp scaffold shows excellent cellular attachment and proliferation. The synthesis of doped nanostructured materials with multifunctional properties and improved biocompatibility have immense potential for biomedical applications. In this present study, a facile wet chemical precipitation method was employed to synthesize hydroxyapatite (HAp) and different concentrations copper doped HAp, and Cu x -HAp (x = 1, 2, and 4 mol%) nano materials. Sophisticated analytical and spectroscopic techniques were employed to confirm its physico-chemical properties, and morphological features. The synthesized HAp, Cu x -HAp were further studied as a drug nanocarrier using doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) as a model drug, which results a maximum drug release of ∼34.3% (at pH 4.5) for 1 mol% of Cu-HAp. The nanostructured materials were further used to fabricate scaffolds by employing gel-casting method. The finite element modeling theoretical approach was adopted, to correlate the force distribution over the developed scaffold during mechanical characterization. The in vitro study confirmed the nontoxic behavior of the HAp and Cu x -HAp scaffolds using MG-63 cell line. The developed scaffold effectively facilitates and simulates the new cell attachment, growth, and proliferation on its surface with adequate (∼7.87 MPa) compressive strength properties. The enhanced biocompatibility with improved mechanical stability of Cu x -HAp nanomaterials could address some of the critical challenges in biomedical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Excited state proton transfer (ESPT) of pyranine (8-hydroxypyrene-1,3,6-trisulfonate) is studied in a lysozyme–cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) complex using picosecond emission spectroscopy. The critical association concentration (CAC) of CTAB is found to be ∼0.4mM. Using a kinetic analysis it is shown that deprotonation, recombination and dissociation of the geminate ion pair in the lysozyme–CTAB aggregate are faster than that in a CTAB micelle. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Introducing a proposed LED light therapy device design with different LED color power density control. • A Fuzzy logic, based on the relationship between LED power density and operating time, implemented for stabilizing LED power density. • The test data show that LED power density could be controlled under a broad range voltage variation. The biological effects of a light-emitting diode (LED) light therapy device are determined by irradiation parameters, mainly wavelength and power density. However, using a battery to provide power causes a problem in the variation of LED power density during battery discharge. As a result, maintaining a stable LED power density, along with extending battery life and operating time, are the primary concerns in designing a LED light therapy device. The present study aims to introduce a LED light therapy device design with different LED color power density control. A Fuzzy logic, based on the relationship between LED power density and operating time, was proposed to control constant power density in this design. The experimental results demonstrate that by using the designed controller, the LED light therapy device's power density (40 mW/cm2, 50 mW/cm2, 60 mW/cm2 for red, blue, and green light, respectively) can be controlled. The newly designed LED light therapy device could be considered an advanced version with energy savings and stabilized LED power emitting property under a broad range voltage variation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multifunctional theranostic agents have recently attracted a great deal of attention in field of biomedicine. In the present work, folic acid–conjugated chitosan-functionalized graphene oxide (FA-CS-GO) has been developed as a new type of multifunctional nanomaterial for near-infrared fluorescence (FL)/photoacoustic imaging–(PAI) guided photothermal therapy (PTT) of cancer. In vitro results showed that the FA-CS-GO was able to completely destroy cancer cells under laser irradiation. More importantly, in vivo experiments showed that in the presence of targeted FA-CS-GO with laser irradiation, the tumors were completely inhibited, with no recurrence within 20 days. A high photoacoustic signal was detected in the tumor area of mice 24 h after the injection of FA-CS-GO, demonstrating the ability of FA-CS-GO to function as a new PAI contrast agent. Altogether, FA-CS-GO showed a high tumor-targeting efficiency, powerful photothermal effect, and outstanding PAI. This study is considered the first where multifunctional nanomaterials were used for highly efficient FL/PAI-guided tumor-targeted PTT, which is a promising avenue for theranostic nanomedicine. Unlabelled Image • Targeted FA-CS-GO was successfully introduced as a new photothermal agent. • The FA-CS-GO was able to completely destroy cancer cells under laser irradiation. • The ability of FA-CS-GO to function as a new photoacoustic contrast agent • FA-CS-GO is a promising avenue for theranostic nanomedicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Scanning acoustic microscopy (SAM) system is a powerful nondestructive instrument owing to its capability to provide internal information and defect positions inside a material. In industrial applications of SAM, the scanning time plays an important role in enhancing efficient inspection of the product line. Several studies have used the traditional SAM system, which develops based on linear motor to inspect industrial samples, but the inspection time remained relatively long and cost-prohibitive. Herein, we reported a low-cost fast SAM (FSAM) system that provided the image results in a short time while maintaining their high resolution. In this design, FSAM fast scanning module (FSM) was developed by exploiting the slider-crank mechanism, which was optimized for a specific product to substantially reduce the inspection time. During the scanning process, bubbles were generated due to the rapid movement of transducer into the water, namely the bubble cavitation. The bubbles restricted the ultrasound wave propagation, which resulted in the bad image quality. The bubble cavitation phenomenon was examined using the incompressible flow theory to investigate the bubble inception, which was defined based on the pressure value around transducer. The bubbles appeared in areas where the pressure less than the vapor pressure. Using the OpenFOAM to analyze the pressure value, the bubble problem was solved by a novel solution that used a bubble reduction plate attaching to the transducer. The coin and aluminum samples with known dimensions and internal structure were prepared to scan using the FSAM system, which validated the simulation results and FSAM capabilities in providing good images with internal information and accurate measurements. Finally, FSAM system was designed and developed to successfully inspect industrial samples in a short time, such as an integrated circuit chip, printed circuit board, welded sheets, and silicon wafer. Using the FSAM system to scan welded sheets, the scanning time were reduced by approximately 77% compared to the traditional SAM system. These results demonstrate that the FSAM system is a potential instrument for industrial nondestructive inspection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • GNRs coated with the dual polymer is attractive for cancer therapy. • This is the first report on CS/F-GNRs as novel agents for photothermal therapy. • CS/F-GNRs under laser irradiation could completely ablate tumor in mice. • CS/F-GNRs as safe and highly efficient NIR photothermal agents for cancer therapy. Abstract Photothermal therapy (PTT) using chitosan/fucoidan multilayer coating of gold nanorods (CS/F-GNRs) has emerged as an alternative strategy for cancer therapy. In this study, biocompatible CS/F-GNRs were synthesized as a new generation of photothermal therapeutic agents for in vivo cancer treatments owing to their good biocompatibility, photostability, and strong absorption in the near-infrared (NIR) region. The CS/F-GNRs showed a good size distribution (51.87 ± 3.03 nm), and the temperature variation of the CS/F-GNRs increased by 54.4 °C after laser irradiation (1.0 W/cm2) for 5 min. The in vitro photothermal efficiency of CS/F-GNRs indicated that significantly more cancer cells were killed under laser irradiation at 1.0 W/cm2 for 5 min. On the 20th day of treatment, the MDA-MB-231 tumor cells in mice treated with CS/F-GNRs under laser irradiation had almost completely disappeared. Therefore, the biocompatible CS/F-GNRs have shown great promise as safe and highly efficient near-infrared photothermal agents for future cancer therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • Chitosan-stabilized porous flower–shaped palladium (CFP) nanoparticles were successfully synthesized by the newly developed simple, eco-friendly, and low-cost method. • The size of CFP nanoparticles was found to be dependent on the amount of chitosan. • CFP nanoparticles have excellent stability and biocompatibility. • CFP nanoparticles act as a photothermal agent for photothermal therapy and a contrast agent for photoacoustic imaging. Abstract This study reported a newly developed green synthesis method using chitosan and vitamin C to prepare porous flower–shaped palladium nanoparticles. We found that chitosan not only worked as a stabilizer but also as a size-control agent for the synthesis of these nanoparticles. The growth model of flower-shaped palladium nanoparticles was proposed to interpret mechanistic understanding. The obtained nanoparticles showed good biocompatibility and strong near-infrared absorption. The nanoparticles were successfully demonstrated to be highly efficient for both in vitro photothermal therapy and in vitro photoacoustic imaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]