Dual-mode self-powered photoelectrochemical and colorimetric determination of procalcitonin accomplished by multienzyme-expressed Ni4Cu2 bimetallic hollow nanospheres and spherical nanoflower-MoS2/Cu2ZnSnS4/Bi2S3

Bacterial infections, viral infections and autoimmune diseases pose a considerable threat to human health. Procalcitonin (PCT) has emerged as a biomarker for the detection of these diseases. To ensure accurate and reliable results, we propose a dual-mode approach that incorporates self-validation and self-correction mechanisms. Herein, we develop a dual-mode self-powered photoelectrochemical (PEC) and colorimetric sensor to determine PCT. The self-powered PEC sensor was constructed with a photoanode of spherical nanoflower-MoS2/Cu2ZnSnS4/Bi2S3 material and a photocathode of CuInS2 material. Ni4Cu2 bimetallic hollow nanospheres (BHNs) possess superoxide dismutase and catalase performance, which facilitate superoxide anion radical (·O2-) and H2O2 circulating generation, promoting the separation of photogenerated electrons and holes to amplify photocurrent signal. Thus Ni4Cu2 BHNs is used as a marker material for PEC sensor. Meanwhile, in colorimetric mode, Ni4Cu2 BHNs converts blue oxTMB to a colourless TMB for colorimetric detection of PCT. Based on this principle, dual-mode determination of PCT with high sensitivity is achieved. The dual-mode method not only demonstrates outstanding properties and practicability, but also presents an effective, highly efficient and reliable method for detecting PCT.

Specifics of Pharmacokinetics and Biodistribution of 5-Fluorouracil Polymeric Complex

One of the promising and relevant directions in the treatment of oncological diseases is currently the development of a system for the delivery of antitumor drugs based on polyanions. Therefore, the aim of this work was to study the specifics of pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of a 5-Fluorouracil polymeric complex compared with commercial 5-Fluorouracil.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Monomeric methacrylic acid was used to synthesize polymers; 2-phenylpropane-2-ilbenzodithioate was used for the synthesis of poly(methacrylic acid). To study the molecular-weight characteristics of poly(methacrylic acid) by gel permeation chromatography, an experimental neoplasm model was obtained by grafting PC-1 cancer cells. Blood samples were drawn from the tail vein at different points in time. The rats were sacrificed via decapitation after drawing the last pharmacokinetic blood sample. To study the biodistribution, internal organs were isolated and analyzed. The measurements were carried out by high-performance liquid chromatography.

RESULTS

Our results demonstrate that incorporation in a polymeric complex changes the pharmacokinetics and biodistribution profile of 5-FU. The polymeric complex was shown to accumulate to a higher level in the lung and spleen.

CONCLUSION

The results obtained are the basis for further studies to verify the efficacy of the 5-Fluorouracil polymeric complex.

Secretome profiling of Artemisia absinthium extract-loaded polymeric nanoparticle-treated MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 revealed perturbation in microtubule assembly and cell migration

Introduction

Artemisia absinthium (wormwood) exhibits anticancer properties by inhibiting proliferation and causing cell death in breast cancer. Targeted drug delivery of A. absinthium nanoformulation using N-isopropyl acrylamide, N-vinyl pyrrolidone, and acrylic acid-based polymeric nanoparticles (NVA-AA NPs) was ensured by utilizing features of the tumor microenvironment, although their mechanism of action involved in cytotoxicity remains unknown.

Methods

The present study employed nano LC-MS/MS to identify differences in secretory protein expression associated with the treatment of breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7; MDA-MB-231) by NVA-AA NPs for the determination of affected pathways and easily accessible therapeutic targets. Different bioinformatics tools were used to identify signature differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) using survival analysis by GENT2 and correlation analysis between their mRNA expressions and sensitivity toward small-molecule drugs as well as immune cell infiltration by GSCA.

Results

Analysis by GENT2 revealed 22 signature DEPs with the most significant change in their expression regulation, namely, gelsolin, alpha-fetoprotein, complement component C3, C7, histone H2B type 1-K, histone H2A.Z, H2AX, heat shock cognate 71 kDa protein, heat shock 70 kDa protein 1-like, cytochrome c somatic, GTP-binding nuclear protein Ran, tubulin beta chain, tubulin alpha-1B chain, tubulin alpha-1C chain, phosphoglycerate mutase 1, kininogen 1, carboxypeptidase N catalytic chain, fibulin-1, peroxiredoxins 4, lactate dehydrogenase C, SPARC, and SPARC-like protein 1. Correlation analysis between their mRNA expressions versus immune cell infiltrates showed a positive correlation with antitumor immune response elicited by these NPs as well as a correlation with drug response shown by the GDSC and CTRP drugs in different cancer cells.

Discussion

Our results suggest that NVA-AA NPs were able to invade the tumor microenvironment; transformed the communication network between the cancer cells; affected potential drivers of microtubular integrity, nucleosome assembly, and cell cycle; and eventually caused cell death.

Zn-Co metal organic frameworks coated with chitosand and Au nanoparticles for chemo-photothermal-targeted combination therapy of liver cancer

The toxic effects of chemotherapy drugs on normal tissues are still a major limiting factor in cancer treatment. In this paper, we report a metal-organic framework (Zn-Co ZIF) with chitosan-coated outer layer as a carrier for the drug adriamycin hydrochloride (DOX), a treatment for liver cancer, as a novel anti-cancer nanodrug-enhanced carrier. Gold nanoparticles, a good photothermal conversion agent, were combined with the target SH-RGD during surface functionalisation to prepare Zn-Co ZIF@DOX-CS-Au-RGD (ZD-CAR), a nanoplatform with good photothermal conversion properties and targeting for combined liver cancer therapy. ZD-CAR was developed after RGD accurately targeted the tumour and entered the tumour microenvironment (TME), it cleaves and releases the liver cancer therapeutic agent (DOX) in a weak acidic environment to effectively kill tumour cells. The metal skeleton cleavage releases Co²⁺, which catalyzes the production of oxygen from H₂O₂ to alleviate the tumour hypoxic environment. The dissolved oxygen could reach 14 mg/L after adding 80 mg/mL of ZD-CAR. Meanwhile, gold nanoparticles could convert light energy into heat energy under 808 NIR irradiation to induce local superheating and kill tumour cells. In summary, this study developed a nanoplatform that combines chemo-photothermal-targeted therapy. It has shown good therapeutic effeciency in cellular experiments and performance tests and has promising applications in anti-cancer therapy.

Thermosensitive Hydrogel Loaded with Nickel-Copper Bimetallic Hollow Nanospheres with SOD and CAT Enzymatic-Like Activity Promotes Acute Wound Healing

Various injury defense and repair functions are performed by the skin. Free radicals secreted after injury cause oxidative stress and inflammatory responses, which make wound healing difficult. However, the current metal nanomaterials for wound repair do not have sufficient catalytic activity or complex material design and cannot properly fit wounds. Therefore, it is imperative to develop more effective therapeutic approaches. This study investigated the effect of Ni₄Cu₂ hollow nanospheres composited with F127 hydrogel on promoting wound healing by applying them to wounds. Ni₄Cu₂ hollow nanospheres exhibited a superior spatial structure, contained many catalytic sites, and could be synthesized in a simple manner. In vitro experiments showed that Ni₄Cu₂ hollow nanospheres had superoxide dismutase-like activity and promoted fibroblast migration, angiogenesis, and macrophage polarization. F127, which is a thermosensitive, nontoxic, phase-change and porous hydrogel material, has proven to be an effective choice for injectable and sprayable medical dressings. Ni₄Cu₂ hollow nanospheres were mixed with F127 hydrogel without significantly affecting its performance. In addition to adapting to the complex, irregular gaps of acute wounds, the mixture lengthened the nanozyme release time, which enhanced healing. Based on the animal experiments, the Ni₄Cu₂/F127 composite hydrogel effectively promoted wound healing, epithelial regeneration, and the formation of skin appendages such as hair follicles in mice. Furthermore, the Ni₄Cu₂/F127 composite hydrogel was nontoxic to animals and had high biological safety. The Ni₄Cu₂/F127 composite hydrogel has provided an innovative strategy to develop composite hydrogels for the treatment of acute skin wounds.

Fabrication of a Highly Efficient Wood-Based Solar Interfacial Evaporator with Self-Desalting and Sterilization Performance

Solar interfacial evaporation based on wood-derived materials has been considered a promising strategy for desalination and wastewater purification. Herein, we adopted delignified wood (DW) as the water transport substrate and lignosulfonate (LS)-modified narrow-band gap semiconductor nickel disulfide (NiS₂) as the light-absorbing agent (LS-NiS₂) to fabricate a high-efficiency evaporator (LS-NiS₂@DW). On the one hand, the high absorbance (>95%) within a broad wavelength range and excellent photothermal conversion efficiency of LS-NiS₂ endow efficient solar energy utilization. On the other hand, the hydrophilicity of DW facilitates water activation, which results in a lower evaporation enthalpy of LS-NiS₂@DW (1274.4 kJ kg^-1) than that of pure water. By combining LS-NiS₂ and DW, LS-NiS₂@DW achieved an evaporation rate as high as 2.80 kg m^-2 h^-1 under one sun irradiation (1 kW m^-2), and the evaporation efficiency reached 87.4%. Notably, LS-NiS₂@DW exhibits a high evaporation rate (2.42-2.69 kg m^-2 h^-1) in simulated seawater for 24 h with no salt crystals formed on the surface. Moreover, LS-NiS₂@DW shows high antibacterial activity with about 90% reduction in bacterial survival rate. This work could provide new perspectives for the design of a high-efficiency wood-based photothermal evaporator.

Thermo- and Light-Responsive Polymer-Coated Magnetic Nanoparticles as Potential Drug Carriers

A series of thermo- and light-responsive copolymers of poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) and 6-[4-(4-methoxy phenyl azo)-phenoxyl-hexyl methacrylate) (AzoMA) (PNIPAM-b-PAzoMA) were synthesized via reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) radical polymerization. The resulting copolymers had a narrow molecular weight distribution range of 1.06–1.24, in which Mn changed regularly with the monomer concentration. Subsequently, the diblock copolymers were successfully modified on the surface of iron oxide nanoparticles through the interaction between the chemical bonds to prepare Fe3O4@(PNIPAM-b-PAzoMA) nanoparticles. The size of fabricated nanoparticles with excellent thermo-sensitivity and photo-sensitivity was controlled at about 40–50 nm. Cell viability assays suggested that the nanoparticles showed no significant cytotoxicity and potential drug delivery in the tumor microenvironment.

Inorganic nanomaterials with rapid clearance for biomedical applications

Inorganic nanomaterials that have inherently exceptional physicochemical properties (e.g., catalytic, optical, thermal, electrical, or magnetic performance) that can provide desirable functionality (e.g., drug delivery, diagnostics, imaging, or therapy) have considerable potential for application in the field of biomedicine. However, toxicity can be caused by the long-term, non-specific accumulation of these inorganic nanomaterials in healthy tissues, preventing their large-scale clinical utilization. Over the past several decades, the emergence of biodegradable and clearable inorganic nanomaterials has offered the potential to prevent such long-term toxicity. In addition, a comprehensive understanding of the design of such nanomaterials and their metabolic pathways within the body is essential for enabling the expansion of theranostic applications for various diseases and advancing clinical trials. Thus, it is of critical importance to develop biodegradable and clearable inorganic nanomaterials for biomedical applications. This review systematically summarizes the recent progress of biodegradable and clearable inorganic nanomaterials, particularly for application in cancer theranostics and other disease therapies. The future prospects and opportunities in this rapidly growing biomedical field are also discussed. We believe that this timely and comprehensive review will stimulate and guide additional in-depth studies in the area of inorganic nanomedicine, as rapid in vivo clearance and degradation is likely to be a prerequisite for the future clinical translation of inorganic nanomaterials with unique properties and functionality.

Ultrasound lighting up AIEgens for potential surgical navigation

Multifunctional contrast-enhanced agents suitable for application in surgical navigation by taking advantage of the merits of their diverse imaging modalities at different surgical stages are highly sought-after. Herein, an amphipathic polymer composed of aggregation-induced emission fluorogens (AIEgens) and Gd³⁺ chelates was successfully synthesized and assembled into ultrasound responsive microbubbles (AIE-Gd MBs) to realize potential tri-modal contrast-enhanced ultrasound (US) imaging, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and AIEgen-based fluorescence imaging (FI) during the perioperative period. Through ultrasound targeted microbubble destruction (UTMD) and cavitation effect, the as-prepared AIE-Gd MBs went through a MBs-to-nanoparticles (NPs) conversion, which not only resulted in targeted accumulation in tumor tissues but also led to stronger fluorescence being exhibited due to the more aggregated AIE-Gd molecules in the NPs. As a proof-of-concept, our work proposes a strategy of US-lit-up AIEgens in tumors which could offer a simple and powerful tool for surgical navigation in the future.

NIR-Driven Intracellular Photocatalytic O2 Evolution on Z-Scheme Ni3S2/Cu1.8S@HA for Hypoxic Tumor Therapy

Hypoxia in a tumor microenvironment (TME) has inhibited the photodynamic therapy (PDT) efficacy. Here, Ni₃S₂/Cu_1.8S nanoheterostructures were synthesized as a new photosensitizer, which also realizes the intracellular photocatalytic O₂ evolution to relieve hypoxia in TME and enhance PDT as well. With the narrow band gap (below 1.5 eV), the near infrared (NIR) (808 nm) can stimulate their separation of the electron-hole. The novel Z-scheme nanoheterostructures, testified by experimental data and density functional theory (DFT) calculation, possess a higher redox ability, endowing the photoexited holes with sufficient potential to oxide H₂O into O₂, directly. Meanwhile, the photostimulated electrons can capture the dissolved O₂ to form a toxic reactive oxygen species (ROS). Moreover, Ni₃S₂/Cu_1.8S nanocomposites also possess the catalase-/peroxidase-like activity to convert the endogenous H₂O₂ into ·OH and O₂, which not only cause chemodynamic therapy (CDT) but also alleviate hypoxia to assist the PDT as well. In addition, owing to the narrow band gap, they possess a high NIR harvest and great photothermal conversion efficiency (49.5%). It is noted that the nanocomposites also exhibit novel biodegradation and can be metabolized and eliminated via feces and urine within 2 weeks. The present single electrons in Ni/Cu ions induce the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) ability for Ni₃S₂/Cu_1.8S. To make sure that the cancer cells were specifically targeted, hyaluronic acid (HA) was grafted outside and Ni₃S₂/Cu_1.8S@HA integrated photodynamic therapy (PDT), chemodynamic therapy (CDT), and photothermal therapy (PTT) to exhibit the great anticancer efficiency for hypoxic tumor elimination.

The pH-triggered drug release and simultaneous carrier decomposition of effervescent SiO2-drug-Na2CO3 composite nanoparticles: to improve the antitumor activity of hydrophobic drugs

To achieve a better release effect of hydrophobic drugs and spontaneous nanocarrier disintegration by dissolution as well as the CO₂ production of Na₂CO₃ further, improving the therapeutic effect of hydrophobic drugs, and thereby avoiding the accumulation of the nanocarrier in vivo to produce organ toxicity, effervescent SiO₂–drug–Na₂CO₃ composite nanoparticles (ESNs) were prepared in this study using a tetraethyl orthosilicate hydrolysis method. Sodium carbonate was used as the effervescent disintegrant to respond to the acidic microenvironment of the tumor. The properties of ESNs were assessed and TEM images were taken to verify the self-disintegration characteristics of nanocarrier materials. The in vitro anticancer efficacy of ESNs was evaluated in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells. ESNs loaded with hydrophobic drugs were successfully constructed, and showed high entrapment efficiency and drug loading. The nanocarrier successfully achieved self-disintegration in a PBS environment of pH value at 5.0, and showed excellent antitumor effect in vitro. ESNs can effectively load hydrophobic drugs and achieve self-disintegration, while avoiding toxicity from the accumulation of the nanocarrier. These results suggest that ESNs are a promising drug delivery system capable of maximizing the anticancer therapeutic efficacy and minimizing the systemic toxicity.

Effervescent SiO₂–drug–Na₂CO₃ composite nanoparticles were prepared in this study using a tetraethyl orthosilicate hydrolysis method to achieve a better release effect of hydrophobic drugs and spontaneous nanocarrier disintegration by dissolution.

Tailored Mesoporous Inorganic Biomaterials: Assembly, Functionalization, and Drug Delivery Engineering

Infectious or immune diseases have caused serious threat to human health due to their complexity and specificity, and emerging drug delivery systems (DDSs) have evolved into the most promising therapeutic strategy for drug-targeted therapy. Various mesoporous biomaterials are exploited and applied as efficient nanocarriers to loading drugs by virtue of their large surface area, high porosity, and prominent biocompatibility. Nanosized mesoporous nanocarriers show great potential in biomedical research, and it has become the research hotspot in the interdisciplinary field. Herein, recent progress and assembly mechanisms on mesoporous inorganic biomaterials (e.g., silica, carbon, metal oxide) are summarized systematically, and typical functionalization methods (i.e., hybridization, polymerization, and doping) for nanocarriers are also discussed in depth. Particularly, structure-activity relationship and the effect of physicochemical parameters of mesoporous biomaterials, including morphologies (e.g., hollow, core-shell), pore textures (e.g., pore size, pore volume), and surface features (e.g., roughness and hydrophilic/hydrophobic) in DDS application are overviewed and elucidated in detail. As one of the important development directions, advanced stimuli-responsive DDSs (e.g., pH, temperature, redox, ultrasound, light, magnetic field) are highlighted. Finally, the prospect of mesoporous biomaterials in disease therapeutics is stated, and it will open a new spring for the development of mesoporous nanocarriers.

Facile synthesis of hollow mesoporous nickel sulfide nanoparticles for highly efficient combinatorial photothermal-chemotherapy of cancer

Traditional techniques for the synthesis of nickel sulfide (NiS) nanoparticles (NPs) always present drawbacks of morphological irregularity, non-porous structure and poor long-term stability, which are extremely unfavorable for establishing effective therapeutic agents. Here, a category of hollow mesoporous NiS (hm-NiS) NPs with uniform spherical structure and good aqueous dispersity were innovatively developed based on a modified solvothermal reaction technique. Upon the successful synthesis of hm-NiS NPs, dopamine was seeded and in situ polymerized into polydopamine (PDA) on the NP surface, followed by functionalization with thiol-polyethylene glycol (SH-PEG) and encapsulation of the chemotherapeutic drug, doxorubicin (DOX), to form hm-NiS@PDA/PEG/DOX (NiPPD) NPs. The resultant NiPPD NPs exhibited a decent photothermal response and stability, attributed to the optical absorption of the hm-NiS nanocore and PDA layer in the near-infrared (NIR) region. Furthermore, stimulus-responsive drug release was achieved under both acidic pH conditions and NIR laser irradiation, owing to the protonation of -NH₂ groups in the DOX molecules and local thermal shock, respectively. Lastly, a strong combinatorial photothermal-chemotherapeutic effect was demonstrated for tumor suppression with minimal systemic toxicity in vivo. Collectively, this state-of-the-art paradigm may provide useful insights to deepen the application of hm-NiS NPs for disease management and precision medicine.

Biodegradable Nickel Disulfide Nanozymes with GSH-Depleting Function for High-Efficiency Photothermal-Catalytic Antibacterial Therapy

Bacterial infections caused by pathogens have always been a thorny issue that threatens human health, and there is urgent need to develop a new generation of antimicrobial nano-agents and treatments. Herein, biodegradable nickel disulfide (ND) nanozymes as excellent antibacterial agents that integrate excellent photothermal performance, nano-catalysis property, and glutathione (GSH)-depleting function have been successfully constructed. The ND nanozymes can effectively catalyze the decomposition of H₂O₂ to produce ⋅OH, and the hyperthermia of ND nanozymes generated by photothermal therapy (PTT) can further increase its catalytic activity, which provides rapid and effective bacterial killing effect compared with nano-catalytic treatment or PTT alone. Surprisingly, the ND nanozymes have the ability of GSH consumption, thus enhancing its sterilization effect. Moreover, the ND nanozymes are biodegradable nanomaterials that do not cause any significant toxicity in vivo. Collectively, the ND nanozymes with excellent photothermal performance, catalytic activity, and GSH-depleting function are used for high-efficiency sterilization.

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ND nanozymes have good photothermal and catalysis effect and GSH-depleting function

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The multifunctional ND nanozymes have achieved satisfactory antibacterial effects

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The biodegradable ND nanozymes have a wide application in precise sterilization

Multifunctional two-dimensional nanocomposites for photothermal-based combined cancer therapy

Two-dimensional (2D) nanocomposites have been widely used in biomedical applications during the past few years due to their extraordinary physicochemical properties, which has proved their importance in the field of nanomedicine. Benefiting from the excellent optical absorption in the near-infrared window and large specific surface area, many efforts have been devoted to fabricating 2D nanomaterial-based multifunctional nanoplatforms to realize photothermal therapy (PTT)-based or chemotherapy-based synergistic treatment, which exhibits obvious anti-tumor effects and significantly enhances the therapeutic efficiency of cancer compared with monotherapy. In particular, 2D nanocomposites are usually fabricated as intelligent nanoplatforms for stimuli-responsive nanocarriers, whose therapeutic effects could be specifically activated by the tumor microenvironment (TME). In addition, different fluorescent probes and functional inorganic nanomaterials could be absorbed on the surface of 2D nanomaterials to fabricate multifunctional hybrid nanomaterials with satisfactory magnetic, optical, or other properties that are widely used for multimodal imaging-guided cancer therapy. In this review, the latest development of multifunctional 2D nanocomposites for combination therapy is systematically summarized, mainly focusing on PTT-based synergistic cancer therapy, and the other forms and potential forms of synergistic cancer therapy are also simply summarized. Furthermore, the design principles of 2D nanocomposites are particularly emphasized, and the current challenges and future prospects of 2D nanocomposites for cancer theranostics are discussed simultaneously.