Designed construction of tween 60@2β-CD self-assembly vesicles as drug delivery carrier for cancer chemotherapy

Double-Encapsulated Microcapsules for the Adsorption to Cotton Fabrics

Double-encapsulated microcapsules (DEMs) were prepared and effectively adsorbed onto the cotton fabric surfaces during impregnation without crosslinking agents to obtain functional cotton fabrics. Specifically, Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR) and confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) showed two different molecules (lavender essence and dye indigo) were encapsulated into the microcapsules simultaneously, with loading capacity of 10% and 9.73%, respectively. The spherical shape of DEMs was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) and average particle sizes were about 617 nm, as measured by dynamic light scattering (DLS). According to the results of IR and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) experiments, DEMs was combined with cotton fabrics by hydrogen bond. The superior thermal stability of microcapsules and functional cotton fabrics was also demonstrated. The adsorption behavior and mechanism of microparticles onto cotton fabrics were further examined by chemical property characterization in combination with adsorption kinetic model. The kinetic adsorption process included three stages: fast adsorption, slow adsorption rate, and adsorption equilibrium. Finally, the good color fastness of the functional cotton fabrics was demonstrated by the tests of rubbing and accelerated laundering. Herein, this study will be beneficial to the development of functional cotton fabrics-based materials.

Controllable assembly of a novel cationic gemini surfactant containing a naphthalene and amide spacer with β-cyclodextrin

A novel cationic gemini surfactant (C12NDDA) with a spacer containing naphthalene and amides was successfully synthesized. The assembly of C12NDDA with β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) was investigated using various techniques including transmission electron microscopy, proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR), and scanning electron microscopy. Tuning the C12NDDA concentration and the C12NDDA/β-CD molar ratio allowed the production of different assembled aggregate morphologies such as micelles, vesicles, nanowires, nanorods, and hydrogels. Investigation of the inclusion mechanisms of C12NDDA and β-CD by 1H NMR revealed that hydrophobic interactions, hydrogen bonding, π-π stacking, and electrostatic forces play key roles in the assembly process. The antimicrobial activities of the C12NDDA/xβ-CD (x = 0-4) inclusion complexes were tested against Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Salmonella) and Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus), and very low minimum inhibitory concentrations of 0.078-0.31 μg mL-1 were observed. Thus, this newly synthesized gemini surfactant and its inclusion complexes exhibit potential as superior broad-spectrum disinfectants for various biomedical and biotechnological applications.

Identification and imaging of miR-155 in the early screening of lung cancer by targeted delivery of octreotide-conjugated chitosan-molecular beacon nanoparticles

Lung cancer is still the most common cancer globally. Early screening remains the key to improve the prognosis of patients. There is currently a lack of specific and sensitive methods for early screening of lung cancer. In recent years, studies have found that microRNA plays an important role in the occurrence and development of lung cancer and become a biological target in the early diagnosis of lung cancer. In this study, lung cancer cells, subcutaneous xenografts of lung cancer in nude mice, and Lox-Stop-lox K-ras G12D transgenic mice were used as models. The transgenic mice displayed the dynamic processes from normal lung tissue to atypical hyperplasia, adenomas, carcinoma in situ and lung adenocarcinoma. It was found that miR-155 and somatostatin receptor 2 (SSTR2) were expressed in all the disease stages of transgenic mice. Through molecular beacon (MB) technology and nanotechnology, chitosan-molecular beacon (CS-MB) nanoparticles and targeted octreotide (OCT) were conjugated and synthesized. The octreotide-conjugated chitosan-molecular beacon nanoparticles (CS-MB-OCT) can specifically bind to SSTR2 expressed by the lung cancer cells to achieve the goal of identification of lung cancer cells and imaging miR-155 in vivo and in vitro. Fluorescence imaging at different disease stages of lung cancer in Lox-Stop-lox K-ras G12D transgenic mice was performed, and could dynamically monitor the occurrence and development of lung cancer by different fluorescence intensity ranges. The current research, in turn, provides new idea, new method, and new technology for the early screening of lung cancer.