Multifunctional materials conjugated with near-infrared fluorescent organic molecules and their targeted cancer bioimaging potentialities

Synthesis, and evaluation of photophysical properties of a potential DPP-derived photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy with D-A-D architecture

The study of a macromolecule derived from DPP and triphenylamine, (DPP-BisTPA) by computational chemistry, its synthesis by direct arylation, optical characterization (UV-Vis and fluorescence) and electrochemistry (cyclic voltammetry), as well as its evaluation as a generator of reactive oxygen species indirectly, through the degradation of uric acid. The results obtained by DFT using B3LYP/6-31G (d, p) and TD-DFT using CAM-B3LYP/6-31G (d, p) reveal values of energy levels of the first singlet and triplet excited state that indicate a possible intersystem crossover and the possible generation of reactive oxygen species by a type I mechanism. The compound presents an absorption region within the phototherapeutic window. The electrochemical bandgap is 1.64 eV which suggests a behavior as a semiconductor. DPP-BisTPa were processed as hemispherical nanoparticles with a size around 100 nm, and NPOs were evaluated as a photosensitizer with a ROS generation yield of 4% using a photodynamic therapy flashlight as the light source.

π-Conjugated Polymer Nanoparticles from Design, Synthesis to Biomedical Applications: Sensing, Imaging, and Therapy

In the past decade, π-conjugated polymer nanoparticles (CPNs) have been considered as promising nanomaterials for biomedical applications, and are widely used as probe materials for bioimaging and drug delivery. Due to their distinctive photophysical and physicochemical characteristics, good compatibility, and ease of functionalization, CPNs are gaining popularity and being used in more and more cutting-edge biomedical sectors. Common synthetic techniques can be used to synthesize CPNs with adjustable particle size and dispersion. More importantly, the recent development of CPNs for sensing and imaging applications has rendered them as a promising device for use in healthcare. This review provides a synopsis of the preparation and functionalization of CPNs and summarizes the recent advancements of CPNs for biomedical applications. In particular, we discuss their major role in bioimaging, therapeutics, fluorescence, and electrochemical sensing. As a conclusion, we highlight the challenges and future perspectives of biomedical applications of CPNs.

Albumin-based nanoparticle for dual-modality imaging of the lymphatic system

The lymphatic system is a complex network of lymphatic vessels, lymph nodes, and lymphoid organs. The current understanding of the basic mechanism and framework of the lymphatic system is relatively limited and not ideal for exploring the function of the lymphatic system, diagnosing lymphatic system diseases, and controlling tumor metastasis. Imaging modalities for evaluating lymphatic system diseases mainly include lymphatic angiography, reactive dye lymphatic angiography, radionuclide lymphatic angiography, computed tomography, and ultrasonography. However, these are insufficient for clinical diagnosis. Some novel imaging methods, such as magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission computed tomography, single-photon emission computed tomography, contrast-enhanced ultrasonography, and near-infrared imaging with agents such as cyanine dyes, can reveal lymphatic system information more accurately and in detail. We fabricated an albumin-based fluorescent probe for dual-modality imaging of the lymphatic system. A near-infrared cyanine dye, IR-780, was absorbed into bovine serum albumin (BSA), which was covalently linked to a molecule of diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid to chelate gadolinium Gd3+. The fabricated IR-780@BSA@Gd3+ nanocomposite demonstrates strong fluorescence and high near-infrared absorption and can be used as a T1 contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging. In vivo dual-modality fluorescence and magnetic resonance imaging showed that IR-780@BSA@Gd3+ rapidly returned to the heart through the lymphatic circulation after it was injected into the toe webs of mice, facilitating good lymphatic imaging. The successful fabrication of the new IR-780@BSA@Gd3+ nanocomposite will facilitate the study of the mechanism and morphological structure of the lymphatic system.

Fluorescence probes for lung carcinoma diagnosis and clinical application

This review provides an overview of the most recent developments in fluorescence probe technology for the accurate detection and clinical therapy of lung carcinoma.

Near-infrared-II thermally activated delayed fluorescence organic light-emitting diodes

The first thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) emitter and organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) in the near-infrared (NIR) II region (λ_EL,max = 1010 nm) were realized via intermolecular charge-transfer aggregates. This work provides a promising strategy for achieving TADF in the NIR-II region.