Article
Polymer Science
Reza Pashaei-Sarnaghi, Faezeh Najafi, Ameneh Taghavi-Kahagh, Mehdi Salami-Kalajahi, Hossein Roghani-Mamaqani
Summary: In this study, poly(amidoamine) dendrimer with ethylenediamine core up to the fourth generation was synthesized and conjugated to different amounts of 7-(carboxymethoxy)-4-methylcoumarin. Under UV light irradiation, the crosslinked dendrimer-coumarin samples showed smaller particle sizes compared to non-crosslinked samples, with release behavior being influenced by increasing coumarin moieties.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ewa Oledzka, Klaudia Pasnik, Izabela Domanska, Monika Zielinska-Pisklak, Urszula Piotrowska, Marcin Sobczak, Lukasz Szeleszczuk, Anna Laskowska
Summary: This study focuses on the encapsulation of camptothecin (CPT) in the poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimer macromolecule to overcome its hydrophobicity, toxicity, and instability. The synthesized PAMAM dendrimer/CPT complex exhibited slow and controlled drug release, good hemocompatibility, and selective cytotoxicity against non-small-cell lung cancer cells. Molecular modeling studies showed that lactone form of CPT was more favorable for complex formation.
Article
Polymer Science
Sharareh Zeynalzadeh, Elham Dehghani, Ayla Hassani, Ali Baradar Khoshfetrat, Mehdi Salami-Kalajahi
Summary: The goal of this study was to synthesize and evaluate the structural and anti-cancer properties of the poly(amidoamine)-curcumin dendrimer complex. The results showed that the modified curcumin was effectively released and exhibited better inhibitory effect on tumor cell growth. This suggests the potential of the poly(amidoamine) dendrimer derivative for cancer treatments.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tanja Thomsen, Ahmed B. Ayoub, Demetri Psaltis, Harm-Anton Klok
Summary: Cells are considered attractive carriers for nanoparticulate cargo, allowing enhanced control over drug-loaded polymers. Monitoring surface modification or internalization of nanoparticles by cells using fluorescence-based techniques poses risks and drawbacks. Covalently tethered fluorescent dyes provide a robust approach for monitoring cell surface conjugation reactions and analyzing nanoparticle-decorated cells, while optical diffraction tomography is suggested as an alternative technique for characterization without the need for fluorescent labels.
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Lei Liu, Xin Du
Summary: A label-free PEI-g-C3N4 gene nanocarrier has been developed for traceable intracellular performance via Raman and fluorescence. It shows cytotoxicity towards cancer cells and good biocompatibility in normal human cells. Raman traces have higher specificity and can avoid background noises, potentially replacing fluorescence tracing methods.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY B
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jing Liu, Shilong Zhong, Lingling Zhang, Mengwen Yi, Xiangjun Liu, Tao Bing, Nan Zhang, Dihua Shangguan
Summary: NST is a blue light activated anti-cancer prodrug that shows minimal cytotoxicity in the dark but exhibits high cytotoxicity through photocleavage upon irradiation.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Marzieh Golshan, Behnam Gheitarani, Mehdi Salami-Kalajahi, Mahdi Salami Hosseini
Summary: In this study, the synthesis and characterization of fluorescence hybrid poly(amidoamine) dendrimer (PAMAM) dendrimers using calcozine red 6G and coumarin end groups were investigated. The structure of the synthesized dendrimers was characterized using various analytical techniques, and their optical properties were demonstrated. The results showed that the hybrid dendrimers were transparent in the NIR range and exhibited the maximum quantum yield in ethanol.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yunqi Guo, Mingwu Shen, Xiangyang Shi
Summary: The design of intelligent hybrid nanoparticles combining diagnosis and therapy components is crucial in nanomedicine. PAMAM dendrimers and CDs, due to their unique advantages, can be constructed as perfect nanohybrids for various biomedical applications, particularly in cancer nanomedicine.
MACROMOLECULAR BIOSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Tianqi Zhao, Mingwei Zhou, Ronghui Wu, Huaxin Wang, Christos C. Zouboulis, Mingji Zhu, Myongsoo Lee
Summary: In this study, a novel isotretinoin delivery model for the treatment of skin diseases was developed using a self-assembly strategy. The model showed remarkable controlled release and high therapeutic efficacy in acne models with minimal skin irritation. It is a safe and effective formulation for treating patients with skin disorders.
JOURNAL OF NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Tetsuyuki Takemoto, Zichen Huang, Ken Abamba Omwange, Yoshito Saito, Keiji Konagaya, Tetsuhito Suzuki, Yuichi Ogawa, Naoshi Kondo
Summary: In the food supply chain, vegetable traceability is important, but traditional methods face challenges when tracing single vegetables like green peppers. Through research, it was discovered that fluorescence images of green peppers display a unique texture on the surface, allowing for the identification of individual peppers. A proposed method combines images from the greenhouse and postharvest stage under UV light to achieve traceability for single green peppers. Experimental results showed a success rate of 81.3% in tracking individual peppers using this method, and performance could be affected by storage time and pepper length.
COMPUTERS AND ELECTRONICS IN AGRICULTURE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jia-Si Wu, Jia-Xian Li, Na Shu, Qi-Jia Duan, Qi-Song Tong, Jing-Yang Zhang, Yong-Cong Huang, Si-Yu Yang, Zhi-Bin Zhao, Jin-Zhi Du
Summary: The study developed a novel polymer capable of polarizing TAMs into M1 phenotype, which efficiently loaded TLR7/8 agonist to remodel the tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment, enhancing the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy.
Review
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Balamurugan Devadas, Arun Prakash Periasamy, Karel Bouzek
Summary: This review focuses on the development of poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimer encapsulated metal nanoparticles (NPs), known as Dend-NPs, as catalysts in electro-chemical energy conversion and storage. Different strategies to improve energy production efficiency and performance retention in electrochemical systems are emphasized, with a summary of the catalytic actions of Dend-NPs in various electrochemical reactions. Discussions include the synthesis of metal NPs within dendrimers, difficulties, solutions, and the classification of PAMAM dendrimers for potential use in energy technologies.
COORDINATION CHEMISTRY REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Biophysics
Xiaowei Yang, Zhihui Kuang, Xinmin Yang, Xin Hu, Peng Luo, Qi Lai, Bin Zhang, Xiaoyong Zhang, Yen Wei
Summary: Osteoporosis is an age-related metabolic disease that causes bone pain and fragility fractures. This study developed a novel method to conjugate curcumin with poly(amidoamine) dendrimers using hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene as a linker, forming stable and uniform curcumin-loaded nanospheres. The nanoparticles showed excellent water dispersity and pH-responsive drug release, and demonstrated dual effects of inhibiting osteoclasts and promoting osteoblasts for the treatment of osteoporosis.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES B-BIOINTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Yingchao Hao, Yue Gao, Yu Fan, Changchang Zhang, Mengsi Zhan, Xueyan Cao, Xiangyang Shi, Rui Guo
Summary: In this study, a PEG-PBA-modified nanocarrier was synthesized to encapsulate a hypoxia-sensitive drug for hypoxia-enhanced chemo/chemodynamic therapy. The nanoplatform showed good stability and targeted delivery to tumor cells, effectively inhibiting tumor growth and metastasis while causing no systemic toxicity.
JOURNAL OF NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Marisa Thompson, Carmen Scholz
Summary: Poly(amino acid)s, built from natural amino acids, are biocompatible, biodegradable, and metabolizable, making them promising for biomedical applications. Highly branched polymers, such as dendrimers, have been studied for gene and drug delivery, with potential applications in antiviral compounds and nucleic acid delivery systems. However, despite over 40 years of research, they have not yet been widely adopted in clinical settings.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tianfu Zhang, Xiaoyu Chen, Congmin Yuan, Xiaobin Pang, Ping Shangguan, Yisheng Liu, Lulu Han, Jianwei Sun, Jacky W. Y. Lam, Yang Liu, Jiefei Wang, Bingyang Shi, Ben Zhong Tang
Summary: The researchers designed a near-infrared aggregation-induced emission probe, DNTPH, using a balanced hydrophobicity-hydrophilicity strategy, which selectively binds to A beta fibrils. DNTPH showed excellent blood-brain barrier permeability and long-term tracking ability, making it suitable for high-performance Alzheimer's disease diagnosis. Furthermore, DNTPH exhibited a strong inhibitory effect on A beta fibrosis and promoted fibril disassembly, thereby reducing A beta-induced neurotoxicity. DNTPH treatment significantly reduced A beta plaques and improved learning deficits in AD mice.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Fawad Ur Rehman, Yang Liu, Meng Zheng, Bingyang Shi
Summary: Exosome application is a promising nanotechnology discipline for disease therapy and diagnosis. Due to their natural properties, such as efficient drug delivery and blood-brain barrier traversing ability, exosomes have gained attention in clinical translation for brain diseases treatment.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jialin Yu, Ke Wang, Shibo Shao, Wei Li, Shangfeng Du, Xianfeng Chen, Cong Chao, Xianfeng Fan
Summary: This paper systematically studied the influence of ionic radius, valence state, surface concentration, and basicity of dopants on the catalytic performance of La2O3 in transesterification of glycerol and dimethyl carbonate. It was found that the ionic radius and valence state of the dopants are the determining factors, while the basic site density is not crucial. Among alkali and alkaline earth metals, 25 mol% Na/La2O3 catalyst achieved the highest glycerol conversion (85%) and glycerol carbonate yield (60%). A plausible mechanism of glycerol and dimethyl carbonate transesterification on Na/La2O3 catalyst has been proposed. This research could help understand the promotional role of alkali metals and alkaline earth metals and guide future design of metal oxide catalysts.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xinrui Gui, Shuang Feng, Zilong Li, Yanyan Li, Bernd Reif, Bingyang Shi, Zheng Niu
Summary: In this study, it was found that soluble amyloid-β oligomers (AllOs) can undergo liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) to form liquid-like droplets in vitro. The conformation of AllOs was determined to be α-helix in a membrane-mimicking environment of SDS. The droplet formation of AllOs was promoted by strong hydrated anions and weak hydrated cations, suggesting the role of hydrophobic interactions in mediating phase separation of AllOs.
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Matineh Ghomi, Ehsan Nazarzadeh Zare, Hadis Alidadi, Nahid Pourreza, Azarmidokht Sheini, Navid Rabiee, Virgilio Mattoli, Xianfeng Chen, Pooyan Makvandi
Summary: Bio-responsive nanocomposites with facile fabrication and rational design are utilized for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer in this study. A traceable and bioresponsive fluorescent active nanogel composite, integrating creatinine-functionalized carbon dots (QD) and lecithin-inulin nanogel, was fabricated for targeted therapy of HER2-positive breast cancer. The nanogel composite exhibited effective cellular uptake, boosted reactive oxygen species production, and regulated expression of apoptosis-related genes. It also enhanced the cellular uptake of herceptin, inhibited cancer cell proliferation, and reduced tumor growth in vivo. This herceptin-adorned PEGylated lecithin-inulin nanogel composite holds potential as a theranostic candidate for HER-2-positive breast cancer.
ADVANCED COMPOSITES AND HYBRID MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sean S. Keating, Adekunle T. Bademosi, Rebecca San Gil, Adam K. Walker
Summary: Aggregation of TDP-43 is the hallmark of neurodegenerative diseases, involving depletion, mislocalisation, and post-translational modification of normal nuclear TDP-43. Oxidative stress triggers liquid-liquid phase separation of TDP-43, while RNA-binding deficiency and acetylation mimicry lead to sequestration of normal nuclear TDP-43 into dynamic anisosomes. Nuclear or cytoplasmic aggregation-prone TDP-43 mutants form phosphorylated inclusions that immobilize and insolubilize endogenous TDP-43, indicating pathological transition. Overall, these findings highlight the importance of RNA-binding deficiency and post-translational modifications in driving TDP-43 aggregation and dysfunction in neurodegenerative diseases.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Jennilee M. Davidson, Sharlynn S. L. Wu, Stephanie L. Rayner, Flora Cheng, Kimberley Duncan, Carlo Russo, Michelle Newbery, Kunjie Ding, Natalie M. Scherer, Rachelle Balez, Alberto Garcia-Redondo, Alberto Rabano, Livia Rosa-Fernandes, Lezanne Ooi, Kelly L. Williams, Marco Morsch, Ian P. Blair, Antonio Di Ieva, Shu Yang, Roger S. Chung, Albert Lee
Summary: This study reveals the role of cyclin F in regulating substrate solubility and its contribution to the pathogenesis of ALS and FTD. The ALS and FTD-associated protein p62 is identified as a substrate of cyclin F, and its aggregation is promoted by cyclin F expression. Mutations in cyclin F result in dysregulated p62 solubility and formation of p62 foci, which are associated with ALS and FTD pathogenesis.
MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wei Luan, Amanda L. L. Wright, Heledd Brown-Wright, Sheng Le, Rebecca San Gil, Lidia Madrid San Martin, Karen Ling, Paymaan Jafar-Nejad, Frank Rigo, Adam K. K. Walker
Summary: TDP-43 pathology is a major characteristic of ALS and FTD. Activation of cell stress pathways may contribute to the dysfunction of TDP-43. In a transgenic mouse model, several integrated stress response effectors were upregulated before disease onset, followed by pro-apoptotic signaling after the onset of motor phenotypes. Suppression of Chop had no effect on TDP-43 pathology or disease phenotypes. Precise temporal modulation of cell stress and death pathways may protect against neurodegeneration in ALS and FTD.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Weiwei Lin, Rui Niu, Seong-Min Park, Yan Zou, Sung Soo Kim, Xue Xia, Songge Xing, Qingshan Yang, Xinhong Sun, Zheng Yuan, Shuchang Zhou, Dongya Zhang, Hyung Joon Kwon, Saewhan Park, Chan Il Kim, Harim Koo, Yang Liu, Haigang Wu, Meng Zheng, Heon Yoo, Bingyang Shi, Jong Bae Park, Jinlong Yin
Summary: The IGFBP5-ROR1/HER2-CREB signaling axis is a potential therapeutic target for glioblastoma (GBM) to inhibit the invasion capacity and gene expression of GBM stem-like cells (GSCs) and suppress tumor growth.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Gongyuan Liu, Yachao Zhang, Houzong Yao, Zhiqin Deng, Shu Chen, Yue Wang, Wang Peng, Guohan Sun, Man-Kit Tse, Xianfeng Chen, Jianbo Yue, Yung-Kang Peng, Lidai Wang, Guangyu Zhu
Summary: In this work, cyaninplatin, a Pt(IV) anticancer prodrug, is introduced, which can be activated by ultrasound. The sono-activation of cyaninplatin leads to strengthened mitochondrial DNA damage and cell killing efficiency, along with overcoming drug resistance. This study demonstrates the practical utility of ultrasound in activating Pt(IV) anticancer prodrugs for the eradication of deep tumor lesions.
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Allana Lewis, Fraz Saeed Butt, Xiuming Wei, Nurul A. Mazlan, Zheng Chen, Yaohao Yang, Shuiqing Yang, Norbert Radacsi, Xianfeng Chen, Yi Huang
Summary: The water-organic cosolvent system allows for the fabrication of ZIF with lower chemical consumption and interesting nanostructures and surface properties. Different cosolvents have varying impacts on ZIF nucleation, crystallization, phase transformation, and morphological evolution. A mechanism for ZIF growth in various solvents was proposed, providing important insights for aqueous-based fabrications and the synthesis and structure control/modifications of ZIFs & their composite materials.
RESULTS IN ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Natalie Grima, Sidong Liu, Dean Southwood, Lyndal Henden, Andrew Smith, Albert Lee, Dominic B. Rowe, Susan D'Silva, Ian P. Blair, Kelly L. Williams
Summary: Peripheral blood RNA-seq can identify diagnostic biomarkers in ALS patients and distinguish molecular subtypes, but its prognostic value needs further investigation.
NEUROPATHOLOGY AND APPLIED NEUROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yan Zou, Yajing Sun, Yibin Wang, Dongya Zhang, Huiqing Yang, Xin Wang, Meng Zheng, Bingyang Shi
Summary: Researchers have developed a novel nanomedicine that combines cancer cell-mitochondria hybrid membrane with Gboxin-loaded nanoparticles. This nanomedicine shows promising anti-tumor responses in glioblastoma models, with improved blood circulation, tumor accumulation, and targeting capabilities.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Yuxiang Xue, Xinyao Ma, Xue Feng, Sam Roberts, Guangyu Zhu, Yi Huang, Xianfeng Fan, Jun Fan, Xianfeng Chen
Summary: Gold nanostructures, especially gold nanobipyramids, have gained significant attention due to their unique physical and optical properties. However, synthesizing and purifying homogeneous gold nanobipyramids is a challenging task.
ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Jenny H. Lee, Zizhen Ming, Veronica K. Y. Cheung, Bernadette Pedersen, James J. Wykes, Carsten E. Palme, Jonathan J. Clark, Ruta Gupta, Helen Rizos
Summary: The identification and therapeutic targeting of actionable gene mutations in cancer treatment has shown improved response rates in some patients. However, this identification alone is often not enough to ensure long-lasting responses. This study explores the use of functional data in an ex vivo cancer explant model to guide treatment selection and presents a case study demonstrating the accuracy of this approach. The results highlight the potential of functional models in supporting genomic data and guiding treatment decisions in rare cancers.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER
(2023)
