OBJECTIVE: Cancer remains a significant global health challenge, necessitating the development of effective treatment approaches. Developing synergistic therapy can provide a highly promising strategy for anti-cancer treatment through combining the benefits of various mechanisms. METHODS: In this study, we developed a synergistic strategy for chemo-photothermal therapy by constructing nanocomposites using gold nanorods (GNRs) and tetrahedral framework nucleic acids (tFNA) loaded with the anti-tumor drug doxorubicin (DOX). RESULTS: Our in vitro studies have systematically clarified the anti-cancer behaviors of tFNA-DOX@GNR nanocomposites, characterized by their enhanced cellular uptake and proficient lysosomal escape capabilities. It was found that the key role of tFNA-DOX@GNR nanocomposites in tumor ablation is primarily due to their capacity to induce cytotoxicity in tumor cells via a photothermal effect, which generates instantaneous high temperatures. This mechanism introduces various responses in tumor cells, facilitated by the thermal effect and the integrated chemotherapeutic action of DOX. These reactions include the induction of endoplasmic reticulum stress, characterized by elevated reactive oxygen species levels, the promotion of apoptotic cell death, and the suppression of tumor cell proliferation. CONCLUSION This work exhibits the potential of synergistic therapy utilizing nanocomposites for cancer treatment and offers a promising avenue for future therapeutic strategies.
Doxorubicin/chemistry* ; Gold/chemistry* ; Nanotubes/chemistry* ; Humans ; Nanocomposites/chemistry* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Nucleic Acids/chemistry* ; Antibiotics, Antineoplastic/pharmacology* ; Antineoplastic Agents/administration & dosage*

Tooth decay is prevalent, and secondary caries causes restoration failures, both of which are related to demineralization. There is an urgent need to develop new therapeutic materials with remineralization functions. This article represents the first review on the cutting edge research of poly(amido amine) (PAMAM) in combination with nanoparticles of amorphous calcium phosphate (NACP). PAMAM was excellent nucleation template, and could absorb calcium (Ca) and phosphate (P) ions via its functional groups to activate remineralization. NACP composite and adhesive showed acid-neutralization and Ca and P ion release capabilities. PAMAM+NACP together showed synergistic effects and produced triple benefits: excellent nucleation templates, superior acid-neutralization, and ions release. Therefore, the PAMAM+NACP strategy possessed much greater remineralization capacity than using PAMAM or NACP alone. PAMAM+NACP achieved dentin remineralization even in an acidic solution without any initial Ca and P ions. Besides, the long-term remineralization capability of PAMAM+NACP was established. After prolonged fluid challenge, the immersed PAMAM with the recharged NACP still induced effective dentin mineral regeneration. Furthermore, the hardness of pre-demineralized dentin was increased back to that of healthy dentin, indicating a complete remineralization. Therefore, the novel PAMAM+NACP approach is promising to provide long-term therapeutic effects including tooth remineralization, hardness increase, and caries-inhibition capabilities.
Amines ; pharmacology ; Calcium ; Calcium Phosphates ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Dentin ; chemistry ; Humans ; Nanocomposites ; chemistry ; Nanoparticles ; Tooth Remineralization ; methods

OBJECTIVETo explore biomimetic mineralization of polyelectrolyte multilayer films (PEM) of gene-loaded lipopolysaccharide-amine nanopolymersomes/hyaluronic acid self assembled on titanium surface.

METHODSVia lay-by-layer self assembly technology, PEM were constructed on titanium or quartz surface using bone morphogenetic protein-2(BMP-2) plasmid-loaded lipopolysaccharide-amine nanopolymersomes(pLNP) as a polycation, and hyaluronic acid(HA) as a polyanion. The constructed PEM were defined as substrate-pLNP-(HA-pLNP)n, where a successive deposition of HA and pLNP on substrate surface was defined as one assembly cycle, and n was the cycle number. Biomimetic mineralization on surfaces of Ti-pLNP-(HA-pLNP)4(Group A, with outermost layer of pLNP), Ti-pLNP-(HA-pLNP)4.5(Group B, with outermost layer of HA), blank control(polished titanium, Ti) and alkaline-heat treated titanium(Ti-OH) were investigated. The biomimetic mineralization was analyzed by observing the topography under field-emisssion electron microscopy(FE-SEM), characterizing the surface chemical structure and components via X-ray diffractometer(XRD) and X-ray energy disperse spectroscopy(EDS).

RESULTSFor experiment groups, XRD analysis showed that the diffraction peak of hydroxyapatite appeared, and its intensity was higher than that for Ti group. FE-SEM images showed that its surface was homogeneously covered by discrete agglomerate of big particles. EDS spectra showed that the percentage of Ca and P were 77.24% and 64.23%, and these were much higher than those in Ti group.

CONCLUSIONSThe surface of Ti-pLNP-(HA-pLNP)n is favorable for in vitro biomimetic mineralization.

Amines ; chemistry ; Biomimetic Materials ; chemistry ; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 ; Durapatite ; chemistry ; Hyaluronic Acid ; chemistry ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Nanocomposites ; chemistry ; Plasmids ; Surface Properties ; Titanium ; chemistry

For effective inhalable dry-powder drug delivery, tetrandrine-PLGA (polylactic-co-glycolic acid) nanocomposite particles have been developed to overcome the disadvantages of nanoparticles and microparticles. The primary nanoparticles were prepared by using premix membrane emulsification method. To prepare second particles, they were spray dried. The final particles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dry laser particle size analysis, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), infrared analysis (IR) and confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM). The average size of the primary particles was (337.5 ± 6.2) nm, while that second particles was (3.675 ± 0.16) μm which can be decomposed into primary nanoparticles in water. And the second particles were solid sphere-like with the drug dispersed as armorphous form in them. It is a reference for components delivery to lung in a new form.
Administration, Inhalation ; Benzylisoquinolines ; chemistry ; Calorimetry, Differential Scanning ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Dry Powder Inhalers ; Lactic Acid ; chemistry ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Nanocomposites ; chemistry ; Nanoparticles ; chemistry ; Particle Size ; Pharmaceutical Preparations ; Polyglycolic Acid ; chemistry ; X-Ray Diffraction

This paper provides a brief overview of the current research activities which focused on the bio-application of gold magnetic nanocomposite particles. By combining the magnetic characteristics of the iron oxide core with the unique features of nano-gold particles such as targeting by surface modification and optical properties, such composite nanoparticles have a wide range of applications in cancer hyperthermia, CT and MRI imaging, bio-separation, bio sensors, gene diagnosis, drug targeting and many other biomedical fields.
Diagnostic Imaging ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Ferric Compounds ; chemistry ; Gold ; chemistry ; Humans ; Magnetics ; Nanocomposites ; chemistry ; Nanoparticles ; chemistry ; Neoplasms

Bacterial infection after implantation of bone tissue engineering scaffolds is still a serious clinical problem. Ag-nano-hydroxyapatite/polyamide66 (Ag-nHA/PA66) antibacterial composite scaffold were prepared with phase-inversion method in this study. The scaffolds were mineralized in saturated calcium phosphate solution at 37 degrees C for 1 day. The microstructure and the newly formed nano-apatite deposition on the scaffolds before and after mineralization were observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In order to investigate the release behaviors of Ag+, the Ag-nHA/PA66 scaffolds were immersed into 5 ml PBS at 37 degrees C for a different period between 3 h and 168 h before and after mineralization. Then the samples were cultured with E. coli (8099) to test the antibacterial effect of the scaffolds. The results showed that, after mineralization, Ag-nHA/PA66 porous scaffolds still possessed a good inter-connection and a new apatite layer was formed on the surface of the scaffolds. The average macropore size was 626.61 +/- 141.94 microm, the porosity was 76.89 +/- 8.21% and the compressive strength was 2.94 +/- 1.12 MPa. All these physical parameters had no significant difference from those of the un-mineralized scaffolds. The Ag+ release of the scaffolds with and without mineralization was fast within 1 day and then kept slow and stable after 1 day. The antibacterial test confirmed that after mineralization the scaffolds had good antibacterial effects on E. coli.
Biocompatible Materials ; Bone Substitutes ; chemistry ; Durapatite ; chemistry ; Nanocomposites ; chemistry ; Nylons ; chemistry ; Porosity ; Silver ; chemistry ; Surface Properties ; Tissue Engineering ; methods ; Tissue Scaffolds ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo examine the changes of the mechanical properties of 7 different light-cured composite resins after thermal cycling and the correlations between these properties.

METHODSSeven different light-cured composite resins, including 2 microfilled composites (A110:AH and ESTELITE :ET), 3 microhybrid composites (AELITE:AT, Z250:ZS, and CharmFil plus:CP), and 2 nanohybrid composites (Z350:ZH and Grandio:GD), were prepared into test specimens with a diameter of 12 mm and a thickness of 1.0 mm. The specimens were stored in distilled water at 37 degrees celsius; for 24 h prior to 1 000 thermal cycles of 5 degrees celsius; for 15 s and 55 degrees celsius; for 15 s. The biaxial flexural strength (δ(f)) was tested using the ball-on-three-ball method at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min (ISO4049). The fracture surface was observed under scanning electron microscope (SEM), and the remaining specimens underwent Knoop hardness test with a 50-g loading for 10 s.

RESULTSThe highest and lowest Weibull modulus was observed in AH (18.752) and AT (5.290) group, respectively. The highest and lowest biaxial flexural strength was observed in ZS (158.2 MPa) and ET (54.0 MPa) groups, respectively. The δ(f) of the tested materials decreased in the order of microhybrid composite, nanohybrid composite, and microfiller composite, and the δ(f) showed no significant difference between the composites with a similar filler (P>0.05). The fracture number was positively correlated to the strength of the material. The Knoop hardness numbers (H) was the highest in GD group (110.81∓14.77 kg/mm(2)) and the lowest in AH group (42.81∓1.91 kg/mm(2)). SEM showed that the interface region of the matrix and the filler was vulnerable to crack formation.

CONCLUSIONThe nanohybrid composite resins better suit clinical applications than microhybrid composites. The applicability of Knoop hardness test in hardness measurement of the composite resins needs to be further demonstrated.

Composite Resins ; chemistry ; Materials Testing ; Nanocomposites ; Nanoparticles ; Stress, Mechanical ; Temperature ; Tensile Strength

A novel Cu-IUDs material, PU/PEG/Cu nanocomposite, was prepared by melt blending method with thermoplastic polyurethane (PU) as the matrix, with polyethylene glycol (PEG) as a hydrophilic modifier, and with nanometer particles of copper as active matter instead of copper wire or copper tube. The structure, morphology, mechanical properties, thermal stability and water absorption were investigated by using FT-IR, XRD, SEM and so on. The results indicated that the nanometer particles of copper were uniformly dispersed in the matrix in PU/PEG/ Cu nanocomposites. It can be seen that the water absorption ability of this nanocomposite was obviously improved while mechanical properties and thermal stability were at high levels. These results provided a good basis for the studies on the cupric ions release of the nanocomposites in future.
Biocompatible Materials ; chemistry ; Intrauterine Devices, Copper ; Nanocomposites ; chemistry ; Polyethylene Glycols ; chemistry ; Polyurethanes ; chemistry

Through Hydroxyl (-OH) reacting with isocyanate group (-NCO), 13 Wt% nano-hydroxyapatite (n-HA)/polyurethane (PU) composite guided bone regeneration membrane was synthesized by use of solvent evaporation method. Its surface character was analyzed by XRD, IR, TG, contact angle, water absorption, elongation and combustion test and SEM. The results indicate that nano-HA/PU has good homogeneity,the interface between the inorganic mineral and organic polymer is optimized to create proper combination; that n-HA crystals are similar to the apatite crystals in natural bone, HA/PU composite membrane has good hydrophilicity mechanical behavior; and that many pores are observed on the membrane which help cells' metabolism. So the HA/PU composite membrane, thus prepared, has the potential for use in guided bone regeneration and tissue engineering.
Biocompatible Materials ; chemistry ; Bone Regeneration ; Durapatite ; chemistry ; Guided Tissue Regeneration ; methods ; Nanocomposites ; chemistry ; Polyurethanes ; chemistry ; Tissue Engineering ; methods ; Tissue Scaffolds ; chemistry

Hydroxyapatite (HA) is one of ideal materials for bone substitutions due to its intrinsic biocompatibility. However, its relatively poor mechanical properties such as brittleness and low strength have hindered its use in high-load applications. Biotic bones themselves are nanocomposites mainly composed of nanohydroxyapatite (n-HA) and collagen. From biomimetic point of view, nanocomposites of HA could potentially improve both biocompatibility and mechanical properties of bone grafting materials. Recent progress in this field branched into nanocomposites of HA with nonbiodegradable and biodegradable polymers, the latter including collagen, gelatin, chitosan, polylactides as well as polyanhydrides. In this paper, the preparation, biological reactions and mechanical properties of different nanocomposites are reviewed in detail.
Biocompatible Materials ; chemistry ; Bone Substitutes ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; Durapatite ; chemistry ; Humans ; Nanocomposites ; chemistry ; Nanoparticles ; chemistry ; Particle Size