This feature article introduces the strategies on the design of highly efficient nanoparticle (NP) catalytic systems in ionic liquids (ILs). The employment of functional ILs as the media for NP preparation and catalysis could prove advantageous in terms of enhancing both NP stability and catalytic activity. Hydroxyl group functionalized ILs, in particular, exhibited a remarkable promotion effec...

This work presents the construction and optimization of nanoparticles-modified optical fiber tip (NPs-MOFT) devices for remote sensing by surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). Silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) were self-assembled on optical fiber tips through a "layer-by-layer" procedure. It is shown that the SERS performance is at optimum when 5 "layers" of 50 nm Ag-NPs were deposited on the o...

Glycyrrhetic acid (GA)-modified pullulan nanoparticles (GAP NPs) were synthesized as a novel carrier of curcumin (CUR) with a degree of substitution (DS) of GA moieties within the range of 1.2-6.2 groups per hundred glucose units. In the present study, we investigated the physicochemical characteristics, release behavior, in vitro cytotoxicity and cellular uptake of the particles. Self-assemble...

In this article, it is shown that the efficiency of an electrochemical aptasensing device is influenced by the use of different nanoparticles (NPs) such as gold nanoparticles (Au), silver nanoparticles (Ag), hollow gold nanospheres (HGN), hollow silver nanospheres (HSN), silver–gold core shell (Ag@Au), gold–silver core shell (Au@Ag), and silver–gold alloy nanoparticles (Ag/Au). Among these nano...

is most important because NPs should not be cleared from the body before its interaction with tumor tissue. To achieve favorable blood circulation times and cancer cell targeting, various NP sizes, shapes and surfaces have been studied [1720]. For example, gold NPs (GNPs) whose surface was modified with folic acid was found to target cancer cells versus healthy cells as it was found to deliver ...

Well-distributed Ru nanoparticles (Ru-NPs) were produced over Al(2)O(3) supports modified with covalently anchored imidazolium ionic liquids (ILs) containing different anions and cation lateral alkyl chain lengths by simple sputtering from a Ru foil. These Ru-NPs were active catalysts for the hydrogenation of benzene. Furthermore, depending on the nature of the IL used to modify the support (hy...

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common malignant tumor of the liver. The early and effective diagnosis has always been desired. Herein, we present the preparation and characterization of hyaluronic acid (HA)-modified, multifunctional nanoparticles (NPs) targeting CD44 receptor-expressing cancer cells for computed tomography (CT)/magnetic resonance (MR) dual-mode imaging. We first mod...

PURPOSE Azithromycin (AZI) is a new macrolide antibiotic with a better activity against intracellular gram negative bacteria in comparison with Erythromycin. The purpose of this research was to prepare AZI nanoparticles (NPs) using PLGA polymer and to compare the effectiveness of prepared nanoparticles with untreated AZI solution. METHODS AZI NPs were prepared by Modified Quasi-Emulsion Solve...

A novel fluorescent resonant energy transfer (FRET) biosensor was fabricated for the detection of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA using poly(ethylenimine) (PEI) modified upconversion nanoparticles (NH2-UCNPs) as energy donor and gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) as acceptor. The PEI modified upconversion nanoparticles were prepared directly with a simple one-pot hydrothermal method, which provides high q...

The fast-paced development of nanotechnology needs the support of effective safety testing. We have developed a screening platform measuring simultaneously several cellular parameters for exposure to various concentrations of nanoparticles (NPs). Cell lines representative of different organ cell types, including lung, endothelium, liver, kidney, macrophages, glia, and neuronal cells were expose...