Tunable high-quality-factor absorption in a graphene monolayer based on quasi-bound states in the continuum

• Jun Wu,
• Yasong Sun,
• Feng Wu,
• Biyuan Wu and
• Xiaohu Wu

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2022, 13, 675–681, doi:10.3762/bjnano.13.59

• stealth, infrared detectors, thermophotovoltaic cells, and thermal emitters. According to their spectral bandwidths, the absorbers can be classified as broad-band absorbers and narrow-band absorbers [1][2][3][4]. In general, broad-band absorbers [5][6][7][8] are used for electromagnetic cloaking and solar

A superconducting adiabatic neuron in a quantum regime

• Marina V. Bastrakova,
• Dmitrii S. Pashin,
• Dmitriy A. Rybin,
• Andrey E. Schegolev,
• Nikolay V. Klenov,
• Igor I. Soloviev,
• Anastasiya A. Gorchavkina and
• Arkady M. Satanin

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2022, 13, 653–665, doi:10.3762/bjnano.13.57

• superconducting logic cells with magnetic representation of information [43][45][51]. Fortunately, there are already such elements based on an inductively shunted two-contact interferometer with the ability to adjust parameters. However, their behavior in the quantum mode requires an additional study. Funding The

Antibacterial activity of a berberine nanoformulation

• Hue Thi Nguyen,
• Tuyet Nhung Pham,
• Anh-Tuan Le,
• Nguyen Thanh Thuy,
• Tran Quang Huy and
• Thuy Thi Thu Nguyen

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2022, 13, 641–652, doi:10.3762/bjnano.13.56

• bacterial cells and severely damaged the cell walls. Therefore, BBR NPs prepared by ASP appear to be a potential candidate for the treatment of bacterial pathogens. Keywords: antibacterial activity; antisolvent precipitation (ASP); berberine nanoparticles (BBR NPs); glycerol; solubility; Introduction

• reactive oxygen species, leading to cell integrity deterioration [43]. Interaction of BBR NPs with bacteria In this study, bacterial strains of MRSA and E. coli O157:H7 were tested with 2 mg/mL of BBR NPs to investigate the interaction between these nanoparticles and bacterial cells. We used ultrathin

• sectioning for TEM observations. We did not find any difference in ultrastructural changes of E.coli O157:H7 cells treated with and without BBR NPs, whereas significant differences were found in MRSA cells after treatment with BBR NPs. This is consistent with results obtained using the disk diffusion method

Effects of substrate stiffness on the viscoelasticity and migration of prostate cancer cells examined by atomic force microscopy

• Xiaoqiong Tang,
• Yan Zhang,
• Jiangbing Mao,
• Yuhua Wang,
• Zhenghong Zhang,
• Zhengchao Wang and
• Hongqin Yang

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2022, 13, 560–569, doi:10.3762/bjnano.13.47

• Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory for Developmental Biology and Neurosciences, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350117, China 10.3762/bjnano.13.47 Abstract The stiffness of the extracellular matrix of tumour cells plays a key role in tumour cell metastasis. However, it is

• unclear how mechanical properties regulate the cellular response to the environmental matrix. In this study, atomic force microscopy (AFM) and laser confocal imaging were used to qualitatively evaluate the relationship between substrate stiffness and migration of prostate cancer (PCa) cells. Cells

• cultured on stiff substrates (35 kPa) undergone several interesting phenomena compared to those on soft substrates (3 kPa). Here, the stimulation generated by the stiff substrates triggered the F-actin skeleton to bundle its filaments, increasing the polarity index of the external contour of PCa cells

Detection and imaging of Hg(II) in vivo using glutathione-functionalized gold nanoparticles

• Gufeng Li,
• Shaoqing Li,
• Rui Wang,
• Min Yang,
• Lizhu Zhang,
• Yanli Zhang,
• Wenrong Yang and
• Hongbin Wang

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2022, 13, 549–559, doi:10.3762/bjnano.13.46

• molecules, which can then be used, for example, to detect metal ions in solution. Herein, we describe 13 nm GNPs functionalized by glutathione (GSH) and conjugated with a rhodamine 6G derivative (Rh6G2), which can be used to detect Hg(II) in cells. The detection of Hg2+ ions is based on an ion-catalyzed

• hydrolysis of the spirolactam ring of Rh6G2, leading to a significant change in the fluorescence of GNPs-GSH-Rh6G2 from an “OFF” to an “ON” state. This strategy is an effective tool to detect Hg2+ ions. In cytotoxicity experiments, GNPs-GSH-Rh6G2 could penetrate living cells and detect mercury ions through

• (–NH2), and carboxyl (–COOH) groups [11][12][13][14]. The surface of GNPs can be easily modified with good stability. Thus, they can penetrate the cell membrane and selectively interact with target biomolecules in cells [15][16][17][18]. So far, a variety of functionalized GNPs, whose properties were

Stimuli-responsive polypeptide nanogels for trypsin inhibition

• Petr Šálek,
• Jana Dvořáková,
• Sviatoslav Hladysh,
• Diana Oleshchuk,
• Ewa Pavlova,
• Jan Kučka and
• Vladimír Proks

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2022, 13, 538–548, doi:10.3762/bjnano.13.45

• and is excreted by the pancreas in an inactive form known as trypsinogen with subsequent activation in the duodenum. However, premature activation of trypsinogen in pancreatic acinar cells causes an inflammatory process in which trypsin induces proteolysis, pancreatic injury, and the onset of

Influence of thickness and morphology of MoS₂ on the performance of counter electrodes in dye-sensitized solar cells

• Lam Thuy Thi Mai,
• Hai Viet Le,
• Ngan Kim Thi Nguyen,
• Van La Tran Pham,
• Thu Anh Thi Nguyen,
• Nguyen Thanh Le Huynh and
• Hoang Thai Nguyen

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2022, 13, 528–537, doi:10.3762/bjnano.13.44

• disulfide (MoS2) was prepared on substrates coated with fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) to substitute the platinum counter electrode (CE) for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Herein, we synthesized layered and honeycomb-like MoS2 thin films via the cyclic voltammetry (CV) route. Thickness and morphology

• : cyclic voltammetry (CV); dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs); electrocatalytic activity; honeycomb-like; molybdenum disulfide (MoS2); thin film; Introduction Since Grätzel’s first report in 1991, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have been the subject of much research due to the easy fabrication process

• and respectable efficiency [1]. This promising third generation of solar cells contains a dye-adsorbed TiO2 photoanode, an iodide/triiodide electrolyte, and a platinum-based cathode, also known as the counter electrode (CE). However, the high cost of platinum has prevented the real-world application of

Ethosomal (−)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate as a novel approach to enhance antioxidant, anti-collagenase and anti-elastase effects

• Çiğdem Yücel,
• Gökçe Şeker Karatoprak,
• Sena Yalçıntaş and
• Tuğba Eren Böncü

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2022, 13, 491–502, doi:10.3762/bjnano.13.41

• thus protect cells from oxidation-induced damage by slowing/inhibiting oxidation. They are of critical importance in maintaining the structural integrity of cells/tissues and ensuring the continuity of their functions, which include the ability to prevent side effects of free radicals [4][5][6

• high amounts of ethanol that can carry both hydrophilic and lipophilic drug molecules. They are also highly deformable and reach deep skin layers [18][19]. ETHs are similar to the lipid bilayer composition of cells in the epidermis, due to the presence of phospholipids in their structure, and thus

• their interaction with skin cells is high. They are unique systems that can be easily shaped by the presence of ethanol in their structures, and their vesicle membranes become very flexible such that they can be transported through pores much smaller than their own diameters [20][21]. In addition, the

Zinc oxide nanostructures for fluorescence and Raman signal enhancement: a review

• Ioana Marica,
• Fran Nekvapil,
• Maria Ștefan,
• Cosmin Farcău and
• Alexandra Falamaș

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2022, 13, 472–490, doi:10.3762/bjnano.13.40

• -sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Au–ZnO plasmonic nanoparticles were studied for DSSCs application and their enhancement capabilities were assigned to the SPR effect [91]. Hence, the ZnO PL is of great interest and its enhancement is also important in order to develop efficient optoelectronic devices

The role of sulfonate groups and hydrogen bonding in the proton conductivity of two coordination networks

• Ali Javed,
• Felix Steinke,
• Stephan Wöhlbrandt,
• Hana Bunzen,
• Norbert Stock and
• Michael Tiemann

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2022, 13, 437–443, doi:10.3762/bjnano.13.36

• these, proton-conducting solid materials show significant potential in the development of novel membranes for proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells, PEM electrolyzers, and for humidity sensors [5][6][7]. The goal is to overcome the restrictions of state-of-the-art proton-conducting membrane

A non-enzymatic electrochemical hydrogen peroxide sensor based on copper oxide nanostructures

• Irena Mihailova,
• Vjaceslavs Gerbreders,
• Marina Krasovska,
• Eriks Sledevskis,
• Valdis Mizers,
• Andrejs Bulanovs and
• Andrejs Ogurcovs

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2022, 13, 424–436, doi:10.3762/bjnano.13.35

• influence of external stimuli and intracellular processes [1][2]. Disruption of the natural regulation process and increasing concentration of H2O2 in the blood can cause severe diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's [3], premature aging of cells [4], death of nerve cells [3][5][6], loss of brain mass

Micro- and nanotechnology in biomedical engineering for cartilage tissue regeneration in osteoarthritis

• Zahra Nabizadeh,
• Mahmoud Nasrollahzadeh,
• Hamed Daemi,
• Mohamadreza Baghaban Eslaminejad,
• Ali Akbar Shabani,
• Mehdi Dadashpour,
• Majid Mirmohammadkhani and
• Davood Nasrabadi

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2022, 13, 363–389, doi:10.3762/bjnano.13.31

• supports deeper layers from shear stresses [5]. The middle or transitional zone constitutes the thickest portion of articular cartilage (40–60%) and has fewer chondrocytes with a more rounded morphology [6]. In this layer, the collagen fibrils are arranged randomly and obliquely and the cells synthesize

• of the joint. However, despite promising results, autologous implantation is limited due to the finite availability of cells, particularly for the elderly, and the possibility of dedifferentiation during the in vitro expansion of biopsy-isolated chondrocytes [17]. These limitations to treat

• differentiation [22]. Using this method, they observed enhanced chondrogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) aggregated in micromass culture systems including microspheres. The use of a microsphere delivery system for controlled release obviates the need for the intermittent addition of

Coordination-assembled myricetin nanoarchitectonics for sustainably scavenging free radicals

• Xiaoyan Ma,
• Haoning Gong,
• Kenji Ogino,
• Xuehai Yan and
• Ruirui Xing

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2022, 13, 284–291, doi:10.3762/bjnano.13.23

• antioxidative reagents is an important strategy to alleviate chronic diseases and maintain the redox balance in cells. Small-molecule bioactive compounds have exhibited huge therapeutic potential as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents. Myricetin (Myr), a well-known natural flavonoid, has drawn wide

• signal pathways and, thus, of sustainably scavenging radicals. However, Myr is poorly soluble in water, which limits its bioavailability for biomedical applications, and even its clinical therapeutic potential. The antioxidant peptide glutathione (GSH) plays a role as antioxidant in cells and possesses

• dynamic light scattering were used to record absorption spectra and size change. Cytotoxicity experiment in vitro The cytotoxicity of the as-prepared MZG nanoparticles was assessed against 3T3 cells. 3T3 cells were cultivated with Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM) containing 10% (v/v) fetal bovine

Photothermal ablation of murine melanomas by Fe₃O₄ nanoparticle clusters

• Xue Wang,
• Lili Xuan and
• Ying Pan

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2022, 13, 255–264, doi:10.3762/bjnano.13.20

• ablated A375 melanoma cells by inducing overt apoptosis. Consistently, in vivo studies using BALB/c mice found that intratumoral administration of Fe3O4 NPCs and concomitant in situ exposure to near-infrared light significantly inhibited the growth of implanted tumor xenografts. Finally, we revealed, by

• properties to absorb and locally convert near-infrared (NIR) light into heat [3]. Nanoscale agents tend to accumulate within tumor sites due to the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect. Also, tumor cells are more sensitive to elevated temperatures than normal cells. Thus, PTT specifically ablates

• tumor cells, while leaving healthy neighbor tissues intact [4][5]. Treatment specificity is further guaranteed by the high transmissivity and low absorption of NIR light when penetrating through biological tissues, making PTT a minimally invasive approach for tumor intervention. One such type of

Engineered titania nanomaterials in advanced clinical applications

• Padmavati Sahare,
• Paulina Govea Alvarez,
• Juan Manual Sanchez Yanez,
• Gabriel Luna-Bárcenas,
• Samik Chakraborty,
• Sujay Paul and
• Miriam Estevez

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2022, 13, 201–218, doi:10.3762/bjnano.13.15

• reported by Rehman [8], who used the photodynamic properties of TiO2 for killing HeLa cancer cells. The hydrophobic nature of photosensitizers commonly used in photodynamic therapy led to selectivity and aggregation issues that jeopardize their effectiveness. Therefore, TiO2 nanoparticles (nps), which

• cells containing TiO2 nps undergo oxidative degeneration upon light irradiation under the influence of generated ROS and, therefore, these nps are considered as a potent photosensitizer in anticancer photodynamic therapy and the photodynamic inactivation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria [15]. TiO2

• found that nps smaller than 100 nm produce more ROS due to their higher surface area [29]. Properties of nps such as surface charge density and zeta potential are influential in determining their reactivity, agglomeration properties, interaction with cells, stability in complex media, and adsorption of

A comprehensive review on electrospun nanohybrid membranes for wastewater treatment

• Senuri Kumarage,
• Imalka Munaweera and
• Nilwala Kottegoda

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2022, 13, 137–159, doi:10.3762/bjnano.13.10

• alone [12]. In addition, ENHs have been utilized in energy applications as well. Zhang et al. developed a graphene oxide (GO)-based nanohybrid Nafion nanofiber as a proton-exchange membrane (PEM) for fuel cells to overcome low proton conductivity, high fuel permeability, and poor stability of

• and require a pressure typically below 1 bar. Particles with dimensions greater than 0.1 μm will be rejected while smaller particles are allowed to permeate through the membrane. MF filters have the potential to filter out suspended particles, major pathogens, large bacteria, proteins, and yeast cells

Bacterial safety study of the production process of hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers

• Axel Steffen,
• Yu Xiong,
• Radostina Georgieva,
• Ulrich Kalus and
• Hans Bäumler

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2022, 13, 114–126, doi:10.3762/bjnano.13.8

• unit (EU) corresponds to 100 pg of E.coli LPS or a bacterial count in the range of 104 cells/mL [18][19]. According to the US and European Pharmacopoeia, the endotoxin limit for intravenous administration of a drug is 5 EU/kg. Taking an example of a hypothetical human body of 70 kg, this leads to a

• permeabilize the cell wall of Gram-negative cells [28][29]. A certain inhibitory effect of EDTA on the growth of Staphylococcus epidermidis could also be shown [30]. Therefore, the aim of this work was to investigate whether the steps of cross-linking with GA or dissolution with EDTA, in addition to the

• bacteria were found in the fraction of the sediment. Influence of glutaraldehyde on bacterial growth E. coli cells cultivated with 0.02% glutaraldehyde at 37 °C showed a significantly reduced growth compared to the control group in normal growth medium (Figure 2A). However, the growth of bacteria was

Tin dioxide nanomaterial-based photocatalysts for nitrogen oxide oxidation: a review

• Viet Van Pham,
• Hong-Huy Tran,
• Thao Kim Truong and
• Thi Minh Cao

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2022, 13, 96–113, doi:10.3762/bjnano.13.7

• warming, and respiratory diseases in humans (Figure 1a). NOx pollution damages lung cells and reacts with molecules in the air when released into the ozone layer. NOx can aggravate respiratory diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, and cardiovascular diseases. When humans are exposed to NO2 at

Theranostic potential of self-luminescent branched polyethyleneimine-coated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles

• Rouhollah Khodadust,
• Ozlem Unal and
• Havva Yagci Acar

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2022, 13, 82–95, doi:10.3762/bjnano.13.6

• factor receptor (EGFR). Pro-apoptotic polyinosinic–polycytidylic acid sodium (PIC) was delivered to HeLa cells with SPION@bPEI and caused a dramatic reduction in the cell viability at otherwise non-toxic nanoparticle concentrations, proving that bPEI coating is still an effective component for the

• -Erb was used for the delivery of a GFP plasmid wherein the transfection was confirmed by the luminescence of the expressed gene within the transfected cells. Poor GFP expression in MCF7, a slightly better expression in HeLa, and a significant enhancement in the transfection of HCT116 cells proved a

• theranostic nanomaterials, PAMAM and PEI were frequently coupled with superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) for drug/gene delivery combined with magnetic resonance imaging [31][32]. Usually, these systems were conjugated with other fluorescent tags for optical detection of nanoparticles in cells

Heating ability of elongated magnetic nanoparticles

• Elizaveta M. Gubanova,
• Nikolai A. Usov and
• Vladimir A. Oleinikov

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2021, 12, 1404–1412, doi:10.3762/bjnano.12.104

• the particles in a sufficiently dense assembly. It is known [54] that dense clusters of magnetic nanoparticles usually spontaneously form in biological cells and intercellular space upon the introduction of nanoparticles into tissue. In this section the SAR of a dilute assembly of oriented clusters of

Alteration of nanomechanical properties of pancreatic cancer cells through anticancer drug treatment revealed by atomic force microscopy

• Xiaoteng Liang,
• Shuai Liu,
• Xiuchao Wang,
• Dan Xia and
• Qiang Li

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2021, 12, 1372–1379, doi:10.3762/bjnano.12.101

• Chemistry of Ministry of Education, And School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, 250100, Shandong, China Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital, Tianjin, 300060, China 10.3762/bjnano.12.101 Abstract The mechanical properties of cells are key to the

• regulation of cell activity, and hence to the health level of organisms. Here, the morphology and mechanical properties of normal pancreatic cells (HDPE6-C7) and pancreatic cancer cells (AsPC-1, MIA PaCa-2, BxPC-3) were studied by atomic force microscopy. In addition, the mechanical properties of MIA PaCa-2

• after treatment with different concentrations of doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) were also investigated. The results show the Young's modulus of normal cells is greater than that of three kinds of cancer cells. The Young's modulus of more aggressive cancer cell AsPC-1 is smaller than that of less

Biocompatibility and cytotoxicity in vitro of surface-functionalized drug-loaded spinel ferrite nanoparticles

• Sadaf Mushtaq,
• Khuram Shahzad,
• Tariq Saeed,
• Anwar Ul-Hamid,
• Bilal Haider Abbasi,
• Nafees Ahmad,
• Waqas Khalid,
• Muhammad Atif,
• Zulqurnain Ali and
• Rashda Abbasi

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2021, 12, 1339–1364, doi:10.3762/bjnano.12.99

• vitro compared to free drug controls. The IC50 values ranged from 0.81 to 3.97 μg/mL for HepG2 and HT144 cells, whereas IC50 values for normal lymphocytes were 10 to 35 times higher (18.35–43.04 µg/mL). Cobalt ferrite (CFO) and zinc ferrite (ZFO) NPs were highly genotoxic (p < 0.05) in cancer cell lines

• potential values is the interaction between NPs and serum proteins present in DMEM [30]. In cell culture media, NPs agglomerate with serum proteins and are therefore recruited in cells via the protein corona effect, which increases the bioavailability of NPs by many folds [31]. PMA-coated samples have a

• microenvironment is prevalent [35], with lesser premature drug release in circulation and in normal cells, where the pH value is maintained at 7.4. Furthermore, once NPs are internalized by tumor cells, the acidic environment in the endosome may also trigger hydrolysis of amide bonds present between the drug and

Polarity in cuticular ridge development and insect attachment on leaf surfaces of Schismatoglottis calyptrata (Araceae)

• Venkata A. Surapaneni,
• Tobias Aust,
• Thomas Speck and
• Marc Thielen

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2021, 12, 1326–1338, doi:10.3762/bjnano.12.98

• ] have reported that the cuticular ridges on Arabidopsis thaliana sepals develop basipetally, and that the ridge progression coincides with the growth and maturation of epidermal cells. Recently, Surapaneni et al. [23] have reported that, on the leaves of Hevea brasiliensis trees, the cuticular ridges

• revealed significant differences within leaf stages (Kruskall–Wallis, χ2 for Ra = 103.24, χ2 for AR = 109.24, df = 4, p < 0.001, n, S1 = 20, n, S2–S4 = 30). Figure 1b and Figure 1d demonstrate leaf surfaces with smooth epidermal cells without any cuticular structuring at stages 1 and 2B, respectively. The

• = 30). At stages 2A and 3, additionally, the anticlinal fields were characterized by thick and long ridges that connected the ridge islands on the adjacent cells (arrows in Figure 1c,e). As leaf growth progresses, the cuticular ridges have been reported to disappear on leaf or sepal surfaces [22][32

Identifying diverse metal oxide nanomaterials with lethal effects on embryonic zebrafish using machine learning

• Richard Liam Marchese Robinson,
• Haralambos Sarimveis,
• Philip Doganis,
• Xiaodong Jia,
• Marianna Kotzabasaki,
• Christiana Gousiadou,
• Stacey Lynn Harper and
• Terry Wilkins

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2021, 12, 1297–1325, doi:10.3762/bjnano.12.97

• characteristics related to intermolecular interactions, which could affect agglomeration or uptake by cells, and reactivity, which could trigger toxicity. (Dummy values, lower than the minimum of observed values, were inserted where the corresponding coating was absent, in keeping with recommended practice [45

• ]. Hence, descriptors better describing dermal penetration may allow for ENMs exhibiting lethal effects up to 24 hpf to be better identified. Of course, other possible interpretations of our results could be different toxicological modes of action operating in the period 24 to 120 hpf, as embryonic cells

Electrical, electrochemical and structural studies of a chlorine-derived ionic liquid-based polymer gel electrolyte

• Ashish Gupta,
• Amrita Jain,
• Manju Kumari and
• Santosh K. Tripathi

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2021, 12, 1252–1261, doi:10.3762/bjnano.12.92

• , researchers have been developing polymer electrolytes (solid/gel) as an alternative to commercial liquid-based electrolytes which are suitable for electrochemical devices, such as Li-ion batteries, solar cells, fuel cells, and supercapacitors [1][2][3][4][5]. The main aim is to increase the amorphous content