Recent advances in photothermal nanomaterials for ophthalmic applications

• Jiayuan Zhuang,
• Linhui Jia,
• Chenghao Li,
• Rui Yang,
• Jiapeng Wang,
• Wen-an Wang,
• Heng Zhou and
• Xiangxia Luo

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 195–215, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.16

• penetration depth is only a few millimeters, which does not provide clear imaging of deeper ocular structures [177][178]. Fluorescence imaging is hindered by contrast agent photobleaching and phototoxicity, resulting in low image quality and biological side effects [179][180]. Photoacoustic imaging has deep

• penetration imaging capability and is sensitive to the neovascular system and irregular vascular networks (blood contains the endogenous PAI contrast agent hemoglobin) [181][182][183]. The working principle of PAI is to use a short-pulse laser to irradiate eye tissue or contrast agent, resulting in rapid

• through safe laser irradiation. Delivering stem cells to the trabecular meshwork to regenerate tissue and restore its function can treat glaucoma [207]. Labeling stem cells with the PAI contrast agent AuNSs allows for real-time monitoring of stem cell delivery and circulation in the anterior chamber

A review on the structural characterization of nanomaterials for nano-QSAR models

• Salvador Moncho,
• Eva Serrano-Candelas,
• Jesús Vicente de Julián-Ortiz and
• Rafael Gozalbes

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 854–866, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.71

• ]. Additionally, focusing on the role of the NM as contrast agent in magnetic resonance imaging, the authors added the specific property of cellular internalization of iron, measured as the amount of iron inside the cells [25]. Zhang et al. [79] created a predictive model that uses regression trees to predict the

Radiofrequency enhances drug release from responsive nanoflowers for hepatocellular carcinoma therapy

• Yanyan Wen,
• Ningning Song,
• Yueyou Peng,
• Weiwei Wu,
• Qixiong Lin,
• Minjie Cui,
• Rongrong Li,
• Qiufeng Yu,
• Sixue Wu,
• Yongkang Liang,
• Wei Tian and
• Yanfeng Meng

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 569–579, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.49

• . The presence of MnO2 protects the drug layer and reduces the loss of drugs to circulation. In tumors, MnO2 were degraded to produce Mn2+ and oxygen by response TME, exposing the drug layer for drug release and to exert antitumor effects. At the same time, Mn2+ can act as an MRI contrast agent. Oxygen

Nanocarrier systems loaded with IR780, iron oxide nanoparticles and chlorambucil for cancer theragnostics

• Phuong-Thao Dang-Luong,
• Hong-Phuc Nguyen,
• Loc Le-Tuan,
• Xuan-Thang Cao,
• Vy Tran-Anh and
• Hieu Vu Quang

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 180–189, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.17

• for near-infrared imaging and MRI. IR780 is used as the tracer during operation and also in phototherapy [23][24]. The IO NPs have been used as a contrast agent in MRI for diagnosis. Since MRI is a noninvasive and nonradiation technique, it could be used multiple times to follow therapy stages

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

• -based magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent (Feridex) was withdrawn from the market, following concerns regarding its observed side effects [2][7]. In spite of concerns around safety [7][8][9] and other challenges [10], there remains interest in developing novel metal oxide nanomaterials for

The role of deep eutectic solvents and carrageenan in synthesizing biocompatible anisotropic metal nanoparticles

• Nabojit Das,
• Akash Kumar and
• Raja Gopal Rayavarapu

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2021, 12, 924–938, doi:10.3762/bjnano.12.69

• adsorbed on the nanorod surface. The gold nanorods have excellent capability to be used in imaging as an optoacoustic contrast agent [62][63]. Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) is well known for reducing non-specific binding to biological molecules, rendering stealth character. This avoids macrophage recognition

• systems. Guar-gum-fabricated gold nanoparticles (GA-GNPs) in a DES were synthesized for the use as X-ray contrast agent. The precursors for the DES used were choline chloride, gallic acid and glycerol. The X-ray attenuation coefficient of GA-GNPs was three times higher than that of the clinically used

• contrast agent Visipaque [95]. The in vitro study of the synthesized GA-GNPs confirmed their high potential to replace conventional contrast agents. In another example, Mahyari et al. synthesized gold nanoflowers using a DES without using reducing agents [95]. The gold nanoflowers showed excellent surface

Comprehensive review on ultrasound-responsive theranostic nanomaterials: mechanisms, structures and medical applications

• Sepand Tehrani Fateh,
• Lida Moradi,
• Elmira Kohan,
• Michael R. Hamblin and
• Amin Shiralizadeh Dezfuli

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2021, 12, 808–862, doi:10.3762/bjnano.12.64

• be collected in standing acoustic waves in a band the size of half a wavelength [101][102]. Microbubbles can be utilized in biomedical applications through synergistic effects they undergo with radiation force effects, both as a contrast agent and as a cargo carrier [103][104][105][106][107][108

Uniform Fe₃O₄/Gd₂O₃-DHCA nanocubes for dual-mode magnetic resonance imaging

• Miao Qin,
• Yueyou Peng,
• Mengjie Xu,
• Hui Yan,
• Yizhu Cheng,
• Xiumei Zhang,
• Di Huang,
• Weiyi Chen and
• Yanfeng Meng

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2020, 11, 1000–1009, doi:10.3762/bjnano.11.84

• -weighted images showed that FGDA nanocubes act as a dual-mode contrast agent enhancing MRI quality. Overall, these experimental results suggest that the FGDA nanocubes are interesting tools that can be used to increase MRI quality, enabling accurate clinical diagnostics. Keywords: 3,4

• distributed Fe3O4/Gd2O3 composites. FGOA nanocubes are hydrophobic since they are covered by oleic acid, which is enriched in alkyl groups. In order to increase the hydrophilicity of FGOA nanocubes so they could be used as a contrast agent in vivo, FGOA was exchanged with DHCA via the ligand-exchange method

• significantly increase the MRI contrast when compared to pure Gd2O3 nanoparticles or to Fe3O4 nanocubes and therefore can be used as a sensitive T1–T2 dual-mode contrast agent in MRI. Cytotoxicity of FGDA nanocubes In order to use the FGDA nanocubes as a contrast agent for in vivo MRI it is imperative to first

Key for crossing the BBB with nanoparticles: the rational design

• Sonia M. Lombardo,
• Marc Schneider,
• Akif E. Türeli and
• Nazende Günday Türeli

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2020, 11, 866–883, doi:10.3762/bjnano.11.72

• interesting properties. They can be easily synthetized and coated or conjugated to carry various cargos, from small molecules to proteins and nucleic acids [174]. Furthermore, AuNPs show low immunogenicity and toxicity due to their inert core [78]. Finally, AuNPs could be used as X-ray contrast agent if their

• EGF were tested as contrast agent in an intracranial rat glioma model [30]. Functionalized SPIONs were able to cross the tumor BBB and to accumulate in the tumor and demonstrated high magnetic resonance contrast potential, confirming the ability of functionalized SPIONs to act as a diagnostic agent

Multilayer capsules made of weak polyelectrolytes: a review on the preparation, functionalization and applications in drug delivery

• Varsha Sharma and
• Anandhakumar Sundaramurthy

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2020, 11, 508–532, doi:10.3762/bjnano.11.41

Molecular architectonics of DNA for functional nanoarchitectures

• Debasis Ghosh,
• Lakshmi P. Datta and
• Thimmaiah Govindaraju

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2020, 11, 124–140, doi:10.3762/bjnano.11.11

• -functionalized iron oxide nanoparticle system was capable of selectively targeting the cancer cells and, potentially, to act as an MRI contrast agent. The programmability of the DNA tetrahedrons provided an opportunity to conjugate other functional nucleic acid sequences, viz., DNA, siRNA, or DNAzymes, to serve

Advanced hybrid nanomaterials

• Andreas Taubert,
• Fabrice Leroux,
• Pierre Rabu and
• Verónica de Zea Bermudez

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2019, 10, 2563–2567, doi:10.3762/bjnano.10.247

• is simultaneously employed as a contrast agent in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and for local heating therapy using magnetic particle hyperthermia [33]. In vitro hyperthermia tests showed efficiency in inoculating mouse breast cancer cells. Another study reports the use of alendronate-coated gold

Nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond for nanoscale magnetic resonance imaging applications

• Alberto Boretti,
• Lorenzo Rosa,
• Jonathan Blackledge and
• Stefania Castelletto

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2019, 10, 2128–2151, doi:10.3762/bjnano.10.207

• , while producing deep tissue imaging with outstanding contrast, enabling anatomical and functional observation at the same time. Contrast agents are chemical substances used to enhance and improve the quality of the MRI images. The ferromagnetic or paramagnetic nature of a contrast agent determines the

• -suited for medical applications and must undergo the hyperpolarization process. Some methods are proposed in [18], albeit not yet applied in biomedical samples, using nanodiamonds (NDs) as a contrast agent to improve the SNR in conventional MRI. While NDs have been recently applied as theranostic

Gold-coated plant virus as computed tomography imaging contrast agent

• Alaa A. A. Aljabali,
• Mazhar S. Al Zoubi,
• Khalid M. Al-Batanyeh,
• Ali Al-Radaideh,
• Mohammad A. Obeid,
• Abeer Al Sharabi,
• Walhan Alshaer,
• Bayan AbuFares,
• Tasnim Al-Zanati,
• Murtaza M. Tambuwala,
• Naveed Akbar and
• David J. Evans

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2019, 10, 1983–1993, doi:10.3762/bjnano.10.195

• Park, Norwich, UK 10.3762/bjnano.10.195 Abstract Chemical modification of the surface of viruses, both the interior and the exterior, imparts new functionalities, that have potential applications in nanomedicine. In this study, we developed novel virus-based nanomaterials as a contrast agent for

• as molecular imaging tools [8]. In general, NPs carry high contrast agent payloads in comparison to smaller moieties [9]. Semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) are nanosized crystals, a photostable fluorophore with a broad excitation spectrum but narrow emission at wavelengths dependent on the size and

• noise [27]. The accumulation of such concentration of the contrast agent is very difficult [28]. Therefore, the need to develop different forms on nanoparticles that are densely loaded with CT contrast agents for use in clinical settings will be of great value. The work reported here explores the

Magnetic properties of biofunctionalized iron oxide nanoparticles as magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents

• Natalia E. Gervits,
• Andrey A. Gippius,
• Alexey V. Tkachev,
• Evgeniy I. Demikhov,
• Sergey S. Starchikov,
• Igor S. Lyubutin,
• Alexander L. Vasiliev,
• Vladimir P. Chekhonin,
• Maxim A. Abakumov,
• Alevtina S. Semkina and
• Alexander G. Mazhuga

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2019, 10, 1964–1972, doi:10.3762/bjnano.10.193

• filtrate became colorless. The solution of HSA-coated MNPs was sterilized through 0.22 μm sterile filters, lyophylized and stored under room temperature [29]. The applicability of these nanoparticles as a contrast agent in MRI was previously demonstrated on the experimental rat C6 glioma model [7

Engineered superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) for dual-modality imaging of intracranial glioblastoma via EGFRvIII targeting

• Xianping Liu,
• Chengjuan Du,
• Haichun Li,
• Ting Jiang,
• Zimiao Luo,
• Zhiqing Pang,
• Daoying Geng and
• Jun Zhang

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2019, 10, 1860–1872, doi:10.3762/bjnano.10.181

• a commonly used positive contrast agent, despite its extensive application in T1-weighted MR imaging, has the disadvantages of unpredictable renal toxicity [6] and limited blood halftime [7]. Meanwhile, SPIONs, often used as negative contrast agents in MR imaging [8][9][10], have been extensively

Droplet-based synthesis of homogeneous magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles

• Christian D. Ahrberg,
• Ji Wook Choi and
• Bong Geun Chung

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2018, 9, 2413–2420, doi:10.3762/bjnano.9.226

• healthcare significantly [5]. For example, a composite nanomaterial has been developed as a photosensitizer in photothermal therapy (PTT), while also acting as a contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) [6]. Magnetic materials are of particular interest here, as they can be used for targeting [7

Synthesis and functionalization of NaGdF₄:Yb,Er@NaGdF₄ core–shell nanoparticles for possible application as multimodal contrast agents

• Dovile Baziulyte-Paulaviciene,
• Vitalijus Karabanovas,
• Marius Stasys,
• Greta Jarockyte,
• Vilius Poderys,
• Simas Sakirzanovas and
• Ricardas Rotomskis

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2017, 8, 1815–1824, doi:10.3762/bjnano.8.183

• transferred to aqueous solutions after surface modification with the surfactant Tween 80. The core–shell UCNPs presented enhanced upconversion intensity and MR signal intensity, which indicates that these nanoparticles could be applied as an efficient dual optical, MRI contrast agent. Moreover, an in vitro

Calcium fluoride based multifunctional nanoparticles for multimodal imaging

• Marion Straßer,
• Joachim H. X. Schrauth,
• Sofia Dembski,
• Daniel Haddad,
• Bernd Ahrens,
• Stefan Schweizer,
• Bastian Christ,
• Alevtina Cubukova,
• Marco Metzger,
• Heike Walles,
• Peter M. Jakob and
• Gerhard Sextl

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2017, 8, 1484–1493, doi:10.3762/bjnano.8.148

• . Photoluminescence spectroscopy With respect to a later usage of our NPs as a contrast agent for PL we have also investigated the optical properties. Since terbium and its optical properties are extensively described in the literature [34][35][36][37], we use it as a model system in order to proof the integration of

• end, different NP samples dispersed in water were characterized by MRI. To determine the contrast effect, NP dispersions of various concentrations (0.4–18.2 mg·mL−1) were analyzed. CaF2:(Tb3+,Gd3+) NPs as MRI contrast agent Doping with Gd3+ ions leads to paramagnetism of the CaF2 NPs. Because of this

Multiwalled carbon nanotube hybrids as MRI contrast agents

• Nikodem Kuźnik and
• Mateusz M. Tomczyk

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2016, 7, 1086–1103, doi:10.3762/bjnano.7.102

• functionalization and the potential to penetrate cell membranes result in a unique and very attractive candidate for a new MRI contrast agent. In this review we describe the different issues connected with MWCNT hybrids designed for MRI contrast agents, i.e., their synthesis and magnetic and dispersion properties

• , as well as both in vitro and in vivo behavior, which is important for diagnostic purposes. An introduction to MRI contrast agent theory is elaborated here in order to point to the specific expectations regarding nanomaterials. Finally, we propose a promising, general model of MWCNTs as MRI contrast

• agent candidates based on the studies presented here and supported by appropriate theories. Keywords: carbon nanotube hybrids; contrast agent; molecular probe; multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT); magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); relaxation; Introduction The interdisciplinary character of

Single pyrimidine discrimination during voltage-driven translocation of osmylated oligodeoxynucleotides via the α-hemolysin nanopore

• Yun Ding and
• Anastassia Kanavarioti

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2016, 7, 91–101, doi:10.3762/bjnano.7.11

• molecules to label ssDNA, we evaluated OsBp [42]. OsBp is known to add to the C5–C6 double bond of the pyrimidine ring (Scheme 1). Because osmium is a good contrast agent for imaging by electron microscopy (EM), osmylated DNA was proposed 60 years ago and exploited in attempts to obtain DNA sequence

A facile method for the preparation of bifunctional Mn:ZnS/ZnS/Fe₃O₄ magnetic and fluorescent nanocrystals

• Houcine Labiadh,
• Tahar Ben Chaabane,
• Romain Sibille,
• Lavinia Balan and
• Raphaël Schneider

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2015, 6, 1743–1751, doi:10.3762/bjnano.6.178

• applications. They can, for example, be used as a contrast agent in magnetic resonance imaging or as therapeutic agents in magnetic fluid hyperthermia [9][10]. Several successful applications such as targeted drug delivery, bioseparation, biodetection, and labelling and sorting of cells [11][12][13][14] are

Synthesis, characterization and in vitro biocompatibility study of Au/TMC/Fe₃O₄ nanocomposites as a promising, nontoxic system for biomedical applications

• Hanieh Shirazi,
• Maryam Daneshpour,
• Soheila Kashanian and
• Kobra Omidfar

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2015, 6, 1677–1689, doi:10.3762/bjnano.6.170

• paramagnetism, super saturation, and having free electrons, magnetic nanoparticles have emerged as promising candidates for various medical and biological applications including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (as a contrast agent), smart drug delivery (as drug carriers), gene therapy, hyperthermia and tissue

Silica micro/nanospheres for theranostics: from bimodal MRI and fluorescent imaging probes to cancer therapy

• Shanka Walia and
• Amitabha Acharya

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2015, 6, 546–558, doi:10.3762/bjnano.6.57

• showed higher viability (ca. 90%) compared to the fibroblasts cells (ca. 80%). Further, in case of the pancreatic islets (PIs) the cell viability was found to be more than 87%. Similarly, van Schooneveld et al. [18] reported a procedure for the synthesis of a trimodal contrast agent composed of gold

• used as MR contrast agent in solution and in cells. Further, Chekina et al. [57] reported the synthesis of bifunctional NPs through a silinazation process. The maghemite (γ-Fe2O3) NPs were prepared by oxidizing pure magnetite NPs with sodium hypochlorite. The magnetic NPs were then coated with silica

Hematopoietic and mesenchymal stem cells: polymeric nanoparticle uptake and lineage differentiation

• Ivonne Brüstle,
• Thomas Simmet,
• Gerd Ulrich Nienhaus,
• Katharina Landfester and
• Volker Mailänder

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2015, 6, 383–395, doi:10.3762/bjnano.6.38

• literature, the interaction of hHSCs and nanoparticles is poorly investigated, probably due to the lack of adequate material in many laboratories. There are some studies with particles containing iron for cell labeling for MRI measurements. In different studies with the MRI contrast agent Ferridex® (iron