Heterostructures enhance the absorption of lanthanides

Optical Bioimaging and Therapy

Energy transfer pathways in the collisional activation of peptides

Engineering couplings for exciton transport using synthetic DNA scaffolds

Summary form only given. Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) is the dominant nonradiative energy transfer mechanism between a donor and acceptor fluorophore in nanometer proximity. FRET plays a pivotal role in the photosynthetic apparatus of plants and bacteria and many applications, ranging from photovoltaics and lighting, to probing molecular distances and interactions.It is an intriguing open question whether the FRET rate γFRET and the energy transfer efficiency ηFRET can also be controlled by the nanoscale optical environment, characterized by the local density of optical states (LDOS) [1]. Pioneering work suggested that the transfer rate depends linearly on the LDOS at the donor emission frequency [2], while later work suggested a dependence on the LDOS squared [3], or even a transfer rate independent of the LDOS [4]. We study the influence of the LDOS on Forster transfer, using precisely-defined, isolated, and efficient donor-acceptor pairs. The FRET pairs are dye molecules that covalently bound to the opposite ends of a 15 basepair long double-stranded with a precisely defined distance of 6.8 nm. Control over the LDOS is realized by positioning the FRET systems at well-defined distances (ranging from 60 nm to 270 nm) from a metallic mirror. The energy transfer rate γFRET and efficiency ηFRET are obtained by measuring the donor emission rate γDA in presence and the rate γD in absence of the acceptor using time-correlated single-photon counting based lifetime imaging. Our data unequivocally show that the FRET rate is independent of the LDOS at donor emission frequencies, consistent with quantum-optical theory. The FRET efficiency clearly changes with LDOS [5], since the LDOS alters the competition between the different decay processes. By controlling the radiative decay rate of the energy donor by the LDOS, the energy transfer efficiency can be enhanced or reduced. If a donor with unit quantum efficiency is placed in a 3D photonic bandgap, the energy transfer efficiency will approach 100 %, independent of the acceptor, and of the distances and orientations between the FRET partners.

High-efficiency energy transfer pathways between Er(III) and Tm(III) in metal-organic frameworks for tunable upconversion emission and optical temperature sensing

Nanomaterials, due to their unique size, excellent targeting ability, and good biocompatibility, have gradually gained attention in oncologic medical treatments. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photothermal therapy (PTT), known for their low side effects and minimal trauma, are widely used in immunotherapy for malignant tumors. However, limitations such as low light penetration depth, poor targeting, and localized thermal effects restrict the application scope of photothermal dynamic therapy. Clinical studies have found that nano-mediated targeted drug carriers exhibit low toxicity and good biocompatibility. Furthermore, the superior photothermal conversion performance of nanomaterials can significantly enhance the efficacy of photothermal dynamic therapy in colorectal cancer treatment. Nanomaterials, which have been involved in various cancer treatment processes, represent an emerging medical biomaterial. This review systematically explores the types of nanomaterials currently commonly applied in medicine, with a particular focus on their breakthroughs and cutting-edge research in photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photothermal therapy (PTT) for colorectal cancer. It also discusses the future prospects and improvement strategies of nanomaterials in precision medicine.

Tumor-targeting nanogel that can function independently for both photodynamic and photothermal therapy and its synergy from the procedure of PDT followed by PTT

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) synergized photothermal therapy (PTT) shows superior clinical application prospects than single PDT or PTT. On the other hand, multimodal imaging can delineate comprehensive information about the lesion site and thus help to improve therapy accuracy. However, integrating all these functions into one single molecule is challenging, let alone balancing and maximizing the efficacy of each function. Herein, a near-infrared (NIR) small molecule (ETTC) with an "acceptor-donor-acceptor" structure was designed and synthesized by coupling rigity and flexibility to simultaneously achieve NIR-II fluorescence imaging (NIR-II FLI), photoacoustic imaging, PTT and PDT. The efficacy of each functionality was well balanced and optimized (NIR-II quantum yield: 3.0%; reactive oxygen species generation: 3.2-fold higher than ICG; photothermal conversion efficiency: 52.8%), which may be attributed to the coupling of the rigid and flexible structures in ETTC to tactically manipulate the energy dissipation paths (non-radiative against radiative decay). As a proof-of-concept, under the effective guidance of local-tumor imaging by PA and whole-body imaging by NIR-II FL, complete tumor eradication was achieved via PDT and PTT combinational therapy. This work provides a novel perspective into conceiving and developing single molecule for efficient versatile biomedical applications.

Multi-modal imaging-guided synergistic photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photothermal therapy (PTT) show great benefits in cancer treatment. The phototheranostics with near-infrared (NIR) absorption, high reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and photothermal conversion efficiency is highly desirable. Here, we designed and synthesized an “acceptor-donor-acceptor” (A-D-A) structured molecule named IDCIC, with strong absorbance in the NIR region. We further prepared IDCIC into water-soluble nanoparticles (NPs) by wrapping with 1,2-distearoylsn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-[(polyethylene glycol)-2000]-amine (DSPE-PEG2000-NH2). The obtained IDCIC NPs show an NIR absorption peak at 760 nm and an NIR-II fluorescence spectrum peak at ∼1000 nm with a fluorescent quantum yield of 1.2%, enabling them excellent photoacoustic and NIR-II fluorescent imaging capabilities. Moreover, IDCIC NPs could simultaneously generate singlet oxygen (with a quantum yield of 9.1%), hydroxyl radicals (·OH) and heat (with a photothermal conversion efficiency of 78.9%) under 808-nm laser irradiation. Based on the above-mentioned properties, IDCIC NPs were used for dual-modal imagingguided synergistic photodynamic/photothermal therapy of cancer.

Overcoming photodynamic resistance and tumor targeting dual-therapy mediated by indocyanine green conjugated gold nanospheres

This paper presents a numerical study of transferring characteristics of momentum/energy during oxygen jetting into the slag–metal molten bath in basic oxygen furnaces by a multi-fluid volume of fluid model. The evolution of the momentum/energy and turbulence of jets along their axial travel were studied. The results were quantitatively compared within a wide range of oxygen supply pressures, at which the jets may be at under- or over-expanding state. The efficiency of the momentum/energy transfer from the jets to the molten bath was also assessed with respect to lance height and operation pressure. The numerical results show that the momentum and kinetic energy for the jets suffering from shock waves likely cause more intensive damping compared to the jets with expansion waves. The turbulence kinetic energy and turbulence dissipation rate are observed to firstly increase and then decrease. This effect is more pronounced at a lower operation pressure. Based on these results, the optimum lance height was identified for a rapid slagging operation. It is also shown that the efficiency of the energy transfer from the jets to the molten bath is very low. Decreasing lance height or increasing operation pressure promotes the efficiency of the momentum transfer from the jets to the molten bath but lowers the efficiency of the kinetic energy transfer.

In purple bacterial reaction centers, triplet excitation energy transfer occurs from the primary donor P, a bacteriochlorophyll dimer, to a neighboring carotenoid to prevent photodamage from the generation of reactive oxygen species. The BB bacteriochlorophyll molecule that lies between P and the carotenoid on the inactive electron transfer branch is involved in triplet energy transfer between P and the carotenoid. To expand the high-resolution spectral and kinetic information available for describing the mechanism, we investigated the triplet excited state formation and energy transfer pathways in the reaction center of Rhodobacter sphaeroides using pump-probe transient absorption spectroscopy over a broad spectral region on the nanosecond to microsecond time scale at both room temperature and at 77 K. Wild-type reaction centers were compared with a reaction center mutant (M182HL) in which BB is replaced by a bacteriopheophytin (Φ), as well as to reaction centers that lack the carotenoid. In wild-type reaction centers, the triplet energy transfer efficiency from P to the carotenoid was essentially unity at room temperature and at 77 K. However, in the M182HL mutant reaction centers, both the rate and efficiency of triplet energy transfer were decreased at room temperature, and at 77 K, no triplet energy transfer was observed, attributable to a higher triplet state energy of the bacteriopheophytin that replaces bacteriochlorophyll in this mutant. Finally, detailed time-resolved spectral analysis of P, carotenoid, and BB (Φ in the M182HL mutant) reveals that the triplet state of the carotenoid is coupled fairly strongly to the bridging intermediate BB in wild-type and Φ in the M182HL mutant, a fact that is probably responsible for the lack of any obvious intermediate 3BB/3Φ transient formation during triplet energy transfer.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a safe treatment technology to treat malignant brain tumor, using laser to irradiate diseased tissue in the brain to treat malignant brain tumor. This paper designs the implanted miniature spiral receiving device (MSRD) operating at 796 kHz that receives transmitting coil (TX) energy through the resonant coupling power transmission (RCPT) to charge the Micro-LED (ML). The current voltage gain K u , current gain K i and output power P 2 can be expressed function of the coupling coefficient, the quality factor and the resonant frequency. The optimized system is utilized a ferrite magnetic shielding physical model. Electromagnetic field simulation through the finite-element method (FEM) is done to obtain the magnetic field intensity distribution of energy transfer process and efficiency change, respectively. In addition, the influence of electromagnetic environment on human brain is analyzed by simulation. Both simulation results demonstrate that the proposed strategy can improve the output power by 1.28 times and transfer efficiency by 1.12 times compared with the pre-optimized system, which is verified by the experimental results.

A key role in lessening humanity's continuous fight against cancer could be played by photodynamic therapy (PDT), a minimally invasive treatment employed in the medical care of a range of benign disorders and malignancies. Cancerous tissue can be effectively removed by using a light source-excited photosensitizer. Singlet oxygen and reactive oxygen species are produced via the photosensitizer as a result of this excitation. In the recent past, researchers have put in tremendous efforts towards developing photosensitizer molecules for photodynamic treatment (PDT) to treat cancer. Conjugated polymers, characterized by their efficient fluorescence, exceptional photostability, and strong light absorption, are currently under scrutiny for their potential applications in cancer detection and treatment through photodynamic and photothermal therapy. Researchers are exploring the versatility of these polymers, utilizing sophisticated chemical synthesis and adaptable polymer structures to create new variants with enhanced capabilities for generating singlet oxygen in photodynamic treatment (PDT). The incorporation of photosensitizers into conjugated polymer nanoparticles has proved to be beneficial, as it improves singlet oxygen formation through effective energy transfer. The evolution of nanotechnology has emerged as an alternative avenue for enhancing the performance of current photosensitizers and overcoming significant challenges in cancer PDT. Various materials, including biocompatible metals, polymers, carbon, silicon, and semiconductor-based nanomaterials, have undergone thorough investigation as potential photosensitizers for cancer PDT. This paper outlines the recent advances in singlet oxygen generation by investigators using an array of materials, including graphene quantum dots (GQDs), gold nanoparticles (Au NPs), silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs), titanium dioxide (TiO2), ytterbium (Yb) and thulium (Tm) co-doped upconversion nanoparticle cores (Yb/Tm-co-doped UCNP cores), bismuth oxychloride nanoplates and nanosheets (BiOCl nanoplates and nanosheets), and others. It also stresses the synthesis and application of systems such as amphiphilic block copolymer functionalized with folic acid (FA), polyethylene glycol (PEG), poly(β-benzyl-L-aspartate) (PBLA10) (FA-PEG-PBLA10) functionalized with folic acid, tetra(4-hydroxyphenyl)porphyrin (THPP-(PNIPAM-b-PMAGA)4), pyrazoline-fused axial silicon phthalocyanine (HY-SiPc), phthalocyanines (HY-ZnPcp, HY-ZnPcnp, and HY-SiPc), silver nanoparticles coated with polyaniline (Ag@PANI), doxorubicin (DOX) and infrared (IR)-responsive poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) (PEtOx) (DOX/PEtOx-IR NPs), particularly in NIR imaging-guided photodynamic therapy (fluorescent and photoacoustic). The study puts forward a comprehensive summary and a convincing justification for the usage of the above-mentioned materials in cancer PDT.

Albumin as a functional carrier enhances solubilization, photodynamic and photothermal antibacterial therapy of curcumin.