Penetration study of formulated nanosized titanium dioxide in models of damaged and sun-irradiated skins.

Inorganic ultraviolet filters such as titanium dioxide (TiO(2)), safe to use on healthy skin, are often applied on compromised and irradiated skin. The aim of this study was to evaluate in vitro the cutaneous penetration of TiO(2) nanoparticles (≥20 nm primary size), included in a sunscreen, in intact, damaged, irradiated, and damaged/irradiated pigskin. Cutaneous penetration and localization of TiO(2) after a 24-h sunscreen application were investigated quantitatively using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry, and qualitatively using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Elemental identity of the nanoparticles was evaluated by TEM-coupled Energy Dispersive X-ray analysis (TEM-EDX). In intact and damaged/irradiated skins, 102.35±4.20% and 102.84±5.67% of the titanium deposited, respectively, were found at the surface and stratum corneum (SC), whereas only 0.19±0.15% and 0.39±0.39% were found in the viable epidermis and dermis and no titanium was detected in the receptor fluid. TEM-EDX analysis confirmed the presence of titanium in the aggregates formed by TiO(2) at the SC surface, as already characterized in the sunscreen formulation. TiO(2) nanoparticles included in a sunscreen thus remain in the uppermost layers of the SC, whether in intact skin or in compromised and/or skin exposed to simulated solar radiation.

Catalytic activity of gold supported on ZnO tetrapods for the preferential oxidation of carbon monoxide under hydrogen rich conditions.

It is reported that 3 nm gold nanoparticles deposited on ZnO tetrapods show high activity for the selective oxidation of carbon monoxide in hydrogen rich streams; the catalytic activity of this system is at least twice as high as the values hither to observed on any conventional support for this reaction.

Nanoscale coordination polymers exhibiting luminescence properties and NMR relaxivity.

This article presents the first example of ultra-small (3-4 nm) magneto-luminescent cyano-bridged coordination polymer nanoparticles Ln0.33(3+)Gdx3+/[Mo(CN)8]3- (Ln=Eu (x=0.34), Tb (x=0.35)) enwrapped by a natural biocompatible polymer chitosan. The aqueous colloidal solutions of these nanoparticles present a luminescence characteristic of the corresponding lanthanides (5D0→7F0-4 (Eu3+) or the 5D4→7F6-2 (Tb3+)) under UV excitation and a green luminescence of the chitosan shell under excitation in the visible region. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) efficiency, i.e. the nuclear relaxivity, measurements performed for Ln0.33(3+)Gdx3+/[Mo(CN)8]3- nanoparticles show r1p and r2p relaxivities slightly higher than or comparable to the ones of the commercial paramagnetic compounds Gd-DTPA® or Omniscan® indicating that our samples may potentially be considered as a positive contrast agent for MRI. The in vitro studies performed on these nanoparticles show that they maybe internalized into human cancer and normal cells and well detected by fluorescence at the single cell level. They present high stability even at low pH and lack of cytotoxicity both in human cancer and normal cells.

Higher dispersion efficacy of functionalized carbon nanotubes in chemical and biological environments.

Aqueous dispersions of functionalized carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are now widely used for biomedical applications. Their stability in different in vitro or in vivo environments, however, depends on a wide range of parameters, such as pH and salt concentrations of the surrounding medium, and length, aspect ratio, surface charge, and functionalization of the applied CNTs. Although many of these aspects have been investigated separately, no study is available in the literature to date, which examines these parameters simultaneously. Therefore, we have chosen five types of carbon nanotubes, varying in their dimensions and surface properties, for a multidimensional analysis of dispersion stability in salt solutions of differing pH and concentrations. Furthermore, we examine the dispersion stability of oxidized CNTs in biological fluids, such as cellular growth media and human plasma, and their toxicity toward cancer cells. To enhance dispersibility and biocompatibility, the influence of different functionalization schemes is studied. The results of our investigations indicate that both CNT dimensions and surface functionalization have a significant influence on their dispersion and in vitro behavior. In particular, factors such as a short aspect ratio, presence of oxidation debris and serum proteins, low salt concentration, and an appropriate pH are shown to improve the dispersion stability. Furthermore, covalent surface functionalization with amine-terminated polyethylene glycol (PEG) is demonstrated to stabilize CNT dispersions in various media and to reduce deleterious effects on cultured cells. These findings provide crucial data for the development of biofunctionalization protocols, for example, for future cancer theranostics, and optimizing the stability of functionalized CNTs in varied biological environments.

Synthesis of superparamagnetic iron(III) oxide nanowires in double-walled carbon nanotubes.

The synthesis and characterization of superparamagnetic iron(iii) oxide nanowires confined within double-walled carbon nanotubes by capillary filling with a melted precursor (iron iodide) followed by thermal treatment is reported for the first time.