ανß3 integrin-targeted ICG-derived probes for imaging-guided surgery and photothermal therapy of oral cancer.

Indocyanine green (ICG), as the only Federal Drug Administration (FDA) approved fluorescence imaging agent, has been widely applied in clinics for near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging-guided surgery and photothermal therapy of cancers. However, its lack of target specificity and poor photo and photothermal stabilities seriously restrict its wide application in clinical practice. Herein, we developed ICG-derived NIR fluorescent probes consisting of a cypate fluorophore and one or two cyclic-(arginine-glycine-aspartic acid) (cRGD) peptides that can specifically target αvß3 integrin for accurate diagnosis and therapy of oral tumors. Probe Cy-2RGD has been demonstrated to possess bright NIR emission, great tumor targeting capability and a photothermal effect. Moreover, it could be successfully used for effective imaging-guided surgical resection as well as photothermal therapy of oral tumors. This work could provide a valuable tool for sensitive detection and accurate treatment of malignant tumors.

Synthesis, Characterization, and Electrochemical Properties of La-Doped α-Fe2O3 Nanoparticles.

La-doped α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles were synthesized by a hydrothermal method. The effects of pH value on the morphology, structure, and electrochemical stability of the La-doped α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles were investigated by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectrum, and electrochemical methods. The results show that the La-doped α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles exhibit a uniform spherical morphology at pH = 6, and are agglomerated with a poor dispersion at pH = 4 and 8. The iron oxide lattice is distorted by the La-doping, which increases the Fe-O bond strength. The decreased Fe-O bond length and the increased Fe-O bond energy at pH = 6 improve the electrochemical stability of α-Fe2O3. The waterborne coating modified with La-doped α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles exhibits a steady corrosion resistance.

Effect of Ce Doping on the Structure and Chemical Stability of Nano-α-Fe2O3.

Ce-doped nano-α-Fe2O3 was successfully synthesized via the hydrothermal method. The properties of the prepared particles were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and electrochemical methods. It was found that the Ce element can be doped into the α-Fe2O3 lattice resulting in lattice distortion, which can refine the grain and improve the crystal surface's integrity significantly. In addition, doping of Ce element can shorten the Fe-O bond length in the α-Fe2O3 crystal, cause a blue shift of the stretching vibration band, enhance binding energy of Fe-O and the chemical stability of the α-Fe2O3 crystal.

Effects of the addition of municipal solid waste incineration fly ash on the behavior of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans in the iron ore sintering process.

Raw materials were co-sintered with municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) fly ash through iron ore sintering to promote the safe treatment and utilization of MSWI fly ash. To assess the feasibility of this co-sintering method, in this study, the effects of the addition of MSWI fly ash on the formation and emission of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans (PCDD/Fs) were estimated via iron ore sintering pot experiments. During co-sintering, most of the PCDD/Fs in the added MSWI fly ash were decomposed and transformed into PCDD/Fs associated with iron sintering, and the concentrations of lower- and mid-chlorinated congeners increased. As there was a sufficient chlorine source and the sintering bed permeability was decreased by the addition of MSWI fly ash, the PCDD/F concentration in the exhaust gas increased. The mass emission of PCDD/Fs decreased; however, the emission of toxic PCDD/Fs increased beyond the total emissions from the independent MSW incineration and iron ore sintering processes due to the transformation of PCDD/F congeners. The co-sintering may be an important solution after technological improvements in the flue gas cleaning system and PCDD/F formation inhibition procedures.