ABSTRACT
Ionizing radiation has been used for decades and expanded to several applications in multivariate sectors, becoming an important tool to promote controlled chemical reactions in polymeric structures, according to their chemical properties for developing new materials. In addition, the use of radiation can also be applied in order to reduce or eliminate compounds from solutions that may be harmful or of low interest. In this review, we overviewed the chemistry behind material irradiation and the attractive use of ionizing radiation in scientific and industrial development. In this regard, the review was divided into three main sections titled (1) chemical kinetics intermediated by radiation, (2) chemical bonds intermediated by radiation, and (3) radiation chemistry on polymers. We concluded that graft polymerization, crosslinking and chain scission reactions induced by ionizing radiation are very efficient and green strategies for developing new materials with improved properties. Furthermore, water radiolysis plays a key role in the degradation of several contaminants, including pharmaceuticals and microplastics, in aqueous solutions. However, more studies must be conducted to complement the existing theory about the proposed mechanisms responsible for modifying the chemical, mechanical, thermal, optical, and so forth properties of irradiated materials.
Subject(s)
Plastics , Polymers , Polymers/chemistry , Kinetics , Radiation, Ionizing , WaterABSTRACT
Graphene quantum dots (GQDs), are biocompatible materials, with mechanical strength and stability. Chitosan, has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, and biocompatibility. Wound healing is a challenging process especially in chronic diseases and infection. In this study, films consisting of chitosan and graphene quantum dots were developed for application in infected wounds. The chitosan-graphene films were prepared in the acidic solution followed by slow solvent evaporation and drying. The chitosan-graphene films were characterized by the scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, Raman spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. The films' was evaluated by the wound healing assays, hemolytic potential, and nitrite production, cytokine production and swelling potential. The obtained films were flexible and well-structured, promoting cell migration, greater antibacterial activity, lower hemolytic activity, and maintaining wound moisture. Our data suggested that the use of graphene quantum dot-containing chitosan films would be an efficient and promising way in combating wounds.
ABSTRACT
Alpha and beta particulate radiation are used for non-treated neoplasia, due to their ability to reach and remain in tumor sites. Radium-223 (223Ra), an alpha emitter, promotes localized cytotoxic effects, while radioactive gold (198Au), beta-type energy, reduces radiation in the surrounding tissues. Nanotechnology, including several radioactive nanoparticles, can be safely and effectively used in cancer treatment. In this context, this study aims to analyze the antitumoral effects of [223Ra]Ra nanomicelles co-loaded with radioactive gold nanoparticles ([198Au]AuNPs). For this, we synthesize and characterize nanomicelles, as well as analyze some parameters, such as particle size, radioactivity emission, dynamic light scattering, and microscopic atomic force. [223Ra]Ra nanomicelles co-loaded with [198Au]AuNPs, with simultaneous alpha and beta emission, showed no instability, a mean particle size of 296 nm, and a PDI of 0.201 (±0.096). Furthermore, nanomicelles were tested in an in vitro cytotoxicity assay. We observed a significant increase in tumor cell death using combined alpha and beta therapy in the same formulation, compared with these components used alone. Together, these results show, for the first time, an efficient association between alpha and beta therapies, which could become a promising tool in the control of tumor progression.