Indocyanine green (ICG) is the only near-infrared (NIR) dye approved for clinical use. Despite its versatility in photonic applications and potential for photothermal therapy, its photobleaching hinders its application. Here we discovered a nanostructure of dimeric ICG (Nano-dICG) generated by using ICG to stabilize nanoemulsions, after which ICG enabled complete dimerization on the nanoemulsion shell, followed by J-aggregation of ICG-dimer, resulting in a narrow, red-shifted (780 nm!894 nm) and intense ( � 2-fold) absorbance. Compared to ICG, Nano-dICG demonstrated superior photothermal conversion (2-fold higher), significantly reduced photodegradation (À 9.6 % vs. À 46.3 %), and undiminished photothermal effect (7 vs. 2 cycles) under repeated irradiations, in addition to excellent colloidal and structural stabilities. Following intravenous injection, Nano-dICG enabled real-time tracking of its delivery to mouse tumors within 24 h by photoacoustic imaging at NIR wavelength (890 nm) distinct from the endogenous signal to guide effective photothermal therapy. The unprecedented finding of nanostructure-driven ICG dimerization leads to an ultrastable phototheranostic platform.
Melanoma is the most aggressive type of skin cancer and a relevant health problem due to its poor treatment response with high morbidity and mortality rates. This study, aimed to investigate the tissue changes of an improved photodynamic therapy (PDT) response when combined with optical clearing agent (OCA) in the treatment of cutaneous melanoma in mice. Photodithazine (PDZ) was administered intraperitoneally and a solution of OCA was topically applied before PDT irradiation. Due to a resultant refractive index matching, OCA-treated tumors are more optically homogenous, improving the PDT response. Raman analysis revealed, when combined with OCA, the PDT response was more homogenous down to 725 µm-depth in thickness.
As estruturas de concreto são bastante resistentes ao fogo pela baixa condutividade térmica e a natureza não combustível do material, funcionando até certo ponto como uma barreira que previne a propagação do calor. Entretanto, quando o concreto é submetido a altas temperaturas por longo tempo, pode haver uma deterioração das propriedades mecânicas, levando a uma redução da rigidez da estrutura. Quando ocorre um incêndio numa edificação, a preocupação principal é a garantia de que a estabilidade da mesma esteja preservada. Deste modo, visando avaliar as condições estruturais da Subestação de energia da Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo após ocorrência de um incêndio, o trabalho apresenta os procedimentos realizados para análise das manifestações patológicas surgidas no local, com base nas resoluções de Lichtenstein. Os resultados apontam que as propriedades mecânicas da estrutura foram alteradas com a ação dos produtos do incêndio, afetando assim, a integridade da estrutura de concreto armado. Palavras-chave: incêndio, concreto armado, danos estruturais, subestação elétrica da UFES.
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