This paper summarizes the applications of VOs-induced structural disorders of core-shell C/TiO2and reduced TiO2in improving solar-driven photocatalytic activities.

No abstract

Purpose RNA interference has the potential to specifically knock down the expression of target genes, and thereby transform cancer therapy. However, lack of effective delivery of small inhibitory RNA (siRNA) has dramatically limited its in vivo applications. We have developed a multistage vector (MSV) system, composed of discoidal porous silicon particles loaded with nanotherapeutics, that directs effective delivery and sustained release of siRNA in tumor tissues. In this study, we evaluated therapeutic efficacy of MSV-loaded EphA2 siRNA (MSV/EphA2) with murine orthotopic models of metastatic ovarian cancers as a first step towards development of a new class of nanotherapeutics for the treatment of ovarian cancer. Experimental design Tumor accumulation of MSV/EphA2 and sustained release of siRNA from MSV were analyzed after i.v. administration of MSV/siRNA. Nude mice with metastatic SKOV3ip2 tumors were treated with MSV/EphA2 and paclitaxel, and therapeutic efficacy was assessed. Mice with chemotherapy-resistant HeyA8 ovarian tumors were treated with a combination of MSV/EphA2 and docetaxel, and enhanced therapeutic efficacy was evaluated. Results Treatment of SKOV3ip2 tumor mice with MSV/EphA2 biweekly for 6 weeks resulted in dose-dependent (5, 10 and 15 μg/mice) reduction of tumor weight (36%, 64%, and 83%) and number of tumor nodules compared with the control groups. In addition, tumor growth was completely inhibited when mice were treated with MSV/EphA2 in combination with paclitaxel. Furthermore, combination treatment with MSV/EphA2 and docetaxel inhibited growth of HeyA8-MDR tumors, which were otherwise resistant to docetaxel treatment. Conclusion These findings indicate that MSV/EphA2 merits further development as a novel therapeutic agent for ovarian cancer.

Hollow gold nanoshells are more efficient in heat generation triggered by near infrared laser when they are loaded into porous silicon particles, which results in effective cancer‐cell killing in vitro and in vivo. Collective electromagnetic coupling of nanoconfined hollow gold nanoshells leads to dramatic enhancement of thermal ablation.

Monodisperse polymer-mediated platinum (Pt) nanoparticles (NPs) have been synthesized by photoreduction in the presence of poly(ethylenimine) (PEI), a hyperbranched polymer. The formation process of the Pt NPs is pursued by UV-vis spectroscopy, and the formation mechanism is discussed. The morphology and size of the Pt NPs were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). TEM imaging shows that the Pt NPs' average diameter is 2.88 +/- 0.53 nm. The PEI/Pt NPs were immobilized on glassy carbon electrodes, and the electrocatalytic activity of the catalysts was investigated by cyclic voltammetry. PEI/Pt NPs exhibit very high catalytic activity for a methanol oxidation reaction. PEI/Pt NPs on glassy carbon electrodes are robust, showing good tolerance to poisoning even after many cycles. The electrocatalytic activity of PEI/Pt NPs compares favorably with other polymer-mediated Pt NPs. The results indicate that PEI is an appropriate complexing reducing agent for the photochemical production of Pt NPs and a good capping agent, allowing immobilization of the NPs on the working electrode.

No abstract

No abstract

An efficient thermal ablation agent was developed by confining gold nanoshells into nanopores of silicon microparticles. , Mauro Ferrari and co‐workers show how near‐infrared laser light triggers enhanced heat generation of gold nanoshells, by exploiting nanoscale cooperative effects inside microparticles. A multifold increase in thermal therapy efficacy was achieved for breast cancer in cell culture and in animal tumor models.