Nanoparticles have the advantages over micron‐sized particles to typically provide higher intracellular uptake and drug bioavailability. Emulsion techniques are commonly used methods for producing nanoparticles aiming at high encapsulation efficiency, high stability, and low toxicity. Here, the recent developments of nanoparticles prepared from emulsions, the synthesis of nanoparticles, their physicochemical properties, and their biomedical applications are discussed. Selection of techniques, such as emulsion polymerization, miniemulsion polymerization, microemulsion polymerization, and emulsion‐solvent evaporation processes, strongly influences morphologies, size distributions, and particle properties. Details in the synthetic strategies governing the performance of nanoparticles in bioimaging, biosensing, and drug delivery are presented. Benefits and limitations of molecular imaging techniques are also discussed.

A novel secondary metabolite, pughiinin A, together with pycnidione, mevalonolactone, and 7-hydroxy-2-methylchromanone, was isolated from the seed fungus Kionochaeta pughii BCC 3878. The chemical structure was established by spectroscopic methods and by single crystal X-ray crystallography. Pughiinin A and pycnidione exhibited in vitro antiplasmodial activity against Plasmodium falciparum (K1 strain). Pycnidione also showed anti-cancer activity against KB and BC cell lines with the IC 50 values of 2.0 and 1.6 microg/mL, respectively.

Nanoencapsulation of AG 050-P implicated its potential development for clinical use in CCA treatment.

Modified deferasirox encapsulated polymeric micelles demonstrate pH-responsive and ON–OFF release behavior to deplete the iron level in cancer cells. The cellular iron deficiency is a novel strategy for cancer treatment.

Lignin and melanin are aromatic biopolymers that are contained in large amounts in plants and animals. Biopolymers containing hydrogen bond donor (HBD) moieties (phenols, diols, amino acids, etc.) are sustainable...

Polymeric micelles have been successfully used to deliver a variety of therapeutic agents. Nonetheless, several limitations and considerations must be clarified and well-studied to achieve the highest therapeutic effect. In this study, a series of methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(ε-caprolactone) (PEG-b-PCL) and methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(D,L-lactide) (PEG-b-PLA) with varying molecular weight (MW) of hydrophobic core segment were synthesized. These block copolymers can form micelle with PCL or PLA as core-forming blocks and PEG as a coronal material. The effect of MW on micelle size and critical micelle concentration (CMC) was studied. DOX (DOX) was encapsulated inside the micelle core. Drug-loading content and size of micelles were studied. Drug release studies inside cells were evaluated by confocal laser scanning microscopy. In summary, the PLA core which is less hydrophobic than PCL showed higher CMC, smaller micelle size and faster DOX release inside nucleus.

Replacing metallic structures before critical damage is beneficial for safety and for saving energy and resources. One simple approach consists in visually monitoring the early stage of corrosion, and related change of pH, of coated metals. We prepare smart nanoparticle additives for coatings which act as a pH sensor. The nanoparticles are formed with a terpolymer containing two dyes as side chains, acting as donor and acceptor for a FRET process. Real time monitoring of the extent of localized corrosion on metallic structures is then carried out with a smartphone camera. Colored pH mapping can be then manually retrieved by an operator or automatically recorded by a surveillance camera.

Herein, we design inflammation-responsive nanocapsules containing two antibiotics. The releases are programmed to be triggered in conditions occurring at the different stages of wound healing. The nanocapsules exhibits excellent antibacterial...