This paper compares the structural and electrical characteristics of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of n-alkanethiolates, SCn (n = 10, 12, 14), on two types of silver substrates: one used as-deposited (AS-DEP) by an electron-beam evaporator, and one prepared using the method of template-stripping. Atomic force microscopy showed that the template-stripped (TS) silver surfaces were smoother and had larger grains than the AS-DEP surfaces, and reflectance-absorbance infrared spectroscopy showed that SAMs formed on TS substrates were more crystalline than SAMs formed on AS-DEP substrates. The range of current densities, J (A/cm2), measured through mercury-drop junctions incorporating a given SAM on AS-DEP silver was, on average, several orders of magnitude larger than the range of J measured through the same SAM on TS silver, and the AS-DEP junctions failed, on average, 3.5 times more often within five current density-voltage (J-V) scans than did TS junctions (depending on the length of the alkyl chains of the molecules in the SAM). The apparent log-normal distribution of J through the TS junctions suggests that, in these cases, it is the variability in the effective thickness of the insulating layer (the distance the electron travels between electrodes) that results in the uncertainty in J. The parameter describing the decay of current density with the thickness of the insulating layer, beta, was either 0.57 A-1 at V = +0.5 V (calculated using the log-mean of the distribution of values of J) or 0.64 A-1 (calculated using the peak of the distribution of values of J) for the TS junctions; the latter is probably the more accurate. The mechanisms of failure of the junctions, and the degree and sources of uncertainty in current density, are discussed with respect to a variety of defects that occur within Hg-drop junctions incorporating SAMs on silver.

Nanotechnology holds many advantages. Here we report another advantage of applying RNA nanotechnology for directional control. The orientation of arrow-shaped RNA was altered to control ligand-display on extracellular vesicle (EV) membranes for specific cell targeting, or to regulate intracellular trafficking of siRNA/miRNA. Placing membrane-anchoring cholesterol at the arrow-tail results in display of RNA aptamer or folate on EV outer surface. In contrast, placing the cholesterol at the arrow-head results in partial loading of RNA nanoparticles into the EVs. Taking advantage of the RNA ligand for specific targeting and EVs for efficient membrane fusion, the resulting ligand-displaying EVs were competent for specific delivery of siRNA to cells, and efficiently block tumor growth in three cancer models. PSMA aptamer-displaying EVs loaded with survivin siRNA inhibited prostate cancer xenograft. The same EV but displaying EGFR aptamer inhibited orthotopic breast cancer models. Likewise, survivin-loaded and folate-displaying EVs inhibited patient derived colorectal cancer xenograft.

Exosomes have shown increasing potential as delivery vesicles for therapy, but challenges like cost/yield, drug payload, and targeting specificity still exist. Plant derived exosome-like nanoparticles have been reported as a promising substitution and exhibit biocompatibility through oral, intranasal administration; however, systemic delivery of siRNA by exosome-like nanoparticles directly isolated from plants has not been reported. Recently, we reported the control of RNA orientation to decorate human derived exosome with cell targeting ligands for specific delivery of siRNA to tumors. Here, we expand to the application of arrowtail RNA nanoparticles for displaying ligands on ginger derived exosome-like nanovesicles (GDENs) for siRNA delivery and tumor inhibition through IV administration. Cushion ultracentrifugation coupled with equilibrium density gradient ultracentrifugation were used for purifying GDENs that displayed size, density, and morphology similar to human derived exosomes. Folic acid (FA), as a ligand, was displayed on the surface of GDENs for targeted delivery of survivin siRNA to KB cancer models. In vitro gene knockdown efficacy by FA-3WJ/GDENs/siRNA complex was comparable to transfection. We observed inhibition of tumor growth on a xenograft model by intravenous administration, which reveals the potential of GDENs as an economic delivery system for siRNA.

The syntheses, structures, and electroluminescent properties are described for two new lanthanide complexes Ln(HFNH)3phen [HFNH = 4,4,5,5,6,6,6-heptafluoro-1-(2-naphthyl)hexane-1,3-dione; phen = 1,10-phenanthroline; Ln = Eu3+ (1), Sm3+ (2)]. Both complexes exhibit bright photoluminescence at room temperature (RT) due to the characteristic emission of Eu3+ and Sm3+ ion. Several devices using the two complexes as emitters were fabricated. The performances of these devices are among the best reported for devices using europium complex and samarium complex as emitters. The device based on 1 with the structure ITO/TPD (50 nm)/1:CBP (10%, 40 nm)/BCP (20 nm)/AlQ (30 nm)/LiF (1 nm)/Al (200 nm) exhibits the maximum brightness of 957 cd/m2, current efficiency of 4.14 cd/A, and power efficiency of 2.28 lm/W with a pure red Eu3+ ion emission. Especially, at the high brightness of 200 cd/m2, the device of 1 still has a high current efficiency of 2.15 cd/A. The device of 2 with a three-layer structure of ITO/TPD (50 nm)/2 (50 nm)/BCP (20 nm)/LiF (1 nm)/Al (200 nm) gives the maximum brightness of 42 cd/m2, current efficiency of 0.18 cd/A. By the comparison of the electroluminescent properties of devices based on Eu(TTA3phen (TTA = 2-thenoyltrifluoroacteonate) and 1, we conclude that the polyfluoration on the alkyl group of the ligand and the introduction of the long conjugate naphthyl group into the ligand improve the efficiency of 1-doped devices, especially at high current densities.

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Displaying the advantage of nanoparticles in cancer targeting and drug delivery, micelles have shown great potential in cancer therapy. The mechanism for micelle targeting to cancer without the need for ligands is due to the size advantage of micelles within the lower end of the nanometer scale that is the optimal size for favoring the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect while escaping trapping by macrophages. MicroRNAs are ubiquitous and play critical roles in regulating gene expression, cell growth, and cancer development. However, their in vivo delivery in medical applications is still challenging. Here, we report the targeted delivery of anti-miRNA to cancers via RNA micelles. The phi29 packaging RNA three-way junction (pRNA-3WJ) was used as a scaffold to construct micelles. An oligo with 8nt locked nucleic acid (LNA) complementary to the seed region of microRNA21(miR21) was included in the micelles as an interference molecule for cancer inhibition. These RNA micelles carrying anti-miR21 exhibited strong binding and internalization to cancer cells, inhibited the function of oncogenic miR21, enhanced the expression of the pro-apoptotic factor, and induced cell apoptosis. Animal trials revealed effective tumor targeting and inhibition in xenograft models. The inclusion of folate as a targeting ligand in the micelles did not show significant improvement of the therapeutic efficacy in vivo, suggesting that micelles can carry therapeutics to a target tumor and inhibit its growth without ligands.

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A new dysprosium complex Dy(PM)3(TP)2 [where PM = 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-isobutyryl-5-pyrazolone and TP = triphenyl phosphine oxide] was synthesized, and its single-crystal structure was also studied. Its photophysical properties were studied by absorption spectra, emission spectra, fluorescence quantum efficiency, and decay time of the f−f transition of the Dy3+ ion. In addition, the antenna effect was introduced to discuss the energy transfer mechanism between the ligand and the central Dy3+ ion. Finally, a series of devices with various structures was fabricated to investigate the electroluminescence (EL) performances of Dy(PM)3(TP)2. The best device with the structure ITO/CuPc 15 nm/Dy complex 70 nm/BCP 20 nm/AlQ 30 nm/LiF 1 nm/Al 100 nm exhibits a maximum brightness of 524 cd/m2, a current efficiency of 0.73 cd/A, and a power efficiency of 0.16 lm/W, which means that a great improvement in the performances of the device was obtained as compared to the results reported in published literature. Being identical to the PL spectrum, the EL spectrum of the complex also shows characteristic emissions of the Dy3+ ion, which consist of a yellow band at 572 nm and a blue emission band at 480 nm corresponding to the 4F9/2−6H13/2 and 4F9/2−6H15/2 transition of the Dy3+ ion, respectively. Consequently, an appropriate tuning of the blue/yellow intensity ratio can be presumed to accomplish a white luminescent emission.