| 31. |
- Kördel, Mikael, et al.
(author)
-
Quantitative conversion of biomass in giant DNA virus infection
- 2021
-
In: Scientific Reports. - : Springer Nature. - 2045-2322. ; 11:1
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Bioconversion of organic materials is the foundation of many applications in chemical engineering, microbiology and biochemistry. Herein, we introduce a new methodology to quantitatively determine conversion of biomass in viral infections while simultaneously imaging morphological changes of the host cell. As proof of concept, the viral replication of an unidentified giant DNA virus and the cellular response of an amoebal host are studied using soft X-ray microscopy, titration dilution measurements and thermal gravimetric analysis. We find that virions produced inside the cell are visible from 18 h post infection and their numbers increase gradually to a burst size of 280-660 virions. Due to the large size of the virion and its strong X-ray absorption contrast, we estimate that the burst size corresponds to a conversion of 6-12% of carbonaceous biomass from amoebal host to virus. The occurrence of virion production correlates with the appearance of a possible viral factory and morphological changes in the phagosomes and contractile vacuole complex of the amoeba, whereas the nucleus and nucleolus appear unaffected throughout most of the replication cycle.
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| 32. |
- Lalegani, Z., et al.
(author)
-
Modeling, design, and synthesis of gram-scale monodispersed silver nanoparticles using microwave-assisted polyol process for metamaterial applications
- 2020
-
In: Optical materials (Amsterdam). - : Elsevier BV. - 0925-3467 .- 1873-1252. ; 108
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- High-yield monodispersed silver (Ag) nanospheres were modeled, designed, and synthesized by microwaveassisted (MW-assisted) polyol method from AgNO3, polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), and ethylene glycol (EG), as precursors, at 145 degrees C within a short reaction time of 2 min, and the results were compared to those of conventional polyol method. Maintaining the PVP:AgNO3 molar ratio, the effect of increasing the amounts of AgNO3 and PVP at a constant amount of EG (40 mL) on the final product was evaluated. The synthesized nanoparticles (NPs) were characterized by SEM, UV-Vis spectroscopy, FTIR and DLS analysis. The results showed that with increasing the amount of AgNO3 to 0.5 and 1 g, monodispersed Ag nanoparticles (Ag NPs) with particle sizes of 54 and 61 nm were formed, as per the plasmon absorption peaks at 436 and 442 nm, respectively. Moreover, using 40 mL of the EG solution, we could obtain a high yield of the NPs (similar to 90%). The sub-gram yield was excellently high, offering great opportunities for commercializing the procedure. Also, the proposed study paves a new way for Ag NPs realization for different practical applications ranging from MW to optics.
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| 33. |
- Lalegani, Z., et al.
(author)
-
Targeted dielectric coating of silver nanoparticles with silica to manipulate optical properties for metasurface applications
- 2022
-
In: Materials Chemistry and Physics. - : Elsevier BV. - 0254-0584 .- 1879-3312. ; 287, s. 126250-
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- An epsilon-negative metamaterial (ENM) containing core@shell nanoparticles (NPs) was designed, where silver (Ag) NPs served as core and silica (SiO2) was used as spacer shell. AgNPs were synthesized in large scale, using microwave-assisted polyol method, in three average particle sizes, as 30, 54, and 61 nm, with a narrow particle size distribution. Optical absorption of Ag NPs was investigated using UV-Vis spectroscopy. Their optical behavior was also theoretically predicted for different thicknesses of the SiO2 shell immersed in media of different refractive indices using the Clausius Mossotti equation. Based on the results, optimal outputs were obtained with a SiO2 shell of 10 nm in thickness encompassing 54 nm Ag NPs based on the analytical model and numerical simulations here developed for core-shell structures. Then 10 nm SiO2 shell was grown on 54 nm Ag NPs by sol-gel synthesis. The NPs were then characterized by UV-Vis, TEM, SEM, EDX, DLS, and zeta potential analyses. The synthesized core-shell NPs can be used to establish epsilon-negative properties in polymer layers within visible range of wavelengths.
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| 34. |
- Larsson, Jakob C., et al.
(author)
-
High-spatial-resolution x-ray fluorescence tomography with spectrally matched nanoparticles
- 2018
-
In: Physics in Medicine and Biology. - : Institute of Physics (IOP). - 0031-9155 .- 1361-6560. ; 63, s. 164001-
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Present macroscopic biomedical imaging methods provide either morphology with high spatial resolution (e.g. CT) or functional/molecular information with lower resolution (e.g. PET). X-ray fluorescence (XRF) from targeted nanoparticles allows molecular or functional imaging but sensitivity has so far been insufficient resulting in low spatial resolution, despite long exposure times and high dose. In the present paper, we show that laboratory XRF tomography with metal-core nanoparticles (NPs) provides a path to functional/molecular biomedical imaging with ~100 µm resolution in living rodents. The high sensitivity and resolution rely on the combination of a high-brightness liquid-metal-jet x-ray source, pencil-beam optics, photon-counting energy-dispersive detection, and spectrally matched NPs. The method is demonstrated on mice for 3D tumor imaging via passive targeting of in-house-fabricated molybdenum NPs. Exposure times, nanoparticle dose, and radiation dose agree well with in vivo imaging.
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| 35. |
- Li, Shanghua, 1980-, et al.
(author)
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Nanocomposites of polymer and inorganic nanoparticles for optical and magnetic applications
- 2010
-
In: Nano reviews. - : CoAction Publishing. - 2000-5121. ; 1, s. 5214-
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This article provides an up-to-date review on nanocomposites composed of inorganic nanoparticles and the polymer matrix for optical and magnetic applications. Optical or magnetic characteristics can change upon the decrease of particle sizes to very small dimensions, which are, in general, of major interest in the area of nanocomposite materials. The use of inorganic nanoparticles into the polymer matrix can provide high-performance novel materials that find applications in many industrial fields. With this respect, frequently considered features are optical properties such as light absorption (UV and color), and the extent of light scattering or, in the case of metal particles, photoluminescence, dichroism, and so on, and magnetic properties such as superparamagnetism, electromagnetic wave absorption, and electromagnetic interference shielding. A general introduction, definition, and historical development of polymer-inorganic nanocomposites as well as a comprehensive review of synthetic techniques for polymer-inorganic nanocomposites will be given. Future possibilities for the development of nanocomposites for optical and magnetic applications are also introduced. It is expected that the use of new functional inorganic nano-fillers will lead to new polymer-inorganic nanocomposites with unique combinations of material properties. By careful selection of synthetic techniques and understanding/exploiting the unique physics of the polymeric nanocomposites in such materials, novel functional polymer-inorganic nanocomposites can be designed and fabricated for new interesting applications such as optoelectronic and magneto-optic applications.
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| 36. |
- Li, Yuyang
(author)
-
Synthesis and Characterization of Nanoprobes for X-Ray Fluorescence Computed Tomography (XFCT) Bio-imaging
- 2020
-
Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- X-ray fluorescence computed tomography (XFCT) is an emerging biomedical imaging technique. The KTH-XFCT laboratory system offers a characteristic 24 keV emission line, and high spatial resolution (200 ?m) images. XFCT as a newly emerging modality also requires the exploration and development of suitable contrast agents. Nanomaterials have been widely used as contrast agents in many popular imaging modalities like MRI, PET, and CT. They have several advantages including long blood circulation time, high ratio of surface area to volume, and enhanced image contrast. However, the use of nanomaterials as contrast agents is limited by their biocompatibility and toxicity, which are determined by the physicochemical properties including size, morphology, surface chemistry. Therefore, the study on the synthesis and characterization of nanomaterials is an indispensable step. In this thesis, a group of elements (Y, Zr, Nb, Ru, Rh) are selected based on the X-ray K?-absorption energy, matching with the 24 keV emission line of KTH-XFCT source. Y, Zr, Nb, Ru and Rh based nanoparticles are synthesized by hydrothermal and polyol method, identified as the ceramic and metallic groups. XRF performance is demonstrated by the XFCT system. Metallic Ru and Rh nanoparticles are further selected to study the synthesis conditions and in vitro toxicity for their smaller TEM and hydrodynamic size. Surface properties are investigated to show the isoelectric point and polymer coating on the metallic nanoparticles. Morphological different Rh nanoparticles are obtained by introducing different additives during the synthesis, indicating the different cytotoxicity performance attributed to different morphologies. Silica coating is further performed on the surface of metallic and metallic nanoparticles to improve their biocompatibility. The in vitro toxicity assessment are performed on the murine macrophages and human ovarian cancer cell lines. X-ray fluorescence performance is evaluated for each nanoparticles by using soft-tissue equivalent holder and in situ small-animal imaging experiments. The results indicates the spatial resolution and detection sensitivity of the concentration of the metallic nanoparticles. In this work, we demonstrate the potential of a group selected nanomaterials as XFCT contrast agents for the first time, especially, investigate the synthesis, surface properties, in vitro toxicity as well as detection sensitivity of the metallic nanoparticles.
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| 37. |
- Li, Yuyang, et al.
(author)
-
Synthesis and Cytotoxicity Studies on Ru and Rh Nanoparticles as Potential X-Ray Fluorescence Computed Tomography (XFCT) Contrast Agents
- 2020
-
In: Nanomaterials. - : MDPI AG. - 2079-4991. ; 10:2
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- X-Ray fluorescence computed tomography (XFCT) is an emerging biomedical imaging technique, which demands the development of new contrast agents. Ruthenium (Ru) and rhodium (Rh) have spectrally attractive K ff edge energies, qualifying them as new XFCT bio-imaging probes. Metallic Ru and Rh nanoparticles are synthesized by polyol method, in the presence of a stabilizer. The effect of several reaction parameters, including reaction temperature time, precursor and stabilizer concentration, and stabilizer molecular weight, on the size of particles, were studied. Resultant materials were characterized in detail using XRD, TEM, FT-IR, DLS-zeta potential and TGA techniques. Ru particles in the size range of 1-3 nm, and Rh particles of 6-9 nm were obtained. At physiological pH, both material systems showed agglomeration into larger assemblies ranging from 12-104 nm for Ru and 25-50 nm for Rh. Cytotoxicity of the nanoparticles (NPs) was evaluated on macrophages and ovarian cancer cells, showing minimal toxicity in doses up to 50 mu g/mL. XFCT performance was evaluated on a small-animal-sized phantom model, demonstrating the possibility of quantitative evaluation of the measured dose with an expected linear response. This work provides a detailed route for the synthesis, size control and characterization of two materials systems as viable contrast agents for XFCT bio-imaging.
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| 38. |
- Li, Yuyang, et al.
(author)
-
Synthesis, Physicochemical Characterization, and Cytotoxicity Assessment of Rh Nanoparticles with Different Morphologies-as Potential XFCT Nanoprobes
- 2020
-
In: Nanomaterials. - : MDPI AG. - 2079-4991. ; 10:11, s. 2129-2129
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Morphologically controllable synthesis of Rh nanoparticles (NPs) was achieved by the use of additives during polyol synthesis. The effect of salts and surfactant additives including PVP, sodium acetate, sodiumcitrate, CTAB,CTAC,andpotassiumbromideonRhNPsmorphologywasinvestigated. When PVP was used as the only additive, trigonal NPs were obtained. Additives containing Br− ions (CTAB and KBr) resulted in NPs with a cubic morphology, while those with carboxyl groups (sodium citrate and acetate) formed spheroid NPs. The use of Cl− ions (CTAC) resulted in a mixture of polygon morphologies. Cytotoxicity of these NPs was evaluated on macrophages and ovarian cancer cell lines. Membrane integrity and cellular activity are both influenced to a similar extent, for both the cell lines, with respect to the morphology of Rh NPs. The cells exposed to trigonal Rh NPs showed the highest viability, among the NP series. Particles with a mixed polygon morphology had the highest cytotoxic impact, followed by cubic and spherical NPs. The Rh NPs were further demonstrated as contrast agents for X-ray fluorescence computed tomography (XFCT) in a small-animal imaging setting. This work provides a detailed route for the synthesis, morphology control, and characterization of Rh NPs as viable contrast agents for XFCT bio-imaging.
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| 39. |
- Lobov, Gleb, et al.
(author)
-
Electro-optical effects of high aspect ratio P3HT nanofibers colloid in polymer micro-fluid cells
- 2017
-
In: Optics Letters. - : OSA Publishing. - 0146-9592 .- 1539-4794. ; 42:11, s. 2157-2160
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This Letter reports the electro-optical (EO) effect of Poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3HT) nanofibers colloid in a polymer micro-fluidic EO cell. P3HT nanofibers are high aspect ratio semiconducting nanostructures, and can be collectively aligned by an external alternating electric field. Optical transmission modulated by the electric field is a manifestation of the electro-optical effect due to high inner crystallinity of P3HT nanofibers. According to our results, the degree of alignment reaches a maximum at 0.6 V/μm of electric field strength, implying a big polarizability value due to geometry and electrical properties of P3HT nanofibers. We believe that one-dimensional crystalline organic nanostructures have a large potential in EO devices due to their significant anisotropy, wide variety of properties, low actuation voltages, and opportunity to be tailored via adjustment of the fabrication process.
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| 40. |
- Mohamed, Alaaeldin, et al.
(author)
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Photocatalytic degradation of organic dyes and enhanced mechanical properties of PAN/CNTs composite nanofibers
- 2017
-
In: Separation and Purification Technology. - : Elsevier. - 1383-5866 .- 1873-3794. ; 182, s. 219-223
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This work describes the enhanced mechanical properties of the composite nanofibers and the photodegradation of two organic dyes using PAN/CNTs under UV irradiation at different volume concentration (0.05, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3 wt.%). The composite nanofibers was performed with polyacrylonitrile (PAN), and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by electrospinning process. The composite nanofibers structure and morphology is characterized by XRD, FTIR, SEM, and TEM. The result indicates that with increasing CNTs content, the mechanical properties of the composite nanofibers was enhanced, and became more elastic, and the elastic modulus increased drastically. The results of mechanical properties exhibit improvements in tensile strengths, and elastic modulus by 38% and 84% respectively, at only 0.05 wt.% CNTs. Moreover, photocatalytic degradation performance in short time and low power intensity was achieved comparison to earlier reports.
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