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This work describes the development and characterization of tetragonal barium titanate nanoparticles (BTO NPs) and their surface functionalization with dopamine dodecylamine (DDA), a lipophilic organic ligand. The so‐obtained lipophilic NPs (BTO‐DDA) are then formulated at low loadings (< 5 wt.%) into liquid photocurable resins for vat photopolymerization (VP) and 3D printed into solid objects. The printed composites are mechanically characterized in order to assess the effect of the nanomaterial on the mechanical properties of the 3D printed polymer, revealing no significant variations in the mechanical properties (tensile or flexural) of the nanocomposites compared to the original polymer matrix. In light of these results, the printed nanocomposites are studied in terms of their capacity to generate a separation of charge by the piezoelectric effect, typical of the BTO crystal structure. This study reveals that BTO‐loaded nanocomposites display outstanding piezoelectric coefficients as high as 50 pC/N when BTO‐DDA is formulated at 3.0 wt.%, only slightly less than one‐third of the piezoelectric coefficient previously reported for bulk BTO, while preserving the mechanical properties of the polymer matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, olive pit agro-waste from the olive oil industry is valorized by incorporating it as an additive in a polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG) matrix to develop bio-based composite materials for large format additive manufacturing (LFAM). The olive pits were first ground into olive pit powder (OPP) and then functionalized by polymerizing poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) PBAT on their surface, resulting in a hydrophobic, modified olive pit powder (MOPP) with enhanced compatibility with the PETG matrix. OPP and MOPP composites were compounded and 3D-printed via Fused Granular Fabrication (FGF) using 5, 10, and 15 wt.% concentrations. The PBAT coating increased the degradation temperature and specific heat capacity of the material, contributing to a lower melt viscosity during printing, as confirmed by MFR, MDSC, and TGA analyses. Tensile testing revealed that MOPP composites generally exhibited superior mechanical properties compared to OPP composites, likely due to the improved compatibility between PBAT on the MOPP surface and the PETG matrix. SEM analysis further validated these findings, showing a highly irregular and porous fracture surface in OPP composites, while MOPP composites displayed a smooth surface with well-integrated MOPP in the PETG matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Residual nonvisible bladder cancer after proper treatment caused by technological and therapeutic limitations is responsible for tumor relapse and progression. This study aimed to demonstrate the feasibility of a solution for simultaneous detection and treatment of bladder cancer lesions smaller than one millimeter. The α5β1 integrin was identified as a specific marker in 81% of human high-grade nonmuscle invasive bladder cancers and used as a target for the delivery of targeted gold nanorods (GNRs). In a preclinical model of orthotopic bladder cancer expressing the α5β1 integrin, the photoacoustic imaging of targeted GNRs visualized lesions smaller than one millimeter, and their irradiation with continuous laser was used to induce GNR-assisted hyperthermia. Necrosis of the tumor mass, improved survival, and computational modeling were applied to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of this solution. Our study highlights the potential of the GNR-assisted theranostic strategy as a complementary solution in clinical practice to reduce the risk of nonvisible residual bladder cancer after current treatment. Further validation through clinical studies will support the findings of the present study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work shows the synthesis of a drug delivery system made of casein nanoparticles able to host hydrophobic molecules and be functionalized with aptamers targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor. In vitro cell viability and uptake analyses, performed on triple-negative breast cancer cells, confirmed the safety profile and the target selectivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]