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Bone regeneration requires the presence of specific factors to induce the differentiation of stem cells into osteoblasts. These factors induce osteogenesis by stimulating the expression of bone‐related proteins, bone cell proliferation and differentiation. Herein, bioactive mesoporous silica nanoparticles are doped with calcium and phosphate ions while the porous network is loaded with dexamethasone (MSN‐CaPDex). The bioactive MSN‐CaPDex nanocarriers are prepared without affecting the narrow size distribution, pore structure, and morphology of the MSNs, while incorporating multi‐stimuli, complementary ionic/biochemical bioactive mediators. The bioactive nanocarriers induce osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBM‐MSCs) after a single‐dose administration, and without the need for further soluble osteogenic factors, in contrast to the standard continuous stimulation provided by osteogenic medium. The hBM‐MSCs exhibit several biomarkers of osteogenic differentiation, including alkaline phosphatase peaking at early time points, secretion of osteopontin and osteocalcin, and deposition of a calcium‐rich matrix. Overall, by inducing the osteogenic differentiation of stem cells with a single‐dose administration and without requiring repeated osteogenic supplementation, the newly synthesized multi‐bioactive hybrid nanocarrier shows great potential for bone tissue engineering applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In efficient thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) the excited chromophore alternates randomly between the singlet and triplet manifolds a large number of times before emission occurs. In this work, the average number of cycles [formula] is obtained and is shown to have a simple experimental meaning: [formula] is the intensification factor of the prompt fluorescence intensity, owing to the occurrence of TADF. A new method of data analysis for the determination of the quantum yield of triplet formation, combining steady-state and time-resolved data in a single plot, is also presented. Application of the theoretical results to the TADF of [70]fullerenes shows a general good agreement between different methods of fluorescence analysis and allows the determination of several photophysical parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We prepared hybrid nanoparticles with a brightly fluorescent silica core and a biocompatible thermoresponsive polymer shell containing tumor-targeting folic acid (FA) groups. The silica core has a perylenediimide fluorescent dye anchored covalently to the structure for traceability and bioimaging applications. The polymeric shell was synthesized by reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) polymerization to guarantee the homogeneous size of the particle shell. The shell is composed of copolymer chains with one block of oligo(ethylene glycol)methacrylate and 2-(2′-methoxyethoxy)ethylmethacrylate with another block of the reactive monomer N-acryloxysuccinimide (NAS). The NAS groups were used to covalently attach a large amount of amino-functionalized FA to the particle shells to provide active targeting properties towards cancer cells and tissues. The targeting capability of the folate-containing nanoparticles was evaluated against NCI-H460 tumor cells, which overexpress folate receptors. The nanoparticles with FA show a higher uptake efficiency compared to that of the equivalent nanoparticles without FA. This result validates the imaging capabilities and active targeting efficiency of our nanoparticles, an important step towards the goal of developing vehicles for precision drug delivery systems that combine therapeutic and diagnostic (theranostic) functionalities with large drug payloads, active targeting, and stimuli-activated drug release. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High performance functional coatings, based on hybrid organic/inorganic materials, are being developed to combine the polymer flexibility and ease of processing with the mechanical properties and versatility of inorganic materials. By incorporating silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) in the polymeric matrices, it is possible to obtain hybrid polymer films with increased tensile strength and impact resistance, without decreasing the flexural properties of the polymer matrix. The SiNPs can further be used as carriers to impart other functionalities (optical, etc.) to the hybrid films. By using polymer-coated SiNPs, it is possible to reduce particle aggregation in the films and, thus, achieve more homogeneous distributions of the inorganic components and, therefore, better properties. On the other hand, by coating polymer particles with silica, one can create hierarchically structured materials, for example to obtain superhydrophobic coatings. In this review, we will cover the latest developments in films prepared from hybrid polymer/silica functional systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Naphthalene analogues of luminol with several types of substituents were prepared. All molecules exhibit a strong green chemiluminescence in aqueous solution, which is catalysed by iron, pointing to the possibility of increasing the sensitivity of analytical methods currently based on luminol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on a new method for sensing trace oxygen in the gas phase. It is based on the extreme efficiency of the quenching of the thermally activated delayed fluorescence of isotopically enriched carbon-13 fullerene C70 (13C70). This fullerene was dissolved in polymer matrixes of varying oxygen permeability, viz., polystyrene (PS), ethyl cellulose (EC) and an organically modified silica gel ("ormosil"; OS). The sensor films (5-10 μm thick), on photoexcitation at 470 nm, display a strong delayed photoluminescence with peaks between 670 and 700 nm. Its quenching by molecular oxygen was studied at 25 and 60 °C and at concentrations from zero up to 150 ppmv of oxygen in nitrogen. The rapid lifetime determination (RLD) method was applied to determine oxygen-dependent lifetimes and for fluorescence lifetime imaging of oxygen. The lower limits of detection (at 1% quenching) vary with the polymer used (EC ~250 ppbv, OS ~320 ppbv, PS ~530 ppbv at 25 °C) and with temperature. The oxygen sensors reported here are the most sensitive ones described so far. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An optical dual sensor for oxygen and temperature is presented that is highly oxygen sensitive and covers a broad temperature range. Dual sensing is based on luminescence lifetime measurements. The novel sensor contains two luminescent compounds incorporated into polymer films. The temperature-sensitive dye (ruthenium tris-1, 10-phenanthroline) has a highly temperature-dependent luminescence and is incorporated in poly(acrylonitrile) to avoid cross-sensitivity to oxygen. Fullerene C70 was used as the oxygen-sensitive probe owing to its strong thermally activated delayed fluorescence at elevated temperatures that is extremely oxygen sensitive. The cross-sensitivity of C70 to temperature is accounted for by means of the temperature sensor. C70 is incorporated into a highly oxygen-permeable polymer, either ethyl cellulose or organosilica. The two luminescent probes have different emission spectra and decay times, and their emissions can be discriminated using both parameters. Spatially resolved sensing is achieved by means of fluorescence lifetime imaging. The response times of the sensor to oxygen are short. The dual sensor exhibits a temperature operation range between at least 0 and 120 °C, and detection limits for oxygen in the ppbv range, operating for oxygen concentrations up to at least 50 ppmv. These ranges outperform all dual oxygen and temperature sensors reported so far. The dual sensor presented in this study is especially appropriate for measurements under extreme conditions such as high temperatures and ultralow oxygen levels. This dual sensor is a key step forward in a number of scientifically or commercially important applications including food packaging, for monitoring of hyperthermophilic microorganisms, in space technology, and safety and security applications in terms of detection of oxygen leaks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores the methodologies used for the synthesis of chiral salen complexes, which are recoverable and reusable catalysts, used in research up to the beginning of 2006. Topics discussed include: the general methodologies to transform these complexes into recoverable and reusable catalysts; the operation of these complexes as homogeneous catalysts; and the use of these complexes as heterogeneous catalysts.

An oxime carbapalladacycle known as an extremely active homogeneous catalyst for the Suzuki coupling in water has been conveniently modified and anchored on high surface area SiO[sub 2], MCM41, and polystyrene-divinylbenzene and ethylenglycol dimethylacrylate polymers. The resulting solids were characterized by analytical and spectroscopic (UV-vis and IR) techniques and tested as catalysts for the reaction of 4-chloroacetophenone with phenylboronic acid in water, dioxane, and a mixture of both. Differences in activity depending on the support were remarkable, the palladium complex being more active for the reactions in water when supported on SiO[sub 2] or MCM41. The catalysts were truly heterogeneous (no leached palladium) and when anchored on SiO[sub 2] were reused seven times without loosing activity. Palladium complex anchored in SiO[sub 2] was also tested as Suzuki catalyst for a wide range of bromo-, chloro-, and even fluoroaromatics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two vanadyl salen complexes having peripheral styryl substituents have been reacted with 1-methyl-3-(3-mercaptopropyl)-imidazolium chloride using azoisobutyronitrile as radical initiator. The resulting compounds contain at the same time a vanadyl salen complex and one imidazolium cation. In agreement with the expectations in view of their structure, these compounds were insoluble in conventional organic solvents, but completely miscible in imidazolium ionic liquids. These vanadyl salen complexes bonded to an imidazolium cation are highly active and reusable catalysts for the cyanosilylation of aldehydes. Moderate enantiomeric excesses were obtained using the chiral version of this complex. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highly efficient pH-modulated cargo release was achieved with a new hybrid nanocarrier composed of a mesoporous silica core with functionalized pores and a grafted pH-responsive crosslinked polymer shell of 2-(diisopropylamino)ethyl methacrylate (pKa ≈ 6.5). The retention/release performance of the system was optimized by a novel approach using selective functionalization of the silica pores to tune the carrier-cargo interaction and by tunning the amount of grafted polymer. The system features excellent retention of cationic cargo at low pH and a burst release at higher pH. This results from the expanded-collapsed conformation transition of the pH-responsive polymer shell and the simultaneous change in the interaction between the cargo and the polymer shell and the modified pore walls. At low pH, the electrostatic interaction of the cationic cargo with the protonated amine groups of the extended polymer shell retains the cargo, resulting in very low leakage (OFF state). At high pH, the electrostatic interaction with the cargo is lost (due to deprotonation of the polymer amine groups), and the polymer shell collapses, squeezing out the cargo in a burst release (ON state). Pore functionalization in combination with the stimuli-responsive polymer shell is a very promising strategy to design high-performance ON:OFF smart hybrid nanocarriers for stimuli-actuated cargo release, with great potential for application in the controlled release of drugs and other biologically active agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ionic liquids with different counter-ion and alkyl substitutes were tested as solvents in the dealkylation and acylation of methyl dehydroabietate, a useful and inexpensive building block for the synthesis of higher diterpenes derivatives. Ionic liquids with halogen counter-ions are very active in both reactions with high rate constant and conversion, avoiding the use of the conventional solvents (benzene and carbon disulfide) in these reactions. In the dealkylation reaction, the change of counter-ion from halogens to tetrafluoroborate had a dramatic effect on the stereoselectivity, showing the importance of the counter-ion in the course of the reactions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Among a variety of inorganic-based nanomaterials, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) have several attractive features for application as a delivery system, due to their high surface areas, large pore volumes, uniform and tunable pore sizes, high mechanical stability, and a great diversity of surface functionalization options. We developed novel hybrid MSNs composed of a mesoporous silica nanostructure core and a pH-responsive polymer shell. The polymer shell was prepared by RAFT polymerization of 2-(diisopropylamino)ethyl methacrylate (pKa ~6.5), using a hybrid grafting approach. The hybrid nanoparticles have diameters of ca. 100 nm at pH < 6.5 and ca. 60 nm at pH > 6.5. An excellent control of cargo release is achieved by the combined effect of electrostatic interaction of the cargo with the charged silica and the extended cationic polymer chains at low pH, and the reduction of electrostatic attraction with a simultaneous collapse of the polymer chains to a globular conformation at higher pH. The system presents a very low (almost null) release rate at acidic pH values and a large release rate at basic pH, resulting from the squeezing-out effect of the coil-to-globule transition in the polymer shell. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poly(vinylidene fluoride) nanocomposites processed with different morphologies, such as porous and non-porous films and fibres, have been prepared with silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) of varying diameter (17, 100, 160 and 300 nm), which in turn have encapsulated perylenediimide (PDI), a fluorescent molecule. The structural, morphological, optical, thermal, and mechanical properties of the nanocomposites, with SiNP filler concentration up to 16 wt %, were evaluated. Furthermore, cytotoxicity and cell proliferation studies were performed. All SiNPs are negatively charged independently of the pH and more stable from pH 5 upwards. The introduction of SiNPs within the polymer matrix increases the contact angle independently of the nanoparticle diameter. Moreover, the smallest ones (17 nm) also improve the PVDF Young's modulus. The filler diameter, physico-chemical, thermal and mechanical properties of the polymer matrix were not significantly affected. Finally, the SiNPs' inclusion does not induce cytotoxicity in murine myoblasts (C2C12) after 72 h of contact and proliferation studies reveal that the prepared composites represent a suitable platform for tissue engineering applications, as they allow us to combine the biocompatibility and piezoelectricity of the polymer with the possible functionalization and drug encapsulation and release of the SiNP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]