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We demonstrate that, with appropriate staining, high-resolution X-ray microscopy can image complicated tissue structures--cerebellum and liver--and resolve large or small amounts of Au nanoparticles in these tissues. Specifically, images of tumor tissue reveal high concentrations of accumulated Au nanoparticles. PEG (poly(ethylene glycol)) coating is quite effective in enhancing this accumulation and significantly modifies the mechanism of uptake by reticuloendothelial system (RES) organs.

We investigated the room temperature electroless nickel deposition on glass, induced by synchrotron x ray. By irradiating electrolytes with intense x ray the onset time for Ni reduction disappears at high electrolyte pH (>6.0) in sharp contrast with conventional electroless deposition. The time for Ni reduction in irradiated solution also decreases with increase in electrolyte pH. Consequently higher reduction rates in alkaline solutions (pH>8.0) raise the Ni nucleation density during deposition, as illustrated by homogeneous and complete coverage of the substrate by nanoparticles within a short period of 1 min. The enhancement in reduction rate is attributed to high redox efficiency of hydrated electrons produced by x ray as well as their redox potential enhancements under higher electrolyte pH conditions. © 2004 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present an effective solution for the problem of contrast enhancement in phase-contrast microangiography, with the specific objective of visualising small (<8 µm) vessels in tumor-related microangiogenesis. Different hydrophilic and hydrophobic contrast agents were explored in this context. We found that an emulsified version of the hydrophobic contrast agents Lipiodol® provides the best contrast and minimal distortion of the circulation and vessel structure. Such emulsions are reasonably biocompatible and, with sizes of 0 ± 0.8 µm, sufficient to diffuse to the smallest vessel and still provide reasonable contrast. We also explored the use of Au nanoparticle colloids that could be used not only to enhance contrast but also for interesting applications in nanomedicine. Both the Lipiodol microemulsions and Au nanoparticle colloids can be conjugated with medicines or cell specific labeling agents and their small size can allow the study of the diffusion of contrast agents through the vessel leakage. This enables direct imaging of drug delivery which is important for cancer treatment. [Figure not available: see fulltext.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colloidal Ag nanoparticles were formed by X-ray irradiation in the presence of a polymer. This new synthesis method is simple, rapid and leads to a high production yield. Compared to the citrate-reduced Ag colloidal, polymer-protected Ag nanoparticles are smaller in size and more stable—and therefore suitable for biomedical application—as verified by TEM observation, XAFS measurement and optical characterization. Ag nanoparticles so produced were also visualized in solution and in real time by a visible light microscope based on dark field light scattering. The color-derived size and distribution of Ag nanoparticles correlates well with the hydrodynamic size data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The formation of colloidal unmodified (`naked') gold nanoparticles is investigated by irradiation of a precursor solution with X-rays from a synchrotron source. An interesting morphological evolution as a function of exposure time, from cross-linked network-like structure to individual particles, has been discovered. The particle size decreased with the exposure time and was influenced by the ionic strength of the precursor solution. Contrary to γ-ray exposure, an OH radical scavenger was not required for cluster formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The long and short range order of chemically prepared Co2FeGa Heusler nanoparticles with various sizes are determined by x-ray diffraction (XRD) and extended x-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy. Specifically, EXAFS fittings reveal the size dependent crystal structure and short range order of the Heusler type Co2FeGa nanoparticles. With decreasing particle size, the degree of L21 order in the nanoparticles decreases and the probability of B2 disorder increases simultaneously. The consequences of antisite disorder on the size correlated structure of Co2FeGa nanoparticles are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The spatial distribution of X-ray synthesized, PEG coated Au nanoparticles in cancer-bearing mice and their time dependent accumulation were investigated with inductive coupled plasma – optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and histological imaging. The results conclusively demonstrate that the particles strongly accumulate in tumor regions; up to ∼25 times more than in normal muscle tissue. This accumulation increases with the time after injection for up to ∼12h in tumor, spleen and liver tissues, whereas for most non-tumor regions it saturates or decreases (blood, lung, brain, heart, and kidney). The impact of this result is discussed with special emphasis on passive targeted drug delivery and could also be used for the delineation and early-stage imaging of small tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Au/TiO2 nanocomposite particles were synthesized by a method based on intense X-ray irradiation without adding any reducing agent or stabilizer. The nanocomposite exhibits promising photocatalytic and biological properties at physiologically relevant concentration ([Au]=0.028mM, [TiO2]=0.5mM). The structure and photocatalysis were examined by X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy demonstrating that gold nanoparticles of 2–5nm size were successfully deposited on TiO2 nanoparticle surfaces. The nanocomposite exhibited good colloidal stability within a typical cellular environment and was nontoxic to cancer cell according to evaluations under controlled conditions. The Au/TiO2 nanoparticles were also found to enhance the photocatalytic efficiency of UV radiation and even more that of X-ray radiation. In vitro studies indicated that the cell-killing effect under X-ray irradiation is more pronounced with the addition of Au/TiO2 nanoparticles than of bare TiO2 nanoparticles. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Reductant, stabilizer-free colloidal gold solutions were fabricated by a new room-temperature synchrotron X-ray irradiation method. The influence of process parameters such as the pH value and the exposure time on the structure of gold nanoparticles was investigated. The mechanisms underlying the X-ray-triggered reduction of gold ions and the formation of gold clusters are discussed in detail. The X-ray irradiation derived highly concentrated gold nanoparticles are readily to be re-dispersed and possess suitable colloidal stability within cellular environment. The characterization included a study of the possible cytotoxicity for the EMT-6 tumor cell line: the negative results indicate that the gold clusters produced with our approach are biocompatible. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]