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Small-sized BaLaF5:Mn/Yb/Er upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) were successfully synthesized for dualmodal X-ray and upconversion (UC) luminescence bioimaging by a simple solvothermal method. The size, shape, and UC luminescence intensity of the as-prepared UCNPs can be readily modified by changing the contents of Mn2+. The size of BaLaF[sub 5] UCNPs doped with Mn2+ decreased largely compared with Mn-free UCNPs. When increasing the content of Mn2+ from 5% to 20%, the size of UCNPs was gradually increased from 6.5 nm to 9.7 nm. The as-prepared BaLaF[sub 5] UCNPs doped with 20% Mn2+ present intense UC luminescence. The in vitro UC luminescence imaging of HeLa cells and localized spectra detected from HeLa cells and the background based on these BaLaF[sub 5]:Mn/Yb/Er (20/20/2%) UCNPs indicate that this sample can serve as an ideal bioprobe with the absence of autofluorescence under the excitation of 980 nm laser. Moreover, an obvious UC signal was observed in in vivo UC bioimaging, demonstrating that these BaLaF5:Mn/Yb/Er (20/20/2%) UCNPs can also be used as bioprobes for whole body optical bioimaging. In addition, owing to the high X-ray mass absorption coefficients of Ba2+, La3+ and the doped Yb3+, the simultaneous X-ray and UC in vivo bioimaging of a nude mouse further demonstrate that the as-prepared UCNPs can be successfully used as dual-modal bioprobes. Ex vivo UC bioimaging revealed that these UCNPs gathered at the lung of a mouse at the initial time, demonstrating that this sample was suitable for the detection of the lung diseases. In addition, the cytotoxicity test showed that the UCNPs possessed little toxicity. Therefore, the small-sized BaLaF5:Yb/Er/Mn UCNPs are ideal nanoprobes for dual-modal UC luminescence/X-ray bioimaging with non-autofluorescence, and enhanced detection of the lung diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) modified BaLuF5:Gd/Yb/Er upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) were synthesized by a facile one-pot hydrothermal method for simultaneous synthesis and surface functionalization. The novel, excellently biocompatible and water-soluble bioprobes were used for simultaneous upconversion (UC) luminescence and X-ray bioimaging for the first time. The as-prepared BaLuF5:Gd/Yb/ Er UCNPs possess a face-centered cubic structure with an average size of 23.7 ± 2.7 nm. Under 980 nm laser excitation, these UCNPs emitted intense UC luminescence via a two-photon process. In vitro bioimaging and localized luminescence spectra detected from HeLa cells and the background reveal that these UCNPs are ideal candidates for optical bioimaging in the absence of autofluorescence. Furthermore, the synergistic in vivo UC luminescence and X-ray bioimaging reveal that these PEG-modified BaLuF5:Gd/Yb/Er UCNPs can be successfully used as ideal dual-modal bioprobes. These results demonstrate that these PEG modified UCNPs are ideal multi-modal nanoprobes for bioimaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of chemotherapy drug Mitomycin C (MMC) in combination with recombinant adeno-associated virus II (rAAV2) in cancer therapy was investigated, and the mechanism of MMC affecting rAAV2's bioactivity was also studied. The combination effect was evaluated by the level of GFP and TNF expression in a human glioma cell line, and the mechanism of MMC effects on rAAV mediated gene expression was investigated by AAV transduction related signal molecules. C57 and BALB/c nude mice were injected with rAAV-EGFP or rAAV-TNF alone, or mixed with MMC, to evaluate the effect of MMC on AAV-mediated gene expression and tumor suppression. MMC was shown to improve the infection activity of rAAV2 both in vitro and in vivo. Enhancement was found to be independent of initial rAAV2 receptor binding stage or subsequent second-strand synthesis of target DNA, but was related to cell cycle retardation followed by blocked genome degradation. In vivo injection of MMC combined with rAAV2 into the tumors of the animals resulted in significant suppression of tumor growth. It was thus demonstrated for the first time that MMC could enhance the expression level of the target gene mediated by rAAV2. The combination of rAAV2 and MMC may be a promising strategy in cancer therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yb/Er codoped Gd(OH)3 was synthesized firstly via a simple hydrothermal treatment of the corresponding nitrate in the presence of alkali by tuning the pH values. The Gd2O3:Yb/Er nanocrystals were obtained via sintering the corresponding hydroxides precursors. The as-prepared samples were characterized by the typical X-ray diffraction, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolut ion TEM, and spectrophotometer. The results revealed that two shapes of the as-prepared Gd2O3:Yb/Er nanocrystals can be readily tuned from lemon-like particle to rod-like structure via tuning pH values from 7 to 14. Moreover, compared with the samples prepared at pH 7, the Gd3O3:Yb/Er nanocrystals prepared at pH 14 exhibit enhanced red upconversion emission and higher upconversion luminescence intensity under the excitation of 980 nm laser. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highly crystalline body-centered cubic structure Y2O3 with lanthanide (Ln) codopants (Ln = Yb 3+/Er 3+ and Yb 3+/Ho 3+) has been synthesized via a moderate hydrothermal method in combination with a subsequent calcination. The structure and morphology of Y(OH)3 precursors and Y2O3 nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The results reveal that the Y2O3 nanoparticles possess cubic phase and form the quasispherical structure. The upconversion luminescence properties of Y2O3 nanoparticles doped with different Ln3+ (Yb 3+/Er 3+ and Yb 3+/Ho 3+) ions were well investigated under the 980 nm excitation. The results show that the Yb Yb 3+/Er 3+ and Yb 3+/Ho 3+ codoped Y2O3 nanoparticles exhibit strong red and light yellow upconversion emissions, respectively. It is expected that these Y2O3 nanoparticles with tunable multicolor output and intense red upconversion emission may have potential application in color displays and biolabels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To explore the therapeutic mechanism of Shuiluerxian Pills (SP) for diabetic kidney disease (DKD) with the aids of network pharmacological methods and in vivo experiments. Methods The active components and related targets of SP were screened by the TCM Systematic Pharmacological database and analysis platform (TCMSP). The above chemical constituents and target information were supplemented by literature searches to further correlating the target of DKD in the disease database. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed with the String software. Enrichment analysis was performed with R language and complex network model established. The levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-1β in kidney were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the expressions of key proteins verified by Western blot. The pharmacodynamic mechanism of SP for DKD was preliminarily predicted. Results A total of 376 potential DKD therapeutic targets were identified. The "composition-disease-target" network diagram implied that kaverol and astragaloside IV were the major active components of SP formula to play the therapeutic role of DKD. Its common pathways were correlated with the pathways of phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) and advanced glycation end products (AGEs)-receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE). The experimental results indicated that SP could effectively reduce the level of inflammatory factors in diabetic rats, enhance the protein expressions of Nephrin and Podocin and lower the protein expressions of p-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt. Conclusions SP may play a role in the treatment of DKD through regulating PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, suppressing inflammatory responses and renal tissue fibrosis. The treatment of DKD offers the characteristics of multi-component, multi-target and multi-pathway.