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As a major global cause of liver disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by excessive hepatocellular accumulation of lipids in the liver, elevated levels of hepatic enzymes, and fibrotic evidence. The primary therapies for NAFLD are changing lifestyle or managing comorbid-associated diseases. Lately, nanotechnology has revolutionized the art of nanostructure synthesis for disease imaging, diagnosis, and treatment. Loading drugs into nanocarriers has been established as a promising strategy to extend their circulating time, particularly in treating NAFLD. In addition, considering a master modulator of adipogenesis and lysosomal biogenesis and function, designing novel nanostructures for biomedical applications requires using biodegradable materials. Various nanostructures, including inorganic nanoparticles (NPs), organic-based NPs, metallic nanocarriers, biodegradable polymeric nanocarriers, polymer-hybrid nanocarriers, and lipid-based nanocarriers have been designed for NAFLD treatment, which significantly affected serum glucose/lipid levels and liver function indices. NPs modified with polymers, bimetallic NPs, and superparamagnetic NPs have been used to design sensitive nanosensors to measure NAFLD-related biomarkers. However, certain limitations are associated with their use as diagnostic agents. The purpose of this review article is to shed light on the recent advancements in the field of nanomedicine for the early diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of this progressive liver disease.

Abstract In this work, a new method for obtaining the current–voltage curve for crystalline silicon and thin‐film flat panels is presented. It is based on the single‐diode model, with a variable shunt resistance and series resistance. New expressions for the shunt resistance and open circuit voltage as a function of the temperature and irradiance are deduced. Besides, a procedure to translate the series resistance to arbitrary conditions is proposed. The diode ideality factor and shunt resistance are obtained by optimization. The rest of the parameters that appear in the current–voltage curve are obtained from the module measurements by means of theoretical expressions. The procedure for obtaining the current–voltage curve under arbitrary operating conditions is also described. The results obtained with the developed model are compared with experimental measurements in cadmium telluride and amorphous silicon modules, and with results published in the literature for other technologies. The model faithfully reproduces the experimental values. For all the modules, the root mean square error for the maximum power is lower than 2% (below 1.5% in most cases). These errors are lower than those reported in the literature for other models. In particular, the results are significantly more exact in the case of thin‐film modules.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the antimicrobial potential of different extracts of Simira ecuadorensis, a characteristic plant of Ecuador, and to validate its potential as a food preservative. Four extracts referred to as ethanol, ethanol-water (50:50 v/v), spray-dried, and freeze-dried were obtained under different processes. Initially, their antimicrobial activities were evaluated against a wide group of microorganisms consisting of 20 pathogenic and spoilage microbial strains found in foods through the agar diffusion method. Then, the extracts with the best yields and antimicrobial properties against microorganisms of greatest interest were selected to determine their effect on model foods preserved under normal commercial conditions through challenge tests. Spray-dried and ethanol-water extracts were tested for their ability to inhibit C. jejuni in chicken model products, where is a common pathogen and Shew. putrefaciens in fish model products as it is a spoilage microorganism frequently found in fish. One solid and one liquid were chosen as model foods: burger and broth, respectively. Campylobacter jejuni and Shewanella putrefaciens were effectively inhibited by the four extracts with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 80 mg/mL. Bacillus cereus, Yersinia enterocolitica, Clostridium perfringens, and Leuconostoc mesenteroides were also inhibited by ethanolic extract. The ethanol-water extract showed greater antimicrobial activity in fish products, whereas spray-dried extract had low growth inhibition of C. jejuni in chicken burgers; however, it was quite effective on C. jejuni in broth. The spray-dried extract significantly decreased the pH of the chicken burgers, while the ethanolic extract had a slight impact on the pH of the fish burgers. The presence of antibacterial effects revealed that the S. ecuadorensis extracts could be potentially used in food preservation and as a natural antimicrobial.

Almost four years have passed since I was appointed editor of the journal Macromol [...]

Cancer is amongst the foremost causes of death worldwide, and the field of nanotechnology presents promising prospects in terms of diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Theranostics are nanoparticles (NPs) that possess the ability to combine therapeutic and diagnostic capabilities into a single agent. Nonetheless, the synthesis, characterization, and delivery of NPs for theranostics against cancer present obstacles. By providing swift, responsive, and economical platforms for cancer detection and treatment, microfluidic systems based on nanomaterials can overcome these obstacles. A synopsis of recent developments in microfluidic-assisted theranostic nanosystems for the treatment of various malignancies is provided in this mini-review. In addition to microfluidic system-based cancer sensing methods (optical, electrochemical, mechanical, and thermal), efficacious treatment approaches (gene therapy, drug delivery, sonodynamic therapy, etc.) are examined. Further, the potential and limitations of this innovative technique are analyzed, and its potential clinical applications in the future are proposed.

Polymeric materials have recently attracted a lot of attention due to their potential applications in many fields, ranging from biomedicine, the food industry and environmental monitoring to electronic, energy storage and sensing devices. Their versatility, functionalization capability, chemical/physical stability, reusability, long shelf-life, as well as good mechanical and thermal properties, also make them idoneous candidates for use in forensic sciences, which deal with the investigation of crimes, finding relations between evidence and criminals. In particular, molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs), designed based on the principle of generating template-specific polymeric cavities fitted to the target molecules in the presence of selected chemicals via non-covalent or covalent interactions, are highly suitable for forensic analysis. In addition, their combination with other compounds such as carbon nanomaterials can provide composites with improved properties to be used in the analysis of illicit drugs, doping substances, biological agents, toxins and so forth. In this article, recent applications of polymeric materials in the field of forensic analysis are discussed. The goal is to summarize their current uses and put forth a projection of their potential as promising alternatives for standard competitors.

In this work, the dispersive solid phase extraction (dSPE) of melatonin using graphene (G) mixtures with sepiolite (SEP) and bentonite (BEN) clays as sorbents combined with fluorescence detection has been investigated. The retention was found to be quantitative for both G/SEP and G/BEN 4/96 and 10/90 w/w mixtures. G/clay 4/96 w/w mixtures were selected to study the desorption process since the retention was weaker, thus leading to easier desorption. MeOH and aqueous solutions of the nonionic surfactant Brij L23 were tested as desorbents. For both clays and an initial sample volume of 25 mL, a percentage of melatonin recovery close to 100% was obtained using 10 or 25 mL of MeOH as desorbent. Further, using a G/SEP mixture, 25 mL as the initial sample volume and 5 mL of MeOH or 60 mM Brij L23 solution as the desorbent, recoveries of 98.3% and 90% were attained, respectively. The whole method was applied to herbal tea samples containing melatonin, and the percentage of agreement with the labeled value was 86.5%. It was also applied to herbal samples without melatonin by spiking them with two concentrations of this compound, leading to recoveries of 100 and 102%.

In 1920, Hermann Staudinger discovered that macromolecules consist of long chains of covalently linked building blocks and subsequently published the first paper on polymerization [...]

Viticulture is highly dependent on phytochemicals to maintain good vineyard health. However, to reduce their accumulation in the environment, green regulations are driving the development of eco-friendly strategies. In this respect, seaweeds have proven to be one of the marine resources with the highest potential as plant protective agents, representing an environmentally-friendly alternative approach for sustainable wine production. The current work follows an interdisciplinary framework to evaluate the capacity of Ulva ohnoi and Rugulopteryx okamurae seaweeds to induce defense mechanisms in grapevine plants. To our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate Rugulopteryx okamurae as a biostimulator . This macroalgae is relevant since it is an invasive species on the Atlantic and Mediterranean coast causing incalculable economic and environmental burdens. Four extracts (UL1, UL2, RU1 and RU2 developed from Ulva and Rugulopteryx, respectively) were foliar applied to Tempranillo plants cultivated under greenhouse conditions. UL1 and RU2 stood out for their capacity to induce defense genes, such as a PR10, PAL, STS48 and GST1, mainly 24 hours after the first application. The increased expression level of these genes agreed with i) an increase in trans-piceid and trans-resveratrol content, mainly in the RU2 treated leaves, and, ii) an increase in jasmonic acid and decrease in salicylic acid. Moreover, an induction of the activity of the antioxidant enzymes was observed at the end of the experiment, with an increase in superoxide dismutase and catalase in the RU2-treated leaves in particular. Interestingly, while foliar fungal diversity was not influenced by the treatments, alga extract amendment modified fungal composition, RU2 application enriching the content of various groups known for their biocontrol activity. Overall, the results evidenced the capacity of Rugulopteryx okamurae for grapevine biostimulation, inducing the activation of several secondary metabolite pathways and promoting the abundance of beneficial microbiota involved in grapevine protection. While further studies are needed to unravel the bioactive compound(s) involved, including conducting field experiments etc., the current findings are the first steps towards the inclusion of Rugulopteryx okamurae in a circular scheme that would reduce its accumulation on the coast and benefit the viticulture sector at the same time.

Owed to current environmental concerns and crude oil price fluctuations, the design of feasible substitutes to petroleum-based polymeric materials is a major challenge. A lot of effort has been focused on transforming natural vegetable oils (VOs), which are inexpensive, abundant, and sustainable, into polymeric materials. Different nanofillers have been combined with these bio-based polymer matrices to improve their thermal, mechanical, and antibacterial properties. The development of multifunctional nanocomposites materials facilitates their application in novel areas such as sensors, medical devices, coatings, paints, adhesives, food packaging, and other industrial appliances. In this work, a brief description of current literature on polymeric nanocomposites from vegetable oils reinforced with carbon nanomaterials is provided, in terms of preparation, and properties. Different strategies to improve the nanomaterial state of dispersion within the biopolymer matrix are discussed, and a correlation between structure and properties is given. In particular, the mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties of these natural polymers can be considerably enhanced through the addition of small quantities of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), graphene (G), or its derivatives such as graphene oxide (GO) or fullerenes (C60). Finally, some current and potential future applications of these materials in diverse fields are briefly discussed.

Predicting the mechanical properties of multiscale nanocomposites requires simulations that are costly from a practical viewpoint and time consuming. The use of algorithms for property prediction can reduce the extensive experimental work, saving time and costs. To assess this, ternary poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV)-based bionanocomposites reinforced with graphene oxide (GO) and montmorillonite nanoclay were prepared herein via an environmentally friendly electrochemical process followed by solution casting. The aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of different Machine Learning (ML) models, namely Artificial Neural Network (ANN), Decision Tree (DT), and Support Vector Machine (SVM), in predicting their mechanical properties. The algorithms’ input data were the Young’s modulus, tensile strength, and elongation at break for various concentrations of the nanofillers (GO and nanoclay). The correlation coefficient (R2), mean absolute error (MAE), and mean square error (MSE) were used as statistical indicators to assess the performance of the models. The results demonstrated that ANN and SVM are useful for estimating the Young’s modulus and elongation at break, with MSE values in the range of 0.64–1.0% and 0.14–0.28%, respectively. On the other hand, DT was more suitable for predicting the tensile strength, with the indicated error in the range of 0.02–9.11%. This study paves the way for the application of ML models as confident tools for predicting the mechanical properties of polymeric nanocomposites reinforced with different types of nanofiller, with a view to using them in practical applications such as biomedicine.

Nanomaterials have demonstrated a wide range of applications and recently, novel biomedical studies are devoted to improving the functionality and effectivity of traditional and unmodified systems, either drug carriers and common scaffolds for tissue engineering or advanced hydrogels for wound healing purposes. In this regard, metal oxide nanoparticles show great potential as versatile tools in biomedical science. In particular, iron oxide nanoparticles with different shape and sizes hold outstanding physiochemical characteristics, such as high specific area and porous structure that make them idoneous nanomaterials to be used in diverse aspects of medicine and biological systems. Moreover, due to the high thermal stability and mechanical strength of Fe2O3, they have been combined with several polymers and employed for various nano-treatments for specific human diseases. This review is focused on summarizing the applications of Fe2O3-based nanocomposites in the biomedical field, including nanocarriers for drug delivery, tissue engineering, and wound healing. Additionally, their structure, magnetic properties, biocompatibility, and toxicity will be discussed.

The early diagnosis of certain fatal diseases is vital for preventing severe consequences and contributes to a more effective treatment. Despite numerous conventional methods to realize this goal, employing nanobiosensors is a novel approach that provides a fast and precise detection. Recently, nanomaterials have been widely applied as biosensors with distinctive features. Graphite phase carbon nitride (g-C3N4) is a two-dimensional (2D) carbon-based nanostructure that has received attention in biosensing. Biocompatibility, biodegradability, semiconductivity, high photoluminescence yield, low-cost synthesis, easy production process, antimicrobial activity, and high stability are prominent properties that have rendered g-C3N4 a promising candidate to be used in electrochemical, optical, and other kinds of biosensors. This review presents the g-C3N4 unique features, synthesis methods, and g-C3N4-based nanomaterials. In addition, recent relevant studies on using g-C3N4 in biosensors in regard to improving treatment pathways are reviewed.

An electrochemical aptasensor has been developed to determine breast cancer biomarkers (CA 15-3). Aptamer chains were immobilized on the surface of the electrode by g-C3N4/Fe3O4 nanoparticles, which increased the conductivity and active surface area of the electrode. X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) measurements have been carried out to characterize the nanomaterials. Cyclic voltammetry, square wave voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy have been used to characterize the developed electrode. The results demonstrate that the modified electrode has better selectivity for CA 15-3 compared to other biological molecules. It has a good electrochemical response to CA 15-3 with a detection limit of 0.2 UmL−1 and a linear response between 1 and 9 UmL−1. It has been used as a label-free sensor in potassium ferrocyanide medium and as methylene blue-labeled in phosphate buffer medium. This electrode was successfully applied to analyze the serum of diseased and healthy individuals, which corroborates its high potential for biosensing applications, especially for the diagnosis of breast cancer.

Drug loading in electrospun nanofibers has gained a lot of attention as a novel method for direct drug release in an injury site to accelerate wound healing. The present study deals with the fabrication of silk fibroin (SF)-chitosan (CS)-silver (Ag)-curcumin (CUR) nanofibers using the electrospinning method, which facilitates the pH-responsive release of CUR, accelerates wound healing, and improves mechanical properties. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to investigate the effect of the solution parameters on the nanofiber diameter and morphology. The nanofibers were characterized via Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), zeta potential, and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS). CS concentration plays a crucial role in the physical and mechanical properties of the nanofibers. Drug loading and entrapment efficiencies improved from 13 to 44% and 43 to 82%, respectively, after the incorporation of Ag nanoparticles. The application of CS hydrogel enabled a pH-responsive release of CUR under acid conditions. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) assay on E. coli and S. aureus bacteria showed that nanofibers with lower CS concentration cause stronger inhibitory effects on bacterial growth. The nanofibers do not have any toxic effect on cell culture, as revealed by in vitro wound healing test on NIH 3T3 fibroblasts.

Today, cancer treatment is an important issue in the medical world due to the challenges and side effects of ongoing treatment procedures. Current methods can be replaced with targeted nano-drug delivery systems to overcome such side effects. In the present work, an intelligent nano-system consisting of Chitosan (Ch)/Gamma alumina (γAl)/Fe3O4 and 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) was synthesized and designed for the first time in order to influence the Michigan Cancer Foundation-7 (MCF-7) cell line in the treatment of breast cancer. Physico-chemical characterization of the nanocarriers was carried out using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). SEM analysis revealed smooth and homogeneous spherical nanoparticles. The high stability of the nanoparticles and their narrow size distribution was confirmed by DLS. The results of the loading study demonstrated that these nano-systems cause controlled, stable, and pH-sensitive release in cancerous environments with an inactive targeting mechanism. Finally, the results of MTT and flow cytometry tests indicated that this nano-system increased the rate of apoptosis induction on cancerous masses and could be an effective alternative to current treatments.

Graphene-based nanomaterials have gained a lot of interest over the last years in flexible electronics due to their exceptional electrical, mechanical, and optoelectronic properties, as well as their potential of surface modification. Their flexibility and processability make them suitable for electronic devices that require bending, folding, and stretching, which cannot be fulfilled by conventional electronics. These nanomaterials can be assembled with various types of organic materials, including polymers, and biomolecules, to generate a variety of nanocomposites with greater stretchability and healability, higher stiffness, electrical conductivity, and exceptional thermal stability for flexible lighting and display technologies. This article summarizes the main characteristics and synthesis methods of graphene, its oxidized form graphene oxide (GO), and reduced GO derivative, as well as their corresponding polymeric composites, and provides a brief overview about some recent examples of these nanocomposites in flexible electronic applications, including electrodes for solar cells and supercapacitors, electronic textiles, and transistors.

The aim of the projected study was to design and develop a novel strategy for evaluating the mucoadhesive potential of polymeric tablets of dexamethasone (DXM) for local delivery against wounds. Therefore, formulations (Q1–Q7) were synthesized via direct compression method by varying the concentrations of polymers, i.e., ethyl cellulose (EC) and agar extract (AG). Moreover, the mucoadhesive polymeric tablets were characterized via physicochemical, in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo experiments. However, physicochemical characteristics such as FTIR showed no interaction with different polymeric combination. Surface pH of all formulations was normal to slightly alkaline. Highest hydration of up to 6.22% and swelling index was comprehended with maximum concentration of AG (50% of total tablet weight). Whereas, ex vivo and in vivo residence time and mucoadhesion were attributed to the increased concentrations of polymers. Moreover, Q7, (optimized formulation), containing 10% of EC and 40% of AG, exhibited maximum release of DXM (100%) over 8 h, along with sufficient mucoadhesive strength up to 11.73 g, following first-order kinetics having r2 value of 0.9778. Hemostatic effects and epithelialization for triggering and promoting wound healing were highly pronounced in cases of Q7. Furthermore, in vivo residence time was 7.84 h followed by salivary drug concentration (4.2 µg/mL). However, mucoadhesive buccal tablets showed stability for 6 months, thus following the standardization (ICH-Iva) stability zone. In summary, DXM mucoadhesive tablets seem to be an ideal candidate for eradication of wound infections via local targeted delivery.

Polyelectrolytes (PEs) have been the aim of many research studies over the past years. PE films are prepared by the simple and versatile layer-by-layer (LbL) approach using alternating assemblies of polymer pairs involving a polyanion and a polycation. The adsorption of the alternating PE multiple layers is driven by different forces (i.e., electrostatic interactions, H-bonding, charge transfer interactions, hydrophobic forces, etc.), which enable an accurate control over the physical properties of the film (i.e., thickness at the nanoscale and morphology). These PE nano-assemblies have a wide range of biomedical and healthcare applications, including drug delivery, protein delivery, tissue engineering, wound healing, and so forth. This review provides a concise overview of the most outstanding research on the design and fabrication of PE nanofilms. Their nanostructures, molecular interactions with biomolecules, and applications in the biomedical field are briefly discussed. Finally, the perspectives of further research directions in the development of LbL nano-assemblies for healthcare and medical applications are highlighted.

Nanoparticles are currently used for cancer theranostics in the clinical field. Among nanoparticles, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) attract much attention due to their usability and high performance in imaging techniques. The wide availability of biological precursors used in plant-based synthesized AuNPs allows for the development of large-scale production in a greener manner. Conventional cancer therapies, such as surgery and chemotherapy, have significant limitations and frequently fail to produce satisfying results. AuNPs have a prolonged circulation time, allow easy modification with ligands detected via cancer cell surface receptors, and increase uptake through receptor-mediated endocytosis. To exploit these unique features, studies have been carried out on the use of AuNPs as contrast agents for X-ray-based imaging techniques (i.e., computed tomography). As nanocarriers, AuNPs synthesized by nontoxic and biocompatible plants to deliver therapeutic biomolecules could be a significant stride forward in the effective treatment of various cancers. Fluorescent-plant-based markers, including AuNPs, fabricated using Medicago sativa, Olax Scandens, H. ambavilla, and H. lanceolatum, have been used in detecting cancers. Moreover, green synthesized AuNPs using various extracts have been applied for the treatment of different types of solid tumors. However, the cytotoxicity of AuNPs primarily depends on their size, surface reactivity, and surface area. In this review, the benefits of plant-based materials in cancer therapy are firstly explained. Then, considering the valuable position of AuNPs in medicine, the application of AuNPs in cancer therapy and detection is highlighted with an emphasis on limitations faced by the application of such NPs in drug delivery platforms.

Nanomaterials have gained eminence in technological developments due to their tunable physical, chemical, and biological properties, such as wettability, electrical and thermal conductivity, magnetism, light absorption and emission, catalytic activity, and so forth, leading to devices with improved performance compared to their microscopic counterparts [...]

In the fight against cancer, early diagnosis is critical for effective treatment. Traditional cancer diagnostic technologies, on the other hand, have limitations that make early detection difficult. Therefore, multi-functionalized nanoparticles (NPs) and nano-biosensors have revolutionized the era of cancer diagnosis and treatment for targeted action via attaching specified and biocompatible ligands to target the tissues, which are highly over-expressed in certain types of cancers. Advancements in multi-functionalized NPs can be achieved via modifying molecular genetics to develop personalized and targeted treatments based on RNA interference. Modification in RNA therapies utilized small RNA subunits in the form of small interfering RNAs (siRNA) for overexpressing the specific genes of, most commonly, breast, colon, gastric, cervical, and hepatocellular cancer. RNA-conjugated nanomaterials appear to be the gold standard for preventing various malignant tumors through focused diagnosis and delivering to a specific tissue, resulting in cancer cells going into programmed death. The latest advances in RNA nanotechnology applications for cancer diagnosis and treatment are summarized in this review.

Over various scientific fields in biochemistry, amino acids have been highlighted in research works. Protein, peptide- and amino acid-based drug delivery systems have proficiently transformed nanotechnology via immense flexibility in their features for attaching various drug molecules and biodegradable polymers. In this regard, novel nanostructures including carbon nanotubes, electrospun carbon nanofibers, gold nanoislands, and metal-based nanoparticles have been introduced as nanosensors for accurate detection of these organic compounds. These nanostructures can bind the biological receptor to the sensor surface and increase the surface area of the working electrode, significantly enhancing the biosensor performance. Interestingly, protein-based nanocarriers have also emerged as useful drug and gene delivery platforms. This is important since, despite recent advancements, there are still biological barriers and other obstacles limiting gene and drug delivery efficacy. Currently available strategies for gene therapy are not cost-effective, and they do not deliver the genetic cargo effectively to target sites. With rapid advancements in nanotechnology, novel gene delivery systems are introduced as nonviral vectors such as protein, peptide, and amino acid-based nanostructures. These nano-based delivery platforms can be tailored into functional transformation using proteins and peptides ligands based nanocarriers, usually overexpressed in the specified diseases. The purpose of this review is to shed light on traditional and nanotechnology-based methods to detect amino acids, peptides, and proteins. Furthermore, new insights into the potential of amino protein-based nanoassemblies for targeted drug delivery or gene transfer are presented.

P-glycoprotein (P-gP) efflux-mediated multidrug resistance is a fundamental aspect of chemotherapeutic failure in oncology. The current study aims to deliver paclitaxel (PTX) specifically at the target site with improved in vivo efficacy of poorly permeable PTX against solid tumors. Multifunctional polymeric micelles as targeted delivery have been devised for loading and release of PTX. Mucoadhesion, permeation enhancement, oral pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, and toxicological studies were carried out to fully elucidate the therapeutic outcomes of the polymeric micelles. Ex vivo permeation studies indicated a 7.89-fold enhancement in the permeation of PTX with mucopermeating papain functionalized thiolated redox micelles (PT-R-Ms) compared to the pure PTX. Moreover, PT-R-Ms exhibited a higher percentage of apoptotic cells (42.9 ± 0.07%) compared to pure PTX. Biodistribution studies revealed that fluorotagged PT-RMs accumulated in excised tumors and organs. The higher fluorescence intensity indicated the mucopermeation of micelles across the intestine. The orally administered PT-R-Ms efficiently overcome intestinal barriers and inhibit the P-gP efflux pump, resulting in increased bioavailability of PTX (up to 8-fold) in comparison to pure PTX. The enhanced anti-tumor efficacy and reduced toxic effects are key aspects of efficient cancer therapy. This study demonstrates that the use of mucopermeating PT-R-Ms is an encouraging approach to overwhelm the permeation barrier in cancer treatment.

Graphene oxide (GO) can be defined as a single monolayer of graphite with oxygen-containing functionalities such as epoxides, alcohols, and carboxylic acids. It is an interesting alternative to graphene for many applications due to its exceptional properties and feasibility of functionalization. In this study, electrochemically exfoliated graphene oxides (EGOs) with different amounts of surface groups, hence level of oxidation, were prepared by an electrochemical two-stage approach using graphite as raw material. A complete characterization of the EGOs was carried out in order to correlate their surface topography, interlayer spacing, defect content, and specific surface area (SSA) with their electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties. It has been found that the SSA has a direct relationship with the d-spacing. The EGOs electrical resistance decreases with increasing SSA while rises with increasing the D/G band intensity ratio in the Raman spectra, hence the defect content. Their thermal stability under both nitrogen and dry air atmospheres depends on both their oxidation level and defect content. Their macroscopic mechanical properties, namely the Young’s modulus and tensile strength, are influenced by the defect content, while no correlation was found with their SSA or interlayer spacing. Young moduli values as high as 54 GPa have been measured, which corroborates that the developed method preserves the integrity of the graphene flakes. Understanding the structure-property relationships in these materials is useful for the design of modified GOs with controllable morphologies and properties for a wide range of applications in electrical/electronic devices.

Using inorganic fullerene-like (IF) nanoparticles and inorganic nanotubes (INT) in organic-inorganic hybrid composite, materials provide the potential for improving thermal, mechanical, and tribological properties of conventional composites. The processing of such high-performance hybrid thermoplastic polymer nanocomposites is achieved via melt-blending without the aid of any modifier or compatibilizing agent. The incorporation of small quantities (0.1–4 wt.%) of IF/INTs (tungsten disulfide, IF-WS2 or molybdenum disulfide, MoS2) generates notable performance enhancements through reinforcement effects and excellent lubricating ability in comparison with promising carbon nanotubes or other inorganic nanoscale fillers. It was shown that these IF/INT nanocomposites can provide an effective balance between performance, cost effectiveness, and processability, which is of significant importance for extending the practical applications of diverse hierarchical thermoplastic-based composites.