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In vitro cardiomyocyte mechano-sensing platform is crucial for evaluating the mechanical performance of cardiac tissues and will be an indispensable tool for application in drug discovery and disease mechanism study. Magnetic sensing offers significant advantages in real-time, in situ wireless monitoring and resistance to ion interference. However, due to the mismatch between the stiffness of traditional rigid magnetic material and myocardial tissue, sensitivity is insufficient and it is difficult to achieve cell structure induction and three-dimensional cultivation. Herein, a magnetic sensing platform that integrates a neodymium-iron-boron/polydimethylsiloxane (NdFeB/PDMS) flexible microbeam with suspended and ordered polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofiber membranes was developed, providing a three-dimensional anisotropic culture environment for cardiomyocyte growth and simultaneously realizing in situ wireless contractility monitoring. The as-prepared sensor presented an ultrahigh sensitivity of 442.2 μV/μm and a deflection resolution of 2 μm. By continuously monitoring the cardiomyocyte growth status and drug stimulation feedback, we verified the capability of the platform to capture dynamic changes in cardiomyocyte contractility. This platform provides a perspective tool for evaluating cardiomyocyte maturity and drug performance.

In recent years, flexible and stretchable strain sensors have emerged as a prominent area of research, primarily due to their remarkable stretchability and extremely low strain detection threshold. Nevertheless, the advancement of sensors is currently constrained by issues such as complexity, high costs, and limited durability. To tackle the aforementioned issues, this study introduces a lepidophyte-inspired flexible, stretchable strain sensor (LIFSSS). The stretchable bioelectronics composites were composed of multiwalled carbon nanotubes, graphene, neodymium iron boron, and polydimethylsiloxane. Unique biolepidophyted microstructures and magnetic conductive nanocomposites interact with each other through synergistic interactions, resulting in the effective detection of tensile strain and magnetic excitation. The LIFSSS exhibits a 170% tensile range, a linearity of 0.99 in 50-170% strain (0.96 for full-scale range), and a fine durability of 7000 cycles at 110% tensile range. The sensor accurately detects variations in linear tensile force, human movement, and microexpressions. Moreover, LIFSSS demonstrates enhanced efficacy in sign language recognition for individuals with hearing impairments and magnetic grasping for robotic manipulators. Hence, the LIFSSS proposed in this study shows potential applications in various fields, including bioelectronics, electronic skin, and physiological activity monitoring.

Efficient rare earth element (REE) separations are becoming increasingly important to technologies ranging from renewable energy and high-performance magnets to applied radioisotope separations. These separations are made challenging by the extremely similar chemical and physical characteristics of the individual elements, which almost always occupy the 3+ oxidation state under ambient conditions. Herein, we discuss the development of a novel REE separation aimed at obtaining purified samples of neodymium (Nd) on a multi-milligram scale using high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC). The method takes advantage of the subtle differences in ionic radii between neighboring REEs to tune elution rates in dilute acid through implementation of the di-(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid (HDEHP)-infused stationary phase (SP) of the column. A La/Ce/Nd/Sm separation was demonstrated at a significantly higher metal loading than previously accomplished by HSCCC (15 mg, R Nd/REE > 0.85), while the Pr/Nd separation was achieved at lower metal loadings (0.3 mg, R Nd/Pr = 0.75 - 0.83). The challenges associated with scaling REE separations via HSCCC are presented and discussed within., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Biological ion channels exhibit high selectivity and permeability of ions because of their asymmetrical pore structures and surface chemistries. Here, we demonstrate a biomimetic nanofluidic channel (BNC) with an asymmetrical structure and glycyl-L-proline (GLP) -functionalization for ultrafast, selective, and unidirectional Dy 3+ extraction over other lanthanide (Ln 3+ ) ions with very similar electronic configurations. The selective extraction mainly depends on the amplified chemical affinity differences between the Ln 3+ ions and GLPs in nanoconfinement. In particular, the conductivities of Ln 3+ ions across the BNC even reach up to two orders of magnitude higher than in a bulk solution, and a high Dy 3+ /Nd 3+ selectivity of approximately 60 could be achieved. The designed BNC can effectively extract Dy 3+ ions with ultralow concentrations and thereby purify Nd 3+ ions to an ultimate content of 99.8 wt.%, which contribute to the recycling of rare earth resources and environmental protection. Theoretical simulations reveal that the BNC preferentially binds to Dy 3+ ion due to its highest affinity among Ln 3+ ions in nanoconfinement, which attributes to the coupling of ion radius and coordination matching. These findings suggest that BNC-based ion selectivity system provides alternative routes to achieving highly efficient lanthanide separation., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

The aim of this research is to investigate novel compositions of oxyfluoride glasses doped with Neodymium (Nd 3+ ) rare earth ions in the visible spectrum. This area has not been extensively studied in the existing literature, so it is vital to understand the favorable photoluminescence characteristics within this part of the electromagnetic spectrum. Therefore, we synthesized and characterized SiO 2 -PbO-PbF 2 (SPF) doped with 1% neodymium (Nd 3+ ) ions glasses. Spectroscopic analyses, based on Judd-Ofelt theory, were conducted on absorption spectra. These analyses enabled to determine absorption cross-sections, transition probabilities, and Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters Ω 2 , Ω 4 , and Ω 6 for the different transition. Additionally, we calculated various radiative properties, such as branching ratios, integrated cross-sections, radiative lifetimes, emission cross-section, optical gain, and the multicolor behavior (chromaticity coordinates, CIE diagram) under different excitation wavelengths. The results suggest promising prospects for using these oxyfluoride silicate glasses doped with Nd 3+ as a fluorophore, potentially for lasing materials around 630-nm emission and in other photonic applications., (© 2024 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

The near-infrared (NIR) down-conversion process for broadband sensitization has been studied in Eu 2+ -Nd 3+ co-doped BaAl 2 O 4 . This material has a broad absorption band of 200-480 nm and can convert photons in the visible region into NIR photons. The NIR emission at 1064 nm, attributed to the Nd 3+ : 4 F 3/2  →  4 I 11/2 transition, matches the bandgap of Si, allowing Si solar cells to utilize the solar spectrum better. The energy transfer (ET) process between Eu 2+ and Nd 3+ was demonstrated using photoluminescence spectra and luminescence decay curves, and Eu 2+ may transfer energy to Nd 3+ through the cooperative energy transfer (CET) to achieve the down-conversion process. The energy transfer efficiency (ETE) and theoretical quantum efficiency (QE) were 68.61% and 156.34%, respectively, when 4 mol% Nd 3+ was introduced. The results indicate that BaAl 2 O 4 :Eu 2+ -Nd 3+ can serve as a potential modulator of the solar spectrum and is expected to be applied to Si solar cells., (© 2024 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) thermometry is an emerging method for the noncontact measurement of in vivo deep temperatures. Fluorescence-lifetime-based methods are effective because they are unaffected by optical loss due to excitation or detection paths. Moreover, the physiological changes in body temperature in deep tissues and their pharmacological effects are yet to be fully explored. In this study, we investigated the potential application of the NIRF lifetime-based method for temperature measurement of in vivo deep tissues in the abdomen using rare-earth-based particle materials. β-NaYF 4 particles codoped with Nd 3+ and Yb 3+ (excitation: 808 nm, emission: 980 nm) were used as NIRF thermometers, and their fluorescence decay curves were exponential. Slope linearity analysis (SLA), a screening method, was proposed to extract pixels with valid data. This method involves performing a linearity evaluation of the semilogarithmic plot of the decay curve collected at three delay times after cutting off the pulsed laser irradiation. After intragastric administration of the thermometer, the stomach temperature was monitored by using an NIRF time-gated imaging setup. Concurrently, a heater was attached to the lower abdomens of the mice under anesthesia. A decrease in the stomach temperature under anesthesia and its recovery via the heater indicated changes in the fluorescence lifetime of the thermometer placed inside the body. Thus, NaYF 4 :Nd 3+ /Yb 3+ functions as a fluorescence thermometer that can measure in vivo temperature based on the temperature dependence of the fluorescence lifetime at 980 nm under 808 nm excitation. This study demonstrated the ability of a rare-earth-based NIRF thermometer to measure deep tissues in live mice, with the proposed SLA method for excluding the noisy deviations from the analysis for measuring temperature using the NIRF lifetime of a rare-earth-based thermometer.

Knee replacement surgery confronts challenges including patient dissatisfaction and the necessity for secondary procedures. A key requirement lies in dual-modal measurement of force and temperature of artificial joints during postoperative monitoring. Here, a novel non-toxic near-infrared (NIR) phosphor Sr 3 Sn 2 O 7 :Nd, Yb, is designed to realize the dual-modal measurement. The strategy is to entail phonon-assisted upconversion luminescence (UCL) and trap-controlled mechanoluminescence (ML) in a single phosphor well within the NIR biological transmission window. The phosphor is embedded in medical bone cement forming a smart joint in total knee replacements illustrated as a proof-of-concept. The sensing device can be charged in vitro by a commercial X-ray source with a safe dose rate for ML, and excited by a low power 980 nm laser for UCL. It attains impressive force and temperature sensing capabilities, exhibiting a force resolution of 0.5% per 10 N, force detection threshold of 15 N, and a relative temperature sensitive of up to 1.3% K -1 at 309 K. The stability against humidity and thermal shock together with the robustness of the device are attested. This work introduces a novel methodological paradigm, paving the way for innovative research to enhance the functionality of artificial tissues and joints in living organisms., (© 2024 Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

Sustainable technologies for the recovery of rare earth elements (REE) from waste need to be developed to decrease the volume of ore mining extractions and its negative environmental consequences, while simultaneously restoring previously impacted lands. This is critical due to the extensive application of REE in everyday life from electronic devices to energy and medical technologies, and the dispersed distribution of REE resources in the world. REE recovery by plants has been previously studied but the feasibility of REE phytoextraction from a poorly soluble solid phase (i.e., nanoparticles) by different plant species has been rarely investigated. In this study, the effect of biostimulation and bioaugmentation on phytorecovery of REE nanoparticles (REE-NP) was investigated by exposing ryegrass seeds to REE-NP in hydroponic environments. This was studied in two sets of experiments: bioaugmentation (using CeO 2 nanoparticles and Methylobacterium extorquens AM1 pure culture), and biostimulation (using CeO 2 or Nd 2 O 3 nanoparticles and endogenous microorganisms). Addition of M. extorquens AM1 in bioaugmentation experiment including 500 mg/L CeO 2 nanoparticles could not promote the nanoparticles accumulation in both natural and surface-sterilized treatments. However, it enhanced the translocation of Ce from roots to shoots in sterile samples. Moreover, another REE-utilizing bacterium, Bacillus subtilis, was enriched more than M. extorquens in control samples (no M. extorquens AM1), and associated with 52% and 14% higher Ce extraction in both natural (165 μg/g dried-plant ) and surface-sterilized samples (136 μg/g dried-plant ), respectively; showing the superior effect of endogenous microorganisms' enrichment over bioaugmentation in this experiment. In the biostimulation experiments, up to 705 μg/g dried-plant Ce and 19,641 μg/g dried-plant Nd could be extracted when 500 mg/L REE-NP were added. Furthermore, SEM-EDS analysis of the surface and longitudinal cross-sections of roots in Nd 2 O 3 treatments confirmed surface and intracellular accumulation of Nd 2 O 3 -NP. These results demonstrate stimulation of endogenous microbial community can lead to an enhanced REE phytoaccumulation., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Near-infrared mechanoluminescence is a phenomenon that produces high penetrating near-infrared light under external stimulation. Near-infrared light coincides with the biological window, lower optical loss, and the fact that the mechanoluminescence material is a medium that converts mechanical energy into light energy. The near-infrared mechanoluminescence material has potential application prospects in the fields of biological imaging, medical diagnosis, and monitoring of building materials. In this article, we report on a perovskite-type Sr 3 Sn 2 O 7 :Nd 3+ near-infrared mechanoluminescence material, and its peaks locate in the first near-infrared window (800-1000 nm) and the second near-infrared window (1080, 1350 nm), respectively. Under the condition of pre-sintering with Li 2 CO 3 as flux, the best sintering conditions are obtained, and the luminescence of material is in perfect agreement with the applied mechanical stress. In addition, a near-infrared mechanoluminescence sensor is proposed to solve the problem of building damage and timely maintenance., (© 2024 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Our study focused on the optical behavior, methylene blue (MB) dye degradation potential, antibacterial performance, and silver and trioxide mineral interaction with different bacterial species. We found that the addition of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) to neodymium oxide (Nd 2 O 3 ) resulted in a significant response, with an enlargement of the inhibition zone for bacterial species such as Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Specifically, the inhibition zone for S. aureus increased from 9.3 ± 0.5 mm for pure Nd 2 O 3 to 16.7 ± 0.4 mm for the Ag/Nd 2 O 3 nano-composite, while for E. coli, it increased from 8.8 ± 0.4 mm for Nd 2 O 3 to 15.9 ± 0.3 mm for Ag/Nd 2 O 3 . Furthermore, the optical behavior of the composites showed a clear band-gap narrowing with the addition of Ag NPs, resulting in enhanced electronic localization. The direct and indirect transitions reduced from 6.7 to 6.1 eV and from 5.2 to 2.9 eV, respectively. Overall, these results suggest that the Ag/Nd 2 O 3 nano-composite has potential applications in sensor industries and water treatment, thanks to its enhanced optical behavior, antibacterial performance, and efficient MB degradation capabilities. In terms of MB degradation, the Ag/Nd 2 O 3 mixed system exhibited more efficient degradation compared to pure Nd 2 O 3 . After 150 min, the MB concentration in the mixed system decreased to almost half of its starting point, while pure Nd 2 O 3 only reached 33%., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

The efficient and sustainable recovery of rare earth resources from spent NdFeB magnets has received considerable and increasing attention. However, the currently prevalent NdFeB magnets recovery techniques focus only on the recovery for rare earth elements (REEs), some of which also recover cobalt (Co) or boron (B). Herein, a simple mechanochemical strategy was proposed to recover REE, Co, and B from spent NdFeB magnets by mixing the NdFeB magnets powder and FeCl 3 6H 2 O through the grinding-roasting-water leaching technological route. The results indicated high leaching efficiencies of 98.94 % for REEs, 99.99 % for Co, and 93.36 % for B from the NdFeB magnets. Additionally, iron remains in the leaching residue as iron oxide (96.73 wt %), achieving the complete separation of REEs, Co, B, and Fe. This mechanochemical based technology offers a green and efficient recovery process, facilitating more effective synergistic recovery of valuable elements from spent NdFeB magnets., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

In this present study, composites of chitosan-graft-poly(N-tertiary butylacrylamide) (CH-graft-poly(N-tert-BAAm)) copolymer, with Neodymium (Nd), an important rare earth element, were prepared by precipitation technique. Nd was successfully incorporated into the polymer of different weight percentages (0.5%, 1%, and 2%) without any degradation. The effect of neodymium additives on the structural, morphological, and antibacterial activities against gram-positive bacteria and gram-negative bacteria of the polymer was analyzed using various instrument techniques. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results together with Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) studies confirmed the morphology of Nd-doped CH-graft-poly(N-tert-BAAm) composites without any other impurities. The antibacterial effect of Nd was studied by adding it to the copolymer in a weight ratio of 0.5%-2%. The antibacterial effect of neodymium concentration on four different strains of bacteria was investigated: Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) (E. coli), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (DSM 50071) (P. aeruginosa), Bacillus subtilis (DSM 1971) (B. subtilis), and Staphylococcus aureus subsp. aureus (ATCC 25923) (S. aureus). The antibacterial activities of the obtained composites were determined using the Agar Well Diffusion Assay Method. Experimental results show that Nd binds well to CH-graft-poly(N-tert-BAAm). Activity against E. coli, P. aeruginosa, B. subtilis, and S. aureus subsp. aureus creates a potential for pharmaceutical and biomedical applications., (© 2023 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Technologically critical rare-earth elements are notoriously difficult to separate, owing to their subtle differences in ionic radius and coordination number 1-3 . The natural lanthanide-binding protein lanmodulin (LanM) 4,5 is a sustainable alternative to conventional solvent-extraction-based separation 6 . Here we characterize a new LanM, from Hansschlegelia quercus (Hans-LanM), with an oligomeric state sensitive to rare-earth ionic radius, the lanthanum(III)-induced dimer being >100-fold tighter than the dysprosium(III)-induced dimer. X-ray crystal structures illustrate how picometre-scale differences in radius between lanthanum(III) and dysprosium(III) are propagated to Hans-LanM's quaternary structure through a carboxylate shift that rearranges a second-sphere hydrogen-bonding network. Comparison to the prototypal LanM from Methylorubrum extorquens reveals distinct metal coordination strategies, rationalizing Hans-LanM's greater selectivity within the rare-earth elements. Finally, structure-guided mutagenesis of a key residue at the Hans-LanM dimer interface modulates dimerization in solution and enables single-stage, column-based separation of a neodymium(III)/dysprosium(III) mixture to >98% individual element purities. This work showcases the natural diversity of selective lanthanide recognition motifs, and it reveals rare-earth-sensitive dimerization as a biological principle by which to tune the performance of biomolecule-based separation processes., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

A new 3D metal-organic framework (Nd-MOF) {[Nd 2 L 2 ]·2NH 2 (CH 3 ) 2 ·3H 2 O} was successfully established via a solvothermal method with Nd 3+ ion and 5-(bis(4-carboxybenzyl) amino)-isophthalicacid (H 4 L), and has also been characterized by X-ray diffraction, powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), IR and photoluminescence(PL)spectrum. The neodymium ions are free of coordinated solvents, and the Nd-MOF exhibits strong near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence. Besides, Its NIR fluorescence property shows low temperature resistance, which is favorable for being used in the low temperature environment. Besides, the fluorescence lifetime of Nd-MOF is 6.03 μs, and the quantum yield is 1.2%. The small quantum yield may owe to large energy gap between the T1 of the ligand H 4 L and the resonance energy level 4 F 3/2 of the Nd 3+ ion, or due to large crystal size of the Nd-MOF., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Among luminescent nanostructures actively investigated in the last couple of decades, rare earth (RE 3+ ) doped nanoparticles (RENPs) are some of the most reported family of materials. The development of RENPs in the biomedical framework is quickly making its transition to the ∼800 nm excitation pathway, beneficial for both in vitro and in vivo applications to eliminate heating and facilitate higher penetration in tissues. Therefore, reports and investigations on RENPs containing the neodymium ion (Nd 3+ ) greatly increased in number as the focus on ∼800 nm radiation absorbing Nd 3+ ion gained traction. In this review, we cover the basics behind the RE 3+ luminescence, the most successful Nd 3+ -RENP architectures, and highlight application areas. Nd 3+ -RENPs, particularly Nd 3+ -sensitized RENPs, have been scrutinized by considering the division between their upconversion and downshifting emissions. Aside from their distinctive optical properties, significant attention is paid to the diverse applications of Nd 3+ -RENPs, notwithstanding the pitfalls that are still to be addressed. Overall, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview on Nd 3+ -RENPs, discussing their developmental and applicative successes as well as challenges. We also assess future research pathways and foreseeable obstacles ahead, in a field, which we believe will continue witnessing an effervescent progress in the years to come.

In this study, we emphasize the critical role of sample pretreatment. We report on the behavior of NdFeB magnet samples exposed to four different acid media for digestion. NdFeB magnets are becoming a significant source of neodymium, a rare-earth element critical to many technologies and a potential substitute for traditional mining of the element. To address this, we meticulously tested nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, acetic acid, and citric acid, all at a concentration of 1.6 M, as economical and environmentally friendly alternatives to the concentrated mineral acids commonly used in the leaching of these materials. The pivotal stage involves the initial characterization of samples in the solid state using SEM-EDX and XPS analysis to obtain their initial composition. Subsequently, the samples are dissolved in the four aforementioned acids. Finally, neodymium is quantified using ICP-OES. Throughout our investigation, we evaluated some analytical parameters to determine the best candidate for performing the digestion, including time, limits of detection and quantification, accuracy, recovery of spike samples, and robustness. After careful consideration, we unequivocally conclude that 1.6 M nitric acid stands out as the optimal choice for dissolving NdFeB magnet samples, with the pretreatment of the samples being the critical aspect of this report.

This study examines the synthesis of two geminal bisphosphonate ester-supported Ln 3+ complexes [Ln( L3 ) 2 (NO 3 ) 3 ] (Ln = Nd 3+ ( 5 ), La 3+ ( 6 )) and optical properties of the neodymium(III) complex. These results are compared to known mono-phosphonate ester-based Nd 3+ complexes [Nd( L1 / L2 ) 3 X 3 ] n (X = NO 3 - , n = 1; Cl - , n = 2) ( 1 - 4 ). The optical properties of Nd 3+ compounds are determined by micro-photoluminescence (µ-PL) spectroscopy which reveals three characteristic metal-centered emission bands in the NIR region related to transitions from 4 F 3/2 excited state. Additionally, two emission bands from 4 F 5/2 , 2 H 9/2 → 4 I J (J = 11/2, 13/2) transitions were observed. PL spectroscopy of equimolar complex solutions in dry dichloromethane (DCM) revealed remarkably higher emission intensity of the mono-phosphonate ester-based complexes in comparison to their bisphosphonate ester congener. The temperature-dependent PL measurements enable assignment of the emission lines of the 4 F 3/2 → 4 I 9/2 transition. Furthermore, low-temperature polarization-dependent measurements of the transitions from R 1 and R 2 Stark sublevel of 4 F 3/2 state to the 4 I 9/2 state for crystals of [Nd( L3 ) 2 (NO 3 ) 3 ] ( 5 ) are discussed.

Sporotrichosis is a deep fungal infection caused by Sporothrix species. Currently, itraconazole is the main treatment, but fungal resistance, adverse effects, and drug interactions remain major concerns, especially in patients with immune dysfunction. Therefore, an alternative treatment is greatly in demand. This animal study aimed to investigate the inhibitory effect of neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) 1,064-nm laser treatment on Sporothrix globosa and to explore whether it happens through regulation of the Nod-like receptor thermoprotein domain-related protein 3 (NLRP3)/caspase-1 pyroptosis and apoptosis pathway. After laser irradiation, a series of studies, including assays of viability (using the cell counting kit-8 [CCK-8]), morphological structure changes, reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, mitochondrial membrane potential, oxidative stress, cell cycle progression, and metacaspase activation, were conducted to estimate the effect of Nd:YAG 1,064-nm laser treatment on Sporothrix globosa cell apoptosis in vitro . For in vivo studies, mice were infected with S. globosa and then treated with laser or itraconazole, and their footpad skin lesions and the changes in the histology of tissue samples were compared. In addition, changes in the levels of NLRP3, caspase-1, and caspase-3 were assessed by immunohistochemistry, while the levels of interleukin 17 (IL-17), interferon gamma (IFN-γ), and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) in peripheral blood were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The in vitro growth of S. globosa was inhibited and apoptosis was observed after laser treatment. According to the in vivo studies, the efficacy of the laser treatment was similar to that of itraconazole. Moreover, the NLRP3/caspase-1 pyroptosis pathway was activated, with a Th1/Th17 cell response, and the expression of caspase-3 was also upregulated. Nd:YAG 1,064-nm laser treatment can effectively inhibit the growth of S. globosa by activating fungal apoptosis and pyroptosis through the NLRP3/caspase-1 pathway. Therefore, Nd:YAG 1,064-nm laser irradiation is an alternative for sporotrichosis therapy. IMPORTANCE Nd:YAG 1,064-nm laser irradiation is a useful alternative for the treatment of sporotrichosis, especially in patients with liver dysfunction, pregnant women, and children, for whom the administration of antifungal drugs is not suitable. It may improve the overall treatment effect by shortening the duration of antifungal treatment and reducing tissue inflammation.

Near-infrared window II (NIR-II, 1000-1700 nm) imaging displays the advantages in deep-tissue high-contrast imaging in vivo on the strength of the high temporal-spatial resolution and deeper penetration. However, the clinical utility of NIR-II imaging agents is limited by their single function. Herein, for the first time, we report the design of a multifunctional drug delivery system (DDS) assembly, CQ/Nd-MOF@HA nanohybrids, with NIR-II fluorescence (1067 nm), large Stokes shifts, and ultrahigh quantum yield, which combined targeted NIR-II luminescence bioimaging and pH-controlled drug delivery. The nanoscale metal-organic framework (MOF) as a highly promising multifunctional DDS for targeted NIR-II bioimaging and chemotherapy in vitro and in vivo lays the foundation of the MOF-based DDS for further clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Magnetoelastic effect characterizes the change of materials' magnetic properties under mechanical deformation, which is conventionally observed in some rigid metals or metal alloys. Here we show magnetoelastic effect can also exist in 1D soft fibers with stronger magnetomechanical coupling than that in traditional rigid counterparts. This effect is explained by a wavy chain model based on the magnetic dipole-dipole interaction and demagnetizing factor. To facilitate practical applications, we further invented a textile magnetoelastic generator (MEG), weaving the 1D soft fibers with conductive yarns to couple the observed magnetoelastic effect with magnetic induction, which paves a new way for biomechanical-to-electrical energy conversion with short-circuit current density of 0.63 mA cm -2 , internal impedance of 180 Ω, and intrinsic waterproofness. Textile MEG was demonstrated to convert the arterial pulse into electrical signals with a low detection limit of 0.05 kPa,  even with heavy perspiration or in underwater situations without encapsulations., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Magnetic hydrogels have demonstrated great potential in soft robots, drug delivery, and bioengineering, and their functions are usually determined by the deforming capability. However, most magnetic hydrogels are embedded with soft magnetic particles ( e.g. Fe 3 O 4 ), where the magnetic domains cannot be programmed and retained under external magnetic fields. Here, we present a strategy to prepare a microgel-reinforced magnetic hydrogel, embedded with hard magnetic NdFeB particles. These magnetic hydrogels show outstanding mechanical properties (ultimate stretching ratio >15 and fracture toughness >15 000 J m -2 ) and fast actuation speed under external magnetic fields. We use direct ink writing to fabricate magnetic hydrogels with sophisticated geometry and program their magnetization to achieve complex deformations. Fast, reversible, shape-changing structures have been demonstrated with printed magnetic hydrogels. It is hoped that this material system of hard magnetic hydrogels can open opportunities for wide applications.

Two types of organic-inorganic hybrid structure-related lanthanide (Ln)-included selenotungstates (Ln-SeTs) [H 2 N(CH 3 ) 2 ] 11 Na 7 [Ce 4 (H 2 PTCA) 2 (H 2 O) 12 (HICA)] 2 [SeW 4 O 17 ] 2 [W 2 O 5 ] 4 [SeW 9 O 33 ] 4 ·64H 2 O ( 1 , H 3 PTCA = 1,2,3-propanetricarboxylic acid, H 2 ICA = itaconic acid) and [H 2 N(CH 3 ) 2 ] 6 Na 4 [Ln 4 SeW 8 (H 2 O) 14 (H 2 PTCA) 2 O 28 ] [SeW 9 O 33 ] 2 ·31H 2 O [Ln = Pr 3+ ( 2 ), Nd 3+ ( 3 )] were obtained by Ln nature control. The primary frameworks of 1 - 3 are composed of trivacant Keggin-type [B-α-SeW 9 O 33 ] 8- and [SeW 4 O m ] n- [Ln = Ce 3+ ( 1 ), m = 17, n = 6; Ln = Pr 3+ ( 2 ), Nd 3+ ( 3 ), m = 18, n = 8] fragments bridged by organic ligands and Ln clusters. Intriguingly, Ln nature results in the degradation of hexameric 1 to trimeric 2 - 3 . Besides, 1 @DMDSA and 3 @DMDSA composites (DMDSA·Cl = dimethyl distearylammonium chloride) were prepared through the cation exchange method, which were then reorganized to form two-dimensional (2D) honeycomb thin films by the breath figure method. Using these honeycomb thin films as electrode materials, the aptasensors were further established by utilizing methylene blue as an indicator and cDNA and Au nanoparticles as signal amplifiers to enhance the response signal so as to realize the purpose of ochratoxin A (OTA) detection. This work provides a new platform for detecting OTA and explores the application potential of POM-based composites in biological and clinical analyses.

TiO 2 nanopowders modified by Nd and Sm were prepared using the sol-gel technique. It was found by XRD analysis that the samples containing Sm are amorphous up to 300 °C, while those with Nd preserve a mixed organic-inorganic amorphous structure at higher temperatures (400 °C). The TiO 2 (rutile) was not detected up to 700 °C in the presence of both modified oxides. TiO 2 (anatase) crystals found at about 400 °C in the Sm-modified sample exhibited an average crystallite size of about 25-30 nm, while doping with Nd resulted in particles of a lower size-5-10 nm. It was established by DTA that organic decomposition is accompanied by significant weight loss occurring in the temperature range 240-350 °C. Photocatalytic tests showed that the samples heated at 500 °C possess photocatalytic activity under UV irradiation toward Malachite green organic dye. Selected compositions exhibited good antimicrobial activity against E. coli K12 and B. subtilis .

The neodymium(III) complex of orotic acid (HOA) was synthesized and its structure determined by means of analytical and spectral analyses. Detailed vibrational analysis of HOA, sodium salt of HOA, and Nd(III)-OA systems based on both the calculated and experimental spectra confirmed the suggested metal-ligand binding mode. Significant differences in the IR and Raman spectra of the complex were observed as compared to the spectra of the ligand. The calculated vibrational wavenumbers, including IR intensities and Raman scattering activities, for the ligand and its Nd(III) complex were in good agreement with the experimental data. The vibrational analysis performed for the studied species, orotic acid, sodium salt of orotic acid, and its Nd(III) complex helped to explain the vibrational behaviour of the ligand's vibrational modes, sensitive to interaction with Nd(III). In this paper we also report preliminary results about the cytotoxicity of the investigated compounds. The cytotoxic effects of the ligand and its Nd(III) complex were determined using the MTT method on different tumour cell lines. The screening performed revealed that the tested compounds exerted cytotoxic activity upon the evaluated cell lines.

One NIR luminescent 14-metal Nd(iii) nanoring (1, molecular size: 1.0 × 2.2 × 2.6 nm) was obtained from a rigid tridentate ligand, which can absorb and transfer light energy to the Nd(iii) ions. 1 shows interesting luminescence sensing activity to antibiotics, in particular to NFAs with high sensitivity due to the inner filter effect. The quenching constants and the limits of detection of 1 to NFAs are 1.05 × 104 M-1-2.33 × 104 M-1 and 3.05 μM-6.75 μM, respectively. The high fluorescence sensitivities of 1 to NFAs are not changed by the existence of other antibiotics. It also exhibits high sensitivity in the luminescent detection of NFAs contained in real antibiotic drugs.

Although the drug-eluting stent (DES) has become the standard for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)-based revascularization, concerns remain regarding the use of DES, mainly due to its permanent rigid constraint to vessels. A drug-eluting bioresorbable stent (BRS) was thus developed as an alternative to DES, which can be absorbed entirely after its therapeutic period. Magnesium (Mg)-based BRSs have attracted a great deal of attention due to their suitable mechanical properties, innovative chemical features, and well-proven biocompatibility. However, the primary disadvantage of Mg-based BRSs is the rapid degradation rate, resulting in the early loss of structural support long before the recovery of vascular function. Recently, a new type of patented Mg-Nd-Zn-Zr alloy (JDBM) was developed at Shanghai Jiao Tong University to reduce the degradation rate compared to commercial Mg alloys. In the present investigation, a poly(D,L-lactic acid)-coated and rapamycin eluting (PDLLA/RAPA) JDBM BRS was prepared, and its biosafety and efficacy for coronary artery stenosis were evaluated via in vitro and in vivo experiments. The degree of smooth muscle cell adhesion to the PDLLA/RAPA coated alloy and the rapamycin pharmacokinetics of JDBM BRS were first assessed in vitro. JDBM BRS and commercial DES FIREHAWK were then implanted in the coronary arteries of a porcine model. Neointimal hyperplasia was evaluated at 30, 90, and 180 days, and re-endothelialization was evaluated at 30 days. Furthermore, Micro-CT and optical coherence tomography (OCT) analyses were performed 180 days after stent implantation to evaluate the technical feasibility, biocompatibility, and degradation characteristics of JDBM BRS in vivo. The results show the ability of a PDLLA/RAPA coated JDBM to inhibit smooth muscle cell adhesion and moderate the drug release rate of JDBM BRS in vitro. In vivo, low local and systemic risks of JDBM BRS were demonstrated in the porcine model, with preserved mechanical integrity after 6 months of implantation. We also showed that this novel BRS was associated with a similar efficacy profile compared with standard DES and high anti-restenosis performance. These findings may confer long term advantages for using this BRS over a traditional DES.

The diagnosis of gastrointestinal (GI) tract diseases is frequently performed in the clinic, so it is crucial to develop high-performance contrast agents for real-time and non-invasive imaging examination of the GI tract. Herein, we show a novel method to synthesize a neodymium (Nd) chelate, Nd-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (Nd-DTPA), on a large scale without byproducts for spectral computed tomography (CT) and second near-infrared window imaging of the GI tract in vivo. The Nd-DTPA was simply generated by heating the mixture of Nd2O3 and DTPA in water at 85 °C for 2 h. This dual-modal imaging agent has the advantages of a simple and green synthesis route, no need of purification process, high yield (86.24%), large-scale production capability (>10 g in lab synthesis), good chemical stability and excellent water solubility (≈2 g mL-1). Moreover, the Nd-DTPA emitted strong near-infrared fluorescence at 1308 nm, and exhibited superior X-ray attenuation ability compared to clinical iohexol. The proposed Nd-DTPA can integrate the complementary merits of dual-modal imaging to realize spatial-temporal and highly sensitive imaging of the GI tract in vivo, and accurate diagnosis of the location of intestinal obstruction and monitor its recovery after surgery. The developed highly efficient method for the gram-scale synthesis of Nd-DTPA and the proposed spectral CT and second near-infrared window dual-modal imaging strategy provide a promising route for accurate visualization of the GI tract in vivo.

Featured with a zero-autofluorescence background, superior signal-to-noise ratio, high sensitivity, and deep penetration ability, near-infrared persistent luminescence nanoparticle (NIR-PLNP)-based multimodal nanoprobes show great potential for full-scale noninvasive cancer diagnosis. However, direct synthesis of NIR-PLNP-based multimodal nanoprobes with high drug loading capacity to meet growing cancer theranostic demands remains a challenge. In this work, multifunctional hybrid mesoporous nanoparticles (HMNPs) that integrate NIR-PLNPs (Ga 2 O 3 :Cr 3+ , Nd 3+ ), magnetic nanoparticles (Gd 2 O 3 ), and radionuclides ( 68 Ga) are designed and constructed via a large-pore (mesoporous silica nanoparticle) MSN-templated strategy. The ingenious composition design endows HMNPs with rechargeable NIR-PL, superior longitudinal relaxivity, and excellent radioactivity, making these versatile nanoparticles available for long-term in vivo NIR-PL imaging, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. More importantly, the application of large-pore MSN templates maintains the mesoporous structure of HMNPs, promising excellent drug loading capacity of these nanoparticles. As a proof-of-concept, HMNPs loaded with a high dose of DOX (chemotherapy agent) and Si-Pc (photosensitizer) are rationally designed for chemotherapy and NIR-PL-sensitized photodynamic therapy (PDT), respectively. Studies with mice tumor models demonstrate that the DOX/Si-Pc-loaded HMNPs possess excellent cancer cell killing ability and an outstanding tumor suppression effect without systemic toxicity. This work shows the great potential of HMNPs as an "all-in-one" nanotheranostic tool for multimodal NIR-PL/MR/PET imaging-guided chemotherapy and NIR-PL-sensitized photodynamic cancer therapy and provides an innovative paradigm for the development of NIR-PLNP-based nanoplatforms in cancer theranostic.

The strong demand for rare-earth elements (REEs) is driven by their wide use in high-tech devices. New processes have to be developed for valorizing low-grade ores or alternative metal sources (such as wastes and spent materials). The present work contributed to the development of new sorbents for the recovery of rare earth ions from aqueous solutions. Functionalized mesoporous silica composite was synthesized by grafting diethylenetriamine onto composite support. The physical and chemical properties of the new sorbent are characterized using BET, TGA, elemental analysis, titration, FTIR, and XPS spectroscopies to identify the reactive groups (amine groups: 3.25 mmol N g -1 and 3.41 by EA and titration, respectively) and their mode of interaction with Nd(III) and Gd(III). The sorption capacity at the optimum pH (i.e., 4) reaches 0.9 mmol Nd g -1 and 1 mmol Gd g -1 . Uptake kinetics are modeled by the pseudo-first-order rate equation (equilibrium time: 30-40 min). At pH close to 4-5, the sorbent shows high selectivity for rare-earth elements against alkali-earth elements. This selectivity is confirmed by the efficient recovery of REEs from acidic leachates of gibbsite ore. After elution (using 0.5 M HCl solutions), selective precipitation (using oxalate solutions), and calcination, pure rare earth oxides were obtained. The sorbent shows promising perspective due to its high and fast sorption properties for REEs, good recycling, and high selectivity.

With the wide application of neodymium oxide nanoparticles (NPs-Nd 2 O 3 ) in various fields, their health hazards have aroused public concern in recent years. However, data regarding the cytotoxicity of NPs-Nd 2 O 3 is limited. In this study, we investigated the function and mechanism of long-chain non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in NPs-Nd 2 O 3 -induced airway inflammation. Treatment with NPs-Nd 2 O 3 induced an inflammatory response in human bronchial epithelial cells (16HBE) by upregulating the expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-8 (IL-8). The levels of LDH and intracellular ROS in the cells treated by various doses of NPs-Nd 2 O 3 also increased significantly. After treatment with 10 μg/ml NPs-Nd 2 O 3 , RNA microarray and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) showed a significant upregulation of lncRNA loc105377478. Functional experiments suggested lncRNA loc105377478 enhanced the expression of IL-6, IL-8 and ROS in NPs-Nd 2 O 3 -treated 16HBE cells, and it was further demonstrated that lncRNA loc105377478 promoted the activation of NF-κB by negatively regulating ADIPOR1 expression. Moreover, the expression of IL-6 and IL-8 in NPs-Nd 2 O 3 -treated 16HBE cells was regulated by lncRNA loc105377478, which was mediated by the NF-κB signaling pathway. In conclusion, lncRNA loc105377478 promotes NF-κB activation by negatively regulating ADIPOR1 expression, thereby upregulating the expression of IL-6 and IL-8 in 16HBE cells treated with NPs-Nd 2 O 3 ., (Copyright © 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

This work reports two systematic studies related to yttrium vanadate (YVO 4 ) phosphors. The first evaluates how the annealing temperature and V 5+ /Y 3+ molar ratio determine the emergence of a single YVO 4 tetragonal phase, whereas the second concerns the optimal Nd 3+ concentration to improve the infrared emission properties for bio-labelling applications. The YVO 4 :Nd phosphors were synthesized by adapting the non-hydrolytic sol-gel route. For the first study, samples containing different V 5+ /Y 3+ molar ratios (1.02, 1.48, 1.71, or 3.13) were obtained. For the second study, YVO 4 :Nd phosphors containing different Nd 3+ concentrations (1.0, 3.0, 5.0, or 10.0% in mol) were prepared. X-ray diffractometry and RAMAN spectroscopy results revealed that, regardless of the heat-treatment temperature, the V 5+ /Y 3+ molar ratio of 1.48 was the best composition to avoid undesired phases like Y 2 O 3 and V 2 O 5 . Photoluminescence results indicated that the sample containing 3.0% in mol of Nd 3+ and annealed at 1000 °C presented the best infrared emission properties. This sample displayed an intense broad band in the ultraviolet region, which was ascribed to the VO 4 3- charge transfer band, as well as several bands in the visible and infrared regions, which were attributed to the Nd 3+ intraconfigurational f-f transitions. Regardless of the excitation wavelength (ultraviolet, visible, or near-infrared), the mean radiative lifetime was about 12.00 µs. The prepared phosphors presented absorption and emission bands in the biological window (BW) regions, which are located between 750 and 900 nm and between 1000 and 1300 nm, so they are candidates for applications in medical imaging and diagnoses.

One 18-metal Nd(III) nanoring, [Nd 18 (L 1 ) 8 (HL 2 ) 2 (OAc) 20 (MeOH) 8 (EtOH) 6 (H 2 O) 4 ]·2(MeOH)·6(H 2 O) ( 1 ), was constructed by the use of a hexadentate Schiff base ligand. For 1 , the near-infrared (NIR) luminescence of Nd(III) was detected under the excitation of absorption band at 371 nm. The study of luminescent sensing properties exhibits that, even with the existence of other antibiotics, this Nd(III) nanoring displays high sensitivity and selectivity to nitrofuran antibiotics (NFAs). The luminescence quenching constants and limits of detection of 1 to NFAs are found to be 1.4 × 10 4 to 3.5 × 10 4 M -1 and 0.9-2.2 μM, respectively.

Neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG:Nd 3+ ) has been widely developed during roughly the past 60 years and has been an outstanding fluorescent material. It has been considered as the gold standard among multipurpose solid-state lasers. Yet, the successful downsizing of this system into the nanoregimen has been elusive, so far. Indeed, the synthesis of a garnet structure at the nanoscale, with enough crystalline quality for optical applications, was found to be quite challenging. Here, we present an improved solvothermal synthesis method producing YAG:Nd 3+ nanocrystals of remarkably good structural quality. Adequate surface functionalization using asymmetric double-hydrophilic block copolymers, constituted of a metal-binding block and a neutral water-soluble block, provides stabilized YAG:Nd 3+ nanocrystals with long-term colloidal stability in aqueous suspensions. These newly stabilized nanoprobes offer spectroscopic quality (long lifetimes, narrow emission lines, and large Stokes shifts) close to that of bulk YAG:Nd 3+ . The narrow emission lines of YAG:Nd 3+ nanocrystals are exploited by differential infrared fluorescence imaging, thus achieving an autofluorescence-free in vivo readout. In addition, nanothermometry measurements, based on the ratiometric fluorescence of the stabilized YAG:Nd 3+ nanocrystals, are demonstrated. The progress here reported paves the way for the implementation of this new stabilized YAG:Nd 3+ system in the preclinical arena.

Background: Exosomes are endocytic-extracellular vesicles with a diameter around 100 nm that play an essential role on the communication between cells. In fact, they have been proposed as candidates for the diagnosis and the monitoring of different pathologies (such as Parkinson, Alzheimer, diabetes, cardiac damage, infection diseases or cancer)., Results: In this study, magnetic nanoparticles (Fe 3 O 4 NPs) were successfully functionalized with an exosome-binding antibody (anti-CD9) to mediate the magnetic capture in a microdevice. This was carried out under flow in a 1.6 mm (outer diameter) microchannel whose wall was in contact with a set of NdFeB permanent magnets, giving a high magnetic field across the channel diameter that allowed exosome separation with a high yield. To show the usefulness of the method, the direct capture of exosomes from whole blood of patients with pancreatic cancer (PC) was performed, as a proof of concept. The captured exosomes were then subjected to analysis of CA19-9, a protein often used to monitor PC patients., Conclusions: Here, we describe a new microfluidic device and the procedure for the isolation of exosomes from whole blood, without any need of previous isolation steps, thereby facilitating translation to the clinic. The results show that, for the cases analyzed, the evaluation of CA19-9 in exosomes was highly sensitive, compared to serum samples.

The recovery and separation of rare earth elements (REEs) are of national importance owing to the specific usages, high demand, and low supply of these elements. In this research, we have investigated the adsorption of rare earth elements onto DNA-functionalized mesoporous carbons with a BET surface area of 605 m 2 /g and a median mesopore width of 48 Å. Three types of single-stranded DNA, one with 100 base units of thymine, another with 20 units of thymine, and the third, a 2000 unit long DNA from salmon milt were grafted on the carboxylated mesoporous carbon surface. All of the DNA-functionalized mesoporous carbons demonstrated higher adsorption of REEs compared to pristine mesoporous carbon and DNA grafted with 100 units of thymine demonstrated slightly higher adsorbed amounts compared to others. Pure neodymium (Nd(III)) adsorption in the aqueous phase demonstrated an adsorbed amount of 110.4 mg/g with respect to the initial concentration of 500 mg/g. A pH variation study with pure Nd(III) demonstrated that the adsorbed amount is higher at elevated pH compared to that at lower pH, thereby suggesting possible recovery at lower pH. Adsorption of a mixture of 16 REEs, including Sc, Lu, Tm, Yb, Er, Ho, Tb, Dy, Y, Eu, Gd, Sm, Ce, Nd, Pr, and La revealed that the adsorbed amount increased with an increase in the atomic weight and metallic radii of elements within the lanthanides. The calculation of the distribution coefficients for all of the equilibrium adsorption amounts suggested that adsorption is more effective in the lower concentration region. The Nd L 3 -edge X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) confirmed a 3+ oxidation state of Nd in the adsorbed phase. The extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) confirmed the local atomic structure relaxation of Nd complexes in the adsorbed phase and shortening of the Nd-O bond distance by about 0.03-0.04 Å, which may be associated with their local complexation at the carbon surface.

Magnesium alloy is generally accepted as a potential cardiovascular stent material due to its good mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and biodegradability, and has become one of the research hotspots in this field. However, too fast degradation rate and delayed surface endothelialization have been the bottleneck of further application of magnesium alloy stent. In this study, we selected Mg-Zn-Y-Nd, a kind of biodegradable magnesium alloy for cardiovascular stent, and passivated its surface by alkali heat treatment and silane treatment to improve the corrosion resistance, subsequently conjugated Arg-Glu-Asp-Val (REDV) peptide and anti-CD34 to promote endothelial cells adhesion and capture endothelial progenitor cells respectively, further improving surface endothelialization. In addition, the heparin was also immobilized to the Mg-Zn-Y-Nd surface for the consideration of anti-coagulation and anti-inflammation. Systematic material characterization and biological evaluation show that we have successfully developed this composite surface on Mg-Zn-Y-Nd alloy, and achieved multiple functions such as corrosion resistance, promoting endothelialization, and inhibiting platelet/macrophage adhesion.

Glutamate, one of the main neurotransmitters in the brain, plays a critical role in communication between neurons, neuronal development, and various neurological disorders. Extracellular measurement of neurotransmitters such as glutamate in the brain is important for understanding these processes and developing a new generation of brain-machine interfaces. Here, we demonstrate the use of a perovskite nickelate-Nafion heterostructure as a promising glutamate sensor with a low detection limit of 16 nM and a response time of 1.2 s via amperometric sensing. We have designed and successfully tested novel perovskite nickelate-Nafion electrodes for recording of glutamate release ex vivo in electrically stimulated brain slices and in vivo from the primary visual cortex (V1) of awake mice exposed to visual stimuli. These results demonstrate the potential of perovskite nickelates as sensing media for brain-machine interfaces.

Background: We suspected that moving a small neodymium magnet would promote migration of the magnetic tracer to the sentinel lymph node (SLN). Higher monitoring counts on the skin surface before making an incision help us detect SLNs easily and successfully. The present study evaluated the enhancement of the monitoring count on the skin surface in SLN detection based on the magnet movement in a sentinel lymph node biopsy (SNB) using superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles., Methods: After induction of general anesthesia, superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles were injected sub-dermally into the subareolar area or peritumorally. The neodymium magnet was moved over the skin from the injection site to the axilla to promote migration of the magnetic tracer without massage. A total of 62 patients were enrolled from February 2018 to November 2018: 13 cases were subjected to magnet movement 20 times (Group A), 8 were subjected to 1-min magnet movement (Group B), 26 were given a short (about 5 min) interval from injection to 1-min magnet movement (Group C), and 15 were given a long (about 25 min) interval before 1-min magnet movement using the magnetometer's head (Group D). In all cases, an SNB was conducted using both the radioisotope (RI) and SPIO methods. The monitoring counts on the skin surface were measured by a handheld magnetometer and compared among the four groups. Changes in the monitoring count by the interval and magnet movement were evaluated., Results: The identification rates of the SPIO and RI methods were 100 and 95.2%, respectively. The mean monitoring counts of Group A, B, C, and D were 2.39 μT, 2.73 μT, 3.15 μT, and 3.92 μT, respectively (p < 0.0001; Kruskal-Wallis test). The monitoring counts were higher with longer magnet movement and with the insertion of an interval. Although there were no relationships between the monitoring count on the skin surface and clinicopathologic factors, magnet movement strongly influenced the monitoring count on the skin surface., Conclusion: Moving a small neodymium magnet is effective for promoting migration of a magnetic tracer and increasing monitoring counts on the skin surface., Trial Registration: UMIN, UMIN000029475. Registered 9 October 2017.

Tuning the configuration of lanthanide-doped upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) has been proven to be an effective approach to enhance upconversion (UC) efficiency, especially for neodymium (Nd 3+ )-sensitized UCNPs. Rational configuration design can spatially separate activators and sensitizers, achieving the evolution from single core to multilayer structures. However, optimizing multiphoton UC emission via configuration modulation, especially in the ultraviolet range, is yet to be fully investigated. In this work, thickness tuning of the sensitizing layer containing Nd 3+ ions and the inert layer containing gadolinium ions at a fixed combined thickness of 5 nm in tetralayer UCNPs to exclude the size effect is reported for the first time. The optimal thickness of sensitizing and inert layers was determined to be 3 and 2 nm respectively, showing a new strategy of balancing sensitization and surface passivation to enhance 4-photon (360 nm) emission. Although 3-photon emission (475 nm) is mainly influenced by the overall size, its emission intensity remains similar in all the tetralayer UCNPs. Additionally, an 808 nm cross-linked hydrogel has been demonstrated as a potential near-infrared activated tissue sealant. Our results have uncovered the structural parameters for optimal ultraviolet UC emissions and elucidated the strategic importance of nano-configuration design to minimize the energy loss in the high-photon UC process.

Neodymium hydroxide (Nd(OH) 3 )-surface modified mesoporous silica micro-cocoon microstructures were prepared using a facile single-step sol-gel chemical process. XRD revealed the semi-crystalline nature of the as-prepared materials. TEM and SEM micrographs exhibited highly monodisperse, non-aggregated, typical ordered mesoporous, and irregular sized cocoon-shaped micro-structures with a narrow size distribution. Optical properties, that were examined in the aqueous media, revealed a high colloidal stability and the formation of a semi-transparent colloidal solution. The colloidal solution of Nd(OH) 3 -surface functionalized micro-structures revealed well characteristics absorption bands of Nd 3+ ions in the visible region. thus validating the successful coating of SiO 2 @Nd(OH) 3 layer over the surface silica forming core-shell structures. Zeta potential, 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium) bromide, and neutral red uptake assays were applied in a dose-dependent manner to investigate the biocompatibility and toxic potential of the designed cocoon-shaped microstructures. Both the assays and the high zeta potential value demonstrated good cell viability even at high concentrations and hydrophilic conditions, indicating excellent biocompatibility and non-toxicity. These highly hydrophilic, optically active, mesoporous, biocompatible, and non-toxic cocoon-shaped microstructures could be potentially suitable candidates for optical bio-probes and drug delivery applications., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The author reports no conflicts of interest in this work., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Nd3+-Sensitised luminescent upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) have gained interest recently as theranostics due to their near-infrared (NIR) light excitation with a better tissue penetration depth. One example is the core/shell design NaYF4:Yb,Er@Nd,Yb. When harvesting the upconversion energy in such architectures, the long emitter-photosensitizer (i.e. Er3+-PS) distances lead to inefficient Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET). Herein, we report a new nanocomposite NaYF4:Nd,Yb@Yb@Yb,Er@Y with Nd3+ ions in the core and Er3+ ions in the shell to shorten the Er-PS distance to achieve better FRET. Furthermore, an outer non-emitting protective Y3+ shell and a conducting Yb3+ shell reduced surface quenching and Er3+-to-Nd3+ energy back transfer effects, respectively. The upconversion FRET and downshifting emission efficiencies were simultaneously optimised by adjusting the thickness of the Y3+ shell, and the FRET efficiency was at least 3.7 times that of the reference NaYF4:Yb,Er@Yb@Nd,Yb@Y in a photodynamic therapy (PDT) model.

This work evaluates the effects of laser surface modification on Mg-Zn-Gd-Nd alloy which is a potential biodegradable material for temporary bone implant applications. The laser surface melted (LSM) samples were investigated for microstructure, wettability, surface hardness and in vitro degradation. The microstructural study was carried out using scanning and transmission electron microscopes (SEM, TEM) and the phases present were analyzed using X-ray diffraction. The in vitro degradation behaviour was assessed in hank's balanced salt solution (HBSS) by immersion corrosion technique and the effect of LSM process parameters on the wettability was analyzed through contact angle measurements. The microstructural examination showed remarkable grain refinement as well as uniform redistribution of intermetallic phases throughout the matrix after LSM. These microstructural changes increased the hardness of LSM samples with an increase in energy density. The wetting behaviour of processed samples showed hydrophilic nature when processed at lower (12.5 and 17.5 J/mm 2 ) and intermediate energy density (22.5 and 25 J/mm 2 ), which can potentially improve cell-materials interaction. The corrosion rate of as cast Mg-Zn-Gd-Nd alloy decreased by ~83% due to LSM.

The capability of upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs) to convert near infrared (NIR) into visible light has become an important feature for biosensing, imaging, therapy, and their combination. While significant achievements have been accomplished during the last decade developing nanohybrids based on UCNPs as energy donors in Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) systems, it is still challenging to understand and control FRET from UCNPs to dyes and to adapt the NIR excitation wavelength. Here, we describe the synthesis, characterization, and steady-state and time-resolved FRET analysis of UCNP-DNA nanohybrids, in which dye labelled single stranded (ss)DNA was attached to Yb-Er-co-doped core UCNPs (c-UCNPs) and c-UCNPs with a thin Nd-doped shell and a second thin undoped shell (css-UCNPs). Despite differences in sizes, compositions, donor-acceptor distances, brightness, and excitation wavelength (980 nm for Yb 3+ and 808 nm for Nd 3+ ), all UCNP-DNA nanohybrids showed very similar concentration dependent FRET-quenching of UCNP luminescence with efficiencies between 0 and ∼20%. We analyzed luminescence intensities, decay times, and rise times and could show the entanglement of excitation and emission kinetics by simply changing the excitation wavelength from 980 nm to 808 nm for the same css-UCNPs. Time-gated FRET-sensitized dye luminescence showed dye-ssDNA concentration dependence over four orders of magnitude (1 nM to 10 μM), which suggested a possible application to nucleic acid biosensing for both 808 and 980 nm excitation.

In this paper the poly-dopamine (PDA)/hyaluronic acid (HA) coatings with different HA molecular weight (MW, 4 × 10 3 , 1 × 10 5 , 5 × 10 5 and 1 × 10 6  Da) were prepared onto the NaOH passivated Mg-Zn-Y-Nd alloy aiming at potential application of cardiovascular implants. The characterization of weight loss, polarization curves and surface morphology indicated that the coatings with HA MW of 1 × 10 5 (PDA/HA-2) and 1 × 10 6  Da (PDA/HA-4) significantly enhanced the corrosion resistance of Mg-Zn-Y-Nd. In vitro biological test also suggested better hemocompatibility, pro-endothelialization, anti-hyperplasia and anti-inflammation functions of the PDA/HA-2- and PDA/HA-4-coated Mg-Zn-Y-Nd alloy. Nevertheless, the in vivo implantation of SD rats' celiac artery demonstrated that the PDA/HA-2 had preferable corrosion resistance and biocompatibility., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Uranyl acetate is the standard contrasting agent in electron microscopy (EM), but it is toxic and radioactive. We reasoned neodymium acetate might substitute uranyl acetate as a contrasting agent, and we find that neodymium acetate indeed can replace uranyl acetate in several routine applications. Since neodymium acetate is not toxic, not radioactive and easy to use, we foresee neodymium will replace uranyl in many EM sample preparation applications worldwide.

Biodegradable magnesium alloys are promising candidates for use in biomedical applications. However, degradable particles (DPs) derived from Mg-based alloys have been observed in tissue in proximity to sites of implantation, which might result in unexpected effects. Although previous in vitro studies have found that macrophages can take up DPs, little is known about the potential phagocytic pathway and the mechanism that processes DPs in cells. Additionally, it is necessary to estimate the potential bioeffects of DPs on macrophages. Thus, in this study, DPs were generated from a Mg-2.1Nd-0.2Zn-0.5Zr alloy (JDBM) by an electrochemical method, and then macrophages were incubated with the DPs to reveal the potential impact. The results showed that the cell viability of macrophages decreased in a concentration-dependent manner in the presence of DPs due to effects of an apoptotic pathway. However, the DPs were phagocytosed into the cytoplasm of macrophages and further degraded in phagolysosomes, which comprised lysosomes and phagosomes, by heterophagy instead of autophagy. Furthermore, several pro-inflammatory cytokines in macrophages were upregulated by DPs through the induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to show that DPs derived from a Mg-based alloy are consistently degraded in phagolysosomes after phagocytosis by macrophages via heterophagy, which results in an inflammatory response owing to ROS overproduction. Thus, our research has increased the knowledge of the metabolism of biodegradable Mg metal, which will contribute to an understanding of the health effects of biodegradable magnesium metal implants used for tissue repair. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Biomedical degradable Mg-based alloys have great promise in applied medicine. Although previous studies have found that macrophages can uptake degradable particles (DPs) in vitro and observed in the sites of implantation in vivoin vivo, few studies have been carried out on the potential bioeffects relationship between DPs and macrophages. In this study, we analyzed the bioeffects of DPs derived from a Mg-based alloy on the macrophages. We illustrated that the DPs were size-dependently engulfed by macrophages via heterophagy and further degraded in the phagolysosome rather than autophagosome. Furthermore, DPs were able to induce a slight inflammatory response in macrophages by inducing ROS production. Thus, our research enhances the knowledge of the interaction between DPs of Mg-based alloy and cells, and offers a new perspective regarding the use of biodegradable alloys., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest All authors declared no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2020 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

This in vitro study aimed to analyze the physical and chemical characteristics of the hypersensitive human dentin-like surface after application of a bioactive glass (BG) paste (BG/Ac) irradiated or not with high-power lasers. Dentin specimens were treated with 17% Ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) solution to mimic a hypersensitive dentin and then submitted to neodymium: yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser or CO 2 laser irradiation prior and after application of BG/Ac. Characterizations were performed by using X-ray diffraction, Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The results suggested that application of BG/Ac by itself caused some obstructions of dentinal tubules. Nd:YAG laser irradiation reduced the opening of the dentinal tubules with no changes in the collagen structure. CO 2 laser irradiation caused dentin melting and resolidification along with cracks and chemical changes in collagen fibers. However, when BG/Ac paste was irradiated with lasers, a sequence of surface reactions between glass and dentin interface led to the formation of an amorphous hydroxyapatite layer, similar to that of an inorganic component of the normal dentin. Moreover, BG/Ac was able to prevent the formation of cracks and degradation of collagen fibers caused by CO 2 irradiation. Overall, this study supports that application of BG/Ac paste irradiated by high-power laser could represent an effective and long-lasting therapeutic approach for dentin hypersensitivity., (© 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

The structural, magnetic, electrical, and dilatation properties of the rare-earth NdCoO 3 and SmCoO 3 cobaltites were investigated. Their comparative analysis was carried out and the effect of multiplicity fluctuations on physical properties of the studied cobaltites was considered. Correlations between the spin state change of cobalt ions and the temperature dependence anomalies of the lattice parameters, magnetic susceptibility, volume thermal expansion coefficient, and electrical resistance have been revealed. A comparison of the results with well-studied GdCoO 3 allows one to single out both the general tendencies inherent in all rare-earth cobaltites taking into account the lanthanide contraction and peculiar properties of the samples containing Nd and Sm.

Ongoing demand for accurate self-calibrated noninvasive thermometers for micro-/nano-scale applications, particular biomedical diagnosis, is driving the development of temperature sensors. Here a new type of lanthanide metal-organic framework having near-infrared absorption and near-infrared emission features is presented, and it is based on efficient Nd 3+ -to-Yb 3+ energy transfer in 808 nm photoexcitation. The results show that the ratiometric parameter of Nd 0.5 Yb 0.5 TPTC (TPTC= 1,1':4',1''-terphenyl]-3,3'',5,5''-tetracarboxylic acid) can deliver good exponential-type luminescence response to temperature in the physiological regime (293-328 K) with high relative sensitivity and accurate temperature resolution, as well as good biocompatibility and chemical stability. Such lanthanide-based materials are especially useful in biomedical applications., (© 2019 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)