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Pranjyan Dash,1 Senthilkumar Thirumurugan,1 Nandini Nataraj,1 Yu-Chien Lin,1– 3 Xinke Liu,4,5 Udesh Dhawan,6 Ren-Jei Chung1,7 1Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, National Taipei University of Technology (Taipei Tech), Taipei, 10608, Taiwan; 2School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 639798, Singapore; 3ZhongSun Co., LTD, New Taipei City, 220031, Taiwan; 4College of Materials Science and Engineering, Chinese Engineering and Research Institute of Microelectronics, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, People’s Republic of China; 5Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117583, Singapore; 6Centre for the Cellular Microenvironment, Division of Biomedical Engineering, James Watt School of Engineering, Mazumdar-Shaw Advanced Research Centre, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G116EW, UK; 7High-Value Biomaterials Research and Commercialization Center, National Taipei University of Technology (Taipei Tech), Taipei, 10608, TaiwanCorrespondence: Ren-Jei Chung, Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, National Taipei University of Technology (Taipei Tech), No. 1, Sec. 3, Zhongxiao E. Road, Taipei, 10608, Taiwan, Tel +886-2-2771-2171 ext. 2547, Email rjchung@ntut.edu.twBackground: Phototherapy based on photocatalytic semiconductor nanomaterials has received considerable attention for the cancer treatment. Nonetheless, intense efficacy for in vivo treatment is restricted by inadequate photocatalytic activity and visible light response.Methods: In this study, we designed a photocatalytic heterostructure using graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) and tin disulfide (SnS2) to synthesize g-C3N4/SnS2 heterostructure through hydrothermal process. Furthermore, Au nanoparticles were decorated in situ deposition on the surface of the g-C3N4/SnS2 heterostructure to form g-C3N4/SnS2@Au nanoparticles.Results: The g-C3N4/SnS2@Au nanoparticles generated intense reactive oxygen species radicals under near-infrared (NIR) laser irradiation through photodynamic therapy (PDT) pathways (Type-I and Type-II). These nanoparticles exhibited enhanced photothermal therapy (PTT) efficacy with high photothermal conversion efficiency (41%) when subjected to 808 nm laser light, owing to the presence of Au nanoparticles. The in vitro studies have indicated that these nanoparticles can induce human liver carcinoma cancer cell (HepG2) apoptosis (approximately 80% cell death) through the synergistic therapeutic effects of PDT and PTT. The in vivo results demonstrated that these nanoparticles exhibited enhanced efficient antitumor effects based on the combined effects of PDT and PTT.Conclusion: The g-C3N4/SnS2@Au nanoparticles possessed enhanced photothermal properties and PDT effect, good biocompatibility and intense antitumor efficacy. Therefore, these nanoparticles could be considered promising candidates through synergistic PDT/PTT effects upon irradiation with NIR laser for cancer treatment.Keywords: g-C3N4, SnS2, Gold nanoparticles, Photodynamic therapy, Photothermal therapy

Synthetic polymer latexes, such as styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) latex addition in Portland cement has gained wider acceptance in many applications in the construction industry. Polymer-modified cementitious systems seals the pores and micro cracks developed during hardening of the cement matrix, by dispersing a film of polymer phase throughout the concrete. A comprehensive set of experimental test were conducted for studying the compressive properties of SBR latex polymer with crimped polypropylene fibres at relative volume fractions of 0.1 and 0.3%. The results indicated that the addition of polypropylene fibre has little effect on the reduction in the workability of concrete composite containing fly ash and SBR Latex. Increase in polypropylene fibres upto 0.3% Vf showed increase in compressive strength upto 57.5MPa. The SBR concrete without fibre showed an increase in strength upto 20 % compared to plain concrete. Test results also indicated that the compressive strength was increased in SBR fibre concrete by means of an ordinary dry curing process than wet curing because of their excellent water retention due to polymer film formation around the cement grains. On the contrary the compressive strength reduces for SBR fibre concretes under wet curing compared to dry curing

A study was carried out in 73 rice landraces along with two varieties to study the genetic variability and association of the traits related to early seedling vigour. Morphological traits such as seedling height, leaf sheath length and leaf blade length were measured in seedlings on 15 and 25 days after sowing. Analysis of variance indicated the presence of genetic variability for seedling vigour related traits in rice landraces. High GCV, PCV and high heritability coupled with high genetic advance as per cent of mean were observed indicating selection may be effective for improvement of these traits. Estimates of genotypic correlation were higher than that of phenotypic correlation indicating strong genetic association among the traits studied. Landraces viz., Senkar, Palkachaka, Murugankar, Kaatuponni, Kochin Samba, Poongar, Thillainayagam and Kuliyadichan exhibited significantly higher seedling height on both 15 and 25 DAS. These landraces may harbour favourable alleles for early seedling vigour. Hence, they can be utilized for improving early seedling vigour after validating its stable expression across varied environments.

Utilization of artificial aggregates and waste products are more prevalent nowadays. Many attempts and researches were made to justify the use of by products will be a viable solution than using natural resource in buildings. In the present study, aiming high performance concrete mix with ferro slag aggregates were replaced partially with coarse aggregate by 50% and 100% and its impact strength is evaluated systematically. The test results shows that replacement of ferro slag aggregate records a better value than normal aggregates. 100% replacement of aggregates shows comparatively higher value than control concrete mix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Corrosion in steel can be detrimental in any steel rebar reinforced concrete as well as in the case of steel fibre reinforced concrete. The process of corrosion occurring in steel fibre incorporated concrete subjected to corrosive environment was systematically evaluated in this study. Concrete specimens were prepared with steel fibre inclusions at 1.5% Vf (volume fraction) of concrete and were added in slag based concrete (containing manufactured sand) and replaced with cement at 20%, 40%, and 60% of total binder. Accelerated corrosion studies were carried out using alternate wetting and drying cycle accompanied with initial stress at 40% and 60% of ultimate stress. Concrete specimens were then immersed in chloride-free water and sodium chloride solution (3.5%) after subjecting to initial stress. The alternate wetting and drying process of different concrete mixes was continued for longer exposure (6 months). Later, the strength degradation during the accelerated corrosion process was then assessed in compressive and flexural tests. Test results indicated that the strength degradation was marginal in the case of steel fibre reinforced concrete containing higher slag content and for the concretes containing corrosion inhibitors. The maximum strength reduction was noticed in the case of plain concrete containing steel fibres and, with the slag addition, a considerable reduction in corrosion potential was noticed. Also, with the increase in slag replacement up to 60%, a significant increase in strength was noticed in flexural test. Experimental test results also showed that the corrosion process in steel fibre reinforced concrete can be controlled with the incorporation of corrosion inhibitors in cementitious system.

Background: Phototherapy based on photocatalytic semiconductor nanomaterials has received considerable attention for the cancer treatment. Nonetheless, intense efficacy for in vivo treatment is restricted by inadequate photocatalytic activity and visible light response., Methods: In this study, we designed a photocatalytic heterostructure using graphitic carbon nitride (g-C 3 N 4 ) and tin disulfide (SnS 2 ) to synthesize g-C 3 N 4 /SnS 2 heterostructure through hydrothermal process. Furthermore, Au nanoparticles were decorated in situ deposition on the surface of the g-C 3 N 4 /SnS 2 heterostructure to form g-C 3 N 4 /SnS 2 @Au nanoparticles., Results: The g-C 3 N 4 /SnS 2 @Au nanoparticles generated intense reactive oxygen species radicals under near-infrared (NIR) laser irradiation through photodynamic therapy (PDT) pathways (Type-I and Type-II). These nanoparticles exhibited enhanced photothermal therapy (PTT) efficacy with high photothermal conversion efficiency (41%) when subjected to 808 nm laser light, owing to the presence of Au nanoparticles. The in vitro studies have indicated that these nanoparticles can induce human liver carcinoma cancer cell (HepG2) apoptosis (approximately 80% cell death) through the synergistic therapeutic effects of PDT and PTT. The in vivo results demonstrated that these nanoparticles exhibited enhanced efficient antitumor effects based on the combined effects of PDT and PTT., Conclusion: The g-C 3 N 4 /SnS 2 @Au nanoparticles possessed enhanced photothermal properties and PDT effect, good biocompatibility and intense antitumor efficacy. Therefore, these nanoparticles could be considered promising candidates through synergistic PDT/PTT effects upon irradiation with NIR laser for cancer treatment., Competing Interests: The authors declare no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have influenced the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 Dash et al.)

Breast cancer is a malignant tumor with a high mortality rate among women. Therefore, it is necessary to develop novel therapies to effectively treat this disease. In this study, iron selenide nanorods (FeSe 2 NRs) were designed for use in magnetic hyperthermic, photothermal, and chemodynamic therapy (MHT/PTT/CDT) for breast cancer. To illustrate their efficacy, FeSe 2 NRs were modified with the chemotherapeutic agent methotrexate (MTX). MTX-modified FeSe 2 (FeSe 2 -MTX) exhibited excellent controlled drug release properties. Fe 2+ released from FeSe 2 NRs induced the release of • OH from H 2 O 2 via a Fenton/Fenton-like reaction, enhancing the efficacy of CDT. Under alternating magnetic field (AMF) stimulation and 808 nm laser irradiation, FeSe 2 -MTX exerted potent hyperthermic and photothermal effects by suppressing tumor growth in a breast cancer nude mouse model. In addition, FeSe 2 NRs can be used for magnetic resonance imaging in vivo by incorporating their superparamagnetic characteristics into a single nanomaterial. Overall, we presented a novel technique for the precise delivery of functional nanosystems to tumors that can enhance the efficacy of breast cancer treatment.

In recent years, inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) have attracted increasing attention as potential theranostic agents in the field of oncology. Photothermal therapy (PTT) is a minimally invasive technique that uses nanoparticles to produce heat from light to kill cancer cells. PTT requires two essential elements: a photothermal agent (PTA) and near-infrared (NIR) radiation. The role of PTAs is to absorb NIR, which subsequently triggers hyperthermia within cancer cells. By raising the temperature in the tumor microenvironment (TME), PTT causes damage to the cancer cells. Nanoparticles (NPs) are instrumental in PTT given that they facilitate the passive and active targeting of the PTA to the TME, making them crucial for the effectiveness of the treatment. In addition, specific targeting can be achieved through their enhanced permeation and retention effect. Thus, owing to their significant advantages, such as altering the morphology and surface characteristics of nanocarriers comprised of PTA, NPs have been exploited to facilitate tumor regression significantly. This review highlights the properties of PTAs, the mechanism of PTT, and the results obtained from the improved curative efficacy of PTT by utilizing NPs platforms.

Combining chemodynamic therapy (CDT) with photothermal therapy (PTT) has developed as a promising approach for cancer treatment, as it enhances therapeutic efficiency through redox reactions and external laser induction. In this study, we designed metal organic framework (MOF) -derived Cu 5 Zn 8 /HPCNC through a carbonization process and decorated them with gold nanoparticles (Au@Cu 5 Zn 8 /HPCNC). The resulting nanoparticles were employed as a photothermal agent and Fenton catalyst. The Fenton reaction facilitated the conversation of Cu 2+ to Cu + through reaction with local H 2 O 2, generating reactive hydroxyl radicals (·OH) with potent cytotoxic effects. To enhance the Fenton-like reaction and achieve combined therapy, laser irradiation of the Au@Cu 5 Zn 8 /HPCNC induced efficient photothermal therapy by generating localized heat. With a significantly increased absorption of Au@Cu 5 Zn 8 /HPCNC at 808 nm, the photothermal efficiency was determined to be 57.45 %. Additionally, Au@Cu 5 Zn 8 /HPCNC demonstrated potential as a contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of cancers. Furthermore, the synergistic combination of PTT and CDT significantly inhibited tumor growth. This integrated approach of PTT and CDT holds great promise for cancer therapy, offering enhanced CDT and modulation of the tumor microenvironment (TME), and opening new avenues in the fight against cancer., 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 B.V. All rights reserved.)

Traditional cancer treatments are ineffective and cause severe adverse effects. Thus, the development of chemodynamic therapy (CDT) has the potential for in situ catalysis of endogenous molecules into highly toxic species, which would then effectively destroy cancer cells. However, the shortage of high-performance nanomaterials hinders the broad clinical application of this approach. In present study, an effective therapeutic platform was developed using a simple hydrothermal method for the in-situ activation of the Fenton reaction within the tumor microenvironment (TME) to generate substantial quantities of •OH and ultimately destroy cancer cells, which could be further synergistically increased by photothermal therapy (PHT) and magnetic hyperthermia (MHT) aided by FeMoO 4 nanorods (NRs). The produced FeMoO 4 NRs were used as MHT/PHT and Fenton catalysts. The photothermal conversion efficiency of the FeMoO 4 NRs was 31.75 %. In vitro and \ experiments demonstrated that the synergistic combination of MHT/PHT/CDT notably improved anticancer efficacy. This work reveals the significant efficacy of CDT aided by both photothermal and magnetic hyperthermia and offers a feasible strategy for the use of iron-based nanoparticles in the field of biomedical applications., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) is widely used in orthopedic applications, including bone cement in total joint replacement surgery, bone fillers, and bone substitutes due to its affordability, biocompatibility, and processability. However, the bone regeneration efficiency of PMMA is limited because of its lack of bioactivity, poor osseointegration, and non-degradability. The use of bone cement also has disadvantages such as methyl methacrylate (MMA) release and high exothermic temperature during the polymerization of PMMA, which can cause thermal necrosis. To address these problems, various strategies have been adopted, such as surface modification techniques and the incorporation of various bioactive agents and biopolymers into PMMA. In this review, the physicochemical properties and synthesis methods of PMMA are discussed, with a special focus on the utilization of various PMMA composites in bone tissue engineering. Additionally, the challenges involved in incorporating PMMA into regenerative medicine are discussed with suitable research findings with the intention of providing insightful advice to support its successful clinical applications.

This study prepared dumbbell-shaped titanium dioxide (TiO 2 )/gold nanorods (AuNRs) coated with mesoporous silica shells (mS) (AuNRs-TiO 2 @mS). Methotrexate (MTX) was further loaded into the AuNRs-TiO 2 @mS, and then upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) were decorated to form AuNRs-TiO 2 @mS-MTX: UCNP nanocomposites. TiO 2 is used as an intense photosensitizer (PS) to produce cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to photodynamic therapy (PDT). Concurrently, AuNRs exhibited intense photothermal therapy (PTT) effects and photothermal conversion efficiency. In vitro results suggested that these nanocomposites can kill oral cancer cells (HSC-3) without toxicity through irradiation of NIR laser, owing to the synergistic effect. The in vivo studies indicated that these nanocomposites exhibited excellent antitumor effects through synergistic PDT/PTT/chemotherapy under a near-infrared (NIR) 808 nm laser irradiation. Thus, these AuNRs-TiO 2 @mS: UCNP nanocomposites have great potential to undergo deep tissue penetration with enhanced synergistic effects through NIR-triggered light for cancer treatment.

Herein, we fabricated gold surface-coated iron titanium core-shell (FeTi@Au) nanoparticles (NPs) with conjugation of angiopep-2 (ANG) (FeTi@Au-ANG) NPs for targeted delivery and improved NPs penetration by receptor-mediated endocytosis to achieve hyperthermic treatment of gliomas. The synthesized "core-shell" FeTi@Au-ANG NPs exhibited spherical in shape with around 16 nm particle size and increased temperature upon alternating magnetic field (AMF) stimulation, rendering them effective for localized hyperthermic therapy of cancer cells. Effective targeted delivery of FeTi@Au-ANG NPs was demonstrated in vitro by improved transport and cellular uptake, and increased apoptosis in glioma cells (C6) compared with normal fibroblast cells (L929). FeTi@Au-ANG NPs exhibited higher deposition in brain tissues and a superior therapeutic effect in an orthotopic intracranial xenograft mouse model. Taken together, our data indicate that FeTi@Au-ANG NPs hold significant promise as a targeted delivery strategy for glioma treatment using hyperthermia., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no conflicting financial interests., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Herein, we present a one-pot hydrothermal approach for synthesizing metal-organic framework-derived copper (II) benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylate (Cu-BTC) nanowires (NWs) using dopamine as the reducing agent and precursor for a polydopamine (PDA) surface coating formation. In addition, PDA can act as a PTT agent and enhance NIR absorption, producing photothermal effects on cancer cells. These NWs displayed a photothermal conversion efficiency of 13.32% after PDA coating and exhibited good photothermal stability. Moreover, NWs with a suitable T 1 relaxivity coefficient (r 1 = 3.01 mg -1 s -1 ) can be effectively used as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents. By increasing concentrations, cellular uptake studies showed a greater uptake of Cu-BTC@PDA NWs into cancer cells. Further, in vitro studies showed PDA-coated Cu-BTC NWs possess exceptional therapeutic performance by 808 nm laser irradiation, destroying 58% of cancer cells compared with the absence of laser irradiation. This promising performance is anticipated to advance the research and implementation of copper-based NWs as theranostic agents for cancer treatment.

The poor permeability of therapeutic agents across the blood-brain barrier and blood-tumor barrier is a significant barrier in glioma treatment. Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP-1) recognises a dual-targeting ligand, angiopep-2, which is overexpressed in the BBB and gliomas. Here, we have synthesized Ti@FeAu core-shell nanoparticles conjugated with angiopep-2 (Ti@FeAu-Ang nanoparticles) to target glioma cells and treat brain cancer via hyperthermia produced by a magnetic field. Our results confirmed that Ti@FeAu core-shell nanoparticles were superparamagnetic, improved the negative contrast effect on glioma, and exhibited a temperature elevation of 12° C upon magnetic stimulation, which implies potential applications in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and hyperthermia-based cancer therapy. Angiopep-2-decorated nanoparticles exhibited higher cellular uptake by C6 glioma cells than by L929 fibroblasts, demonstrating selective glioma targeting and improved cytotoxicity up to 85% owing to hyperthermia produced by a magnetic field. The in vivo findings demonstrated that intravenous injection of Ti@FeAu-Ang nanoparticles exhibited a 10-fold decrement in tumor volume compared to the control group. Furthermore, immunohistochemical analysis of Ti@FeAu-Ang nanoparticles showed that coagulative necrosis of tumor tissues and preliminary safety analysis highlighted no toxicity to the haematological system, after Ti@FeAu-Ang nanoparticle-induced hyperthermia treatment.

The title complex, [Zn(C 2 H 8 N 2 ) 3 ][ZnCl 4 ], exists as discrete ions. The [Zn(C 2 H 8 N 2 ) 3 ] 2+ cation exhibits a distorted octa-hedral shape. In the [ZnCl 4 ] 2- anion, the Zn II atom is in an almost regular tetra-hedral environment. The crystal packing is consolidated by N-H⋯Cl and C-H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds., (© AaminaNaaz et al. 2020.)

In the crystal structure of the title salt, (C10H10N2)[ZnCl4], the bi-pyridine-diium dication is not planar, with a dihedral angle of 37.21 (9)° between the planes of the two pyridine rings. In the crystal, the slightly distorted [ZnCl4](2-) anions are packed into rods parallel to [001], with the organic cations arranged in corrugated layers parallel to (100). Cations and anions are linked through N-H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds, forming chains parallel to [20-1]. Additional C-H⋯Cl inter-actions consolidate the crystal packing.

The title compound, [ZnCl2(C8H11N)2], was synthesized by the reaction of zinc dichloride and 4-ethyl-aniline. The Zn(2+) cation is coordinated by two Cl(-) anions and the N atoms of two 4-ethyl-aniline ligands, forming a distorted Zn(N2Cl2) tetra-hedron. The dihedral angle between the two benzene rings is 85.3 (2)° The Zn atom lies on a twofold rotation axis. The ethyl substituents are disordered over two sets of sites in a 0.74 (2):0.26 (2) ratio. In the crystal, N-H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds link the mol-ecules into sheets perpendicular to the a axis. C-H⋯Cl inter-actions also occur.

In the title compound, (C9H8N)2[ZnCl4]·2H2O, the tetra-chlorido-zincate ion is located on a twofold rotation axis with the Zn atom on a special position. The crystal packing is stabilized by N-H⋯O and O-H⋯Cl inter-actions.

In the crystal structure of the title compound, (C12H9N2)2[ZnCl4]·H2O, the two independent 1,10-phenanthrolinium cations are bridged by the water mol-ecule and the tetrahedral tetrachloridozincate anion via N-H⋯O, O-H⋯Cl and N-H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds, forming chains along [100]. The chains are linked via C-H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds and a number of π-π inter-actions [centroid-centroid distances vary from 3.5594 (14) to 3.7057 (13) Å], forming a three-dimensional network. In each 1,10-phenanthrolinium cation, there is a short N-H⋯N inter-action.