scholarly journals Enhanced X-ray Attenuating Efficiency of Silicon Dioxide Nanoparticles with Cesium Lead Bromide and 2,5-Diphenyloxazole Co-Embedded Therein

Crystals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 1531
Author(s):  
Geunpyo Choe ◽  
Hyemin Kwon ◽  
Ilhwan Ryu ◽  
Sanggyu Yim

An X-ray-attenuation-based in vivo imaging can be a promising candidate for real-time detection of cancer in an early stage due to its significantly longer penetration depth compared to currently investigated fluorescence-emission-based imaging techniques. It has recently been demonstrated that this novel concept of imaging is feasible using cesium lead bromide (CPB) quantum dots (QDs) stably embedded in silicon dioxide (SiO2) nanoparticles (NPs). However, further improvements are necessary to realize its practical use, especially in terms of X-ray attenuation efficiency. In this study, we have found that the X-ray attenuation capability of CPB/SiO2 NPs was significantly enhanced by embedding an organic X-ray scintillator, 2,5-diphenyloxazole (PPO), together with CPB QDs in the NPs. The embedment not only solved the water dispersibility and stability problem of PPO, but also significantly increased the Hounsfield unit of the NPs, which was proportional to the degree of X-ray attenuation, by 2.7 times.

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (13) ◽  
pp. 4554
Author(s):  
Ralph-Alexandru Erdelyi ◽  
Virgil-Florin Duma ◽  
Cosmin Sinescu ◽  
George Mihai Dobre ◽  
Adrian Bradu ◽  
...  

The most common imaging technique for dental diagnoses and treatment monitoring is X-ray imaging, which evolved from the first intraoral radiographs to high-quality three-dimensional (3D) Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT). Other imaging techniques have shown potential, such as Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). We have recently reported on the boundaries of these two types of techniques, regarding. the dental fields where each one is more appropriate or where they should be both used. The aim of the present study is to explore the unique capabilities of the OCT technique to optimize X-ray units imaging (i.e., in terms of image resolution, radiation dose, or contrast). Two types of commercially available and widely used X-ray units are considered. To adjust their parameters, a protocol is developed to employ OCT images of dental conditions that are documented on high (i.e., less than 10 μm) resolution OCT images (both B-scans/cross sections and 3D reconstructions) but are hardly identified on the 200 to 75 μm resolution panoramic or CBCT radiographs. The optimized calibration of the X-ray unit includes choosing appropriate values for the anode voltage and current intensity of the X-ray tube, as well as the patient’s positioning, in order to reach the highest possible X-rays resolution at a radiation dose that is safe for the patient. The optimization protocol is developed in vitro on OCT images of extracted teeth and is further applied in vivo for each type of dental investigation. Optimized radiographic results are compared with un-optimized previously performed radiographs. Also, we show that OCT can permit a rigorous comparison between two (types of) X-ray units. In conclusion, high-quality dental images are possible using low radiation doses if an optimized protocol, developed using OCT, is applied for each type of dental investigation. Also, there are situations when the X-ray technology has drawbacks for dental diagnosis or treatment assessment. In such situations, OCT proves capable to provide qualitative images.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 381
Author(s):  
Gautier Cesbron-Lavau ◽  
Aurélie Goux ◽  
Fiona Atkinson ◽  
Alexandra Meynier ◽  
Sophie Vinoy

During processing of cereal-based food products, starch undergoes dramatic changes. The objective of this work was to evaluate the impact of food processing on the starch digestibility profile of cereal-based foods using advanced imaging techniques, and to determine the effect of preserving starch in its native, slowly digestible form on its in vivo metabolic fate. Four different food products using different processing technologies were evaluated: extruded products, rusks, soft-baked cakes, and rotary-molded biscuits. Imaging techniques (X-ray diffraction, micro-X-ray microtomography, and electronic microscopy) were used to investigate changes in slowly digestible starch (SDS) structure that occurred during these different food processing technologies. For in vivo evaluation, International Standards for glycemic index (GI) methodology were applied on 12 healthy subjects. Rotary molding preserved starch in its intact form and resulted in the highest SDS content (28 g/100 g) and a significantly lower glycemic and insulinemic response, while the three other technologies resulted in SDS contents below 3 g/100 g. These low SDS values were due to greater disruption of the starch structure, which translated to a shift from a crystalline structure to an amorphous one. Modulation of postprandial glycemia, through starch digestibility modulation, is a meaningful target for the prevention of metabolic diseases.


2014 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 1127-1132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramin Hassankhani ◽  
Mohammad Esmaeillou ◽  
Ali Asghar Tehrani ◽  
Keyvan Nasirzadeh ◽  
Fatemeh Khadir ◽  
...  

2014 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 1795-1807 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Strobel ◽  
Martin Förster ◽  
Ingrid Hilger

Cerium dioxide (CeO2) and silicon dioxide (SiO2) nanoparticles are of widespread use in modern life. This means that human beings are markedly exposed to them in their everyday life. Once passing biological barriers, these nanoparticles are expected to interact with endothelial cells, leading to systemic alterations with distinct influences on human health. In the present study we observed the metabolic impact of differently sized CeO2 (8 nm; 35 nm) and SiO2 nanoparticles (117 nm; 315 nm) on immortalized human microvascular (HMEC-1) and primary macrovascular endothelial cells (HUVEC), with particular focus on the CeO2 nanoparticles. The characterization of the CeO2 nanoparticles in cell culture media with varying serum content indicated a steric stabilization of nanoparticles due to interaction with proteins. After cellular uptake, the CeO2 nanoparticles were localized around the nucleus in a ring-shaped manner. The nanoparticles revealed concentration and time, but no size-dependent effects on the cellular adenosine triphosphate levels. HUVEC reacted more sensitively to CeO2 nanoparticle exposure than HMEC-1. This effect was also observed in relation to cytokine release after nanoparticle treatment. The CeO2 nanoparticles exhibited a specific impact on the release of diverse proteins. Namely, a slight trend towards pro-inflammatory effects, a slight pro-thrombotic impact, and an increase of reactive oxygen species after nanoparticle exposure were observed with increasing incubation time. For SiO2 nanoparticles, concentration- and time-dependent effects on the metabolic activity as well as pro-inflammatory reactions were detectable. In general, the effects of the investigated nanoparticles on endothelial cells were rather insignificant, since the alterations on the metabolic cell activity became visible at a nanoparticle concentration that is by far higher than those expected to occur in the in vivo situation (CeO2 nanoparticles: 100 µg/mL; SiO2 nanoparticles: 10 µg/mL).


2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 661-667
Author(s):  
Xueliang Xiao ◽  
Hao Chen ◽  
Kun Qian

AbstractPolyethylene (PE) membrane has been extensively used in microtransport areas due to its high porosity, chemical stability, and easy processability. However, pure PE membrane shows poor thermomechanical properties. In this paper, silicon dioxide (SiO2) was used to composite PE membrane in nanogel format. The morphology of the combination and surface layer was demonstrated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The SiO2 gel on membrane was analyzed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The effect of the SiO2 gel on the thermomechanical properties of PE membrane was investigated in terms of thermal shrinkage, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). The results showed that the SiO2 gel effectively reduced the thermal shrinkage of PE membrane by 47.25% without increased crystallinity, and the coating layer slowed down the decomposed speed of PE membrane at melting point. Comparison tests showed that SiO2 gel enlarged the storage modulus and Young’s modulus of PE membrane. Tensile test revealed that the maximum load on pure PE and PE composite membranes at the yield point were both decreased with the increased temperature.


Author(s):  
A. E. Salamianski ◽  
D. A. Kalenchanka ◽  
G. B. Melnikova ◽  
Yu. V. Sinkevich ◽  
V. E. Agabekov

The wettability of composite coatings based on polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and silicon dioxide formed on silicon by the spin coating method from PVA colloid solutions of SiO2 nanoparticles was studied. These coatings modified with hydrolysed heptadecafluorotetrahydrodecyltrimethoxysilane are found to exhibit superhydrophobic and oleophobic properties. It was found that PVA increases the wear stability of SiO2–PVA coatings.


Pharmaceutics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 1890
Author(s):  
Mohammad Yaseen Ahmad ◽  
Huan Yue ◽  
Tirusew Tegafaw ◽  
Shuwen Liu ◽  
Son Long Ho ◽  
...  

Recent progress in functionalized lanthanide oxide (Ln2O3) nanoparticles for tumor targeting, medical imaging, and therapy is reviewed. Among the medical imaging techniques, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an important noninvasive imaging tool for tumor diagnosis due to its high spatial resolution and excellent imaging contrast, especially when contrast agents are used. However, commercially available low-molecular-weight MRI contrast agents exhibit several shortcomings, such as nonspecificity for the tissue of interest and rapid excretion in vivo. Recently, nanoparticle-based MRI contrast agents have become a hot research topic in biomedical imaging due to their high performance, easy surface functionalization, and low toxicity. Among them, functionalized Ln2O3 nanoparticles are applicable as MRI contrast agents for tumor-targeting and nontumor-targeting imaging and image-guided tumor therapy. Primarily, Gd2O3 nanoparticles have been intensively investigated as tumor-targeting T1 MRI contrast agents. T2 MRI is also possible due to the appreciable paramagnetic moments of Ln2O3 nanoparticles (Ln = Dy, Ho, and Tb) at room temperature arising from the nonzero orbital motion of 4f electrons. In addition, Ln2O3 nanoparticles are eligible as X-ray computed tomography contrast agents because of their high X-ray attenuation power. Since nanoparticle toxicity is of great concern, recent toxicity studies on Ln2O3 nanoparticles are also discussed.


2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-48
Author(s):  
Fan Zhao ◽  
Haiyan Xu ◽  
Wen Xue ◽  
Yan Li ◽  
Jing Sun ◽  
...  

Currently, implantable fibrous medical devices still suffer from invisibility under current clinical imaging techniques. To address this problem, 2, 3, 5-triiodobenzoic acid (TIBA) was recruited as a contrast agent, and then a set of iodinated poly( p-dioxanone) (PPDO) fibers was fabricated via melt-spinning hybrid blends of PPDO with TIBA (PPDO/TIBA). The impact of TIBA content on the rheological behavior of blends was evaluated firstly. The physical, chemical, and thermal properties of PPDO/TIBA fibers were investigated accordingly by SEM, FTIR, DSC, and TGA. Moreover, the radiopaque property of PPDO/TIBA hybrid fibers as a potential radio-opacifying platform for medical devices was verified in vitro and in vivo. Finally, the accumulated release results of the hybrid fibers during in vitro degradation indicate the continual X-ray visibility of the hybrid fibers maintains for 22 days. This intriguing iodinated platform may pave the way for constructing fibrous materials with in-situ X-ray tracking property.


Coatings ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 962
Author(s):  
Rok Eldib ◽  
Ebtihal Khojah ◽  
Abeer Elhakem ◽  
Nada Benajiba ◽  
Mahmoud Helal

Chitosan coating plus silicon dioxide nanoparticles and nisin were applied on fresh blueberry samples in order to find out safety packaging assay during the post-harvest process. Studies were performed in-vitro for fruit quality as physicochemical parameters and oxidation, while microbiological analyses as molds/yeast and mesophilics populations were examined in-vivo. The selected silicon dioxide nanoparticles 1% and nisin 1%, were added into a chitosan solution, which resulted in four groups of coated blueberries. After storage at ambient temperature, fruits were examined for two, four, six, and eight days. It was noticed that the hardness, chewiness, and cohesiveness of all blueberry samples were increased during the storage. Chitosan-nano-silicon dioxide (CHN-Nano) and (CHN-N-Nano) with the addition of nisin helped to control shrinking (38.52%) and decay rates (8.61%). Moreover, (CHN-N-Nano) reported the lowest L* values (10.54) for the color index, and inhibited the microbial populations (3.60 and 2.73 log CFU/g) for molds/yeast and mesophilics, respectively. (CHN-Nano) reported the lowest value for ph (2.61) and the highest for anthocyanin content (75.19 cyanidin-3-glucoside mg/100 g). The chitosan coating substantially maintained Vitamin C (7.34 mg/100 g) and polyphenoloxidase (PPO) (558.03 U min−1·g−1). The results suggest that nano-material with chitosan film coatings that contained nisin were effective for fresh blueberry preservation under ambient temperature.


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