Electrospinning: a fascinating fiber fabrication technique.

Zinc oxide can be called a multifunctional material thanks to its unique physical and chemical properties. The first part of this paper presents the most important methods of preparation of ZnO divided into metallurgical and chemical methods. The mechanochemical process, controlled precipitation, sol-gel method, solvothermal and hydrothermal method, method using emulsion and microemulsion enviroment and other methods of obtaining zinc oxide were classified as chemical methods. In the next part of this review, the modification methods of ZnO were characterized. The modification with organic (carboxylic acid, silanes) and inroganic (metal oxides) compounds, and polymer matrices were mainly described. Finally, we present possible applications in various branches of industry: rubber, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, textile, electronic and electrotechnology, photocatalysis were introduced. This review provides useful information for specialist dealings with zinc oxide.

Zinc Oxide-From Synthesis to Application: A Review.

Nanotechnology involves the production, manipulation and use of materials ranging in size from less than a micron to that of individual atoms. Although nanomaterials may be synthesized using chemical approaches, it is now possible to include the use of biological materials. In this review, we critically assess the role of microorganisms and plants in the synthesis of nanoparticles.

Biosynthesis of nanoparticles: technological concepts and future applications

New materials of emerging technological importance are single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). Because SWCNTs will be used in commercial products in huge amounts, their effects on human health and the environment have been addressed in several studies. Inhalation studies in vivo and submerse applications in vitro have been described with diverging results. Why some indicate a strong cytotoxicity and some do not is what we report on here. Data from A549 cells incubated with carbon nanotubes fake a strong cytotoxic effect within the MTT assay after 24 h that reaches roughly 50%, whereas the same treatment with SWCNTs, but detection with WST-1, reveals no cytotoxicity. LDH, FACS-assisted mitochondrial membrane potential determination, and Annexin-V/PI staining also reveal no cytotocicity. SWCNTs appear to interact with some tetrazolium salts such as MTT but not with others (such as WST-1, INT, XTT). This interference does not seem to affect the enzymatic reaction but lies rather in the insoluble nature of MTT-formazan. Our findings strongly suggest verifying cytotoxicity data with at least two or more independent test systems for this new class of materials (nanomaterials). Moreover, we intensely recommend standardizing nanotoxicological assays with regard to the material used: there is a clear need for reference materials. MTT-formazan crystals formed in the MTT reaction are lumped with nanotubes and offer a potential mechanism to guide bioremediation and clearance for SWCNTs from "contaminated" tissue. SWCNTs are good supporting materials for tissue growth, as attachment of focal adhesions and connections to the cytoskeleton suggest.

Oops they did it again! Carbon nanotubes hoax scientists in viability assays.

The development of nanotechnology using organic materials is one of the most intellectually and commercially exciting stories of our times. Advances in synthetic chemistry and in methods for the investigation and manipulation of individual molecules and small ensembles of molecules have produced major advances in the field of organic nanomaterials. The new insights into the optical and electronic properties of molecules obtained by means of single-molecule spectroscopy and scanning probe microscopy have spurred chemists to conceive and make novel molecular and supramolecular designs. Methods have also been sought to exploit the properties of these materials in optoelectronic devices, and prototypes and models for new nanoscale devices have been demonstrated. This Review aims to show how the interaction between synthetic chemistry and spectroscopy has driven the field of organic nanomaterials forward towards the ultimate goal of new technology.

The Chemistry of Organic Nanomaterials

Nanotechnology and biosensors

Catalytic growth of carbon nanotubes from the internal surface of Fe-loading mesoporous molecular sieves materials

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Tumor growth, development, progression, metastasis, invasion and resistivity against drugs solely depend on the recruitment of surrounding cells, extracellular matrix and Tumor Microenvironment (TME). TME is directly as well as indirectly associated with Cancer- Associated Fibroblasts (CAF). The interactions of CAF with tumor surrounding cells, their origination, activation, transformation and ability to recruit other non-tumor cells for the clemency of tumor, are very complex and under active research since long. This study provides an in-depth review of CAF and highlights its potential targets for the regulation of TME as well as discusses current drugs in clinical trials, targeting through CAF. CONCLUSION The potential role of CAF in anti-tumor therapy is based on its coherent response against drugs, targeting different tumor sections through these genetically more stable and anti-immunosupportive CAF cells. CAF can be targeted through immunity system; Growth Factors (GF) including Transforming growth factor (TGF), vascular endothelial GF, fibroblast GF, platelet derived GF; and TME elements including hypoxia, carbonic anhydrase, extracellular matrix (ECM). Collectively these features of CAF make it most vulnerable against single as well as combinational, anti-tumor therapy for synergistic or additive effects. Potential activities of CAF, their origination mechanisms and identification of meticulous bio-markers are needed to be investigated further. The rousing facts about them mutually culminate the anticipation of progress towards novel therapeutic establishment against cancer through CAFs that are under progressive research at all levels including, pre-clinical and clinical trials as well as possess much potential to be explored further.

Versatility of Cancer Associated Fibroblasts: Commendable Targets for Anti-tumor Therapy

Multifunctional Device for Nucleic Acid Extraction Based on Magnetic Separation and Its Co-Working with Liquid Handling System for High Throughput Sample Preparation

A new method is described for the electroless deposition of copper onto glass. Commercially available glass slide was modified with μ-amimopropyltrimethoxysilane to form self-assembled monolayer (SAM) on it. Then it was dipped directly into PdCl2 solution instead of the conventional SnCl2 sensitization followed by PdCl2 activation. Experimental results showed that the Pd2+ ions from PdCl2 solution were coordinated to the ammo groups on the glass surface resulting in the formation of N—Pd complex. In an electroless copper bath containing a formaldehyde reducing agent, the N—Pd complexes were reduced to Pd0 atoms, which then acted as catalysts and initiated the deposition of copper metal. Although the copper deposition rate on SAM-modified glass was slow at the beginning, it reached to that of conventional method in about 5 min.

HE Nongyue

Papers

Nanotechnology and biosensors

Catalytic growth of carbon nanotubes from the internal surface of Fe-loading mesoporous molecular sieves materials

Versatility of Cancer Associated Fibroblasts: Commendable Targets for Anti-tumor Therapy

Multifunctional Device for Nucleic Acid Extraction Based on Magnetic Separation and Its Co-Working with Liquid Handling System for High Throughput Sample Preparation

A New Approach on the Active Treatment for Electroless Copper Plating on Glass