2008 JUL 14 - (VerticalNews.com) -- According to a study from Russia, "Selenium-polypyrrole core-shell nanoparticles are fabricated by an in-situ polymerization process and functionalized with transferrin for targeting and imaging of human cervical cancer cells. The shell thickness and chemical composition of the as-synthesized particles can be manipulated by controlling the precursor concentration."

  "The presence of the polymer layer can greatly increase the thermal stability of the selenium nanoparticles. The presence of transferrin molecules on the surface of the core-shell nanoparticles can significantly enhance their cellular uptake," wrote S.A. Filimonova and colleagues ...read more

  2008 JUL 14 - (VerticalNews.com) -- "Investigation of the mechanical properties of materials at the nanoscale is often performed by atomic force microscopy nanoindentation. However, substrates with large surface roughness and heterogeneity demand careful data analysis," scientists in Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic report.

  "This requirement is even more stringent when surface indentations with a typical depth of a few nanometers are produced to test material hardness. Accordingly, we developed a geometrical model of the nanoindenter, which was first validated by measurements on a reference gold sample. Then we used this technique to investigate the mechanical properties of a coating layer made of Balinit C, a commercially available alloy with superior anti-wear features deposited on steel," wrote R. Zavodska and colleagues ...read more

  2008 JUL 14 - (VerticalNews.com) -- "The imaging of tumor cells and tumor tissue samples is very important for cancer detection and therapy. We have taken advantages of fluorescent silica nanoparticles (FSiNPs) coupled with a molecular recognition element that allows for effective in vitro and ex vivo imaging of tumor cells and tissues," investigators in Ljubljana, Slovenia report.

  "In this study, we report on the targeting and imaging of MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells using arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) peptide-labeled FSiNPs. When linked with RGD peptide using the cyanogen bromide (CNBr) method, the FSiNPs exhibited high target binding to alpha(v)beta(3) integrin receptor (ABIR)-positive MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells in vitro. Further study regarding the ex vivo imaging of tumor tissue samples was also carried out by intravenously injecting RGID peptide-labeled FSiNPs into athymic nude mice bearing the MDA-MB-231 tumors. Tissue images demonstrated that the high integrin alpha(v)beta(3) expression level of the MDA-MB-231 tumors was clearly visible due to the special targeting effects of the RGD peptide-labeled FSiNPs, and the tumor fluorescence reached maximum intensity at 1 h postinjection," wrote J. Strus and colleagues, University of Ljubljana ...read more