We calculate and model the microscopic dielectric response function for quantum dots using first principle methods. We find that the response is bulklike inside the quantum dots, and the reduction of the macroscopic dielectric constants is a surface effect. We present a model for the microscopic dielectric function which reproduces well the directly calculated results and can be used to solve t...

Glyco-gold nanoparticles combine in a single entity the peculiar properties of gold nanoparticles with the biological activity of carbohydrates. The result is an exciting nanosystem, able to mimic the natural multivalent presentation of saccharide moieties and to exploit the peculiar optical properties of the metallic core. In this review, we present recent advances on glyco-gold nanoparticle a...

Cellular internalization and trans-barrier transport of nanoparticles can be manipulated on the basis of the physicochemical and mechanical characteristics of nanoparticles. Research has shown that these factors significantly influence the uptake of nanoparticles. Dictating these characteristics allows for the control of the rate and extent of cellular uptake, as well as delivering the drug-loa...

BACKGROUND Costimulation of T cells via costimulatory molecules such as B7 is important for eliciting cell-mediated antitumor immunity. Presenting costimulation molecules by immobilizing recombinant B7 on the surface of nanovectors is a novel strategy for complementary therapy. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are a family of biodegradable, non-toxic, biocompatible polyesters, which can be used as ...

BACKGROUND Diseases that affect the buccal cavity are a public health concern nowadays. Chlorhexidine and nystatin are the most commonly used drugs for the control of buccal affections. In the search for more effective antimicrobials, nanotechnology can be successfully used to improve the physical chemical properties of drugs whilst avoiding the undesirable side effects associated with its use....

To design a prodrug-based self-assembling nanosystem with both ligand targeting and stimuli-responsive features, and elucidate the superiority of each targeting strategy and the synergistic effect between them, we synthesized four small molecule amphiphilic peptide-drug conjugates (APDCs) using maytansinoid (DM1) as a cytotoxic agent, cRGDfK as a homing peptide, and disulfide (SS) or thioether ...