Core-shell-shell nanorods for controlled release of silver that can serve as a nanoheater for photothermal treatment on bacteria

A dual-mode lateral flow immunoassay by ultrahigh signal-to background ratio SERS probes for nitrofurazone metabolites ultrasensitive detection

In this work, an ultra-sensitive lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) with SERS/colorimetric dual signal mode was constructed for the detection of nitrofurazone metabolites, an antibiotic prohibited in animal-origin foods. Au@4-MBN@AgNRs nano-sandwich structural signal tag integrates the unique advantages of high signal-to-background ratio and anti-matrix interference through geometric control of SERS tag and nanoengineering adjustment of chemical composition. Under the optimal conditions, the detection limits of nitrofurazone metabolites by SERS/colorimetric dual-mode LFIA were 20 pg/mL (colorimetric mode) and 0.08 pg/mL (SERS mode). Excitingly, the vLOD of the colorimetric signal improved by a factor of 100 compared to Au NPs-based LFIA. In this study, the proposed dual-mode LFIA was successfully applied to the on-site real-time detection of honey, milk powder, and chicken. It is anticipated that with low background interference and anti-matrix interference output signal, our proposed dual-mode strategy can pave an innovative pathway for the fabrication of a powerful biosensor.

Multifunctional FFP2 Face Mask for White Light Disinfection and Pathogens Detection using Hybrid Nanostructures and Optical Metasurfaces

A new generation of an FFP2 (Filtering Face Piece of type 2) smart face mask is achieved by integrating broadband hybrid nanomaterials and a self-assembled optical metasurface. The multifunctional FFP2 face mask shows simultaneously white light-assisted on-demand disinfection properties and versatile biosensing capabilities. These properties are achieved by a powerful combination of white light thermoplasmonic responsive hybrid nanomaterials, which provide excellent photo-thermal disinfection properties, and optical metasurface-based colorimetric biosensors, with a very low limit of pathogens detection. The realized system is studied in optical, morphological, spectroscopic, and cell viability assay experiments and environmental monitoring of harmful pathogens, thus highlighting the extraordinary properties in reusability and pathogens detection of the innovative face mask.

Light-responsive polymeric nanoparticles for retinal drug delivery: design cues, challenges and future perspectives

A multitude of sight-threatening retinal diseases, affecting hundreds of millions around the globe, lack effective pharmacological treatments due to ocular barriers and common drug delivery limitations. Polymeric nanoparticles (PNPs) are versatile drug carriers with sustained drug release profiles and tunable physicochemical properties which have been explored for ocular drug delivery to both anterior and posterior ocular tissues. PNPs can incorporate a wide range of drugs and overcome the challenges of conventional retinal drug delivery. Moreover, PNPs can be engineered to respond to specific stimuli such as ultraviolet, visible, or near-infrared light, and allow precise spatiotemporal control of the drug release, enabling tailored treatment regimens and reducing the number of required administrations. The objective of this study is to emphasize the therapeutic potential of light-triggered drug-loaded polymeric nanoparticles to treat retinal diseases through an exploration of ocular pathologies, challenges in drug delivery, current production methodologies and recent applications. Despite challenges, light-responsive PNPs hold the promise of substantially enhancing the treatment landscape for ocular diseases, aiming for an improved quality of life for patients.

NIR-induced improvement of catalytic activity and antibacterial performance over AuAg nanorods in Rambutan-like Fe3O4@AgAu@PDA magnetic nanospheres

Pathogenic bacteria and difficult-to-degrade pollutants in water have been serious problems that always plague people. Therefore, finding a "one stone-two birds" method that can quickly catalyze the degradation of pollutants and show effective antibacterial behavior become an urgent requirement. This work reports a facile one-step strategy for fabricating a Rambutan-like Fe₃O₄@AgAu@PDA (Fe₃O₄@AgAu@Polydopamine) core/shell nanosphere with both catalytic and antibacterial activities which can be critically improved by externally applying an NIR laser irradiation (NIR, 808 nm) and a rotating magnetic field. Typically, the Rambutan-like Fe₃O₄@AgAu@PDA nanosphere have a rather rough surface due to the AuAg bimetallic nanorods sandwiched between the Fe₃O₄ core and the PDA shell. Owing to the penetrated PDA shell, AgAu nanorods show high and magnetically recyclable photothermal-enhanced catalytic activity for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol and they can also be applied to initiate TMB oxidation under the help of NIR heating condition. Moreover, Fe₃O₄@AgAu@PDA shows a moderate antibacterial activity due to the weak release of Ag⁺. Under applying a rotating external magnetic field, the rough-surface Fe₃O₄@AgAu@PDA nanospheres produce a controllable magnetolytic force on the bacterial due to their good affinity. As a result, the Fe₃O₄@AgAu@PDA nanospheres show a "magnetolytic-photothermal-Ag⁺" synergistic antibacterial behavior against E. coli and S. aureus.

On-Off Phagocytosis and Switchable Macrophage Activation Stimulated with NIR for Infected Percutaneous Tissue Repair of Polypyrrole-Coated Sulfonated PEEK

Intelligent control of the immune response is essential for obtaining percutaneous implants with good sterilization and tissue repair abilities. In this study, polypyrrole (Ppy) nanoparticles enveloping a 3D frame of sulfonated polyether ether ketone (SP) surface are constructed, which enhance the surface modulus and hardness of the sulfonated layer by forming a cooperative structure of simulated reinforced concrete and exhibit a superior photothermal effect. Ppy-coated SP could quickly accumulate heat on the surface by responding to 808 nm near-infrared (NIR) light, thereby killing bacteria, and destroying biofilms. Under NIR stimulation, the phagocytosis and M1 activation of macrophages cultured on Ppy-coated SP are enhanced by activating complement 3 and its receptor, CD11b. Phagocytosis and M1 activation are impaired along with abolishment of NIR stimulation in the Ppy-coated SP group, which is favorable for tissue repair. Ppy-coated SP promotes Collagen-I, vascular endothelial growth factor, connective tissue growth factor, and α-actin (Acta2) expression by inducing M2 polarization owing to its higher surface modulus. Overall, Ppy-coated SP with enhanced mechanical properties could be a good candidate for clinical percutaneous implants through on-off phagocytosis and switchable macrophage activation stimulated with NIR.

Magnetic-Field-Induced Improvement of Photothermal Sterilization Performance by Fe3O4@SiO2@Au/PDA Nanochains

Due to the abuse of antibiotics, the sensitivity of patients to antibiotics is gradually reduced. This work develops a Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@Au/PDA nanochain which shows an interesting magnetic-field-induced improvement of its photothermal antibacterial property. First, SiO₂ was wrapped on Fe₃O₄ nanospheres assembled in a chain to form a Fe₃O₄@SiO₂ nanocomposite with a chain-like nanostructure. Then, the magnetic Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@Au/PDA nanochains were prepared using in situ redox-oxidization polymerization. Under the irradiation of an 808 nm NIR laser, the temperature rise of the Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@Au/PDA nanochain dispersion was obvious, indicating that they possessed a good photothermal effect. Originating from the Fe₃O₄, the Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@Au/PDA nanochain showed a typical soft magnetic behavior. Both the NIR and magnetic field affected the antimicrobial performance of the Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@Au/PDA nanochains. Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were used as models to verify the antibacterial properties. The experimental results showed that the Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@Au/PDA nanochains exhibited good antibacterial properties under photothermal conditions. After applying a magnetic field, the bactericidal effect was further significantly enhanced. The above results show that the material has a broad application prospect in inhibiting the growth of bacteria.

Photothermal Nanoheaters-Modified Spores for Safe and Controllable Antitumor Therapy

Introduction

To present a safer tumor therapy based on bacteria and identify in detail how the activation and infection behavior of spores can be controlled remotely by near-infrared light (NIR-irradiation) based on nanoheaters' modification.

Methods

Spores bring a better tolerance to surface modification. Transitive gold-nanorods-allied-nanoclusters-modified spores (Spore@NRs/NCs) were constructed by covalent glutaraldehyde crosslink. The photothermal properties of nanoheaters before and after attachment to spores were studied by recording temperature-irradiation time curves. The controlled viability and infection behavior of Spore@NRs/NCs were investigated by NIR-irradiation.

Results

In this work, a controllable sterilizing effect to activated vegetative bacteria was obtained obviously. When met with a suitable growth-environment, Spore@NRs/NCs could germinate, activate into vegetative bacteria and continue to reproduce. Without NIR-irradiation, nanoheaters could not affect the activity of both spores and vegetative bacterial cells. However, with NIR-irradiation after incubating in growth medium, nanoheaters on spores could control the spores' germination and affect the growth curve as well as the viability of the vegetative bacterial cells. For Spore@NRs/NCs (Spore:NCs:NRs=1:1:4, 67.5 μg mL^-1), a ~98% killing rate of vegetative bacterial cells was obtained with NIR-irradiation (2.8 W cm^-2, 20 min) after 2 h-incubation. In addition, these nanoheaters modified on spores could be taken not only to the vegetative bacteria cells, but also to the first-generation bacteria cells with their excellent photothermal and bactericidal performance, as well as synergetic anticancer effect. NIR-irradiation after 2 h-incubation could also trigger Spore@NRs/NCs (1:1:4, 6 μL) to synergistically reduce the viability of HCT116 cells to 15.63±2.90%.

Conclusion

By using NIR-irradiation, the "transitive" nanoheaters can remotely control the activity of both bacteria (germinated from spore) and cancer cells. This discovery provides basis and a feasible plan for controllable safer treatment of bacteria therapy, especially anaerobes with spores in hypoxic areas of the malignant solid tumors.

Gold Nanorod-Incorporated Halloysite Nanotubes Functionalized with Antibody for Superior Antibacterial Photothermal Treatment

The global spread of antibiotic-resistant strains, and the need to protect the microflora from non-specific antibiotics require more effective and selective alternatives. In this work, we demonstrate for the first time a superior antibacterial photothermal effect of plasmonic gold nanorods (AuNRs) via their incorporation onto natural clay halloysite nanotubes (HNTs), which were functionalized with anti-E. coli antibodies (Ab-HNTs). AuNRs were incorporated onto the Ab-HNTs through a facile freeze-thaw cycle, and antibody integrity following the incorporation was confirmed via infrared spectroscopy and fluorescence immunolabeling. The incorporation efficiency was studied using UV-Vis absorption and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Mixtures of E. coli and AuNR-Ab-HNTs hybrids or free AuNRs were irradiated with an 808 nm laser at 3-4 W cm^-2, and the resulting photothermal antibacterial activity was measured via plate count. The irradiated AuNR-Ab-HNTs hybrids exerted an 8-fold higher antibacterial effect compared to free AuNR under 3.5 W cm^-2; whereas the latter induced a 6 °C-higher temperature elevation. No significant antibacterial activity was observed for the AuNR-Ab-HNTs hybrid against non-target bacteria species (Serratia marcescens and Staphylococcus epidermidis). These findings are ascribed to the localization of the photothermal ablation due to the binding of the antibody-functionalized clay to its target bacteria, as supported through TEM imaging. In the future, the HNTs-based selective carriers presented herein could be tailored with other antibacterial nanoparticles or against another microorganism via the facile adjustment of the immobilized antibody.

Dual functions of epigallocatechin gallate surface-modified Au nanorods@selenium composites for near-infrared-II light-responsive synergistic antibacterial therapy

Diseases caused by bacterial infections pose ever-increasing threats to human health, making it important to explore alternative antibacterial strategies. Herein, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) surface-modified Au nanorods@selenium composites (ASE NPs) were developed for synergistic NIR-II light-responsive antibacterial therapy. In vitro antibacterial experiments demonstrated the improved antibacterial effect of ASE NPs against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) compared with EGCG alone. In addition, in vivo studies demonstrated that ASE NPs cured skin wound infections and sepsis in mice caused by S. aureus. Au nanorods with excellent photothermal conversion realized synergistic photothermal therapy (PTT) in the NIR-II biowindow with an improved penetration depth at a low power density. More importantly, toxicity analysis showed that the composites had no toxic effects on major organs. Thus, the EGCG surface-modified Au nanorods@selenium composites with an NIR-II light-responsive synergistic activity hold great promise for the effective treatment of drug-resistant bacterial infections.

NIR-responsive sandwich drug loading system for tumor targeting and multiple combined treatment

A novel drug loading system, Au@Si–NN–Si@SiO2, is constructed by a layer-by-layer assembly approach.

Gold Nanorods: The Most Versatile Plasmonic Nanoparticles

Gold nanorods (NRs), pseudo-one-dimensional rod-shaped nanoparticles (NPs), have become one of the burgeoning materials in the recent years due to their anisotropic shape and adjustable plasmonic properties. With the continuous improvement in synthetic methods, a variety of materials have been attached around Au NRs to achieve unexpected or improved plasmonic properties and explore state-of-the-art technologies. In this review, we comprehensively summarize the latest progress on Au NRs, the most versatile anisotropic plasmonic NPs. We present a representative overview of the advances in the synthetic strategies and outline an extensive catalogue of Au-NR-based heterostructures with tailored architectures and special functionalities. The bottom-up assembly of Au NRs into preprogrammed metastructures is then discussed, as well as the design principles. We also provide a systematic elucidation of the different plasmonic properties associated with the Au-NR-based structures, followed by a discussion of the promising applications of Au NRs in various fields. We finally discuss the future research directions and challenges of Au NRs.

Apoptosis-like bacterial death modulated by photoactive hyperthermia nanomaterials and enhanced wound disinfection application

Photothermal therapy (PTT) is considered as an efficient therapeutic strategy for wound disinfection. However, there is a dilemma that on the one hand, the high PTT temperature for killing bacteria (>58 °C) could cause serious injury to normal tissue, however, low-temperature results in unsatisfactory treatment efficiency. To settle the issue, we have proposed a novel approach to gently kill bacteria in an apoptosis-like mode via PTT, in which the bacteria can maintain intact membranes but cannot proliferate. This is different from the typical necrosis-like mode of bacterial cell death requiring higher temperatures. We found that PTT prefers to trigger the gradual efflux of Ca²⁺/Mg²⁺ ions from the bacterial intracellular content rather than directly destroy the outer membranes, but can cause the dynamic variation of the membrane surface micromorphology. Hence, the microbial viability of E. coli can be dynamically changed from the live state to an apoptosis-like state (45-55 °C), then to apoptosis/necrosis (ca. 58 °C), and finally to necrosis (>61 °C). Based on this strategy, we can kill bacteria through an apoptosis-like mode. Better healing efficacy of mice wounds was achieved at a PTT temperature of 50 °C as compared to that at 58 °C, which sheds light on the wound disinfection and healing applications in clinics with a mild PTT strategy.

Highly biocompatible and recyclable biomimetic nanoparticles for antibiotic-resistant bacteria infection

Increasing number of resistant bacteria have emerged with the overuse of antibiotics, which indicates that the bacterial infection has become a global challenge. Furthermore, the pollution of antibiotics to the environment has become a serious threat to public health. It is known that toxins produced by bacteria are the main cause of bacterial infections. Photothermal therapy is an effective antibacterial approach. However, the photothermal reagents cannot eliminate bacterial toxins, and even some anti-bacterial materials are toxic. Here, we synthesized a biomimetic recycled nanoparticle, red blood cell (RBC) membrane-coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles (RBC@Fe3O4), as an antibacterial agent. The RBC@Fe3O4 nanoparticles act as nano-sponges to trap toxins and then kill them all with a photothermal effect. We can describe this process simply as a battle between two armies. Our strategy is to disarm the "enemy" so that we can easily kill the "enemy" who has no power, which results in enhancing the bactericidal efficacy. The toxin of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was absorbed by RBC@Fe3O4in vitro. In addition, in vivo studies proved that the RBC@Fe3O4 nanoparticles confer obvious survival benefits against toxin-induced lethality by absorbing the toxin of MRSA. Furthermore, using a mouse model of MRSA wound infection, the RBC@Fe3O4 nanoparticles with laser irradiation were found to have a superior wound-healing effect. Simultaneously, the RBC@Fe3O4 nanoparticles could be recycled in a simple way without affecting the bactericidal efficacy. The highly biocompatible and recyclable RBC@Fe3O4 biomimetic nanoparticles based on photothermal therapy and bacterial toxin adsorption strategy are promising for treating bacterial infections.

Integration of antimicrobial peptides and gold nanorods for bimodal antibacterial applications

The misuse and abuse of antibiotics have given rise to a severe problem of the drug resistance of bacteria. Solving this problem has been a vitally important task in the modern medical arena. In this work, an antimicrobial peptide (AMP), BF2b, and gold nanorods (AuNRs) were used to develop a specific drug delivery system for killing methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). On the one hand, BF2b has unique anti-bacterial performance and has a lower tendency than traditional antibiotics to engender the drug resistance of bacteria. On the other hand, AuNRs have diverse distinct properties, such as photo-thermal conversion, which can be employed for photo-thermal sterilization. We aimed to integrate the anti-bacterial activity of BF2b and the photo-thermal sterilization of AuNRs to kill drug-resistant bacteria. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, microBCA and zeta potential measurements were utilized to characterize the product, AuNR@PEG/BF2b. Transmittance electron microscopy, UV-vis spectroscopy and photothermal conversion measurement were conducted to verify the stability and photothermal conversion capacity of AuNR@PEG/BF2b. Cell viability and hemolysis assay were carried out to test the biocompatibility of AuNR@PEG/BF2b. Finally, the in vitro and in vivo experiments were performed to demonstrate the excellent bactericidal activity of AuNR@PEG/BF2b.

Poly(L-DOPA)-mediated bimetallic core-shell nanostructures of gold and silver and their employment in SERS, catalytic activity, and cell viability

Core-shell gold nanorod (AuNR)@silver (Ag) nanostructures with their unique properties have gained enormous interest and are widely utilized in various applications including sensor systems, catalytic reactions, diagnosis, and therapy. Despite the recent progress, simple, effective, low-cost, and easy-to-tune strategies are heavily required to fabricate these nanoparticles (NP) systems. For this, we propose the employment of the polymer of 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl-L-alanine (L-DOPA) as a ligand molecule. A conformal thin layer of polymer of L-DOPA (PLDOPA) with its various functional groups enabled the reduction of silver ions onto the AuNRs and stabilization of the resultant NPs without using any surfactant, reducing agent, and seed material. The shape and growth model of the AuNR@Ag nanostructures was manipulated by simply tuning the amount of silver ions. This procedure created different NP morphologies ranging from concentric to acentric/island shape core-shell nanostructures. Also, even at the highest Ag deposition, the PLDOPA layer is still conformally present onto the Au@Ag core-shell NRs. The unique properties of NP systems provided remarkable characteristics in surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, catalytic activity, and cell viability tests.

Gold Nanomaterials as a Promising Integrated Tool for Diagnosis and Treatment of Pathogenic Infections-A Review

This review summarizes research on functionalized gold nanomaterials as pathogen detection sensors and pathogen elimination integrated tools. After presenting the challenge of current severe threat from pathogenic bacteria and the increasingly serious growth rate of drug resistance, the first section mainly introduces the conspectus of gold nanostructures from synthesis, characterization, physicochemical properties and applications of gold nanomaterials. The next section deals with gold nanomaterials-based pathogen detection sensors such as colorimetric sensors, fluorescence sensors and Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering sensors. We then discuss strategies based on gold nanomaterials for eliminating pathogenic infections, such as the dual sterilization strategy for grafting gold nanomaterials with antibacterial substances, photothermal antibacterial and photodynamic antibacterial methods. The fourth part briefly introduces the comprehensive strategy for diagnosis and sterilization of pathogen infection based on gold nanomaterials, such as the diagnosis and treatment strategy for pathogen infection using Roman signals real-time monitoring and photothermal sterilization. A concluding section that summarizes the current status and challenges of the novel diagnosis and treatment integrated strategy for pathogenic infections, gives an outlook on potential future perspectives.

Plasmonically Modulated Gold Nanostructures for Photothermal Ablation of Bacteria

With the wide utilization of antibiotics, antibiotic-resistant bacteria have been often developed more frequently to cause potential global catastrophic consequences. Emerging photothermal ablation has been attracting extensive research interest for quick/effective eradication of pathogenic bacteria from contaminated surroundings and infected body. In this field, anisotropic gold nanostructures with tunable size/morphologies have been demonstrated to exhibit their outstanding photothermal performance through strong plasmonic absorption of near-infrared (NIR) light, efficient light to heat conversion, and easy surface modification for targeting bacteria. To this end, this review first introduces thermal treatment of infectious diseases followed by photothermal therapy via heat generation on NIR-absorbing gold nanostructures. Then, the usual synthesis and spectral features of diversified gold nanostructures and composites are systematically overviewed with the emphasis on the importance of size, shape, and composition to achieve strong plasmonic absorption in NIR region. Further, the innovated photothermal applications of gold nanostructures are comprehensively demonstrated to combat against bacterial infections, and some constructive suggestions are also discussed to improve photothermal technologies for practical applications.

Localized Plasmonic Photothermal Therapy as a Life-saving Treatment Paradigm for Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients

Lung failure is the main reason for mortality in COVID-19 patients, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). To date, no drug has been clinically approved for treatment of COVID-19. Nanotechnology has a great potential in contributing significantly to the fight against COVID-19 by developing effective therapies that can selectively eradicate the respiratory virus load. We propose a novel COVID-19 management approach that is efficient in eliminating the virus load from the airways and protecting the lungs from the fatal effects of the virus. This approach relies on targeting the virus using ACE-2-functionalized gold nanorods (AuNRs) followed by irradiation with near-infrared (NIR) light for the selective eradication of SARS-CoV-2 without off-target effects, i.e., targeted plasmonic photothermal therapy. Using discrete dipole approximation (DDA), we quantitatively determined the efficiency of AuNRs (31 nm × 8 nm) in absorbing NIR when present at different orientations relative to one another on the surface of the virus. The safety and the local administration of AuNRs using a well-tolerated flexible bronchoscopy technique, commonly used for hospitalized COVID-19 patients, ensure feasibility and clinical translation. While requiring further research, we anticipate this approach to result in a first-line treatment for hospitalized COVID-19 patients that are experiencing severe respiratory conditions or belong to a high-risk population, e.g., seniors and diabetic patients.

Recent advances in functionalized nanomaterials for the diagnosis and treatment of bacterial infections

The growing problem of resistant infections due to antibiotic misuse is a worldwide concern that poses a grave threat to healthcare systems. Thus, it is necessary to discover new strategies to combat infectious diseases. In this review, we provide a selective overview of recent advances in the use of nanocomposites as alternatives to antibiotics in antimicrobial treatments. Metals and metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) have been associated with inorganic and organic supports to improve their antibacterial activity and stability as well as other properties. For successful antibiotic treatment, it is critical to achieve a high drug concentration at the infection site. In recent years, the development of stimuli-responsive systems has allowed the vectorization of antibiotics to the site of infection. These nanomaterials can be triggered by various mechanisms (such as changes in pH, light, magnetic fields, and the presence of bacterial enzymes); additionally, they can improve antibacterial efficacy and reduce side effects and microbial resistance. To this end, various types of modified polymers, lipids, and inorganic components (such as metals, silica, and graphene) have been developed. Applications of these nanocomposites in diverse fields ranging from food packaging, environment, and biomedical antimicrobial treatments to diagnosis and theranosis are discussed.

Hybrid levan–Ag/AgCl nanoparticles produced by UV-irradiation: properties, antibacterial efficiency and application in bioactive poly(vinyl alcohol) films

Hybrid Ag/AgCl nanoparticles with high antibacterial activity were synthesised using bacterial levan.

Phototherapy-based combination strategies for bacterial infection treatment

The development of nanomedicine is expected to provide an innovative direction for addressing challenges associated with multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. In the past decades, although nanotechnology-based phototherapy has been developed for antimicrobial treatment since it rarely causes bacterial resistance, the clinical application of single-mode phototherapy has been limited due to poor tissue penetration of light sources. Therefore, combinatorial strategies are being developed. In this review, we first summarized the current phototherapy agents, which were classified into two functional categories: organic phototherapy agents (e.g., small molecule photosensitizers, small molecule photosensitizer-loaded nanoparticles and polymer-based photosensitizers) and inorganic phototherapy agents (e.g., carbo-based nanomaterials, metal-based nanomaterials, composite nanomaterials and quantum dots). Then the development of emerging phototherapy-based combinatorial strategies, including combination with chemotherapy, combination with chemodynamic therapy, combination with gas therapy, and multiple combination therapy, are presented and future directions are further discussed. The purpose of this review is to highlight the potential of phototherapy to deal with bacterial infections and to propose that the combination therapy strategy is an effective way to solve the challenges of single-mode phototherapy.

Self-Propelled Active Photothermal Nanoswimmer for Deep-Layered Elimination of Biofilm In Vivo

Increasing penetration of antibacterial agents into biofilm is a promising strategy for improvement of therapeutic effect and slowdown of the progression of antibiotic resistance. Herein, we design a near-infrared (NIR) light-driven nanoswimmer (HSMV). Under NIR light irradiation, HSMV performs efficient self-propulsion and penetrates into the biofilm within 5 min due to photothermal conversion of asymmetrically distributed AuNPs. The localized thermal (∼45 °C) and thermal-triggered release of vancomycin (Van) leads to an efficient combination of photothermal therapy and chemotherapy in one system. The active motion of HSMV increases the effective distance of photothermal therapy (PTT) and also improves the therapeutic index of the antibiotic, resulting in superior biofilm removal rate (>90%) in vitro. Notably, HSMV can eliminate S. aureus biofilms grown in vivo under 10 min of laser irradiation without damage to healthy tissues. This work may shed light on therapeutic strategies for in vivo treatment of biofilm-associated infections.

Light-Activatable Synergistic Therapy of Drug-Resistant Bacteria-Infected Cutaneous Chronic Wounds and Nonhealing Keratitis by Cupriferous Hollow Nanoshells

Due to the inability to spontaneously heal and vulnerability to bacterial infection, diabetic patients are frustrated by unexpected epithelium injuries in daily life. Notably, a drug-resistant bacterial infection may result in a long-term impact to the natural function of damaged organs. It is imperative to develop strategies that promote injury recovery and eradicate drug-resistant infection simultaneously. Here, we present a composite structured cupriferous hollow nanoshell (AuAgCu₂O NS) that consists of a hollow gold-silver (AuAg) core and Cu₂O shell as a photothermal therapeutic agent for a cutaneous chronic wound and nonhealing keratitis with drug-resistant bacterial infection. The controllable photothermal therapeutic effect and released silver ion from the hollow AuAg core possess a synergistic effect to eradicate multi-drug-resistant bacteria, including extended-spectrum β-lactamase Escherichia coli (ESBL E. coli) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Meanwhile, the released copper ion from the Cu₂O shell could expedite endothelial cell angiogenesis and fibroblast cell migration, thus boosting wound-healing effects. In both infection-complicated disease models, the ophthalmic clinical score, wound closure rates, and histopathology analysis demonstrate that the AuAgCu₂O NSs could facilitate the re-epithelialization at the wound area and eliminate the complicated bacterial infection from diabetic mice. A primary signal path involved in the promoted healing effect was further illustrated by comprehensive assays of immunohistochemical evaluation, Western blot, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Taken together, our AuAgCu₂O NSs are shown to be potent candidates for clinical utilization in the treatment of diabetic epithelium injuries.

Asymmetrical Molecular Decoration of Gold Nanorods for Engineering of Shape-Controlled AuNR@Ag Core-Shell Nanostructures

Gold-silver (Au@Ag) core-shell nanostructures have a stronger surface plasma response, wider absorption and scattering in the UV-vis-NIR region, and distinctive optical properties, which are widely explored in biosensors, information processing, photothermal therapy, and catalysis. Core-shell nanostructures are usually formed by the deposition of the second metal atoms onto the first core metal particles via the chemical wet method. The conventional approaches for the manipulation of the shape usually were done by homogeneous growth or etching of isotropic nanoparticles. Through in situ modification of the first metal core at the different locations, the different growth model of the second metal can be regulated to control the shapes of core-shell structures. Herein, we modified the gold nanorods (AuNRs) asymmetrically at the end and side parts using thiolated molecules to regulate the morphology of gold nanorod@silver (AuNR@Ag) core-shell nanoparticles. Interestingly, the obvious eccentric nanostructures of AuNR@Ag core-shell nanoparticles were obtained with the increase of the molecular weight of macromolecules modified at the end of AuNRs. Therefore the growth mode was adjusted from Frank-van der Merwe mode to Stranski-Krastanow mode. By changing the length of the hydrocarbon chain and functional groups of the small mercaptan molecules at the side of AuNRs, the silver shell exhibits selective growth at the side of the AuNRs, resulting in heterogeneous core-shell nanoparticles and various shapes of the AuNR@Ag core-shell. Our method opens up a new avenue toward preparing core-shell nanostructures with controlled shapes, and the obtained structures are promising in various applications.

Rationally designed magnetic poly(catechol-hexanediamine) particles for bacteria removal and on-demand biofilm eradication

In this study, we proposed a green, facile and low-cost approach for the fabrication of multifunctional particles with robust bacteria removal capability and on-demand biofilm eradication activity. Based on mussel-inspired coating of catechol and hexanediamine on Fe₃O₄ in aqueous solution, magnetic poly(catechol-hexanediamine) particles (Fe₃O₄@HDA) were prepared successfully in 1 h, at room temperature. Microbiological experiments demonstrated the Fe₃O₄@HDA particles could capture bacteria in water efficiently. Meanwhile, with an integration of magnetic response property and near-infrared-triggered photothermal bactericidal activity, the Fe₃O₄@HDA particles showed a high potential for biofilm targeting and in-situ eradication. We believe that the rationally designed magnetic poly(catechol-hexanediamine) particles could extend the applications of smart antimicrobial agents to industrial fields such as water disinfection and biofouling clean-up.

Carbohydrate-Coated Gold-Silver Nanoparticles for Efficient Elimination of Multidrug Resistant Bacteria and in Vivo Wound Healing

Multidrug resistant (MDR) bacteria have emerged as a major clinical challenge. The unavailability of effective antibiotics has necessitated the use of emerging nanoparticles as alternatives. In this work, we have developed carbohydrate-coated bimetallic nanoparticles (Au-AgNP, 30-40 nm diameter) that are nontoxic toward mammalian cells yet highly effective against MDR strains as compared to their monometallic counterparts (Ag-NP, Au-NP). The Au-AgNP is much more effective against Gram-negative MDR Escherichia coli and Enterobacter cloacae when compared to most of the potent antibiotics. We demonstrate that in vivo, Au-AgNP is at least 11000 times more effective than Gentamicin in eliminating MDR Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infecting mice skin wounds. Au-AgNP is able to heal and regenerate infected wounds faster and in scar-free manner. In vivo results show that this Au-AgNP is very effective antibacterial agent against MDR strains and does not produce adverse toxicity. We conclude that this bimetallic nanoparticle can be safe in complete skin regeneration in bacteria infected wounds.

Gold Nanoparticles and Nanorods in Nuclear Medicine: A Mini Review

In the last decade, many innovative nanodrugs have been developed, as well as many nanoradiocompounds that show amazing features in nuclear imaging and/or radiometabolic therapy. Their potential uses offer a wide range of possibilities. It can be possible to develop nondimensional systems of existing radiopharmaceuticals or build engineered systems that combine a nanoparticle with the radiopharmaceutical, a tracer, and a target molecule, and still develop selective nanodetection systems. This review focuses on recent advances regarding the use of gold nanoparticles and nanorods in nuclear medicine. The up-to-date advancements will be shown concerning preparations with special attention on the dimensions and functionalizations that are most used to attain an enhanced performance of gold engineered nanomaterials. Many ideas are offered regarding recent in vitro and in vivo studies. Finally, the recent clinical trials and applications are discussed.

Organic Nanotheranostics for Photoacoustic Imaging-Guided Phototherapy

Phototherapies including photothermal therapy (PTT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) have emerged as one of the avant-garde strategies for cancer treatment. Photoacoustic (PA) imaging is a new hybrid imaging modality that shows great promise for real-time in vivo monitoring of biological processes with deep tissue penetration and high spatial resolution. To enhance therapeutic efficacy, reduce side effects and minimize the probability of over-medication, it is necessary to use imaging and diagnostic methods to identify the ideal therapeutic window and track the therapeutic outcome. With this regard, nanotheranostics with the ability to conduct PA imaging and PTT/PDT are emerging. This review summarizes the recent progress of organic nanomaterials including nearinfrared (NIR) dyes and semiconducting polymer nanoparticles (SPNs) in PA imaging guided cancer phototherapy, and also addresses their present challenges and potential in clinical applications.

Nanomaterials with a photothermal effect for antibacterial activities: an overview

Nanomaterials and nanotechnologies have been expected to provide innovative platforms for addressing antibacterial challenges, with potential to even deal with bacterial infections involving drug-resistance. The current review summarizes recent progress over the last 3 years in the field of antibacterial nanomaterials with a photothermal conversion effect. We classify these photothermal nanomaterials into four functional categories: carbon-based nanoconjugates of graphene derivatives or carbon nanotubes, noble metal nanomaterials mainly from gold and silver, metallic compound nanocomposites such as copper sulfide and molybdenum sulfide, and polymeric as well as other nanostructures. Different categories can be assembled with each other to enhance the photothermal effects and the antibacterial activities. The review describes their fabrication processes, unique properties, antibacterial modes, and potential healthcare applications.

Silver Nanoparticles: Synthesis and Application for Nanomedicine

Over the past few decades, metal nanoparticles less than 100 nm in diameter have made a substantial impact across diverse biomedical applications, such as diagnostic and medical devices, for personalized healthcare practice. In particular, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have great potential in a broad range of applications as antimicrobial agents, biomedical device coatings, drug-delivery carriers, imaging probes, and diagnostic and optoelectronic platforms, since they have discrete physical and optical properties and biochemical functionality tailored by diverse size- and shape-controlled AgNPs. In this review, we aimed to present major routes of synthesis of AgNPs, including physical, chemical, and biological synthesis processes, along with discrete physiochemical characteristics of AgNPs. We also discuss the underlying intricate molecular mechanisms behind their plasmonic properties on mono/bimetallic structures, potential cellular/microbial cytotoxicity, and optoelectronic property. Lastly, we conclude this review with a summary of current applications of AgNPs in nanoscience and nanomedicine and discuss their future perspectives in these areas.

Responsive and Synergistic Antibacterial Coatings: Fighting against Bacteria in a Smart and Effective Way

Antibacterial coatings that eliminate initial bacterial attachment and prevent subsequent biofilm formation are essential in a number of applications, especially implanted medical devices. Although various approaches, including bacteria-repelling and bacteria-killing mechanisms, have been developed, none of them have been entirely successful due to their inherent drawbacks. In recent years, antibacterial coatings that are responsive to the bacterial microenvironment, that possess two or more killing mechanisms, or that have triggered-cleaning capability have emerged as promising solutions for bacterial infection and contamination problems. This review focuses on recent progress on three types of such responsive and synergistic antibacterial coatings, including i) self-defensive antibacterial coatings, which can "turn on" biocidal activity in response to a bacteria-containing microenvironment; ii) synergistic antibacterial coatings, which possess two or more killing mechanisms that interact synergistically to reinforce each other; and iii) smart "kill-and-release" antibacterial coatings, which can switch functionality between bacteria killing and bacteria releasing under a proper stimulus. The design principles and potential applications of these coatings are discussed and a brief perspective on remaining challenges and future research directions is presented.

Nanoheterostructures (NHS) and Their Applications in Nanomedicine: Focusing on In Vivo Studies

Inorganic nanoparticles have great potential for application in many fields, including nanomedicine. Within this class of materials, inorganic nanoheterostructures (NHS) look particularly promising as they can be formulated as the combination of different domains; this can lead to nanosystems with different functional properties, which, therefore, can perform different functions at the same time. This review reports on the latest development in the synthesis of advanced NHS for biomedicine and on the tests of their functional properties in in vivo studies. The literature discussed here focuses on the diagnostic and therapeutic applications with special emphasis on cancer. Considering the diagnostics, a description of the NHS for cancer imaging and multimodal imaging is reported; more specifically, NHS for magnetic resonance, computed tomography and luminescence imaging are considered. As for the therapeutics, NHS employed in magnetic hyperthermia or photothermal therapies are reported. Examples of NHS for cancer theranostics are also presented, emphasizing their dual usability in vivo, as imaging and therapeutic tools. Overall, NHS show a great potential for biomedicine application; further studies, however, are necessary regarding the safety associated to their use.

Synthesis of photothermal nanocomposites and their application to antibacterial assays

In this work, we report a novel gold nanorod (AuNR)-based nanocomposite that shows strong binding to bacterium and high antibacterial efficiency. The AuNRs were used as a photothermal material to transform near-infrared radiation (NIR) into heat. We selected poly (acrylic acid) to modify the surface of the AuNRs based on a simple self-assembly method. After conjugation of the bacterium-binding molecule vancomycin, the nanocomposites were capable of efficiently gathering on the cell walls of bacteria. The nanocomposites exhibited a high bacterial inhibition capability owing to NIR-induced heat generation in situ. Therefore, the prepared photothermal nanocomposites show great potential for use in antibacterial assays.

Unravelling the nucleation mechanism of bimetallic nanoparticles with composition-tunable core-shell arrangement

The structure and atomic ordering of Au-Ag nanoparticles grown in the gas phase are determined by a combination of HAADF-STEM, XPS and Refl-XAFS techniques as a function of composition. It is shown consistently from all the techniques that an inversion of chemical ordering takes place by going from Au-rich to Ag-rich compositions, with the minority element always occupying the nanoparticle core, and the majority element enriching the shell. With the aid of DFT calculations, this composition-tunable chemical arrangement is rationalized in terms of a four-step growth process in which the very first stage of cluster nucleation plays a crucial role. The four-step growth mechanism is based on mechanisms of a general character, likely to be applicable to a variety of binary systems besides Au-Ag.

Photothermal lysis of pathogenic bacteria by platinum nanodots decorated gold nanorods under near infrared irradiation

Photothermal lysis is an effective method for fast removal of pathogenic bacteria from bacterial contaminated environments and human body, irrespective of bacterial drug resistance. In the present work, a highly effective photothermal agent, Au@Pt nanorods (NRs), was prepared by modification of Pt nanodots with particle size of 5nm on the surface of Au NRs with a length of ca. 41nm and a width of ca. 13nm. The LSPR absorbance band of Au@Pt NRs could be tuned from 755 to 845nm by changing the Pt loading from 0.05 to 0.2, as compared to Au NRs. The photothermal conversion efficiency of Au@Pt NRs depended on the Pt loading, Au@Pt NRs concentration, and power density. Under NIR irradiation, the Au@Pt_0.1 NRs exhibited the highest efficiency in photothermal lysis of both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. The introduction of Pt nanodots on the surface of Au@Pt NRs not only enhanced their photothermal conversions but also enhanced their affinity to bacteria and significantly decreased their cytotoxicity. The photothermal lysis of bacteria over Au@Pt NRs caused the damage onto the cell walls of bacteria, implying that the killing of bacteria probably went through the thermal ablation mechanism.

Smart Nanostructures for Cargo Delivery: Uncaging and Activating by Light

Nanotechnology has begun to play a remarkable role in various fields of science and technology. In biomedical applications, nanoparticles have opened new horizons, especially for biosensing, targeted delivery of therapeutics, and so forth. Among drug delivery systems (DDSs), smart nanocarriers that respond to specific stimuli in their environment represent a growing field. Nanoplatforms that can be activated by an external application of light can be used for a wide variety of photoactivated therapies, especially light-triggered DDSs, relying on photoisomerization, photo-cross-linking/un-cross-linking, photoreduction, and so forth. In addition, light activation has potential in photodynamic therapy, photothermal therapy, radiotherapy, protected delivery of bioactive moieties, anticancer drug delivery systems, and theranostics (i.e., real-time monitoring and tracking combined with a therapeutic action to different diseases sites and organs). Combinations of these approaches can lead to enhanced and synergistic therapies, employing light as a trigger or for activation. Nonlinear light absorption mechanisms such as two-photon absorption and photon upconversion have been employed in the design of light-responsive DDSs. The integration of a light stimulus into dual/multiresponsive nanocarriers can provide spatiotemporal controlled delivery and release of therapeutic agents, targeted and controlled nanosystems, combined delivery of two or more agents, their on-demand release under specific conditions, and so forth. Overall, light-activated nanomedicines and DDSs are expected to provide more effective therapies against serious diseases such as cancers, inflammation, infections, and cardiovascular disease with reduced side effects and will open new doors toward the treatment of patients worldwide.

Photoactive antimicrobial nanomaterials

Nanomaterials for killing pathogenic bacteria under light irradiation.

Fabrication of core–shell Ag@pDA@HAp nanoparticles with the ability for controlled release of Ag+and superior hemocompatibility

We report a convenient and effective method to prepare Ag-NPs and core–shell Ag@pDA@HAp-NPs.

Antibacterial properties and mechanisms of gold-silver nanocages

Despite the number of antibiotics used in routine clinical practice, bacterial infections continue to be one of the most important challenges faced in humans. The main concerns arise from the continuing emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and the difficulties faced with the pharmaceutical development of new antibiotics. Thus, advancements in the avenue of novel antibacterial agents are essential. In this study, gold (Au) was combined with silver (Ag), a well-known antibacterial material, to form silver nanoparticles producing a gold-silver alloy structure with hollow interiors and porous walls (gold-silver nanocage). This novel material was promising in antibacterial applications due to its better biocompatibility than Ag nanoparticles, potential in photothermal effects and drug delivery ability. The gold-silver nanocage was then tested for its antibacterial properties and the mechanism involved leading to its antibacterial properties. This study confirms that this novel gold-silver nanocage has broad-spectrum antibacterial properties exerting its effects through the destruction of the cell membrane, production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and induction of cell apoptosis. Therefore, we introduce a novel gold-silver nanocage that serves as a potential nanocarrier for the future delivery of antibiotics.

Versatile molybdenum disulfide based antibacterial composites for in vitro enhanced sterilization and in vivo focal infection therapy

Biologically, MoS2-based nanostructures have been intensely applied for the photothermal therapy of cancer, but rarely for antibacterial uses. In this contribution, a multifunctional chitosan (CS) functionalized magnetic MoS2 (abbreviated to CFM) was constructed to nonspecifically combat bacterial infection by integrating bacterial conjugation and enrichment, and NIR-triggered photothermal sterilization. Owing to the abundant introduced amino groups, the CFM complex offers a significantly enhanced conjugation efficiency without obvious specificity towards both Gram-positive and -negative bacteria compared to amino-free magnetic MoS2. The magnetic properties of CFM obtained from iron oxide facilitate the enrichment of a CFM-bacteria conjugate, improving the photothermal efficiency of CFM as a photothermal antibacterial agent. Specifically, after being trapped together with bacteria cells, CFM shows an enhanced in vitro photothermal sterilization ability. In vivo S. aureus-induced abscess treatment studies show faster healing when CFM is used as subcutaneous nano-localized heating sources with the assistance of an external magnet to concentrate the CFM-bacteria conjugate. This work establishes an innovative solution and a novel antimicrobial agent for combating bacterial infections without the use of antibiotics, which may open a new area of application and research for MoS2-based nanostructures.

Solar-driven broad spectrum fungicides based on monodispersed Cu7S4 nanorods with strong near-infrared photothermal efficiency

Cu₇S₄ nanorods were used for the first time as broad spectrum fungicides for efficient bacterial disinfection via natural sunlight irradiation.

Engineered gold nanoparticles for photothermal cancer therapy and bacteria killing

Gold nanoparticle mediated photothermal therapy in future medicine.