Emission Enhancement and Energy Transfers in YV0.5P0.5O4 Nanoparticles Codoped with Eu3+ and Bi3+ Ions

In this study, solid-state solutions of yttrium orthovanadate-phosphate with varying concentrations of codopants (Eu³⁺, Bi³⁺) have been obtained via coprecipitation. An ionic radii mismatch between V⁵⁺ and P⁵⁺ substituents is manifested in broad XRD lines. The sharpening of the XRD lines is observed with increasing bismuth ions concentration in the Eu³⁺ codoped YV_0.5P_0.5O₄ matrix. The difference in the number of the Stark components for the ⁵D₀ → ⁷F_J transitions indicates changes in the lattice and a number of possible Eu³⁺ sites. A thorough, systematic spectroscopic analysis of YV_0.5P_0.5O₄: x mol % Eu³⁺, y mol % Bi³⁺ was conducted at room temperature and 5 K. Metal-to-metal energy transfers occurring between Eu³⁺, V⁵⁺, and Bi³⁺ optically active ions have been investigated. Additionally, efficiency of the Bi³⁺-Eu³⁺ energy transfer (ET) was calculated.

In Vitro Assessment of Long-Term Fluoride Ion Release from Nanofluorapatite

The issue concerning the tooth decay is ongoing, therefore the study of materials with potential use in its prevention is crucial. This study aimed to analyze the long-term release of fluoride from synthesized nanofluorapatite in various in vitro environments for its potential use in dental materials. We placed 100 mg samples in 0.9% NaCl or deionized water and incubated them at 37 °C or 22 °C for 12 weeks. F− levels were read at 1, 3, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h, and thereafter weekly. The levels of F− released at specific time intervals, as well as their cumulative values were compared. In a solution of 0.9% NaCl at 22 °C, there were no significant differences in the amount of F− released in the assessed time intervals, while at 37 °C, the highest value was read after 24 h (0.0697 ppm + 0.0006; p < 0.05). In deionized water, the highest amount of F− at 22 °C was read after 4 weeks (0.0776 ppm + 0.0028; p < 0.05), and at 37 °C, it was also the highest after 4 weeks (0.0910 ppm + 0.0156; p < 0.05). Under the same conditions, after 5 weeks the cumulative level of F− released (0.6216 ppm + 0.0085) significantly increased (p < 0.05), when compared to the samples placed in 0.9% NaCl at 37 °C and 22 °C (0.5493 ppm + 0.0321 and 0.5376 ppm + 0.0234, respectively). FAp releases F− for a long period of time in all assessed environments, therefore it is advised to continue testing in vivo models. Due to the probable remineralization effect towards hard tooth tissues, fluorapatite can be used in the prevention and treatment of dental caries and dentin hypersensitivity.

The Study of the Aorta Metallomics in the Context of Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a multifactorial disease, for which the etiology is so complex that we are currently unable to prevent it and effectively lower the statistics on mortality from cardiovascular diseases. Parallel to modern analyses in molecular biology and biochemistry, we want to carry out analyses at the level of micro- and macroelements in order to discover the interdependencies between elements during atherogenesis. In this work, we used the Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometer (ICP-OES) to determine the content of calcium, magnesium, iron, copper, chromium, zinc, manganese, cadmium, lead, and zinc in the aorta sections of people who died a sudden death. We also estimated the content of metalloenzymes MMP-9, NOS-3, and SOD-2 using the immunohistochemical method. It was observed that with the age of the patient, the calcium content of the artery increased, while the content of copper and iron decreased. Very high correlations (correlation coefficient above 0.8) were observed for pairs of parameters in women: Mn–Ca, Fe–Cu, and Ca–Cd, and in men: Mn–Zn. The degree of atherosclerosis negatively correlated with magnesium and with cadmium. Chromium inhibited absorption of essential trace elements such as Cu and Fe due to its content being above the quantification threshold only if Cu and Fe were lower. Moreover, we discussed how to design research for the future in order to learn more about the pathomechanism of atherosclerosis and the effect of taking dietary supplements on the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases.

The study of the influence of pH on the structural and spectroscopic properties of nanocrystalline Eu3+ ion-doped yttrium orthovanadate

In this study, it has been presented the influence of pH conditions on the evolution of the size, morphology and spectroscopic properties of yttrium orthovanadate during synthesis. A thorough research on the spectroscopic properties was performed. A series of highly crystalline 1 mol% Eu3+:YVO4 has been synthesized via the co-precipitation method. In addition, to improve the crystallinity, the materials were heat-treated at 800 °C, and the structural and morphological properties of the particles were studied using XRD (X-ray powder diffraction) and SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy) techniques. In order to investigate the spectroscopic properties of 1 mol% Eu3+:YVO4, emission spectra and luminescence kinetics were measured. It was found that alkaline pH manifests in smaller particles compared to acidic pH conditions. In addition, superior spectroscopic properties were observed in materials obtained in alkaline pH.

Study of Flebogrif®-A New Tool for Mechanical Sclerotherapy-Effectiveness Assessment Based on Animal Model

Sclerotherapy is the chemical occlusion of vessels using an intravenous injection of a liquid or foamed sclerosing agent that is used in the therapy of blood and lymphatic vessels malformations in the young, and for spider veins, smaller varicose veins, hemorrhoids and hydroceles in adults. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of mechanosclerotherapy of venous veins with a new device-Flebogrif®-based on an animal model. The experiment was performed on nine Polish Merino sheep weighing 40-50 kilograms. The animals were anesthetized intravenously. The material was divided into three groups: two experimental (1 and 2) and control (3) group. The first experimental group was treated with the use of Flebogrif® and a sclerosant simultaneously, while only Flebogrif® was used in the second experimental group. Flebogrif® was applied into the lateral saphenous vein of both pelvic limbs. The vessel wall thickness was estimated at four points of the histological image in mm (V1, V2, V3, V4). For one month, the animals were euthanized, and the occlusion rate of the treated veins and changes in the vein wall were determined. Histological slides were analyzed under a light microscope and histometry of the vein wall was performed. The Shapiro-Wilk test and the quantity of the investigated parameter groups allowed for using a non-parametric method at four points to compare thickness measurements (the Mann-Whitney test), with p < 0.05. The Mann-Whitney test indicated statistically significant differences between both experimental groups. The results obtained from morphometrical and histological analysis showed better results in the first experimental group than those of the second experimental group. Finally, statistical analysis revealed significant differences between the both the experimental group and control group in morphological analysis. The achieved results allowed us to conclude that the simultaneous use of Flebogrif® and a sclerosant yielded better results of vein lumen reduction than the use of Flebogrif® alone.

Investigation of Pyrophosphates KYP2O7Co-Doped with Lanthanide Ions Useful for Theranostics

Diphosphate compounds (KYP₂O₇) co-doped with Yb³⁺ and Er³⁺ ions were obtained by one step urea assisted combustion synthesis. The experimental parameters of synthesis were optimized using an experimental design approach related to co-dopants concentration and heattreatment as well as annealing time. The obtained materials were studied with theinitial requirements showing appropriate morphological (X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)) and spectroscopic properties (emission, luminescence kinetics). Moreover, the effect of Er³⁺ and Yb³⁺ ions doped KYP₂O₇ on morphology, proliferative and metabolic activity and apoptosis in MC3T3-E1 osteoblast cell line and 4B12osteoclasts cell line was investigated. Furthermore, the expression of the common pro-osteogenic markers in MC3T3-E1 osteoblast as well as osteoclastogenesis related markers in 4B12 osteoclasts was evaluated. The extensive in vitro studies showed that KYP₂O₇ doped with 1 mol% Er³⁺ and 20 mol% Yb³⁺ ions positively affected the MC3T3-E1 and 4B12 cells activity without triggering their apoptosis. Moreover, it was shown that an activation of mTOR and Pi3k signaling pathways with 1 mol% Er³⁺, 20 mol% Yb³⁺: KYP₂O₇ can promote the MC3T3-E1 cells expression of late osteogenic markers including RUNX and BMP-2. The obtained data shed a promising light for KYP₂O₇ doped with Er³⁺ and Yb³⁺ ions as a potential factors improving bone fracture healing as well as in bioimaging (so-called in theranostics).