Organic triplet-triplet annihilation upconversion (TTA-UC) nanoparticles have emerged as exciting therapeutic agents and imaging probes in recent years due to their unique chemical and optical properties such as outstanding biocompatibility and low power excitation density. In this review, we focus on the latest breakthroughs in such new version of upconversion nanoparticle, including their design, preparation, and applications. First, we will discuss the key principles and design concept of these organic-based photon upconversion in regard to the methods of selection of the related triplet TTA dye pairs (photosensitizer and emitter). Then, we will discuss the recent approaches s to construct TTA-UCNPs including silica TTA-UCNPs, lipid-coated TTA-UCNPs, polymer encapsulated TTA-UCNPs, nano-droplet TTA-UCNPs and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) constructed TTA-UCNPs. In addition, the applications of TTA-UCNPs will be discussed. Finally, we will discuss the challenges posed by current TTA-UCNP development.

• Klíčová slova
• And cancer therapy, Bioimaging, Nanoparticles, Photo-targeting, Triplet-triplet annihilation upconversion,
• MeSH
• diagnostické zobrazování metody   MeSH
• molekulární struktura MeSH
• nanočástice chemie   MeSH
• oxid křemičitý chemie   MeSH
• polymery chemie   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• přehledy MeSH
• Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural MeSH
• Názvy látek
• oxid křemičitý MeSH
• polymery MeSH

The development of singlet oxygen photosensitizers, which target specific cellular organelles, constitutes a pertinent endeavor to optimize the efficiency of photodynamic therapy. Targeting of the cell membrane eliminates the need for endocytosis of drugs that can lead to toxicity, intracellular degradation, or drug resistance. In this context, we utilized copper-free click chemistry to prepare a singlet oxygen photosensitizing complex, made of a molybdenum-iodine nanocluster stabilized by triazolate apical ligands. In phosphate-buffered saline, the complex formed nanoaggregates with a positive surface charge due to the protonatable amine function of the apical ligands. These nanoaggregates targeted cell membranes and caused an eminent blue-light phototoxic effect against HeLa cells at nanomolar concentrations, inducing apoptotic cell death, while having no dark toxicity at physiologically relevant concentrations. The properties of this complex were compared to those of a negatively charged parent complex to highlight the dominant effect of the nature of apical ligands on biological properties of the nanocluster. These two complexes also exerted (photo)antibacterial effects on several pathogenic strains in the form of planktonic cultures and biofilms. Overall, we demonstrated that the rational design of apical ligands toward cell membrane targeting leads to enhanced photodynamic efficiency.

• MeSH
• buněčná membrána MeSH
• HeLa buňky MeSH
• jod * farmakologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• ligandy MeSH
• molybden * farmakologie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• jod * MeSH
• ligandy MeSH
• molybden * MeSH

Photodynamic therapy is an effective method for the treatment of several types of cancerous and noncancerous diseases. The key to the success of this treatment method is effective drug delivery to the site of action, for instance, a tumor. This ensures not only the high effectiveness of the therapy but also the suppression of side effects. But how to achieve effective targeted delivery? Lately, much attention has been paid to systems based on the so-called Trojan horse model, which is gaining increasing popularity. The principle of this model is that the effective drug is hidden in the internal structure of a nanoparticle, liposome, or nanoemulsion and is released only at the site of action. In this review article, we focus on drugs from the group of mitotic poisons, taxanes, and their use with photosensitizers in combined therapy. Here, we discuss the possibilities of how to improve the paclitaxel and docetaxel bioavailability, as well as their specific targeting for use in combined photo- and chemotherapy. Moreover, we also present the state of the art multifunctional drugs based on cabazitaxel which, owing to a suitable combination with photosensitizers, can be used besides photodynamic therapy and also in photoacoustic imaging or sonodynamic therapy.

• MeSH
• fotochemoterapie * MeSH
• fotosenzibilizující látky * farmakologie   MeSH
• lékové transportní systémy MeSH
• paclitaxel farmakologie   MeSH
• taxoidy farmakologie   terapeutické užití   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• přehledy MeSH
• Názvy látek
• fotosenzibilizující látky * MeSH
• paclitaxel MeSH
• taxoidy MeSH

PURPOSE: To describe a new modified technique in the treatment of ROP (retinopathy of prematurity) using the RetCam 3 digital imaging system - Camera-Assisted Laser photocoagulation and Cryotherapy of the Retina (CALCR). METHODS: From Nov 2011 to Oct 2013, 113 infants were diagnosed with ROP. The average post-conceptual age (PCA) at the time of diagnosis was the 35(th) week of PCA; the average birth weight was 1,041 g. According to the ETROP study, the avascular part of the retina of infants with high-risk prethreshold ROP was treated with a trans-scleral diode laser or with cryotherapy within 48-72 h after the diagnosis. The intervention was performed under general anaesthesia under the direct visual control of the RetCam 3. RESULTS: The CALCR technique was used in all 23 infants (46 eyes) diagnosed with high-risk prethreshold ROP. The average age of these infants at the time of the intervention was the 38(th) week of PCA. None of the infants had any serious complications during the CALCR procedure. In contrast to the traditional technique, CALCR offers many benefits: the image of the retina is real, magnified and not inverted, it shows details of the retina in a high resolution, photo and video documentation is available. Therefore the preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative condition of the retina can be precisely evaluated and compared on a fully standardized basis. CONCLUSIONS: The CALCR procedure represents a new technique providing greater accuracy when targeting the avascular part of the retina, enables better visualisation and more precise treatment, and reduces the risk of unintended damage to healthy retinal tissue.

• Klíčová slova
• RetCam photography, cryotherapy, laser photocoagulation, retinopathy of prematurity,
• MeSH
• design vybavení MeSH
• fotografování přístrojové vybavení   MeSH
• gestační stáří MeSH
• kryoterapie metody   MeSH
• laserová terapie metody   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• následné studie MeSH
• novorozenec nedonošený * MeSH
• novorozenec MeSH
• retina patologie   MeSH
• retinopatie nedonošených diagnóza   terapie   MeSH
• retrospektivní studie MeSH
• výsledek terapie MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• novorozenec MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

BACKGROUND: The range of the ornate dog tick Dermacentor reticulatus is rapidly expanding in Europe. This tick species is the vector of canine babesiosis, caused by Babesia canis, and also plays a role in the transmission of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi in equids. METHODS: The geographic range of D. reticulatus in the Czech Republic was re-assessed, and an up-to-date distribution map is presented based on material and data obtained during a nationwide citizen science campaign. Received and flagged individuals of D. reticulatus were also analysed for the presence of B. canis DNA. RESULTS: In striking contrast to historical records, D. reticulatus was found in all regions of the Czech Republic, with most reports coming from the southeast and northwest of the country. Between February 2018 and June 2021, the project team received 558 photo reports of ticks and 250 packages containing ticks. Of the former, 71.1% were identified as Dermacentor sp. with the remainder identified as Ixodes sp., Haemaphysalis sp., Argas sp. or Hyalomma sp. The majority of specimens in the subset of ticks that were received (N = 610) were D. reticulatus (N = 568, 93.7%), followed by Ixodes ricinus and Hyalomma spp. A total of 783 adult D. reticulatus, either received (568) or collected by flagging (215), were tested for the presence of B. canis DNA using species-specific nested PCR targeting part of the 18S rRNA gene; B. canis DNA was demonstrated in 22 samples (2.81%). CONCLUSIONS: The continuous spread of D. reticulatus in the Czech Republic was documented in this study. In addition, DNA of B. canis was also detected in a number of ticks, suggesting the establishment of B. canis in the Czech Republic. These results suggest that veterinarians need to consider the possibility of canine babesiosis even in dogs without a history of travel.

• Klíčová slova
• Babesia canis, Citizen science, Czech Republic, Dermacentor reticulatus, Europe, Geographic distribution,
• MeSH
• Babesia * genetika   MeSH
• babezióza * epidemiologie   MeSH
• Dermacentor * MeSH
• infestace klíšťaty * epidemiologie   veterinární   MeSH
• Ixodidae * MeSH
• klíště * MeSH
• nemoci psů * epidemiologie   MeSH
• občanská věda * MeSH
• psi MeSH
• Rhipicephalus sanguineus * MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• psi MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika epidemiologie   MeSH

Cyclometalated Ir(III) complex [Ir(L)2(dppz)]PF6 (where L = 1-methyl-2-(thiophen-2-yl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazole and dppz = dipyrido [3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine) (Ir1) is potent anticancer agent whose potency can be significantly increased by irradiation with blue light. Structural features of the cyclometalated Ir(III) complex Ir1 investigated in this work, particularly the presence of dppz ligand possessing an extended planar area, suggest that this complex could interact with DNA. Here, we have shown that Ir1 accumulates predominantly in mitochondria of cancer cells where effectively and selectively binds mitochondrial (mt)DNA. Additionally, the results demonstrated that Ir1 effectively suppresses transcription of mitochondria-encoded genes, especially after irradiation, which may further affect mitochondrial (and thus also cellular) functions. The observation that Ir1 binds selectively to mtDNA implies that the mechanism of its biological activity in cancer cells may also be connected with its interaction and damage to mtDNA. Further investigations revealed that Ir1 tightly binds DNA in a cell-free environment, with sequence preference for GC over AT base pairs. Although the dppz ligand itself or as a ligand in structurally similar DNA-intercalating Ru polypyridine complexes based on dppz ligand intercalates into DNA, the DNA binding mode of Ir1 comprises surprisingly a groove binding rather than an intercalation. Also interestingly, after irradiation with visible (blue) light, Ir1 was capable of cleaving DNA, likely due to the production of superoxide anion radical. The results of this study show that mtDNA damage by Ir1 plays a significant role in its mechanism of antitumor efficacy. In addition, the results of this work are consistent with the hypothesis and support the view that targeting the mitochondrial genome is an effective strategy for anticancer (photo)therapy and that the class of photoactivatable dipyridophenazine Ir(III) compounds may represent prospective substances suitable for further testing.

• Klíčová slova
• Antitumor activity, DNA cleavage, Mitochondrial DNA, Phototoxic iridium complex, Superoxide anion radicals, Transcription of mitochondria-encoded genes,
• MeSH
• iridium farmakologie   chemie   MeSH
• komplexní sloučeniny * farmakologie   chemie   MeSH
• ligandy MeSH
• mitochondriální DNA MeSH
• mitochondrie MeSH
• nádory * MeSH
• prospektivní studie MeSH
• protinádorové látky * farmakologie   chemie   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• iridium MeSH
• komplexní sloučeniny * MeSH
• ligandy MeSH
• mitochondriální DNA MeSH
• protinádorové látky * MeSH

Novel biomaterials based on hydrophilic polycaprolactone and polyurethane (Tecophilic®) nanofibers with an encapsulated 5,10,5,20-tetraphenylporphyrin photosensitizer were prepared by electrospinning. The doped nanofiber textiles efficiently photo-generate O(2)((1)Δ(g)), which oxidize external chemical and biological substrates/targets. Strong photo-virucidal effects toward non-enveloped polyomaviruses and enveloped baculoviruses were observed on the surface of these textiles. The photo-virucidal effect was confirmed by a decrease in virus infectivity. In contrast, no virucidal effect was detected in the absence of light and/or the encapsulated photosensitizer.

• MeSH
• anthraceny chemie   MeSH
• antivirové látky farmakologie   MeSH
• Baculoviridae účinky léků   MeSH
• fotosenzibilizující látky farmakologie   MeSH
• inaktivace viru účinky léků   MeSH
• kapsida chemie   MeSH
• myši MeSH
• nanovlákna chemie   ultrastruktura   MeSH
• oxidace-redukce MeSH
• polyestery chemie   MeSH
• Polyomavirus účinky léků   MeSH
• polyurethany chemie   MeSH
• porfyriny farmakologie   MeSH
• rekombinace genetická genetika   MeSH
• singletový kyslík metabolismus   MeSH
• textilie * MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• myši MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• anthraceny MeSH
• antivirové látky MeSH
• fotosenzibilizující látky MeSH
• polycaprolactone MeSH Prohlížeč
• polyestery MeSH
• polyurethany MeSH
• porfyriny MeSH
• singletový kyslík MeSH
• tetraphenylporphyrin MeSH Prohlížeč

The surfaces of electrospun polystyrene (PS) nanofiber materials with encapsulated 1% w/w 5,10,15,20-tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP) photosensitizer were modified through sulfonation, radio frequency (RF) oxygen plasma treatment, and polydopamine coating. The nanofiber materials exhibited efficient photogeneration of singlet oxygen. The postprocessing modifications strongly increased the wettability of the pristine hydrophobic PS nanofibers without causing damage to the nanofibers, leakage of the photosensitizer, or any substantial change in the oxygen permeability of the inner bulk of the polymer nanofiber. The increase in the surface wettability yielded a significant increase in the photo-oxidation of external polar substrates and in the antibacterial activity of the nanofibers in aqueous surroundings. The results reveal the crucial role played by surface hydrophilicity/wettability in achieving the efficient photo-oxidation of a chemical substrate/biological target at the surface of a material generating O2((1)Δg) with a short diffusion length.

• MeSH
• antibakteriální látky farmakologie   MeSH
• časové faktory MeSH
• difuze účinky léků   MeSH
• Escherichia coli účinky léků   růst a vývoj   MeSH
• fluorescenční spektrometrie MeSH
• hydrofobní a hydrofilní interakce * MeSH
• kinetika MeSH
• mikrobiální testy citlivosti MeSH
• nanovlákna chemie   ultrastruktura   MeSH
• oxidace-redukce účinky léků   MeSH
• permeabilita účinky léků   MeSH
• počet mikrobiálních kolonií MeSH
• polystyreny chemie   MeSH
• povrchové vlastnosti MeSH
• singletový kyslík farmakologie   MeSH
• spektrofotometrie ultrafialová MeSH
• spektroskopie infračervená s Fourierovou transformací MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• antibakteriální látky MeSH
• polystyreny MeSH
• singletový kyslík MeSH

Succeeding graphene, monoelemental two-dimensional (2D) materials such as germanene and silicene, coined as "Xenes", have attracted vast scientific and technological interests. Adding covalently bonded hydrogen on both sides of germanene leads to germanane (i.e., hydrogen-terminated germanene, GeH). Further, the covalent functionalization of germanane allows the tuning of its physical and chemical properties. Diverse variants of germananes have been synthesized, but current research is primarily focused on their fundamental properties. As a case in point, their applications as photo- and electrocatalysts in the field of modern energy conversion have not been explored. Here, we prepare 2D germanene-based materials, specifically germanane and germananes functionalized by various alkyl chains with different terminal groups-germanane with methyl, propyl, hydroxypropyl, and 2-(methoxycarbonyl)ethyl-and investigate their structural, morphological, optical, electronic, and electrochemical properties. The bond geometries of the functionalized structures, their formation energies, and band gap values are investigated by density functional theory calculations. The functionalized germananes are tested as photoelectrocatalysts in the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and photo-oxidation of water. The performance of the germananes is influenced by the functionalized groups, where the germanane with -CH2CH2CH2OH termination records the lowest HER overpotentials and with -H termination reaches the highest photocurrent densities for water oxidation over the entire visible spectral region. These positive findings serve as an overview of organic functionalization of 2D germananes that can be expanded to other "Xanes" for targeted tuning of the optical and electronic properties for photo- and electrochemical energy conversion applications.

• Klíčová slova
• band gap, covalent functionalization, density functional theory, formation energy, group 14, layered materials, photoelectrochemistry,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

The rapid evolution and spread of multidrug resistance among bacterial pathogens has significantly outpaced the development of new antibiotics, underscoring the urgent need for alternative therapies. Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy and antimicrobial sonodynamic therapy have emerged as promising treatments. Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy relies on the interaction between light and a photosensitizer to produce reactive oxygen species, which are highly cytotoxic to microorganisms, leading to their destruction without fostering resistance. Antimicrobial sonodynamic therapy, a novel variation, substitutes ultrasound for light to activate the sonosensitizers, expanding the therapeutic reach. To increase the efficiency of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy and antimicrobial sonodynamic therapy, the combination of these two methods, known as antimicrobial photo-sonodynamic therapy, is currently being explored and considered a promising approach. Recent advances, particularly in the application of nanomaterials, have further enhanced the efficacy of these therapies. Nanosensitizers, due to their improved reactive oxygen species generation and targeted delivery, offer significant advantages in overcoming the limitations of conventional sensitizers. These breakthroughs provide new avenues for treating bacterial infections, especially multidrug-resistant strains and biofilm-associated infections. Continued research, including comprehensive clinical studies, is crucial to optimizing nanomaterial-based antimicrobial photo-sonodynamic therapy for clinical use, ensuring their effectiveness in real-world applications.

• Klíčová slova
• Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy, Antimicrobial sonodynamic therapy, Microbial infections, Nanosensitizers, Photosensitizers,
• MeSH
• antibakteriální látky * farmakologie   terapeutické užití   MeSH
• Bacteria účinky léků   účinky záření   MeSH
• bakteriální infekce * farmakoterapie   terapie   MeSH
• fotochemoterapie * metody   MeSH
• fotosenzibilizující látky * farmakologie   terapeutické užití   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nanostruktury chemie   MeSH
• reaktivní formy kyslíku metabolismus   MeSH
• ultrazvuková terapie * metody   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH
• Názvy látek
• antibakteriální látky * MeSH
• fotosenzibilizující látky * MeSH
• reaktivní formy kyslíku MeSH