It is highly desirable in biomedical sciences to utilize the multifunctional nanoparticles of similar size with tunable emission. Since the optoelectronic properties of quantum dots (QDs) originate from size-dependent quantum confinement effects, we developed an alternate approach to synthesize color-tunable CdSe/ZnS QDs based on interfacial ion exchange (predominantly exchange of Se2– by S2– anions), using 1-dodecanethiol and oleylamine solvent systems as a sensitive parameter. The wide-range color-tunability (490–570 nm) was achieved unexpectedly as a result of interfacial alloying without inducing a significant change in the size (from 4.45 to 4.81 nm) of QDs. The local atomic structure order, chemical composition, and nature of alloying in QDs were unraveled by XAFS data analysis. Owing to the molecular-like sensitization behavior, the QDs were evaluated for singlet molecular oxygen (1O2) efficiency. They were further studied in RAW 264.7 macrophages for biocompatibility, bioimaging, and delivering pathways for use in future photodynamic therapy (PDT). The QDs demonstrated efficient singlet molecular oxygen (1O2) quantum yields (ΦQDs) of 14, 12, and 18% for QDs (I), QDs (II), and QDs (III), respectively. The QD-treated cells presented high cell viability above 85% and induced no cell activation. Fluorescence and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images of cells manifested a considerable amount of QDs in the vicinity of the cell membrane and intracellular regions. The pathway-specific inhibition measurements revealed that the QDs were internalized by cells via energy-dependent endocytosis, predominantly macropinocytosis and other receptor-mediated endocytic pathways, and accumulated them presumably in endosome/lysosomes. This study will open new possibilities for engineering interfacial alloying-based tunable emission QDs and pathway-specific delivery of QD-based theranostics into a site of interest for simultaneous bioimaging and PDT.

This study aimed to get to know the perception of nurses about weaknesses in the care for potential organ donors. This is an exploratory-descriptive study with a qualitative approach, involving eight nurses from a reference hospital. It used semi-structured interviews and the results were analyzed according to discourse analysis. Two categories emerged: "perception of nurses on working with potential organ donors" and "weaknesses in the care for potential donors". There is a limited role of the organ procurement organization. The barriers involve human and financial resources, family refusal, long wait for test results and structural problems. The work of this committee is limited to health care activities, in detriment of management. The professionals perceive weaknesses and fear negative repercussions. One must invest in structure and continuing education for this to be reflected in better care to potential donors and their family. Keywords: Tissue and organ procurement. Brain death. Nursing. Resumo Fragilidades na atenção ao potencial doador de órgãos: percepção de enfermeirosObjetivou-se conhecer a percepção de enfermeiros sobre fragilidades na atenção ao potencial doador de órgãos. Trata-se de estudo exploratório-descritivo, com abordagem qualitativa, envolvendo oito enfermeiros de hospital de referência. Entrevista semiestruturada foi utilizada e os resultados foram analisados conforme a técnica de análise do discurso. Emergiram duas categorias: "percepção dos enfermeiros sobre o trabalho com potenciais doadores de órgãos" e "fragilidades na atenção aos potenciais doadores". Verificou-se atuação limitada no âmbito da organização de procura de órgãos. Entraves envolvem recursos humanos e financeiros, recusa familiar, elevado tempo de espera por exames e problemas estruturais. Assim, o trabalho nesta comissão está limitado a ações assistenciais, em detrimento das gerenciais. Os profissionais percebem fragilidades e temem interferência negativa. Há que se investir em estrutura e educação permanente para que isso se reflita em melhor atenção ao potencial doador e sua família. Palavras-chave: Obtenção de tecidos e órgãos. Morte encefálica. Enfermagem. ResumenDeficiencias en la atención al potencial donante de órganos: percepción de los enfermeros Este estudio tuvo como objetivo conocer la percepción de los enfermeros sobre las deficiencias en la atención al potencial donante de órganos. Se trata de estudio exploratorio-descriptivo con enfoque cualitativo, con la participación de ocho enfermeros de un hospital de referencia. Se utilizaron entrevistas semiestructuradas y los resultados fueron analizados siguiendo la técnica de análisis del discurso. Emergieron dos categorías: "percepción de los enfermeros sobre el trabajo con potenciales donantes de órganos" y "deficiencias en la atención a los posibles donantes". Fue identificada actuación limitada en el ámbito de la organización de búsqueda de órganos. Los obstáculos están relacionados con los recursos humanos y financieros, la negativa de la familia, l...

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Five novel Eu(III)-β-diketonate complexes containing ruthenocene ancillary ligands (1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphoryl)-ruthenocene�RcBPO) were synthesized and characterized. The coordination compounds presented the general formula [Eu(βdik) 3 (RcBPO)], where β-dik stands for 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetonate (tta), 3-benzoyl-1,1,1-trifluoroacetone (btf), 2-dibenzoylmethanate (dbm), 2-acetyl-1,3-indandionate (aind), and 2-benzoyl-1,3-indandionate (bind), and RcBPO stands for 1,1′-bis-(diphenylphosphoryl)ruthenocene. The [Eu(aind) 3 (RcBPO)] complex crystallizes in a monoclinic Cc non-centrosymmetric space group with the europium site environment, assuming a bicapped trigonal prism coordination polyhedron with the symmetry point group close to C 2v . Photoluminescent properties for the solid-state samples were described in terms of excitation, emission, lifetime decay curves, and intrinsic and overall quantum yields. The replacement of the two coordinated H 2 O molecules by the RcBPO ancillary ligand leads to great enhancements of the overall quantum yields (Q Eu L ), with the minimum increment by a factor of 5 for the case of [Eu(btf) 3 (RcBPO)] and the maximum enhancement of 270 times for the case of the [Eu(dbm) 3 (RcBPO)] complex. In addition, theoretical calculations were carried out to model the spectroscopic properties of the investigated compounds. To obtain theoretical Judd−Ofelt parameters (Ω λ , λ = 2, 4, and 6) and intramolecular energy transfer rates, the JOYSpectra web platform was employed using the structure obtained from density functional theory calculations. Hence, a rate equation model provided theoretical overall quantum yields, which are in great agreement with measured data.