The estrone ligand is used for modifying nanoparticle surfaces to improve their targeting effect on cancer cell lines. However, to date, there is no common agreement on the ideal linker length to be used for the optimum targeting performance. In this study, we aimed to investigate the impact of poly­(poly ethylene glycol methyl ether methacrylate) (PPEGMEMA) linker length on the cellular uptake behavior of polymer-coated upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs). Different triblock terpolymers, poly­(poly (ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate)-block-polymethacrylic acid-block-polyethylene glycol methacrylate phosphate (PPEGMEMA x -b-PMAA y -b-PEGMP3: x = 7, 15, 33, and 80; y = 16, 20, 18, and 18), were synthesized with different polymer linker chain lengths between the surface and the targeting ligand by reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer polymerization. The estrone ligand was attached to the polymer via specific terminal conjugation. The cellular association of polymer-coated UCNPs with linker chain lengths was evaluated in MCF-7 cells by flow cytometry. Our results showed that the bioactivity of ligand modification is dependent on the length of the polymer linker. The shortest polymer PPEGMEMA7-b-PMAA16-b-PEGMP3 with estrone at the end of the polymer chain was found to have the best cellular association behavior in the estrogen receptor (ER)­α-positive expression cell line MCF-7. Additionally, the anticancer drug doxorubicin•HCl was encapsulated in the nanocarrier to evaluate the 2D and 3D cytotoxicity. The results showed that estrone modification could efficiently improve the cellular uptake in ERα-positive expression cell lines and in 3D spheroid models.

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: This report describes the spontaneous extrusion from between the eyelids of a presumed conjunctivolith in a patient with resolving severe herpes zoster ophthalmicus. A 57-year-old man presented for ophthalmologic assessment and management due to severe left herpes zoster ophthalmicus. At one subsequent ophthalmologic assessment, a conjunctivolith spontaneously egressed the lateral commissure of the OS when the lateral fornix was inspected. The conjunctivolith was retrieved from the floor of the consulting room. Electron microscopic analysis and energy dispersive spectroscopy was undertaken to determine its composition. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the conjunctivolith was composed of carbon, calcium, and oxygen. Transmission electron microscopy diagnosed Herpes virus within the conjunctivolith. Conjunctivoliths, or possible lacrimal gland stones, are a very rare phenomenon, and their etiology is currently unclear. In this case, there was likely to have been an association between herpes zoster ophthalmicus and the conjunctivolith.