Wound infections evidently appeared in times of World War I that accounted a significant mortality and morbidity rate among injured soldiers. Currently, around 11 million people worldwide require medical treatment for wound infections and 300,000 die every year due to untreated wound infection. The extensive use of antibiotics to treat wound infection leads to emerging new microbial strains that are resistant to many antibiotics. There is a growing concern on the emergence and re-emergence of drug-resistant pathogens such as multi-resistant bacterial strains. Hence, the development of new antimicrobial compounds or the modification of those that already exist to improve antibacterial activity is a high priority area of research. During the past few decades, nanotechnology has arisen with new promising technology for synthesis of nanobiomaterials. Metallic nanoparticles (NPs) are considered as new alternative treatment with superior antibacterial activity. In this study, new formulation of titanium oxide (TiO2) NPs with different sizes were synthesized and characterized. Genotoxicity, mutagenicity and antibacterial activities of TiO2 NPs against the causative agents of wound infection were investigated. Antibacterial activity of TiO2 NPs was conducted against three ATCC ® bacterial strains: methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The results clearly illustrate a superior antibacterial activity of all newly formulated TiO2 NPs against the most causative agents of wound infection. Most of our TiO2 NPs showed non-genotoxic and non-mutagenic results at the maximum concentrations. Findings of this study will enhance the future of the therapeutic strategies against the resistant pathogenic strains that cause wound infections.

Stable suspensions of metal/metalloid oxide nanoparticles (Me-NPs) obtained by laser ablation of 99.99% pure elemental aluminum, titanium or silicon under a layer of deionized water were used separately, or in three binary combinations, or in a ternary combination to induce subchronic intoxications in rats. To this end, the Me-NPs were repeatedly injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) 18 times during 6 weeks before measuring a large number of functional, biochemical, morphological and cytological indices for the organism’s status. In many respects, the Al₂O₃-NP was found to be the most toxic species alone and the most dangerous component of the combinations studied. Mathematical modeling with the help of the Response Surface Methodology showed that, as well as in the case of any other binary toxic combinations previously investigated by us, the organism’s response to a simultaneous exposure to any two of the Me-NP species under study was characterized by a complex interaction between all possible types of combined toxicity (additivity, subadditivity or superadditivity of unidirectional action and different variants of opposite effects) depending on which outcome a given type was estimated for and on effect and dose levels. With any third MeO-NP species acting in the background, the type of combined toxicity displayed by the other two remained virtually the same or changed significantly, becoming either more or less unfavorable. Various harmful effects produced by the [Al₂O₃-NP+TiO₂-NP+SiO₂-NP]-combination, including its genotoxicity, were substantially attenuated by giving the rats per os during the entire exposure period a complex of innocuous bioactive substances expected to increase the organism’s antitoxic resistance.

Metallic nanoparticles (NPs), among polymeric NPs, liposomes, micelles, quantum dots, dendrimers, or fullerenes, are becoming more and more important due to their potential use in the novel medical therapies. Titanium dioxide (titanium(IV) oxide, titania, TiO2) is an inorganic compound that owes its recent rise in scientific interest to photoactivity. After the illumination in aqueous media with UV light, TiO2 produces an array of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The capability to produce ROS and thus induce cell death has found application in the photodynamic therapy (PDT) for the treatment of a wide range of maladies, from psoriasis to cancer. Titanium dioxide NPs were studied as photosensitizing agents in the treatment of malignant tumors as well as in photodynamic inactivation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Both TiO2 NPs themselves, as well as their composites with other molecules, can be successfully used as photosensitizers in PDT. Moreover, various organic compounds can be grafted on TiO2 NPs, leading to hybrid materials. These nanostructures can reveal increased light absorption allowing their further use in targeted therapy in medicine. In order to improve efficient anticancer therapy, many approaches utilizing titanium dioxide were tested. The most significant studies are discussed in this review.

Biomaterials are the basis for the development of medicine because they allow safe contact with a living organism. The aim of this work was to produce innovative oxide layers with a porous microstructure on the surface of commercially pure titanium Grade 4 (CpTi G4), and to characterize their properties as drug carriers. Anodization of the CpTi G4 subjected to mechanical grinding and electrochemical polishing was carried out in a solution of 1M ethylene glycol with the addition of 40 g of ammonium fluoride at a voltage of 20 V for 2, 18, 24 and 48 hours at room temperature. It was found that the longer anodization time, the greater the number of pores formed on the CpTi G4 surface as revealed by FE-SEM method, and the greater the surface roughness determined in profilometric tests. As the anodizing time increases, the amount of the drug in the form of gentamicin sulfate incorporated into the resulting pores decreases. The most favorable drug release kinetics profile determined by UV-VIS absorption spectroscopy was found for the CpTi G4 anodized for 2 h making them the best choice when it comes to the drug carrier allowing full use of the therapeutic dose of the drug.

Preventing or treating infections at implantation sites where the risk of bacterial contamination is high requires the development of intelligent drug delivery systems. In this work, honeycomb structures as a potential drug carrier were obtained for the first time in a fast, one-step anodization process of titanium grade 4, lasting only 60 seconds. Fourth generation oxide nanotube layers were obtained from an aqueous solution of 0.5% AgNO3 in the voltage range from 50 to 80 at 15(1) °C. The FE-SEM method showed the length of the oxide nanotubes from 1.02(2) µm at 50 V to 230(8) nm at 80 V. The EDS analysis revealed that during anodizing, silver particles are deposited on the Ti G4 up to 2.2(5) wt.%. Electrochemical measurements by open circuit potential and anodic polarization curves methods proved the improvement of in vitro corrosion resistance as a result of Ti G4 anodizing. Assessment of the anodized Ti G4 as gentamicin sulfate carrier carried out using ATR-FTIR and UV-VIS absorption spectroscopy revealed that the obtained oxide nanotube layers can be used for application of drugs directly to the tissue around the implant. This method of application allows full use of the therapeutic dose of the antibiotic used.

A comparative study of the photocatalytic decoloration of methylene blue (MB) dissolved in water was conducted, using three semiconductor oxides: zinc oxide (ZnO), tin oxide (SnO2) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) in the form of thin films and varying their thickness ~ 100, 200, and 300 nm for each film. All the films were deposited using the cost-effective dip-coating technique, at moderate temperature processing (400 °C) with sol-gel solutions on cheap glass substrates. The structural, morphological, and compositional properties of the films were analyzed by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Raman spectroscopy, respectively. The degradation of MB was studied by varying both thickness and type of semiconductor oxides through measurements of optical absorbance of decolorated liquid by photocatalytic process. Structural analysis shows that ZnO and SnO2 films were polycrystalline with preferential growth of (002) and (110) planes respectively, whereas, an amorphous structure was observed for TiO2 films. In addition, morphological properties confirms that the surfaces of all the films are conformed with nano grains in round and irregular shapes. Based on all results reported in this work, that authors believe that the degradation efficiency of MB depends on the thickness of the film and the type of semiconductor material used as a catalyst. The highest degradation efficiencies were recorded with an exposure time of 120 min and with an initial concentration of 10 mg/L for ZnO, SnO2, and TiO2 films were: 100, 88 %, and 76 %, respectively.

In recent years, the nanoparticles applications have been well recognized in various fields. It is known that nanoparticles as an active ingredient in sunscreens are widely used. Zinc oxide and titanium oxide nanoparticles are common nanoparticles utilized in sunscreens. In this study, we aimed to suggest new nanoparticles for this purpose. Cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2-NPs) were synthesized by using Musa sapientum fruit peel extract. Synthesized nanoparticles were identified through Raman, Powder X-ray Diffraction (PXRD), Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Field Energy Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) and Energy-Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDX). The results showed that size of synthesized nanoparticles are in range 4-13 nm. The cytotoxic activity of synthesized nanoparticles on lung (A549) cancer cell line was performed through MTT assay. The results showed that synthesized nanoparticles are non-toxicity against A549 cell line to below 500 μg/mL of nanoparticles concentration. The Sun protection factor (SPF) was estimated ~ 40 for synthesized CeO2-NPs. So, synthesized nanoparticles can be a good option for use in the cosmetics industry.

Our environment has been significantly impacted by man-made pollutants, primarily due to industries make substantial use of synthetic chemicals, resulting in significant environmental consequences. In this research investigation, the co-precipitation approach was employed for the synthesis of cellulose-based ferric oxide (Fe₂O₃/cellulose) and copper oxide nanoparticles (CuOx-NPs). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses were conducted to determine the properties of the newly synthesised nanoparticles. Furthermore, the synthesized nanoparticles were employed for eliminating chromium from aqueous media under various conditions, including temperature, contact time, adsorbent concentration, adsorbate concentration, and pH. Additionally, the synthesised materials were used to recover Cr(VI) ions from real samples, including tap water, seawater, and industrial water, and the adsorptive capacity of both materials evaluated under optimal conditions. The synthesis of Fe₂O₃/cellulose and CuOx-NPs proved to be effective, as indicated by the outcomes of the study.

Photocatalytic technology based on specific band structure of semiconductors offers a promising way to solve the urgent energy and environmental issues in modern society. In particular, hydrogen production from water splitting over semiconductor photocatalysts attracts great attention owing to the clean source and application of energy, which highly depends on the performance of photocatalysts. Among the various photocatalysts, TiO2 has been intensively investigated and used extensively due to its outstanding photocatalytic activity, high chemical stability, non-toxicity and low cost. However, pure TiO2 has a wide band gap of approximately 3.2 eV, which limits its photocatalytic activity for water splitting to generate hydrogen only under ultraviolet light, excluding most of the inexhaustible sunlight for human beings. Fortunately, the band gap of semiconductors can be manipulated, in which introducing oxygen defects is one of the most effective measures to narrow the band gap of titanium oxides. This review starts out by the fundamentals of photocatalytic water splitting for hydrogen production over TiO2, discusses the latest progress in this field, and summarizes the various methods and strategies to induce oxygen defects in TiO2 crystals. Then, the next section outlines the modification approaches of oxygen-deficient titanium oxide (TiO2-δ) to further improve its photocatalytic performance. Finally, a brief summary and outlook of the researches on TiO2-δ photocatalysts for water splitting to produce hydrogen were presented.

As common industrial by-products, airborne engineered nanomaterials are considered important environmental toxicants to monitor due to their potential health risks to humans and animals. The main uptake routes of airborne nanoparticles are nasal and/or oral inhalation, which are known to enable the transfer of nanomaterials into the blood stream resulting in rapid distribution in the body. Consequently, mucosal barriers present in nose, buccal and lung have been identified and intensively studied as the key tissue barrier to nanoparticle translocation. Despite decades of research, surprisingly little is known about the differences among various mucosa tissue types to tolerate nanoparticle exposures. One limitation in comparing nanotoxicological data sets can be linked to a lack of harmonization and standardization of cell-based assays, where a) different cultivation conditions such as air-liquid interface or submerged cultures, b) varying barrier maturity and c) diverse media substitutes have been used. The current comparative nanotoxicological study therefore aims at analyzing the toxic effects of nanomaterials on four human mucosa barrier models including nasal (RPMI2650), buccal (TR146), alveolar (A549), and bronchial (Calu-3) mucosal cell lines to better understand the modulating effects of tissue maturity, cultivation conditions and tissue type using standard Transwell cultivations at liquid-liquid and air-liquid interfaces. Overall, cell size, confluency, tight junction localization, and cell viability as well as barrier formation using 50% and 100% confluency was monitored using trans-epithelial-electrical resistance (TEER) measurements and Presto Blue assays of immature (e.g. 5 days) and mature (e.g. 22 days) cultures in the presence and absence of corticosteroids such as hydrocortisone. Results of our study show that cellular responses to increasing nanoparticle exposures are highly cell type specific, where bronchial mucosal cell barriers models cultivated under ALI conditions showed less tolerance to acute ZnO nanoparticle exposures. Additionally, stronger toxicities are found using early mucosa barriers compared to later barrier models being maturated under air-liquid cultivation conditions.

Pathogenic microorganisms can cause a range of infectious diseases and are often treated with antimicrobial agents. The rise of antimicrobial resistance caused by inappropriate use of these agents in various settings has become a global health threat. There is, therefore, a need to find new and effective agents to combat infections caused by resistant pathogens. Nanotechnology has seen significant growth and development in recent years and has a wide range of applications in various fields, including health, agriculture, and industry. This novel area offers the potential for the synthesis of nanoparticles (NPs) with antimicrobial activity, such as iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs). The use of IONPs is a promising way to overcome antimicrobial resistance or pathogenicity because of their ability to interact with several biological molecules and to inhibit microbial growth. This review focuses on the most common green synthesis methods for producing IONPs using bacteria, fungi, plants, and organic waste, as well as the most common methods for the characterization of these IONPs. Finally, it summarizes their application as promising antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic, and antiviral agents.

Background:Boom in nanotechnology in current era has sketched unforeseen transformations in number of fields, such as medicine, health care, food, space, agriculture, etc. The synthesis of nanoparticles with different chemical compositions, sizes, shapes and controlled disparities is an important area of research in this field. Over the last decade, the biosynthesis of metal nanoparticles has received considerable attention due to their unusual and fascinating properties, with various applications, over their bulk counterparts.Hypothesis: The nanoparticle can have huge application in the field of food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries and thus become a major area of research. Green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using plant extracts offers an eco-friendly and promising substitute to the conventional methods of chemical synthesis. Conclusion: In the arena of nanoparticle phytosynthesis, novel materials have been produced that are eco-friendly, cost-effective and stable. In the current situation, nanotechnology inspires progress in all spheres of life, and therefore the phytosynthetic path of nanoparticle synthesis has emerged as a safe and best alternative to conventional methods. This review summarizes the recent work in the field of zinc nanoparticle phytosynthesis and critically discusses the mechanism proposed behind it.

Zinc Oxide nanoparticles functionalized with APTES were obtained to evaluate their CH4 and CO2 adsorption and separation behavior. First, ZnO nanoparticles were obtained by a precipitation method and subsequently coated with (3-aminopropyl)-triethoxysilane (APTES). The nanoparticles sample was characterized by UV-Vis, FT-IR spectroscopy, TGA, XRD, TEM/EDX, XPS and N2 adsorption at 77 K. CH4 and CO2 adsorption experiments were carried out at 298 K in a range between 0-10 bar. It was observed that the amount of gas adsorbed on the surface of the nanostructure is very small in comparison with other materials traditionally used for this purpose but slightly higher than those obtained in naked nanoparticles evaluated in previous studies.

Due to its intriguing applications across a wide range of industries, nanotechnology is generating a lot of interest globally. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles are one type of nanoparticle (NP) that is commonly utilised in everyday use and can be produced using a variety of physical, chemical, and environmentally friendly techniques. Green synthesis is an economical, environmentally benign, and non-toxic method of synthesising NPs. Under normal circumstances, the application of TiO2 greatly enhanced the plants' shoot length, leaf area, and root dry weight. These growth-promoting factors coincided with elevated proline, soluble sugar, and chlorophyll B levels as well as improved antioxidant enzyme activity. Thus, higher levels of proline and other metabolites played a role in osmo-protection, while increased antioxidant enzyme activities helped to explain the observed decrease in hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde contents. Taken together, these factors significantly improved plant growth under salinity. TiO2 nanoparticles have demonstrated efficacy in treating contaminated water and have been shown to positively impact plant physiology, particularly in response to abiotic stresses. However, the reaction to these nanoparticles varies depending on characteristics such as metal species, type, size, shape, dose, duration of exposure, and other variables. One of the most popular nanomaterials in customer goods, agricultural, and energy industries is TiO2 NPs. Therefore, harm to ecosystems and living things will unavoidably result from high demand and widespread usage. Gaining more knowledge about the toxicity of TiO2 NP to living things could help with risk assessments and safe handling procedures for these nanoparticles. The synthesis of titanium oxide, its many uses, the toxicity of titanium dioxide nanoparticles, and their mode of toxicity are all summarised in this paper.

We present a simple strategy to generate a family of carbon dot/iron oxide nanoparticles (C/Fe-NPs) that relies on the thermal decomposition of iron (III) acetylacetonate in the presence of a highly fluorescent carbon-rich precursor, while polyethylene glycol serves as the passivation agent. By varying the molar ratio of the reactants, a series of C/Fe-NPs have been synthesized with tuneable elemental composition in terms of C, H, O, N, Fe. The quantum yield is enhanced from 6% to 9% as the carbon content increases from 27% to 36%, while the room temperature saturation magnetization is improved from 4.1 emu/g to 17.7 emu/g as the iron content is enriched from 17 to 31%. In addition, the C/Fe-NPs show excellent antimicrobial properties, minimal cytotoxicity and demonstrate promising bioimaging capabilities, thus showing great potential for the development of advanced diagnostic tools.

Green synthesis offers a superior alternative to traditional methods for producing metal and metal oxide nanoparticles. This approach is not only benign and safe but also cost-effective, scalable, and straightforward, operating under ambient conditions. Notable metals and metal oxide nanoparticles, such as manganese oxides, iron oxides, silver, and gold, have been produced using various bio-reductants derived from plant extracts. These biological agents not only expedite the reduction process but also stabilize the nanoparticles, serving dual roles as reducing and capping agents. This review presents the green synthesis of nanoparticles (NPs) obtained from biogenic wastes and plant extracts. The green-synthesized nanostructured MnO2 are evaluated as a potential photocatalyst for water treatment and as an electrode material in lithium-ion batteries and supercapacitors. The green-derived iron oxide nanoparticles are examined as promising antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-diabetic agents. Additionally, this review discusses the green synthesis of precious metal nanoparticles, specifically silver (Ag NPs) and gold (Au NPs), highlighting their potential medical applications in areas like antiviral treatments and cancer therapy.

Photothermal therapy (PTT) can overcome cancer treatment resistance by enhancing cell membrane permeability, facilitating drug accumulation, and promoting drug release within the tumor tissue. Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) have emerged as effective agents for PTT due to their unique properties and biocompatibility. Approved for the treatment of anemia, as MRI contrast agents, and as magnetic hyperthermia mediators, IONPs also offer excellent light-to-heat conversion and can be manipulated using external magnetic field for targeted accumulation in specific tissues. Optimizing parameters such as laser wavelength, power density, shape, size, iron oxidation state, functionalization, and concentration is crucial for IONPs effectiveness. In addition to PTT, IONPs enhance other cancer treatment modalities. They improve tumor oxygenation enhancing the efficacy of radiotherapy and photodynamic therapy. IONPs can also trigger ferroptosis, a programmed cell death pathway mediated by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation. Their magneto-mechanical effect can exert mechanical force on cancer cells to destroy tumors, minimizing damage to healthy tissues. This review outlines strategies for managing photothermal performance and PTT efficiency with iron oxide nanoparticles, as well as synergies with other cancer therapies.

Currently available DNA detection techniques frequently require compromises between simplicity, speed, accuracy, and cost. Here, we propose a simple, label-free and cost-effective DNA detection platform developed at screen printed carbon electrodes (SPCEs) modified with reduced graphene oxide (RGO) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). The preparation of the detection platform involved a two-step electrochemical procedure based on GO reduction onto SPCEs followed by the electrochemical reduction of HAuCl4 to facilitate the post-grafting reaction with AuNPs. The final sensor was fabricated by the simple physical adsorption of a single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) probe onto AuNPs-RGO/SPCE electrode. Each preparation step was confirmed by morphological and structural characterization using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, respectively. Furthermore, the electrochemical properties of the modified electrodes have been investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The results demonstrated that the introduction of AuNPs onto RGO/SPCEs led to an enhancement in surface conductivity, characteristic that favored an increased sensitivity in detection. The detection process relied on the change in the electrochemical signal induced by the binding of target DNA to the bioreceptor, and was monitored particularly by the change in the charge transfer resistance of a [Fe(CN)6]4−/3− redox couple added in the test solution.

Artemisia absinthium (A. absinthium) leaf extract was successfully used to create zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs), and their properties were investigated via several techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and UV–Vis spectroscopy. SEM analysis confirmed the spherical and elliptical shapes of the particles. Three different zinc peaks were observed via EDX at energies of 1, 8.7, and 9.8 keV, together with a single oxygen peak at 0.5 keV. XRD analysis identified ZnO NPs as having a hexagonal wurtzite structure with a particle size that decreased from 24.39 to 18.77 nm, and with an increasing surface area (BET) from 4.003 to 6.032 m2/g for the ZnO (without extract) and green ZnO NPs, respectively. FTIR analysis confirmed the groups of molecules that were accountable for stabilizing and minimizing the ZnO NPs, which was apparent at 3400 cm. Using UV–Vis spectroscopy, the band gap energies (Egs) for the green ZnO and ZnO (without extract) NPs were estimated, and the values were 2.65 and 2.79 eV, respectively.

Recent advancements in nanotechnology have led to the development of multifunctional iron oxide nanoparticles, presenting new opportunities in cancer therapy. This study aimed to synthesize and evaluate citric acid-coated/ folic acid conjugated nanoparticles loaded with doxorubi-cin and investigate their efficacy in experimental tumor models. For synthesis, controlled co-precipitation method was employed to produce highly dispersive, multifunctional nanofluids with a narrow size distribution of iron oxide nanoparticles. Nanoparticles were characterized using Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and Electrophoretic Light Scattering (ELS) for size distribution and zeta potential, X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) for structure and morphology, Vibrating Sample Magnetometry (VSM) for magnetic properties, and UV-Visible (UV-Vis) and Fourier-Transform Infra-red (FTIR) spectroscopy for modification confirmation. In vitro experiments employed RM1 (prostate cancer) and MEC1 (Chronic lymphocytic leukemia) cell lines to assess cytotoxicity and drug delivery efficiency. Fluorescence microscopy confirmed the intracellular delivery of doxorubicin by these nanoparticles, highlighting their potential for targeted therapy. As a result, nanoparticles conjugated with folic acid showed reduced efficacy over time. This study underscores the critical role of nanoparticle modifications in optimizing therapeutic outcomes. Future research should focus on further refining nanoparticle formulations and long-term effects in vivo, for development of effective and safe agents for targeted cancer treatment.

We report the production of metal oxide (TiFe₂O₄, ZnFe₂O₄) nanoparticles by pulsed laser ablation technique in liquid environment. We used nano second Nd: YAG laser systems working at 532 nm and 1064 nm of wavelength, the energy of the laser beam was kept constant at 80 mJ. Absorbance spectra, surface plasmon resonance, optical band-gap and nanoparticle morphology were investigated using ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Changing the wavelength of the laser for growth, nanoparticles shown shift between the absorbance and surface plasmon resonance peaks in their UV-Vis spectra, this implies that the optical properties of the colloid nanoparticles depends on laser parameters, this was confirmed with the variation of the band gap energy. Furthermore, red shift for the absorbance peak was observed for samples as-growth at 532 nm around the 150 nm as function of time preparation. Whereas, for the samples as-growth at 1064 nm there is no shift in the absorbance spectra, this can be due to agglomeration and formation of larger particles. The characterization results shown appropriate plasmonic photo-catalysts properties of the particles, hence the photo activation of the nanoparticles was examined on antibacterial effect using colonies of Staphylococcus Aureus and Escherichia coli.

Copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs) were synthesized using an eco-friendly method and their antimicrobial and biocompatibility properties were determined. The supernatant and extract of the fungus Ganoderma sessile yielded small, quasi-spherical NPs with an average size of 4.5 ± 1.9 nm and 5.2 ± 2.1 nm, respectively. CuONPs showed antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for E. coli and S. aureus was 15.9 µg/mL for nanoparticles (NPs) using the supernatant (CuONPs-S) and 16.5 µg/ml for NPs using the extract (CuONPs-E). Lower concentrations were required for P. aeruginosa inhibition. Ultrastructural analysis revealed the presence of the small CuONPs all through the bacterial cells. Finally, the toxicity of CuONPs was analyzed in three mammalian cell lines: hepatocytes (AML-12), macrophages (RAW 264.7) and kidney (MDCK). Low concentrations (<15 µg/ml) of CuONPs-E were non-toxic to kidney cells and macrophages, and the hepatocytes were the most susceptible to CuONPs-S. The results obtained suggest that the CuONPs synthesized using the extract of the fungus G. sessile, could be further evaluated for the treatment of superficial infectious diseases.

Magnetic nanoparticles based on iron oxides (MNPs-Fe) with magnetite or maghemite phases have been widely employed in bio-applications. Thus, they have been used as contrast agents in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and oncological treatments through different therapies. Besides, due to the vast health problem of multidrug-resistant bacterial infections, several studies have proposed MNPs-Fe as photothermal agents (PTAs) within antibacterial photothermal therapy (PTT). This work presents a quick and easy green synthesis (GS) to obtain MNPs-Fe using orange peel extract from orange waste from local commerce, which presents an environmentally friendly approach compared to traditional methods such as coprecipitation. The GS can be irradiated with microwaves to reduce the synthesis time drastically. We evaluated the weight yield of the GS and the physical-chemical and magnetic features of the synthesized MNPs-Fe. Besides their cytotoxicity in animal cell line ATCC RAW 264.7, their antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus Aureus (S. Aureus) and Escherichia Coli (E. Coli) was assessed. We found that the MNPs-Fe synthesized using the GS, with 50% v/v of NH4OH and 50% v/v of orange peel extract (50GS-MNPs-Fe) had an excellent weight yield, negligible cytotoxicity for concentrations of MNPs-Fe below 250 µg·mL-1 in 24 hours, and 8 days. In the MNPs-Fe surface, we identified a coating of organic molecules (~ 25 nm) such as terpenes, aldehydes, etc. MNPs-Fe inhibited S. Aureus and 2.54 log10 (CFU) of E. Coli under red LED light irradiation (630 nm, 65.5 mW·cm-2, 30 min). Likewise, they exhibited a superparamagnetic (SPM) behavior for temperatures above 60 K, with a size of 49.3±9.6 nm and saturation magnetization (Ms) of 72.83 and 44.16 emu·g-1 at 60 and 300 K, respectively. Therefore, 50GS-MNPs-Fe are excellent candidates as broad-spectrum PTAs in antibacterial PTT, magnetic hyperthermia (MH), or MRI.

We prepared heterogeneous alumina-silicate glasses by consolidating nanoparticles using molecular dynamics simulations. Consolidated glasses from either low alumina content alumina-silicate glasses or high alumina content alumina-silicate glasses show significantly improved ductility around consolidation pressure of ~3 GPa. The introduced structural heterogeneities, namely over-coordinated network formers and their neighboring oxygen atoms, are identified as plasticity carriers due to their high rearrangement propensity. In addition, consolidated oxide glass from both 23.4Al₂O₃76.6SiO₂ and 73.1Al₂O₃26.9SiO₂ nanoparticles show improved flow strength (up to 1 GPa) due to the introduction of chemical heterogeneities. Last but not least, apparent hardening behavior appears upon cold work in consolidated glasses, with an increase of yield strength from ~3.3 GPa to ~6.4 GPa. This method is a big advancement toward ultra-strong and ultra-tough glasses by breaking the structure, composition and size limitations in traditional melt-quench process.

In this study, the influence of graphene oxide nanoparticles on the bond-slip behavior of fiber and fly ash based geopolymer paste was examined. Geopolymer paste incorporating graphene oxide nanoparticles solution was cast in half briquetted specimens and embedded with a fiber. Three types of fibers were used: steel, polypropylene, and basalt. The pullout test was performed at two distinct speeds: 1 mm/second and 3 mm/second. Results showed that the addition of graphene oxide increased the compressive strength of geopolymer by about 7%. The bond-slip responses of fibers embedded in geopolymer mixed with graphene oxide exhibited higher peak stress and toughness as compared to those embedded in normal geopolymer. Each fiber type also showed different mode of failure. Both steel and polypropylene fibers showed full bond-slip responses due to their high ductility. Basalt fiber, on the other hand, because of its brittleness, failed by fiber fracture mode which showed no-slip in pull out responses. Both bond strength and toughness were found to be rate sensitive. The sensitivity was higher in graphene oxide/geopolymer than in conventional geopolymer.

In this changing world, we all are surrounded by the surmountable risk of getting injured. Amongst various risk factors, major burns are the most distressing and catastrophic. Burn wounds are not easy to heal via natural healing process and ultimately ended up with scar formation. If the degree of burn is high then the loss of tissue and its function is very common. To fasten-up the natural burn wound healing; zinc, an essential trace element is found to be very much effective. But due to its’ particle size limitation, less contact with wounded cells and tissues, and high inherent toxicity restrict its use. Needlessly, zinc is an element with dual action i.e. both antimicrobial and wound healing it is a prime choice to apply its aptitude in burn wound healing. To overcome the documented limitations zinc has converted to nanoparticle form. Zinc oxide nanoparticles, in particular, have attained ample of interest due to their unique properties and potential antimicrobial activity along with wound healing activity which makes it promising for the healing of topical burn wounds. Plant mediated green synthesis of nano-metal oxide particles is gaining a lot of significance due to its simplicity, eco-friendliness and extensive antimicrobial activity and recommended as an appealing substitute to not only physical methods but also chemical methods avoiding the use of the high rate of toxic chemicals and extreme surroundings. This study includes ZnO NPs role in burn wound healing with Phyto-mediated synthesis methods to provide evidence of their potential applications. Additionally, it provides an overview of traditional methods used for the synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles and characterization techniques to obtain information concerning the size, shape and optical properties along with toxicity and safety concern of ZnO NPs and its biomedical applications.

Many stable water dispersions of various chemical compositions containing bioactive chemical compounds: copper silicate, titanium dioxide and zinc oxide (and other auxiliary substances) were developed and fabricated - they were used for preparation of thin hybrid coatings having very good antimicrobial properties against gram negative bacteria (Escherichia coli), gram positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus) and yeast fungus (Candida albicans). Polyester (PES) nonwovens were modified by dip-coating, and PES and cotton fabrics - by dip-coating and coating methods.

Background: We investigated the effect of bioactive glass and zinc oxide nanoparticles on enamel remineralization, as well as their antibacterial effect on cariogenic bacteria. Methods: Fluoride gel (F), bioactive glass microparticles (µB), bioactive glass nanoparticles (nB), zinc oxide nanoparticles (Z), and a mixed suspension of nB and Z (nBZ) were prepared and subjected to the following tests: morphological evaluation by scanning and transmission electron microscopy, measurement of specific surface area, zeta potential measurement, crystal structure analysis by X-ray diffraction, and acid buffering capacity test. Further, we performed a remineralization cycle test of 28 days and a nanoindentation testing was carried out during the immersion period and then the enamel surfaces were examined using scanning electron microscopy. Additionally, the antibacterial effects of the sample suspensions were evaluated by measuring their minimum bactericidal concentrations against various cariogenic bacteria. Results: Our results revealed that nB had a near-circular shape with an amorphous structure, a considerably large specific surface area due to nanoparticulation. Additionally, nB possessed a rapid acid buffering capacity, which was comparable to that of μB. In the remineralization test, faster recovery of mechanical properties was observed on the enamel surface immersed in samples containing bioactive glass nanoparticles (nB and nBZ). After remineralization, demineralized enamel immersed in any of the samples showed a rough and porous surface structure covered with mineralized structures. Furthermore, nBZ exhibited a broad antibacterial spectrum. Conclusions: These results demonstrated that bioactive glass and zinc oxide nanoparticles have superior demineralization-suppressing and remineralization-promoting effects.

The increasing prevalence of multidrug-resistant pathogens (MDR), persistent biofilms, oxidative stress, and cancerous cell proliferation pose significant challenges in healthcare and environmental settings, highlighting the urgent need for innovative and sustainable therapeutic solutions. The exploration of nanotechnology, particularly the use of green-synthesized nanoparticles, offers a promising avenue to address these complex biological challenges due to their multifunctional properties and biocompatibility. Utilizing a green synthesis approach, Mauritia flexuosa Mf-AgONPs were synthesized and characterized exhibiting potent antibacterial effects against both non-resistant and MDR bacterial strains, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging from 11.25 to 45 µg/mL. Mf-AgONPs also demonstrated significant antifungal efficacy, particularly against Candida glabrata, with a MIC of 5.63 µg/mL. Moreover, the nanoparticles showed strong biofilm inhibition capabilities and substantial antioxidant properties, underscoring their potential to combat oxidative stress. Additionally, Mf-AgONPs exhibited pronounced anti-tumor properties against various cancer cell lines, displaying low IC50 values across various cancer cell lines while maintaining minimal hemolytic activity at therapeutic concentrations. These findings suggest that Mf-AgONPs synthesized via an eco-friendly approach offer a promising alternative for biomedical applications, including antimicrobial, antifungal, antioxidant, and anticancer therapies, warranting further in vivo studies to fully exploit their therapeutic potential.

Iron oxide nanoparticles are widely used as contrast agent for MRI and may be used as therapeutic agent by magnetic hyperthermia if they display a high magnetic anisotropy. Considering the effect of the nanoparticles shape on anisotropy, the reproducible shape control of nanoparticles is currently a challenge of synthesis methods. By investigating reaction parameters which are the iron precursor structure, the water content and the amount of the surfactant, sodium oleate, reported to trigger the cubic shape, iron oxide nanoparticles with different shape and composition were observed to form. In particular, iron oxide nanoplates have been thus synthesized. The effect of the surfactant coming from precursor was taking into account by using in house iron stearates bearing either two or three stearate chains and the negative effect of water on shape was confirmed by considering these precursors after their dehydration. Nanocubes with straight faces and a FeO@Fe3-xO4 composition were obtained only with dehydrated precursors and 50% of sodium oleate in the oleic acid and sodium oleate surfactant mixtures. When iron stearates with three chains led mainly to nanocubes in presence of soduim oleate, Iron stearates with two chains led to the formation of nanoplates with 80% of sodium oleate. The original flat shape of the plates was confirmed with 3D TEM tomography. The investigation of the synthesis mechanisms confirmed the major role of deprotonated carboxylic acid and of the heating rate to drive the cubic shape of nanoparticles and showed that the nanoplate formation would depend mainly on the nucleation step and possibly on the presence of a given ratio of oleic acid and deprotonated carboxylic acid.

In this investigation, the impact of reducing agent concentration on the synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles was examined. During the synthesis, an assessment of ionic conductivity was carried out, revealing a significant increase in conductivity prior to the introduction of the reducing agent, followed by a sharp decrease upon its addition. Characterization of the ZnO NPs involved UV-visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier Infrared Spectroscopy, and X-Ray Diffraction analysis. The outcomes suggest that the characteristics of the ZnO NPs are influenced by the concentration of the reducing agent during the synthesis process. Notably, the ZnO NPs synthesized with a higher concentration of reducing agent exhibited a narrower optical band gap and increased surface energy. Furthermore, employing a concentration of 0.5 v/v resulted in the rapid production of nanoparticles with relatively uniform sizes. Conversely, concentrations below 0.5 v/v lead to slow formation, while concentrations exceeding 0.5 v/v yielded non-uniform nanoparticles.

Hydrogen sulfide is present in active or extinct volcanic areas (mofettas). The habitable premises in these areas are affected by the presence of hydrogen sulfide, which, even in low concentrations, gives off a bad to unbearable smell. If the living spaces considered are closed enclosures, then a system can be designed to reduce the concentration of hydrogen sulfide. This paper presents a membrane way to reduce the hydrogen sulfide concentration to acceptable limits using a cellulosic derivative-propylene hollow fiber based composite membrane module. The cellulosic derivatives considered were carboxymethyl–cellulose (NaCMC), cellulose acetate (CA), methyl 2–hydroxyethyl–cellulose (MHEC), and 2–hydroxyethyl–cellulose (HEC). In the permeation module, hydrogen sulfide is captured with a solution of cadmium that forms cadmium sulfide, usable as a luminescent substance. The composite membranes were characterized by SEM, EDAX, FTIR, FTIR 2D maps, thermal analysis (TG and DSC) and from the perspective of hydrogen sulfide air removal performance. To determine the process performances, the variables were: the nature of the cellulosic derivative–polypropylene hollow fiber composite membrane, the concentration of hydrogen sulfide in the polluted air, the flow rate of polluted air, and the pH of the cadmium nitrate solution. Pertraction efficiency was maximum for the sodium carboxymethyl–cellulose (NaCMC)-polypropylene hollow fiber membrane, a hydrogen sulfide concentration in the polluted air of 20 ppm, polluted air flow rate of 50 L/min, and a pH of 2 and 4.

ZnO films with Ti atoms incorporated (TZO) in a wide range (0-18 at. %) have been grown by reactive co-sputtering on silicon and glass substrates. The influence of the titanium incorporation in the ZnO matrix on the structural and optical characteristics of the samples has been determined by Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (RBS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results indicate that the samples with low Ti content (< 4 at. %) exhibit the wurtzite-like structure, with the Ti+4 ions substitutionally incorporated into the ZnO structure, forming Ti-doped ZnO films. In particular, very low concentration of Ti (<0.9 at. %) leads to a significant increase of the crystallinity of the TZO samples. Higher Ti contents give rise to a progressive amorphization of the wurtzite-like structure so samples with high Ti content (≥18at. %), displays an amorphous structure indicating the XPS analysis a predominance of Ti-O-Zn mixed oxides. The energy gap, obtained from absorption spectrophotometry, increases from 3.2 eV for pure ZnO films to 3.6 eV for those with the highest Ti content. Ti incorporation in the ZnO samples below 0.9 at. % rises both, the blue (380 nm) and green (550 nm) bands of the photoluminescence (PL) emission, thereby indicating a significant improvement of PL efficiency of the samples.

The growing interest in heat-conducting nanofluids requires highly sensitive methods for analyzing thermal properties. Thermal-lens spectrometry, despite its advantages over classical methods, does not have a general approach to measuring and interpreting results for dispersed systems. In this paper, by the example of nanofluids of silicon oxide in water in a wide range of concentrations and sizes, the selection of measurement parameters for transient and steady-state thermal lensing is justified, and the interpretation of the results of thermal diffusivity measurements is substantiated. The features of measurements of thermal diffusivity by thermal lens spectrometry under stationary state for dispersed systems are considered. Using this approach, it is possible to detect and distinguish thermal effects with high accuracy. For dispersions of silicon oxide, with increasing concentration, the thermal diffusivity passes through a minimum. Silicon oxide dispersions can be used both as a coolant or as a heat-removing liquid by selecting the particle size and concentration.

Arsenic (As) is the most poisonous metalloid with negative effects on the plant and ecosystem. In the current study, observed that iron oxide nanoparticles (NPs) affected the molecular features of rice under arsenic (As) stress. The result showed that 1-D electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) demonstrated variable expression of protein profiles. The polypeptide pattern was altered in the SDS-PAGE under arsenic stress. The findings also showed that low molecular weight polypeptides (MTs) expression was maximum under arsenic stress, while iron oxide NPs decreased the expression of these polypeptides and reduced the arsenic stress. RT-PCR was used to analyse the expression of the MYB transcriptional factor, WRKY, and OsGF14 genes in the rice plant. The results showed that these genes were up-regulated in response to arsenic stress, iron oxide NPs reduced arsenic stress, and Myeloblastosis (MYB), WRKY, and OsGF14 genes had very low expression levels. Our work showed that iron oxide nanoparticles (NPs) not only reduced the effects of arsenic stress but also decreased the expression of stress-related genes and metallothioneins (MTs).

In this study, a novel absorbable hemostatic agent was developed using carrageenan (CRG) as a natural polymer and cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2 NPs).  CRG-CeO2-0.5 and CRG-CeO2-1 composites were prepared by compositing CRG and CeO2 at a weight ratio of 200:1 and 100:1, respectively. Physio-chemical and structural properties of these compounds were studied and compared with pristine CRG. Upon incorporation of CeO2 nanoparticles into the CRG matrix, significant reductions in hydrogel degradation were observed. In addition, it was noted that CRG-CeO2 exhibited better antibacterial and hemostatic properties than CRG hydrogel without CeO2.The biocompatibility of the materials was tested using the NIH 3T3 cell line and all samples were found to be nontoxic. Particularly, CRG-CeO2-1 demonstrated superior hemostatic effects, biocompatibility, and a lower degradation rate since more CeO2 Nps were present in the CRG matrix. Therefore, CRG-CeO2-1 has the potential to be used as a hemostatic agent and wound dressing.

Ti and its alloys are the most commonly used materials for biomedical applications. However, bacterial infection after implant placement is still one of the significant rising complications. Therefore, the application of the antimicrobial agents into implant surfaces to prevent implant-associated infection has attracted lots of attention. Scientific papers have shown that inorganic antibacterial metal element (e.g. Ag, Cu, Zn) can be introduced to implant surfaces with the addition of metal nanoparticles or metallic compounds into electrolyte via micro-arc oxidation (MAO) technology. In this review, the effects of the composition and concentration of electrolyte and process parameters (e.g. voltage, current density, oxidation time) on morphological characteristics (e.g. surface morphology, bonding strength), antibacterial ability and biocompatibility of MAO antimicrobial coating were discussed in detail. Anti-infection and osseo-integration can be simultaneously accomplished with the selection of the proper antibacterial elements and operating parameters. Besides, MAO assisted by magnetron sputtering (MS) to endow Ti-based implant materials with superior antibacterial ability and biocompatibility was also discussed. Finally, the development trend of MAO technology in the future was forecasted.

Fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith, 1797) is a major pest of corn, rice, and sorghum among other crops usually controlled using synthetic or biological insecticides. Currently, the new invention of nanotechnology is taking root in the agricultural industry as an alternative source of pest management that is target-specific, safe, and efficient. This study sought to determine the efficacy of commercial Zinc Oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) towards S. frugiperda under labora-tory conditions. ZnO NPs were diluted into different concentrations (100- 500ppm), where the baby corn used to feed the S. frugiperda larvae was dipped. The development of the insect feeding on food dipped in ZnO solution was significantly (p<0.05) affected, and the number of days that the insect took to complete its life cycle had a significant difference compared to the control. There was a significant difference in the adults’ emergence at all the concentrations of ZnO NPs compared to the control, with over 90% of the eggs successfully going through the cycle until adult emergence. Additionally, several malformations were observed throughout the lifecycle of the insect. Also, the fecundity of the females was greatly affected. The findings of this study suggest the possibility of exploitation of ZnO nanoparticles not only to eradicate S. frugiperda but to significantly reduce their population in the ecosystem through deformations, reduced fecundity, reduced oviposition, and hatchability of eggs. It will be a valuable tool in integrated pest management regimens.

Hybrid materials derived adsorbents have showed a great applicable efficiency in various fields including industrial uses and environmental remediation. Herein, the zinc oxide nanoparticles anchored carbon (ZnO-C) is fabricated and utilized for wastewater treatment by adsorption of Zn(II), Cd(II), Co(II) and Mn(II). The surface and structural characteristics are examined by TEM, SEM, XRD, FTIR, EDS and BET surface area. The Kinetics and equilibrium investigations are applied to optimize the adsorptive removal of Zn(II), Cd(II), Co(II) and Mn(II) onto ZnO-C. Results indicated formation of ZnO-C in crystalline spherical granules with nano-size between 29.3 and 48.8 nm. In addition, the spherical granules are gathered to form clusters. The FTIR indicated that the ZnO-C surface is rich with OH groups and ZnO. The adsorption capacity is reported as 212, 209, 200 and 230 mg/L for Zn(II), Cd(II), Co(II) and Mn(II) respectively. The optimum condition for maximum adsorption were pH between 5 and 6, contact time of 180 min and adsorbent dose of 0.1 g/L. The adsorptive removal data modeling for uptake of Zn(II), Cd(II), Co(II) and Mn(II) onto ZnO-C showed agreement with the assumption of pseudo 2nd order kinetic model and Freundlich isotherm suggesting fast adsorption rate and multilayer mechanism. The achieved adsorption capacity using the prepared ZnO-C is more effective compared to ZnO, carbon, Fe3O4 and Fe3O4-C. Real wastewater samples are applied including valley water, industrial wastewater and rain wastewater and evaluated for applicable uptake of Zn(II), Cd(II), Co(II) and Mn(II) using ZnO-C and Fe3O4-C with high efficiency.

Accumulation of proteins in filter membranes limits the efficiently of filtering technologies for cleaning wastewater. Efforts are ongoing to coat commercial filters with different materials (such as titanium-dioxide, TiO2) in order to reduce the fouling of the membrane. Beyond monitoring the desired effect of retention of biomolecules, it is demanding to understand what are the biophysical changes in water-soluble proteins caused by interacting with the new coated filter membranes, an aspect that has received little attention so far. Using spin label electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), aided with native fluorescent spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering (DLS), here we report the changes in the structure and dynamics of bovine serum albumin (BSA) exposed to TiO2 (P25) nanoparticles or passing through commercial polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membranes coated with the same nanoparticles. We have found that the filtering process and prolongued exposure to TiO2 nanoparticles had significant effects on different regions of BSA, and denaturation of the protein was not observed, neither with TiO2 nanoparticles nor by pressing through TiO2-coated filter membranes.

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2NPs) are used in products that are applied to the human body, such as cosmetics and food, but their biocompatibility remains controversial. Pycnogenol (PYC), a natural extract of pine bark, exerts anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. In this study, we investigated whether PYC effectively alleviates pulmonary toxicity induced by airway exposure to TiO2NPs, and the beneficial effects of PYC were explained through the analysis of changes to the mechanism of cytotoxicity. TiO2NPs induced pulmonary inflammation and mucus production, increased the levels of malondialdehyde, and upregulated thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) and cleaved-caspase 3 (Cas3) in the lungs of mice. However, PYC treatment reduced the levels of all toxicity markers of TiO2NPs and restored glutathione levels. These antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of PYC were also demonstrated in TiO2NP-exposed human airway epithelial cells by increasing the mRNA levels of antioxidant enzymes and decreasing the expression of TXNIP, cleaved-Cas3, and inflammatory mediators. Taken together, our results showed that PYC attenuated TiO2NP-induced lung injury via TXNIP downregulation. Therefore, our results suggest the potential of PYC as an effective anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent against TiO2NP-induced pulmonary toxicity.

The goal of this research is to determine the optimal microwave-assisted sol-gel synthesis pa-rameters of TiO2 nanoparticles with the achievement of the crystalline TiO2 nanoparticles with the highest specific surface area and the lowest energy band gap. Titanium isopropoxide was used as a precursor to prepare the sol (colloidal solution) of TiO2, isopropanol as a solvent, acetylacetone for complexation, and nitric acid as a catalyst. Four samples of titanium dioxide were synthesized from the prepared colloidal solution in a microwave reactor at a temperature of 150 °C for 30 minutes and at a temperature of 200 °C for 10, 20, and 30 minutes. The phase composition of the prepared samples was determined by X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherms were used to determine the spe-cific surface area and pore size distributions by Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) method. The band gap energy values of the TiO2 samples were determined by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). CrystallineTiO2 nanoparticles with the highest specific surface area and the lowest energy band gap were obtained for the TiO2 sample synthesized at 200 °C for 10 minutes.

Medical imaging is an active field of research that fosters the necessity for novel multimodal imaging probes. In this line, nanoparticle-based contrast agents are of special interest, since those can host functional entities either within their interior, reducing potential toxic effects of the imaging tracers, and on their surface, providing high payloads of probes, due to their large surface-to-volume ratio. The long-term stability of the particles in solution is an aspect usually under-tackled during probe design in research laboratories, since their performance is generally tested briefly after synthesis. This may jeopardize a later translation into practical medical devices, due to stability reasons. To dig into the effects of nanoparticle aging in solution, respect to their behavior in vivo, iron oxide stealth nanoparticles were used at two stages (3 weeks vs. 9 months in solution), analyzing their biodistribution in mice. Both sets of nanoprobes showed similar sizes, zeta potentials and morphology, as observed by DLS and TEM but, fresh nanoparticles accumulated in the kidneys after systemic administration, while aged ones accumulated in liver and spleen, confirming an enormous effect of particle aging on their in vivo behavior, despite barely noticeable changes perceived on a simple inspection of their structural integrity.

The regulation of cell death is a fundamental issue in cell biology and continues to be intensely investigated worldwide. The significance of research in this field persists because understanding the determinants of cell lifespan directly impacts the maintenance of multicellular organism homeostasis and, consequently, is crucial for addressing biomedical challenges associated with various diseases. It is recognized that the initiation of cell death can be prompted by both specific signals (such as cytokines or hormones) and nonspecific stimuli, including radiation, temperature increase, or oxidants. When these factors affect a cell, numerous signaling pathways are triggered in the cell, leading to neutralization of the effects of their negative effects or, in case of irreparable damage, to cell elimination. This removal of damaged cells occurs through apoptosis or programmed cell death, a highly regulated process. Numerous signaling molecules participate in orchestrating the apoptotic process, many of which also govern other essential functions within the organism. Physiological factors capable of triggering the apoptotic program in cells include nitric oxide (NO), which serves as one of the key signaling molecules regulating the functions of the cardiovascular, nervous, and immune systems of the organism. The unique chemical nature of NO, along with its numerous intracellular targets and physiologically active redox forms, raises questions about the specific mechanisms through which NO exerts its damaging effects on cells. Utilizing pharmacological preparations- such as sources (donors) of exogenous nitric oxide- represents an approach to investigating the initiation and execution of the apoptotic program in sensitive target cells. Furthermore, this approach holds promise as a direction for discovering new selective drugs.

Intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) operation provides numerous advantages such as high combined heat and power (CHP) efficiency, potentially long-term materials stability, and the use of low-cost materials. However, due to the sluggish kinetics of the oxygen reduction reaction at intermediate temperature, the cathode of SOFC requires an efficient and stable catalyst. Significant progress in the development of cathode materials has been made over recent years. In this article, multiple strategies for improving the performance of cathode materials have been extensively reviewed such as A and B site doping of perovskites, infiltration of catalytic active materials, the use of core-shell composites, etc. Emphasis has been given to intrinsic properties such as thermal expansion compatibility, chemical and thermal stability, and oxygen transport number. Furthermore, to avoid any insulating phase formation at the cathode/electrolyte interface, strategies for interfacial layer modifications have also been extensively reviewed and summarized. Based on major technical challenges, future research directions have been proposed for efficient and stable intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) operation.

In order to establish the formation patterns of the Co–Mg oxide system, samples with different Co:Mg ratios and heat treatment temperatures were synthesized and studied. Study of the sam-ples confirmed the phase transition of MgxCo2–xO4 spinels into corresponding solid solutions at 800–900 °C. The similarity of formation patterns for different compositions is shown. The rock-salt oxide in low-temperature samples is an anion-modified paracrystalline phase that forms a “true” solid solution only upon spinel decomposition. TPR profiles of decomposed Co3O4 spinel show surface Co3O4 peaks and a wide peak corresponding to well-crystallized CoO, while par-tial Co3O4 TPR up to 380 °C results in dispersed and amorphous CoO. High-temperature non-stoichiometric samples are poorly reduced, indicating their low oxygen reactivity. Spinel reoxidation after heat treatment to 1100 °C by calcination at 750 °C showed complete regenera-tion for MgCo2O4–Co3O4 samples and its absence in case of an excess of MgO relative to stoi-chiometry. Based on the data obtained, it can be concluded that the processes governing the formation of Co–Mg oxide systems are determined by both Co:Mg ratio and the heat treatment conditions, potentially providing the possibility of fine tuning for specific catalytic processes.

The introduction on Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnOn) in sunscreens solved the issue of poor spreadability of these formulations, which often left a white film on the skin. However, safety concerns have arisen regarding the topical application of ZnOn. Some studies employed commercial sunscreens to address the safety issues of the topical application of ZnOn; however, commercial formulations are often complex and contain a wide range of ingredients that could attenuate the potential damage caused by the ZnOn. Therefore, in this study we aimed to develop a simple stable formulation containing 20% of coated and uncoated ZnOn, characterize the formulations and the nanoparticles, and assess the skin penetration in Franz diffusion cell. The Feret's diameter for the uncoated and coated ZnOn was 137 nm and 134 nm, respectively. For the uncoated ZnOn the hydrodynamic size in water was 368 nm and for the coated ZnOn, the average hydrodynamic size in ethyl acetate was 135 nm. The incorporation of ZnOn led to formulations more consistent and easier to spread, as suggested by the lower work of shear and higher values of firmness, cohesiveness, consistency and index of viscosity compared with the vehicle. The stability assessment at 45ºC suggested that the formulations containing the ZnOn were stable for 30 days and the vehicle was stable for 90 days. The assessment off the skin penetration by reflectance confocal laser microscopy indicated that the formulations did not permeate into the deepest layers of the skin, but accumulated on the skin furrows, hair and hair follicle.

Non-viral gene carriers because of their limited side effects, biocompatibility, simplicity and taking the advantages of electrostatic interactions have shown noticeable potential in gene delivery. The low transfection rate of non-viral vectors under physiological conditions is a significant issue. Here, the aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of hydrophilic and hydrophobic groups on gene carriers such as two synthesized amphiphilic polymer of dextran-stearic acid-spermine (DSASP) with verified lipid and amine conjugations that associated with Fe3O4 superparamagnetic nanoparticles to promote the target delivery and decrease the transfection time using static magnetic field. Our findings illustrate that magnetic nanoparticles are spherical with positive surface charges and superparamagnetic behaviors. The DSASP–pDNA/MNPs offered a strong pDNA condensation, protection against DNase degradation, significant cell viability in HEK 293T cells and. Although conjugations of spermine play a critical role in transfection efficiency, amphiphilic polymer with more derivatives of stearic acid showed better transfection yields. Therefore, DSASP amphiphilic magnetic carriers offer new insights for gene delivery due to the amine contents and ameliorate the uptake of complexes via cell membrane based on its hydrophilic surface.

Graphene-based composites have been widely explored for electrode and electrocatalyst materials for electrochemical energy systems. In this paper, a novel composite material of the reduced graphene oxide nanosheets (rGON) with gold nanoparticles (NPs) (rGON-AuNP) is synthesized, and its morphology, structure and composition are characterized by SEM, HRTEM, XRD, EDX, FTIR, Raman, and UV-Vis techniques. To confirm this material’s electrochemical activity, a glucose oxidase (GOD) is chosen as the target reagent to modify the rGON-AuNP layer to form GOD/rGON-AuNP/glassy carbon (GC) electrode. Two pairs of distinguishable redox peaks, corresponding to the redox processes of two different conformational GOD on AuNP, are observed on the cyclic voltammograms of GOD/rGON-AuNP/GC electrode. Both cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy are employed to study the mechanism of direct electron transfer from GOD to GC electrode on the rGON-AuNP layer. In addition, this GOD/rGON-AuNP/GC electrode shows catalytic activity toward glucose oxidation reaction.

The article discusses the main technologies for processing titanium-containing raw materials, and the advantages and disadvantages of various technological solutions. The analysis of the literature review showed that the traditional schemes for the production of titanium products are mainly focused on the use of ilmenite concentrates. In connection with the depletion of ilmenite deposits, in the near future there will inevitably be a need to switch to the use of complex ores - titanomagnetites. The obtaining of titanium dioxide from titanomagnetite raw materials with a high content of impurity components requires an individual approach for each specific deposit. It is proposed to consider the possibilities of further improvement of the development of a technological process for low-temperature (1000-1200 oC) processing of titanomagnetite concentrates with the production of pure titanium dioxide.

The characteristics of gap plasmon formed by nanoparticle-on-mirror (NPOM) structure composed of metal nanoparticles (MNP) and metal thin films have aroused the interest of various optoelectronic devices. The resonant spectrum obtained by the internal coupling effect of gap can be flexibly controlled by the polarization of incident light and the thickness of the dielectric layer between MNP and metal thin films. We have theoretically studied the resonance spectra of polarization-dependent gold ellipsoidal nanoparticles (GENP) and gold thin films in the gap region of NPOM structures. GENP and gold thin films are separated by a dielectric layer with a refractive index of 1.36. We observe that the intensity of the local electric field resonance peak in the gap region is inversely proportional to the polarization angle. Similarly, the intensity of the local electric field resonance peak in the gap region is inversely proportional to the thickness of the dielectric layer. We have obtained more than 2200 V/m local electric field intensity (dielectric layer thickness 0.3nm). Finally, the resonant peak wavelength of the electric field in the gap region of the NPOM structure is also controlled by the polarization angle of the incident light and the thickness of the dielectric layer.

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the histological and biochemical ef-fects of capsaicin on implant osseointegration and oxidative stress. Materials and Methods: Male Wistar albino rats weighing between 250 and 300 grams were used in this study. Twenty-four rats were randomly divided into three equal groups: implant + control (n= 8), implant + capsai-cin-1 (n= 8), and implant + capsaicin-2 (n= 8). 2.5 mm diameter and 4 mm length titanium im-plants were surgically integrated into the corticocancellous bone parts of the femurs. In the treatment groups, rats were injected intraperitoneally with 25 mg/kg (implant + capsaicin-1) and 50 mg/kg (implant + capsaicin-2) of capsaicin. No additional applications were made in the con-trol group. Three rats in totally were died during and after the experiment, as a result of the an-alyzes performed on 21 animals. Results: The highest total antioxidant status value was found in capsaicin dose 2, according to the analysis. The control group had the highest total oxidant status and oxidative stress index values, while group 2 of capsaicin had the lowest. After analysis, we found that there was no observed positive effect on osteointegration in this study (p> 0.05), alt-hough the bone implant connection was higher in the groups treated with capsaicin. Conclusi-ons: A positive effect on osteointegration was not observed in this study. This may be due to os-teaclast activation. However it was found that it has a positive effect on oxidative stress. Osteo-clast activation may be the cause of this phenomenon. Capsaicin was found to have a positive effect on oxidative stress (p

Background/Aim: There is continuing interest in engineering esthetic labial archwires. The aim of this study was to coat nickel-titanium (NiTi) and beta-titanium (β-Ti), also known as titanium molybdenum (TMA), archwires by plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) and to analyze the characteristics of the PEO-surfaces. Materials and Methods: PEO-coatings were generated on 0.014-inch NiTi and 0.19x0.25-inch β-Ti archwires. The surfaces were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and stereomicroscopy. Cytocombability testing was performed with ceramized and untreated samples according to EN ISO 10993-5 in XTT-, BrdU- and LDH-assays. The direct cell impact was analyzed using LIVE-/DEAD-staining. In addition, the archwires were inserted in an orthodontic model and photographs were taken before and after insertion. Results: The PEO coatings were 15 to 20 µm thick and esthetically pleasing. The cytocompatibility analysis revealed good cytocompatibility results for both ceramized NiTi and β-Ti archwires. In the direct cell tests, the ceramized samples showed improved compatibility as compared to those of uncoated samples. However, bending of the archwires resulted in loss of the PEO-surfaces. Nevertheless, it was possible to insert the β-Ti PEO-coated archwire in an orthodontic model without loss of the PEO-ceramic. Conclusion: PEO is a promising technique for the generation of esthetic orthodontic archwires. Since the PEO-coating does not resist bending, its clinical use seems to be limited so far to orthodontic techniques using straight or pre-bended archwires.

Gymnema sylvestre is a pharmacological plant which has a rich source of bioactive compounds specifically gymnemic acid (GA) and phenolic compounds (PC) that used for pharmaceutical industries. Sources for naturally occurring bioactive compounds are limited, due to geographical and seasonal variations; on the other hand, it is commercially in demand. Biosynthesis of G. sylvestre phytochemicals through in vitro culture often enhanced by elicitation. The use of cell suspension cultures (CSC) has interested serious attention on the production of essential phytochemicals. The current study is aimed at improving the contents of GA and PC in G. sylvestre CSC using the copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs). Callus was obtained on MS medium with 2.0 mg/L 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), 0.1 mg/L kinetin (KIN), phytoagar (8.0 g/L), and sucrose (30 g/L). The above medium devoid of agar was used for the initiation of CSC. The CSC was treated with three levels of CuO NPs (1, 3 or 5 mg/L) to enhance the production of GA and PC. The greatest amount of GA (89.25 mg/g dry cell mass, DCM), total phenolic (245.10 mg/g), and flavonoid (4.57 mg/g) in CSC were achieved when G. sylvestre cells were treated for 48 h with 3 mg/L CuO NPs. Also, the biomedical potential (antioxidant, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal and anticancer activities) were also high in the CuO NPs (3 mg/L) treated CSC extracts of G. sylvestre. CuO NPs elicitation of CSC significantly increased production of GA (9-fold), and PC than non-elicited CSC in G. sylvestre.

Sentinel lymph node dissection (sLND) using a magnetometer and superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) as a tracer was successfully applied in prostate cancer (PCa). Radioisotope-guided sLND combined with extended pelvic LND (ePLND) achieved better node removal, increasing the number of affected nodes or the detection of sentinel lymph nodes outside the established ePLND template. We determined the diagnostic value of additional magnetometer-guided sLND after intraprostatic SPION-injection in high-risk PCa. This retrospective study included 104 high-risk PCa patients (PSA >20 ng/ml and/or Gleason score ≥8 and/or cT2c) from a prospective cohort who underwent radical prostatectomy with magnetometer-guided sLND and ePLND. The diagnostic accuracy of sLND was assessed using ePLND as a reference standard. Lymph node metastases were found in 61 of 104 patients (58.7%). sLND had a 100% diagnostic rate, 96.6% sensitivity, 95.6% specificity, 96.6% positive predictive value, 95.6% negative predictive value, 3.4% false negative rate, and 4.4% false positive rate (detecting lymph node metastases outside the ePLND template). These findings demonstrate the high sensitivity and additional diagnostic value of magnetometer-guided sLND, exceeding that of ePLND through the individualized extension of PLND or the detection of sentinel lymph nodes / lymph node metastases outside the established node template in high-risk PCa.

DFT calculations on the photoisomerization reactions of pyridazine N-oxide derivatives are presented. The irradiation of 3,6-diphenylpyridazine N-oxide allowed to obtain the first excited singlet state that underwent to a ring opening reaction induced to the oxygen migration to the adjacent carbon atom, with the formation of a diazo derivative. This intermediate can give a ring closure reaction to give a pyrazole derivative, or, with a higher transition energy, it can lose nitrogen allowing the formation of 2,5-diphenylfuran. The irradiation of 3-phenylpyridazine N-oxide allowed the formation only of 2-phenylfuran. In this case, calculations allowed to explain this behavior. The first excited singlet state gave a photoisomerization reaction with the formation of the corresponding diazo intermediate. This intermediate could not be converted into the corresponding pyrazole derivative because it was converted into a N-formyl pyrazole never reported in literature. The only possible reaction is the loss of nitrogen and the formation of 2-phenylfuran.

In the present study, fish were exposed to sub-lethal doses of CuONPs (68.92 ± 3.49 nm) (10, 20, and 50 mg/L) for a long exposure period (25 days). Compared to the control group (0.0 mg/L CuONPs), a significant dose-dependent elevation in blood urea and creatinine values, serum alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase enzyme activities were evident in CuONPs-exposed groups (P &lt; 0.05). Fish exposure to 50 mg/L CuONPs significantly upregulated the transcription of pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1beta, interleukin 12, and interleukin 8), heat shock protein 70, apoptosis-related gene (caspase 3), and oxidative stress-related (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase) genes in liver and gills of the exposed fish in comparison with those in the control group (P &lt; 0.05). Moreover, varying histopathological injuries were noticed in the hepatopancreatic tissues, posterior kidneys, and gills of fish groups correlated to the examined exposure dose of CuONPs. In summary, our results provide new insights and helpful information for better understanding the mechanisms of CuONPs toxicity in Nile tilapia at hematological, molecular levels, and tissue levels.

Nanocrystalline silicon oxide (nc-SiOx:H) is a multipurpose material with its varied application in solar cells as a transparent front contact, intermediate reflector, back reflector layer and even tunnel layer for passivating contacts, owing to easy tailoring of its optical properties. In this work, we systematically investigate the influence of gas mixture (SiH4, CO2, PH3 and H2), RF power and process pressure on the optical, structural and passivation properties of thin n-type nc-SiOx:H films prepared in an industrial, high throughput, plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) reactor. We provide a detailed description of the n-type nc-SiOx:H material develop-ment using various characterization techniques (SEM, EDX, Raman spectroscopy, and spectro-scopic ellipsometry) with a focus on the relationship between the material properties and the pas-sivation they provide to n-type c-Si wafers characterized by their effective carrier lifetime (τeff). Further, we also outline the parameters to be kept in mind while developing different n-type nc-SiOx:H layers for different solar cell applications. We report a tunable optical gap (1.8 – 2.3 eV) for our n-type nc-SiOx:H films as well as excellent passivation properties with τeff up to 3.5 ms (iVoc ~ 715 mV) before annealing. Oxygen content plays an important role in determining the crystallinity and hence passivation quality of the deposited nanocrystalline silicon oxide films.

The topical therapy with rifampicin (RF)-based formulations is beneficial to treat infections and to healing the wounds. Despite recent research highlighting the antibiotic's significant an-ti-inflammatory properties, limited topical wound healing products are currently available. Present study aimed to prove that the newly synthesized nanoparticles based on grafted alginate and poly(N-vinylcaprolactam (pNVCL) and poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) contributes to the healing process of a wound. The methods used were at first the synthesis of the copolymer of al-ginate and pNVCL via grafting from technique and radical polymerization followed by wa-ter-in-oil-in water (W/O/W) emulsification by using as oil phase PLGA dissolved in dichloromethane (DCM). The formed nanoparticles were than characterized. The loaded RF was determined to be 160 µg/mL for a 20 mg formulation and within a four-hour time frame approximately 10% of the total loaded amount was released. The inhibitory concentrations (IC50) were 192 µg/mL for the nanoparticle, 208 µg/mL for pure rifampicin, and 718 µg/mL for the rifampicin-loaded nanopar-ticles. Considering the double role Rifampicin was used for, the result was considered satisfactory in the way that these formulations could be used more with the wound irrigation post-surgery to avoid infections and to contribute to the healing.

المستخلص تصنيع لقاح مكون من الحمض النووي الريبوزي الرسول الخاص بالبروتينات المسئولة عن انتاج البروتينات نيورامنيديز والهيم اجليوتونين لفيروسي الانفلونزا الخنازير والطيورمحاط بجزيئات دهنية بحجم النانوميتر عدوى انفلونزا الخنازير وانفلونزا الطيور مشكلة خطيرة تؤرق العالم كله هذه الايام خصوصا انها مميتة لكثير من اطفال العالم . بعد فترة التعافي من الاصابة تتكون المناعة المكتسبة ضدها لمدة عام تقريبا. هذه الانفلونزا تسبب تسمم فيروسي في الدم بالاضافة للالتهاب الرئوي وهذامن بين اكبرالاسباب للوفاة بين الاطفال قبل سن عامين عالميا بشكل مباشر. الهدف من الدراسة هو انتاج لقاح الحمض النووي الريبوزي الرسول من نوع الام بالنانوتكنولوجي لبروتينات الهيم اجليوتونين والنيورامنيديز الموجودة على سطح هذه الفيروسات التي تساعدتها في الاتصاق بالعائل الذي ستتكاثر داخل خلاياه بالجهاز التنفسي. هذه الدراسة دراسة استكشافية ومن خلالها استطاعنا تصميم هذا اللقاح باستعمال نظام توصيل للقاح بالنانوتكنولوجي حجم جزيئاته 70نانوميمتر. اللقاح الجديد اظهر فاعلية بنسبة 60% واظهر فاعلية حيوية مقاربة واثار جانبية اقل بالمقارنة باللقاحات المتوفرة حاليا بالسوق الدوائي ضد هذا النوع من الفيروسات الوبائية. ABSTRACT Background: Worldwide, Swine and Avian influenza, or the H1N1 and H5N1 serotypes of the Influenza A virus, is a highly contagious illness. In recent years, the global incidence of mortality rate has surpassed 284,000 fatalities. Aim of the study: The production of mRNA vaccine lipid nanoparticles (LNP) to combat the deadly strains of Avian and Swine influenza (H1N1 and H5N1 of the influenza A serotype). Methodology: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to clone genes of interest encoding Haemagglutinin (HA) and Neuraminidase (NA) of Influenza A virus strains (H5N1 and H1N1) known as Avian flu and Swine flu, respectively. The genes were then inserted using the EcoR1, BAM Hind II restriction endonuclease type II, and Ligase enzyme into the pET-21(+) transcription vector plasmid. On the other hand, the hybrid transcription vectors were mixed with T7 RNA polymerase and ribonucleotides within a test tube after being linearized using EcoR II. Following their purification via reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC), the mRNAs of the HA and NA were encased in 70 nm LNPs and subjected to reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). Lastly, immunogenicity studies were performed in stages 1/2 of randomized human and preclinical clinical trials. Results: The bivalent vaccination had around 63% efficacy in preclinical studies and approximately 60% efficacy in randomized human clinical trials. As shown by the ELISA test, strong neutralizing antibodies against HA were prevalent. Conclusion: The current study is a promising effort because of the development of the novel LNP-mRNA vaccine, which could lower the incidence of Avian and Swine flu infectious disorders.

Research on titanium oxo complexes (TOCs) are usually focused on their structure and photocatalytic properties. Findings from these investigations spurred our interest in exploring also their potential biological activities. In this study, we focused on the synthesis and structure of a compound with the general formula [Ti8O2(OiPr)20(man)4] (1), which was isolated from the reaction mixture of titanium(IV) isopropoxide with mandelic acid (Hman) in a molar ratio of 4:1. The structure (1) was determined using single-crystal X-ray diffraction, while spectroscopic studies provided insights into its physicochemical properties. To assess the potential practical applications of (1), its microcrystals were incorporated into a polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) matrix, yielding composite materials of the type PMMA + (1) (2 wt.%, 5 wt.%, 10 wt.%, and 20 wt.%). The next stage of our research involved the antimicrobial activity evaluation of the obtained materials. Investigations carried out demonstrated antimicrobial activity of pure (1) and its composites (PMMA + (1)) against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains. Furthermore, MTT tests conducted on the L929 murine fibroblast cell line confirmed the lack of cytotoxicity of these composites. Our study identified (1) as a promising antimicrobial agent, also for producing composite coatings.

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using raw Whey has never been reported. Silver nanoparticle formation involves a reduction reaction of silver salt solution with Whey extract. Extract and metal salt concentrations, and temperature can control this reaction. In this work, incubation period, extract, AgNO3, and NaOH concentrations were used as the independent factors using central composite design under response surface methodology. The aim was to elucidate the influence these factors have on the measured UV-Vis absorption spectra fitted with a Voigt function, and to optimize the conditions for nanoparticle formation. The fitting parameters, peak wavelength (λ0), peak area (A), and Full Width at Half Maximum (FWHM), were the responses. Silver nanoparticle formation was only possible in an alkaline environment (pH 10). The peak wavelength and the FWHM are influenced mainly by extract and AgNO3 concentrations. In contrast, the peak area is influenced by a total of 33.54 % from the interaction terms of AgNO3 and extract concentrations with NaOH. Metallic AgNPs were formed for the following parameter ranges: a) Whey (0.4 – 1.6 % v/v), b) AgNO3 (0.15 – 0.6 mM), c) NaOH (10 – 50 mM), and d) Time (20 – 60 min). Silver oxide nanoparticles were also observed.

Energy generation now heavily relies on the field of photocatalysis. Many conventional research topics have been superseded by the conversion of solar energy into chemical or thermal energy for a variety of energy-related applications. The urgent necessity of moving away from non-renewable energy sources is a result of the problem of global warming. In an effort to create the best photocatalysts for effective solar conversion, scientists are investigating a variety of material systems and material combinations. By examining the influence of morphology changes on the photoelectrochemical activity of zinc oxide nanostructures, here electrodeposition was used to create the nanostructures. By using the proper capping agents, it is possible to control the growth rates of different ZnO facets and get well-defined nanostructures and orientation. In order to generate distinct ZnO morphologies, we report here the electrodeposition of ZnO nanostructured thin films in the presence of different capping agents. A zinc nitrate (Zn (NO₃)₂) bath was used to electrodeposit ZnO nanostructures on indium tin oxide glass (ITO) substrate at 70 °C with an applied potential of -1.0 V. Capping agents such as ethylenediamine (EDA) or ammonium fluoride (NH₄F) were added to this zinc nitrate bath. The photoelectrochemical capabilities of the morphology-controlled zinc oxide nanostructures were extensively evaluated and characterised. Thus various ZnO morphologies had an impact on the PEC properties.

Today, more than 70 million tons of lignin are produced by the pulp and paper industry every year. However, the utilization of lignin as a source for chemical synthesis is still limited due to the complex and heterogeneous lignin structure. The purpose of this study was a selective photodegradation of industrially available kraft lignin in order to obtain appropriate fragments and building block chemicals for further utilization, e.g. polymerization. Thus, kraft lignin obtained from soft wood black liquor by acidification was dissolved in sodium hydroxide and irradiated at a wavelength of 254 nm with and without the presence of titanium dioxide in various concentrations. Analyses of the irradiated products via SEC showed decreasing molar masses and decreasing polydispersity indices over time. At the end of the irradiation period the lignin was depolymerised to form fragments as small as the lignin monomers. TOC analyses showed minimal mineralisation due to the depolymerisation process.

In recent decades, the requirements for implantable medical devices increased, but the risks of implant rejection still exist. These issues are primarily associated with poor osseointegration, leading to biofilm formation on the implant surface. This study focuses on addressing these issues by developing a biomaterial for implant coatings. 45S5 Bioglass has been widely used in tissue engineering due to its ability to form a hydroxyapatite layer, ensuring a strong bond between the hard tissue and the bioglass. In this context, 45S5 bioglasses, modified by the incorporation of different amounts of copper oxide, from 0 to 8 mol%, were synthesized by the melt-quenching technique. The incorporation of Cu ions does not show a significant change in the glass structure. Since the bioglass exhibited the capacity of being polarized, and therefore promoting the osseointegration effectiveness, the electrical properties of the prepared samples were studied using the impedance spectroscopy method, in the frequency range of 102-106 Hz and temperature range of 200-400 K. The effects of CuO on charge transport mobility were investigated. Additionally, the bioactivity of the modified bioglasses was evaluated through immersion tests in simulated body fluid. The results revealed the initiation of a Ca-P-rich layer formation on the surface within 24 h, indicating the potential of the bioglasses to enhance the bone regeneration process.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a disease characterized by local and systemic inflammation independently of the risk factor; during the exacerbations, such inflammation is accentuated and amplified. A practical inflammatory marker and one with an applicable predictive value in the follow-up has been sought. FeNO has shown an excellent performance in that respect within the context of asthma and has also been studied in tobacco-smoke COPD (COPD-TS). In Biomass-smoke COPD (COPD-BS), this, to our knowledge, has not been evaluated. Objective: To measure FeNO levels in patients with COPD-BS and to compare these with those of patients with stable COPD-TS and in healthy controls. Methods: Transversal, observational, descriptive, comparative, and analytical study. A total of 57 patients, including 23 with COPD-BS, 17 with COPD-TS, and 17 healthy control subjects. The measurement of FeNO was carried out on all of these by means of the on-line chemiluminescence technique; the values were expressed in parts per billion (ppb) for their analysis. Results: It was observed that the FeNO values were similar between COPD-BS and COPD-TS and were significantly different between the healthy and stable COPD (both groups). No correlation was found between pulmonary function and symptoms with FeNO in any of the groups. Conclusions: The level of FeNO in stable COPD is found to be increased in a similar manner in COPD-BS and COPD-TS, with a significant difference on comparing it with that of the healthy subjects.

Targeted radioisotope-guided sentinel lymph node dissection (sLND) has shown high diagnostic accuracy in prostate cancer (PCa). To overcome the downsides of the radioactive tracers, magnetometer-guided sLND using superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) was successfully applied in PCa. This prospective study (SentiMag Pro II, DRKS00007671) determined the diagnostic accuracy of magnetometer-guided sLND in intermediate- and high-risk PCa. Fifty intermediate- or high-risk PCa patients (PSA≥10 ng/ml and/or Gleason score ≥7; median PSA 10.8 ng/ml, IQR 7.4–19.2 ng/ml) were enrolled. After intraprostatic SPIONs injection a day earlier, patients underwent magnetometer-guided sLND and eLND, followed by radical prostatectomy. SLNs were detected in vivo and in ex vivo samples. Diagnostic accuracy of sLND was assessed using eLND as the reference. SLNs were detected in all patients (detection rate 100%), with 447 SLNs (median 9, IQR 6–12) being identified and 966 LNs (median 18, IQR 15-23) being removed. Thirty-six percent (18/50) of patients had LN metastases (median 2, IQR 1–3). Magnetometer-guided sLND had 100% sensitivity, 97.0% specificity, 94.4% positive predictive value, 100% negative predictive value, 0.0% false negative rate, and 3.0% additional diagnostic value (LN metastases only in SLNs outside the eLND template). In vivo, one positive SLN/LN-positive patient was missed, resulting in a sensitivity of 94.4%. In conclusion, this new magnetic sentinel procedure has high accuracy for nodal staging in intermediate- and high-risk PCa. The reliability of intraoperative SLN detection using this magnetometer system requires verification in further multicentric studies.

This study aimed to investigate the impact of incorporating indium tin oxide (ITO) nan particles (NPs) with zinc oxide (ZnO) NPs into flexible dye-sensitized solar cells (FDSSCs). ZnO and ITO NPs were separately prepared using the sol-gel method, followed by hybridization of ZnO NP/ITO NP and characterization using techniques such as TEM, SEM, XRD, UV-Vis spectros-copy, PL spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry (CV). TEM analysis showed hexagonal struc-tures and small sphere-like nanoparticles with mean diameters of 15.22 ± 11 nm for ZnO NPs and 14.54 ± 16 nm for ZnO NPs/ITO NPs. SEM images revealed uniform dispersion and smooth surface morphology, while XRD confirmed the crystalline nature of both ZnO and hybrid NPs, indicating specific crystallographic planes with consistent sizes. UV-Vis spectroscopy demonstrated a redshift in wavelength upon adding ITO NPs, suggesting an impact on the bandgap of ZnO NPs. PL spectra exhibited a broad visible emission peak at 535 nm. These findings enhance our understanding of the optical behavior and interaction between ITO and ZnO NPs in hybrid nanostructures. The study concluded that the ITO NPs improve FDSSC performance by enhancing charge separation and transport, leading to increased photocurrent production, with the characterization techniques providing valuable insights for future research and applications.

This study reports rapid hydrolysis, acylation, and lipolysis with lipase B from Candida antarctica (CalB) and nanofructosome encapsulated CalB (CalB@NF) enzymes immobilized on silica-coated magnetic nanoparticles (Si-MNPs). Enzymatic hydrolysis was confirmed for conversion to p-nitrophenol (p-NP, λex=400 nm) from p-nitrophenyl butyrate (p-NPB, λex=270 nm), and various catalytic parameters such as Km, Vmax, and Kcat were calculated from Michaelis-Menten and Lineweaver-Burk plot. Efficiency of enzymatic hydrolysis was in the order of CalB > Si-MNPs@CalB > CalB@NF > Si-MNPs@CalB@NF, and reusability was much better with the enzyme immobilized on Si-MNPs than with the native enzyme. Enzymatic acylation was confirmed by the formation of benzyl benzoate (λex=229 nm) from benzoic anhydride (λex=240 nm), and efficiency exceeded 99% in all samples. Finally, enzymatic lipolysis was confirmed by the decomposition of olive oil to fatty acid such as oleic acid (λex=230 nm) using thin-layer chromatography (TLC), column chromatography, and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H -NMR). The lipases immobilized on Si-MNPs have the advantage of good thermal stability and reusability and are thus applicable to a wide range of industries.

The article presents the results of studies aimed to identify the effect of foliar treatments of winter wheat, sugar beets and soybeans with mineral and bioorganic fertilizers. Their positive effect on increasing the concentration of mineral forms of nitrogen in soil was revealed. The crop types have a greater influence on the size of nitrous oxide emissions: in winter wheat crops - 679 µg/m3, soybeans - 637.2 µg/m3, sugar beets - 576.8 µg/m3. The amounts of nitrous oxide emissions were lower in the variants without the use of phosphorus-potassium fertilizers. The Ruter AA fertilizer showed the greatest efficiency on winter wheat crops - 42.7 c/ha. Soybean grain yield of 44.2 c/ha was also achieved by using Ruter AA, as well as Geo-humate together with phosphorus-potassium fertilizers. On the background of the actual supply of phosphorus and potassium, maximum yield was obtained when using N30 on the leaf - 39.3 c/ha. Foliar feeding ensured a yield of sugar beet root crops of up to 67.1-77.4 c/ha on the backdrop of the application of phosphorus-potassium fertilizers with the advantage of using Amino turbo. The largest yield of sugar beet roots without use of mineral phosphorus and potassium was ensured by N30 treatment of the leaf in the phases of 4-6 and 8 leaves - 63.2 t/ha. Of the organo-mineral fertilizers and biostimulants, the best result was shown by the use of Ruter A - 62.6 t/ha. We believe that foliar feeding of crops can be a sustainable farming method that can increase crop yields and reduce N2O emissions.

A field experiment was conducted for 2 years in Green Tea Laboratory of Saitama Prefectural Agriculture and Forestry Research Center, Iruma, Saitama, Japan from March 2014 to December 2015. Controlled release fertilizers (CRF) or organic fertilizers (ORG) which is the mixture of chicken manure and oil cakewere applied with the amount of 450 kg N ha^-1 yr^-1 in 2014 and 397 kg N ha^-1 yr^-1 in 2015. Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissionsfrom soil in green tea fields were measured by closed chamber method. The results showed that CRF has significantly lower N₂O compared to ORG. The cumulative N₂O emissions from CRF accounted for 51% of N₂O emissions from ORG fields and 138% of control with no fertilizer treatment. The N₂O flux from the row was higher than that of under the canopy, since fertilizer were applied on the row. However the total emission from the area between the rows was lower than that under the canopy because of the area ratio of row and canopy was 1:5.

This study presents a reproducible and scalable method for synthesizing silica nanoparticles (SNPs) with controlled sizes below 200 nm, achieved by systematically varying three key reaction parameters: ammonium hydroxide concentration, water concentration, and temperature. SNPs with high monodispersity and controlled dimensions were produced by optimizing these factors. The results indicated a direct correlation between ammonium hydroxide concentration and particle size, while higher temperatures resulted in smaller particles with increased polydispersity. Water concentration also influenced particle size, with a quadratic relationship observed. This method provides a robust approach for tailoring SNP sizes, with significant implications for biomedical applications, particularly in drug delivery and diagnostics. Using eco-friendly solvents such as ethanol further enhances the sustainability and cost-effectiveness of the process.

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) develops when the immunotolerant environment of the liver is compromised due to excessive alcohol consumption. ALD progression involves variations in the expression of multiple genes, resulting in liver inflammation and the development of a leaky gut. Molecular mechanism involved for ALD progression is still unclear, and due to that there are currently no FDA-approved drugs available for its treatment. In this study, the protective effects of Graphene oxide nanoparticles (GO) was investigated against ethanol-induced damage in the gut-liver axis in in vitro. GO was synthesized using a modified Hummer's method and characterization was done. Given the general concerns regarding nanoparticle toxicity, assessment of cell viability, lipid accumulation, DNA damage, cell death, and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were conducted using various techniques. Furthermore, gene expression of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines was done using RT-qPCR. The findings revealed that GOs promoted cell viability even against ethanol treatment. Additionally, lipid accumulation significantly decreased when cells were treated with GO alongside ethanol compared to ethanol treatment alone, with similar trends observed for other assays. Gene expression analysis indicated that GO treatment reduced the expression of proinflammatory cytokines while enhancing the expression of antioxidant genes. Moreover, GO treatment led to improvements in gut permeability and a reduction in proinflammatory cytokines in colon cells damaged by ethanol. These findings suggest that GO holds promise as a drug carrier, exhibiting no observed toxic effects. By shedding light on the protective effects of GO against ethanol-induced damage, this study contributes to the burgeoning field of nanoparticle-mediated therapy for ALD.

Understanding potential uptake and biodistribution of engineered nanoparticles in soil-grown plants is imperative for toxicity and risk assessment considering the oral exposure of edibles by humans. Herein, we assessed potential influence of particle size (25, 50, and 250 nm) and concentration (0, 50, 100, 200, and 500 mg/kg-soil) of Copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs) on: (1) the root system architecture, and the physicochemical attributes of soil at the soil-root interface, (2) leading to Cu transport and accumulation in root, stem, leaf and seed in soybean (Glycine max cv Kowsar) grown for entire lifecycle of 120 days, and compared with soluble Cu²⁺ ions and water-only controls, and (3) performed a comparative assessment of total seed Cu levels in soybean with other valuable food sources for Cu intake and discussed its human health implications. Our findings showed particle size- and concentration-dependent influence of CuONPs on Cu uptake and tissue distribution in root, stem, leaf and seed in soybean. Alterations in root architecture (root dry weight, root length, root volume, and root area) were dependent on the Cu compound type, Cu concentrations, and their interactions (p<0.05), except for root density. Concentration-response relationships for all three sized CuONPs, and Cu²⁺ ions, were linear. CuONPs and Cu²⁺ ions had inhibitory effects on root growth and development. Overall, soybean responses to smallest size CuONPs-25 nm were higher for all parameters investigated compared to two larger sized CuONPs (50 nm, 250 nm) or Cu²⁺ ions. Cu uptake/bioaccumulation differed among soybean tissues in the order: root > leaf > stem > seed. Despite reduced root architecture and seed yield, our smallest size CuONPs-25 nm led to increased total seed Cu uptake compared to the larger sized CuONPs and Cu²⁺ ions tested. Our findings also suggest that soil amendment by CuONPs, more so by the smallest size CuONPs-25 nm, could significantly improve nutritional Cu value in soybean seed as reflected by % Daily Values (DV), and are rated “Good” to “Very Good” according to the “World’s Healthiest Foods” rating. However, until the potential toxicity and risk from consumption of soybean seed is characterized in humans, caution should be exercised when the Cu fortified seeds are used for daily human consumption when addressing Cu deficiency and associated illnesses, globally.

The main goal was to investigate the ability of non-thermal plasma reactor with gliding arc discharge to remove the diesel exhaust particulates (DEPs). A conventional knifed-shaped LTP GA reactor was utilized. Three cases were studied: 140 L/min, 70 L/min and 14 L/min of air drawn through the reactor and diesel exhaust fumes were sampled continuously. They were assayed in terms of concentration and number particle size distribution. The higher the residence time’s, the higher the energy input that may be utilized for DEPs’ removal. Reactor’s performance definitely lowered the concentration of DEPs (250 - 580 nm) and altered their number size distribution. There was no effect on the number concentration, nor on the particle size distribution, of DEP particulates of 10 – 250 nm in size. The effectiveness of DEPs’ removal: Decreasing flow rate from 140 L/min to 70 L/min somehow altered the values. Achieving the airflow of 14 L/min led to a substantial improvement (even to a fourfold increase for 300 – 480 nm particles). Non-thermal plasma reactors with gliding arc discharge may be successfully adapted in the process of DEPs’ treatment. Their performance may be optimized by adjusting the airflow at the inlet of reactor to guarantee the longest aerosol residence times and the highest removal efficiency.

Engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) are of significant relevance due to their unique properties, which have been exploited for widespread applications. Cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2-NPs) are one of most exploited ENM in the industry due to their excellent catalytic and multi-enzyme mimetic properties. Thus, toxicological effects of these ENMs should be further studied. Acute and subchronic toxicity of CeO2-NPs were assessed. First an in vitro multi-dose short-term (24h) toxicological assessment was performed in three different cell lines: A549 and Calu3, representing the lung tissue, and 3T3 as an interstitial tissue model. After that, a sub-chronic toxicity assessment (90 days) of these NPs was carried out on a realistic and well stablished reconstituted primary human airway epithelial model (MucilAir™), cultured at the Air-Liquid Interface (ALI), to study long-term effects of these particles. Results showed minor toxicity of CeO2-NPs in acute exposures. However, in subchronic exposures, cytotoxic and inflammatory responses were observed in the human airway epithelial model after 60 days of exposure to CeO2-NPs. These results suggest that acute toxicity approaches may underestimate the toxicological effect of some ENM, highlighting the need of subchronic toxicological studies in order to accurately assess the toxicity of ENM and their cumulative effects in the organism.

Background: RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, is a deadly condition that is present all over the world today. The infection is initially contained in the lower respiratory tract without systemic transmission. The objective of the study: Bioinformatics was used in Egypt to create an mRNA vaccine against the Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Methodology: In the present screening experimental study, a lipid nanoparticles vaccine of mRNA of the surface fusion protein of Respiratory syncytial virus was manufactured. The present vaccine delivery system was lipid nanoparticles with a particle size of approximately 90 nanometres, manufactured by the hot micro-emulsion method. In stages 1 and 2 of clinical trials, the immunogenicity of the current mRNA RSV vaccine was evaluated. Results: The current vaccine demonstrated 81% immunogenicity in animal testing, but only 69% in stages 1 and 2 of clinical trials. Its side effects were manageable. The results persisted for a while. In the current trial, the vaccination proved effective as a preventative measure against RSV infection. The current vaccination lacked antibody-dependent enhancement, which causes non-protective antibodies to develop. These non-neutralizing antibodies exacerbate infection by activating cytokines and complement cascade through the formation of immune complexes or enhancement of the virus entry and replication in the host cells. On the other hand, the current RSV mRNA vaccine of the surface fusion protein consequent on the production of powerful neutralizing antibodies with prolonged immunity especially to infants and elderly candidates who received the optimal dosage regimen.

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease which results in the destruction of the tooth’ s supporting tissues and the alveolar bone resorption. The complement becomes a major link between infection and inflammatory pathology including periodontitis. Gingipians as important virulence factors of P. gingivalis have the activity of C5 convertase, could cleave C5 into fully functional C5a to activate C5aR. The above process could be blocked by the C5aR antagonist (PMX-53) to suppress local periodontal inflammation, and then achieves the purpose of treatment of periodontitis. Nanoparticles incorporated within gelatin are promising carrier system for drug delivery in recent years. This study aimed to investigate whether gelatin nanoparticles loaded with PMX-53 prevents alveolar bone resorption in miniature swines model of periodontitis. Four miniature swines were placed ligatures around the maxillary and mandibular fourth premolar and first molar on both sides for seven weeks to induce periodontitis. Then, animals were assigned randomly to four groups: minocycline-treated group, gelatin with PMX53-treated group, gelatin-treated group and a sham control group. They were treated with 1ml related drugs respectively, into gingival sulcusl for 4 times at one-week intervals. We showed that local treatments with gelatin nanoparticles loaded with PMX-53 could inhibit alveolar bone loss of periodontitis. Our study revealed that gelatin nanoparticles loaded with PMX-53 prevented alveolar bone resorption miniature swines model of periodontitis. In addition, provided proof-of-concept for local targeting of gelatin nanoparticles loaded with PMX-53 as a powerful candidate for the treatment of periodontitis.

The spread of micro- (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) in the environment has become a significant environmental concern, necessitating effective removal strategies. In this comprehensive scientific review, we examine the use of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) as a promising technology for the removal of MPs and NPs from water. We first describe the issue of MPs and NPs and their impact on the environment and human health. Then the fundamental principles of using MNPs for the removal of these pollutants will be presented, emphasizing that MNPs enable selective binding and separation of MPs and NPs from water sources. Furthermore, we provide a short summary of various types of MNPs that have proven effective in the removal of MPs and NPs. These include ferromagnetic nanoparticles, MNPs coated with organic polymers, as well as nanocomposites and magnetic nanostructures. We also review their properties, such as magnetic saturation, size, shape, surface functionalization and stability, and their influence on removal efficiency. Next, we describe different methods of utilizing MNPs for the removal of MPs and NPs. We discuss their advantages, limitations, and potential for further development in detail. In the final part of the review, we provide an overview of existing studies and results demonstrating the effectiveness of using MNPs for the removal of MPs and NPs from water. We also address challenges that need to be overcome, such as nanoparticle optimization, process scalability, and the removal and recycling of nanoparticles after the completion of the process. This comprehensive scientific review offers an extensive insight into the use of MNPs for the removal of MPs and NPs from water. With improved understanding and the development of advanced materials and methods, this technology can play a crucial role in addressing the issue of MPs and NPs and preserving a clean and healthy environment.

The majority of contemporary total hip arthroplasty (THA) implants are constructed from Ti-alloys, which are generally believed to generate fewer adverse local tissue reactions (ALTR) compared to CoCr-alloys. This study presents a case of unusual primary THA failure where a substantial release of Ti-alloy debris was observed. A 52-year-old active male underwent THA after posttraumatic aseptic necrosis of the femoral head in 2006. Seventeen years after the procedure, the patient presented with groin pain and restricted range of motion. X-rays revealed protrusion of the alumina ceramic head through the Ti6Al4V acetabular cup. Trace element analysis indicated significantly elevated levels of serum Ti, Al and V. CT and MRI confirmed Ti-alloy cup failure and severe ALTR. During revision surgery, the worn-out ceramic head was in direct contact with the acetabular cup, having protruded through the central hole it created over time. Histological analysis of tissue samples showed wear-induced synovitis with areas of multinucleated foreign-body giant cells and accumulation of numerous metal particles but no acute inflammatory response. Six months after the revision THA, the patient has experienced favourable outcomes. This case provides an instructive illustration for studying the consequences of substantial release of Ti-alloy debris from orthopaedic implants.

This work focuses on the theoretical study of the effect of entanglement in the Yttrium Barium Copper Oxide (YBCO) superconductor on the critical current density, critical magnetic field, and penetration depth. Using the Ginzburg Landau (GL) theory, the expression for the GL coherence length, the critical current density, the lower critical magnetic field (Hc1), and the upper critical magnetic field (Hc2) for the entangled superconducting YBCO was obtained. At zero external magnetic fields, YBCO was found to undergo a transition from the normal state to the superconducting state at 93K and returned to normal. We found a direct relationship between the GL coherence length penetration depth and the temperature of the entangled superconducting YBCO. The graphs of the lower critical magnetic field (Hc1) and critical current density against temperature show a non-linear dependence.In contrast, the graph of the upper critical magnetic field (Hc2) against temperature (T) shows the linear dependence, which is in agreement with existing theoretical observations. On the other hand, the graph of critical current density against the distance of separation between the entangled electrons that form a cooper pair showed that the critical current density increases between 1.8 and 6 nanometers attaining a constant value after reaching 7 nanometers for infinite distances. Finally, for lower critical fields, the magnetic field decreases between 1.5 to 6 nanometers attaining a constant value of the magnetic field, for infinite values of distance of separation between the entangled pair of electrons.

This investigation explores the potential of enhancing aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) through the introduction of a novel cathode material, NH4V4O10 (NVO), combined with reduced graphene oxide (rGO). Utilizing Density Functional Theory (DFT), it was hypothesized that the incorpora-tion of rGO would increase the interlayer spacing of NVO and diminish the charge transfer in-teractions, thus promoting enhanced diffusion of Zn2+ ions. These theoretical predictions were substantiated by experimental data acquired from hydrothermal synthesis, which indicated a marked increase in interlayer spacing. Significantly, the NVO-rGO composite exhibits remarkable cyclic durability, maintaining 95% of its initial specific capacity of 507 mAh g−1 after 600 cycles at a current density of 5 A g−1. The electrochemical performance of NVO-rGO not only surpasses that of pristine NVO but also outperforms the majority of existing vanadium oxide cathode materials reported in the literature. This study underscores the effective integration of theoretical insights and experimental validation, contributing to the advancement of high-performance energy storage technologies.

Nanotechnology is a multidisciplinary science covering matters involving nanoscale level that is being developed for a great variety of applications. Nanomedicine is one of these attractive and challenging uses focused on the employment of nanomaterials in medical applications such as drug delivery. However, the uses of these nanometric systems requires specific parameters to establish the possible advantages and disadvantages in specific applications. This review presents the fundamental factors of nanoparticles and it´s microenvironment that must be considered to make an appropriate design for medical applications: (i) Interactions between nanoparticles and their biological environment, (ii) the interaction mechanisms, (iii) and the physicochemical properties of nanoparticles. On the other hand, the repercussions of the control, alteration and modification of these parameters in the final applications. Additionally, we here briefly report the implications of nanoparticles in nanomedicine and provide perspectives for some particular applications which still are challenged

Integrating nanomaterials like carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and iron oxide (Fe₃O₄) into epoxy composites has significant interest due to their potential to enhance mechanical properties. This study evaluates the impact of dispersion quality on the mechanical performance of CNT/Fe₃O₄/Epoxy composites, comparing stirring and sonication methods at three different loadings: 0.1, 0.3, and 0.5 wt.%. Tensile testing revealed that sonicated composites consistently outperformed stirred composites, with a significant increase in elastic modulus and ultimate tensile strength (UTS). However, fracture strain decreased in both composite types compared to pure epoxy, with sonicated composites experiencing a more significant reduction than stirred composites. These results underscore the importance of high-quality dispersion for optimizing mechanical properties.

Cementitious materials exhibit excellent binding properties and micropore structures that support the stabilization of TiO2 nanoparticles within the matrix. Therefore, these materials are ideal for the development of functional construction products with TiO2 nanoparticles. This study investigated the degree of hydration, microstructure, and mechanical properties of cement-containing TiO2 nanoparticles. The experimental results demonstrated that TiO2 nanoparticles accelerated the hydration rate of cement, reducing the setting times. Moreover, TiO2 nanoparticles changed matrix microstructure, decreasing the porosity and improving early-age strength. Although TiO2 nanoparticles function as nucleation sites in the cement hydration reaction, the tendency of the particles to clump implies that proper dispersion should be ensured when mixing in large quantities. When developing new building materials incorporating TiO2 nanoparticles, considering the effect of TiO2 nanoparticles on the hydration reaction of cementitious materials is crucial.

In this study, Cu2O nanoparticles were synthesized using the sol-gel technique and subsequently functionalized with extracts from plants of the Rauvolfioideae subfamily and citrus fruits. Com-prehensive characterization techniques, including UV-Vis spectroscopy, FT-IR, XRD, BET, SEM, and TEM, were employed to evaluate the structural and surface properties of the synthesized nanoparticles. The results demonstrated that both functionalized Cu2O nanoparticles exhibit mesoporous structures, as confirmed by nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms and pore size distribution analysis. The Green Extract functionalized nanoparticles displayed a more uniform pore size distribution compared to those functionalized with the Orange Extract. The study un-derscores the potential of these functionalized Cu2O nanoparticles for applications in drug de-livery, catalysis, and adsorption processes, highlighting the influence of the functionalization method on their textural properties and performance in antibacterial efficacy.

Nano-titanium has excellent corrosion resistance and can be widely used in the field of corrosion resistant coatings. This paper introduces nano-weight titanium modified phenolic resin coatings and their anti-corrosion properties to explore the principle of nano-titanium modification and the mechanism of anti-corrosion to further develop more advanced corrosion resistant coatings. The article uses scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and UV-Vis spectrophotometer to characterise the morphology and structure of the nano-titanium modified phenolic resin coatings and to determine the corrosion resistance properties of the modified phenolic resin coatings. The results show that the 4% nano-titanium modified phenolic resin coating, nano-titanium powder and phenolic resin will maximize the dispersion and combination, and the structure is good; nano-titanium grafted on phenolic resin, the successful preparation of nano-titanium modified phenolic resin; modified nano-titanium added to improve the coating's ability of UV absorption. The corrosion resistance of the coating is much better than that of the unmodified phenolic resin coating.

The graphene based highly conductive and flexible devices has received momentous attraction and growth in recent years for potential multifunctional uses. The development of flexible and washable textile sensors, actuators, energy storage and energy harvesting systems. Textile fabrics coated with graphene and conductive polymers have been used for wearable self-powered e-textiles, such as tribo-electric, piezoelectric, and Thermoelectric. Herein this research, 100% woven cotton fabric is Fictionalized with graphene oxide (GO) using industrial-scale cold pad batch dyeing technique for the development of low-grade body heat into self-powered wearable e-textiles. The conductive polymer PEDOT: PSS was coated using layer by layer approach. The study demonstrates that the resultant textile electrodes showed reduced electrical sheet resistance from 2.5 MΩ to 15KΩ, with a reduced graphene oxide and further reduced to (2.5 -12.5 Ω) for conductive polymer. The sheet resistance was decreased with the number of dyeing cycles (10-15) and increased with 20 washing cycles vice versa. The study demonstrates that the sensor response and performance were improved with increasing the content percent of rGO and PEDOT: PSS. The tensile strength of as coated fabric electrodes was improved from (25.0-85.5 mPa) and fabric thickness was increased to (26-38µm) without compromising or influencing the air permeability. The resultant textile electrodes may potentially be used in smart textiles for self-powered flexible wearable generators, sensors, and energy storage. The study demonstrates that the cold pad batch dyeing method is a suitable and effective method for the fabrication of graphene-based textiles.

This study explores the enhancement of aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) using ammonium-enhanced vanadium oxide cathodes. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations reveal that NH₄⁺ incorporation into V₆O₁₆ lattices significantly facilitates Zn²⁺ ion diffusion by reducing electrostatic interactions, acting as a structural lubricant. Subsequent experimental validation using (NH₄)₂V₆O₁₆ cathodes synthesized via a hydrothermal method corroborates the DFT findings, demonstrating remarkable electrochemical stability with a capacity retention of 90% after 2000 cycles at 5 A g⁻¹. These results underscore the potential of NH₄⁺ in improving the performance and longevity of AZIBs, providing a pathway for sustainable energy storage solutions.

Background: Respiratory syncytial virus[ RSV] is a lethal overwhelming defectiveness that influences people all over the world. The infection gets down in the lower respiratory tract and does not disperse to the remainder of the body. The objective of the study: Bioinformatics was used to create an mRNA vaccine against the Respiratory syncytial virus( RSV). Methodology: Lipid nanoparticle vaccines containing the Respiratory syncytial virus's surface fusion protein's mRNA were created for the current screening experimental investigation. Lipid nanoparticles[ LNP] with a particle size of around 90 nanometres that were created using the hot micro-emulsion process comprise the current vaccine delivery system. In stages 1 and 2 of clinical trials, the immunogenicity of the current mRNA RSV vaccine was evaluated. Results: The current vaccine demonstrated 81% immunogenicity in animal testing, but only 69% in stages 1 and 2 of clinical trials. Its side effects were manageable. The results persisted for a while. In the current trial, the vaccination proved effective as a preventative measure against RSV infection. The current immunization lacks antibody-dependent enhancement, which causes non-protective antibodies to develop. These non-neutralizing antibodies worsen infection by enhancing viral entrance and replication in the host cells, activating cytokines and the complement cascade through the production of immunological complexes, or both. However, the current LPN-RSV mRNA vaccine of the surface fusion protein resulted in the formation of potent neutralizing antibodies with persistent protection, especially for newborns and elderly individuals who get the ideal dose regimen. Conclusion: The invention of the LNP-mRNA RSV vaccine, which might prevent RSV-caused bronchiolitis and fatal pneumonia, made the current study promising

Background: Nowadays investigations in the field of dental implants engineering are focused on bioactivity and osseointegration properties.Objective: In this study, the oxide-covered titanium was functionalized by vitamin D3 molecules via a simple self-assembly method with the aim to design more corrosion resistant and at the same time more bioactive surface.Methods: Surface properties of the D3-coated titanium were examined by scanning electron microscopy, attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and contact angle measurements, while a long-term corrosion stability during immersion in an artificial saliva solution was investigated in situ by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.Results: Results of all techniques confirmed a successful formation of the D3 vitamin layer on the oxide-covered titanium. Besides very good corrosion resistivity (~5 MΩcm² ) the D3-modified titanium surface induced spontaneous formation of biocompatible bone-like calcium phosphates (CaP).Conclusion: Observed in vitro CaP-forming ability as a result of D3-modified titanium/artificial saliva interactions could serve as a promising predictor of in vivo bioactivity of implant materials.

Objective: Lower extremity ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) may occur with trauma-related vascular injury and various vascular diseases, during the use of a tourniquet, temporary clamping of the aorta in aortic surgery, and acute or bilateral acute femoral artery occlusion. Mitochondrial dysfunction and increased basal oxidative stress in diabetes may cause an increase in the effects of increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial dysfunction due to IRI. It is of great importance to examine therapeutic approaches that can minimize the effects of IRI, especially for patient groups under chronic oxidative stress. Cerium oxide (CeO2) nanoparticles mimic the antioxidant enzymes and act as a catalyst that scavenges ROS. In this study, it was aimed to investigate whether CeO2 has protective effects on skeletal muscles in lower extremity IRI in mice with streptozocin-induced diabetes. Methods: A total of 38 Swiss albino mice were divided into six groups as follows: control group (group C, n=6), diabetes group (group D, n=8), diabetes-CeO2 (group DCO, n=8), diabetes-ischemia/reperfusion (group DIR, n=8), and diabetes-ischemia/reperfusion-CeO2 (group DIRCO, n=8). DCO and DIRCO groups were given doses of CeO2 0.5mg/kg intraperitoneally 30 minutes before the IR procedure. A 120-minute ischemia-120-minute reperfusion period with 100% O2 was performed. At the end of the reperfusion period, muscle tissues were removed for histopathological and biochemical examinations. Results: Total antioxidant status (TAS) levels were found to be significantly lower in group DIR compared with group D (p=0.047 and p=0.022, respectively). In group DIRCO and total oxidant status (TOS) levels were found to be significantly higher than in group DIR (p

Macroalgae seaweeds such as Ulva lactuca and Gracilaria verrucosa cause problems on the Northern Coast of the Italian Adriatic Sea because their overabundance hinders the growth of cultivated clams, Rudatapes philippinarum. This study focused on the green synthesis of CuO nanoparticles from U. lactuca and G. verrucosa. The biosynthesized CuO NPs were successfully characterized using FTIR, XRD, HRTEM/EDX, and zeta potential. Nanoparticles from the two different algae species are essentially identical, with the same physical characteristics and almost the same antimicrobial activities. We have not investigated the cause of this identity, but it seems likely to arise from the reaction of Cu with the same algae metabolites in both species. The study demonstrates that it is possible to obtain useful products from these macroalgae through a green synthesis approach and that they should be considered as not just a cause of environmental and economic damage but also as a potential source of income.

Two important types of metal oxide nanoparticle catalysts Copper (II) oxide (CuO) and Cerium oxide (CeO₂) are prepared by a suitable method which was traditional precipitation (PT) method at calcination temperature of 400^oC for 5h and used for the synthesis of glycerol carbonate GC (C₄H₆O₄) from the direct reaction by the carbonylation of Glycerol GL (C₃H₈O₃) with Carbone Dioxide. The precipitation (PT) was an important route for the preparation of nanoparticles catalyst. The effects of performance of (CuO and CeO₂) nanoparticle catalysts on the conversion of glycerol GL, yield of glycerol carbonate GC, selectivity of glycerol carbonate are researched. XRD, XPS, BET, FT-IR, CO₂-TPD, H₂-TPR are used for the characterization of the prepared catalysts. Comparing the optimal performance between them under reaction conditions were 150 ^oC, 4MPa (40 bar.), 5h, and both CuO and CeO₂ catalyst amount 37.6 % (based on ratio of glycerol weight) by using 2-pyridinecarbonitrate (C₆H₄N₂) as dehydrating agent and dimethylformamide (DMF), (C₃H₇NO) as solvent. The glycerol conversion (X_GL), glycerol carbonate yield (Y_GC) and glycerol carbonate selectivity (S_GC) over 0.7g CuO are 57.151%, 47.524%, and 83.156%, respectively, and glycerol carbonate yield over 0.7 CeO₂ is 36.2185% or 35.076%, and the yield of GC could reach as high as 78.234% over 1.73g CeO₂, the both catalysts could be easily regenerated by washing with methanol and water after a reaction and then dried at 60 ^oC overnight after that calcination at 400 ^oC for 5h without loss of activity after five recycling times, In addition to, the (ICP- MS) results confirmed that the leaching of CuO and CeO₂ was below the detection limit.

Chitosan (CS) nanoparticles are under investigation for a wide range of applications in nanomedicine. The structural, molecular and physicochemical properties of chitosan nanoparticles have a direct bearing on their efficacy in drug conjugation and delivery, gene delivery, and tissue engineering. Herein we report on the structural, morphological and molecular properties of chitosan nanoparticles synthesized using the ionic gelation method with the intended purpose of being used for drug delivery. The chitosan nanoparticles (CS-NPs) were prepared in the 0.25 to 1.0% w/v concentration range, whereas separate samples of the 1.0% w/v CS-NPs were also functionalized with polyethylene oxide (PEO) alone and with a diblock copolymer of PEO and polypropylene glycol (PPG). The average size of the CS-NPs was determined from TEM imaging to be in the range of 11.3 to 14.8 nm. The XRD and TEM analyses show that the CS-NPs have semi-crystalline structure with the degree of crystallinity depending upon the nature of synthesis. Our results show that functionalizing the 1.0% w/v CS-NPs with PEO increases the degree of crystallinity whereas functionalizing with the diblock copolymer PEO - PPG results in a significant increase in their degree crystallinity. The CS/TPP concentration (CS:TPP fixed at 1:1 ratio) had no apparent effect on the degree of crystallinity of the CS-NPs. The results from the FTIR analysis confirm incorporation of TPP with CS in the CS-NPs. Additionally, FTIR analysis shows an enhancement of hydrogen bonding that is consistent with the increase in the degree of crystallinity of the CS-NPs.

Global warming and the associated increasing frequency of heatwaves are on the rise leading to numerous health complications. Diabetic patients are more vulnerable to heat exposure than healthy individuals, owing to their impaired sweating ability, however, little is known about how heat exposure may impact the function of skin cells, commonly keratinocytes. Our recent report provided the first proof-of-concept revealing that the metabolic composition of sweat EVs is associated with metabolic changes in healthy individuals and type 2 diabetes patients. Given this and the shared cellular proprieties of eccrine sweat glands with keratinocytes, we questioned whether the metabolic changes in sweat EVs may mirror the responses of keratinocytes upon heat exposure. To this, we exposed HaCat, which were maintained in low (mimicking healthy condition) and high glucose (mimicking diabetes condition) to acute (90 min), chronic (48 h), and repetitive heat exposure at 40 ⁰C. Through conducting a set of experiments including a targeted metabolomics approach, Greiss assay, western blotting analysis, and electron microscopy studies. The data demonstrate that heat exposure results in substantial changes of metabolite levels belonging to amino acids, pyrimidine metabolism, and glycolysis pathways in high glucose maintained HaCat cells when compared to those noted in low glucose condition. Exploring the molecular mechanisms through which heat exposure may impact the metabolic composition in keratinocytes, our discoveries highlight nitric oxide (NO) as a novel biomarker that the level is correlated with heat duration and frequency. Furthermore, data reveal that the HSP-70 protein levels and mitochondrial morphology are consequently altered. This study provides evidence of shared metabolic alterations in keratinocytes and sweat EVs collected from clinical study and proposes, for the first time, NO as a novel biomarker for monitoring changes in health and diabetes upon heat exposure.

This study explores the synthesis and application of BODIPY-functionalized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) for the sensitive detection of biothiols via an indicator displacement assay coupled with Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) techniques, alongside their efficacy for in vitro cancer cell imaging. Moreover, the assay allowed a visible colorimetric detection of biothiols under normal and ultraviolet light conditions. The BODIPY (boron-dipyrromethene) fluorophores were strategically conjugated to the surface of gold nanoparticles, forming a robust nanohybrid that leverages the plasmonic properties of AuNPs for enhanced spectroscopic sensitivity. The detection mechanism exploits the displacement of the BODIPY indicator upon interaction with biothiols, triggering a measurable change in fluorescence and SERS signals. This dual-mode sensing approach provides high selectivity and sensitivity for biothiol detection, with detection limits reaching nanomolar concentrations using fluorescence and femtomolar concentration for cysteine using SERS. Furthermore, the BODIPY-AuNP complexes demonstrated excellent biocompatibility and photostability, facilitating their use in fluorescence imaging of biothiol distribution within cellular environments and highlighting their potential for diagnostic and therapeutic applications in biomedical research.

Curcumin, a hydrophobic polyphenol compound derived from the rhizome of the Curcuma genus, has a wide spectrum of biological and pharmacological applications. Previously, curcumin nanoparticles with different stabilizers had been produced successfully in order to enhance solubility and per oral absorption. In the present study, we tested the anti-inflammatory effect of D-α-Tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS)-stabilized curcumin nanoparticles in vivo. Lambda-carrageenan (λ-carrageenan) was used to induce inflammation in rats; it was given by an intraplantar route and intrapelurally through surgery in the pleurisy test. In the λ-carrageenan-induced edema model, TPGS-stabilized curcumin nanoparticles were given orally one hour before induction and at 0.5, 4.5, and 8.5 h after induction with two different doses (1.8 and 0.9 mg/kg body weight (BW)). Sodium diclofenac with a dose of 4.5 mg/kg BW was used as a standard drug. A physical mixture of curcumin-TPGS was also used as a comparison with a higher dose of 60 mg/kg BW. The anti-inflammatory effect was assessed on the edema in the carrageenan-induced paw edema model and by the volume of exudate as well as the number of leukocytes reduced in the pleurisy test. TPGS-stabilized curcumin nanoparticles with lower doses showed better anti-inflammatory effects, indicating the greater absorption capability through the gastrointestinal tract.

DSSC devices are among the most widely studied thin-film solar cells because of their cost-effectiveness, low toxicity, and simple fabrication method. However, there is still much scope for replacing current DSSC materials due to their high cost, low volume, and lack of long-term stability. Accordingly, ITO-nanorod films were fabricated by E-beam evaporation using the glancing angle deposition method in this study. Then, the ITO-nanorod was treated by oxygen plasma via a bias-magnetron RF sputtering process to improve the efficiency of DSSC under a varying gas flow rate of 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 sccm. The FE-SEM investigation of the ITO film structure revealed that the obtained nanorod structures have slightly different diameters. At the same time, an increase in the oxygen flow rate resulted in a rougher film surface structure. In this, the lower sheet resistance was received because of rougher morphology. When comparing the DSSC efficiency test results, we found that at a gas flow rate of 100 sccm, the highest efficiency value showed by 9.5%. On the other hand, the ITO-nanorod without plasma treatment exhibited the lowest efficiency. Hence, plasma technology can be practically applied to improve the efficiency of DSSC devices. This study will be a prototype of a highly advanced solar cell manufacturing method for the solar cell industry.

The band gap research in graphene is still a very important topic for materials application. Here, we report a band gap opening and p-type semiconducting property of the graphene by using an electrochemical doping on graphene surface. The manganese-oxide nanopar-ticles adsorbed on the graphene were used as the dopants in an electrolyte, which induce the band gap opening and the change of electronic structure. In addition, the fabricated graphene FET shows the p-type semiconductor behaviors. The temperature dependent conductivity of the p-type doped graphene at applied potential of 1.5 V during electro-chemical doping shows the formation of band gap of 0.23 eV, which is obtained from the fitting of conductivity equation. The semiconducting properties of manganese-oxide doped graphene is attributed to the formation of manganese-oxide nanoparticle on the surface of graphene.