In this study, Gd₂O₂S:Ln³⁺ (Ln³⁺ = Yb³⁺, Er³⁺) upconversion nanotubes (UCNTs) were synthesised by using Gd(OH)₃:Ln³⁺ (Ln³⁺ = Yb³⁺, Er³⁺) nanotubes as the template. The luminescent and biological properties of Gd₂O₂S:Ln³⁺ (Ln³⁺ = Yb³⁺, Er³⁺) UCNTs, along with photodynamic therapy (PDT) applications of the Gd₂O₂S:8%Yb³⁺,2%Er³⁺ UCNT–Ce6 (chlorin e6) nanocomposites, were systematically studied. The resultant UCNTs showed excellent biocompatibility with human retinal pigment cells (ARPE-19) even after a prolonged incubation time of 72 h, and could be used as luminescent probes. Microscopic imaging revealed that the UCNTs existed mainly in cytoplasm. PDT studies on the Gd₂O₂S:8%Yb³⁺,2%Er³⁺ UCNT–Ce6 nanocomposites indicate that the growth of the tumour (cell) could be inhibited dramatically when it was injected (incubated) with Gd₂O₂S:8%Yb³⁺,2%Er³⁺ UCNT–Ce6 nanocomposites under the irradiation of 980 nm laser.

In this study, the authors demonstrate the fabrication, calibration, and testing of a piezoresistive microcantilever-based sensor for biomedical microelectromechanical system (BioMEMS) application. To use any sensor in BioMEMS application requires surface modification to capture the targeted biomolecules. The surface alteration comprises self-assembled monolayer (SAM) formation on gold (Au)/chromium (Cr) thin films. So, the Au/Cr coating is essential for most of the BioMEMS applications. The fabricated sensor uses the piezoresistive technique to capture the targeted biomolecules with the SAM/Au/Cr layer on top of the silicon dioxide layer. The stiffness (k) of the cantilever-based biosensor is a crucial design parameter for the low-pressure range and also influence the sensitivity of the microelectromechanical system-based sensor. Based on the calibration data, the average stiffness of the fabricated microcantilever with and without Au/Cr thin film is 141.39 and 70.53 mN/m, respectively, which is well below the maximum preferred range of stiffness for BioMEMS applications. The fabricated sensor is ultra-sensitive and selective towards Hg²⁺ ions in the presence of other heavy metal ions (HMIs) and good enough to achieve a lower limit of detection 0.75 ng/ml (3.73 pM/ml).

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) conjugated with anti-epidermal growth factor receptor monoclonal antibody (anti-EGFR-SPIONs) were characterised, and its cytotoxicity effects, ex vivo and in vivo studies on Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC1) cells in C57BL/6 mice were investigated. The broadband at 679.96 cm⁻¹ relates to Fe–O, which verified the formation of the anti-EGFR-Mab with SPIONs was obtained by the FTIR. The TEM images showed spherical shape 20 and 80 nm-sized for nanoparticles and the anti-EGFR-SPIONs, respectively. Results of cell viability at 24 h after incubation with different concentrations of nanoprobe showed it has only a 20% reduction in cell viabilities. The synthesised nanoprobe administered by systemic injection into C57BL/6 mice showed good Fe tumour uptake and satisfied image signal intensity under ex vivo and in vivo conditions. A higher concentration of nanoprobe was achieved compared to non-specific and control, indicating selective delivery of nanoprobe to the tumour. It is concluded that the anti-EGFR-SPIONs was found to be as an MR imaging contrast nanoagent for lung cancer (LLC1) cells detection.

Fluconazole-resistant Candida albicans is a big scary reality. The authors assessed the antifungal effects of magnetic iron-oxide nanoparticles on fluconazole-resistant colonising isolate of C. albicans and determined the expression of ERG11 gene, protein sequence similarity and ergosterol content. C. albicans isolates were characterised and fluconazole resistance is recognised using World Health Organization's WHONET software. Susceptibility testing of magnetic iron-oxide nanoparticles against fluconazole-resistant colonising isolate of C. albicans was performed according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. The expression patterns of ERG11 and protein sequence similarity were investigated. Ergosterol quantification has been used to gauge the antifungal activity of magnetic iron-oxide nanoparticles. The findings indicated that 93% of C. albicans isolates were resistant to fluconazole. Magnetic iron-oxide nanoparticles were presented activity against fluconazole-resistant colonising isolate of C. albicans with minimum inhibitory concentration at 250–500 µg/ml. The expression level of ERG11 gene was downregulated in fluconazole-resistant colonising isolate of C. albicans. The results revealed no differences in fluconazole-resistant colonising isolate of C. albicans by comparison with ERG11 reference sequences. Moreover, significant reduction was noted in ergosterol content. The findings shed a novel light on the application of magnetic iron-oxide nanoparticles in fighting against resistant C. albicans.

This study is aimed to explore the capacity of metal nanoparticles (NPs) iron, zinc, copper and their combinations introduced in the Murashige–Skoog (MS) nutrient medium (NM) to affect the growth and development of tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum L.). NPs were prepared by a flow-levitation method. Metal NPs were characterised by transmission and scanning electron microscopy, X-ray phase analysis. Average NPs diameters were: iron – 27.0 nm, zinc – 54.0 nm, copper – 79.0 nm. MS NM was modified by substitution of common metal sulphates by neutral metal NPs instead of salts. Tomato seedlings cultivation on NM MS with NPs instead of salts assures improved seedling parameters (root length and root activity) in comparison with plants grown on standard MS. Venice cultivar tomato seedlings grown on NM with metal NPs demonstrated an increase in: seed germination by 10–180%, root length by 10–20%, and root activity by 10 –125%. After 45 days of cultivation, tomato seedlings were transplanted in a greenhouse and were grown up to the harvest. Effects in seed germination and increase of crop mass depended on metal nature and NPs concentration.

Common oxide nanostructures such as silicon-di-oxide, magnesium-oxide, zinc-oxide, and copper-oxide (CuO) having useful functional and bioactive properties have been synthesised and characterised. All these nanostructures have been found to be larvicidal towards Culex quinquefasciatus mosquito especially against lower instars in comparison with higher instars in 48 h. Only, CuO is larvicidal against late instar stages after 48 h. Moreover, CuO is larvicidal against first instar stages after 24 h (LC₅₀ 157 mg/l). However, none of these nanostructures are pupicidal. Post mortality larval morphology was found to be distorted under bright field microscopy and scanning electron microscopy images of affected larval surface appeared to be rough and uneven. Fluorescent images showed that nanostructures infiltrated inside visceral organs of larvae. Nanostructures also caused tissue oxidative stress in larvae. These results indicate that above stated oxide nanostructures are effective larvicidal agents against early instar stages of Culex larvae.

Superparamagnetic cobalt ferrite nanoparticles (CoFe₂O₄) possess favourite advantages for theranostic applications. Most of previous studies reported that CoFe₂O₄ magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) are suitable candidates for induction of hyperthermia and transfection agents for drug delivery. The present study synthesized and investigated the potential use of CoFe₂O₄ as a contrast agent in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) by using a conventional MRI system. The CoFe₂O₄ were synthesized using co-precipitation method and characterized by TEM, XRD, FTIR, EDX and VSM techniques. Relaxivities r ₁ and r ₂ of CoFe₂O₄ were then calculated using a 1.5 Tesla clinical magnetic field. The cytotoxicity of CoFe₂O₄ was evaluated by the MTT assay. Finally, the optimal concentrations of MNPs for MRI uses were calculated through the analysis of T ₂ weighted imaging cell phantoms. The superparamagnetic CoFe2O4 NPs with an average stable size of 10.45 nm were synthesized. Relaxivity r ₁,₂ calculations resulted in suitable r ₂ and r ₂/ r ₁ with values of 58.6 and 51 that confirmed the size dependency on relaxivity values. The optimal concentration of MNPs for MR image acquisition was calculated as 0.154 mM. Conclusion: CoFe₂O₄ synthesized in this study could be considered as a suitable T ₂ weighted contrast agent because of its high r ₂/r ₁ value.

Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) are invested in various sectors and are becoming more persistent in our ambient environment with potential risk on our health and the ecosystems. The current study aims to investigate the histological, histochemical and ultrastructural hepatic changes that might be induced by 10 nm silver nanomaterials. Male mice (BALB/C) were exposed for 35 injections of daily dose of 10 nm Ag NPs (2 mg/kg). Liver tissues were subjected to examination by light and electron microscopy for histological, histochemical and ultrastructural alterations. Exposure to Ag NPs induced Kupffer cells hyperplasia, sinusoidal dilatation, apoptosis, ground glass hepatocytes appearance, nuclear changes, inflammatory cells infiltration, hepatocytes degeneration and necrosis. In addition, 10 nm Ag NPs induced histochemical alterations mainly glycogen depletion with no hemosiderin precipitation. Moreover, these nanomaterials exhibited ultrastructure alterations including mitochondrial swelling and cristolysis, cytoplasmic vacuolation, apoptosis, multilammellar myelin figures formation and endoplasmic destruction and reduction. The findings revealed that Ag NPs can induce alterations in the hepatic tissues, the chemical components of the hepatocytes and in the ultrastructure of the liver. One may also conclude that small size Ag NPs, which are increasingly used in human products could cause various toxigenic responses to all hepatic tissue components.

From the dinner table to the office, many surfaces contain bacteria and the threat to human health. In this work, cost-effective antimicrobial foams were developed by the adsorption of lysozyme protected gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) in sponges. Antibacterial activities of the prepared antibacterial AuNCs were evaluated using typical Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli) and Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus). The antibacterial foams were further fabricated by the absorption of the positively charged AuNCs in the negatively charged sponges. The inhibitions of bacteria on random surfaces, such as mobile phones, tables, doorknobs, and cabinet handles, were exhibited by cleaning them with the antibacterial foams.

The aim of the present study was to synthesize a novel biopolymeric micelle based on punicic acid (PA) and polyacrylamide (PAM) for carrying chemotherapeutic drugs used in prostate cancer treatment. A polymer composite micelle was prepared by chemical conjugation between PAM and PA. The micelles were prepared by self-assembly via film casting followed by ultrasonication method. The successful production of PAMPA copolymeric micelles was confirmed using FTIR, 1H-NMR, and TEM. Then, flutamide was loaded in the designed nanomicelles and they were characterized. The cell cytotoxicity of the micelles was studied on PC3 cells of prostate cancer. The prepared nanomicelles showed the particle size of 88 nm, PDI of 0.246, zeta potential of −9 mV, drug loading efficiency of 94.5%, drug release of 85.6% until 10 hours in pH 7.4 and CMC of 74.13 μg/ml. The cell viability in blank nanocarriers was about 70% in PC3 cells at concentration of 25 μM. More significant cytotoxic effects were seen for flutamide loaded micelles at this concentration compared to the free drug. The results suggest that the PAMPA co-polymeric nanomicelles can be utilized as an effective carrier to enhance the cytotoxic effects of flutamide in prostate cancer.

Due to unique physiochemical properties, nanoparticles (NPs) have acquired substantial attention in the field of research. However, threats of ecotoxicity and phytotoxicity have limited their biological applications. In this study in vivo experiments were performed to determine the effect of CuO (12.5, 25 and 50 mg/kg) and ZnO (200, 400 and 600 mg/kg) NPs on growth, and antioxidant activities of Brassica nigra. The results showed that CuO NPs did not affect the seed germination while presence of ZnO NPs in the soil generated an inhibitory effect. Both CuO and ZnO NPs positively influenced the growth of stem and other physiological parameters i.e. stem height increased (23%) at 50 mg/kg CuO while root length decreased (up to 44%) with an increase in the concentration of NPs. Phytochemical screening of apical, middle and basal leaves showed elevated phenolic and flavonoid contents in the range of 15.3–59 μg Gallic Acid Equivalent (GAE)/mg Dry Weight (DW) and 10–35 μg Querceitin Equivalent (QE)/mg DW, respectively, in NPs-treated plants. Antioxidant activity was higher in CuO NPs-treated plants as compared to ZnO and control plants. Results conclude that CuO and ZnO NPs at low concentrations can be exploited as nanofertilisers in agriculture fields.

The main focus of the current study is the fabrication of a multifunctional nanohybrid based on graphene oxide (GO)/iron oxide/gold nanoparticles (NPs) as the combinatorial cancer treatment agent. Gold and iron oxide NPs formed on the GONPs via the in situ synthesis approach. The characterisations showed that gold and iron oxide NPs formed onto the GO. Cell toxicity assessment revealed that the fabricated nanohybrid exhibited negligible toxicity against MCF-7 cells in low doses (<50 ppm). Temperature measurement showed a time and dose-dependent heat elevation under the interaction of the nanohybrid with the radio frequency (RF) wave. The highest temperature was recorded using 200 ppm concentration nanohybrid during 40 min exposure. The combinatorial treatments demonstrated that the maximum cell death (average of 53%) was induced with the combination of the nanohybrid with RF waves and radiotherapy (RT). The mechanistic study using the flow cytometry technique illustrated that early apoptosis was the main underlying cell death. Moreover, the dose enhancement factor of 1.63 and 2.63 were obtained from RT and RF, respectively. To sum up, the authors’ findings indicated that the prepared nanohybrid could be considered as multifunctional and combinatorial cancer therapy agents.

Noise is not always an interfering signal which perturbs the system. On the contrary, noise signals can enhance the performance of some non-linear systems such as stochastic resonance (SR). These systems can detect the weak input signal when it is added to the noise signal. According to this property, SR models play a significant role in the functioning of the brain for detecting weak input signals and synchronisation of neural connections. In this study, the authors model neurons as SR systems where different types of noise, i.e. white noise and pink noise, are employed to amplify the weak nervous signals. They demonstrate colour noise, in particular, pink noise enhances the performance of the SR system to amplify the input signal. Furthermore, pink noise has a wider range of optimum values in comparison to white noise. Therefore, they can conclude that neurons are more sensitive to detect the signals that carry pink noise than signals with white noise or without noise. Hence, the retrieving ability of neurons can be improved by adding pink noise.