Next-generation drug delivery technologies in head and neck cancer: Current therapeutic advances and future perspectives.

Asphalt pavements form the backbone of modern transportation systems due to their cost-effectiveness, structural adaptability, and ease of maintenance; however, their long-term performance is often compromised by binder aging, oxidation, and thermal stresses that lead to cracking and rutting. This study investigates the effects of Titanium Dioxide, Carbon Nanotubes, and Natural Graphite Oxide (NGO) on the rheological and mechanical properties of asphalt binders under the hot-climate conditions of Najaf, Iraq. The base binder (PG 70–16) was modified with varying dosages of nanomaterials (1–7% TiO 2 , 0.5–2% CNT, and 0.2–1% NGO) and evaluated through Rotational Viscosity, Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR), Multiple Stress Creep Recovery, and Bending Beam Rheometer tests, alongside Scanning Electron Microscopy. Results indicated that nanomaterial modification significantly enhanced binder stiffness, elasticity, and temperature susceptibility, increasing the performance grade by about +6 °C to PG 76–16. The optimal dosages—5% TiO 2 , 1.5% CNT, and 0.5% NGO provided the best balance between rutting resistance, fatigue life, and flexibility. TiO 2 and CNT reduced non-recoverable creep compliance (Jnr) by 20–25% and 10–15%, respectively, while improving recovery (R) by up to 10%. Fatigue performance improved by 12–15% with CNT and 8–12% with NGO, and low-temperature stiffness at −12 °C decreased by 45% for TiO 2 and 10–15% for NGO, reducing cracking potential. Although viscosity increased moderately (up to 18%), all binders remained below the 3000 mPa·s limit, ensuring acceptable workability. SEM analysis confirmed uniform nanoparticle dispersion at optimal contents, while higher dosages led to agglomeration and reduced performance. Overall, CNTs provided the greatest reinforcement, TiO 2 offered balanced performance, and NGO enhanced flexibility, confirming nanomodification as a practical, cost-effective strategy for improving asphalt binder durability and pavement performance in hot-climate regions such as Iraq. Results indicated that nanomaterial modification significantly enhanced binder stiffness, elasticity, and temperature susceptibility, increasing the performance grade by about +6 °C to PG 76-16. TiO 2 (5 %) and CNT (1.5 %) reduced non-recoverable creep compliance (Jnr) by 20–25 % and 10–15 %, respectively, while increasing recovery (R) by up to 10 %. Fatigue performance improved by 12–15 % with CNT and 8–12 % with NGO. Low-temperature stiffness at −12 °C decreased by 45 % for TiO 2 and 10–15 % for NGO.

Nanomaterials for active and intelligent food packaging: Shelf-life extension, real-time sensing, and security applications.

Breast cancer is one of the major health concern and the second leading cause of death among women globally. The survival rates in breast cancer depends on the stages (Stage I-Stage IV), there by the early diagnosis and followed by surgery and chemotherapy is highly recommended. Conventional treatments, such as chemotherapy, surgery often have limited efficacy and are associated with severe side effects in breast cancers. Thereby, biosafe materials with high potency is in high demand. Phytochemical loaded nano materials are bio compatible, bio safe as a result, that can be explored in breast cancer therapy with least toxicity effect to other healthy tissues. Exploring the potentiality of targeted drug delivery approaches to mitigate breast cancer, focusing on plant-based bioactive molecules (phytochemicals) and their coupling with nano carriers to overcome the different limitations of traditional therapies. The utilization of phytochemicals in breast cancer management, known for their safety and therapeutic efficacy, is discussed as an alternative approach in this review. Challenges such as poor bioavailability, short half-life, and lack of site specificity, which limit their clinical application, are addressed in different sections. Strategies for mitigating these drawbacks include conjugating phytochemicals with nanocarriers such as liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, metallic nanoparticles, and carbon dots have also been described in this review. Nanocarriers enhance the stability, systemic bioavailability, and site-specific delivery of phytochemicals, enabling them to cross biological barriers effectively while reducing normal cell toxicity. These systems provide a "green corridor" to target breast cancer cells with improved therapeutic efficacy. Ongoing research and clinical trials highlight the promise of phytochemicals conjugated with nanocarriers in breast cancer therapy. This innovative therapeutic approach has the potential to revolutionize breast cancer management. Further research should focus on advancing the development and clinical application of phytochemicals conjugated with nanocarriers to ensure their widespread adoption in breast cancer therapy.

Multimetallic nanocrystals (NCs) offer distinctive properties driven by synergistic interactions among their constituent metals. Although colloidal chemistry enables control over size and composition, competing reactivities among metal precursors often complicate the synthesis of complex NCs. In this study, we systematically elucidate how the competitive reactivity of different metals in solution can be exploited to synthesize uniform pentametallic NCs despite numerous competing pathways. Mechanistic studies reveal heterodimers as key intermediates that mediate further metal incorporation through selective nucleation. Notably, the addition of more metals suppresses homogeneous nucleation, resulting in size- and composition-focusing to produce complex NCs with distinct multimetallic domains. When supported, these NCs show excellent thermal stability and catalytic activity for ammonia decomposition, offering a promising strategy for designing complex nanomaterials for energy-related applications.

In this work, wire mesh metallic fibers and the nanomaterial titanium oxide TiO₂ were used to reinforce the epoxy matrix to create the hybrid composite material specimens by the hand lay-up method. The effects of adding specific fractions of TiO₂ nano material on the dynamic characteristics of wire mesh hybrid composites were investigated. The vibrational characteristics (natural frequency and damping ratio) and mechanical characteristics (tensile and bending stresses) were examined. The numerical analysis for Bending and vibration cases was performed using ANSYS ABDL 2017 R2. Experimental results showed that the addition of TiO₂ nanoparticles significantly improved tensile strength and flexural strength in epoxy-steel wire-TiO₂ composites. However, increasing the nanoparticle ratio to the maximum values led to reduced performance. The composites showed a balance between stiffness and strength when optimized at 5 wt% TiO₂ and moderate layer counts. Natural frequencies and damping characteristics were affected by fiber volume, layering, and nanoparticle content

Insights into progress in biogenic synthesis of nanomaterials: A review

Accumulating evidence supports ferroptosis as a key driver for nanomaterial (NM) exposure-induced toxicity. There is considerable interest in the therapeutic potential of ferroptosis inhibition for cells or animals exposed to NMs before clinical applications. This study aimed to synthesize data from published studies for achieving strong evidence about the effects of ferroptosis inhibitors. Fifty-three studies were included after searching PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Library databases up to October, 2025. The meta-analysis of in vitro studies (n = 51) showed treatment with ferroptosis inhibitors ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1; standardized mean difference [SMD] = 3.19; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.63-3.75) and deferoxamine (DFO; SMD = 3.40; 95% CI = 2.62-4.18) significantly improved the viability of cells exposed to NMs. The pooled results of in vivo studies (n = 8) demonstrated Fer-1 administration suppressed tissue cell death (SMD = -1.38; 95% CI = -2.39 to -0.37) and alleviated damages on the organ function [respiratory frequency (SMD = -1.33; 95% CI = -2.32 to -0.34); enhanced pause (SMD = -1.85; 95% CI = -2.95 to -0.75)] or the body weight (SMD = 1.28; 95% CI = 0.63-1.92) of animals exposed to NMs. The protective mechanisms of Fer-1 or DFO included iron removal (showing reduced iron levels and down-regulated TFRC), anti-oxidation (manifested as inhibited formation of L-ROS, MDA, restoration of GSH, up-regulation of GPX4, down-regulation of ACSL4 and COX2) or anti-inflammation (lowering IL-6, TNF-α and MCP-1). Accordingly, Fer-1 or DFO may be a potentially effective intervention for populations with NM exposure to prevent tissue damages.

Biosensor-based diagnosis for infectious diseases: Nano-enabled revolution.

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is characterized by the progressive depletion of dopamine (DA), a key neurotransmitter involved in the regulation of voluntary movement. Levodopa (L-DA), the gold-standard treatment for PD, effectively restores DA levels; however, its clinical efficacy is limited by a short half-life and a narrow therapeutic window, often resulting in motor and non-motor fluctuations. Therefore, accurate monitoring of L-DA levels in patients with PD is essential to optimize therapeutic outcomes. Herein, a fully integrated microfluidic platform for the detection of L-DA in sweat based on a plasma-activated carbon sensor is reported. The core of this technology is a single-step oxygen plasma treatment deliberately designed to serve a dual purpose: enabling robust sealing of the PDMS microfluidic layers while simultaneously activating the carbon electrode surface. This strategy yields a substantial enhancement in electrocatalytic performance without the need for complex nanomaterials or biorecognition elements, thereby simplifying fabrication and improving scalability. The resulting plasma-activated sensor exhibits a 22-fold signal amplification compared to untreated electrodes and achieves a limit of detection (LoD) of 4 μM in synthetic human sweat, underscoring its potential for wearable and point-of-care applications.

Postharvest handling is an important approach for minimizing quality loss in fresh produce, thereby enhancing food security. Edible coatings (EC), developed from food-grade biopolymers such as proteins, polysaccharides, and lipids have gained increasing attention in recent years as a sustainable and multifunctional approach for improving postharvest quality and extending shelf life of fresh produce. Nonetheless, EC have limitations such as low water barrier and mechanical properties which result in lower capability on preserving the coated fruits and vegetables. Recent work has focused on enhancing EC with nanoparticles (NPs) due to their unique properties and extremely small sizes. Incorporation of NPs such as inorganic materials including zinc oxide and titanium dioxide enhance mechanical strength, water vapor permeability, and antimicrobial properties of EC, leading to better preservation of fresh produce. Advances in green synthesis methods further support the development of environmentally friendly nanomaterials (NMs), reinforcing the potential of EC as a commercial solution for controlling spoilage and foodborne diseases and extending the shelf life of produce. However, limitations remain in synthesis process, material properties, and regulatory compliance for NMs. This work examines functions of EC, incorporation of NPs in EC, green synthesis of NPs and their effectiveness in controling postharvest pathogens and challenges of NPs.

Drying is widely used in the food and agriculture industries to preserve food products and crops. Conventional dryers largely use fossil fuels, and their use is discouraged due to environmental pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and increasing fuel prices. Therefore, solar energy is considered as sustainable and economically viable alternative because it is free, clean, and renewable. This review focuses on the recent advancements of solar drying technology and various methodologies of solar drying processes. The study investigates many aspects, such as design considerations, installation and operation, integration of heat storage materials, nano materials performance evaluation, economic feasibility, and comparative analysis. Both experimental and simulation studies of solar dryers, with and without phase change materials (PCMs), have been reviewed to understand their impact on drying performance. The study further investigates the action of various air heating systems in enhancing drying rate. Hybrid solar dryers have the ability to provide stable and continuous drying conditions, thereby improving drying performance and food product quality. Additionally, the integration of heat storage devices and smart monitoring systems for real-time analysis have been discussed in this study. Overall, solar dryers are considered as a strong potential for sustainable applications in food processing, agro-based industries, and domestic sectors.

The synthesis of high-entropy alloy nanoparticles (HEA-NPs) has traditionally been guided by thermodynamic considerations, relying on static parameter optimization. Here, we introduce a kinetically controlled paradigm for directing nanofluid transport to craft strained HEA-NPs from ten dissimilar elements. This strategy employs Zn as an active propellant, constructing interconnected nanochannels that steer multimetal nanofluid flow and trigger alloying. Using in situ transmission electron microscopy, we directly observe the dynamics of long-range directional migration under nanoconfinement, which induces forced fusion and fission events pivotal for achieving homogeneous mixing and size control. These unique confinement dynamics further impart surface tensile strain to the resulting nanoparticles. When applied to electrocatalytic nitrate-to-ammonia conversion, the strained HEA-NPs achieve an exceptional Faradaic efficiency of 94.8 ± 4.34% and sustain stable operation for over 720 h. Mechanistic studies attribute this performance to the synergy between multielement active sites and the tailored surface strain, which collectively optimize intermediate adsorption. This work establishes a new design principle for complex nanomaterials by shifting the perspective from static thermodynamics to dynamic kinetic control, providing a scalable pathway for the development of advanced electrocatalysts.

Malignant tumours are among the top ten diseases worldwide and exhibit very high morbidity and mortality. Traditional treatment methods, including radiotherapy and chemotherapy, cannot meet the urgent clinical need for cancer treatment due to poor selectivity, significant trauma, and the risk of metastasis. Sonodynamic Therapy (SDT) is an emerging tumour treatment modality. SDT based on ultrasonic-response piezoelectric nano materials demonstrates strong clinical potential due to its non-invasive nature, high efficiency, and high biosafety. Traditional acoustic sensitizers are mainly organic compounds. With the development of nanotechnology, novel acoustic sensitizers based on piezoelectric nano materials have gradually been developed. Tin selenide, a transition metal chalcogenide, is a layered (2D) semiconductor material that exhibits excellent piezoelectric properties and is expected to serve as a new type of acoustic sensitizer in tumour therapy. Tin selenide nanoparticles were synthesised using a wet chemical method with selenium powder and stannous chloride dihydrate as raw materials under alkaline conditions. Sufficient ROS were detected after ultrasonic treatment of SnSe NSs in aqueous solution under dark conditions, with the main types identified as ·OH and 1O2. The 4T1 mitoptosis test and biosafety evaluation demonstrated that SnSe NSs effectively kill tumour cells without significant toxicity to normal cells.

Oral infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria represent an emerging biomedical hazard and growing challenge for modern dentistry. To address this issue, Ag- and Cu-ZnO nanocomposites (NCs) were synthesized using ZnO carrier to combat the oral pathogens Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus. A comprehensive analysis of chemically synthesized metal oxide nanocomposites (MONCs) was performed, combining physicochemical characterization (TEM, XRD, ζ-potential, DLS, pH, and PFO/PSO kinetic models) with biological toxicity assessment (MIC, ATR-FTIR, SEM, and FAMEs) to better understand their antimicrobial mechanisms. The results confirmed that the synthesized nanoproducts fulfill the criteria for nanomaterials (NMs) (particle size < 100 nm). Among them, Ag-ZnO exhibited the highest antibacterial activity against both strains (MIC = 50 mg L-1). Kinetic modeling revealed faster and more efficient Ag ion release from Ag-ZnO NCs compared to Cu from Cu-ZnO NCs. Molecular analyses indicated strong MONC-bacterial interactions at the cell surface, leading to changes in protein secondary structures, alterations in lipid composition, and disruption of Gram-positive bacterial membranes. Additionally, Ag-ZnO inhibited chain and cluster formation in both bacterial species, while Cu-ZnO affected only S. sobrinus. Overall, Ag- and Cu-ZnO NCs show strong potential as antimicrobial agents against oral pathogens.

Nanomaterials (NMs) have emerged as promising tools for tumor-targeted therapy and gene editing. However, their delivery efficiency is severely limited by the mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS), which rapidly clears them from circulation primarily in the liver and spleen. This remains a major bottleneck for the clinical translation of nanomedicine. In order to break through this challenge, this review systematically summarizes main categories of strategies designed to circumvent MPS clearance. First, we discuss the strategies of engineering NMs to evade MPS recognition, including modulation of physicochemical property control, surface engineering strategy, and cell-based delivery systems. Second, we analyze the strategies that transiently modulate the MPS function itself, including macrophage blockade, phagocytosis inhibition, and macrophage depletion. These approaches collectively aim to reduce nonspecific clearance, thereby enhancing the accumulation of NMs at the target site. Finally, we further discuss the opportunities and remaining challenges in this field. This review is expected to provide a valuable reference for advancing the biomedical application of nanomaterials.

Copper oxide nanoparticles are commonly used in nanoscale agrochemicals. However, how morphological differences influence the behavior of copper nanomaterials (NMs) on leaves and their environmental impact remain unclear. Here, 50 mg/L of different dimensional Cu NM (nanoparticles, NPs; nanosheets, NSs; nanowires, NWs) suspensions were foliar applied to Cucumis sativus L. and Zea mays L. at a dose of 3 mL/plant for 21 days with a 7-day interval. Cu NS nanosuspension exhibited the smallest contact angle on the leaf surface, resulting in the greatest Cu accumulation in the leaves, especially in the cuticle. Cu NMs on the surface of epidermal cells demonstrated that NMs penetrated the cuticle. Compared to NPs, larger-sized NSs resulted in a 47-52% increase of total Cu accumulation in cuticle and wax of cucumber and maize. The Cu NMs upregulated hub genes, including ACCB, which are involved in leaf fatty acid synthesis and elongation, resulting in lipid accumulation in the cuticle, especially with Cu NSs and NWs, which enhance leaf tolerance to stress. Overall, the copper nanosheets and nanowires are more suitable for foliar application than copper nanoparticles. This study provides new insights into how modulating the nanoscale dimensions of materials can influence their foliar behavior and ecological effects.

ABSTRACT Melanoma and glioblastoma are among the most aggressive cancer types, presenting high recurrence rates, therapeutic resistance, and poor prognosis despite conventional approaches. In this context, nanotechnology has emerged as a promising strategy to overcome these limitations. The aim of this study was to (1) synthesize reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and its magnetic analogs (rGO∙Fe3O4), (2) determine the physicochemical characterization, and (3) examine the biological properties. The characteristics of the nanomaterials (NM) were analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), value stream mapping (VSM), and scanning electron microscope (SEM). These analyses showed the spectral and structural features of rGO and rGO∙Fe3O4. In vitro evaluation demonstrated that the treatments were more toxic to two cancer cell lines, A375 (melanoma) and U87MG (glioblastoma), than HaCaT (non-tumorigenic human keratinocyte). One mechanism of action may be associated with increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), as well as enhanced binding energy between rGO and rGO∙Fe3O4, and proteins involved in tumorigenesis. Molecular docking results indicated that rGO exhibited greater potential for interaction with selected proteins. These findings provide a foundation for further studies exploring the potential of rGO and rGO∙Fe3O4 as effective and biocompatible platforms for melanoma and glioblastoma cancer therapy.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nanoscale carriers mediating intercellular communication via proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids. Concurrently, diverse nanomaterials (NMs) with tunable properties have emerged. Bidirectional interactions between NMs and EVs impact disease pathogenesis, diagnostics, and therapeutics. With translational relevance, NMs' physicochemical features (size, charge, coatings) modulate EV release, cargo enrichment (proteins, miRNAs, lipids), and downstream processes including immune regulation, angiogenesis, and tumor microenvironment remodeling. Conversely, EVs internalize NMs, inducing oxidative stress, inflammation, or apoptosis. However, while NMs' regulatory effects on EVs is well-characterized, the mechanisms of EVs-mediated NMs internalization, processing, and redistribution remain poorly understood-an asymmetry defining research priorities. Unresolved controversies persist-microenvironment-dependent immune effects, inconsistent cargo alterations, and the impact of EVs heterogeneity. This review synthesizes current knowledge on mutual NMs-EVs influences, emphasizing NMs-regulated EVs biogenesis/cargo/function and EVs uptake/response to NMs. We introduce the "NMs-EVs regulatory axis"-a bidirectional, dynamic network where NMs and EVs mutually shape function across molecular, cellular, and tissue levels, moving beyond linear carrier views. These interactions enable hybrid platforms for drug delivery, imaging, and diagnostics, positioning the NMs-EVs axis as a frontier in nanomedicine for precision therapeutics.

This study advances the development of fate factors (FFs) and characterization factors (CFs) within the USEtox framework to address gaps in life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) for Multi-Component NanoMaterials (MCNM) and High Aspect-Ratio Nanoparticles (HARN). We employ a novel non-equilibrium colloidal environmental fate model tailored for MCNM and HARN, deriving FF for nanomaterials (NMs) emissions to air, freshwater, sediment, and soil. Case studies of nano zinc oxide doped with manganese (nZnO-Mn) and silver nanowires (AgNWs) reveal that both materials exhibit their longest residence times in sediment (FFs exceeding 39,000days), followed by soil (130.9days for both), air (25.9 and 57.8days, respectively), and the shortest in freshwater (22.6 and 3.4days). Calculated CFs for nZnO-Mn and AgNWs are marginally higher than literature values for ZnO and Ag nanoparticles, but at least one order of magnitude lower than their bulk metal counterparts. This discrepancy is attributed to the higher dissolution rates of NMs in freshwater compared to bulk metals. Sensitivity analysis further identifies dissolution rate as the dominant parameter influencing freshwater CFs, overshadowing NM-specific properties such as density, diameter, and length. These findings underscore the necessity of precise dissolution rate quantification and improved toxicological data to ensure robust CF development, enabling better integration of NMs into life cycle assessments (LCAs). Future work should prioritize CF development for NM impacts on human health to guide sustainable nanotechnology applications.