Potential Risks Of Nanoparticles Research Articles

Nanotechnology in Cancer Diagnostics and Therapeutics

In each and every nation on the planet, cancer continues to be one of the main causes of mortality and a serious impediment to the advancement of efforts to extend the human lifespan. Now, the growth of nanotechnology has led to new ideas and approaches in the detection and treatment of cancer. These new ideas and methods were developed by researching and developing the one-of-a-kind features of materials at the nanoscale. In terms of detection and therapy, the effects that nanotechnology has had on cancer are discussed in this research, including the use of gold nanoparticles, electronic noses and gadolinium (III) oxide nanoparticles in diagnostic imaging as well as analysis of tumor-targeted therapies and nanoparticle drug transport, and concludes with a summary of the advantages and potential risks of nanoparticles. In general, nanotechnology has the potential to improve the sensitivity of detection methods, the accuracy of diagnostic results, and significantly boost treatment outcomes, thus opening up a new research avenue for the field of cancer science.

Nanotechnology Trends in Food Processing and Food Packaging

Abstract: Food is a basic need of every living being in the world. Food production and demand do not match well in many countries due to social, technical, and technological factors. Therefore, food industries need to be developed beyond their limits. The introduction of nanotechnology to the food industry can expand the capabilities in terms of food processing and preservation aspects directly. Furthermore, nanotechnology facilitates better thermal stability, better solubility, food security, preservation capabilities, and novel and high bioavailability foods. It is a nanometer-scale technology that operates with materials having a size range of 1-100 nanometers. This review focuses on the recent approaches to nanotechnology in the food industries. For instance, enhancement of bioavailability of food using nanoencapsulation, nano emulsification, and nanoprecipitation, nanomaterials in food packaging applications such as active packaging, improved packaging, smart packaging, antimicrobial properties of different nanomaterials, application of nanotechnology on food pathogen detection, safety issues, and future trends are the key components of this review. Recent studies and research have shown the positive results of nanotechnology and proven their importance and possibilities in contributing to the food sector. However, there are some safety concerns about nanotechnology-related applications. Therefore, lots of research are conducted on the potential risk of nanoparticles on essential organs such as the brain, liver, kidney, epididymis, testis, ovary, and uterus-like organs. Moreover, the safety issues of nanotechnology on human health, such as DNA damage, oxidative stress, cell shrinkage, cytoplasmic density increment, and apoptotic body appearance, have been reported due to some nanoparticles, including silver, titanium, and zinc oxide.

Natural molecule coatings modify the fate of cerium dioxide nanoparticles in water and their ecotoxicity to Daphnia magna

The ongoing development of nanotechnology has raised concerns regarding the potential risk of nanoparticles (NPs) to the environment, particularly aquatic ecosystems. A relevant aspect that drives NP toxicity is represented by the abiotic and biotic processes occurring in natural matrices that modify NP properties, ultimately affecting their interactions with biological targets. Therefore, the objective of this study was to perform an ecotoxicological evaluation of CeO2NPs with different surface modifications representative of NP bio-interactions with molecules naturally occurring in the water environment, to identify the role of biomolecule coatings on nanoceria toxicity to aquatic organisms. Ad hoc synthesis of CeO2NPs with different coating agents, such as Alginate and Chitosan, was performed. The ecotoxicity of the coated CeO2NPs was assessed on the marine bacteria Aliivibrio fischeri, through the Microtox® assay, and with the freshwater crustacean Daphnia magna. Daphnids at the age of 8 days were exposed for 48 h, and several toxicity endpoints were evaluated, from the molecular level to the entire organism. Specifically, we applied a suite of biomarkers of oxidative stress and neurotoxicity and assessed the effects on behaviour through the evaluation of swimming performance. The different coatings affected the hydrodynamic behaviour and colloidal stability of the CeO2NPs in exposure media. In tap water, NPs coated with Chitosan derivative were more stable, while the coating with Alginate enhanced the aggregation and sedimentation rate. The coatings also significantly influenced the toxic effects of CeO2NPs. Specifically, in D. magna the CeO2NPs coated with Alginate triggered oxidative stress, while behavioural assays showed that CeO2NPs coated with Chitosan induced hyperactivity. Our findings emphasize the role of environmental modification in determining the NP effects on aquatic organisms.

Anticancer properties of green-synthesised zinc oxide nanoparticles using Hyssopus officinalis extract on prostate carcinoma cells and its effects on testicular damage and spermatogenesis in Balb/C mice.

The unclear bio-safety issue and potential risk of nanoparticles (NPs) on various organelles can be considered as a major challenge. In the present study, we have assessed the green synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles using Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis) extract and their effects on PC3 cell line and BALB/c mice model. The cytotoxicity of the ZnO-NPs was assessed on PC3 cell line by MTT test after characterisation. Apoptotic effect of ZnO-NPs was determined by in vitro AO/PI staining. The histopathological assessments and determination of LH and FSH levels carried out as in vivo analysis in BALB/c adult male mice. The expression of major genes involved in spermatogenesis and sperm maturation (Adam3, Prm1, Spata19, Tnp2, Gpx5) were also analysed. The obtained result demonstrated that the IC50 for PC3 cell line treated with green-synthesised ZnO-NPs during 24 and 48hr was reported 8.07 and 5µg/ml respectively. Meanwhile, the induced apoptosis was recorded 26.6%±0.05, 44%±0.12 and 80%±0.07 of PC3 cells. The results of gene expression analysis revealed that the increase in the concentration of ZnO-NPs significantly (p<.05) down-regulated the Adam3, Prm1, Spata-19, Tnp2 and Gpx5 genes. The overall results of this research elucidated that ZnO-NPs impaired spermatogenesis, sperm maturation process and sperm motility.

Meta-Analysis of Nanoparticle Cytotoxicity via Data-Mining the Literature.

Developing predictive modeling frameworks of potential cytotoxicity of engineered nanoparticles is critical for environmental and health risk analysis. The complexity and the heterogeneity of available data on potential risks of nanoparticles, in addition to interdependency of relevant influential attributes, makes it challenging to develop a generalization of nanoparticle toxicity behavior. Lack of systematic approaches to investigate these risks further adds uncertainties and variability to the body of literature and limits generalizability of existing studies. Here, we developed a rigorous approach for assembling published evidence on cytotoxicity of several organic and inorganic nanoparticles and unraveled hidden relationships that were not targeted in the original publications. We used a machine learning approach that employs decision trees together with feature selection algorithms ( e.g., Gain ratio) to analyze a set of published nanoparticle cytotoxicity sample data (2896 samples). The specific studies were selected because they specified nanoparticle-, cell-, and screening method-related attributes. The resultant decision-tree classifiers are sufficiently simple, accurate, and with high prediction power and should be widely applicable to a spectrum of nanoparticle cytotoxicity settings. Among several influential attributes, we show that the cytotoxicity of nanoparticles is primarily predicted from the nanoparticle material chemistry, followed by nanoparticle concentration and size, cell type, and cytotoxicity screening indicator. Overall, our study indicates that following rigorous and transparent methodological experimental approaches, in parallel to continuous addition to this data set developed using our approach, will offer higher predictive power and accuracy and uncover hidden relationships. Results obtained in this study help focus future studies to develop nanoparticles that are safe by design.

Aggregation behavior of TiO2 nanoparticles in municipal effluent: Influence of ionic strengthen and organic compounds

The influence of ionic strengthen and dissolved organic matter (DOM) on the aggregation of TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) in municipal effluent was investigated. The results demonstrated that DOM promoted the mobility of NPs in aquatic system by synergism between static repulsion and steric effect, while electrolytes were opposite by charge-neutralization. The physical-chemical characteristics of DOM played the major role on the mobility of NPs. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) showed the strongest enhancement on the mobility of TiO2 NPs. High adsorption of BSA introduced vast negative charges on the TiO2 NPs' surface, leading to static repulsion and neutralizing positive charges of electrolytes in surrounding as well. By contrast, another protein α-amylase retarded the aggregation rate of TiO2 NPs through steric repulsion of the long-chain construction. Humic substances (Fulvic acid and alginate) also reflected the combination of static repulsion and steric effect. However, in the high electrolytes concentration (especially Ca2+), the long-chain aliphatic compounds were prone to form calcium bridge which increased the hydrodynamic diameter of TiO2 aggregates consequently. Sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (SDBS) showed low adsorption capacity, while the unabsorbed SDBS retarded the aggregates caused by the changes of pH and electrolytes. These data indicated that decreasing of DOC concentration in aqueous system was important to reduce the mobility and potential risk of NPs in aqueous system.

Progressive effects of silver nanoparticles on hormonal regulation of reproduction in male rats

The growing use of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in various applications, including consumer, agriculture and medicine products, has raised many concerns about the potential risks of nanoparticles (NPs) to human health and the environment. An increasing body of evidence suggests that AgNPs may have adverse effects of humans, thus the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of AgNPs on the male reproductive system.Silver particles (20nm AgNPs (groups Ag I and Ag II) and 200nm Ag sub-micron particles (SPs) (group Ag III)) were administered intravenously to male Wistar rats at a dose of 5 (groups Ag I and Ag III) or 10 (group Ag II) mg/kg of body weight. The biological material was sampled 24h, 7days and 28days after injection.The obtained results revealed that the AgNPs had altered the luteinising hormone concentration in the plasma and the sex hormone concentration in the plasma and testes. Plasma and intratesticular levels of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone were significantly decreased both 7 and 28days after treatment. No change in the prolactin and sex hormone-binding globulin concentration was observed. Exposure of the animals to AgNPs resulted in a considerable decrease in 5α-reductase type 1 and the aromatase protein level in the testis. Additionally, expression analysis of genes involved in steroidogenesis and the steroids metabolism revealed significant down-regulation of Star, Cyp11a1, Hsd3b1, Hsd17b3 and Srd5a1 mRNAs in AgNPs/AgSPs-exposed animals.The present study demonstrates the potential adverse effect on the hormonal regulation of the male reproductive function following AgNP/AgSP administration, in particular alterations of the sex steroid balance and expression of genes involved in steroidogenesis and the steroids metabolism.

Potential risks of TiO2 and ZnO nanoparticles released from sunscreens into outdoor swimming pools

The potential risks of nanoparticles (NPs) in sunscreens being released into swimming water were evaluated by a series of laboratory experiments simulating the fate and transport of NPs in outdoor swimming pools. NPs released from sunscreen-applied skin were estimated using pig skins covered with five different commercial sunscreens containing TiO2, ZnO, or both at various concentrations. Assuming that the swimming water treatment processes consisted of filtration, UV irradiation, heating, and chlorination, possible removal of the released NPs by each process was estimated. Generation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) by the NPs under sunlight and after UV photochemical treatment were measured, and the H2O2 concentration possibly present in the swimming pool was calculated based on some specific scenarios of operating an outdoor swimming pool. It was found that a significant amount of the NPs in sunscreens could be released into the swimming water, and accumulate during circulation through the treatment system. However, the concentration of H2O2 possibly present in the swimming pool should be below the level at which an adverse effect to bathers is concerned.

Toxicity of metal oxide (CeO2, Fe3O4, SnO2) engineered nanoparticles on soil microbial biomass and their distribution in soil

Aims of this work were to understand the effects of metal oxide (CeO2, Fe3O4, SnO2) engineered nanoparticles (NPs) on microbial biomass and to evaluate their availability and distribution among soil particles. Two organ-mineral horizons (A1 and A2) of Epileptic Cambisol were polluted with NPs at rates of 0, 10 and 100 mg kg−1 of dry soil of Ce, Fe and Sn and incubated for 7 and 60 days at 60% WHC and at 25 °C. Both microbial biomass C and N were not statistically affected by NPs pollution whereas the microbial C/N ratio increased with Fe3O4 and SnO2-NPs probably due to the predominance of microbial communities such as ectomycorrhizae. The metabolic quotient (qCO2) significantly (P < 0.001) increased in polluted soils indicating microbial stress or changes in the bacterial/fungal biomass ratio. The CHCl3-labile amounts of free Ce and Fe were found in soil polluted with CeO2 and Fe3O4, indicating these elements were taken up by soil microorganisms. The chemical methods used for NPs bioavailability were not adequately sensitive to evaluate availability of elements in nanoparticles, and the best evaluation was from the water–soil partition coefficient (log Kd) showing a low solubility of NPs. Nanoparticles were found in soil small aggregates (2–53 and <2 μm) by infrared spectrometry (FTIR) and electron microscopy (ESEM-EDS). The study of interactions between NPs and both organic or inorganic compounds can give insights about the potential risks of NPs in soil. Furthermore the study on diversity of microbial communities will clarify the NPs toxicity on soil microbial communities.

Xylem- and Phloem-Based Transport of CuO Nanoparticles in Maize (Zea maysL.)

This work reports on the toxicity of CuO nanoparticles (NPs) to maize (Zea mays L.) and their transport and redistribution in the plant. CuO NPs (100 mg L(-1)) had no effect on germination, but inhibited the growth of maize seedlings; in comparison the dissolved Cu(2+) ions and CuO bulk particles had no obvious effect on maize growth. CuO NPs were present in xylem sap as examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), showing that CuO NPs were transported from roots to shoots via xylem. Split-root experiments and high-resolution TEM observation further showed that CuO NPs could translocate from shoots back to roots via phloem. During this translocation, CuO NPs could be reduced from Cu (II) to Cu (I). To our knowledge, this is the first report of root-shoot-root redistribution of CuO NPs within maize. The current study provides direct evidence for the bioaccumulation and biotransformation of CuO NPs (20-40 nm) in maize, which has significant implications on the potential risk of NPs and food safety.

Hydrophobic Interactions Increase Attachment of Gum Arabic- and PVP-Coated Ag Nanoparticles to Hydrophobic Surfaces

A fundamental understanding of attachment of surface-coated nanoparticles (NPs) is essential to predict the distribution and potential risks of NPs in the environment. Column deposition studies were used to examine the effect of surface-coating hydrophobicity on NP attachment to collector surfaces in mixtures with varying ratios of octadecylichlorosilane (OTS)-coated (hydrophobic) glass beads and clean silica (hydrophilic) glass beads. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) coated with organic coatings of varying hydrophobicity, including citrate, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), and gum arabic (GA), were used. The attachment efficiencies of GA and PVP AgNPs increased by 2- and 4-fold, respectively, for OTS-coated glass beads compared to clean glass beads. Citrate AgNPs showed no substantial change in attachment efficiency for hydrophobic compared to hydrophilic surfaces. The attachment efficiency of PVP-, GA-, and citrate-coated AgNPs to hydrophobic collector surfaces correlated with the relative hydrophobicity of the coatings. The differences in the observed attachment efficiencies among AgNPs could not be explained by classical DLVO, suggesting that hydrophobic interactions between AgNPs and OTS-coated glass beads were responsible for the increase in attachment of surface-coated AgNPs with greater hydrophobicity. This study indicates that the overall attachment efficiency of AgNPs will be influenced by the hydrophobicity of the NP coating and the fraction of hydrophobic surfaces in the environment.

Nanocellulose Materials – Different Cellulose, Different Functionality

AbstractSummary: Nanocelluloses combine in a very exciting manner important properties of cellulose with amazing features of nano‐scale materials. With a view to the increasing discussion on the potential risks of nanoparticles and nanotechnology to human health and the environment, it is important to point out that the nanocellulose fibers are irreversibly networked in the supramolecular cellulose structure. This contribution assembles the current knowledge in research, development, and application in the field of nanocelluloses through examples. The topics combine selected results on nanocelluloses from bacteria and wood as well as the formation and in situ shaping of cellulose bodies, the coating of materials with nanosized cellulose networks/supports, and the preparation of nanocellulose composites as well as the use of bacterial cellulose as novel type of medical implants.