Overview of Carbon Nanotubes for Biomedical Applications

Recent advances in gold nanoparticles-based biosensors for tuberculosis determination

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the major killer diseases affecting lung parenchymal tissues. Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is the bacterium that causes it. It most commonly affects the lungs, although it can affect any part of the body, including the stomach, glands, bones, and nervous system. Although anti-mycobacterial drugs are available, it remains a major threat to public health due to the rise of drug-resistant strains, and early and accurate diagnosis is very important. Currently, research science and medical communities are focusing on the use of cost-effective biosensors to manage human biological processes and assess accurate health diagnostics. Due to their high sensitivity in chemical and biological assays, nanomaterials have been considered in the field of biosensors for better diagnosis, and among them, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) can play an important role in accelerating the diagnosis of TB. Superior biocompatibility, conductivity, catalytic properties, high surface-to-volume ratio, and high density enable their widespread use in the fabrication of biosensors. This review evaluates the diagnostic accuracy of AuNP-based biosensors for the detection of Mtb. According to different transducers of biosensors, their structure, performance, advantages and limitations are summarized and compared. Moreover, the upcoming challenges in their analytical performance have been highlighted and the strategies to overcome those challenges have been briefly discussed.

Evaluating the osteogenic properties of polyhydroxybutyrate-zein/multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) electrospun composite scaffold for bone tissue engineering applications

In this investigation, the electrospun nanocomposite scaffolds were developed utilizing poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB), zein, and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) at varying concentrations of MWCNTs including 0.5 and 1 wt%. Based on the SEM evaluations, the scaffold containing 1 wt% MWCNTs (PZ-1C) exhibited the lowest fiber diameter (384 ± 99 nm) alongside a suitable porosity percentage. The presence of zein and MWCNT in the chemical structure of the scaffold was evaluated by FTIR. Furthermore, TEM images revealed the alignment of MWCNTs with the fibers. Adding 1 % MWCNTs to the PHB-zein scaffold significantly enhanced tensile strength by about 69 % and reduced elongation by about 31 %. Hydrophilicity, surface roughness, crystallinity, and biomineralization were increased by incorporating 1 wt% MWCNTs, while weight loss after in vitro degradation was decreased. The MG-63 cells exhibited enhanced attachment, viability, ALP secretion, calcium deposition, and gene expression (COLI, RUNX2, and OCN) when cultivated on the scaffold containing MWCNTs compared to the scaffolds lacking MWCNTs. Moreover, the study found that MWCNTs significantly reduced platelet adhesion and hemolysis rates below 4 %, indicating their favorable anti-hemolysis properties. Regarding the aforementioned results, the PZ-1C electrospun composite scaffold is a promising scaffold with osteogenic properties for bone tissue engineering applications.

Role of NLRP3 inflammasome in nanoparticle adjuvant-mediated immune response

The nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor (NLR) family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is pivotal in orchestrating the immune response induced by nanoparticle adjuvants. Understanding the intricate mechanisms underlying the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome by these adjuvants is crucial for deciphering their immunomodulatory properties. This review explores the involvement of the NLRP3 inflammasome in mediating immune responses triggered by nanoparticle adjuvants. It delves into the signaling pathways and cellular mechanisms involved in NLRP3 activation, highlighting its significance in modulating the efficacy and safety of nanoparticle-based adjuvants. A comprehensive grasp of the interplay between NLRP3 inflammasome and nanoparticle adjuvants holds promise for optimizing vaccine design and advancing immunotherapeutic strategies.

Magnetic carbon nanotubes modified with proteins and hydrophilic monomers: Cytocompatibility, in-vitro toxicity assays and permeation across biological interfaces

Carbon nanotubes are promising materials for biomedical applications like delivery systems and tissue scaffolds. In this paper, magnetic carbon nanotubes (M-CNTs) covered with bovine serum albumin (M-CNTs-BSA) or functionalized with hydrophilic monomers (M-CNTs-HL) were synthesized, characterized, and evaluated concerning their interaction with Caco-2 cells. There is no comparison between these two types of functionalization, and this study aimed to verify their influence on the material's interaction with the cells. Different concentrations of the nanotubes were applied to investigate cytotoxicity, cell metabolism, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and capability to cross biomimetic barriers. The materials showed cytocompatibility up to 100 μg mL-1 and a hemolysis rate below 2 %. Nanotubes' suspensions were allowed to permeate Caco-2 monolayers for up to 8 h under the effect of the magnetic field. Magnetic nanoparticles associated with the nanotubes allowed estimation of permeation through the monolayers, with values ranging from 0.50 to 7.19 and 0.27 to 9.30 × 10-3 μg (equivalent to 0.43 to 6.22 and 0.23 to 9.54 × 10-2 % of the initially estimated mass of magnetic nanoparticles) for cells exposed and non-exposed to the magnets, respectively. Together, these results support that the developed materials are promising for applications in biomedical and biotechnological fields.

State of the art and future research directions of materials science applied to electrochemical biosensor developments

Centralized laboratories in which analytical processes are automated to enable the analysis of large numbers of samples at relatively low cost are used for analytical testing throughout the world. However, healthcare is changing, partly due to the general recognition that care needs to be more patient-centered and putting the patient at the center of action. One way to achieve this goal is to consider point-of-care testing (PoC) devices as alternative analytical concepts. This requires miniaturization of current analytical concepts and the use of cost-effective diagnostic tools with appropriate sensitivity and specificity. Electrochemical sensors are ideally adapted as they provide robust, low-cost, and miniaturized solutions for the detection of variable analytes, yet lack the high sensitivity comparable to more classical diagnosis approaches. Advances in nanotechnology have opened up a plethora of different nanomaterials to be applied as electrode and/or sensing materials in electrochemical biosensors. The choice of materials significantly influences the sensor's sensitivity, selectivity, and overall performance. A critical review of the state of the art with respect to the development of the utilized materials (between 2019 and 2023) and where the field is heading to are the focus of this article.

Curcumin coating: a novel solution to mitigate inherent carbon nanotube toxicity

Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs) are inert structures with high aspect ratios that are widely used as vehicles for targeted drug delivery in cancer and many other diseases. They are largely non-toxic in nature however, when cells are exposed to these nanotubes for prolonged durations or at high concentrations, they show certain adverse effects. These include cytotoxicity, inflammation, generation of oxidative stress, and genotoxicity among others. To combat such adverse effects, various moieties can be attached to the surface of these nanotubes. Curcumin is a known anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and cytoprotective compound derived from a medicinal plant called Curcuma longa. In this study, we have synthesized and characterized Curcumin coated-lysine functionalized MWCNTs and further evaluated the cytoprotective, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antiapoptotic effect of Curcumin coating on the surface of MWCNTs. The results show a significant decrease in the level of inflammatory molecules like IL-6, IL-8, IL-1β, TNFα and NFκB in cells exposed to Curcumin-coated MWCNTs as compared to the uncoated ones at both transcript and protein levels. Further, compared to the uncoated samples, there is a reduction in ROS production and upregulation of antioxidant enzyme-Catalase in the cells treated with Curcumin-coated MWCNTs. Curcumin coating also helped in recovery of mitochondrial membrane potential in the cells exposed to MWCNTs. Lastly, cells exposed to Curcumin-coated MWCNTs showed reduced cell death as compared to the ones exposed to uncoated MWCNTs. Our findings suggest that coating of Curcumin on the surface of MWCNTs reduces its ability to cause inflammation, oxidative stress, and cell death.

Ultrahigh-Efficacy VEGF Neutralization Using Carbonized Nanodonuts: Implications for Intraocular Anti-Angiogenic Therapy

Ocular angiogenesis, associated with diseases such as retinopathy of prematurity and diabetic retinopathy, is a leading cause of irreversible vision loss. Herein, carbon nanodonuts (CNDs) with a donut-shaped structure are synthesized using sodium alginate (SA) and 1,8-diaminooctane (DAO) through a one-step thermal process. The formation of SA/DAO-CNDs occurs through a crosslinking reaction between SA and DAO, creating amide bonds followed by partial carbonization. In human retinal pigment epithelial cells exposed to H2 O2 or lipopolysaccharide, the SA/DAO-CNDs display a more than fivefold reduction in reactive oxygen species and proinflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6 and IL-1β, when compared to carbonized nanomaterials produced exclusively from SA. Furthermore, the CNDs effectively inhibit vascular endothelial growth factor A-165 (VEGF-A165 )-induced cell migration and tube formation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells due to their strong affinity for VEGF-A165 , with a dissociation constant of 2.2 × 10-14  M, over 1600 times stronger than the commercial drug bevacizumab (Avastin). Trypsin digestion coupled with LC-MS/MS analysis reveals that VEGF-A165 interacts with SA/DAO-CNDs through its heparin-binding domain, leading to activity loss. The SA/DAO-CNDs demonstrate excellent biocompatibility and potent anti-angiogenic effects in chicken embryos and rabbit eyes. These findings suggest that SA/DAO-CNDs hold promise as a therapeutic agent for treating various angiogenesis-related ocular diseases.

Adjuvant Novel Nanocarrier-Based Targeted Therapy for Lung Cancer

Lung cancer has the lowest survival rate due to its late-stage diagnosis, poor prognosis, and intra-tumoral heterogeneity. These factors decrease the effectiveness of treatment. They release chemokines and cytokines from the tumor microenvironment (TME). To improve the effectiveness of treatment, researchers emphasize personalized adjuvant therapies along with conventional ones. Targeted chemotherapeutic drug delivery systems and specific pathway-blocking agents using nanocarriers are a few of them. This study explored the nanocarrier roles and strategies to improve the treatment profile's effectiveness by striving for TME. A biofunctionalized nanocarrier stimulates biosystem interaction, cellular uptake, immune system escape, and vascular changes for penetration into the TME. Inorganic metal compounds scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) through their photothermal effect. Stroma, hypoxia, pH, and immunity-modulating agents conjugated or modified nanocarriers co-administered with pathway-blocking or condition-modulating agents can regulate extracellular matrix (ECM), Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF),Tyro3, Axl, and Mertk receptors (TAM) regulation, regulatory T-cell (Treg) inhibition, and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) inhibition. Again, biomimetic conjugation or the surface modification of nanocarriers using ligands can enhance active targeting efficacy by bypassing the TME. A carrier system with biofunctionalized inorganic metal compounds and organic compound complex-loaded drugs is convenient for NSCLC-targeted therapy.

Malignant peritoneal mesotheliomas of rats induced by multiwalled carbon nanotubes and amosite asbestos: transcriptome and epigenetic profiles

BACKGROUND

Malignant mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer that often originates in the pleural and peritoneal mesothelium. Exposure to asbestos is a frequent cause. However, studies in rodents have shown that certain multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) can also induce malignant mesothelioma. The exact mechanisms are still unclear. To gain further insights into molecular pathways leading to carcinogenesis, we analyzed tumors in Wistar rats induced by intraperitoneal application of MWCNTs and amosite asbestos. Using transcriptomic and epigenetic approaches, we compared the tumors by inducer (MWCNTs or amosite asbestos) or by tumor type (sarcomatoid, epithelioid, or biphasic).

RESULTS

Genome-wide transcriptome datasets, whether grouped by inducer or tumor type, showed a high number of significant differentially expressed genes (DEGs) relative to control peritoneal tissues. Bioinformatic evaluations using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) revealed that while the transcriptome datasets shared commonalities, they also showed differences in DEGs, regulated canonical pathways, and affected molecular functions. In all datasets, among highly- scoring predicted canonical pathways were Phagosome Formation, IL8 Signaling, Integrin Signaling, RAC Signaling, and TREM1 Signaling. Top-scoring activated molecular functions included cell movement, invasion of cells, migration of cells, cell transformation, and metastasis. Notably, we found many genes associated with malignant mesothelioma in humans, which showed similar expression changes in the rat tumor transcriptome datasets. Furthermore, RT-qPCR revealed downregulation of Hrasls, Nr4a1, Fgfr4, and Ret or upregulation of Rnd3 and Gadd45b in all or most of the 36 tumors analyzed. Bisulfite sequencing of Hrasls, Nr4a1, Fgfr4, and Ret revealed heterogeneity in DNA methylation of promoter regions. However, higher methylation percentages were observed in some tumors compared to control tissues. Lastly, global 5mC DNA, m6A RNA and 5mC RNA methylation levels were also higher in tumors than in control tissues.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings may help better understand how exposure to MWCNTs can lead to carcinogenesis. This information is valuable for risk assessment and in the development of safe-by-design strategies.

Tunable theranostics: innovative strategies in combating oral cancer

Objective

This study aims to assess and compare the potential of advanced nano/micro delivery systems, including quantum dots, carbon nanotubes, magnetic nanoparticles, dendrimers, and microneedles, as theranostic platforms for oral cancer. Furthermore, we seek to evaluate their respective advantages and disadvantages over the past decade.

Materials and Methods

A comprehensive literature search was performed using Google Scholar and PubMed, with a focus on articles published between 2013 and 2023. Search queries included the specific advanced delivery system as the primary term, followed by oral cancer as the secondary term (e.g., "quantum dots AND oral cancer," etc.).

Results

The advanced delivery platforms exhibited notable diagnostic and therapeutic advantages when compared to conventional techniques or control groups. These benefits encompassed improved tumor detection and visualization, enhanced precision in targeting tumors with reduced harm to neighboring tissues, and improved drug solubility and distribution, leading to enhanced drug absorption and tumor uptake.

Conclusion

The findings suggest that advanced nano/micro delivery platforms hold promise for addressing numerous challenges associated with chemotherapy. By enabling precise targeting of cancerous cells, these platforms have the potential to mitigate adverse effects on surrounding healthy tissues, thus encouraging the development of innovative diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for oral cancer.

Biomedical applications of engineered heparin-based materials

Heparin is a negatively charged polysaccharide with various chain lengths and a hydrophilic backbone. Due to its fascinating chemical and physical properties, nontoxicity, biocompatibility, and biodegradability, heparin has been extensively used in different fields of medicine, such as cardiovascular and hematology. This review highlights recent and future advancements in designing materials based on heparin for various biomedical applications. The physicochemical and mechanical properties, biocompatibility, toxicity, and biodegradability of heparin are discussed. In addition, the applications of heparin-based materials in various biomedical fields, such as drug/gene delivery, tissue engineering, cancer therapy, and biosensors, are reviewed. Finally, challenges, opportunities, and future perspectives in preparing heparin-based materials are summarized.

Estrogen contributes to sex differences in M2a macrophages during multi-walled carbon nanotube-induced respiratory inflammation

Lung diseases characterized by type 2 inflammation are reported to occur with a female bias in prevalence/severity in both humans and mice. This includes previous work examining multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)-induced eosinophilic inflammation, in which a more exaggerated M2a phenotype was observed in female alveolar macrophages (AMs) compared to males. The mechanisms responsible for this sex difference in AM phenotype are still unclear, but estrogen receptor (ER) signaling is a likely contributor. Accordingly, male AMs downregulated ERα expression after MWCNT exposure while female AMs did not. Thus, ER antagonist Fulvestrant was administered prior to MWCNT instillation. In females, Fulvestrant significantly attenuated MWCNT-induced M2a gene expression and eosinophilia without affecting IL-33. In males, Fulvestrant did not affect eosinophil recruitment but reduced IL-33 and M2a genes compared to controls. Regulation of cholesterol efflux and oxysterol synthesis is a potential mechanism through which estrogen promotes the M2a phenotype. Levels of oxysterols 25-OHC and 7α,25-OHC were higher in the airways of MWCNT-exposed males compared to MWCNT-females, which corresponds with the lower IL-1β production and greater macrophage recruitment previously observed in males. Sex-based changes in cholesterol efflux transporters Abca1 and Abcg1 were also observed after MWCNT exposure with or without Fulvestrant. In vitro culture with estrogen decreased cellular cholesterol and increased the M2a response in female AMs, but did not affect cholesterol content in male AMs and reduced M2a polarization. These results reveal the modulation of (oxy)sterols as a potential mechanism through which estrogen signaling may regulate AM phenotype resulting in sex differences in downstream respiratory inflammation.

Chitosan nanocomposite for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine: A review

Regenerative medicine and tissue engineering have emerged as a multidisciplinary promising field in the quest to address the limitations of traditional medical approaches. One of the key aspects of these fields is the development of such types of biomaterials that can mimic the extracellular matrix and provide a conducive environment for tissue regeneration. In this regard, chitosan has played a vital role which is a naturally derived linear bi-poly-aminosaccharide, and has gained significant attention due to its biocompatibility and unique properties. Chitosan possesses many unique physicochemical properties, making it a significant polysaccharide for different applications such as agriculture, nutraceutical, biomedical, food, nutraceutical, packaging, etc. as well as significant material for developing next-generation hydrogel and bio-scaffolds for regenerative medicinal applications. Moreover, chitosan can be easily modified to incorporate desirable properties, such as improved mechanical strength, enhanced biodegradability, and controlled release of bioactive molecules. Blending chitosan with other polymers or incorporating nanoparticles into its matrix further expands its potential in tissue engineering applications. This review summarizes the most recent studies of the last 10 years based on chitosan, blends, and nanocomposites and their application in bone tissue engineering, hard tissue engineering, dental implants, dental tissue engineering, dental fillers, and cartilage tissue engineering.

Carbon Nanotubes and Graphene Materials as Xenobiotics in Living Systems: Is There a Consensus on Their Safety?

Carbon nanotubes and graphene are two types of nanomaterials that have unique properties and potential applications in various fields, including biomedicine, energy storage, and gas sensing. However, there is still a debate about the safety of these materials, and there is yet to be a complete consensus on their potential risks to human health and the environment. While some studies have provided recommendations for occupational exposure limits, more research is needed to fully understand the potential risks of these materials to human health and the environment. In this review, we will try to summarize the advantages and disadvantages of using carbon nanotubes and graphene as well as composites containing them in the context of their biocompatibility and toxicity to living systems. In addition, we overview current policy guidelines and technical regulations regarding the safety of carbon-based nanomaterials.

Photothermal therapy of papillary thyroid cancer tumor xenografts with targeted thyroid stimulating hormone receptor antibody functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are being widely investigated in multiple biomedical applications including, and not limited to, drug delivery, gene therapy, imaging, biosensing, and tissue engineering. Their large surface area and aspect ratio in addition to their unique structural, optical properties, and thermal conductivity also make them potent candidates for novel hyperthermia therapy. Here we introduce thyroid hormone stimulating receptor (TSHR) antibody–conjugate–MWCNT formulation as an enhanced tumor targeting and light-absorbing device for the photoablation of xenografted BCPAP papillary thyroid cancer tumors. To ensure successful photothermal tumor ablation, we determined three key criteria that needed to be addressed: (1) predictive pre-operational modeling; (2) real-time monitoring of the tumor ablation process; and (3) post-operational follow-up to assess the efficacy and ensure complete response with minimal side effects. A COMSOL-based model of spatial temperature distributions of MWCNTs upon selected laser irradiation of the tumor was prepared to accurately predict the internal tumor temperature. This modeling ensured that 4.5W of total laser power delivered over 2 min, would cause an increase of tumor temperature above 45 ℃, and be needed to completely ablate the tumor while minimizing the damage to neighboring tissues. Experimentally, our temperature monitoring results were in line with our predictive modeling, with effective tumor photoablation leading to a significantly reduced post 5-week tumor recurrence using the TSHR-targeted MWCNTs. Ultimately, the results from this study support a utility for photosensitive biologically modified MWCNTs as a cancer therapeutic modality. Further studies will assist with the transition of photothermal therapy from preclinical studies to clinical evaluations.

Boron Nitride's Morphological Role in the Design of Injectable Hyaluronic Acid Based Hybrid Artificial Synovial Fluid

The treatment process of osteoarthritis (OA) is challenging as it affects not only cartilage but also subchondral bone, ligament attachment capsules, synovium, and surrounding muscle tissue. Therefore, the search for preventive treatment or methods to slow the onset of the condition. Hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) has a graphite-like lamellar structure and is thought to facilitate cartilage movement for biomedical applications, just like in bearing systems. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is one of the natural polymers that can be used to transport boron nitride and maintain its presence in joints for a long time. In this study, hybrid hydrogels were formulated by using boron nitride nanoparticles and nanosheets. The rheological properties of the hydrogels were evaluated according to the structural differences of hBN. Characterizations have shown that hybrid hydrogels can be produced in injectable form, and the rheological properties are strongly related to the structural properties of the added particle. It has been determined that hBN added to the hydrogel structure reduces the dynamic viscosity of the zero-shear point and the deformation rate of the hydrogel and also changes the viscoelastic properties of the hydrogel depending on boron nitride's structural differences. The suggested mechanism is the hybrid hydrogel that exhibits lower viscosity as the layers detach from each other or disperses the agglomerates under applied shear stress. hBN, which has been proposed as a new strategy for joint injections, is thought to be a promising candidate for the treatment of OA due to its lamellar structures.

Recent advances in tailoring stimuli-responsive hybrid scaffolds for cardiac tissue engineering and allied applications

To recapitulate bio-physical properties and functional behaviour of native heart tissues, recent tissue engineering-based approaches are focused on developing smart/stimuli-responsive materials for interfacing cardiac cells. Overcoming the drawbacks of the traditionally used biomaterials, these smart materials portray outstanding mechanical and conductive properties while promoting cell-cell interaction and cell-matrix transduction cues in such excitable tissues. To date, a large number of stimuli-responsive materials have been employed for interfacing cardiac tissues alone or in combination with natural/synthetic materials for cardiac tissue engineering. However, their comprehensive classification and a comparative analysis of the role played by these materials in regulating cardiac cell behaviour and in vivo metabolism are much less discussed. In an attempt to cover the recent advances in fabricating stimuli-responsive biomaterials for engineering cardiac tissues, this review details the role of these materials in modulating cardiomyocyte behaviour, functionality and surrounding matrix properties. Furthermore, concerns and challenges regarding the clinical translation of these materials and the possibility of using such materials for the fabrication of bio-actuators and bioelectronic devices are discussed.

Post-CMOS processing challenges and design developments of CMOS-MEMS microheaters for local CNT synthesis

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) can be locally grown on custom-designed CMOS microheaters by a thermal chemical vapour deposition (CVD) process to utilize the sensing capabilities of CNTs in emerging micro- and nanotechnology applications. For such a direct CMOS-CNT integration, a key requirement is the development of necessary post-processing steps on CMOS chips for fabricating CMOS-MEMS polysilicon heaters that can locally generate the required CNT synthesis temperatures (~650-900 °C). In our post-CMOS processing, a subtractive fabrication technique is used for micromachining the polysilicon heaters, where the passivation layers in CMOS are used as masks to protect the electronics. For dielectric etching, it is necessary to achieve high selectivity, uniform etching and a good etch rate to fully expose the polysilicon layers without causing damage. We achieved successful post-CMOS processing by developing two-step reactive ion etching (RIE) of the SiO2 dielectric layer and making design improvements to a second-generation CMOS chip. After the dry etching process, CMOS-MEMS microheaters are partially suspended by SiO2 wet etching with minimum damage to the exposed aluminium layers, to obtain high thermal isolation. The fabricated microheaters are then successfully utilized for synthesizing CNTs by a local thermal CVD process. The CMOS post-processing challenges and design aspects to fabricate CMOS-MEMS polysilicon microheaters for such high-temperature applications are detailed in this article. Our developed process for heterogeneous monolithic integration of CMOS-CNT shows promise for wafer-level manufacturing of CNT-based sensors by incorporating additional steps in an already existing foundry CMOS process.

Investigating the atomic behavior of carbon nanotubes as nanopumps

In this study, we utilized molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to investigate the nano pumping process of Carbon Nanotube (CNT) in an aqueous environment. In this research, an attempt has been made to investigate and analyze the pumping process of fullerene C20 and water molecules through a carbon nanotube that is externally stimulated by two oscillators. It should be noted that this nano pump is completely immersed in an aqueous environment and the inside and outside of the carbon nanotube is filled with water molecules. To simulate the aqueous environment with NaCl impurities and carbon structures, we employed the Universal Force Field and Tersoff interatomic potentials, respectively. The stability of the simulated structures was demonstrated through an equilibrium process, which was a result of the appropriate settings in our MD simulations. To describe the CNT nano pumping process, we analyzed the velocity and translational/rotational components of C20 kinetic energy over time steps. By decreasing the water impurity concentration from 0.50 to 0.075 mol/l, the nano pumping time varied from 10.98 to 10.11 ps, respectively. Additionally, optimization of the atomic wave producing in the nano pumping process led to a further decrease in pumping time to 10.01 ps. Finally, a 2.86% variation in calculated results was observed by changing the water MD simulation model from SPC to TIP4P.

Curvature induced structural changes of the chicken villin headpiece subdomain by single walled carbon nanotubes

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are identified as potential candidates for drug and biomolecular loading and delivery. CNTs of different chiralities have different diameters, which may significantly affect their abilities to interact with different types of biomolecules. Herein, we employ classical molecular dynamics simulation to provide insight into the curvature-dependent interactions between a model protein, chicken villin headpiece subdomain (HP36), with CNTs having chiralities (8,8), (12,12), and (20,20). It is revealed that, with increasing radii, the protein encounters more aromatic carbon atoms on the surface of the CNT, leading to its increasing strength of adsorption. However, the extent of adsorption has a limiting magnitude, after which an increase in the radius of the nanotube has practically no effect on the extent of adsorption. Spontaneous encapsulation of the protein was demonstrated using a (28,28) CNT, where the protein is found to undergo insignificant structural perturbation. Finally, steered molecular dynamics simulations have been performed to mimic the force-induced release of the protein from within the nanotube cavity. It has been identified that a minimum force of ∼300 pN and a minimum velocity of 4 Å ns-1 are required to release the protein from the CNT at 300 K. Any external force below the critical magnitude and inducing velocity less than 4 Å ns-1 allows the translocation of the protein through the inner surface of the CNT; however, before being released, the protein undergoes unfolding, thereby losing the secondary structure and biological activity.

4',7-dihydroxyflavone conjugated carbon nanotube formulation demonstrates improved efficacy against Leishmania parasite

One of the global problems of rising concern is the spread of the neglected tropical disease, leishmaniasis. There are several drugs used for the treatment of the disease but the repertoire of drugs has drawbacks like toxicity and low therapeutic value. Considering the need for new drugs, we studied the synthesis of 4',7-dihydroxyflavone conjugated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (47DHF-MWCNTs) and evaluated their anti-leishmanial activity against Leishmania donovani. The compound 47DHF was conjugated to the acid oxidized MWCTNs by Steglich esterification. The synthesized 47DHF-MWCNTs were characterized by UV spectroscopy, and, from the zeta value of 35 mV, they were found to be stable. 47DHF-MWCNTs possessed 84% drug loading efficiency and 63% cumulative drug release at intra-macrophage pH of 5.8. Moreover, the evaluation of 47DHF-MWCNTs for activity showed an IC50 value of 0.051 ± 0.01 μg/ml and 0.072 ± 0.01 μg/ml against the promastigote and amastigote form, respectively. 47DHF-MWCNTs exhibited an infectivity index of 42 and selectivity index of 95, suggesting the activity of 47DHF-MWCNTs against intracellular amastigotes in the study. The 47DHF-MWCNTs also had low cytotoxicity towards macrophage cells. Fascinatingly, the 47DHF-MWCNTs treatment causes a high accumulation of ROS in the promastigotes suggesting the mechanism of anti-leishmanial activity to be ROS mediated. Summarizing from our results, we propose for the first time a novel 47DHF conjugated MWCNTs capable of anti-leishmanial activity with lower cytotoxicity that has a huge potential to be a formulation against leishmaniasis.

Nanotube breakthroughs: unveiling the potential of carbon nanotubes as a dual therapeutic arsenal for Alzheimer's disease and brain tumors

Alzheimer's disease (AD) and brain tumors are debilitating neurological conditions that pose significant challenges in current medical practices. Existing treatment options for AD primarily focus on symptom management, and brain tumors often require aggressive therapeutic approaches. Novel disease-modifying strategies and therapeutic agents are urgently needed to address the underlying causes of AD pathogenesis and improve brain tumor management. In recent years, nanoparticles (NPs) have shown promise as valuable tools in diagnosing and managing various brain disorders, including AD. Among these, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have garnered attention for their unique properties and biomedical potential. Their ability to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) with ease opens up new possibilities for targeted drug delivery and neuroprotection. This literature review aims to explore the versatile nature of CNTs, which can be functionalized with various biomolecules or substances due to their sp2 hybridization. This adaptability enables them to specifically target cells and deliver medications under specific environmental conditions. Moreover, CNTs possess an exceptional capacity to penetrate cell membranes, making them valuable tools in the treatment of AD and brain tumors. By delving into the role of CNTs in biomedicine, this review sheds light on their potential in managing AD, offering a glimpse of hope for effective disease-modifying options. Understanding the mechanisms of CNTs' action and their capabilities in targeting and delivering medication to affected cells will pave the way for innovative therapeutic strategies that can improve the lives of those afflicted with these devastating neurological conditions. The exploration of CNTs as a dual therapeutic arsenal for both brain tumors and Alzheimer's disease holds great promise and may usher in a new era of effective treatment strategies for these challenging conditions.

The potential of carbon-based nanomaterials in hepatitis C virus treatment: a review of carbon nanotubes, dendrimers and fullerenes

HCV, hepatitis C virus, is a virus that causes damage to the liver. Both chronic infection or lack of treatment increase morbidity except if it is an acute infection, as the body clears the virus without any intervention. Also, the virus has many genotypes, and until now, there has yet to be a single treatment capable of affecting and treating all these genotypes at once. This review will discuss the main and most used old treatments, IFN-a, PEG IFN-a, Ribavirin, Celgosvir, and sofosbuvir alone and with the combination of other drugs and their drawbacks. They should be given in combination to improve the effect on the virus compared with being administrated independently, as in the case of sofosbuvir. For these reasons, the need for new treatments and diagnostic tools arises, and the rule of nanotechnology comes here. The role of carbon nanotubes, dendrimers, and fullerenes will be discussed. CNTs, carbon nanotubes, are one-dimensional structures composed of a cylindrical sheet of graphite and are mainly used for diagnostic purposes against HCV. Dendrimers, three-dimensional highly branched structures, are macromolecules that provide better drug delivery and treatment options due to their unique structure that can be modified, producing versatile types; each has unique properties. Fullerenes which are cage like structures derived and closely related to CNTs, and composed of carbon atoms that can be substituted by other atoms which in return open unlimited usage for these carbon based materials. Fullerenes rule is unique since it has two mechanisms that prevent the virus from binding and acting on the virus-replicating enzyme. However, their charge needs to be determined; otherwise, it will lead to cytotoxicity. Lastly, no review has been done on the role of nanotechnology against HCV yet.

Nano-based drug delivery system for therapeutics: a comprehensive review

Nanomedicine and nano-delivery systems hold unlimited potential in the developing sciences, where nanoscale carriers are employed to efficiently deliver therapeutic drugs at specifically targeted sites in a controlled manner, imparting several advantages concerning improved efficacy and minimizing adverse drug reactions. These nano-delivery systems target-oriented delivery of drugs with precision at several site-specific, with mild toxicity, prolonged circulation time, high solubility, and long retention time in the biological system, which circumvent the problems associated with the conventional delivery approach. Recently, nanocarriers such as dendrimers, liposomes, nanotubes, and nanoparticles have been extensively investigated through structural characteristics, size manipulation, and selective diagnosis through disease imaging molecules, which are very effective and introduce a new paradigm shift in drugs. In this review, the use of nanomedicines in drug delivery has been demonstrated in treating various diseases with significant advances and applications in different fields. In addition, this review discusses the current challenges and future directions for research in these promising fields as well.

The Use of Crystalline Carbon-Based Nanomaterials (CBNs) in Various Biomedical Applications

This review study aims to present, in a condensed manner, the significance of the use of crystalline carbon-based nanomaterials in biomedical applications. Crystalline carbon-based nanomaterials, encompassing graphene, graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide, carbon nanotubes, and graphene quantum dots, have emerged as promising materials for the development of medical devices in various biomedical applications. These materials possess inorganic semiconducting attributes combined with organic π-π stacking features, allowing them to efficiently interact with biomolecules and present enhanced light responses. By harnessing these unique properties, carbon-based nanomaterials offer promising opportunities for future advancements in biomedicine. Recent studies have focused on the development of these nanomaterials for targeted drug delivery, cancer treatment, and biosensors. The conjugation and modification of carbon-based nanomaterials have led to significant advancements in a plethora of therapies and have addressed limitations in preclinical biomedical applications. Furthermore, the wide-ranging therapeutic advantages of carbon nanotubes have been thoroughly examined in the context of biomedical applications.

Combination of CNTs with Classical Drugs for Treatment in Human Colorectal Adenocarcinoma (HT-29) Cell Line

Due to the increase in new types of cancer cells and resistance to drugs, conventional cancer treatments are sometimes insufficient. Therefore, an alternative is to apply nanotechnology to biomedical areas, minimizing side effects and drug resistance and improving treatment efficacy. This work aims to find a promising cancer treatment in the human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line (HT-29) to minimize the viability of cells (IC₅₀) by using carbon nanotubes (CNTs) combined with different drugs (5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and two repurposing drugs-tacrine (TAC) and ethionamide (ETA). Several CNT samples with different functional groups (-O, -N, -S) and textural properties were prepared and characterized by elemental and thermogravimetry analysis, size distribution, and textural and temperature programmed desorption. The samples that interacted most with the drugs and contributed to improving HT-29 cell treatment were samples doped with nitrogen and sulfur groups (CNT-BM-N and CNT-H₂SO₄-BM) with IC₅₀ 1.98 and 2.50 µmol∙dm^-3 from 5-FU and 15.32 and 15.81 µmol∙dm^-3 from TAC. On the other hand, ETA had no activity, even combined with the CNTs. These results allow us to conclude that the activity was improved for both 5-FU and TAC when combined with CNTs.

A tissue-engineered neural interface with photothermal functionality

Neural interfaces are well-established as a tool to understand the behaviour of the nervous system via recording and stimulation of living neurons, as well as serving as neural prostheses. Conventional neural interfaces based on metals and carbon-based materials are generally optimised for high conductivity; however, a mechanical mismatch between the interface and the neural environment can significantly reduce long-term neuromodulation efficacy by causing an inflammatory response. This paper presents a soft composite material made of gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) containing graphene oxide (GO) conjugated with gold nanorods (AuNRs). The soft hydrogel presents stiffness within the neural environment range of modulus below 5 kPa, while the AuNRs, when exposed to light in the near infrared range, provide a photothermal response that can be used to improve the spatial and temporal precision of neuromodulation. These favourable properties can be maintained at safer optical power levels when combined with electrical stimulation. In this paper we provide mechanical and biological characterization of the optical activity of the GO-AuNR composite hydrogel. The optical functionality of the material has been evaluated via photothermal stimulation of explanted rat retinal tissue. The outcomes achieved with this study encourage further investigation into optical and electrical costimulation parameters for a range of biomedical applications.

Recent advances in modification of novel carbon-based composites: Synthesis, properties, and biotechnological/ biomedical applications

Nowadays, carbon-based materials owing to great interest in biomedical science/biotechnology and applied for effective diagnosis and treatment of disease. To enhance the effectiveness of carbon nanotubes (CNTs)/graphene-based materials for bio-medical science/technology applications, different kinds of surface modification/functionalization were developed for the attachment of metal oxides nanostructures, biomolecules and polymers. The attachment of pharmaceutical agents with CNTs/graphene, make it a favorable candidate in research field of bio-medical science/technology applications. Surface modified/functionalized CNTs and graphene derivatives materials integrated with pharmaceutical agents has been developed for the purpose of cancer therapy, antibacterial action, pathogens bio detection, drug and gene delivery. Surface modification or functionalization of CNT/graphene materials provides good platform for pharmaceutical agents attachment with improved surface Raman scattering, fluorescence and its quenching capability. Graphene-based biosensing and bioimaging technologies are widely applied to identify numerous trace level analytes. These fluorescent and electrochemical sensors are utilized primarily for detecting organic, inorganic, and biomolecules. In this article, we highlights and summarized overview of the current research progress concerned on the CNTs/graphene-based materials as a new generation materials for detection and treatment of diseases.

Stability and Thrombogenicity Analysis of Collagen/Carbon Nanotube Nanocomposite Coatings Using a Reversible Microfluidic Device

Currently, the development of stable and antithrombogenic coatings for cardiovascular implants is socially important. This is especially important for coatings exposed to high shear stress from flowing blood, such as those on ventricular assist devices. A method of layer-by-layer formation of nanocomposite coatings based on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) in a collagen matrix is proposed. A reversible microfluidic device with a wide range of flow shear stresses has been developed for hemodynamic experiments. The dependence of the resistance on the presence of a cross-linking agent for collagen chains in the composition of the coating was demonstrated. Optical profilometry determined that collagen/c-MWCNT and collagen/c-MWCNT/glutaraldehyde coatings obtained sufficiently high resistance to high shear stress flow. However, the collagen/c-MWCNT/glutaraldehyde coating was almost twice as resistant to a phosphate-buffered solution flow. A reversible microfluidic device made it possible to assess the level of thrombogenicity of the coatings by the level of blood albumin protein adhesion to the coatings. Raman spectroscopy demonstrated that the adhesion of albumin to collagen/c-MWCNT and collagen/c-MWCNT/glutaraldehyde coatings is 1.7 and 1.4 times lower than the adhesion of protein to a titanium surface, widely used for ventricular assist devices. Scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy determined that blood protein was least detected on the collagen/c-MWCNT coating, which contained no cross-linking agent, including in comparison with the titanium surface. Thus, a reversible microfluidic device is suitable for preliminary testing of the resistance and thrombogenicity of various coatings and membranes, and nanocomposite coatings based on collagen and c-MWCNT are suitable candidates for the development of cardiovascular devices.

Hydrogels with electrically conductive nanomaterials for biomedical applications

Hydrogels, soft 3D materials of cross-linked hydrophilic polymer chains with a high water content, have found numerous applications in biomedicine because of their similarity to native tissue, biocompatibility and tuneable properties. In general, hydrogels are poor conductors of electric current, due to the insulating nature of commonly-used hydrophilic polymer chains. A number of biomedical applications require or benefit from an increased electrical conductivity. These include hydrogels used as scaffolds for tissue engineering of electroactive cells, as strain-sensitive sensors and as platforms for controlled drug delivery. The incorporation of conductive nanomaterials in hydrogels results in nanocomposite materials which combine electrical conductivity with the soft nature, flexibility and high water content of hydrogels. Here, we review the state of the art of such materials, describing the theories of current conduction in nanocomposite hydrogels, outlining their limitations and highlighting methods for improving their electrical conductivity.

Characterization and in vivo toxicological evaluation of multi-walled carbon nanotubes: a low-dose repeated intratracheal administration study

This study characterized and investigated the toxicity of two multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) NM-401 and NM-403 at 60 and 180 µg after four repeated intratracheal instillations; follow-up times were 3, 7, 30, and 90 days after the last instillation. NM-401 was needle-like, long, and thick, while NM-403 was entangled, short, and thin. Both MWCNT types induced transient pulmonary and systemic alterations in renal function and oxidative lipid damage markers in recent times. Animals showed general toxicity in the immediate times after exposures, in addition to increased pulmonary LDH release at day 3. In further times, decreased liver and kidney relative weights were noted at higher MWCNT doses. Lung histological damages included pulmonary fibrosis, for both MWCNT types, similarly to asbestos; single liver and kidney histological alterations were present. Repeated instillations led to persistent pulmonary damage at low doses, and possibly the extrapulmonary effects may be associated with the consecutive exposures.

Pristine, carboxylated, and hybrid multi-walled carbon nanotubes exert potent antioxidant activities in in vitro-cell free systems

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are tubular-shaped carbon allotropes, composed of multiple concentric graphene cylinders. The extended systems of conjugated double bonds, that MWCNTs are constituted by, provide them with high electron affinities, enabling them to act as electron donors or acceptors. Consequently, their potential biomedical applications, as synthetic antioxidant agents, are of particular interest. Based on the above, the purpose of the present study was to evaluate the intrinsic antioxidant properties of pristine and carboxylated MWCNTs, as well as of novel hybrid nanocomposites of MWCNTs and inorganic nanoparticles. To this end, after the synthesis and characterization of MWCNTs, their antiradical, reducing, and antigenotoxic properties were assessed in cell-free assays, using a methodological approach that has been recently proposed by our research group. According to our results, most of the tested MWCNTs exhibited strong antioxidant activities. More elaborately, the hybrid material of MWCNTs and ferrous oxide nanoparticles, i.e., CNTs@Fe₃O₄, showed robust scavenging capacities in all free-radical scavenging assays examined. As regards reducing properties, the pristine MWCNTs, i.e., CNTs-Ref, exhibited the greater electron donating capacity. Finally, in terms of antigenotoxic properties, the hybrid material of MWCNTs and silicon carbide nanoparticles, i.e., CNTs@SiC, exhibited potent ability to inhibit the formation of peroxyl radicals, thus preventing from the oxidative DNA damage. Conclusively, our findings suggest that the MWCNTs of the study could be considered as promising broad-spectrum antioxidants, however, further investigations are required to evaluate their toxicological profile in cell-based and in vivo systems.

Tapered Optical Fiber Sensor Coated with Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes for Dye Sensing Application

The present study aimed to improve the optical sensing performance of tapered optical fiber sensors toward aqueous Rhodamine B solution of different concentrations by applying single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). The functional coating was formed on the surface of the tapered optical fiber sensor using an aerosol layer-by-layer deposition method. Before deposition, the SWCNTs were processed with multistage liquid-phase treatment in order to form a stable dispersion. The effect of SWCNT treatment was investigated through Raman spectroscopy. The deposition of 220 layers caused a reduction of up to 60% of the initial optical power of radiation propagating through the optical fiber core. The optical fiber sensor coated with SWCNTs demonstrated significantly higher sensitivity compared to a non-coated sensor in the range of 2-32 mg/L of Rhodamine B concentration in an aqueous solution. The experimental results demonstrated that the sensitivity was increased 10 times from 32 (mg/L)^-1, for the non-coated sensor, up to 317 (mg/L)^-1 after SWCNT coating deposition. Moreover, the SWCNT-coated sensor demonstrated high repeatability that allowed for the evaluation of the concentration regardless of the previously analyzed dye concentration.

Toward the Commercialization of Carbon Nanotube Field Effect Transistor Biosensors

The development of biosensors based on field-effect transistors (FETs) using atomically thick carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as a channel material has the potential to revolutionize the related field due to their small size, high sensitivity, label-free detection, and real-time monitoring capabilities. Despite extensive research efforts to improve the sensitivity, selectivity, and practicality of CNT FET-based biosensors, their commercialization has not yet been achieved due to the non-uniform and unstable device performance, difficulties in their fabrication, the immaturity of sensor packaging processes, and a lack of reliable modification methods. This review article focuses on the practical applications of CNT-based FET biosensors for the detection of ultra-low concentrations of biologically relevant molecules. We discuss the various factors that affect the sensors' performance in terms of materials, device architecture, and sensor packaging, highlighting the need for a robust commercial process that prioritizes product performance. Additionally, we review recent advances in the application of CNT FET biosensors for the ultra-sensitive detection of various biomarkers. Finally, we examine the key obstacles that currently hinder the large-scale deployment of these biosensors, aiming to identify the challenges that must be addressed for the future industrialization of CNT FET sensors.

Microwave-Assisted Functionalization of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes for Biosensor and Drug Delivery Applications

Microwave-assisted synthetic methods have emerged as a popular technique for surface modification and the functionalization of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) for diverse drug delivery applications. Microwave-induced functionalization of MWCNTs provides a high functionalization and requires less time than conventional techniques. Microwave methods are simple, fast, and effective for the covalent and noncovalent conjugation of MWCNTs with various biomolecules and polymers. The present review focuses on the synthetic and drug delivery applications of microwave irradiation techniques (MITs) for the functionalization of MWCNTs, using amino acids and other molecular frameworks containing amino groups, vitamins, proteins, epoxy moieties, metal nanoparticles, and polymers.

Functionalized Carbon Nanoparticles as Theranostic Agents and Their Future Clinical Utility in Oncology

Over the years, research of nanoparticle applications in pre-clinical and clinical applications has greatly advanced our therapeutic and imaging approaches to many diseases, most notably neoplastic disorders. In particular, the innate properties of inorganic nanomaterials, such as gold and iron oxide, as well as carbon-based nanoparticles, have provided the greatest opportunities in cancer theranostics. Carbon nanoparticles can be used as carriers of biological agents to enhance the therapeutic index at a tumor site. Alternatively, they can also be combined with external stimuli, such as light, to induce irreversible physical damaging effects on cells. In this review, the recent advances in carbon nanoparticles and their use in cancer theranostics will be discussed. In addition, the set of evaluations that will be required during their transition from laboratory investigations toward clinical trials will be addressed.

Nanotechnology-Enabled Biosensors: A Review of Fundamentals, Design Principles, Materials, and Applications

Biosensors are modern engineering tools that can be widely used for various technological applications. In the recent past, biosensors have been widely used in a broad application spectrum including industrial process control, the military, environmental monitoring, health care, microbiology, and food quality control. Biosensors are also used specifically for monitoring environmental pollution, detecting toxic elements' presence, the presence of bio-hazardous viruses or bacteria in organic matter, and biomolecule detection in clinical diagnostics. Moreover, deep medical applications such as well-being monitoring, chronic disease treatment, and in vitro medical examination studies such as the screening of infectious diseases for early detection. The scope for expanding the use of biosensors is very high owing to their inherent advantages such as ease of use, scalability, and simple manufacturing process. Biosensor technology is more prevalent as a large-scale, low cost, and enhanced technology in the modern medical field. Integration of nanotechnology with biosensors has shown the development path for the novel sensing mechanisms and biosensors as they enhance the performance and sensing ability of the currently used biosensors. Nanoscale dimensional integration promotes the formulation of biosensors with simple and rapid detection of molecules along with the detection of single biomolecules where they can also be evaluated and analyzed critically. Nanomaterials are used for the manufacturing of nano-biosensors and the nanomaterials commonly used include nanoparticles, nanowires, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), nanorods, and quantum dots (QDs). Nanomaterials possess various advantages such as color tunability, high detection sensitivity, a large surface area, high carrier capacity, high stability, and high thermal and electrical conductivity. The current review focuses on nanotechnology-enabled biosensors, their fundamentals, and architectural design. The review also expands the view on the materials used for fabricating biosensors and the probable applications of nanotechnology-enabled biosensors.

Carbon-based nanostructures for cancer therapy and drug delivery applications

Synthesis, design, characterization, and application of carbon-based nanostructures (CBNSs) as drug carriers have attracted a great deal of interest over the past half of the century because of their promising chemical, thermal, physical, optical, mechanical, and electrical properties and their structural diversity. CBNSs are well-known in drug delivery applications due to their unique features such as easy cellular uptake, high drug loading ability, and thermal ablation. CBNSs, including carbon nanotubes, fullerenes, nanodiamond, graphene, and carbon quantum dots have been quite broadly examined for drug delivery systems. This review not only summarizes the most recent studies on developing carbon-based nanostructures for drug delivery (e.g. delivery carrier, cancer therapy and bioimaging), but also tries to deal with the challenges and opportunities resulting from the expansion in use of these materials in the realm of drug delivery. This class of nanomaterials requires advanced techniques for synthesis and surface modifications, yet a lot of critical questions such as their toxicity, biodistribution, pharmacokinetics, and fate of CBNSs in biological systems must be answered.

Assessment of Pristine Carbon Nanotubes Toxicity in Rodent Models

Carbon nanotubes are increasingly used in nanomedicine and material chemistry research, mostly because of their small size over a large surface area. Due to their properties, they are very attractive candidates for use in medicine and as drug carriers, contrast agents, biological platforms, and so forth. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) may affect many organs, directly or indirectly, so there is a need for toxic effects evaluation. The main mechanisms of toxicity include oxidative stress, inflammation, the ability to damage DNA and cell membrane, as well as necrosis and apoptosis. The research concerning CNTs focuses on different animal models, functionalization, ways of administration, concentrations, times of exposure, and a variety of properties, which have a significant effect on toxicity. The impact of pristine CNTs on toxicity in rodent models is being increasingly studied. However, it is immensely difficult to compare obtained results since there are no standardized tests. This review summarizes the toxicity issues of pristine CNTs in rodent models, as they are often the preferred model for human disease studies, in different organ systems, while considering the various factors that affect them. Regardless, the results showed that the majority of toxicological studies using rodent models revealed some toxic effects. Even with different properties, carbon nanotubes were able to generate inflammation, fibrosis, or biochemical changes in different organs. The problem is that there are only a small amount of long-term toxicity studies, which makes it impossible to obtain a good understanding of later effects. This article will give a greater overview of the situation on toxicity in many organs. It will allow researchers to look at the toxicity of carbon nanotubes in a broader context and help to identify studies that are missing to properly assess toxicity.

State-of-the-art techniques for promoting tissue regeneration: Combination of three-dimensional bioprinting and carbon nanomaterials

181Biofabrication approaches, such as three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting of hydrogels, have recently garnered increasing attention, especially in the construction of 3D structures that mimic the complexity of tissues and organs with the capacity for cytocompatibility and post-printing cellular development. However, some printed gels show poor stability and maintain less shape fidelity if parameters such as polymer nature, viscosity, shear-thinning behavior, and crosslinking are affected. Therefore, researchers have incorporated various nanomaterials as bioactive fillers into polymeric hydrogels to address these limitations. Carbon-family nanomaterials (CFNs), hydroxyapatites, nanosilicates, and strontium carbonates have been incorporated into printed gels for application in various biomedical fields. In this review, following the compilation of research publications on CFNs-containing printable gels in various tissue engineering applications, we discuss the types of bioprinters, the prerequisites of bioink and biomaterial ink, as well as the progress and challenges of CFNs-containing printable gels in this field.

Mechanical Properties of Cement Reinforced with Pristine and Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes: Simulation Studies

Concrete is well known for its compression resistance, making it suitable for any kind of construction. Several research studies show that the addition of carbon nanostructures to concrete allows for construction materials with both a higher resistance and durability, while having less porosity. Among the mentioned nanostructures are carbon nanotubes (CNTs), which consist of long cylindrical molecules with a nanoscale diameter. In this work, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations have been carried out, to study the effect of pristine or carboxyl functionalized CNTs inserted into a tobermorite crystal on the mechanical properties (elastic modulus and interfacial shear strength) of the resulting composites. The results show that the addition of the nanostructure to the tobermorite crystal increases the elastic modulus and the interfacial shear strength, observing a positive relation between the mechanical properties and the atomic interactions established between the tobermorite crystal and the CNT surface. In addition, functionalized CNTs present enhanced mechanical properties.

The Role of Optical Imaging in Translational Nanomedicine

Nanomedicines have been a major research focus in the past two decades and are increasingly emerging in a broad range of clinical applications. However, a proper understanding of their biodistribution is required to further progress the field of nanomedicine. For this, imaging methods to monitor the delivery and therapeutic efficacy of nanoparticles are urgently needed. At present, optical imaging is the most common method used to study the biodistribution of nanomaterials, where the unique properties of nanomaterials and advances in optical imaging can jointly result in novel methods for optimal monitoring of nanomaterials in preclinical animal models. This review article aims to give an introduction to nanomedicines and their translational impact to highlight the potential of optical imaging to study the biodistribution of nanoparticles and to monitor the delivery and therapeutic efficacy at the preclinical level. After introducing both domains, the review focuses on different techniques that can be used to overcome some intrinsic limitations of optical imaging and how this can specifically benefit nanoparticle studies. Finally, we point out some important key features of nanoparticles that currently hinder their full potential in the clinic and how the advances in optical imaging can help to provide us with the information needed to further boost the clinical translation and expand the field of nanomedicines.

Functional Nanomaterials in Biomedicine: Current Uses and Potential Applications

Nanomaterials, that is, materials made up of individual units between 1 and 100 nanometers, have lately involved a lot of attention since they offer a lot of potential in many fields, including pharmacy and biomedicine, owed to their exceptional physicochemical properties arising from their high surface area and nanoscale size. Smart engineering of nanostructures through appropriate surface or bulk functionalization endows them with multifunctional capabilities, opening up new possibilities in the biomedical field such as biosensing, drug delivery, imaging, medical implants, cancer treatment and tissue engineering. This article highlights up-to-date research in nanomaterials functionalization for biomedical applications. A summary of the different types of nanomaterials and the surface functionalization strategies is provided. Besides, the use of nanomaterials in diagnostic imaging, drug/gene delivery, regenerative medicine, cancer treatment and medical implants is reviewed. Finally, conclusions and future perspectives are provided.

Nanoparticles in the diagnosis and treatment of vascular aging and related diseases

Aging-induced alternations of vasculature structures, phenotypes, and functions are key in the occurrence and development of vascular aging-related diseases. Multiple molecular and cellular events, such as oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, vascular inflammation, cellular senescence, and epigenetic alterations are highly associated with vascular aging physiopathology. Advances in nanoparticles and nanotechnology, which can realize sensitive diagnostic modalities, efficient medical treatment, and better prognosis as well as less adverse effects on non-target tissues, provide an amazing window in the field of vascular aging and related diseases. Throughout this review, we presented current knowledge on classification of nanoparticles and the relationship between vascular aging and related diseases. Importantly, we comprehensively summarized the potential of nanoparticles-based diagnostic and therapeutic techniques in vascular aging and related diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, as well as chronic kidney diseases, and discussed the advantages and limitations of their clinical applications.

Indirect mediators of systemic health outcomes following nanoparticle inhalation exposure

The growing field of nanoscience has shed light on the wide diversity of natural and anthropogenic sources of nano-scale particulates, raising concern as to their impacts on human health. Inhalation is the most robust route of entry, with nanoparticles (NPs) evading mucociliary clearance and depositing deep into the alveolar region. Yet, impacts from inhaled NPs are evident far outside the lung, particularly on the cardiovascular system and highly vascularized organs like the brain. Peripheral effects are partly explained by the translocation of some NPs from the lung into the circulation; however, other NPs largely confined to the lung are still accompanied by systemic outcomes. Omic research has only just begun to inform on the complex myriad of molecules released from the lung to the blood as byproducts of pulmonary pathology. These indirect mediators are diverse in their molecular make-up and activity in the periphery. The present review examines systemic outcomes attributed to pulmonary NP exposure and what is known about indirect pathological mediators released from the lung into the circulation. Further focus was directed to outcomes in the brain, a highly vascularized region susceptible to acute and longer-term outcomes. Findings here support the need for big-data toxicological studies to understand what drives these health outcomes and better predict, circumvent, and treat the potential health impacts arising from NP exposure scenarios.