Magnetite (Fe3O4) Nanoparticles in Biomedical Application: From Synthesis to Surface Functionalisation

Efficient delivery of anticancer drugs using functionalized-Ag-decorated Fe3O4@SiO2 nanocarrier with folic acid and β-cyclodextrin

Nanocarrier surface functionalization has been widely regarded as a promising approach for achieving precise and targeted drug delivery systems. In this work, the fabrication of functionalized-Ag-decorated Fe3O4@SiO2 (Fe3O4@SiO2-Ag) nanocarriers with folic acid (FA) and β-cyclodextrin (BCD) exhibit a remarkable capacity for delivering two types of anticancer drugs, i.e., doxorubicin (DOX) and epirubicin (EPI), into cancer cells. The effective functionalization of Fe3O4@SiO2-Ag nanoparticles has been achieved through the use of cysteine (Cys) as an anchor for attaching FA and BCD via EDC-NHS coupling and Steglich esterification methods, respectively. The findings indicate that surface functionalization had no significant impact on the physicochemical characteristics of the nanoparticles. However, it notably affected DOX and EPI loading and release efficiency. The electrostatic conjugation of DOX/EPI onto the surface of Fe3O4@SiO2-Ag/Cys/FA and Fe3O4@SiO2-Ag/Cys/BCD exhibited maximum loading efficiency of 50-60% at concentration ratio of DOX/EPI to nanoparticles of 1:14. These nanocarriers also achieved an 40-47% DOX/EPI release over 36 days. Furthermore, the drug-loaded functionalized-nanocarrier showed cytotoxic effects on SK-MEL-2 cells, as demonstrated by an in vitro MTT assay. This suggests that the as-prepared functionalized-nanoparticles have promise as a carrier for the efficient anticancer drugs.

Magnetic hyperthermia in cancer therapy, mechanisms, and recent advances: A review

Hyperthermia therapy refers to the elevating of a region in the body for therapeutic purposes. Different techniques have been applied for hyperthermia therapy including laser, microwave, radiofrequency, ultrasonic, and magnetic nanoparticles and the latter have received great attention in recent years. Magnetic hyperthermia in cancer therapy aims to increase the temperature of the body tissue by locally delivering heat from the magnetic nanoparticles to cancer cells with the aid of an external alternating magnetic field to kill the cancerous cells or prevent their further growth. This review introduces magnetic hyperthermia with magnetic nanoparticles. It includes the mechanism of the operation and magnetism behind the magnetic hyperthermia phenomenon. Different synthesis methods and surface modification to enhance the biocompatibility, water solubility, and stability of the nanoparticles in physiological environments have been discussed. Recent research on versatile types of magnetic nanoparticles with their ability to increase the local temperature has been addressed.

Effect of Magnetite Nanoparticles on Human Blood Components

The qualitative composition and zeta potential of magnetite nanoparticles (size 4.2±1.2 nm) obtained by co-precipitation method were determined by X-ray and diffraction dynamic light scattering. The zeta potential of Fe3O4 particles was -15.1±4.5 mV. The possibility of interaction of magnetite nanoparticles with human blood plasma proteins and hemoglobin as well as with erythrocyte membranes was demonstrated by spectrophotometry, electrophoresis, and fluorescence methods. No changes in the sizes of hemoglobin molecules and plasma proteins after their modification by Fe3O4 particles were detected. The possibility of modifying the structural state of erythrocyte membranes in the presence of magnetite nanoparticles was demonstrated by means of fluorescent probe 1-anilinonaphthalene-8-sulfonate.

Progress in Core-Shell Magnetic Mesoporous Materials for Enriching Post-Translationally Modified Peptides

Endogenous peptides, particularly those with post-translational modifications, are increasingly being studied as biomarkers for diagnosing various diseases. However, they are weakly ionizable, have a low abundance in biological samples, and may be interfered with by high levels of proteins, peptides, and other macromolecular impurities, resulting in a high limit of detection and insufficient amounts of post-translationally modified peptides in real biological samples to be examined. Therefore, separation and enrichment are necessary before analyzing these biomarkers using mass spectrometry. Mesoporous materials have regular adjustable pores that can eliminate large proteins and impurities, and their large specific surface area can bind more target peptides, but this may result in the partial loss or destruction of target peptides during centrifugal separation. On the other hand, magnetic mesoporous materials can be used to separate the target using an external magnetic field, which improves the separation efficiency and yield. Core-shell magnetic mesoporous materials are widely utilized for peptide separation and enrichment due to their biocompatibility, efficient enrichment capability, and excellent recoverability. This paper provides a review of the latest progress in core-shell magnetic mesoporous materials for enriching glycopeptides and phosphopeptides and compares their enrichment performance with different types of functionalization methods.

Transferrin-conjugated magnetic nanoparticles for the isolation of brain-derived blood exosomal MicroRNAs: A novel approach for Parkinson's disease diagnosis

BACKGROUND

Brain-derived exosomes circulate in the bloodstream and other bodily fluids, serving as potential indicators of neurological disease progression. These exosomes present a promising avenue for the early and precise diagnosis of neurodegenerative conditions. Notably, miRNAs found in plasma extracellular vesicles (EVs) offer distinct diagnostic benefits due to their stability, abundance, and resistance to breakdown.

RESULTS

In this study, we introduce a method using transferrin conjugated magnetic nanoparticles (TMNs) to isolate these exosomes from the plasma of patients with neurological disorders. This TMNs technique is both quick (<35 min) and cost-effective, requiring no high-priced ingredients or elaborate equipment for EV extraction. Our method successfully isolated EVs from 33 human plasma samples, including those from patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), Multiple Sclerosis (MS), and Dementia. Using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis, we evaluated the potential of 8 exosomal miRNA profiles as biomarker candidates. Six exosomal miRNA biomarkers (miR-195-5p, miR-495-3p, miR-23b-3P, miR-30c-2-3p, miR-323a-3p, and miR-27a-3p) were consistently linked with all stages of PD.

SIGNIFICANCE

The TMNs method provides a practical, cost-efficient way to isolate EVs from biological samples, paving the way for non-invasive neurological diagnoses. Furthermore, the identified miRNA biomarkers in these exosomes may emerge as innovative tools for precise diagnosis in neurological disorders including PD.

Elucidating shape-mediated drug carrier mechanics of hematite nanomaterials for breast cancer therapeutics

Metallic nanomaterials have gained significant attention in cancer therapy as potential nanocarriers due to their unique properties at the nanoscale. However, nanomaterials face several drawbacks, including biocompatibility, stability, and cellular uptake. Hematite (α-Fe2O3) nanoparticles are emerging as promising nano-carriers to reduce adverse outcomes of conventional chemotherapeutics. However, the shape-mediated drug carrier mechanics of hematite nanomaterials are not raveled. In this study, we tailored hematite nanoparticles in ellipsoidal (EHNP) and spherical (SHNP) shapes with excellent biocompatibility and efficient drug encapsulation and release. We elucidate that EHNP exhibits higher cellular uptake than SHNP. With effective cellular internalization, the cisplatin-loaded EHNP showed excellent cytotoxicity with an IC50 value of 200 nM compared to the cisplatin-loaded SHNP. The flow cytometry cell sorting (FACS) analysis showed a four-fold increase in cell death by arresting the cells at the G0/G1 and G1 phases for cis-EHNP compared to cis-SHNP. The results show that ellipsoidal-shaped hematite nanoparticles can act as attractive nanocarriers with improved therapeutic efficacy in cancer therapy.

New 3D Vortex Microfluidic System Tested for Magnetic Core-Shell Fe3O4-SA Nanoparticle Synthesis

This study's main objective was to fabricate an innovative three-dimensional microfluidic platform suitable for well-controlled chemical syntheses required for producing fine-tuned nanostructured materials. This work proposes using vortex mixing principles confined within a 3D multilayered microreactor to synthesize magnetic core-shell nanoparticles with tailored dimensions and polydispersity. The newly designed microfluidic platform allowed the simultaneous obtainment of Fe3O4 cores and their functionalization with a salicylic acid shell in a short reaction time and under a high flow rate. Synthesis optimization was also performed, employing the variation in the reagents ratio to highlight the concentration domains in which magnetite is mainly produced, the formation of nanoparticles with different diameters and low polydispersity, and the stability of colloidal dispersions in water. The obtained materials were further characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), with the experimental results confirming the production of salicylic acid-functionalized iron oxide (Fe3O4-SA) nanoparticles adapted for different further applications.

Transformative Dynamics: Self-Assembly of Iron Oxide Hydroxide Nanorods into Iron Oxide Microcubes for Enhanced Perfluoroalkyl Substance Remediation

We report the controlled synthesis of iron oxide microcubes (IOMCs) through the self-assembly arrays of ferric oxide hydroxide nanorods (NRs). The formation of IOMCs involves a complex interplay of nucleation, self-assembly, and growth mechanisms influenced by time, thermal treatment, and surfactant dynamics. The self-assembly of vertically aligned NRs into IOMCs is controlled by dynamic magnetism properties and capping agents like cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), whose concentration and temperature modulation dictate growth kinetics and structural uniformity. These controlled structural growths were obtained via a hydrothermal process at 120 °C at various intervals of 8, 16, 24, and 32 h in the presence of CTAB as the capping agent. In this hydrothermal method, the formation of vertically oriented NR arrays was observed without the presence of ligands, binders, harsh drying techniques, and solvent evaporation. The formation of the self-assembly of NRs to IOMCs is obtained with an increase in saturated magnetization to attain the most stable state. The synthesized IOMCs have a uniform size, quasi-shape, and excellent dispersion. Due to its excellent magnetic and catalytic properties, IOMCs were employed to remove the various emerging pollutants known as per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS). Various microscopic and spectroscopic techniques were employed for the characterization and interaction studies of IOMCs with various PFAS. The interaction between IOMCs and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) was investigated, revealing strong adsorption tendencies facilitated by electrostatic interactions, as evidenced by UV-vis and FT-IR spectroscopic studies. Furthermore, the higher magnetic and positive surface charge of IOMCs is responsible for an effective remediation eliminating any secondary pollution with ease of recovery after the sorption interaction studies, thereby making it practically worthwhile.

Plant-Mediated Synthesis of Magnetite Nanoparticles with Matricaria chamomilla Aqueous Extract

Magnetite nanoparticles (NPs) possess properties that make them suitable for a wide range of applications. In recent years, interest in the synthesis of magnetite NPs and their surface functionalization has increased significantly, especially regarding their application in biomedicine such as for controlled and targeted drug delivery. There are several conventional methods for preparing magnetite NPs, all of which mostly utilize Fe(iii) and Fe(ii) salt precursors. In this study, we present a microwave hydrothermal synthesis for the precipitation of magnetite NPs at temperatures of 200 °C for 20 min and 260 °C for 5 min, with only iron(iii) as a precursor utilizing chamomile flower extract as a stabilizing, capping, and reducing agent. Products were characterized using FTIR, PXRD, SEM, and magnetometry. Our analysis revealed significant differences in the properties of magnetite NPs prepared with this approach, and the conventional two-precursor hydrothermal microwave method (sample MagH). FTIR and PXRD analyses confirmed coated magnetite particles. The temperature and magnetic-field dependence of magnetization indicate their superparamagnetic behavior. Importantly, the results of our study show the noticeable cytotoxicity of coated magnetite NPs-toxic to carcinoma cells but harmless to healthy cells-further emphasizing the potential of these NPs for biomedical applications.

Corals-inspired magnetic absorbents for fast and efficient removal of microplastics in various water sources

Microplastics (MPs) as the formidable pollutants with high toxicity and difficult degradation may threaten the aquaculture industry and human health, making it highly necessary to develop the effective removal methods. In this article, Fe3O4 nanoparticles (NPs) were initially fabricated with mesoporous structure, but showing undesirable adsorption efficiencies for the adsorption of MPs (lower than 70%). Inspired by the reefs-rebuilding corals acting as the sinks for various marine pollutants like plastic, Fe3O4 NPs were coated further with adhesive polymerized dopamine (PDA) yielding Fe3O4@PDA absorbents. Unexpectedly, it was discovered that the corals-mimicking absorbents so formed could allow for the removal of MPs with dramatically enhanced efficiencies up to 98.5%, which is over about 30% higher than those of bare Fe3O4 NPs. Herein, the PDA shells might conduct the increased adhesion to MPs, presumably through the formation of hydrogen bonding, π-π stacking, and hydrophobic interactions. A fast (within 20 min) and stable adsorption of MPs can also be expected, in addition to the PDA-improved environmental storage of Fe3O4 NPs. Subsequently, the Fe3O4@PDA adsorbents were utilized to remove MPs from different water sources with high efficiencies, including pure water, suburban streams, village rivers, lake water, inner-city moats, and aquaculture water. Such a magnet-recyclable adsorbent may provide a new way for rapid, effective, and low-cost removal of MPs pollutants from various water systems.

Anisotropy in magnetic materials for sensors and actuators in soft robotic systems

The field of soft intelligent robots has rapidly developed, revealing extensive potential of these robots for real-world applications. By mimicking the dexterities of organisms, robots can handle delicate objects, access remote areas, and provide valuable feedback on their interactions with different environments. For autonomous manipulation of soft robots, which exhibit nonlinear behaviors and infinite degrees of freedom in transformation, innovative control systems integrating flexible and highly compliant sensors should be developed. Accordingly, sensor-actuator feedback systems are a key strategy for precisely controlling robotic motions. The introduction of material magnetism into soft robotics offers significant advantages in the remote manipulation of robotic operations, including touch or touchless detection of dynamically changing shapes and positions resulting from the actuations of robots. Notably, the anisotropies in the magnetic nanomaterials facilitate the perception and response with highly selective, directional, and efficient ways used for both sensors and actuators. Accordingly, this review provides a comprehensive understanding of the origins of magnetic anisotropy from both intrinsic and extrinsic factors and summarizes diverse magnetic materials with enhanced anisotropy. Recent developments in the design of flexible sensors and soft actuators based on the principle of magnetic anisotropy are outlined, specifically focusing on their applicabilities in soft robotic systems. Finally, this review addresses current challenges in the integration of sensors and actuators into soft robots and offers promising solutions that will enable the advancement of intelligent soft robots capable of efficiently executing complex tasks relevant to our daily lives.

Fe3O4@SiO2 core/shell functionalized by gallic acid: a novel, robust, and water-compatible heterogeneous magnetic nanocatalyst for environmentally friendly synthesis of acridine-1,8-diones

In this study, we conveniently prepared a novel robust heterogeneous magnetic nanocatalyst using a Fe3O4@SiO2 core/shell stabilized by gallic acid. The catalyst was completely characterized by various physicochemical techniques, including infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), potentiometric titration, energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDX), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), zeta potential analysis, and BET. The potential ability of the newly developed sulfonated nanocatalyst was then exploited in the multicomponent synthesis of acridine-1,8-dione derivatives by considering the green chemistry matrix and under mild conditions. Various aldehydes and amines were smoothly reacted with dimedone, affording the desired products in good to excellent yields. The introduction of sulfonic groups using gallic acid allowed the development of a water-compatible and highly recyclable catalytic system for reactions in an aqueous environment. The prepared catalyst can be readily magnetically separated and reused eight times without significant loss of activity. High synthetic efficiency, using a recyclable and eco-sustainable catalyst under mild conditions, and easy product isolation are salient features of this catalytic system, which makes this protocol compatible with the demands of green chemistry.

Evaluation of Advanced Nanomaterials for Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment

Cancer is a persistent global disease and a threat to the human species, with numerous cases reported every year. Over recent decades, a steady but slowly increasing mortality rate has been observed. While many attempts have been made using conventional methods alone as a theragnostic strategy, they have yielded very little success. Most of the shortcomings of such conventional methods can be attributed to the high demands of industrial growth and ever-increasing environmental pollution. This requires some high-tech biomedical interventions and other solutions. Thus, researchers have been compelled to explore alternative methods. This has brought much attention to nanotechnology applications, specifically magnetic nanomaterials, as the sole or conjugated theragnostic methods. The exponential growth of nanomaterials with overlapping applications in various fields is due to their potential properties, which depend on the type of synthesis route used. Either top-down or bottom-up strategies synthesize various types of NPs. The top-down only branches out to one method, i.e., physical, and the bottom-up has two methods, chemical and biological syntheses. This review highlights some synthesis techniques, the types of nanoparticle properties each technique produces, and their potential use in the biomedical field, more specifically for cancer. Despite the evident drawbacks, the success achieved in furthering nanoparticle applications to more complex cancer stages and locations is unmatched.

Facile synthesis of Fe2O3, Fe2O3@CuO and WO3 nanoparticles: characterization, structure determination and evaluation of their biological activity

Due to their high specific surface area and its characteristic's functionalized nanomaterials have great potential in medical applications specialty, as an anticancer. Herein, functional nanoparticles (NPs) based on iron oxide Fe2O3, iron oxide modified with copper oxide Fe2O3@CuO, and tungsten oxide WO3 were facile synthesized for biomedical applications. The obtained nanomaterials have nanocrystal sizes of 35.5 nm for Fe2O3, 7 nm for Fe2O3@CuO, and 25.5 nm for WO3. In addition to octahedral and square nanoplates for Fe2O3, and WO3; respectively. Results revealed that Fe2O3, Fe2O3@CuO, and WO3 NPs showed remarked anticancer effects versus a safe effect on normal cells through cytotoxicity test using MTT-assay. Notably, synthesized NPs e.g. our result demonstrated that Fe2O3@CuO exhibited the lowest IC50 value on the MCF-7 cancer cell line at about 8.876 µg/ml, compared to Fe2O3 was 12.87 µg/ml and WO3 was 9.211 µg/ml which indicate that the modification NPs Fe2O3@CuO gave the highest antiproliferative effect against breast cancer. However, these NPs showed a safe mode toward the Vero normal cell line, where IC50 were monitored as 40.24 µg/ml for Fe2O3, 21.13 µg/ml for Fe2O3@CuO, and 25.41 µg/ml for WO3 NPs. For further evidence. The antiviral activity using virucidal and viral adsorption mechanisms gave practiced effect by viral adsorption mechanism and prevented the virus from replicating inside the cells. Fe2O3@CuO and WO3 NPs showed a complete reduction in the viral load synergistic effect of combinations between the tested two materials copper oxide instead of iron oxide alone. Interestingly, the antimicrobial efficiency of Fe2O3@CuO NPs, Fe2O3NPs, and WO3NPs was evaluated using E. coli, S. aureus, and C. albicans pathogens. The widest microbial inhibition zone (ca. 38.45 mm) was observed with 250 mg/ml of WO3 NPs against E. coli, whereas using 40 mg/ml of Fe2O3@CuO NPS could form microbial inhibition zone ca. 32.86 mm against S. aureus. Nevertheless, C. albicans was relatively resistant to all examined NPs. The superior biomedical activities of these nanostructures might be due to their unique features and accepted evaluations.

Using Decellularized Magnetic Microrobots to Deliver Functional Cells for Cartilage Regeneration

The use of natural cartilage extracellular matrix (ECM) has gained widespread attention in the field of cartilage tissue engineering. However, current approaches for delivering functional scaffolds for osteoarthritis (OA) therapy rely on knee surgery, which is limited by the narrow and complex structure of the articular cavity and carries the risk of injuring surrounding tissues. This work introduces a novel cell microcarrier, magnetized cartilage ECM-derived scaffolds (M-CEDSs), which are derived from decellularized natural porcine cartilage ECM. Human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells are selected for their therapeutic potential in OA treatments. Owing to their natural composition, M-CEDSs have a biomechanical environment similar to that of human cartilage and can efficiently load functional cells while maintaining high mobility. The cells are released spontaneously at a target location for at least 20 days. Furthermore, cell-seeded M-CEDSs show better knee joint function recovery than control groups 3 weeks after surgery in preclinical experiments, and ex vivo experiments reveal that M-CEDSs can rapidly aggregate inside tissue samples. This work demonstrates the use of decellularized microrobots for cell delivery and their in vivo therapeutic effects in preclinical tests.

Magnetic-assisted preparation and performance control of Fe3O4/PVDF gradient magnetic composites

In this study, a gradient Fe3O4/PVDF magnetic composite was prepared using magnetic-assisted template filling technology. The purpose of this study was to explore a simple, economical, and scalable method for preparing gradient magnetic composites. The structure and magnetic performance of the composite were studied, and the parameters that influenced the gradient magnetic properties of the material, such as magnetic intensity, magnet spacing, initial content of magnetic particles, and magnet movement speed, were investigated. The results showed that increasing magnetic intensity during the template filling process enhanced the electromagnetic force on the magnetic particles, resulting in a greater magnetic particle content gradient. The variation in magnet spacing affected the spatial magnetic field distribution, and increasing the magnet spacing increased the gradient of the magnetic intensity in the y-direction. The magnetic gradient of the Fe3O4/PVDF composite first decreased and then increased as the magnet spacing increased. Increasing the magnet movement speed enhanced the gradient of the magnetic intensity in the y-component but shortened the duration of the electromagnetic force. By adjusting these parameters, it is possible to regulate the structural and magnetic properties of the Fe3O4/PVDF composite. This work may have implications for research and application in related fields and promote the development and innovation of magnetic materials.

Vinorelbine-loaded multifunctional magnetic nanoparticles as anticancer drug delivery systems: synthesis, characterization, and in vitro release study

In this study, a multifunctional therapeutic agent combining chemotherapy and photothermal therapy on a single platform has been developed in the form of vinorelbine-loaded polydopamine-coated iron oxide nanoparticles. Vinorelbine (VNB) is loaded on the surface of iron oxide nanoparticles produced by a solvothermal technique after coating with polydopamine (PDA) with varying weight ratios as a result of dopamine polymerisation and covalent bonding of thiol-polyethylene glycol (SH-PEG). The VNB/PDA/Fe3O4 nanoparticles have a saturation magnetisation value of 60.40 emu/g in vibrating sample magnetometry, which proves their magnetisation. Vinorelbine, which is used as an effective cancer therapy agent, is included in the nanocomposite structure, and in vitro drug release studies under different pH conditions (pH 5.5 and 7.4) and photothermal activity at 808 nm NIR laser irradiation are investigated. The comprehensive integration of precise multifunctional nanoparticles design, magnetic response, and controlled drug release with photothermal effect brings a different perspective to advanced cancer treatment research.

SPIONs: Superparamagnetic iron oxide-based nanoparticles for the delivery of microRNAi-therapeutics in cancer

Non-coding RNA (ncRNA)-based therapeutics that induce RNA interference (RNAi), such as microRNAs (miRNAs), have drawn considerable attention as a novel class of targeted cancer therapeutics because of their capacity to specifically target oncogenes/protooncogenes that regulate key signaling pathways involved in carcinogenesis, tumor growth and progression, metastasis, cell survival, proliferation, angiogenesis, and drug resistance. However, clinical translation of miRNA-based therapeutics, in particular, has been challenging due to the ineffective delivery of ncRNA molecules into tumors and their uptake into cancer cells. Recently, superparamagnetic iron oxide-based nanoparticles (SPIONs) have emerged as highly effective and efficient for the delivery of therapeutic RNAs to malignant tissues, as well as theranostic (therapy and diagnostic) applications, due to their excellent biocompatibility, magnetic responsiveness, broad functional surface modification, safety, and biodistribution profiles. This review highlights recent advances in the use of SPIONs for the delivery of ncRNA-based therapeutics with an emphasis on their synthesis and coating strategies. Moreover, the advantages and current limitations of SPIONs and their future perspectives are discussed.

Influence of the Type of Biocompatible Polymer in the Shell of Magnetite Nanoparticles on Their Interaction with DPPC in Two-Component Langmuir Monolayers

Magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs) are attractive nanomaterials for applications in magnetic resonance imaging, targeted drug delivery, and anticancer therapy due to their unique properties such as nontoxicity, wide chemical affinity, and intrinsic superparamagnetism. Their functionalization with polymers such as chitosan or poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) can not only improve their biocompatibility and biodegradability but it also plays an important role in their interactions with biological cells. In this work, the effect of the functionalization of MNPs with chitosan, PVA, and their blend on model cell membranes formed from 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) using a Langmuir technique was studied. The studies performed showed that the type of biocompatible polymer in the MNP shell plays a crucial role in the effectiveness of its adsorption process into the model cell membrane. Modification of MNPs with chitosan facilitates significantly more effective adsorption than coating them with PVA or with a chitosan and PVA blend. The presence of all the investigated MNPs in the DPPC monolayer at low concentrations does not affect its thermodynamic state, fluidity, or morphology, which is promising in terms of their biocompatibility. On the other hand, their high concentration (molar fraction above ≈0.05) exerts a disruptive effect on the model cell membrane and results in their aggregation, leading probably to the loss of their superparamagnetic properties essential for nanomedicine.

Hyphae-specific genes: Possible molecular targets for magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles alone and combined with visible light in Candida albicans

Candida albicans readily develops resistance to fluconazole. Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (denoted as MION) and antimicrobial photodynamic therapy are attracting attention as therapeutic agents. This study aims to investigate the inhibitory efficacy of MION alone and combined with visible light against C. albicans and expression analysis of hyphal wall protein 1 (HWP1) and agglutinin-like sequence 1 (ALS1) genes in C. albicans. Antifungal susceptibility testing, photodynamic activity assay, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production assay and gene expression analysis were determined in C. albicans treated with MION alone and combined with visible light. MION at 1 × minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) level (500 μg/mL) exhibited antifungal activity against C. albicans isolates. Further, 1 × MIC levels of MION alone and combined with visible light displayed remarkable fungicidal effects at 24 and 48 h after treatment. The MION combined with visible light caused the highest levels of ROS production by all C. albicans isolates. The relative RT-PCR data showed significant downregulation of HWP1 and ALS1 genes which are the key virulence genes in C. albicans. Differences in gene expression of  HWP1 and ALS1 were more significant in MION combined with visible light treatments than MION alone. Our study sheds a novel light on facile development of effective treatment of C. albicans especially fluconazole-resistant C. albicans infections. The hyphae-specific genes HWP1 and ALS1 could be probable molecular targets for MION alone and combined with visible light in C. albicans.

Green synthesis of quinazoline derivatives using a novel recyclable nano-catalyst of magnetic modified graphene oxide supported with copper

A new magnetic nano-catalyst system based on graphene oxide was designed and manufactured (GO@Fe3O4@3-chloropropyltrimethoxysilane@(Z)-N'-(2-hydroxybenzylidene)-4-(pyridin-4-yl)benzohydrazide@Cu(II)), and it was checked and confirmed by various analyzes such as FTIR, XRD, EDX, MAPPING, TGA/DSC, VSM and FESEM. This nano-catalyst was used in the three-component one-pot synthesis of quinazoline derivatives. The products were obtained using this efficient catalyst with high efficiency in short time and solvent-free conditions. Easy separation and acceptable recyclability are other advantages of this new nano-catalyst. Also, the catalyst can be recycled 4 times without a significant change in its efficiency.

Improvement of Magnetic Saturation in Fe3O4@Y2O3:Eu3+ Nanocomposites Through the Manipulation of Eu3+ Activators

Fe3O4@Y2O3:Eu3+ nanocomposites and Y2O3:Eu3+ nanophosphors were synthesized using the hydrothermal method. Nanocomposites were analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Rietveld refinements, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, photoluminescence (PL), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). Nanocomposites exhibit superparamagnetic behavior that improves with Eu3+, resulting in increased magnetic saturation. In contrast to Y2O3:Eu3+ nanophosphors, the Fe3O4@Y2O3:Eu3+ nanocomposites display a distinctive characteristic whereby the photoluminescence intensity increases with a reduced concentration of Eu3+. The requirement of increasing the thickness of the Y2O3:Eu3+ outer layer to achieve improved light emission can be circumvented by solely manipulating the concentration of activators, without compromising the magnetic saturation of the nanocomposites. The luminescent and magnetic characteristics of Fe3O4@Y2O3:Eu3+ nanocomposites can be readily optimized using straightforward synthesis parameters, making them promising candidates for potential applications in theranostic medicine.

Evaluation of a temperature-responsive magnetotocosome as a magnetic targeting drug delivery system for sorafenib tosylate anticancer drug

In this investigation, a polymeric fusion of chitosan (CS) and thermosensitive poly (N-isopropyl acrylamide) - PNIPAAm - encapsulated a magnetotocosome, biocompatible nanocarrier. This encapsulation strategy demonstrated improved drug entrapment efficiency, achieving up to 98.8 %. Additionally, it exhibited extended stability, optimal particle dimensions, and the potential for industrial scaling, thus facilitating controlled drug delivery of sorafenib tosylate to cancerous tissue. Reversible Addition-Fragmentation Chain Transfer (RAFT) techniques were employed to synthesize PNIPAAm. The effects of polymer molecular weight and polydispersity index on the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) were evaluated. The resulting polymeric amalgamation, involving the thermosensitive PNIPAAm synthesized using RAFT techniques and CS that coated the magnetotocosome (CS-Raft PNIPAAm-magnetotocosome) with an LCST approximately at 45 °C, holds the potential to enhance drug bioavailability and enable applications in hyperthermia treatment, controlled release, and targeted drug delivery.

Intratumoral thermo-chemotherapeutic alginate hydrogel containing doxorubicin loaded PLGA nanoparticle and heating agent

Chemotherapy has been widely used to treat cancer; however, the non-specific systemic toxicity of chemotherapeutic agents has always been an issue. Local injection treatment is a strategy used to reduce the undesired adverse effects of chemotherapeutic drugs. In addition, chemotherapeutic agents combined with thermotherapy are effective in further enhancing therapeutic potency. In the present study, we prepared an injectable hydrogel, namely, doxorubicin (DOX)-loaded poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticle (DPN) and magnetite nanoparticle (MNP) embedded in alginate hydrogel (DPN/MNP-HG), where DPN and MNP were the chemotherapeutic and heating agents, respectively, for intratumoral thermo-chemotherapy. Injectable DPN/MNP-HG, which possesses solid-like elastic properties, was conveniently prepared via ionic cross-linking at room-temperature. When exposed to an alternating magnetic field (AMF), DPN/MNP-HG exhibited controllable heat generation with a reversible temperature-rise profile. Regarding the kinetics of DOX release, both with and without AMF, DPN/MNP-HG exhibited a slow initial burst and sustained release profile. In cytotoxicity studies and subcutaneous mouse cancer models, successful thermo-chemotherapy with DPN/MNP-HG resulted in significantly lower cell viability and increased tumor-growth suppression; mice also exhibited good tolerance to injected DPN/MNP-HG both with(+) and without AMF application. In conclusion, the proposed thermo-chemotherapeutic DPN/MNP-HG for local intratumoral injection is a promising formulation for cancer treatment.

Microwave-Assisted Silanization of Magnetite Nanoparticles Pre-Synthesized by a 3D Microfluidic Platform

Magnetite nanoparticles (Fe3O4 NPs) are among the most investigated nanomaterials, being recognized for their biocompatibility, versatility, and strong magnetic properties. Given that their applicability depends on their dimensions, crystal morphology, and surface chemistry, Fe3O4 NPs must be synthesized in a controlled, simple, and reproducible manner. Since conventional methods often lack tight control over reaction parameters and produce materials with unreliable characteristics, increased scientific interest has been directed to microfluidic techniques. In this context, the present paper describes the development of an innovative 3D microfluidic platform suitable for synthesizing uniform Fe3O4 NPs with fine-tuned properties. On-chip co-precipitation was performed, followed by microwave-assisted silanization. The obtained nanoparticles were characterized from the compositional and microstructural perspectives by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Moreover, supplementary physicochemical investigations, such as Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Kaiser Test, Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis) Spectrophotometry, Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), and Thermogravimetry and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (TG-DSC) analyses, demonstrated the successful surface modification. Considering the positive results, the presented synthesis and functionalization method represents a fast, reliable, and effective alternative for producing tailored magnetic nanoparticles.

Recent Advancements and Strategies for Overcoming the Blood-Brain Barrier Using Albumin-Based Drug Delivery Systems to Treat Brain Cancer, with a Focus on Glioblastoma

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a highly aggressive malignant tumor, and the most prevalent primary malignant tumor affecting the brain and central nervous system. Recent research indicates that the genetic profile of GBM makes it resistant to drugs and radiation. However, the main obstacle in treating GBM is transporting drugs through the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Albumin is a versatile biomaterial for the synthesis of nanoparticles. The efficiency of albumin-based delivery systems is determined by their ability to improve tumor targeting and accumulation. In this review, we will discuss the prevalence of human glioblastoma and the currently adopted treatment, as well as the structure and some essential functions of the BBB, to transport drugs through this barrier. We will also mention some aspects related to the blood-tumor brain barrier (BTBB) that lead to poor treatment efficacy. The properties and structure of serum albumin were highlighted, such as its role in targeting brain tumors, as well as the progress made until now regarding the techniques for obtaining albumin nanoparticles and their functionalization, in order to overcome the BBB and treat cancer, especially human glioblastoma. The albumin drug delivery nanosystems mentioned in this paper have improved properties and can overcome the BBB to target brain tumors.

Novel Material Optimization Strategies for Developing Upgraded Abdominal Meshes

Over 20 million hernias are operated on globally per year, with most interventions requiring mesh reinforcement. A wide range of such medical devices are currently available on the market, most fabricated from synthetic polymers. Yet, searching for an ideal mesh is an ongoing process, with continuous efforts directed toward developing upgraded implants by modifying existing products or creating innovative systems from scratch. In this regard, this review presents the most frequently employed polymers for mesh fabrication, outlining the market available products and their relevant characteristics, further focusing on the state-of-the-art mesh approaches. Specifically, we mainly discuss recent studies concerning coating application, nanomaterials addition, stem cell seeding, and 3D printing of custom mesh designs.

Microfluidic Synthesis of Magnetite Nanoparticles for the Controlled Release of Antibiotics

Magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs) have been intensively studied for biomedical applications, especially as drug delivery systems for the treatment of infections. Additionally, they are characterized by intrinsic antimicrobial properties owing to their capacity to disrupt or penetrate the microbial cell wall and induce cell death. However, the current focus has shifted towards increasing the control of the synthesis reaction to ensure more uniform nanoparticle sizes and shapes. In this context, microfluidics has emerged as a potential candidate method for the controlled synthesis of nanoparticles. Thus, the aim of the present study was to obtain a series of antibiotic-loaded MNPs through a microfluidic device. The structural properties of the nanoparticles were investigated through X-ray diffraction (XRD) and, selected area electron diffraction (SAED), the morphology was evaluated through transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high-resolution TEM (HR-TEM), the antibiotic loading was assessed through Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and, and thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC) analyses, and. the release profiles of both antibiotics was determined through UV-Vis spectroscopy. The biocompatibility of the nanoparticles was assessed through the MTT assay on a BJ cell line, while the antimicrobial properties were investigated against the S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, and C. albicans strains. Results proved considerable uniformity of the antibiotic-containing nanoparticles, good biocompatibility, and promising antimicrobial activity. Therefore, this study represents a step forward towards the microfluidic development of highly effective nanostructured systems for antimicrobial therapies.

Synthesis of Iron Oxides and Influence on Final Sizes and Distribution in Bacterial Cellulose Applications

Iron oxide nanoparticles have been investigated due to their suitable characteristics for diverse applications in the fields of biomedicine, electronics, water or wastewater treatment and sensors. Maghemite, magnetite and hematite are the most widely studied iron oxide particles and have ferrimagnetic characteristics. When very small, however, these particles have superparamagnetic properties and are called superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs). Several methods are used for the production of these particles, such as coprecipitation, thermal decomposition and microemulsion. However, the variables of the different types of synthesis must be assessed to achieve greater control over the particles produced. In some studies, it is possible to compare the influence of variations in the factors for production with each of these methods. Thus, researchers use different adaptations of synthesis based on each objective and type of application. With coprecipitation, it is possible to obtain smaller, more uniform particles with adjustments in temperature, pH and the types of reagents used in the process. With thermal decomposition, greater control is needed over the time, temperature and proportion of surfactants and organic and aqueous phases in order to produce smaller particles and a narrower size distribution. With the microemulsion process, the control of the confinement of the micelles formed during synthesis through the proportions of surfactant and oil makes the final particles smaller and less dispersed. These nanoparticles can be used as additives for the creation of new materials, such as magnetic bacterial cellulose, which has different innovative applications. Composites that have SPIONs, which are produced with greater rigour with regards to their size and distribution, have superparamagnetic properties and can be used in medical applications, whereas materials containing larger particles have ferromagnetic applications. To arrive at a particular particle with specific characteristics, researchers must be attentive to both the mechanism selected and the production variables to ensure greater quality and control of the materials produced.

The Effect of a DC Magnetic Field on the AC Magnetic Properties of Oleic Acid-Coated Fe3O4 Nanoparticles

The AC magnetic properties of a sample of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles coated with oleic acid have been investigated with the help of AC susceptibility measurements. In particular, several DC magnetic fields have been superimposed on the AC field, and their effect on the magnetic response of the sample has been analysed. The results show the presence of a double peak structure in the imaginary component of the complex AC susceptibility measured as a function of the temperature. A preliminary evaluation of the Mydosh parameter for both peaks gives the information that each one of them is associated with a different state of interaction between nanoparticles. The two peaks evolve both in amplitude and position when the intensity of the DC field is changed. The field dependence of the peak position shows two different trends, and it is possible to study them in the framework of the currently existing theoretical models. In particular, a model of non-interacting magnetic nanoparticles has been used to describe the behaviour of the peak at lower temperatures, whereas the behaviour of the peak at higher temperatures has been analysed in the framework of a spin-glass-like model. The proposed analysis technique can be useful for the characterisation of magnetic nanoparticles used in several types of applications, such as biomedical and magnetic fluids.

Design and preparation of amino-functionalized core-shell magnetic nanoparticles for photocatalytic application and investigation of cytotoxicity effects

The goal of the current paper was a synthesis of Amino-functionalized Fe3O4@SiO2 core-shell magnetic nanoparticles as a unique efficient photocatalyst for removing organic dyes from aqueous environments. The magnetic Fe3O4@SiO2 core-shell was produced by a silica source to avoid aggregation by the co-precipitation method. Next, functionalized by using 3-Aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) via a post-synthesis link. The chemical structure, magnetic properties, and shape of the manufactured photocatalyst (Fe3O4@SiO2-NH2) were described by XRD, VSM, FT-IR, FESEM, EDAX, and DLS/Zeta potential analyses. The XRD findings approved the successful synthesis of nanoparticles. The photocatalytic activity of Fe3O4@SiO2-NH2 nanoparticles was examined for MB degradation and the degradation performance was about 90% in the optimum conditions. Also, the cytotoxicity of Fe3O4, Fe3O4@SiO2 core-shell, and Fe3O4@SiO2-NH2 nanoparticles was examined on CT-26 cells using an MTT assay, the finding has shown that nanoparticles can be used for inhibiting cancer cells.

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High Biocompatibility, MRI Enhancement, and Dual Chemo- and Thermal-Therapy of Curcumin-Encapsulated Alginate/Fe3O4 Nanoparticles

(1) Background: Magnetite (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles have great potential for biomedical applications, including hyperthermia and magnetic resonance imaging. In this study, we aimed to identify the biological activity of nanoconjugates composed of superparamagnetic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles coated with alginate and curcumin (Fe₃O₄/Cur@ALG) in cancer cells. (2) Methods: The nanoparticles were evaluated for the biocompatibility and toxicity on mice. The MRI enhancement and hyperthermia capacities of Fe₃O₄/Cur@ALG were determined in both in vitro and in vivo sarcoma models. (3) Results: The results show that the magnetite nanoparticles exhibit high biocompatibility and low toxicity in mice at Fe₃O₄ concentrations up to 120 mg/kg when administered via intravenous injection. The Fe₃O₄/Cur@ALG nanoparticles enhance the magnetic resonance imaging contrast in cell cultures and tumor-bearing Swiss mice. The autofluorescence of curcumin also allowed us to observe the penetration of the nanoparticles into sarcoma 180 cells. In particular, the nanoconjugates synergistically inhibit the growth of sarcoma 180 tumors via magnetic heating and the anticancer effects of curcumin, both in vitro and in vivo. (4) Conclusions: Our study reveals that Fe₃O₄/Cur@ALG has a high potential for medicinal applications and should be further developed for cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Influence of the modifiers in polyol method on magnetically induced hyperthermia and biocompatibility of ultrafine magnetite nanoparticles

Magnetite nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄ NPs) are widely tested in various biomedical applications, including magnetically induced hyperthermia. In this study, the influence of the modifiers, i.e., urotropine, polyethylene glycol, and NH₄HCO_3, on the size, morphology, magnetically induced hyperthermia effect, and biocompatibility were tested for Fe₃O₄ NPs synthesized by polyol method. The nanoparticles were characterized by a spherical shape and similar size of around 10 nm. At the same time, their surface is functionalized by triethylene glycol or polyethylene glycol, depending on the modifiers. The Fe₃O₄ NPs synthesized in the presence of urotropine had the highest colloidal stability related to the high positive value of zeta potential (26.03 ± 0.55 mV) but were characterized by the lowest specific absorption rate (SAR) and intrinsic loss power (ILP). The highest potential in the hyperthermia applications have NPs synthesized using NH₄HCO₃, for which SAR and ILP were equal to 69.6 ± 5.2 W/g and 0.613 ± 0.051 nHm²/kg, respectively. Their application possibility was confirmed for a wide range of magnetic fields and by cytotoxicity tests. The absence of differences in toxicity to dermal fibroblasts between all studied NPs was confirmed. Additionally, no significant changes in the ultrastructure of fibroblast cells were observed apart from the gradual increase in the number of autophagous structures.

Prospect of nanomaterials as antimicrobial and antiviral regimen

In recent years studies of nanomaterials have been explored in the field of microbiology due to the increasing evidence of antibiotic resistance. Nanomaterials could be inorganic or organic, and they may be synthesized from natural products from plant or animal origin. The therapeutic applications of nano-materials are wide, from diagnosis of disease to targeted delivery of drugs. Broad-spectrum antiviral and antimicrobial activities of nanoparticles are also well evident. The ratio of nanoparticles surface area to their volume is high and that allows them to be an advantageous vehicle of drugs in many respects. Effective uses of various materials for the synthesis of nanoparticles impart much specificity in them to meet the requirements of specific therapeutic strategies. The potential therapeutic use of nanoparticles and their mechanisms of action against infections from bacteria, fungi and viruses were the focus of this review. Further, their potential advantages, drawbacks, limitations and side effects are also included here. Researchers are characterizing the exposure pathways of nano-medicines that may cause serious toxicity to the subjects or the environment. Indeed, societal ethical issues in using nano-medicines pose a serious question to scientists beyond anything.

The emerging nanomedicine-based technology for non-small cell lung cancer immunotherapy: how far are we from an effective treatment

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a prominent etiology of cancer-related mortality. The heterogeneous nature of this disease impedes its accurate diagnosis and efficacious treatment. Consequently, constant advancements in research are imperative in order to comprehend its intricate nature. In addition to currently available therapies, the utilization of nanotechnology presents an opportunity to enhance the clinical outcomes of NSCLC patients. Notably, the burgeoning knowledge of the interaction between the immune system and cancer itself paves the way for developing novel, emerging immunotherapies for treating NSCLC in the early stages of the disease. It is believed that with the novel engineering avenues of nanomedicine, there is a possibility to overcome the inherent limitations derived from conventional and emerging treatments, such as off-site drug cytotoxicity, drug resistance, and administration methods. Combining nanotechnology with the convergence points of current therapies could open up new avenues for meeting the unmet needs of NSCLC treatment.

Ultrasound-assisted adsorption of chlorpyrifos from aqueous solutions using magnetic chitosan/graphene quantum dot‑iron oxide nanocomposite hydrogel beads in batch adsorption column and fixed bed

Chlorpyrifos is a hazardous material that pollutes the environment and also poses risks to human health. Thus, it is necessary to remove chlorpyrifos from aqueous media. In this study, chitosan-based hydrogel beads with different content of iron oxide-graphene quantum dots were synthesized and used for the ultrasonic-assisted removal of chlorpyrifos from wastewater. The results of batch adsorption experiments showed that among the hydrogel beads-based nanocomposites, the chitosan/graphene quantum dot‑iron oxide (10) indicated a higher adsorption efficiency of about 99.997 % at optimum conditions of the response surface method. Fitting the experimental equilibrium data to different models shows that the adsorption of chlorpyrifos is well described by the Jossens, Avrami, and double exponential models. Furthermore, for the first time, the study of the ultrasonic effect on the removal performance of chlorpyrifos showed that the ultrasonic-assisted removal of chlorpyrifos significantly reduces the equilibration time. It is expected that the ultrasonic-assisted removal strategy can be a new method to develop highly efficient adsorbents for rapid removal of pollutants in wastewater. Also, the results of the fixed bed adsorption column showed that the breakthrough time and exhausting time of chitosan/graphene quantum dot‑iron oxide (10) were equal to 485 and 1099 min, respectively. And finally, the adsorption-desorption study showed the successful reuse of adsorbent for chlorpyrifos adsorption in seven runs without a significant decrease in adsorption efficiency. Therefore, it can be said that the adsorbent has a high economic and functional potential for industrial applications.

Processing and Physicochemical Properties of Magnetite Nanoparticles Coated with Curcuma longa L. Extract

In this work, Curcuma longa L. extract has been used in the synthesis and direct coating of magnetite (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles ~12 nm, providing a surface layer of polyphenol groups (-OH and -COOH). This contributes to the development of nanocarriers and triggers different bio-applications. Curcuma longa L. is part of the ginger family (Zingiberaceae); the extracts of this plant contain a polyphenol structure compound, and it has an affinity to be linked to Fe ions. The nanoparticles' magnetization obtained corresponded to close hysteresis loop M_s = 8.81 emu/g, coercive field H_c = 26.67 Oe, and low remanence energy as iron oxide superparamagnetic nanoparticles (SPIONs). Furthermore, the synthesized nanoparticles (G-M@T) showed tunable single magnetic domain interactions with uniaxial anisotropy as addressable cores at 90-180°. Surface analysis revealed characteristic peaks of Fe 2p, O 1s, and C 1s. From the last one, it was possible to obtain the C-O, C=O, -OH bonds, achieving an acceptable connection with the HepG2 cell line. The G-M@T nanoparticles do not induce cell toxicity in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells or HepG2 cells in vitro, but they can increase the mitochondrial and lysosomal activity in HepG2 cells, probably related to an apoptotic cell death induction or to a stress response due to the high concentration of iron within the cell.

Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Induce Apoptosis in HT-29 Cells by Stimulating Oxidative Stress and Damaging DNA

Nanoparticles have garnered considerable scientific attention in recent years due to their diagnostic and therapeutic applications in cancer. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄ MNPs) on the induction of apoptosis in human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line (HT-29) cells. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the mechanisms of apoptosis induced by Fe₃O₄ MNPs following MTT assay and to determine the optimal dose of 2.5 g/mL for inducing apoptosis in HT-29 cells. In HT-29 cells, Fe₃O₄ MNPs increased reactive oxygen species (ROS), calcium ion (Ca²⁺), and DNA damage. Additionally, the Fe₃O₄ MNPs significantly increased caspase 3 and 9 expression and decreased Bcl-2 expression at the protein and mRNA levels when compared to the control group (P = 0.0001). Fe₃O₄ MNPs also induced apoptosis in cancer cells by increasing the level of (ROS) and intracellular Ca²⁺, followed by an increase in caspase 3 and 9 expression and a decrease in Bcl-2 expression and direct DNA damage. Fe₃O₄ MNPs are an appropriate choice for colon cancer treatment based on their cell toxicity and induction of apoptosis in HT29 cells.

Facile Strategy for Fabricating an Organosilica-Modified Fe3O4 (OS/Fe3O4) Hetero-nanocore and OS/Fe3O4@SiO2 Core-Shell Structure for Wastewater Treatment with Promising Recyclable Efficiency

The development of a sustainable process for heavy metal ion remediation has become a point of interest in various fields of research, including wastewater treatment, industrial development, and health and environmental safety. In the present study, a promising sustainable adsorbent was fabricated through continuous controlled adsorption/desorption processes for heavy metal uptake. The fabrication strategy is based on a simple modification of Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles with organosilica in a one-pot solvothermal process, carried out in order to insert the organosilica moieties into the Fe₃O₄ nanocore during their formation. The developed organosilica-modified Fe₃O₄ hetero-nanocores had hydrophilic citrate moieties, together with hydrophobic organosilica ones, on their surfaces, which facilitated the further surface coating procedures. To prevent the formed nanoparticles from leaching into the acidic medium, a dense silica layer was coated on the fabricated organosilica/Fe₃O₄ (OS/Fe₃O₄). In addition, the prepared OS/Fe₃O₄@SiO₂ was utilized for the adsorption of cobalt(II), lead(II), and manganese(II) from the solutions. The data for the adsorption processes of cobalt(II), lead(II), and manganese(II) on OS/(Fe₃O₄)@SiO₂ were found to follow the pseudo-second-order kinetic model, indicating the fast uptake of heavy metals. The Freundlich isotherm was found to be more suitable for describing the uptake of heavy metals by OS/Fe₃O₄@SiO₂ nanoparticles. The negative values of the ΔG° showed a spontaneous adsorption process of a physical nature. The super-regeneration and recycling capacities of the OS/Fe₃O₄@SiO₂ were achieved, comparing the results to those of previous adsorbents, with a recyclable efficiency of 91% up to the seventh cycle, which is promising for environmental sustainability.

pH-Responsible Doxorubicin-Loaded Fe3O4@CaCO3 Nanocomposites for Cancer Treatment

A magnetic nanocomposite (MNC) is an integrated nanoplatform that combines a set of functions of two types of materials. A successful combination can give rise to a completely new material with unique physical, chemical, and biological properties. The magnetic core of MNC provides the possibility of magnetic resonance or magnetic particle imaging, magnetic field-influenced targeted delivery, hyperthermia, and other outstanding applications. Recently, MNC gained attention for external magnetic field-guided specific delivery to cancer tissue. Further, drug loading enhancement, construction stability, and biocompatibility improvement may lead to high progress in the area. Herein, the novel method for nanoscale Fe3O4@CaCO3 composites synthesis was proposed. For the procedure, oleic acid-modified Fe3O4 nanoparticles were coated with porous CaCO3 using an ion coprecipitation technique. PEG-2000, Tween 20, and DMEM cell media was successfully used as a stabilization agent and template for Fe3O4@CaCO3 synthesis. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and dynamic light scattering (DLS) data were used for the Fe3O4@CaCO3 MNC’s characterization. To improve the nanocomposite properties, the concentration of the magnetic core was varied, yielding optimal size, polydispersity, and aggregation ability. The resulting Fe3O4@CaCO3 had a size of 135 nm with narrow size distributions, which is suitable for biomedical applications. The stability experiment in various pH, cell media, and fetal bovine serum was also evaluated. The material showed low cytotoxicity and high biocompatibility. An excellent anticancer drug doxorubicin (DOX) loading of up to 1900 µg/mg (DOX/MNC) was demonstrated. The Fe3O4@CaCO3/DOX displayed high stability at neutral pH and efficient acid-responsive drug release. The series of DOX-loaded Fe3O4@CaCO3 MNCs indicated effective inhibition of Hela and MCF-7 cell lines, and the IC 50 values were calculated. Moreover, 1.5 μg of the DOX-loaded Fe3O4@CaCO3 nanocomposite is sufficient to inhibit 50% of Hela cells, which shows a high prospect for cancer treatment. The stability experiments for DOX-loaded Fe3O4@CaCO3 in human serum albumin solution indicated the drug release due to the formation of a protein corona. The presented experiment showed the “pitfalls” of DOX-loaded nanocomposites and provided step-by-step guidance on efficient, smart, anticancer nanoconstruction fabrication. Thus, the Fe3O4@CaCO3 nanoplatform exhibits good performance in the cancer treatment area.

1H-NMR Relaxation of Ferrite Core-Shell Nanoparticles: Evaluation of the Coating Effect

We investigated the effect of different organic coatings on the ¹H-NMR relaxation properties of ultra-small iron-oxide-based magnetic nanoparticles. The first set of nanoparticles, with a magnetic core diameter ds1 = 4.4 ± 0.7 nm, was coated with polyacrylic acid (PAA) and dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA), while the second set, ds2 = 8.9 ± 0.9 nm, was coated with aminopropylphosphonic acid (APPA) and DMSA. At fixed core diameters but different coatings, magnetization measurements revealed a similar behavior as a function of temperature and field. On the other hand, the ¹H-NMR longitudinal r1 nuclear relaxivity in the frequency range ν = 10 kHz ÷ 300 MHz displayed, for the smallest particles (diameter ds1), an intensity and a frequency behavior dependent on the kind of coating, thus indicating different electronic spin dynamics. Conversely, no differences were found in the r1 relaxivity of the biggest particles (ds2) when the coating was changed. It is concluded that, when the surface to volume ratio, i.e., the surface to bulk spins ratio, increases (smallest nanoparticles), the spin dynamics change significantly, possibly due to the contribution of surface spin dynamics/topology.

Modified magnetic chitosan materials for heavy metal adsorption: a review

Magnetic chitosan materials have the characteristics of both chitosan and magnetic particle nuclei, showing the characteristics of easy separation and recovery, strong adsorption capacity and high mechanical strength, and have received extensive attention in adsorption, especially in the treatment of heavy metal ions. In order to further improve its performance, many studies have modified magnetic chitosan materials. This review discusses the strategies for the preparation of magnetic chitosan using coprecipitation, crosslinking, and other methods in detail. Besides, this review mainly summarizes the application of modified magnetic chitosan materials in the removal of heavy metal ions in wastewater in recent years. Finally, this review also discusses the adsorption mechanism, and puts forward the prospect of the future development of magnetic chitosan in wastewater treatment.

Formulation and Characterization of Fe3O4@PEG Nanoparticles Loaded Sorafenib; Molecular Studies and Evaluation of Cytotoxicity in Liver Cancer Cell Lines

Iron oxide nanoparticles are one of the nanocarriers that are suitable for novel drug delivery systems due to low toxicity, biocompatibility, loading capacity, and controlled drug delivery to cancer cells. The purpose of the present study is the synthesis of coated iron oxide nanoparticles for the delivery of sorafenib (SFB) and its effects on cancer cells. In this study, Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were synthesized by the co-precipitation method, and then sorafenib was loaded onto PEG@Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. FTIR was used to ensure polyethylene glycol (PEG) binding to nanoparticles and loading the drug onto the nanoshells. A comparison of the mean size and the crystalline structure of nanoparticles was performed by TEM, DLS, and X-ray diffraction patterns. Then, cell viability was obtained by the MTT assay for 3T3 and HepG2 cell lines. According to FT-IR results, the presence of O-H and C-H bands at 3427 cm^-1 and 1420 cm^-1 peak correlate with PEG binding to nanoparticles. XRD pattern showed the cubic spinel structure of trapped magnetite nanoparticles carrying medium. The magnetic properties of nanoparticles were examined by a vibrating-sample magnetometer (VSM). IC₅₀ values at 72 h for treatment with carriers of Fe₃O₄@PEG nanoparticle for the HepG2 cell line was 15.78 μg/mL (p < 0.05). This study showed that Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles coated by polyethylene glycol and using them in the drug delivery process could be beneficial for increasing the effect of sorafenib on cancer cells.

Metabolomics as a Tool to Understand Nano-Plant Interactions: The Case Study of Metal-Based Nanoparticles

Metabolomics is a powerful tool in diverse research areas, enabling an understanding of the response of organisms, such as plants, to external factors, their resistance and tolerance mechanisms against stressors, the biochemical changes and signals during plant development, and the role of specialized metabolites. Despite its advantages, metabolomics is still underused in areas such as nano-plant interactions. Nanoparticles (NPs) are all around us and have a great potential to improve and revolutionize the agri-food sector and modernize agriculture. They can drive precision and sustainability in agriculture as they can act as fertilizers, improve plant performance, protect or defend, mitigate environmental stresses, and/or remediate soil contaminants. Given their high applicability, an in-depth understanding of NPs' impact on plants and their mechanistic action is crucial. Being aware that, in nano-plant interaction work, metabolomics is much less addressed than physiology, and that it is lacking a comprehensive review focusing on metabolomics, this review gathers the information available concerning the metabolomic tools used in studies focused on NP-plant interactions, highlighting the impact of metal-based NPs on plant metabolome, metabolite reconfiguration, and the reprogramming of metabolic pathways.

Synthesis and Characterization of Citric Acid-Modified Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Prepared with Electrohydraulic Discharge Treatment

Chemical co-precipitation from ferrous and ferric salts at a 1:1.9 stoichiometric ratio in NH₄OH base with ultrasonication (sonolysis) in a low vacuum environment has been used for obtaining colloidal suspensions of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles coated with citric acid. Before coating, the nanoparticles were processed by electrohydraulic discharges with a high discharge current (several tens of amperes) in a water medium using a pulsed direct current. Magnetite nanoparticles were obtained with an average crystallite diameter D = 25-28 nm as obtained by XRD and particle sizes of 25 nm as measured by small-angle X-ray scattering. Magnetometry showed that all samples were superparamagnetic. The saturation magnetization for the citric acid covered samples after electrohydraulic processing showed higher value (58 emu/g) than for the directly coated samples (50 emu/g). Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed the presence and binding of citric acid to the magnetite surface by chemisorption of carboxylate ions. Hydrodynamic sizes obtained from DLS and zeta potentials were 93 and 115 nm, -26 and -32 mV for the citric acid covered nanoparticles and 226 nm and 21 mV for the bare nanoparticles, respectively. The hydraulic discharge treatment resulted in a higher citric acid coverage and better particle dispersion. The developed method can be used in nanoparticle synthesis for biomedical applications.

Advances in Lung Cancer Treatment Using Nanomedicines

Carcinoma of the lungs is among the most menacing forms of malignancy and has a poor prognosis, with a low overall survival rate due to delayed detection and ineffectiveness of conventional therapy. Therefore, drug delivery strategies that may overcome undesired damage to healthy cells, boost therapeutic efficacy, and act as imaging tools are currently gaining much attention. Advances in material science have resulted in unique nanoscale-based theranostic agents, which provide renewed hope for patients suffering from lung cancer. Nanotechnology has vastly modified and upgraded the existing techniques, focusing primarily on increasing bioavailability and stability of anti-cancer drugs. Nanocarrier-based imaging systems as theranostic tools in the treatment of lung carcinoma have proven to possess considerable benefits, such as early detection and targeted therapeutic delivery for effectively treating lung cancer. Several variants of nano-drug delivery agents have been successfully studied for therapeutic applications, such as liposomes, dendrimers, polymeric nanoparticles, nanoemulsions, carbon nanotubes, gold nanoparticles, magnetic nanoparticles, solid lipid nanoparticles, hydrogels, and micelles. In this Review, we present a comprehensive outline on the various types of overexpressed receptors in lung cancer, as well as the various targeting approaches of nanoparticles.

Simultaneous removal of Cu (II) and Cr (VI) ions from petroleum refinery wastewater using ZnO/Fe3O4 nanocomposite

The presence and removal of heavy metals such as Cu(II) as well as Cr(VI) in petroleum refinery wastewater calls for concerted efforts due to their mobility, toxicity, bioaccumulation, and non-biodegradability in the environment. In this present work, zinc oxide (ZnO), iron oxide (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles and ZnO/Fe₃O₄ nanocomposites were synthesized via simple sol-gel and chemical reduction methods; characterized using different analytical tools and then applied as nanoadsorbent to sequester Cu(II) and Cr(VI) ions from Petroleum Refinery wastewater via batch adsorption process. Cu(II) and Cr(VI) adsorption processes were examined with respect to contact time (kinetic effect), nanoadsorbent dosage, isotherm equilibrium, and thermodynamic parameters. ZnO/Fe₃O₄ nanocomposites with higher surface area (39.450 m²/g) have a mixture of rod-like and spherical shapes as compared to ZnO and Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles with spherical shape only and surface areas of 8.62 m²/g and 7.86 m²/g) according to the high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM) and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis. The X-ray diffractometer (XRD) results revealed the formation of hexagonal wurtzite structure of ZnO and the face-centered cubic structure phase of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles, after the formation of the ZnO/Fe₃O₄ nanocomposites the phases of the nanoparticles were not affected but the diffraction peaks shifted to higher 2θ degree. The average crystallite size of ZnO and Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles and ZnO/Fe₃O₄ nanocomposites were 20.12, 26.36 and 14.50 nm respectively. The maximum removal efficiency of Cu (II) (92.99%) and Cr (VI) (77.60%) by ZnO/Fe₃O₄ nanocomposites was higher than 85.83%; 65.19% for Cu (II) and 80.57%; 62.53 for Cr (VI) using ZnO and Fe₃O₄ nanoadsorbents individually under the following conditions: contact time (15), dosage (0.08 g) and temperature (30 °C). The experimental data for Cu (II) and Cr (VI) ion removal fitted well to the pseudo-second-order kinetic and Langmuir isotherm models. The thermodynamic study suggested that the removal of the two metal ions from petroleum wastewater was endothermic. The reusability study after the fourth adsorption-desorption cycle indicated the stability of ZnO/Fe₃O₄ nanocomposites with 85.51% and 69.42% removal efficiency of Cu (II) and Cr (VI). The results showed that ZnO/Fe₃O₄ nanocomposite achieves higher performance than ZnO and Fe₃O₄ alone in the removal of Cu (II) and Cr (VI) ions from the petroleum refinery wastewater.

A novel sensing platform for electrochemical detection of metronidazole antibiotic based on green-synthesized magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles

The spread of antibiotic resistant genes has become a serious global concern. Thus, the development of efficient antibiotic monitoring systems to reduce their environmental risks is of great importance. Here, a potent electrochemical sensor was fabricated to detect metronidazole (MNZ) on the basis of green synthesis of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (NPs) using Sambucus ebulus L. leaves alcoholic plant extract as a safe and impressive reducing and stabilizing agent. Several analyses such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and dynamic light scattering (DLS) confirmed the production of homogeneous, monodisperse, regular, and stable magnetite NPs with a spherical morphology. The as-prepared Fe₃O₄NPs were afterwards applied to evaluate the electrochemical activity of MNZ by merging them with graphene nanosheets (GR NSs) on the glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The GR/Fe₃O₄NPs/GCE represented extraordinary catalytic activity toward MNZ with two dynamic ranges of 0.05-5 μM and 5-120 μM, limit of detection (LOD) of 0.23 nM, limit of quantification (LOQ) of 0.76 nM, and sensitivity of 7.34 μA μM^-1 cm^-2. The fabricated sensor was further employed as a practical tool for electrochemical detection of MNZ in real aqueous samples.

Influence of surfactants on biomolecular conjugation of magnetic nanoparticles

Here, we report the physicochemical interaction among iron oxide nanoparticles (MNPs) and essential biomolecules, namely, serum albumin (BSA, HSA), collagen and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in the presence of various cationic, anionic and non-ionic surfactants. Iron oxide nanoparticles are synthesized by the wet chemical process and are characterized by X-ray powder diffraction analysis (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic, UV-Vis spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy mapping studies . The conjugation of MNPs protein was analyzed using UV-Vis spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, circular dichroism technique and gel electrophoresis. The spectroscopic investigation illustrates the surfactant-dependent binding between MNPs and protein. Gel electrophoresis in the absence and presence of MNPs-surfactant systems has been used to study the impact on DNA structure. It was found that Tween 80 imparts better stability as well as biocompatibility to the synthesized MNPs. The findings offer extensive information on the influence of various surfactant coatings on MNP surfaces and their influence on vital biomolecules, making it useful for designing MNPs for biological applications.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.