Nanotechnology, Science and Applications最新文献

Introduction: Chronic and acute wounds remain difficult to manage due to the inability of conventional dressings to provide sustained delivery of poorly soluble bioactives such as α-mangostin. This study investigates the potential of α-mangostin (AMG)-loaded chitosan/collagen nanoparticles (AMG-Ch/Coll NPs) incorporated into a hydrogel system for enhanced topical wound healing.

Methods: Nanoparticles were prepared by ionic gelation and characterized for particle size, zeta potential, morphology (SEM), entrapment efficiency, and physicochemical interactions (FTIR, XRD, DSC). AMG solubility, including its apparent solubility in AMG-Ch NPs and AMG-Ch/Coll NPs was quantified. Subsequently, hydrogels incorporating AMG, AMG-Ch NPs, AMG-Ch/Coll NPs, and Ch-Coll NPs were formulated and evaluated for pH, spreadability, swelling ratio, and in vitro drug release. In vivo wound-healing efficacy was further assessed using a rat excision model.

Results: Mean particle size increased from 297.10 ± 11.64 nm (AMG-Ch NPs) to 317.66 ± 8.76 nm (AMG-Ch/Coll NPs) and 339.62 ± 6.43 nm (Ch-Coll NPs), indicating the influence of collagen on particle size. FTIR, XRD, and DSC analyses confirmed the successful formation of amorphous nanoparticles with strong intermolecular interactions, contributing to enhanced structural stability and solubility. A fourfold improvement in AMG solubility was observed in the nanoparticle formulations, which were subsequently incorporated into hydrogel matrices and evaluated for topical application. All hydrogel (HG) formulations exhibited acceptable pH values (6.50-6.98) suitable for skin application. AMG-Ch NPs-HG demonstrated superior spreadability, swelling ratio, and drug release profiles, followed by AMG-Ch/Coll NPs-HG. Sustained AMG release was achieved, supporting prolonged bioavailability. In vivo wound healing studies in rats revealed that AMG-Ch NPs-HG and AMG-Ch/Coll NPs-HG significantly accelerated wound closure (99.28 ± 3.59% and 98.13 ± 3.26%, respectively, on day 21), outperforming AMG-HG (89.12 ± 2.58%), Ch/Coll NPs-HG (88.95 ± 3.14%), and the control group (79.84 ± 2.25%).

Conclusion: Overall, these findings highlight the synergistic advantages of AMG-loaded Ch/Coll NPs in hydrogel formulations as a promising platform for enhanced topical wound healing.

Purpose: This study aimed to develop and evaluate core-shell electrospun orodispersible films (ODFs) containing lopinavir (LPV) and ritonavir (RTV) for pediatric HIV therapy. The investigation focused on the impact of fiber composition and storage conditions on film morphology, physicochemical stability, mechanical properties, disintegration time, and drug dissolution profiles.

Patients and methods: Core-shell ODFs were prepared via co-axial electrospinning using LPV and RTV solutions in Eudragit^® E100 and Kollidon^® VA64 matrices, respectively. Two configurations were tested, ie LPV in the core and RTV in the shell (LPV/RTV), and vice versa (RTV/LPV). Films were characterized using SEM, DSC, XRD, mechanical testing, disintegration and dissolution studies, and uniformity of content analysis. Stability was assessed under long-term (25 °C/60% RH) and accelerated (40 °C/75% RH) conditions over six months.

Results: LPV/RTV films were more homogeneous in their morphology and showed superior stability during storage compared to RTV/LPV films. SEM analysis revealed compact, well-aligned fibers in LPV/RTV mats, while RTV/LPV mats showed heterogeneous, ribbon-like structures. LPV/RTV films disintegrated within 100 ± 37s, meeting requirements of very fast disintegration, whereas RTV/LPV films remained intact for 180 s. Compared to RTV/LPV films, LPV/RTV films showed greater uniformity in API content and stability over time, while both formulations exhibited slight, non-significant shifts in LPV/RTV ratios during storage. Dissolution profiles indicated enhanced release from RTV/LPV films, though structural degradation limited their stability. After storage, for both types of films, partial recrystallization of API was observed. The LPV/RTV films maintained their dissolution performance, whereas the RTV/LPV films showed significant deterioration.

Conclusion: Core-shell electrospun ODFs with LPV in the core and RTV in the shell demonstrated more homogeneous and resistant to storage-related changes, although the release of the active ingredients was characterized by slower dissolution. These findings support the potential of co-axial electrospinning for developing pediatric-friendly antiretroviral formulations.

Nanodiamonds (NDs) have emerged as a highly promising nanomaterial due to their intrinsic biocompatibility and remarkable antimicrobial and anti-adhesive properties, which result from their unique surface morphology. NDs serve as an excellent platform for extensive functionalization with diverse chemical groups and complex bioactive molecules, including peptides, photosensitizers, antibiotics and polycations. The antimicrobial potential of NDs has gained considerable attention in recent years across numerous application areas, including drug-delivery platforms, wound dressings, dentistry, surface coatings, biomedical implants, the food industry and water treatment technologies. This article compiles and critically evaluates the current microbiological evidence on ND antimicrobial activity. However, translating these findings into practical guidelines remains challenging due to the wide variability in reported results and the limited diversity of bacterial strains employed. The antimicrobial mechanisms of NDs in the context of Gram positive, Gram negative, and flagellated bacteria are examined, and it is demonstrated that key factors, including particle size, surface charge, and the composition of testing media, profoundly influence experimental outcomes and underlie many apparent contradictions in the field. Moreover, this review summarizes the functionalization strategies available for NDs, their reported biomedical and industrial applications, and current knowledge regarding their cytotoxicity and biocompatibility. Collectively, the article provides an integrated view of the structure-activity relationship governing ND antimicrobial performance.

Purpose: This study explores the therapeutic potential of sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS)-based nanocarriers (NCs) for the targeted delivery of paclitaxel (PTX) to breast cancer (BC) cells, with a particular focus on the mechanisms governing their intracellular transport and biological activity.

Methods: Two types of SDS-based NCs differing in polyelectrolyte composition: poly-L-lysine (SDS/PLL) and poly-L-lysine with poly-L-glutamic acid (SDS/PLL/PGA), were prepared following the Layer-by-Layer (LbL) technique. Cellular uptake and distribution of Rhodamine B (RhoB)-labelled NCs were assessed via fluorescence microscopy and quantified by flow cytometry across three human cell lines: dermal microvascular endothelial cell line (HMEC-1), epithelial breast adenocarcinoma cell line (MCF-7), and triple-negative, mesenchymal-like BC cell line (MDA-MB-231). The cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of PTX-loaded NCs were evaluated using spectrophotometric and spectrofluorimetric assays. In parallel, DNA damage-responsive gene expression was examined by quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).

Results: Both NC formulations demonstrated comparable uptake efficiency, despite differences in fluorescence intensity. Inhibitor-based studies revealed distinct internalization pathways: SDS/PLL NCs entered via dynamin-dependent endocytosis and macropinocytosis, whereas SDS/PLL/PGA NCs relied predominantly on macropinocytosis. Genotoxicity of PTX-loaded NCs was confirmed by comet assay and H2A histone family member X (γH2AX) phosphorylation, particularly in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. Cell cycle perturbations and transcriptional changes in ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM), ATM and Rad3-related (ATR), and cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) genes accompanied these effects. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-based analyses further demonstrated apoptosis-mediated cytotoxicity induced by both investigated formulations.

Conclusion: These findings delineate the cellular uptake mechanisms and in vitro biological effects of the examined polyelectrolyte NCs for PTX delivery, with a particular focus on their genotoxicity. Collectively, these in vitro data provide a mechanistic basis to inform the rational design and preclinical optimization of SDS-based NCs, supporting subsequent in vivo evaluation.

Introduction: High-energy-density supercapacitors require advanced electrode materials with superior pseudocapacitive behavior and stability. This study focuses on the design and development of binder-free pseudocapacitive electrodes composed of two-dimensional (2D) hexagonal nickel/cerium sulfide nanoflakes, which are directly synthesized on nickel foam. The aim was to achieve enhanced electrochemical performance through novel 2D nanoarchitectures and improved charge transfer dynamics.

Methods: The nickel/cerium sulfide nanoflakes were fabricated via a microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis. Structural and morphological characteristics were analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Electrochemical properties were evaluated through cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge-discharge, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in both half-cell and asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC) configurations.

Results and discussion: The synthesized electrode demonstrated a high specific capacitance of 5286 F/g, an energy density of 222.09 Wh/kg, and a power density of 687.19 W/kg at 2.5 A/g in the half-cell system. The ASC device, utilizing nickel/cerium sulfide nanoflakes as the positive electrode and graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs)@Ni foam as the negative electrode, achieved an energy density of 77.51 Wh/kg and a power density of 797.25 W/kg at 1 A/g. The ASC also demonstrated excellent cyclic durability, retaining 84% of its capacitance after 10,000 cycles.

Conclusion: The in situ-grown 2D hexagonal nickel/cerium sulfide nanoflakes exhibit outstanding pseudocapacitive behavior and electrochemical stability, underscoring their strong potential for next-generation high-performance asymmetric supercapacitors.

Global healthcare settings are increasingly burdened by critical diseases, where conventional diagnostics are often expensive, invasive, time-consuming and centralised. It creates a critical gap for rapid, accessible, portable and non-invasive health assessment. AI-powered Nanosensors for Breathomics Diagnostics (AND) platforms have emerged as a transformative solution to this complex global problem, integrating highly sensitive nanomaterials with advanced machine intelligence to detect disease biomarkers in exhaled breath. These platforms have already demonstrated high performance, with reports of 90-95% diagnostic accuracy for conditions such as lung cancer and achieving sub-ppb detection limits. These platforms are not limited to controlled laboratory settings but have been employed to monitor a spectrum of diseases, including cancer, asthma, diabetes, coronavirus disease, and renal failure. Their integration into wearable systems, smartphones, smart masks and multimodal laboratory systems further extends their applications in predictive analytics, personalised medicine and real-time human-machine interaction. However, challenges related to data standardisation, sensor selectivity, ethical AI, and clinical validation have limited their commercialization. It necessitates solutions such as Explainable AI, physics-informed modelling, network theory, and the development of large-scale clinical breath databases to enhance clinical reliability, model robustness, diagnose sensor drift, and attain transparency. This article critically details the recent progress and charts a new path forward for translating AND platforms from research to clinical reality as next-generation healthcare.

Purpose: Antibiotic resistance is a critical global health concern, exacerbated by biofilm formation and the declining effectiveness of conventional therapies. This study investigates polymer-lipid hybrid nanoparticles (PLNs) as an innovative nanocarrier system to enhance the antibacterial efficacy of gentamicin (Gen) while overcoming its inherent hydrophilicity and poor encapsulation efficiency.

Methods: Using an optimized double-emulsification/solvent-evaporation technique, PLNs were designed to improve drug encapsulation efficiency (EE%) and loading capacity (DL%). The resulting formulations (F0, f1, F2, F3, F4) were characterized for particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, and EE%. Transmitted electron microscopy (TEM) provided insights into particle morphology, while antibacterial activity was tested against multiple bacterial strains, including resistant isolates.

Results: The optimized formulation (F4) demonstrated favorable characteristics (p≤0.05) including, EE% of 42.1±3.8%, a DL% of 8.0±0.7%, and uniform small average particle size (143.4±3.69 nm) and zeta potential -37.9±3.1 mV. TEM analysis confirmed Gen encapsulation within the lipid-polymer matrix. In vitro antibacterial assays demonstrated that F4 significantly enhanced antibacterial activity (p ≤ 0.05), achieving up to a 160-fold reduction in minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations (MIC/MBC) against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA-59) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA-78) compared with free Gen.

Conclusion: These findings underscore the potential of PLNs as a robust platform for targeted drug delivery, offering a promising strategy to combat antimicrobial resistance.

Purpose: Chrysanthemum is one of the most popular ornamental plants worldwide. Its breeding remains a highly relevant topic. Nanotechnology significantly and interdisciplinarily contributes to the progress in modern horticulture. To date, there are no studies on the use of the proposed heavy metal-based nanoparticles in mutation breeding of ornamental plants.

Methods: CdS NPs, Co₃O₄ NPs, and Fe₃O₄@Co NPs were synthesized and applied at a concentration of 75 mg·L^-1 in the in vitro internode culture of Chrysanthemum × morifolium (Ramat). Hemsl. 'Lilac Wonder'.

Results: The highest number of adventitious shoots was regenerated on the control and Fe₃O₄@Co NP-treated internodes, whereas the use of CdS NPs and Co₃O₄ NPs hampered regeneration. The NP-treated shoots, compared to the control, accumulated less flavonols and more anthocyanins and polyphenols, and exhibited increased antioxidant capacity. The highest activity of oxidative stress enzymes and the lowest chlorophyll content were noted in CdS NP-treated shoots. The tested nanoparticles also affected the further growth and development of plants during ex vitro greenhouse cultivation. The longest stems were found in Fe₃O₄@Co NP-treated plants, contrary to CdS NPs and Co₃O₄ NPs. The CdS NP-treated plants developed leaves with the smallest surface area, perimeter, length, and width. Evaluation of inflorescences revealed quantitative changes in anthocyanins content. The highest pigment content was found in ligulate flowers of Fe₃O₄@Co NP-treated plants. One individual with variegated leaves was phenotypically identified within Co₃O₄ NP-treated plants. Genetic variation was detected in 7-8.1% of the plants studied. The SCoT marker system generated more bands and polymorphisms than RAPD. PCoA analysis revealed distinct genetic groupings, with the most altered genotype (treated with CdS NPs) classified as polymorphic by both marker systems. The other 11 polymorphic genotypes did not overlap between RAPD and SCoT analyses.

Conclusion: Our results proved that nanoparticles can serve as a novel and valuable tool for plant breeding.

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), particularly those exhibiting superparamagnetism and biocompatibility, have garnered significant interest in the biomedical field due to their unique physicochemical properties. Recent studies have shown that MNPs can modulate neural plasticity by influencing key signaling pathways such as BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor) and the PI3K/Akt pathway, critical for neuronal growth, synaptic connectivity, and functional recovery. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the mechanisms through which MNPs interact with neural tissues, highlighting the diversity of nanoparticle types (eg, iron oxide, gold, and carbon-based nanoparticles) and their applications in neurodegenerative disease treatment and neural regeneration. Despite the immense potential of MNPs in neurodegenerative disease treatment, this review also compares them with traditional interventions, discussing their advantages and limitations. Additionally, it addresses key challenges, particularly the difficulty of overcoming the blood-brain barrier, and issues related to biocompatibility, toxicity, and long-term safety. In clinical applications, ethical concerns, such as patient informed consent and long-term risks, must also be considered alongside efficacy and safety. This review offers insights into these challenges and provides a framework for future research, aiming to accelerate the clinical integration of MNP-based neurotherapies.