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Physiological Research Nov 2022Nanomaterials or nanoparticles are commonly used in the cosmetics, medicine, and food industries. Many researchers studied the possible side effects of several...
Nanomaterials or nanoparticles are commonly used in the cosmetics, medicine, and food industries. Many researchers studied the possible side effects of several nanoparticles including aluminum oxide (Al2O3-nps) and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-nps). Although, there is limited information available on their direct or side effects, especially on the brain, heart, and lung functions. This study aimed to investigate the neurotoxicity, cardiotoxicity, and lung toxicity induced by Al2O3-nps and ZnO-nps or in combination via studying changes in gene expression, alteration in cytokine production, tumor suppressor protein p53, neurotransmitters, oxidative stress, and the histological and morphological changes. Obtained results showed that Al2O3-nps, ZnO-nps and their combination cause an increase in 8-hydroxy-2´-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), cytokines, p53, oxidative stress, creatine kinase, norepinephrine, acetylcholine (ACh), and lipid profile. Moreover, significant changes in the gene expression of mitochondrial transcription factor-A (mtTFA) and peroxisome proliferator activator receptor-gamma-coactivator-1alpha (PGC-1alpha) were also noted. On the other hand, a significant decrease in the levels of antioxidant enzymes, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), reduced glutathione (GSH), paraoxonase 1 (PON1), neurotransmitters (dopamine - DA, and serotonin - SER), and the activity of acetylcholine esterase (AChE) in the brain, heart, and lung were found. Additionally, these results were confirmed by histological examinations. The present study revealed that the toxic effects were more when these nanoparticle doses are used in combination. Thus, Al2O3-nps and ZnO-nps may behave as neurotoxic, cardiotoxic, and lung toxic, especially upon exposure to rats in combination.
Topics: Animals; Rats; Zinc Oxide; Aluminum Oxide; Antioxidants; Acetylcholine; Oxidative Stress; Lung; Nanoparticles; Brain; Metal Nanoparticles
PubMed: 36121020
DOI: 10.33549/physiolres.934831 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Aug 2020As one of the most important porous materials, zeolites with intricate micropores have been widely employed as catalysts for decades due to their large pore volume, high... (Review)
Review
As one of the most important porous materials, zeolites with intricate micropores have been widely employed as catalysts for decades due to their large pore volume, high surface area, and good thermal and hydrothermal stabilities. Among them, ferrierite (FER) zeolite with a two-dimensional micropore structure is an excellent heterogeneous catalyst for isomerization, carbonylation, cracking, and so on. In the past years, considering the important industrial application of FER zeolite, great efforts have been made to improve the synthesis of FER zeolite and thus decrease the synthesis cost and enhance catalytic performance. In this review, we briefly summarize the advances in the synthesis of FER zeolite including the development of synthesis routes, the use of organic templates, organotemplate-free synthesis, the strategies of morphology control, and the creation of intra-crystalline mesopores. Furthermore, the synthesis of hetero-atomic FER zeolites such as Fe-FER and Ti-FER has been discussed.
Topics: Minerals; Zeolites
PubMed: 32824105
DOI: 10.3390/molecules25163722 -
Biosensors Jul 2023Interferometry-based, reflectometric, label-free biosensors have made significant progress in the analysis of molecular interactions after years of development. The... (Review)
Review
Interferometry-based, reflectometric, label-free biosensors have made significant progress in the analysis of molecular interactions after years of development. The design of interference substrates is a key research topic for these biosensors, and many studies have focused on porous films prepared by top-down methods such as porous silicon and anodic aluminum oxide. Lately, more research has been conducted on ordered porous layer interferometry (OPLI), which uses ordered porous colloidal crystal films as interference substrates. These films are made using self-assembly techniques, which is the bottom-up approach. They also offer several advantages for biosensing applications, such as budget cost, adjustable porosity, and high structural consistency. This review will briefly explain the fundamental components of self-assembled materials and thoroughly discuss various self-assembly techniques in depth. We will also summarize the latest studies that used the OPLI technique for label-free biosensing applications and divide them into several aspects for further discussion. Then, we will comprehensively evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of self-assembly techniques and discuss possible future research directions. Finally, we will outlook the upcoming challenges and opportunities for label-free biosensing using the OPLI technique.
Topics: Porosity; Interferometry; Biosensing Techniques; Silicon; Aluminum Oxide
PubMed: 37504128
DOI: 10.3390/bios13070730 -
Scientific Reports Feb 2020The knowledge about a potential in vivo uptake and subsequent toxicological effects of aluminum (Al), especially in the nanoparticulate form, is still limited. This...
The knowledge about a potential in vivo uptake and subsequent toxicological effects of aluminum (Al), especially in the nanoparticulate form, is still limited. This paper focuses on a three day oral gavage study with three different Al species in Sprague Dawley rats. The Al amount was investigated in major organs in order to determine the oral bioavailability and distribution. Al-containing nanoparticles (NMs composed of Al and aluminum oxide (AlO)) were administered at three different concentrations and soluble aluminum chloride (AlCl·6HO) was used as a reference control at one concentration. A microwave assisted acid digestion approach followed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) analysis was developed to analyse the Al burden of individual organs. Special attention was paid on how the sample matrix affected the calibration procedure. After 3 days exposure, AlCl·6HO treated animals showed high Al levels in liver and intestine, while upon treatment with Al NMs significant amounts of Al were detected only in the latter. In contrast, following AlO NMs treatment, Al was detected in all investigated organs with particular high concentrations in the spleen. A rapid absorption and systemic distribution of all three Al forms tested were found after 3-day oral exposure. The identified differences between Al and AlO NMs point out that both, particle shape and surface composition could be key factors for Al biodistribution and accumulation.
Topics: Administration, Oral; Aluminum; Aluminum Chloride; Aluminum Oxide; Animals; Biological Availability; Humans; Intestines; Liver; Nanostructures; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Spleen; Tissue Distribution
PubMed: 32060369
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-59710-z -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Feb 2021Thanks to their well-defined molecular sieving and stability, zeolites have been proposed in selective membrane separations, such as gas separation and pervaporation.... (Review)
Review
Thanks to their well-defined molecular sieving and stability, zeolites have been proposed in selective membrane separations, such as gas separation and pervaporation. For instance, the incorporation of zeolites into polymer phases to generate composite (or mixed matrix) membranes revealed important advances in pervaporation. Therefore, the goal of this review is to compile and elucidate the latest advances (over the last 2-3 years) of zeolite applications in pervaporation membranes either combining zeolites or polymers. Here, particular emphasis has been focused on relevant insights and findings in using zeolites in pervaporative azeotropic separations and specific aided applications, together with novel concepts of membranes. A brief background of the pervaporation process is also given. According to the findings of this review, we provide future perspectives and recommendations for new researchers in the field.
Topics: Solvents; Volatilization; Zeolites
PubMed: 33669135
DOI: 10.3390/molecules26051242 -
International Journal of Molecular... Mar 2023We report on theoretical investigations of a methylammonium lead halide perovskite system loaded with iron oxide and aluminum zinc oxide (ZnO:Al/MAPbI3/Fe2O3) as a...
We report on theoretical investigations of a methylammonium lead halide perovskite system loaded with iron oxide and aluminum zinc oxide (ZnO:Al/MAPbI3/Fe2O3) as a potential photocatalyst. When excited with visible light, this heterostructure is demonstrated to achieve a high hydrogen production yield via a z-scheme photocatalysis mechanism. The Fe2O3: MAPbI3 heterojunction plays the role of an electron donor, favoring the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), and the ZnO:Al compound acts as a shield against ions, preventing the surface degradation of MAPbI3 during the reaction, hence improving the charge transfer in the electrolyte. Moreover, our findings indicate that the ZnO:Al/MAPbI3 heterostructure effectively enhances electrons/holes separation and reduces their recombination, which drastically improves the photocatalytic activity. Based on our calculations, our heterostructure yields a high hydrogen production rate, estimated to be 265.05 μmol/g and 362.99 μmol/g, respectively, for a neutral pH and an acidic pH of 5. These theoretical yield values are very promising and provide interesting inputs for the development of stable halide perovskites known for their superlative photocatalytic properties.
Topics: Zinc Oxide; Ferric Compounds; Zinc; Aluminum Oxide; Hydrogen
PubMed: 36902284
DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054856 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jan 2021Research in the field of zeolites is a very active and relevant area, since these materials are still widely used as catalysts and adsorbents in many industrial...
Research in the field of zeolites is a very active and relevant area, since these materials are still widely used as catalysts and adsorbents in many industrial applications, despite the appearance of other fascinating microporous materials with excellent properties [...].
Topics: Porosity; Zeolites
PubMed: 33572492
DOI: 10.3390/molecules26030730 -
International Journal of Molecular... Feb 2023Zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) have been extensively examined for their potential in acid-base catalysis. Many studies have demonstrated that ZIFs possess unique... (Review)
Review
Zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) have been extensively examined for their potential in acid-base catalysis. Many studies have demonstrated that ZIFs possess unique structural and physicochemical properties that allow them to demonstrate high activity and yield products with high selectivity. Herein, we highlight the nature of ZIFs in terms of their chemical formulation and the textural, acid-base, and morphological properties that strongly affect their catalytic performance. Our primary focus is the application of spectroscopic methods as instruments for analyzing the nature of active sites because these methods can allow an understanding of unusual catalytic behavior from the perspective of the structure-property-activity relationship. We examine several reactions, such as condensation reactions (the Knoevenagel condensation and Friedländer reactions), the cycloaddition of CO to epoxides, the synthesis of propylene glycol methyl ether from propylene oxide and methanol, and the cascade redox condensation of 2-nitroanilines with benzylamines. These examples illustrate the broad range of potentially promising applications of Zn-ZIFs as heterogeneous catalysts.
Topics: Zeolites; Imidazoles; Catalysis; Structure-Activity Relationship
PubMed: 36901801
DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054370 -
Biomaterials Advances Dec 2022Biosensors are advanced devices for analysis of composition of blood, urine, environmental samples, and many other media. Their current development is tightly linked... (Review)
Review
Biosensors are advanced devices for analysis of composition of blood, urine, environmental samples, and many other media. Their current development is tightly linked with nanomaterials, such as zeolites and zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIFs). The present review describes electrochemical (amperometric, conductometric, ISFET) and optical (fluorescent and colorimetric) biosensors that incorporate zeolites and ZIFs in their biorecognition elements. The biosensors are based on immobilized enzymes (such as glucose oxidase, urease, and acetylcholinesterase), antibodies, DNA, and aptamers. The review present reasons for application of these nanomaterials, and discusses advantages of zeolite- and ZIF-containing biosensors over other biosensors. In most cases, the biosensors have improved sensitivity, better limit of detection, wider linear range, and other improved characteristics. It is demonstrated that immobilization of biomolecules such as enzymes or antibodies on the surface of zeolites and ZIFs enables creation of unique advanced biosensors that have a potential for further development and practical applications.
Topics: Zeolites; Acetylcholinesterase; Biosensing Techniques; Enzymes, Immobilized; Glucose Oxidase
PubMed: 36375221
DOI: 10.1016/j.bioadv.2022.213180 -
Environment International Mar 2023Naturally occurring oxides could react with zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) and then change its transformation and toxicity to ecological receptors. The reaction...
Naturally occurring oxides could react with zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) and then change its transformation and toxicity to ecological receptors. The reaction may be affected by a variety of environmental factors, yet the relevant processes and mechanisms are limitedly investigated. Natural prevalent ligands, as an important factor, can sorb on natural oxide minerals and change its surface property, finally affecting ZnO NP transformation. This study investigated the interactions of ZnO NPs with phosphorus ligands (i.e., phytate and orthophosphate) pre-sorbed γ-alumina (γ-AlO) via batch experiments and multi-technique analyses. A limited amount of aqueous Zn is observed when the concentration of ZnO NPs is relatively low (<64.8 mg L) in the presence of phytate pre-sorbed γ-AlO. Solid Zn(II) species includes binary/ternary surface Zn(II) complexes on γ-AlO with minor amounts of zinc phytate precipitates. As the concentration of ZnO NPs increases, surface Zn(II) complexes gradually transform into zinc phytate and Zn-Al layered double hydroxide (Zn-Al LDH) precipitates. The quantitative analysis indicates that, as the concentration of ZnO NPs increases from 32.4 to 388.8 mg L, the proportion of Zn(II) species as binary/ternary surface complexes decreases from 81.9 to 30.2%; and the proportion as zinc phytate and Zn-Al LDH increases from 17.9 to 27.6% and 0 to 43.8%, respectively. The pre-sorption of orthophosphate can also inhibit ZnO NP transformation into Zn-Al LDH precipitates on γ-AlO. This study suggests that natural ligands pre-existed on natural oxide minerals could greatly influence the solubility, stability, transformation, and fate of easily dissoluble metal oxides (e.g., ZnO) in the environments.
Topics: Zinc Oxide; Aluminum Oxide; Phosphorus; Phytic Acid; Zinc; Oxides; Minerals; Nanoparticles; Phosphates; Metal Nanoparticles
PubMed: 36842383
DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.107847