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Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024The fabrication of zinc oxide-based nanomaterials (including natural and synthetic polymers like sulfated polysaccharide, chitosan, and polymethyl methacrylate) has... (Review)
Review
The fabrication of zinc oxide-based nanomaterials (including natural and synthetic polymers like sulfated polysaccharide, chitosan, and polymethyl methacrylate) has potential to improve oral cancer treatment strategies. This comprehensive review explores the diverse synthesis methods employed to fabricate zinc oxide nanomaterials tailored for oral cancer applications. Several synthesis processes, particularly sol-gel, hydrothermal, and chemical vapor deposition approaches, are thoroughly studied, highlighting their advantages and limitations. The review also examines how synthesis parameters, such as precursor selection, the reaction temperature, and growth conditions, influence both the physicochemical attributes and biological efficacy of the resulting nanomaterials. Furthermore, recent advancements in surface functionalization and modification strategies targeted at improving the targeting specificity and pharmaceutical effectiveness of zinc oxide-based nanomaterials in oral cancer therapy are elucidated. Additionally, the review provides insights into the existing issues and prospective views in the field, emphasizing the need for further research to optimize synthesis methodologies and elucidate the mechanisms underlying the efficacy of zinc oxide-based nanoparticles in oral cancer therapy.
Topics: Humans; Zinc Oxide; Mouth Neoplasms; Nanostructures; Antineoplastic Agents; Animals
PubMed: 38893579
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29112706 -
Nutrients May 2024Biochemical events provoked by oxidative stress and advanced glycation may be inhibited by combining natural bioactives with classic therapeutic agents, which arise as...
Lycopene in Combination with Insulin Triggers Antioxidant Defenses and Increases the Expression of Components That Detoxify Advanced Glycation Products in Kidneys of Diabetic Rats.
BACKGROUND
Biochemical events provoked by oxidative stress and advanced glycation may be inhibited by combining natural bioactives with classic therapeutic agents, which arise as strategies to mitigate diabetic complications. The aim of this study was to investigate whether lycopene combined with a reduced insulin dose is able to control glycemia and to oppose glycoxidative stress in kidneys of diabetic rats.
METHODS
Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were treated with 45 mg/kg lycopene + 1 U/day insulin for 30 days. The study assessed glycemia, insulin sensitivity, lipid profile and paraoxonase 1 (PON-1) activity in plasma. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities and the protein levels of advanced glycation end-product receptor 1 (AGE-R1) and glyoxalase-1 (GLO-1) in the kidneys were also investigated.
RESULTS
An effective glycemic control was achieved with lycopene plus insulin, which may be attributed to improvements in insulin sensitivity. The combined therapy decreased the dyslipidemia and increased the PON-1 activity. In the kidneys, lycopene plus insulin increased the activities of SOD and CAT and the levels of AGE-R1 and GLO-1, which may be contributing to the antialbuminuric effect.
CONCLUSIONS
These findings demonstrate that lycopene may aggregate favorable effects to insulin against diabetic complications resulting from glycoxidative stress.
Topics: Animals; Lycopene; Kidney; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental; Glycation End Products, Advanced; Antioxidants; Male; Insulin; Oxidative Stress; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Blood Glucose; Superoxide Dismutase; Catalase; Aryldialkylphosphatase; Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products; Insulin Resistance; Lactoylglutathione Lyase; Drug Therapy, Combination; Hypoglycemic Agents; Diabetic Nephropathies
PubMed: 38892513
DOI: 10.3390/nu16111580 -
International Journal of Molecular... May 2024Food safety and quality are major concerns in the food industry. Despite numerous studies, polyethylene remains one of the most used materials for packaging due to...
Food safety and quality are major concerns in the food industry. Despite numerous studies, polyethylene remains one of the most used materials for packaging due to industry reluctance to invest in new technologies and equipment. Therefore, modifications to the current materials are easier to implement than adopting whole new solutions. Antibacterial activity can be induced in low-density polyethylene films only by adding antimicrobial agents. ZnO nanoparticles are well known for their strong antimicrobial activity, coupled with low toxicity and UV shielding capability. These characteristics recommend ZnO for the food industry. By incorporating such safe and dependable antimicrobial agents in the polyethylene matrix, we have obtained composite films able to inhibit microorganisms' growth that can be used as packaging materials. Here we report the obtaining of highly homogenous composite films with up to 5% ZnO by a melt mixing process at 150 °C for 10 min. The composite films present good transparency in the visible domain, permitting consumers to visualize the food, but have good UV barrier properties. The composite films exhibit good antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity from the lowest ZnO composition (1%), against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains. The homogenous dispersion of ZnO nanoparticles into the polyethylene matrix was assessed by Fourier transform infrared microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The optimal mechanical barrier properties were obtained for composition with 3% ZnO. The thermal analysis indicates that the addition of ZnO nanoparticles has increased thermal stability by more than 100 °C. The UV-Vis spectra indicate a low transmittance in the UV domain, lower than 5%, making the films suitable for blocking photo-oxidation processes. The obtained films proved to be efficient packaging films, successfully preserving plum (Rome) tomatoes for up to 14 days.
Topics: Zinc Oxide; Food Packaging; Polyethylene; Solanum lycopersicum; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Anti-Infective Agents; Biofilms
PubMed: 38892267
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25116073 -
International Journal of Molecular... May 2024Advanced oxidation processes, including photocatalysis, have been proven effective at organic dye degradation. Tailored porous materials with regulated pore size, shape,...
Advanced oxidation processes, including photocatalysis, have been proven effective at organic dye degradation. Tailored porous materials with regulated pore size, shape, and morphology offer a sustainable solution to the water pollution problem by acting as support materials to grafted photocatalytic nanoparticles (NPs). This research investigated the influence of pore and particle sizes of photocatalytic MICROSCAFS on the degradation of methyl orange (MO) in aqueous solution (10 mg/L). Photocatalytic MICROSCAFS are made of binder-less supported P25 TiO NPs within MICROSCAFS, which are silica-titania microspheres with a controlled size and interconnected macroporosity, synthesized by an adapted sol-gel method that involves a polymerization-induced phase separation process. Photocatalytic experiments were performed both in batch and flow reactors, with this latter one targeting a proof of concept for continuous transformation processes and real-life conditions. Photocatalytic degradation of 87% in 2 h (batch) was achieved, using a calibrated solar light simulator (1 sun) and a photocatalyst/pollutant mass ratio of 23. This study introduces a novel flow kinetic model which provides the modeling and simulation of the photocatalytic MICROSCAFS performance. A scavenger study was performed, enabling an in-depth mechanistic understanding. Finally, the transformation products resulting from the MO photocatalytic degradation were elucidated by high-resolution mass spectrometry experiments and subjected to an in silico toxicity assessment.
Topics: Catalysis; Water Purification; Titanium; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Porosity; Sunlight; Azo Compounds; Microspheres; Silicon Dioxide; Photolysis; Kinetics; Photochemical Processes
PubMed: 38892146
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25115958 -
International Journal of Molecular... May 2024Food-grade titanium dioxide (E171) and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are common food additives for human consumption. We examined multi-organ toxicity of both...
Food-grade titanium dioxide (E171) and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are common food additives for human consumption. We examined multi-organ toxicity of both compounds on Wistar rats orally exposed for 90 days. Rats were divided into three groups: (1) control (saline solution), (2) E171-exposed, and (3) ZnO NPs-exposed. Histological examination was performed with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Ceramide (Cer), 3-nitrotyrosine (NT), and lysosome-associated membrane protein 2 (LAMP-2) were detected by immunofluorescence. Relevant histological changes were observed: disorganization, inflammatory cell infiltration, and mitochondrial damage. Increased levels of Cer, NT, and LAMP-2 were observed in the liver, kidney, and brain of E171- and ZnO NPs-exposed rats, and in rat hearts exposed to ZnO NPs. E171 up-regulated Cer and NT levels in the aorta and heart, while ZnO NPs up-regulated them in the aorta. Both NPs increased LAMP-2 expression in the intestine. In conclusion, chronic oral exposure to metallic NPs causes multi-organ injury, reflecting how these food additives pose a threat to human health. Our results suggest how complex interplay between ROS, Cer, LAMP-2, and NT may modulate organ function during NP damage.
Topics: Animals; Zinc Oxide; Titanium; Rats; Ceramides; Rats, Wistar; Metal Nanoparticles; Male; Administration, Oral; Lysosomal-Associated Membrane Protein 2; Tyrosine; Liver; Kidney
PubMed: 38892068
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25115881 -
Scientific Reports Jun 2024A composite of Zinc oxide loaded with 5-weight % silver decorated on carbon nanotubes (Ag-loaded ZnO: CNT) was synthesized using a simple refluxed chemical method. The...
A composite of Zinc oxide loaded with 5-weight % silver decorated on carbon nanotubes (Ag-loaded ZnO: CNT) was synthesized using a simple refluxed chemical method. The influence of deviation in the weight % of carbon nanotube loading on photocatalytic dye degradation (methylene blue and rose bengal) and antibiotic (antimicrobial and antifungal) performance was investigated in this study. The light capture ability of Ag-loaded ZnO:CNT in the visible region was higher in photocatalytic activity than that of Ag-loaded ZnO and ZnO:CNT. The bandgap of the Ag-loaded ZnO: CNT was tuned owing to the surface plasmon resonance effect. The photocatalytic degradation investigations were optimized by varying the wt% in CNTs, pH of dye solution, concentration of the dye solution, and amount of catalytic dose. Around 100% photocatalytic efficiency in 2 min against MB dye was observed for Ag doped ZnO with 10 wt% CNT composite at pH 9, at a rate constant 1.48 min. Bipolaris sorokiniana fungus was first time tested against a composite material, which demonstrated optimum fungal inhibition efficiency of 48%. They were also tested against the bacterial strains Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cerius, Proteus vulgaris, and Salmonella typhimurium, which showed promising antibacterial activity compared to commercially available drugs. The composite of Ag doped ZnO with 5 wt% CNT has shown competitive zone inhibition efficacy of 21.66 ± 0.57, 15.66 ± 0.57, 13.66 ± 0.57 against bacterial strains Bacillus cerius, Proteus vulgaris, and Salmonella typhimurium which were tested for the first time against Ag-loaded ZnO:CNT.
Topics: Zinc Oxide; Silver; Nanotubes, Carbon; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Catalysis; Antifungal Agents; Staphylococcus aureus; Methylene Blue; Coloring Agents; Rose Bengal; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Salmonella typhimurium; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Photolysis; Photochemical Processes
PubMed: 38890495
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-64746-6 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2024To date, few FDA-approved medical countermeasures are available for addressing hematopoietic acute radiation syndrome (H-ARS). In this study, we present our latest...
To date, few FDA-approved medical countermeasures are available for addressing hematopoietic acute radiation syndrome (H-ARS). In this study, we present our latest research findings focusing on the evaluation of a novel radiation mitigator known as the mitigating amino acid mixture (MAAM). MAAM is composed of five amino acids as the recently reported amino acid-based oral rehydration solution for mitigating gastrointestinal (GI)-ARS. CD2F1 male and female mice were exposed to Co-γ total body irradiation (TBI) at 9.0 or 9.5 Gy. Following irradiation, mice were orally administered with MAAM or a saline vehicle control once daily for a duration of 14 days, commencing 24 h after TBI. Mouse survival and body weight change were monitored for 30 days after irradiation. Complete blood counts (CBCs), bone marrow (BM) stem and progenitor cell survival (clonogenicity), and a serum cytokine antibody array were analyzed using samples from day 30 surviving mice. Our data revealed that MAAM treatment significantly enhanced survival rates in irradiated male CD2F1 mice, and the survival rate increased from 25% in the vehicle control group to 60% in the MAAM-treated group ( < 0.05) after 9.0 Gy TBI. The number of BM colonies significantly increased from 41.8 ± 6.4 /10 cells (in the vehicle group) to 78.5 ± 17.0 /10 cells (in the MAAM group) following 9.0 Gy TBI. Furthermore, MAAM treatment led to a decrease in the levels of six cytokines/proteins [cluster of differentiation 40 (CD40), interleukin (IL)-17A, C-X-C motif chemokine 10 (CXCL10/CRG-2), cutaneous T cell-attracting chemokine (CTACK), macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-3β, and IL-1β] and an increase in the levels of five other cytokines/proteins [IL-3Rβ, IL-5, leptin, IL-6, and stem cell factor (SCF)] in mouse serum compared to the vehicle group after 9.0 Gy TBI. However, similar alleviating effects of MAAM were not observed in the irradiated CD2F1 female mice. The serum cytokine profile in the irradiated female mice was different compared to the irradiated male mice. In summary, our data suggest that the beneficial effects of the mitigative amino acid combination treatment after radiation exposure may depend on sex.
Topics: Animals; Female; Male; Mice; Amino Acids; Whole-Body Irradiation; Acute Radiation Syndrome; Cytokines; Sex Factors; Radiation-Protective Agents
PubMed: 38887249
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1394023 -
BMC Infectious Diseases Jun 2024Acinetobacter baumannii resistant strains lead to increased mortality, treatment costs, and an increase in the length of hospitalization. Nowadays, nanoparticles are...
Study of MIC of silver and zinc oxide nanoparticles, strong and cost-effective antibacterial against biofilm-producing Acinetobacter baumannii in Shiraz, Southwest of Iran.
BACKGROUND
Acinetobacter baumannii resistant strains lead to increased mortality, treatment costs, and an increase in the length of hospitalization. Nowadays, nanoparticles are considered a substitute for antibiotics. This study aimed to determine the MIC of Silver (Ag) and Zinc Oxide (ZnO) Nanoparticles (NPs) on Biofilm-Producing Acinetobacter baumannii and determine the relationship between MIC and frequency of efflux pump genes in cutaneous specimens in Shiraz, Southwest Iran in 2021-2022.
METHODS
In this study, specimens were collected from April 2021 to June 2022 at Namazi and Faqihi Hospitals in Shiraz. Investigation of biofilm production in multidrug resistance (MDR) isolates was done by the microtiter plate method. Synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by UV-vis spectrum, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and electron microscopy. The MIC of AgNPs and ZnONPs for isolates was done using the method described in the CLSI guideline (2018). The antibacterial effect of MIC of NPs on inanimate objects was done by colony counts. The prevalence of efflux pump genes (adeR, adeC, adeA, abeM, adeK, adeI) was also investigated by PCR technique.
RESULTS
The highest ceftriaxone resistance (68%) and lowest colistin resistance (7%) were identified. 57% of isolates were MDR. In addition, 71.9% could produce biofilm and 28.1% of isolates could not produce biofilm. The average size of AgNPs and ZnONPs in the present study is 48 and < 70 nm, respectively. The nanoparticles were spherical. The MIC and the MBC of the ZnONPs were in the range of 125 to 250 µg/mL respectively. Also, for AgNPs, the MIC and the MBC were in the range of 62.5 to 250 µg/ml, respectively. AbeM gene had the highest frequency and the AdeK gene had the lowest frequency. Statistical analysis showed that there is a relationship between the frequency of adeA, adeC, and adeM genes with the MIC of AgNPs and ZnONPs.
CONCLUSION
According to the results of the present study, inanimate objects such as scalpels in contact with AgNPs (6000 µg/ml for 240 min) or ZnONPs (5000 µg/ml for 120 min) can be free of biofilm producing Acinetobacter baumannii with efflux pump genes.
Topics: Acinetobacter baumannii; Biofilms; Iran; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Silver; Zinc Oxide; Humans; Acinetobacter Infections; Metal Nanoparticles; Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; Adult; Male; Female; Middle Aged; Adolescent; Young Adult; Child; Aged; Child, Preschool; Nanoparticles
PubMed: 38886629
DOI: 10.1186/s12879-024-09471-1 -
Scientific Reports Jun 2024Amidst the challenges posed by climate change, exploring advanced technologies like nanotechnology is crucial for enhancing agricultural productivity and food security....
Amidst the challenges posed by climate change, exploring advanced technologies like nanotechnology is crucial for enhancing agricultural productivity and food security. Consequently, this study investigated the impact of nano SiO (nSiO), nano TiO (nTiO) and SiO/TiO nanocomposites (NCs) on 30-day-old Zea mays L. plants and soil health at concentrations of 100 and 200 ppm. Results showed that nSiO and nTiO at 100 ppm and SiO/TiO NCs at both concentrations, positively influenced plant growth, with the best stimulation observed at 200 ppm of SiO/TiO NCs. Improved plant growth was associated with higher chlorophyll content, photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, rhizospheric N-fixing and phosphate solubilizing bacterial population and plant nutrient uptake. Additionally, treated plants exhibited increased cellulose and starch levels. Malondialdehyde (MDA) content was lower or similar to that of the control, except at 200 ppm of nTiO-treated shoots. Antioxidant enzyme activities fluctuated, indicating physiological adjustments. Overall, 100 ppm of nTiO as well as nSiO and 100 and 200 ppm of SiO/TiO NCs improved soil fertility and Z. mays growth, suggesting potential benefits for sustainable agriculture. The findings lay the foundation for more comprehensive investigations into the long-term fate of nanomaterials in soil and their intricate molecular-level interactions with Z. mays.
Topics: Zea mays; Titanium; Silicon Dioxide; Soil; Nanocomposites; Photosynthesis; Chlorophyll
PubMed: 38886471
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-61456-x -
Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics :... Jun 2024There is currently a great deal of interest in realizing localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPRs) in two distinct windows in the near-infrared (NIR) spectrum for...
There is currently a great deal of interest in realizing localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPRs) in two distinct windows in the near-infrared (NIR) spectrum for biosensing and medical applications, the biological window (BW) I and II (BW I, 700-900 nm; BW II, 1000-1700 nm). This study aims to demonstrate that LSPRs of Ga-doped ZnO (GZO) core-silver (Ag) shell structures exhibit promising features for biological applications in the NIR BW I and II. Here, we study three different shapes for nanoshells: the core-shell nanosphere, nanorod, and nanodisk. In the calculation of the optical response of these nanoshells, an effective medium approach is first used to reduce the dielectric function of a nanoshell to that of an equivalent homogenous NP with an effective dielectric function. Then, the LSPR spectra of nanoshells are calculated using the modified long-wavelength approximation (MLWA), which corrects the polarizability of the equivalent NP as obtained by Gans theory. Through numerical investigations, we examine the impacts of the core and shell sizes of the proposed nanoshells as well as the medium refractive index on the position and line width of the plasmon resonance peaks. It is shown that the plasmon resonances of the three proposed nanoshells exhibit astonishing resonance tunability in the NIR region by varying their geometrical parameters. Specifically, the improved spectrum characteristics and tunability of its plasmon resonances make the GZO-Ag nanosphere a more viable platform for NIR applications than the spherical metal colloid. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the sensitivity and figure of merit (FOM) of the plasmon resonances may be significantly increased by using GZO-Ag nanorods and nanodisks in place of GZO-Ag nanospheres. It is found that the optical properties of the transverse plasmon resonance of the GZO-Ag nanodisk are superior to all plasmon resonances produced by the GZO-Ag nanorods and GZO-Ag nanospheres in terms of sensitivity and FOM. The FOM of the transverse plasmon mode of the GZO-Ag nanodisk is almost two orders of magnitude higher than that of the longitudinal and transverse plasmon modes of the GZO-Ag nanorod in BW I and BW II. And it is 1.5 and 2 times higher than the plasmon resonance FOM of GZO-Ag nanospheres in BW I and BW II, respectively.
Topics: Silver; Surface Plasmon Resonance; Nanotubes; Zinc Oxide; Biosensing Techniques; Nanospheres; Gallium; Infrared Rays
PubMed: 38884203
DOI: 10.1039/d4cp00817k