Nanotechnology-Based Drug Delivery Systems for Treating Acute Kidney Injury.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a disease that is characterized by a rapid decline in renal function and has a relatively high incidence in hospitalized patients. Sepsis, renal hypoperfusion, and nephrotoxic drug exposure are the main causes of AKI. The major therapy measures currently include supportive treatment, symptomatic treatment, and kidney transplantation. These methods are supportive treatments, and their results are not satisfactory. Fortunately, many new treatments that markedly improve the AKI therapy efficiency are emerging. These include antioxidant therapy, ferroptosis therapy, anti-inflammatory therapy, autophagy therapy, and antiapoptotic therapy. In addition, the development of nanotechnology has further promoted therapeutic effects on AKI. In this review, we highlight recent advances in the development of nanocarriers for AKI drug delivery. Emphasis has been placed on the latest developments in nanocarrier modification and design. We also summarize the applications of different nanocarriers in AKI treatment. Finally, the advantages and challenges of nanocarrier applications in AKI are summarized, and several nanomedicines that have been approved for clinical trials to treat diverse kidney diseases are listed.

The evolution of data treatment tools in single-particle and single-cell ICP-MS analytics.

Single-particle inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (sp-ICP-MS) is one of the most powerful tools in the thriving field of nanomaterial analysis. Along the same lines, single-cell ICP-MS (sc-ICP-MS) has become an invaluable tool in the study of the variances of cell populations down to a per-cell basis. Their importance and application fields have been listed numerous times, across various reports and reviews. However, not enough attention has been paid to the immense and ongoing development of the tools that are currently available to the analytical community for the acquisition, and more importantly, the treatment of single-particle and single-cell-related data. Due to the ever-increasing demands of modern research, the efficient and dependable treatment of the data has become more important than ever. In addition, the field of single-particle and single-cell analysis suffers due to a large number of approaches for the generated data-with varying levels of specificity and applicability. As a result, finding the appropriate tool or approach, or even comparing results, can be challenging. This article will attempt to bridge these gaps, by covering the evolution and current state of the tools at the disposal of sp-ICP-MS users.

Investigation and Regulation of DNA Nanostructures on Activating cGAS-STING Signaling.

DNA nanostructures have shown great potential in biomedical fields. However, the immune responses, especially the activation of the cGAS-STING signaling (A-cGSs), induced by DNA nanostructures, remain incompletely understood. Here, the ability of various DNA nanostructures from double-stranded DNA (dsDNA), single-stranded tiles (SSTs) to DNA origami is investigated on A-cGSs. Unlike natural dsDNA which triggers potent A-cGSs, the structural interconnectivity of various DNA configurations can substantially reduce the occurrence of A-cGSs, irrespective of their form, dimensions, and conformation. However, wireframe DNA nanostructures can activate the cGAS-STING signaling, suggesting that decreasing A-cGSs is dsDNA compactness-dependent. Based on this, a reconfigurable DNA Origami Domino Array (DODA) is used to systematically interrogate how dsDNA influences the A-cGSs and demonstrates that the length, number, and space of dsDNA array coordinately influence the activation level of cGAS-STING signaling, realizing a regulation of innate immune response. The above data and findings enhance the understanding of how DNA nanostructures affect cellular innate immune responses and new insights into the modulation of innate immune responses by DNA nanomedicine.

Campylobacter control strategies at postharvest level.

Campylobacter is highly associated with poultry and frequently causes foodborne illness worldwide. Thus, effective control measures are necessary to reduce or prevent human infections. In this review, Campylobacter control methods applicable at postharvest level for poultry meat during production, storage, and preparation are discussed. Drying and temperature are discussed as general strategies. Traditional strategies such as steaming, freezing, sanitizing, organic acid treatment, and ultraviolet light treatment are also discussed. Recent advances in nanotechnology using antibacterial nanoparticles and natural antimicrobial agents from plants and food byproducts are also discussed. Although advances have been made and there are various methods for preventing Campylobacter contamination, it is still challenging to prevent Campylobacter contamination in raw poultry meats with current methods. In addition, some studies have shown that large strain-to-strain variation in susceptibility to these methods exists. Therefore, more effective methods or approaches need to be developed to substantially reduce human infections caused by Campylobacter.

Harnessing exosomes for targeted therapy: strategy and application.

Exosomes, nanoscopic extracellular vesicles produced by cells, are pivotal in mediating intracellular communication by transporting nucleic acids, proteins, lipids, and other bioactive molecules, thereby influencing physiological and pathological states. Their endogenous origin and inherent diversity confer distinct advantages over synthetic vehicles like liposomes and nanoparticles in diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Despite their potential, the clinical utility of exosomes is hampered by challenges such as limited storage stability, yield, purity, and targeting efficiency. This review focuses on exosomes as targeted therapeutic agents, examining their biogenesis, classification, isolation, and characterisation, while also addressing the current limitations in yield, purity, and targeting. We delve into the literature to propose optimisation strategies that can enhance their therapeutic efficacy and accelerate the translation of exosome-based therapies into clinical practice.

Evaluation of Pharmacokinetics, Immunogenicity, and Immunotoxicity of DNA Tetrahedral and DNA Polymeric Nanostructures.

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) nanostructures have been extensively explored in biomedical applications and have emerged as a promising platform for drug delivery, bioanalysis, and therapeutics. Their in vivo behaviors have received much attention, a prerequisite for clinical applications. Herein, the pharmacokinetics, immunogenicity, and immunotoxicity of two representative DNA nanostructures: DNA tetrahedron (TDN) and DNA nanoparticle (DNP) are studied. The pharmacokinetics of DNA nanostructures are monitored in a mouse model via tracking of 32P radiolabeled, and the half-lives of TDN and DNP are 9.88 and 19.80 min, respectively. TDN and DNP preferentially accumulate in the liver and kidney in one half-life and are metabolized through liver, kidney, and excreta after 24 h. Meanwhile, TDN and DNP elicit a weak pro-inflammatory immune response with low immunogenicity and are non-immunotoxic, as shown by immunotoxicity evaluation, histopathology, and serum biochemical index analysis. This research shows that the DNA nanostructures of TDN and DNP are safe for biological systems, indicating that TDN and DNP can be developed as promising therapeutic platforms in biomedicine.

Laser enhanced photothermal effect of silver nanoparticles synthesized by chemical and green method on Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.

PURPOSE: The antibacterial properties of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are extensively identified. In large quantities, they might be harmful. So many fields of nanotechnology have shown a great deal of interest in the development of an environmentally friendly, efficient method for synthesizing metal nanoparticles. Because of its antibacterial and antifungal properties toward a wide range of microbes, chitosan silver nanoparticles (AgNPs@Cs) constitute a newly developing class of bio-nanostructured hybrid materials. Furthermore, the use of photothermal therapy (PTT) has been suggested as a means of elimination of germs. These light-stimulated treatments are minimally invasive and have a few side effects. In the present work, the antibacterial effect of AgNPs at low concentrations; prepared by chemical and green methods as antimicrobial and photothermal agents in photothermal therapy; with laser irradiation were explored as combined treatment against MRSA, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. METHODS: Silver nanoparticles were produced in two ways. First, by sodium borohydrides, second, by chitosan (as a natural eco-friendly reducing, and capping agent). The nanostructure of AgNPs and AgNPs@Cs was confirmed by UV-visible spectrometer, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIRs), and direct light scattering (DLS). The antibacterial activity of the prepared nanoparticles and the laser irradiation was tested against three bacterial species of zoonotic importance; MRSA, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumoniae; and was evaluated by measuring their minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC). RESULTS: Silver nanoparticles produced by the two methods had spherical shapes with nearly the same particle size. The analysis of DLS showed that AgNPs were very stable with zeta potential - 28.8 mv, and 47.7 mv by chemical and chitosan synthesis, respectively. Furthermore, AgNPs@Cs showed higher antibacterial activity toward the tested bacterial species than AgNPs by chemical method. Additionally, the bacterial viability using photothermal laser therapy was reduced compared to laser and AgNPs alone. The bactericidal activities were higher when laser diode was coupled with AgNPs@Cs than by chemical reduction. CONCLUSION: The laser combined treatment had a higher antimicrobial effect than AgNPs alone or laser irradiation alone.

Protective effect of crocin-loaded nanoparticles in rats following epileptic seizures: Biochemical, behavioral and histopathological outcomes.

Epilepsy is a condition resulting from complex interactions involving excessive neuronal electrical activity and oxidative stress, which can lead to chronic neurological conditions. This study evaluates crocin encapsulated in SLNC for neuroprotective and countering pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) -induced oxidative damage. The rats were pre-treated with SLNC and FC (25, 50 mg/kg/day; P.O.) for 28 days before being induced with PTZ. Various standard tests were conducted to assess their behavioral functions, such as Y-maze, Open field test (OFT), and elevated plus maze (EPM) tests. ELISA measured brain tissue catalase activity (CAT) and nitric oxide status (NO). The expression of Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and the number of dendrite spines were examined through Immunohistochemical and Golgi-Cox staining, respectively. The Pretreating rats with SLNC plus PTZ significantly boosted memory and reduced anxiety levels in Y-maze, OFT, and EPM tests. In addition, it decreased NO levels and increased CAT levels. SLNC also showed a significant decrease in NF-κB expression and an increase in neurons and the number of spines. The positive effects of SLNC in improving memory and learning deficits after PTZ injection can be attributed to its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects.

COVID-19 diagnosis on the basis of nanobiosensors' prompt interactivity: A holistic review.

The fast spread and severe consequences of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have once again underscored the critical necessity of early detection of viral infections. Several serology-based techniques, including as point-of-care assays and high-throughput enzyme immunoassays that support the diagnosis of COVID-19 are utilized in the detection and identification of coronaviruses. A rapid, precise, simple, affordable, and adaptable diagnostic tool is required for controlling COVID-19 as well as for outbreak management, since the calculation and monitoring of viral loads are crucial for predicting the infection stage and recovery time. Nowadays, the most popular method for diagnosing COVID-19 is reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing, and chest computed tomography (CT) scans are also used to determine the disease's phases. This is all because of the fact that RT-PCR method caries with itself a number of downsides comprising of being immovable, expensive, and laborious. RT-PCR has not well proven to be capable of detection on the very early infection stages. Nanomaterial-based diagnostics, together with traditional clinical procedures, have a lot of promise against COVID-19. It is worthy of attention that nanotechnology has the mainstay capacity for purposes of developing even more modern stratagems fighting COVID-19 by means of focusing on state-of-the-art diagnostics. What we have centered on in this review, is bringing out even more efficient detection techniques whereby nanobiosensors are employed so that we might obstruct any further development and spreading of SARS-CoV-2.

Programming Fast DNA Amplifier Circuits with Versatile Toehold Exchange Pathway.

DNA amplifier circuits establish powerful tools to dynamically control molecular assembly for computation, sensing, and biological applications. However, the slow reaction speed remains a major barrier to their practical utility. Here, diverse fast DNA amplifier circuits termed toehold exchange polymerization (TEP) and toehold exchange catalysis (TEC) using toehold exchange-mediated assembly as a fundamental mechanism are built. Both TEP and TEC with a duplex and a hairpin can respond within minutes to diverse nucleic acid inputs with high fidelity. In addition, the circuits can amplify live-cell signals for fluorescence imaging target RNA dynamics and discriminating different cell lines. Compared with existing DNA circuits that involve time scales of hours for transducing small signals, TEP and TEC exhibit much faster dynamics, simpler design, and comparable sensitivity. These features make TEP and TEC promising platforms to develop programmable nucleic acid tools and devices and to create fast sensing and processing systems, amenable to wide practical applications.

Metallic nanoparticles unveiled: Synthesis, characterization, and their environmental, medicinal, and agricultural applications.

Metallic nanoparticles (MNPs) have attracted great interest among scientists and researchers for years due to their unique optical, physiochemical, biological, and magnetic properties. As a result, MNPs have been widely utilized across a variety of scientific fields, including biomedicine, agriculture, electronics, food, cosmetics, and the environment. In this regard, the current review article offers a comprehensive overview of recent studies on the synthesis of MNPs (metal and metal oxide nanoparticles), outlining the benefits and drawbacks of chemical, physical, and biological methods. However, the biological synthesis of MNPs is of great importance considering the biocompatibility and biological activity of certain MNPs. A variety of characterization techniques, including X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, UV-visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, atomic force microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and others, have been discussed in depth to gain deeper insights into the unique structural and spectroscopic properties of MNPs. Furthermore, their unique properties and applications in the fields of medicine, agriculture, and the environment are summarized and deeply discussed. Finally, the main challenges and limitations of MNPs synthesis and applications, as well as their future prospects have also been discussed.

Cancer immunotherapy and its facilitation by nanomedicine.

Cancer immunotherapy has sparked a wave of cancer research, driven by recent successful proof-of-concept clinical trials. However, barriers are emerging during its rapid development, including broad adverse effects, a lack of reliable biomarkers, tumor relapses, and drug resistance. Integration of nanomedicine may ameliorate current cancer immunotherapy. Ultra-large surface-to-volume ratio, extremely small size, and easy modification surface of nanoparticles enable them to selectively detect cells and kill cancer cells in vivo. Exciting synergistic applications of the two approaches have emerged in treating various cancers at the intersection of cancer immunotherapy and cancer nanomedicine, indicating the potential that the combination of these two therapeutic modalities can lead to new paradigms in the treatment of cancer. This review discusses the status of current immunotherapy and explores the possible opportunities that the nanomedicine platform can make cancer immunotherapy more powerful and precise by synergizing the two approaches.

Biologically based strategies for overcoming in vivo barriers with functional nano-delivery systems.

Nanomedicine has been developed to reduce or eliminate the side effects and toxicity upon systemic therapy of chemotherapeutic agents and to improve their therapeutic efficacy. However, the translation of non-sized or nano-encapsulated drugs is hampered by the low penetration and accumulation of engineered nanoparticles (NPs) in sites of tumors as well as their poor pharmacokinetics. This may be due to the synthetic structure of NPs and also complicated and unknown characteristics of the solid tumor microenvironment (TME). As a result, the TME is being better identified, and the interactions between NPs and the TME or human body are being discovered or predicted. These findings have led to the development of more biocompatible, intelligent, and controllable bio-based nanoformulations that could overcome current barriers and provide sufficient drug delivery to the TME, as discussed in this paper. These formulations are designed to (i) modify the surface of NPs to improve blood circulation while reducing their off-target accumulation and side effects in vivo, (ii) pass through the tumor vasculature by modulating or targeting angiogenesis, (iii) promote NPs distribution in solid tumor regions by applying biological/physical stimuli or extracellular matrix remodeling, and (iv) overcome the cell membrane barrier and other compartments of the cell by specific cell targeting to release the payload drug into the cytoplasm or nucleoplasm.

Sequence programmable nucleic acid coacervates.

Nature uses bottom-up self-assembly to build structures with remarkable complexity and functionality. Understanding how molecular-scale interactions translate to macroscopic properties remains a major challenge and requires systems that effectively bridge these two scales. Here, we generate DNA and RNA liquids with exquisite programmability in their material properties. Nucleic acids are negatively charged, and in the presence of polycations, they may condense to a liquid-like state. Within these liquids, DNA and RNA retain sequence-specific hybridization abilities. We show that intermolecular hybridization in the condensed phase cross-links molecules and slows down chain dynamics. This reduced chain mobility is mirrored in the macroscopic properties of the condensates. Molecular diffusivity and material viscosity scale with the intermolecular hybridization energy, enabling precise sequence-based modulation of condensate properties over orders of magnitude. Our work offers a robust platform to create self-assembling programmable fluids and may help advance our understanding of liquid-like compartments in cells.

A Comprehensive Review of Nanoparticles: From Classification to Application and Toxicity.

Nanoparticles are structures that possess unique properties with high surface area-to-volume ratio. Their small size, up to 100 nm, and potential for surface modifications have enabled their use in a wide range of applications. Various factors influence the properties and applications of NPs, including the synthesis method and physical attributes such as size and shape. Additionally, the materials used in the synthesis of NPs are primary determinants of their application. Based on the chosen material, NPs are generally classified into three categories: organic, inorganic, and carbon-based. These categories include a variety of materials, such as proteins, polymers, metal ions, lipids and derivatives, magnetic minerals, and so on. Each material possesses unique attributes that influence the activity and application of the NPs. Consequently, certain NPs are typically used in particular areas because they possess higher efficiency along with tenable toxicity. Therefore, the classification and the base material in the NP synthesis hold significant importance in both NP research and application. In this paper, we discuss these classifications, exemplify most of the major materials, and categorize them according to their preferred area of application. This review provides an overall review of the materials, including their application, and toxicity.

Physicochemical and biological properties of dental materials and formulations with silica nanoparticles: A narrative review.

OBJECTIVE: Silica nanoparticles (SNPs) have been extensively studied and used in different dental applications to promote improved physicochemical properties, high substance loading efficiency, in addition to sustained delivery of substances for therapeutic or preventive purposes. Therefore, this study aimed to review the SNPs applications in nanomaterials and nanoformulations in dentistry, discussing their effect on physicochemical properties, biocompatibility and ability to nanocarry bioactive substances. DATA RESOURCES: Literature searches were conducted on PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases to identify studies examining the physicochemical and biological properties of dental materials and formulations containing SNPs. Data extraction was performed by one reviewer and verified by another STUDY SELECTION: A total of 50 were reviewed. In vitro studies reveal that SNPs improved the general properties of dental materials and formulations, such as microhardness, fracture toughness, flexural strength, elastic modulus and surface roughness, in addition to acting as efficient nanocarriers of substances, such as antimicrobial, osteogenic and remineralizing substances, and showed biocompatibility CONCLUSIONS: SNPs are biocompatible, improve properties of dental materials and serve as effective carriers for bioactive substances CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Overall, SNPs are a promising drug delivery system that can improve dental materials biological and physicochemical and aesthetic properties, increasing their longevity and clinical performance. However, more studies are needed to elucidate SNPs short- and long-term effects in the oral cavity, mainly on in vivo and clinical studies, to prove their effectiveness and safety.

Recent developments in cancer diagnosis and treatment using nanotechnology.

The article provides an insightful overview of the pivotal role of nanotechnology in revolutionizing cancer diagnosis and treatment. It discusses the critical importance of nanoparticles in enhancing the accuracy of cancer detection through improved imaging contrast agents and the synthesis of various nanomaterials designed for oncology applications. The review broadly classifies nanoparticles used in therapeutics, including metallic, magnetic, polymeric, and many other types, with an emphasis on their functions in drug delivery systems for targeted cancer therapy. It details targeting mechanisms, including passive and intentional targeting, to maximize treatment efficacy while minimizing side effects. Furthermore, the article addresses the clinical applications of nanomaterials in cancer treatment, highlights prospects, and addresses the challenges of integrating nanotechnology into cancer treatment.

Nano-Drug Carriers for Targeted Therapeutic Approaches in Oral Cancer: A Systematic Review.

Introduction: Nanotechnology has shown potential in treating different types of cancers. In particular, nano-drug delivery systems (DDSs) offer a promising strategy for treating oral cancer. By customizing therapy and improving drug delivery, these systems can improve outcomes for patients. Hence, a review was conducted to assess the current evidence and explore the use of DDSs for treating oral cancer. Aim: To comprehensively explore the nano-drug carriers and target delivery for oral cancer therapy and to discuss the benefits, challenges, and potential to guide future research and clinical practice. Methodology: A systematic search of articles archived in PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane using keywords such as Nano, drug carrier, target drug delivery, and oral cancer was performed to fulfill the objectives from inception till February 2, 2024. Articles providing insights into nano-drug carriers in oral cancer were included. Results: The results revealed a total of 156 articles. After duplicate removal, 136 articles were screened for title and abstract as per the inclusion and exclusion criteria. A total of 113 articles were excluded with reasons. Out of the remaining 23 articles, only 11 were included for qualitative data synthesis. Conclusion: The literature revealed scarcity of oral cancer-related work using DDSs. Qualitative synthesis of data revealed that nano-drug carriers demonstrated a promising avenue for targeted therapeutic approaches in oral cancer, despite the challenges and their potential benefits. Continued research and development in this field are crucial to overcoming these challenges and fully realizing the potential of nano-drug carriers in revolutionizing oral cancer therapy. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12663-024-02251-z.

A Review of Nanotechnology in microRNA Detection and Drug Delivery.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding RNAs that play a crucial role in regulating gene expression. Dysfunction in miRNAs can lead to various diseases, including cancers, neurological disorders, and cardiovascular conditions. To date, approximately 2000 miRNAs have been identified in humans. These small molecules have shown promise as disease biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets. Therefore, identifying miRNA biomarkers for diseases and developing effective miRNA drug delivery systems are essential. Nanotechnology offers promising new approaches to addressing scientific and medical challenges. Traditional miRNA detection methods include next-generation sequencing, microarrays, Northern blotting, and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Nanotechnology can serve as an effective alternative to Northern blotting and RT-qPCR for miRNA detection. Moreover, nanomaterials exhibit unique properties that differ from larger counterparts, enabling miRNA therapeutics to more effectively enter target cells, reduce degradation in the bloodstream, and be released in specific tissues or cells. This paper reviews the application of nanotechnology in miRNA detection and drug delivery systems. Given that miRNA therapeutics are still in the developing stages, nanotechnology holds great promise for accelerating miRNA therapeutics development.