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1.
Recent Advances in Plant Nanoscience.
Zhang, Q, Ying, Y, Ping, J
Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany). 2022;(2):e2103414
Abstract
Plants have complex internal signaling pathways to quickly adjust to environmental changes and harvest energy from the environment. Facing the growing population, there is an urgent need for plant transformation and precise monitoring of plant growth to improve crop yields. Nanotechnology, an interdisciplinary research field, has recently been boosting plant yields and meeting global energy needs. In this context, a new field, "plant nanoscience," which describes the interaction between plants and nanotechnology, emerges as the times require. Nanosensors, nanofertilizers, nanopesticides, and nano-plant genetic engineering are of great help in increasing crop yields. Nanogenerators are helping to develop the potential of plants in the field of energy harvesting. Furthermore, the uptake and internalization of nanomaterials in plants and the possible effects are also worthy of attention. In this review, a forward-looking perspective on the plant nanoscience is presented and feasible solutions for future food shortages and energy crises are provided.
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2.
Recent advances of nanotechnology-based tumor vessel-targeting strategies.
Zhu, D, Li, Y, Zhang, Z, Xue, Z, Hua, Z, Luo, X, Zhao, T, Lu, C, Liu, Y
Journal of nanobiotechnology. 2021;(1):435
Abstract
Tumor vessels can provide oxygen and nutrition for solid tumor tissue, create abnormal tumor microenvironment (TME), and play a vital role in the development, immune escape, metastasis and drug resistance of tumor. Tumor vessel-targeting therapy has become an important and promising direction in anti-tumor therapy, with the development of five anti-tumor therapeutic strategies, including vascular disruption, anti-angiogenesis, vascular blockade, vascular normalization and breaking immunosuppressive TME. However, the insufficient drug accumulation and severe side effects of vessel-targeting drugs limit their development in clinical application. Nanotechnology offers an excellent platform with flexible modified surface that can precisely deliver diverse cargoes, optimize efficacy, reduce side effects, and realize the combined therapy. Various nanomedicines (NMs) have been developed to target abnormal tumor vessels and specific TME to achieve more efficient vessel-targeting therapy. The article reviews tumor vascular abnormalities and the resulting abnormal microenvironment, the application of NMs in the tumor vessel-targeting strategies, and how NMs can improve these strategies and achieve multi-strategies combination to maximize anti-tumor effects.
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3.
Nanoreduction as a technology to exploit β-Glucan from cereal and fungal sources for enhancing its nutraceutical potential.
Ashraf, ZU, Shah, A, Gani, A, Gani, A, Masoodi, FA, Noor, N
Carbohydrate polymers. 2021;:117664
Abstract
β-Glucan nanoparticles were produced from cereal and fungal sources viz: oats, barley, and yeast using ball milling which is considered as a green technology. The β-glucan nanoparticles were evaluated using dynamic light scattering (DLS) and Fourier transform infra-spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). The particle size, zeta potential, polydispersity index, antioxidant, anticancerous, antimicrobial and antihypertensive potential of β-glucan nanoparticles from different sources were also studied. The experimental results revealed that the average particle size for BN (Barley β-glucan nanoparticle), ON (Oats β-glucan nanoparticle), and YN (Yeast β-glucan nanoparticle) were 90.35, 83.55 and 77.44 nm and zeta potential were in the range of -27 to -6.3 mV. . There was an increase in antioxidant, antihyperglycemic and antihypertensive activity of BN, YN, and ON in comparison to native. Study reported increase in anticancerous activity upon size reduction. Also, antibacterial activity of BNT, ONT, YNT, BN, ON and YN against Gram-negative and Gram-positive (E.coli & Bacillus Subtilis) were studied. It was concluded that the β-glucan nanoparticles showed enhanced nutraceutical properties that might be due to the nanoreduction using green technology.
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4.
Transient cell stiffening triggered by magnetic nanoparticle exposure.
Perez, JE, Fage, F, Pereira, D, Abou-Hassan, A, Asnacios, S, Asnacios, A, Wilhelm, C
Journal of nanobiotechnology. 2021;(1):117
Abstract
BACKGROUND The interactions between nanoparticles and the biological environment have long been studied, with toxicological assays being the most common experimental route. In parallel, recent growing evidence has brought into light the important role that cell mechanics play in numerous cell biological processes. However, despite the prevalence of nanotechnology applications in biology, and in particular the increased use of magnetic nanoparticles for cell therapy and imaging, the impact of nanoparticles on the cells' mechanical properties remains poorly understood. RESULTS Here, we used a parallel plate rheometer to measure the impact of magnetic nanoparticles on the viscoelastic modulus G*(f) of individual cells. We show how the active uptake of nanoparticles translates into cell stiffening in a short time scale (< 30 min), at the single cell level. The cell stiffening effect is however less marked at the cell population level, when the cells are pre-labeled under a longer incubation time (2 h) with nanoparticles. 24 h later, the stiffening effect is no more present. Imaging of the nanoparticle uptake reveals almost immediate (within minutes) nanoparticle aggregation at the cell membrane, triggering early endocytosis, whereas nanoparticles are almost all confined in late or lysosomal endosomes after 2 h of uptake. Remarkably, this correlates well with the imaging of the actin cytoskeleton, with actin bundling being highly prevalent at early time points into the exposure to the nanoparticles, an effect that renormalizes after longer periods. CONCLUSIONS Overall, this work evidences that magnetic nanoparticle internalization, coupled to cytoskeleton remodeling, contributes to a change in the cell mechanical properties within minutes of their initial contact, leading to an increase in cell rigidity. This effect appears to be transient, reduced after hours and disappearing 24 h after the internalization has taken place.
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5.
Phytonanotechnology applications in modern agriculture.
Jiang, M, Song, Y, Kanwar, MK, Ahammed, GJ, Shao, S, Zhou, J
Journal of nanobiotechnology. 2021;(1):430
Abstract
With the rapidly changing global climate, the agricultural systems are confronted with more unpredictable and harsh environmental conditions than before which lead to compromised food production. Thus, to ensure safer and sustainable crop production, the use of advanced nanotechnological approaches in plants (phytonanotechnology) is of great significance. In this review, we summarize recent advances in phytonanotechnology in agricultural systems that can assist to meet ever-growing demands of food sustainability. The application of phytonanotechnology can change traditional agricultural systems, allowing the target-specific delivery of biomolecules (such as nucleotides and proteins) and cater the organized release of agrochemicals (such as pesticides and fertilizers). An amended comprehension of the communications between crops and nanoparticles (NPs) can improve the production of crops by enhancing tolerance towards environmental stresses and optimizing the utilization of nutrients. Besides, approaches like nanoliposomes, nanoemulsions, edible coatings, and other kinds of NPs offer numerous selections in the postharvest preservation of crops for minimizing food spoilage and thus establishing phtonanotechnology as a sustainable tool to architect modern agricultural practices.
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6.
Effect of differently coated silver nanoparticles on hemostasis.
Milić, M, Vuković, B, Barbir, R, Pem, B, Milić, M, Šerić, V, Frőhlich, E, Vinković Vrček, I
Platelets. 2021;(5):651-661
Abstract
With the emergence of nano-enabled medical devices (MDs) for the use in human medicine, ensuring their safety becomes of crucial importance. Hemocompatibility is one of the major criteria for approval of all MDs in contact with blood (e.g. vascular grafts, stents, or valves). Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are among the most used nanomaterials for MDs due to their biocidal activity; however, detailed knowledge on their hemostatic effects is still lacking.This study aimed to evaluate comprehensively AgNPs effects on hemostasis in human blood by exploiting combination of affordable and clinically relevant techniques.Differently stabilized AgNPs were prepared using sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulphosuccinate (AOT), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), poly-L-lysine (PLL), and bovine serum albumin (BSA) as coating agents. They were tested for hemolytic activity, induction of platelet aggregation, plasmatic coagulation, thrombin generation, and hemostasis in whole blood.All AgNPs were found to cause dose-dependent hemolysis. The BSA-, AOT-, and PVP-coated AgNPs delayed plasmatic coagulation, while only PLL-AgNPs inhibited plasmatic coagulation, induced platelet activation, and interfered with hemostasis by delaying clotting time and decreasing clot firmness in whole blood.Obtained results demonstrate that a combination of different techniques should be used for reliable assessment of AgNPs hemostatic effects highlighting the need for a standardized approach in sampling and experimental protocols.
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7.
Progress of Nanotechnology in Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment.
Liu, Y, Wu, N
International journal of nanomedicine. 2021;:1391-1403
Abstract
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a chronic diabetes complication that progressively manifests itself as blurred vision, eye floaters, distorted vision, and even partial or total loss of vision as a result of retinal detachment in severe cases. Clinically, patients who have undergone variations in the microcirculation of the ocular fundus are treated with laser photocoagulation to improve the circulation of retina; but for patients with macular edema, anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) drugs are generally injected to eliminate macular edema and improve vision. The worst cases are patients with fundus hemorrhage or proliferative vitreoretinopathy, for whom vitrectomy has been performed. At present, these clinical treatment methods have widely been used, providing satisfactory results. However, considering the low bioavailability and potential side effects of drugs and the inevitable risks in major surgery, DR prevention, and treatment as well as nerve tissue regeneration in the later stage have always been the focus of research. In recent years, nanotechnology has been increasingly applied in the medical field, leading to new ideas for DR treatment. This study aims to systematically review the research progress of nanotechnology in DR treatment.
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8.
The Applications of Nanotechnology in Crop Production.
Liu, C, Zhou, H, Zhou, J
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland). 2021;(23)
Abstract
With the frequent occurrence of extreme climate, global agriculture is confronted with unprecedented challenges, including increased food demand and a decline in crop production. Nanotechnology is a promising way to boost crop production, enhance crop tolerance and decrease the environmental pollution. In this review, we summarize the recent findings regarding innovative nanotechnology in crop production, which could help us respond to agricultural challenges. Nanotechnology, which involves the use of nanomaterials as carriers, has a number of diverse applications in plant growth and crop production, including in nanofertilizers, nanopesticides, nanosensors and nanobiotechnology. The unique structures of nanomaterials such as high specific surface area, centralized distribution size and excellent biocompatibility facilitate the efficacy and stability of agro-chemicals. Besides, using appropriate nanomaterials in plant growth stages or stress conditions effectively promote plant growth and increase tolerance to stresses. Moreover, emerging nanotools and nanobiotechnology provide a new platform to monitor and modify crops at the molecular level.
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9.
Sustainable Agriculture through Multidisciplinary Seed Nanopriming: Prospects of Opportunities and Challenges.
Shelar, A, Singh, AV, Maharjan, RS, Laux, P, Luch, A, Gemmati, D, Tisato, V, Singh, SP, Santilli, MF, Shelar, A, et al
Cells. 2021;(9)
Abstract
The global community decided in 2015 to improve people's lives by 2030 by setting 17 global goals for sustainable development. The second goal of this community was to end hunger. Plant seeds are an essential input in agriculture; however, during their developmental stages, seeds can be negatively affected by environmental stresses, which can adversely affect seed vigor, seedling establishment, and crop production. Seeds resistant to high salinity, droughts and climate change can result in higher crop yield. The major findings suggested in this review refer nanopriming as an emerging seed technology towards sustainable food amid growing demand with the increasing world population. This novel growing technology could influence the crop yield and ensure the quality and safety of seeds, in a sustainable way. When nanoprimed seeds are germinated, they undergo a series of synergistic events as a result of enhanced metabolism: modulating biochemical signaling pathways, trigger hormone secretion, reduce reactive oxygen species leading to improved disease resistance. In addition to providing an overview of the challenges and limitations of seed nanopriming technology, this review also describes some of the emerging nano-seed priming methods for sustainable agriculture, and other technological developments using cold plasma technology and machine learning.
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10.
Eco-Friendly Nanoplatforms for Crop Quality Control, Protection, and Nutrition.
Wang, CY, Yang, J, Qin, JC, Yang, YW
Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany). 2021;(9):2004525
Abstract
Agricultural chemicals have been widely utilized to manage pests, weeds, and plant pathogens for maximizing crop yields. However, the excessive use of these organic substances to compensate their instability in the environment has caused severe environmental consequences, threatened human health, and consumed enormous economic costs. In order to improve the utilization efficiency of these agricultural chemicals, one strategy that attracted researchers is to design novel eco-friendly nanoplatforms. To date, numerous advanced nanoplatforms with functional components have been applied in the agricultural field, such as silica-based materials for pesticides delivery, metal/metal oxide nanoparticles for pesticides/mycotoxins detection, and carbon nanoparticles for fertilizers delivery. In this review, the synthesis, applications, and mechanisms of recent eco-friendly nanoplatforms in the agricultural field, including pesticides and mycotoxins on-site detection, phytopathogen inactivation, pest control, and crops growth regulation for guaranteeing food security, enhancing the utilization efficiency of agricultural chemicals and increasing crop yields are highlighted. The review also stimulates new thinking for improving the existing agricultural technologies, protecting crops from biotic and abiotic stress, alleviating the global food crisis, and ensuring food security. In addition, the challenges to overcome the constrained applications of functional nanoplatforms in the agricultural field are also discussed.