Furong Tian

Background: Inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) are capable of interacting with bacteria. Due to this interaction, the cell exterior and interior of bacteria maybe altered. As a result, bacterial growth inhibition might occur due to the antimicrobial properties exerted by inorganic nanoparticles. Inorganic nanomaterials with antimicrobial activity have been discussed within the literature under the food, pharmaceutical, biomedicine and agriculture sectors. Currently, nanoparticle-mediated control of plant bacterial pathogens is advancing in agriculture. Aim: This review aims to highlight the potential of bacteria-inorganic nanoparticle systems in agriculture and how they may yield agricultural benefits beyond antimicrobial activity. Methods: We analysed literature published between 2020 and 2024 on how bacteria-inorganic nano systems can be exploited in agriculture (i) as nano-biofertilisers, (ii) as biocontrol agents, (iii) for irrigation water purification and (iv) for the detection of pathogens to promote crop health, improve plant growth and yield, and enhance soil quality. Results: Evidence indicates that integration between bacteria and inorganic nanoparticles can lead to inhibitory or synergistic interactions depending on the physicochemical properties of nanopartciles, nanopartcile concentration and physiology of bacteria. Mechanistic insights into nanoparticle-induced cellular changes that drive both growth inhibition and growth-promotion of bacteria are identified. These interactions have been successfully applied in the above four agricultural applications. Areas in particular need of further research are reviewed. Potential toxicity concerns towards non-target organisms and risk of bioaccumulation are addressed. Conclusion: Bacteria-nanoparticle integration offers promising opportunities for sustainable agriculture. Further research is required to support fi eld-scale validation, industrial and economic feasibility and establish a well-defined regulatory framework.

Radish ( Raphanus sativus L.) is an economically sustainable root vegetable cultivated worldwide for its nutritional, pharmaceutical, and agricultural importance. However, its production can be compromised by poor seed germination, nutrient shortage, and deteriorating soil fertility, which directly affect its marketable yield. This study focuses on a nano-biofertilizer comprising the plant probiotic Saccharomyces cerevisiae IIUI-565, conjugated with urea-Zn-DAP nanofertilizer, to enhance radish seed germination. Herein, for the first time, indigenous mixed herbs were used to synthesize urea-Zn-DAP nanofertilizer. The mixed herbal spice methanolic extracts consisted of eugenol (93%) and caryophyllene (4.8%) as the main reducing agents, identified by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. UV-Visible and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy confirmed mixed herb-mediated synthesis and synergism of urea-Zn-DAP nanofertilizers. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis provided the presence of a hexagonal crystalline structure. SEM image revealed ultra-small spherical-hexagonal-shaped particles of urea-Zn-DAP NFs with an average size of 0.98 nm. Greenhouse experiments demonstrated that the foliar application of S. cerevisiae (1 × 10⁷ CFU mL⁻¹) with urea-Zn-DAP NFs (30 µM) achieved a germination rate of 95%, noticeably after 10 days in comparison with urea (70%). This comprehensive approach outlines a sustainable pathway to engineering microbial-nanomaterial consortia as next-generation nanobiofertilizers to foster resilient, eco-friendly crop production.

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by immune-mediated platelet destruction, resulting in a platelet count below 100 × 10⁹/L and an increased risk of bleeding complications that significantly impair quality of life. Despite advances in ITP management, the unpredictable and heterogeneous nature of the disease continues to challenge treatment selection. This review compares the efficacy, safety, and mechanisms of action of Fostamatinib, Flebogamma DIF, and Romiplostim in adult and pediatric ITP patients. Peer-reviewed studies published over the past 20 years, including randomized and non-randomized clinical trials, observational studies, and real-world evidence, were screened for relevance, with data extracted on dosage, response rates, safety outcomes, and patient characteristics. The sample sizes varied across studies and were reported when available. Study quality and risk of bias were assessed using the ROBINS-I tools. Flebogamma DIF produced rapid increases in platelet count, although its effects were transient. Fostamatinib, the only oral spleen tyrosine kinase inhibitor approved for ITP, was reported to have demonstrated clinical benefit in adults with refractory disease but was contraindicated in pediatric populations. Romiplostim was reported to show sustained platelet responses and facilitate treatment-free remission, particularly in chronic ITP, with an elevated risk of thrombosis. Overall, these therapies offer distinct advantages depending on disease chronicity, patient age, comorbidities, and treatment history. This review underscores the importance of personalized treatment strategies and highlights the need for further long-term, comparative studies to guide evidence-based ITP management.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder marked by persistent memory impairment and complex molecular and cellular pathological changes in the brain. Current treatments, including acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and memantine, only help with symptoms for a short time and do not stop the disease from getting worse. This is mainly because these drugs do not reach the brain well and are quickly removed from the body. The blood–brain barrier (BBB) restricts the entry of most drugs into the central nervous system; therefore, new methods of drug delivery are needed. Nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems (NTDDS) are widely studied as a potential approach to address existing therapeutic limitations. Smart biosensing nanoparticles composed of polymers, lipids, and metals can be engineered to enhance drug stability, improve drug availability, and target specific brain regions. These smart nanoparticles can cross the BBB via receptor-mediated transcytosis and other transport routes, making them a promising option for treating AD. Additionally, multifunctional nanocarriers enable controlled drug release and offer theranostic capabilities, supporting real-time tracking of AD treatment responses to facilitate more precise and personalized interventions. Despite these advantages, challenges related to long-term safety, manufacturing scalability, and regulatory approval remain. This review discusses current AD therapies, drug-delivery strategies, recent advances in nanoparticle platforms, and prospects for translating nanomedicine into effective, disease-modifying treatments for AD.

The general spread of water safety awareness and enforcement often masks the escalating risks of emerging contaminants (ECs) that evade standard detection and monitoring techniques. Traditional monitoring infrastructures depend heavily on localized laboratory-based testing, which is expensive, time-consuming, and reliant on specialized infrastructure and skilled personnel. While specific types of ECs and detection technologies have been examined in numerous studies, a significant gap remains in compiling and commenting on this information in a concise framework that incorporates global impact and monitoring strategies. We aimed to compile and highlight the impact ECs have on global water safety and how advanced sensor technologies, when integrated with digital tools such as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), geographic information systems (GIS), and cloud-based analytics, can enhance real-time EC detection and monitoring. Recent case studies were reviewed for the assessment of EC types, global contamination, and current state-of-the-art for EC detection and their limitations. An emphasis has been placed on areas that remain unaddressed in the current literature: a cross-disciplinary integration of integrated sensor platforms, multidisciplinary research collaborations, strategic public–private partnerships, and regulatory bodies engagement will be essential in safeguarding public health, protecting aquatic ecosystems, and ensuring the quality and resilience of our water resources worldwide.

Particle size and shape of cells are essential determining the outcome of drug delivery of nano carrier for medical applications. In this study, different size silver nanoparticles were controllably synthesized to treat two shapes of cells. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized via chemical reduction using NaBH₄ and modified with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) or encapsulated in liposomes to enhance cellular uptake. Different nanoparticle sizes were obtained as follows: uncapped AgNPs (30 nm), PVP–AgNPs (34.7 nm), BSA–AgNPs (113.9–145.2 nm), and liposome-encapsulated AgNPs (70.9–142.0 nm). Liposomes with a 5:3 molar ratio of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) -to-cholesterol formed stable vesicles, each encapsulating up to 66 AgNPs at a concentration of 2 mmol/L. Cytotoxicity assays revealed that uncapped 2 mM AgNPs exhibited strong toxicity toward both Caco-2 and U251 cells (IC₅₀: 13.52 µmol/L at 24 h). Liposomal AgNPs displayed concentration-dependent effects, with 1 mM AgNPs–liposomes exhibiting the highest toxicity toward Caco-2 cells (IC₅₀: 0.5 µmol/L at 24 h), but significantly lower toxicity toward U251 cells (IC₅₀: 134.3 µmol/L at 24 h). The formulation exhibiting the highest toxicity at 48 h was 2 mmol/L AgNPs–liposomes against Caco-2 cells (IC₅₀: 4.6 µmol/L). In contrast, BSA and PVP coatings significantly reduced toxicity, with IC₅₀ of 2.2 µmol/L for 50 mmol/L BSA–AgNPs and 14.9 µmol/L for 50 mmol/L PVP–AgNPs in Caco-2 cells. Liposome-encapsulated AgNPs showed enhanced toxicity against square-shaped Caco-2 cells compared to fibroblast-like U251 cells (p < 0.05), highlighting their potential for targeted cancer therapy. The findings of this study demonstrate that surface modifications and encapsulation strategies critically influence the biological effects of AgNPs in liposomes, providing a promising approach for enhanced anticancer activity.

Arsenic contamination in drinking water remains a critical global health concern, with inorganic arsenic species like arsenite (As(III)) and arsenate (As(V)) posing severe toxicity risks, including carcinogenic and systemic health effects. Recognized as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, arsenic necessitates stringent monitoring to comply with the World Health Organization's (WHO) permissible limit of 10 ppb. Traditional analytical methods such as atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) and inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS) provide high precision but are constrained by high costs, operational complexity, and lack of portability, thereby limiting their accessibility in resource‐constrained and out‐of‐laboratory settings. Previous work by the authors explored the methods of arsenic detection and determination by covering most of the analytical methods and techniques, including various sensors and biosensor advancements. This review delves into the progress made predominantly over the last two decades in electroanalytical detection methodologies, which have gained momentum due to their rapid response time, high sensitivity, and adaptability for portable and cost‐effective sensing platforms. Unlike most of the material‐focused articles, this review presents recent advances in arsenic detection using various electroanalytical techniques—stripping voltammetry, pulse voltammetry, sweep voltammetry, combined voltammetry approaches, amperometry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The review covers necessary fundamentals of electroanalytical techniques, recent advancements, and emerging trends in arsenic sensor development. The review further explores the portable and onsite electrochemical arsenic sensors, followed by the main challenges and future outlook in this space. The integration of nanomaterials, screen‐printed electrodes, and microfluidic devices has significantly improved the detection capabilities. However, standardization, reliability, scalability, speciation, and seamless data integration remain pressing challenges. Smartphone‐integrated electrochemical sensors and AI‐driven data analytics have the capabilities to foster real‐time and onsite arsenic detection with enhanced performance. By leveraging sustainable materials innovations, miniaturized electrochemical platforms, and smart data handling approaches, next‐generation arsenic sensors hold promise for ensuring safe drinking water in vulnerable and remote communities worldwide.