Non-toxic doses of modified titanium dioxide nanoparticles (m-TiO2NPs) in albino CFW mice

Optical Properties of Thick TiO2-P25 Films

In this study, TiO2-P25 films on FTO substrates were synthesized using the sol-gel process and studied using Variable Angle Spectroscopy Ellipsometry (VASE) to determine their optical constants and thickness. The measurements were carried out at room temperature in the wavelength range of (300-900) nm at incident angles varying from 55° to 70°. The resulting thicknesses were found to be around 1000 nm. A graded layer model, which allowed for accurate representation of the depth-dependent optical variations, was employed to model the properties of these TiO2-P25 films. This modeling approach provided deeper insights into the internal structure of the films, particularly how the graded structural characteristics impact the overall optical behavior. Understanding these depth-dependent variations is essential for optimizing the use of TiO2-P25 films in technologies such as solar cells and optical devices.

Systems Genetics Analyses Reveals Key Genes Related to Behavioral Traits in the Striatum of CFW Mice

The striatum plays a central role in directing many complex behaviors ranging from motor control to action choice and reward learning. In our study, we used 55 male CFW mice with rapid decay linkage disequilibrium to systematically mine the striatum-related behavioral functional genes by analyzing their striatal transcriptomes and 79 measured behavioral phenotypic data. By constructing a gene coexpression network, we clustered the genes into 13 modules, with most of them being positively correlated with motor traits. Based on functional annotations as well as Fisher's exact and hypergeometric distribution tests, brown and magenta modules were identified as core modules. They were significantly enriched for striatal-related functional genes. Subsequent Mendelian randomization analysis verified the causal relationship between the core modules and dyskinesia. Through the intramodular gene connectivity analysis, Adcy5 and Kcnma1 were identified as brown and magenta module hub genes, respectively. Knock outs of both Adcy5 and Kcnma1 lead to motor dysfunction in mice, and KCNMA1 acts as a risk gene for schizophrenia and smoking addiction in humans. We also evaluated the cellular composition of each module and identified oligodendrocytes in the striatum to have a positive role in motor regulation.

Teratological effects of titanium dioxide nanoparticles in mice embryo

Nanoparticles have numerous applications related to human uses. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂-NPs) are extensively used in many daily utilities. The small size particles and larger uses in the industry have led them to become a threatening entity to the living organisms. The unchecked use and dumping in the environment poses a significant toxicological risk to the developing mammalian embryo. The present study was conducted to determine the developmental toxicity and teratogenic effects of TiO₂-NPs in murine embryos. The TiO₂-NPs were introduced intravenously into pregnant mice graded as T1 (0.52 mg/g BW), T2 (0.7 mg/g BW), and T3 (1.05 mg/g BW) along with control with no dose administration T0 (0.00 mg/g BW). Results recorded after 14 days were resorbed fetuses, dropped wrist, hemorrhages, sacral hygromas, and kinked tails. It was concluded that the exposure of TiO₂-NPs in mentioned doses from any source may lead to deleterious effects on the development of an embryo.

In-vitro pH-responsive release of imatinib from iron-supplement coated anatase TiO2 nanoparticles

Targeted drug delivery is one such precision method of delivering medication inside the human body which can vanquish all the limitations of the conventional chemotherapeutic techniques. In the present study, two types of nanoparticles (NPs) were chosen for the in-vitro pH-responsive release study of the drug, Imatinib, namely anatase Titanium Dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂ NPs) and iron-capped TiO₂ NPs, designated as Fe@TiO₂ NPs. The novelty of this work lies behind the use of commercially available iron supplement ‘Autrin’ meant for human consumption, as the material to coat the TiO₂ NPs to synthesize Fe@TiO₂ NPs. The synthesized NPs were analyzed by XRD, HR‐TEM, SAED, EDX and VSM. UV–Vis spectroscopy was performed for absorption studies. Fe@TiO₂ NPs showed superparamagnetic behavior and thus they are able to ensure the facile transfer of Imatinib via external magnetic fields. The results obtained from in-vitro drug release studies depicted that both TiO₂ NPs and Fe@TiO₂ NPs showed a controlled pH-sensitive delivery of the loaded Imatinib molecules. Moreover, both types of NPs do not result in the formation of ROS under human physiological conditions. These results can lay the foundation to the development of efficacious targeted drug delivery systems in the healthcare sector.