Nanoparticles in drinking water: Assessing health risks and regulatory challenges

Construction of a natural puerarin-based green hypercrosslinked polymer fiber coating for the effective SPME of nitrobenzenes from environmental samples

Due to the potential hazardous effect caused by the possible nitrobenzenes (NBs) residues in environmental samples, the development of effective analytical methods for the quantification of NBs in some environmental samples becomes necessary in monitoring the environmental quality and protecting the public health. Herein, we developed a natural product-derived solid-phase microextraction (SPME) coating through a green synthesis of a natural puerarin-based hypercrosslinked polymer (Pue-HCP1) via Friedel-Crafts alkylation. Featuring abundant adsorption sites and suitable hydrophobicity, the Pue-HCP1-based fiber coating achieved the enrichment factors as high as 1112-6483 for the NBs. The coating also exhibited a good stability and durability. By integrating the SPME with gas chromatography-flame ionization detection, we developed a sensitive and reliable method for detecting NBs from environmental water and soil samples, with high sensitivity (limits of detection: 0.01-0.2 ng mL-1 for water; 0.4-1.0 ng g-1 for soil) and good accuracy (recoveries: 83.8%-115%).

Copper oxide nanoparticles induce pulmonary inflammation via triggering cellular cuproptosis

Copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) are increasingly used in various industrial fields, and the toxicity of CuO NPs raises concerns. However, the CuO NPs-induced pulmonary inflammation and the underlying mechanism have not been fully illustrated. Cellular cuproptosis provides a new perspective to elucidate the toxicity of CuO NPs. Here, we exposed C57BL/6 mice and murine alveolar macrophage cells (MH-S) to CuO NPs, respectively. A suspension of 2 mg/mL CuO NPs was directly once administered by intratracheal instillation, and mice were sacrificed on day 7. The histopathology results showed that CuO NPs induced pulmonary inflammation in C57BL/6 mice. CuO NPs increased Cu2 + levels by 203.0 % in mouse lung tissues. Also, CuO NPs increased the cuproptosis-related indicators of ferredoxin (FDX1), dihydrolipoamide succinyltransferase (DLST), dihydrolipoamide acetyltransferase (DLAT) and Cu transporter 1 (CTR1) in both mouse lung tissues and MH-S cells. Transcript sequencing and non-targeted metabolomics indicated that CuO NPs induced cellular cuproptosis and inflammatory responses both in vivo and in vitro. Interleukin-17a (IL-17A) was remarkably increased in the process of CuO NPs-induced cellular cuproptosis. Additionally, interference of FDX1 reduced cellular cuproptosis and decreased the release of IL-17A. In summary, CuO NPs increased the accumulation of intracellular Cu2+ and the expressions of cuproptosis-related proteins, induced FDX1-mediated cuproptosis, and led to pulmonary inflammation in mice. This study highlights the respiratory toxicity of CuO NPs and reveals a unique cuproptosis-driven mechanism underlying the CuO NPs-induced pulmonary inflammation.

Unseen threats in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems: Nanoparticle persistence, transport and toxicity in natural environments

Although nanoparticles (NPs) are increasingly used in various industries, their uncontrolled environmental release presents a potential risk to water bodies, vegetation and human health. Although previous review studies evaluated the toxicity and bioaccumulation of NPs, their long-term ecological impacts and transport dynamics in aquatic and terrestrial systems remain unexplored. The current review examined the mechanistic bioaccumulation, transport and environmental persistence of NPs, highlighting the need for concurrent risk assessment, regulation and management strategies. The multifaceted nature of nanotechnology necessitates a balanced approach considering both the benefits of NPs and their potential environmental and health risks, requiring comprehensive risk assessment and management strategies. The complexities of NPs risk assessment, emphasizing the unique properties of NPs influencing their toxicity and environmental behavior are critically addressed. Strategies to mitigate NPs' environmental impact include advanced monitoring techniques, regulatory frameworks tailored to NPs' unique properties, promotion of green nanotechnology practices, and NP remediation technologies. Given the complexity and uncertainty surrounding NPs, integration of regulatory, technological, and research-based strategies is imperative. This involves detailed NPs characterization techniques providing basic data for environmental fate prediction models and understanding of biologically relevant risk assessment models to safeguard our environment and public health. In this study, the recent advances in NPs persistence, environmental transport modelling and toxicity mechanisms are uniquely integrated, providing a framework to ecological risk assessment and regulatory approaches.

The convergence of nanomanufacturing and artificial intelligence: trends and future directions

The integration of nanoscale production processes with Artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms has the potential to open new frontiers in nanomanufacturing by accelerating development timelines, optimizing production, reducing costs, enhancing quality control, and improving sustainability. Such changes are already underway with digital and cyber-physical technologies becoming increasingly intertwined with 'smart' manufacturing and industrial processes today. With the nanomanufacturing sector focused on the scalable production of complex (nano)materials, (nano)devices, and biologics, AI and its sub-fields, including machine learning (ML), are positioned to be key enablers of efficiency and innovation. In this topical review, we briefly explore the current state-of-the-art of how AI and ML techniques can be employed within nanomanufacturing. We discuss from a birds-eye perspective, the impact of AI/ML on various stages of the production lifecycle, and examine future opportunities and challenges. Key areas include computational design and discovery, process optimization, predictive maintenance, and quality assurance/defect detection. Further, challenges in implementation, process complexity, and ethical and regulatory considerations are explored in light of the increasing reliance on data-driven approaches for manufacturing.

Advancing food safety with biogenic silver nanoparticles: Addressing antimicrobial resistance, sustainability, and commercial viability

The escalating threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), particularly among foodborne pathogens such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica, and Listeria monocytogenes, necessitates innovative solutions beyond conventional antimicrobials. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have garnered significant attention for their broad-spectrum antimicrobial efficacy, ability to target multidrug-resistant strains, and versatile applications across the food sector. This review critically examines AgNPs' integration into food safety strategies, including their roles in antimicrobial food packaging, agricultural productivity enhancement, and livestock disease mitigation. Key advancements in eco-friendly synthesis methods, leveraging algae, agricultural byproducts, and microbial systems, are highlighted as pathways to address scalability, sustainability, and cost constraints. However, the potential risks of silver bioaccumulation, environmental toxicity, and regulatory challenges present significant barriers to their widespread implementation. By reviewing cutting-edge research, this review provides a comprehensive analysis of AgNP efficacy, safety, and commercial viability, proposing a roadmap for overcoming current limitations. It calls for collaborative, interdisciplinary efforts to bridge technological, ecological, and regulatory gaps, positioning AgNPs as a transformative solution for combating AMR and ensuring global food security.