Search Results (2,543)

Iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles (IOMNPs) hold significant promise for magnetic hyperthermia (MH), a therapeutic modality for cancer treatment, yet their clinical efficacy is often limited by suboptimal heating performance. We present a simplified and highly reproducible thermal decomposition (TD) synthesis route that enables precise control over IOMNPs morphology and size by varying the heating rate (1.5–72 °C/min) and the oleic acid-to-iron acetylacetonate molar ratio (4:1–24:1). Unlike traditional TD methods that rely on complex setups or expensive ligands, our approach uses only three commercially available components (dibenzyl ether, oleic acid, and iron acetylacetonate) in a sealed, uniformly heated vessel, ensuring consistent heat transfer and reproducibility. The synthesized IOMNPs were characterized using TEM, XRD, and VSM, and their heating efficiency was evaluated through specific absorption rate (SAR) measurements in aqueous and solid environments. Our results revealed that heating rate and ligand ratio significantly influence IOMNPs morphology, with lower heating rates and higher ligand ratios favoring cubic shapes. Among the synthesized IOMNPs, near-cubic morphologies exhibited the highest SAR values, reaching up to 2150 W/g in aqueous media, among the highest reported for uncoated IOMNPs of comparable size. In vitro studies on A549 lung cancer cells demonstrated that near-cubic IOMNPs, despite their lower cellular uptake, achieved superior cancer cell death under an alternating magnetic field, with a 50% cell death temperature of 43.26 °C. This study advances the synthesis of shape-controlled IOMNPs, offering a reproducible synthesis route for optimizing MH performance. Full article

Solanum lycopersicum converts Fe³⁺ into Fe²⁺, the form absorbed by plants. The Fe²⁺ present in the growth medium can be absorbed in excess by the plants, causing phytotoxicity. Magnetite has an isocratic balance of Fe³⁺/Fe²⁺, which enables the release of Fe²⁺ in the culture medium. The literature reports that high availability of Fe²⁺ can cause oxidative damage and a reduction in dry mass, whereas the application of maghemite nanoparticles, which release only Fe³⁺, can promote an increase in biomass. Thus, we investigated the influence of iron oxides (magnetite and maghemite) on photosynthesis, leaf carbohydrate profile and the enzymatic antioxidant system of Solanum lycopersicum “cv Micro-Tom”. Our results indicated that application of iron oxide nanoparticles provided sufficient iron to reverse the element’s deficiency, restoring the photochemical apparatus. However, the supply of magnetite resulted in reduced root dry mass, an accumulation of reducing sugars, and increased antioxidant enzyme activity. Maghemite may have contributed to a greater allocation of photoassimilates to reproductive organs, such as flowers, which showed a higher percentage distribution of dry mass, indicating its potential for use in plant cultivation. Full article

Background: Non-palpable breast cancer management has become less invasive and more efficient, driven by advances in tumor localization and sentinel lymph node (SLN) identification. Savi Scout, using a radar-based localization system, can be implanted into the tumor before neoadjuvant systemic therapy (NST). Magtrace, a superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle for SLN detection, can be administered preoperatively. This study evaluated combining Savi Scout and Magtrace for breast-conserving surgery and SLN biopsy in non-palpable breast cancer. Methods: Patients who underwent breast-conserving surgery and SLN biopsy for non-palpable breast cancer using Savi Scout and Magtrace between December 2022 and June 2026 at HCA Healthcare London Bridge Hospital were retrospectively identified. Outcomes included successful tumor localization, SLN identification, intraoperative signal detection failure, margin status, re-excision rate and staining. Results: 72 patients were identified (mean age 52 years, standard deviation ± 10), with a total of 78 breast lesions and 73 SLN biopsies. A total of 27.8% (20/72) underwent neo-adjuvant therapy with Savi Scout in situ. SLNs were identified using Magtrace in 95.9% (70/73) of SLN biopsies, with a mean of 2.7 (standard deviation ± 0.7) SLNs identified per procedure. A total of 78 Savi Scout devices were implanted, one for each lesion. Of these, 97.4% (76/78) were localizable intraoperatively, 100.0% (78/78) were retrieved and none migrated. One patient required re-excision for margin involvement. Conclusions: Combined use of Savi Scout and Magtrace is feasible, demonstrates high technical success, and offers pre-operative imaging flexibility in primary surgery for non-palpable breast cancers and post-NST patients. This study evaluates the combination of Savi Scout and Magtrace and demonstrates a practical approach for simultaneous tumor localization and SLN identification. Full article

Catalysts play a crucial role in many chemical reactions, and the synthesis of green catalysts that are economical, selective, and active is important in addressing environmental pollution, a persistent global problem. This study investigates the electrochemical behavior and catalytic efficiency of green-synthesized iron-titanium (Fe-Ti) nanoparticles (NPs) for dye degradation. Three distinct types of NPs were synthesized using an environmentally friendly green approach with dextrose as the reducing agent: pure Fe NPs, pure Ti NPs, and mixed Fe-Ti NPs. The synthesized NPs were characterized using FTIR, XPS, XRD, SEM, and EDS to determine their structural, morphological, and chemical properties, and their redox behavior was evaluated by cyclic voltammetry (CV). Characterizations identified the Fe component as a mixed-valence, chloride-bearing Fe (oxyhydr)oxide most consistent with an akaganeite-type (β-FeOOH) phase and the Ti component as an amorphous Ti⁴⁺ titania, with the mixed material containing a minor, well-dispersed Fe (oxyhydr)oxide component that preserves accessible Fe³⁺/Fe²⁺ redox activity within the amorphous titania framework. Cyclic voltammetry studies showed that the mixed Fe-Ti NPs possessed the largest electroactive response, with an enclosed voltammetric area of 22.20 µA·V compared with 18.85 and 14.20 µA·V for the Ti and Fe NPs, together with the narrowest polarization gap, indicating the largest overall electrochemical response. The catalytic performance was evaluated through methyl orange (MO) dye degradation followed by UV-Vis spectroscopy, using hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) as the oxidant with the NPs acting as heterogeneous catalysts in a Fenton-like advanced oxidation process. The mixed Fe-Ti NPs degraded 77.5% of the dye within 60 min, substantially exceeding the Ti NPs (45.1%), the Fe NPs (30.8%), and the catalyst-free control (3.4%). This enhancement is attributed to the combined action of the two components, in which the amorphous titania framework disperses and stabilizes redox-active Fe³⁺/Fe²⁺ centers, coupling the enhanced electrochemical response directly to the Fenton-like generation of reactive radicals that drive dye degradation. These findings show that green-synthesized mixed Fe-Ti NPs represent a promising, dextrose-mediated approach for environmental remediation, particularly in wastewater treatment involving organic dye pollutants. Full article

The silkworm, Bombyx mori, a key economic insect, has been employed as a model organism to investigate the toxicological effects and underlying mechanisms of zinc iron oxide nanoparticle exposure on its growth and development, midgut tissue structure, and physiological functions. Exposure to zinc iron oxide inhibited larval growth and development, which was accompanied by pathological alterations in the midgut, including a reduction in columnar cells, vacuolation, chromatin condensation, microvilli shedding, and disrupted tight junctions, which directly impaired the intestinal barrier integrity and nutrient absorption. Furthermore, zinc iron oxide exposure resulted in elevated reactive oxygen species levels, decreased superoxide dismutase and glutathione contents, and increased catalase activity, indicating the activation of oxidative stress. This stress-induced mitochondrial response, characterized by the observation of autophagic vesicles, suggests the potential mitophagy of activation in action to zinc iron oxide exposure, thereby preserving cellular homeostasis. This was also associated with the downregulation of most genes involved in purine metabolism, the peroxisome, the biosynthesis of amino acids, the ribosome pathway, and carbon metabolism pathways, leading to reduced protein synthesis and energy supply, ultimately resulting in larval developmental retardation. This study elucidates the intestinal-targeted toxicity of zinc iron oxide nanoparticles in lepidopteran insects, providing direct in vivo experimental evidence for evaluating the ecological risk of zinc iron oxide in sericulture environments. Furthermore, it offers a novel research avenue for developing intestinal intervention strategies aimed at mitigating the toxic effects of nanomaterials and ensuring the stability of economically important traits in silkworms. Full article

The growing demand for sustainable and high-performance energy storage systems has stimulated the development of biomass-derived electrode materials for supercapacitors. In this study, activated carbon (Cm-AC) was synthesized from Crataegus monogyna seeds and combined with magnetic iron oxide (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles to fabricate a hybrid Cm-AC@Fe₃O₄ electrode. The incorporation of iron oxide into the activated carbon matrix altered the charge-storage mechanism from predominantly electrical double-layer capacitance to a hybrid process with a significant faradaic (diffusion-controlled) contribution. Electrochemical measurements in 1 M Na₂SO₄ showed that the specific capacitance increased from 145.92 to 270.68 F g⁻¹ at a scan rate of 5 mV s⁻¹. Dunn kinetic analysis revealed that diffusion-controlled faradaic processes accounted for up to 87.82% of the total capacitance at low scan rates, consistent with a dominant contribution from reversible Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺ redox reactions. Galvanostatic charge–discharge analysis yielded a specific capacitance of 351.51 F g⁻¹ at 0.5 A g⁻¹, while electrochemical impedance spectroscopy demonstrated reduced internal and charge-transfer resistances after Fe₃O₄ incorporation. A symmetric Cm-AC@Fe₃O₄ supercapacitor retained 87.5% of its initial capacitance after 10,000 charge–discharge cycles and delivered a maximum energy density of 10.35 Wh kg⁻¹ at a power density of 396 W kg⁻¹. These findings demonstrate that biomass-derived Cm-AC@Fe₃O₄ is a promising and sustainable electrode material for high-performance supercapacitor applications. Full article

Heavy metal contamination poses a major threat to soil quality and agricultural sustainability, particularly in Mediterranean regions affected by both anthropogenic activities and naturally metal-rich parent materials. This study evaluated the potential of iron oxide nanomaterials (Fe₃O₄) as a soil amendment for reducing heavy metal mobility in three agricultural soils from Western Macedonia, Greece, representing contamination from (i) lignite-fired power plant emissions, (ii) mining activities, and (iii) geogenic enrichment associated with ultramafic (ophiolitic) parent material. Fe₃O₄ nanomaterials were applied at rates of 0.5 and 1.0% (w/w), followed by a 45-day laboratory incubation alongside untreated controls. The application of Fe₃O₄ nanomaterials modified selected soil physicochemical properties, with the strongest response observed in the acidic mining soil, where soil pH increased from 5.80 ± 0.08 to 6.02 ± 0.07 and cation exchange capacity increased by approximately 10%, indicating more favorable conditions for metal retention. Changes in metal mobility and fractionation, assessed using calcium chloride (CaCl₂) and diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) extractions and the Community Bureau of Reference (BCR) sequential extraction procedure, showed a marked reduction in the most readily extractable metal fractions, although the magnitude of the response varied according to soil properties, initial metal mobility, and geochemical distribution. The strongest immobilization response was observed in the mining soil, where the 1.0% rate reduced CaCl₂-extractable Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb by approximately 50, 40, 47 and 68% relative to the untreated control, whereas the changes in the geogenic soil were small. Metals lost from the exchangeable and acid-soluble fraction were recovered mainly in the reducible fraction, indicating redistribution among soil fractions rather than removal from the soil. Overall, Fe₃O₄ nanomaterials effectively immobilized potentially toxic metals under the conditions examined, although their efficiency depended on soil properties, contamination source, initial metal mobility, and geochemical distribution. These findings indicate that remediation performance cannot be predicted solely from pseudo-total metal concentrations and highlight the need to adapt Fe₃O₄ application strategies to site-specific soil characteristics and contaminant fractionation. As these results derive from a 45-day laboratory incubation, longer-term and field-scale evaluation is required before wider agricultural application can be recommended. Full article

Diabetes impairs multiple stages of the wound-healing process, resulting in chronic, infection-prone wounds that pose a substantial clinical burden. Despite available therapeutic options, effective management remains challenging owing to inadequate treatment efficacy, increasing antimicrobial resistance, and potential adverse side effects. Diabetic wounds exhibit a complex pathological microenvironment characterized by persistent bacterial colonization, hyperglycemia, tissue hypoxia, chronic inflammation, excessive matrix metalloproteinase activity, oxidative stress, and pH dysregulation. Nonetheless, traditional treatment strategies continue to rely largely on passive protection, inadequately addressing the underlying biological mechanisms responsible for impaired healing. Chitosan (CS), a naturally occurring cationic polysaccharide with high biocompatibility, antimicrobial activity, hemostatic properties, and a chemically tuneable structure, represents an attractive platform for advanced wound dressings. This review explores the potential of engineered chitosan-based systems for diabetic wound management through the strategic integration of therapeutic ions (Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Mg²⁺, Ag⁺, Mn²⁺), mesoporous silica nanocarriers, and superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs). Unlike previous reviews that have primarily examined these components individually, the present work provides the first comprehensive analysis of their integration within a single multifunctional chitosan-based platform. By systematically evaluating their complementary therapeutic and diagnostic functions, including antimicrobial activity, angiogenic stimulation, oxidative stress modulation, controlled therapeutic delivery, and magnetic field-responsive behavior, this review establishes a unified design framework for the development of next-generation chronic wound dressings. Furthermore, it identifies potential synergistic interactions, key translational challenges, and future research directions required for the development of clinically relevant smart systems. Collectively, this integrated strategy offers a promising approach to overcoming the complex biological barriers that hinder diabetic wound healing. Full article

Combined iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) and external magnetic fields (MFs) are explored to direct osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in bone tissue engineering, yet exposure parameters vary widely. This systematic review and meta-analysis searched PubMed and Dimensions, with Consensus and SciSpace as exploratory scoping aids (final search 22 November 2025). Twenty-five studies entered qualitative synthesis and twenty-two quantitative synthesis (‘MNP + MF’ vs. ‘MNP without MF’; standardized mean difference [SMD] as Hedges’ g; restricted maximum likelihood random-effects model with Hartung–Knapp–Sidik–Jonkman confidence intervals [CIs]). Across nine outcomes, effect directions were predominantly positive; uncorrected significance held only for alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity (SMD = +4.42; 95% CI 0.97–7.86; k = 14) and mineralization (SMD = +2.41; 0.03–4.80; k = 7). After Holm correction, no outcome remained significant. Heterogeneity was critical (I² > 75% for five outcomes). Funnel–plot asymmetry for ALP suggested possible small-study effects; trim-and-fill reduced the pooled SMD to +1.34 (−1.60–4.27). Findings constitute a low-certainty, hypothesis-generating signal rather than confirmed efficacy; standardized protocols and blinded designs are needed before translational claims. Full article

Pharmaceutical residues in aquatic environments have emerged as an important environmental concern, highlighting the need for effective, sustainable, and economically viable water treatment technologies. This study investigates a magnetic biosorbent produced from agro-industrial Moringa oleifera seed husk residues and functionalized with iron oxide nanoparticles (MO-FeNP) for paracetamol removal and assessment of the ecotoxicological safety of the treated effluent. The biosorbent was obtained through chemical modification and magnetic coprecipitation, followed by structural and morphological characterization using SEM, TEM, FTIR, and BET analyses. Batch adsorption experiments conducted at initial paracetamol concentrations of 10, 20, and 40 mg L⁻¹ (pH 6.4, 25 °C, 180 rpm) demonstrated outstanding performance, achieving over 97% pollutant removal across all tested conditions. The biological safety of the treated effluent was further investigated through cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, and mutagenicity assays in human lymphocytes, using MTT, Trypan Blue, Comet, and CBMN assays. Exposure to untreated paracetamol solutions resulted in significant concentration-dependent cytotoxic and genotoxic effects, whereas treatment with MO-FeNP restored cell viability and prevented detectable genetic damage. Overall, Moringa oleifera agro-industrial residues functionalized with iron oxide nanoparticles represent an efficient biomass-derived and biologically safe alternative for pharmaceutical contaminant removal, supporting their potential application in sustainable water treatment and waste valorization strategies. Full article

The presence of iron(II) impurities hinders the leaching and purification of magnesium ores. The most viable technological solution is to oxidise Fe²⁺ to Fe³⁺, which then precipitates as goethite. However, this process requires the development of new catalysts for use in highly acidic media. This study demonstrates that the Pt^0.25/CeO₂⁵/TiO₂ catalyst is highly effective at oxidising Fe²⁺ in 0.3 M HNO₃, outperforming samples supported on pure titanium dioxide or cerium dioxide. The rate constant is 0.304 L/(mol·min) at room temperature. Notably, the activation energy is only 10.7 kJ/mol, which is over five times lower than that of the non-catalytic process. This result was achieved by selectively depositing platinum particles onto highly dispersed cerium dioxide particles (average size ~5 nm), synthesised using the sol–gel method, and then depositing them onto titanium dioxide. Using a hybrid mixed oxide support ensures a high density of oxygen vacancies at the interface between the platinum (Pt) and mixed cerium and titanium dioxide phases. The formation of abundant adsorbed oxygen species enhances the catalytic activity of the Pt^0.25/CeO₂⁵/TiO₂ catalyst. The catalyst Pt^0.25/CeO₂⁵/TiO₂ also reaches a plateau in terms of efficiency after a durability experiment, which is the highest among the other samples. Full article

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) are widely used in many applications, from lab on chips to magnetic drug targeting to recycling batteries. SPIONs are coated with drugs and steered to reach tumor cells or are used in lab-on-chips for magnetic separation. In this paper, the SPIONs’ movement is controlled in such a way that, when the flow speed of the background fluid and the speed of moving magnetic field are synchronized, the SPIONs can be navigated to the target region more efficiently. This principle is inspired by linear motors and the propulsion principle of magnetic levitation trains, where the speed of the train is synchronized with the moving magnetic field by the static coils. Full article

Iron-based catalysts are widely investigated for CO₂ hydrogenation to light olefins due to their low cost, abundance, and ability to form oxidic and carbidic phases involved in the RWGS-FTS pathway. However, supports and promoters can obscure the intrinsic role of iron phase evolution. Here, unsupported Fe nanoparticles with distinct morphological, compositional and structural characteristics were synthesized, CO-pretreated, and evaluated for CO₂ hydrogenation toward C₂-C₄⁼. Their textural, structural, redox, and surface properties were examined to relate synthesis-induced differences to phase evolution and catalytic performance. CO pretreatment formed iron carbide phases in all samples, yet marked differences in catalytic behavior showed that the active state cannot be described solely by bulk phase composition. Iron oxide nanopolyhedra (Fe-NP) achieved 41.6% CO₂ conversion, the highest C₂-C₄⁼ selectivity of 27.7%, and the highest light-olefin yield of 11.5%. Surface analysis revealed notable differences in the relative contributions of carbidic and oxidic Fe species, suggesting that performance depends on the surface phase distribution established during activation and reaction. The coexistence of Fe₃O₄ and Fe_xC_y species appears to facilitate RWGS and subsequent Fischer-Tropsch pathways, as proposed in the literature. CO₂-TPD further showed that maximum CO₂ uptake did not correspond to superior performance, highlighting the combined influence of synthesis-induced structure, surface composition, and reduction-carburization behavior. Full article

Magnetic hyperthermia (MH) is an emerging nanotheranostic strategy in which magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) convert alternating magnetic-field (AMF) energy into localized heat for cancer treatment. This review examines how heat generation, nanoparticle design, field application, and tumor biology jointly determine therapeutic efficacy and clinical translatability. Fifty-five peer-reviewed studies, published predominantly from 2020 to 2026 and complemented by foundational work, were analyzed across four domains: heat-generation mechanisms, nanoparticle architecture and synthesis, application conditions and thermal dosimetry, and biological responses. The evidence shows that Néel and Brownian relaxation, hysteresis losses, and collective magnetic interactions are governed not only by composition, size, morphology, anisotropy, and surface chemistry but also by field amplitude, frequency, waveform, aggregation, immobilization, and intratumoral distribution. Consequently, high specific absorption rate (SAR) or intrinsic loss power (ILP) in water does not reliably predict cellular or in vivo performance. Translation requires clinically safe AMF exposure, standardized SAR/ILP measurement and reporting, scalable synthesis, validated thermal models, quantitative thermal-dose metrics, and assessment of apoptosis, necrosis, ferroptosis, lysosomal death, and antitumor immunity. MH should therefore be developed as an integrated nanotheranostic therapy that co-optimizes particle physics, field engineering, heat transfer, and tumor biology. The major focus of this review is the integrated co-optimization of nanoparticle physics, AMF engineering, heat transfer and dosimetry, and tumor biology to improve the clinical translation of magnetic hyperthermia. Full article

Babesiosis is an emerging tick-borne zoonosis hampered by drug-resistant Babesia parasites and the absence of vaccines. Rotating magnetic field-activated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (RMF-SPIONs) exert anti-tumor and antibacterial effects, yet their efficacy against intraerythrocytic protozoa, including Babesia microti, is unclear. We established murine B. microti and Plasmodium yoelii infection models, using immunodeficient mouse strains and immune cell depletion approaches to dissect the antiparasitic mechanism, alongside cytokine detection, long-term physiological observation and parasite rechallenge assays. RMF-SPION therapy markedly inhibited B. microti proliferation but showed no efficacy against P. yoelii. Macrophages served as the key effector cells through IL-12 secretion, while NK cells likely played auxiliary regulatory roles in this system. Convalescent mice developed strain-specific premunition, though latent infection induced chronic inflammation and visceral lesions. In conclusion, RMF-SPIONs selectively activate macrophages to eliminate B. microti. Combining natural premunition with macrophage-targeted activation likely provides a non-chemical strategy against drug-resistant babesiosis. Full article