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Magnetic nanoparticles (NPs) are powerful agents to induce hyperthermia in tumours upon the application of an alternating magnetic field or an infrared laser. Dopants have been investigated to alter different properties of materials. Herein, the effect of zinc doping into iron oxide NPs on their magnetic properties and structural characteristics has been investigated in-depth. A high temperature reaction with autogenous pressure was used to prepare iron oxide and zinc ferrite NPs of same size and morphology for direct comparison. Pressure was key in obtaining high quality nanocrystals with reduced lattice strain (27% less) and enhanced magnetic properties. Zn

In this study, the authors designed and fabricated novel magnetic trifunctional nanoparticles of Fe

An enhancement strategy for the bio-reduction of Cr6+ in the presence of manganese ferrite nanostructures using Shewanella oneidensis.

Correction for ‘Enhanced detoxification of Cr6+ by Shewanella oneidensis via adsorption on spherical and flower-like manganese ferrite nanostructures’ by Diana S. Raie et al., Nanoscale Adv., 2023, https://doi.org/10.1039/d2na00691j.

A modular platform designed for gas–liquid–liquid segmented flow allows to robustly feed reagents into droplets/slugs, enabling fouling-free multi-step flow syntheses. This was showcased for a partial oxidation synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles.

Chenjie Xu, Yu Shrike Zhang, Sylvie Begin and Nguyễn Thị Kim Thanh introduce the Nanoscale and Nanoscale Advances themed collection on advanced functional nanomaterials for biomedical applications.

Craft villages play an important role in developing the cultural tourism and improving the attractiveness of cultural characteristics and traditional handcraft products to visitors. Although having many strengths, the development of Vietnamese craft villages tourism is still not commensurate with the inherent potential. The purpose of this study is to assess the relationship among expectations, satisfaction, and loyalty of visitors to craft village tourism in Hanoi. By applying the PLS-SEM method, the research has tested six hypotheses based on the survey results of 236 tourists at two famous tourist village of Hanoi: Bat Trang and Van Phuc. The result shows the positive related of tourists' expectations and tourist perceived value (β = 0.6), tourist satisfaction (β = 0.5) and tourist loyalty (β = 0.39). Similarly, the result indicates the positive relationship of perceived value, satisfaction (β = 0.28) and tourist loyalty (β = 0.2). Finally, the testing of the relationship between tourist satisfaction and tourist loyalty has been verified and is supported (β = 0.176). Conclusions, managerial implication, and suggestions for further studies are also included in the conclusions section of this study.

The advancement of analytical methods for nanoparticle measurements is critical both for the growing industrial exploitation of engineered nanoparticles and for developing robust strategies to understand and control the concentration of nanomaterials in humans and the environment. For high value nanoparticles, the measurement of nanoparticle number concentration in a liquid directly impacts the ability to assess the scale and reproducibility of the production process, it allows optimisation of efficiency and supports regulatory compliance. This measurement is also useful to monitor and control the intentional or accidental release of engineered nanoparticles into the environment at the production plant, as well as by end-users., peer-reviewed

The oxidation of solution-synthesized iron (Fe) and iron carbide (Fe2C) nanoparticles was studied in an environmental scanning transmission electron microscope (ESTEM) at elevated temperatures under oxygen gas. The nanoparticles studied had a native oxide shell present, that formed after synthesis, an ~3 nm iron oxide (FexOy) shell for the Fe nanoparticles and ~2 nm for the Fe2C nanoparticles, with small void areas seen in several places between the core and shell for the Fe and an ~0.8 nm space between the core and shell for the Fe2C. The iron nanoparticles oxidized asymmetrically, with voids on the borders between the Fe core and FexOy shell increasing in size until the void coalesced, and finally the Fe core disappeared. In comparison, the oxidation of the Fe2C progressed symmetrically, with the core shrinking in the center and the outer oxide shell growing until the iron carbide had fully disappeared. Small bridges of iron oxide formed during oxidation, indicating that the Fe transitioned to the oxide shell surface across the channels, while leaving the carbon behind in the hollow core. The carbon in the carbide is hypothesized to suppress the formation of larger crystallites of iron oxide during oxidation, and alter the diffusion rates of the Fe and O during the reaction, which explains the lower sensitivity to oxidation of the Fe2C nanoparticles.

Magnetic particle imaging (MPI) is an emerging tracer-based modality that enables real-time three-dimensional imaging of the non-linear magnetisation produced by superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs), in the presence of an external oscillating magnetic field. As a technique, it produces highly sensitive radiation-free tomographic images with absolute quantitation. Coupled with a high contrast, as well as zero signal attenuation at-depth, there are essentially no limitations to where that can be imaged within the body. These characteristics enable various biomedical applications of clinical interest. In the opening sections of this review, the principles of image generation are introduced, along with a detailed comparison of the fundamental properties of this technique with other common imaging modalities. The main feature is a presentation on the up-to-date literature for the development of SPIONs tailored for improved imaging performance, and developments in the current and promising biomedical applications of this emerging technique, with a specific focus on theranostics, cell tracking and perfusion imaging. Finally, we will discuss recent progress in the clinical translation of MPI. As signal detection in MPI is almost entirely dependent on the properties of the SPION employed, this work emphasises the importance of tailoring the synthetic process to produce SPIONs demonstrating specific properties and how this impacts imaging in particular applications and MPI's overall performance.

Background: Despite medicinal advances, cancer is still a big problem requiring better diagnostic and treatment tools. Magnetic nanoparticle (MNP)-based nanosystems for multiple-purpose applications were developed for these unmet needs. Methods: This study fabricated novel trifunctional MNPs of Fe3O4@PLA-PEG for drug release, MRI and magnetic fluid hyperthermia. Result: The MNPs provided a significant loading of curcumin (∼11%) with controllable release ability, a high specific absorption rate of 82.2 W/g and significantly increased transverse relaxivity (r2 = 364.75 mM-1 s-1). The in vivo study confirmed that the MNPs enhanced MRI contrast in tumor observation and low-field magnetic fluid hyperthermia could effectively reduce the tumor size in mice bearing sarcoma 180. Conclusion: The nanocarrier has potential for drug release, cancer treatment monitoring and therapy. The authors are grateful for the financial support by AOARD under award FA2386-17-1-4042. The Spanish government is acknowledged for the “Nanotechnology in translational hyperthermia (HIPERNANO)” research network (RED2018102626-T) and for funding under the project number MAT2017-83631-C3. NTK Thanh thanks EPSRC (EP/M015157/1). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

Coprecipitation is by far the most common synthesis method for iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs). However, reproducibility and scalability represent a major challenge. Therefore, innovative processes for scalable production of IONPs are highly sought after. Here, we explored the combination of microwave heating with a flow reactor producing IONPs through coprecipitation. The synthesis was initially studied in a well-characterised microwave-heated flow system, enabling the synthesis of multicore IONPs, with control over both the single core size and the multicore hydrodynamic diameter. The effect of residence time and microwave power was investigated, enabling the synthesis of multicore nanostructures with hydrodynamic diameter between ∼35 and 70 nm, with single core size of 3–5 nm. Compared to particles produced under conventional heating, similar single core sizes were observed, though with smaller hydrodynamic diameters. The process comprised of the initial IONP coprecipitation followed by the addition of the stabiliser (citric acid and dextran). The ability of precisely controlling the stabiliser addition time (distinctive of flow reactors), contributed to the synthesis reproducibility. Finally, scale-up by increasing the reactor length and using a different microwave cavity was demonstrated, producing particles of similar structure as those from the small scale system, with a throughput of 3.3 g/h., L.P. received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Grant Agreement No. 721290. This publication reflects only the authors’ view, exempting the Community from any liability. Project website: http://cosmic-etn.eu/. We also thank EPSRC (Grant EP/M015157/1) for funding. AS thanks the EPSRC CDT for the Advanced Characterization of Materials (grant EP/L015277/1) for his studentship. VS acknowledges the ICTS ELECMI-LMA for offering access to their instruments and expertise.

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) have been proven to be potential candidates in cancer therapy, particularly photodynamic therapy (PDT). However, the application of TiO2 NPs is limited due to the fast recombination rate of the electron (e−)/hole (h+) pairs attributed to their broader bandgap energy. Thus, surface modification has been explored to shift the absorption edge to a longer wavelength with lower e−/h+ recombination rates, thereby allowing penetration into deep-seated tumors. In this study, TiO2 NPs and N-doped graphene quantum dots (QDs)/titanium dioxide nanocomposites (N-GQDs/TiO2 NCs) were synthesized via microwave-assisted synthesis and the two-pot hydrothermal method, respectively. The synthesized anatase TiO2 NPs were self-doped TiO2 (Ti3+ ions), have a small crystallite size (12.2 nm) and low bandgap energy (2.93 eV). As for the N-GQDs/TiO2 NCs, the shift to a bandgap energy of 1.53 eV was prominent as the titanium (IV) tetraisopropoxide (TTIP) loading increased, while maintaining the anatase tetragonal crystal structure with a crystallite size of 11.2 nm. Besides, the cytotoxicity assay showed that the safe concentrations of the nanomaterials were from 0.01 to 0.5 mg mL−1. Upon the photo-activation of N-GQDs/TiO2 NCs with near-infrared (NIR) light, the nanocomposites generated reactive oxygen species (ROS), mainly singlet oxygen (1O2), which caused more significant cell death in MDA-MB-231 (an epithelial, human breast cancer cells) than in HS27 (human foreskin fibroblast). An increase in the N-GQDs/TiO2 NCs concentrations elevates ROS levels, which triggered mitochondria-associated apoptotic cell death in MDA-MB-231 cells. As such, titanium dioxide-based nanocomposite upon photoactivation has a good potential as a photosensitizer in PDT for breast cancer treatment.

The paper provides updated and thoroughly databases on vascular flora and vegetation types at elevational belt over 2800m of Hoang Lien Son mountain range (Lao Cai province) for plant - diversity conservation and sustainable development planning. The research results show that this flora includes 126 species, 82 genera, 46 families belonging to 3 vascular divisions: Polypodiophyta, Pinophyta and Magnoliophyta. In particular, Magnoliophyta has absolute dominance with 123 species (accounts for 97.6% of the total species of study area). The flora of research area has 6 valuable and rare species (5% of total species) in Vietnam Red Book, Red List of IUCN; 13 endemic species (10.3% of total species) and 37 useful species (29.4% of total species). Among them, there are 7 endemic species only in Hoang Lien Son area, 31 medicinal species, 9 ornamental species and 5 food species. The vegetation of the study area consists of 5 formations. These are typical and unique vegetations of Hoang Lien Son high mountain area that should be prioritized to protect from human impacts, especially overload tourism development.

Many species in the family Lycopodiacea possess highly potential medical substances, notably are Huperzine A of Huperzia serrata and alkaloids isolated from Lycopodium clavatum(α-Onocerin , Lycopodine,..). Various members of this family are found throughout of Vietnam and a few researches on its diversity as well as alkaloid isolation has been conducted, however, there is a lack of toxicology studies on this subject. In this study, three crude extracts (labeled AI.1, AI.2 and AI.3), which come from Lycopodium sp.collected from 3 different regions of Vietnam, have been tested on 2 toxicological models: primary neural cells derived from Swiss white mouse (in vitro) and Zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos (in vivo). Our results show that the all three extracts are relatively low in toxicity, IC50 value on primary neural cell ranging from 800 - 1100 mg/L, while LC50 of fish embryos at 100 - 300 mg/L. AI.2 has the least effect of viability of both cells and embryos compare to the others. This data give the prove showed that the safety using Lycopodium as tradional medicine.

Small iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) were synthesised in water via co-precipitation by quenching particle growth after the desired magnetic iron oxide phase formed. This was achieved in a millifluidic multistage flow reactor by precisely timed addition of an acidic solution. IONPs (≤5 nm), a suitable size for positive T1 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents, were obtained and stabilised continuously. This novel flow chemistry approach facilitates a reproducible and scalable production, which is a crucial paradigm shift to utilise IONPs as contrast agents and replace currently used Gd complexes. Acid addition had to be timed carefully, as the inverse spinel structure formed within seconds after initiating the co-precipitation. Late quenching allowed IONPs to grow larger than 5 nm, whereas premature acid addition yielded undesired oxide phases. Use of a flow reactor was not only essential for scalability, but also to synthesise monodisperse and non-agglomerated small IONPs as (i) co-precipitation and acid addition occurred at homogenous environment due to accurate temperature control and rapid mixing and (ii) quenching of particle growth was possible at the optimum time, i.e., a few seconds after initiating co-precipitation. In addition to the timing of growth quenching, the effect of temperature and dextran present during co-precipitation on the final particle size was investigated. This approach differs from small IONP syntheses in batch utilising either growth inhibitors (which likely leads to impurities) or high temperature methods in organic solvents. Furthermore, this continuous synthesis enables the low-cost (£10 per g) and large-scale production of highly stable small IONPs without the use of toxic reagents. The flow-synthesised small IONPs showed high T1 contrast enhancement, with transversal relaxivity (r2) reduced to 20.5 mM-1 s-1 and longitudinal relaxivity (r1) higher than 10 mM-1 s-1, which is among the highest values reported for water-based IONP synthesis.

Lipids are a major source of energy for most tissues, and lipid uptake and storage is therefore crucial for energy homeostasis. So far, quantification of lipid uptake