---

Nowadays, nanoparticles (NPs) have the great potential application in different industries. Among all NPs, titanium dioxide NPs is the biggest ecotoxicological and ecophysiology concerns due to the increase of anthropogenic input into the aquatic ecosystems. In this study, the effects of titanium dioxide NPs enriched yeast on the growth, survival; digestive enzymes activity and lipid metabolism in Artemia urmiana (AU) and Artemia franciscana (AF) were investigated. The experiment was designed in two treatments (control and enriched yeast with titanium dioxide NPs) and each with four replicates for both Artemia species. At the end of experiment, the results indicated that titanium dioxide nanoparticles did not affect on the Artemia species growth but significantly increased AF survival. No significant difference was observed in AU survival. Also the results showed, NPs significantly decrease AU digestive enzymes activity and reverse pattern was observed for AF. The effect of NPs on the body lipid content was investigated in Artemia species and the results revealed that all the NPs decrease this parameter in AU but did not affect on AF lipid body content. The results obtained in this experiment, suggest that the eco-physiological effects of titanium dioxide NPs different in Artemia urmiana and Artemia franciscana.

---

DNA extraction from plant tissues often causes most problems. For example, unsuccessful removal secondary metabolites during extraction, such as phenolic compounds in aromatic and medicinal plants, cause to some mistakes in result of molecular experiments by using of the extracted DNA. Achillea wilhelmsii is a medicinal plant belong to Asteraceae family and native to Iran, there is little information about genomic data in this plant. Therefore, optimizing of the DNA extraction methods for obtaining suitable quality and quantity yield is necessary. In this study, two traditional DNA extraction methods (using fresh and herbarium leaf samples) and commercial DNA kit MAGNAN_TM in Yarrow have been compared. Results showed that DNA extracted from fresh leaves of yarrow according to Khanuja et al. (1999) was better than the other methods which mentioned in this research, because of the increased amount of extracted DNA and reduced harmful compounds such as RNA, polysaccharides, protein and secondary metabolites. To evaluate the quality of extracted DNA from herbarium specimens showed that, in spite of the high yielding DNA (10-50 fold ratio to the other methods), quality of this extract was low on agarose gel because of smear and broken down the molecules. It can be considered as a limitation of the extract in molecular experiments. Procedure of MAGNAN_TM DNA kit was appropriate for reducing time and cost of the extraction as well as low contamination to protein and RNA, but the process needs some modifications for yarrow to increase the amount of extracted DNA.

---

New properties of nano-materials have made nanotechnology the leading part of biology and medical sciences. Due to their various biomedical properties, iron-based magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have been highly considered by biological researchers. Nowadays, increasing resistance to antibiotics is a major problem in treating clinical infections. Finding new antibacterial agents is therefore essential for the treatment of resistant strains. In this study, the iron oxide MNPs were produced using culture-medium supernatant of a newly isolated bacterium to investigate the inhibitory effects of the NPs on strains with a major role in clinical infections. Biosynthesis of iron oxide MNPs were detected by UV-Vis spectroscopy and the average size of particles was estimated by dynamic light scattering technique. The anti-bacterial activity of these NPs against E. coli and S. aureus was investigated using methods for the calculation of bacterial sensitivity coefficient. In the presence of NPs, the highest sensitivity coefficient value was observed for E. coli in 1xMIC concentration. On the other hand, S. aureus showed the lowest value. The death rate of the two strains in contact with NPs followed the first order kinetic equation and the survival rate decreased with the increase of exposure time. The results of this study as well as the high functionality of iron oxide MNPs, make its application desirable in the prevention and treatment of clinical infections.

 

---

In recent years using of silver nanoparticles due to its unique properties was increased. Medical plant, the Achillea biebersteinii is rich in anti-cancers compounds. The aim of this study was to investigate the cytotoxicity effects of AgNPs synthesized using Achillea biebersteinii extract on human ovarian cancer A2780 cells. Cytotoxic effects of AgNPs with MTT test was performed at 48 hours in concentration of 2, 4, 6, 8, 16 and 32 µg/ml. To study the cell death induced by AgNPs DAPI, acridine orange (AO)/ Propidium iodide (PI) staining and Annexin v/ Propidium iodide assay and activation of caspase 3 and 9 were assessed. Results: The results showed that the synthesized AgNPs decreased cell viability dose dependently, calculated inhibitory concentration of 50 % (IC50) was 4 µg/ml.  The results from AO / PI, DAPI staining, Annexin V / PI showed that in treated cells the percentage of apoptotic cells compared with control increased. In addition, the treated cells showed increased activation of caspase 3/9. Hence silver nanoparticles induced cell death through the caspase dependent pathway. The results suggest that AgNPs synthesized using Achillea biebersteinii   extract exert their cytotoxic effect by inducing apoptosis.

---

Nowadays, the entrance of nanoparticles into high seas has led to toxic effects on aquatic organisms. Copper oxide nanoparticles is among the most widely used nanoparticles. The presence of these nanoparticles in the aquatic environments cause new environmental problems, which indicate the necessity of the examination of the effects of these nanoparticles on the aquatic organisms. The alfalfa plant has antioxidantive and regenerative effects due to its rich content of proteins, vitamin C and flavonoids. In this study, 6 (5 experimental and a control) groups were designed. Koi fish larvae were fed with biomar combined with various percentages of hay (0%, 10% and 20%) and were exposed to copper oxide nanoparticles with two concentrations (0 mg and 200 mg) for 14 days. The average initial length of larvae was 30.4 ± 0.01 mm, their average initial weight was 0.31 ± 0.05 and their age was around 20 dph. The specific growth rate, weight gain, length gain, survival rate and feed conversion ratio were calculated for each group. The results showed a significant higher growth rate in the groupstreated with 10% and 20% of alfalfa, as compared with the control group. In addition, the Cu NPs-treated group with 0% alfalfa rations showed the lowest rate of growth, as compared with the control group. Groups which were exposed to copper nanoparticles while receiving alfalfa-containing rations had growth indices better than the group exposed to copper nanoparticles and fed with 0% alfalfa ration, which indicated the antioxidant properties and growth-promoting effects of alfalfa.
 

---

The aim of this research was to study the effect of iron oxide nanoparticles (FeO NPs) on the growth, differentiation, anatomy, and physiology of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) on the basis of a completely randomized design in vitro condition. Seedlings were cultured in MS medium containing four concentrations of FeO NPs (0, 1, 10, and 20 mgl^-1). Also, the effect of the different concentrations of FeO NPs on callus formation under two various hormone conditions (0.5mgl^-1 2,4D+0.5 mgl^-1 BAP or 0.5 mgl^-1 BAP+1 mgl^-1 Kin) were assessed. The results showed that the application of FeO NPs significantly increased biomass accumulation in both roots and shoots. Moreover, FeO NPs enhanced the concentrations of photosynthesis pigments (chllrophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoids). The presence of FeO NPs in culture medium affected callus formation in a hormone-dependent manner. Different concentration of FeO NPs induced the callus formation under 2, 4-D and BAP treatments. However, it did not significantly increase callus formation under the kinitin and 2,4-D. The findings of this research indicated that the application of FeO NPs at optimized doses may improve plant production, especially in vitro condition.

---

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) have made extensive advances in nanotechnology. The unique properties of these particles have expanded their application in various fields, including medicine. One of these applications is non-invasive analysis for cell tracking. However, the possibility of toxicity in cells is reported by these nanoparticles. Due to the fact that cellular damage caused by iron oxide nanoparticles is concentration-dependent, the determination of the appropriate  concentration of iron oxide nanoparticles is very important to prevent cell damage or cell death due to apoptosis. The aim of this study was to find a concentration of SPIONs which does not result in apoptosis. Therefore, the effects of different concentrations of iron oxide nanoparticles on cell survival were investigated, and the their effects on increased gene expression involved in apoptosis (p53) in human amniotic membrane derived mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSCs) were evaluated. First, stem cells were extracted from human amniotic membrane tissue and cultured. To demonstrate the multipotent characteristic of hAMSCs, these cells were differentiated into adipose, bone, and chondrocyte cell lines. Then, the viability of the cells treated with different concentrations of iron oxide nanoparticles (200, 150, 100, 50, 0 μg / ml) over a period of 24 and 48 hours was evaluated by MTT method. The effect of the concentrations of 0, 100,150 and 200 μg / ml of nanoparticles after 24 hours in hAMSCs was investigated for the expression of p53 gene by Real-Time PCR. hAMSCs were spindle-shaped in a two-dimensional culture. Flow cytometry examination of surface markers revealed that these cells were able to express CD 29, CD90 and CD105 but they were unable to express CD34 and CD45. The results of the multi-potency assay of hAMSCs showed that these cells were capable of being differentiated into adipocyte, bone and chondrocyte cell lines. Iron oxide nanoparticles had no significant effect on cell survival at the concentrations of 50 and 100 μg / ml in 24 hours. However, cell viability decreased significantly after the concentration of 150 μg / ml (42 ± 1.4%, p<0. 001. The results of Real-Time PCR  analysis showed that the expression of p53 gene significantly increased at concentrations of 150 (2.4±0.1, P < 0. 001) and 200 μg / ml (4.1 ± 0.11, P < 0. 001). According to the results, the nanoparticles used in this study were appropriate at concentrations ≥ 100 μg / ml for cell tracking.

---

Tetanus is caused by the toxin secreted by Clostridium tetani. Due to the rapid infection with this bacterium, it is so important to investigate the tetanus immunity of people. Therefore, electrochemical biosensors, as one of the most effective tools in this regard, have demanded characteristics such as being fast, simple, cost-effective and portable. However, their detection sensitivity is not sufficient. Hereon, silver enhancement of gold-nanoparticles was proposed for the improvement of detection. Hence, the current study applied gold-nanoparticles as label, following with silver enhancement, to investigate the yes/no electrochemical detection of anti-tetanus toxoid antibodies in the indirect immunoassay utilizing glassy-carbon electrodes modified by carbon nanotubes. The analytical procedure consists of the reactions of the tetanus toxoid with the antibody at electrode, so that followed by the interaction of gold-labeled secondary antibody and then silver enhancement process. In this study, the cyclic-voltammeter variation and difference of gold to silver signal based on silver ions fluctuations were also investigated. The results indicated that ∆E_p increased from 0.24 V before silver enhancement reaction to 0.57 V after the silver enhancement. The results also demonstrated that after silver enhancement, current significantly increased and current plot at E^c_p transferred to positive potentials and at E^a_p moved to negative potentials. In conclusion, this method increases the detection sensitivity and can simply use to other bio-molecules detection.
 
 

---

The aim of this study was to investigate the interaction modification of curcumin complex molecule (CUR) in beta- and gamma-cyclodextrin (β-CD and γ-CD) carriers with chitosan (CS) nanoparticles for targeted drug delivery and to compare their performance. The targeted drug delivery system includes the therapeutic agent of the CS nanoparticles targeting section of the same drug and the CD carrier system. Calculations of the relationships of the formation of modified complexes and their application were performed using UV-vis spectroscopic data analysis. In this study, spectroscopic spectrum diagrams were drawn to prove the optimization of molecular structure in the modified complexes. Data analysis was performed using their respective equations. The cationic polysaccharide CS, with the presence of amino agents and alcohols along the polysaccharide chains, enables it to form a covalent bond with the complexes and increase the solubility of cyclodextrin. CS nanoparticles strengthen the hydrogen bond by hydrogen bonding and van der Waals hydrogen interactions of the hydroxyl cyclodextrin group with the hydroxyl phenolic group of the drug molecule CUR. Modification of the γ-CD complex with CS shows the strongest interaction with CUR. Both CUR complexes are in the CD-CS host system to transfer the charge from the drug to the carrier and the therapeutic agent. CS nanoparticles have the property of targeted delivery systems for anticancer drugs because the CS external field can be used to direct the drug to specific target cells. The γ-CD-CS host system is the best host as a carrier and therapeutic agent for CUR due to its high solubility and strong interaction.
 
 

---

This study investigated the potential of aquatic bacteria for their ability as a biocatalyst to synthesized Fe2O3 nanoparticles using iron precursor, FeCl3. A total of 25 aquatic bacterial strains were isolated in trypticase soy agar plus 10 mM FeCl3 with selective enrichment technique. Among the bacterial strains evaluated, NV06 was the only strain able to synthesize Fe2O3 nanoparticles extracellularly. The strain NV06 was identified as Alcaligenes sp., on the basis of phenotypic and molecular characteristics. Extracellular synthesis of Fe2O3 nanoparticles by this strain was investigated under the optimal conditions. The biosynthesized Fe2O3 nanoparticles were characterized using UV–visible spectrophotometry (UV-Vis), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The results showed that cell-free extract (CFE) of the bacterium strain can produce the rod-shaped Fe2O3 nanoparticles with mean edge lengths of 80.2 nm and mean diameters of 25.5 nm, after being exposed to FeCl3 solution (10 mM), at an optimum pH of 6 and an optimum temperature of 28 °C, after 96 hours of incubation at 150 rpm. This is the first report on the extracellular biosynthesis of Fe2O3 nanoparticles using the genus of Alcaligenes under the CFE strategy. It could be speculated that the results of the study can hopefully introduce the inherent capabilities of aquatic microbes as safe, simple, and effective biocatalysts in the production of Fe2O3 nanoparticles.
 

---

The aim of this study was to investigate the effective genes on apoptosis (BAX and Bcl₂) in liver and intestinal cells of broiler chickens fed silver nanoparticles coated on clinoptilolite under acute heat stress induction. 450 d old broiler chicks (Cobb 500) were used in five treatments and six repetitions, and 15 pieces were used in each experimental unit in the form of a completely random design. Experimental diets were: 1) control or basal diet 2) basal diet supplemented by 1% clinoptilolite 3) basal diet supplemented by 1% clinoptilolite coated with 0.5% nanosilver 4) basal diet supplemented by 0.15% organic acid and  5) basal diet supplemented by 1% clinoptilolite coated with 0.5% nanosilver and 0.15% organic acid. Silver nanoparticles coated on clinoptilolite were investigated using XRF and FTIR techniques. In order to induce heat stress, the birds were affected by heat stress for one week in the last week of the breeding period, and on the last day of the stress, liver and intestine samples were obtained to check gene expression. The results of this experiment show that the treatments of clinoptilolite and silver nanoparticles coated on clinoptilolite have an increasing effect on the expression of Bcl₂ and Bax, while this effect was not seen in the organic acid treatment. In conclusion, it could be said that if silver nanoparticles are used in feeding livestock and poultry, it is better to use organic acid supplements to reduce the side effects of silver nanoparticles.
 

---

Calyx of eggplant is recognized as agricultural byproducts containing significant levels of phenolic, flavonoid, and anthocyanin compounds that facilitate the reduction of silver ions, enabling the eco-friendly production of silver oxide nanoparticles through a green synthesis approach. The utilization of silver oxide nanoparticles has garnered considerable interest in various industries due to their versatile applications and environmentally sustainable nature. Various analytical techniques such as ultraviolet- visible spectrophotometry, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and dynamic light scattering were employed to confirm the formation of silver oxide nanoparticles and characterize their properties. The antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal activities of the silver oxide nanoparticles and the aqueous extract of calyx of eggplant were evaluated through assays including 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging, 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical inhibition, disc diffusion, minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration. The absorption peak at 422 nm confirmed the presence of silver oxide nanoparticles, with a particle size of approximately 140 nm determined by DLS analysis and a spherical shape observed through SEM imaging. The biological activities of the silver oxide nanoparticles, including their antioxidant properties and antimicrobial effects were found to be superior to those of the aqueous calyx of eggplant extract.