Background and Objectives: Gold nanoparticles have found many applications in cancer diagnosis and therapy, drug and gene delivery and DNA and protein characterizations. Fungi are extremely good candidates in the synthesis of metal nanoparticles because of their ability to secrete large amounts of enzymes. The aim of this study was biosynthesis of gold nanoparticles by a fungus. Materials and Methods: The sampling was performed from the Ahar copper mine. The biomasses of isolated fungi were incubated with HAuCl4 solution in a shaker-incubator for 72 hr, and the strains that were able to produce gold nanoparticles were identified. The production of gold nanoparticles was studied with UV-vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Results: Among the eight types of fungi that were isolated from the Ahar copper mine, only Rhizopus oryza was able to synthesize gold nanoparticles. The synthesis of gold nanoparticles was confirmed by observing the characteristic peak at 540 nm using UV-vis spectroscopy. The XRD analysis confirmed that the produced gold nanoparticles are in the form of nanocrystaline. Transmission electron microscopy images showed that Rhizopus oryza produces gold nanoparticles with good monodispersity in spherical and trigonal shapes both intra- and extracellularly. Conclusion: Fungus Rhizopus oryza is able to produce gold nanoparticles in the size range of 10-70 nm. This biologic method has the potential to replace chemical and physical methods currently used for gold nanoparticles production.

Background and Objective: This study aimed to determine the antibacterial activity of either zinc oxide or copper oxide nanoparticles alone or combined against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study Escherichia coli (E. coli ATCC 25922), Staphylococcus aureus (S.aureus ATCC 25923), Pesudomonas aueroginosa (P. aueroginosa ATCC 27853) and Staphylococcus Epidermidis (S. Epidermidis PTCC 1114) were used as test microorganisms. The Zinc and copper oxide nanoparticles were prepared commercially. The antibacterial activity of nanoparticles were studied using bacteriological tests such as minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and time kill study. Time kill studies were done using MIC nanoparticle concentration in mono and combined together mood for all the test microorganisms. The fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) index used to define or to describe nanoparticle interactions at combined together mood of two nanoparticles. The ANOVA test (SPSS ver. 16) was used to compare the antibacterial activity of nanoparticles alone and combined. A P-value of ≤0.05 was considered significant. Results: The MIC value for E. coli and S.epidermidis against the combined nanoparticles had a lower concentration than mono metallic nanoparticles. By contrast, the MIC value for P.aeroginusa, and S. aureus against the combined mood of the nanoparticles had higher concentration. The fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) index for E. coli, S.aureus, P. aueroginosa and S. epidermidis were 0.75, 9, 6, and 0.625, respectively. The results show that the Gram-negative bacteria seem to be more resistant to ZnO nanoparticles than the Gram-positive bacteria. Moreover, the antibacterial effect of nanoparticles in both mono and combined modes were time dependent (P<0.0001). Conclusion: The used commercial CuO/ZnO nanoparticles have great antibacterial potential against all of the strains, and the combination of zinc oxide and Copper oxide nanoparticles increases their bactericidal effect only for certain strains but not all.

Background and Objective: Silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) have long been used to treat acute and chronic wounds. Very little attention has been paid to the toxicity of this nanoparticle. In this study, the possible toxicological effects of nanosilver particles, was assessed by determining the enzyme levels of liver along with hemoglobin over the period of skin wound healing in mice. Materials and Methods: A group of 50 Balb/c mice of about 8 weeks (weighting 24.2±3.0 g) were randomly divided into two groups: Ag-NPs and control groups, each with 25 mice. After creating the equal wound on the back of all animals, the wound bed was treated in the Ag-NPs group with a volume of 50 microliters from the nanosilver solution (10ppm), and in the control group with the same amount of distilled water. The experiment lasted for 21 days. On days 2, 7, 14 and 21 of the experiment the serum concentrations of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and hemoglobin were measured. Statistical analysis was performed using independent t-test. Results: Results showed that AST, ALT and hemoglobin levels were not significantly different between Ag-NPs and the control groups. Conclusion: The study suggests that treatment of wounds with silver nanoparticles may not produce toxicological effects on hemoglobin and liver function in mice (Mus musculus) as indicated by measurment of serum levels of AST and ALT enzymes.

Background and Objective: Due to inclusion of nano titanium dioxide in substances such as sunscreens and detergents which may be used by pregnant mothers and regarding that the studies on the effects of such substances have not yet been clearly elucidated, therefore, we conducted this study to investigate the effect of TiO2 on forelimb buds in mouse embryos. Materials and Methods: In this study, five groups of forelimb buds including control, sham, experimental group 1 (using a dose of 30 mg/kg), experimental group 2 (using a dose of150 mg/kg) and experimental groups 3 (using a dose of 500 mg/kg), were investigated. On day 11 of gestation, control group without the effect of TiO2, sham group with injection of deionized water as TiO2 solvent and experimental groups with injection of TiO2 (10 nm particles) with doses of 30, 150 and 500 mg/kg mouse weight were examined. Then, on day 15 of gestation, embryos were removed from the mothers’ body and their forelimb buds were amputated. Results: The findings revealed a significant increase in doses 30 and 150 mg/kg in the total length of limb bud, skin thickness, the number of mesenchymal cells in fingers, degenerating chondrocyte cells in arm, and a significant decrease in the number of proliferating chondrocyte cells in arm, mesenchymal cells in palm and wrist, mitotic dividing mesenchymal cells in fingers and red blood cells in fingers. Meanwhile, it was found that the dose of 500 mg/kg led to a significant decrease in the total length of limb bud, skin thickness of arm, number of proliferating chondrocytes in arm, red blood cells in fingers and mesenchymal cells in palm and wrist. Conclusion: The findings of this study revealed decreasing and increasing effects of cytotoxicity of TiO2 nanoparticles on the growth of forelimb bud in mouse embryos under in vivo conditions.

Background and Objective: Staphylococcus aureus is an important pathogen causing a wide range of infections in hospitals and is known due to its resistance to antibiotics. Novel methods of nanotechnology and the effective combination of different antimicrobial mechanisms can be compelling approaches to treat infectious diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial effect of silver nanoparticles, allicin and their combination on skin infections due to Staphylococcus aureus in mouse model. Materials and Methods: Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of silver nanoparticles, allicin and their combinations were measured based on the microdilution susceptibility test. Skin infection was induced in 20 Syrian mice with Staphylococcus aureus and the effect of silver nanoparticles, allicin along with the synergistic effect of allicin as well as silver nanoparticle combinations were investigated. Results: The results showed that minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration of silver nanoparticle for S. aureus were 6.25 and 12.5 ppm, respectively. MIC and MBC of allicin for S. aureus were 10.68 and 21.37μg/ml, respectively. MIC and MBC combination of allicin and silver nanoparticles on S. aureus were 1.33 μg/ml, 3.12 ppm and 2.67 μg/ml, 6.25 ppm, respectively. Anti microbial effect of allicin, silver nanoparticles and the synergistic effect of their combination against skin infections due to Staphylococcus aureus confirmed in mouse model. Conclusion: The results showed that allicin in combination with silver nanoparticles exhibit synergistic effect on skin infections due to Staphylococcus aureus. References 1- Mccaig F, Clifford Mcdonald L, Mandal S, Jernigant B. Staphylococcus aureus associated skin and soft tissue infections in ambulatory care. Emerg Infect dis. 2006 12: 1715-23. 2- Harris G, Foster J, Richards G. 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Background and Objective: With the industrialization of nanotechnology and increase in application of nanoparticles in modern technology, carrying out research on nanoparticles and their effects on health is necessary. So, this study was aimed to assess acute toxicity of molybdenum nanoparticles on serum biochemical function of kidney in rat.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 24 male rats were randomly divided into four groups of six: a control group and tree treatment groups. The control group received 1 ml distilled water and the treatment groups received intraperitoneal injection of 5, 10 and 15 mg/kg of molybdenum nanoparticles of 10 nm daily for 28 days. After the last dose, blood samples were taken from all groups and levels of Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, total protein and albumin were measured and then the groups were compared.

Results: The serum levels of BUN and creatinine in the group receiving 15 mg/kg dose decreased significantly compared to the control group (P<0.05). The serum albumin level in the groups receiving 10 and 15 mg/kg doses showed significant decrease compared to the control group (P<0.05). The serum total protein level in the groups receiving 5, 10 and 15 mg/kg doses showed significant decrease compared to the control group (P<0.05).

Conclusion: The results of this study showed that molybdenum nanoparticles of 10 nm at these concentrations decrease creatinine and BUN levels of serum.

Background and Objective: Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles are widely used in the medical, industrial, pharmaceutical and nutritional fields and contradictory results in neurological studies of these compounds in comparison with the conventional pattern demand further investigation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the histology of hippocampus (an area involved in memory) following chronic administration of ZnO nanoparticles in comparison with the conventional pattern.

Materials and Methods: NMRI adult male mice weighing 25 ± 5 g were assigned to five groups: control (saline), recipient of nano ZnO and conventional ZnO in doses of 1 and 5 mg/kg. After one month of treatment with these, animals were euthanized and their brains were removed from the hippocampus for histological study.

Results: While ZnO nanoparticles led to necrosis of cells in some areas of the hippocampus, conventional ZnO did not exhibit such considerable damage. These changes were more pronounced at a dose of 1 mg/kg of ZnO nanoparticles.

Conclusion: ZnO nanoparticles may pass through the blood-brain barrier and induce harmful effects on cells in hippocampus. It is recommended to take necessary precautions while using combinations of nano drugs.

Background and Objectives: The MgO nanoparticles (MgO-NPs) are widely used in many fields such as catalysis, adsorption, electronics, ceramics and antibacterial. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of MgO-NPs on histopathological and biomarker changes of liver injuries (ALT, ALP, and AST) in pregnant NMRI mice.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, thirty five female NMRI mice were randomly allocated to one control group and four experimental groups (n=7).The experimental mice received MgO-NPs at concentrations of 50, 100, 150 and 200 mg/kg intraperitoneally. Blood samples were taken from the inner corners of their eyes, serums were separated and then liver enzyme activities were analyzed. Subsequently, all animals were euthanized via cervical dislocation and tissue samples were stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin for histopathological evaluation. Statistical analysis was performed using SAS software.

Results: Findings assert that different concentrations of MgO-NPs did not bring about any significant effect on liver and body weight. Activity of liver-associated serum enzymes at all concentrations of MgO NPs exhibited a significant increase (P<0.05) compared to the control group. In histopathological study, cell accumulation and cell division around sinusoidal ducts, destruction of hepatocytes, inflammatory cell infiltration and cell degeneration around the central vein were observed.

Conclusion: The biochemical parameters and histopathological findings from liver indicated that exposure to MgO-NPs could induce different degrees of damage in a dose-dependent manner.

Background and Objective: Iron oxides nanoparticles have numerous applications in medical industry. Nanoparticles are particles with 100 nm in diameter. Despite their various applications, toxic effects of Iron oxide nanoparticles call for supplementary investigations. In this study, the toxic effect of iron oxide nanoparticles on lung development in fetal mice was examined.

Materials and Methods: Using in vivo technique, the mice were allocated to one of the following groups: the control group without the effect of nano iron oxide, sham group with injection of distilled water and experimental groups with low doses (10, 30 and 50 µg /kg) and high doses (10, 30 and 30 mg/kg) of nano iron oxide with 20 nm in diameters injected intraperitoneally on day 9 of pregnancy. On day 16 of pregnancy, embryos were removed and the lung tissue sections were assessed.

Results: The findings showed a significant decrease in the length of the fetus with 30 and 50 mg/kg doses and a significant decrease in the fetal weight and number of primitive bronchioles with 10, 30 and 50 mg/kg. Results  also showed a significant increase in lung weight and lung length with doses of 30 and 50 µg/kg, a significant increase in the number of alveolus with doses of 10, 30, 50 µg/kg and 10 mg/kg and a significant increase in the number of necrotic cells  with doses of  30 and 50 mg/kg.

Conclusion: Iron oxide nanoparticles showed dual effects. It is asserted throughout this study that fetal lung development increases at low doses and necrotic effect increases with high doses.

Background and Objective: Today, silver nanoparticles are used extensively in various fields, especially in the control of bacterial infections. However, the toxicity of silver nanoparticles is a very important concern in their use. The aim of this study was determining the effect of the intraperitoneal injection of colloidal silver nanoparticles on biochemical and hematological parameters in rats.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 21 adult female rats were randomly divided into 7 groups. Group 1 was sham. Group 2 was a control group and group 3 to 7 were case groups that were treated with 5, 10, 20, 40 and 80 ppm of silver nanoparticles, respectively. Mice treated for 10 days. On the eleventh day the rats were killed by diethyl ether anesthesia. Blood samples were taken from the heart. Then the biochemical and hematological parameters and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels evaluated.

Results: The results showed no significant changes in biochemical factors except triglycerides (TG), which showed a significant decrease in high concentrations of silver nanoparticles (p<0.05). Significant changes were observed at concentrations higher than 20ppm of silver nanoparticles in blood, including: reduction in the amount of white blood cells, increase in number of platelets, slightly decreased hemoglobin and hematocrit (p<0.05). At 80ppm concentration of silver nanoparticles the serum level of lactate dehydrogenase fell sharply.

Conclusion: Low concentrations of silver nanoparticles (such as injecting it inside the peritoneum) has no effect on biochemical parameters in rats. By studying any other possible side effects, it may be safe to use in various industries.

Background & Objective: Molybdenum trioxide nanoparticles (MoO₃ NPs) have widespread applications in industries. However, the toxic and non-toxic effects of MoO₃ NPs have not been fully investigated yet. In this study, effects of MoO₃ NPs on ovary function of female rats were studied.
Materials & Methods: In this study, 21 female rats were randomly divided into three groups (n=7): the first group did not receive any treatment, the second one received normal saline, and the third group received 5 mg/kg MoO₃ NPs in normal saline via intraperitoneal injection during a period of 28 days. Serum concentrations of estrogen, progesterone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle stimulating hormone were measured. Also, changes of ovaries, uterine weights, uterine, and length of uterine horns were studied.
Results: The serum level of estrogen in the MoO₃ NPs exposed group was significantly attenuated; those of luteinizing hormones and follicle stimulating hormone were elevated while progesterone level change was insignificant. The weights of the right ovary and the uterine body decreased significantly in the exposed group.
Conclusion: Our data showed that MoO₃ nanoparticle exposure could cause an imbalance of sex hormones and decrease in body and ovarian weights in thefemale rats.

Klebsiella pneumoniae is the most common pathogenic bacterium in the genus Klebsiella (1). The aim of this study was to use Polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanoparticles in vaccine design of the capsule antigen of Klebsiella pneumoniae K2O1.
The capsular antigen was loaded into the polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanoparticles by W/O /W method (5). FT-IR and AFM were used to confirm capsule antigen loading and morphology of the nanoparticles, respectively (6,7). The fever after the vaccination was tested by limolus amoebocyte lysate assay (LAL test)(8). The investigation of the serum of mice by ELISA. Histopathological examination of lung, liver and spleen organs of vaccinated mice in four groups containing five female BALB/C mice (6-7 week-old) was studied after challenge with Klebsiella pneumoniae. Mice vaccinated with nanoparticles containing Klebsiella pneumoniae capsular antigen showed that the proposed vaccine has a high potential for long-term and stable protection against pure Klebsiella pneumoniae capsule antigen, activates (T Helper) lymphocytes T, and stimulates memory by stimulating T cells. Indicating the effectiveness of the vaccine, the results revealed that the vaccine could be recommended for animal studies with more samples or phase one clinical trial studies.

Background and Objective: Burn wound infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa exhibiting β-lactam antibiotic resistance are one of the greatest challenges of antimicrobial treatment. In this context, P. aeruginosa strains harboring resistance mechanisms, such as production of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases have the highest clinical impact no the management of burn wound infections. The aim of this study was to investigate the antibacterial activity of iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) against P. aeruginosa harboring Cefotaximase-Munich (CTX-M) gene strains.
Materials and Methods: In this study, 60 isolates of P. aeruginosa were collected from burn wound infections referred to major hospitals of Tehran, Iran. All strains were assessed for the presence of beta-lactamase CTX-M gene by polymerase chain reaction. In- vitro antibacterial effect of IONPs against P. aeruginosa harboring CTX-M strains was assessed by microdilution assay and CTX-M gene expression profile using Real-time PCR.
Results: Our results demonstrated that 12/60 isolates were identified to be CTX-M-producing P. aeruginosa with multidrug resistance phenotypes. Our results indicated that the CTX-M gene frequency was 20%. We found that the expression of CTX-M gene in P. aeruginosa strains treated with IONPs (6.21±4.1) was much lower than that of non-treated (9.73±2.02) nanoparticles (P=0.000). Also, IONPs at 256 μg/ml had inhibitory effect on the growth of P. aeruginosa by suppressing CTX-M expression.
Conclusion: IONPs have potent antibacterial properties against P. aeruginosa through the suppression of CTX-M expression. According to our results, IONPs are promising tools for the development of new antimicrobial drugs against P. aeruginosa, since these composites have potential to decrease antibiotic resistance.

Background and Objective: In recent years, the use of nanoparticles (NPs), especially gold nanoparticles (GNPs) in radiotherapy, has been repeatedly studied by in-vitro, in-vivo experiments, and Monte Carlo simulation. Some studies declare that specific absorption of GNPs (with a higher atomic number) by cancerous cells increases radiations’ lethal effect compared to normal cells. This review article aimed to investigate the radiosensitizing effect of GNPs in cancer radiotherapy.
Materials and Methods: Research databases such as Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus were examined from December 2019. All Gold Nanoparticles Radiation Therapy (GNRT) articles that studied the radiosensitization of gold nanoparticles in radiotherapy were involved in the assessment. Among 706 chosen articles, 52 documents were included in this investigation.
Results: The results of all these studies indicate that an increase in tumor mortality happens due to higher radiation absorption by nanoparticles entering the tumor; however, the relationship between the interaction of radiant energy and the size of gold nanoparticles is controversial.
Conclusion: This review article will discuss recent advances in the development of gold-based NPs to improve radiotherapy.

PNS (Peripheral nervous system) disease comprises a wide range of manifestations from acruable damage to nerve body degeneration. Finding proper imaging sequences of MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) to maximize the detection sensitivity and specificity of PNS injuries, is the purpose for which this study was conducted. In this regard, due to Wallerian degeneration, axonal degeneration and inflammation after nerve injury, were mentioned as the inseparable factors of nerve damage, and clues to be detected by the MRI. Gadofluorine M and USPIO nanoparticles are candidates which provide contrast in multiple aspects, such as diagnostic approaches and drug tracking. For instance, the P904 USPIO particle is proper for long-term monitoring, while the CS015 (PAA-coated USPIO), USPIO-PEG-tLyP-1, and USPIO nanovesicles are appropriate for drug delivery. Besides contrast agents, the implication of gradient echo or 3D DW-PSIF provides more precious data over conventional sequences, including T2-weighed on the physiological or pathological PNS status. Eventually, although the real-time imaging and simplified procedure of the ultrasound technique have advantages over MRI, the low-resolution disvalues its benefits. Alternatively, there is a growing trend in the application of Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) to acquire a clear concept of disease diagnosis, along with Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to successfully monitor the rate of nerve regeneration that is applicable for therapeutic approaches.