First-in-human controlled inhalation of thin graphene oxide nanosheets to study acute cardiorespiratory responses.

Graphene oxide nanomaterials are being developed for wide-ranging applications but are associated with potential safety concerns for human health. We conducted a double-blind randomized controlled study to determine how the inhalation of graphene oxide nanosheets affects acute pulmonary and cardiovascular function. Small and ultrasmall graphene oxide nanosheets at a concentration of 200 μg m or filtered air were inhaled for 2 h by 14 young healthy volunteers in repeated visits.

Graphene oxide modulates dendritic cell ability to promote T cell activation and cytokine production.

An important aspect of immunotherapy is the ability of dendritic cells (DCs) to prime T cell immunity, an approach that has yielded promising results in some early phase clinical trials. However, novel approaches are required to improve DC therapeutic efficacy by enhancing their uptake of, and activation by, disease relevant antigens. The carbon nano-material graphene oxide (GO) may provide a unique way to deliver antigen to innate immune cells and modify their ability to initiate effective adaptive immune responses.

Dynamic interactions and intracellular fate of label-free, thin graphene oxide sheets within mammalian cells: role of lateral sheet size.

Graphene oxide (GO) holds great potential for biomedical applications, however fundamental understanding of the way it interacts with biological systems is still lacking even though it is essential for successful clinical translation. In this study, we exploit intrinsic fluorescent properties of thin GO sheets to establish the relationship between lateral dimensions of the material, its cellular uptake mechanisms and intracellular fate over time. Label-free GO with distinct lateral dimensions, small (s-GO) and ultra-small (us-GO) were thoroughly characterised both in water and in biologically relevant cell culture medium.

Immunological impact of graphene oxide sheets in the abdominal cavity is governed by surface reactivity.

Graphene oxide (GO) is an oxidised form of graphene that has attracted commercial interest in multiple applications, including inks, printed electronics and spray coatings, which all raise health concerns due to potential creation of inhalable aerosols. Although a number of studies have discussed the toxicity of GO sheets, the in vivo impact of their lateral dimensions is still not clear. Here, we compared the effects of large GO sheets (l-GO, 1-20 µm) with those of small GO sheets (s-GO, < 1 µm) in terms of mesothelial damage and peritoneal inflammation, after intraperitoneal (i.

Synergistic effect of carbon nanotubes and graphene for high performance cellulose acetate membranes in biomedical applications.

Comparative evaluation of innovative combinations of three types of carbon nanomaterial (CNM) highlighted membranes with important potential for biomedical applications. Non-solvent induced phase separation coupled with ultrasound technique was used to generate membranes comprised of (i) cellulose acetate/ammonia functionalized carbon nanotubes (CA/CNT), (ii) cellulose acetate/ammonia functionalized graphene oxide (CA/GO), and (iii) cellulose acetate/CNT-GO. Structural, topographical and thermal features as well as water and ethanol permeation, bovine serum albumin (BSA) and haemoglobin (Hb) rejection were evaluated.

Enhanced X-ray absorption for micro-CT analysis of low density polymers.

X-ray microtomography (micro-CT), one of the most resourceful instruments for high resolution 3D analysis, can provide qualitative and quantitative accurate structural and compositional information for a broad range of materials. Yet its contribution to the field of biopolymeric materials science is often limited by low imaging contrast due to scarce X-ray attenuation features, particularly for sponges and foam-like structures. This limitation can be overcome to some extent by adjusting the working parameters of micro-CT equipment.

Magnetite nanostructures functionalized with cytostatic drugs exhibit great anti-tumoral properties without application of high amplitude alternating magnetic fields.

Here, we report the synthesis, characterization and the impact of magnetite nanoparticles functionalized with cytostatic drugs, epirubicin (Epi) and fludarabine (Flu) (Fe3O4@Epi, Fe3O4@Flu) prepared by chemical co-precipitation method on tumoral cells in vitro. The average diameter of the resulted particles was about 4 nm for both Fe3O4@Epi and for Fe3O4@Flu. These bioactive nanostructured materials proved to significantly enhance the antitumor effect of tested cytostatic drugs in vitro.

Synthesis, characterization, and in vitro studies of graphene oxide/chitosan-polyvinyl alcohol films.

Nanocomposites based on chitosan-polyvinyl alcohol (CS-PVA) and graphene oxide (GO) were prepared by casting the stable aqueous mixture of the components. SEM, TEM and X-ray diffraction showed that graphene oxide is largely dispersed on molecular scale within CS-PVA matrix. FTIR investigation indicated the occurrence of some interaction between graphene oxide nanosheets and CS-PVA.