Zinc oxide nanoparticles functionalized with curcumin supplementation during in vitro embryo culture impaired in a concentration-dependent-manner blastocyst production in cattle.

This work investigated the effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles functionalized with curcumin (ZnO  + CUR) supplementation during the in vitro embryo culture (IVC) on the bovine in vitro embryo production, and the cellular antioxidant response. The cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were matured, fertilized and then the presumptive zygotes were cultured in the medium in the absence (0 μM-control) or presence of different concentrations of ZnO  + CUR (3, 6 or 12 μM). After IVC, the embryos were destined either to assay intracellular ROS levels and mitochondrial membrane potential.

Embryotoxicity of silica nanoparticles in the drug delivery of domperidone in zebrafish.

Domperidone is a dopamine D2 receptor inhibitor that stimulates pituitary gonadotropins. It is usually associated with synthetic GnRHa to promote spawning in fish. However, the route of administration used, intramuscular injection, can be quite stressful.

Photoprotective activity of zirconia nanoparticles.

The increasing incidence of diseases caused by the harmful effects of UV radiation in skin, predominantly skin cancer, induce the search for more efficient photoprotector agents. Nowadays, titanium dioxide (TiO) and zinc oxide (ZnO) are the most widely used photoprotectors and therefore form the main components of commercially available sunscreens. Although the outstanding efficiency in absorbing and scattering UV radiation, mainly as nanoparticles, recent studies have raised concerns regarding the safe use of these nanoparticles, especially due to their high generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Dynamic and structural correlations in nanocomposites of silica with modified surface and carboxylated nitrile rubber.

Distinct affinities between the organic and inorganic phases were observed in nanocomposites prepared through a colloidal route with carboxylated nitrile rubber and modified silica nanoparticles, which resulted in variable mechanical properties and improved thermal stability. Nanoparticles with modified surface affected the macromolecular arrangements of the elastomeric matrix, changing the final mechanical behavior of the nanocomposite, which could be predicted by the spin-lattice relaxation time measured by solid-state NMR. It was also possible to identify how each different nanoparticle affected the molecular dynamic of nanocomposite, correlating the dynamic-mechanical analysis with the NMR data of the saturated carbons of the elastomer.