Nanomaterials (NMs) such as polymeric nanoparticles (NPs), vesicles, and dendrimers have revolutionized the biomedical field by enabling superior drug delivery, imaging, and sensing modalities. [1] The field of NMs is expected to grow tremendously as the nanotechnology market is projected to be worth $125 billion by 2024. [2] In addition, the increasing number of NMs used for diagnostic and therapeutic [3] purposes impose new restrictions on their intended effects and unwanted complications. We are continuously exposed to environmental pollutants through inhalation, [4] ingestion, [5] and dermal contact. [6] Many of these materials are ultrafine in size (<100 nm), which enables their facile entry and interaction Microphysiological systems, also known as organ-on-a-chip platforms, show promise for the development of new testing methods that can be more accurate than both conventional two-dimensional (2D) cultures and costly animal studies. The development of more intricate microphysiological systems can help to better mimic the human physiology and highlight the systemic effects of different drugs and materials. Nanomaterials are among a technologically important class of materials used for diagnostic, therapeutic, and monitoring purposes; all of which can be tested using new organ-on-a-chip systems. In addition, the toxicity of nanomaterials which have entered the body from ambient air or diet can have deleterious effects on various body systems. This in turn can be studied in newly developed microphysiological systems. While organ-on-a-chip models can be useful, they cannot pick up secondary and systemic toxicity. Thus, the utilization of multiorgan-on-a-chip systems for advancing nanotechnology will largely be reflected in the future of drug development, toxicology studies, and precision medicine. Various aspects of related studies, current challenges, and future perspectives are discussed in this paper.
This study is aimed to assess and evaluate the suitability of groundwater of the area located to the south-east of Al-Ain area in the UAE using hydrogeochemcical approach. The chemical analyses of groundwater samples collected from the study area showed that the groundwater salinity is high which resulted from heavy groundwater pumping. High chloride concentrations in groundwater of Mubazarah and Neima might be attributed to the entrapped saline water within the limestone sequence of Jabal Hafit, or it can be the agricultural activities as it clear from the positive relationship between Cl − and Br − . High sulphate concentrations in groundwater might be related to the presence of gypsum and anhydrite within the limestone sequence of Jabal Hafit. The anionic and cationic compositions of groundwater indicate that the chloride and sodium ions are the dominant and presence of bicarbonate and sulphate may reflect the mixing of such water by the recent freshwater through the existing structural lineaments within the study area. The hydrochemical parameters indicate a relative increase in the concentration of calcium, magnesium and sulphate ions and this could reflect the influence of carbonates and evaporite sediments.
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