Recent advancements in the specific determination of carcinoembryonic antigens using MOF-based immunosensors.

Carcinoembryonic antigens (CEAs) are prominent cancer biomarkers that enable the early detection of numerous cancers. For effective CEA screening, rapid, portable, efficient, and sensitive diagnosis approaches should be devised. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are porous crystalline materials that have received major attention for application in high-efficiency signal probes owing to their advantages such as large specific surface area, superior chemical stability and tunability, high porosity, easy surface functional modification, and adjustable size and morphology. Immunoassay strategies using antigen-antibody specific interaction are one of the imperative means for rapid and accurate measurement of target molecules in biochemical fields. The emerging MOFs and their nanocomposites are synthesized with excellent features, providing promising potential for immunoassays. This article outlines the recent breakthroughs in the synthesis approaches of MOFs and overall functionalization mechanisms of MOFs with antigen/antibody and their uses in the CEA immunoassays, which operate according to electrochemical, electrochemiluminescent and colorimetric techniques. The prospects and limitations of the preparation and immunoassay applications of MOF-derived hybrid nanocomposites are also discussed at the end.

Utilizing a nanocomposite aerogel grafted with Fe3O4@GO for the extraction and determination of metoprolol in exhaled breath condensate.

This article presents a solid-phase extraction method combined with a spectrofluorometric method for the extraction/pre-concentration and determination of metoprolol (MET) in exhaled breath condensate. The extraction sorbent is an agarose aerogel nanocomposite grafted with graphene oxide (GO) Fe3O4. The size and morphology of the nanosorbent were characterized via X-ray crystallography, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analysis. Factors affecting the extraction/determination of MET were optimized using the one-at-a-time method. Under optimized experimental conditions, the calibration graph was linear in the range of 0.005 to 2.0 µg mL-1 with a detection limit of 0.001 µg mL-1. The method was successfully applied for the determination of MET in biological samples taken from patients receiving MET.

A follow-up study on "A sensitive determination of morphine in plasma using AuNPs@UiO-66/PVA hydrogel as an advanced optical scaffold".

A double solvent-assisted approach was developed for the preparation of AuNPs@UiO-66 based polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel nanocomposite and evaluated its potential as a nanoprobe for the determination of morphine. The characterization and morphology of the synthesized platform were studied and performance comparison for morphine determination was done between the synthesized scaffold and the reported one in our previous work and discussed in detail. Due to the encapsulation of AuNPs inside UiO-66 in a double solvent-assisted approach, no energy transfer was performed with UiO-66 and finally, morphine could not bind with AuNPs. Given these values, such a hydrogel-based matrix prepared with different methodologies with the same thermal stability demonstrates dissimilar potential toward morphine determination in biological samples.

Dual-emission ratiometric fluorescent probe based on N-doped CQDs@UiO-66/PVA nanocomposite hydrogel for quantification of pethidine in human plasma.

A synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy (SFS) sensor for pethidine detection is described based on UiO-66 metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) modified with N-doped carbon quantum dots (N-CQDs) embedded in hydrogel nanocomposites. Benefitting from the inovative  design of the doping method in the carbonaceous structure, N-CQDs were successfully deposited in the pores of the UiO-66 network. Then, N-CQDs were employed as a sensitive segment toward the target molecules. UiO-66 was used for sensitive and selective sensing of the bonding interactions between N-CQDs and pethidine so that the electron transfer process from UiO-66 to the pethidine-N-CQD complex results in quenching the SFS intensity of UiO-66. To embed the stable and suitable sensing interface for pethidine assessment, the designed nanomaterial was inserted into the hydrogel network. This nanocomposite hydrogel showed two well-resolved emission peaks at 300 nm and 350 nm under ∆λ = 70, which corresponded to N-CQDs and UiO-66, respectively. The SFS sensing platform was employed for ratiometric detection of pethidine with a low limit of detection of 0.002 µg mL-1 over a wide concentration range from 0.005 to 1.0 µg mL-1. The accurate monitoring of pethidine with a good recovery of 90.8-101.5% indicated their independency from matrix effects for pethidine detection in human plasma being a complicated biological matrix. Scheme 1. General procedure for synthesizing N-CQDs@UiO-66/PVA hydrogel-based nanoprobe and its application for pethidine determination.

A Rayleigh light scattering technique based on ß- cyclodextrin modified gold nanoparticles for phenytoin determination in exhaled breath condensate.

In the current work, a RLS technique based on ß-cyclodextrin modified gold nanoparticles was validated for phenytoin determination in the exhaled breath condensate. It relies on the complexation of ß-cyclodextrins using -OH groups with amine groups of phenytoin which results in an aggregation-induced Rayleigh light scattering intensity enhancement proportional to phenytoin addition. The method shows a linear relationship with phenytoin concentration in the range of 0.005-0.6 µg.mL-1 with a limit of detection of 0.003 µg.mL-1. The validated Rayleigh light scattering system is successfully used for phenytoin determination in the EBC of patients receiving phenytoin.

A sensitive determination of morphine in plasma using AuNPs@UiO-66/PVA hydrogel as an advanced optical scaffold.

In this study, a novel turn-on fluorescence nanoprobe structure has been developed by in situ synthesis and embedding of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and Zr-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), UiO-66, in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogel for sensitive quantification of morphine in human plasma samples. A three-dimensional network of PVA hydrogel was formed by simultaneously penetrating UiO-66 and gold ions in the hydrogel frame and reducing to AuNPs without adding any reducing agent. The morphology and characterization of this new PVA-based nanocomposite hydrogel were studied by transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering instrument, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Based on weakened fluorescent intensity resulting from AuNPs binding with Zr node in UiO-66 within PVA matrix, AuNPs@UiO-66 part of the nanocomposite has been employed as a fluorescent sensing probe for selective detection of morphine. The subsequent turn-on of the biocompatible nanoprobe is dependent on the strong binding of morphine with AuNPs on the surface of the UiO-66 frameworks. This platform illustrates a linear calibration curve in the range from 0.02 to 2.0 µg mL-1 with a detection limit of 0.016 µg mL-1. The relative intra- and inter-day standard deviations of the nanoprobe for determinations of morphine were 0.84% and 0.69% (n = 5), respectively. It is particularly proper for precise morphine assay in complex samples like human plasma with good recoveries and acceptable results. Due to its portable, robust, and instrument-free characteristics, it is estimated to display superb prospective for on-site clinical monitoring.

Nanomaterial based PVA nanocomposite hydrogels for biomedical sensing: Advances toward designing the ideal flexible/wearable nanoprobes.

In today's world, the progress of wearable tools has gained increasing momentum. Notably, the demand for stretchable strain sensors has considerably increased owing to various potential and emerging applications like human motion monitoring, soft robotics, prosthetics, and electronic skin. Hydrogels possess excellent biocompatibility, flexibility, and stretchability that render them ideal candidates for flexible/wearable substrates. Among them, enormous efforts were focused on the progress of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogels to realize multifunctional wearable sensing through using additives/nanofillers/functional groups to modify the hydrogel network. Herein, this review offers an up-to-date and comprehensive summary of the research progress of PVA hydrogel-based wearable sensors in view of their properties, strain sensory efficiency, and potential applications, followed by specifically highlighting their probes using metallic/non-metallic, liquid metal (LM), 2D materials, bio-nanomaterials, and polymer nanofillers. Indeed, flexible electrodes and strain/pressure sensing performance of designed PVA hydrogels for their effective sensing are described. The representative cases are carefully selected and discussed regarding the construction, merits and demerits, respectively. Finally, the necessity and requirements for future advances of conductive and stretchable hydrogels engaged in the wearable strain sensors are also presented, followed by opportunities and challenges.

Synergizing Functional Nanomaterials with Aptamers Based on Electrochemical Strategies for Pesticide Detection: Current Status and Perspectives.

Owing to the high toxicity and large-scale use of pesticides, it is imperative to develop selective, sensitive, portable, and convenient sensors for rapid monitoring of pesticide. Therefore, the electrochemical detection platform offers a promising analytical approach since it is easy to operate, economical, efficient, and user-friendly. Meanwhile, with advances in functional nanomaterials and aptamer selection technologies, numerous sensitivity-enhancement techniques alongside a widespread range of smart nanomaterials have been merged to construct novel aptamer probes to use in the biosensing field. Hence, this study intends to highlight recent development and promising applications on the functional nanomaterials with aptamers for pesticides detection based on electrochemical strategies. We also reviewed the current novel aptamer-functionalized microdevices for the portability of pesticides sensors. Furthermore, the major challenges and future prospects in this field are also discussed to provide ideas for further research.

The Effects of Lavender and Citrus aurantium on Anxiety and Agitation of the Conscious Patients in Intensive Care Units: A Parallel Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Conscious patients admitted to intensive care units (ICU) suffer from anxiety and agitation for various reasons, which can affect their recovery processes. AIMS: To compare the effects of lavender and Citrus aurantium essential oils on anxiety and agitation of conscious patients admitted to ICUs. DESIGN: A randomized parallel placebo-controlled trial. METHODS: One hundred and fifty conscious patients admitted to ICUs were selected by convenience sampling and were randomly divided into three groups, groups of lavender aromatherapy and Citrus aurantium aromatherapy, in addition to the routine care and inhalation of five drops of lavender or Citrus aurantium essential oils for 30 minutes. The placebo group, in addition to routine care, was provided with 5 drops of normal saline for 30 minutes. Anxiety was assessed with the state subscale of State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and agitation was examined with Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale before, immediately, one hour, and three hours after the intervention. RESULTS: All three groups suffered from relatively severe state anxiety before the intervention. The level of anxiety in the lavender and Citrus aurantium groups was significantly lower than that of the placebo group immediately and three hours after the intervention (P < 0.05). No significant difference was observed between the two groups of lavender and Citrus aurantium. The majority of the samples in all three groups were agitated before the intervention, but agitation of all three groups decreased after the intervention. Restless/agitation reduced significantly in all three groups. Although restless/agitation of the lavender and Citrus aurantium groups reduced more than that of the placebo, no significant difference was found between the three groups. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study showed the positive effects of lavender aromatherapy and Citrus aurantium aromatherapy on reducing the anxiety of patients admitted to ICUs. Relevance to Clinical Practice. Aromatherapy can be used as an effective and safe intervention to reduce anxiety in ICUs.

Effects of lavender and Citrus aurantium on pain of conscious intensive care unit patients: A parallel randomized placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Conscious patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) suffer from pain for various reasons, which can affect their recovery process. OBJECTIVE: The present study compared the effects of aromatherapy with Citrus aurantium and lavender essential oils against placebo for reducing pain in conscious intensive care patients. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS: This study was a parallel randomized placebo-controlled trial. The ICUs of two educational hospitals in Kerman in Southeastern Iran were the study setting. One hundred and fifty conscious intensive care patients were randomly divided into three groups using a stratified block randomization method. Two groups received aromatherapy with essential oils: one with lavender and the other with C. aurantium; these patients received a 30-minute therapy session using their assigned essential oil on the second day of their intensive care stay. The placebo group used 5 drops of normal saline instead of essential oil during their session. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patient's pain was assessed using a visual analog scale before the aromatherapy intervention, as well as immediately after and one and three hours after intervention. RESULTS: The mean pain score of the lavender group was 40.01 before the aromatherapy intervention and fell to 39.40, 30.60 and 23.68 immediately after the intervention, and at hour one and three post-intervention, respectively. The mean pain score of the C. aurantium group was 45.48 before the intervention and was reduced to 32.34 at three hours after the intervention. The mean pain of the placebo group decreased from 42.80 before the intervention to 35.20 at three hours after the intervention. Pain scores of all groups decreased during the study (P < 0.001). The mean pain of the lavender group was significantly lower than that of the placebo group at three hours after the intervention. CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that aromatherapy with lavender essential oil reduced pain in conscious ICU patients. Our data could not justify the use of C. aurantium for reducing pain in this population. TRIAL REGISTRATION: No. IRCT20170116031972N9 (https://en.irct.ir/trial/40827).

Psychological well-being and happiness among Middle-aged women: A cross-sectional study.

Biological, physical, and psychosocial changes that occur during the aging process can negatively impact women's mental health and happiness at midlife. In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to determine the level of psychological well-being and happiness among middle-aged women in Tabriz. Data were collected from December 2017 to February 2018 by face-to-face interviews, using structured questionnaires of happiness and psychological well-being. The participants were 40-60-year-old middle-aged women (n = 300) selected by clustered random sampling allocation. A total of 167 (55.7%) out of all the women had decreased levels of psychological well-being. Psychological well-being was found to be significantly lower among the women with low levels of happiness (B: 24.43, CI (18.57 to 30.29), p < 0.001). Health care centers should implement more comprehensive mental health promotion programs for middle-aged women, including free of charge recreational opportunities (e.g., walking, swimming, dancing) to improve psychological health and well-being.

Multiplex bioassaying of cancer proteins and biomacromolecules: Nanotechnological, structural and technical perspectives.

Since the specific proteins (carbohydrate antigens, ligands and interleukins) get raised up in body tissue or fluids in cancer cases, early detection of them will provide an effective treatment and survival rate. Sensitive and accurate determination of multiple cancer proteins can be engaged in chorus by simultaneous/multiplex detection in the biomedical fields. Bioassaying technology is one of the non-invasive, high-sensitive, and economical methods. Currently, extensive application of nanomaterial (biocompatible polymers, metallic and metal oxide) in bioassays resulted in ultra-high sensitive and selective diagnosis. This review article focuses on types of multiplex bioassays for delicate and specific determination of cancer proteins for diagnostic aims. It also covers two modes of multiplex bioassays as multi labeled bioassays and spatially-separated test zones (multi-electrode mode). In this review, the nanotechnological, structural, and technical perspectives in the multiplex analysis of cancer proteins were discussed. Finally, the use of different types of nanomaterials, polysaccharides, biopolymers and their advantages in signal amplification are discussed.

Carboxymethylcellulose/MOF-5/Graphene oxide bio-nanocomposite as antibacterial drug nanocarrier agent.

Introduction: In recent years, more attention was dedicated to developing new methods for designing of drug delivery systems. The aim of present work is to improve the efficiency of the antibacterial drug delivery process, and to realize and to control accurately the release. Methods: First, graphene oxide (GO) was prepared according to the modified Hummers method then the GO was modified with carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and Zn-based metal-organic framework (MOF-5) through the solvothermal technique. Results: Performing the various analysis methods including scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), EDX, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and Zeta potentials on the obtained bio-nanocomposite showed that the new modified GO has been prepared. With using common analysis methods the structure of synthesized materials was determined and confirmed and finally, their antibacterial behavior was examined based on the broth microdilution methods. Conclusion: Carboxymethylcellulose/MOF-5/GO bio-nanocomposite (CMC/MOF-5/GO) was successfully synthesized through the solvothermal technique. Tetracycline (TC) was encapsulated in the GO and CMC/MOF-5/GO. The drug release tests showed that the TC-loaded CMC/MOF5/GO has an effective protection against stomach pH. With controlling the TC release in the gastrointestinal tract conditions, the long-time stability of drug dosing was enhanced. Furthermore, antibacterial activity tests showed that the TC-loaded CMC/MOF-5/GO has an antibacterial activity to negatively charge E. coli bacteria in contrast to TC-loaded GO.