Molecularly imprinted polymer-based electrochemical sensors for monitoring the persistent organic pollutants chlorophenols.

Because of the serious risks they pose to the environment and public health, chlorophenols (CPs), a typical class of the most persistent organic pollutants, have drawn increasing attention. Monitoring CPs effectively has become a pressing and difficult problem. The rapidly increasing need for onsite and real-time CP detection has led to the consideration of electrochemical sensing as a workable solution. Molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP)-based electrochemical sensing has emerged as a promising area for environmental monitoring in response to this analytical problem. MIPs, in conjunction with miniature electrochemical transducers, provide the opportunity to detect target analytes in situ. These devices have the advantages of great chemical and physical stability, cheap production costs, good selectivity, and quick response times. Most studies suggest that these sensors use nanoparticles to improve their analytical properties, especially sensitivity. Furthermore, these sensors have successfully used real water samples without the need for time-consuming pretreatment procedures. This article provides an overview of electrochemical MIP-based sensors reported to detect CPs in water samples. To obtain the highest sensitivity, special consideration is given to the fabrication of the sensors, which includes the use of various functional monomers, sensing platforms, and materials. Several other parameters are also discussed, including the linear concentration range, limit of detection, and the types of water samples that were examined.

Current perspectives, challenges, and future directions in the electrochemical detection of microplastics.

Microplastics (5 µm) are a developing threat that contaminate every environmental compartment. The detection of these contaminants is undoubtedly an important topic of study because of their high potential to cause harm to ecosystems. For many years, scientists have been assiduously striving to surmount the obstacle of detection restrictions and minimize the likelihood of receiving results that are either false positives or false negatives. This study covers the current state of electrochemical sensing technology as well as its application as a low-cost analytical platform for the detection and characterization of novel contaminants. Examples of detection mechanisms, electrode modification procedures, device configuration, and performance are given to show how successful these approaches are for monitoring microplastics in the environment. Additionally included are the recent developments in nanoimpact techniques. Compared to electrochemical methods for microplastic remediation, the use of electrochemical sensors for microplastic detection has received very little attention. With an overview of microplastic electrochemical sensors, this review emphasizes the promise of existing electrochemical remediation platforms toward sensor design and development. In order to enhance the monitoring of these substances, a critical assessment of the requirements for future research, challenges associated with detection, and opportunities is provided. In addition to-or instead of-the now-in-use laboratory-based analytical equipment, these technologies can be utilized to support extensive research and manage issues pertaining to microplastics in the environment and other matrices.

Evaluation of tuberculosis diagnostic tools, with extending MODS assay use to second line susceptibility testing.

Tuberculosis diagnosis and drug susceptibility testing (DST) are considered a priority for prompt initiation of effective therapy, increasing the chance of cure, decreasing the development of resistance, and reducing transmission. AIM: Our objective was to evaluate currently applied diagnostic tools for tuberculosis including microscopic examination, GeneXpert, culture, and microscopic observation drug susceptibility (MODS) assay, investigating MODS assay usage for second line DST against culture based methods. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this study the 120 sputum samples collected from suspected cases were over one year duration from December 2018 to January 2020. The samples were subjected to ZN microscopic examination, GeneXpert, MODS assay, and culture for detection of mycobacteria. Moreover, resistance to 5 drugs: isoniazid, rifampicin, ofloxacin, levofloxacin, and amikacin were tested using MODS against the proportion method. RESULTS: The sensitivity and specificity of the MODS assay were similar culture method with the advantage of obtaining the results in a median time of 10.7 days. Whereas the specificity of ZN and GeneXpert was high among untreated cases and decreased in subjects with a history of treatment. Monoresistance was the most common form of resistance detected among new cases followed by multidrug resistance, with a categorical agreement between the two methods above 90% for all tested drugs. CONCLUSIONS: MODS assay is an attractive option once standardized for second line susceptibility testing and GeneXpert assay is of high sensitivity for rapid detection of MTB and RIF resistance especially in treatment naive cases.

Female sexual dysfunction post radical cystectomy and urinary diversion.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of radical cystectomy and urinary diversion on female sexual function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A Medline search was conducted according to the PRISMA statement for all English full-text articles published between 1980 and 2016 and assessing female sexual function post radical cystectomy and urinary diversion. Eligible studies were subjected to critical analysis and revision. The primary outcomes were the reporting methods for female sexual dysfunction (FSD), manifestations of FSD, and factors associated with FSD, postoperative recoverability of FSD, and awareness level regarding FSD. RESULTS: From the resulting 117 articles, 11 studies were finally included in our systematic review, with a total of 361 women. Loss of sexual desire and orgasm disorders were the most frequently reported (49% and 39%). Dyspareunia and vaginal lubrication disorders were reported in 25% and 9.5%, respectively. The incidence of sexual dysfunction was 10% in 30 patients receiving genital- or nerve-sparing cystectomy vs. 59% receiving conventional cystectomy. CONCLUSION: Although female sexual function is an important predictor of health-related quality of life post radical cystectomy and urinary diversion, the available literature is not enough to provide proper information for surgeons and patients.

Fate of accessory renal arteries in grafts with multiple renal arteries during live-donor renal allo-transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: To determine risk factors for and the effects of impaired perfusion (IP)-"reduced or non-perfusion"-of graft areas supplied by an accessory artery on allograft function. OBJECTIVES: One hundred five consecutive grafts with multiple renal arteries were prospectively evaluated using Doppler ultrasound (US) to detect the perfusion of allograft segments supplied by the accessory artery. We studied factors predicting and the effects of IP on graft function. RESULTS: Doppler US diagnosed IP of allograft accessory arteries in 11 (10.5%) allografts. Mean values ± standard deviations and median (range) of renographic clearance of grafts with IP were 50.5 ± 26 and 40 (range, 21-92) mL/min, while those of grafts with patent accessory arteries were 68.6 ± 18.9 and 67.2 (range 21-117; P < .01). The percentage change in renographic clearance before versus after transplantation increased among grafts with patent arteries and decreased for those with IP (P = .03). On multivariate analysis, factors predicting IP of the accessory artery were delayed graft function (odds ratio [OR] = 9.9; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.6-58.6; P = .01) and upper polar arteries (OR = 8.9; 95% CI = 1.8-43.4; P < .01). CONCLUSION: When considering transplants with accessory arteries, greatest attention and efforts should be exerted on upper polar arteries to avoid delayed graft function.

The value of ascites adenosine deaminase activity and interferon gamma level in discriminating tuberculous from non-tuberculous ascites.

The diagnosis of tuberculous ascites is often difficult because of the subtle clinical clues, poorly discriminative biochemical assays, delayed results of bacteriological studies and hazards of laparoscopy. Therefore, the role of ascites adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity and interferon-gamma (IFN-delta) level in distinguishing tuberculous from other causes of ascites was examined in 50 patients with ascites. Following bacteriologic culture, seventeen (34%) patients were found to have tuberculous ascites; nine (59.9%) of them had also schistosomal hepatic fibrosis (SHF). Therefore, 36% (9 out of 25) of all patients with SHF included in the study, had coexistent peritoneal tuberculosis despite the presence of transudative ascites and unrecognized clinical features. Ascites ADA activity was significantly higher in tuberculous than in other causes of ascites (P < 0.001) regardless of the presence of an underlying liver disease. A cut-off of 28 U/L reached a sensitivity of 94.4% and a specificity of 100%. A direct correlation was found between ascites ADA activity and total proteins in the tuberculous group (r = 0.613) and the only false-negative result occurred in a patient with SHF and low-ascites protein. Ascites IFN-delta level was also significantly higher in tuberculous ascites with or without SHF than in other causes of ascites (P < 0.05). A cut-off of 26 pg/ml reached a sensitivity of 81% and a specificity of 100%. There was no correlation between ascites ADA activity and IFN-delta level in the tuberculous group (r = 0.329). Based on the results of the present study, it can be concluded that tuberculous ascites should be considered as an important cause of ascites particularly in patients with underlying liver disease. Ascites ADA activity was more sensitive than ascites IFN-delta in diagnosing tuberculosis (TB). It has proved to be an easy, rapid, safe and reliable method for routine use in the early diagnosis of tuberculous ascites.