3D printing-based lateral flow visual assay utilizing the dual-excitation property of nitrogen-doped carbon dots for the ratiometric determination and chemometric discrimination of flavonoids.

A ratiometric fluorescence sensor has been established based on dual-excitation carbon dots (D-CDs) for the detection of flavonoids (morin is chosen as the typical detecting model for flavonoids). D-CDs were prepared using microwave radiation with o-phenylenediamine and melamine and exhibit controllable dual-excitation behavior through the regulation of their concentration. Remarkably, the short-wavelength excitation of D-CDs can be quenched by morin owing to the inner filter effect, while the long-wavelength excitation remains insensitive, serving as the reference signal. This contributes to the successful design of an excitation-based ratiometric sensor. Based on the distinct and differentiated variation of excitation intensity, morin can be determined from 0.156 to 110 µM with a low detection limit of 0.156 µM. In addition, an intelligent and visually lateral flow sensing device is developed for the determination  of morin content in real samples with satisfying recoveries, which indicates the potential application for human health monitoring.

Service provider perspectives on post-abortion contraception in Nepal.

The government of Nepal has articulated a commitment to the provision of post-abortion contraception since the implementation of a legal safe abortion policy in 2004. Despite this, gaps in services remain. This study examined the perspectives of abortion service providers and administrators regarding strengths and shortcomings of post-abortion contraceptive service provision. In-depth interviews were conducted with 24 abortion providers and administrators at four major health facilities that provide legal abortion in Nepal. Facility factors perceived to impact post-abortion contraceptive services included on-site availability of contraceptive supplies, dedicated and well-trained staff and adequate infrastructure. Cultural norms emerged as influencing contraceptive demand by patients, including method use being unacceptable for women whose husbands migrate and limited decision-making power among women. Service providers described their personal views on appropriate childbearing and the use of specific contraceptive methods that influenced counselling. Findings suggest that improvements to a facility's infrastructure and training to address provider biases and misinformation may improve post-abortion family planning uptake. Adapting services to be sensitive to cultural expectations and norms may help address some barriers to contraceptive use. More research is needed to determine how to best meet the contraceptive needs of women who have infrequent sexual activity or who may face stigma for using family planning, including adolescents, unmarried women and women whose husbands migrate.

Equity and Justice in Family Medicine Clinical Care and Teaching Must Incorporate a Reproductive Justice Framework.

Since European settlement, the United States has controlled the reproduction of communities of color through tactics ranging from forced pregnancies, sterilizations, and abortions to immigration policies and policies that separate children from their families. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (or questioning), asexual, intersex, and gender diverse people (LGBTQIA+) have been persecuted for sexual behavior and gender expression, and also restricted from having children. In response, women of color and LGBTQIA+ communities have organized for Reproductive Justice (RJ) and liberation. The Reproductive Justice framework, conceived in 1994 by the Women of African Descent for Reproductive Justice, addresses the reproductive health needs of Black women and communities from a broad human rights perspective. Since then, the framework has expanded with an intersectional approach to include all communities of color and LGBTQIA+ communities. Notwithstanding, reproductive injustice negatively impacts the health of already marginalized and oppressed communities, which is reflected in higher rates of maternal mortality, infant mortality, infertility, preterm births, and poorer health outcomes associated with race-based stress. While the impact of racial injustice on disparate health outcomes is increasingly addressed in family medicine, Reproductive Justice has not been universally incorporated into care provision or education. Including the RJ framework in family medicine education is critical to understanding how structural, economic, and political factors influence health outcomes to improve health care delivery from a justice and human rights perspective. This commentary describes how an RJ framework can enhance medical education and care provision, and subsequently identifies strategies for incorporating Reproductive Justice teaching into family medicine education.

A sensitive lateral flow test strip sensor for visual detection of acid red 18 in food using bicentric-emission carbon dots.

Hazardous synthetic colorants have found widespread use in food production, and excessive consumption of these pigments can pose potential risks to human health. In this study, we propose an ultrasensitive fluorescence method for the analysis of Acid Red 18 (AR18) in food products. The method is based on the nitrogen-doped carbon dots (N-CDs) derived from tris and resorcinol through a hydrothermal way. The as-synthesized N-CDs exhibit two emission centers at 425 nm and 541 nm, corresponding to the excitation wavelengths of 377 nm and 465 nm, respectively. Upon the addition of AR18, the fluorescence intensity at 541 nm significantly decreases with a simultaneous, though less pronounced, reduction in the intensity at 425 nm, which is attributed to the localization of fluorescence resonance energy transfer (L-FRET). Specifically, a novel ratiometric fluorescent probe was constructed based on the extracted data from the 3D fluorescence excitation-emission matrix. This probe demonstrates a wide linear range from 0.0539 to 30 µM and a low limit of detection (LOD) of 53.9 nM. For practical applications, a portable fluorescent sensor based on a lateral flow test strip (LFTS) was designed for real-time monitoring of AR18. Color channel values were determined using a smartphone application, resulting in a satisfactory LOD of 75.3 nM. Furthermore, the suitability of the proposed ratiometric fluorescent probe was validated through the detection of AR18 in real food samples, consistently achieving recovery rates in the range of 99.7-101.4%. This research not only expands the scope of CDs in sensing fields, but also provides an effective strategy for the development of an excellent platform for real-time AR18 detection, contributing to public food safety.

Centrifugated lateral flow assay strips based on dual-emission carbon dots modified with europium ions for ratiometric determination and on-site discrimination of tetracyclines in environment.

Due to the serious detrimental impact on human health, antibiotic pollution particularly tetracyclines residues has become a serious problem. Herein, a multiple response fluorescent probe consisted of dual-emission carbon dots and Eu3+ (D-CDs@Eu3+) is designed for the determination and discrimination of tetracyclines (TCs). Specifically, the carboxyl and amidogen group of dual-emission carbon dots (D-CDs) can coordinate with Eu3+ to form the D-CDs@Eu3+. Upon adding TCs, the fluorescence intensities of D-CDs at 405 nm and 495 nm are quenched due to inner filter effect (IFE) and the localization of fluorescence resonance energy transfer (L-FRET) between the D-CDs@Eu3+ and TC. Simultaneously, the D-CDs@Eu3+ may chelate with TCs to enhance the occurrence of antenna effect, while the characteristic peaks of Eu3+ at 590 nm and 615 nm are enhanced. On these bases, the TCs detection is achieved with low detection limits from 46.7 to 72.0 nM. Additionally, through the distinct efficiencies of L-FRET, the discrimination of TCs is achieved. Moreover, a novel centrifugated lateral flow assay strips (CLFASs) device is developed by integrating the D-CDs@Eu3+, lateral flow assay strips and smartphone using RGB variations for TCs detection, achieving remarkable recoveries (98.6-103.7 %) in real samples. Therefore, this CLFASs device provides a reliable approach for the TCs detection, demonstrating potential applications.

Construction of fluorescent sensor array and three-dimensional microfluidic paper based analytical device for specific identification and visual determination of antibiotics in food.

For antibiotics misuse since the global outbreak of COVID 19, a novel strategy for discriminating and detecting antibiotics is proposed based on the graphene quantum dots with multi-doped heteroatoms including F, N and P (M-GQDs), which exhibit blue emission (419.0 nm) under the excitation of 336.0 nm. Specifically, the fluorescence of M-GQDs is quenched by tetracyclines (TCs) owing to inner filter effect (IFE) and enhanced by alkane-modified fluoroquinolones (AFQs), which is attributed to restricted conformational rotation based on π-π stacking, hydrogen-bonding and electrostatic interactions. Meanwhile, the electron-accepting property of oxazine ring in oxazine-modified fluoroquinolones (OFQs) increases emission peak at 498.0 nm and decreases emission peak at 419.0 nm as the color changes from blue to cyan. Moreover, a cascade system integrated with 3D microfluidic paper-based analytical device (3D-µPAD) is applied successfully for visually distinguishing three antibiotics, which shows great potential and versatility of M-GQDs for food safety monitoring.

Energy transfer mediated rapid and visual discrimination of tetracyclines and quercetin in food by using N, Cu Co-doped carbon dots.

The appearance of multi-drug resistant Escherichia coli makes the combination of tetracyclines (TCs) and quercetin (QCT) more common to fight stubborn bacterial infections so that the effective detections of TCs and QCT are essential and necessary. Here, a novel fluorescence probe for differentiating TCs and QCT is developed based on the nitrogen and copper co-doped carbon dots (N, Cu-CDs). The N, Cu-CDs are prepared from ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) and anhydrous copper chloride as precursors through hydrothermal process and exhibit bright blue fluorescence with excellent optical stability. With the presence of four tetracyclines (DOX, TC, CTC and OTC), the fluorescence intensity of N, Cu-CDs is quenched directly due to the internal filtration effect (IFE), and the detection limit obtained through single-signal fluorescence sensing is as low as 23.8 nM for DOX, 37.2 nM for TC, 43.8 nM for OTC and 28.8 nM for CTC. More remarkably, three dimensional ratiometric fluorescence probe for detecting QCT is proposed based on the appearance of another emission at (410 nm, 490 nm) due to electron transform (ET) process. This new method shows a good linear relationship in the range of 10-100 µM with a low detection limit of 59.3 nM. Furthermore, a dual-channel fluorescence sensing platform based on microfluidics paper-based analytical devices (µPADs) is developed for simultaneously visual discrimination of TCs (DOX is chosen as the typical detecting model for TCs) and QCT. This investigation provides a new way for the development of CDs as multifunction fluorescence probes.

Family planning and contraception use in transgender men.

OBJECTIVES: Female-to-male (FTM) transgender men (affirmed males) can experience planned and unplanned pregnancy during and after testosterone therapy. We conducted an exploratory study to understand current contraceptive practices and fertility desires among transgender men during and after transitioning. STUDY DESIGN: Self-identified transgender and transmasculine individuals assigned female at birth, ages 18-45, completed an anonymous online survey derived from standardized family planning surveys. We recruited participants from LGBT health centers, online listservs, and online groups for transgender men and used a mixed-methods analysis to evaluate quantitative and qualitative data. RESULTS: Of the one hundred and ninety-seven participants included in the study, the median age was 30 years old, most respondents were white, and 86% were taking masculinizing hormones (testosterone). Of the 60 pregnancies reported, 10 (17%) pregnancies occurred after stopping testosterone, 1 (1.6%) while taking testosterone irregularly, and 5 of 7 abortions occurred in participants who had been using testosterone in the past. Over half of the respondents desired at least one child, and a quarter reported fears of not getting pregnant. The majority of participants reporting using contraception (n=110, 60.1%), with condoms and pills used most commonly (n=90, 49.2% and n=62, 33.9% respectively). Methods of contraception used did not differ between testosterone users and non-users, except for hormonal IUDs (20% testosterone versus 7% non-testosterone). Thirty participants (16.4%) believed that testosterone was a form of contraception, and 10 (5.5%) participants reported that their healthcare providers advised testosterone as contraception. CONCLUSION: Transgender men use contraception and can experience pregnancy and abortion, even after transitioning socially and hormonally. Transgender men need counseling and care regarding reproductive health, including contraceptive and conception counseling. IMPLICATIONS: Providers should be aware that transgender men may desire pregnancy and use contraception; this study highlights the need for further research regarding fertility, fertility desires, and optimal contraception among transgender men.

Racial and ethnic differences in contraception use and obstetric outcomes: A review.

In the United States, racial and ethnic minority women experience higher rates of contraceptive non-use, failure, unintended pregnancy, and lower use of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC), compared to whites. Simultaneously researchers have found that unintended pregnancy is associated with poor pregnancy outcomes and pregnancy behaviors, including pre-term birth and late initiation of prenatal care, respectively. Due to the association of pregnancy intention and obstetrical outcomes, public health efforts have focused on the increase in contraception use among these populations as a way to decrease poor pregnancy outcomes. In this review, we present the current literature on unintended pregnancy and contraception use by racial and ethnic minorities in the United States and the association of pregnancy intention and obstetrical outcomes and place these associations within the social and historical context in which these patients live and make their reproductive choices.

The accuracy of using last menstrual period to determine gestational age for first trimester medication abortion: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to evaluate the accuracy of assessing gestational age (GA) prior to first trimester medication abortion using last menstrual period (LMP) compared to ultrasound (U/S). STUDY DESIGN: We searched Medline, Embase and Cochrane databases through October 2013 for peer-reviewed articles comparing LMP to U/S for GA dating in abortion care. Two teams of investigators independently evaluated data using standard abstraction forms. The US Preventive Services Task Force and Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies guidelines were used to assess quality. RESULTS: Of 318 articles identified, 5 met inclusion criteria. Three studies reported that 2.5-11.8% of women were eligible for medication abortion by LMP and ineligible by U/S. The number of women who underestimated GA using LMP compared to U/S ranged from 1.8 to 14.8%, with lower rates found when the sample was limited to a GA <63 days. Most women (90.5-99.1%) knew their LMP, 70.8-90.5% with certainty. CONCLUSION: Our results support that LMP can be used to assess GA prior to medication abortion at GA <63 days. Further research looking at patient outcomes and identifying women eligible for medication abortion by LMP but ineligible by U/S is needed to confirm the safety and effectiveness of providing medication abortion using LMP alone to determine GA.