Polymer-Based Terbium Complex as a Fluorescent Probe for Cancer Antigen 125 Detection: A Promising Tool for Early Diagnosis of Ovarian Cancer.

A novel photoprobe, Tb-acetylacetone (Tb-ACAC) doped within a modified epoxy cellulose polymer immobilized with CA-125 monoclonal antibody, offers an accurate and highly selective method for early ovarian cancer (OC) diagnosis by detecting cancer antigen 125 (CA-125) in serum samples. This approach leverages quenching of the Tb-ACAC luminescence upon binding to CA-125. Characterization of the photoprobe film through UV-vis and fluorescence measurements confirmed the presence of Tb-ACAC within the polymer matrix. In aqueous solution (pH 6.8, λex = 365 nm), the characteristic emission band of Tb-ACAC at λem = 546.2 nm exhibited significant quenching upon CA-125 binding. This quenching effect enabled the sensitive and specific detection of CA-125 in diverse serum samples from OC patients, demonstrating the applicability, simplicity, and effectiveness of this novel approach.

A highly selective optical sensor Eu-BINAM for assessment of high sensitivity cardiac troponin tumor marker in serum of cancer patients.

A novel, easy, touchy and selective spectrofluorimetric technique has been successfully applied for sensitive determination of High Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin (TNHS I) in the serum samples of patients suffering malignant tumors through the usage of optical sensor Eu3+-BINAM complex. The technique is primarily based on quenching of the Eu3+-BINAM complex's luminescence intensity upon introducing various concentrations of High Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin (TNHS I). The synthesis and characterization of the optical sensor was performed via absorption and emission. The sensor was also adapted to offer excitation at 394 nm in acetonitrile at pH 7.5. Concentration of High Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin (TNHS I) in serum samples was found to be proportional to the luminescence intensity quenching of the Eu3+-BINAM complex, most prominently at λem = 618 nm. The limit of the dynamic range is 4.26 × 10-4 to 2 ng/mL. The limit of detection and quantitation were calculated to be 1.35 and 4.10 ng/mL, respectively. The suggested analytical approach proved its applicability, simplicity and comparatively interference- free. The technique was effectively recruited to quantify High Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin (TNHS I) in human serum samples. The proposed technique could be further extended to evaluate some biomarkers associated with malignancy related diseases in human.

Cobalt doped titania-carbon nanosheets with induced oxygen vacancies for photocatalytic degradation of uranium complexes in radioactive wastes.

The photocatalytic degradation of uranium complexes is considered among the most efficient techniques for the efficient removal of uranium ions/complexes from radioactive wastewater. Described here is a nanostructured photocatalyst based on a cobalt-doped TiO2 composite with induced oxygen vacancies (Co@TiO2-C) for the photocatalytic removal of uranium complexes from contaminated water. The synergy between oxygen vacancies and Co-doping produced a material with a 1.7 eV bandgap, while the carbon network facilitates electron movement and hinders the e-h recombination. As a result, the new photocatalyst enables the decomposition of uranium-arsenazo iii complexes (U-ARZ3), followed by photocatalytic reduction of hexavalent uranium to insoluble tetravalent uranium. Combined with the nanosheet structure's high surface area, the photocatalytic decomposition, reduction efficiency, and kinetics were significantly enhanced, achieving almost complete U(vi) removal in less than 20 minutes from solution with a concentration as high as 1000 mL g-1. Moreover, the designed photocatalyst exhibits excellent stability and reusability without decreasing the photocatalytic performance after 5 cycles.

A highly selective and sensitive spectrofluorimetric method for the assessment of 3-nitrotyrosine in serum using (Eu(TTA)3Phen) photo probe.

A simple, accurate and fast method was developed for the assessment of 3-nitrotyrosine as a biomarker for the early diagnosis of liver cirrhosis with minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) using a (Eu(TTA)3Phen) photo probe. 3-Nitrotyrosine can remarkably quench the luminescence intensity of the (Eu(TTA)3Phen) complex in DMSO at pH = 9 and λ em = 617 nm. The quenching of the luminescence intensity of (Eu(TTA)3Phen) complex particularly the electrical emission band at λ em = 617 nm is used for the assessment of 3-nitrotyrosine in different serum samples of patients with liver cirrhosis.

Tb3+-atorvastatin doped in poly(ethylene glycol) optical biosensor for selective determination of progesterone and testosterone in serum samples.

An innovative, simple and cost effective Tb3+-atorvastatin photo probe was designed and used as a core for a spectrofluorometric approach to sensitively determine two vital biological compounds in serum samples. Tb3+-atorvastatin complex displays a characteristic electrical band with λ em at 545 nm with significant luminescence intensity, which is quenched in the presence of progesterone and testosterone at two variant sets of pH; 6.2 and 7.5, respectively. The conditions were optimized and the best solvent for operation was found to be acetonitrile with λ ex at 320 nm. Progesterone and testosterone were assessed in serum samples using the same optimal conditions within concentration ranges of 2 × 10-9 to 2.9 × 10-6 and 3.1 × 10-9 to 4.8 × 10-6 mol L-1, respectively. The proposed luminescence method was validated in accordance to ICH guidelines and found to be accurate, precise and specific and free from any interference. The cost effectiveness and applicability of the method make it a good choice for routine analysis of the two compounds and early diagnosis of chronic diseases associated with abnormalities in their physiological levels.

New Tb3+-simvastatin optical biosensor for sensitive determination of folic acid, progesterone, testosterone and vitamin D3 in biological fluids.

An innovative, simple and cost effective Tb3+-simvastatin photo probe was designed and used as a core for a spectrofluorometric approach to sensitively determine four vital biological compounds in different matrices. A Tb3+-simvastatin complex displays a characteristic electrical band with λ em at 545 nm with significant luminescence intensity, which is quenched in the presence of folic acid, progesterone, testosterone and vitamin D3 at four variant sets of pH: 5.0, 6.2, 7.5 and 9.0, respectively. The conditions were optimized and the best solvent for operation was found to be acetonitrile at λ ex at 340 nm. Folic acid was successfully estimated in tablet dosage form, urine and serum in the concentration range of 2.49 × 10-9 to 1.28 × 10-6 mol L-1. Progesterone, testosterone and vitamin D3 were also assessed in serum samples using the same optimal conditions within concentration ranges of 5 × 10-9 to 1.9 × 10-6, 5 × 10-9 to 2.8 × 10-6 and 5 × 10-9 to 4.2 × 10-6 mol L-1, respectively. The proposed luminescence method was validated in accordance with ICH guidelines and found to be accurate, precise, and specific and free from any interference at the working pH for each analyte. The cost effectiveness and applicability of the method make it a good choice for routine analysis of the four compounds and early diagnosis of chronic diseases associated with abnormalities in their physiological levels.

Simultaneous determination of Avanafil and Dapoxetine in human plasma using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) based on a protein precipitation technique.

A rapid and selective LC-MS/MS method is described for the simultaneous assay of Avanafil and Dapoxetine in human plasma via a protein precipitation (PP) sample preparation technique. Tadalafil was chosen as the internal standard reaching good recovery and reproducibility while diminishing the effects of the matrix. An Agilent Zorbax Eclipse XDB C18 column (4.6 × 50 mm, 1.8 µm) was used for the chromatographic separation and analysis, while 0.1% formic acid : acetonitrile (60 : 40, v/v) was utilized at a flow rate of 0.5 mL min-1. It was revealed that 6 min stop time accomplished the best separation. The assay was linear over the range of 10-6000 ng mL-1 for both drugs. The established bio-analytical method validation was demonstrated following US-FDA recommendations including sensitivity, selectivity, linearity, accuracy and precision. Furthermore, other validation parameters were assessed such as the dilution integrity, matrix effect, carryover, and analyte stability during both short- and long-term sample processing and storage. The adopted method was efficaciously applied to a clinical study for the concurrent determination of Avanafil and Dapoxetine in human plasma.

Highly Efficient Gold Nano-Flower Optical Biosensor Doped in a Sol-Gel/PEG Matrix for the Determination of a Calcitonin Biomarker in Different Serum Samples.

We developed a novel, simple, sensitive, accurate, and precise method for the determination of calcitonin in different serum samples with medullar thyroid carcinoma. The designed flower-like thin film gold nanoparticles doped in a sol-gel/polyethylene glycol mold are used as an optical biosensor for the efficient determination of calcitonin. The sensor was characterized by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The efficiency of the considered bio-sensor is done using the quencher calcitonin of the emission band at 360 nm of biomarker obtained at λex = 333 nm in acetonitrile solvent. The sensing mechanism was based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer. The remarkable quenching of the fluorescence intensity at 360 nm of optical sensor by various concentrations of calcitonin was successfully used as an optical biosensor for the assessment of calcitonin for different serum samples of patients with medullar thyroid carcinoma. The calibration plot was prepared for the concentration range 0.01-1000 pg/mL of calcitonin with a correlation coefficient of 0.99 and a detection limit of 0.707 pg/mL. The suggested method augments the sensitivity of calcitonin as a useful biomarker for the early diagnosis of medullar thyroid carcinoma. This method is considered as a gateway for the construction of a new prototype for the follow-up of thyroid cancer in the spinal cord during and after treatment.

Testing the validity of reference standard materials and stock solutions of veterinary drugs using LC-MS/MS.

This paper reports a practical approach for the stability testing of 37 veterinary drugs in stock standard solutions stored at -20°C for 1-3 years and the study of expiry date extension of 7 expired reference standard materials stored at 4°C. Stored stock solutions were compared versus freshly prepared stock solutions and concentrations determined using LC-MS/MS. The validity of expired reference materials was tested by new valid reference materials. LC-MS/MS method and parameters were optimised to get the maximum signal stability of the analytes. Statistical analysis was developed and performed to evaluate the stability results according to the acceptability criteria of 10% set by the European Commission guidance document SANTE/11813/2017. The stability of most of the stock solutions of the following veterinary drug families: ß-agonists, illegal dyes, inhibitors, macrolides, penicillins, quinolones, sulfonamides and tetracyclines ranged from 12 to 36 months. ß-Agonist compounds have the maximum stability period of 36 months while penicillin's stock solution in methanol showed the least stability. The results of testing the expiry date extension of reference standard materials demonstrated that there was no any deterioration of all tested compounds after manufacturer expiry date by 4-7 years.

Medial approach open reduction with ligamentum teres partial excision and plication for the management of congenital hip dislocation.

Because of the known tendency for early redislocation following open reduction, we developed surgical methods for shortening the ligamentum teres to improve immediate postoperative stability when performing medial approach open reduction (MAOR) for the management of developmental dysplasia of the hip. Between 2004 and 2014, 32 patients with dysplasia of the hip were managed by MAOR with partial excision and plication of ligamentum teres. The patients were followed up for an average of 6.9 years. At the final follow-up, clinical outcomes achieved were categorized as excellent and good in 39 (39/40; 97.5%) hips. At the latest follow-up, 97.5% (39 hips) were classified as good or excellent on the basis of the Severin classification (Severin grade 1 or 2). In conclusion, this series of MAOR, in which ligamentum teres partial excision and plication was utilized, we found stable reduction in all hips. On the basis of these positive results, we recommend this method for children treated with MAOR. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV: case series.

Lateral Extracavitary Approach Versus Posterior Extensive Circumferential Decompression in the Treatment of Complicated Thoracic and Lumbar Tuberculous Spondylitis.

OBJECTIVES AND STUDY DESIGN: The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate 45 patients operated upon either by posterior extensive circumferential decompression (PECD) or by the lateral extracavitary (LEC) technique and compare the clinical, radiologic, laboratory, and functional outcomes. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND: The debate continues on the best decompression-fusion technique for treating complicated spinal tuberculosis. In recent times, the advantages of combined surgery have been successfully achieved using the 1-stage salvage technique, with enough accessibility to all 3 spinal columns. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2011 to December 2013, 51 patients with complicated spinal tuberculous were surgically treated at our department. After gaining the approval of the local ethics committee, 45 patients and their records were available for evaluation. The patients were divided into 2 groups. Group I included 23 patients treated with PECD and group II included 22 patients treated with LEC. Two authors and an independent observer performed the final clinical assessment by means of clinical examination and by using the Visual Analog Scale and Oswestery Disability Index for determining pain, disability, and quality of life. The radiographs were reviewed independently by 3 authors and a radiologist for fusion, kyphotic angle, and angle loss rate. Neurological assessment using the American Spinal Injury Association motor index was performed by 2 authors and a neurologist independently. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 36±5.5 months. In all patients, local symptoms were relieved significantly postoperatively. There were no major complications in this series. Three patients contracted superficial wound infection and 2 developed intercostal neuralgia. Both complications resolved uneventfully and did not influence the outcome. Solid interbody fusion was diagnosed in 43 cases (95.6%). Deformity correction and neurological recovery were significantly improved in both groups (P<0.001). PECD showed better results than LEC. CONCLUSIONS: Both procedures attained good results for maintained deformity correction, bony fusion, spinal cord decompression, and neurological improvement in complicated tuberculous spondylitis. However, PECD may be superior to LEC.