Correction: Highly selective optical sensor N/S-doped carbon quantum dots (CQDs) for the assessment of human chorionic gonadotropin ß-hCG in the serum of breast and prostate cancer patients.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1039/D3RA01570J.].

Highly selective optical sensor N/S-doped carbon quantum dots (CQDs) for the assessment of human chorionic gonadotropin ß-hCG in the serum of breast and prostate cancer patients.

A low-cost, accurate, and highly selective method was used for the assessment of the human chorionic gonadotropin ß-hCG in the serum of breast and prostate cancer patients. This method is based on enhancing the intensity of luminescence displayed by the optical sensor N/S-doped carbon dots (CQDs) upon adding different concentrations of ß-hCG. The luminescent optical sensor was synthesized and characterized through absorption and emission and is tailored to present blue luminescence at λem = 345 nm and λex = 288 nm at pH 7.8 in DMSO. The enhancement of the luminescence intensity of the N/S-doped CQDs, especially, the characteristic band at λem = 345 nm, is typically used for determining ß-hCG in different serum samples. The dynamic range is 1.35-22.95 mU mL-1, and the limit of detection (LOD) and quantitation limit of detection (LOQ) are 0.235 and 0.670 mU mL-1, respectively. This method was practical, simple, and relatively free from interference effect. It was successfully applied to measure PCT in the samples of human serum, and from this method, we can assess some biomarkers of cancer-related diseases in human body.

Emerging advances and current applications of nanoMOF-based membranes for water treatment.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are significantly tunable materials that can be exploited in a wide range of applications. In recent years, a large number of studies have been focused on synthesizing nano-scale MOFs (nanoMOFs), thus taking advantage of these unique materials in various applications, especially those that are only possible at nano-scale. One of the technologies where nanoMOF materials occupy a central role is the membrane technology as one of the most efficient separation techniques. Therefore, numerous reports can be found on the enhancement of the physicochemical properties of polymeric membranes by using nanoMOFs, leading to remarkably improved performance. One of the most considerable applications of these nanoMOF-based membranes is in water treatment systems, because freshwater scarcity is now an undeniable crisis facing humanity. In this in-depth review, the most prominent synthesis and post-synthesis methods for the fabrication of nanoMOFs are initially discussed. Afterwards, different nanoMOF-based composite membranes such as thin-film nanocomposites (TFN) and mixed-matrix membranes (MMM) and their various fabrication methods are reviewed and compared. Then, the impacts of using MOFs-based membranes for water purification through growing metal-organic frameworks crystals on the support materials and utilization of metal-organic frameworks as fillers in mixed matrix membrane (MMM) are highlighted. Finally, a summary of pros and cons of using nanoMOFs in membrane technology for water treatment purposes and clear future prospects and research potentials are presented.

Validation of a novel UPLC-MS/MS method for estimation of metformin and empagliflozin simultaneously in human plasma using freezing lipid precipitation approach and its application to pharmacokinetic study.

A fast, sensitive one step UPLC ESI-MS/MS method was successfully applied for the simultaneous estimation of two concurrently administrated antidiabetic drugs, Metformin (MET) and Empagliflozin (EMPA) in human plasma. Metformin-d6 (MET-d6) and Empagliflozin-d4 (EMPA-d4) were utilized as internal standards. Extraction of the analytes from the human plasma was performed through acetonitrile precipitation technique followed by freezing the precipitated plasma proteins and lipids to minimize the matrix effect. Chromatographic analysis was developed on Acquity UPLC BEH C18 column (1.7 µm, 2.1 × 50 mm) using isocratic elution mode. A mobile phase of formic acid (0.01 %): acetonitrile (70:30 v/v) with a flow rate of 0.3 mL/min achieved optimum separation. Multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) in positive ion mode, with transitions at (m/z) 130.14 →71.08 for (MET), 451.72 →71.29 for (EMPA), 136.03 →77.02 for (MET-d6), and 455.43 → 75.05 for (EMPA-d4) was used for quantification. The obtained linearity covered the concentration ranges of 10-1500 ng/mL and 2.0-250.0 ng/mL for MET and EMPA, respectively. The run time of the proposed Method didn't exceed 3.0 min allowing faster analysis and determination of larger number of samples per day without affecting accuracy and sensitivity. The presented chromatographic method could be successfully applied in pharmacokinetics studies and therapeutic monitoring of MET and EMPA in patients' plasma administrating fixed dose combination of both drug with high reproducibility and ruggedness.

Highly Selective Optical Sensor Eu (TTA)3 Phen Embedded in Poly Methylmethacrylate for Assessment of Total Prostate Specific Antigen Tumor Marker in Male Serum Suffering Prostate Diseases.

A low-cost, simple, and highly selective method was used for the assessment of total prostate specific antigen (tPSA) in the serum of prostate cancer patients. This method is based on quenching the intensity of luminescence displayed by the optical sensor Eu (TTA)3 phen/poly methylmethacrylate (PMMA) thin membrane or film upon adding different concentrations of tPSA. The luminescent optical sensor was synthesized and characterized through absorption, emission, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and x-ray diffraction (XRD), and is tailored to present red luminescence at 614 nm upon excitation at 395 nm in water. The fabricated sensor fluorescence intensity is quenched in the presence of tPSA in aqueous media. The fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) is the main mechanism by which the sensor performs. The sensor was successfully utilized to estimate tPSA in the serum of patients suffering prostate cancer in a time and cost effective way. The statistical results of the method were satisfactory with 0.0469 ng mL-1 as a detection limit and 0.99 as a correlation coefficient.

Determination of uric acid in serum using an optical sensor based on binuclear Pd(II) 2-pyrazinecarboxamide-bipyridine doped in a sol gel matrix.

A new highly green luminescent binuclear palladium 2-pyrazinecarboxamide-bipyridine complex [Pd(pyc)(bpy)] was prepared and characterized. The binuclear Pd(pyc)(bpy) complex doped in sol-gel matrix has a strong luminescence intensity at 547 nm with λex = 330 nm in water The method depends on the quenching of the luminescence intensity of the binuclear Pd(pyc)(bpy) complex at 547 nm by different concentrations of uric acid. The remarkable quenching of the luminescence intensity of the binuclear Pd(pyc)(bpy) complex, doped in a sol-gel matrix, by uric acid was successfully used for the determination of uric acid in serum samples of patients with hypouricemia disease. The calibration plot was achieved over the concentration 3.9 × 10-9 to 1.2 × 10-4 mol L-1uric acid with a correlation coefficient of 0.9 and a detection limit of 1.8 × 10-10 mol L-1. The method was used satisfactorily for the assessment of the uric acid in a number of serum samples collected from various patients with Hypouricemia disease.

Alpha fetoprotein assessment by using a nano optical sensor thin film binuclear Pt-2-aminobenzimidazole-Bipyridine for early diagnosis of liver cancer.

A simple, precise and sensitive method in which, a nano optical sensor binuclear Pt-2-aminobenzimidazole-bipyridine, Pt(abi)(bpy) complex doped in sol gel is used for the early diagnosis of liver cancer. The idea depends on the assessment of the concentration of alpha fetoprotein (AFP) in the serum samples of different liver patients. The nano binuclear Pt(abi)(bpy) has strong emission spectrum upon excitation at 380 nm in distilled water. The assessment of alpha fetoprotein (AFP) depends on the quenching of the emission spectrum of the optical sensor at 610 nm in water by the alpha fetoprotein (AFP). The calibration plot was achieved over the concentration 5.0 - 350 U L-1 with a correlation coefficient of 0.997 and a detection limit of 3.0 U L-1. The method was used satisfactorily for the diagnosis of liver cancer in a number of serum samples collected from various patients and health state; healthy (≤ 30 U L-1), Virus B (42.2-69.5 U L-1), Virus C (75.7-98.4 U L-1), Cirrhosis (112-147 U L-1) and HCC (185.2-349.6 U L-1). Furthermore, the assessment of the alpha-fetoprotein by the proposed method increases its sensitivity (92.88%) and specificity (91.41%) for early diagnosis of HCC.

A highly selective and sensitive Tb3+-acetylacetone photo probe for the assessment of acetazolamide in pharmaceutical and serum samples.

A novel, simple, sensitive and selective spectrofluorimetric method was developed for the determination of Acetazolamide in pharmaceutical tablets and serum samples using photo probe Tb3+-ACAC. The Acetazolamide can remarkably quench the luminescence intensity of Tb3+-ACAC complex in DMSO at pH 6.8 and λex = 350 nm. The quenching of luminescence intensity of Tb3+-ACAC complex especially the electrical band at λem = 545 nm is used for the assessment of Acetazolamide in the pharmaceutical tablet and serum samples. The dynamic range found for the determination of Acetazolamide concentration is 4.49 × 10-9-1.28 × 10-7 mol L-1, and the limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) are (4.0 × 10-9 and 1.21 × 10-8) mol L-1, respectively.

Durable diagnosis of seminal vesicle and sexual gland diseases using the nano optical sensor thin film Sm-doxycycline complex.

A new method in which a nano optical sensor for diagnosis of different diseases of seminal vesicle and sexual gland was prepared. The working principle of the method depends on the determination of the fructose concentration in semen of different patients by using nano optical sensor thin film Sm-doxycycline doped in sol-gel matrix. The assay is based on the quenching of the characteristic emission bands of Sm(3+) present in silica doped Sm-doxycycline nanooptode thin film by different fructose concentrations in acetonitrile at λex = 400 nm. This method was optimized for parameters, such as, solvent effect, operational stability, shelf life and interference parameters. Good and reproducible linearity (1 × 10(-9) - 5.0 × 10(-5) mol L(-1)) with a detection limit of 9.0 × 10(-10) mol L(-1) and quantification limit of detection (LOQ) 2.7 × 10(-9) mol L(-1) were obtained. Seminal fructose determination in different patient samples after appropriate dilutions confirmed the reliability of this technique. The method was successfully applied for routine fructose monitoring in human semen samples of different cases such as; obstructive and non-obstructive azoospermia, inflammation of male accessory glands, atrophy of seminal vesicle, congenital vas deferens and retrograde ejaculation.

Synthesis and characterization of new light emitter symmetrical phenoxazinium salt and its potential application as sensor for assessment of Hg2+.

The sensitization of the excited triplet state of a novel symmetrical Bis(dialkylamino)phenoxazinium salt was developed in the presence of Hg(2+). This effect was used to determine the concentration of Hg(2+) in different water samples. The phenoxazinium salt sensor was characterized by different spectroscopic tools such as: UV, FTIR, NMR and fluorescence spectra. The sensor has an emission band at 347 nm in DMSO. Hg(2+) in DMSO at pH 5.6 can remarkably quench the fluorescence intensity of the sensor at 347 nm and a new band was appeared at 436 nm due to the strong complex formation between Hg(2+) and sensor. The quenching of the band intensity at 347 and the enhancement of the intensity of the new band at 436 were used to determine the Hg(2+) in different waste water samples. The dynamic range found for the determination of Hg(2+) concentration is 8.7 × 10(-10) - 1.4 × 10(-6) mol L(-1) with a detection limit of 5.8 × 10(-10) mol L(-1) and quantification detection limit of 1.8 × 10(-9) mol L(-1).

A Novel Method for the Assessment of Cortisol Hormone in Different Body Fluids Using A New Photo Probe Thiazole Derivative.

A low cost and accurate method for the detection and analytical determination of the cortisol in pharmaceutical preparation, blood serum and urine was developed. The method was based upon the enhancement of fluorescence intensity of the band at 424 nm of the photo probe by different cortisol concentrations in acetonitrile at (pH 5.7, λex = 320 nm). The influence of the different parameters, e.g. pH, solvent, cortisol concentration and foreign ions concentrations that control the enhancement process of fluorescence intensity of the band of photo probe was critically investigated. The remarkable enhancement of the fluorescence intensity at 424 nm in acetonitrile by various concentrations of cortisol was successfully used as a photo- probe for the assessment of cortisol concentration. The calibration plot was achieved over the concentration range 8.0 × 10(-6)-5.5 × 10(-9) mol L(-1) cortisol with a correlation coefficient of 0.998 and a detection limit of 4.7 × 10(-9) mol L(-1). The developed method is simple and proceeds without practical artifacts compared to the other determination methods.

Determination of ofloxacin using a highly selective photo probe based on the enhancement of the luminescence intensity of Eu3+--ofloxacin complex in pharmaceutical and serum samples.

A rapid, simple and sensitive spectrofluorimetric method for determination of trace amount of ofloxacin was developed. At pH 5.1 the ofloxacin enhances the luminescence intensity of the Eu(3+) ion in Eu(3+)- ofloxacin complex at λ(ex) = 365 nm. The produced luminescence intensity of Eu(3+)-ofloxacin complex was in proportional to the concentration of ofloxacin. The working range for the determination of ofloxacin was 5.0 × 10(-9)-5.0 × 10(-6) mol L(-1) with lower detection limit (LOD) and quantitative detection limit (QDL) of 3 × 10(-9) and 9 × 10(-9) mol L(-1), respectively. The enhancement mechanism of the luminescence intensity in the Eu(3+)-ofloxacin system has been also explained. The method revealed good selectivity for ofloxacin in the presence of coexisting substances and used successfully for the assay of ofloxacin in pharmaceutical preparations and serum. A comparison with other standard methods was also discussed.

Spectrofluorimetric assessment of hydrochlorothiazide using optical sensor nano-composite terbium ion doped in sol-gel matrix.

A new, simple, sensitive and selective spectrofluorimetric method for the determination of Hydrochlorothiazide was developed in acetonitrile at pH 6.2. The Hydrochlorothiazide can remarkably enhance the luminescence intensity of the Tb(3+) ion doped in sol-gel matrix at λ(ex) = 370 nm. The intensity of the emission band of Tb(3+) ion doped in sol-gel matrix was increased due to the energy transfer from the triplet excited state of Hydrochlorothiazide to ((5)D(4)) excited energy state of Tb(3) ion. The enhancement of the emission band of Tb(3+) ion doped in sol-gel matrix at ((5)D(4)→(7)F(5)) 545 nm was directly proportion to the concentration of Hydrochlorothiazide with a dynamic ranges of 5.0 × 10(-10)-5.0 × 10(-6) mol L(-1) and detection limit of 2.2 × 10(-11) mol L(-1).

Cilostazol determination by the enhancement of the green emission of Tb3+ optical sensor.

The efficiency of excited-state interaction between Tb(3+) and the industrial product Cilostazol (CIL) has been studied in different solvents. High luminescence intensity peak at 545 nm of terbium complex in acetonitrile was obtained. The photophysical properties of the green emissive Tb(3+) complex have been elucidated, the terbium was used as optical sensor for the assessment of CIL in the pharmaceutical tablets and body fluids at pH 3.1 and λ(ex) = 320 nm with a concentration range 1.0 × 10(-9)-1.0 × 10(-6) mol L(-1) of CIL, correlation coefficient of 0.998 and detection limit of 7.5 × 10(-10) mol L(-1).