Ultrafast humidity sensor based on liquid phase exfoliated graphene.

Humidity sensing is important to a variety of technologies and industries, ranging from environmental and industrial monitoring to medical applications. Although humidity sensors abound, few available solutions are thin, transparent, compatible with large-area sensor production and flexible, and almost none are fast enough to perform human respiration monitoring through breath detection or real-time finger proximity monitoring via skin humidity sensing. This work describes chemiresistive graphene-based humidity sensors produced in few steps with facile liquid phase exfoliation followed by Langmuir-Blodgett assembly that enables active areas of practically any size. The graphene sensors provide a unique mix of performance parameters, exhibiting resistance changes up to 10% with varying humidity, linear performance over relative humidity (RH) levels between 8% and 95%, weak response to other constituents of air, flexibility, transparency of nearly 80%, and response times of 30 ms. The fast response to humidity is shown to be useful for respiration monitoring and real-time finger proximity detection, with potential applications in flexible touchless interactive panels.

Full-Self-Powered Humidity Sensor Based on Electrochemical Aluminum-Water Reaction.

A detailed examination of the principle of operation behind the functioning of the full-self-powered humidity sensor is presented. The sensor has been realized as a structure consisting of an interdigitated capacitor with aluminum thin-film digits. In this work, the details of its fabrication and activation are described in detail. The performed XRD, FTIR, SEM, AFM, and EIS analyses, as well as noise measurements, revealed that the dominant process of electricity generation is the electrochemical reaction between the sensor's aluminum electrodes and the water from humid air in the presence of oxygen, which was the main goal of this work. The response of the sensor to human breath is also presented as a demonstration of its possible practical application.

Cold Atmospheric Plasma Changes the Amino Acid Composition of Solutions and Influences the Anti-Tumor Effect on Melanoma Cells.

Cold Atmospheric Plasma (CAP) is an ionized gas near room temperature. Its anti-tumor effect can be transmitted either by direct treatment or mediated by a plasma-treated solution (PTS), such as treated standard cell culture medium, which contains different amino acids, inorganic salts, vitamins and other substances. Despite extensive research, the active components in PTS and its molecular or cellular mechanisms are not yet fully understood. The purpose of this study was the measurement of the reactive species in PTS and their effect on tumor cells using different plasma modes and treatment durations. The PTS analysis yielded mode- and dose-dependent differences in the production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS), and in the decomposition and modification of the amino acids Tyrosine (Tyr) and Tryptophan (Trp). The Trp metabolites Formylkynurenine (FKyn) and Kynurenine (Kyn) were produced in PTS with the 4 kHz (oxygen) mode, inducing apoptosis in Mel Im melanoma cells. Nitrated derivatives of Trp and Tyr were formed in the 8 kHz (nitrogen) mode, elevating the p16 mRNA expression and senescence-associated ß-Galactosidase staining. In conclusion, the plasma mode has a strong impact on the composition of the active components in PTS and affects its anti-tumor mechanism. These findings are of decisive importance for the development of plasma devices and the effectiveness of tumor treatment.

Synthesis, Surface Modification and Magnetic Properties Analysis of Heat-Generating Cobalt-Substituted Magnetite Nanoparticles.

Here, we present the results of the synthesis, surface modification, and properties analysis of magnetite-based nanoparticles, specifically Co0.047Fe2.953O4 (S1) and Co0.086Fe2.914O4 (S2). These nanoparticles were synthesized using the co-precipitation method at 80 °C for 2 h. They exhibit a single-phase nature and crystallize in a spinel-type structure (space group Fd3¯m). Transmission electron microscopy analysis reveals that the particles are quasi-spherical in shape and approximately 11 nm in size. An observed increase in saturation magnetization, coercivity, remanence, and blocking temperature in S2 compared to S1 can be attributed to an increase in magnetocrystalline anisotropy due to the incorporation of Co ions in the crystal lattice of the parent compound (Fe3O4). The heating efficiency of the samples was determined by fitting the Box-Lucas equation to the acquired temperature curves. The calculated Specific Loss Power (SLP) values were 46 W/g and 23 W/g (under HAC = 200 Oe and f = 252 kHz) for S1 and S2, respectively. Additionally, sample S1 was coated with citric acid (Co0.047Fe2.953O4@CA) and poly(acrylic acid) (Co0.047Fe2.953O4@PAA) to obtain stable colloids for further tests for magnetic hyperthermia applications in cancer therapy. Fits of the Box-Lucas equation provided SLP values of 21 W/g and 34 W/g for CA- and PAA-coated samples, respectively. On the other hand, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis points to the catalytically active centers Fe2+/Fe3+ and Co2+/Co3+ on the particle surface, suggesting possible applications of the samples as heterogeneous self-heating catalysts in advanced oxidation processes under an AC magnetic field.

Low Au-content CoAu electrodes for environmental applications.

Six cobalt gold (CoAu) electrodes were prepared by electroless deposition using different gold-containing solutions (acidic and weakly acidic) and different Au deposition times. Characterization of CoAu electrodes was done by scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, N2-sorption, and X-ray powder diffraction techniques. The possibility of using the prepared electrodes in environmental applications, i.e., for the electrochemical sensing of a trace amount of arsenic(iii) in weakly alkaline media was assessed. Employing the CoAu electrode (prepared by immersing Co/Cu into 1 mM HAuCl4 (pH 1.8) at 30 °C for 30 s) under optimized conditions (deposition potential -0.7 V and deposition time of 60 s), a low limit of detection of 2.16 ppb was obtained. Finally, this CoAu electrode showed activity for arsenic oxidation in the presence of Cu(ii) as a model interferent as well as in real samples. Furthermore, the use of CoAu electrode as an anode in fuel cells, namely, direct borohydride - hydrogen peroxide fuel cells was also assessed. A peak power density of 191 mW cm-2 was attained at 25 °C for DBHPFC with CoAu anode at a current density of 201 mA cm-2 and cell voltage of 0.95 V, respectively. The peak power density further increased with the increase of the operating temperature to 55 °C.

Electrochemical Determination of Morphine in Urine Samples by Tailoring FeWO4/CPE Sensor.

Morphine (MORPH) is natural alkaloid and mainly used as a pain reliever. Its monitoring in human body fluids is crucial for modern medicine. In this paper, we have developed an electrochemical sensor for submicromolar detection of MORPH. The sensor is based on modified carbon paste electrode (CPE) by investigating the FexW1-xO4 ratio in iron tungstate (FeWO4), as well as the ratio of this material in CPE. For the first time, the effect of the iron-tungsten ratio in terms of achieving the best possible electrochemical characteristics for the detection of an important molecule for humans was examined. Morphological and electrochemical characteristics of materials were studied. The best results were obtained using Fe1W3 and 7.5% of modifier in CPE. For MORPH detection, square wave voltammetry (SWV) was optimized. Under the optimized conditions, Fe1W3@CPE resulted in limit of detection (LOD) of the method of 0.58 µM and limit of quantification (LOQ) of 1.94 µM. The linear operating range between 5 and 85 µM of MORPH in the Britton-Robinson buffer solution (BRBS) at pH 8 as supporting electrolyte was obtained. The Fe1W3@CPE sensor resulted in good selectivity and excellent repeatability with relative standard deviation (RSD) and was applied in real-world samples of human urine. Application for direct MORPH detection, without tedious sample pretreatment procedures, suggests that developed electrochemical sensor has appeared to be a suitable competitor for efficient, precise, and accurate monitoring of the MORPH in biological fluids.

The development of biologics to target SARS-CoV2: Treatment potential of antibodies in patient groups with poor immune response.

Development of novel antibodies to combat the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus is ongoing. Importantly, particular subgroups are more prone to severe disease, namely patients with poor immune responses. This includes cancer patients with solid and haematological disease, solid organ transplant (SOT) patients and those with congenital or acquired immunodeficiency. Outcomes for patients with poor immune responses receiving antibody therapy for underlying disease and SARS-CoV-2 severe infection are undergoing investigation. The objective of this study was to perform a search on patients with poor immune responses with severe SARS-CoV-2 infection, to assess if antibody therapy is beneficial in such populations. We performed searches using PubMED and medrXiv up to May 2021 of patients with solid and hematologic malignancy, SOT patients and acquired or congenital immunodeficiency. The primary outcome was to assess if antibody therapy was included during SARS-CoV-2 infection and the clinical outcomes of such treatment in this population. Here we find that there is a repurposing of monoclonal antibodies to target cytokine release syndrome, along with the use of convalescent plasma (CP). Despite CP demonstrating promising results, we reiterate evidence that CP forces mutational escape and subsequent variant development. Repurposing of antibody therapies (such as Tocilizumab) proved effective, especially in SOT patients. This also potentially opens an avenue for the use of anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike protein neutralizing monoclonal antibodies; however, studies have yet to focus on patients with poor immune responses as a subpopulation.

Cymbopogon citratus essential oil: an active principle of nanoemulsion against Enterococcus faecalis root canal biofilm.

Aim: The objective was to formulate and characterize the nanoemulsion based on Cymbopogon citratus oil, intended for use in infected teeth root canal therapy. The investigation of the antioxidant and antibiofilm potential toward Enterococcus faecalis was aimed as well. Materials & methods: Characterization of oil (by GC/MS analysis) and nanoemulsion (by dynamic light scattering instrument), and determination of antibacterial (by microdilution assay), antibiofilm (by crystal violet assay) and antioxidant properties (by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate and thiobarbituric acid assay methods) were provided. Antibiofilm efficacy of irrigation procedure including nanoemulsion was screened on extracted teeth (by CFU-counting assay). Results: Notable antibacterial and antibiofilm activity, both against forming and preformed biofilms of oil, was observed. Irrigation involved nanoemulsion showed remarkable antibiofilm potential. Both substances induced some antioxidant activity. Conclusion: Results encourage further research with the aim of application of the nanoemulsion in dental practice.

Dominant pole placement with fractional order PID controllers: D-decomposition approach.

Dominant pole placement is a useful technique designed to deal with the problem of controlling a high order or time-delay systems with low order controller such as the PID controller. This paper tries to solve this problem by using D-decomposition method. Straightforward analytic procedure makes this method extremely powerful and easy to apply. This technique is applicable to a wide range of transfer functions: with or without time-delay, rational and non-rational ones, and those describing distributed parameter systems. In order to control as many different processes as possible, a fractional order PID controller is introduced, as a generalization of classical PID controller. As a consequence, it provides additional parameters for better adjusting system performances. The design method presented in this paper tunes the parameters of PID and fractional PID controller in order to obtain good load disturbance response with a constraint on the maximum sensitivity and sensitivity to noise measurement. Good set point response is also one of the design goals of this technique. Numerous examples taken from the process industry are given, and D-decomposition approach is compared with other PID optimization methods to show its effectiveness.

Design and preparation of 90Y-labeled imidodiphosphate- and inositol hexaphosphate-coated magnetic nanoparticles for possible medical applications.

Radiolabeled magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) coated with hydrophilic phosphate ligands, i.e., imidodiphosphate (IDP) and inositol hexaphosphate (IHP), were developed as multifunctional agents to localize both radioactivity and magnetic energy at a tumor site. The coating of MNPs with phosphates made them biocompatible, increased their colloidal stability and allowed binding of the radionuclide 90Y to the available functional groups on the surface of the MNPs. IDP and IHP have not hitherto been used for the coating of MNPs and the results of this study of the functionalized MNPs showed that the phosphate groups influenced the modification of the surface of MNPs. Characterization of the MNPs was performed using X-ray powder diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering and laser Doppler electrophoresis. The specific power absorption values obtained for MNPs (46.95-80.76 W g-1) in different physiological media indicated their possible application in hyperthermia treatment. Both types of coated MNPs were 90Y-labeled in a reproducible high yield (>98%). In vitro studies of 90Y-MNPs in saline and human serum showed their high stability after 72 h. The biodistribution pattern of the MNPs after intravenous administration to healthy Wistar rats was followed by the radiotracer method, revealing that 90Y-Fe3O4-IDP and 90Y-Fe3O4-IHP MNPs were predominantly found in the liver (85.21% ID and 86.22% ID), followed by the spleen (9.23% ID and 8.82% ID) and the lungs (1.53% ID and 1.53% ID). The results of this comprehensive study showed that radiolabeled biocompatible phosphate magnetic complexes hold great promise for therapeutic uses combining magnetic hyperthermia and radiotherapy.

Complementary approaches for the evaluation of biocompatibility of 90Y-labeled superparamagnetic citric acid (Fe,Er)3O4 coated nanoparticles.

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) are of immense interest for diagnostic and therapeutic applications in medicine. Design and development of new iron oxide-based MNPs for such applications is of rather limited breadth without reliable and sensitive methods to determine their levels in body tissues. Commonly used methods, such as ICP, are quite problematic, due to the inability to decipher the origin of the detected iron, i.e. whether it originates from the MNPs or endogenous from tissues and bodily fluids. One of the approaches to overcome this problem and to increase reliability of tracing MNPs is to partially substitute iron ions in the MNPs with Er. Here, we report on the development of citric acid coated (Fe,Er)3O4 nanoparticles and characterization of their physico-chemical and biological properties by utilization of various complementary approaches. The synthesized MNPs had a narrow (6-7nm) size distribution, as consistently seen in atomic pair distribution function, transmission electron microscopy, and DC magnetization measurements. The particles were found to be superparamagnetic, with a pronounced maximum in measured zero-field cooled magnetization at around 90K. Reduction in saturation magnetization due to incorporation of 1.7% Er3+ into the Fe3O4 matrix was clearly observed. From the biological standpoint, citric acid coated (Fe,Er)3O4 NPs were found to induce low toxicity both in human cell fibroblasts and in zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos. Biodistribution pattern of the MNPs after intravenous administration in healthy Wistar rats was followed by the radiotracer method, revealing that 90Y-labeled MNPs were predominantly found in liver (75.33% ID), followed by lungs (16.70% ID) and spleen (2.83% ID). Quantitative agreement with these observations was obtained by ICP-MS elemental analysis using Er as the detected tracer. Based on the favorable physical, chemical and biological characteristics, citric acid coated (Fe,Er)3O4 MNPs could be further considered for the potential application as a diagnostic and/or therapeutic agent. This work also demonstrates that combined application of these techniques is a promising tool for studies of pharmacokinetics of the new MNPs in complex biological systems.