Prospects of Nanotechnology in Clinical Immunodiagnostics

Nanostructured materials are promising compounds that offer new opportunities as sensing platforms for the detection of biomolecules. Having micrometer-scale length and nanometer-scale diameters, nanomaterials can be manipulated with current nanofabrication methods, as well as self-assembly techniques, to fabricate nanoscale bio-sensing devices. Nanostructured materials possess extraordinary physical, mechanical, electrical, thermal and multifunctional properties. Such unique properties advocate their use as biomimetic membranes to immobilize and modify biomolecules on the surface of nanoparticles. Alignment, uniform dispersion, selective growth and diameter control are general parameters which play critical roles in the successful integration of nanostructures for the fabrication of bioelectronic sensing devices. In this review, we focus on different types and aspects of nanomaterials, including their synthesis, properties, conjugation with biomolecules and their application in the construction of immunosensing devices. Some key results from each cited article are summarized by relating the concept and mechanism behind each sensor, experimental conditions and the behavior of the sensor under different conditions, etc. The variety of nanomaterial-based bioelectronic devices exhibiting novel functions proves the unique properties of nanomaterials in such sensing devices, which will surely continue to expand in the future. Such nanomaterial based devices are expected to have a major impact in clinical immunodiagnostics, environmental monitoring, security surveillance and for ensuring food safety

Synthesis, crystal structure, and characterization of cyclohexylammonium tetraisothiocyanatocobaltate(II): A single-source precursor for cobalt sulfide and oxide nanostructures

We successfully synthesized 3D supramolecular structure of cyclohexylammonium tetraisothiocyanatocobaltate(II) complex, (C6H11NH3)2[Co(NCS)4], in almost a quantitative yield by using metathesis and ligand addition reactions. The new complex was characterized by various techniques such as FTIR, UV-Visible, PXRD, SXRD, and CV electrochemical analysis to investigate mainly its structure. Based on the results of these techniques, the formation of the desired complex was confirmed. The TGA for this complex indicated the utilization of this complex as a single-source precursor for the synthesis of cobalt sulfide (CoS) under helium atmosphere and tricobalt tetraoxide (Co3O4) under air. Investigation of pyrolysis products by PXRD proved the formation of CoS and Co3O4. Furthermore, morphology studies by SEM and TEM displayed the formation of CoS and Co3O4 nanoparticles with various shapes

Crystal structure of cyclohexylammonium thiocyanate

In the title salt, C6H11NH3+·SCN−, the cyclohexylammonium ring adopts a slightly distorted chair conformation. The ammonium group occupies an equatorial position to minimize 1,3 and 1,5 diaxial interactions. In the crystal, the components are linked by N—H...N and N—H...S hydrogen-bonding interactions, resulting in a three-dimensional network

Patient-related risk factors of prosthetic joint infections following total hip and knee arthroplasty at King Abdulaziz Medical City, a 10-year retrospective study

Abstract Background Total joint arthroplasty (TJA) can be associated with the development of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). It is necessary to determine the modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors of PJI to provide optimum healthcare to TJA candidates. Methods This single-center retrospective review investigated 1198 patients who underwent TJA from 2012 to 2022. The data analysis comprised two stages. The first stage was a descriptive analysis, while the second stage was a bivariate analysis. The sociodemographic data, medical history, operative details, and presence of PJI postoperatively were evaluated. Results The study sample consisted of 1198 patients who underwent TJA. The mean patient age was 63 years. Among the patients, only 1.3% had PJI. No comorbidity was significantly related to PJI. General anesthesia was used in almost 21% of the patients and was significantly associated with a higher risk of infection (p = 0.049). An increased operative time was also significantly related to PJI (p = 0.012). Conversely, tranexamic acid (TXA) administration was a protective factor against PJI (p = 0.017). Conclusion Although PJI is not a common complication of TJA, multiple risk factors such as general anesthesia and prolonged operative time play a significant role in its development. In contrast, TXA administration is thought to reduce the risk of PJI effectively

The Patients’ Perspective for the Impact of Late Detection of Ocular Diseases on Quality of Life: A Cross-Sectional Study

Ahmed Almazroa,1,2 Hessa Almatar,1,2 Reema Alduhayan,1,2 Maram Albalawi,2,3 Mansour Alghamdi,4 Saja Alhoshan,5 Suhailah Alamri,1,2 Norah Alkanhal,1,2 Yara J Alsiwat,1,2 Saad Alrabiah,6 Mohammed Aldrgham,7 Ahmed A AlSaleh,8 Hessa Abdulrahman Alsanad,9 Barrak Alsomaie1,2 1Department of Imaging Research, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 2King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 3Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 4Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 5Department of Ophthalmology, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Ministry of National Guard-Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 6Department of Ophthalmology, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 7Department of Ophthalmology, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz University Hospital, Princess Nourah Bint AbdulRahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 8AL-Hokama Eye Specialist Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 9Department of Social Planning, College of Social Work, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Ahmed Almazroa, Email [email protected]: Late detection of ocular diseases negatively affects patients’ quality of life (QoL), encompassing health status, psychological, financial, and social aspects. However, the early detection of eye conditions leads to rapid intervention and avoiding complications, thus preserving the QoL. This study assessed the impact of ocular diseases late detection on patients’ QoL at multi-eye clinics based on questionnaire responses.Methods: We developed an original Arabic-English questionnaire to assess the QoL of patients with ocular diseases referred from primary and secondary healthcare centers to tertiary hospitals. It covered preliminary data, patient perspectives on having lately detected ocular disease and treatment costs, and the impact of late detection on finances, social life, psychology, health status, and awareness of current initiatives. Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the associations between patient perspectives on having ocular diseases detected at a late stage and its impact on different domains. Multivariate logistic regression was applied with impact types of health status, psychological, financial, and social (dependent variables) and age, income levels, and hospital type (independent variables).Results: Three hundred and eighty-eight responded, with 50% experiencing psychological effects, 27% health issues, 23% social impacts, and 23% financial burdens. Two hundred seventeen patients (56%) reported having ocular condition detected in late stage. Logistic regression analysis showed positive association with health status, social well-being, and financial effects (p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed pronounced effects in patients ≤ 50 years, with income \< 5000 SAR, and those visiting private clinics (p < 0.05). The social impact was greater in patients visiting private hospitals. Ninety percent of all patients emphasized the importance of increasing awareness for better QoL.Conclusion: Significant associations were found between the late detection of eye diseases and their impact on QoL. Therefore, early detection and increasing patients’ awareness of ocular diseases and treatment are essential.Keywords: irreversible vision, physiological effects, financial effects, social effects, ocular disease

Fluoride removal using nanofiltration-ranged polyamide thin-film nanocomposite membrane incorporated titanium oxide nanosheets

Drinking water defluoridation has attracted significant attention in the scientific community, from which membrane technology, by exploring thin film nanocomposite (TFN) membranes, has demonstrated a great potential for treating fluoride-contaminated water. This study investigates the development of a TFN membrane by integrating titanium oxide nanosheets (TiO2 NSs) into the polyamide (PA) layer using interfacial polymerization. The characterization results suggest that successfully incorporating TiO2 NSs into the PA layer of the TFN membrane led to a surface with a high negative charge, hydrophilic properties, and a smooth surface at the nanoscale. The TFN membrane, containing 80 ppm of TiO2 NSs, demonstrated a notably high fluoride rejection rate of 98%. The Donnan-steric-pore-model-dielectric-exclusion model was employed to analyze the effect of embedding TiO2 NSs into the PA layer of TFN on membrane properties, including charge density (Xd), the pore radius (rp), and pore dielectric constant (εp). The results indicated that embedding TiO2 NSs increased Xd and decreased the εp by less than the TFC membrane without significantly affecting the rp. The resulting TFN membrane demonstrates promising potential for application in water treatment systems, providing an effective and sustainable solution for fluoride remediation in drinking water.<br/

Enhanced hydrogen production through methane dry reforming: evaluating the effects of promoter-induced variations in reducibility, basicity, and crystallinity on Ni/ZSM-5 catalyst performance

The pursuit of sustainable hydrogen production through the conversion of methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2), two prevalent greenhouse gases, is advanced by utilizing cost-effective Ni-supported catalysts within the framework of methane dry reforming. Utilizing crystalline porous zeolite, specifically ZSM-5, enhances the dispersion of nickel (Ni) across the catalyst surface and within its pore channels, hence increasing catalytic efficiency. Herein, we investigate the impact of incorporating various promoters (Ce, Cs, Cu, Fe, Sr) into the 5Ni/ZSM-5 catalyst, systematically examining how these modifications influence the reducibility, basicity, and crystallinity of the catalyst’s active sites, thereby affecting its hydrogen yield potential.Our findings reveal that the inferior activity of Cu-promoted catalysts is due to the depletion of basic sites and larger NiO crystallite size (than rest-promoted catalysts). The introduction of Fe results in a highly dispersed Ni with a stable NiFe phase, but dilution of active sites results in low hydrogen yield. Conversely, Sr promotion enhances the basicity and accessibility of NiO active sites both on the surface and within the pore channels of the zeolite, leading to a notable hydrogen yield of 28 % at 700℃ after 300 min. Furthermore, the addition of 2 wt% ceria significantly optimizes Ni dispersion within the pore channels and surges the maximum population of basic sites (including the presence of very strong basic sites), achieving 35 % hydrogen yield at 700 °C and ∼ 70 % at 800℃. This investigation underscores the critical role of promoter-induced modifications in enhancing catalyst performance for hydrogen production, contributing to the development of more efficient and sustainable energy conversion technologies.<br/