Search

This paper presents the concept of a novel adaptable sensing solution currently being developed under the EU Commission-founded PHOTONGATE project. This concept will allow for the quantification of multiple analytes of the same or different nature (chemicals, metals, bacteria, etc.) in a single test with levels of sensitivity and selectivity at/or over those offered by current solutions. PHOTONGATE relies on two core technologies: a biochemical technology (molecular gates), which will confer the specificity and, therefore, the capability to be adaptable to the analyte of interest, and which, combined with porous substrates, will increase the sensitivity, and a photonic technology based on localized surface plasmonic resonance (LSPR) structures that serve as transducers for light interaction. Both technologies are in the micron range, facilitating the integration of multiple sensors within a small area (mm2). The concept will be developed for its application in health diagnosis and food safety sectors. It is thought of as an easy-to-use modular concept, which will consist of the sensing module, mainly of a microfluidics cartridge that will house the photonic sensor, and a platform for fluidic handling, optical interrogation, and signal processing. The platform will include a new optical concept, which is fully European Union Made, avoiding optical fibers and expensive optical components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work reports the synthesis, characterization, and sensing behavior of a hybrid nanodevice for the detection of the potent abuse drug 25I‐NBOMe. The system is based on mesoporous silica nanoparticles, loaded with a fluorescent dye, functionalized with a serotonin derivative and capped with the 5‐HT2A receptor antibody. In the presence of 25I‐NBOMe the capping antibody is displaced, leading to pore opening and rhodamine B release. This delivery was ascribed to 5‐HT2A receptor antibody detachment from the surface due to its stronger coordination with 25I‐NBOMe present in the solution. The prepared nanodevice allowed the sensitive (limit of detection of 0.6 μm) and selective recognition of the 25I‐NBOMe drug (cocaine, heroin, mescaline, lysergic acid diethylamide, MDMA, and morphine were unable to induce pore opening and rhodamine B release). This nanodevice acts as a highly sensitive and selective fluorometric probe for the 25I‐NBOMe illicit drug in artificial saliva and in sweets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The consumption of illicit drugs has increased exponentially in recent years and has become a problem that worries both governments and international institutions. The rapid emergence of new compounds, their easy access, the low levels at which these substances are able to produce an effect, and their short time of permanence in the organism make it necessary to develop highly rapid, easy, sensitive, and selective methods for their detection. Currently, the most widely used methods for drug detection are based on techniques that require large measurement times, the use of sophisticated equipment, and qualified personnel. Chromo‐ and fluorogenic methods are an alternative to those classical procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Guadiamar River is located in the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula and connects two protected areas in the South of Spain: Sierra Morena and Doñana National Park. It is sited in an area affected by urban, industrial and agriculture sewage pollution and with tradition on intensive mining activities. Most of the studies performed in this area have been mainly focused on the presence of heavy metals and, until now, little is known about the occurrence of other contaminants such as emerging organic pollutants (EOPs). In this work, an analytical method has been optimized and validated for monitoring of forty-seven EOPs in surface water. The analytical method has been applied to study the distribution and environmental risk of these pollutants in Guadiamar River basin. The analytical method was based on solid-phase extraction and determination by liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole-tandem mass spectrometry. The 60 % of the target compounds were found in the analyzed samples. The highest concentrations were found for two plasticizers (bisphenol A and di(2-ethyhexyl)phthalate, mean concentration up to 930 ng/L) and two pharmaceutical compounds (caffeine (up to 623 ng/L) and salicylic acid (up to 318 ng/L)). This study allowed to evaluate the potential sources (industrial or urban) of the studied compounds and the spatial distribution of their concentrations along the river. Environmental risk assessment showed a major risk on the south of the river, mainly due to discharges of wastewater effluents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The negative effects that breast cancer and its treatment have on quality of life has led many patients to turn to non-conventional therapies (NCTs). However, little is known about the type, reasons and uses of NCTs; how they relate to conventional treatments; and their effects. The goal of this study was to analyze the links between sociodemographic, family and clinical variables and the use of NCTs among women diagnosed with breast cancer between 2003 and 2013 in Barcelona's main public hospitals. A mixed-methods, cross-sectional study was carried out on women with breast cancer in a cohort of 2235 subjects. For the quantitative component, descriptive uni- and bivariate analyses (with Pearson's chi-squared test) and multivariate logistic regression were carried out. For the qualitative component, a sub-sample from the cohort was drawn to construct six discussion groups; thematic analysis was used. Following diagnosis, 55.2 % of the women had used NCTs. The main reasons were to alleviate the side effects of chemotherapy, increase the body's defenses and improve quality of life. The main factors associated with use, access to practitioners and access to non-conventional treatments and products were socioeconomic factors and relapses. There were visible differences between social classes in the use of NCTs, because lower social classes suffered from social vulnerability and the lack of resources and information. Participants complemented conventional breast cancer therapies with a wide variety of NCTs. However, many reported that oncologists had discouraged them from using NCTs or shown little interest in understanding the NCTs their patients were using. Social inequalities in accessing NCTs were also evident. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]