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The critical micelle concentration (CMC) is a crucial parameter in understanding the self-assembly behavior of surfactants. In this study, we combine simulation and experiment to demonstrate the predictive capability of molecularly informed field theories in estimating the CMC of biologically based protein surfactants. Our simulation approach combines the relative entropy coarse-graining of small-scale atomistic simulations with large-scale field-theoretic simulations, allowing us to efficiently compute the free energy of micelle formation necessary for the CMC calculation while preserving chemistry-specific information about the underlying surfactant building blocks. We apply this methodology to a unique intrinsically disordered protein platform capable of a wide variety of tailored sequences that enable tunable micelle self-assembly. The computational predictions of the CMC closely match experimental measurements, demonstrating the potential of molecularly informed field theories as a valuable tool to investigate self-assembly in bio-based macromolecules systematically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Field-theoretic simulations are numerical treatments of polymer field theory models that go beyond the mean-field self-consistent field theory level and have successfully captured a range of mesoscopic phenomena. Inherent in molecularly-based field theories is a "sign problem" associated with complex-valued Hamiltonian functionals. One route to field-theoretic simulations utilizes the complex Langevin (CL) method to importance sample complex-valued field configurations to bypass the sign problem. Although CL is exact in principle, it can be difficult to stabilize in strongly fluctuating systems. An alternate approach for blends or block copolymers with two segment species is to make a "partial saddle point approximation" (PSPA) in which the stiff pressure-like field is constrained to its mean-field value, eliminating the sign problem in the remaining field theory, allowing for traditional (real) sampling methods. The consequences of the PSPA are relatively unknown, and direct comparisons between the two methods are limited. Here, we quantitatively compare thermodynamic observables, order-disorder transitions, and periodic domain sizes predicted by the two approaches for a weakly compressible model of AB diblock copolymers. Using Gaussian fluctuation analysis, we validate our simulation observations, finding that the PSPA incorrectly captures trends in fluctuation corrections to certain thermodynamic observables, microdomain spacing, and location of order-disorder transitions. For incompressible models with contact interactions, we find similar discrepancies between the predictions of CL and PSPA, but these can be minimized by regularization procedures such as Morse calibration. These findings mandate caution in applying the PSPA to broader classes of soft-matter models and systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Upadacitinib (UPA) is a selective and reversible oral Janus kinase (JAK) 1 inhibitor and is of great importance in treating inflammatory bowel disease (Zheng et al., Int Immunopharmacol 126:111229, 2024; Foy et al., JAAD Case Rep 42:20–22, 2023). Although there are limitations to the effectiveness of UPA, it has received positive responses in clinical trials and is approved for the treatment of atopy dermatitis (AD) (Li et al., Int Immunopharmacol 125:111193, 2023). In this study, a nanoparticle-doped molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP)-based electrochemical sensor was developed for sensitive and selective detection of UPA. The developed sensor was designed as a thin film layer using the photopolymerization method on the surface of the prepared nanoparticle-doped polymerization solution glassy carbon electrode (GCE). Various nanoparticles, such as multi-walled carbon nanotube, titanium dioxide, oxide, and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles, were the most suitable for UPA. Surface characterization of the developed sensor was done by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and electrochemical characterization was done by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The quantitative analysis of UPA was performed in 5.0 mM [Fe (CN)6]3−/4− solution using the differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) technique. Under optimum conditions, the calibration range was between 0.1 and 1 pM. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were calculated as 0.005 pM and 0.017 pM, respectively. The sensor's accuracy was proven by performing a recovery study in serum. The sensor's selectivity was also evaluated using common interfering substances such as KNO3, CaCl2, Na2SO4, uric acid, ascorbic acid, dopamine, and paracetamol. According to the results obtained, the performance of the designed sensor was found to be quite sensitive and selective in determining UPA. The developed UPA-ZnO/3-APBA@MIP-GCE sensor showed high sensitivity and selectivity towards UPA. In addition, the selectivity, the most important feature of the MIP-based sensor, was confirmed by imprinting factor (IF) calculations using tofacitinib (TOF) and ruxolitinib (RUX). The sensor's unique selectivity is demonstrated by its successful performance even in the presence of UPA impurities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) belongs to the cytokine family and plays a vital role in regulating immune response, bone maintenance, body temperature adjustment, and cell growth. The overexpression of IL-6 can indicate various health complications, such as anastomotic leakage, cancer, and chronic diseases. Therefore, the availability of highly sensitive and specific biosensing platforms for IL-6 detection is critical. In this study, for the first time, epitope-mediated IL-6-specific magnetic molecularly imprinted core–shell structures with fluorescent properties were synthesized using a three-step protocol, namely, magnetic nanoparticle functionalization, polymerization, and template removal following thorough optimization studies. The magnetic molecularly imprinted polymers (MMIPs) were characterized using dynamic and electrophoretic light scattering (DLS and ELS), revealing a hydrodynamic size of 169.9 nm and zeta potential of +17.1 mV, while Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy techniques showed characteristic peaks of the polymer and fluorescent tag, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) investigations confirmed the successful encapsulation of the magnetic core within the ca. 5-nm-thick polymeric shell. The MMIP-based electrochemical sensing platform achieved a limit of detection of 0.38 pM within a linear detection range of 0.38–380 pM, indicating high affinity (dissociation constant KD = 1.6 pM) for IL-6 protein in 50% diluted serum samples. Moreover, comparative investigations with the non-imprinted control polymer demonstrated an imprinting factor of 4, confirming high selectivity. With multifunctional features, including fluorescence, magnetic properties, and target responsiveness, the synthesized MMIPs hold significant potential for application in various sensor techniques as well as imaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are artificial receptors equipped with selective recognition sites for target molecules. One of the most promising strategies for protein MIPs relies on the exploitation of short surface‐exposed protein fragments, termed epitopes, as templates to imprint binding sites in a polymer scaffold for a desired protein. However, the lack of high‐resolution structural data of flexible surface‐exposed regions challenges the selection of suitable epitopes. Here, we addressed this drawback by developing a polyscopoletin‐based MIP that recognizes recombinant proteins via imprinting of the widely used Strep‐tag II affinity peptide (Strep‐MIP). Electrochemistry, surface‐sensitive IR spectroscopy, and molecular dynamics simulations were employed to ensure an utmost control of the Strep‐MIP electrosynthesis. The functionality of this novel platform was verified with two Strep‐tagged enzymes: an O2‐tolerant [NiFe]‐hydrogenase, and an alkaline phosphatase. The enzymes preserved their biocatalytic activities after multiple utilization confirming the efficiency of Strep‐MIP as a general biocompatible platform to confine recombinant proteins for exploitation in biotechnology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integration of advanced materials and photonic nanostructures can lead to enhanced biodetection capabilities, crucial in clinical scenarios and point‐of‐care diagnostics, where simplified strategies are essential. Herein, a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) photonic nanostructure is demonstrated, which selectively binding to transforming growth factor‐beta (TGF‐β), in which the sensing transduction is enhanced by bound states in the continuum (BICs). The MIP operating as a synthetic antibody matrix and coupled with BIC resonance, enhances the optical response to TGF‐β at imprinted sites, leading to an augmented detection capability, thoroughly evaluated through spectral shift and optical lever analogue readout. The validation underscores the MIP‐BIC sensor capability to detect TGF‐β in spiked saliva, achieving a limit of detection of 10 fM and a resolution of 0.5 pM at physiological concentrations, with a precision of two orders of magnitude above discrimination threshold in patients. The MIP tailored selectivity is highlighted by an imprinting factor of 52, showcasing the sensor resistance to interference from other analytes. The MIP‐BIC sensor architecture streamlines the detection process eliminating the need for complex sandwich immunoassays and demonstrates the potential for high‐precision quantification. This positions the system as a robust tool for biomarker detection, especially in real‐world diagnostic scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we combined the imprinting technique, temperature‐sensitive polymer, and Pickering emulsion polymerization to prepare a temperature‐sensitive porous imprinted polymer. First, the temperature‐sensitive block polymer PDEA‐b‐P (DEA‐co‐AM) was prepared by reversible‐addition fragmentation chain transfer polymerization, and then a temperature‐sensitive porous ReO4− imprinted polymer (ReO4−‐TPIP) was prepared using the Pickering‐like polymerization technique, which was introduced to the preparation of the imprinted polymer. The structure and morphology of the polymer were characterized by FTIR, SEM‐EDS, and BET. The adsorption experiments showed that the maximum adsorption (Q), separation (R), and desorption (D) of ReO4−‐TPIP were 0.1568 mmol/g, 3.41, and 85.22%, respectively, and the adsorption equilibrium could be reached after 120 min, which decreased to 0.1212 mmol/g, 1.23, and 70.01% after repeated use for 11 times. These results indicate that ReO4−‐TPIP has good adsorption and reusability properties. The adsorption studies showed that ReO4−‐TPIP conformed to the zero‐level kinetic model in the pre‐adsorption stage, the quasi‐one‐level kinetic model in the late stage, and the isothermal adsorption process conformed more to the Langmuir model. In addition, in the secondary leach solution of high‐temperature alloys, the purity of rhenium in the solution increased from 35.4119% to 53.4812% after one adsorption/desorption cycle. The prepared ReO4−‐TPIP provides a new material and strategy for the selective separation and purification of rhenium in complex rhenium‐containing solutions for the industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The production of β-lactamases is the most prevalent resistance mechanism for β-lactam antibiotics in Gram-negative bacteria. Presently, over 4900 β-lactamases have been discovered, and they are categorized into hundreds of families. In each enzyme family, amino acid substitutions result in subtle changes to enzyme hydrolysis profiles; in contrast, certain conserved sequences retained by all of the family members can serve as important markers for enzyme family identification. Results: The SHV family was chosen as the study object. First, a unique 10-mer peptide was identified as SHV family's epitope by an approach of protein fingerprint analysis. Then, an SHV-specific magnetic epitope-imprinted gel polymer (MEI-GP) was prepared by an epitope surface imprinting technique, and its sorption behavior and recognition mechanism for template epitope and SHV were both elaborated. Finally, the MEI-GP was successfully applied to selectively extract SHV from bacteria, and the extracted SHV was submitted to MALDI-TOF MS for specific determination. By following this strategy, other β-lactamase families can also be specifically detected. According to the molecular weight displayed in mass spectra, the kind of β-lactamase and its associated hydrolysis profile on β-lactams can be easily identified. Based on this, an initial drug option scheme can be quickly formulated for antimicrobial therapy. From protein extraction to medication guidance reporting, the mean time to detection (MTTD) was less than 2 h, which is much faster than conventional phenotype-based methods (at least 16–20 h) and gene-based techniques (usually about 8 h). Conclusions: This enzyme-specific detection strategy combined the specificity of epitope imprinting with the sensitivity of mass spectrometry, enabling β-lactamase to be selectively extracted from bacteria and clearly presented in mass spectra. Compared with other drug resistance detection methods, this technique has good specificity, high sensitivity (≤ 15 mg of bacteria), a short MTTD (less than 2 h), and simple operation, and therefore has a broad application prospect in clinical medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The convergence of tumor epigenetics and molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) holds promise in early cancer diagnostics. To the best of knowledge, none of the studies has achieved DNA methylation detection yet using MIPs and the proposed research will pioneer the application of MIPs for detecting DNA methylation, introducing a novel approach to enhance early diagnostic precision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molecular imprinting is an advanced technology in the fabrication of novel chemical sensors recently applied, enabling rapid responses and highly selective binding to specific molecules, thereby enabling efficient detection of material constituents. In this study, a new molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensor (MIES) utilizing ferrocene‐functionalized carbon‐nanotubes (Fc‐CNTs) was developed for the determination of tryptophan (Trp). The formation of molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) involves polymerization in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) using Trp, methacrylic acid (MAA) and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as the template molecules, functional monomers, and cross‐linking agents, respectively. Due to the modification of MIPs, the sensor achieves high performance. The sensor demonstrates a linear range from 1 to 45 μM and from 45 to 330 μM, with the limit of detection of 0.44 μM, exceeding that of the majority of sensors reported in the literature. Furthermore, the sensor can effectively detect Trp in real samples, including human serum and amino acid oral liquid. The recovery rate of Trp in human serum samples is 94.2 % to 105.30 %, and in amino acid oral liquid is 94.3 % to 101.68 %. This study provides a promising approach for the effective detection and analysis of tryptophan constituents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review explores electrochemical sensing strategies for synthetic orange dyes, addressing the growing need for sensitive and selective detection methods in various industries. We examine the fundamental principles underlying the electrochemical detection of these compounds, focusing on their redox behavior and interaction with electrode surfaces. The review covers a range of sensor designs, from unmodified electrodes to advanced nanomaterial-based platforms. Chemically modified electrodes incorporating polymers and molecularly imprinted polymers are discussed for their enhanced selectivity. Particular attention is given to nanomaterial-based sensors, including those utilizing carbon nanotubes, graphene derivatives, and metal nanoparticles, which have demonstrated exceptional sensitivity and wide linear ranges. The potential of biological-based approaches, such as DNA interaction sensors and immunosensors, is also evaluated. Current challenges in the field are addressed, including matrix effects in complex samples and long-term stability issues. Emerging trends are highlighted, including the development of multi-modal sensing platforms and the integration of artificial intelligence for data analysis. The review concludes by discussing the commercial potential of these sensors in food safety, environmental monitoring, and smart packaging applications, emphasizing their importance in ensuring the safe use of synthetic orange dyes across industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Determination of a broad spectrum of analytes, carried out with analytical instruments in samples with complex matrices, including environmental, biological, and food samples, involves the development of new and selective sorption phases used in microextraction techniques that allow their isolation from the matrix. SPME solid-phase microextraction is compatible with green analytical chemistry among the sample preparation techniques, as it reduces the use of toxic organic solvents to the minimum necessary. Over the past two decades, it has undergone impressive progress, resulting in the development of the thin-film solid-phase microextraction technique, TF-SPME (the thin-film solid-phase microextraction), which is characterized by a much larger surface area of the sorption phase compared to that of the SPME fiber. TF-SPME devices, in the form of a mostly rectangular metal or polymer substrate onto which a thin film of sorption phase is applied, are characterized, among others, by a higher sorption capacity. In comparison with microextraction carried out on SPME fiber, they enable faster microextraction of analytes. The active phase on which analyte sorption occurs can be applied to the substrate through techniques such as dip coating, spin coating, electrospinning, rod coating, and spray coating. The dynamic development of materials chemistry makes it possible to use increasingly advanced materials as selective sorption phases in the TF-SPME technique: polymers, conducting polymers, molecularly imprinted polymers, organometallic frameworks, carbon nanomaterials, aptamers, polymeric ionic liquids, and deep eutectic solvents. Therefore, TF-SPME has been successfully used to prepare analytical samples to determine a broad spectrum of analytes in sample matrices: environmental, biological, and food. The work will be a review of the above-mentioned issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a novel optical–chemical sensor for the detection of per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFASs) in a real scenario is presented. The proposed sensing approach exploits the multimode characteristics of plastic optical fibers (POFs) to achieve unconventional sensors via surface plasmon resonance (SPR) phenomena. The sensor is realized by the coupling of an SPR-POF platform with a novel chemical chip based on different polymeric nanolayers over the core of a D-shaped POF, one made up of an optical adhesive and one of a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) for PFAS. The chemical chip is used to launch the light into the SPR D-shaped POF platform, so the interaction between the analyte and the MIP's sites can be used to modulate the propagated light in the POFs and the SPR phenomena. Selectivity tests and dose–response curves by standard PFOA water solutions were carried out to characterize the detection range sensor response, obtaining a wide PFAS response range, from 1 ppt to 1000 ppt. Then, tests performed on river water samples collected from the Bormida river paved the way for the applicability of the proposed approach to a real scenario. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we designed a molecularly imprinted polymers-dispersive solid-phase extraction-high-performance liquid chromatography (MIPs-DSPE-HPLC) method, as a simple and efficient platform for the sensitive detection of two sulfonamide antibiotics (SAs) of sulfamethoxine (SMM) and sulfamethoxazole (SMZ) in environmental water samples. Using SMM and SMZ as templates, methacrylic acid as the functional monomer, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as the crosslinking agent, and azodiisobutyronitrile as the catalyst, the dual-template molecularly imprinted polymers (dt-MIPs) were successfully synthesized via surface imprinting technology and multi-template imprinting strategy. The adsorption properties of the prepared MIPs were characterized, and the adsorption capacities of MIPs towards SMZ and SMM were 27.35 mg/g and 30.92 mg/g, respectively. The detection limits of the method in three environmental water samples were in the range of 0.23–1.74 μg/L, and the recoveries were between 82.7 and 110.3%, with relative standard deviations less than 5.93%. The construction process of this MIPs-DSPE-HPLC method is straightforward, exhibits high sensitivity and selectivity, and thus provides a versatile method for the quantification of SAs in complex matrices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although all countries have been controlling the excessive use of pesticides, incidents of pesticide residues still existed. Electrochemical biosensors are extensively applied detection techniques to monitor pesticides with the help of different types of biorecognition components mainly including, antibodies, aptamers, enzymes (i.e., acetylcholinesterase, organophosphorus hydrolase, etc.), and synthetic molecularly imprinted polymers. Besides, the electrode materials mainly affected the sensitivity of electrochemical biosensors. Metallic nanomaterials with various structures and excellent electrical conductivity were desirable choice to construct electrochemical platforms to achieve the detection with high sensitivity and good specificity toward the target. This work reviewed the developed metallic materials including monometallic nanoparticles, bimetallic nanomaterials, metal atoms, metal oxides, metal molybdates, metal-organic frameworks, MXene, etc. Integration of recognition elements endowed the electrode materials with higher specificity toward the target pesticide. Besides, future challenges of metallic nanomaterials-based electrochemical biosensors for the detection of pesticides are also discussed and described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patulin is a low molecular weight mycotoxin and poses a global problem, especially threatening food safety. It is also resistant to processing temperatures and is commonly found in fruits and vegetables. Studies have shown that it has toxic effects on animals and humans and the severity of patulin toxicity depends on the amount ingested. Therefore, the consumption of contaminated products, especially in infants and children, is important. The maximum daily intake of PAT that can be tolerated is found to be 0.4 µg/kg body weight to prevent chronic effects and the maximum residue limits in food samples were given as 50 ng/g (∼320 nM). Conventional methods for the detection of PAT have many disadvantages such as the use of expensive equipment, the need for trained personnel, and complicated sample preparation steps. To this extent, various numbers of research have been conducted on selective and sensitive detection of patulin using biosensor platforms in various media. This review presents an overview of the current literature dealing with the studies to develop patulin-specific aptamer-based biosensors and adapts various immobilization methods to increase the sensor response using different nanomaterials. Furthermore, a comparison of biosensors with conventional methods is presented using analytical performance parameters and their practicality for the detection of patulin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs), are safe, biocompatible, bioactive, and biodegradable materials, and have sparked a lot of attention due to their unique characteristics in a variety of applications, including medical and dye industries, paper manufacturing and water purification. CNTs also have a strong film-forming potential, permitting them to be widely employed in constructing sensors and biosensors. This review concentrates on the application of CNT-based nanocomposites in the production of electrochemical sensors and biosensors. It emphasizes the synthesis and optimization of CNT-based sensors for a range of applications and outlines the benefits of using CNTs for biomolecule immobilization. In addition, the use of molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP)-CNTs in the production of electrochemical sensors is also discussed. The challenges faced by the current CNTs-based sensors, along with some the future perspectives and their future opportunities, are also briefly explained in this paper. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: Review article on advanced Carbon-Nanotube (CNT)-based sensors and biosensors. The advantages of using CNTs for biomolecule immobilization and in electrochemical sensors and biosensors are discussed. The use of molecularly imprinted polymer-CNT nanocomposites in the production of electrochemical sensors is also discussed. Several characteristics, including sensor manufacturing, linear ranges, detection limits, and repeatability, are described in depth. Challenges and prospects using CNTs modified sensors have been proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solid‐phase extraction (SPE) using a polyaniline molecularly imprinted polymer (PANI@MIP) is optimized for the extraction of benzophenone‐4 (BP4) from aqueous matrices. First, the three main variables influencing the washing step of the SPE method—type, composition, volume, and percolation flow rate of the washing solvent—were investigated. The optimal conditions for the washing step using the new PANI@MIP‐SPE for maximum retention of BP4 and elimination of interfering molecules (benzophenone‐3 [BP3] and benzophenone [BP]) were determined as follows: 1.25 mL acetonitrile/acetic acid/hexane (45/05/50 v/v/v) as wash solvent at a flow rate of 1 mL min−1. A multiple linear regression model was validated using Student's t‐test to identify the most significant variables affecting this step, including the type and volume of each eluent solvent and the volume of the ternary mixture solvents. The reliability of the model was further confirmed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Fisher's F‐test at α = 0.05. The extraction recoveries of the target analyte exceeded 92% over the range of concentrations (from 0.1 to 120 mg L−1), and the maximum retention capacity of PANI@MIP‐SPE was 600 µg g−1, in contrast to 50 µg g−1 for PANI@NIP‐SPE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sepsis is a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a disorder in the regulation of a body's response to infection. If sepsis is not recognized at an early stage and treatment is not started, it can lead to septic shock, multiple organ failure, and death. Sepsis diagnostics, traditionally based on the clinical picture and the detection of etiologically significant microorganisms in the blood and foci, has been improved in recent years through the search for and the implementation of various biomarkers. One of promising sepsis biomarkers is 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)lactic acid (4-HPLA). In this work, an amperometric sensor modified with a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) of hydroxyphenyllactic acid is developed, and a fundamental possibility of determining 4-HPLA in model aqueous solutions using this sensor is demonstrated. Molecularly imprinted polymers are widely used in substance separation processes and in the fabrication of selective sensors. Among a variety of selective materials, polyimides are of particular interest. In this regard, MIP sensors with imprints of 4-hydroxyphenyllactic acid were developed based on a copolymer of 1,2,4,5-benzenetracarboxylic acid with 4,4'-diaminodiphenyl oxide. The sensors are obtained in two stages (stage I at 80°C, stage II at 180°C) using the non-covalent imprinting method. The high selectivity of the MIP sensors with respect to the target molecules was established. The analytical range of the acid is 0.0002−0.2 mg/L. The experimentally established limit of detection for 4-hydroxyphenyllactic acid is 4.5 × 10–5 mg/L. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, ion-imprinted polymers have gained significant attention and are extensively utilized owing to their high selectivity toward target ions. For this research, Pb(II) ions were used as the template ions, polyamide-amine dendrimers as the curing agent, epoxy resin as the carrier and combined with ion-imprinting technique in the preparation of Pb(II)-imprinted polymer (Pb(II)-IIP). Systematic adsorption experiments were used to investigate the impact of the adsorbent on the adsorption performance of Pb(II) ions. The composition of the adsorbent was further studied by FT-IR, SEM and other characterization techniques. The maximal adsorption capacity at pH = 5 and T = 318 K was calculated to be 138.8 mg/g. In the coexistence of multiple ions, the Pb(II)-IIP showed high selectivity for Pb(II) adsorption. Pb(II) was still removed at a rate of more than 91% after five cycles of experiments, indicating good reusability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are a diverse class of materials designed for selective molecular recognition. These polymers are synthesized with particular binding sites that are suited to a target molecule or a collection of structurally similar molecules through the use of a process called molecular imprinting. MIPs were synthesized in this work to specifically remove direct violet 51 from occupational leachates and aqueous solutions. Methacrylic acid functioned as the functional monomer, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as the cross-linker, 2,2-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as the initiator, and alcohol as a porogenic solvent. To improve the dye removal effectiveness, a number of factors were optimized, including time, pH, analyte concentrations, and MIP/NIP dosages. The findings showed that MIPs had a much greater capacity for direct violet 51 adsorption than nonimprinted polymers (NIPs), with MIP adsorption capacity reaching 42.553 mg g−1 and NIP adsorption capacity reaching 7 mg g−1. The pseudo 2nd-order model described the adsorption kinetics, and the rate constant (K2) for MIPs was found to be 0.00251 mg g−1 min. Furthermore, a high rebinding efficiency of 94 % was observed when the selectivity of MIPs for direct violet 51 was assessed against structurally similar templates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ineffectiveness of traditional wastewater treatment procedures to completely remove them results in their release into the environment. There is a pressing need to remove pharmaceuticals effectively using different methods. Using affordable technologies while maintaining standards for health and safety is one of the main problems in the wastewater treatment industry. In this study, a cost effective and highly selective molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) was combined with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) capped with platanus acerifolia (PL) and moringa oleifera (MO) for selective removal of sulfamethoxazole, nevirapine and ibuprofen in wastewater. Moreover, the study focused on adsorption parameters, including temperature, pH, adsorbent dosage, adsorbate concentration, and contact time. The transmission electron microscopy revealed that MO/PL‐AgNPs and MO/PL‐nanoMIPs are nanosized and spherical. XRD confirmed the formation of AgNPs onto MO/PL‐AgNPs and MO/PL‐nanoMIPs surface. Adsorption isotherms for MO/PL‐AgNPs and MO/PL‐nanoMIPs fitted with the linear Langmuir model. However, high Qmax values were obtained for MO/PL‐nanoMIPs compared to MO/PL‐AgNPs. The linear pseudosecond order second‐order kinetic model best fitted on MO/PL‐nanoMIPs, while the thermodynamics revealed that the adsorption process was spontaneous and endothermic. The findings revealed for the first time the high efficiency of MO/PL‐nanoMIPs to remove the selected target pharmaceuticals in wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, the meticulous development and exhaustive analysis of molecularly imprinted polymer nanoparticles (nano-MIPs) are explored, with particular emphasis on their affinity for human serum albumin (HSA), a crucial biomarker for diagnosing type 2 diabetes mellitus. The yield of the synthesized nano-MIPs for HSA was determined by a freeze drying technique to be in the range of 6–15 mg for every 100 g of glass beads. A multifaceted characterization approach, including dynamic light scattering analysis, atomic force microscopy, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, was employed to rigorously assess the physicochemical properties of the nano-MIPs. The results indicate a relatively uniform size distribution and a well-defined chemical composition. Surface plasmon resonance kinetic analysis further revealed that the nano-MIPs exhibit high affinity and specificity for HSA, with a dissociation constant (Kd) of 2.37 × 10−9 M and an R² value of 0.97. These findings not only validate the successful synthesis and characterization of nano-MIPs but also underscore their potential use for selective molecular recognition, thereby providing promising avenues for future research and applications in biomedical and environmental fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improvement of selectivity and activity of imprinted photocatalysis is a major challenge for antibiotic photodegradation due to the functional monomers of imprinting hindering the photogenerated carrier migration. Here, an organic imprinted Ag-polyaniline/CoFe2O4/Carbon photocatalyst (IM-Ag-PANI/CoFe2O4/C) was successfully prepared by photo-initiated polymerization which achieved selective photodegradation of tetracycline (TC). The heterojunction formed by the functional monomer Ag@PANI and CoFe2O4/C not only facilitates the separation of photo-excited carriers and the exposure of active sites but also contributes to the selective adsorption capability by imprinted cavity on Ag@PANI, thereby improving the photocatalytic activity and selectivity simultaneously. In addition, the Corncob conversion carbon matrix method and iron-based magnetic character enable a more environmentally friendly and recyclable capability of IM-Ag-PANI/CoFe2O4/C. After using machine learning models to train and predict experimental parameters by changing experimental parameters, the IM-Ag-PANI/CoFe2O4/C can photodegrade 82.23% of TC within 2 h, and it has a selective degradation ability compared to enrofloxacin hydrochloride (EH). This research provides a new idea for the construction of imprinted photocatalytic materials that can improve photocatalytic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multi‐target detection is a notable development direction in the field of analytical methods, boasting significant potential for breakthroughs in complex sample detection. Herein, an extended gate field‐effect transistor (EGFET) sensor array for ultrasensitive and multi‐target detection of antibiotics is developed. To enhance the recognition ability for diverse antibiotics, a dual‐recognition strategy based on tailor‐made molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) and aptamer is adopted to fabricate the extended gate electrode (sensing electrode). The dual‐recognition strategy‐based EGFET exhibits superior sensitivity, selectivity, and stability compared to single recognition probes due to the synergistic effect of the affinities of MIP and specific aptamer. The developed sensor array can detect three types of antibiotics, including ampicillin, amoxicillin, and kanamycin, at the same time with record‐low detection limit (fM level) and a detection range spanning six orders of magnitude. The practical detection of antibiotics in various samples (tap water, river water, milk, honey, and artificial urine) further validates the feasibility of the sensor array in practical applications. The key advantages of flexibility, high sensitivity and selectivity, and multifunctionality demonstrate the high potential of EGFET sensor array for simultaneous detection of multiple target molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Folate (FT) is a suitable targeting ligand for folate receptors (FOLR) overexpressed on inflamed cells. Thus, FT‐loaded polymers can be used as FOLRs‐targeted immunotherapy to positively modulate the inflammatory process. A novel biodegradable imprinted polymer with a FT delivery mechanism driven by pH changes [PCL‐MIP@FT] is designed with molecularly imprinted technology. The pH mechanism is validated in vitro, demonstrating that an acidic environment accelerated and increased the release of FT for a period of 7 days (∼100 µg mL−1). For the first time, FT receptors (FOLR‐1 and FOLR‐3) are discovered and also overexpressed on activated human gingival fibroblasts, representing a favorable target in the oral environment. Although FT itself does not have antimicrobial effects, the nanomechanical properties of biofilm are changed after topical FT administration. In vivo systemic toxicity of PCL‐MIP@FT has been demonstrated to be a safe biomaterial (up to 1.3 mg kg−1). When the PCL‐MIP@FT is assessed in the subcutaneous tissue, it promoted an alleviating inflammation and may be able to stimulate tissue repair. The present findings have demonstrated the reliable in vitro and in vivo anti‐inflammatory actions of FT‐loaded polymer and support its use as a novel drug‐free therapeutic platform for modulating and mitigating inflammatory responses in dental implant‐related infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To meet selective adsorption toward trifluralin, a novel molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) was fabricated by the dummy template molecular imprinting technology. First, computational simulation was performed to select a suitable dummy template, 3,5‐dinitro‐4‐methylbenzoic acid (T1), based on the maximum basis set superposition error (BSSE)‐corrected binding interaction energy (ΔE) of the monomer N‐vinylpyrrolidone (NVP)‐T1 complex and its structural overlap with trifluralin. Then, the MIP was prepared via the bulk polymerization. The adsorption experiments showed the MIP exhibited a trifluralin adsorption capacity of 5.1 mg g−1, an imprinting factor (IF) of 2.2, and short adsorption equilibrium time of 5 min. The adsorption of trifluralin conformed to the Freundlich adsorption (R2 = 0.985) and pseudo‐second‐order model (R2 = 0.999). In addition, the MIP exhibited selectivity to trifluralin over other adsorbents, including structural analogs (pendimethalin and oryzalin), pesticide (carbendazim), and nitrocompounds (nitrofurantoin, furazolidone, and furaltadone), with the selectivity factor (β) in the range of 1.2–3.0, respectively. In trifluralin/oryzalin mixture, the IF toward oryzalin was still as high as 1.9. The removal rate of the MIP to trifluralin in environmental water samples ranged from 90.08% to 99.04%. This study provides theoretical and experimental insights for the preparation of MIP using dummy templates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among biomimetic strategies shaping engineering designs, molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) technology stands out, involving chemically synthesised receptors emulating natural antigen-antibody interactions. These versatile 'designer polymers' with remarkable stability and low cost, are pivotal for in vitro diagnostics. Amid the recent global health crisis, we probed MIPs' potential to capture SARS-CoV-2 virions. Large biotemplates complicate MIP design, influencing generated binding site specificity. To precisely structure recognition sites within polymers, we innovated an epitope imprinting method supplemented by in silico polymerization component screening. A viral surface Spike protein informed epitope selection was targeted for MIP development. A novel multi-monomer docking approach (MMSD) was employed to simulate classical receptor-ligand interactions, mimicking binding reinforcement across multiple amino acids. Around 40 monomer combinations were docked to the epitope sequence and top performers experimentally validated via rapid fluorescence binding assays. Notably, high imprinting factor polymers correlated with MMSD predictions, promising rational MIP design applicable to diverse viral pathologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indacaterol, a β2 agonist prescribed for long-term management of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma. In this study the first MISPE cartridges was developed using indacaterol as a template for its selective extraction from rat lung tissues, enabling precise pharmacokinetic evaluation at the drug's site of action. A molecular imprinting polymer was synthesized using indacaterol as a template, methacrylic acid as a functional monomer and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as a cross-linker with a molar ratio (1: 4: 20). The polymer was characterized by a high binding capacity of 9840 ± 0.86 and high selectivity with an imprinting factor of 4.53 ± 0.12. The synthesized polymer was utilized as a sorbent in solid-phase extraction to purify and extract indacaterol from lung tissue matrix. The optimum molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction (MISPE) conditions were 20.0 mg of molecular imprinting polymer and non-imprinting polymer, acetonitrile as the loading solvent, acetonitrile: water (20: 80; by volume) as the washing solvent, and methanol: acetic acid (90: 10; by volume) as the eluting solvent. A pharmacokinetic study was performed for indacaterol in rat lungs using the synthesized and optimized MISPE cartridge as a tool for sample purification. These parameters were determined in the lung tissues of rats emphasizing the local exposure of indacaterol to its target organ. The Cmax and Tmax were 51.020 ± 2.810 µg mL− 1 and 0.083 ± 0.001 h, respectively. The AUC 0−24 and AUC0 − inf were 175.920 ± 1.053 and 542.000 ± 5.245 µg h mL− 1, respectively. The elimination rate constant was 0.014 ± 0.00012 h− 1 and the half-life time was 48.510 ± 0.012 h. This study successfully developed and optimized MISPE cartridges using indacaterol as a template, enabling precise pharmacokinetic evaluation in rat lung tissues. The cartridges demonstrated high binding capacity and selectivity, providing crucial insights into the local exposure of indacaterol at its site of action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel approach for the simultaneous separation of zearalenone (ZEN) and four types of aflatoxins (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1 and AFG2) from rice samples was presented. This approach utilized modified MIL-101(Cr)-NH2 as core, with molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) serving as the shell. The MIL-101(Cr)-NH2 was prepared via ring-opening reaction, while the imprinted polymers were synthesized using warfarin and 4-methylumbelliferyl acetate as co-pseudo template, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as the cross-linker and azobisisobutyronitrile as initiator. The resulting co-pseudo-template-MIPs (CPT-MIPs) were thoroughly characterized and evaluated. Adsorption studies demonstrate that the adsorption process of CPT-MIPs follows a chemical monolayer adsorption mechanism, with imprinted factors ranging from 1.24 to 1.52 and selective factors ranging from 1.29 to 1.52. Self-made columns were prepared, and the method for separation was developed and validated. The limit of detections ranged from 0.12 to 2.09 μg/kg, and the limit of qualifications ranged from 1.2 to 6.25 μg/kg. To assess the reliability of the method, ZEN and AFs were spiked at three different levels, and the recoveries ranged from 79.53 to 94.58%, with relative standard deviations of 2.90–5.78%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new sensor was fabricated for the determination of ketamine (Ket) in urine samples based on enhanced electrochemiluminescence (EECL) behavior of luminol on a carbon paste electrode (CPE) modified with the conductive molecularly imprinted polymer (CMIP) film. The FESEM technique was applied to demonstrate the rod shape morphology of CMIP. Unlike the common luminol system, EECL signal of luminol no need to addition of hydrogen peroxide and it might find application in efforts to avoid instability of hydrogen peroxide or its interference with the analytes of interest. The EECL emission has been optimized by an investigation of the applied potentials, electrochemical polymerization conditions, template and modifier concentrations, and the pH solution. Under the optimum conditions, the EECL signal depended linearly on the Ket concentration within a range from 0.1 to 1.25 μM with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.08 μM. The sensor exhibited very good recovery percentages ranging from 92% to 101% in urine samples, while precisions were ≤3%. These results suggested that the proposed sensor would be applicable for analysis Ket in complex matrixes without interfering of other drugs (anesthetics) and thus has the potential to be used in clinical application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stainless steel sheets were coated with carbon ink to obtain disposable carbon electrodes, which were used as supports for moleculary imprinted polymer (MIP) electrochemical sensors by electropolymerizing o-phenylenediamine and o-aminophenol along with indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) as the template. After optimization, the MIP biosensors could be used for sensitive and selective detection of IAA with the limit of quantification of 0.1 µM. Our experimental results showed that stable and reproducible electrochemical responses could be achieved for the disposable MIP biosensors. This approach was successfully used for detection of IAA in different tissues of pea sprouts. This study reveals the potential of MIP electrochemical sensors in practical applications and shrinks the trench between the research and the real world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnetic particle spray mass spectrometry (MPS-MS), an innovative ambient ionization technique proposed by our research group, was employed to determine beta-blockers in human plasma samples. A dispersive solid phase extraction of atenolol, metoprolol, labetalol, propranolol, nadolol, and pindolol was carried out using magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer (M-MIP) particles that were attached to the tip of a metal probe, which was placed in the mass spectrometer inlet. A solvent (1% formic acid in methanol) was dispensed on the particles, and the Taylor cone was formed around them (in high voltage). The analytes were desorbed/ionized and determined by a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. M-MIP was synthesized with oxprenolol as a pseudo-template, demonstrating good selectivity to beta-blockers compared with no-analog molecules, with an adsorption process occurring in monolayers, according to isotherm studies. Kinetic experiments indicated chemisorption as the predominant M-MIP/analyte interaction. The analytical curves were linear (R2 > 0.98), and the limit of quantification was 3 µg L−1 for all the analytes. Limits of detection ranged from 0.64 to 2.41 µg L−1. Precisions (relative standard deviation) and accuracies (relative error) ranged from 3.95 to 21.20% and -17.05 to 18.93%, respectively. MPS-MS proved to be a simple, sensitive, and advantageous technique compared with conventional approaches. The analyses were fast, requiring no chromatographic separation and without ionic suppression. The method is aligned with green chemistry principles, requiring minimal sample, solvent, and sorbent amounts. MPS-MS successfully integrates sample preparation and ambient ionization mass spectrometry and holds great potential for application with other sorbents, samples, and analytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An electrochemical sensor composed of conductive metal–organic framework [Ni3(HITP)2] and molecular imprinted polymers (MIP) is fabricated to detect dopamine. Ni3(HITP)2 promotes electrons transfer due to the structure of in-plane charge delocalization and layered expansion conjugation. The combination of MIP with Ni3(HITP)2 improves the selectivity and conductivity, exhibiting a wide detection range (0.06 ~ 200 µM) and a low detection limit (0.109 µM). The kinetic mechanism on the electrode surface is an adsorption controlled process, with the equal number of electrons and protons participating in oxidation in the electrocatalytic process of catechol converting to o-quinone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A thermoresponsive molecularly imprinted hydrogel sensor was constructed for the specific selective recognition of enterovirus 71 (EV71). Due to the introduction of the thermosensitive monomer N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM), when the imprinted hydrogel is incubated with the virus at 37℃, the surface specific imprinting cavity will specifically recognize and capture the target virus EV71. When the temperature rises to 45℃, the combined EV71 is rapidly released due to changes in the shape and function of the imprinted sites. The MIP hydrogel-based viral sensor developed recognized, captured, and released the target virus in a non-invasive way. The imprinting factor of the target virus was 5.2, suggesting high selectivity, and the detection limit was 7.1 fM, suggesting high sensitivity. Detection was rapid, as adsorption equilibrium was achieved within 30 min. This method provides a new sustainable avenue for the simple and rapid detection of viruses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A functional material was developed with specific recognition properties for aflatoxins for pre-processing enrichment and separation in the detection of aflatoxins in Chinese herbal medicines. In the experiment, ethyl coumarin-3-carboxylate, which has a highly similar structure to the oxonaphthalene o-ketone of aflatoxin, was selected as a pseudo-template, zinc acrylate, neutral red derivative, and methacrylic acid, which have complementary functions, were selected as co-monomers to prepare a pseudo-template multifunctional monomer molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP). The MIP obtained under the optimal preparation conditions has a maximum adsorption capacity of 0.036 mg/mg and an imprinting factor of 3.67. The physical property evaluation of the polymers by Fourier infrared spectrometer, scanning electron microscopy, pore size analyzer, thermogravimetric analyzer, and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy showed that the MIP were successfully prepared and porous spherical-like particles were obtained. The synthesized polymer was used as a solid-phase extraction agent for the separation of aflatoxins from the extract of spina date seed. The linear range of the developed method was 10–1000 ng/mL, the limit of detection was 0.36 ng/mL, the limit of quantification was 1.19 ng/mL, and the recoveries of the extracts at the concentration level of 0.2 μg/mL were in the range 88.0–93.4%, with relative standard deviations (RSDs) of 1.97% (n). The results showed that the preparation of MIPs using ethyl coumarin-3-carboxylate as a template was simple, economical, and convenient. It is expected to become a promising functional material for the enrichment and separation aflatoxins from complex matrices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A unique method for determining chlorophyll content in microalgae is devised employing a gold interdigitated electrode (G-IDE) with a 10-µm gap, augmented by a nano-molecularly imprinted polymer (nano-MIP) and a titanium dioxide/multiwalled carbon nanotube (TiO2/MWCNT) nanocomposite. The nano-MIP, produced using chlorophyll template voids, successfully trapped chlorophyll, while the TiO2/MWCNT nanocomposite, synthesized by the sol–gel technique, exhibited a consistent distribution and anatase crystalline structure. The rebinding of procured chlorophyll powder, which was used as a template for nano-MIP synthesis, was identified with a high determination coefficient (R2 = 0.9857). By combining the TiO2/MWCNT nanocomposite with nano-MIP, the G-IDE sensing method achieved a slightly better R2 value of 0.9892 for detecting chlorophyll in microalgae. The presented G-IDE sensor showed a significant threefold enhancement in chlorophyll detection compared with commercially available chlorophyll powder. It had a detection limit of 0.917 mL (v/v) and a linear range that spanned from 10-6 to 1 mL. The effectiveness of the sensor in detecting chlorophyll in microalgae was confirmed through validation of its repeatability and reusability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the field of sensing, the development of sensors with high sensitivity, accuracy, selectivity, sustainability, simplicity, and low cost remains a key focus. Over the past decades, optical and electrochemical sensors based on molecular imprinting techniques have garnered significant attention due to the above advantages. Molecular imprinting technology utilizes molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) to mimic the specific recognition capabilities of enzymes or antibodies for target molecules. Recently, MIP-based sensors rooting in signal amplification techniques have been employed to enhance molecular detection level and the quantitative ability for environmental pollutants, biomolecules, therapeutic compounds, bacteria, and viruses. The signal amplification techniques involved in MIP-based sensors mainly cover nucleic acid chain amplification, enzyme-catalyzed cascade, introduction of high-performance nanomaterials, and rapid chemical reactions. The amplified analytical signals are centered around electrochemical, fluorescence, colorimetric, and surface-enhanced Raman techniques, which can effectively realize the determination of some low-abundance targets in biological samples. This review highlights the recent advancements of electrochemical/optical sensors based on molecular imprinting integrated with various signal amplification strategies and their dedication to the study of trace biomolecules. Finally, future research directions on developing multidimensional output signals of MIP-based sensors and introducing multiple signal amplification strategies are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP)-based disposable electrochemical sensor for dipyridamole (DIP) determination was obtained. The sensor was rapidly prepared by potentiodynamic electrochemical polymerization on a pencil graphite electrode (PGE) using curcumin (CUR) as a functional monomer and DIP as a template molecule. After the optimization of the conditions (pH, monomer–template ratio, scan rate, number of cyclic voltammetric cycles applied in the electro-polymerization process and extraction time of the template molecule) for MIP formation, DIP voltammetric behavior at the modified electrode (MIP_PGE) was investigated. DIP oxidation took place in a pH-dependent, irreversible mixed diffusion-adsorption controlled process. Differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and adsorptive stripping differential pulse voltammetry (AdSDPV) were used to quantify DIP from pharmaceutical and tap water samples. Under optimized conditions (Britton–Robinson buffer at pH = 3.29), the obtained linear ranges were 5.00 × 10−8–1.00 × 10−5 mol/L and 5.00 × 10−9–1.00 × 10−7 mol/L DIP for DPV and AdSDPV, respectively. The limits of detection of the methods were 1.47 × 10−8 mol/L for DPV and 3.96 × 10−9 mol/L DIP for AdSDPV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multi-ion-imprinted polymers (MIIPs) are materials with a wide range of applications mainly focused on environmental recovery, mining, technology, sensors, etc. MIIPs can incorporate ions such as heavy metals, transition metals, rare earth elements, radionuclides, and other types of ions. The chemical structures of MIIPs can be designed for different purposes and with certain morphologies, such as gels, crystals, or powders, and the surface area and porosity are also considered. All these properties provide the material with several desirable characteristics, like high selectivity, high specificity, adequate efficiency, good stability, the possibility of reusability, and strategy technology adaptation. In this review, we show the multitude of challenges of multi-ion imprinted polymer chemical synthesis based on the different and interesting methods reported previously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Development in hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers (HBOCs) that may be used as alternatives to donated blood requires an extensive supply of highly pure hemoglobin (Hb) preparations. Therefore, it is essential to fabricate inexpensive, stable and highly selective absorbents for Hb purification. Molecular imprinting is an attractive technology for preparing such materials for targeted molecular recognition and rapid separations. In this case study, we developed human fetal hemoglobin (HbF)-imprinted polymer beads through the fusion of surface imprinting and Pickering emulsion polymerization. HbF was firstly covalently coupled to silica nanoparticles through its surface-exposed amino groups. The particle-supported HbF molecules were subsequently employed as templates for the synthesis of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) with high selectivity for Hb. After removing the silica support and HbF, the resulting MIPs underwent equilibrium and kinetic binding experiments with both adult Hb (HbA) and HbF. These surface-imprinted MIPs exhibited excellent selectivity for both HbA and HbF, facilitating the one-step isolation of recombinant Hb from crude biological samples. The saturation capacities of HbA and HbF were found to be 15.4 and 17.1 mg/g polymer, respectively. The present study opens new possibilities for designed resins for tailored protein purification, separation and analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hazards associated with highly dangerous pollutants/contaminants in water, air, and land resources, as well as food, are serious threats to public health and the environment. Thus, it is imperative to detect or decontaminate, as risk-control strategies, the possible harmful substances sensitively and efficiently. In this context, due to their capacity to be specifically designed for various types of hazardous compounds, the synthesis and use of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) have become widespread. By molecular imprinting, affinity sites with complementary shape, size, and functionality can be created for any template molecule. MIPs' unique functions in response to external factors have attracted researchers to develop a broad range of MIP-based sensors with increased sensitivity, specificity, and selectivity of the recognition element toward target hazardous compounds. Therefore, this paper comprehensively reviews the very recent progress of MIPs and smart polymer applications for sensing or decontamination of hazardous compounds (e.g., drugs, explosives, and biological or chemical agents) in various fields from 2020 to 2024, providing researchers with a rapid tool for investigating the latest research status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are very suitable for extraction, drug delivery systems, and sensors due to their good selective adsorption ability, but the difficulty of eluting templates during synthesis and the limitation of application scenarios put higher demands on MIPs. Stimuli‐responsive MIPs (SR‐MIPs) can actively respond to changes in external conditions to realize various functions, which provides new ideas for the further development of MIPs. This paper reviews the multiple response modes of MIPs, including the common temperature, pH, photo, magnetic, redox‐responsive and rare gas, biomolecule, ion, and solvent‐responsive MIPs, and explains the mechanism, composition, and applications of such SR‐MIPs. These SR‐MIPs and the resulting dual/multiple‐responsive MIPs have good selectivity, and controllability, and are very promising for isolation and extraction, targeted drug delivery, and electro‐sensor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By coating the electrodes of a cochlear implant (CI) electrode array with a powdered form of molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP), a straightforward process to functionalize existing electrodes to selectively detect histamine is demonstrated. Detection is based on non‐Faradaic impedance spectroscopy, omitting the need for a reference electrode or redox mediators, and fitting to a 5‐element equivalent electronic circuit. Proof‐of‐concept measurements on three functionalized cochlear implants in three human cadaveric cochleae indicate a level of detection of 200 nM of histamine in albumin‐based artificial perilymph following a sigmoid dose‐response trend up to 10 mM. This sensitivity enables quantized and localized analysis of histamine‐mediated inflammation immediately following the CI operation. The selectivity and adaptability of MIPs opens possibilities to detect a wide spectrum of inflammation markers inside the human cochlea and could be used for fast mid‐ or postoperative intervention to improve the medical implant's outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research copper tagged magnetic surface imprinted polymer (IIP) has been developed using 1,10-phenanthroline immobilized magnesium ferrite–starch. Maximum removal of 95% was achieved at the optimum conditions i.e., 10 min contact time, pH of 6, and IIP amount of 20 mg. According to the kinetic study copper adsorption followed pseudo-second-order model moreover, based on the isotherm study Freundlich model better described the adsorption process as the maximum adsorption capacity of 33.7 mg g−1 was achieved. Adsorbed copper ions were eluted from the adsorbent surface with an HCl solution (0.5 mol L−1) and the IIP exhibited appropriate reusability (removal of more than 92%) after four cycles of sorption and elution. The limit of detection, linear dynamic range and RSD were 0.5 and 3.0–100 µg L−1 and 3%, respectively. The copper-tagged IIP showed a selectivity factor of 8.8, 4.6, 3.3, 3.2 and 5.4 concerning Zn, Ni, Co, Mn and Cd, respectively. The developed IIP-based adsorption system was employed for copper adsorption/preconcentration from water and food samples with an efficiency more than of 95%. Results confirmed that the IIP system is an appropriate route to reduce the side effects of heavy metals in aqueous media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanozymes‐involving colorimetry may represent an effective solution to tetracycline detection due to its affordability and simplicity. To improve the performance in selectivity, molecular imprinting technology has emerged as a promising approach to simulating the interaction between antibodies and receptors. Herein, Mn2V2O7, a form of nanozyme with oxidase‐mimicking activity, was synthesized. With tetracycline as the template, the cavities with unique dimensions were constructed through the self‐polymerization of dopamine (DA) on Mn2V2O7. In Mn2V2O7@MIP, polydopamine (PDA) acts as molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) and its cavities are compatible with tetracycline in dimension. It also exhibits oxidase‐mimicking activity. With the introduction of tetracycline, the cavity of PDA is blocked, which leads to obvious color fading, which enables precise tetracycline detection with colorimetry. The range of linear detection is from 10 to 100 μM, and the lower limit of detection is 0.82 μM. It is anticipated that the combination between nanozymes‐involving colorimetry and molecular imprinting technology would contribute to the accurate detection of organic pollutants in the aquatic environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The New Journal of Chemistry, published by The Royal Society of Chemistry and the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, is a scientific journal that aims to connect the world with the chemical sciences. The contents list for the September 21, 2024 issue includes a variety of articles and papers on topics such as the synthesis of nanomaterials, nonlinear optical crystals, and the detection of formaldehyde. The journal provides recognition and professional development opportunities for scientists. Some specific papers in this issue cover the preparation of superhydrophobic/superhydrophilic sodium alginate aerogels for oil absorption, improved efficiency of quantum dot-sensitized solar cells, and the electrocatalytic activity of nickel-doped manganese oxide nanorods. Other topics include the synthesis of nanocomposites for supercapacitor performance, the selective adsorption and photodegradation of residual norfloxacin in water, and the targeted delivery of ifosfamide for cancer treatment. [Extracted from the article]

In this study, a mesoporous TiO2 (mTiO2) based inorganic molecularly imprinted magnetic photocatalyst was prepared for the selective adsorption and photodegradation of residual antibiotics in water. Direct molecularly imprinted TiO2 shells were coated on nano-Fe3O4 (Fe3O4@TiO2) through a sol–gel imprinting technique using norfloxacin (NOR) as a template, then the amorphous imprinted TiO2 shells were transformed into mesoporous crystalline anatase (Fe3O4@mTiO2) by a microwave-assisted hydrothermal method, and Ag NPs were simultaneously in situ reduced on the surface (Fe3O4@mTiO2@Ag) to enhance the photodegradation performance. The as-prepared inorganic molecularly imprinted Fe3O4@mTiO2@Ag (MIFTA) nanocomposites showed excellent specificity for the target molecule NOR, and the adsorption capacity was as high as 135.7 μg mg−1, which was 1.4 to 2.3 times higher than that of other fluoroquinolone antibiotics. The photodegradation rate of MIFTA for NOR was 0.0129 min−1, which was about 3.1 times faster than that of non-imprinted Fe3O4@mTiO2@Ag (NIFTA). In addition, the used MIFTA nanocomposites can be easily recycled by magnetic separation and subsequent water elution. These results indicate that prepared MIFTA nanocomposites were expected to provide an efficient, environment friendly, and low-cost approach for the selective removal of residual antibiotics in water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of pharmaceuticals in water bodies has been reported to be mainly due to their incomplete removal by the conventional wastewater treatment processes, resulting to their release into the aquatic environment where they thratens to human health and aquatic life. Therefore, it is important to remove these pollutants from the aquatic environment using affordable highly efficient materials. The goal of this study was to incorporate silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) into MIPs for selective removal of sulfamethoxazole, nevirapine, and ibuprofen in wastewater. The AgNPs were synthesized using starch (St) and macadamia (MCD) as both reducing and stabilizing agents. Thermogravimetric analysis showed high stability for the St/MCD‐nanoMIPs. The ANOVA analysis revealed that the parameters affecting adsorption of St/MCD‐nanoMIPs have a significant difference (p<0.05). The St/MCD‐AgNPs experimental data fitted to both Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms, however, the non‐linear Langmuir isotherm model yielded a better fit based on the higher R2 value (0.999). The non‐linear Freundlich model best fitted for the St/MCD‐nanoMIPs. The linear pseudo‐second order model shown best fit for St/MCD‐nanoMIPs, the thermodynamic results revealed that the adsorption process was spontaneous and endothermic. The St/MCD‐nanoMIPs showed improved qualities and were highly selective (>70 %) and effective in removing the selected pharmaceuticals from wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite advancements in the sensitivity and performance of analytical instruments, sample preparation remains a bottleneck in the analytical process. Currently, solid-phase extraction is more widely used than traditional organic solvent extraction due to its ease of use and lower solvent requirements. Moreover, various microextraction techniques such as micro solid-phase extraction, dispersive micro solid-phase extraction, solid-phase microextraction, stir bar sorptive extraction, liquid-phase microextraction, and magnetic bead extraction have been developed to minimize sample size, reduce solvent usage, and enable automation. Among these, in-tube solid-phase microextraction (IT-SPME) using capillaries as extraction devices has gained attention as an advanced "green extraction technique" that combines miniaturization, on-line automation, and reduced solvent consumption. Capillary tubes in IT-SPME are categorized into configurations: inner-wall-coated, particle-packed, fiber-packed, and rod monolith, operating either in a draw/eject system or a flow-through system. Additionally, the developments of novel adsorbents such as monoliths, ionic liquids, restricted-access materials, molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs), graphene, carbon nanotubes, inorganic nanoparticles, and organometallic frameworks have improved extraction efficiency and selectivity. MIPs, in particular, are stable, custom-made polymers with molecular recognition capabilities formed during synthesis, making them exceptional "smart adsorbents" for selective sample preparation. The MIP fabrication process involves three main stages: pre-arrangement for recognition capability, polymerization, and template removal. After forming the template-monomer complex, polymerization creates a polymer network where the template molecules are anchored, and the final step involves removing the template to produce an MIP with cavities complementary to the template molecules. This review is the first paper to focus on advanced MIP-based IT-SPME, which integrates the selectivity of MIPs into efficient IT-SPME, and summarizes its recent developments and applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]