The pertinence of exploiting carbon fibre tow as an electrochemical sensing matrix for assessing pyocyanin production is evaluated. Pyocyanin is released by Ps. aeruginosa as a quorum signalling molecule during wound colonisation, increasing virulence and damaging host physiology, both contributing to an increased risk of infection. Prototype sensor assemblies have been developed and response characteristics towards pyocyanin are detailed. Sensitive and precise electrochemical measurements of pyocyanin by square wave voltammetry are established that enable the periodic monitoring of wound exudates for the presence of pyocyanin and serve as an early/pre-infection marker. As such, the pyocyanin sensor is presented as a possible sensor for intelligent wound management though incorporation into a 'smart-bandage' assembly or for use as a Point of Care Test for detection of Ps aeruginosa in cystic fibrosis patients' sputa.

This study provided evidence that body mass index and distribution of body fat can influence sensory detection and pain sensitivity. Obese individuals were more sensitive than normal range body mass index individuals to pressure pain but not to thermal pain. Pain response varied according to subcutaneous body fat at different body sites. These findings strengthen arguments that weight loss should be a significant aspect of a pain management programme for obese pain patients.

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The applicability of employing a carbon fibre mesh as an electrochemical sensing substructure for assessing urate transformations within wound exudates is evaluated. Prototype sensor assemblies have been designed and their response characteristics towards uric acid and other common physiological components are detailed. Modification of the carbon fibre sensor through surface anodisation and the application of cellulose acetate permselective barriers have been shown to lead to optimized responses and much greater sensitivity (1440% increase) and specificity. These could enable the accurate periodic monitoring of uric acid in wound fluid. The performance characteristics of the composite sensors in whole blood, serum and blister fluid have been investigated. KeywordsCarbon fibre, smart bandage, urate, uric acid, wound infection 2 Sharp et al.

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The measurement of pH is important throughout many biological systems, but there are limited available technologies to enable its periodical monitoring in the complex, small volume, media often used in cell culture experiments across a range of disciplines. Herein, pad printed electrodes are developed and characterised through modification with: a commercially available fullerene multiwall carbon nanotube composite applied in Nafion, casting of hydrophobic ubiquinone as a pH probe to provide the electrochemical signal, and coated in Polyethylene glycol to reduce fouling and potentially enhance biocompatibility, which together are proven to enable the determination of pH in cell culture media containing serum. The ubiquinone oxidation peak position (E) provided an indirect marker of pH across the applicable range of pH 6-9 (R = 0.9985, n = 15) in complete DMEM. The electrochemical behaviour of these sensors was also proven to be robust; retaining their ability to measure pH in cell culture media supplemented with serum up to 20% (v/v) [encompassing the range commonly employed in cell culture], cycled > 100 times in 10% serum containing media and maintain > 60% functionality after 5 day incubation in a 10% serum containing medium. Overall, this proof of concept research highlights the potential applicability of this, or similar, electrochemical approaches to enable to detection or monitoring of pH in complex cell culture media.

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