Copper nanoclusters (CuNCs) exhibit a high tendency to undergo oxidation particularly at the subnanometer size regime. In the light of overcoming this bottleneck, we have been successful in developing tripeptide (glutathione, GSH) templated CuNCs which show high biocompatibility and stability, in spite of being ultrafine in size. These blue-emitting CuNCs possess very promising optical features such as significant quantum yield (QY) and excellent photostability. Our cell-imaging studies reveal that the CuNCs localize primarily in nuclear membranes of the different cancerous (Hela, MDAMB-231, and A549) cells, and the cell viability assay conclusively established their nontoxic nature. Apart from their biological significances, these CuNCs also illustrate their ability to serve as a metal ion sensor, selectively detecting Fe 3+ ions in solution at the nanomolar concentration regime. This unique luminescent property of the NCs will enable them to serve as label-free and versatile probes having several biological and analytical applications.
To address the concern of material chemists over the issue of stability and photoluminescent (PL) characteristics of Cu nanoclusters (NCs), herein we present an efficient protocol discussing PL Cu NCs (Cu/HSA) having blue emission and high photostability. These PL NCs were illustrated as efficient probes for Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) with a compatible fluorophore (Coumarin 153). Our spectroscopic results were well complemented by our molecular docking calculations, which also favored our proposed mechanism for Cu NC formation. The beneficial aspect and uniqueness of these nontoxic Cu/HSA NCs highlights their temperature-dependent PL reversibility as well as the reversible FRET with Coumarin 153, which enables them to be used as a nanothermometer and a PL marker for sensitive biological samples.
A new 1,8-diaminonaphthalene based ratiometric and highly selective colorimetric "off-on" type of fluorescent probe, receptor 2 has been designed and synthesized that senses only Cu(2+) among the other heavy and transition metal ions examined on the basis of internal charge transfer (ICT). The visual sensitivity of the receptor 2 is remarkable, showing dual color changes from colorless (receptor) to purple followed by blue and a large red shift in emission upon Cu(2+) complexation.
BackgroundThe rationale for use of drugs during pregnancy requires a careful assessment as in addition to the mother, the health and life of her unborn child is also at stake. Information on the use of drugs during pregnancy is not available in Pakistan. The aim of this study was to evaluate the patterns of drug prescriptions to pregnant women in tertiary care hospitals of Pakistan.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study conducted at five tertiary care hospitals of Pakistan. Copies of outpatient medicinal prescriptions given to pregnant patients attending the antenatal clinics were collected. The drugs were classified according to the pharmacological class and their teratogenic potential.ResultsAll the pregnant women attending the antenatal clinics received a prescription containing at least one drug. A total of 3769 distinct prescriptions given to different women were collected. Majority of the women who received the prescriptions belonged to third trimester (55.4%) followed by second (33.6%) and first trimester (11.0%). On an average, each prescription contained 1.66 ± 0.14 drugs. The obstetricians at Civil Hospital, Karachi and Chandka Medical College Hospital, Larkana showed a tendency of prescribing lesser number of drugs compared to those in other hospitals. Anti-anemic drugs including iron preparations and vitamin and mineral supplements (79.4%) were the most frequently prescribed drugs followed by analgesics (6.2%) and anti-bacterials (2.2%). 739 women (19.6%) received prescriptions containing drugs other than vitamin or mineral supplements. Only 1275 (21.6%) of all the prescribed drugs (n = 6100) were outside this vitamin/mineral supplement class. Out of these 1275 drugs, 29 (2.3%) drugs were prescribed which are considered to be teratogenic. Misoprostol was the most frequently prescribed (n = 6) among the teratogenic drugs followed by carbimazole (n = 5) and methotrexate (n = 5). Twenty nine pregnant women (0.8% of all the women studied) were prescribed these teratogenic drugs.ConclusionLess than one percent of the pregnant women attending tertiary care hospitals in Pakistan are prescribed teratogenic drugs. The prescribing practices of Pakistani physicians are similar to those in western countries.
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