Various whole cell-based biosensors have been reported in the literature for the last 20 years and these reports have shown great potential for their use in the areas of pollution detection in environmental and in biomedical diagnostics. Unlike other reviews of this growing field, this mini-review argues that: (1) the selection of reporter genes and their regulatory proteins are directly linked to the performance of celllular biosensors; (2) broad enhancements in microelectronics and information technologies have also led to improvements in the performance of these sensors; (3) their future potential is most apparent in their use in the areas of medical diagnostics and in environmental monitoring; and (4) currently the most promising work is focused on the better integration of cellular sensors with nano and micro scaled integrated chips. With better integration it may become practical to see these cells used as (5) real-time portable devices for diagnostics at the bedside and for remote environmental toxin detection and this in situ application will make the technology commonplace and thus as unremarkable as other ubiquitous technologies.
Lithium-sulfur batteries have the potential to be as efficient and as widespread as lithium-ion batteries, since sulfur has high theoretical capacity (1672 mA h g sul -1) and this element is affordable and none toxic. However, unlike their ubiquitous lithium ion counterparts, it has proven difficult to make lithium sulfur (Li-S) batteries that perform well. The main problem that restricted the commercialization of Li-S battery is the shuttle effect of polysulfide that inevitably results in the serious capacity degradation. Tremendous progress has been devoted to approach this problem from the aspect of physical confinement and chemisorption of polysulfide. Owing to weak intermolecular interactions, physical confinement strategy, however is not effective when the battery is cycled long-term. While the chemical interactions, including polar-polar interaction, Lewis acid-base interaction and sulfur-chain catenation, are proven to significantly suppress the shuttle effect of polysulfide. Recently, it was discovered that the metal compounds possess strong chemical interactions with polysulfide species, thus this review focuses on latest metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), metal nitrides, metal sulfides, metal hydroxides, metal carbides and discusses how the chemical interactions coupling with the unique properties of these metal compounds to tackle the problem of polysulfide shuttle effect. It is anticipated that the new research reviewed in this work will lead to greater breakthroughs and to a wider application of Li-S batteries.Received: ((will be filled in by the editorial staff))Revised: ((will be filled in by the editorial staff))
Objective. To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of prolonged administration of quinapril, a long-acting angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, in the management of the peripheral vascular manifestations of limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis (lcSSc) and in the prevention of the progression of visceral organ involvement in the disease.Methods. This was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluating quinapril 80 mg/day, or the maximum tolerated dosage, in 210 patients with lcSSc or with Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) and the presence of SSc-specific antinuclear antibodies. Treatment was for 2-3 years. The primary outcome measure was the number of new ischemic ulcers appearing on the hands; secondary measures were the frequency and severity of RP attacks, skin score, treatments for ischemia, health status (measured by the Short Form 36 instrument), measures of kidney and lung function, and echocardiographic estimates of pulmonary artery pressure. An intent-to-treat analysis was used.Results. Quinapril did not affect the occurrence of digital ulcers or the frequency or severity of RP episodes. It did not alter the treatments that were prescribed for either infected ulcers or severe RP symptoms. There was no apparent effect on the estimated tricuspid gradient. Health status was not affected by quinapril, and one-half of the patients who believed they had benefited from the trial treatment were in the placebo arm. Quinapril was not tolerated by one-fifth of the patients, with dry cough being the most frequent side effect.Conclusion. Administration of quinapril for up to 3 years had no demonstrable effects on the occurrence of upper limb digital ulcers or on other vascular manifestations of lcSSc in this patient population. ISRCTN: 57984704.
The noninvasive and real-time detection of glucose sugar from tears is promising for the early diagnosis and treatment of chronic diseases such as diabetes. However, its realization is a big challenge. A suitable biosensor electrode that can closely fit the eye and be electrochemically sensitive is still unrealized. In this work, nitrogen-doped graphene (N-G) was used as an ophthalmic electrode in a high-performance intraocular biosensor. The use of N-G has been reported elsewhere before as it is highly electroactive and so has a particular use in biosensors. We hereby present a novel procedure for making carboxylated chitosan-functionalized nitrogen-containing graphene (GC–COOH) by using a one-step ball-milling process. This process does not use toxic chemicals, flammable gases, or a high temperature. It is thus particularly easy to perform. The fabricated nanomaterial had a high electroactivity and was easily assembled as a glucose biosensor by the immobilization of glucose oxidase. The thus constructed biosensor has a high sensitivity at 9.7 μA mM–1 cm–2, a broad linear range at 12 mM, and a good detection limit of 9.5 μM. It was able to maintain this activity after a month of storage. We also report the intraocular use of this constructed biosensor. The as-prepared GC–COOH was found to be highly biocompatible to ophthalmologic cells such as corneal epithelial and retinal pigment epithelium cells. No change in the intraocular pressure or the corneal structure was measured in a New Zealand white rabbit model. The as-assembled sensor was worn by the animals for more than 24 h without undue impact. This result confirmed the biosensor’s potential for intraocular application in the clinic. Its assembly into a useful sensor shown here has great potential to provide real-time monitoring of glucose levels in tear fluids of patients with high sugar levels.
On the basis of efficacy, safety and cost, leflunomide should be considered in patients with RA who have failed first-line DMARD drug therapy. In refractory cases, leflunomide may be used in combination with, for example, methotrexate before biological agents. Therapy should be initiated by a specialist, but repeat prescribing in general practice on a shared care basis is acceptable using agreed protocols. Clear mechanisms are required to monitor toxicity, with good communication between the patient and rheumatologist to manage nuisance side-effects and avoid unnecessary discontinuation of leflunomide.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.