Multifunctional Carbon Dots In Situ Confined Hydrogel for Optical Communication, Drug Delivery, pH Sensing, Nanozymatic Activity, and UV Shielding Applications.

Inspired by the emerging potential of photoluminescent hydrogels, this work unlocks new avenues for advanced biosensing, bioimaging, and drug delivery applications. Carbon quantum dots (CDs) are deemed particularly promising among various optical dyes, for enhancing polymeric networks with superior physical and chemical properties. This study presents the synthesis of CDs derived from Prunella vulgaris, a natural plant resource, through a single-step hydrothermal process, followed by their uniform integration into hydrogel matrices via an in situ free radical graft polymerization.

Silicene-Based Quantum Dots Nanocomposite Coated Functional UV Protected Textiles With Antibacterial and Antioxidant Properties: A Versatile Solution for Healthcare and Everyday Protection.

The predominant adverse health effects in care delivery result from hospital-acquired (nosocomial) infections, which impose a substantial financial burden on global healthcare systems. Integrating contact-killing antibacterial action, gas permeability, and antioxidant properties into textile coatings offers a transformative solution, significantly enhancing both medical and everyday protective applications. This study presents an innovative, pollution-free physical compounding method for creating a fluorescent biopolymer composite embedded with silicene-based heteroatom-doped carbon quantum dots for the production of functional textiles.

Label-free electrochemical detection of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and C-reactive protein (CRP) to predict the maturation of coronary heart disease due to diabetes.

The pathophysiological link between diabetes and heightened propensity for the development of coronary heart disease (CHD) is well-established. Prevailing evidence confirms that small increases in low concentrations of high-sensitivity C reactive protein (hs-CRP) in the human body can determine the tendency of developing CHD. Additionally, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is a well-recognized biomarker to evaluate diabetes progression.

Electrochemical detection of 4(5)-methylimidazole in aqueous solutions.

4(5)-methylimidazole (4-MeI) is a potential carcinogen widely used in food colours. EU regulations specify a maximum allowable concentration of 200 ppm for 4-MeI in caramel colours. This study reports an electrochemical determination technique for 4-MeI in caramel colours for the first time.

Prunella vulgaris-phytosynthesized platinum nanoparticles: Insights into nanozymatic activity for HO and glutamate detection and antioxidant capacity.

Artificial nanozymes (enzyme-mimics), specifically metallic nanomaterials, have garnered significant attention recently due to their reduced preparation cost and enhanced stability in a wide range of environments. The present investigation highlights, for the first time, a straightforward green synthesis of biogenic platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) from a natural resource, namely Prunella vulgaris (Pr). To demonstrate the effectiveness of the phytochemical extract as an effective reducing agent, the PtNPs were characterized by various techniques such as UV-vis spectroscopy, High-resolution Transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), zeta-potential analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS).

MXene-Based Elastomer Mimetic Stretchable Sensors: Design, Properties, and Applications.

Flexible sensors based on MXene-polymer composites are highly prospective for next-generation wearable electronics used in human-machine interfaces. One of the motivating factors behind the progress of flexible sensors is the steady arrival of new conductive materials. MXenes, a new family of 2D nanomaterials, have been drawing attention since the last decade due to their high electronic conductivity, processability, mechanical robustness and chemical tunability.

Electrochemical assisted enhanced nanozymatic activity of functionalized borophene for HO and tetracycline detection.

This study unveils the electrochemically-enhanced nanozymatic activity exhibited by borophene during the reaction of 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) and HO. Herein, the surface of the pristine borophene was first modified with the addition of thiocyanate groups to improve hydroxyl radical (•OH) scavenging activity. Then, the oxidation reaction of TMB was accelerated under applied electrochemical potential.

Covalent organic frameworks as highly versatile materials for the removal and electrochemical sensing of organic pollutants.

The presence of persistent organic compounds in water has become a worldwide issue due to its resistance to natural degradation, inducing its environmental resilience. Therefore, the accumulation in water bodies, soils, and humans produces toxic effects. Also, low levels of organic pollutants can lead to serious human health issues, such as cancer, chronic diseases, thyroid complications, immune system suppression, etc.

Waste-Derived Sustainable Fluorescent Nanocarbon-Coated Breathable Functional Fabric for Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Applications.

Hospital-acquired (nosocomial) infections account for the majority of adverse health effects during care delivery, placing an immense financial strain on healthcare systems around the world. For the first time, the present article provides evidence of a straightforward pollution-free technique to fabricate a heteroatom-doped carbon dot immobilized fluorescent biopolymer composite for the development of functional textiles with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. A simple, facile, and eco-friendly approach was devised to prepare heteroatom-doped carbon dots from waste green tea and a biopolymer.

Naturally Derived Carbon Dots In Situ Confined Self-Healing and Breathable Hydrogel Monolith for Anomalous Diffusion-Driven Phytomedicine Release.

Fluorescent nanocarbons are well-proficient nanomaterials because of their optical properties and surface engineering. Herein, -derived carbon dots (ACDs) have been synthesized by a one-step hydrothermal process without using any surplus vigorous chemicals or ligands. ACDs were captured via an in situ gelation reaction to form a semi-interpenetrating polymer network system showing mechanical robustness, fluorescent behavior, and natural adhesivity.

Mercury remediation from wastewater through its spontaneous adsorption on non-functionalized inverse spinel magnetic ferrite nanoparticles.

In this study, inverse spinel cubic ferrites MFeO (M = Fe, and Co) have been fabricated for the high-capacity adsorptive removal of Hg(II) ions. The PXRD analysis confirmed ferrites with the presence of residual NaCl. The surface area of FeO (Fe-F) and CoFeO (Co-F) material was 69.

Positively Charged Gold Quantum Dots: An Nanozymatic "Off-On" Sensor for Thiocyanate Detection.

The concentration of thiocyanate (SCN) in bodily fluids is a good indicator of potential and severe health issues such as nasal bleeding, goiters, vertigo, unconsciousness, several inflammatory diseases, and cystic fibrosis. Herein, a visual SCN sensing method has been developed using the enzyme-like nature of positively charged gold quantum dots (Au QDs) mixed with 3,3',5,5'- (TMB) and hydrogen peroxide (HO. This research also reports a new method of synthesizing positively charged Au QDs directly from gold nanoparticles through a hydrothermal process.

Radiolabeled nanomaterials for biomedical applications: radiopharmacy in the era of nanotechnology.

Background: Recent advances in nanotechnology have offered new hope for cancer detection, prevention, and treatment. Nanomedicine, a term for the application of nanotechnology in medical and health fields, uses nanoparticles for several applications such as imaging, diagnostic, targeted cancer therapy, drug and gene delivery, tissue engineering, and theranostics.

Results: Here, we overview the current state-of-the-art of radiolabeled nanoparticles for molecular imaging and radionuclide therapy.

A New Perspective to Tribocharging: Could Tribocharging Lead to the Development of a Non-Destructive Approach for Process Monitoring and Quality Control of Powders?

This study explores a new perspective on triboelectrification that could potentially lead to the development of a non-destructive approach for the rapid characterization of powders. Sieved yellow pea powders at various particle sizes and protein contents were used as a model system for the experimental charge measurements of the triboelectrified powders. A tribocharging model based on the prominent condenser model was combined with a Eulerian-Lagrangian computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model to simulate particle tribocharging in particle-laden flows.

A biomolecule-free electrochemical sensing approach based on a novel electrode modification technique: Detection of ultra-low concentration of Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol in saliva by turning a sample analyte into a sensor analyte.

Cannabis is currently one of the most consumed drugs in many countries. Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the principal psychoactive component of this drug and is present in saliva after consumption. This paper reports a novel biomolecule-free electrochemical approach to detect an ultra-low level of THC in saliva using modified electrodes with molecules of the same analyte (THC) that are detected later via square wave voltammetry.

Rodlike Particles of Polydopamine-CdTe Quantum Dots: An Actuator As a Photothermal Agent and Reactive Oxygen Species-Generating Nanoplatform for Cancer Therapy.

Herein, novel rodlike CdTe@MPA-PDA particles based on polydopamine (PDA) loaded with CdTe quantum dots (QDs) capped with mercaptopropionic acid (CdTe@MPA QDs) with atypical chemical features are evaluated as a potential actuator for photothermal therapy and oxidative stress induction. Under mild conditions established for the safe and efficient use of lasers, temperature increases of 10.2 and 7.

Target specific aptamer-induced self-assembly of fluorescent graphene quantum dots on palladium nanoparticles for sensitive detection of tetracycline in raw milk.

The excessive use of tetracyclines (TCs), a bacteriostaticantibiotic, in food products, has led to the accumulation of TCs residues in the human body, affecting human health seriously. Therefore, the development of a highly sensitive method to detect TCs in food is of utmost importance. This study reports a novel sensing strategy using aptamer-induced fluorescence fluctuation of graphene quantum dots (GQDs) and palladium nanoparticles (Pd NPs) for the rapid and label-free detection of tetracycline with a limit of detection of 45 ng.

Upconverting nanoparticle clustering based rapid quantitative detection of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on lateral-flow immunoassay.

Cannabis, also known as marijuana, is the most abused psychoactive drug worldwide. Several countries are legalizing the medicinal and recreational use of cannabis. At the same time, stricter laws are being drafted for driving or working under the influence of the drug.

Functional properties of navy bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) protein concentrates obtained by pneumatic tribo-electrostatic separation.

A sustainable, chemical-free dry tribo-electrostatic separation approach was employed to fractionate navy bean flour. The resulting protein-enriched fractions had 36-38% protein on a moisture free basis, accounting for 43% of the total available protein. SDS-PAGE analysis of the dry-enriched protein fractions showed a similar protein profile to that of the original navy bean flour.

Physicochemical characterization of a navy bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) protein fraction produced using a solvent-free method.

A solvent-free electrostatic separation method was employed to separate navy bean flour (NBF) into protein-rich (PR) and starch-rich (SR) fractions. The physicochemical properties of NBF and separated fractions were compared to proteins (navy bean isolate (NBI) and 7S globulin) prepared using a wet process. Gel electrophoresis confirmed that the protein distribution in the isolated fractions was similar to that of NBF.

Nitrification cessation and recovery in an aerated saturated vertical subsurface flow treatment wetland: Field studies and microscale biofilm modeling.

In aerated treatment wetlands, oxygen availability is not a limiting factor in sustaining a high level of nitrification in wastewater treatment. In the case of an air blower failure, nitrification would cease, potentially causing adverse effects to the nitrifying bacteria. A field trial was completed investigating nitrification loss when aeration is switched off, and the system recovery rate after the aeration is switched back on.