Electropolymerized-molecularly imprinted polymers (E-MIPS) as sensing elements for the detection of dengue infection.

A straightforward in situ detection method for dengue infection was demonstrated through the molecular imprinting of a dengue nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) epitope into an electropolymerized molecularly imprinted polyterthiophene (E-MIP) film sensor. The key enabling step in the sensor fabrication is based on an epitope imprinting strategy, in which short peptide sequences derived from the original target molecules were employed as the main template for detection and analysis. The formation of the E-MIP sensor films was facilitated using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and monitored in situ by electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EC-QCM).

Water Dynamics at the Solid-Liquid Interface to Unveil the Textural Features of Synthetic Nanosponges.

A fast-field-cycling NMR investigation was carried out on a set of polyurethane cyclodextrin nanosponges, in order to gain information on their textural properties, which have been proven to be quite difficult to assess by means of ordinary porosimetric techniques. Experiments were performed on both dry and wet samples, in order to evaluate the behavior of the "nonexchangeable" C-bound H nuclei, as well as the one of the mobile protons belonging to the skeletal hydroxyl groups and the water molecules. The results acquired for the wet samples accounted for the molecular mobility of water molecules within the channels of the nanosponge network, leading back to the possible pore size distribution.

Sociodemographic, clinical and criminological characteristics of a sample of Italian Volterra REMS patients.

Background: In Italy the Law 9/2012 prescribed the total closure of forensic psychiatric hospitals (OPGs) and the conversion to a care model based on residential units in the community employing only clinical personnel (Residenze per l'Esecuzione delle Misure di Sicurezza - REMS) and fully integrated in public mental health services. The aim of this study is to report sociodemographic, clinical and criminological characteristics of patients admitted in Volterra REMS since it opened on 01/12/15 up to 31/12/17.

Methods: Sociodemographic and clinical information was collected from official documents (clinical files, ward reports) and from patients' personal health records.

Iron oxide nanomatrix facilitating metal ionization in matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry.

The significance and epidemiological effects of metals to life necessitate the development of direct, efficient, and rapid method of analysis. Taking advantage of its simple, fast, and high-throughput features, we present a novel approach to metal ion detection by matrix-functionalized magnetic nanoparticle (matrix@MNP)-assisted MALDI-MS. Utilizing 21 biologically and environmentally relevant metal ion solutions, the performance of core and matrix@MNP against conventional matrixes in MALDI-MS and laser desorption ionization (LDI) MS were systemically tested to evaluate the versatility of matrix@MNP as ionization element.