Advances in Ultra-small Fluorescence Nanoprobes for Detection of Metal Ions, Drugs, Pesticides and Biomarkers.

Identification of trace level chemical species (drugs, pesticides, metal ions and biomarkers) plays key role in environmental monitoring. Recently, fluorescence assay has shown significant advances in detecting of trace level drugs, pesticides, metal ions and biomarkers in real samples. Ultra-small nanostructure materials (metal nanoclusters (NCs), quantum dots (QDs) and carbon dots (CDs)) have been integrated with fluorescence spectrometer for sensitive and selective analysis of trace level target analytes in various samples including environmental and biological samples.

Simple hydrothermal approach for synthesis of fluorescent molybdenum disulfide quantum dots: Sensing of Cr ion and cellular imaging.

Nowadays, fluorescent molybdenum disulfide quantum dots (MoS QDs) have proven to be potential candidates in the sensing and bioimaging areas owing to their exceptional intrinsic characteristics. Here, a simple hydrothermal strategy was explored for the preparation of MoS QDs using ammonium heptamolybdate and 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) as precursors. The emission peak of MoS QDs was significantly quenched in the presence Cr ion due to the selective surface chemistry on the surfaces of MoS QDs.

Acid Oxidation of Muskmelon Fruit for the Fabrication of Carbon Dots with Specific Emission Colors for Recognition of Hg Ions and Cell Imaging.

In this study, water-soluble emissive carbon dots (CDs) are effectively fabricated with specific optical properties and colors by acid oxidation of muskmelon () fruit, which are termed as CDs (CMCDs). The fluorescence properties of CMCDs were tuned by controlling the experimental conditions that allow them to emit different colors, that is, blue (B-), green (G-), and yellow (Y-) CMCDs, with different emission wavelengths at 432, 515, and 554 nm when excited at 342, 415, and 425 nm, respectively. The fabricated multicolor-emissive CDs were confirmed by various analytical techniques.

Influence of doping ion, capping agent and pH on the fluorescence properties of zinc sulfide quantum dots: Sensing of Cu and Hg ions and their biocompatibility with cancer and fungal cells.

Herein, a facile one-pot synthetic method was explored for the fabrication of glutathione capped Mn doped‑zinc sulphide quantum dots (GSH-Mn-ZnS QDs) for both fluorescent detection of Cu and Hg ions and for fluorescence imaging of two cancer (RIN5F and MDAMB231) and fungal (Rhizopus oryzae) cells. Particularly, doping of Mn into ZnS QDs nanocrystal structure resulted a great improvement in the fluorescence properties of ZnS QDs. The emission peak of undoped ZnS QDs was found at 447 nm, which is due to the large number of surface defects in the ZnS QDs nanostructures.

Probing the selective separation of potassium ion from sodium ion with cyclopentadienyl anion as receptor: a computational study.

A systematic computational study has been carried out using post-Hartree-Fock and density functional theory methods on half sandwich (M-Cp), sandwich (Cp-M-Cp), inversed sandwich (M-Cp-M), and multi-decker chain complexes of alkali metal ions (Na(+), and K(+)). The binding affinity of cyclopentadienyl anion (Cp) with K(+) and Na(+) ions has been studied in half sandwich, sandwich, inversed sandwich, and multi-decker chain complexes. These complexes have been examined in the aqueous phase.

Knee-length graduated compression stockings for thromboprophylaxis in air travellers: A meta-analysis.

Objective: To systematically review the randomized controlled trials that have evaluated the efficacy of knee-length (KL) compression stockings for thromboprophylaxis in air travellers.

Method: After an electronic database search, the randomized controlled trials that studied passengers on long-haul flights were selected and analyzed to generate summative data.

Results: Nine trials studying participants using KL stockings were analyzed.

Endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) has significantly lower perioperative mortality in comparison to open repair: a systematic review.

Objective: The objective of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the effectiveness of endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) in reducing inhospital mortality against open graft replacement for aortic aneurysm.

Methods: Generic terms including EVAR, endovascular aneurysm repair and aortic endografting were used to search a variety of electronic databases. Based on selection criteria, decisions regarding inclusion and exclusion of primary studies were made.

Functional outcome after femoral endarterectomy: A single-centre experience.

Objective: To assess limb salvage and functional outcome in patients who underwent femoral endarterectomy (FE).

Methods: A single-centre, retrospective analysis of all patients undergoing FE in the past four years.

Results: FE was performed on 30 patients (32 symptomatic legs) to treat gangrene (n=5), pain at rest (n=7) and incapacitating intermittent claudication (n=20).

Upper limb deep vein thrombosis: a literature review to streamline the protocol for management.

Objective: The objective of this article is to provide up-to-date information about aetiology, pathogenesis, diagnostic modalities and treatment of upper limb deep vein thrombosis (ULDVT).

Methods: Generic terms including ULDVT, axillary-subclavian DVT, and complications of central venous catheters were searched on electronic database. We analysed original studies, review articles and evaluation studies published over the last 25 years.