A micropore nanoband electrode array for enhanced electrochemical generation/analysis in flow systems.

Our previous work has established that micron-resolution photolithography can be employed to make microsquare nanoband edge electrode (MNEE) arrays. The MNEE configuration enables systematic control of the parameters (electrode number, cavity array spacing, and nanoelectrode dimensions and placement) that control geometry, conferring a consistent high-fidelity electrode response across the array (, high signal, high signal-to-noise, low limits of detection and fast, steady-state, reproducible and quantitative response) and allowing the tuning of individual and combined electrode interactions. Building on this, in this paper we now produce and characterise a micropore nanoband electrode (MNE) array designed for flow-through detection, where an MNEE edge electrode configuration is used to form a nanotube electrode embedded in the wall of each micropore, formed as an array of pores of controlled size and placement through an insulating membrane of sub-micrometer thickness.

Quality improvement project aiming to reduce inappropriate use of abdominal x-rays in the ED.

Background: There is compelling evidence that AXRs have limited clinical value in the acute setting. Despite this, they are frequently used in many EDs. This quality improvement project (QIP) aimed to reduce unnecessary AXR use in a single-centre ED.

pH-Activated Dissolvable Polymeric Coatings to Reduce Biofouling on Electrochemical Sensors.

Implantable electrochemical sensors that enable the real-time detection of significant biomarkers offer huge potential for the enhancement and personalisation of therapies; however, biofouling is a key challenge encountered by any implantable system. This is particularly an issue immediately after implantation, when the foreign body response and associated biofouling processes are at their most active in passivating a foreign object. Here, we present the development of a sensor protection and activation strategy against biofouling, based on coatings consisting of a pH-triggered, dissolvable polymer, that covered a functionalised electrode surface.

Electrofabrication of large volume di- and tripeptide hydrogels hydroquinone oxidation.

The fabrication of protected peptide-based hydrogels on electrode surfaces can be achieved by employing the electrochemical oxidation of hydroquinone to benzoquinone, liberating protons at the electrode-solution interface. The localised reduction in pH below the dipeptide gelator molecules p initiates the neutralisation, self-assembly and formation of self-supporting hydrogels exclusively at the electrode surface. Previous examples have been on a nanometre to millimetre scale, using deposition times ranging from seconds to minutes.

In vivo application of an implantable tri-anchored methylene blue-based electrochemical pH sensor.

The development of robust implantable sensors is important in the successful advancement of personalised medicine as they have the potential to provide in situ real-time data regarding the status of health and disease and the effectiveness of treatment. Tissue pH is a key physiological parameter and herein, we report the design, fabrication, functionalisation, encapsulation and protection of a miniaturised, self-contained, electrochemical pH sensor system and characterisation of sensor performance. Notably for the first time in this environment the pH sensor was based on a methylene blue redox reporter which showed remarkable robustness, accuracy and sensitivity.

A review of malignant pleural mesothelioma in a large North East UK pleural centre.

Objectives: The National Mesothelioma Audit 2020 showed Northumbria to have low rates of histopathological confirmation, treatment and one-year survival rates for malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). We hypothesized that an internal analysis over a 10-year period provides valuable insights into presentation, diagnosis, treatment and outcomes.

Methods: A single-centre retrospective case series of all confirmed MPM patients between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2019 was performed.

Chitin is a functional component of the larval adhesive of barnacles.

Barnacles are the only sessile crustaceans, and their larva, the cyprid, is supremely adapted for attachment to surfaces. Barnacles have a universal requirement for strong adhesion at the point of larval attachment. Selective pressure on the cyprid adhesive has been intense and led to evolution of a tenacious and versatile natural glue.

Miniaturisation of a peptide-based electrochemical protease activity sensor using platinum microelectrodes.

Proteases are ideal target biomarkers as they have been implicated in many disease states, including steps associated with cancer progression. Electrochemical peptide-based biosensors have attracted much interest in recent years. However, the significantly large size of the electrodes typically used in most of these platforms has led to performance limitations.

The planktonic stages of the salmon louse ( are tolerant of end-of-century CO concentrations.

The copepod is an obligate ectoparasite of salmonids. Salmon lice are major pests in salmon aquaculture and due to its economic impact is one of the most well studied species of marine parasite. However, there is limited understanding of how increased concentration of CO associated with ocean acidification will impact host-parasite relationships.

A Dual Killing Strategy: Photocatalytic Generation of Singlet Oxygen with Concomitant Pt Prodrug Activation.

A ruthenium-based mitochondrial-targeting photosensitiser that undergoes efficient cell uptake, enables the rapid catalytic conversion of Pt prodrugs into their active Pt counterparts, and drives the generation of singlet oxygen was designed. This dual mode of action drives two orthogonal cancer-cell killing mechanisms with temporal and spatial control. The designed photosensitiser was shown to elicit cell death of a panel of cancer cell lines including those showing oxaliplatin-resistance.

Clinical Nurse Leader Knowledge Production to Quality Improvement in a Seamless Trajectory: A Participatory Research Approach.

Background: Health systems are actively implementing Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL)-integrated care delivery across the United States.

Problem: However, the CNL model is a complex health care intervention, making it difficult to generate evidence of effectiveness using traditional research frameworks.

Approach: Participatory research is a growing alternative to traditional research frameworks, emphasizing partnership with target community members in all phases of research activities.

Electrochemical sensing of human neutrophil elastase and polymorphonuclear neutrophil activity.

Human neutrophil elastase (HNE) is a serine protease, produced by polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs), whose uncontrolled production has been associated with various inflammatory disease states as well as tumour proliferation and metastasis. Here we report the development and characterisation of an electrochemical peptide-based biosensor, which enables the detection of clinically relevant levels of HNE. The sensing platform was characterised in terms of its analytical performance, enzymatic cleavage kinetics and cross-reactivity and applied to the quantitative detection of protease activity from PMNs from human blood.

Functionalised microscale nanoband edge electrode (MNEE) arrays: the systematic quantitative study of hydrogels grown on nanoelectrode biosensor arrays for enhanced sensing in biological media.

Nanoelectrodes and nanoelectrode arrays show enhanced diffusion and greater faradaic current densities and signal-to-noise ratios compared to macro and microelectrodes, which can lead to enhanced sensing and detection. One example is the microsquare nanoband edge electrode (MNEE) array system, readily formed through microfabrication and whose quantitative response has been established electroanalytically. Hydrogels have been shown to have applications in drug delivery, tissue engineering, and anti-biofouling; some also have the ability to be grown electrochemically.

Electrodrugs: an electrochemical prodrug activation strategy.

The term electroceutical has been used to describe implanted devices that deliver electrical stimuli to modify biological function. Herein, we describe a new concept in electroceuticals, demonstrating for the first time the electrochemical activation of metal-based prodrugs. This is illustrated by the controlled activation of Pt(iv) prodrugs into their active Pt(ii) forms within a cellular context allowing selectivity and control of where, when and how much active drug is generated.

A Microelectrode Array with Reproducible Performance Shows Loss of Consistency Following Functionalization with a Self-Assembled 6-Mercapto-1-hexanol Layer.

For analytical applications involving label-free biosensors and multiple measurements, i.e., across an electrode array, it is essential to develop complete sensor systems capable of functionalization and of producing highly consistent responses.

Demand driven salt clean-up in a molten salt fast reactor - Defining a priority list.

The PUREX technology based on aqueous processes is currently the leading reprocessing technology in nuclear energy systems. It seems to be the most developed and established process for light water reactor fuel and the use of solid fuel. However, demand driven development of the nuclear system opens the way to liquid fuelled reactors, and disruptive technology development through the application of an integrated fuel cycle with a direct link to reactor operation.

Integration of Electrodeposited Ni-Fe in MEMS with Low-Temperature Deposition and Etch Processes.

This article presents a set of low-temperature deposition and etching processes for the integration of electrochemically deposited Ni-Fe alloys in complex magnetic microelectromechanical systems, as Ni-Fe is known to suffer from detrimental stress development when subjected to excessive thermal loads. A selective etch process is reported which enables the copper seed layer used for electrodeposition to be removed while preserving the integrity of Ni-Fe. In addition, a low temperature deposition and surface micromachining process is presented in which silicon dioxide and silicon nitride are used, respectively, as sacrificial material and structural dielectric.

Correction: Impedimetric measurement of DNA-DNA hybridisation using microelectrodes with different radii for detection of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

Correction for 'Impedimetric measurement of DNA-DNA hybridisation using microelectrodes with different radii for detection of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)' by Poh Quan Li et al., Analyst, 2017, 142, 1946-1952.