Publications by authors named "Sadia Zafar Bajwa"

Correction for 'Portable smartphone-enabled dydrogesterone sensors based on biomimetic polymers for personalized gynecological care' by Sobia Ashraf , , 2024, https://doi.org/10.1039/D4TB00657G.

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Dydrogesterone, a frequently prescribed synthetic hormone integral to the treatment of diverse gynecological conditions, necessitates precise quantification in complex human plasma. In this study, the development of a portable, smartphone-based electrochemical sensor employing screen-printed gold electrodes (SPAuEs) modified with a biomimetic, molecularly imprinted poly(methacrylic acid--methyl methacrylate) (MIP) is presented for dydrogesterone detection in human plasma. FTIR spectroscopy illustrates the transformation of a pre-polymer mixture into a polymerized matrix, while SEM reveals a uniform MIP/SPAuE surface morphology.

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We report the synthesis of a novel electrochemical biosensor comprising of cupric oxide (CuO) nanoparticles (NPs) mediated poly(hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) composite film with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as a binder/template support using the solution casting method for the detection of a biomolecule i.e., ascorbic acid (AA).

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  • Cotton leaf curl disease (CLCuD) severely impacts cotton production in countries like Pakistan, leading to annual losses of around 2 billion USD due to its association with multiple begomoviruses and a specific betasatellite.
  • The study developed a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay to quickly and effectively detect CLCuD, using specifically designed primers for better sensitivity.
  • The optimized LAMP assay can detect as low as 22 copies of DNA, and its adaptation for colorimetric and real-time applications enables rapid field detection, potentially reducing economic losses and supporting the economies of affected regions.
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Monitoring antimalarial drugs is necessary for clinical assays, human health, and routine quality control practices in pharmaceutical industries. Herein, we present the development of sensor coatings based on molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) combined with quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) for sensitive and selective gravimetric detection of an antimalarial drug: artemether. The MIP coatings are synthesized by using artemether as the template in a poly(methacrylic acid--ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) matrix.

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  • * The researchers synthesized a carbon nanotubes-iron oxide nanocomposite using lecithin-stabilized superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles through a simple hydrothermal method.
  • * Electrochemical tests, particularly cyclic voltammetry, demonstrated that the SPIONs-CNT nanocomposite has high sensitivity and selectivity for the anti-TB drug Rifampicin, with a limit of detection of 1.178 M.
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  • * A microwave-assisted method was developed to synthesize SeNPs, allowing for control over their size and other physical properties.
  • * The antimicrobial effectiveness of SeNPs was tested using electrochemical techniques, showing that these nanoparticles can be used to monitor the health of bacterial cell membranes after treatment.
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For SLN lymph node biopsy (SLNB), SLN mapping has become a standard of care procedure that can accurately locate the micrometastases disseminated from primary tumor sites to the regional lymph nodes. The broad array of SLN mapping has prompted the development of a wide range of SLN tracers, rationally designed for noninvasive and high-resolution imaging of SLNs. At present, conventional SLN imaging probes (blue dyes, radiocolloids, and few other small-molecular dyes), although serving the clinical needs, are often associated with major issues such as insufficient accumulation in SLN, short retention time, staining of the surgical field, and other adverse side effects.

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  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus are dangerous bacteria that create biofilms, posing a significant health risk due to their antibiotic resistance and prevalence in industrial and clinical settings.
  • Researchers have developed a simple method to create rhamnolipid-coated silver and iron oxide nanoparticles that can effectively combat these biofilms.
  • These nanoparticles work by generating reactive oxygen species and altering their surface properties to prevent bacterial adhesion, offering promising applications for reducing infections and improving medical treatments like wound dressings.
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In resource-limited settings, the availability of medical practitioners and early diagnostic facilities are inadequate relative to the population size and disease burden. To address cost and delayed time issues in diagnostics, strip-based immunoassays, e.g.

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We report the development of effective drug loaded nanocarriers to combat multidrug resistant infection especially in case of osteomyelitis. The hollow mesoporous hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (hmHANPs) and solid/non-hollow hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (sHANPs) were synthesized by core-shell and co-precipitation techniques respectively. High encapsulation of the drug (ciprofloxacin) was observed in hmHANPs as compared to sHANPs, which may be due to the hollow porous structure of hmHANPs.

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We report a novel strategy for the fabrication of lecithin-coated gold nanoflowers (GNFs) via single-step design for CT imaging application. Field-emission electron microscope confirmed flowers like morphology of the as-synthesized nanostructures. Furthermore, these show absorption peak in near-infrared (NIR) region at λ 690 nm Different concentrations of GNFs are tested as a contrast agent in CT scans at tube voltage 135 kV and tube current 350 mA.

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Thermoresponsive drug delivery systems are designed for the controlled and targeted release of therapeutic payload. These systems exploit hyperthermic temperatures (>39°C), which may be applied by some external means or due to an encountered symptom in inflammatory diseases such as cancer and arthritis. The objective of this paper was to provide some solid evidence in support of the hypothesis that solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) can be used for thermoresponsive targeting by undergoing solid-liquid phase transition at their melting point (MP).

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  • This study introduces a novel biosensor using a nanocomposite made of multiwalled carbon nanotubes and zinc nanoparticles to detect the agricultural pathogen Chili leaf curl betasatellite (ChLCB).
  • The nanocomposite facilitates the immobilization of probe DNA strands, allowing for sensitive electrochemical detection through hybridization, which translates binding events into measurable signals.
  • The biosensor demonstrated a high specificity for the target DNA, being three times more effective than for non-complementary DNA, and has potential applications for detecting other plant viruses and biomolecules.
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  • * A novel synthesis method was introduced for PGNPs (35 nm) and SGNPs (28 nm), revealing PGNPs as a better contrast agent in computed tomography (CT) scans, showing brighter contrast (45 HU) compared to SGNPs (26 HU).
  • * After intravenous injection into male rabbits, PGNPs had a more pronounced impact on liver and kidney biochemistry than SGNPs, suggesting potential implications for their use in medical imaging and therapy.
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In this study, new molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) nanoparticles are designed for selective recognition of different drugs used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, i.e. sitagliptin (SG) and metformin (MF).

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Binary fatty acid mixture-based solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) were prepared for delivery of diacerein, a novel disease-modifying osteoarthritis drug, with and without simultaneously loaded gold nanoparticles (GNPs). In order to optimize SLNs for temperature-responsive release, lipid mixtures were prepared using different ratios of solid (stearic acid or lauric acid) and liquid (oleic acid) fatty acids. SLNs were prepared by microemulsification (53 nm), hot melt encapsulation (10.

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Binding features found in biological systems can be implemented into man-made materials to design nanostructured artificial receptor matrices which are suitable, e.g., for chemical sensing applications.

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