Competitive Upconversion-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for the Sensitive Detection of Diclofenac.

Photon-upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs) emit light of shorter wavelength under near-infrared excitation and thus avoid optical background interference. We have exploited this unique photophysical feature to establish a sensitive competitive immunoassay for the detection of the pharmaceutical micropollutant diclofenac (DCF) in water. The so-called upconversion-linked immunosorbent assay (ULISA) was critically dependent on the design of the upconversion luminescent detection label.

[Genetic mental retardation in the district of Banská Bystrica].

The authors investigated the prevalence of mental retardation (MR) in 6-14-year-old children in the district of Banská Bystrica. The aim was to assess the prevalence of MR and the ratio and character of genetic factors participation in its genesis. The group was based on the Uniform records of defective children and health records of children from special schools and social care institutes in 1987.