Electroanalytical Overview: The Determination of Levodopa (L-DOPA)

L-DOPA (levodopa) is a therapeutic agent which is the most effective medication for treating Parkinson's disease, but it needs dose optimization, and therefore its analytical determination is required. Laboratory analytical instruments can be routinely used to measure L-DOPA but are not always available in clinical settings and traditional research laboratories, and they also have slow result delivery times and high costs. The use of electroanalytical sensing overcomes these problems providing a highly sensitivity, low-cost, and readily portable solution. Consequently, we overview the electroanalytical determination of L-DOPA reported throughout the literature summarizing the endeavors toward sensing L-DOPA, and we offer insights into future research opportunities.

Application of electrochemical sensors based on nanomaterials modifiers in the determination of antipsychotics

At present, the content of antipsychotics in samples is always analyzed by traditional detection methods, including mass spectrometry (MS), spectrophotometry, fluorescence, capillary electrophoresis (CE). However, conventional methods are cumbersome and complex, require a large sample volume, many pre-processing steps, long analysis cycles, expensive instruments, and need well-trained detection capabilities personnel. In addition, patients with schizophrenia require frequent and painful blood collection procedures, which adds additional treatment costs and time burdens. In view of these factors, electrochemical methods have become the most promising candidate technology for timely analysis due to their low cost, simple operation, excellent sensitivity and specificity. As we all know, nanomaterials play an extremely important role in electrochemical sensing applications. As the sensor modifiers, nanomaterials enable electrochemical analysis to overcome the time-consuming and labor-intensive shortcomings of traditional detection methods, and greatly reduce the research cost. Nanomaterials modified electrodes can be used as sensors to determine the concentration of antipsychotics in organisms quickly and accurately, which is a bright spot in the application of nanomaterials. The combination of different nanomaterials can even form a nanocomposite with a synergistic effect. This paper firstly reviews the application of nanomaterials-modified sensors on the basis of research in the past ten years, reviews the use of nanomaterial-modified sensors to quickly and accurately determine the concentration of antipsychotics in biological samples, and demonstrates a new idea of using nanomaterials sensors for drug monitoring and determination. At the end of this review, a brief overview is given of the limitations and the future prospects of nanomaterial sensors for the determination of antipsychotics concentrations.

Quantum dots and carbon nanotubes in oncology: a review on emerging theranostic applications in nanomedicine

Cancer is one of the main causes of death in the world, and according to the WHO it is projected to continue rising. Current diagnostic modalities for the detection of cancer include the use of x-rays, magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography, among others. The treatment of cancer often involves the use (or combination) of chemotherapeutic drugs, radiotherapy and interventional surgery (for solid and operable tumors). The application of nanotechnology in biology and medicine is advancing rapidly. Recent evidence suggests that quantum dots (QDs) can be used to image cancer cells as they display superior fluorescent properties compared with conventional chromophores and contrast agents. In addition, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have emerged as viable candidates for novel chemotherapeutic drug delivery-platforms. The unique photothermal properties of CNTs also allow them to be used in conjunction with near infrared radiation and lasers to thermally ablate cancer cells. Furthermore, mounting evidence indicates that it is possible to conjugate QDs to CNTs, making it possible to exploit their novel attributes in the realm of cancer theranostics (diagnostics and therapy). Here we review the current literature pertaining to the applications of QDs and CNTs in oncology, and also discuss the relevance and implications of nanomedicine in a clinical setting.