Green Synthetic Approach for the Preparation of Blue Emitting Gold Nanoclusters: A Simple Analytical Method for Detection of Hexaconazole Fungicide

Blue emissive Argyreia nervosa-capped gold nanoclusters (A. nervosa-AuNCs) were synthesized via a simple environment-friendly method. The developed probe exhibits rapid response towards the target analyte (hexaconazole fungicide). Several characterizations, including FT-IR, UV-visible, fluorescence, HR-TEM, XPS, and fluorescence lifetime, were studied to confirm the formation of A. nervosa-AuNCs. The A. nervosa-AuNCs displayed emission and excitation peaks at 470 and 390 nm, respectively. Furthermore, the quantum yield (QY) of A. nervosa-AuNCs was 21.25%. The as-synthesized A. nervosa-AuNCs showed a good linear response with hexaconazole in the concentration range of 0.025-180 μM, with a detection limit (LOD) of 21.94 nM, indicating A. nervosa-AuNCs could be used as a sensitive and selective probe for detecting hexaconazole through a fluorescence "turn-off" mechanism. The A. nervosa-AuNCs were successfully used to detect hexaconazole in real samples. Moreover, A. nervosa-AuNCs were used as a bio-imaging probe for visualization of Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells.

Fluorescence 'turn-off-on' assays for neomycin sulphate and K+ ions with orange-red fluorescent molybdenum nanoclusters

Fluorescent metal nanoclusters (MNCs) have found extensive application in recognizing molecular species. Here, orange-red fluorescent Arg-A. paniculata-MoNCs were synthesized using Andrographis paniculata leaf extract, arginine as a ligand, and MoCl5 as a metal precursor. The Arg-A. paniculata-MoNCs complex exhibited a quantum yield (QY) of 16.91% and excitation/emission wavelengths of 400/665 nm. The synthesized Arg-A. paniculata-MoNCs successfully acted as a probe for assaying neomycin sulphate (NS) via fluorescence turn-off and K+ ions via fluorescence turn-on mechanisms, respectively. Moreover, the developed probe was effectively used to develop a cellulose paper strip-based sensor for detection of NS and K+ ions. Arg-A. paniculata-MoNCs demonstrated great potential for sensing NS and K+ ions, with concentration ranges of 0.1-80 and 0.25-110 μM for NS and K+ ions, respectively. The as-synthesized Arg-A. paniculata-MoNCs efficiently detected NS and K+ ions in food and biofluid samples, respectively.

Green Emissive Molybdenum Nanoclusters for Selective and Sensitive Detection of Hydroxyl Radical in Water Samples

In this work, Cassia tora (C. tora) have been used as a template to synthesize green fluorescent C. tora molybdenum nanoclusters (C. tora-MoNCs) through a green chemistry approach. These C. tora-MoNCs showed a quantum yield (QY) of 7.72% and exhibited a significant emission peak at 498 nm when excited at 380 nm. The as-prepared C. tora-MoNCs had an average size of 3.48 ± 0.80 nm and showed different surface functionality. The as-synthesized C. tora-MoNCs were successfully identified the hydroxyl radical (•OH) via a fluorescence quenching mechanism. Also, fluorescence lifetime and Stern-Volmer proved that after the addition of •OH radicals it was quenched the fluorescence intensity via a static quenching mechanism. The limit of detection is 9.13 nM, and this approach was successfully utilized for sensing •OH radicals in water samples with a good recovery rate.

Development of Copper Nanoclusters-Based Turn-Off Nanosensor for Fluorescence Detection of Two Pyrethroid Pesticides (Cypermethrin and Lambda-Cyhalothrin)

Fluorescent copper nanoclusters (Cu NCs) were synthesized by using Withania somnifera (W. somnifera) plant extract as a biotemplate. Aqueous dispersion of W. somnifera-Cu NCs displays intense emission peak at 458 nm upon excitation at 350 nm. This fluorescence emission was utilized for the detection of two pyrethroid pesticides (cypermethrin and lambda-cyhalothrin) via "turn-off" mechanism. Upon the addition of two pyrethiod pesticides independently, the fluorescence emission of W. somnifera-Cu NCs was gradually decreased with increasing concentrations of both pesticides. It was noticed that the decrease in emission intensity at 458 nm was linearly dependent on the logarithm of both pesticides concentrations in the ranges of 0.01-100 μM and of 0.05-100 μM for cypermethrin and lambda-cyhalothrin, respectively. Consequently, the limits of detection were found to be 27.06 and 23.28 nM for cypermethrin and lambda-cyhalothrin, respectively. The as-fabricated W. somnifera-Cu NCs acted as a facile sensor for the analyses of cypermethrin and lambda-cyhalothrin in vegetables (tomato and bottle gourd), which demonstrates that it could be used as portable sensing platform for assaying of two pyrethroid pesticides in food samples.

Development of Simple Fluorescence Analytical Strategy for the Detection of Triazophos Using Greenish-Yellow Emissive Carbon Dots Derived from Curcuma longa

This study describes a new method for synthesizing water-soluble carbon dots (CDs) using "Curcuma longa" (green source) named CL-CDs via a single-step hydrothermal process. The as-synthesized CL-CDs exhibited greenish-yellow fluorescence at 548 nm upon excitation at 440 nm. It shows good water stability and exhibits a quantum yield of 19.4%. The developed probe is utilized for sensing triazophos (TZP) pesticide via a dynamic quenching mechanism, exhibiting favorable linearity ranging from 0.5-500 μM with a limit of detection of 0.0042 μM. The as-prepared CL-CDs probe was sensitive and selective towards TZP. Lastly, the successful application of the CL-CDs-based fluorescent probe in water and rice samples highlights its potential as a reliable and efficient method for the detection of TZP in various real sample matrices. Eventually, bioimaging and biocompatibility aspects of CL-CDs have been assessed on Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast) cell and lung cancer (A549) cell lines, respectively.

Synthesis of copper nanoclusters from Bacopa monnieri leaves for fluorescence sensing of dichlorvos

In this work, a facile one-step green synthesis was developed for the fabrication of blue fluorescent copper nanocluster (Brahmi-CuNCs) from the extract of Bacopa monnieri (common name is Brahmi) via a microwave method. The as-prepared Brahmi-CuNCs emitted blue fluorescence at 452 nm when excited at 352 nm and showed a quantum yield of 31.32%. Brahmi-derived blue fluorescent CuNCs acted as a probe for fluorescence sensing of dichlorvos. Upon the addition of dichlorvos, the blue emission for Brahmi-CuNCs was gradually turned off, favouring establishment of a calibration graph in the range 0.5-100 μM with a detection limit of 0.23 μM. The as-synthesized Brahmi-CuNCs exhibited marked sensitivity and selectivity towards dichlorvos, favourable for assaying dichlorvos in various samples (cabbage, apple juice, and rice).

Synthesis of Greenish-Yellow Fluorescent Copper Nanocluster for the Selective and Sensitive Detection of Fipronil Pesticide in Vegetables and Grain Samples

In this paper, a new synthetic route is introduced for the synthesis of high-luminescent greenish-yellow fluorescent copper nanoclusters (PVP@A. senna-Cu NCs) using Avaram senna (A. senna) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as templates. A. senna plant extract mainly contains variety of phytochemicals including glycosides, sugars, saponins, phenols, and terpenoids that show good pharmacological activities such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antidiabetic. PVP is a stable and biocompatible polymer that is used as a stabilizing agent for the synthesis of PVP@A. senna-Cu NCs. The size, surface functionality, and element composition of the fabricated Cu NCs were confirmed by various analytical techniques. The as-prepared greenish-yellow fluorescent Cu NCs exhibit significant selectivity towards fipronil, thereby favoring to assay fipronil pesticide with good linearity in the range of 3.0-30 μM with a detection limit of 65.19 nM. More importantly, PVP@A. senna-Cu NCs are successfully applied to assay fipronil in vegetable and grain samples.

Single parent adoption in India: Mental health and legal perspectives and the way forward

Single parent adoption (SPA) is a relatively new construct worldwide and in India. The Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India, has laid down criteria for adoption in general and SPA in particular, in conjunction with the Juvenile Justice Act (Care and Protection of Children), 2015. There is scant literature on this topic of SPA, more so in India, that looks into the various psychological nuances of SPA from a mental health professional's (MHP) perspective. This review paper aims to assess SPA from the perspective of a MHP that will focus on its various legal nuances as well as the psychological connotations attached to it. For this, a search strategy was employed that included a thorough literature search from two databases (PubMed and Google Scholar) with relevant keywords related to the topic. The various legal issues pertaining to SPA in the current scenario, the psychological issues and challenges faced by single parents, the behavioral outcomes of adoptees who are adopted by single parents, and ways to deal with the various obstacles of SPA are discussed.

Understanding Organisms Using Ecological Observatory Networks

Human activities are rapidly changing ecosystems around the world. These changes have widespread implications for the preservation of biodiversity, agricultural productivity, prevalence of zoonotic diseases, and sociopolitical conflict. To understand and improve the predictive capacity for these and other biological phenomena, some scientists are now relying on observatory networks, which are often composed of systems of sensors, teams of field researchers, and databases of abiotic and biotic measurements across multiple temporal and spatial scales. One well-known example is NEON, the US-based National Ecological Observatory Network. Although NEON and similar networks have informed studies of population, community, and ecosystem ecology for years, they have been minimally used by organismal biologists. NEON provides organismal biologists, in particular those interested in NEON's focal taxa, with an unprecedented opportunity to study phenomena such as range expansions, disease epidemics, invasive species colonization, macrophysiology, and other biological processes that fundamentally involve organismal variation. Here, we use NEON as an exemplar of the promise of observatory networks for understanding the causes and consequences of morphological, behavioral, molecular, and physiological variation among individual organisms.

Energetic Electron Precipitation Driven by Electromagnetic Ion Cyclotron Waves from ELFIN's Low Altitude Perspective

We review comprehensive observations of electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) wave-driven energetic electron precipitation using data collected by the energetic electron detector on the Electron Losses and Fields InvestigatioN (ELFIN) mission, two polar-orbiting low-altitude spinning CubeSats, measuring 50-5000 keV electrons with good pitch-angle and energy resolution. EMIC wave-driven precipitation exhibits a distinct signature in energy-spectrograms of the precipitating-to-trapped flux ratio: peaks at >0.5 MeV which are abrupt (bursty) (lasting ∼17 s, or Δ L ∼ 0.56 ) with significant substructure (occasionally down to sub-second timescale). We attribute the bursty nature of the precipitation to the spatial extent and structuredness of the wave field at the equator. Multiple ELFIN passes over the same MLT sector allow us to study the spatial and temporal evolution of the EMIC wave - electron interaction region. Case studies employing conjugate ground-based or equatorial observations of the EMIC waves reveal that the energy of moderate and strong precipitation at ELFIN approximately agrees with theoretical expectations for cyclotron resonant interactions in a cold plasma. Using multiple years of ELFIN data uniformly distributed in local time, we assemble a statistical database of ∼50 events of strong EMIC wave-driven precipitation. Most reside at L ∼ 5 - 7 at dusk, while a smaller subset exists at L ∼ 8 - 12 at post-midnight. The energies of the peak-precipitation ratio and of the half-peak precipitation ratio (our proxy for the minimum resonance energy) exhibit an L -shell dependence in good agreement with theoretical estimates based on prior statistical observations of EMIC wave power spectra. The precipitation ratio's spectral shape for the most intense events has an exponential falloff away from the peak (i.e., on either side of ∼ 1.45 MeV). It too agrees well with quasi-linear diffusion theory based on prior statistics of wave spectra. It should be noted though that this diffusive treatment likely includes effects from nonlinear resonant interactions (especially at high energies) and nonresonant effects from sharp wave packet edges (at low energies). Sub-MeV electron precipitation observed concurrently with strong EMIC wave-driven >1 MeV precipitation has a spectral shape that is consistent with efficient pitch-angle scattering down to ∼ 200-300 keV by much less intense higher frequency EMIC waves at dusk (where such waves are most frequent). At ∼100 keV, whistler-mode chorus may be implicated in concurrent precipitation. These results confirm the critical role of EMIC waves in driving relativistic electron losses. Nonlinear effects may abound and require further investigation.

Fluorescence "Turn OFF-ON" detection of Fe3+ and propiconazole pesticide using blue emissive carbon dots from lemon peel

In this study, water-soluble carbon dots (CDs) were employed as a novel fluorescence "turn OFF-ON" sensor to detect Fe³⁺ ions in pharmaceutical sample and propiconazole (PC) in food samples. Blue fluorescent "LPCDs" are synthesized from the lemon peel that exhibited emission at 468 nm when excited at 378 nm. The average size of the as-prepared LPCDs is 2.03 nm, displaying a quantum yield of 32 %. Fluorescence "turn OFF-ON" strategy was developed for sensing of Fe³⁺ ion and PC, demonstrating favorable linearity in the range of 0.5-180 μM and 0.1-40 μM with the detection limits of 0.18 μM and 0.054 μM for Fe³⁺ and PC, respectively. Further, LPCDs-loaded cellulose paper was used as visual reader to detect Fe³⁺ and PC. This approach was effectively applied to detect Fe³⁺ and PC in pharmaceutical and vegetable samples.

Early changes in myocardial stunning and biomarkers after ST-elevation myocardial infarction compared to the takotsubo syndrome

Background

Takotsubo syndrome (TS) and ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) are both characterized by sudden cessation of myocardial contractions (myocardial stunning) as well as elevation of cardiac troponins and B-type natriuretic peptides (BNP). Whereas STEMI results in variable degrees of necrosis and persistent cardiac dysfunction, TS results in little to any necrosis and full recovery of cardiac function. No “head-to-head” comparison of the temporal resolution of myocardial stunning and serum biomarkers in STEMI versus takotsubo has been done.

Purpose

To compare the time course of the recovery of cardiac function and serum biomarkers over the acute and subacute phases of takotsubo and STEMI, with patients with STEMI further subdivided into anterior and non-anterior STEMI.

Method

The Stunning In Takotsubo and Acute Myocardial Infarction (STAMI) study is a prospective, multi-center study that enrolls patients with TS or STEMI without known pre-existing cardiac dysfunction. Echocardiography, laboratory testing (including troponins and NT-proBNP), and ECG are acquired within 4 hours after acute coronary angiography and at 24±6, 48±12, 72±12 hours and 7±1, 14±2, and 30±2 days. The primary endpoint is the proportion of reversible myocardial akinesia resolved after 72 hours (Figure 1), as determined by echocardiography. Secondary endpoints include troponin-I, troponin-T, and NT-proBNP.

Results

Preliminary results from 155 patients with STEMI (78 anterior STEMI and 77 non-anterior STEMI) and 32 patients with TS are presented in Figure 1. Mean (SD) age was similar for patients with takotsubo (67±14), anterior STEMI (68±11), and non-anterior STEMI (68±10). All 3 groups showed substantial recovery of cardiac function over the course of the study, with the most pronounced recovery of cardiac function in TS. Compared to both STEMI groups, the TS group also had lower troponin-I to troponin-T ratio, and higher NT-proBNP (Figure 2). The proportion of reversible akinesia that had recovered at 72 hours was similar in patients with TS, anterior STEMI and non-anterior STEMI (p=0.8414).

Conclusion

The STAMI study will provide the comprehensive assessment of cardiac function and serum biomarker profile of patients with takotsubo and STEMI over the early course of the disease. Preliminary data from the study suggest that early myocardial functional recovery is more substantial but follows a similar time-course in takotsubo and STEMI. The differences in the magnitude of troponin elevation after takotsubo versus STEMI were more pronounced for troponin-I than T.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – EU funding. Main funding source(s): ERC - European Research Council

Proper understanding of recurrent stress urinary incontinence treatment in women (PURSUIT): a randomised controlled trial of endoscopic and surgical treatment

BACKGROUND

Women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) experience urine leakage with physical activity. Currently, the interventional treatments for SUI are surgical, or endoscopic bulking injection(s). However, these procedures are not always successful, and symptoms can persist or come back after treatment, categorised as recurrent SUI. There are longstanding symptoms and distress associated with a failed primary treatment, and currently, there is no consensus on how best to treat women with recurrent, or persistent, SUI.

METHODS

A two-arm trial, set in at least 20 National Health Service (NHS) urology and urogynaecology referral units in the UK, randomising 250 adult women with recurrent or persistent SUI 1:1 to receive either an endoscopic intervention (endoscopic bulking injections) or a standard NHS surgical intervention, currently colposuspension, autologous fascial sling or artificial urinary sphincter. The aim of the trial is to determine whether surgical treatment is superior to endoscopic bulking injections in terms of symptom severity at 1 year after randomisation. This primary outcome will be measured using the patient-reported International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire - Urinary Incontinence - Short Form (ICIQ-UI-SF). Secondary outcomes include assessment of longer-term clinical impact, improvement of symptoms, safety, operative assessments, sexual function, cost-effectiveness and an evaluation of patients' and clinicians' views and experiences of the interventions.

DISCUSSION

There is a lack of high-quality, randomised, scientific evidence for which treatment is best for women presenting with recurrent SUI. The PURSUIT study will benefit healthcare professionals and patients and provide robust evidence to guide further treatment and improve symptoms and quality of life for women with this condition.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

International Standard Randomised Controlled Trials Number (ISRCTN) registry ISRCTN12201059. Registered on 09 January 2020.

UHPLC-MS/MS and QRT-PCR profiling of PGP agents and Rhizobium spp. of induced phytohormones for growth promotion in mungbean (var. Co4

In present study, five potential strains with different plant growth promotion (PGP) characteristics were used. By considering various PGP properties of different bacterial strains, several treatments based on various combinations were developed and studied on mungbean (var. Co4). The quantification of the phytohormones was performed on ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatograph coupled to heated electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC/HESI-MS/MS). Indole 3-acetic acid (IAA) and Indole 3-butyric acid (IBA) were quantified in positive ionization mode while Gibberellic acid (GA₃) and salicylic acid (SA) were quantified in negative ionization mode. Among all the treatments two penta combinations of consortia 1 (Rhizobium + Azospirillum + Pseudomonas + Bacillus spp. + Bacillus licheniformis) and consortia 2 (Rhizobium + Azotobacter + Pseudomonas + Bacillus spp. + Bacillus licheniformis) were found most effective. Higher amount of IAA (1.043 μg g⁻¹), IBA (0.036 μg g⁻¹), GA₃ (1.999 μg g⁻¹) and SA (0.098 μg g⁻¹) Fresh weight (FW) were found in treated adolescent root tissues of consortia 2 as compared to consortia 1. Moreover, transcriptional level of the plant hormones were 2–4 fold higher in the relative gene expression study of three genes: ARF (Auxin responsive factors), ERF-IF (Ethylene-responsive Initiation Factors) and GAI (Gibberellic-Acid Insensitive) in consortia 2, on the 15^th, 30^th and 45^th day using quantitative real time-Polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Furthermore, Yield attributing characters like, the number of nodules plant⁻¹, number of pods plant⁻¹, weight of nodule and seed yield plant⁻¹ were also increased as compared to the control. As a result, the current research elucidated that penta combinations consortium of Rhizobium sp. and rhizobacteria can be developed as a single delivery system biofertilizer for enhancing mungbean productivity.

DIMY: Enabling privacy-preserving contact tracing

The infection rate of COVID-19 and the rapid mutation ability of the virus has forced governments and health authorities to adopt lockdowns, increased testing, and contact tracing to reduce the virus's spread. Digital contact tracing has become a supplement to the traditional manual contact tracing process. However, although several digital contact tracing apps are proposed and deployed, these have not been widely adopted due to apprehensions surrounding privacy and security. In this paper, we present a blockchain-based privacy-preserving contact tracing protocol,"Did I Meet You" (DIMY). The protocol provides full-lifecycle data privacy protection on the devices as well as the back-end servers to address most of the privacy concerns associated with existing protocols. We have employed Bloom filters to provide efficient privacy-preserving storage and have used the Diffie-Hellman key exchange for secret sharing among the participants. We show that DIMY provides resilience against many well-known attacks while introducing negligible overheads. DIMY's footprint on the storage space of clients' devices and back-end servers is also significantly lower than other similar state-of-the-art apps.

Sustainable chemistry approach for the preparation of bluish green emissive copper nanoclusters from Justicia adhatoda leaves extract: a facile analytical approach for the sensing of myoglobin and l-thyroxine

Sustainable chemistry approach for synthesis of fluorescent copper nanoclusters for sensing of myoglobin and l-thyroxine.

Associations of weekend versus weekday admission on transesophageal echocardiogram utilization and outcomes in infective endocarditis hospitalizations

Background

Infective endocarditis (IE) occurs worldwide and is associated with high mortality. Diagnosis and management of IE requires timely transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), which may not be consistently available in many institutions, especially on weekends. Hence, we wanted to evaluate the effect of weekend admission on IE in-hospital outcomes.

Purpose

To evaluate the differences in mortality and TEE utilization between weekend and weekday admissions in IE hospitalizations.

Methods

In this retrospective cohort study, we queried the 2017 and 2018 National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database to identify primary diagnosis of IE using appropriate ICD-10 CM codes. The variable for weekend admission which is available in the dataset was used to categorize hospitalizations into weekend and weekday admission groups. TEE procedures were identified using appropriate ICD-10 PCS codes. We used the Chi-square test to evaluate the difference between binary variables, and Student's t- test for differences between continuous variables. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to adjust for potential hospital and patient level confounders (age, sex, race, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, acute renal failure, diabetes, and Elixhauser comorbidity index score). Stata SE 16.1 was used to perform all statistical analyses.

Results

Among the identified 27,735 weighted adult IE hospitalizations, 6,145 (22.1%) were admitted on weekends. Weekend IE admissions were similar to weekday in all measured aspects except for elective admissions (Table 1). There were more elective admissions on the weekday compared to the weekend (11.3% for weekday vs. 4.9% for weekend; p<0.01). The mean age was 51 years for both hospitalizations. There were more TEEs in the first 24 hrs in weekday compared to weekend hospitalizations (7.8% vs. 3.4%; p<0.01). After adjusting for potential patient and hospital level confounders, there was no difference in mortality [Adjusted Odds ratio (aOR): 0.91 (0.62–1.33); p=0.63)], valve replacement procedures [aOR: 0.91 (0.62–1.33); p=0.63)] or incidence of atrioventricular (AV) blocks [aOR: 0.91 (0.62–1.33); p=0.63)] comparing weekend versus weekday IE hospitalizations. Additionally, we did not observe any mean difference in length of stay and total hospitalization charges between weekend and weekday hospitalizations.

Conclusion

In patients with IE, weekend admissions did not have a clinically significant difference in mortality, length of stay, incidence of AV blocks or valve replacements compared to weekday admissions. TEEs were performed equally in IE hospitalizations regardless of day of admission; however, early TEEs (within 24 hours of admission) were more commonly associated with weekday admission. Despite this, there was no clinically significant difference in the mortality between early TEEs and TEEs done after 24 hours of admission.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Impact of a mid-urethral synthetic mesh sling on long-term risk of systemic conditions in women with stress urinary incontinence: a national cohort study

Objective

To compare the incidence of systemic conditions between women who had surgical treatment for stress incontinence with mesh and without mesh.

Design

National cohort study.

Setting

English National Health Service.

Population

Women with no previous record of systemic disease who had first‐time urinary incontinence surgery between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 2013, followed up to the earliest of 10 years or 31 March 2019.

Methods

Competing‐risks regression was used to estimate hazard ratios (HR), adjusted for patient characteristics, with HR > 1 indicating increased incidence following mesh surgery.

Main outcome measures

First postoperative admission with a record of autoimmune disease, fibromyalgia or myalgic encephalomyelitis up to 10 years following the first incontinence procedure.

Results

The cohort included 88 947 women who had mesh surgery and 3389 women who had non‐mesh surgery. Both treatment groups were similar with respect to age, socio‐economic deprivation, comorbidity and ethnicity. The 10‐year cumulative incidence of autoimmune disease, fibromyalgia or myalgic encephalomyelitis was 8.1% (95% CI 7.9–8.3%) in the mesh group and 9.0% (95% CI 8.0–10.1%) in the non‐mesh group (adjusted HR 0.89, 95% CI 0.79–1.01; P = 0.07). A sensitivity analysis including only autoimmune diseases as an outcome returned a similar result.

Conclusions

These findings do not support claims that synthetic mesh slings cause systemic disease.

Tweetable abstract

No evidence of increased risk of systemic conditions after stress incontinence treatment with a mesh sling.

No evidence of increased risk of systemic conditions after stress incontinence treatment with a mesh sling.

The ELFIN Mission

The Electron Loss and Fields Investigation with a Spatio-Temporal Ambiguity-Resolving option (ELFIN-STAR, or heretoforth simply: ELFIN) mission comprises two identical 3-Unit (3U) CubeSats on a polar (∼93^∘ inclination), nearly circular, low-Earth (∼450 km altitude) orbit. Launched on September 15, 2018, ELFIN is expected to have a >2.5 year lifetime. Its primary science objective is to resolve the mechanism of storm-time relativistic electron precipitation, for which electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves are a prime candidate. From its ionospheric vantage point, ELFIN uses its unique pitch-angle-resolving capability to determine whether measured relativistic electron pitch-angle and energy spectra within the loss cone bear the characteristic signatures of scattering by EMIC waves or whether such scattering may be due to other processes. Pairing identical ELFIN satellites with slowly-variable along-track separation allows disambiguation of spatial and temporal evolution of the precipitation over minutes-to-tens-of-minutes timescales, faster than the orbit period of a single low-altitude satellite (T_orbit ∼ 90 min). Each satellite carries an energetic particle detector for electrons (EPDE) that measures 50 keV to 5 MeV electrons with Δ E/E < 40% and a fluxgate magnetometer (FGM) on a ∼72 cm boom that measures magnetic field waves (e.g., EMIC waves) in the range from DC to 5 Hz Nyquist (nominally) with <0.3 nT/sqrt(Hz) noise at 1 Hz. The spinning satellites (T_spin ∼ 3 s) are equipped with magnetorquers (air coils) that permit spin-up or -down and reorientation maneuvers. Using those, the spin axis is placed normal to the orbit plane (nominally), allowing full pitch-angle resolution twice per spin. An energetic particle detector for ions (EPDI) measures 250 keV - 5 MeV ions, addressing secondary science. Funded initially by CalSpace and the University Nanosat Program, ELFIN was selected for flight with joint support from NSF and NASA between 2014 and 2018 and launched by the ELaNa XVIII program on a Delta II rocket (with IceSatII as the primary). Mission operations are currently funded by NASA. Working under experienced UCLA mentors, with advice from The Aerospace Corporation and NASA personnel, more than 250 undergraduates have matured the ELFIN implementation strategy; developed the instruments, satellite, and ground systems and operate the two satellites. ELFIN's already high potential for cutting-edge science return is compounded by concurrent equatorial Heliophysics missions (THEMIS, Arase, Van Allen Probes, MMS) and ground stations. ELFIN's integrated data analysis approach, rapid dissemination strategies via the SPace Environment Data Analysis System (SPEDAS), and data coordination with the Heliophysics/Geospace System Observatory (H/GSO) optimize science yield, enabling the widest community benefits. Several storm-time events have already been captured and are presented herein to demonstrate ELFIN's data analysis methods and potential. These form the basis of on-going studies to resolve the primary mission science objective. Broad energy precipitation events, precipitation bands, and microbursts, clearly seen both at dawn and dusk, extend from tens of keV to >1 MeV. This broad energy range of precipitation indicates that multiple waves are providing scattering concurrently. Many observed events show significant backscattered fluxes, which in the past were hard to resolve by equatorial spacecraft or non-pitch-angle-resolving ionospheric missions. These observations suggest that the ionosphere plays a significant role in modifying magnetospheric electron fluxes and wave-particle interactions. Routine data captures starting in February 2020 and lasting for at least another year, approximately the remainder of the mission lifetime, are expected to provide a very rich dataset to address questions even beyond the primary mission science objective.

AB0395 SYSTEMIC LUPUS ASSOCIATED MACROPHAGE ACTIVATION SYNDROME – A SINGLE CENTRE EXPERIENCE FROM INDIA

Background:

Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) is a potentially fatal complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).(1) Overlapping clinical features of SLE activity with MA makes it a clinical diagnosis. There is limited data from developing countries like India.

Objectives:

To study the clinical features, treatment, and outcomes in SLE-MAS.

Methods:

This single-centre, retrospective study included patients fulfilling SLICC 2011 criteria for SLE, admitted from January 2017 to November 2019, and diagnosed as MAS by a team of attending physicians. Their demographic and clinical data, treatment, and outcomes were recorded. H score and SLEDAI were calculated. Patients were assessed for HLH classification criteria (2004) and preliminary diagnostic criteria for MAS in childhood SLE (cSLE).

Results:

Sixteen patients (median age – 26 years, 15 females) were included. Twelve patients (75%) had MAS as the initial presentation of SLE. The common clinical features were fever (100%) and cytopenias (100%). The mean duration of symptoms was 60 days. The most frequent biochemical abnormalities were high ferritin (>500 ng/ml, 100%) and elevated transaminases (100%, aspartate transaminase > alanine transaminase). Common complications were renal (43.8%), neurological (43.8%), and coagulopathy (43.8%). Seven and 16 patients fulfilled the HLH 2004 and cSLE – MAS preliminary criteria, respectively. The median H score was 222, giving a cumulative probability of 96%. All the patients received high-dose steroids. Cyclophosphamide pulse and cyclosporine were administered to 8 (50%) and 6 (37.5%) patients respectively. There were four (25%) in-hospital mortalities.

CharacteristicN=16Age (years)26 (19.5 – 30)Duration of symptoms (days)60 (18.7 – 90)Fever16 (100)Pancreatitis1 (6.3)Renal7 (43.8)Neurological7 (43.8)Myocarditis6 (37.5)Hepatomegaly7 (43.8)Splenomegaly3 (18.8)Lymphadenopathy12 (75)Anaemia16 (100)Leukopenia13 (82)Thrombocytopenia14 (88.2)Coagulopathy7 (43.8)Concomitant infection3 (18.8)H score222 (193 – 254)cSLE-MAS diagnostic criteria16 (100%)HLH 2004 (≥5)7 (43.8)Corticosteroids16 (100%)Cyclophosphamide8 (50%)Intravenous immunoglobulin2 (12.5%)Cyclosporine6 (37.5%)Death4 (25%)

All data presented as n (%) and median (IQR)

cSLE-MAS – Childhood systemic lupus erythematosus – Macrophage activation syndrome, HLH – Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis

ParameterN = 16Haemoglobin (g/dL)6.9 (5.7 – 7.8)Total leucocyte count (cells/mm3)1400 (1025 -3175)<10003 (18.8)1000 – 25009 (56.3)2500 - 40001 (6.3)Platelet (cells/mm3)57500 (23500 – 95250)<200003 (18.8)20000 – 500003 (18.8)50000 – 1 lac8 (50)Serum ferritin > 500 ng/ml16 (100%)Fibrinogen2.48 (1.6 – 4)Triglycerides (mg/dL)375 (294 -470)AST/ALT (U/L)153 (113 – 234) / 90 (68 – 170)Procalcitonin (pg/mL)0.8 (0.3 – 1.4)Lactate dehydrogenase (U/L)1674 (1081 – 2184)Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (mm in 1sthour)61 (44 – 69)C- reactive protein (mg/L)36 (6.3 – 52)Bone marrow examination14 (87.5)Increased histiocytes with hemophagocytosis5 (32.5)

All data presented as n (%) and median (IQR)

ALT – Alanine transaminase, AST – Aspartate transaminase

Conclusion:

Fever, cytopenia, high ferritin, and elevation of transaminases were the commonest features in this series of SLE-MAS. SLE-MAS carried a high mortality (25%) despite aggressive treatment.

References:

[1]Gavand P-E, Serio I, Arnaud L, Costedoat-Chalumeau N, Carvelli J, Dossier A, et al. Clinical spectrum and therapeutic management of systemic lupus erythematosus-associated macrophage activation syndrome: A study of 103 episodes in 89 adult patients. Autoimmun Rev. 2017;16(7):743–9.

Acknowledgments:

NONE

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

AB0570 MIXED CONNECTIVE TISSUE DISEASE: NOT THAT UNCOMMON, A SINGLE-CENTER EXPERIENCE FROM INDIA

Background:

Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) is considered to be uncommon; specifically there is sparse data on MCTD from developing countries like India.

Objectives:

This study examines the clinical and serological features of these patients in a single center in North-India.

Methods:

This was a retrospective single-center study of patients diagnosed as MCTD in last 20 years. The patients included fulfilled at least one of the diagnostic criteria namely Alarcón-Segovia, Kasukawa, and Kahns. Demographic details, clinical signs and symptoms, laboratory parameters, treatment and outcome were extracted from medical records and clinic files in a pre-designed proforma.

Results:

This study included 41 MCTD patients. There was a marked female preponderance (F: M=40:1), and mean age of disease onset and diagnosis was 33.8 ± 10.7 and 39.3 ± 10.2 years. 39 (92%) of the patients fulfilled both Kahn and Kasukawa criteria, while 31 (76%) fulfilled Alarcon-Segovia criteria. Initially patients had been (mis)diagnosed as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (or UCTD) (in five patients each), overlap syndromes or myositis (in 4 patients). ANA was commonly high-titer and specked, U1RNP was positive in all. (Table 1) Other autoantibodies on immunoblot included SSA and Ro52 in half the patients. Raynaud’s was seen in three-fourth at presentation and all the patients over time. Digital gangrene and puffy fingers were seen in 8 (20%) and 18 (46%) patients. Other clinical features included arthritis in 33 (81%), sclerodactyly in 23 (56%) and proximal weakness in 20 patients (49%). Interstitial lung disease and pulmonary arterial hypertension were seen in 20 (57%) and 15 (44%) patients. All patients (except one) received prednisolone, and it was currently used in almost 90%. Intravenous cyclophosphamide was used in one-third, commonly for ILD.

Table 1.

Laboratory features of patients with MCTD

Labs n (%)Leucopenia9 (22)Thrombocytopenia10 (24)Raised globulinsb22 (69)Mean globulins, mean (SD)a5±3.4Elevated CPKb10 (31)CPK Levels U/L, median (IQR)256 (57.5-1036)ANA Speckled Pattern N (%)31d(82)U1RNP N (%)b32 (100%)U1RNP Blot Intensity1+8 (25%)2+1 (3.2%)3+7 (21.8%)4+16 (50%)U1RNP EIA, mean(SD), n=19141.3 ± 82.4Raised RF Titersh10 (35.7%)Low C3 mg/dlf8 (40%)Low C4 mg/dlf3 (15%)FVC, mean (SD) n=2082.4 ± 18.9 ILD on HRCTg20 (57) Dilated PA on CTf10 (50)PAHeon ECHO15 (44.1%)RA/RV Dilated5 (18)

SD-standard deviation, IQR- Interquartile range, CPK- Creatinine phosphokinase,, ILD- Interstitial lung disease, PAH- Pulmonary arterial hypertension, ANA- Anti nuclear antibody, IIF- Indirect Immunofluorescence, PA- pulmonary artery, RA/RV- Right atrium/Right Ventricle,a34b32d38e34f20g34h28

Conclusion:

MCTD was not uncommon in the single-center in North India. Kahn and Kasukawa criteria were found to be the most sensitive for its diagnosis. Digital gangrene was relatively common and sometimes the presenting feature; whereas puffy fingers was present in only half the patients.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

Point-of-care lung ultrasound in intensive care during the COVID-19 pandemic

Coronavirus disease 2019 has spread to every inhabited continent in the world. So far, plain radiography and computed tomography have been the mainstay of imaging methods used. The present analytical paper on the role of point-of-care lung ultrasound in this pandemic examines its diagnostic accuracy, clinical utility, and physical practicality in the intensive care unit.

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POCUS has a high sensitivity for pulmonary manifestations of COVID-19.

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POCUS minimises nosocomial spread.

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POCUS can prognosticate and assess response to therapy.

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Healthcare providers with skills in POCUS are encouraged to help provide this service.

Simple hydrothermal approach for synthesis of fluorescent molybdenum disulfide quantum dots: Sensing of Cr3+ ion and cellular imaging

Nowadays, fluorescent molybdenum disulfide quantum dots (MoS₂ 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 MoS₂ QDs using ammonium heptamolybdate and 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) as precursors. The emission peak of MoS₂ QDs was significantly quenched in the presence Cr³⁺ ion due to the selective surface chemistry on the surfaces of MoS₂ QDs. The designed fluorescent MoS₂ QDs showed a linear fluorescence quenching response with increasing concentration of Cr³⁺ ion (0.1-10 μM), allowing to detect Cr³⁺ ion even at 0.08 μM. This fluorescent MoS₂ QDs were utilized for the quantification of Cr³⁺ ion in real samples (water and biological samples). Interestingly, the synthesized MoS₂ QDs exhibited negligible cytotoxicity on NRK cells and acted as good candidates for imaging of Trichoderma viride fungal cells.

Acid Oxidation of Muskmelon Fruit for the Fabrication of Carbon Dots with Specific Emission Colors for Recognition of Hg2+ 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 (Cucumis melo) fruit, which are termed as C. melo 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. The sizes of B-, G-, and Y-CMCDs were found to be ∼3.5, ∼4.3, and ∼5.8 nm, respectively. The as-prepared CMCDs display stable emissions with quantum yields of 7.07, 26.9, and 14.3% for the three CMCDs, which could act as a promising probe for the selective detection of Hg²⁺ ions. Upon the addition of Hg²⁺ ions, the fluorescence intensity of G-CMCDs at 515 nm was quenched largely than that of B- and Y-CMCDs. The spectroscopic results display that the G-CMCDs acted as a sensor for the detection of Hg²⁺ ions with a wide linear range from 1.0 to 25 μM (R ² = 0.9855) with a detection limit of 0.33 μM. This method was successfully applied to detect Hg²⁺ ions in biological and water samples. The fabricated multicolor-emissive CMCDs possess the cell (Cunninghamella elegans, Aspergillus flavus, and Rhizoctonia solani) imaging property, suggesting the biocompatible nature for multicolor imaging of various cells.

P759Electrocardiographic predictors of adverse in-hospital outcomes in the Takotsubo syndrome

Background

The takotsubo syndrome is a life-threatening acute cardiac condition. However, little is known about risk factors associated with worse outcomes in TS, and no high-risk electrocardiographic criteria have been defined for patients with TS. We sought to identify high-risk admission ECG findings among patients with TS.

Methods

Using the Swedish Angiography and Angioplasty Registry (SCAAR) we identified all cases of TS who were treated at our university hospital between 2008 and 2017. We reviewed all cases and included patients who met the revised Gothenburg diagnostic criteria. We conducted an in-depth review of all presenting electrocardiograms, using a pre-defined case report form (CRF), including the following variables: heart rate; rhythm; PR-interval; QRS axis; QTc-interval; T-wave inversion.; presence of Q-wave; T-wave axis; and the magnitude of ST-segment deviation in each individual lead. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of in-hospital major adverse cardiac event (MACE), defined as the composite of death, ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation (VT/VF), atrioventricular block ≥2 or asystole >10 seconds.

Results

We identified 161 patients with TS, of whom 151 (93.8%) were women. The mean age was 69±13 years. MACE occurred in 19 patients (11.8%), and VT/VF occurred in 14 patients (8.7%). No clinical variables were significantly different between patients with and without MACE. Patients with MACE were less likely than those without MACE to have sinus rhythm (79.0% versus 95.8%, p=0.02) or T-wave inversion (15.8% versus 52.8%, p=0.02). T-wave inversion was less common among patients with than without VT/VF (14.3% versus 51.7%, p=0.01). After adjustment for age and sex T-wave inversion was independently associated with lower risk of MACE (Odds ratio 0.13, 95% confidence interval 0.04 to 0.48, p>0.001).

Conclusions

T-wave inversion is common in TS and is associated with lower risk of adverse events, driven by a lower risk of VT/VF.

Progress in ITER ECE Diagnostic Design and Integration

The ITER Electron Cyclotron Emission (ECE) diagnostic is progressing towards its Preliminary Design Review (PDR). In parallel, the diagnostic integration in the Equatorial Port is ongoing. Port Integration has to address the structural integrity to withstand various loads, maintenance and the safety aspects of ECE diagnostic. The ITER ECE system includes radial and oblique lines-of-sight. Recently, a successful peer-review of the in-port plug Hot Calibration Source has taken place and its performance and integration feasibility has been demonstrated. Four 45-meter long low-loss transmission lines are designed to transmit mm-wave power in the frequency range of 70- 1000 GHz in both X- and O-mode polarization from the port plug to the ECE instrumentation room in the diagnostic building. Prototype transmission lines are being tested [1]. A prototype polarizing Martin-Puplett type Fourier Transform Spectrometer (FTS) operating in the frequency range 70-1000 GHz, has a fast scanning mechanism and a cryo-cooled dual-channel THz detector system. Its performance has been tested as per ITER requirements. Assessment of the instrumentation and control requirements, functional and non-functional requirements, operation procedures, plant automation are ongoing for the PDR. The current status of the diagnostic, together with integration activities, is presented.

Influence of doping ion, capping agent and pH on the fluorescence properties of zinc sulfide quantum dots: Sensing of Cu2+ and Hg2+ ions and their biocompatibility with cancer and fungal cells

Herein, a facile one-pot synthetic method was explored for the fabrication of glutathione capped Mn²⁺ doped‑zinc sulphide quantum dots (GSH-Mn²⁺-ZnS QDs) for both fluorescent detection of Cu²⁺ and Hg²⁺ ions and for fluorescence imaging of two cancer (RIN5F and MDAMB231) and fungal (Rhizopus oryzae) cells. Particularly, doping of Mn²⁺ 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. Under identical conditions, there is a good linear relationship between the quenching of fluorescence intensity and analytes (Cu²⁺ and Hg²⁺ ions) concentration in the range of 0.005 to 0.2 mM and of 0.025 to 0.4 mM for Cu²⁺ and Hg²⁺ ions, respectively. The GSH-Mn²⁺-ZnS QDs exhibit least cytotoxicity against RIN5F and MDAMB231 cells, demonstrating the multifunctional applications in sensing of metal ions and biocompatibility towards cancer (RIN5F and MDAMB231) and fungal (Rhizopus oryzae) cells.

Maintaining sexual function after pelvic floor surgery

Sexual dysfunction in women with prolapse and incontinence is well documented in the literature, but the impact of treatment, particularly surgical correction, remains very limited and confusing. Age, on the other hand, has been shown to be an independent risk factor for deteriorating sexual function, with all aspects of the sexual function (i.e. desire, arousal, penetration, and orgasm) being affected. When combined with surgical correction of prolapse or incontinence there is potential for further worsening of sexual function, and hence this should be assessed before any pelvic floor surgery and patient expectations established. In this article the current evidence will be reviewed looking at the impact of pelvic floor dysfunction on sexual function and the effect of commonly performed surgery for these problems. Ways and means of preserving sexual function in women undergoing corrective surgery will also be investigated.

Green synthesis of multi-color emissive carbon dots from Manilkara zapota fruits for bioimaging of bacterial and fungal cells

Natural resources have widely been used as precursors for the preparation of ultra-small carbon dots (C-dots) due to ease of availability, low cost and C-dots with high quantum yields (QYs). Herein, water dispersible multi-color emissive C-dots were obtained from Manilkara zapota fruits. The emission of C-dots was well tuned by sulphuric acid and phosphoric acids, which results to generate blue-, green- and yellow- C-dots. The fabricated C-dots exhibit blue, green and yellow color emissions when irradiated them under UV light at 365 nm. The emission/excitation peaks of blue-, green-, and yellow- C-dots were observed at 443, 515 and 563 nm when excited at 350, 420 and 440 nm, respectively. The QYs of blue-, green-, and yellow- C-dots are 5.7, 7.9 and 5.2%. The average sizes of blue- green- and yellow- C-dots are 1.9 ± 0.3, 2.9 ± 0.7and 4.5 ± 1.25 nm, respectively. Because of ultra-small size and biocompatibility, three C-dots act as promising bioimaging agents for imaging of cells (E. coli, Aspergillus aculeatus and Fomitopsis sp). The cytotoxicity on HeLa cells indicates that three C-dots have non-toxic nature, which confirms their biocompatibility. The ultra-small C-dots were effectively distributed in the cytoplasm of the cells, ensuring the potential applications in cell imaging and biomedical studies.

Novel carbonized bone meal for defluoridation of groundwater: Batch and column study

Low cost naturally available bone meal was carbonized and its fluoride adsorption capacity was explored. Carbonized bone meal (CBM) produced at 550°C, 4 h carbonization time and a heating rate of 60°C/min, showed fluoride adsorption capacity of 14 mg g^-1. Adsorbent was characterized using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluoroscence, thermogravimetric analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to highlight its physical and chemical properties. Best fluoride uptake capacity was observed for 0.2 mm particle size, 7 g L^-1 adsorbent concentration and at pH 6.5. Fluoride uptake was endothermic and chemisorption in nature. Effective diffusivity and mass transfer coefficient were obtained as 6 × 10^-11 m² s^-1 and 9 × 10^-5 m s^-1 from shrinking core model. Sulphate and carbonate showed the highest interference effect on adsorption of fluoride by CBM. Maximum desorption was observed at basic pH (pH 12). Fixed bed study was performed and effect of different parameters (bed height, inlet flow rate and initial concentration) was investigated. Efficiency of the adsorbent using real life fluoride contaminated groundwater solution was also observed.

Overdiagnosis in imaging

Overdiagnosis, more than an error regarding the diagnosis, is an error regarding the prognosis. We cannot know what consequences some lesions that we detect by imaging would have on our patients' lives if they were left untreated. As long as it is not possible for imaging techniques to differentiate between lesions that will have an indolent course from those that will have an aggressive course, there will be overdiagnosis. Advanced imaging techniques, radiomics, and radiogenomics, together with artificial intelligence, promise advances in this sense. In the meantime, it is important that radiologists be careful to ensure that only strictly necessary imaging tests are done. Moreover, we need to participate, together with patients, in making multidisciplinary decisions about diagnosis and clinical management. Finally, of course, we need to continue to contribute to the technological and scientific advance of our profession, so that we can continue to improve the diagnosis and early detection of abnormalities, especially those that require treatment.

Tuning of gold nanoclusters sensing applications with bovine serum albumin and bromelain for detection of Hg2+ ion and lambda-cyhalothrin via fluorescence turn-off and on mechanisms

Herein, fluorescent gold nanoclusters (Au NCs) were obtained by one-pot synthetic method using bovine serum albumin (BSA) and bromelain as templates. As-synthesized fluorescent Au NCs were stable and showed bright red fluorescence under UV lamp at 365 nm. The fluorescent Au NCs exhibit the emission intensity at 648 nm when excited at 498 nm. Various techniques were used such as spectroscopy (UV-visible, fluorescence, and Fourier-transform infrared), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and dynamic light scattering for the characterization of fluorescent Au NCs. The values of I₀/I at 648 nm are proportional to the concentrations of Hg²⁺ ion in the range from 0.00075 to 5.0 μM and of lambda-cyhalothrin in the range from 0.01 to 10 μM with detection limits of 0.0003 and 0.0075 μM for Hg²⁺ ion and lambda-cyhalothrin, respectively. The practical application of the probe was successfully demonstrated by analyzing Hg²⁺ ion and lambda-cyhalothrin in water samples. In addition, Au NCs used as probes for imaging of Simplicillium fungal cells. These results indicated that the as-synthesized Au NCs have proven to be promising fluorescent material for the sensing of Hg²⁺ ion and lambda-cyhalothrin in environmental and for imaging of microorganism cells in biomedical applications.

Microwave-assisted synthesis of water-soluble Eu3+ hybrid carbon dots with enhanced fluorescence for the sensing of Hg2+ ions and imaging of fungal cells

Eu³⁺ ion hybrid carbon dots as a novel fluorescent probe for the assay of Hg²⁺ ions and cellular imaging of Fomitopsis sp.

One-step eco-friendly approach for the fabrication of synergistically engineered fluorescent copper nanoclusters: sensing of Hg2+ ion and cellular uptake and bioimaging properties

Schematic illustration for one-step green synthetic approach for fabrication of synergistically engineered CuNCs.