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As a wide-ranging category of nanostructured materials, metal-organic-frameworks (MOFs) display distinctive characteristics, including uniformly ordered porosity, exceptional stability, and extensive tunability. These attributes enable the strategic design of MOFs in advanced biosensing platforms, including electrochemical and fluorescent biosensors. This editorial discusses the latest developments in MOF-based biosensors, emphasizing structural and surface functionalization strategies, enzyme immobilization, and signal amplification approaches that enhance analytical sensitivity and selectivity. Particular focus is placed on the MOF hybrid nanocomposites and micro/nano-sensing architectures designed to achieve precise control over activity–structure relationships. Moreover, current challenges in accomplishing scalable, biocompatible, and reproducible synthesis as well as in balancing stability with diffusion efficiency are examined. Finally, emerging trends combining computational modeling, advanced characterization, and machine-learning (ML)-guided design are highlighted as pathways toward next-generation analytical and point-of-care sensors with improved performance and broader practical applicability.

Introduction: In recent years, more attention was dedicated to developing new methods for designing of drug delivery systems. The aim of present work is to improve the efficiency of the antibacterial drug delivery process, and to realize and to control accurately the release. Methods: First, graphene oxide (GO) was prepared according to the modified Hummers method then the GO was modified with carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and Zn-based metal-organic framework (MOF-5) through the solvothermal technique. Results: Performing the various analysis methods including scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), EDX, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and Zeta potentials on the obtained bio-nanocomposite showed that the new modified GO has been prepared. With using common analysis methods the structure of synthesized materials was determined and confirmed and finally, their antibacterial behavior was examined based on the broth microdilution methods. Conclusion: Carboxymethylcellulose/MOF-5/GO bio-nanocomposite (CMC/MOF-5/GO) was successfully synthesized through the solvothermal technique. Tetracycline (TC) was encapsulated in the GO and CMC/MOF-5/GO. The drug release tests showed that the TC-loaded CMC/MOF5/GO has an effective protection against stomach pH. With controlling the TC release in the gastrointestinal tract conditions, the long-time stability of drug dosing was enhanced. Furthermore, antibacterial activity tests showed that the TC-loaded CMC/MOF-5/GO has an antibacterial activity to negatively charge E. coli bacteria in contrast to TC-loaded GO.

Biopolymer aerogel microspheres based on K-carrageenan, Sodium-alginate, and reduced graphene oxide (SA/K-CG/rGO) were fabricated by crosslinking with divalent cation (Ca 2+ ) and sol–gel technique followed by super critical drying. Then, the synthesized SA/K-CG/Ca 2+ -k + /rGO hybrid aerogel has been evaluated as an effective drug delivery system (DDS). The obtained aerogel was characterized using Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray Diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM/EDS), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET). Amoxicillin as a model drug was immobilized in aerogel up to 94%. The release profile designated a continuous pH-dependent discharge at two studied pH scales (4.0, 5.5, 7.4 and 9.0). Finally, Korsmeyer-Peppas model and Higuchi model have been applied to evaluate the release kinetics, and it proves that the release of Amox from the hybrid aerogels is controlled by Fickian diffusion. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) index for Aerogel/Amox with rGO was 250 µg/ml and 62 µg/ml for Streptomyces aureus and Escherichia coli , respectively. Besides, the cell viability assay did not show toxicity against normal endothelial cells. Collectively, the results determine the SA/K-CG/Ca 2+ -k + /rGO aerogel would be a potential material for the fabrication of pH-controlled drug delivery scaffold.

Background. Conscious patients admitted to intensive care units (ICU) suffer from anxiety and agitation for various reasons, which can affect their recovery processes. Aims. To compare the effects of lavender and Citrus aurantium essential oils on anxiety and agitation of conscious patients admitted to ICUs. Design. A randomized parallel placebo-controlled trial. Methods. One hundred and fifty conscious patients admitted to ICUs were selected by convenience sampling and were randomly divided into three groups, groups of lavender aromatherapy and Citrus aurantium aromatherapy, in addition to the routine care and inhalation of five drops of lavender or Citrus aurantium essential oils for 30 minutes. The placebo group, in addition to routine care, was provided with 5 drops of normal saline for 30 minutes. Anxiety was assessed with the state subscale of State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and agitation was examined with Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale before, immediately, one hour, and three hours after the intervention. Results. All three groups suffered from relatively severe state anxiety before the intervention. The level of anxiety in the lavender and Citrus aurantium groups was significantly lower than that of the placebo group immediately and three hours after the intervention (P<0.05). No significant difference was observed between the two groups of lavender and Citrus aurantium. The majority of the samples in all three groups were agitated before the intervention, but agitation of all three groups decreased after the intervention. Restless/agitation reduced significantly in all three groups. Although restless/agitation of the lavender and Citrus aurantium groups reduced more than that of the placebo, no significant difference was found between the three groups. Conclusion. The results of the present study showed the positive effects of lavender aromatherapy and Citrus aurantium aromatherapy on reducing the anxiety of patients admitted to ICUs. Relevance to Clinical Practice. Aromatherapy can be used as an effective and safe intervention to reduce anxiety in ICUs.

Background: Sofosbuvir is a potent direct-acting antivirus agent that has been listed as a promising medicine for the treatment of all genotypes of hepatitis C virus. As antiviral drugs could be metabolized to their associated compounds and toxicologically and pharmacologically interfere with the parent drugs, identifying the therapeutic range of drugs would be notable. Methods: In the current study, copper nanoclusters (Cu NCs) are synthesized during the reduction of copper nitrate with hydrazine hydrate in a protected media and used as a nanoprobe for the determination of sofosbuvir in plasma samples. Herein, synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy (SFS) is used for monitoring of fluorescence variation of nanoprobe owing to the excessive benefits compared with the traditional fluorescence. Results: SFS peak of Cu NCs has appeared at 355 nm with ∆λ=80 nm which is decreased in the presence of sofosbuvir. To optimize the reaction factors, a response surface methodology is used and in the optimized conditions, a linear concentration-response plot is obtained in a range of 0.05-6.0 µg mL−1 with a limit of detection of 0.0147 µg mL−1. Conclusion: The developed method also reveals good repeatability and selectivity for sofosbuvir in plasma samples.

According to the narrow therapeutic range and multiple adverse effects of cyclosporine and the need for its therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM), in this study, an efficient zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 metal-organic framework (ZIF-8 MOF) based nanoprobe was designed for simple, rapid and high sensitive its quantification in plasma samples. After the successful synthesis of the ZIF-8 MOF, under the optimum condition, the fluorescence emission of ZIF-8 MOF, measured at an excitation wavelength of 370 nm and an emission wavelength of 417 nm, was enhanced with increasing cyclosporine concentration, due to the specific interactions between cyclosporine and the nanoprobe, including hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic effects. The nanoprobe showed a linear correlation between the analytical response and cyclosporine concentration in the concentration range of 0.01–1.0 µg mL − 1 , with a detection limit of 0.003 µg mL − 1 . Acceptable precision was achieved, evidenced by intra-day and inter-day relative standard deviations of 0.4% and 0.5%, respectively. Recovery between 97.1% and 102.1% in plasma samples indicated the method’s reliability in practical applications.

BackgroundMorphine serves as a foundation for creating other opioid derivatives, such as hydro/oxymorphine and heroin, which possess enhanced pain-relieving properties but are also prone to addiction and abuse. In cases of morphine overdose, it not only affects multiple immune functions but can also cause severe health complications. Given these concerns and the widespread use of morphine, it is crucial to develop efficient, uncomplicated, and precise methods for accurately detecting morphine in various biological and pharmaceutical samples.ResultsIn this investigation, a novel gold nanoparticle (AuNPs)-based double network hydrogel (DNH) nanoprobe has been fabricated for sensitive quantification of morphine in exhaled breath condensate samples. For that, gelatin/agarose DNH was fabricated through a one-step heating-cooling method in the presence of AuNPs, providing not only chemical stability but also prevent the AuNPs aggregation during synthesis process. In this method, the absorbance intensity of the nanoprobe gradually decreased with increasing morphine concentration due to the interaction morphine with AuNPs surface plasmon. The aggregation of AuNPs by addition of morphine was verified by UV-Vis spectrophotometry. The sensor displayed high sensitivity with detection limit of 0.006 µg.mL-1 in the linear range from 0.01 to 1.0 µg.mL-1. A reliable performance was attained for the spectrophotometric method for determination of morphine in the real samples.SignificanceThis article has reported a new advanced optical scaffold based on double network polymeric hybrid hydrogel for the determination of morphine. This is first report of using such composite for determination of opioids in exhaled breath condensate samples.

In this study, a novel fluorescence nanoprobe based on Materials of Institute Lavoisier (MIL-101) metal-organic frameworks embedding into the agarose hydrogel is fabricated using a hydrothermal technique. It uses for sensitive quantification of deferiprone in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) samples. The morphology and characterization of MIL-101/agarose nanocomposite hydrogel is studied by transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering instrument, powder X-ray diffraction analysis, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The probe shows a reasonable fluorescence intensity quenching in the presence of deferiprone due to the interactions between iron centers in MIL-101 (Fe) and deferiprone, which likely form non-fluorescent complexes. The proposed nanoprobe demonstrates a linear calibration curve from 0.005 to 1.5 µg mL− 1 with a detection limit of 0.003 µg mL− 1. The intra- and inter-day precision of the reported method are 0.3% and 0.4% (n = 5, deferiprone concentration = 1.0 µg mL− 1), respectively. This method demonstrates high sensitivity and specificity towards deferiprone in the EBC samples and also presents a sensing platform with simplicity, convenience, fast implementation, and cost-effective in medical monitoring.

A synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy (SFS) sensor for pethidine detection is described based on UiO-66 metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) modified with N-doped carbon quantum dots (N-CQDs) embedded in hydrogel nanocomposites. Benefitting from the inovative  design of the doping method in the carbonaceous structure, N-CQDs were successfully deposited in the pores of the UiO-66 network. Then, N-CQDs were employed as a sensitive segment toward the target molecules. UiO-66 was used for sensitive and selective sensing of the bonding interactions between N-CQDs and pethidine so that the electron transfer process from UiO-66 to the pethidine-N-CQD complex results in quenching the SFS intensity of UiO-66. To embed the stable and suitable sensing interface for pethidine assessment, the designed nanomaterial was inserted into the hydrogel network. This nanocomposite hydrogel showed two well-resolved emission peaks at 300 nm and 350 nm under ∆ λ  = 70, which corresponded to N-CQDs and UiO-66, respectively. The SFS sensing platform was employed for ratiometric detection of pethidine with a low limit of detection of 0.002 μg mL −1 over a wide concentration range from 0.005 to 1.0 μg mL −1 . The accurate monitoring of pethidine with a good recovery of 90.8–101.5% indicated their independency from matrix effects for pethidine detection in human plasma being a complicated biological matrix. Graphical abstract Scheme 1. General procedure for synthesizing N-CQDs@UiO-66/PVA hydrogel-based nanoprobe and its application for pethidine determination

This study developed a simple and label-free fluorescent probe for deferiprone quantification in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) samples. For that, UiO-66, synthesized in a one-step process with the solvothermal method, along with ferric ions, provided a selective system for deferiprone detection. Deferiprone formed a complex with ferric ions, and the resulting complex quenched the fluorescence intensity of UiO-66 through an inner filter effect process. The probe demonstrated good sensitivity, with a detection limit of 0.005 mg.L − 1 and a linear range of 0.016-1.0 mg.L − 1 , and performed reliably in the analysis of deferiprone in EBC samples of the patients.