Carbon paste electrode (CPE) modified with porous copper based metal organic framework (Cu-MOF) nanocomposite is described for analysis of cyanide (CN−) for the first time. The electrochemical performance of the proposed electrode was investigated by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The Cu-MOF nanocomposite was characterized using scanning electron microscope (SEM), N2-adsorption-desorption isotherms, powder X-ray powder diffraction (PXRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Under optimal conditions of measurements, the anodic peak (Ipa) decreases linearly in the range of 1.87–25 μM with LOD of 0.60 μM (at S/N = 3). The Cu-MOF/CPE showed good selectivity towards CN− measurement with no significant interference in pH 7.0 using 0.25 M KCl to increase the medium conductivity and to stabilize the analyte and prevents its volatility. Moreover, the method was successfully applied for determination of CN− in different environmental water samples.

Carbon paste electrode (CPE) modified with porous copper based metal organic framework (Cu-MOF) nanocomposite is described for analysis of cyanide (CN−) for the first time. The electrochemical performance of the proposed electrode was investigated by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The Cu-MOF nanocomposite was characterized using scanning electron microscope (SEM), N2-adsorption-desorption isotherms, powder X-ray powder diffraction (PXRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Under optimal conditions of measurements, the anodic peak (Ipa) decreases linearly in the range of 1.87–25 μM with LOD of 0.60 μM (at S/N = 3). The Cu-MOF/CPE showed good selectivity towards CN− measurement with no significant interference in pH 7.0 using 0.25 M KCl to increase the medium conductivity and to stabilize the analyte and prevents its volatility. Moreover, the method was successfully applied for determination of CN− in different environmental water samples.

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Regarding cancer, innovative therapeutic approaches are needed for achieving a complete cure, since the conventional approaches are not satisfactory. The use of nucleic acids for modifying gene and protein levels in specific cells is one of the most promising approaches for cancer therapy, since it corrects the underlying cause of the disease. However, delivering various nucleic acids to their intracellular target sites is a difficult task, since they need to traverse the plasma membrane in order to be effective. Unlike conventional low molecular weight drugs, nucleic acids are large, hydrophilic and susceptible to degradation. Therefore, a sophisticated gene delivery system is required to protect and efficiently deliver these molecules to their target sites. We have been developing a series of innovative gene delivery systems based on our original design of a multifunctional envelope-type nano device (MEND). A MEND could be optimized at various levels to efficiently and safely deliver different nucleic acids to their target sites in specific cells in the body. We focused mainly on improving biodistribution after systemic administration as well as improving intracellular trafficking so as to achieve the maximum effect. Here, we summarize our efforts to develop various versions of MENDs for efficient gene delivery in vitro and in vivo. The focus is on the use of MENDs for the treatment of cancer through applying the concept of active targeting as well as passive targeting. We also summarize the applicability of a MEND system for use in cancer immunotherapy. The MEND system described here is expected to extend the therapeutic applications of nucleic acids for the treatment of various currently incurable diseases, including cancer.

Introduction: Systemically administered non-viral gene delivery systems face multiple biological barriers that decrease their efficiency. These systems are rapidly cleared from the circulation and sufficient concentrations do not accumulate in diseased tissues. A number of targeting strategies can be used to provide for sufficient accumulation in the desired tissues to achieve a therapeutic effect. Areas covered: We discuss recent advances in the targeting of non-viral gene delivery systems to different tissues after systemic administration. We compare passive and active targeting applied for tumor delivery and propose some strategies that can be used to overcome the drawbacks of each case. We also discuss targeting the liver and lungs as two particularly important organs in gene therapy. Expert opinion: There is currently no optimum non-viral gene delivery system for targeting genes to specific tissues. The dose delivered to tumor tissues using passive targeting is low and shows a high patient variation. Although active targeting can enhance binding to specific cells, only a few reports are available to support its value in vivo. The design of smart nanocarriers for promoting active targeting is urgently needed and targeting the endothelium is a promising strategy for gene delivery to tumors as well as other organs.

Efficiently delivering plasmid DNA (pDNA) to the spleen is particularly significant for DNA immunization. However, increasing the efficiency of gene expression in spleen cells for achieving a therapeutic effect remains a serious challenge. An ideal spleen-targeted system should avoid liver uptake and should efficiently transfect specific functional spleen cells. Here, we report on pDNA nanocarriers with enhanced transfection in spleen cells driven by synergism between an octaarginine (R8) peptide and YSK05; a pH-responsive ionizable lipid. A double-coating design is essential for enhancing spleen selective transfection which is significantly affected by the total amount of lipid and the composition of the outer coat. The optimized R8/YSK system shows a high gene expression in the spleen with a high spleen/liver ratio and a surprising ability to target spleen B cells. Compared to other organs, the high spleen activity cannot be explained based on the amount of pDNA delivered to each organ, indicating that the system is extremely efficient in transfecting spleen cells. The system can be used in cancer immunization where a strong anti-tumor effect was observed in mice immunized with the R8/YSK system encapsulating antigen-encoding pDNA. The R8/YSK system holds great promise for future applications in the field of DNA vaccination.

The analytical capability of the UPLC-Q ExactiveTM Orbitrap MS was exploited for simultaneous determination of 30 acidic and basic PPCPs in a single run, using rapid polarity switching of the electrospray ionisation source. Full scan MS mode at resolution of 35,000 FWHM, Automatic gain control (AGC) target of 1E6 ions at injection time of 50 ms provided the optimum parameters for high sensitivity, together with sufficient data points per peak (≥15) for improved reproducibility. In addition to chromatographic retention times, method selectivity was achieved via applying high resolution accurate mass with low mass tolerance filter (5 ppm) for identification of each target compound. Six-point linear calibration curves (R2> 0.95) were established for all target analytes over a concentration range of 1–1500 ng/ml. Good results were obtained for method accuracy (% recovery = 76–104%), inter- and intra-day precision (relative standard deviation 15%) at 3 concentration levels. Instrumental detection and quantification limits ranged from (0.02–1.21 ng/ml) and (0.07–4.05 ng/ml), respectively. While optimised MS/MS analysis through parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) mode provided slightly higher sensitivity, Full scan MS mode allowed for higher mass resolution (selectivity), more data points per peak (reproducibility) and more importantly, the potential for post-acquisition screening of non-target compounds. Following solid phase extraction (SPE) of target analytes, the method was successfully applied to provide first data on PPCPs occurrence in effluent and surface water samples (n = 10) from Egypt. Moreover, screening for non-target compounds revealed the presence of bisphenol A, which was further confirmed via matching with an authentic standard. Overall, this study provides first insight into the high analytical capabilities of the Q-ExactiveTM Orbitrap platform for both targeted/non-targeted analysis of PPCPs in environmental matrices.

The analytical capability of the UPLC-Q ExactiveTM Orbitrap MS was exploited for simultaneous determination of 30 acidic and basic PPCPs in a single run, using rapid polarity switching of the electrospray ionisation source. Full scan MS mode at resolution of 35,000 FWHM, Automatic gain control (AGC) target of 1E6 ions at injection time of 50 ms provided the optimum parameters for high sensitivity, together with sufficient data points per peak (≥15) for improved reproducibility. In addition to chromatographic retention times, method selectivity was achieved via applying high resolution accurate mass with low mass tolerance filter (5 ppm) for identification of each target compound. Six-point linear calibration curves (R2> 0.95) were established for all target analytes over a concentration range of 1–1500 ng/ml. Good results were obtained for method accuracy (% recovery = 76–104%), inter- and intra-day precision (relative standard deviation 15%) at 3 concentration levels. Instrumental detection and quantification limits ranged from (0.02–1.21 ng/ml) and (0.07–4.05 ng/ml), respectively. While optimised MS/MS analysis through parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) mode provided slightly higher sensitivity, Full scan MS mode allowed for higher mass resolution (selectivity), more data points per peak (reproducibility) and more importantly, the potential for post-acquisition screening of non-target compounds. Following solid phase extraction (SPE) of target analytes, the method was successfully applied to provide first data on PPCPs occurrence in effluent and surface water samples (n = 10) from Egypt. Moreover, screening for non-target compounds revealed the presence of bisphenol A, which was further confirmed via matching with an authentic standard. Overall, this study provides first insight into the high analytical capabilities of the Q-ExactiveTM Orbitrap platform for both targeted/non-targeted analysis of PPCPs in environmental matrices.

The analytical capability of the UPLC-Q ExactiveTM Orbitrap MS was exploited for simultaneous determination of 30 acidic and basic PPCPs in a single run, using rapid polarity switching of the electrospray ionisation source. Full scan MS mode at resolution of 35,000 FWHM, Automatic gain control (AGC) target of 1E6 ions at injection time of 50 ms provided the optimum parameters for high sensitivity, together with sufficient data points per peak (≥15) for improved reproducibility. In addition to chromatographic retention times, method selectivity was achieved via applying high resolution accurate mass with low mass tolerance filter (5 ppm) for identification of each target compound. Six-point linear calibration curves (R2> 0.95) were established for all target analytes over a concentration range of 1–1500 ng/ml. Good results were obtained for method accuracy (% recovery = 76–104%), inter- and intra-day precision (relative standard deviation 15%) at 3 concentration levels. Instrumental detection and quantification limits ranged from (0.02–1.21 ng/ml) and (0.07–4.05 ng/ml), respectively. While optimised MS/MS analysis through parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) mode provided slightly higher sensitivity, Full scan MS mode allowed for higher mass resolution (selectivity), more data points per peak (reproducibility) and more importantly, the potential for post-acquisition screening of non-target compounds. Following solid phase extraction (SPE) of target analytes, the method was successfully applied to provide first data on PPCPs occurrence in effluent and surface water samples (n = 10) from Egypt. Moreover, screening for non-target compounds revealed the presence of bisphenol A, which was further confirmed via matching with an authentic standard. Overall, this study provides first insight into the high analytical capabilities of the Q-ExactiveTM Orbitrap platform for both targeted/non-targeted analysis of PPCPs in environmental matrices.