RNA-based therapeutics: current progress and future prospects

Recent advances of biological drugs have broadened the scope of therapeutic targets for a variety of human diseases. This holds true for dozens of RNA-based therapeutics currently under clinical investigation for diseases ranging from genetic disorders to HIV infection to various cancers. These emerging drugs, which include therapeutic ribozymes, aptamers, and small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), demonstrate the unprecedented versatility of RNA. However, RNA is inherently unstable, potentially immunogenic, and typically requires a delivery vehicle for efficient transport to the targeted cells. These issues have hindered the clinical progress of some RNA-based drugs and have contributed to mixed results in clinical testing. Nevertheless, promising results from recent clinical trials suggest that these barriers may be overcome with improved synthetic delivery carriers and chemical modifications of the RNA therapeutics. This review focuses on the clinical results of siRNA, RNA aptamer, and ribozyme therapeutics and the prospects for future successes.     

Molecularly imprinted polymers for solid-phase extraction and solid-phase microextraction: recent developments and future trends

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are synthetic polymers having a predetermined selectivity for a given analyte, or group of structurally related compounds, that make them ideal materials to be used in separation processes. In this sense, during past years a huge amount of papers have been published dealing with the use of MIPs as sorbents in solid-phase extraction, namely molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction (MISPE). Although the majority of these papers were restricted to describe the use of different templates for different applications, several attempts proposing new alternatives to minimize the inherent drawbacks of the preparation and use of MIPs (i.e. template bleeding, tedious synthesis procedure, etc.) have been reported. Thus, this paper does not pretend to be a collection of MISPE-related papers but to give an overview on the significant attempts carried out during recent years to improve the performance of MIPs in solid-phase extraction. In addition, the use of MIPs packed in high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) columns for the direct injection of crude sample extracts and the preparation of imprinted fibres for solid-phase microextraction will be also discussed.     

Liquid-liquid extraction in inorganic analysis: current status and prospects

This review surveys the progress in inorganic liquid-liquid extraction in the last 25 years. Achievements are emphasized in the theoretical foundations of the method, and in the synthesis, characterization and application of new extractants. Special attention is paid to the implementation of extraction methods and to the automation of extractive separation. The combination of liquid-liquid extraction as a method of preconcentration with the methods of subsequent determination of trace concentrations of elements is described in detail.     

Conjugate polymer-based membranes for gas separation applications: current status and future prospects

Conjugate polymers provide the possibility of exploiting both the chemical and physical attributes of the polymers for membrane-based gas separation. The presence of delocalized π electrons provides high chain stiffness with low packing density, thus making the membrane a rigid structure that favors facilitated transport. Historically, the polymeric membranes were constrained by the tradeoff relationship between gas permeability and gas selectivity. So, different methods were investigated to prepare the membranes that can overcome the limitation. In recent years, electroconductive polymeric membranes have gained attention with their enhanced transportation properties combining the separation behavior depending on both molecular size discrimination as well as the facilitated transport. They offer better selectivity toward polar gases such as CO₂ because of the increased solubility. This review is aimed to provide a literature survey on gas separation using conjugate polymers such as polyaniline, polypyrrole, and some derivatives of polythiophenes. It contains various methods used by different researchers to enhance the gas separation properties of the membranes with improved mechanical and thermal stability such as changing the morphology and membrane preparation methods. In addition, it provides the pros and cons of various factors affecting the conjugate polymer membrane performance. The major challenges and future work that can be done in improving the transportation properties through the membrane to achieve viable membranes are also discussed so that they can be used for commercial and practical applications in the future.     

Micro‐thermal analysis of polymers: current capabilities and future prospects

The current state of development of micro‐thermal analysis (micro‐TA) and related techniques are briefly reviewed. Results for a PET/epoxy resin composite and a bilayer polymer film are given as illustrations. Details are given of a new interface that enables the micro‐TA unit to be placed inside a conventional FTIR spectrometer to carry out photothermal IR microscopy. New results are presented for a micro‐pyrolysis‐mass spectroscopy technique. The limitations of the current instrumentation are discussed in terms of the overriding problem being one of spatial resolution. Images obtained using pulsed force mode AFM with a high‐resolution heated tip indicate the scope for future development of this technique. The possibility of even higher spatial resolution with other forms of probe are discussed along with the potential for imaging micro‐pyrolysis time of flight mass spectroscopy and even tomography. It is concluded that these methods offer excellent prospects for characterising a wide range of polymer systems.     

Bioartificial livers (BAL): current technological aspects and future developments

Several attempts have been made to develop bioartificial support for the treatment of patients with acute or fulminant liver failure. In this paper, the authors have reviewed the technological aspects of the previously developed bioreactor devices like membrane-based devices, direct perfusion systems and entrapment-based columns. For each type, the technological requirements were first theoretically addressed and then confronted with the actual bioreactor configurations. A new bioreactor design has been proposed to enhance the performance of a bioartificial liver consisting of porcine hepatocytes entrapped in alginate beads. Finally, perspectives were drawn for the next developments of such promising bioartificial organs.     

Ion-pair solid-phase extraction

Solid-phase extraction (SPE) is a technique widely employed by analytical chemists. SPE cartridges are available in a wide variety of formats containing media with diverse chemistries. This paper will review ion-pair SPE, one of the less frequently applied, and presumably less well-known techniques. Advantages of this technique over more conventional reversed-phase or ion-exchange SPE include selectivity, compatibility with rapid evaporative concentration, and potential application to multiclass multiresidue analysis.     

Stimuli-responsive microemulsions: State-of-the-art and future prospects

Over the last decade, stimuli-responsive microemulsions, that is, those that switch between stable and unstable states in response to certain stimuli, have attracted considerable attention because of their unique properties and potential for diverse applications. Herein, we highlight the recent advances in the development of microemulsions responsive to external triggers such as pH, redox reactions, light, CO₂ gas, magnetic field and temperature; discuss the corresponding responses; and reveal important composition–microstructure–macroscopic property relationships to suggest future research directions and potential applications.     

Multiple exciton generation in nanocrystal quantum dots--controversy, current status and future prospects

Multiple exciton generation is a process that can occur in quantum dots by which the energy of an absorbed photon in excess of the bandgap can be used to create one or more additional excitons instead of being wasted as heat. This effect has received considerable interest because it has the potential to significantly enhance the performance of solar cells, nanocrystal lasers, high speed electronic devices and photocatalysts. However, measuring the efficiency of multiple exciton generation is experimentally challenging and the results of these measurements have been the subject of some controversy. This Perspective describes the techniques used to determine the quantum yield of multiexcitons in nanocrystals and also details the experimental artefacts that can confuse these measurements and have been the source of much of the recent debate. The greater understanding of these artefacts that has emerged recently and the experimental techniques developed to eliminate their effects on quantum yield measurements will also be described. The efficiency of multiple exciton generation currently obtainable from nanocrystals and its potential impact on solar cell performance is assessed in the light of this improved experimental understanding. Whilst it is found the quantum yields thus far reported are insufficient to result in more than a modest increase in solar cell efficiency, an analysis of the expected performance of a nanocrystal engineered to maximise multiple exciton generation indicates that a significant improvement in solar cell performance is possible. Moreover, a nanocrystal design is proposed for optimised efficiency of multiple exciton generation which would allow its potential benefit to solar power production to be realised.     

Singlet oxygen luminescence dosimetry (SOLD) for photodynamic therapy: current status, challenges and future prospects

As photodynamic therapy (PDT) continues to develop and find new clinical indications, robust individualized dosimetry is warranted to achieve effective treatments. We posit that the most direct PDT dosimetry is achieved by monitoring singlet oxygen (1O2), the major cytotoxic species generated photochemically during PDT. Its detection and quantification during PDT have been long-term goals for PDT dosimetry and the development of techniques for this, based on detection of its near-infrared luminescence emission (1270 nm), is at a noteworthy stage of development. We begin by discussing the theory behind singlet-oxygen luminescence dosimetry (SOLD) and the seminal contributions that have brought SOLD to its current status. Subsequently, technology developments that could potentially improve SOLD are discussed, together with future areas of research, as well as the potential limitations of this method. We conclude by examining the major thrusts for future SOLD applications: as a tool for quantitative photobiological studies, a point of reference to evaluate other PDT dosimetry techniques, the optimal means to evaluate new photosensitizers and delivery methods and, potentially, a direct and robust clinical dosimetry system.     

In vivo activation analysis: Present and future prospects

In vivo activation analysis has proved to be an analytical assay for the elemental composition of the human body. Applications have included the diagnosis of disease, the evaluation of therapeutic clinical interventions, the study of basic human physiology (especially of the aging process), and the development of reference standards for indirect measures of body composition. This paper will focus on the in vivo activation techniques currently in use and their future prospects, with an emphasis on body Ca, N, C and Cd. The prospects for delayed, prompt, and pulsed neutron activation will be included in the discussion.     

Graphitized carbons for solid-phase extraction

The objective of this review is to provide updated information about the most important features of graphitized carbonaceous sorbents used for solid-phase extraction (SPE) of organic compounds from liquid natural matrices or extracts. The surface characteristics of graphitized carbon blacks and porous graphitic carbons are described which are responsible for the various types interactions (hydrophobic, electronic and ion-exchange) with analytes. The method development is given which is based on the prediction from liquid chromatographic retention data obtained using porous graphitic carbon. Emphasis is placed on their capability for trapping very polar and water-soluble analytes from aqueous samples. Comparison is made between carbon-based SPE sorbents and other reversed-phase materials such as octadecyl silicas and highly cross-linked copolymers. Especially, the difficulty encountered for the desorption of some strongly retained analytes is explained by LC data and solutions are given for optimizing the composition and volume of the desorption solution. Many examples illustrate the various common features of graphitized carbons which are the extraction of very polar analytes and multiresidue extractions. Some applications are specific to graphitized carbon black due to the presence of surface functional groups. They include the extraction of anionic compounds such as benzene and naphthalene sulfonates or acidic pesticides. Other applications are specific to porous graphitic carbon due to its flat and homogeneous surface. One example is the trace extraction of coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans from other PCB congeners.     

Near infrared-driven photoelectrochemical water splitting: Review and future prospects

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting supplies an environmentally friendly, sustainable approach to generating renewable hydrogen fuels. Oxides semiconductors, e.g. TiO₂, BiVO₄, and Fe₂O₃, have been widely developed as photoelectrodes to demonstrate the utility in PEC systems. Even though significant effort has been made to increase the PEC efficiency, these materials are still far from practical applications. The main issue of metal oxides is the wide bandgap energy that hinders effective photons harvesting from sunlight. In solar spectrum, over 40% of the energy is located in the near-infrared (NIR) region. Developing sophisticated PEC systems that can be driven by NIR illumination is therefore essential. This review gives a concise overview on PEC systems based on the use of NIR-driven photoelectrodes. Promising candidates as efficient yet practical NIR-responsive photoelectrodes are suggested and discussed. Future outlooks on the advancement of PEC water splitting are also proposed.     

Cycloaddition to buckminsterfullerene C60: advancements and future prospects

Investigations on mono-[2+1]-, -[2+2]-, -[2+3]-, -[2+4]-, and polycycloaddition to [60]fullerene are reviewed. The main reagents used in cycloaddition and the reaction mechanisms are surveyed. The possible applications of cycloadducts are considered. The review covers the investigations of the last five years as well as the most important earlier studies.     

Miniaturized solid-phase extraction with resin disks

The properties and advantages of membrane disks for solid-phase extraction (SPE) are described. Miniaturization is a trend in SPE, as well as chemical analysis in general. A semimicro method is reviewed in which an extraction disk 4 mm in diameter is used for SPE. Even smaller scale separations are possible with a device in which a membrane 0.7 mm in diameter was incorporated into the needle of a 50-micro syringe. Aqueous samples containing 10 ppb of eight substituted benzenes were passed through the miniaturized-SPE syringe automatically using a single-syringe infusion pump. Elution volumes of 5 microl provided 500-fold concentrations and delivered average recoveries greater than 90% and an average relative standard deviation (RSD) of 4.6% for the analytes. Direct injection of the 5 microl eluate from the miniaturized-SPE syringe into a gas chromatograph also produced average recoveries greater than 90% and an average RSD of 6.2%.