ORCID Profile
0000-0001-5023-5826
Current Organisations
University of New South Wales
,
University of Western Australia
,
Flinders University
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Publisher: Wiley
Date: 07-11-2021
Abstract: Liquid–liquid interfaces of liquid alloys with electrolytic solutions present fertile platforms for realizing exciting interfacial phenomena that can be devised to process alloys and produce nanomaterials. Here, such an interface is established by immersing a gallium–bismuth binary liquid alloy into aqueous electrolytes. It is shown that the application of a negative voltage to this interface results in a rapid and complete liberation of bismuth nanostructures from liquid gallium. The set of conditions that govern the chemistry of the interface can be adjusted to control the oxidation state, morphology, and crystal structure of the expelled bismuth. By changing the conditions nanotubular, atomically thin plates, and sea‐urchin‐shaped bismuth oxide morphologies are obtained. The process can also control the crystal phase of bismuth oxide as monoclinic (α), tetragonal (β), or body‐centered cubic (γ). The addition of ascorbic acid to the electrolyte is observed to prevent the oxidation of the expelled entities, resulting in bismuth metal nanoparticles. Ab initio molecular dynamics and computational fluid dynamics simulations are performed to elucidate this rapid phase separation at the interface. This knowledge will potentially lead to new pathways for using alloys as reaction media to refine metals while simultaneously producing nanomaterials for various applications.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2021
Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)
Date: 11-2021
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2017
DOI: 10.1016/J.JCHROMB.2017.10.062
Abstract: In this work, a microfluidic device was developed for on-chip electromembrane extraction of trace amounts of ephedrine (EPH) and clonidine (CLO) in human urine and plasma s les followed by HPLC-UV analysis. Two polymethylmethacrylate plates were used as substrates and a microchannel was carved in each plate. The microchannel channel on the underneath plate provided the flow pass of the s le solution and the one on the upper plate dedicated to a compartment for the stagnant acceptor phase. A piece of polypropylene sheet was impregnated by an organic solvent and mounted between the two parts of the chip device. An electrical field, across the porous sheet, was created by two embedded platinum electrodes placed in the bottom of the channels which were connected to a power supply. The analytes were converted to their ionized form, passed through the supported liquid membrane, and then extracted into the acceptor phase by the applied voltage. All the effective parameters including the type of the SLM, the SLM composition, pH of donor and acceptor phases, and the quantity of the applied voltage were evaluated and optimized. Several organic solvents were evaluated as the SLM to assess the effect of SLM composition. Other parameters were optimized by a central composite design. Under the optimal conditions of voltage of 74V, flow rate of 28μLmin
Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
Date: 2019
DOI: 10.1039/C9NJ01104H
Abstract: In the present study, a newly designed microfluidic-chip device was used for the selective and simultaneous electromembrane extraction (EME) of drugs with different properties.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2021
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 17-09-2019
DOI: 10.1038/S41467-019-12242-1
Abstract: Studies of rodent models of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and of human tissues suggest that the retinal changes that occur in AD, including the accumulation of amyloid beta (Aβ), may serve as surrogate markers of brain Aβ levels. As Aβ has a wavelength-dependent effect on light scatter, we investigate the potential for in vivo retinal hyperspectral imaging to serve as a biomarker of brain Aβ. Significant differences in the retinal reflectance spectra are found between in iduals with high Aβ burden on brain PET imaging and mild cognitive impairment ( n = 15), and age-matched PET-negative controls ( n = 20). Retinal imaging scores are correlated with brain Aβ loads. The findings are validated in an independent cohort, using a second hyperspectral camera. A similar spectral difference is found between control and 5xFAD transgenic mice that accumulate Aβ in the brain and retina. These findings indicate that retinal hyperspectral imaging may predict brain Aβ load.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2022
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2019
DOI: 10.1016/J.CHROMA.2019.04.014
Abstract: In the present study, an electrospun composite of polyamide-graphene oxide-polypyrrole was synthesized. The characterization of the synthesized material was accomplished using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). FESEM images showed uniform and beadles nanofibers. The composite was employed as a novel sorbent for spin-column micro solid phase extraction to determine parabens in milk s les. Addition of graphene oxide and polypyrrole into the polymeric network of polyamide significantly improves the extraction efficiency of the electrospun sorbent due to providing the possibility of various interactions with the target analytes such as hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic and π-π stacking. All effective parameters on the efficiency of both adsorption and desorption steps were optimized. These parameters were pH of s le solution (5.0), sorbent amount (20 mg), type and volume of desorption solvent (200 μL of methanol), number of cycles (7 and 14) and centrifugation speed (600 and 500 rpm) of both adsorption and desorption steps. Under the optimal conditions, the calibration plots were linear within the range of 10-1000, 15-1000, and 20-1000 ng mL
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2021
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-1118
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 25-11-2021
DOI: 10.3390/BIOS11120474
Abstract: Over the past decades, paper-based lateral flow immunoassays (LFIAs) have been extensively developed for rapid, facile, and low-cost detection of a wide array of target analytes in a point-of-care manner. Conventional home pregnancy tests are the most significant ex le of LFAs, which detect elevated concentrations of human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) in body fluids to identify early pregnancy. In this work, we have upgraded these platforms to a higher version by developing a customized microfluidic paper-based analytical device (μPAD), as the new generation of paper-based point-of-care platforms, for colorimetric immunosensing. This will offer a cost-efficient and environmentally friendly alternative platform for paper-based immunosensing, eliminating the need for nitrocellulose (NC) membrane as the substrate material. The performance of the developed platform is demonstrated by detection of hCG (as a model case) in urine s les and subsequently indicating positive or negative pregnancy. A dual-functional silane-based composite was used to treat filter paper in order to enhance the colorimetric signal intensity in the detection zones of μPADs. In addition, microfluidic pathways were designed in a manner to provide the desired regulated fluid flow, generating sufficient incubation time (delays) at the designated detection zones, and consequently enhancing the obtained signal intensity. The presented approaches allow to overcome the existing limitations of μPADs in immunosensing and will broaden their applicability to a wider range of assays. Although, the application of the developed hCG μPAD assay is mainly in qualitative (i.e., positive or negative) detection of pregnancy, the semi-quantitative measurement of hCG was also investigated, indicating the viability of this assay for sensitive detection of the target hCG analyte within the related physiological range (i.e., 10–500 ng/mL) with a LOD value down to 10 ng/mL.
Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
Date: 2020
DOI: 10.1039/C9AY02328C
Abstract: In this work, an on-chip electromembrane extraction coupled with the micro solid phase extraction step was developed for extraction, preconcentration, and determination of trace amounts of chromium( vi ) in water s les.
Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)
Date: 16-11-2021
Abstract: Liquid metals (LMs) are electronic liquid with enigmatic interfacial chemistry and physics. These features make them promising materials for driving chemical reactions on their surfaces for designing nanoarchitectonic systems. Herein, we showed the interfacial interaction between eutectic gallium-indium (EGaIn) liquid metal and graphene oxide (GO) for the reduction of both substrate-based and free-standing GO. NanoIR surface mapping indicated the successful removal of carbonyl groups. Based on the gained knowledge, a composite consisting of assembled reduced GO sheets on LM microdroplets (LM-rGO) was developed. The LM enforced Ga
Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)
Date: 04-02-2022
DOI: 10.1021/ACSSENSORS.1C02606
Abstract: Low melting point metals and alloys are the group of materials that combine metallic and liquid properties, simultaneously. The fascinating characteristics of liquid metals (LMs) including softness and high electrical and thermal conductivity, as well as their unique interfacial chemistry, have started to dominate various research disciplines. Utilization of LMs as responsive interfaces, enabling sensing in a flexible and versatile manner, is one of the most promising traits demonstrated for LMs. In the context of LMs-enabled sensors, gallium (Ga) and its alloys have emerged as multipurpose functional materials with many compelling physical and chemical properties. Responsiveness to different stimuli and easy-to-functionalize interfaces of Ga-based LMs make them ideal candidates for a variety of sensing applications. However, despite the vast capabilities of Ga-based LMs in sensing, applications of these materials for developing different sensors have not been fully explored. In the present review, we provide a comprehensive overview regarding the applications of Ga-based LMs in a wide range of sensing approaches that cover different physical and chemical sensors. The unique features of Ga-based LMs, which make them promising materials for sensing, are discussed in subsections followed by relevant case studies. Finally, challenges as well as the prospected future and developing motifs are highlighted for each type of LM-based sensors.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 28-04-2022
DOI: 10.1080/08164622.2022.2067471
Abstract: The use of chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine can lead to both acute and chronic changes to both retinal structure and function. Chloroquine (CQ) and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) have the potential for retina toxicity. The acute impact of short-term drug exposure (2-4 weeks) on in vivo retinal structure and function and assess whether short wavelength light exposure further exacerbates any structural and functional changes was assessed in a murine model. Adult C57BL/6 J mice received intraperitoneal injection of vehicle or hydroxychloroquine (10 mg/kg) 3 times per week for 2 or 4 weeks, or chloroquine for 4 weeks (10 mg/kg). Over this period, animals were exposed to room light (8 hours) or short-wavelength light 4 hours per day (4 hours of normal room light) for 5 days each week. Retinal changes were assessed using electroretinography (ERG), in vivo optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging. Short-term low-dose HCQ and CQ treatment led to RPE thickening and elongation of photoreceptors. These structural changes were associated with a no dysfunction in the case of HCQ treatments and widespread functional changes (photoreceptor sensitivity, bipolar cell litude and oscillatory potential litude) in the case of CQ treatment. Exposure to low intensity short-wavelength light does not appear to alter the effect of HCQ or CQ. HCQ and CQ treatment has acute effects on both retinal structure and function, effects that were not exacerbated by short wavelength light exposure. Whether chronic short wavelength light exposure exacerbates these changes require further study.
Publisher: Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO)
Date: 29-06-2016
Abstract: Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein (Cas) has recently been adapted to enable efficient editing of the mammalian genome, opening novel avenues for therapeutic intervention of inherited diseases. In seeking to disrupt yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) in a Thy1-YFP transgenic mouse, we assessed the feasibility of utilizing the adeno-associated virus 2 (AAV2) to deliver CRISPR/Cas for gene modification of retinal cells in vivo. Single guide RNA (sgRNA) plasmids were designed to target YFP, and after in vitro validation, selected guides were cloned into a dual AAV system. One AAV2 construct was used to deliver Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 (SpCas9), and the other delivered sgRNA against YFP or LacZ (control) in the presence of mCherry. Five weeks after intravitreal injection, retinal function was determined using electroretinography, and CRISPR/Cas-mediated gene modifications were quantified in retinal flat mounts. Adeno-associated virus 2-mediated in vivo delivery of SpCas9 with sgRNA targeting YFP significantly reduced the number of YFP fluorescent cells of the inner retina of our transgenic mouse model. Overall, we found an 84.0% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 81.8-86.9) reduction of YFP-positive cells in YFP-sgRNA-infected retinal cells compared to eyes treated with LacZ-sgRNA. Electroretinography profiling found no significant alteration in retinal function following AAV2-mediated delivery of CRISPR/Cas components compared to contralateral untreated eyes. Thy1-YFP transgenic mice were used as a rapid quantifiable means to assess the efficacy of CRISPR/Cas-based retinal gene modification in vivo. We demonstrate that genomic modification of cells in the adult retina can be readily achieved by viral-mediated delivery of CRISPR/Cas.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2017
DOI: 10.1016/J.PHARMTHERA.2017.02.009
Abstract: The retina is an easily accessible out-pouching of the central nervous system (CNS) and thus lends itself to being a biomarker of the brain. More specifically, the presence of neuronal, vascular and blood-neural barrier parallels in the eye and brain coupled with fast and inexpensive methods to quantify retinal changes make ocular biomarkers an attractive option. This includes its utility as a biomarker for a number of cerebrovascular diseases as well as a drug pharmacology and safety biomarker for the CNS. It is a rapidly emerging field, with some areas well established, such as stroke risk and multiple sclerosis, whereas others are still in development (Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, psychological disease and cortical diabetic dysfunction). The current applications and future potential of retinal biomarkers, including potential ways to improve their sensitivity and specificity are discussed. This review summarises the existing literature and provides a perspective on the strength of current retinal biomarkers and their future potential.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2020
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 20-11-2020
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 18-09-2022
DOI: 10.1038/S41598-021-85554-2
Abstract: Hyperspectral imaging of the retina has recently been posited as a potentially useful form of spectroscopy of amyloid-beta (Aβ) protein in the eyes of those with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The concept of using the retina as a biomarker for AD is an attractive one, as current screening tools for AD are either expensive or inaccessible. Recent studies have investigated hyperspectral imaging in Aβ models however these studies have been in younger mice. Here we characterised hyperspectral reflectance profile in 6 to 17 months old 5xFAD mice and compare this to Aβ in isolated preparations. Hyperspectral imaging was conducted across two preparations of Aβ using a custom built bench ophthalmoscope. In the in vitro condition, 1 mg of purified human Aβ42 was solubilised and left to aggregate for 72 h. This soluble/insoluble Aβ mixture was then imaged by suspending the solution at a pipette tip and compared against phosphate buffered saline (PBS) control (n = 10 ROIs / group). In the in vivo condition, a 5xFAD transgenic mouse model was used and retinae were imaged at the age of 6 (n = 9), 12 (n = 9) and 17 months (n = 8) with age matched wildtype littermates as control (n = 12, n = 13, n = 15 respectively). In the vitro condition, hyperspectral imaging of the solution showed greater reflectance compared with vehicle ( p 0.01), with the greatest differences occurring in the short visible spectrum ( 500 nm). In the in vivo preparation, 5xFAD showed greater hyperspectral reflectance at all ages (6, 12, 17 months, p 0.01). These differences were noted most in the short wavelengths at younger ages, with an additional peak appearing at longer wavelengths (~ 550 nm) with advancing age. This study shows that the presence of Aβ (soluble/insoluble mixture) can increase the hyperspectral reflectance profile in vitro as well as in vivo. Differences were evident in the short wavelength spectrum ( 500 nm) in vitro and were preserved when imaged through the ocular media in the in vivo conditions. With advancing age a second hump around ~ 550 nm became more apparent. Hyperspectral imaging of the retina does not require the use of contrast agents and is a potentially useful and non-invasive biomarker for AD.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 10-12-2019
DOI: 10.1007/S00604-019-4023-3
Abstract: A novel metal-organic framework called MFU-4 l was synthesized from ZnCl
Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)
Date: 30-11-2022
Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)
Date: 27-09-2023
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 11-03-2020
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 17-11-2016
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 05-2021
DOI: 10.1016/J.PRETEYERES.2020.100899
Abstract: Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder of the brain, clinically characterised by cognitive deficits that gradually worsen over time. There is, at present, no established cure, or disease-modifying treatments for AD. As life expectancy increases globally, the number of in iduals suffering from the disease is projected to increase substantially. Cumulative evidence indicates that AD neuropathological process is initiated several years, if not decades, before clinical signs are evident in patients, and diagnosis made. While several imaging, cognitive, CSF and blood-based biomarkers have been proposed for the early detection of AD their sensitivity and specificity in the symptomatic stages is highly variable and it is difficult to justify their use in even earlier, pre-clinical stages of the disease. Research has identified potentially measurable functional, structural, metabolic and vascular changes in the retina during early stages of AD. Retina offers a distinctively accessible insight into brain pathology and current and developing ophthalmic technologies have provided us with the possibility of detecting and characterising subtle, disease-related changes. Recent human and animal model studies have further provided mechanistic insights into the biochemical pathways that are altered in the retina in disease, including amyloid and tau deposition. This information coupled with advances in molecular imaging has allowed attempts to monitor biochemical changes and protein aggregation pathology in the retina in AD. This review summarises the existing knowledge that informs our understanding of the impact of AD on the retina and highlights some of the gaps that need to be addressed. Future research will integrate molecular imaging innovation with functional and structural changes to enhance our knowledge of the AD pathophysiological mechanisms and establish the utility of monitoring retinal changes as a potential biomarker for AD.
Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
Date: 2019
DOI: 10.1039/C8AN01668B
Abstract: A chip was designed for simultaneous extraction of acidic and basic drugs from biological fluids.
Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)
Date: 06-10-2021
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 27-05-2014
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2020
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2018
DOI: 10.1016/J.CHROMA.2018.04.046
Abstract: In the present research, an on-chip electromembrane extraction coupled with high performance liquid chromatography was developed for monitoring the trace levels of biogenic amines (BAs), including histamine, tryptamine, putrescine, cadaverine and spermidine in food s les. A porous polypropylene sheet membrane impregnated with an organic solvent was placed between the two parts of the chip device to separate the channels. Two platinum electrodes were mounted at the bottom of these channels, which were connected to a power supply, providing the electrical driving force for migration of ionized analytes from the s le solution through the porous sheet membrane into the acceptor phase. BAs were extracted from 2 mL aqueous s le solutions at neutral pH into 50 μL of acidified (HCl 90 mM) acceptor solution. Supported liquid membrane including NPOE containing 10% DEHP was used to ensure efficient extraction. Low voltage of 40 V was applied over the SLMs during extraction time. The influences of fundamental parameters affecting the transport of BAs were optimized. Under the optimized conditions, the relative standard deviations based on four replicate measurements were less than 8.0% and limit of detections were in range of 3.0-8.0 μg L
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 09-12-2020
DOI: 10.3389/FNINS.2020.556137
Abstract: There has been increasing interest in identifying non-invasive, imaging biomarkers for neurodegenerative disorders of the central nervous system (CNS). The aim of this proof-of-concept study was to investigate whether corneal sensory nerve and dendritic cell (DC) parameters, captured using in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM), are altered in in iduals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Fifteen participants were recruited from the Australian Imaging Biomarkers and Lifestyle (AIBL) study in Melbourne, VIC, Australia. The cohort consisted of cognitively normal (CN) in iduals ( n = 5), and those with MCI ( n = 5) and AD ( n = 5). Participants underwent a slit l examination of the anterior segment, followed by corneal imaging using laser-scanning in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) of the central and inferior whorl regions. Corneal DC density, field area, perimeter, circularity index, aspect ratio, and roundness were quantified using Image J. Quantitative data were derived for corneal nerve parameters, including nerve fiber length (CNFL), fiber density (CNFD), branch density (CNBD), and diameter. Corneal DC field area and perimeter were greater in in iduals with MCI, relative to CN controls, in both the central and inferior whorl regions ( p & 0.05 for all comparisons). In addition, corneal DCs in the whorl region of MCI eyes had lower circularity and roundness indices and a higher aspect ratio relative to CNs ( p & 0.05 for all comparisons). DC density was similar across participant groups in both corneal regions. There was a trend toward lower quantitative parameters for corneal nerve architecture in the AD and MCI groups compared with CN participants, however, the inter-group differences did not reach statistical significance. Central corneal nerve diameters were similar between groups. This study is the first to report morphological differences in corneal DCs in humans with MCI. These differences were evident in both the central and mid-peripheral cornea, and in the absence of significant nerve abnormalities or a difference in DC density. These findings justify future large-scale studies to assess the utility of corneal IVCM and DC analysis for identifying early stage pathology in neurodegenerative disorders of the CNS.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2019
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 08-2013
DOI: 10.1002/PHY2.55
Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)
Date: 02-11-2022
Abstract: Liquid metals can be surface activated to generate a controlled galvanic potential by immersing them in aqueous solutions. This creates energized liquid-liquid interfaces that can promote interfacial chemical reactions. Here we utilize this interfacial phenomenon of liquid metals to deposit thin films of tin-doped tellurium onto rigid and flexible substrates. This is accomplished by exposing liquid metals to a precursor solution of Sn
Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)
Date: 30-05-2018
DOI: 10.1021/ACS.ANALCHEM.8B01224
Abstract: A design of electromembrane extraction (EME) as a lab on-a-chip device was proposed for the extraction and determination of phenazopyridine as the model analyte. The extraction procedure was accomplished by coupling EME and packing a sorbent. The analyte was extracted under the applied electrical field across a membrane sheet impregnated by nitrophenyl octylether (NPOE) into an acceptor phase. It was followed by the absorption of the analyte on strong cation exchanger as a sorbent. The designed chip contained separate spiral channels for donor and acceptor phases featuring embedded platinum electrodes to enhance extraction efficiency. The selected donor and acceptor phases were 0 mM HCl and 100 mM HCl, respectively. The on-chip electromembrane extraction was carried out under the voltage level of 70 V for 50 min. The analysis was carried out by two modes of a simple red-green-blue (RGB) image analysis tool and a conventional HPLC-UV system. After the absorption of the analyte on the solid phase, its color changed and a digital picture of the sorbent was taken for the RGB analysis. The effective parameters on the performance of the chip device, comprising the EME and solid phase microextraction steps, were distinguished and optimized. The accumulation of the analyte on the solid phase showed excellent sensitivity and a limit of detection (LOD) lower than 1.0 μg L
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2019
DOI: 10.1016/J.TALANTA.2018.10.046
Abstract: In the present study, a microfluidic platform was exploited for electromembrane extraction. For device integration as a lab-on-a-chip system, the detection step was carried out by a colorimetric method based on fluorescence quenching of quantum dots. The model analyte was transferred under a pulsed applied electrical field across a polypropylene membrane, impregnated with 1-Octanol, into a final aqueous acceptor phase. The obtained acceptor phase was added into a solution containing CdTe quantum dots. Quenching of the quantum dots was tracked by analyzing the main three color components of red, green, and blue in different concentration levels of the analyte. All effective parameters on the extraction efficiency, fluorescence detection, and synthesis of quantum dots were optimized. Under the optimal conditions, the detection was accomplished by three different detection methods including HPLC-UV, spectrofluorometric detection, as well as colorimetry detection via a smartphone. Calibration curves were linear in the range of 2.0-500 µg L
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 10-02-2017
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 04-06-2020
Location: Iran (Islamic Republic of)
No related grants have been discovered for Mahroo Baharfar.