Репозиторий Университета

© 2019 Background and aim: The increase of the carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT) as results of an heavy intake of alcohol for at least two weeks, is a well-known biochemical modification since the middle ‘70s. Notwithstanding the first commercial kit for the diagnosis of chronic alcohol abuse based on this biomarker was commercially accessible already thirty years ago, only expensive analytical methods are currently available for its determination. The present paper shows a new approach intrinsically sensitive and specific, based on a specific derivatization of transferrin, and not requiring sophisticated instrumentation. Methods: The proposed procedure is based on a selective chelation of terbium (III) by transferrin followed by detection using an characteristic Fluorescence Resonance Transfer Energy (FRET) phenomenon (ex 298 nm - em 550 nm). Results: The proposed procedure showed a limit of detection of 2.5 pmol/mL and a reproducibility intra-day and inter-days <15% and 20%, respectively. The results obtained analyzing 40 serum samples using the developed method, were compared with those obtained with HPLC-Vis and an R2 = 0.8854 was found. Conclusions: Considering its main features (low-cost, ease of operation, minimum need of instrumentation) the present method is suitable for application in screening contexts and in non-strictly regulated environments (e.g. clinical diagnosis) as well as in developing countries or remote areas.

© 2018 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. Upconversion Sr2(Gd.98-xEr.02Ybx)8Si6O26 (SGSO:2Er3+/xYb3+) phosphor materials were synthesized using a citrate sol-gel process. X-ray diffraction patterns confirmed their hexagonal structure. Field emission scanning electron microscopy images of SGSO:2Er3+/xYb3+ phosphors depicted submicron particles. The enhanced upconversion luminescence properties of SGSO:2Er3+/xYb3+ phosphors were analysed as a function of Yb3+ ion concentration and laser power. The energy transfer induced enhanced emission of the Er3+/ Yb3+ ions co-doped SGSO phosphors was ascribed to multi-phonon relaxation. The calculated chromaticity coordinates of the SGSO:2Er3+/xYb3+ phosphors showed emissions could be tuned by changing Yb3+ ion concentration. Optimized sample exhibited the chromaticity coordinate values near to the ultra-high definition television standard green emission coordinates.