Baljit Singh

Nitrosamines are a class of organic compounds characterized by the presence of a nitroso functional group. They are widely distributed in the environment and have been detected in food, drinking wa...

This review highlights analytical approaches spanning chromatographic techniques, optical & electrochemical sensors and electrophoretic methods, emphasising importance of PFAS data dissemination to bridge environmental and public health protection.

In today’s environment, rapid, reliable, and accurate bacterial detection is essential for protecting public health while preserving and ensuring the safety of food, water, and agricultural and environmental systems. Over the years, electrochemical sensors have gained widespread attention as viable candidates due to their rapid response, high sensitivity and selectivity, adaptability and portability, and low manufacturing cost. This facilitates their integration into various sectors, including healthcare and diagnostic applications, food safety and agriculture, and water and environmental monitoring. While these achievements represent tremendous progress, some of the challenges that need to be overcome include stability, batch-to-batch reproducibility, manufacturability, performance reliability, and the lack of point-of-care (POC) implementation for the utilization of these sensors for real-sample bacterial analysis. However, in the future, it is expected that with continued efforts made towards improving durability, standardization, and manufacturability, electrochemical bacterial sensors will be pivotal to the advancement of efficient bacterial diagnostics across various fields. This review presents major developments in modern electrochemical sensing technologies, which include, but are not limited to: electrochemical sensor and biosensor surface modifications, nanomaterials, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), and the emergence of wearable systems, for bacterial detection and monitoring. Additionally, their utilization in the aforementioned sectors is discussed. The integration and sustained use of these advanced electrochemical sensors for bacterial detection and surveillance can significantly enhance global safety and public well-being.

The unchecked and uncontrolled global spread of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria is a serious challenge to healthcare and modern medicine, and demands diagnostic approaches that are rapid, sensitive, multiplexed, and reliable in point-of-care (POC) settings. At the interface of nanomaterials and aptamer-based biosensing, significant advances have been reported. The convergence of portable electrochemical sensing technologies, smartphone-based readout systems, and artificial intelligence (AI)- and machine learning (ML)-based data analysis is also playing a significant role in advancing this area. This perspective reflects on the most recent breakthroughs and translational developments in electrochemical nano-aptasensors for MDR bacterial detection, covering diagnostic targets and translation trends, nanomaterials advancements, aptamer engineering-integration, POC strategies and microfluidics platforms, and novel multimodal strategies that enhance accuracy, reliability, and efficiency in POC testing. Moreover, limitations and knowledge gaps in this area, as well as key considerations for sustainable development, large-scale manufacturing, and deployment of integrated electrochemical nano-aptasensors, are also highlighted. Electrochemical nano-aptasensors can pave the way for the transformation of MDR bacterial diagnosis, but need coordinated translational efforts for POC diagnostic advancements towards real-world applications.

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by immune-mediated platelet destruction, resulting in a platelet count below 100 × 10⁹/L and an increased risk of bleeding complications that significantly impair quality of life. Despite advances in ITP management, the unpredictable and heterogeneous nature of the disease continues to challenge treatment selection. This review compares the efficacy, safety, and mechanisms of action of Fostamatinib, Flebogamma DIF, and Romiplostim in adult and pediatric ITP patients. Peer-reviewed studies published over the past 20 years, including randomized and non-randomized clinical trials, observational studies, and real-world evidence, were screened for relevance, with data extracted on dosage, response rates, safety outcomes, and patient characteristics. The sample sizes varied across studies and were reported when available. Study quality and risk of bias were assessed using the ROBINS-I tools. Flebogamma DIF produced rapid increases in platelet count, although its effects were transient. Fostamatinib, the only oral spleen tyrosine kinase inhibitor approved for ITP, was reported to have demonstrated clinical benefit in adults with refractory disease but was contraindicated in pediatric populations. Romiplostim was reported to show sustained platelet responses and facilitate treatment-free remission, particularly in chronic ITP, with an elevated risk of thrombosis. Overall, these therapies offer distinct advantages depending on disease chronicity, patient age, comorbidities, and treatment history. This review underscores the importance of personalized treatment strategies and highlights the need for further long-term, comparative studies to guide evidence-based ITP management.

Lead and cadmium remain critical environmental contaminants despite regulatory restrictions, necessitating sensitive and reliable detection methods. Herein, a cobalt–graphene oxide (Co-GO) nanocomposite was synthesised and employed as an electrocatalyst for the electrochemical detection of Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺. Structural and morphological characterisation confirmed well-dispersed Co nanoparticles on graphene oxide, providing high surface area, enhanced conductivity, and robust electron-transfer pathways. The Co-GO modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE/Co-GO) demonstrated excellent performance for both individual and simultaneous detection using square-wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV), achieving detection limits of 0.610 nM for Cd²⁺ and 0.481 nM for Pb²⁺ and high sensitivities. The synergistic interaction between cobalt nanoparticles and graphene oxide facilitated improved adsorption and electron transfer, while minimal mutual interference between the two metal ions, thus enabling reliable simultaneous detection. The Practical applicability was confirmed using tap water recovery experiments (91–106%). These results establish GCE/Co GO as a robust, ultra-sensitive platform for monitoring toxic heavy metals in environmental water bodies.

The general spread of water safety awareness and enforcement often masks the escalating risks of emerging contaminants (ECs) that evade standard detection and monitoring techniques. Traditional monitoring infrastructures depend heavily on localized laboratory-based testing, which is expensive, time-consuming, and reliant on specialized infrastructure and skilled personnel. While specific types of ECs and detection technologies have been examined in numerous studies, a significant gap remains in compiling and commenting on this information in a concise framework that incorporates global impact and monitoring strategies. We aimed to compile and highlight the impact ECs have on global water safety and how advanced sensor technologies, when integrated with digital tools such as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), geographic information systems (GIS), and cloud-based analytics, can enhance real-time EC detection and monitoring. Recent case studies were reviewed for the assessment of EC types, global contamination, and current state-of-the-art for EC detection and their limitations. An emphasis has been placed on areas that remain unaddressed in the current literature: a cross-disciplinary integration of integrated sensor platforms, multidisciplinary research collaborations, strategic public–private partnerships, and regulatory bodies engagement will be essential in safeguarding public health, protecting aquatic ecosystems, and ensuring the quality and resilience of our water resources worldwide.