A practical guide to data management and sharing for biomedical laboratory researchers.

Effective data management and sharing have become increasingly crucial in biomedical research; however, many laboratory researchers lack the necessary tools and knowledge to address this challenge. This article provides an introductory guide into research data management (RDM), and the importance of FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) data-sharing principles for laboratory researchers produced by practicing scientists. We explore the advantages of implementing organized data management strategies and introduce key concepts such as data standards, data documentation, and the distinction between machine and human-readable data formats. Furthermore, we offer practical guidance for creating a data management plan and establishing efficient data workflows within the laboratory setting, suitable for labs of all sizes. This includes an examination of requirements analysis, the development of a data dictionary for routine data elements, the implementation of unique subject identifiers, and the formulation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for seamless data flow. To aid researchers in implementing these practices, we present a simple organizational system as an illustrative example, which can be tailored to suit individual needs and research requirements. By presenting a user-friendly approach, this guide serves as an introduction to the field of RDM and offers practical tips to help researchers effortlessly meet the common data management and sharing mandates rapidly becoming prevalent in biomedical research.

Antidotal Effects of the Antihistamine Diphenhydramine Against Cholinesterase Inhibitor Poisoning: A Meta-Analysis of Median Lethal Doses in Experimental Animals.

The H1-antihistamine diphenhydramine antagonizes cholinesterase inhibitor poisoning in various animal species. One aspect of acute antidotal actions of diphenhydramine is increasing the median lethal doses (LD50) of toxicants. The objective of this meta-analysis was to assess the antidotal action of diphenhydramine against short-term toxicity (LD50) of cholinesterase inhibitors in experimental animals. The experimental studies selected were according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. They were conducted in laboratory animals (mice, rats, and chicks) to determine acute LD50 values of cholinesterase inhibitors (organophosphates, carbamates, and imidocarb) under the influence of diphenhydramine vs. controls. Twenty-eight records were selected from 12 studies on mice (n= 242), rats (n= 27), and young chicks (n= 128). The forest plot of randomized two-group meta-analysis assessed effect size, subgroup analysis, drapery prediction, heterogeneity, publication bias-funnel plot as well as one-group proportions meta-analysis of percent protection. Diphenhydramine significantly increased the combined effect size (i.e. increased LD50) in intoxicated experimental animals in comparison to controls (-3.71, standard error (SE) 0.36, 95%CI -4.46, -2.97). The drapery plot proposed a wide range of confidence intervals. The I2 index of heterogeneity of the combined effect size was high at 81.03% (Q= 142.3, p < 0.0001). Galbraith regression also indicated data heterogeneity; however, the normal quantile plot indicated no outliers. Subgroup analysis indicated significantly high heterogeneity with organophosphates (I2 = 63.72%) and carbamates (I2 = 76.41%), but low with imidocarb (I2 = 51.48%). The funnel plot and Egger regression test (t= -13.7, p < 0.0001) revealed publication bias. The median of the diphenhydramine protection ratio was 1.655, and the related forest plot of one group proportion meta-analysis revealed a statistically high level of protection (0.594, SE 0.083, 95%CI 0.432, 0.756), with high heterogeneity (I2= 99.86). The risk of bias assessment was unclear, while the total score (16 out of 20) of each study leaned towards the side of the low risk of bias. In conclusion, the meta-analysis of LD50 values indicated that diphenhydramine unequivocally protected experimental animals from the acute toxicity of cholinesterase inhibitors. The drug could be an additional antidote against acute poisoning induced by cholinesterase inhibitors, but a word of caution: it is not to be considered as a replacement for the standard antidote atropine sulfate. Further studies are needed to examine the action of diphenhydramine on adverse chronic effects of cholinesterase inhibitors.

Oxidative Stress-Induced Adverse Effects of Three Statins Following Single or Repetitive Treatments in Mice.

Background and objective The hypolipidemic statins have been associated with various side effects, and in some cases, adverse reactions in humans and experimental animals, such as myotoxicity, neurobehavioral toxicity, as well as liver and kidney injuries. The purpose of the present study was to examine the possibility of the induction of oxidative stress in the brain and plasma of mice dosed with single or repetitive doses of three statins (atorvastatin, simvastatin, and rosuvastatin). Methods Male Swiss-origin mice were dosed orally with single doses of each of the three statins at 500 or 1000 mg/kg of body weight. Other groups of mice were dosed orally with repeated daily doses of each of the statins at 200 mg/kg of body weight/day for 14 or 28 consecutive days. These doses of statins were chosen to not produce overt toxicity in mice within the time frame allocated for each experiment. Brain and plasma glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, as well as liver enzymes activities alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST), were determined using commercial kits. Results Single-dose treatments of the mice with the statins at either 500 or 1000 mg/kg significantly and dose-dependently (p < 0.05) reduced the GSH level in the plasma and the whole brain when compared with respective control values. Atorvastatin was the least effective statin, as only the high dose achieved a significant reduction in brain GSH level in comparison with the respective control value. Repetitive administration of the three statins at 200 mg/kg of body weight/day for 14 or 28 consecutive days significantly and time-dependently reduced plasma and brain GSH levels in comparison with respective control values. The oxidative stress biomarker MDA level significantly increased in the plasma and brain of mice following single or repetitive treatments with the three statins, and the most effective one was rosuvastatin. In association with these changes, activities of the liver enzymes ALT and AST were also increased in the plasma with single and repetitive statin treatments, and the most effective one was rosuvastatin. Conclusion The data suggest an association of high doses of three statins (atorvastatin, simvastatin, and rosuvastatin) with the induction of oxidative stress manifested as GSH reduction and MDA elevation as adverse effects in the brain and plasma of mice, which suffered from the additional burden of liver injury. These effects could be the basis of an in-depth exploration of statin adverse effects in experimental animals and to find an animal model, probably the mice, for the induction of adverse effects of statins that target the brain, as well as to shed light on potential statin intolerance outcomes following single-dose treatments in this species.

Polypharmacy and the In Silico Prediction of Potential Body Proteins Targeted by These Drugs Among Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients With Cytokine Storm.

Background and objective Polypharmacy is prevalent in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients with severe disease. However, information on polypharmacy among COVID-19 patients who also suffer from cytokine storm is scarce. In light of this, the purpose of the present study was to assess the incidence of polypharmacy and in silico prediction of potential body proteins targeted by these drugs among hospitalized COVID-19 patients who were identified to have the additional burden of cytokine storm in the city of Duhok, Kurdistan Region, Iraq. Methods This was a cross-sectional observational study conducted from June 2021 to April 2022; the phenomena of major polypharmacy (six to nine medications) and excessive polypharmacy (≥10 medications) were documented among 33 (15 males and 18 females) COVID-19 patients with cytokine storm during their hospital stay (8-45 days) in Duhok, Kurdistan Region, Iraq. The SwissTargetPrediction program was utilized in silico to predict and identify human body proteins that could be potentially targeted by selected medications involved in polypharmacy. Results All patients had tested positive for COVID-19 via PCR testing, and they showed different signs and symptoms of the disease. None of the patients recovered and all of them deceased. All 33 patients received many therapeutic agents that ranged in number from eight to 20/patient during their hospital stay. The mean number of medications was 15 ± 3. We identified 2/33 (6%) patients with major polypharmacy (eight and nine) and 31/33 (94%) with excessive polypharmacy (15.5 ± 2.7). The total number of medications identified in polypharmacy was 37, excluding vitamins, minerals, and intravenous solutions. The frequency of medications administered was as follows: antibiotics (67, 13.7%), mucolytic agents (56, 11.5%), corticosteroids (54, 11%), anticoagulants (48, 9.8%), antiviral agents (41, 8.4%), antihypertensive agents (32, 6.5%), analgesics (28, 5.7%), antifungal drugs (27, 5.5%), antidiabetics (26, 5.3%), and other medications (2-19, 0.41-3.9%). Using the SwissTargetPrediction program, various drugs including antiviral agents involved in polypharmacy were found to target, in silico, body proteins at a prediction percentage that ranged from 6.7% to 40%. Conclusions Major and extensive polypharmacy conditions were identified in hospitalized COVID-19 patients suffering from cytokine storm. The severity of COVID-19 with cytokine storm, comorbidities, and hospitalization were key factors associated with polypharmacy in the patients. The SwissTargetPrediction web server is useful for predicting in silico potential human body protein targets that could possibly be sources of additional information on the adverse/toxic effects of polypharmacy medications administered concurrently. Further research in current medication protocols prescribed for advanced COVID-19 illness with cytokine storm is warranted to gain deeper insights into the topic.

Association of Reduced Maternal Plasma Cholinesterase Activity With Preeclampsia: A Meta-Analysis.

Blood butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) activity has been found to decrease during pregnancy and reportedly decrease even more in preeclampsia (PE). The purpose of the present meta-analysis was to answer a specific question of whether BChE activity (in the plasma, serum, or whole blood) is reduced in pregnant women suffering from PE compared to those with normal pregnancy. The meta-analysis included 15 studies with 20 records of BChE activity in 608 women compared to 569 healthy pregnant (control) ones. The studies were subjected to quality assessment using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). Using the Meta-Essentials software program 1.5, the one-group random effects model and forest plot revealed that the percentage of BChE activity in pregnant women with PE was 84.84% of the control value, with a standard error of 4.09 and 95% C.I. of 76.28, 93.41, indicating a significant 15.16% reduction in BChE activity in comparison to healthy pregnancy. No significant heterogeneity was seen in the analyzed data and the funnel plot did show publication bias. Subgroup (mild, severe, and unclassified PE) forest plot analysis revealed that the % BChE activities in PE compared to respective healthy pregnancies were 96.28%, 97.08%, and 76.62%, respectively with no heterogeneity. The median NOS score of the 15 studies included in the meta-analysis was 7, ranging from 5 to 8 (medium to high quality), and the forest plot showed an effect size of 0.735. This meta-analysis shows that BChE activity is reduced in PE compared with normal pregnancy and its value as a biomarker warrants further clinical studies.

A prospective case series in regenerative endodontics: The effective use of diluted antibiotic hydrogels in endodontic regeneration procedures.

Objective: to investigate the effectiveness of diluted antibiotic hydrogels in endodontic regeneration procedures. Materials and Methods: One conventional treatment (calcium hydroxide) and two experimental treatments containing 1 mg/mL antibiotic in gel (MC-TAP and MC-DAP) were prepared for this study. The effect of these medicaments on the proliferation and differentiation potential of dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) was examined before their clinical use, using WST and ALP assays. Twenty-two teeth diagnosed with necrotic immature roots were treated with calcium hydroxide, MC-TAP or MC-DAP using the endodontic regeneration protocol as described by the American Association of Endodontists (AAE). Teeth were examined after application of the medicament, at the time of regeneration and after 12-24 months. Results: All treated teeth showed resolution of signs and symptoms shortly after treatment with the different medicaments. However, signs and symptoms returned a few months after initial treatment in clinical cases treated with MC-DAP. All successfully treated teeth examined after 12-24 months were free of signs and symptoms, but vitality was not achieved. Conclusion: Low concentration antibiotic gel containing triple antibiotic paste (MC-TAP) can be successfully used for endodontic regeneration procedures.

First meta-analysis study of cholinesterase inhibition in experimental animals by organophosphate or carbamate insecticides under the influence of diphenhydramine.

Background and Aim: Diphenhydramine is an H1-antihistamine that counteracts the toxic effects of organophosphate and carbamate insecticides that inhibit cholinesterase (ChE) activity. This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the effects of diphenhydramine on ChE inhibition induced by these insecticides in the plasma, erythrocytes, or whole brain of experimental animals. Materials and Methods: A data search was performed on erythrocyte, plasma, and brain ChE inhibition caused by organophosphate and carbamate insecticides in experimental animals (mice, rats, and chicks) treated with the antihistamine diphenhydramine in accordance with preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis, which was done by the two-group random-effects model meta-analysis. The meta-analysis included 18 records extracted from six studies that, appeared from 1996 to 2022. Results: Using the random-effects model, a two-group meta-analysis revealed that the combined effect size (ChE inhibition) was significantly more favorable in the control group than in the diphenhydramine intervention, as shown by a forest plot. The combined effect size (standardized mean difference) was 0.67, with a standard error of 0.3, a lower limit of 0.04, and an upper limit of 1.29 (p = 0.025). The heterogeneity was moderate, as I2 of the combined effect size was 74%, with a significant Cochrane Q-test result (Q = 65, p < 0.0001). Subgroup analysis indicated that, with brain ChE inhibition, the heterogeneity (I2) became 5%, which was lower than ChE inhibition in plasma (84%) and erythrocytes (78%). No publication bias was identified using the funnel plot and Egger's test. Conclusion: This meta-analysis suggests that, in addition to its documented antidotal action against ChE-inhibiting insecticides, diphenhydramine can also reduce the extent of ChE inhibition, especially in the brain, which is the main site of toxicity of these insecticides. There is a need for additional studies to assess such enzyme inhibition in different parts of the brain.

Parrotfishes (Teleostei: Labridae: Scarini) of the Socotra Archipelago: Diversity and distributional biogeography, including a range extension of Scarus zufar Randall & Hoover, 1995.

An updated account of the diversity of parrotfishes from the Socotra Archipelago is provided. Fourteen species are positively recorded based on underwater observations, photography and collections, including confirmations of three species which were previously only tentatively recorded: Scarus falcipinnis(Playfair, 1868), Scarus scaber Valenciennes, 1840 and Scarus tricolorBleeker, 1847. The distribution of Scarus zufar Randall & Hoover, 1995, previously known only from coastal waters of southern Oman, Pakistan and Bangladesh, is extended to the Archipelago, with Abd al-Kuri Island representing the westernmost edge of its known range. Visual records of three additional species are yet to be documented. With 1417species the Archipelago approximates the modal richness range of 1518 species for Arabian ecoregions. A species account, accompanied by photographs, provides distinctive characters, distribution details in the Arabian region, and general remarks for each species. The distributional biogeography of the family pertinent to the Socotra Archipelago and the Arabian region is analysed in the context of the Western Indian Ocean. Three main Arabian units are identified: A Red Sea unit spans the combined Red Sea ecoregions and the western Gulf of Aden; a Socotra unit covers south-eastern Arabia including the Archipelago, the eastern Gulf of Aden and southern Oman; and a Gulf unit combines the Arabian/Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman, and putatively central Oman. These units form a discrete pan-Arabian cluster within the wider Western Indian Ocean. The Socotra unit resembles more strongly the Gulf unit than the Red Sea unit. Parrotfishes thus contrast overall distributional patterns of reef fishes in Arabia.

Plasma Cholinesterase Activity in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis and Toxoplasmosis.

Background and objective Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease causing synovium inflammation and functional impairment. Toxoplasmosis is an intracellular zoonotic parasitic infection and a risk factor in immunosuppressed diseases including RA. The involvement of the cholinergic mechanism is not clear when both diseases exist in combination. This study aimed to examine plasma cholinesterase (ChE) activity in patients suffering from RA with concomitant toxoplasmosis, taking into account the enzyme susceptibility to in vitro inhibitory challenge with the organophosphate dichlorvos in RA patients. Methods This was a case-control study involving 88 RA patients and 61 healthy controls of both genders. The RA patients were allocated into three groups. The first group received no therapy (n=14), the second group received conventional anti-arthritis therapy (n=49), and the third group received conventional + biologic therapy (n=25). Plasma ChE activity was determined by an electrometric method. Plasma samples were screened for Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection, using ELISA T. gondii antibodies IgG and IgM. In vitro inhibition of plasma ChE activity was assessed by incubating the samples with dichlorvos at 0.25 and 0.5 µM. The time-dependent dichlorvos (0.25 µM)-induced plasma ChE inhibition and its kinetics were determined. Results The RA patients comprised 76 (86.4%) females and 12 males (13.6%), whereas healthy controls included 22 (36.1%) females and 39 (63.9%) males. The rates of toxoplasmosis IgG positivity in controls and RA patients were 26.2% and 39.8%, respectively. Plasma ChE activity in patients with RA was significantly higher than that in the control group, by 16%. Plasma ChE values of RA patients with conventional therapy and conventional + biologic therapy were higher than that of the control group, by 18% and 27%, respectively. Odds and risk ratios of elevated plasma ChE activity (20%) in RA patients with therapy indicated that high plasma ChE activity among RA patients with therapy is a risk factor. The plasma ChE activity of T. gondii IgG-positive RA patients was not significantly different from that of the IgG-negative ones. Dichlorvos at 0.25 and 0.5 µM significantly inhibited in vitro plasma ChE activity in controls and RA patients. The rates of plasma ChE inhibition by dichlorvos were lower in the RA groups with conventional therapy in comparison with those in the control group (77% vs. 91%). Examining the dichlorvos time-dependent ChE inhibition kinetics, RA groups showed increases in the half-life of inhibition by 23.6% to 32.7% and the total inhibition time by 23.5% to 32.5%, together with decreases in the inhibition rate constant by 19% to 24.5%, an indication of reduced inhibition rate of plasma ChE activity compared to that of the control group. Conclusions The autoimmune nature of RA and its chronicity might have contributed to the increase in plasma ChE activity among the patients. This increase in enzyme activity could be a risk factor in RA patients undergoing conventional therapy alone or in combination with biologic therapy; however, the clinical significance of such a condition remains obscure at present. The in vitro inhibition of plasma ChE activity in RA patients suggests reduced susceptibility of the enzyme to ChE inhibition by dichlorvos. Toxoplasmosis was not a risk factor when plasma ChE activity was taken into account among RA patients.

Aberrant perineuronal nets alter spinal circuits, impair motor function, and increase plasticity.

Perineuronal nets (PNNs) are a specialized extracellular matrix that have been extensively studied in the brain. Cortical PNNs are implicated in synaptic stabilization, plasticity inhibition, neuroprotection, and ionic buffering. However, the role of spinal PNNs, mainly found around motoneurons, is still unclear. Thus, the goal of this study is to elucidate the role of spinal PNNs on motor function and plasticity in both intact and spinal cord injured mice. We used transgenic mice lacking the cartilage link protein 1 (Crtl1 KO mice), which is implicated in PNN assembly. Crtl1 KO mice showed disorganized PNNs with an altered proportion of their components in both motor cortex and spinal cord. Behavioral and electrophysiological tests revealed motor impairments and hyperexcitability of spinal reflexes in Crtl1 KO compared to WT mice. These functional outcomes were accompanied by an increase in excitatory synapses around spinal motoneurons. Moreover, following spinal lesions of the corticospinal tract, Crtl1 KO mice showed increased contralateral sprouting compared to WT mice. Altogether, the lack of Crtl1 generates aberrant PNNs that alter excitatory synapses and change the physiological properties of motoneurons, overall altering spinal circuits and producing motor impairment. This disorganization generates a permissive scenario for contralateral axons to sprout after injury.

Development of cellulose Nanofiber-based substrates for rapid detection of ferbam in kale by Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy.

This study developed a novel surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) method coupled with cellulose nanofiber (CNF)-based SERS wipers that were fabricated on quartz papers coated with a mixture of silver nanoparticle (AgNP) and gold nanostar (AuNS). A "drop-wipe-test" protocol was developed for rapid detection of pesticide residues in vegetables by SERS. Tremendously enhanced Raman scattering signals were obtained from the quartz/CNF/mixture (AgNP + AuNS) substrate, which were much higher than the paper/mixture (AgNP + AuNS) substrate. This method was used to detect ferbam on kale leaves within a few minutes and the detection limit was 50 µg/kg based on the PLS models (R2 = 0.89). The enhancement factor of the SERS substrate was calculated to be ~ 104 with satisfactory reproducibility. Satisfactory SERS performance could be achieved within 1-month storage period. These results demonstrate that this CNF-based SERS/wiper method is a practical approach for rapid detection of chemical contaminants in fresh produce.

Behavioral testing in animal models of spinal cord injury.

This review is based on a lecture presented at the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation sponsored Spinal Cord Injury Training Program at Ohio State University. We discuss the advantages and challenges of injury models in rodents and theory relation to various behavioral outcome measures. We offer strategies and advice on experimental design, behavioral testing, and on the challenges, one will encounter with animal testing. This review is designed to guide those entering the field of spinal cord injury and/or involved with in vivo animal testing.

The influence of hypoxia on the prostate cancer proteome.

Prostate cancer accounts for around 15% of male deaths in Western Europe and is the second leading cause of cancer death in men after lung cancer. Mounting evidence suggests that prostate cancer deposits exist within a hypoxic environment and this contributes to radio-resistance thus hampering one of the major therapies for this cancer. Recent reports have shown that nitric oxide (NO) donating non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) reduced tumour hypoxia as well as maintaining a radio-sensitising/therapeutic effect on prostate cancer cells. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of hypoxia on the proteome of the prostate and to establish whether NO-NSAID treatment reverted the protein profiles back to their normoxic status. To this end an established hormone insensitive prostate cancer cell line, PC-3, was cultured under hypoxic and normoxic conditions before and following exposure to NO-NSAID in combination with selected other common prostate cancer treatment types. The extracted proteins were analysed by ion mobility-assisted data independent acquisition mass spectrometry (MS), combined with multivariate statistical analyses, to measure hypoxia-induced alterations in the proteome of these cells. The analyses demonstrated that under hypoxic conditions there were well-defined, significantly regulated/differentially expressed proteins primarily involved with structural and binding processes including, for example, TUBB4A, CIRP and PLOD1. Additionally, the exposure of hypoxic cells to NSAID and NO-NSAID agents, resulted in some of these proteins being differentially expressed; for example, both PCNA and HNRNPA1L were down-regulated, corresponding with disruption in the nucleocytoplasmic shuttling process.

Gastric squamous-columnar junction contains a large pool of cancer-prone immature osteopontin responsive Lgr5-CD44+ cells.

Areas of a junction between two types of epithelia are known to be cancer-prone in many organ systems. However, mechanisms for preferential malignant transformation at the junction areas remain insufficiently elucidated. Here we report that inactivation of tumor suppressor genes Trp53 and Rb1 in the gastric squamous-columnar junction (SCJ) epithelium results in preferential formation of metastatic poorly differentiated neoplasms, which are similar to human gastroesophageal carcinoma. Unlike transformation-resistant antral cells, SCJ cells contain a highly proliferative pool of immature Lgr5-CD44+ cells, which are prone to transformation in organoid assays, comprise early dysplastic lesions, and constitute up to 30% of all neoplastic cells. CD44 ligand osteopontin (OPN) is preferentially expressed in and promotes organoid formation ability and transformation of the SCJ glandular epithelium. OPN and CD44 overexpression correlate with the worst prognosis of human gastroesophageal carcinoma. Thus, detection and selective targeting of the active OPN-CD44 pathway may have direct clinical relevance.

Persistent disparities in breast cancer surgical outcomes among hispanic and African American patients.

BACKGROUND: Racial disparities among patients who receive breast mastectomy and reconstruction have not been well characterized. METHODS: Records of patients undergoing breast extirpative and reconstructive surgery at a high-volume university-affiliated hospital over 5 consecutive years were reviewed. Patient demographics, breast cancer profiles, reconstructive modality, and outcomes were compared by race. RESULTS: A total of 1045 patients underwent 1678 breast reconstructions during the five-year period. Mean age and standard deviation was 49.8 ±â€¯10.6 years with a BMI of 27.9 ±â€¯6.5. Hispanic and African American patients had significantly higher BMIs (p < 0.001), higher rates of ASA class III or IV (p = 0.025), obesity, diabetes, hypertension (p < 0.001 for these three comparisons), and smoking (p = 0.003), and had more prior abdominal surgeries (p = 0.007). Comparing oncologic characteristics, this population subset had higher rates of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (p = 0.036), history of radiation (p = 0.016), and were more likely to undergo modified radical mastectomy (p = 0.002) over nipple-sparing mastectomy (p = 0.035). Reconstructive complications revealed a higher overall complication rate (p = 0.023), higher rates of partial mastectomy flap necrosis (p = 0.043), as well as arterial (p = 0.009) and venous insufficiency (p = 0.026) during microvascular reconstruction among Hispanic and African American patients. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to other patients, the present study identifies higher comorbidity burdens, higher rates of prior radiation and neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and higher post-surgical complication rates among Hispanic and African American patients with breast cancer.

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using turmeric extracts and investigation of their antibacterial activities.

This study aimed to develop an environmentally friendly and cost-effective approach to synthesize green silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from silver precursors. Green synthesis of AgNPs was accomplished using the aqueous extract of turmeric powder, in which plant biomaterials were used as a reducing as well as a capping agent. After 24 h of reaction, the yellow color of the extract was changed to dark brown-reddish due to the reduction of silver ions to AgNPs. AgNPs were characterized using UV-vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The maximum absorbance of the UV-vis spectra was at 432 nm. TEM analysis reveals that the shape of most of the biosynthesized AgNPs was spherical forms and the average particle size was 18 ± 0.5 nm. EDS analysis exhibits strong signals of silver element. In addition, green synthesized AgNPs show high and efficient antimicrobial activities against two food-borne pathogens (Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Listeria monocytogenes). TEM and scanning electron microscopic images reveal that there were significant shrinkage and damage of bacterial cell wall, and leakage or loss of bacterial intracellular contents. A significant reduction (P ≤ 0.05) of bacterial counts just after 4 h of exposure was observed. These results indicate that green synthesized AgNPs can be utilized as an antimicrobial means to inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria for applications in agricultural and food industries.

Rapid determination of thiabendazole in juice by SERS coupled with novel gold nanosubstrates.

The aim of this study was to develop surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) methods in combination with novel gold nanomaterial-based substrates for rapid measurement and quantification of pesticides extracted from lemon, carrot, and mango juice. Facile synthesis of a sensitive and robust SERS substrate was achieved by assembling gold nanorods (AuNRs) into vertically aligned arrays on silicon slides. The nanorod arrays were orderly aligned and can induce vigorous electromagnetic field for SERS measurement. The synthesized SERS substrate was utilized for detection and quantification of thiabendazole in juice samples using partial least squares analysis with R values of 0.99, 0.98, and 0.99 for lemon, carrot, and mango juice, respectively. The detection limits of thiabendazole were 149, 216, and 179 µg/L in lemon, carrot, and mango juice, respectively. These results demonstrate that SERS combined with AuNR substrates is a quick, convenient, and highly sensitive technique for detection of thiabendazole residues in fruits juice.

Dynamic instrumented palpation - a new method for soft tissue quality assessment: application to prostate disease diagnosis.

The objective is to establish the feasibility of using dynamic instrumented palpation, a novel technique of low-frequency mechanical testing, applied here to diagnose soft tissue condition. The technique is applied, in vitro, to samples of excised prostate gland affected by benign prostate hyperplasia and/or prostate cancer. Particular attention is paid to the relationship between the histological structure of the tissue and the dynamic mechanical properties in an attempt to separate patient-specific aspects from histopathological condition (i.e. prostate cancer or benign prostate hyperplasia). The technique is of clinical interest because it is potentially deployable in vivo. Prostate samples were obtained from a total of 36 patients who had undergone transurethral resection of the prostate to relieve prostatic obstruction and 4 patients who had undergone radical cystoprostatectomy for bladder cancer. Specimens (chips) recovered from transurethral resection of the prostate were of nominal size 5 mm × 8 mm and thicknesses between 2 and 4 mm, whereas those from the cystoprostatectomy were in the form of transverse slices of thickness approximately 6 mm. Specimens were mechanically tested by a controlled strain cyclic compression technique, and the resulting dynamic mechanical properties expressed as the amplitude ratio and phase difference between the cyclic stress and cyclic strain. After mechanical testing, the percentage areas of glandular and smooth muscle were measured at each probe point. Good contrast between the dynamic modulus of chips from benign prostate hyperplasia and prostate cancer patients was demonstrated, and absolute values similar to those published by other authors are reported. For the slices, modulus values were considerably higher than for chips, and good in-patient mechanical contrast was revealed for predominantly nodular and predominantly stromal areas. Extending this classification between patients required pattern recognition techniques. Overall, the study has demonstrated that dynamic mechanical properties can potentially be used for diagnosis of prostate condition using in vivo measurements.

Effect and mechanism of cellulose nanofibrils on the active functions of biopolymer-based nanocomposite films.

Cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) are superfine cellulose fibrils with a nanoscale diameter and have gained increasing attention due to their great potential in the food industry. However, the applications of CNFs in active food packaging are still limited. The objectives of this study were to develop biopolymer-based edible nanocomposite films using CNFs, corn starch, and chitosan, and to investigate the effect and mechanisms of CNFs on the active functions and properties of the nanocomposite films. Important functional properties of the films were measured and the films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Zetasizer. The results demonstrate that CNFs increased the rigidity of the films due to more hydrogen bonds being induced by CNFs (≥60%). Incorporating a high content of CNFs (≥60%) in the film resulted in enhanced filling effect on the structure of the biopolymer films, which significantly improved the light barrier, oxygen barrier and water vapor barrier capacities. As CNF content increased to 100%, the film opacity increased by 59%, while the peroxide value of corn oil protected with edible films was reduced by 23%. Furthermore, the antimicrobial properties of the edible films with 80% and 100% CNFs were increased by up to 2logCFU/g on day 8 in a beef model, due to more positive charges in the films and improved blocking effects on oxygen. These results demonstrate that CNFs can effectively enhance the antimicrobial effect and barrier properties of biopolymer-based nanocomposite films and have great potential in applications of active packaging for food products.

Using Standing Gold Nanorod Arrays as Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) Substrates for Detection of Carbaryl Residues in Fruit Juice and Milk.

In recent years, there have been increasing concerns about pesticide residues in various foods. On the other hand, there is growing attention in utilizing novel nanomaterials as highly sensitive, low-cost, and reproducible substrates for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) applications. The objective of this study was to develop a SERS method for the rapid detection of pesticides that were extracted from different types of food samples (fruit juice and milk). A new SERS substrate was prepared by assembling gold nanorods into standing arrays on a gold-coated silicon slide. The standing nanorod arrays were neatly arranged and were able to generate a strong electromagnetic field in SERS measurement. The as-prepared SERS substrate was utilized to detect carbaryl in acetonitrile/water solution, fruit juices (orange and grapefruit), and milk. The results show that the concentrations of carbaryl spiked in fruit juice and milk were linearly correlated with the concentrations predicted by the partial least-squares (PLS) models with r values of 0.91, 0.88, and 0.95 for orange juice, grapefruit juice, and milk, respectively. The SERS method was able to detect carbaryl that was extracted from fruit juice and milk samples at a 50 ppb level. The detection limits of carbaryl were 509, 617, and 391 ppb in orange juice, grapefruit juice, and milk, respectively. All detection limits are below the maximum residue limits that were set by the U.S. EPA. Moreover, satisfactory recoveries (82-97.5%) were accomplished for food samples using this method. These results demonstrate that SERS coupled with the standing gold nanorod array substrates is a rapid, reliable, sensitive, and reproducible method for the detection of pesticide residues in foods.