An exploration of available methods and tools to improve the efficiency of systematic review production: a scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Systematic reviews (SRs) are time-consuming and labor-intensive to perform. With the growing number of scientific publications, the SR development process becomes even more laborious. This is problematic because timely SR evidence is essential for decision-making in evidence-based healthcare and policymaking. Numerous methods and tools that accelerate SR development have recently emerged. To date, no scoping review has been conducted to provide a comprehensive summary of methods and ready-to-use tools to improve efficiency in SR production. OBJECTIVE: To present an overview of primary studies that evaluated the use of ready-to-use applications of tools or review methods to improve efficiency in the review process. METHODS: We conducted a scoping review. An information specialist performed a systematic literature search in four databases, supplemented with citation-based and grey literature searching. We included studies reporting the performance of methods and ready-to-use tools for improving efficiency when producing or updating a SR in the health field. We performed dual, independent title and abstract screening, full-text selection, and data extraction. The results were analyzed descriptively and presented narratively. RESULTS: We included 103 studies: 51 studies reported on methods, 54 studies on tools, and 2 studies reported on both methods and tools to make SR production more efficient. A total of 72 studies evaluated the validity (n = 69) or usability (n = 3) of one method (n = 33) or tool (n = 39), and 31 studies performed comparative analyses of different methods (n = 15) or tools (n = 16). 20 studies conducted prospective evaluations in real-time workflows. Most studies evaluated methods or tools that aimed at screening titles and abstracts (n = 42) and literature searching (n = 24), while for other steps of the SR process, only a few studies were found. Regarding the outcomes included, most studies reported on validity outcomes (n = 84), while outcomes such as impact on results (n = 23), time-saving (n = 24), usability (n = 13), and cost-saving (n = 3) were less often evaluated. CONCLUSION: For title and abstract screening and literature searching, various evaluated methods and tools are available that aim at improving the efficiency of SR production. However, only few studies have addressed the influence of these methods and tools in real-world workflows. Few studies exist that evaluate methods or tools supporting the remaining tasks. Additionally, while validity outcomes are frequently reported, there is a lack of evaluation regarding other outcomes.

Efficacy of denture cleansers on Candida albicans adhesion and their effects on the properties of conventional, milled CAD/CAM, and 3D-printed denture bases.

OBJECTIVES: Evaluate the efficacy of denture cleaners on the adhesion of Candida albicans and their effects on the surface, optical, and mechanical properties of resins for conventional, milled, and 3D-printed denture bases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 240 resin samples were made, 120 for testing Candida albicans adhesion, optical stabilities (ΔE00), roughness (Ra), hydrophilicity (°), surface free energy (Owens-Wendt) and 120 samples for testing Candida albicans adhesion, surface microhardness (Knoop), flexural strength and modulus of elasticity in a three-point test, in which they were divided into 3 groups of denture resin (n = 40) and subdivided into 5 cleaners of dentures (n = 8). Data were evaluated by two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test for multiple comparisons (α = 0.05). RESULTS: Denture cleaners with an alkaline solution and dilute acid composition were those that showed the greatest effectiveness in reducing Candida albicans (P < 0.001), however 1% NaOCl significantly affected the properties of the resins (P < 0.05). Denture 3D-printed showed that the surface microhardness was significantly lower for all cleansers (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Listerine demonstrated superior efficacy in reducing Candida albicans with minimal effect on denture properties, whereas 1% NaOCl had a significant negative impact on the properties. The mechanical properties were significantly lower in 3D-printed resin than in other resins for all denture cleansers. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Denture base materials are being sold to adapt to the CAD/CAM system, increasing the number of users of dentures manufactured with this system. Despite this, there is little investigation into denture cleaners regarding the adhesion capacity of microorganisms and the optical, surface and mechanical properties of dentures, thus requiring further investigation.

Musculoskeletal Disorder (MSD) Health Data Collection, Personalized Management and Exchange Using Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR).

With the proliferation and growing complexity of healthcare systems emerges the challenge of implementing scalable and interoperable solutions to seamlessly integrate heterogenous data from sources such as wearables, electronic health records, and patient reports that can provide a comprehensive and personalized view of the patient's health. Lack of standardization hinders the coordination between systems and stakeholders, impacting continuity of care and patient outcomes. Common musculoskeletal conditions affect people of all ages and can have a significant impact on quality of life. With physical activity and rehabilitation, these conditions can be mitigated, promoting recovery and preventing recurrence. Proper management of patient data allows for clinical decision support, facilitating personalized interventions and a patient-centered approach. Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) is a widely adopted standard that defines healthcare concepts with the objective of easing information exchange and enabling interoperability throughout the healthcare sector, reducing implementation complexity without losing information integrity. This article explores the literature that reviews the contemporary role of FHIR, approaching its functioning, benefits, and challenges, and presents a methodology for structuring several types of health and wellbeing data, that can be routinely collected as observations and then encapsulated in FHIR resources, to ensure interoperability across systems. These were developed considering health industry standard guidelines, technological specifications, and using the experience gained from the implementation in various study cases, within European health-related research projects, to assess its effectiveness in the exchange of patient data in existing healthcare systems towards improving musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).

Cervical Squamous Cell Carcinoma Diagnosis by FTIR Microspectroscopy.

Cervical cancer was considered the fourth most common cancer worldwide in 2020. In order to reduce mortality, an early diagnosis of the tumor is required. Currently, this type of cancer occurs mostly in developing countries due to the lack of vaccination and screening against the Human Papillomavirus. Thus, there is an urgent clinical need for new methods aiming at a reliable screening and an early diagnosis of precancerous and cancerous cervical lesions. Vibrational spectroscopy has provided very good results regarding the diagnosis of various tumors, particularly using Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy, which has proved to be a promising complement to the currently used histopathological methods of cancer diagnosis. This spectroscopic technique was applied to the analysis of cryopreserved human cervical tissue samples, both squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and non-cancer samples. A dedicated Support Vector Machine classification model was constructed in order to categorize the samples into either normal or malignant and was subsequently validated by cross-validation, with an accuracy higher than 90%.

Chilean consensus by expert panel using the Delphi technique for primary and secondary prevention of gastric cancer. / Estrategias para la prevención primaria y secundaria del cáncer gástrico: consenso chileno de panel de expertos con técnica Delfi.

INTRODUCTION: Gastric cancer (GC) is the first cause of cancer-related death in Chile and 6th in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is the main gastric carcinogen, and its treatment reduces GC incidence and mortality. Esophageal-gastro-duodenoscopy (EGD) allows for the detection of premalignant conditions and early-stage GC. Mass screening programs for H. pylori infection and screening for premalignant conditions and early-stage GC are not currently implemented in LAC. The aim of this study is to establish recommendations for primary and secondary prevention of GC in asymptomatic standard-risk populations in Chile. METHODS: Two on-line synchronous workshops and a seminar were conducted with Chilean experts. A Delphi panel consensus was conducted over 2 rounds to achieve>80% agreement on proposed primary and secondary prevention strategies for the population stratified by age groups. RESULTS: 10, 12, and 12 experts participated in two workshops and a seminar, respectively. In the Delphi panel, 25 out of 37 experts (77.14%) and 28 out of 52 experts (53.85%) responded. For the population aged 16-34, there was no consensus on non-invasive testing and treatment for H. pylori, and the use of EGD was excluded. For the 35-44 age group, non-invasive testing and treatment for H. pylori is recommended, followed by subsequent test-of-cure using non-invasive tests (stool antigen test or urea breath test). In the ≥45 age group, a combined strategy is recommended, involving H. pylori testing and treatment plus non-invasive biomarkers (H. pylori IgG serology and serum pepsinogens I and II); subsequently, a selected group of subjects will undergo EGD with gastric biopsies (Sydney Protocol), which will be used to stratify surveillance according to the classification Operative Link for Gastritis Assessment (OLGA); every 3 years for OLGA III-IV and every 5 years for OLGA I-II. CONCLUSION: A "test-and-treat" strategy for H. pylori infection based on non-invasive studies (primary prevention) is proposed in the 35-44 age group, and a combined strategy (serology and EGD) is recommended for the ≥45 age group (primary and secondary prevention). These strategies are potentially applicable to other countries in LAC.

In-Situ Anaerobic Heating of Human Bones Probed by Neutron Diffraction.

The first neutron diffraction study of in-situ anaerobic burning of human bones is reported, aiming at an interpretation of heat-induced changes in bone, which were previously detected by vibrational spectroscopy, including inelastic neutron scattering techniques. Structural and crystallinity variations were monitored in samples of the human femur and tibia, as well as a reference hydroxyapatite, upon heating under anaerobic conditions. Information on the structural reorganization of the bone matrix as a function of temperature, from room temperature to 1000 °C, was achieved. Noticeable crystallographic and domain size variations, together with O-H bond lengths and background variations, were detected. Above 700 °C, the inorganic bone matrix became highly symmetric, devoid of carbonates and organic constituents, while for the lower temperature range (<700 °C), a considerably lower crystallinity was observed. The present pilot study is expected to contribute to a better understanding of the heat-prompted changes in bone, which can be taken as biomarkers of the burning temperature. This information is paramount for bone analysis in forensic science as well as in archeology and may also have useful applications in other biomaterial studies.

Multiplexable and Biocomputational Virus Detection by CRISPR-Cas9-Mediated Strand Displacement.

Recurrent disease outbreaks caused by different viruses, including the novel respiratory virus SARS-CoV-2, are challenging our society at a global scale; so versatile virus detection methods would enable a calculated and faster response. Here, we present a novel nucleic acid detection strategy based on CRISPR-Cas9, whose mode of action relies on strand displacement rather than on collateral catalysis, using the Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 nuclease. Given a preamplification process, a suitable molecular beacon interacts with the ternary CRISPR complex upon targeting to produce a fluorescent signal. We show that SARS-CoV-2 DNA amplicons generated from patient samples can be detected with CRISPR-Cas9. We also show that CRISPR-Cas9 allows the simultaneous detection of different DNA amplicons with the same nuclease, either to detect different SARS-CoV-2 regions or different respiratory viruses. Furthermore, we demonstrate that engineered DNA logic circuits can process different SARS-CoV-2 signals detected by the CRISPR complexes. Collectively, this CRISPR-Cas9 R-loop usage for the molecular beacon opening (COLUMBO) platform allows a multiplexed detection in a single tube, complements the existing CRISPR-based methods, and displays diagnostic and biocomputing potential.

Disclosing a metabolic signature of cisplatin resistance in MDA-MB-231 triple-negative breast cancer cells by NMR metabolomics.

This work compared the metabolic profile of a parental MDA-MB-231 cisplatin-sensitive triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell line with that of a derived cisplatin-resistant line, to characterize inherent metabolic adaptations to resistance, as a means for marker and new TNBC therapies discovery. Supported by cytotoxic, microscopic and biochemical characterization of both lines, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) metabolomics was employed to characterize cell polar extracts for the two cell lines, as a function of time (0, 24 and 48 h), and identify statistically relevant differences both between sensitive and resistant cells and their time course behavior. Biochemical results revealed a slight increase in activation of the NF-κB pathway and a marked decrease of the ERK signaling pathway in resistant cells. This was accompanied by lower glycolytic and glutaminolytic activities, possibly linked to glutamine being required to increase stemness capacity and, hence, higher survival to cisplatin. The TCA cycle dynamics seemed to be time-dependent, with an apparent activation at 48 h preferentially supported by anaplerotic aromatic amino acids, leucine and lysine. A distinct behavior of leucine, compared to the other branched-chain-amino-acids, suggested the importance of the recognized relationship between leucine and in mTOR-mediated autophagy to increase resistance. Suggested markers of MDA-MB-231 TNBC cisplatin-resistance included higher phosphocreatine/creatine ratios, hypotaurine/taurine-mediated antioxidant protective mechanisms, a generalized marked depletion in nucleotides/nucleosides, and a distinctive pattern of choline compounds. Although the putative hypotheses generated here require biological demonstration, they pave the way to the use of metabolites as markers of cisplatin-resistance in TNBC and as guidance to develop therapies.

Fluorinated Mn(III)/(II)-Porphyrin with Redox-Responsive 1 H and 19 F Relaxation Properties.

A new fluorinated manganese porphyrin, (Mn-TPP-p-CF3 ) is reported capable of providing, based on the Mn(III)/Mn(II) equilibrium, dual 1 H relaxivity and 19 F NMR response to redox changes. The physical-chemical characterization of both redox states in DMSO-d6 /H2 O evidenced that the 1 H relaxometric and 19 F NMR properties are appropriate for differential redox MRI detection. The Mn(III)-F distance (dMn-F =9.7-10 Å), as assessed by DFT calculations, is well tailored to allow for adequate paramagnetic effect of Mn(III) on 19 F T1 and T2 relaxation times. Mn-TPP-p-CF3 has a reversible Mn(II)/Mn(III) redox potential of 0.574 V vs. NHE in deoxygenated aqueous HEPES/ THF solution. The reduction of Mn(III)-TPP-p-CF3 in the presence of ascorbic acid is slowly, but fully reversed in the presence of air oxygen, as monitored by UV-Vis spectrometry and 19 F NMR. The broad 1 H and 19 F NMR signals of Mn(III)-TPP-p-CF3 disappear in the presence of 1 equivalent ascorbate replaced by a shifted and broadened 19 F NMR signal from Mn(II)-TPP-p-CF3 . Phantom 19 F MR images in DMSO show a MRI signal intensity decrease upon reduction of Mn(III)-TPP-p-CF3 , retrieved upon complete reoxidation in air within ~24 h. 1 H NMRD curves of the Mn(III)/(II)-TPP-p-CF3 chelates in mixed DMSO/water solvent have the typical shape of Mn(II)/Mn(III) porphyrins.

Biochemical responses of the mussel Perna perna after exposure to environmental concentrations of the UV filter Benzophenone-3.

Personal care products, such as UV filters, are frequently present in aquatic ecosystems, but studies on their impact on marine organisms are still scarce. Here we addressed the effects of benzophenone-3 (BP-3) on the antioxidant status of Perna perna mussels exposed to concentrations of 0.1 and 3 µg.L-1 for 72 h and 7 days. Glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione S-transferase (GST), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) activity and lipoperoxidation (MDA) were evaluated in the gills. A significant reduction (p < 0.05) in the activity of G6PDH and GPx was observed after exposure for 7 days to 0.1 µg.L-1. However, no significant differences were observed in GST activity and MDA levels, independently of the exposure time. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed an association of BP-3 highest concentration with GR and MDA at 72 h and only with GR at 7 days of exposure. Similarly, the integrated biomarker response (IBR) demonstrated GR and MDA alterations. In conclusion, environmentally relevant concentrations of BP-3 altered antioxidant and auxiliary enzymes, which could cause long-term damage to P.perna mussels. The need to implement more efficient techniques in wastewater treatment systems is pointed out, especially in summer, when UV filters are used more frequently and abundantly.

Genipa americana L.: A New Phytochemical for White Hair Coloring.

This work describes a new hair dyeing methodology using a chemical reaction between geniposide, an iridoid glycoside extracted from the fruit of Genipa americana (geniposide extract, GE) and the amine group of hair keratin. The influence of reaction conditions (pH, temperature, and extract concentration) on the staining of hair fibers, color development, fiber morphology, and mechanical hair properties of black and white human hair samples, was evaluated before and after GE dyeing treatment. Eye contact safety of GE was also studied using HET-CAM. The treatment of white hair fibers using GE at 20 mg mL-1 , temperature of 80 °C and pH 5.5 presented the greatest color change (ΔE=54.0). The higher pH influence was observed at pH 10.0 on white hair tresses (ΔE=6.8), using an GE concentration of 20 mg mL-1 and room temperature (25 °C). Treated samples showed marked changes on mechanical and morphological properties. The HET-CAM did not show any change, thus demonstrating that using GE is safe. In conclusion, the temperature and concentration of the extract were the variables that mostly influenced the color and hair damage. A new approach for hair dyeing was established where iridoids may potentially be useful as a natural hair dyeing.

Thermal energy and tableting effects in benznidazole product: the impacts of industrial processing.

OBJECTIVE: The investigation of benznidazole (BZN), excipients, and tablets aims to evaluate their thermal energy and tableting effects. They aim to understand better the molecular and pharmaceutical processing techniques of the formulation. SIGNIFICANCE: The Product Quality Review, part of Good Manufacturing Practices, is essential to highlight trends and identify product and process improvements. METHODS: A set of technique approaches, infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and thermal analysis with isoconversional kinetic study, were applied in the protocol. RESULTS: X-ray experiments suggest talc and α-lactose monohydrate dehydration and conversion of ß-lactose to stable α-lactose upon tableting. The signal crystallization at 167 °C in the DSC curve confirmed this observation. A calorimetric study showed a decrease in the thermal stability of BZN tablets. Therefore, the temperature is a critical process parameter. The specific heat capacity (Cp) of BZN, measured by DSC, was 10.04 J/g at 25 °C and 9.06 J/g at 160 °C. Thermal decomposition required 78 kJ mol-1. Compared with the tablet (about 200 kJ mol-1), the necessary energy is two-fold lower, as observed in the kinetic study by non-isothermal TG experiment at 5; 7.5; 10; and 15 °C min-1. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate the necessity of considering the thermal energy and tableting effects of BZN manufacturing, which contributes significantly to the molecular mechanistic understanding of this drug delivery system.

Impact of Conventional and Potential New Metal-Based Drugs on Lipid Metabolism in Osteosarcoma MG-63 Cells.

This work investigated the mechanisms of action of conventional drugs, cisplatin and oxaliplatin, and the potentially less deleterious drug Pd2Spermine (Spm) and its Pt(II) analog, against osteosarcoma MG-63 cells, using nuclear-magnetic-resonance metabolomics of the cellular lipidome. The Pt(II) chelates induced different responses, namely regarding polyunsaturated-fatty-acids (increased upon cisplatin), suggesting that cisplatin-treated cells have higher membrane fluidity/permeability, thus facilitating cell entry and justifying higher cytotoxicity. Both conventional drugs significantly increased triglyceride levels, while Pt2Spm maintained control levels; this may reflect enhanced apoptotic behavior for conventional drugs, but not for Pt2Spm. Compared to Pt2Spm, the more cytotoxic Pd2Spm (IC50 comparable to cisplatin) induced a distinct phospholipids profile, possibly reflecting enhanced de novo biosynthesis to modulate membrane fluidity and drug-accessibility to cells, similarly to cisplatin. However, Pd2Spm differed from cisplatin in that cells had equivalent (low) levels of triglycerides as Pt2Spm, suggesting the absence/low extent of apoptosis. Our results suggest that Pd2Spm acts on MG-63 cells mainly through adaptation of cell membrane fluidity, whereas cisplatin seems to couple a similar effect with typical signs of apoptosis. These results were discussed in articulation with reported polar metabolome adaptations, building on the insight of these drugs' mechanisms, and particularly of Pd2Spm as a possible cisplatin substitute.

A Non-Conventional Platinum Drug against a Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Line.

A dinuclear Pt(II) complex with putrescine as bridging polyamine ligand ([Pt2Put2(NH3)4]Cl4) was synthesized and assessed as to its potential anticancer activity against a human non-small cell lung cancer line (A549), as well as towards non-cancer cells (BEAS-2B). This effect was evaluated through in vitro cytotoxicity assays (MTT and SRB) coupled to microFTIR and microRaman spectroscopies, the former delivering information on growth-inhibiting and cytotoxic abilities while the latter provided very specific information on the metabolic impact of the metal agent (at the sub-cellular level). Regarding cancer cells, a major impact of [Pt2Put2(NH3)4]Cl4 was evidenced on cellular proteins and lipids, as compared to DNA, particularly via the Amide I and Amide II signals. The effect of the chelate on non-malignant cells was lower than on malignant ones, evidencing a promising low toxicity towards healthy cells.

Congenital morphological patterns of myocardial bridges.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial bridging (MB) is a coronary anomaly in which a segment of the coronary artery is overlapped by a layer of myocardial tissue. Nowadays, there is no scientific agreement on if the MB are congenital or acquired or on the factors that determine their presence and/or absence. OBJECTIVE: This study is performed to analyze the anatomical characteristics of adult and children's hearts regarding the shape of the left coronary artery branching, presence of pre-bridge arterial branch, coronary dominance and its correlations to MB formation. METHODS: We analyzed 240 adults heart specimens and 63 children's specimens. The frequency of the myocardial bridges (MB) occurrence was performed through observational study of the anatomical specimens. The shape of the left coronary artery (LCA) branching, presence of pre-bridge arterial branch (PBB) and coronary dominance was determined superficial dissection of the epicardial adipose tissue and careful evaluation of the hearts. RESULTS: A relation between the trifurcated pattern of the LCA and the presence of MB (P<0.0001, odds ratio=3.74) was found in adults heart and in children's hearts (P=0.003, odds ratio=16.0), as well as a relation between the presence of PBB and the presence of MB in adult hearts (P<0.0001) and children's hearts (P<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest for the first time that the myocardial bridges are related to the presence of trifurcation of the left coronary artery and the pre-bridge arterial branch in adult and children's hearts.

Enhanced elimination of betamethasone in dichorionic twin pregnancies.

AIM: No study has evaluated the betamethasone pharmacokinetics in twin pregnancies according to chorionicity. This study aimed to describe and compare the betamethasone pharmacokinetic parameters in singleton and dichorionic (DC) and monochorionic twin pregnancies in the third trimester of pregnancy. METHODS: Twenty-six pregnant women received 2 intramuscular doses of 6 mg of betamethasone sodium phosphate plus 6 mg betamethasone acetate due to preterm labour. Serial blood samples were collected for 24 hours after the first intramuscular dose of betamethasone esters. Betamethasone plasma concentrations were quantified using a validated liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analytical method, and the pharmacokinetic parameters were obtained employing a noncompartmental model. Preliminary data on the betamethasone placental transfer are also presented. RESULTS: The geometric mean (95% confidence interval) of AUC0-∞ 645.1 (504.3-825.2) vs. 409.8 (311.2-539.6) ng.h/mL and CL/F 17.70 (13.84-22.65) vs. 27.87 (21.17-36.69) were significantly different, respectively, in singleton pregnancies when compared to DC twins. CONCLUSION: Data from this study suggest that the presence of 2 foetoplacental units may increase the betamethasone metabolism by hepatic CYP3A4 and/or placental 11ß-HSD2 enzymes. Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic clinical studies are needed to investigate whether these betamethasone pharmacokinetic changes have clinical repercussions for the newborns and require dose adjustment in DC twin pregnancies.

The type of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine influences serological response in kidney transplant recipients.

Vaccination is a promising strategy to control the ongoing pandemic; however, solid organ recipients tend to develop a weaker immune response to vaccination. Anti-spike SARS-CoV-2 antibodies titers were measured 2-4 weeks post-vaccination completion in 131 KT patients without previous infection. Demographic, clinical, and laboratorial parameters were analyzed to identify which factors contributed to seroconversion. Factors that influenced seroconversion, that occurred in 76 patients (58%), were longer time post-transplant, immunosuppression without an antiproliferative drug and vaccination with mRNA vaccines. Patients who received mRNA vaccines had significantly higher rates of seroconversion compared with adenovirus vector vaccines (67% vs 33%, P < .001) and higher anti-spike IgG titers. These findings reinforce the need to discuss the vaccination strategy in this population, including a third dose with a mRNA vaccine.

Breast cancer or surrounding normal tissue? A successful discrimination by FTIR or Raman microspectroscopy.

Breast cancer is a type of cancer with the highest incidence worldwide in 2021, with early diagnosis and rapid treatment intervention being the reasons for the decreasing mortality rate associated with the disease. The major challenge faced by clinicians and pathologists is the lack of accuracy in the histopathological analysis of biopsy or resection samples, leading to classification misdiagnosis and compromising the prognosis of patients. Spectral histopathology has provided great advances regarding cancer diagnosis, especially through the use of FTIR spectroscopy, proving to be a valuable complement to histopathological analyses. In this study unstained formalin-fixed paraffin embedded breast cancer tissue samples, collected from patients undergoing surgery and mounted on glass slides, were probed through FTIR and Raman microspectrocopy. Two classification models were constructed using the AdaBoost algorithm, both achieving >90% accuracy and successfully discriminating invasive breast carcinoma from surrounding normal tissue. Chemical maps from the interfaces of invasive breast carcinoma-surrounding normal tissue were also generated. This study showed the potential of spectral histopathology, in particular FTIR, for daily use in pathology laboratories, introducing few disruptions to the routine workflow while increasing the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the diagnoses.

Spectroscopic study of D1-A-D2-A terpolymer films for optoelectronic applications.

Several strategies have been considered in search of more efficient organic materials for charge transfer in photovoltaic devices. Among them, the integration of donor-acceptor (D-A) functional units on a conjugated copolymer has been widely applied. In this framework, we evaluated four terpolymers made up of donor moieties derived from 9,9-dioctylfluorene and 9-(heptadecan-9-yl)-9H-carbazole combined with 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole, the acceptor moiety, in different monomer ratios and polymerization routes (block and random microstructures). The preferred molecular orientation and charge transfer dynamics of the polymeric films were assessed by near edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (NEXAFS) and resonant Auger electron spectroscopy (RAES) around the sulfur K-edge. Charge transfer times (τCT) were estimated by the Core-Hole Clock (CHC) method. Films with a high degree of organization were identified for the block terpolymer and random terpolymers with uneven amounts of donor units, showing a preferred orientation of the benzothiadiazole (BT) molecular plane parallel to the substrate surface. The values of τCT measured for all terpolymers were higher than those for typical polymers used in photovoltaic devices, which is not desirable for this type of optoelectronic application, but this may be correlated to the strong acceptor character of BT, the unit probed. To investigate the effect of film formation on the excited state behavior, steady-state and time-resolved photoluminescence measurements were also conducted. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was employed to characterize the surface chemical composition of the terpolymer films. Based on the spectroscopic data the block copolymer appears to be the most suitable for the desired application.

Associations between unmet needs for daytime activities and company and scores on the Neuropsychiatric Inventory-Questionnaire in people with dementia: a longitudinal study.

OBJECTIVES: To examine prospectively the association between unmet needs for daytime activities and company and behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia. METHODS: We included 451 people with mild or moderate dementia, from eight European countries, who were assessed three times over 12 months. Unmet needs were measured with the Camberwell Assessment of Need for the Elderly. Three sub-syndromes of the Neuropsychiatric Inventory-Questionnaire were regressed, one-by-one, against unmet needs for daytime activities and company, adjusting for demographic and clinical-functional covariates. RESULTS: Unmet needs for daytime activities were associated with more affective symptoms at baseline, six and twelve months, mean 0.74 (p < 0.001), 0.76 (p < 0.001) and 0.78 (p = 0.001) points higher score respectively, and with more psychotic symptoms at baseline (mean 0.39 points, p = 0.007) and at six months follow-up (mean 0.31 points, p = 0.006). Unmet needs for company were associated with more affective symptoms at baseline, six and twelve months, mean 0.44 (p = 0.033), 0.67 (p < 0.001) and 0.91 (p < 0.001) points higher score respectively, and with more psychotic symptoms at baseline (mean 0.40 points, p = 0.005) and at six months (mean 0.35 points, p = 0.002) follow-up. CONCLUSION: Interventions to reduce unmet needs for daytime activities and company could reduce affective and psychotic symptoms in people with dementia.