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Journal of Medicine and Life Jul 2023Breast carcinoma ranks as the second most common cancer among women worldwide. Despite significant therapeutic advancements, approximately 25% of breast carcinoma cases...
Breast carcinoma ranks as the second most common cancer among women worldwide. Despite significant therapeutic advancements, approximately 25% of breast carcinoma cases have resistance to current treatment modalities, posing a significant challenge for patient management. This study aimed to investigate the role of Sam68 mRNA and its protein in promoting oncogenesis and breast cancer progression. Sam68 protein levels were assessed in tissue samples using an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay kit from Sun Long Biotech. Whole RNA was isolated from malignant breast tissue samples obtained from patients. The RNA concentration was determined using an Eppendorf photometer, yielding an average concentration of 62.1±10.07 ng/µl. The purity of the isolated RNA was evaluated by measuring the A260/A280 ratio (1.9±0.07) and the A260/A230 ratio (1.7±0.3). The results indicated a significant upregulation of Sam68 mRNA expression in breast cancer tissues, supporting the findings from previous studies and indicating the correlation between altered Sam68 expression and the development of breast carcinoma, highlighting the potential significance of Sam68 in the pathogenesis of the disease. Estimating Sam68 in the blood may serve as a potential biomarker for assessing the malignant grade and metastatic spread of breast carcinoma cells.
Topics: Humans; Female; Breast Neoplasms; Cell Line, Tumor; Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; RNA, Messenger; RNA
PubMed: 37900073
DOI: 10.25122/jml-2022-0229 -
BMC Women's Health Jul 2019The rapid growth and changes that occur in adolescents increase the demand for macro and micronutrients and addressing their needs particularly in females would be an...
BACKGROUND
The rapid growth and changes that occur in adolescents increase the demand for macro and micronutrients and addressing their needs particularly in females would be an important step to break the vicious cycle of intergenerational malnutrition. Thus we evaluated the status of anemia and its anthropometric, dietary and socio demographic determinants in female adolescents, west Ethiopia.
METHODS
A school based cross-sectional study was conducted among school going adolescent girls of Wayu Tuqa district, south west Ethiopia and a 3-stage random sampling technique was used to select study participants. Data were entered into EpiData version 3.1 and analyzed using STATA version12. Haemoglobin was measured by HemoCue 301+ photometer and WHO Anthro-plus software Version 1.0.4 was used to calculate BMI for age z-score. Both bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed to check associations and control confounding. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically.
RESULT
The overall prevalence of anemia was 27% (95% CI: 22.9-31%) of which 23, and 4% had mild and moderate anemia respectively. The proportion of thinness and overweight girls based on the BMI for age z-score was 33 and 3.6%, respectively. The odds of developing anemia were almost four times more likely among late adolescents as compared to early adolescents (AOR = 3.8 95%CI = 2.3 to 8.5).Adolescents from rural areas were 3.4 times more likely to have anemia as compared to their urban counterparts (AOR = 3.4 95%CI = 1.9 to7) and adolescents those who attained menarche were two times more likely to develop anemia compared to those who did not attained menarche (AOR = 2.3 95%CI = 1.34 to 4.2).
CONCLUSION
The prevalence of anemia among adolescent girls was a moderate public health problem. To improve the prevailing nutritional problem, there must be inter-sectorial collaboration among health sectors and education sectors in providing nutritional education and counseling based on age and menarche status.
Topics: Adolescent; Anemia; Anthropometry; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diet Surveys; Ethiopia; Female; Hemoglobins; Humans; Overweight; Prevalence; Rural Population; Schools; Social Determinants of Health; Students; Thinness
PubMed: 31315626
DOI: 10.1186/s12905-019-0791-5 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jan 2024Mass photometry (MP) is a fast and simple analysis method for the determination of the proportions of subpopulations in an AAV sample. It is label-free and requires...
Mass photometry (MP) is a fast and simple analysis method for the determination of the proportions of subpopulations in an AAV sample. It is label-free and requires minimal sample volumes between 5-10 µL, which makes it a promising candidate over orthogonal techniques such as analytical ultracentrifugation (AUC), cryo-transmission electron microscopy (Cryo-TEM) or charge-detection mass spectrometry (CDMS). However, these methods are limited in their application to purified samples only. Here we developed a purification step based on single-domain monospecific antibody fragments immobilised on either a poly(styrene-divinylbenzene) resin or on magnetic beads prior to MP analysis that allows the quantification of empty, partially filled, full and overfull AAV vectors in crude cell extracts. This is aimed at identifying potentially promising harvest conditions that yield large numbers of filled AAV vectors during the early stages of the viral vector development platform, e.g., the type of transfection reagent used. Furthermore, we provide a direct comparison of the automated and manual handling of the mass photometer with respect to the quantities of AAV subspecies, molar mass of the capsid and payload, and highlight the differences between the "buffer-free" sample measurement and the "buffer-dilution" mode. In addition, we provide information on which candidates to use for calibration and demonstrate the limitations of the mass photometer with respect to the estimation of the capsid titer.
Topics: Cell Extracts; Dependovirus; Biotechnology; Calibration; Capsid Proteins; Photometry; Single-Domain Antibodies
PubMed: 38255912
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25020838 -
Heliyon Dec 2020Potassium (K) has been considered as a non-deficient nutrient in most Ethiopian soils. However, some studies recommended K application to K sufficient soils if K/Mg...
Potassium (K) has been considered as a non-deficient nutrient in most Ethiopian soils. However, some studies recommended K application to K sufficient soils if K/Mg ratio is < 0.7. To resolve this controversy, field experiments and laboratory soil analysis were conducted in two districts (Yilmana Densa and Dera) in north-western Ethiopia on Mollic Nitisols (aric, humic) (pH = 5.5), Pellic Vertisols (aric, gilgaic, mazic) (pH = 6.2) and Vertic Luvisols (aric, nitic) (pH = 5.2) using wheat, and maize, respectively as test crops. The field experiments were laid out in a randomized complete block design with 7 K fertilizer rates (0, 42, 83, 125, 166, 208, and 249 kg ha K) and four replications. KCl and DAP (200 kg ha) fertilizers were added at planting. Urea (200 kg ha) was added in split, half at planting and half at tillering for wheat and ; and at knee-height stage for maize. Soil samples were taken two weeks after planting to determine K and Mg contents, K critical levels and optimum K/Mg ratio. The ammonium acetate extraction method was used to determine the K and Mg contents in the soil using a flame photometer and an atomic absorption spectrometer, respectively. Yield data were collected after harvest. The results of the study indicated that Mollic Nitisols (aric, humic), Pellic Vertisols (aric, gilgaic, mazic) and Vertic Luvisols (aric, nitic) had high K contents of 351, 380 and 434 mg kg, respectively. Rising K fertilizer levels increased soil K contents; however, this did not significantly increase crop yields. Mg contents were also in high category (>351 mg kg). The K/Mg values ranged from 0.60 to 0.80 in Mollic Nitisols (aric, humic), 0.70 to 0.88 in Pellic Vertisols (aric, gilgaic, mazic) and 0.71 to 1.04 in Vertic Luvisols (aric, nitic), and the values increased with an increasing K rates. However, wheat, and maize grain yields showed an increasing trend up to K/Mg ratio of 0.71 in Mollic Nitisols (aric, humic), 0.78 in Pellic Vertisols (aric, gilgaic, mazic) and 0.88 in Vertic Luvisols (aric, nitic), respectively, and declined above these values.
PubMed: 33319094
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e05629 -
Scientific Reports Apr 2023This paper reports on developing a low cost but efficient paired emitter-detector diode (PEDD)-based photometer. The photometer consists of a white light-emitting diode...
This paper reports on developing a low cost but efficient paired emitter-detector diode (PEDD)-based photometer. The photometer consists of a white light-emitting diode (LED) as the emitter diode, an RGB LED as the detector diode, and a multimeter for recoding the signal. The developed PEDD-based photometer was utilized for the determination of liquid bleach adulteration in cow milk samples. N,N-Diethyl-p-phenylenediamine sulfate aqueous solution of pH 6 was used as a probe to monitor the presence of residual active chlorine in milk. The results showed that the developed method could be used to determine sodium hypochlorite in the concentration range of 0.5 to 20.0 ppm Cl with 0.14 and 0.46 ppm Cl limit of detection and limit of quantification, respectively. The intraday and interday precisions of the method at two concentration levels of 5.5 and 13.7 ppm Cl were 1.04% and 0.52%, and 1.81% and 1.02%, respectively. The recoveries of 114.2% and 106.9% were obtained for 5.5 and 13.7 ppm Cl concentrations levels, respectively. Real sample analyzes results showed that "maybe" liquid bleach adulteration in milk is the case for local distributors of raw milk.
Topics: Animals; Milk; Sodium Hypochlorite; Photometry
PubMed: 37069217
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-33527-y -
Journal of Medical Internet Research Sep 2022Early access to antenatal care and high-cost technologies for pregnancy dating challenge early neonatal risk assessment at birth in resource-constrained settings. To...
BACKGROUND
Early access to antenatal care and high-cost technologies for pregnancy dating challenge early neonatal risk assessment at birth in resource-constrained settings. To overcome the absence or inaccuracy of postnatal gestational age (GA), we developed a new medical device to assess GA based on the photobiological properties of newborns' skin and predictive models.
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to validate a device that uses the photobiological model of skin maturity adjusted to the clinical data to detect GA and establish its accuracy in discriminating preterm newborns.
METHODS
A multicenter, single-blinded, and single-arm intention-to-diagnosis clinical trial evaluated the accuracy of a novel device for the detection of GA and preterm newborns. The first-trimester ultrasound, a second comparator ultrasound, and data regarding the last menstrual period (LMP) from antenatal reports were used as references for GA at birth. The new test for validation was performed using a portable multiband reflectance photometer device that assessed the skin maturity of newborns and used machine learning models to predict GA, adjusted for birth weight and antenatal corticosteroid therapy exposure.
RESULTS
The study group comprised 702 pregnant women who gave birth to 781 newborns, of which 366 (46.9%) were preterm newborns. As the primary outcome, the GA as predicted by the new test was in line with the reference GA that was calculated by using the intraclass correlation coefficient (0.969, 95% CI 0.964-0.973). The paired difference between predicted and reference GAs was -1.34 days, with Bland-Altman limits of -21.2 to 18.4 days. As a secondary outcome, the new test achieved 66.6% (95% CI 62.9%-70.1%) agreement with the reference GA within an error of 1 week. This agreement was similar to that of comparator-LMP-GAs (64.1%, 95% CI 60.7%-67.5%). The discrimination between preterm and term newborns via the device had a similar area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (0.970, 95% CI 0.959-0.981) compared with that for comparator-LMP-GAs (0.957, 95% CI 0.941-0.974). In newborns with absent or unreliable LMPs (n=451), the intent-to-discriminate analysis showed correct preterm versus term classifications with the new test, which achieved an accuracy of 89.6% (95% CI 86.4%-92.2%), while the accuracy for comparator-LMP-GA was 69.6% (95% CI 65.3%-73.7%).
CONCLUSIONS
The assessment of newborn's skin maturity (adjusted by learning models) promises accurate pregnancy dating at birth, even without the antenatal ultrasound reference. Thus, the novel device could add value to the set of clinical parameters that direct the delivery of neonatal care in birth scenarios where GA is unknown or unreliable.
INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID)
RR2-10.1136/bmjopen-2018-027442.
Topics: Abnormalities, Multiple; Female; Gestational Age; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Premature; Machine Learning; Parturition; Pregnancy
PubMed: 36069805
DOI: 10.2196/38727 -
Heliyon Sep 2022In sub-Saharan Africa, co-morbidity with malaria, schistosomiasis, and soil transmitted helminths (STH) is common among young children. The current study investigated...
BACKGROUND
In sub-Saharan Africa, co-morbidity with malaria, schistosomiasis, and soil transmitted helminths (STH) is common among young children. The current study investigated malaria, urinary schistosomiasis and their co-infection and anemia among school-age children in an endemic community, Nakolo in the Kassena-Nankana East District of northern Ghana.
METHODS
A cross-sectional survey of 336 school-age children, 5-16 years was undertaken. Urine samples were examined for ova using microscopy. Finger prick blood samples were examined for parasites using microscopy and haemoglobin concentration measured with HemoCue Hb301 photometer.
RESULTS
The mean age was 10.52 (Standard deviation: ±2.27; range: 5-16 years), of which 50.6% (170/336) were males. The overall prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis and was 12.8% (43/336) and 37.8% (127/336), respectively with 6.0% (20/336) coinfection. Participants with only infection had 17.8% (19/107) of moderate anemia whilst 21.7% (5/23) of children infected with only had moderate anemia and 4.3% (1/23) had severe anemia. 5.0 % (1/20) of moderate anemia was observed in concurrent infections of and . Use of open water bodies was associated with increased risk of infection (OR = 1.21; 95% CI = [1.06-1.39]; p = 0.001), with females being at reduced risk (OR = 0.93; 95%CI = [0.87-0.99]; p = 0.005). Absence of self-reported haematuria had 0.81 times reduced odds of infection (OR = 0.81; 95%CI = [0.74-0.87]; p < 0.001).
CONCLUSION
This study has revealed that urinary schistosomiasis remains prevalent in Kassena-Nankana East district and suggests that urinary schistosomiasis may contribute to moderate anemia among school-age children as compared to asymptomatic malaria infection. These findings call for an evaluation of the annual mass drug administration of Praziquantel among in-school children to ascertain its impact on urinary schistosomiasis prevalence across the district.
PubMed: 36119865
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e10440 -
Proceedings of the National Academy of... Feb 2020Recording cell-specific neuronal activity while monitoring behaviors of freely moving subjects can provide some of the most significant insights into brain function....
Recording cell-specific neuronal activity while monitoring behaviors of freely moving subjects can provide some of the most significant insights into brain function. Current means for monitoring calcium dynamics in genetically targeted populations of neurons rely on delivery of light and recording of fluorescent signals through optical fibers that can reduce subject mobility, induce motion artifacts, and limit experimental paradigms to isolated subjects in open, two-dimensional (2D) spaces. Wireless alternatives eliminate constraints associated with optical fibers, but their use of head stages with batteries adds bulk and weight that can affect behaviors, with limited operational lifetimes. The systems introduced here avoid drawbacks of both types of technologies, by combining highly miniaturized electronics and energy harvesters with injectable photometric modules in a class of fully wireless, battery-free photometer that is fully implantable subdermally to allow for the interrogation of neural dynamics in freely behaving subjects, without limitations set by fiber optic tethers or operational lifetimes constrained by traditional power supplies. The unique capabilities of these systems, their compatibility with magnetic resonant imaging and computed tomography and the ability to manufacture them with techniques in widespread use for consumer electronics, suggest a potential for broad adoption in neuroscience research.
Topics: Animals; Brain; Equipment Design; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Photometry; Prostheses and Implants; Wireless Technology
PubMed: 31974306
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1920073117 -
Evaluation of a New Workplace Protection Factor-Measuring Method for Filtering Facepiece Respirator.Safety and Health At Work Mar 2020This study aims to assess whether the TSI PortaCount (Model 8020) is a measuring instrument comparable with the flame photometer. This would provide an indication for...
BACKGROUND
This study aims to assess whether the TSI PortaCount (Model 8020) is a measuring instrument comparable with the flame photometer. This would provide an indication for the suitability of the PortaCount for determining the workplace protection factor for particulate filtering facepiece respirators.
METHODS
The PortaCount (with and without the N95-Companion™) was compared with a stationary flame photometer from Moores (Wallisdown) Ltd (Type 1100), which is a measuring instrument used in the procedure for determining the total inward leakage of the particulate filtering facepiece respirator in the European Standard. Penetration levels of sodium chloride aerosol through sample respirators of two brands (A and B) were determined by the two measuring systems under laboratory conditions. For each brand, thirty-six measurements were conducted. The samples were split into groups according to their protection level, conditioning before testing, and aerosol concentration. The relationship between the gauged data from two measuring systems was determined. In addition, the particle size distribution inside the respirator and outside the respirator was documented. Linear regression analysis was used to calculate the association between the PortaCount (with and without the N95-Companion™) and the flame photometer.
RESULTS
A linear relationship was found between the raw data scaled with the PortaCount (without N95-Companion™) and the data detected by the flame photometer (R = 0.9704) under all test conditions. The distribution of particle size was found to be the same inside and outside the respirator in almost all cases.
CONCLUSION
Based on the obtained data, the PortaCount may be applicable for the determination of workplace protection factor.
PubMed: 32206375
DOI: 10.1016/j.shaw.2019.11.001 -
The Science of the Total Environment May 2023Dust particles originating from arid desert regions can be transported over long distances, presenting severe risks to climate, environment, social economics, and human...
Dust particles originating from arid desert regions can be transported over long distances, presenting severe risks to climate, environment, social economics, and human health at the source and downwind regions. However, there has been a dearth of continuous diurnal observations of vertically resolved mass concentration and optical properties of dust aerosols, which hinders our understanding of aerosol mixing, stratification, aerosol-cloud interactions, and their impacts on the environment. To fill the gap of the insufficient observations, to the best of our knowledge, this work presents the first high-spectral-resolution lidar (HSRL) observation providing days of continuous profiles of the mass concentration, along with particle linear depolarization ratio (PLDR), backscattering coefficient, extinction coefficient and lidar ratio (LR), simultaneously. We present the results of two strong dust events observed by HSRL over Beijing in 2021. The maximum particle mass concentrations reached (1.52 ± 3.5) x10 μg/m and (19.48 ± 0.36) x10 μg/m for the two dust events, respectively. The retrieved particle mass concentrations and aerosol optical depth (AOD) agree well with the observation from the surface PM concentrations and sun photometer with correlation coefficients of 0.90 and 0.95, respectively. The intensive properties of PLDR and LR of the dust aerosols are 0.31 ± 0.02 and 39 ± 7 sr at 532 nm, respectively, which are generally close to those obtained from observations in the downwind areas. Moreover, inspired by the observations from HSRL, a universal analytical relationship is discovered to evaluate the proportion of dust aerosol backscattering, extinction, AOD, and mass concentration using PLDR. The universal analytical relationship reveals that PLDR can directly quantify dust aerosol contribution, which is expected to further expand the application of polarization technology in dust detection. These valuable observations and findings further our understanding of the contribution of dust aerosol to the environment and help supplement dust aerosol databases.
PubMed: 36758704
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162091