Metallic and Metal Oxides Nanoparticles for Sensing Food Pathogens—An Overview of Recent Findings and Future Prospects

Nowadays, special importance is given to quality control and food safety. Food quality currently creates significant problems for the industry and implicitly for consumers and society. The effects materialize in economic losses, alterations of the quality and organoleptic properties of the commercial products, and, last but not least, they constitute risk factors for the consumer’s health. In this context, the development of analytical systems for the rapid determination of the sanitary quality of food products by detecting possible pathogenic microorganisms (such as Escherichia coli or Salmonella due to the important digestive disorders that they can cause in many consumers) is of major importance. Using efficient and environmentally friendly detection systems for identification of various pathogens that modify food matrices and turn them into food waste faster will also improve agri-food quality throughout the food chain. This paper reviews the use of metal nanoparticles used to obtain bio nanosensors for the purpose mentioned above. Metallic nanoparticles (Au, Ag, etc.) and their oxides can be synthesized by several methods, such as chemical, physical, physico-chemical, and biological, each bringing advantages and disadvantages in their use for developing nanosensors. In the “green chemistry” approach, a particular importance is given to the metal nanoparticles obtained by phytosynthesis. This method can lead to the development of good quality nanoparticles, at the same time being able to use secondary metabolites from vegetal wastes, as such providing a circular economy character. Considering these aspects, the use of phytosynthesized nanoparticles in other biosensing applications is also presented as a glimpse of their potential, which should be further explored.     

Comparison of Signal and Gap-Detection Thresholds for Focused and Broad Cochlear Implant Electrode Configurations

Cochlear implant (CI) users usually exhibit marked across-electrode differences in detection thresholds with “focused” modes of stimulation, such as partial-tripolar (pTP) mode. This may reflect differences either in local neural survival or in the distance of the electrodes from the modiolus. To shed light on these two explanations, we compared stimulus-detection thresholds and gap-detection thresholds (GDTs) at comfortably loud levels for at least four electrodes in each of ten Advanced Bionics CI users, using 1031-pps pulse trains. The electrodes selected for each user had a wide range of stimulus-detection thresholds in pTP mode. We also measured across-electrode variations in both stimulus-detection and gap-detection tasks in monopolar (MP) mode. Both stimulus-detection and gap-detection thresholds correlated across modes. However, there was no significant correlation between stimulus-detection and gap-detection thresholds in either mode. Hence, gap-detection thresholds likely tap a source of across-electrode variation additional to, or different from, that revealed by stimulus-detection thresholds. Stimulus-detection thresholds were significantly lower for apical than for basal electrodes in both modes; this was only true for gap detection in pTP mode. Finally, although the across-electrode standard deviation in stimulus-detection thresholds was greater in pTP than in MP mode, the reliability of these differences—assessed by dividing the across-electrode standard deviation by the standard deviation across adaptive runs for each electrode—was similar for the two modes; this metric was also similar across modes for gap detection. Hence across-electrode differences can be revealed using clinically available MP stimulation, with a reliability comparable to that observed with focused stimulation.     

Colorectal Cancer Screening Program in Songjiang district,Shanghai between 2015 and 2017: Evaluation of participation rate and the associated factor

Little is known about the participation rate of newly implemented colorectal cancer (CRC) screening programs in China. Our goals were to identify factors associated with nonparticipation for CRC screening in Songjiang District, Shanghai.We analyzed individuals included in an observational cohort study from 4 towns (Xin Qiao, She Shan, Mao Gang, and Zhong Shan) in Songjiang District. The participation rate was calculated for the CRC screening program based on a fecal immunochemical test and a risk assessment questionnaire between 2015 and 2017 inclusive.Of the 27,130 individuals eligible for inclusion in this study, 20,863 (76.9%) participated in CRC screening at least once during 2015 and 2017. The factors linked with nonparticipation were; being male (odds ratio [OR] 0.87, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.82–0.93, P < .01), unmarried (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.64–0.80, P < .01), having a high education level (middle school, OR 0.82, 95% CI 0.74–0.90, P < .01, high school or above, OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.57–0.73, P < .01), absence of chronic disease (OR 0.90, 95% CI 0.85–0.96, P < .01), and living in 2 out of the 4 towns covered (Xin Qiao, OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.66–0.78, P < .01, Zhong Shan, OR 0.29, 95% CI 0.26–0.31, P < .01).The current study revealed several associated factors with nonparticipation for the CRC screening in Songjiang district. These findings will help identify target populations that require an individualized approach to increase the participation rate.     

直立性高血压儿童卧位、立位心电图T波和ST段振幅变化及其临床意义

目的 探讨直立性高血压（OHT）儿童卧位与立位心电图T波和ST段振幅变化及其临床意义。方法 选取确诊为OHT患儿49例为OHT组，同期按年龄与性别匹配43例健康儿童为对照组。测量两组卧位与立位12导联心电图心率、各导联T波和ST段振幅，比较同组卧位和立位T波振幅、ST段振幅，并比较两组卧位、立位T波振幅差和ST段振幅差。结果 对照组aVR、V₁、V₄~V₆导联T波振幅立位较卧位降低（P < 0.05），V₄、V₅导联ST段振幅立位较卧位增加（P < 0.05）。OHT组Ⅱ、aVR、aVF、V₄~V₆导联T波振幅立位较卧位降低（P < 0.05），Ⅱ导联ST段振幅立位较卧位增加（P < 0.05）。OHT组Ⅱ、V₆导联立位、卧位T波振幅差较对照组增大（均P < 0.05）。V₆导联卧位、立位T波振幅差对OHT有诊断价值（P < 0.05），V₆导联T波振幅差最佳截断值为0.105 mV，灵敏度为72.10%，特异度为57.10%。结论 V₆导联卧位、立位T波振幅差对OHT儿童具有一定的诊断价值。     

Timely follow‐up of positive cancer screening results: A systematic review and recommendations from the PROSPR Consortium

Timely follow‐up for positive cancer screening results remains suboptimal, and the evidence base to inform decisions on optimizing the timeliness of diagnostic testing is unclear. This systematic review evaluated published studies regarding time to follow‐up after a positive screening for breast, cervical, colorectal, and lung cancers. The quality of available evidence was very low or low across cancers, with potential attenuated or reversed associations from confounding by indication in most studies. Overall, evidence suggested that the risk for poorer cancer outcomes rises with longer wait times that vary within and across cancer types, which supports performing diagnostic testing as soon as feasible after the positive result, but evidence for specific time targets is limited. Within these limitations, we provide our opinion on cancer‐specific recommendations for times to follow‐up and how existing guidelines relate to the current evidence. Thresholds set should consider patient worry, potential for loss to follow‐up with prolonged wait times, and available resources. Research is needed to better guide the timeliness of diagnostic follow‐up, including considerations for patient preferences and existing barriers, while addressing methodological weaknesses. Research is also needed to identify effective interventions for reducing wait times for diagnostic testing, particularly in underserved or low‐resource settings. CA Cancer J Clin 2018;68:199–216 . © 2018 American Cancer Society .     

一种新的循环肿瘤细胞检测平台在膀胱癌诊疗中的初步应用

目的 初步探索一种新的循环肿瘤细胞(CTC)检测平台在膀胱癌诊疗中的应用.方法 选取膀胱癌患者10例为试验组,健康志愿者5例为对照组.10例患者均接受经尿道膀胱肿瘤电切术.术前分别取试验组和对照组的外周全血样本10 ml、尿液样本10 ml,术后再次取试验组的外周全血、尿液样本各10 ml.使用Celsee PREP 400TM循环肿瘤细胞检测平台分别检测所有样本中所含CTC,对比术前试验组与对照组血、尿样本中的CTC,对比试验组术前、术后的CTC.随访12个月,监测患者是否出现复发或进展.结果 试验组术前血样本中均发现CTC,中位数为4个(1~9个);对照组均未发现CTC.试验组术后血样本中,8例(80%)发现CTC,中位数为1.5个(1~4个),2例(20%)未发现CTC.膀胱癌患者术前与术后血样本中的CTC比较,差异有统计学意义(P=0.014).尿液样本因杂质堵塞微通道而无法检测样本中的CTC.随访1年,患者无疾病进展/复发生存率为80%.结论 Celsee PREP 400TM循环肿瘤细胞检测平台可有效检测血样本中的CTC,值得进一步探索其在膀胱癌诊疗中的应用.     

Sex selective feticide in India

Regarding sex selective abortion in India, all are aware of exclusive female disadvantage. And yet few study reported sizeable selective male feticide as such. This exercise reveals that: (1) the age-old son-preference has slightly declined on the end of the twentieth century, and (2) a substantial selective male feticide are also being committed annually, of course, along with larger selective female feticide.     

Decision-making after ultrasound diagnosis of fetal abnormality

During the last few decades, the use of ultrasonography for the detection of fetal abnormalities has become widespread in many industrialised countries. This resulted in a shift in timing of the diagnosis of congenital abnormalities in infants from the neonatal period to the prenatal period. This has major implications for both clinicians and the couples involved. In case of ultrasound diagnosis of fetal anomaly, there are several options for the obstetric management, ranging from standard care to non-aggressive care and termination of pregnancy. This essay explores the context of both clinical and parental decision making after ultrasound diagnosis of fetal abnormality, with emphasis on the Dutch situation. While normal findings at ultrasound examination have strong beneficial psychological effects on the pregnant woman and her partner, the couple is often ill prepared for bad news about the health of their unborn child in the case of abnormal findings. This is, in particular, true in settings where ultrasonography for the detection of fetal abnormalities is offered as an integral part of antenatal care without appropriate counselling. An important question is to what extent the couple should be supported in decision making when a fetal abnormality is diagnosed. In this context, the parental perception of having a choice varies markedly. When parents consider end-of-life decisions, they experience both ambivalent and emotional feelings. On the one hand, they are committed to their pregnancy, while on the other hand, they want to protect their child, themselves and the family from the burden of severe disability. These complex parental reactions have implications for the counselling strategy.

宫颈癌筛查采用Cervista与HC2法比较的研究进展

宫颈癌在女性生殖系统恶性肿瘤中发病率最高,且近年来其发病率和死亡率有明显增长趋势,尤其是在中青年女性中.全世界浸润性宫颈癌的HPV检出率99.3％,而部分HPV感染可以随着免疫力的增强逐渐被机体所清除;且早期病变演变为宫颈癌其潜伏期长达10年左右;再者,局部治疗即可阻止其进一步发生恶变,所以,通过筛查不但可早期发现宫颈的癌前病变,而且可早治疗、提高疗效、挽救生命.最新的Cervista酶切免疫放大技术特异性更高、假阳性更少,检测效率高、不确定率更低,本文通过与HC2对比,对该方法予以综述.     

A Novel Flavi-like Virus in Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) Crops along the Snake River Valley

Alfalfa is an important perennial forage crop in Idaho supporting dairy and cattle industries that is typically grown in the same field for as many as 4 years. Alfalfa stands of different ages were subjected to screening for viruses using high-throughput sequencing and RT-PCR. The two most common viruses found were alfalfa mosaic virus and bean leafroll virus, along with Medicago sativa amalgavirus, two alphapartitiviruses, and one deltapartitivirus. Additionally, a new flavi-like virus with an unusual genome organization was discovered, dubbed Snake River alfalfa virus (SRAV). The 11,745 nt, positive-sense (+) RNA genome of SRAV encodes a single 3835 aa polyprotein with only two identifiable conserved domains, an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) and a predicted serine protease. Notably, unlike all +RNA virus genomes in the similar size range, the SRAV polyprotein contained no predicted helicase domain. In the RdRP phylogeny, SRAV was placed inside the flavi-like lineage as a sister clade to a branch consisting of hepaci-, and pegiviruses. To the best of our knowledge, SRAV is the first flavi-like virus identified in a plant host. Although commonly detected in alfalfa crops in southern Idaho, SRAV sequences were also amplified from thrips feeding in alfalfa stands in the area, suggesting a possible role of Frankliniella occidentalis in virus transmission.