Fabrication of graphene-based sensor for exposure to different chemicals.

Opto-chemical sensors are the most significant type of sensors that are widely used to detect a variety of volatile organic compounds and chemicals. This research work demonstrates the fabrication and characterization of an opto-chemical sensor based on a graphene thin film. A 300 nm graphene thin film was deposited on clean glass with the help of RF magnetron sputtering. The structure, surface and quality of the graphene thin film were characterized using XRD, SEM and Raman spectroscopy. For optical characterization, the thin film was exposed to IPA, acetone and toluene (separately) for five, ten and fifteen minutes. The optical transmission was then observed via UV-NIR spectroscopy in the near-infrared range (900 to 1450 nm). The thin film of graphene has expressed a sharp response time and recovery time with high sensitivity for each chemical. However, by comparing the output of the graphene thin film in response to each chemical, it was observed that graphene thin film has a better transmission and sensing rate for exposure to toluene.

Validation of pregnancy associated glycoproteins-based ELISA kits to determine early pregnancy status in lactating Nili-Ravi buffaloes.

The objective of the current study was to evaluate pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAGs) based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits utilizing whole blood, serum, or milk samples for diagnosis of early pregnancy status in lactating Nili-Ravi buffaloes. Dairy buffaloes (n = 174) of mixed parity, 4-6 years of age, having mean (± standard deviation) days in milk 165 ± 87, and body condition score of 3.26 ± 0.34 were randomly enrolled in this study. Buffaloes were exposed to penile deviated bulls with 12 h interval for estrus detection during peak breeding season and eventually bred naturally at their respective standing estrus (day 0). Blood and milk samples were collected at days 24, 28, and 35 post-breeding to run a rapid visual pregnancy test® (RVPT) as a buffalo-side test or ELISA-based assay in the laboratory to detect early pregnancy status. Transrectal B-mode ultrasonography was performed to diagnose pregnancy at day 35 post-breeding and used as a gold standard to validate results of RVPT or ELISA-based tests. The RVPT is a visual readout test for pregnancy detection and had sensitivity (77.9 vs. 89.7 vs. 93.3%), specificity (77.9 vs. 89.7 vs. 93.3%), and accuracy (84.5 vs. 90.1 vs. 94.2%) at days 24, 28, and 35 post-breeding, respectively. The PAGs were assayed using ELISA kits in serum and had sensitivity (77.9 vs. 89.7 vs. 93.3%), specificity (84.2 vs. 87.7 vs. 93.9%), and accuracy (82.1 vs. 88.4 vs. 93.7%) at days 24, 28, and 35 post-breeding, respectively. Similarly, PAGs were also analysed using ELISA kits in milk samples and had sensitivity (77.6 vs 89.5 vs 95.0%), specificity (89.1 vs 91.9, vs 93.9%), and accuracy (85.1 vs 91.1 vs 94.3%) at days 24, 28, and 35 post-breeding, respectively. Overall, the Kappa values in this study exceeded 0.85 at day 35 post-breeding using RVPT or ELISA-based test kits in serum or milk samples, indicating a high level of agreement between PAGs detection method and gold standard for pregnancy diagnosis. The pregnancy outcomes based on ELISA-based PAGs detection at day ≥28 post-breeding had a high negative predictive value, indicating that the probability of incorrectly administering prostaglandins to pregnant buffaloes would be low if these tests were implemented on a commercial dairy herd. Taken together, it is concluded that PAGs-based determination of pregnancy using RVPT or ELISA in blood, serum, or milk samples can be used effectively for pregnancy diagnosis at ≥28 days post-breeding with more than 90% accuracy in Nili-Ravi buffaloes.

Traffic exhaust to wildfires: PM2.5 measurements with fixed and portable, low-cost LoRaWAN-connected sensors.

Air pollution with PM2.5 (particulate matter smaller than 2.5 micro-metres in diameter) is a major health hazard in many cities worldwide, but since measuring instruments have traditionally been expensive, monitoring sites are rare and generally show only background concentrations. With the advent of low-cost, wirelessly connected sensors, air quality measurements are increasingly being made in places where many people spend time and pollution is much worse: on streets near traffic. In the interests of enabling members of the public to measure the air that they breathe, we took an open-source approach to designing a device for measuring PM2.5. Parts are relatively cheap, but of good quality and can be easily found in electronics or hardware stores, or on-line. Software is open source and the free LoRaWAN-based "The Things Network" the platform. A number of low-cost sensors we tested had problems, but those selected performed well when co-located with reference-quality instruments. A network of the devices was deployed in an urban centre, yielding valuable data for an extended time. Concentrations of PM2.5 at street level were often ten times worse than at air quality stations. The devices and network offer the opportunity for measurements in locations that concern the public.

Cognitive impairments in breast cancer survivors treated with chemotherapy: a study based on event-related potentials.

PURPOSE: Chemotherapy-related cognitive impairments in breast cancer patients were usually reported through cognitive questionnaires or scales which may be subjective and insensitive. This study is to assess the effect of chemotherapy on cognitive function in breast cancer patients stratified by age using objective electrophysiological measure, the P300 component of event-related potentials (ERPs) with a large sample size. METHODS: Totally, 529 primary breast cancer patients, including 178 cases at initial diagnosis stage and before chemotherapy (Group1), 167 cases during chemotherapy (Group2), and 184 cases post chemotherapy and during follow-up period (Group3), were examined with ERPs (P300 component) to assess the effect of chemotherapy on their cognitive function. RESULTS: There were significant differences of P300 latency in Group2 (364.74 ± 15.73 ms) and Group3 (364.02 ± 17.12 ms, mean follow-up period of 2.42 years) compared with Group1 (355.13 ± 19.47 ms, P < 0.001), respectively. With further age stratification: in patients of < 50 years, P300 latency was significantly prolonged in Group2 and Group3 compared with Group1 (P < 0.001), respectively; in patients of 50-59 years, P300 latency was significantly prolonged in Group2 compared with Group1 (P < 0.05), but without difference in Group1 and Group3 (P>0.05); In patients of ≥ 60 years, there were no differences of P300 latency among three the groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: It is first suggested by our objective detection data that the side effect of chemotherapy on cognitive functions in breast cancer patients may decrease with age. Electrophysiological cognitive impairments mainly occur in younger breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and would last for years after chemotherapy, which highlights the importance of early intervention for those patients, especially in younger patients.

Computer Vision and IoT-Based Sensors in Flood Monitoring and Mapping: A Systematic Review.

Floods are amongst the most common and devastating of all natural hazards. The alarming number of flood-related deaths and financial losses suffered annually across the world call for improved response to flood risks. Interestingly, the last decade has presented great opportunities with a series of scholarly activities exploring how camera images and wireless sensor data from Internet-of-Things (IoT) networks can improve flood management. This paper presents a systematic review of the literature regarding IoT-based sensors and computer vision applications in flood monitoring and mapping. The paper contributes by highlighting the main computer vision techniques and IoT sensor approaches utilised in the literature for real-time flood monitoring, flood modelling, mapping and early warning systems including the estimation of water level. The paper further contributes by providing recommendations for future research. In particular, the study recommends ways in which computer vision and IoT sensor techniques can be harnessed to better monitor and manage coastal lagoons-an aspect that is under-explored in the literature.

Efficacy and cardiac safety of the concurrent use of trastuzumab and anthracycline-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy for HER2-positive breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The concurrent use of trastuzumab and anthracycline-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) has been proposed to improve the pathologic complete response (pCR) rate, although there are conflicting views about its efficacy and safety. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and cardiac safety of the concurrent use of trastuzumab and anthracycline-based NAC for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive locally advanced breast cancer. We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases from inception until July 1, 2017, for relevant articles. A total of 13 studies were included in the meta-analysis. The results showed that the pCR rate was significantly higher in the concurrent use of trastuzumab and anthracycline group (45%) than that in the nonconcurrent use group (32%) (OR: 2.36, 95% CI: 1.69-3.30, P<0.0001). Besides, the pooled absolute rate of breast conservation surgery (BCS) was 48% (95% CI: 0.35-0.61) and 38% (95% CI: 0.14-0.62) in the experimental and control groups, respectively (OR: 1.10, 95% CI: 0.64-1.90, P=0.73). No significant differences were found in the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), which decreased by >10% (OR: 1.26, 95% CI: 0.55-2.88, P=0.59), and in terms of cardiac failure (OR: 2.17, 95% CI: 0.24-19.84, P=0.49), when comparing the concurrent use of trastuzumab and anthracyclines with their nonconcurrent use. In conclusion, the concurrent use of trastuzumab and anthracycline-based NAC for certain HER2-positive locally advanced breast cancers significantly improves the pCR rates without obvious increases in the cardiotoxicity.

Significantly higher pathologic complete response (pCR) after the concurrent use of trastuzumab and anthracycline-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy for HER2-positive breast cancer: Evidence from a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Objectives: To investigate the effect of the concurrent use of trastuzumab and anthracycline-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) for HER2-positive breast cancer in terms of pCR and cardiotoxicity. Methods: We systematically searched Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane and SinoMed databases from inception until 1 July 2017 for relevant articles of randomized controlled studies. After identified all relevant studies that reported the concurrent use of trastuzumab and anthracycline-based NAC for HER2-positive locally advanced breast cancer, five eligible randomized studies were extracted relevant data and assessed for design and quality, and the meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the risk ratio (RR) of pCR and other interesting outcomes, such as left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) decrease more than 10%, responses, recurrence free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS). Results: A total of five randomized controlled studies were included in the meta-analysis, including 232 HER2-positive locally advanced breast cancer patients received the concurrent use of trastuzumab and anthracycline-based NAC. The results showed that the pCR rate was significantly higher in the group received the concurrent use of trastuzumab and anthracycline-based NAC (48%) than that in the non-concurrent use of trastuzumab and anthracycline-based NAC group (26%) (RR: 1.76, 95%CI: 1.37-2.26, p<0.0001). Besides, higher rate of RFS (RR: 1.14, 95%CI: 1.03-1.26, p=0.009) was observed in the concurrent use of trastuzumab and anthracycline-based NAC group. No significant differences in LVEF decreased more than 10% (p=0.50) between both groups. Conclusions: Our meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies showed that pCR rates are significantly higher in the concurrent use of trastuzumab and anthracycline-based NAC compared with the non-concurrent use of trastuzumab and anthracycline-based NAC for certain HER2-positive breast cancer, meanwhile without significant increase of the cardiotoxicity.

Status of lipid and lipoprotein in female breast cancer patients at initial diagnosis and during chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: The lipid profile status among breast cancer patients at initial diagnosis and during chemotherapy remain controversial. The aim of this study is to study the status of lipid and lipoprotein in female breast cancer patients at initial diagnosis and during chemotherapy. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of the status of the lipid and lipoprotein in 1054 primarily diagnosed breast cancer patients and 2483 normal controls with age stratification, from July 2015 to October 2016. At the same time, the status of lipid and lipoprotein were also analyzed among 394 breast cancer patients before and after adjuvant chemotherapy. RESULTS: The incidence of dyslipidemia was significantly lower in breast cancer group(42.98%) compared to normal group(58.28%)(P < 0.001). The levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), HDL cholesterol (HDL-C), LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) among breast cancer group were significantly lower compared to normal control group (P < 0.05). With age stratification, the levels of TC and LDL-C in breast cancer group were still significantly lower than those in control group (P < 0.001). And the levels of TC, TG, LDL-C, apolipoprotein B were significantly higher among post chemotherapeutic patients compared to prechemotherapeutic patients, however HDL-C and Apo-A1 levels were contrary. CONCLUSIONS: Breast cancer patients have lower incidence of dyslipidemia compared to normal populations. However, the situation of dyslipidemia may become worsened after chemotherapy. Therefore, lipid monitoring and dyslipidemia prevention and treatment should be conducted for breast cancer patients at initial diagnosis and during chemotherapy.

Clinical study on the prevalence and comparative analysis of metabolic syndrome and its components among Chinese breast cancer women and control population.

Metabolic syndrome has been previously identified as a risk factor for breast cancer and is increasingly a public health concern. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its components among primary breast cancer and control population. The clinical data of metabolic syndrome and its components in the breast cancer (605 cases) and control population (3212 cases), from Breast Cancer Center and Physical Examination Center of Chongqing, China, from July 2015 to February 2017, were collected for comparative analysis. This study was prospectively registered in Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (http://www.chictr.org.cn/, number: ChiCTR-OOB-15007543). The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in breast cancer (32.6%) was obviously higher than that in control population (18.2%) (p<0.001; OR: 2.173, 95%CI: 1.793 to 2.633). With age stratification, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in breast cancer group aged below 60 years (24.9%, p<0.001; OR: 2.216, 95%CI: 1.744 to 2.816) and equal/above 60 years (58.3%, p<0.001; OR: 2.291, 95%CI: 1.580 to 3.322) were also statistically higher than those (13.0% & 37.9%) in control population, respectively. Breast cancer women were more likely to have preobese (BMI 25.0-29.9) or obesity (BMI ≥30.0), broader waist circumference, lower HDL-C level, higher systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure and higher fasting blood glucose level compared to the control population, corresponding prevalence were 31.7%vs.19.4%, 76.0%vs.29.6%, 37.4%vs.30.4%, 34.2%/27.3%vs.27.6%/14.2% and 25.0%vs.20.1%, respectively (p<0.01). In summary, there is high prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its components in Chinese breast cancer women, and metabolic syndrome is closely related with breast cancer. Therefore, screening and prevention strategy of metabolic syndrome should be carried out in the management of breast cancer.

Study on the status of thyroid function and thyroid nodules in chinese breast cancer patients.

We performed a study to investigate the status of thyroid nodules and thyroid functions in Chinese breast cancer women. The clinical data of female patients with breast cancer or benign breast diseases and normal populace were evaluated. The thyroxine(T4) level in initially diagnosed breast cancer patients were significantly higher than those in benign breast diseases patients (7.68±1.51 vs 7.29±1.52ug/dl, p<0.001), while the TSH levels were slightly lower than in benign breast diseases patients(3.23±4.59 vs 3.60±6.74uIU/ml, p=0.302). The overall incidence of hypothyroidism in initially diagnosed breast cancer and benign breast diseases patients were 28.65% and 32.74%(p=0.195). During chemotherapy, the T4(7.08±1.69ug/dl), fT3(2.87±0.48pg/ml) and fT4(0.83±0.15ng/dl) levels were significantly lower than in initially diagnosed breast cancer patients(7.68±1.51ug/dl, 3.07±0.50pg/ml, 0.88±0.20ng/dl, p<0.05). The incidence of thyroid nodules in initially diagnosed breast cancer patients, benign breast diseases patients and healthy population were 56.17%, 43.64%, 34.49%(p<0.001). The incidence of TI-RADS≥4 TN in initially diagnosed breast cancer patients and benign breast diseases patients were significantly higher than in normal population(7.27% vs 9.45% vs 2.87%, p<0.001). The incidence of TI-RADS≥4 thyroid nodules in breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy was significantly higher than in initially diagnosed breast cancer patients(11.71% vs 7.27%, p<0.05). These data indicate that the incidence of thyroid disease in breast disease patients is higher than in normal population in China, and the breast diseases, especially breast cancer, might be related to the high incidence of thyroid nodules.

Hepatitis B virus reactivation and antiviral prophylaxis during lung cancer chemotherapy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Antiviral drugs have been recommended as prophylaxis for the reactivation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. However, screening and antiviral prophylaxis for lung cancer remain controversial because of insufficient evidence. PURPOSE: In this study, we investigate the absolute risk for HBV reactivation and the prophylactic effects of antiviral drugs in hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive lung cancer patients during chemotherapy. METHODS: We searched Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane, Web of Science and SinoMed from inception until 28 November 2016, and identified all potential relevant references with or without prophylactic use of antiviral therapy in HBsAg-positive lung cancer patients during chemotherapy. The primary outcome was the incidence of HBV reactivation, the secondary outcomes were the incidence of hepatitis, chemotherapy disruption and mortality. RESULTS: Eleven studies involving 794 patients were analyzed. The incidences of HBV reactivation in control group and antiviral prophylaxis group ranged from 0% to 38% (median, 21%, 95% CI: 0.17-0.25) and 0% to 7% (median, 4%, 95% CI: 0.02-0.06), respectively. Antiviral prophylaxis had significantly reduced the risk for HBV reactivation (RR, 0.22 [95% CI: 0.13-0.37], p< 0.0001), hepatitis (RR, 0.35 [95% CI: 0.22-0.56], p<0.0001) and chemotherapy disruption (RR: 0.29 [95% CI, 0.15-0.55], p<0.0002) compared to those without antiviral prophylaxis. There was no significant heterogeneity in the comparisons, and a fixed-model was used. CONCLUSION: The risks of HBV reactivation and relevant complications are high in HBsAg-positive lung cancer patients receiving chemotherapy, and available evidences support HBV screening for antiviral prophylaxis before initiation of chemotherapy for lung cancer patients.