TRACEBACK: Testing of Historical Tubo-Ovarian Cancer Patients for Hereditary Risk Genes as a Cancer Prevention Strategy in Family Members.

PURPOSE: Tubo-ovarian cancer (TOC) is a sentinel cancer for BRCA1 and BRCA2 pathogenic variants (PVs). Identification of a PV in the first member of a family at increased genetic risk (the proband) provides opportunities for cancer prevention in other at-risk family members. Although Australian testing rates are now high, PVs in patients with TOC whose diagnosis predated revised testing guidelines might have been missed. We assessed the feasibility of detecting PVs in this population to enable genetic risk reduction in relatives. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this pilot study, deceased probands were ascertained from research cohort studies, identification by a relative, and gynecologic oncology clinics. DNA was extracted from archival tissue or stored blood for panel sequencing of 10 risk-associated genes. Testing of deceased probands ascertained through clinic records was performed with a consent waiver. RESULTS: We identified 85 PVs in 84 of 787 (11%) probands. Familial contacts of 39 of 60 (65%) deceased probands with an identified recipient (60 of 84; 71%) have received a written notification of results, with follow-up verbal contact made in 85% (33 of 39). A minority of families (n = 4) were already aware of the PV. For many (29 of 33; 88%), the genetic result provided new information and referral to a genetic service was accepted in most cases (66%; 19 of 29). Those who declined referral (4 of 29) were all male next of kin whose family member had died more than 10 years before. CONCLUSION: We overcame ethical and logistic challenges to demonstrate that retrospective genetic testing to identify PVs in previously untested deceased probands with TOC is feasible. Understanding reasons for a family member's decision to accept or decline a referral will be important for guiding future TRACEBACK projects.

Graphene Field Effect Transistors: A Sensitive Platform for Detecting Sarin.

Real time, rapid, and accurate detection of chemical warfare agents (CWA) is an ongoing security challenge. Typical detection methods for CWA are adapted from traditional chemistry techniques such as chromatography and mass spectrometry, which lack portability. Here, we address this challenge by evaluating graphene field effect transistors (GFETs) as a sensing platform for sarin gas using both experiment and theory. Experimentally, we measure the sensing response of GFETs when exposed to dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP), a less toxic compound used as simulant due to its chemical similarities to sarin. We find low detection limits of 800 ppb, the highest sensitivity reported up to date for this type of sensing platform. In addition to changes in resistance, we implement an in-operando monitor of the GFETs characteristics during and after exposure to the analyte, which gives insights into the graphene-DMMP interactions. Moreover, using theoretical calculations, we show that DMMP and sarin interact similarly with graphene, implying that GFETs should be highly sensitive to detecting sarin. GFETs offer a versatile platform for the development of compact and miniaturized devices that can provide real-time detection of dangerous chemicals in the local environment.

UV Illumination as a Method to Improve the Performance of Gas Sensors Based on Graphene Field-Effect Transistors.

The ability to detect and recognize airborne chemical species is essential to enable applications in security, health, and environmental monitoring. Here, we report a sensing platform based on graphene field-effect transistor (GFET) devices combined with optical illumination for the detection of volatile compounds. We compare the change in resistance of GFET sensors upon exposure to analytes such as ethanol, dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP), and water vapors with and without the presence of a local illuminating ultraviolet (UV) light-emitting diode (LED). Our results show that UV illumination acts as a control knob for the electronic transport properties of graphene, increasing the device's response to ethanol, water, and DMMP, up to a factor of 54, and enabling ppb-level detection of DMMP at 800 ppb without chemical functionalization of the graphene layer. The sensing response can be optimized to reveal an analyte-specific interplay between the induced changes in carrier concentration and mobility of the GFET. These findings provide a pathway to enhancing the sensitivity of GFET sensors and a differentiation channel to improve their selectivity.

Functionalized Graphene Surfaces for Selective Gas Sensing.

Environmental monitoring through gas sensors is paramount for the safety and security of industrial workers and for ecological protection. Graphene is among the most promising materials considered for next-generation gas sensing due to its properties such as mechanical strength and flexibility, high surface-to-volume ratio, large conductivity, and low electrical noise. While gas sensors based on graphene devices have already demonstrated high sensitivity, one of the most important figures of merit, selectivity, remains a challenge. In the past few years, however, surface functionalization emerged as a potential route to achieve selectivity. This review surveys the recent advances in the fabrication and characterization of graphene and reduced graphene oxide gas sensors chemically functionalized with aromatic molecules and polymers with the goal of improving selectivity toward specific gases as well as overall sensor performance.

Antibiotic treatment for ocular toxoplasmosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis: study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Ocular toxoplasmosis (OT) is the most common cause of posterior uveitis, leading to visual impairment in a high proportion of patients. Antibiotics and corticosteroids lower the risk of permanent visual impairment by reducing the size of the retinochoroidal scar, the risk of recurrence, and the severity and duration of acute symptoms. Although OT is a very common cause of infectious posterior uveitis, its treatment remains controversial. Through our systematic review and meta-analysis, we aim to provide the best possible evidence-based information on the safety and effectiveness of the different antibiotic regimes for OT. METHODS: This systematic review protocol has been developed based on PRISMA-P guidelines for reporting systematic reviews evaluating health care interventions. We will include all published and unpublished randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing different antibiotics used for the treatment of OT. We will consider changes in visual acuity, number of recurrences, improvement or worsening of ocular inflammation, size of lesion, and adverse effects as our outcomes. Screening, data extraction, and quality assessment will be undertaken by two reviewers with disagreements resolved through discussion. Studies that compared antibiotics with placebo will be excluded. The reviews will be assessed for quality and relevance. We will assess the risk of bias in five domains according to Cochrane group's tool. The type of data will dictate measures of treatment effect. We will use a random-effects model to calculate our meta-analysis, as eligible studies represent clinically varied populations of participants. DISCUSSION: The strength of our study will lie in the exhaustive and systematic nature of the literature search, as well as in its methods for assessing quality and analyzing RCT data. Considering the controversial efficacy of the treatment for OT, our study will contribute to improving the existing evidence on the effectiveness of different antibiotics. Future studies may be conducted to increase physicians' awareness of antibiotic therapies, improving the health of patients with OT. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42018085468.

One-step nondestructive functionalization of graphene oxide paper with amines.

Direct functionalization of prefabricated free-standing graphene oxide paper (GOP) is the only approach suitable for systematic tuning of its mechanical, thermal and electronic characteristics. However, the traditional liquid-phase functionalization can compromise physical integrity of the paper-like material up to its total disintegration. In the present paper, we attempted to apply an alternative, solvent-free strategy for facile and nondestructive functionalization of GOP with 1-octadecylamine (ODA) and 1,12-diaminododecane (DAD) as representatives of aliphatic amines, and with 1-aminopyrene (AP) and 1,5-diaminonaphthalene (DAN) as examples of aromatic amines. The functionalization can be carried out under moderate heating at 150-180 °C for 2 h in vacuum, and proceeds through both amidation and epoxy ring opening reactions. Comparative characterization of pristine and amine-modified GOP samples was carried out by means of Fourier-transform infrared, Raman, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis, scanning electron and atomic force microscopy. In addition, we compared stability in water, wettability, electrical conductivity and elastic (Young's) modulus of GOP samples before and after functionalization. The highest content of amine species was obtained in the case of GOP-ODA, followed by GOP-DAD, GOP-AP and GOP-DAN. The functionalization increased mechanical and thermal stability, as well as the electrical conductivity of GOP. The magnitude of each effect depends on the structure of amine employed, which allows for tuning a given GOP characteristic. Morphological characterization showed that, compared to pristine graphene oxide paper, amine-modified mats become relatively ordered layered structures, in which individual GO sheets are organized in a near-parallel fashion.

Impacto en la salud y el medio ambiente por exposición a plaguicidas e implementación de buenas prácticas agrícolas en el cultivo de tomate, Colombia, 2011 / Impact on health and environment of exposure to pesticides and implementation of best agricultural practices in tomato production, Colombia, 2011

Objetivo: describir los posibles efectos adversos en salud y medio ambiente por el uso de plaguicidas en zonas productoras de Colombia e implementar las buenas prácticas agrícolas (BPA) en el cultivo de tomate. Material y método: se realizó un estudio descriptivo en el municipio de La Merced-Caldas con tres fases: una de diagnóstico, donde se seleccionaron 132 trabajadores del sector agrícola y se recolectaron muestras biológicas y ambientales. Una segunda fase de intervención en la cual se incluyeron 5 parcelas, en estas se implementaron las (BPA) y una fase de evaluación de estas parcelas. Se llevó a cabo análisis simple de las variables y se exploraron posibles asociaciones. Resultados: el tiempo de exposición a plaguicidas en promedio fue de nueve años. Con mayor frecuencia el sistema nervioso central (95,5 por ciento) fue el más afectado; seguido por órganos de los sentidos (46,2 por ciento); sistema digestivo (33,3 por ciento ); piel (21,2 por ciento) y otros (19,7 por ciento). Se encontraron niveles de organoclorados en el 97,0 por ciento (128), inhibición de la enzima acetilcolinesterasa en el 34,1 por ciento (45) de los participantes y ningún nivel del metabolito etilentiourea. En las muestras ambientales se hallaron niveles de organofosforados en tomate y suelo. En el agua y lodo se detectaron niveles de organoclorados. La producción de tomate, mostró una diferencia estadísticamente significativa entre las parcelas con BPA y las tradicionales (p=0,020). Conclusiones: se evidenciaron los riesgos por uso de plaguicidas y la necesidad de fortalecer la vigilancia sobre los potenciales efectos para la salud que pueden producir los plaguicidas y mediante el empleo de las BPA.

Objective: Describe the possible adverse effects on population health and environment due to pesticide use in agricultural zones in Colombia, and implement the best agricultural practices (BAP) in tomato production. Materials and methods: A descript intoxicative study was carried out in the municipality of Merced-Caldas, consisting in three phases: a diagnostic phase, in which environmental and biological samples were collected, using a sample of 132 agricultural workers. In a second phase, BAP were implemented, and in the third phase, the results were evaluated. A univariate analysis was completed and posible associations were explored. Results: Average length of exposure to pesticides was 9 years. The central nervous system was the most affected (95.5 percent), followed by sensory organs (46.2 percent ), the digestive system (33.3 percent ), skin (21.2 percent) and others (19.7 percent). Organoclorides were found in 97.0 percent (128), inhibition of acetylcholinesterase enzyme was found in 43.1 percent (45); no metabolite ethylenethiourea was found. In the environmental samples, presence of organophosphates was found in tomatoes and soil. In water and mud samples, organochlorides were found. There was a statistically significant difference between BPA farms and traditional farms. (p=0,020). Conclusions: Risks due to pesticide use were demonstrated, and the need to strengthen vigilance on the potential effects of pesticide use.