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1.
Acta Cytol ; : 1-9, 2024 Apr 22.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38648759

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Digitizing cytology slides presents challenges because of their three-dimensional features and uneven cell distribution. While multi-Z-plane scan is a prevalent solution, its adoption in clinical digital cytopathology is hindered by prolonged scanning times, increased image file sizes, and the requirement for cytopathologists to review multiple Z-plane images. METHODS: This study presents heuristic scan as a novel solution, using an artificial intelligence (AI)-based approach specifically designed for cytology slide scanning as an alternative to the multi-Z-plane scan. Both the 21 Z-plane scan and the heuristic scan simulation methods were used on 52 urine cytology slides from three distinct cytopreparations (Cytospin, ThinPrep, and BD CytoRich™ [SurePath]), generating whole-slide images (WSIs) via the Leica Aperio AT2 digital scanner. The AI algorithm inferred the WSI from 21 Z-planes to quantitate the total number of suspicious for high-grade urothelial carcinoma or more severe cells (SHGUC+) cells. The heuristic scan simulation calculated the total number of SHGUC+ cells from the 21 Z-plane scan data. Performance metrics including SHGUC+ cell coverage rates (calculated by dividing the number of SHGUC+ cells identified in multiple Z-planes or heuristic scan simulation by the total SHGUC+ cells in the 21 Z-planes for each WSI), scanning time, and file size were analyzed to compare the performance of each scanning method. The heuristic scan's metrics were linearly estimated from the 21 Z-plane scan data. Additionally, AI-aided interpretations of WSIs with scant SHGUC+ cells followed The Paris System guidelines and were compared with original diagnoses. RESULTS: The heuristic scan achieved median SHGUC+ cell coverage rates similar to 5 Z-plane scans across three cytopreparations (0.78-0.91 vs. 0.75-0.88, p = 0.451-0.578). Notably, it substantially reduced both scanning time (137.2-635.0 s vs. 332.6-1,278.8 s, p < 0.05) and image file size (0.51-2.10 GB vs. 1.16-3.10 GB, p < 0.05). Importantly, the heuristic scan yielded higher rates of accurate AI-aided interpretations compared to the single Z-plane scan (62.5% vs. 37.5%). CONCLUSION: We demonstrated that the heuristic scan offers a cost-effective alternative to the conventional multi-Z-plane scan in digital cytopathology. It achieves comparable SHGUC+ cell capture rates while reducing both scanning time and image file size, promising to aid digital urine cytology interpretations with a higher accuracy rate compared to the conventional single (optimal) plane scan. Further studies are needed to assess the integration of this new technology into compatible digital scanners for practical cytology slide scanning.

2.
BMC Psychiatry ; 23(1): 736, 2023 10 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37817111

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: It is unclear to familial screen time in early childhood is associated with the subsequent diagnosis of attention-deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Our study is to evaluate the association between screen time during early childhood in families and the incidence of ADHD. METHODS: We conducted a population-based birth cohort study by using the Taiwan Birth Cohort Study, which recruited 24 200 mother-child pairs when children were 6 months old. Screen time exposure for children and parents were collected at the age of 18 and 36 months. Whether the child has ever been diagnosed with ADHD was determined at a follow-up interview at age 8. Factors including socioeconomic factors and screen time were analyzed using logistic regression to determine their association with the rate of ADHD. RESULTS: A total of 16 651 term singletons were included in the final analysis. Of them, 382 (2.3%) were diagnosed as having ADHD before the age of 8 years. No significant relationship between children's or fathers' screen time and ADHD was noted. When compared to children whose mothers spent less time on screens, those whose mothers spent more than 3 h a day on screens when the child was 3 years old exhibited a higher incidence of ADHD (adjusted OR [aOR]: 1.31, 95% CI: 1.03-1.66). CONCLUSION: Higher maternal screen time when the child was 3 years old was associated with an increased incidence of ADHD in this population-based study. However, children's screen time did not find related to ADHD. We found that it was the mother's screen time, who typically serves as the primary caregiver in our study participants, not the child's, that mattered. In addition to superficial screen use time, future research is needed to replicate the findings and clarify mechanisms underlying this association.


Subject(s)
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity , Female , Humans , Child, Preschool , Child , Infant , Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity/diagnosis , Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity/epidemiology , Cohort Studies , Prospective Studies , Taiwan/epidemiology , Screen Time , Mothers
3.
Sci Rep ; 9(1): 14771, 2019 10 14.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31611585

ABSTRACT

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has become a major issue in long-term healthcare. It is caused by recurrent kidney injury, which is possible induced by dehydration and heat stress. Therefore, it is important to access the dehydration diagnosis on fields. Conventional instruments for assessing dehydration from blood and urine samples are expensive and time-consuming. These disadvantages limit their applications in high-risk groups susceptible to kidney disease. To address this unmet need, this study presents a portable miniaturized device for dehydration diagnosis with clinical saliva samples. With co-plane coating-free gold electrodes, the dehydration diagnosis was achieved with a saliva specimen at low volumes (50-500 µL). To examine the characteristics, the developed device was assessed by using standard conductivity solutions and the examined variation was <5%. To validate the use for field applications, saliva samples were measured by the developed device and the measured results were compared with standard markers of serum osmolality (N = 30). These data indicate that the measured saliva conductivity is consistent with serum osmolality. And it shows significant difference between healthy adults and healthy farmers (p < 0.05), who typically suffer high risks of CKD. Based on this work, the proposed device and measurement offer a useful method to diagnosis dehydrations and indicate possible potential for CKD.


Subject(s)
Dehydration/diagnosis , Saliva/chemistry , Electric Conductivity , Electrochemical Techniques/instrumentation , Electrodes , Equipment Design , Humans , Kidney/pathology , Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/diagnosis
4.
Anal Bioanal Chem ; 408(17): 4785-97, 2016 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27137518

ABSTRACT

Detection of tumor-related proteins with high specificity and sensitivity is important for early diagnosis and prognosis of cancers. While protein sensors based on antibodies are not easy to keep for a long time, aptamers (single-stranded DNA) are found to be a good alternative for recognizing tumor-related protein specifically. This study investigates the feasibility of employing aptamers to recognize the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) specifically and subsequently triggering rolling circle amplification (RCA) of DNAs on extended-gate field-effect transistors (EGFETs) to enhance the sensitivity. The EGFETs are fabricated by the standard CMOS technology and integrated with readout circuits monolithically. The monolithic integration not only avoids the wiring complexity for a large sensor array but also enhances the sensor reliability and facilitates massive production for commercialization. With the RCA primers immobilized on the sensory surface, the protein signal is amplified as the elongation of DNA, allowing the EGFET to achieve a sensitivity of 8.8 pM, more than three orders better than that achieved by conventional EGFETs. Moreover, the responses of EGFETs are able to indicate quantitatively the reaction rates of RCA, facilitating the estimation on the protein concentration. Our experimental results demonstrate that immobilized RCA on EGFETs is a useful, label-free method for early diagnosis of diseases related to low-concentrated tumor makers (e.g., PDGF) for serum sample, as well as for monitoring the synthesis of various DNA nanostructures in real time. Graphical Abstract The tumor-related protein, PDGF, is detected by immobilizing rolling circle amplification on an EGFET with integrated readout circuit.


Subject(s)
Biosensing Techniques/instrumentation , Platelet-Derived Growth Factor/analysis , Transistors, Electronic , Humans , Reproducibility of Results
5.
J Lab Autom ; 21(4): 548-56, 2016 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26882924

ABSTRACT

Introducing functional macromolecules into a variety of living cells is challenging but important for biology research and cell-based therapies. We report a novel cell delivery platform based on rotating shape anisotropic magnetic particles (SAMPs), which make very small cuts on cell membranes for macromolecule delivery with high efficiency and high survivability. SAMP delivery is performed by placing commercially available nickel powder onto cells grown in standard cell culture dishes. Application of a uniform magnetic field causes the magnetic particles to rotate because of mechanical torques induced by shape anisotropic magnetization. Cells touching these rotating particles are nicked, which generates transient membrane pores that enable the delivery of macromolecules into the cytosol of cells. Calcein dye, 3 and 40 kDa dextran polymers, a green fluorescence protein (GFP) plasmid, siRNA, and an enzyme (ß-lactamase) were successfully delivered into HeLa cells, primary normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDFs), and mouse cortical neurons that can be difficult to transfect. The SAMP approach offers several advantages, including easy implementation, low cost, high throughput, and efficient delivery of a broad range of macromolecules. Collectively, SAMP delivery has great potential for a broad range of academic and industrial applications.


Subject(s)
Cell Membrane/metabolism , Drug Delivery Systems/methods , Macromolecular Substances/metabolism , Magnetics/methods , Animals , Cells, Cultured , Genetic Therapy/methods , Humans , Mice , Transfection/methods
6.
Int J Pharm ; 463(2): 177-83, 2014 Mar 25.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23968784

ABSTRACT

Biomimetic materials are used for creating microsystems to control cell growth spatially and elicit specific cellular responses by combining complex biomolecules with nanostructured surfaces. Intercellular cell-to-cell and cell-to-extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions in biomimetic materials have demonstrated potential in the development of drug discovery platforms and regeneration medicine. In this study, we developed a biomimetic nanostructured matrix by using various ECM molecular layers to create a biomimetic and biocompatible environment for realizing neuronal guidance in neural regeneration medicine. Silicon-based substrates possessing nanostructures were modified using different ECM proteins and peptides to develop a biomimetic and biocompatible environment for studying neural behaviors in adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. The substrates were flat glass, flat silicon wafers (FWs), and nanorod-structured wafers prepared using wet etching. The three substrates were then functionalized using laminin-1 peptide, PA22-2-contained active isoleucine-lysine-valine-alanine-valine (IKVAV) peptide, and poly-d-lysine (PDL), separately. When PC12 cells were cultured and differentiated on the modified substrates, the cells were able to elongate the neurites on the glass and FW, which was coated with three types of peptide. More differentiated neurons were observed on the nanorod-structured wafers coated with laminin than on those coated with IKVAV or PDL. For achieving directional guidance of neurite outgrowth, substrates exhibiting a grating pattern of nanorods were partially collapsed by the pulling force of water, leaving few nanorods, which support the net form of laminin on the surface. Furthermore, we fabricated the topological nanostructure-patterned wafer coated with laminin and successfully manipulated the extension and direction of neurites by using more than 80 µm of a single soma. This approach demonstrates potential as a facile and efficient method for guiding the direction of single axons and for enhancing neurite outgrowth in studies on nerve regenerative medicine.


Subject(s)
Biomimetic Materials/chemistry , Nanotubes/chemistry , Nerve Regeneration , Silicon/chemistry , Animals , Extracellular Matrix , Laminin/chemistry , Microscopy, Electron, Scanning , Microscopy, Fluorescence , Nanotubes/ultrastructure , PC12 Cells , Peptide Fragments/chemistry , Polylysine/chemistry , Rats
7.
PLoS One ; 7(11): e49329, 2012.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23226207

ABSTRACT

Macroporous chitosan spheres encapsulating superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles were synthesized by a facile and effective one-step fabrication process. Ferro-gels containing ferrous cations, ferric cations and chitosan were dropped into a sodium hydroxide solution through a syringe pump. In addition, a sodium hydroxide solution was employed for both gelation (chitosan) and co-precipitation (ferrous cations and ferric cations) of the ferro-gels. The results showed that the in-situ co-precipitation of ferro-ions gave rise to a radial morphology with non-spheroid macro pores (large cavities) inside the chitosan spheres. The particle size of iron oxide can be adjusted from 2.5 nm to 5.4 nm by tuning the concentration of the sodium hydroxide solution. Using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction spectra, the synthesized nanoparticles were illustrated as Fe(3)O(4) nanoparticles. In addition, the prepared macroporous chitosan spheres presented a super-paramagnetic behaviour at room temperature with a saturation magnetization value as high as ca. 18 emu/g. The cytotoxicity was estimated using cell viability by incubating doses (0∼1000 µg/mL) of the macroporous chitosan spheres. The result showed good viability (above 80%) with alginate chitosan particles below 1000 µg/mL, indicating that macroporous chitosan spheres were potentially useful for biomedical applications in the future.


Subject(s)
Biocompatible Materials/chemical synthesis , Chitosan/chemistry , Ferrosoferric Oxide/chemistry , Nanoparticles/chemistry , Alginates/chemistry , Biocompatible Materials/pharmacology , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Survival/drug effects , Drug Compounding , Female , Gels , Glucuronic Acid/chemistry , Hexuronic Acids/chemistry , Humans , Magnets , Microscopy, Electron, Transmission , Microspheres , Nanoparticles/ultrastructure , Particle Size , Porosity , Sodium Hydroxide/chemistry , Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared , Temperature , X-Ray Diffraction
8.
Chem Commun (Camb) ; 48(40): 4902-4, 2012 May 18.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22499154

ABSTRACT

Single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) with repetitive sequence was demonstrated to be a versatile nanotemplate for introducing biological activity in a self-assembled manner. Re-functionalization and rejuvenation of the ssDNA nanotemplate were achieved under mild biological conditions without using high temperature and strong alkaline treatment to denature DNA.


Subject(s)
DNA, Single-Stranded/chemistry , Nanostructures/chemistry , Biotin/chemistry , Biotin/metabolism , Horseradish Peroxidase/metabolism , Nanotechnology , Nucleic Acid Denaturation , Silicon/chemistry , Temperature
9.
Acta Vet Scand ; 52: 27, 2010 Apr 24.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20416095

ABSTRACT

Canine babesiosis is an important worldwide, tick-borne disease caused by hemoprotozoan parasites of the genus Babesia. Babesia gibsoni is the predominant species that causes canine babesiosis in Taipei, Taiwan. It is a small pleomorphic intraerythrocytic parasite that can cause erythrocyte destruction and hemolytic anemia. Efficacy of oral administration of a doxycycline-enrofloxacin-metronidazole combination with and without injections of diminazene diaceturate in the management of naturally occurring canine babesiosis caused by B. gibsoni was evaluated retrospectively. The overall efficacy of this combination of doxycycline-enrofloxacin-metronidazole in conjunction with and without administration of diminazene diaceturate was 85.7% and 83.3%, respectively; with a mean recovery time of 24.2 and 23.5 days, respectively. Concomitant use of intramuscular diminazene diaceturate may not improve the efficacy of a doxycycline-enrofloxacin-metronidazole combination in management of canine babesiosis caused by B. gibsoni.


Subject(s)
Antiprotozoal Agents/therapeutic use , Babesia/growth & development , Babesiosis/veterinary , Dog Diseases/parasitology , Tick-Borne Diseases/veterinary , Animals , Babesiosis/drug therapy , Babesiosis/parasitology , Diminazene/analogs & derivatives , Diminazene/therapeutic use , Dog Diseases/drug therapy , Dogs , Doxycycline/therapeutic use , Drug Therapy, Combination , Enrofloxacin , Female , Fluoroquinolones/therapeutic use , Male , Metronidazole/therapeutic use , Retrospective Studies , Taiwan , Tick-Borne Diseases/drug therapy , Tick-Borne Diseases/parasitology
10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17282234

ABSTRACT

A droplet-based microfluidic system was developed for biochemical assays of triglycerides and methanol as potential applications in medical rapid diagnostics and food safety. We present a novel platform to manipulate biology reaction droplets with features of self-moving, self-mixing, and self-positioning toward the detection spot. The driving force comes from the gradient of surface tension force generated by the hydrophobic microtexture PDMS surface. We also demonstrate the experiments in water, and blood droplets running uphill to overcome the gravity. These findings support the ongoing works to develop the multifunctional biosensors in medicine and food safety.

11.
Synapse ; 45(4): 230-44, 2002 Sep 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-12125044

ABSTRACT

To determine if D(2) dopamine receptor-mediated nuclear signaling is altered during the development of amphetamine sensitization, we examined the expression of immediate-early gene (IEG) products, Fos, Jun, and Fos-related antigen (FRA), in both controls and amphetamine-sensitized rats after a challenge with the D(2) antagonist haloperidol. When chronic saline- or amphetamine (5 mg/kg, i.p. for 14 days)-treated rats were challenged with 2 mg/kg haloperidol at withdrawal day 3 (w3), more 35-kDa FRA was induced in the ventral striatum of the control group than in the amphetamine-treated rats. In contrast, more Jun and 35-kDa FRA were expressed in the ventral striatum of the amphetamine-treated group than in the controls when haloperidol was given at w10. Topographical analyses indicate that the decrease in FRA immunoreactive neuronal density in amphetamine-treated rats at w3 were located in the dorsolateral caudate/putamen and the nucleus accumbens shell and core subregions. Conversely, the increase in Jun-immunoreactive neurons in amphetamine-treated rats at w10 was observed in the dorsolateral caudate/putamen; in the case of the FRAs, the increase was observed in the nucleus accumbens shell. In addition, the time-dependent profile of IEG expression paralleled the activation of an upstream regulator, cAMP-response element binding protein, in the ventral striatum after haloperidol treatment. These neurochemical changes may be associated with behavioral plasticity, since amphetamine-treated rats displayed a lower amount of locomotor activity when exposed to a novel environment at w3, but had recovered at w10. Overall, the current study reveals that there is a distinct temporal and spatial profile of haloperidol-induced IEG expression and/or CREB phosphorylation in amphetamine-treated rats, suggesting that there is a critical transition between the early and late withdrawal periods.


Subject(s)
Amphetamine/pharmacology , Basal Ganglia/drug effects , Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein/metabolism , Dopamine Antagonists/pharmacology , Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors/pharmacology , Haloperidol/pharmacology , Amphetamine-Related Disorders/physiopathology , Animals , Basal Ganglia/chemistry , Basal Ganglia/metabolism , Gene Expression Regulation/drug effects , Genes, Immediate-Early/drug effects , Immunohistochemistry , Male , Neuronal Plasticity/drug effects , Phosphorylation , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos/analysis , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos/genetics , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun/analysis , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun/genetics , RNA, Messenger/analysis , Rats , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , Receptors, Dopamine D2/analysis , Receptors, Dopamine D2/metabolism , Sodium Chloride/pharmacology , Substance Withdrawal Syndrome/physiopathology , Transcription Factor AP-1/metabolism
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