New generation of electrochemical immunoassay based on polymeric nanoparticles for early detection of breast cancer.

Screening and early diagnosis are the key factors for the reduction of mortality rate and treatment cost of cancer. Therefore, sensitive and selective methods that can reveal the low abundance of cancer biomarkers in a biological sample are always desired. Here, we report the development of a novel electrochemical biosensor for early detection of breast cancer by using bioconjugated self-assembled pH-responsive polymeric micelles. The micelles were loaded with ferrocene molecules as "tracers" to specifically target cell surface-associated epithelial mucin (MUC1), a biomarker for breast and other solid carcinoma. The synthesis of target-specific, ferrocene-loaded polymeric micelles was confirmed, and the resulting sensor was capable of detecting the presence of MUC1 in a sample containing about 10 cells/mL. Such a high sensitivity was achieved by maximizing the loading capacity of ferrocene inside the polymeric micelles. Every single event of binding between the antibody and antigen was represented by the signal of hundreds of thousands of ferrocene molecules that were released from the polymeric micelles. This resulted in a significant increase in the intensity of the ferrocene signal detected by cyclic voltammetry.

Assessment of natural radioactivity and gamma-ray dose in monazite rich black Sand Beach of Penang Island, Malaysia.

Activity concentrations of primordial radionuclides in sand samples collected from the coastal beaches surrounding Penang Island have been measured using conventional γ-ray spectrometry, while in-situ γ-ray doses have been measured through use of a portable radiation survey meter. The mean activity concentrations for 226Ra, 232Th and 40K at different locations were found to be less than the world average values, while the Miami Bay values for 226Ra and 232Th were found to be greater, at 1023±47 and 2086±96Bqkg̶ 1 respectively. The main contributor to radionuclide enrichment in Miami Bay is the presence of monazite-rich black sands. The measured data were compared against literature values and also recommended limits set by the relevant international bodies. With the exception of Miami Bay, considered an elevated background radiation area that would benefit from regular monitoring, Penang island beach sands typically pose no significant radiological risk to the local populace and tourists visiting the leisure beaches.

Efficiency Calibration for Environmental Gamma Spectrometry Using GATE.

This work investigated the utility of performing efficiency calibration for environmental gamma spectrometry using the Monte Carlo based, free of charge GATE toolbox. The validity of this approach was tested by comparing output efficiency values of an in-house developed GATE-based program with experimental measurements covering various geometries and primary photon energies. The results of this comparison revealed relative deviations within ±20%, thus validating the employed computational approach. Moreover, the GATE-based method was able to predict quantities that are generally difficult to measure experimentally, such as the number of interactions preceding full energy absorption. These computationally obtained predictions were found to be in agreement with theory.

Evaluation of radionuclides transfer from soil-to-edible flora and estimation of radiological dose to the Malaysian populace.

Malaysia, a rapidly growing industrial country, is susceptible to pollution via large-scale industrial engagements and associated human activities. One particular concern is the potential impact upon the quality of locally resourced vegetables, foodstuffs that contain important nutrients necessary for good health, forming an essential part of the Malaysian diet. As a part of this, it is of importance for there to be accurate knowledge of radioactive material uptake in these vegetables, not least in respect of any public health detriment. Herein, using HPGe γ-ray spectrometry, quantification has been performed of naturally occurring radionuclides in common edible vegetables and their associated soils. From samples analyses, the soil activity concentration ranges (in units of Bq/kg) for (226)Ra, (232)Th and (40)K were respectively 1.33-30.90, 0.48-26.80, 7.99-136.5 while in vegetable samples the ranges were 0.64-3.80, 0.21-6.91, 85.53-463.8. Using the corresponding activities, the transfer factors (TFs) from soil-to-vegetables were estimated, the transfers being greatest for (40)K, an expected outcome given the essentiality of this element in support of vigorous growth. The TFs of (226)Ra and (232)Th were found to be in accord with available literature data, the values indicating the mobility of these radionuclides to be low in the studied soils. Committed effective dose and the associated life-time cancer risk was estimated, being found to be below the permissible limit proposed by UNSCEAR. Results for the studied media show that the prevalent activities and mobilities pose no significant threat to human health, the edible vegetables being safe for consumption.

Long-lived gamma emitting radionuclides in palm dates and estimates of annual effective doses.

An investigation of long-lived gamma emitting radionuclides in palm dates was performed. The palm date samples originated from eight countries, namely India, Iran, Jordan, Libya, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, and the United Arab Emirates. Among the samples were the palm date types Sukari, Wanana, Umkhuber, Rashudiya, Libana, Madjool, Gumaizi, Anbar, Braim, Ajwa, Khadri, Munafee, Mabroom, Daglanoor, Sulag, and Khalas. Gamma spectrometry revealed activity concentrations of (AVG ± STD) 0.983 ± 0.457, 0.469 ± 0.229, and 287.078 ± 41.871 Bq kg(-1) dry weight for 226Ra, 228Ra, and 40K, respectively. Annual average effective dose was estimated to be 32 µSv from the consumption of palm dates. Comparing these findings with values reported in the literature, it was concluded that consumption of palm dates is safe for the presence of the investigated radionuclides.

GEANT4 calibration of gamma spectrometry efficiency for measurements of airborne radioactivity on filter paper.

A simple method of efficiency calibration for gamma spectrometry was performed. This method, which focused on measuring airborne radioactivity collected on filter paper, was based on Monte Carlo simulations using the toolkit GEANT4. Experimentally, the efficiency values of an HPGe detector were calculated for a multi-gamma disk source. These efficiency values were compared to their counterparts produced by a computer code that simulated experimental conditions. Such comparison revealed biases of 24, 10, 1, 3, 7, and 3% for the radionuclides (photon energies in keV) of Ce (166), Sn (392), Cs (662), Co (1,173), Co (1,333), and Y (1,836), respectively. The output of the simulation code was in acceptable agreement with the experimental findings, thus validating the proposed method.

Long lived gamma emitting radionuclides in incense.

A study of long-lived gamma emitters in incense was performed. The incense samples originated from seven different countries, and the investigated radionuclides were Ra, Ra, and K. Gamma spectroscopy revealed the presence of all three investigated radionuclides in all samples. Interestingly, the activity concentrations revealed a clear bimodal distribution that distinguished samples that were natural incense from others that were processed incense. The activity concentrations in the latter group were found to be one order of magnitude greater than in the former group. Consequently, the estimated annual effective dose from the latter group was one order of magnitude higher than that of the former group. Nonetheless, the doses from both groups were found to be some three orders of magnitude less than the average worldwide exposure to inhaled natural radionuclides. This finding suggests the radiological safety of incense for the investigated radionuclides.

Investigation of 238U content in bottled water consumed in Kuwait and estimates of annual effective doses.

A study of the 238U content in bottled water consumed in Kuwait was performed. The bottled water samples originated from 16 different countries. Of the 41 investigated samples, 238U was detected in 23 samples in which the radionuclide's activity was determined. Consequently, it was found that activity levels of all samples were several of orders of magnitude below the guidance limits. Moreover, annual effective doses were estimated for three age groups, namely adults, children, and infants. As a result, it was found that the doses received by all age groups were several of orders of magnitude below the guideline levels. Hence, consumption of bottled water sold in Kuwait is safe for the presence of 238U.

A model-based time-reversal of left ventricular motion improves cardiac motion analysis using tagged MRI data.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial motion is an important observable for the assessment of heart condition. Accurate estimates of ventricular (LV) wall motion are required for quantifying myocardial deformation and assessing local tissue function and viability. Harmonic Phase (HARP) analysis was developed for measuring regional LV motion using tagged magnetic resonance imaging (tMRI) data. With current computer-aided postprocessing tools including HARP analysis, large motions experienced by myocardial tissue are, however, often intractable to measure. This paper addresses this issue and provides a solution to make such measurements possible. METHODS: To improve the estimation performance of large cardiac motions while analyzing tMRI data sets, we propose a two-step solution. The first step involves constructing a model to describe average systolic motion of the LV wall within a subject group. The second step involves time-reversal of the model applied as a spatial coordinate transformation to digitally relax the contracted LV wall in the experimental data of a single subject to the beginning of systole. Cardiac tMRI scans were performed on four healthy rats and used for developing the forward LV model. Algorithms were implemented for preprocessing the tMRI data, optimizing the model parameters and performing the HARP analysis. Slices from the midventricular level were then analyzed for all systolic phases. RESULTS: The time-reversal operation derived from the LV model accounted for the bulk portion of the myocardial motion, which was the average motion experienced within the overall subject population. In analyzing the individual tMRI data sets, removing this average with the time-reversal operation left small magnitude residual motion unique to the case. This remaining residual portion of the motion was estimated robustly using the HARP analysis. CONCLUSION: Utilizing a combination of the forward LV model and its time reversal improves the performance of motion estimation in evaluating the cardiac function.

Longitudinal magnetic resonance imaging of spinal cord injury in mouse: changes in signal patterns associated with the inflammatory response.

Contusion-type spinal cord injury (SCI) in mice was followed longitudinally using in vivo magnetic resonance (MR) imaging along with neurobehavioral tests performed on postinjury Days 1, 7, 14 and 28. Magnetic resonance images were acquired from seven injured wild-type mice using a 9.4-T scanner and presented in sagittal and axial views to reflect the current state of the injured cord neuropathology on each day. The data were analyzed individually to gain more insights on the neuroinflammatory response unique to the mouse, to characterize the spatiotemporal evolution of the lesion and to quantify the changes in lesion volume and length with time. The MR intensity patterns on Day 1 showed acute injuries as focal in one group of three mice and as diffuse in the remaining group of four mice. The focal injuries appeared as a region of hypointensity with well-defined boundaries. These injuries first enlarged on Day 7, but then shrunk slightly by Days 14 and 28. In contrast, the diffuse injuries were initially obscure on Day 1, mainly because of loss of contrast between gray and white matters. On Day 7, lesions expanded asymptotically in both rostral and caudal directions with respect to the epicenter, and maintained its size on Days 14 and 28. Previous studies based on postmortem histological analysis have reported lesions behaving more like in the focal group. However, this new injury with diffuse characteristics may have important implications for SCI research carried out with mice. Unique experiments on genetically engineered mice with altered neuroinflammatory response should help clarify the origin of these differences in the lesion formation.