Peptide-Affinity Precipitation of Extracellular Vesicles and Cell-Free DNA Improves Sequencing Performance for the Detection of Pathogenic Mutations in Lung Cancer Patient Plasma

Liquid biopsy is a minimally-invasive diagnostic method that may improve access to molecular profiling for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Although cell-free DNA (cf-DNA) isolation from plasma is the standard liquid biopsy method for detecting DNA mutations in cancer patients, the sensitivity can be highly variable. Vn96 is a peptide with an affinity for both extracellular vesicles (EVs) and circulating cf-DNA. In this study, we evaluated whether peptide-affinity (PA) precipitation of EVs and cf-DNA from NSCLC patient plasma improves the sensitivity of single nucleotide variants (SNVs) detection and compared observed SNVs with those reported in the matched tissue biopsy. NSCLC patient plasma was subjected to either PA precipitation or cell-free methods and total nucleic acid (TNA) was extracted; SNVs were then detected by next-generation sequencing (NGS). PA led to increased recovery of DNA as well as an improvement in NGS sequencing parameters when compared to cf-TNA. Reduced concordance with tissue was observed in PA-TNA (62%) compared to cf-TNA (81%), mainly due to identification of SNVs in PA-TNA that were not observed in tissue. EGFR mutations were detected in PA-TNA with 83% sensitivity and 100% specificity. In conclusion, PA-TNA may improve the detection limits of low-abundance alleles using NGS.     

Essential design and fabrication considerations for the reliable performance of an electrothermal MEMS microgripper

Microsystem Technologies - Over the past years, microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) have become a vital component within a wide range of technologies, making the study of their performance and...     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lactobacillus fermentum</Emphasis> (PCC<Superscript>®</Superscript>) supplementation and gastrointestinal and respiratory-tract illness symptoms: a randomised control trial in athletes

Background  

Probiotics purportedly reduce symptoms of gastrointestinal and upper respiratory-tract illness by modulating commensal microflora. Preventing and reducing symptoms of respiratory and gastrointestinal illness are the primary reason that dietary supplementation with probiotics are becoming increasingly popular with healthy active individuals. There is a paucity of data regarding the effectiveness of probiotics in this cohort. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a probiotic on faecal microbiology, self-reported illness symptoms and immunity in healthy well trained individuals.     

Further studies on the anaerobic corrosion of carbon steel in alkaline media in support of the Belgian supercontainer concept

In the Belgian supercontainer concept, a carbon steel overpack surrounds high-level radioactive waste and spent fuel containers and is encased in a cementitious buffer material. Research has been carried out to characterise the anaerobic corrosion of carbon steel in an anoxic artificial alkaline porewater that simulates the cementitious buffer material and also in solid cement matrices, in the presence of chloride and the sulphur species expected in the groundwater. The current study focuses on recent results. Specifically, it provides an update on the long-term corrosion rates obtained from gas generation measurements (including new data from higher-sensitivity autoclaves) and weight loss measurements and provides results of postmortem analysis of dismantled cells. The behaviour of the system is discussed, focusing on the effects of the solution chemistry, precorrosion treatments and γ radiation on corrosion rates, the electrochemical response of the steel when irradiated, and the morphology of the corrosion product. The corrosion rate was lower in cement than in an aqueous system. Radiation affected the corrosion potential and the morphology of the corrosion product.     

The usual suspects? A novel extension to AcciMap using accident causation model tenets

Previous examination of the most widely used systems based accident causation models identified a series of core accident causation tenets. It is believed that these core tenets, referred to as ‘systems thinking tenets’, are the first step to a proactive approach to system safety. The article examines the Kimberly Ultramarathon fire and the extent that the systems thinking tenets can be applied using Rasmussen’s AcciMap technique. The findings suggest that indeed the tenets can be identified and further expose the specific system vulnerabilities that led to the Kimberly Ultramarathon accident. The tenets are a beneficial addition to the AcciMap technique providing the analyst a means to classify system properties leading to accidents. Implications for practice and future research steps are discussed.     

Keeping up appearances: Spatial spillovers and housing renovations

Spatial spillovers from renovations can bolster urban redevelopment efforts by multiplying scarce city funds, creating a reinforcing feedback cycle of redevelopment. Using spatially explicit data on renovations from Baltimore, MD, we model the extent of spatial spillovers in housing renovations and estimate the effect of previous renovations on the likelihood to renovate while controlling for underlying spatial correlation. We find strong evidence of spatial spillovers with a neighbouring renovation increasing renovation likelihood by at least 1.8% These positive feedback cycles indicate the potential for significant private market multipliers from city-led urban revitalization policies that encourage renovation.     

A Perspective on Fluorescent Nanodiamond Bioimaging

The field of fluorescent nanodiamonds (FNDs) has advanced greatly over the past few years. Though historically limited primarily to red fluorescence, the wavelengths available for nanodiamonds have increased due to continuous technical advancement. This Review summarizes the strides made in the synthesis, functionalization, and application of FNDs to bioimaging. Highlights range from super‐resolution microscopy, through cellular and whole animal imaging, up to constantly emerging fields including sensing and hyperpolarized magnetic resonance imaging.