New Technologies For Early Detection Research Articles

57 Impact of Cache Valley Virus in an Arkansas sheep flock

Abstract Cache Valley Virus (CVV) is an arbovirus transmitted between mosquitos and several vertebrate species, including small ruminants. Infections in adult sheep and goats is generally subclinical, but infection during pregnancy is a growing animal welfare issue as it can result in embryo or pregnancy loss, fetal malformation, and dystocia. Diagnosis in fetal tissue or neonates is made using serologic or molecular testing. Serologic diagnosis in the dam can indicate past infection but does not confirm CVV infection in the fetus. ARS first noted clinical signs of possible CVV during the Nov/Dec 2015 lambing; first seropositive dam was identified in Jan 2021. To estimate incidence of CVV infections among ewes bred from 2019-2023 and lambing in Jan/Feb (n = 185), adverse pregnancy outcome such as embryo loss, birth of dead, deformed, or weak lambs, were used as surrogate markers. The relationship of animal BW (ewes at breeding and post-breeding; lambs at birth and ~60 d of age), dam age, lamb outcome, and breeding year were compared by likely CVV infection status. To estimate seroprevalence in ewes and correlate serology results with pregnancy outcomes, serum was collected from ewes (n = 46) exposed to rams in Aug 2022 at 0 (first day of ram exposure) and ~60 d later. Tissue from aborted or dead lambs and serum from live lambs exhibiting signs of CVV (swollen joints, parrot mouth, deformities) were collected. Serum was screened for neutralizing antibodies using a CVV-specific plaque reduction neutralization test using a 50% cut-off (PRNT50). For this preliminary analysis, specimens with PRNT50 antibody titers ≥ 10 were considered positive. Tissue specimens were tested using bunyavirus and CVV RT-PCR. Data were analyzed by GLM (SAS). Using surrogate markers, an estimate of incidence of CVV during pregnancy was 26.5 ± 2.9% without year differences (P = 0.16) or age (yearling vs older ewes, P = 0.44). There was no association between CVV and dam BW (P > 0.10), number of live+dead lambs born, but CVV possibly reduced number of live lambs by 18% (P = 0.02) and those weaned by 27% (P = 0.002). Live litter birth (CVV, P < 0.001) and weaning BW (CVV × year, P = 0.04) were reduced by CVV. Of 42 ewes bred in Aug 2022, 9 (21%) had a positive titer in Aug (pre-pregnancy) indicating possible past infection, 3 (11%) seroconverted in Oct, indicating possible infection during pregnancy. Of those, 2 (6.7%) had adverse pregnancy outcomes, including one stillbirth with deformities that had a positive RT-PCR on kidney tissue. Further studies are needed to determine whether CVV is becoming more widely prevalent in small ruminants, as are new technologies for early detection and prevention.

A Survey on Deep-Learning-Based Diabetic Retinopathy Classification.

The number of people who suffer from diabetes in the world has been considerably increasing recently. It affects people of all ages. People who have had diabetes for a long time are affected by a condition called Diabetic Retinopathy (DR), which damages the eyes. Automatic detection using new technologies for early detection can help avoid complications such as the loss of vision. Currently, with the development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques, especially Deep Learning (DL), DL-based methods are widely preferred for developing DR detection systems. For this purpose, this study surveyed the existing literature on diabetic retinopathy diagnoses from fundus images using deep learning and provides a brief description of the current DL techniques that are used by researchers in this field. After that, this study lists some of the commonly used datasets. This is followed by a performance comparison of these reviewed methods with respect to some commonly used metrics in computer vision tasks.

Breast Tumour Identification based on Chimera Overset Grid with Spline Interpolation in Forward-Backward Time-Stepping

Active microwave imaging (MI) technique has been recently recommended as a new technology for early detection of malignant breast tumours. Finite-difference Time-domain (FDTD) method is an effective numerical tool for computational electrodynamics modelling. However, the main drawback of the FDTD method is difficult to model the curved boundaries and small features of arbitrary shaped fibroglandular region due to its restriction to inherent orthogonal grids. To address this issue, Chimera Overset Grid (COG) method with spline interpolation in Forward-Backward Time-Stepping (FBTS) inverse scattering technique was proposed to overcome the limitation of FDTD method. In order to analyse the accuracy of this new method to detect a malignancy tumour embedded in different classes of breast parenchymal density, the homogeneous mostly fatty breast and extremely dense breast were chosen as Case A, and Case B, respectively. The Mean Squared Error (MSE) and normalised cost error functional for reconstructed dielectric profiles utilising the proposed method achieved significantly lower values than the FDTD method in FBTS inverse scattering. The results indicated that the proposed method could accurately identify malignancy tumour location and reconstruct the breast composition in dielectric profiles.

Breast Cancer Brain Metastasis-Overview of Disease State, Treatment Options and Future Perspectives.

Simple SummaryIn this review, we present the latest information on the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and local and systemic treatment of brain metastases from breast cancer, with a focus on recent publications. Improving the local treatment and subtype-specific systemic therapies through advancements in basic and translational research will contribute to better clinical outcomes for patients with breast cancer brain metastasis.Breast cancer is the second most common origin of brain metastasis after lung cancer. Brain metastasis in breast cancer is commonly found in patients with advanced course disease and has a poor prognosis because the blood–brain barrier is thought to be a major obstacle to the delivery of many drugs in the central nervous system. Therefore, local treatments including surgery, stereotactic radiation therapy, and whole-brain radiation therapy are currently considered the gold standard treatments. Meanwhile, new targeted therapies based on subtype have recently been developed. Some drugs can exceed the blood–brain barrier and enter the central nervous system. New technology for early detection and personalized medicine for metastasis are warranted. In this review, we summarize the historical overview of treatment with a focus on local treatment, the latest drug treatment strategies, and future perspectives using novel therapeutic agents for breast cancer patients with brain metastasis, including ongoing clinical trials.

Impact of a Program of Rational Antibiotic Use and New Technology for Early Detection and Treatment of Gram-Negative Bacteremia in a Pediatric Referral Hospital

Impact of a Program of Rational Antibiotic Use and New Technology for Early Detection and Treatment of Gram-Negative Bacteremia in a Pediatric Referral Hospital

Abstract 2951: A comprehensive analysis of proteins involved in innate and acquired resistance to molecularly-targeted drugs in breast cancer cells

Abstract Cancer is the second leading cause of death among Americans, and despite advances in diagnosis, new technologies for early detection, and development of potent molecularly-targeted drugs, survival rates in advanced disease have not been improving at desired rates. Perseverance of cancer cells seem to rely both on their significant heterogeneity at the onset of treatment, and the inherent plasticity (genetic instability) to adopt to environmental conditions and exogenous agents. Cancer is known as a heterogeneous disease. In fact, extensive genetic diversity has been revealed not only between different types of cancer, but also within a single tumor (as diversity in the expression of protein biomarkers). This intra-tumor heterogeneity could be a major obstacle in cancer treatment due to a wide range of responsivity to any specific anticancer agent. This study aims to analyze the heterogeneity and plasticity among a small panel of breast cancer cell lines as a reaction to exposure to a variety of molecularly-targeted agents, which could lead us to identification of the proteins that play major roles in drug resistance in cancer cells. After initial evaluation of the LC50, we exposed five different breast cancer cell lines to high doses of erlotinib (selective ErbB1/EGFR-inhibitor), vemurafenib (pan Raf inhibitor), everolimus (selective mTORC1 inhibitor), and ruxolitinib (pan JAK inhibitor), an collected the survivors. Using an in-house designed microarray and real-time PCR analysis, we analyzed the protein expression profile of the survivors compared to the untreated population, which revealed proteins involved in innate resistance and the heterogeneity among the population. In an alternative approach, we exposed the cells to gradually increasing doses of these selected agents, affording the cells the opportunity to adapt to the treatment. The resistant cells were then analyzed in a similar fashion to reveal proteins involved in acquired resistance. Citation Format: Hamid Montazeri. A comprehensive analysis of proteins involved in innate and acquired resistance to molecularly-targeted drugs in breast cancer cells. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 2951.

Design of comprehensive Alzheimer's disease centers to address unmet national needs

The problem of Alzheimer's disease (AD) exemplifies the challenges of dealing with a broad range of aging-related chronic disorders that require long-term, labor-intensive, and expensive care. As the baby boom generation ages and brain diseases become more prevalent, the need to confront the pending health care crisis is more urgent than ever before. Indeed, there is now a critical need to expand significantly the national effort to solve the problem of AD, with special focus on prevention. The Campaign to Prevent Alzheimer's Disease by 2020 (PAD2020) aims to create a new paradigm for planning and supporting the organization of worldwide cooperative research networks to develop new technologies for early detection and treatments of aging-related memory and motor impairments. PAD 2020 is developing an implementation plan to justify (1) increasing the federal budget for research, (2) developing novel national resources to discover new interventions for memory and motor disorders, and (3) creating innovative and streamlined decision-making processes for selecting and supporting new ideas. Since 1978 the National Institute on Aging or National Institute of Health (NIH) established an extensive national network of AD research facilities at academic institutions including AD Centers (ADCs), Consortium to Establish a Registry for AD, AD Cooperative Study (ADCS), AD Drug Discovery Program, National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center, National Cell Repository for AD, and AD Neuroimaging Initiative. However, despite the success of these programs and their critical contributions, they are no longer adequate to meet the challenges presented by AD. PAD 2020 is designed to address these changes by improving the efficiency and effectiveness of these programs. For example, the ADCs (P30s and P50s) can be enhanced by converting some into Comprehensive Alzheimer's Disease Centers (CADCs) to support not only research, but also by being demonstration projects on care/treatment, clinical trials, and education as well as by seamlessly integrating multisite collaborative studies (ADCS, AD Neuroimaging Initiative, Patient Registries, Clinical Data Banks, etc) into a cohesive structure that further enhances the original mission of the National Institute on Aging ADCs. Regional CADCs offer greater efficiency and cost savings while serving as coordinating hubs of existing ADCs, thereby offering greater economies of scale and programmatic integration. The CADCs also broaden the scope of ADC activities to include research on interventions, diagnosis, imaging, prevention trials, and other longitudinal studies that require long-term support. Thus, CADCs can address the urgent need to identify subjects at high risk of AD for prevention trials and very early in the course of AD for clinical trials of disease modification. The enhanced CADCs will allow more flexibility among ADCs by supporting collaborative linkages with other institutions and drawing on a wider expertise from different locations. This perspective article describes the University of Pennsylvania (Penn) CADC Model as an illustrative example of how an existing ADC can be converted into a CADC by better utilization of Penn academic resources to address the wide range of problems concerning AD. The intent of this position paper is to stimulate thinking and foster the development of other or alternative models for a systematic approach to the study of dementia and movement disorders.

Establishment and application of human tissue biobank

Objective To explore issues of the human tissue biobank, ranging from its establishment, collection and preservation of samples, quality control, management and application. Methods Development of standardized operational procedures, collection of such samples as fresh frozen tissues from the surgery, paraffin-embedded tissues, whole blood, serum, plasma, and cerebrospinal fluid. Specimens were classified and made aliquots according to different requirements, and then stored at room temperature, -80℃ refrigerator or in liquid nitrogen. Microsoft Access database system was used in the management of these specimens. Results From September 2004 to September 2008, a total of 11 872 samples from patients with benign and malignant diseases were collected and preserved. Among them, 4360 tubes of fresh frozen tissue samples from 2500 cases were provided within and beyond the province. These samples were also applied to DNA, RNA, protein extraction and tissue microarray, and immunohistochemistry-related research. Conclusion Human tissue biobank is highly useful in sharing human tissue resources effectively, as it can provide high quality specimens from benign and malignant diseases and normal control. In addition, it plays a very important role in exploring pathogenesis, developing new technologies for early detection of disease and new therapeutic strategies. Key words: Human; Tissue biobank; Medical research

Emerging technologies for diagnosis of dental caries: The road so far

It is now universally recognized that the development of new technologies for early detection and quantitative monitoring of dental decay at an early stage of formation could provide health and economic benefits ranging from timely preventive interventions to reduction in the time required for clinical trials of anticaries agents. The use of technologies as adjunct to clinical visual examination for caries diagnosis will facilitate preventive care in dentistry to lower treatment cost as well as reduce the cost and time for testing potential anticaries agents. This article describes the various technologies available to aid the dental practitioners in detecting dental caries at the earliest stage of its formation, assessing the activities of the detected carious lesion, and quantitatively or qualitatively monitoring of the lesion over time. The need and the importance of these technologies were also discussed. The data discussed are primarily based on published scientific studies and reviews from case reports, clinical trials, and in vitro and in vivo studies. References have been traced manually by MEDLINE® or through manufacturer’s websites. While some of the devices are fully developed and commercially available, others are still under development. The devices vary in their modes of action as well as their capability as caries diagnostic aids. It is clear that the differences in caries presentations and behavior in different anatomical sites make it unlikely that any one diagnostic modality will have adequate sensitivity and specificity of detection of carious lesions for all sites; a combination of diagnostic tools will help us diagnose lesions earlier and detect failing restorations sooner, all to avoid more costly, destructive dental procedures and truly take dentistry into the preventive rather than the reactive mode.

New technology for early detection of bronchial lesions

New technology for early detection of bronchial lesions

A feasibility study of the use of a SIRE biosensor in the monitoring of H 2O 2 added to milk samples. A possible new technology for early detection of mastitis?

Mastitic milk is known to degrade hydrogen peroxide at a higher rate than milk from healthy cows due to increased enzymatic, i.e. catalase, activity. This work deals with a feasibility study of a new method for monitoring hydrogen peroxide degradation in milk based on the electrochemical detection of hydrogen peroxide. This technology could be implemented in-line with the milking equipment at farms. A low pasteurised (75 °C/15 s), non-homogenised milk was chosen as a model for fresh milk. Milk samples were spiked with catalase (0.53–5.33 U/ml). Given that H 2O 2 as a parameter allows for the early indication of mastitis (in itself or in combination with other measurements), we believe that the SIRE technology could be developed further to meet the analytical requirements of such a detection system.

Adoption of new technologies for early detection of melanoma in dermatologic practice

The identification and diagnosis of early melanoma will reduce unnecessary operations and may be important in reducing mortality from melanoma and impacting cost savings to the health system. New technologies are being developed and used at some specialized centers to facilitate the detection and diagnosis of early melanoma for patients at high risk. These technologies include but are not limited to digital photography, dermoscopy, computerized image analysis systems, and confocal scanning laser microscopy. To most effectively implement these novel approaches, it is important to identify the key factors that influence the adoption or diffusion of new medical technologies. We propose patient-, physician-, and health care system–related factors that influence the diffusion of new technologies for the early detection of skin cancer. Studies involving physicians and patients in a variety of clinical settings need to be conducted to achieve a greater understanding of the barriers to the adoption of these new technologic tools that are intended to aid in skin cancer screening.