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Yttrium doping-stabilized γ-Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles were studied for its potential to serve as a plant fertilizer and, through enzymatic activity, support drought stress management. Levels of both hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxidation, after drought, were reduced when γ-Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles were delivered by irrigation in a nutrient solution to Brassica napus plants grown in soil. Hydrogen peroxide was reduced from 151 to 83 μM g −1 compared to control, and the malondialdehyde formation was reduced from 36 to 26 mM g −1 . Growth rate of leaves was enhanced from 33 to 50% growth compared to fully fertilized plants and SPAD-measurements of chlorophyll increased from 47 to 52 suggesting improved agronomic properties by use of γ-Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles as fertilizer as compared to chelated iron.

A novel use of Titania nanoparticles as agents in the nano interface interaction between a beneficial plant growth promoting bacterium ( Bacillus amyloliquefaciens UCMB5113) and oilseed rape plants ( Brassica napus ) for protection against the fungal pathogen Alternaria brassicae is presented. Two different TiO 2 nanoparticle material were produced by the Sol-Gel approach, one using the patented Captigel method and the other one applying TiBALDH precursor. The particles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, dynamic light scattering and nano particle tracking analysis. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the bacterium was living in clusters on the roots and the combined energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis revealed that titanium was present in these cluster formations. Confocal laser scanning microscopy further demonstrated an increased bacterial colonization of Arabidopsis thaliana roots and a semi-quantitative microscopic assay confirmed an increased bacterial adhesion to the roots. An increased amount of adhered bacteria was further confirmed by quantitative fluorescence measurements. The degree of infection by the fungus was measured and quantified by real-time-qPCR. Results showed that Titania nanoparticles increased adhesion of beneficial bacteria on to the roots of oilseed rape and protected the plants against infection.

The development and implementation of quantitative imaging biomarkers has been hampered by the inconsistent and often incorrect use of terminology related to these markers. Sponsored by the Radiological Society of North America, an interdisciplinary group of radiologists, statisticians, physicists, and other researchers worked to develop a comprehensive terminology to serve as a foundation for quantitative imaging biomarker claims. Where possible, this working group adapted existing definitions derived from national or international standards bodies rather than invent new definitions for these terms. This terminology also serves as a foundation for the design of studies that evaluate the technical performance of quantitative imaging biomarkers and for studies of algorithms that generate the quantitative imaging biomarkers from clinical scans. This paper provides examples of research studies and quantitative imaging biomarker claims that use terminology consistent with these definitions as well as examples of the rampant confusion in this emerging field. We provide recommendations for appropriate use of quantitative imaging biomarker terminological concepts. It is hoped that this document will assist researchers and regulatory reviewers who examine quantitative imaging biomarkers and will also inform regulatory guidance. More consistent and correct use of terminology could advance regulatory science, improve clinical research, and provide better care for patients who undergo imaging studies.

The requirement of large-scale expensive cancer screening trials spanning decades creates considerable barriers to the development, commercialisation, and implementation of novel screening tests. One way to address these problems is to use surrogate endpoints for the ultimate endpoint of interest, cancer mortality, at an earlier timepoint. This Review aims to highlight the issues underlying the choice and use of surrogate endpoints for cancer screening trials, to propose criteria for when and how we might use such endpoints, and to suggest possible candidates. We present the current landscape and challenges, and discuss lessons and shortcomings from the therapeutic trial setting. It is hugely challenging to validate a surrogate endpoint, even with carefully designed clinical studies. Nevertheless, we consider whether there are candidates that might satisfy the requirements defined by research and regulatory bodies.

Sustainable and green synthesis of nanocomposites for degradation of pharmaceuticals was developed via immobilization and stabilization of the biological strong oxidizing agents, peroxidase enzymes, on a solid support. Sol–gel encapsulated enzyme composites were characterized using electron microscopy (TEM, SEM), atomic force microscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and lignin peroxidase (LiP) were adsorbed onto magnetite nanoparticles and sol–gel encapsulated in a surface silica layer. Encapsulation enhanced the stability of the biocatalysts over time and thermal stability. The biocatalysts showed appreciable selectivity in oxidation of the organic drinking water pollutants diclofenac, carbamazepine, and paracetamol with improved activity being pharmaceutical specific for each enzyme. In particular, sol–gel encapsulated LiP- and HRP-based nanocomposites were active over 20 consecutive cycles for 20 days at 55 °C (24 h/cycle). The stability of the sol–gel encapsulated catalysts in acidic medium was also improved compared to native enzymes. Carbamazepine and diclofenac were degraded to 68% and 64% by sol–gel LiP composites respectively at pH 5 under elevated temperature. Total destruction of carbamazepine and diclofenac was achieved at pH 3 (55 °C) within 3 days, in the case of both immobilized HRP and LiP. Using NMR spectroscopy, characterization of the drug decomposition products, and decomposition pathways by the peroxidase enzymes suggested.

Despite the intense interest in biomarker development for cancer management, few biomarker assays for diagnostic uses have been submitted to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). What challenges must researchers overcome to bring cancer-detection technologies to the market and, therefore, into clinical use?

Previous studies demonstrate that self-reports of mammography screening for breast cancer and colonoscopy screening for colorectal cancer demonstrate concordance, based on adherence to screening guidelines, with electronic medical records (EMRs) in over 90% of those interviewed, as well as high sensitivity and specificity, and can be used for monitoring our Healthy People goals. However, for screening tests for cervical and lung cancers, and for various sub-populations, concordance between self-report and EMRs has been noticeably lower with poor sensitivity or specificity. This study aims to test the validity and reliability of lung, colorectal, cervical, and breast cancer screening questions from the 2021 and 2022 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). We present the protocol for a study designed to measure the validity and reliability of the NHIS cancer screening questions compared to EMRs from four US-based healthcare systems. We planned a randomized trial of a phone- vs web-based survey with NHIS questions that were previously revised based on extensive cognitive interviewing. Our planned sample size will be 1576 validity interviews, and 1260 interviews randomly assigned at 1 or 3 months after the initial interview. We are enrolling people eligible for cancer screening based on age, sex, and smoking history per US Preventive Services Task Force recommendations. We will evaluate question validity using concordance, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and report-to-records ratio. We further are randomizing participants to complete a second survey 1 vs 3 months later to assess question reliability. We suggest that typical measures of concordance may need to be reconsidered in evaluating cancer screening questions.

Spherical cellulose nanocrystal-based hybrids grafted with titania nanoparticles were successfully produced for topical drug delivery. The conventional analytical filter paper was used as a precursor material for cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) production. Cellulose nanocrystals were extracted via a simple and quick two-step process based on first the complexation with Cu(II) solution in aqueous ammonia followed by acid hydrolysis with diluted H2SO4. Triclosan was selected as a model drug for complexation with titania and further introduction into the nanocellulose based composite. Obtained materials were characterized by a broad variety of microscopic, spectroscopic, and thermal analysis methods. The drug release studies showed long-term release profiles of triclosan from the titania based nanocomposite that agreed with Higuchi model. The bacterial susceptibility tests demonstrated that released triclosan retained its antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. It was found that a small amount of titania significantly improved the antibacterial activity of obtained nanocomposites, even without immobilization of model drug. Thus, the developed hybrid patches are highly promising candidates for potential application as antibacterial agents.

This review presents a brief overview of recent insights into general reaction pathways in sol-gel synthesis of metal oxides. Metal-based sol-gel precursors display kinetically unhindered reactivity, combining high reaction speed with reversibility on a molecular level. The process producing metal oxide sols can thus be described as nucleation of an oxide phase with growth option efficiently precluded by extremely low solubility. The emerging nuclei are essentially Polyoxometalate (POM) species, with sizes in the colloid range starting from about 2 nm. They are stabilized in solution by colloid forces (charge interactions, hydrogen bonding, van der Waals forces), defined by the nature and arrangement of species on their surface, which permits them to be denoted as Micelles Templated by Self-Assembly of Ligands (MTSALs). The sol-gel transition occurs on aggregation of particles resulting in percolation. Exploiting this mechanism, it is possible to produce materials with controlled porosity, biocompatibility, and even to access thermodynamically challenging phases that cannot be produced by conventional synthetic techniques. Graphical Abstract Metal oxide Sol-Gel can be described as nucleation of an oxide phase resulting from one-step coordination equilibrium in solution, followed by aggregation without growth. Highlights Metal alkoxides are strong Brönsted and Lewis bases, undergoing hydrolysis via proton-assisted S N 1 mechanism Hydrolysis and polycondensation are for metal alkoxides a single kinetic phenomenon, leading to nucleation of an oxide phase The metal oxide nuclei are colloid particles 2–5 nm in size with Polyoxometalate structure—a well-ordered core in a shell of ligands, permitting to describe them as Micelles Templated by Self-Assembly of ligands