Novel SH-SAW Biosensors for Ultra-Fast Recognition of Growth Factors

In this study, we investigated a label-free time efficient biosensor to recognize growth factors (GF) in real time, which are of gran interesting in the regulation of cell division and tissue proliferation. The sensor is based on a system of shear horizontal surface acoustic wave (SH-SAW) immunosensor combined with a microfluidic chip, which detects GF samples in a dynamic mode. In order to prove this method, to our knowledge not previously used for this type of compounds, two different GFs were tested by two immunoreactions: neurotrophin-3 and fibroblast growth factor-2 using its polyclonal antibodies. GF detection was conducted via an enhanced sequential workflow to improve total test time of the immunoassay, which shows that this type of biosensor is a very promising method for ultra-fast recognition of these biomolecules due to its great advantages: portability, simplicity of use, reusability, low cost, and detection within a relatively short period of time. Finally, the biosensor is able to detect FGF-2 growth factor in a concentration wide range, from 1–25 µg/mL, for a total test time of ~15 min with a LOD of 130 ng/mL.

Mobile Computing Technologies for Health and Mobility Assessment: Research Design and Results of the Timed Up and Go Test in Older Adults

Due to the increasing age of the European population, there is a growing interest in performing research that will aid in the timely and unobtrusive detection of emerging diseases. For such tasks, mobile devices have several sensors, facilitating the acquisition of diverse data. This study focuses on the analysis of the data collected from the mobile devices sensors and a pressure sensor connected to a Bitalino device for the measurement of the Timed-Up and Go test. The data acquisition was performed within different environments from multiple individuals with distinct types of diseases. Then this data was analyzed to estimate the various parameters of the Timed-Up and Go test. Firstly, the pressure sensor is used to extract the reaction and total test time. Secondly, the magnetometer sensors are used to identify the total test time and different parameters related to turning around. Finally, the accelerometer sensor is used to extract the reaction time, total test time, duration of turning around, going time, return time, and many other derived metrics. Our experiments showed that these parameters could be automatically and reliably detected with a mobile device. Moreover, we identified that the time to perform the Timed-Up and Go test increases with age and the presence of diseases related to locomotion.

Estimation of the Parameters and Expected Test Time of Exponentiated Weibull Lifetimes Under Type II Progressive Censoring Scheme With Random Removals

Based on progressive type-II censored sample with random removals, point and interval estimations for the shape parameters of the exponentiated Weibull distribution are discussed. Computational formula for the expected total test time are derived for different situations of sampling plans. This is useful in planning a life test experiment. The efficiency of the estimators are compared in terms of the root mean square error, the variance and the coverage probability of the corresponding confidence intervals. A simulation study is presented for several values of removal probability and different values of failure percentage. Also, numerical applications are conducted to illustrate and compare the usefulness of the different sampling plans in terms of expected test times for different patterns of failure rates.

DETERMINATION OF GLYCOGEN IN BEE ORGAN TISSUES AS AN ENERGY METABOLISM PARAMETER

New method of glycogen determination in bee organ tissues, considerably different from the existing ones, was suggested. Ghoreishi’s colorimetric method used today is time-, labor- and cost-consuming as the major reagent – orcin – is quite expensive. Comparison of cost-effectiveness of the two methods demonstrated that the proposed technique makes it possible to reduce expenses by using a more available and less expensive resorcin instead of orcin and reducing total test time from 4 to 3 hours 5 minutes. Glycogen contents determination using the updated method was performed in bees of four breeds: Italian-Carpathian, Carpathian, Oka, gray Caucasus mountain honeybees. It was determined that the Oka honeybees demonstrated the highest glycogen level. It is known that the higher is glycogen contents in organs and tissues the better is energy metabolism in insects. Consequently, honeybees of Oka breeds have higher resistance to unfavorable weather conditions and can produce progeny with a higher level of immunity. So, the specified method of glycogen determination in bee organ tissues increases the accuracy of diagnosis and plays a very important role in determining the level of energy metabolism in insects and will be useful for apiculture.

A lateral flow strip based on gold nanoparticles to detect 6-monoacetylmorphine in oral fluid

We used lateral flow strips based on gold nanoparticles to detect 6-monoacetylmorphine (6-MAM; heroin's unique metabolite) in oral fluid samples. In this competitive lateral chromatographic immunoassay, the 6-MAM was chemically synthesized and conjugated to bovine serum albumin. The results were qualitatively detected via the colour change of the test line. By using a proper sample pad, a suitable nitrocellulose membrane and a customized sponge device adsorbed the oral fluid directly from the mouth; the total test time was 3 min. The sensitivity of the assay was 4.0 ng ml −1 without any cross-reactivity with 10 normal drugs, which are widely subject to abuse, including morphine and codeine. This test could be easily used on site to detect heroin in oral fluid, and it could be a promising product in the future including for driving under the influence.

Fluid elements—a concept for automation of diagnostic tests

Constructs consisting of a channel, a membrane, and an absorber are designed for autonomously carrying out various liquid-handling functions of analytical tests. These so-called fluid elements can be used to set up various circuits for conducting several kinds of analytical tests. To demonstrate the feasibility of this concept, we constructed such a circuit and used it to perform, with two handling steps, an ELISA of hepatitis B surface antigen. The detection limit of the assay was comparable with those of state-of-the-art ELISAs for screening blood, and results could be obtained within a total test time of 20 min. We anticipate that this concept of automation may also serve as a basis for new, highly simplified immunoanalyzers.

Comparison of Modified Immunodiffusion and Bacteriological Analytical Manual (BAM) Methods for Detection of Salmonella in Raw Flesh and Highly Contaminated Food Types

A wide variety of naturally contaminated and inoculated raw flesh and highly contaminated food types was analyzed by a modified immunodiffusion enrichment protocol and the Bacteriological Analytical Manual (BAM) method to determine the equivalence of these methods. This modification was developed by Agriculture Canada to allow addition of a high-temperature selective enrichment step in tetrathionate brilliant green broth at 42°C while maintaining a 2-day total test time. Foods representing red meat, white meat, frog, and seafoods and one type of animal meal were evaluated. A total of 320 samples was tested, resulting in false negative rates of 5.2 and 3.5%, respectively, for the modified immunodiffusion and the BAM culture methods. The overall agreement rate was 96.9%.

Fluorometric Analysis of Alkaline Phosphatase in Fluid Dairy Products

A new quantitative assay has been developed for measuring residual alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in a wide variety of dairy products including whole milk, low fat and skim milks, chocolate milk, and creams. ALP in the test sample hydrolyzes a nonfluorescent substrate, FluorophosR, to a highly fluorescent product. Product formation is monitored continuously during a short incubation period and enzyme activity is calculated from the rate of fluorescence increase. Total test time is 3 min. Reaction rates are linear up to 0.5% raw milk (equivalent to 5 μg phenol/ml/15 min) with a detection limit of 0.006% raw milk. Within and between run precision of the fluorometric method was assessed by repeated analysis of a pasteurized milk sample containing added mixed herd raw milk. The within run (N=10) mean was 190.4 mU/L, standard deviation (SD) 3.2, and a coefficient of variance (CV) of 1.7%. The procedure provides a rapid, sensitive, precise, and easy-to-use ALP assay, applicable to a wide variety of dairy products.

Repeated Measures Battery for the Aged

A battery of 29 reliable, valid and repeatable cognitive and psychomotor paper-and-pencil tests, with each test measuring a specific construct, was used to assess the performance of 48 older males and females. These subjects were divided into three separate age groups: 55–60, 65–70, and 75–80 years. In addition, a group of 16 men and women aged 25–35 served as a control group. This battery is divided into three sub-batteries (A, B and C) which were given on three separate weeks. The emphasis of this paper will be to describe the results of the nine tests contained in sub-battery C. Each test of a basic ability was analyzed separately across a total of five days and fifteen trials, with three trials being given each day. Total test time for each trial was approximately 35 minutes.