Identifying important breast cancer control strategies in Asia, Latin America and the Middle East/North Africa

Background: Breast cancer is the most frequent cause of cancer death in women worldwide, but global disparities in breast cancer control persist, due to a lack of a comprehensive breast cancer control strategy in many countries. Objectives: To identify and compare the need for breast cancer control strategies in Asia, Latin America and the Middle East/North Africa and to develop a common framework to guide the development of national breast cancer control strategies. Methods: Data were derived from open-ended, semi-structured interviews conducted in 2007 with 221 clinicians, policy makers, and patient advocates; stratified across Asia (n = 97), Latin America (n = 46), the Middle East/North Africa (ME/NA) (n = 39) and Australia and Canada (n = 39). Respondents were identified using purposive and snowballing sampling. Interpretation of the data utilized interpretive phenomenological analysis where transcripts and field notes were coded and analyzed and common themes were identified. Analysis of regional variation was conducted based on the frequency of discussion and the writing of the manuscript followed the RATS guidelines. Results: Analysis revealed four major themes that form the foundation for developing national breast cancer control strategies: 1) building capacity; 2) developing evidence; 3) removing barriers; and 4) promoting advocacy - each specified across five sub-ordinate dimensions. The propensity to discuss most dimensions was similar across regions, but managing advocacy was discussed more frequently (p = 0.004) and organized advocacy was discussed less frequently (p \u3c 0.001) in Australia and Canada. Conclusions: This unique research identified common themes for the development of breast cancer control strategies, grounded in the experience of local practitioners, policy makers and advocacy leaders across diverse regions. Future research should be aimed at gathering a wider array of experiences, including those of patients

High sensitivity carbon nanotube tower electrodes

Highly aligned multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) were synthesized in the shape of towers and used to fabricate chemical sensor electrodes. The towers were fabricated on an Fe/Al₂O₃/SiO₂/Si substrate with the Fe catalyst patterned in 1 mm × 1 mm blocks with 100 µm spacing between the blocks. Thermally driven chemical vapor deposition was used for the nanotube synthesis process. Patterned MWCNT towers up to 4 mm high were grown and easily peeled off the silicon substrate. The synthesized MWCNT towers were characterized by environmental scanning electron microscopy and high resolution transmission electron microscopy. A sensor electrode was then formed by casting epoxy into the tower under pressure and polishing both ends of the tower. One end of the tower served as an electrical connection and the other as a nanoscale array electrode. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) for the reduction of 6.0 mM K₃Fe(CN)₆ and Ru(NH₃)₆Cl₃ (in a 1.0 M KNO₃ supporting electrolyte) was used to examine the surface properties of the nanotube tower electrode. The CV results showed a steady-state response up to 2 V/s attributable to radial diffusion with a high steady-state current density. Cyclic voltammetry testing of these two redox systems showed a sigmoidal shape indicating radial diffusion and high sensitivity at the electrode. Based on the CV results, the carbon nanotube array electrode is a promising candidate for future highly sensitive chemical and biosensor applications.7 page(s

Fabrication and characterization of a multiwall carbon nanotube needle biosensor

A nanotube electronic needle biosensor was developed to provide fast, low cost, accurate detection of biomolecules. The sensor was formed by synthesizing highly aligned multi-wall carbon nanotube arrays. Nanotube bundles from the array were welded onto the tips of tungsten needles using a microscope. The needles were then encased in glass and a polymer coating. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) for the respective reduction of 6 mM K3Fe(CN)6in a 1.0 M KNO3was performed to examine the redox behavior of the nanotube needle. The CV results showed a steady-state response attributable to radial diffusion with a high steady-state current density. An amperometric sensor was then developed for glucose detection by physical attachment of glucose oxidase on the nanotube needle. A label-free immunosensor based on electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was also formed. The nanotube needle amperometric have good sensitivity with a low detection limit, and the possibility exists to keep decreasing the size of the needle to increase the sensitivity.4 page(s

A Carbon nanotube needle biosensor

A carbon nanotube needle biosensor was developed to provide fast, cost effective and highly sensitive electrochemical detection of biomolecules. The sensor was fabricated based on an array of aligned multi-wall carbon nanotubes synthesized by chemical vapor deposition. A bundle of nanotubes in the array was welded onto the tip of a tungsten needle under a microscope. The needle was then encased in glass and a polymer coating leaving only the tip of the needle exposed. Cyclic voltammetry was performed to examine the redox behavior of the nanotube needle. The cyclic voltammetry results showed a steady-state response attributable to radial diffusion with a high steady-state current density. An amperometric sensor was then developed for glucose detection by physically attaching glucose oxidase on the nanotube needle. The amperometric response of these nanotube needles showed a high sensitivity with a low detection limit. It is expected that the nanotube needle can be sharpened to increase the sensitivity to the point where the current is almost too small to measure. The simple manufacturing method should allow commodity level production of highly sensitive electronic biosensors.8 page(s

Carbon nanotubes grown on stainless steel to form plate and probe electrodes for chemical/ biological sensing

This paper describes the fabrication and evaluation of carbon nanotube (CNT) electrodes grown on stainless steel (SS) plate and wire for electrochemical sensor applications. Multi-wall carbon nanotubes with different diameters were grown on the SS plate and wire by chemical vapor deposition from an ethylene precursor. The SS provides a good electrical and mechanical connection to the CNT, and the SS is a tough substrate. The SS part of the electrode was electrically insulated from the analyte so that only the CNT were active in sensing. Cyclic voltammetry for the reduction of 6 mM K₃Fe(CN)₆ in a 1.0 M KNO₃ supporting electrolyte was performed to examine the redox behavior of the CNT-SS electrode. The cyclic voltammograms showed sigmoidal-like shapes, indicating that mass transport around the electrodes is dominated by radial diffusion. Based on the cyclic voltammograms, the effective area of the CNT-SS electrodes and the number of individual CNTs were estimated. These results indicate that the CNT-SS plate and wire electrodes are good candidates to develop practical in vivo biosensors.7 page(s

A nanotube array immunosensor for direct electrochemical detection of antigen-antibody binding

This paper describes the development of a label-free immunosensor based on carbon nanotube (CNT) array electrodes. Highly aligned multi-walled carbon nanotubes were grown on a Fe/Al2O3/SiO2/Si substrate by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). The substrate was patterned with 100 μm square blocks and 100 μm spacing between blocks. Carbon nanotube towers up to 2 mm in height grew from the blocks, and the towers were easy to peel off the silicon substrate. The harvested towers were cast in epoxy and both ends were polished; one end for electrical connection, and the other end for use as an electrode. The nanotube electrode was then electrochemically activated to open the nanotube ends and to expose COOH groups on the surface. Anti-mouse IgG was then covalently immobilized on the nanotube array. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were used to characterise the binding of mouse IgG to its specific antibody already immobilized on the nanotube electrode surface. A non-linear calibration plot was constructed based on the change in the electron transfer resistance at the electrode surface as a function of mouse IgG concentrations. A detection limit of 200 ng/mL and a dynamic range up to a 100 μg/mL range were obtained. Overall, it was found that the nanotube array immunosensor was easy to fabricate and has good sensitivity.6 page(s

The first national public breast cancer screening program in Saudi Arabia

<b>Background and Objectives:</b> Despite its relatively low incidence in Saudi Arabia, breast cancer has been the most common cancer among Saudi females for the past 12 consecutive years. The objective of this study was to report the results of the first national public breast cancer screening program in Saudi Arabia. <b>Methods:</b> Women 40 years of age or older underwent breast cancer screening. Mammograms were scored using the Breast Imaging-Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS). Correlations between imaging findings, risk factors and pathological findings were analyzed. <b>Results:</b> Between September 2007 and April 2008, 1215 women were enrolled. The median age was 45 years, and median body mass index was 31.6 kg/m ² . Sixteen cases of cancer were diagnosed. No cancer was diagnosed in 942 women with R1/R2 scores, and only 1 case of cancer was diagnosed in 228 women with R0/R3 scores. However, among 26 women with R4/R5 scores, 50&#x0025; had malignant disease and 35&#x0025; had benign lesions. No correlation was found between known risk factors and imaging score or cancer diagnosis. <b>Conclusions:</b> Public acceptance of the breast cancer screening program was encouraging. Longitudinal follow-up will help in better determining the risk factors relevant to our patient population