A Single-Molecule Bioelectronic Portable Array for Early Diagnosis of Pancreatic Cancer Precursors

A cohort of 47 patients is screened for pancreatic cancer precursors with a portable 96-well bioelectronic sensing-array for single-molecule assay in cysts fluid and blood plasma, deployable at point-of-care (POC). Pancreatic cancer precursors are mucinous cysts diagnosed with a sensitivity of at most 80% by state-of-the-art cytopathological molecular analyses (e.g., KRASmut DNA). Adding the simultaneous assay of proteins related to malignant transformation (e.g., MUC1 and CD55) is deemed essential to enhance diagnostic accuracy. The bioelectronic array proposed here, based on single-molecule-with-a-large-transistor (SiMoT) technology, can assay both nucleic acids and proteins at the single-molecule limit-of-identification (LOI) (1% of false-positives and false-negatives). It comprises an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-like 8 × 12-array organic-electronics disposable cartridge with an electrolyte-gated organic transistor sensor array, and a reusable reader, integrating a custom Si-IC chip, operating via software installed on a USB-connected smart device. The cartridge is complemented by a 3D-printed sensing gate cover plate. KRASmut, MUC1, and CD55 biomarkers either in plasma or cysts-fluid from 5 to 6 patients at a time, are multiplexed at single-molecule LOI in 1.5 h. The pancreatic cancer precursors are classified via a machine-learning analysis resulting in at least 96% diagnostic-sensitivity and 100% diagnostic-specificity. This preliminary study opens the way to POC liquid-biopsy-based early diagnosis of pancreatic-cancer precursors in plasma.</p

A Single-Molecule Bioelectronic Portable Array for Early Diagnosis of Pancreatic Cancer Precursors

A cohort of 47 patients is screened for pancreatic cancer precursors with a portable 96-well bioelectronic sensing-array for single-molecule assay in cysts fluid and blood plasma, deployable at point-of-care (POC). Pancreatic cancer precursors are mucinous cysts diagnosed with a sensitivity of at most 80% by state-of-the-art cytopathological molecular analyses (e.g., KRASmut DNA). Adding the simultaneous assay of proteins related to malignant transformation (e.g., MUC1 and CD55) is deemed essential to enhance diagnostic accuracy. The bioelectronic array proposed here, based on single-molecule-with-a-large-transistor (SiMoT) technology, can assay both nucleic acids and proteins at the single-molecule limit-of-identification (LOI) (1% of false-positives and false-negatives). It comprises an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-like 8 × 12-array organic-electronics disposable cartridge with an electrolyte-gated organic transistor sensor array, and a reusable reader, integrating a custom Si-IC chip, operating via software installed on a USB-connected smart device. The cartridge is complemented by a 3D-printed sensing gate cover plate. KRASmut, MUC1, and CD55 biomarkers either in plasma or cysts-fluid from 5 to 6 patients at a time, are multiplexed at single-molecule LOI in 1.5 h. The pancreatic cancer precursors are classified via a machine-learning analysis resulting in at least 96% diagnostic-sensitivity and 100% diagnostic-specificity. This preliminary study opens the way to POC liquid-biopsy-based early diagnosis of pancreatic-cancer precursors in plasma.</p

Edible Electronics for Sustainable Agrifood: Towards the Integration of Edible Rechargeable Batteries with Sensor Networks

As sensor networks become increasingly used in every step of the agricultural food chain, sustainability remains an underdeveloped aspect when implementing agrifood monitoring systems. Although electronics experienced exponential growth yielding to ultra-low power systems, most sensing nodes employ commercial batteries that are constituted by potentially harmful chemicals and might leak into the environment producing irreversible damage. Here we present a feasibility study aimed at demonstrating the compatibility of a recently developed edible rechargeable battery with commercial sensors for agrifood. The edible battery is completely made of edible materials, namely food-grade gold, ethyl cellulose, beeswax, activated carbon, riboflavin, quercetin, sodium hydrogen sulfate, and nori algae. As such, the battery does not contain any hazardous substances and can be disposed of by a variety of means, including composting. We demonstrate the integration of the battery with commercial thermistors and photoresistors to measure temperature and light intensity, respectively, which are relevant parameters in agricultural food production. We show that the performance of the edible battery is suitable for supplying power to commercial sensors therefore demonstrating its great potential for sustainable agrifood systems

An Iminostilbene Functionalized Benzimidazoline for Enhanced n‐Type Solution Doping of Semiconducting Polymers for Organic Thermoelectrics

Abstract Doped organic semiconductors play a central role in the development of several innovative optoelectronic and energy harvesting applications. Currently, the realization of thermoelectric generators, which require both hole‐ and electron‐transporting materials with high electrical conductivity, is strongly hindered by the scarce availability of stable solution‐processable n‐dopants and their limited efficiency. Herein, the synthesis of 4‐(1,3‐dimethyl‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐benzimidazol‐2‐yl)‐dibenzazepine (IStBI), a novel derivative belonging to the well‐known family of the benzimidazoline compounds, is presented. The functionalization with the planarized and rigid iminostilbene substituent allows, without significantly affecting the compound electronic structure, an efficient intercalation of the dopant molecules inside the ordered regions of thin films of the benchmark n‐type polymer poly(N,N′‐bis‐2‐octyldodecylnaphthalene‐1,4,5,8‐bis‐dicarboximide‐2,6‐diyl‐alt‐5,5′‐2,2′‐bithiophene) P(NDI2OD‐T2). Consequently, a maximum electrical conductivity of (1.14 ± 0.13) × 10−2 S cm−1 is recorded, exceeding by one order of magnitude what previously achieved upon solution doping of the reference P(NDI2OD‐T2) with benzimidazoline derivatives. The thermoelectric power factor is also simultaneously increased. The findings confirm that tailoring of the dopant chemical structure to improve structural interactions with the host semiconductors can be employed as a successful strategy to achieve more effective n‐doping, helping to close the performance gap with p‐type materials

Pathophysiology and Therapy of High-Altitude Sickness: Practical Approach in Emergency and Critical Care

High altitude can be a hostile environment and a paradigm of how environmental factors can determine illness when human biological adaptability is exceeded. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive review of high-altitude sickness, including its epidemiology, pathophysiology, and treatments. The first section of our work defines high altitude and considers the mechanisms of adaptation to it and the associated risk factors for low adaptability. The second section discusses the main high-altitude diseases, highlighting how environmental factors can lead to the loss of homeostasis, compromising important vital functions. Early recognition of clinical symptoms is important for the establishment of the correct therapy. The third section focuses on high-altitude pulmonary edema, which is one of the main high-altitude diseases. With a deeper understanding of the pathogenesis of high-altitude diseases, as well as a reasoned approach to environmental or physical factors, we examine the main high-altitude diseases. Such an approach is critical for the effective treatment of patients in a hostile environment, or treatment in the emergency room after exposure to extreme physical or environmental factors

Uric acid and late-onset Alzheimer's disease: results from the ReGAl 2.0 project

Background: It has been suggested that oxidative stress may have a role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Serum uric acid (UA) could exert neuroprotective effects via its antioxidant capacities. Many studies investigated serum UA levels in subjects with AD, but to date, results are conflicting and evidence in old age subjects is weak. Aims: In this study, we assess whether serum UA levels would be altered in the AD old age subjects compared to those of initial cognitive impairment and healthy controls. Methods: This is a retrospective study with data gathered from the ReGAl 2.0 project (Rete Geriatrica Alzheimer-Geriatric Network on Alzheimer's disease), a large Italian multicentric clinical-based study. A cohort of 232 subjects, including 65 (healthy controls HC), 95 mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and 72 AD, were included in the study. Serum UA was measured in all subjects by routine laboratory method. Results: The sample population includes 232 subjects, mostly women with a mean age of 79.16 ± 5.64 (range 66-93) years. No significant difference was found in gender distribution between groups. No significant correlation was found in all populations between age and uric acid levels. AD group had significantly lower UA levels as compared with HC. The association of uric acid with AD presence after adjusting for age, gender, body mass index (BMI) and creatinine levels showed that uric acid level was independently associated with the diagnosis of AD. Conclusions: These data indicate that serum UA is reduced in AD, supporting that UA may have a potential protective role against AD in old age

A Single-Molecule Bioelectronic Portable Array for Early Diagnosis of Pancreatic Cancer Precursors

A cohort of 47 patients is screened for pancreatic cancer precursors with a portable 96-well bioelectronic sensing-array for single-molecule assay in cysts fluid and blood plasma, deployable at point-of-care (POC). Pancreatic cancer precursors are mucinous cysts diagnosed with a sensitivity of at most 80% by state-of-the-art cytopathological molecular analyses (e.g., KRAS(mut) DNA). Adding the simultaneous assay of proteins related to malignant transformation (e.g., MUC1 and CD55) is deemed essential to enhance diagnostic accuracy. The bioelectronic array proposed here, based on single-molecule-with-a-large-transistor (SiMoT) technology, can assay both nucleic acids and proteins at the single-molecule limit-of-identification (LOI) (1% of false-positives and false-negatives). It comprises an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-like 8 x 12-array organic-electronics disposable cartridge with an electrolyte-gated organic transistor sensor array, and a reusable reader, integrating a custom Si-IC chip, operating via software installed on a USB-connected smart device. The cartridge is complemented by a 3D-printed sensing gate cover plate. KRAS(mut), MUC1, and CD55 biomarkers either in plasma or cysts-fluid from 5 to 6 patients at a time, are multiplexed at single-molecule LOI in 1.5 h. The pancreatic cancer precursors are classified via a machine-learning analysis resulting in at least 96% diagnostic-sensitivity and 100% diagnostic-specificity. This preliminary study opens the way to POC liquid-biopsy-based early diagnosis of pancreatic-cancer precursors in plasma

The Impact of COVID-19 Quarantine on Patients With Dementia and Family Caregivers: A Nation-Wide Survey

Introduction: Previous studies showed that quarantine for pandemic diseases is associated with several psychological and medical effects. The consequences of quarantine for COVID-19 pandemic in patients with dementia are unknown. We investigated the clinical changes in patients with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, and evaluated caregivers’ distress during COVID-19 quarantine. Methods: The study involved 87 Italian Dementia Centers. Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB), Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD), and Vascular Dementia (VD) were eligible for the study. Family caregivers of patients with dementia were interviewed by phone in April 2020, 45 days after quarantine declaration. Main outcomes were patients’ changes in cognitive, behavioral, and motor symptoms. Secondary outcomes were effects on caregivers’ psychological features. Results: 4913 patients (2934 females, 1979 males) fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Caregivers reported a worsening in cognitive functions in 55.1% of patients, mainly in subjects with DLB and AD. Aggravation of behavioral symptoms was observed in 51.9% of patients. In logistic regression analysis, previous physical independence was associated with both cognitive and behavioral worsening (odds ratio 1.85 [95% CI 1.42–2.39], 1.84 [95% CI 1.43–2.38], respectively). On the contrary, pandemic awareness was a protective factor for the worsening of cognitive and behavioral symptoms (odds ratio 0.74 [95% CI 0.65–0.85]; and 0.72 [95% CI 0.63–0.82], respectively). Approximately 25.9% of patients showed the onset of new behavioral symptoms. A worsening in motor function was reported by 36.7% of patients. Finally, caregivers reported a high increase in anxiety, depression, and distress. Conclusion: Our study shows that quarantine for COVID-19 is associated with an acute worsening of clinical symptoms in patients with dementia as well as increase of caregivers’ burden. Our findings emphasize the importance to implement new strategies to mitigate the effects of quarantine in patients with dementia

Roadmap on Printable Electronic Materials for Next-Generation Sensors

Abstract The dissemination of sensors is key to realizing a sustainable, ‘intelligent’ world, where everyday objects and environments are equipped with sensing capabilities to advance the sustainability and quality of our lives—e.g., via smart homes, smart cities, smart healthcare, smart logistics, Industry 4.0, and precision agriculture. The realization of the full potential of these applications critically depends on the availability of easy-to-make, low-cost sensor technologies. Sensors based on printable electronic materials offer the ideal platform: they can be fabricated through simple methods (e.g., printing and coating) and are compatible with high-throughput roll-to-roll processing. Moreover, printable electronic materials often allow the fabrication of sensors on flexible/stretchable/biodegradable substrates, thereby enabling the deployment of sensors in unconventional settings. Fulfilling the promise of printable electronic materials for sensing will require materials and device innovations to enhance their ability to transduce external stimuli—light, ionizing radiation, pressure, strain, force, temperature, gas, vapours, humidity, and other chemical and biological analytes. This Roadmap brings together the viewpoints of experts in various printable sensing materials—and devices thereof—to provide insights into the status and outlook of the field. Alongside recent materials and device innovations, the roadmap discusses the key outstanding challenges pertaining to each printable sensing technology. Finally, the Roadmap points to promising directions to overcome these challenges and thus enable ubiquitous sensing for a sustainable, ‘intelligent’ world.</jats:p