Learning a Physical Activity Classifier for a Low-power Embedded Wrist-located Device

This article presents and evaluates a novel algorithm for learning a physical activity classifier for a low-power embedded wrist-located device. The overall system is designed for real-time execution and it is implemented in the commercial low-power System-on-Chips nRF51 and nRF52. Results were obtained using a database composed of 140 users containing more than 340 hours of labeled raw acceleration data. The final precision achieved for the most important classes, (Rest, Walk, and Run), was of 96%, 94%, and 99% and it generalizes to compound activities such as XC skiing or Housework. We conclude with a benchmarking of the system in terms of memory footprint and power consumption.Comment: Submitted to the 2018 IEEE International Conference on Biomedical and Health Informatic

Observation of Fragile-to-Strong Dynamic Crossover in Protein Hydration Water

At low temperatures proteins exist in a glassy state, a state which has no conformational flexibility and shows no biological functions. In a hydrated protein, at and above 220 K, this flexibility is restored and the protein is able to sample more conformational sub-states, thus becomes biologically functional. This 'dynamical' transition of protein is believed to be triggered by its strong coupling with the hydration water, which also shows a similar dynamic transition. Here we demonstrate experimentally that this sudden switch in dynamic behavior of the hydration water on lysozyme occurs precisely at 220 K and can be described as a Fragile-to-Strong dynamic crossover (FSC). At FSC, the structure of hydration water makes a transition from predominantly high-density (more fluid state) to low-density (less fluid state) forms derived from existence of the second critical point at an elevated pressure.Comment: 6 pages (Latex), 4 figures (Postscript

The cellular interactions of PEGylated gold nanoparticles : effect of PEGylation on cellular uptake and cytotoxicity

Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) is frequently used to coat various medical nanoparticles (NPs). As PEG is known to minimize NP interactions with biological specimens, the question remains whether PEGylated NPs are intrinsically less toxic or whether this is caused by reduced NP uptake. In the present work, the effect of gold NP PEGylation on uptake by three cell types is compared and evaluated the effect on cell viability, oxidative stress, cell morphology, and functionality using a multiparametric methodology. The data reveal that PEGylation affects cellular NP uptake in a cell-type-dependent manner and influences toxicity by different mechanisms. At similar intracellular NP numbers, PEGylated NPs are found to yield higher levels of cell death, mostly by induction of oxidative stress. These findings reveal that PEGylation significantly reduces NP uptake, but that at similar functional (= cell-associated) NP levels, non-PEGylated NPs are better tolerated by the cells

The impact of species and cell type on the nanosafety profile of iron oxide nanoparticles in neural cells

Background: While nanotechnology is advancing rapidly, nanosafety tends to lag behind since general mechanistic insights into cell-nanoparticle (NP) interactions remain rare. To tackle this issue, standardization of nanosafety assessment is imperative. In this regard, we believe that the cell type selection should not be overlooked since the applicability of cell lines could be questioned given their altered phenotype. Hence, we evaluated the impact of the cell type on in vitro nanosafety evaluations in a human and murine neuroblastoma cell line, neural progenitor cell line and in neural stem cells. Acute toxicity was evaluated for gold, silver and iron oxide (IO) NPs, and the latter were additionally subjected to a multiparametric analysis to assess sublethal effects. Results: The stem cells and murine neuroblastoma cell line respectively showed most and least acute cytotoxicity. Using high content imaging, we observed cell type-and species-specific responses to the IONPs on the level of reactive oxygen species production, calcium homeostasis, mitochondrial integrity and cell morphology, indicating that cellular homeostasis is impaired in distinct ways. Conclusions: Our data reveal cell type-specific toxicity profiles and demonstrate that a single cell line or toxicity end point will not provide sufficient information on in vitro nanosafety. We propose to identify a set of standard cell lines for screening purposes and to select cell types for detailed nanosafety studies based on the intended application and/or expected exposure

Synthesis and Functionalization of Monodisperse Near-ultraviolet and Visible Excitable Multifunctional Eu3+, Bi3+:REVO4 Nanophosphors for Bioimaging and Biosensing Applications

Near-ultraviolet and visible excitable Eu- and Bi-doped NPs based on rare earth vanadates (REVO4, RE = Y, Gd) have been synthesized by a facile route from appropriate RE precursors, europium and bismuth nitrate, and sodium orthovanadate, by homogeneous precipitation in an ethylene glycol/water mixture at 120 °C. The NPs can be functionalized either by a one-pot synthesis with polyacrylic acid (PAA) or by a Layer-by-Layer approach with poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) and PAA. In the first case, the particle size can also be tuned by adjusting the amount of PAA. The Eu- Bi-doped REVO4 based nanophosphors show the typical red luminescence of Eu(III), which can be excited through an energy transfer process from the vanadate anions, resulting in a much higher luminescence intensity in comparison to the direct excitation of the europium cations. The incorporation of Bi into the REVO4 structure shifts the original absorption band of the vanadate anions towards longer wavelengths, giving rise to nanophosphors with an excitation maximum at 342 nm, which can also be excited in the visible range. The suitability of such nanophosphors for bioimaging and biosensing applications, as well as their colloidal stability in different buffer media of biological interest, their cytotoxicity, their degradability at low pH, and their uptake by HeLa cells have been evaluated. Their suitability for bioimaging and biosensing applications is also demonstrated.European Union 267226Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad MAT2014-54852-

Cellular uptake and cell-to-cell transfer of polyelectrolyte microcapsules within a triple co-culture system representing parts of the respiratory tract

Polyelectrolyte multilayer microcapsules around 3.4 micrometers in diameter were added to epithelial cells, monocyte-derived macrophages, and dendritic cells in vitro and their uptake kinetics were quantified. All three cell types were combined in a triple co-culture model, mimicking the human epithelial alveolar barrier. Hereby, macrophages were separated in a three-dimensional model from dendritic cells by a monolayer of epithelial cells. While passing of small nanoparticles has been demonstrated from macrophages to dendritic cells across the epithelial barrier in previous studies, for the micrometer-sized capsules, this process could not be observed in a significant amount. Thus, this barrier is a limiting factor for cell-to-cell transfer of micrometer-sized particles

Halbleiternanopartikel-modifizierte Elektrode zum Nachweis von Substraten von NADH-abhängigen Enzymreaktionen

Es wurde ein Elektrodensystem entwickelt, das aufbauend auf Halbleiternanopartikeln (so genannte Quantenpunkte) die sensitive Detektion des Enzymkofaktors NADH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) erlaubt. Kolloidale halbleitende CdSe/ZnS-Nanokristalle sind durch ein Dithiol über Chemisorption an Gold gebunden. Das Stromsignal kann durch die Beleuchtung der Quantenpunkt modifizierten Oberfläche beeinflusst werden. Durch Photoanregung entstehen Elektron-Loch- Paare in den Nanopartikeln, die als anodischer oder kathodischer Photostrom detektiert werden können. Die Immobilisierung der Nanokristalle ist durch amperometrische Photostrom- und Quarzmikrowaage-Messungen (quartz crystal microbalance) verifiziert. Diese Studie zeigt, dass CdSe/ZnS-Quantenpunktmodifizierte Elektroden eine konzentrationsabhängige NADH-Detektion im Bereich von 20μM bis 2mM bei relativ niedrigem Potential (um 0V vs Ag/AgCl, 1 M KCl) ermöglichen. Somit können solche Elektroden in Kombination mit NADH-produzierenden Reaktionen für die lichtgesteuerte Analyse der entsprechenden Substrate des Biokatalysators genutzt werden. Es wird gezeigt, dass mit einem solchen Elektrodensystem und Photostrommessungen ein Glukosenachweis möglich ist.An electrode system based on semiconductive nanoparticles (so called quantum dots) was developed which allows the sensitive detection of the enzyme cofactor NADH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide). Colloidal semiconductive CdSe/ZnS nanocrystals are bound to gold via a dithiol compound by chemisorption. The current signal can be influenced by illumination of the quantum dot-modified electrode surface. Because of photoexcitation electron-holepairs are generated in the nanoparticles which can be detected as anodic or cathodic photocurrent. The immobilisation of the nanocrystals is verified by photocurrent and quarz crystal microbalance (QCM) measurements. This study shows that CdSe/ZnS-quatum dot-modified electrodes provide a concentration-dependent detection of NADH in the range of 20μM up to 2mM at relatively low overpotentials (around 0V vs Ag/ AgCl, 1 M KCl). Such electrodes can be used in combination with NADH-producing reactions for the lighttriggered analysis of the corresponding substrate of the biocatalyst. The detection of glucose with such an electrode system and photocurrent measurements is shown

Lichtgesteuerter bioelektrochemischer Sensor basierend auf CdSe/ZnS-Quantum Dots

Diese Studie beschäftigt sich mit der Untersuchung der Sauerstoffsensitivität von QD-Elektroden auf Basis von CdSe/ZnS-Nanopartikeln. Das Verhalten des sauerstoffabhängigen Photostroms wurde dabei in Abhängigkeit des pH-Wertes und des Potentials untersucht. Auf Grundlage dieser Sauerstoffabhängigkeit wurde die Enzymaktivität von GOD über Photostrommessungen evaluiert. Für die Konstruktion eines photobioelektrochemischen Sensors, der durch Beleuchtung der entsprechenden Elektrodenfläche ausgelesen werden kann, wurden Multischichten auf die CdSe/ZnS-modifizierten Elektroden aufgetragen. Die Layer-by-Layer Deposition von GOD mit Hilfe des Polyelektrolyten PAH zeigte, dass eine Sensorkonstruktion möglich ist. Die Sensoreigenschaften dieser Elektroden werden drastisch durch die Menge an immobilisiertem Enzym auf der Quantum Dot-Schicht beeinflusst. Durch die Präparation von vier Bilayern [GOD/PAH]4 an CdSe/ ZnS Elektroden kann ein schnell ansprechbarer Sensor für Konzentrationen zwischen 0.1 – 5 mM Glukose hergestellt werden. Dies eröffnet neue Möglichkeiten für die Multianalytdetektion mit nichtstrukturierten Sensorelektroden, lokalisierten Enzymen und räumlich aufgelöster Auslesung durch Licht.This study reports on the oxygen sensitivity of quantum dot electrodes modified with CdSe/ZnS nanocrystals. The photocurrent behaviour is analysed in dependence on pH and applied potential by potentiostatic and potentiodynamic measurements. On the basis of the influence of the oxygen content in solution on the photocurrent generation the enzymatic activity of GOD is evaluated in solution. In order to construct a photobioelectrochemical sensor which can be read out by illuminating the respective electrode area multilayers were build up on the CdSe/ZnS-modified electrodes. The layer-by-layer deposition of GOD by means of the polyelectrolyte PAH show that a sensor construction is possible. The sensing properties of such kind of electrodes are drastically influenced by the amount and density of the enzyme on top of the quantum dot layer. By depositing 4 bilayers [GOD/ PAH]4 on the CdSe/ZnS electrode a fast responding sensor for the concentration range 0.1mM-5mM glucose can be prepared. This opens the door to a multianalyte detection with a non-structured sensing electrode, localized enzymes and spatial read-out by light

Hyperspectral darkfield microscopy of single hollow gold nanoparticles for biomedical applications

Hyperspectral microscopy is a versatile method for simultaneous spatial and spectroscopic characterization of nonfluorescent samples. Here we present a hyperspectral darkfield imaging system for spectral imaging of single nanoparticles over an area of 150 × 150 µm2 and at illumination intensities compatible with live cell imaging. The capabilities of the system are demonstrated using correlated transmission electron microscopy and single-particle optical studies of colloidal hollow gold nanoparticles. The potential of the system for characterizing the interactions between nanoparticles and cells has also been demonstrated. In this case, the spectral information proves a useful improvement to standard darkfield imaging as it enables differentiation between light scattered from nanoparticles and light scattered from other sources in the cellular environment. The combination of low illumination power and fast integration times makes the system highly suitable for nanoparticle tracking and spectroscopy in live-cell experiments

Magnetic Nanoparticles for Power Absorption: optimizing size, shape and magnetic properties

We present a study on the magnetic properties of naked and silica-coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles with sizes between 5 and 110 nm. Their efficiency as heating agents was assessed through specific power absorption (SPA) measurements as a function of particle size and shape. The results show a strong dependence of the SPA with the particle size, with a maximum around 30 nm, as expected for a Neel relaxation mechanism in single-domain particles. The SiO2 shell thickness was found to play an important role in the SPA mechanism by hindering the heat outflow, thus decreasing the heating efficiency. It is concluded that a compromise between good heating efficiency and surface functionality for biomedical purposes can be attained by making the SiO2 functional coating as thin as possible.Comment: 15 pages, 7 figures, 2 table