Developing Implantable Hydrogel-Based Sensors to Measure Biomarkers in Synovial Joint Fluid Using Plain Radiography

The goal of my dissertation research is to develop implantable sensors that attach to prosthesis prior to implantation and measures biomarkers of infection in joint fluid in order to detect, monitor, and study infection using plain radiography. Joint replacement surgeries are common procedures improving the mobility and lives of millions of people worldwide. Although the surgeries are generally successful, about 1% of prosthetic hips become infected. If the infections are not detected and treated promptly with antibiotics and surgical debridement, device removal is almost always required to treat the infections. Therefore, it’s important to detect post-surgery infections early and monitor the effect of therapies for effective treatment. The sensors developed in this report can be attached to prosthetic joints and enable analysis of synovial fluid biomarkers for local infection in vivo using plain radiography. The biomarkers of infection focused here are pH, carbon dioxide, and viscosity of synovial fluid. The pH and carbon dioxide sensors are based on a pH-responsive hydrogel, whereas the viscosity sensor is based on the velocity of a falling bead. Radiopaque markers are incorporated into the sensor to enable biochemical measurements, radiographically. The sensors can be expanded to other biomarkers of infections, as well as other disease conditions. The sensors developed provide noninvasive local chemical measurements using plain radiography which is simple, rapid, and already acquired as part of the standard of care for early detection of prosthetic joint infections

Comparison of the Basic Nutritional Characteristics of the First Extract and Second Extract of Coconut Milk

ABSTRACT: Coconut milk is the aqueous extract of grated coconut kernel. In traditional cooking in the South Asian region, grated coconut kernel is hand-pressed with water to obtain a viscous white coconut milk known as first extract (FE). The coconut kernel remaining after the first extraction is further extracted with a fresh portion of water to obtain second extract (SE), which is less viscous. In the present study, the nutritional composition and the effect of FE and SE on the serum lipid profiles was evaluated. The results indicate that the lipid and protein contents of SE is equivalent to a 3 fold diluted solution of FE. However, the levels of sugars and phenolic contents of the SE cannot be achieved by the same fold ofdilution of FE. There is no significant difference (p < 0.05)in the lipid profiles of the rats fed with SE after 21 days