5 research outputs found
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Urinary Volatile Organic Compound Testing in Fast-Track Patients with Suspected Colorectal Cancer
Data Availability Statement: Deidentified VOC output could be shared (with no end date) subject to the approval of a proposal and completion of a data-sharing agreement and/or ethical approval.Copyright: © 2022 by the authors. Colorectal symptoms are common but only infrequently represent serious pathology, including colorectal cancer (CRC). A large number of invasive tests are presently performed for reassurance. We investigated the feasibility of urinary volatile organic compound (VOC) testing as a potential triage tool in patients fast-tracked for assessment for possible CRC. A prospective, multicenter, observational feasibility study was performed across three sites. Patients referred to NHS fast-track pathways for potential CRC provided a urine sample that underwent Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), Field Asymmetric Ion Mobility Spectrometry (FAIMS), and Selected Ion Flow Tube Mass Spectrometry (SIFT-MS) analysis. Patients underwent colonoscopy and/or CT colonography and were grouped as either CRC, adenomatous polyp(s), or controls to explore the diagnostic accuracy of VOC output data supported by an artificial neural network (ANN) model. 558 patients participated with 23 (4%) CRC diagnosed. 59% of colonoscopies and 86% of CT colonographies showed no abnormalities. Urinary VOC testing was feasible, acceptable to patients, and applicable within the clinical fast track pathway. GC-MS showed the highest clinical utility for CRC and polyp detection vs. controls (sensitivity = 0.878, specificity = 0.882, AUROC = 0.896) but it is labour intensive. Urinary VOC testing and analysis are feasible within NHS fast-track CRC pathways. Clinically meaningful differences between patients with cancer, polyps, or no pathology were identified suggesting VOC analysis may have future utility as a triage tool.National Institute for Health Research, Research for Patient Benefit Scheme grant number PB-PG-0416-20022
Computers from plants we never made. Speculations
We discuss possible designs and prototypes of computing systems that could be
based on morphological development of roots, interaction of roots, and analog
electrical computation with plants, and plant-derived electronic components. In
morphological plant processors data are represented by initial configuration of
roots and configurations of sources of attractants and repellents; results of
computation are represented by topology of the roots' network. Computation is
implemented by the roots following gradients of attractants and repellents, as
well as interacting with each other. Problems solvable by plant roots, in
principle, include shortest-path, minimum spanning tree, Voronoi diagram,
-shapes, convex subdivision of concave polygons. Electrical properties
of plants can be modified by loading the plants with functional nanoparticles
or coating parts of plants of conductive polymers. Thus, we are in position to
make living variable resistors, capacitors, operational amplifiers,
multipliers, potentiometers and fixed-function generators. The electrically
modified plants can implement summation, integration with respect to time,
inversion, multiplication, exponentiation, logarithm, division. Mathematical
and engineering problems to be solved can be represented in plant root networks
of resistive or reaction elements. Developments in plant-based computing
architectures will trigger emergence of a unique community of biologists,
electronic engineering and computer scientists working together to produce
living electronic devices which future green computers will be made of.Comment: The chapter will be published in "Inspired by Nature. Computing
inspired by physics, chemistry and biology. Essays presented to Julian Miller
on the occasion of his 60th birthday", Editors: Susan Stepney and Andrew
Adamatzky (Springer, 2017
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Sniffing out resistance - Rapid identification of urinary tract infection-causing bacteria and their antibiotic susceptibility using volatile metabolite profiles
Above and Beyond; Bristol Bridge; EPSRC; Avon Primary Care Research Collaborativ