Fabrication of a graphite-paraffin carbon paste electrode and demonstration of its use in electrochemical detection strategies.

Electrochemical detection methods hold many advantages over their optical counterparts, such as operation in complex sample matrices, low-cost and high volume manufacture and possible equipment miniaturisation. Despite these advantages, the use of electrochemical detection is currently limited in the clinical setting. There is a wide range of potential electrode materials, selected for optimal signal-to-noise ratios and reproducibility when detecting target analytes.

A plug-and-play, easy-to-manufacture fluidic accessory to significantly enhance the sensitivity of electrochemical immunoassays.

Earlier access to patients' biomarker status could transform disease management. However, gold-standard techniques such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) are typically not deployed at the point-of-care due to their cumbersome instrumentation and complexity. Electrochemical immunosensors can be disruptive in this sector with their small size and lower cost but, without further modifications, the performance of these sensors in complex media (e.

TOP CAR with TMIGD2 as a safe and effective costimulatory domain in CAR cells treating human solid tumors.

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy shows impressive efficacy treating hematologic malignancies but requires further optimization in solid tumors. Here, we developed a TMIGD2 optimized potent/persistent (TOP) CAR that incorporated the costimulatory domain of TMIGD2, a T and NK cell costimulator, and monoclonal antibodies targeting the IgV domain of B7-H3, an immune checkpoint expressed on solid tumors and tumor vasculature. Comparing second- and third-generation B7-H3 CARs containing TMIGD2, CD28, and/or 4-1BB costimulatory domains revealed superior antitumor responses in B7-H3.

Effect of second booster vaccinations and prior infection against SARS-CoV-2 in the UK SIREN healthcare worker cohort.

Background: The protection of fourth dose mRNA vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 is relevant to current global policy decisions regarding ongoing booster roll-out. We aimed to estimate the effect of fourth dose vaccination, prior infection, and duration of PCR positivity in a highly-vaccinated and largely prior-COVID-19 infected cohort of UK healthcare workers.

Methods: Participants underwent fortnightly PCR and regular antibody testing for SARS-CoV-2 and completed symptoms questionnaires.

Mucosal and systemic antigen-specific antibody responses correlate with protection against active tuberculosis in nonhuman primates.

Background: Increasing evidence supports that antibodies can protect against active tuberculosis (TB) but knowledge of potentially protective antigens, especially in the airways, is limited. The main objective of this study was to identify antigen-specific airway and systemic immunoglobulin isotype responses associated with the outcome of controlled latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection (LTBI) versus uncontrolled infection (TB) in nonhuman primates.

Methods: In a case-control design, using non-parametric group comparisons with false discovery rate adjustments, we assessed antibodies in 57 cynomolgus macaques which, following low-dose airway Mtb infection, developed either LTBI or TB.

Effectiveness of BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine third doses and previous infection in protecting against SARS-CoV-2 infections during the Delta and Omicron variant waves; the UK SIREN cohort study September 2021 to February 2022.

Third doses of COVID-19 vaccines were widely deployed following the primary vaccine course waning and the emergence of the Omicron-variant. We investigated protection from third-dose vaccines and previous infection against SARS-CoV-2 infection during Delta-variant and Omicron-variant (BA.1 & BA.

Can Perioperative Antibiotic Choice Impact Rates of Infectious Complications After Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy? A Single-Blind, Prospective Randomized Trial.

National guidelines recommend periprocedural antibiotics before percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), yet it is not clear which is superior. We conducted a randomized trial to compare two guideline-recommended antibiotics: ciprofloxacin (cipro) cefazolin, on PCNL outcomes, focusing on the development of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) criteria. Adult patients who were not considered high risk for surgical or infectious complications and undergoing PCNL were randomized to receive either cipro or cefazolin perioperatively.

Comparing nanobody and aptamer-based capacitive sensing for detection of interleukin-6 (IL-6) at physiologically relevant levels.

A major societal challenge is the development of the necessary tools for early diagnosis of diseases such as cancer and sepsis. Consequently, there is a concerted push to develop low-cost and non-invasive methods of analysis with high sensitivity and selectivity. A notable trend is the development of highly sensitive methods that are not only amenable for point-of-care (POC) testing, but also for wearable devices allowing continuous monitoring of biomarkers.

AI-generated R.E.N.A.L.+ Score Surpasses Human-generated Score in Predicting Renal Oncologic Outcomes.

Objective: To determine whether we can surpass the traditional R.E.N.

Towards direct detection of tetracycline residues in milk with a gold nanostructured electrode.

Tetracycline antibiotics are used extensively in veterinary medicine, but the majority of the administrated dose is eliminated unmodified from the animal through various excretion routes including urine, faeces and milk. In dairy animals, limits on residues secreted in milk are strictly controlled by legislation. Tetracyclines (TCs) have metal chelation properties and form strong complexes with iron ions under acidic conditions.

Tacrolimus/methotrexate vs tacrolimus/reduced-dose methotrexate/mycophenolate for graft-versus-host disease prevention.

Tacrolimus (Tac)/methotrexate (MTX) is standard graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis; however, is associated with several toxicities. Tac, reduced-dose MTX (mini-MTX), and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) have been used but never compared with standard MTX. We performed a randomized trial comparing Tac/MTX (full-MTX) with Tac/mini-MTX/MMF (mini-MTX/MMF) for GVHD prevention after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT).

The impact of lidocaine plaster prescribing reduction strategies: A comparison of two national health services in Europe.

Aims: In 2017, two distinct interventions were implemented in Ireland and England to reduce prescribing of lidocaine medicated plasters. In Ireland, restrictions on reimbursement were introduced through implementation of an application system for reimbursement. In England, updated guidance on items which should not be routinely prescribed in primary care, including lidocaine plasters, was published.

Wound related complications and the anterior rectus sheath versus Gibson approach to kidney transplantation: A single center randomized controlled trial.

Introduction: Wound related complications (WRC) are a significant source of morbidity in kidney transplant recipients, and may be mitigated by surgical approach. We hypothesize that the anterior rectus sheath approach (ARS) may decrease WRC and inpatient opiate use compared to the Gibson Approach (GA).

Methods: This double-blinded randomized controlled trial allocated kidney transplant recipients aged 18 or older, exclusive of other procedures, 1:1 to ARS or GA at a single hospital.

Recent advancements in the B7/CD28 immune checkpoint families: new biology and clinical therapeutic strategies.

The B7/CD28 families of immune checkpoints play vital roles in negatively or positively regulating immune cells in homeostasis and various diseases. Recent basic and clinical studies have revealed novel biology of the B7/CD28 families and new therapeutics for cancer therapy. In this review, we discuss the newly discovered KIR3DL3/TMIGD2/HHLA2 pathways, PD-1/PD-L1 and B7-H3 as metabolic regulators, the glycobiology of PD-1/PD-L1, B7x (B7-H4) and B7-H3, and the recently characterized PD-L1/B7-1 cis-interaction.

Signal Amplification in Electrochemical DNA Biosensors Using Target-Capturing DNA Origami Tiles.

Electrochemical DNA (e-DNA) biosensors are feasible tools for disease monitoring, with their ability to translate hybridization events between a desired nucleic acid target and a functionalized transducer, into recordable electrical signals. Such an approach provides a powerful method of sample analysis, with a strong potential to generate a rapid time to result in response to low analyte concentrations. Here, we report a strategy for the amplification of electrochemical signals associated with DNA hybridization, by harnessing the programmability of the DNA origami method to construct a sandwich assay to boost charge transfer resistance () associated with target detection.

Simple and low-cost antibiotic susceptibility testing for Mycobacterium tuberculosis using screen-printed electrodes.

One quarter of the global population is thought to be latently infected by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) with it estimated that 1 in 10 of those people will go on to develop active disease. Due to the fact that M. tuberculosis (TB) is a disease most often associated with low- and middle-income countries, it is critical that low-cost and easy-to-use technological solutions are developed, which can have a direct impact on diagnosis and prescribing practice for TB.

Accelerating the development of implantable neurochemical biosensors by using existing clinically applied depth electrodes.

In this study, an implantable stereo-electroencephalography (sEEG) depth electrode was functionalised with an enzyme coating for enzyme-based biosensing of glucose and L-glutamate. This was done because personalised medicine could benefit from active real-time neurochemical monitoring on small spatial and temporal scales to further understand and treat neurological disorders. To achieve this, the sEEG depth electrode was characterised using cyclic voltammetry (CV), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), square wave voltammetry (SWV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) using several electrochemical redox mediators (potassium ferri/ferrocyanide, ruthenium hexamine chloride, and dopamine).

Protocol for evaluating antitumor activity of KIR3DL3 blockade in an NK cell-based xenogeneic lung tumor model.

Human killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor, three Ig domains and long cytoplasmic tail (KIR3DL3) is expressed on natural killer (NK) cells and is a newly identified inhibitory receptor for B7 family member HERV-H LTR-associating protein 2 (HHLA2). Here, we summarize the isolation and expansion of KIR3DL3 human NK cells, and functional characterization of in-house anti-KIR3DL3 monoclonal antibody (mAb). We also describe a human NK cell-based xenogeneic lung tumor model for testing the therapeutic activity of KIR3DL3 blockade .

Blockade of the immunosuppressive KIR2DL5/PVR pathway elicits potent human NK cell-mediated antitumor immunity.

Cancer immunotherapy targeting the TIGIT/PVR pathway is currently facing challenges. KIR2DL5, a member of the human killer cell, immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) family, has recently been identified as another binding partner for PVR. The biology and therapeutic potential of the KIR2DL5/PVR pathway are largely unknown.

Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in a primary school setting with and without public health measures using real-world contact data: A modelling study.

Background: Stringent public health measures have been shown to influence the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 within school environments. We investigated the potential transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in a primary school setting with and without public health measures, using fine-grained physical positioning traces captured before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: Approximately 172.