Biphasic water-oil systems for functional augmentation of probiotic nanoencapsulated in luteolin-Fe shells.

Single-cell nanoencapsulation (SCNE) has great potential in the enhancement of therapeutic effects of probiotic microbes. However, the material scope has been limited to water-soluble compounds to avoid non-biocompatible organic solvents that are harmful to living cells. In this work, the SCNE of probiotic with water-insoluble luteolin and Fe ions is achieved by the vortex-assisted, biphasic water-oil system.

Establishment of local diagnostic reference levels for CT colonography at a tertiary hospital.

Background: Diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) are an important metric in identifying abnormally high radiation doses in diagnostic examinations. National DRLs for CT colonography do not currently exist in South Africa, but there are efforts to collect data for a national DRL project.

Objectives: This study investigated radiation doses for CT colonography in adult patients at a large tertiary hospital in South Africa with the aim of setting local DRLs.