Comparing the Performance of Raman and Near-Infrared Imaging in the Prediction of the In Vitro Dissolution Profile of Extended-Release Tablets Based on Artificial Neural Networks.

In this work, the performance of two fast chemical imaging techniques, Raman and near-infrared (NIR) imaging is compared by utilizing these methods to predict the rate of drug release from sustained-release tablets. Sustained release is provided by adding hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), as its concentration and particle size determine the dissolution rate of the drug. The chemical images were processed using classical least squares; afterwards, a convolutional neural network was applied to extract information regarding the particle size of HPMC.

Follow-up of solid-state fungal wood pretreatment by a novel near-infrared spectroscopy-based lignin calibration model.

Lignin removal plays a crucial role in the efficient bioconversion of lignocellulose to fermentable sugars. As a delignification process, fungal pretreatment has gained great interest due to its environmental friendliness and low energy consumption. In our previous study, a positive linear correlation between acid-insoluble lignin degradation and the achievable enzymatic saccharification yield has been found, hereby highlighting the importance of the close follow-up of lignin degradation during the solid-state fungal pretreatment process.

Rapid lignin quantification for fungal wood pretreatment by ATR-FTIR spectroscopy.

Lignin determination in lignocellulose with the conventional two-step acid hydrolysis method is highly laborious and time-consuming. However, its quantification is crucial to monitor fungal pretreatment of wood, as the increase of acid-insoluble lignin (AIL) degradation linearly correlates with the achievable enzymatic saccharification yield. Therefore, in this study, a new attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy method was developed to track fungal delignification in an easy and rapid manner.

Mid-Infrared Imaging Characterization to Differentiate Lung Cancer Subtypes.

Lung cancer is the most common malignancy worldwide. Squamous cell carcinoma (SQ) and adenocarcinoma (LUAD) are the two most frequent histological subtypes. Small cell carcinoma (SCLC) subtype has the worst prognosis.

Self-reported antibiotic stewardship and infection control measures from 57 intensive care units: An international ID-IRI survey.

We explored the self-reported antibiotic stewardship (AS), and infection prevention and control (IPC) activities in intensive care units (ICUs) of different income settings. A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online questionnaire to collect data about IPC and AS measures in participating ICUs. The study participants were Infectious Diseases-International Research Initiative (IDI-IR) members, committed as per their institutional agreement form.

Validation of microplastic sample preparation method for freshwater samples.

The global presence of microplastics in the environment is well documented nowadays. Studies already showed the potential risks that microplastic particles might cause to the ecosystem, while potential human health effects are currently under investigation. As one of the main inputs of these crucial researches, the concentration of microplastics in the environment should be measured precisely, confidently and monitored regularly to determine exposure levels of these pollutants.

Validation of pressurized fractionated filtration microplastic sampling in controlled test environment.

In the field of microplastic (MP) research in the environment, a significant amount of the currently reported results is uncertain because of the inappropriate methods of sampling, detection and quantification of MPs. Fortunately, many research groups are aware of these challenges, but validated methods, which are the prerequisite of standardized measurements, are scarce. Recovery tests are especially rare in the field of MP sampling.

Mid-Infrared Imaging Is Able to Characterize and Separate Cancer Cell Lines.

Malignancies are still responsible for a large share of lethalities. Macroscopical evaluation of the surgical resection margins is uncertain. Big data based imaging approaches have emerged in the recent decade (mass spectrometry, two-photon microscopy, infrared and Raman spectroscopy).

A novel approach to the characterization of old wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) varieties by complex rheological analysis.

Background: Lines of the internationally recognized old Hungarian Bánkúti 1201 variety are important genetic resources for breeding programmes. Their protein composition and gluten dependent technological traits have been comprehensively studied, however, little information is available about their carbohydrate dependent viscous properties. The aim of this work was to obtain comprehensive rheological characterization of all sublines of Bánkúti 1201 maintained at Martonvásár and to investigate their variability if the carbohydrate dependent viscous behaviour was also included in the analyses.

Attenuated total reflection fourier transform infrared spectroscopy based methods for identification of chromatography media formulations used in downstream processes.

Chromatographic media play a crucial role in the downstream processing of biotechnology products. The physical and chemical properties of these processing aids are mostly monitored by expensive and time-consuming preparative tests, but spectroscopic techniques may also be used to measure chromatographic media samples. In this study, chromatographic media formulations used in downstream processes were investigated using attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR FT-IR) spectroscopy.

On-line glucose monitoring by near infrared spectroscopy during the scale up steps of mammalian cell cultivation process development.

NIR spectroscopy is a non-destructive tool for in-situ, on-line bioprocess monitoring. One of its most frequent applications is the determination of metabolites during cultivation, especially glucose. Previous studies have usually investigated the applicability of Near Infrared (NIR) spectroscopy at one bioreactor scale but the effect of scale up was not explored.

Cultural Competency Matters: Calling for a Deeper Understanding of Healthcare Disparities Among Nurse Leaders.

Healthcare disparities for racial and ethnic minority patients are a serious issue in the United States. Although socioeconomic factors are a key contributor to these disparities, there are many other influences, related to the patient, system, and provider. A key strategy to address provider-related factors is to assess the cultural competence of caregivers.

'True Day Case' Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy in a High-Volume Specialist Unit and Review of Factors Contributing to Unexpected Overnight Stay.

Introduction: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is the gold standard treatment for gallstones. British Association of Day Case Surgery recommends at least 60% of LCs be performed as day cases. The aim of this study was to assess our rate of true day case LCs and review factors preventing same-day discharge.

Elective "True Day Case" Laparoscopic Inguinal Hernia Repair in a District General Hospital: Lessons Learned from 1000 Consecutive Cases.

Introduction: Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair (LIHR) is ideal for day case surgery. It is recommended that at least 70% should be day cases as a measure of cost-effectiveness. The aims of this study were to (i) assess the rate of true day case (TDC) surgery and (ii) identify predictors associated with unexpected overnight stay (UOS).

Comparison of multivariate data analysis techniques to improve glucose concentration prediction in mammalian cell cultivations by Raman spectroscopy.

In-situ Raman spectroscopy is frequently applied to monitor and even control the glucose concentration of monoclonal antibody producing mammalian cell cultivations. Previous studies used the PLSR algorithm only, however other multivariate algorithms were applied successfully for different protein production processes. In this study, four mammalian cell cultivation runs were followed with Raman spectroscopy and the spectra were analysed quantitatively and qualitatively as well.

Sensitive detection of hydroquinone using exfoliated graphene-Au/glassy carbon modified electrode.

Graphene nanosheets (EGr) were electrochemically prepared through one-step exfoliation of a graphite rod in a mixture of HSO:HNO (3:1) at low bias (4 V). Subsequently, gold nanoparticles were attached to the graphene surface (EGr-Au) by the reduction of the metal precursor (HAuCl) in aqueous solution containing dispersed graphene sheets. According to the XRD investigation, the synthesized material consists of a mixture of few-layer (86%) and multi-layer (14%) graphene.

On-line prediction of the glucose concentration of CHO cell cultivations by NIR and Raman spectroscopy: Comparative scalability test with a shake flask model system.

In this study, near-infrared (NIR) and Raman spectroscopy were compared in parallel to predict the glucose concentration of Chinese hamster ovary cell cultivations. A shake flask model system was used to quickly generate spectra similar to bioreactor cultivations therefore accelerating the development of a working model prior to actual cultivations. Automated variable selection and several pre-processing methods were tested iteratively during model development using spectra from six shake flask cultivations.

Electrochemical platform based on nitrogen-doped graphene/chitosan nanocomposite for selective Pb detection.

A novel nanocomposite was developed and used for trace determination of Pb cations from aqueous solutions. The nanocomposite was obtained by the association of N-doped graphene (N-Gr) with a biocompatible polymer, namely chitosan (Ch). The characterization of the new nanocomposite material (Ch-N-Gr) was performed using TEM, STEM-EDX, SEM, XRD and XPS techniques.

Meta-analysis of warmed versus standard temperature CO2 insufflation for laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Background: There is conflicting evidence for the use of warmed, humidified carbon dioxide (CO2) for creating pneumoperitoneum during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Few studies have reported less post-operative pain and analgesic requirement when warmed CO2 was used.

Aim: This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to analyse the literature on the use of warmed CO2 in comparison to standard temperature CO2 during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

High Throughput Screening Identifies a Novel Compound Protecting Cardiomyocytes from Doxorubicin-Induced Damage.

Antracyclines are effective antitumor agents. One of the most commonly used antracyclines is doxorubicin, which can be successfully used to treat a diverse spectrum of tumors. Application of these drugs is limited by their cardiotoxic effect, which is determined by a lifetime cumulative dose.

Cytoprotective dibenzoylmethane derivatives protect cells from oxidative stress-induced necrotic cell death.

Screening of a small in-house library of 1863 compounds identified 29 compounds that protected Jurkat cells from hydrogen peroxide-induced cytotoxicity. From the cytoprotective compounds eleven proved to possess antioxidant activity (ABTS radical scavenger effect) and two were found to inhibit poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation (PARylation), a cytotoxic pathway operating in severely injured cells. Four cytoprotective dibenzoylmethane (DBM) derivatives were investigated in more detail as they did not scavenge hydrogen peroxide nor did they inhibit PARylation.