Nanoscale High-Tc YBCO/GaN Super-Schottky Diode.

We demonstrate a high-temperature nanoscale super-Schottky diode based on a superconducting tunnel junction of pulsed-laser-deposited YBCO on GaN thin films. A buffer-free direct growth of nanoscale YBCO thin films on heavily doped GaN was performed to realize a direct high-T superconductor-semiconductor junction. The junction shows strongly non-linear I-V characteristics, which have practical applications as a low-voltage super-Schottky diode for microwave mixing and detection.

Serum Cystatin C as an Early Diagnostic Biomarker of Diabetic Kidney Disease in Type 2 Diabetic Patients.

Objective: To determine the diagnostic accuracy and cut-off values of serum cystatin C as early diagnostic biomarker of diabetic kidney disease.

Study Design: Cross-sectional analytical study.

Place And Duration Of Study: Department of Pathology, Army Medical College, Rawalpindi in collaboration with Endocrinology Department, Military Hospital (MH), Rawalpindi from November 2015 to November 2016.

Photoinduced discharge of electrons stored in a TiO2-MWCNT composite to an analyte: application to the fluorometric determination of hydrogen peroxide, glucose and aflatoxin B1.

The authors describe an analytical detection scheme based on the use of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) that accept and store electrons upon contact with photo-irradiated TiO nanoparticles (TiO-NPs). The Fermi level equilibration with photo-irradiated TiO-NPs has a storage value of 0.35 mM of electrons per 120 mg·L of MWCNTs.

DNA assay based on Nanoceria as Fluorescence Quenchers (NanoCeracQ DNA assay).

Functional nanomaterials with fluorescent or quenching abilities are important for the development of molecular probes for detection and studies of nucleic acids. Here, we describe a new class of molecular nanoprobes, the NanoCeracQ that uses nanoceria particles as a nanoquencher of fluorescent oligonucleotides for rapid and sensitive detection of DNA sequences and hybridization events. We show that nanoceria forms stable and reversible bionanoconjugates with oligonucleotides and can specifically recognize and detect DNA sequences in a single step.

Prevalence of Hepatitis C virus and its risk factors in blood donors in district Peshawar.

The current study was designed in order to elucidate the most sensitive method for daily practice as well as to evaluate the risk factors for HCV infection associated with blood transfusion in District Peshawar. A total of 1400 healthy volunteer blood donors were tested for Anti-HCV. A questionnaire was used to evaluate the risk factors.

Carboxylic group riched graphene oxide based disposable electrochemical immunosensor for cancer biomarker detection.

In this work, we have developed for the first time a carboxylic group riched graphene oxide based disposable electrochemical immunosensor for cancer biomarker detection using methylene blue (MB). The developed immunosensor is highly sensitive for detection of biomarker Mucin1 (MUC1) in human serum samples. Development of this disposable electrochemical immunosensor was premeditated by applying specific monoclonal antibodies against MUC1.

Diaphragmatic Excursion: Does it Predict Successful Weaning from Mechanical Ventilation?

Objective: To measure the diaphragmatic excursion and its outcome on weaning from mechanical ventilation.

Study Design: Cross-sectional comparative study.

Place And Duration Of Study: Medical Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Military Hospital (MH), Rawalpindi, Pakistan, from January to December 2014.

Nano-Aptasensing in Mycotoxin Analysis: Recent Updates and Progress.

Recent years have witnessed an overwhelming integration of nanomaterials in the fabrication of biosensors. Nanomaterials have been incorporated with the objective to achieve better analytical figures of merit in terms of limit of detection, linear range, assays stability, low production cost, etc. Nanomaterials can act as immobilization support, signal amplifier, mediator and artificial enzyme label in the construction of aptasensors.

Risk adjusted therapy in chronic lymphocytic leukemia: a phase II cancer trials Ireland (CTRIAL-IE [ICORG 07-01]) study of fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab therapy evaluating response adapted, abbreviated frontline therapy with FCR in non-del(17p) CLL.

Minimal residual disease negative complete response (MRD-negative CR) provides an early marker for time to treatment failure (TTF) in CLL treated with fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab (FCR). MRD was assessed after four FCR cycles (FCR4); MRD-negative CR patients discontinued treatment. Fifty-two patients (35M; 17F) were enrolled.

An Overview on Recent Progress in Electrochemical Biosensors for Antimicrobial Drug Residues in Animal-Derived Food.

Anti-microbial drugs are widely employed for the treatment and cure of diseases in animals, promotion of animal growth, and feed efficiency. However, the scientific literature has indicated the possible presence of antimicrobial drug residues in animal-derived food, making it one of the key public concerns for food safety. Therefore, it is highly desirable to design fast and accurate methodologies to monitor antimicrobial drug residues in animal-derived food.

White Matter Sexual Dimorphism of the Adult Human Brain.

Sex-biased psychophysiology, behavior, brain function, and conditions are extensive, yet underlying structural brain mechanisms remain unclear. There is contradicting evidence regarding sexual dimorphism when it comes to brain structure, and there is still no consensus on whether or not there exists such a dimorphism for brain white matter. Therefore, we conducted a voxel-based morphometry (VBM) analysis along with global volume analysis for white matter across sex.

Biomimetic nitrogen doped titania nanoparticles as a colorimetric platform for hydrogen peroxide detection.

Nanoparticles proved a viable alternative to the already used sensing and diagnostics methods due to their low cost, good stability, easy availability and easy synthesis. In the present approach, nitrogen doped titania nanoparticles are prepared through freeze drying method, and subsequently stabilized through ionic liquid. These nanoparticles were characterized through various techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), BET pore size and surface area analyzer, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and UV-Visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-Vis.

Molecular Profiling: A Case of Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia.

Several variant translocations have been reported in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) of which the t(11;17)(q23;q21), which results in a fusion, is the most widely identified and is largely resistant to therapy with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA). The clinical course together with the cytogenetic and molecular characterization of a case of ATRA-unresponsive APL is described. Additional mutations potentially cooperating with the translocation fusion product in leukemogenesis have been hitherto unreported in APL and were sought by application of a next-generation sequencing approach to detect those recurrently found in myeloid malignancies.

Modeling Tree Growth Taking into Account Carbon Source and Sink Limitations.

Increasing CO concentrations are strongly controlled by the behavior of established forests, which are believed to be a major current sink of atmospheric CO. There are many models which predict forest responses to environmental changes but they are almost exclusively carbon source (i.e.

Medical students' academic emotions: the role of perceived learning environment.

Introduction: Research shows that there is a relationship between students' perceptions of classroom and learning environment and their cognitive, affective, emotional and behavioral outcomes, so, in this study the relationship between medical students' perception of learning environment and academic emotions was examined.

Method: The research method used was descriptive-correlative. The statistical population consisted of medical students of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences.

A novel colorimetric competitive aptamer assay for lysozyme detection based on superparamagnetic nanobeads.

Lysozyme (Lys) commonly presents in wines and are known to cause toxicological impact on human health. The need of highly sensitive and reliable detection methods are evident in such matrix. In this work, we developed a competitive aptamer based assay for detection of Lys by employing carboxylated magnetic beads as a support to immobilize the target molecule Lys.

A novel molecular assay using hybridisation probes and melt curve analysis for exon 9 mutation detection in myeloproliferative neoplasms.

Aims: Somatic insertions/deletions in exon 9 of the calreticulin gene have been identified in patients with essential thrombocythemia and primary myelofibrosis. Over 55 mutations have been discovered, 80% of which consist of either type 1 52-bp deletion or type 2 5-bp insertion. Other mutations (types 3-5) in conjunction with types 1 and 2 account for >87% of identified mutations.

Tumour Lysis Syndrome and Partial Remission Occurring After Administration of a Test Dose of Obinutuzumab.

Unlabelled: Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) is one of the most common haematological malignancies worldwide, with an increasing prevalence in the elderly population. Obinutuzumab is a type II anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody which showed superiority over rituximab in combination chemotherapy with chlorambucil for the treatment of CLL in the CLL11 trial (NCT01010061) and is becoming part of standard first line treatment for CLL in the elderly based on its potent efficacy and benign safety profile. We report the case of a chemotherapy naive patient who develop tumour lysis syndrome despite appropriate prophylaxis, and had partial remission of her disease after receiving only the initial test dose of obinutuzumab.

Evaluation of information literacy status among medical students at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences.

Introduction: The information literacy status and the use of information technology among students in the globalization age of course plans are very momentous. This study aimed to evaluate the information literacy status and use of information technology among medical students of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in 2013.

Methods: This was a descriptive-analytical study with cross-sectional method.

Label-Free Aptasensors for the Detection of Mycotoxins.

Various methodologies have been reported in the literature for the qualitative and quantitative monitoring of mycotoxins in food and feed samples. Based on their enhanced specificity, selectivity and versatility, bio-affinity assays have inspired many researchers to develop sensors by exploring bio-recognition phenomena. However, a significant problem in the fabrication of these devices is that most of the biomolecules do not generate an easily measurable signal upon binding to the target analytes, and signal-generating labels are required to perform the measurements.

Nano-Engineered Biomimetic Optical Sensors for Glucose Monitoring in Diabetes.

Diabetes is a rapidly growing disease that can be monitored at an individual level by controlling the blood glucose level, hence minimizing the negative impact of the disease. Significant research efforts have been focused on the design of novel and improved technologies to overcome the limitations of existing glucose analysis methods. In this context, nanotechnology has enabled the diagnosis at the single cell and molecular level with the possibility of incorporation in advanced molecular diagnostic biochips.

Electrochemical Affinity Biosensors Based on Disposable Screen-Printed Electrodes for Detection of Food Allergens.

Food allergens are proteins from nuts and tree nuts, fish, shellfish, wheat, soy, eggs or milk which trigger severe adverse reactions in the human body, involving IgE-type antibodies. Sensitive detection of allergens in a large variety of food matrices has become increasingly important considering the emergence of functional foods and new food manufacturing technologies. For example, proteins such as casein from milk or lysozyme and ovalbumin from eggs are sometimes used as fining agents in the wine industry.

One Step Assembly of Thin Films of Carbon Nanotubes on Screen Printed Interface for Electrochemical Aptasensing of Breast Cancer Biomarker.

Thin films of organic moiety functionalized carbon nanotubes (CNTs) from a very well-dispersed aqueous solution were designed on a screen printed transducer surface through a single step directed assembly methodology. Very high density of CNTs was obtained on the screen printed electrode surface, with the formation of a thin and uniform layer on transducer substrate. Functionalized CNTs were characterized by X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Brunauer-Emmett- Teller (BET) surface area analyzer methodologies, while CNT coated screen printed transducer platform was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS).