Optical Spectroscopy as a Method for Skin Cancer Risk Assessment

Skin cancer is the most prevalent cancer, and its assessment remains a challenge for physicians. This study reports the application of an optical sensing method, elastic scattering spectroscopy (ESS), coupled with a classifier that was developed with machine learning, to assist in the discrimination of skin lesions that are concerning for malignancy. The method requires no special skin preparation, is non‐invasive, easy to administer with minimal training, and allows rapid lesion classification. This novel approach was tested for all common forms of skin cancer. ESS spectra from a total of 1307 lesions were analyzed in a multi‐center, non‐randomized clinical trial. The classification algorithm was developed on a 950‐lesion training dataset, and its diagnostic performance was evaluated against a 357‐lesion testing dataset that was independent of the training dataset. The observed sensitivity was 100% (14/14) for melanoma and 94% (105/112) for non‐melanoma skin cancer. The overall observed specificity was 36% (84/231). ESS has potential, as an adjunctive assessment tool, to assist physicians to differentiate between common benign and malignant skin lesions.     

Preparation and characterization of the system NiMn2O4/TiO2 by sol–gel: application to the photodegradation of benzamide under visible light

Journal of Sol-Gel Science and Technology - Benzamide is successfully degraded on the novel heterosystem NiMn2O4/TiO2 under visible light. The nanosized spinel is synthesized by the sol–gel...     

In Vivo Production of RNA Aptamers and Nanoparticles: Problems and Prospects

RNA aptamers are becoming increasingly attractive due to their superior properties. This review discusses the early stages of aptamer research, the main developments in this area, and the latest technologies being developed. The review also highlights the advantages of RNA aptamers in comparison to antibodies, considering the great potential of RNA aptamers and their applications in the near future. In addition, it is shown how RNA aptamers can form endless 3-D structures, giving rise to various structural and functional possibilities. Special attention is paid to the Mango, Spinach and Broccoli fluorescent RNA aptamers, and the advantages of split RNA aptamers are discussed. The review focuses on the importance of creating a platform for the synthesis of RNA nanoparticles in vivo and examines yeast, namely Saccharomyces cerevisiae, as a potential model organism for the production of RNA nanoparticles on a large scale.     

Contribution of the Guinier-Preston zones to the hardening of Al-5%Ag alloy and its photo-electrochemical protection in seawater using n-CdS

The contributions of the GP zones and the matrix to the alloy hardening have been studied in the alloy Al-5% at. Ag aging at 150 °C. They were determined separately using a method based on the hardness measurement which obeys the relation ΔHv_SS = 19.72x^2/3 + 0.218 (Gpa), where x is the means atomic concentration of the matrix. The GP zones follows the relationship (ΔHv _GP = 18.4 f_v^0.94 kg/mm²), f_v is the volume fraction of GP zones. In a second part, the photo-electrochemical properties of n-CdS were exploited for the cathodic protection of the alloy Al-5% at.Ag in one of the most corrosive environments namely seawater. The corroded surface was rough and the corrosion product contains divided particles. However, the corrosion was significantly hindered by contacting the alloy to n-CdS (E_g = 2.40 eV) irradiated by visible light with different intensities (42–103 mW cm^-2). Under illumination, the electrode potential of the alloy is cathodically shifted when short-circuited to n-CdS, indicating a photo cathodic protection while the corrosion current falls from 2.67 (in the dark) down to 1.73 mA cm^-2 under a light flux of 103 mW cm^-2. Conversely, when the alloy is short-circuited to p-type CuO (E_g = 1.46 eV), the corrosion current increased by 26% under illumination, due to the activated dissolution by photoholes.