Segregation of human prostate tissues classified high-risk (UK) versus low-risk (India) for adenocarcinoma using Fourier-transform infrared or Raman microspectroscopy coupled with discriminant analysis

Vibrational spectroscopy techniques can be applied to identify a susceptibility-to-adenocarcinoma biochemical signature. A sevenfold difference in incidence of prostate adenocarcinoma (CaP) remains apparent amongst populations of low- (e.g. India) compared with high-risk (e.g. UK) regions, with migrant studies implicating environmental and/or lifestyle/dietary causative factors. This study set out to determine the biospectroscopy-derived spectral differences between risk-associated cohorts to CaP. Benign prostate tissues were obtained using transurethral resection from high-risk (n = 11, UK) and low-risk (n = 14, India) cohorts. Samples were analysed using attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, FTIR microspectroscopy and Raman microspectroscopy. Spectra were subsequently processed within the biochemical cell region (1,800⁻¹–500 cm^–1) employing principal component analysis (PCA) and linear discriminant analysis (LDA) to determine whether wavenumber–absorbance/intensity relationships might reveal biochemical differences associated with region-specific susceptibility to CaP. PCA-LDA scores and corresponding cluster vector plots identified pivotal segregating biomarkers as 1,582 cm⁻¹ (Amide I/II trough); 1,551 cm⁻¹ (Amide II); 1,667 cm⁻¹ (Amide I); 1,080 cm⁻¹ (DNA/RNA); 1,541 cm⁻¹ (Amide II); 1,468 cm⁻¹ (protein); 1,232 cm⁻¹ (DNA); 1,003 cm⁻¹ (phenylalanine); 1,632 cm⁻¹ [right-hand side (RHS) Amide I] for glandular epithelium (P < 0.0001) and 1,663 cm⁻¹ (Amide I); 1,624 cm⁻¹ (RHS Amide I); 1,126 cm⁻¹ (RNA); 1,761, 1,782, 1,497 cm⁻¹ (RHS Amide II); 1,003 cm⁻¹ (phenylalanine); and 1,624 cm⁻¹ (RHS Amide I) for adjacent stroma (P < 0.0001). Primarily protein secondary structure variations were biomolecular markers responsible for cohort segregation with DNA alterations exclusively located in the glandular epithelial layers. These biochemical differences may lend vital insights into the aetiology of CaP.     

High contrast images of uterine tissue derived using Raman microspectroscopy with the empty modelling approach of multivariate curve resolution-alternating least squares

Approaches that allow one to rapidly understand tissue structure and functionality in situ remain to be developed. Such techniques are required in many instances, including where there is a need to remove with a high degree of confidence positive tumour margins during surgical excision. As biological tissue has little contrast, gold standard confirmation of surgical margins is conventionally undertaken by histopathological diagnosis of tissue architecture via optical microscopy. Vibrational spectroscopy techniques, when coupled to sophisticated computational analyses, are capable of constructing bio-molecular contrast images of unstained tissue. To assess the relative applicability of a range of candidate algorithms to distinguish the in situ bio-molecular structures of a complex tissue, the empty modelling approach of multivariate curve resolution-alternating least squares (MCR-ALS) was compared to hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) or principal component analysis (PCA). Such chemometric analyses were applied to Raman images of benign (tumour-adjacent) endometrium, stage I and stage II endometrioid cancer. Re-constructed images from the in situ bio-molecular tissue architectures highlighted features associated with glandular epithelium, stroma, glandular lumen and myometrium. Of the tested chemometric analyses, MCR-ALS provided the best bio-molecular contrast images, superior to those derived following HCA or PCA, with clear and defined margins of histological features. Iteratively-resolved spectra identified wavenumbers responsible for the contrast image. Wavenumbers 1234 cm(-1) (Amide III), 1390 cm(-1) (CH(3) bend), 1675 cm(-1) (Amide I/lipid), 1275 cm(-1) (Amide III), 918 cm(-1) (proline) and 936 cm(-1) (proline, valine and proteins) were responsible for generating the majority of the contrast within MCR-ALS-generated images. Applications of sophisticated computational analyses coupled with vibrational spectroscopy techniques have the potential to lend novel functionality insights into bio-molecular structures in vivo.     

Xanthene Dyes and Green LED for the Inactivation of Foodborne Pathogens in Planktonic and Biofilm States

This study evaluated the rose bengal‐ and erythrosine‐mediated photoinactivation against Salmonella Typhimurium and Staphylococcus aureus planktonic and sessile cells using green LED as a light source. The free‐living or 2‐day‐old biofilm cells were treated with different concentrations of the photosensitizing agents and subjected to irradiation. Only 5 min photosensitization with rose bengal at 25 nmol L^?1 and 75 μmol L^?1 completely eliminated S. aureus and S. Typhimurium planktonic cells, respectively. Erythrosine at 500 nmol L^?1 and 5 min of light exposure also reduced S. aureus planktonic cells to undetectable levels. Eradication of S. aureus biofilms was achieved when 500 μmol L^?1 of erythrosine or 250 μmol L^?1 of rose bengal was combined with 30 min of irradiation. Scanning electron microscopy allowed the observation of morphological changes in planktonic cells and disruption of the biofilm architecture after photodynamic treatment. The overall data demonstrate that rose bengal and erythrosine activated by green LED may be a targeted strategy for controlling foodborne pathogens in both planktonic and sessile states.     

Suppression of plasma turbulence during optimized shear configurations in JET

Correlation of density turbulence suppression and reduced plasma transport is observed in the internal transport barrier (ITB) region of JET tokamak discharges with optimized magnetic shear. The suppression occurs in two stages. First, low frequency turbulence and ion transport are reduced across the plasma core by a toroidal velocity shear generated by intense auxiliary heating. Then with the ITB formation, high frequency turbulence and electron transport are reduced locally within the steep pressure gradient region of the ITB.     

Impact of Climatic Conditions on the Resveratrol Concentration in Blend of Vitis vinifera L. cvs. Barbera and Croatina Grape Wines

The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of meteorological conditions on resveratrol concentration of red wines produced in Piacenza viticultural region (Italy). In this regard, six representative estates producing Colli Piacentini Gutturnio DOC (a blend of V. vinifera L. cvs. Barbera and Croatina) vintage wines were analysed for trans- and cis-resveratrol over an 8-year period (1998–2005). Grapes were taken from the same vineyard in each estate by using the same enological practices over the entire investigated period. The meteorological conditions corresponding to the production areas were recorded, and bioclimatic indices were calculated as well. Overall, cis-resveratrol concentration was negatively correlated to Huglin index and August mean temperature, whilst positive correlation coefficients were found when considering the Selianinov index and the rainfall of September.     

Coffee adulterant quantification by derivative thermogravimetry and chemometrics analysis

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - Coffee quality is determined by analyzing its chemical, physical, sensory and hygienic-sanitary characteristics. It is a product consumed worldwide...     

Dynamics of low-energy electron attachment to formic acid

Low-energy electrons (<2 eV) can fragment gas phase formic acid (HCOOH) molecules through resonant dissociative attachment processes. Recent experiments have shown that the principal reaction products of such collisions are formate ions (HCOO-) and hydrogen atoms. Using first-principles electron scattering calculations, we have identified the responsible negative ion state as a transient pi* anion. Symmetry considerations dictate that the associated dissociation dynamics are intrinsically polyatomic: a second anion surface, connected to the first by a conical intersection, is involved in the dynamics and the transient anion must necessarily deform to nonplanar geometries before it can dissociate to the observed stable products.     

Influence of probability distribution in measurement uncertainty of plane-strain fracture toughness test

Accreditation and Quality Assurance - The evaluation of measurement uncertainty by testing laboratories has a direct impact on the interpretation of the results. In several cases, it is recommended...     

A discrete geometric approach to solving time independent Schrödinger equation

The time independent Schrödinger equation stems from quantum theory axioms as a partial differential equation. This work aims at providing a novel discrete geometric formulation of this equation in terms of integral variables associated with precise geometric elements of a pair of three-dimensional interlocked grids, one of them based on tetrahedra. We will deduce, in a purely geometric way, a computationally efficient discrete counterpart of the time independent Schrödinger equation in terms of a standard symmetric eigenvalue problem. Moreover boundary and interface conditions together with non homogeneity and anisotropy of the media involved are accounted for in a straightforward manner.This approach yields to a sensible computational advantage with respect to the finite element method, where a generalized eigenvalue problem has to be solved instead. Such a modeling tool can be used for analyzing a number of quantum phenomena in modern nano-structured devices, where the accounting of the real 3D geometry is a crucial issue.