The Role of Affordable, Point-of-Care Technologies for Cancer Care in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Review and Commentary

The impact of in-house pathology services on downstaging cervical cancer in Tanzania over an 18-year period

PURPOSE

Reducing time between cancer screening, diagnosis, and initiation of treatment is best achieved when services are available in the same hospital. Yet, comprehensive cancer centers are typically unavailable in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where resources are limited and services scattered. This study explored the impact of establishing an in-house pathology laboratory at the largest public cancer hospital in Tanzania on the downstaging of cervical cancer.

METHODS

We examined clinical datasets of 8,322 cervical cancer patients treated at the Ocean Road Cancer Institute (ORCI). The first period included patients treated from 2002 to 2016, before establishment of the pathology laboratory at ORCI; the second period (post-pathology establishment) included data from 2017 to 2020. Logistic regression analysis evaluated the impact of the pathology laboratory on stage of cervical cancer diagnosis.

RESULTS

Patients treated during the post-pathology period were more likely to be clinically diagnosed at earlier disease stages compared to patients in the pre-pathology period (pre-pathology population diagnosed at early disease stage: 44.08%; post-pathology population diagnosed at early disease stage: 59.38%, p < 0.001). After adjustment for age, region of residence, and place of biopsy, regression results showed patients diagnosed during the post-pathology period had higher odds of early stage cervical cancer diagnosis than patients in the pre-pathology period (OR 1.35, 95% CI (1.16, 1.57), p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Integrated and comprehensive cancer centers can overcome challenges in delivering expedited cervical cancer diagnosis and treatment. In-house pathology laboratories play an important role in facilitating timely diagnosis and rapid treatment of cervical and possibly other cancers in LMICs.

Leveraging e-health for enhanced cancer care service models in middle-income contexts: Qualitative insights from oncology care providers

Background

Global cancer research has predominantly favoured high-income countries (HICs). The unique challenges in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) demand tailored research approaches, accentuated further by the disparities highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Aim and objectives

This research endeavoured to dissect the intricacies of cancer care in LMICs, with Jordan serving as a case study. Specifically, the study aimed to conduct an in-depth analysis of the prevailing cancer care model and assess the transformative potential of eHealth technologies in bolstering cancer care delivery.

Methods

Utilising a qualitative methodology, in-depth semi-structured interviews with oncology healthcare professionals were executed. Data underwent inductive thematic analysis as per Braun and Clarke's guidelines.

Results

From the analysed data, two dominant themes surfaced. Firstly, "The current state of cancer care delivery" was subdivided into three distinct subthemes. Secondly, "Opportunities for enhanced care delivery via e-health" underscored the urgency of digital health reforms.

Conclusion

The need to restrategise cancer care in LMICs is highlighted by this study, using the Jordanian healthcare context as a reference. The transformative potential of e-health initiatives has been illustrated. However, the relevance of this study might be limited by its region-specific approach. Future research is deemed essential for deeper exploration into the integration of digital health within traditional oncology settings across diverse LMICs, emphasising the significance of telemedicine in digital-assisted care delivery reforms.

Advancements in portable instruments based on affinity-capture-migration and affinity-capture-separation for use in clinical testing and life science applications

The shift from testing at centralized diagnostic laboratories to remote locations is being driven by the development of point-of-care (POC) instruments and represents a transformative moment in medicine. POC instruments address the need for rapid results that can inform faster therapeutic decisions and interventions. These instruments are especially valuable in the field, such as in an ambulance, or in remote and rural locations. The development of telehealth, enabled by advancements in digital technologies like smartphones and cloud computing, is also aiding in this evolution, allowing medical professionals to provide care remotely, potentially reducing healthcare costs and improving patient longevity. One notable POC device is the lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA), which played a major role in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic due to its ease of use, rapid analysis time, and low cost. However, LFIA tests exhibit relatively low analytical sensitivity and provide semi-quantitative information, indicating either a positive, negative, or inconclusive result, which can be attributed to its one-dimensional format. Immunoaffinity capillary electrophoresis (IACE), on the other hand, offers a two-dimensional format that includes an affinity-capture step of one or more matrix constituents followed by release and electrophoretic separation. The method provides greater analytical sensitivity, and quantitative information, thereby reducing the rate of false positives, false negatives, and inconclusive results. Combining LFIA and IACE technologies can thus provide an effective and economical solution for screening, confirming results, and monitoring patient progress, representing a key strategy in advancing diagnostics in healthcare.

Precision Oncology by Point-of-Care Therapeutic Drug Monitoring and Dosage Adjustment of Conventional Cytotoxic Chemotherapies: A Perspective

Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of conventional cytotoxic chemotherapies is strongly supported yet poorly implemented in daily practice in hospitals. Analytical methods for the quantification of cytotoxic drugs are instead widely presented in the scientific literature, while the use of these therapeutics is expected to keep going for longer. There are two main issues hindering the implementation of TDM: turnaround time, which is incompatible with the dosage profiles of these drugs, and exposure surrogate marker, namely total area under the curve (AUC). Therefore, this perspective article aims to define the adjustment needed from current to efficient TDM practice for cytotoxics, namely point-of-care (POC) TDM. For real-time dose adjustment, which is required for chemotherapies, such POC TDM is only achievable with analytical methods that match the sensitivity and selectivity of current methods, such as chromatography, as well as model-informed precision dosing platforms to assist the oncologist with dose fine-tuning based on quantification results and targeted intervals.

Long-term effects of aromatase inhibitors on body mass index among postmenopausal breast cancer survivors in Africa: observational cohort study

PURPOSE

this study was conducted to assess the impact of AIs on body mass index and high sensitivity as prognostic predictors to be incorporated into point of care technology (POCT) testing in postmenopausal breast cancer women after a 24 month follow up in Africa. An observational cohort study was conducted; including 126 female BC patients with stages ranging from 0-III initially subjected to AIs and subsequently followed up for 24 months. Multiple imputation model was conducted to predict missing data.

RESULTS

Random effects model was used to monitor the changes over the time. The study revealed stronger statistically association between BMI and homocysteine (p = 0.021, 95%CI: 0.0083 to 0.1029). Weight and total body fat were strongly associated after 24 months follow up. Hs-CRP was associated with BMI (p = 0.0001), and hs-CRP was associated with other biomedical markers such as calcium (p = 0.021, 95% CI: 0.01 to 0.10), phosphate (p = 0.039, 95%CI: 0.01 to 0.10), and ferritin (p = 0.002, 95%CI: 0.02 to 0.08) and calcium. The patients subjected to AIs are likely to develop cardiovascular adverse events. POCT of care strategy which include clinical, biomedical and genetic predictor's measurement is required to improve BC survivorship.

Safety and Acceptability of Three Ablation Treatments for High-Grade Cervical Precancer: Early Data From a Randomized Noninferiority Clinical Trial

PURPOSE

This ongoing trial is comparing the efficacy and safety of three ablation treatments for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or higher. Here, we present early data regarding pain, side effects, and acceptability of CO₂ gas-based cryotherapy (CO₂), nongas cryotherapy, and thermal ablation (TA). Efficacy results are expected to become available in late 2023.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This noninferiority randomized trial is taking place in El Salvador, China, and Colombia. Patients are 1,152 eligible women with biopsy-confirmed cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or higher who will receive one of three ablation treatments. Pain is measured before, during, and after treatment with a visual analog scale (1-10). Side effects and acceptability are assessed at 6 weeks.

RESULTS

To date, 1,024 of 1,152 (89%) women were randomly assigned to treatment. The median pain level was higher during TA (4, IQR = 4) than CO₂ (2, IQR = 4) or nongas cryotherapy (2, IQR = 4) (P < .01, range: 0-10). The most common post-treatment symptom was watery discharge, reported by 97.9% of women, and it lasted longer in the CO₂ group than the other two treatments (in days, median [IQR]: CO₂ = 20[20], nongas cryotherapy = 15[10], TA = 18[15], P < .01). Bleeding was reported more frequently in women treated with TA (27.6%) than CO₂ (17.5) or nongas cryotherapy (18.7%) (P < .01). The majority of patients reported being very satisfied with the treatment they received at 6 weeks (91%) and again at 12 months post-treatment (97%).

CONCLUSION

Despite differences in pain and side effects across ablation treatments, all were safe and highly acceptable to patients. In addition to efficacy, considerations such as cost and portability may be more significant in choosing a treatment method.

Digital health in oncology in Africa: A scoping review and cross-sectional survey

BACKGROUND

Low- and middle-income countries, especially in Africa, face a growing cancer burden. Adoption of digital health solutions has the potential to improve cancer care delivery and research in these countries. However, the extent of implementation and the impact of digital health interventions across the cancer continuum in Africa have not been studied.

AIMS

To describe the current landscape of digital health interventions in oncology in Africa.

METHODS

We conducted a scoping literature review and supplemented this with a survey. Following the PRISMA for Scoping Reviews guidelines, we searched literature in PubMed and Embase for keywords and synonyms for cancer, digital health, and African countries, and abstracted data using a structured form. For the survey, participants were delegates of the 2019 conference of the African Organization for Research and Training in Cancer.

RESULTS

The literature review identified 57 articles describing 40 digital health interventions or solutions from 17 African countries, while the survey included 111 respondents from 18 African countries, and these reported 25 different digital health systems. Six articles (10.5%) reported randomized controlled trials. The other 51 articles (89.5%) were descriptive or quasi-experimental studies. The interventions mostly targeted cancer prevention (28 articles, 49.1%) or diagnosis and treatment (23 articles, 40.4%). Four articles (7.0%) targeted survivorship and end of life, and the rest were cross-cutting. Cervical cancer was the most targeted cancer (25 articles, 43.9%). Regarding WHO classification of digital interventions, most were for providers (35 articles, 61.4%) or clients (13, 22.8%), while the others were for data services or cut across these categories. The interventions were mostly isolated pilots using basic technologies such as SMS and telephone calls for notifying patients of their appointments or results, or for cancer awareness; image capture apps for cervical cancer screening, and tele-conferencing for tele-pathology and mentorship. Generally positive results were reported, but evaluation focused on structure and process measures such as ease of use, infrastructure requirements, and acceptability of intervention; or general benefits e.g. supporting training and mentorship of providers, communication among providers and clients, and improving data collection and management. No studies evaluated individualized clinical outcomes, and there were no interventions in literature for health system managers although the systems identified in the survey had such functionality, e.g. inventory management. The survey also indicated that none of the digital health systems had all the functionalities for a comprehensive EHR, and major barriers for digital health were initial and ongoing costs, resistance from clinical staff, and lack of fit between the EHR and the clinical workflows.

CONCLUSION

Digital health interventions in oncology in Africa are at early maturity stages but promising. Barriers such as funding, fit between digital health tools and clinical workflows, and inertia towards technology, shall need to be addressed to allow for advancement of digital health solutions to support all parts of the cancer continuum. Future research should investigate the impact of digital health solutions on long-term cancer outcomes such as cancer mortality, morbidity and quality of life.

Clinical Utility of a Hand-Held Scanner for Breast Cancer Early Detection and Patient Triage

PURPOSE

Globally, breast cancer represents the most common cause of cancer death among women. Early cancer diagnosis is difficult in low- and middle-income countries, most of which are unable to support population-based mammographic screening. Triage on the basis of clinical breast examination (CBE) alone can be difficult to implement. In contrast, piezo-electric palpation (intelligent Breast Exam [iBE]) may improve triage because it is portable, low cost, has a short learning curve, and provides electronic documentation for additional diagnostic workup. We compared iBE and CBE performance in a screening patient cohort from a Western mammography center.

METHODS

Women presenting for screening or diagnostic workup were enrolled and underwent iBE then CBE, followed by mammography. Mammography was classified as negative (BI-RADS 1 or 2) or positive (BI-RADS 3, 4, or 5). Measures of accuracy and κ score were calculated.

RESULTS

Between April 2015 and May 2017, 516 women were enrolled. Of these patients, 486 completed iBE, CBE, and mammography. There were 101 positive iBE results, 66 positive CBE results, and 35 positive mammograms. iBE and CBE demonstrated moderate agreement on categorization (κ = 0.53), but minimal agreement with mammography (κ = 0.08). iBE had a specificity of 80.3% and a negative predictive value of 94%. In this cohort, only five of 486 patients had a malignancy; iBE and CBE identified three of these five. The two cancers missed by both modalities were small—a 3-mm retro-areolar and a 1-cm axillary tail.

CONCLUSION

iBE performs comparably to CBE as a triage tool. Only minimal cancers detected through mammographic screening were missed on iBE. Ultimately, our data suggest that iBE and CBE can synergize as triage tools to significantly reduce the numbers of patients who need additional diagnostic imaging in resource-limited areas.

A transfer learning with structured filter pruning approach for improved breast cancer classification on point-of-care devices

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

A significant progress has been made in automated medical diagnosis with the advent of deep learning methods in recent years. However, deploying a deep learning model for mobile and small-scale, low-cost devices is a major bottleneck. Further, breast cancer is more prevalent currently, and ductal carcinoma being its most common type. Although many machine/deep learning methods have already been investigated, still, there is a need for further improvement.

METHOD

This paper proposes a novel deep convolutional neural network (CNN) based transfer learning approach complemented with structured filter pruning for histopathological image classification, and to bring down the run-time resource requirement of the trained deep learning models. In the proposed method, first, the less important filters are pruned from the convolutional layers and then the pruned models are trained on the histopathological image dataset.

RESULTS

We performed extensive experiments using three popular pre-trained CNNs, VGG19, ResNet34, and ResNet50. With VGG19 pruned model, we achieved an accuracy of 91.25% outperforming earlier methods on the same dataset and architecture while reducing 63.46% FLOPs. Whereas, with the ResNet34 pruned model, the accuracy increases to 91.80% with 40.63% fewer FLOPs. Moreover, with the ResNet50 model, we achieved an accuracy of 92.07% with 30.97% less FLOPs.

CONCLUSION

The experimental results reveal that the pre-trained model's performance complemented with filter pruning exceeds original pre-trained models. Another important outcome of the research is that the pruned model with reduced resource requirements can be deployed in point-of-care devices for automated diagnosis applications with ease.

Design of a point-of-care facility for diagnosis of COVID-19 using an off-grid photovoltaic system

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic is one of the biggest public health issues in the last years. The WHO has reported more than 50,000 confirmed cases and more than 1,000,000 confirmed deaths around the world. Early diagnosis is essential for an appropriate patient care and infection control, so laboratory where molecular tests are held plays a main role. However, laboratory facilities for testing are limited in rural areas. Therefore, it is important to have an effective and practical point-of-care diagnostic system in order to be implemented in developing countries with limited energy access. The objective of this research is to develop an energetically autonomous point-of-care diagnostic system for molecular detection of SARS-CoV-2. This design consists of a retractable system with an area of 15.79 m2 and 3 well-distributed interior areas to guaranty appropriate sample processing. Our point-of-care diagnostic system can be installed at a fixed place (stationary), and it can also be transported to various strategic places (itinerant). The off-grid photovoltaic system feasibility was evaluated using the PVsyst software, presenting an installed capacity of 2.79 KWp, consisting of 4 monocrystalline photovoltaic modules, a 45 A charge regulator and 4 batteries (6 V, 453 Ah). The results showed a performance ratio of 0.522, with higher losses by the full battery (31.77%). This research determines that the proposed point-of-care diagnostic system meets all requirements to set and operate molecular techniques to diagnose infectious diseases, such as COVID-19, with good laboratory conditions, secure and eco-efficient energy, supporting the health scheme to prevent and control the spread of the virus.

From potential to practice: how accelerating access to HPV tests and screen and treat programmes can help eliminate cervical cancer

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaigns to prevent cervical cancer are being considered and implemented in countries around the world. While vaccination will protect future generations, it will not help the millions of women currently infected, leading to an estimated 311 000 deaths per year globally. This paper examines a selection of strategies that when applied to both existing and new technologies, could accelerate access to HPV testing. Authors from the US Agency for International Development, the National Institutes of Health, and the Bridge to Health Medical and Dental, a non-governmental organisation, joined forces to propose a scalable and country-directed solution for preventing cervical cancer using an end-to-end approach. Collectively, the authors offer seven evidence-based strategies, that when used alone or in combination have the ability to reduce HPV-caused cervical cancer deaths and disability. These strategies include (1) consistent HPV test intervals to decrease HPV DNA test costs; (2) exploring market shaping opportunities; (3) employing iterative user research methodologies like human-centred design; (4) target product profiles for new HPV tests; (5) encouraging innovation around cervical cancer screen and treat programmes; (6) developing national cancer control plans; and (7) integrating cervical cancer screen and treat services into existing infrastructure. By using the strategies outlined here, in combination with HPV vaccination campaigns, national governments will be able to scale and expand cervical cancer screening programmes and provide evidence-based treatment programmes for HPV-infected women.

Smartphone Biosensor System with Multi-Testing Unit Based on Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance Integrated with Microfluidics Chip

Detecting biomarkers is an efficient method to diagnose and monitor patients’ stages. For more accurate diagnoses, continuously detecting and monitoring multiple biomarkers are needed. To achieve point-of-care testing (POCT) of multiple biomarkers, a smartphone biosensor system with the multi-testing-unit (SBSM) based on localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) integrated multi-channel microfluidics was presented. The SBSM could simultaneously record nine sensor units to achieve the detection of multiple biomarkers. Additional 72 sensor units were fabricated for further verification. Well-designed modularized attachments consist of a light source, lenses, a grating, a case, and a smartphone shell. The attachments can be well assembled and attached to a smartphone. The sensitivity of the SBSM was 161.0 nm/RIU, and the limit of detection (LoD) reached 4.2 U/mL for CA125 and 0.87 U/mL for CA15-3 through several clinical serum specimens testing on the SBSM. The testing results indicated that the SBSM was a useful tool for detecting multi-biomarkers. Comparing with the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) results, the results from the SBSM were correlated and reliable. Meanwhile, the SBSM was convenient to operate without much professional skill. Therefore, the SBSM could become useful equipment for point-of-care testing due to its small size, multi-testing unit, usability, and customizable design.

A Secure Occupational Therapy Framework for Monitoring Cancer Patients' Quality of Life

Once diagnosed with cancer, a patient goes through a series of diagnosis and tests, which are referred to as "after cancer treatment". Due to the nature of the treatment and side effects, maintaining quality of life (QoL) in the home environment is a challenging task. Sometimes, a cancer patient's situation changes abruptly as the functionality of certain organs deteriorates, which affects their QoL. One way of knowing the physiological functional status of a cancer patient is to design an occupational therapy. In this paper, we propose a blockchain and off-chain-based framework, which will allow multiple medical and ambient intelligent Internet of Things sensors to capture the QoL information from one's home environment and securely share it with their community of interest. Using our proposed framework, both transactional records and multimedia big data can be shared with an oncologist or palliative care unit for real-time decision support. We have also developed blockchain-based data analytics, which will allow a clinician to visualize the immutable history of the patient's data available from an in-home secure monitoring system for a better understanding of a patient's current or historical states. Finally, we will present our current implementation status, which provides significant encouragement for further development.

Landscape of Global Oncology Research and Training at National Cancer Institute-Designated Cancer Centers: Results of the 2018 to 2019 Global Oncology Survey

PURPOSE

The National Cancer Institute (NCI)-Designated Cancer Centers (NDCCs) are active in global oncology research and training, leading collaborations to support global cancer control. To better understand global oncology activities led by NDCCs, the NCI Center for Global Health collaborated with ASCO to conduct the 2018/2019 NCI/ASCO Global Oncology Survey of NDCCs.

METHODS

Seventy NDCCs received a two-part survey that focused on global oncology programs at NDCCs and non-National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded global oncology projects with an international collaborator led by the NDCCs. Sixty-seven NDCCs responded to the survey. Data were coded and analyzed by NCI-Center for Global Health staff.

RESULTS

Thirty-three NDCCs (47%) reported having a global oncology program, and 61 (87%) reported a collective total of 613 non-NIH-funded global oncology projects. Of the NDCCs with global oncology programs, 17 reported that trainees completed rotations outside the United States and the same number enrolled trainees from low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Primary focus areas of non-NIH-funded projects were research (469 [76.5%]) and capacity building or training (197 [32.1%]). Projects included collaborators from 110 countries; 68 of these were LMIC.

CONCLUSION

This survey shows that there is a substantial amount of global oncology research and training conducted by NDCCs and that much of this is happening in LMIC. Trends in these data reflect those in recent literature: The field of global oncology is growing, advancing scientific knowledge, contributing to building research and training capacity in LMIC, and becoming a recognized career path. Results of the 2018 Global Oncology Survey can be used to foster opportunities for NDCCs to work collaboratively on activities and to share their findings with relevant stakeholders in their LMIC collaborator countries.

Cancer control in small island nations: from local challenges to global action

Cancer is a leading cause of death in small island nations and is forecast to increase substantially over the coming years. Governments, regional agencies, and health services of these nations face daunting challenges, including small and fragile economies, unequal distribution of resources, weak or fragmented health services, small population sizes that make sustainable workforce and service development problematic, and the unavailability of specialised cancer services to large parts of the population. Action is required to prevent large human and economic costs relating to cancer. This final Series paper highlights the challenges and opportunities for small island nations, and identifies ways in which the international community can support efforts to improve cancer control in these settings. Our recommendations focus on funding and investment opportunities to strengthen cancer-related health systems to improve sharing of technical assistance for research, surveillance, workforce, and service development, and to support small island nations with policy changes to reduce the consumption of commodities (eg, tobacco and unhealthy food products) that increase cancer risk.

Deep clinical and biological phenotyping of the preterm birth and small for gestational age syndromes: The INTERBIO-21 st Newborn Case-Control Study protocol

Background: INTERBIO-21 ^st is Phase II of the INTERGROWTH-21 ^st Project, the population-based, research initiative involving nearly 70,000 mothers and babies worldwide coordinated by Oxford University and performed by a multidisciplinary network of more than 400 healthcare professionals and scientists from 35 institutions in 21 countries worldwide. Phase I, conducted 2008-2015, consisted of nine complementary studies designed to describe optimal human growth and neurodevelopment, based conceptually on the WHO prescriptive approach. The studies generated a set of international standards for monitoring growth and neurodevelopment, which complement the existing WHO Child Growth Standards. Phase II aims to improve the functional classification of the highly heterogenous preterm birth and fetal growth restriction syndromes through a better understanding of how environmental exposures, clinical conditions and nutrition influence patterns of human growth from conception to childhood, as well as specific neurodevelopmental domains and associated behaviors at 2 years of age.

Methods: In the INTERBIO-21 ^st Newborn Case-Control Study, a major component of Phase II, our objective is to investigate the mechanisms potentially responsible for preterm birth and small for gestational age and their interactions, using deep phenotyping of clinical, growth and epidemiological data and associated nutritional, biochemical, omic and histological profiles. Here we describe the study sites, population characteristics, study design, methodology and standardization procedures for the collection of longitudinal clinical data and biological samples (maternal blood, umbilical cord blood, placental tissue, maternal feces and infant buccal swabs) for the study that was conducted between 2012 and 2018 in Brazil, Kenya, Pakistan, South Africa, Thailand and the UK.

Discussion: Our study provides a unique resource for the planned analyses given the range of potentially disadvantageous exposures (including poor nutrition, pregnancy complications and infections) in geographically diverse populations worldwide. The study should enhance current medical knowledge and provide new insights into environmental influences on human growth and neurodevelopment.

Deep clinical and biological phenotyping of the preterm birth and small for gestational age syndromes: The INTERBIO-21 st Newborn Case-Control Study protocol

Background: INTERBIO-21 ^st is Phase II of the INTERGROWTH-21 ^st Project, the population-based, research initiative involving nearly 70,000 mothers and babies worldwide coordinated by Oxford University and performed by a multidisciplinary network of more than 400 healthcare professionals and scientists from 35 institutions in 21 countries worldwide. Phase I, conducted 2008-2015, consisted of nine complementary studies designed to describe optimal human growth and neurodevelopment, based conceptually on the WHO prescriptive approach. The studies generated a set of international standards for monitoring growth and neurodevelopment, which complement the existing WHO Child Growth Standards. Phase II aims to improve the functional classification of the highly heterogenous preterm birth and fetal growth restriction syndromes through a better understanding of how environmental exposures, clinical conditions and nutrition influence patterns of human growth from conception to childhood, as well as specific neurodevelopmental domains and associated behaviors at 2 years of age. Methods: In the INTERBIO-21 ^st Newborn Case-Control Study, a major component of Phase II, our objective is to investigate the mechanisms potentially responsible for preterm birth and small for gestational age and their interactions, using deep phenotyping of clinical, growth and epidemiological data and associated nutritional, biochemical, omic and histological profiles. Here we describe the study sites, population characteristics, study design, methodology and standardization procedures for the collection of longitudinal clinical data and biological samples (maternal blood, umbilical cord blood, placental tissue, maternal feces and infant buccal swabs) for the study that was conducted between 2012 and 2018 in Brazil, Kenya, Pakistan, South Africa, Thailand and the UK. Discussion: Our study provides a unique resource for the planned analyses given the range of potentially disadvantageous exposures (including poor nutrition, pregnancy complications and infections) in geographically diverse populations worldwide. The study should enhance current medical knowledge and provide new insights into environmental influences on human growth and neurodevelopment.

Gene to diagnostic: Self immobilizing protein for silica microparticle biosensor, modelled with sarcosine oxidase

A rational design approach is proposed for a multifunctional enzyme reagent for point-of-care diagnostics. The biomaterial reduces downstream isolation steps and eliminates immobilization coupling chemicals for integration in a diagnostic platform. Fusion constructs combined the central functional assay protein (e.g. monomeric sarcosine oxidase, mSOx, horseradish peroxidase, HRP), a visualizing protein (e.g. mCherry) and an in-built immobilization peptide (e.g. R5). Monitoring protein expression in E.coli was facilitated by following the increase in mCherry fluorescence, which could be matched to a color card, indicating when good protein expression has occurred. The R5 peptide (SSKKSGSYSGSKGSKRRIL) provided inbuilt affinity for silica and an immobilization capability for a silica based diagnostic, without requiring additional chemical coupling reagents. Silica particles extracted from beach sand were used to collect protein from crude protein extract with 85-95% selective uptake. The silica immobilized R5 proteins were stable for more than 2 months at room temperature. The K_m for the silica-R5₂-mCh-mSOx-R5-6H was 16.5 ± 0.9 mM (compared with 16.5 ± 0.4 mM, 16.3 ± 0.3 mM, and 16.1 ± 0.4 mM for R5₂-mCh-mSOx-R5-6H, mSOx-R5-6H and mSOx-6H respectively in solution). The use of the "silica-enzymes" in sarcosine and peroxide assays was shown, and a design using particle sedimentation through the sample was examined. Using shadowgraphy and particle image velocimetry the particle trajectory through the sample was mapped and an hourglass design with a narrow waist shown to give good control of particle position. The hourglass biosensor was demonstrated for sarcosine assay in the clinically useful range of 2.5-10 μM in both a dynamic and end point measurement regime.

From Lab on a Chip to Point of Care Devices: The Role of Open Source Microcontrollers

Microcontrollers are programmable, integrated circuit chips. In the last two decades, their applications to industrial instruments, vehicles, and household appliances have reached the extent that microcontrollers are now the number-one selling electronic chip of all kinds. Simultaneously, the field of lab-on-a-chip research and technology has seen major technological leaps towards sample handling, sample preparation, and sensing for use in molecular diagnostic devices. Yet, the transformation from a laboratory based lab-on-a-chip technology to actual point-of-care device products has largely been limited to a fraction of the foreseen potential. We believe that increased knowledge of the vast possibilities that becomes available with open source microcontrollers, especially when embedded in easy-to-use development environments, such as the Arduino or Raspberry Pi, could potentially solve and even bridge the gap between lab-on-a-chip technology and real-life point of care applications. The profuse availability and extraordinary capabilities of microcontrollers, namely within computation, communication, and networking, combined with easy-to-use development environments, as well as a very active and fast moving community of makers, who are eager to share their knowledge, could potentially be the difference between a dreadful “chip-in-a-lab”-situation, and the next successful start-up. Here follows a brief insight into how open source microcontrollers could potentially have a transformative effect on the field of lab-on-a-chip research and technology. Details in some specific areas of application are briefly treated before addressing challenges and future perspectives.