Hydroelectric actuator for 3-dimensional analysis of electrophoretic and dielectrophoretic behavior of cancer cells; suitable in diagnosis and invasion studies

Cancer is a cellular-based disease, so cytological diagnosis is one of the main challenges for its early detection. An extensive number of diagnostic methods have been developed to separate cancerous cells from normal ones, in electrical methods attract progressive attention. Identifying and specifying different cells requires understanding their dielectric and electric properties. This study evaluated MDA-MB-231, HUVEC, and MCF-10A cell lines, WBCs isolated from blood, and patient-derived cell samples with a cylindrical body with two transparent FTO (fluorine-doped tin oxide) plate electrodes. Cell mobility rates were recorded in response to these stimuli. It was observed that cancer cells demonstrate drastic changes in their motility in the presence and absence of an electric field (DC/AC). Also, solution viscosity's effect on cancer cells' capturing efficacy was evaluated. This research's main distinguished specification uses a non-microfluidic platform to detect and pathologically evaluate cytological samples with a simple, cheap, and repeatable platform. The capturing procedure was carried out on a cytological slide without any complicated electrode patterning with the ability of cytological staining. Moreover, this platform successfully designed and experimented with the invasion assay (the ability of captured cancer cells to invade normal cells).

High-Frequency (30 MHz-6 GHz) Breast Tissue Characterization Stabilized by Suction Force for Intraoperative Tumor Margin Assessment

A gigahertz (GHz) range antenna formed by a coaxial probe has been applied for sensing cancerous breast lesions in the scanning platform with the assistance of a suction tube. The sensor structure was a planar central layer and a metallic sheath of size of 3 cm² connected to a network analyzer (keySight FieldFox N9918A) with operational bandwidth up to 26.5 GHz. Cancer tumor cells have significantly higher water content (as a dipolar molecule) than normal breast cells, changing their polarization responses and dielectric losses to incoming GHz-based stimulation. Principal component analysis named S₁₁, related to the dispersion ratio of the input signal, is used as a parameter to identify malignant tumor cells in a mouse model (in vivo) and tumor specimens of breast cancer patients (in vitro) (both central and marginal parts). The results showed that S₁₁ values in the frequency range from 5 to 6 GHz were significantly higher in cancer-involved breast lesions. Histopathological analysis was the gold standard for achieving the S₁₁ calibration to distinguish normal from cancerous lesions. Our calibration on tumor specimens presented 82% positive predictive value (PPV), 100% negative predictive value (NPV), and 86% accuracy. Our goal is to apply this system as an in vivo non-invasive tumor margin scanner after further investigations in the future.

Evaluation of the effect of electron beam therapy on oxidative stress and some minerals in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Background: The study on the control and treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, as a growing metabolic disease in the world, is important. Oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species in uncontrolled diabetes can play a role in the consequences of diabetes such as neuropathy and nephropathy. The presence of minerals as bioactive compounds in the diet and their role in antioxidant enzymes can play a role in reducing the oxidative effects of diabetes. Electron beam therapy as an adjunct method can be effective in reducing free radicals and oxidative stress. Objective: The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of electron beam therapy on glucose, oxidative markers and some minerals, as bioactive compound, in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods: The study was performed on 30 volunteers with type 2 diabetes mellitus and 30 healthy volunteers as a control group. Serum samples from diabetic and control groups were assayed for glucose, hydrogen peroxide, reactive oxygen species and minerals such as iron, zinc, copper, magnesium and selenium binding protein before and after electron beam irradiation. ATP levels and NAD/NADH ratio were also evaluated. The mentioned parameters were measured by ELISA and calorimetric methods according to the relevant kit protocol. Electron beam therapy was performed using a linear accelerator. The used amount of energy was 9 MeV. The depth of treatment was 1.5 cm.Results: The results of electron beam therapy showed that the concentrations of glucose, reactive oxygen species, hydrogen peroxide, copper and iron were significantly (P value < 0.05) reduced in diabetics. Zinc levels in this group increased significantly (P value < 0.05). In control group, ATP levels were significantly (P value < 0.05) increased by electron beam therapy.Conclusion: According to the obtained results, electron beam therapy can be effective in reduction of oxidation indexes and thus reducing oxidative stress. Electron beam therapy can be effective in reducing the consequences of diabetes mellitus. Keywords: Electron beam therapy, Oxidative stress, Mineral, Type 2 diabetes mellitus