Gastric cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death worldwide and screening programs have had a significant impact on reducing mortality. The majority of cases occur in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), where endoscopy resources are traditionally limited. In this paper, we introduce a platform designed to enable inexpensive gastric screening to take place in remote areas of LMIC. The system consists of a swallowable endoscopic capsule connected to an external water distribution system by a multi-channel soft tether. Pressurized water is ejected from the capsule to orient the view of the endoscopic camera. After completion of a cancer screening procedure, the outer shell of the capsule and the soft tether can be disposed, while the endoscopic camera is reclaimed without needing further reprocessing. The capsule, measuring 12 mm in diameter and 28 mm in length, is able to visualize the inside of the gastric cavity by combining waterjet actuation and the adjustment of the tether length. Experimental assessment was accomplished through a set of bench trials, ex vivo analysis, and in vivo feasibility validation. During the ex vivo trials, the platform was able to visualize the main landmarks that are typically observed during a gastric cancer screening procedure in less than 8 minutes. Given the compact footprint, the minimal cost of the disposable parts, and the possibility of running on relatively available and inexpensive resources, the proposed platform can potentially widen gastric cancer screening programs in LMIC.

Boron is a ubiquitous element that enters surface waters via two main routes, weathering of boron-containing rock (e.g., borosilicates) and release of boron in cleaning products through disposal to wastewater treatment systems. Recently, concentrations of boron deemed safe for humans and aquatic organisms, via drinking and surface water exposures, have been published. In comparison, however, little has been published regarding the concentrations and distribution of boron in surface waters. This manuscript describes the geographic distribution of boron in the U.S. and California and details a unique method for estimating the amount of boron in receiving waters from consumer product sources using ROUT, a novel deterministic U.S.-scale surface water modeling system, and the USEPA STORET database. ROUT is a national model that predicts chemical concentrations in U.S. rivers and streams and surface drinking water intakes that receive discharges from publically owned wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Over 500,000 river miles are systematically routed through the 18 major hydrologic regions of the continental U.S., excluding Alaska and Hawaii. A geographic information system interface coupled to ROUT provides a readily interpretable map of the predicted influences of environmental loadings on environmental concentrations. In addition, this capability allows for comparisons of ROUT output versus other water quality databases (i.e., STORET database) that are georeferenced. Further, for consumer product ingredients that are measured in surface waters, it may be possible to estimate the relative contribution of that ingredient in surface waters from consumer use. Concentrations of boron in receiving waters, predicted concentrations from consumer products, and the percentage of boron from consumer products were determined for California and the continental U.S. Over 55,000 records of dissolved boron were found in STORET between 1984 and 1993. At least one record was found in 667 counties in 44 states, most west of the Mississippi River. Based on all measurements, the median and 90th percentile boron concentrations for the U.S. were 0.076 and 0.387 mg B/L, respectively. The percent contribution of boron in surface waters from consumer product use and disposal to WWTPs was found to be dependent on the extent of sewage treatment plant effluent/receiving water dilution and natural background boron levels. Where background boron levels and dilution factors were lowest, the percent consumerderived contributions were the greatest. Keywords-Consumer productsBoron ROUT STORET WaterContributions of boron to surface and drinking water

No abstract

Abstract-Boron is a ubiquitous element that enters surface waters via two main routes, weathering of boron-containing rock (e.g., borosilicates) and release of boron in cleaning products through disposal to wastewater treatment systems. Recently, concentrations of boron deemed safe for humans and aquatic organisms, via drinking and surface water exposures, have been published. In comparison, however, little has been published regarding the concentrations and distribution of boron in surface waters. This manuscript describes the geographic distribution of boron in the U.S. and California and details a unique method for estimating the amount of boron in receiving waters from consumer product sources using ROUT, a novel deterministic U.S.-scale surface water modeling system, and the USEPA STORET database. ROUT is a national model that predicts chemical concentrations in U.S. rivers and streams and surface drinking water intakes that receive discharges from publically owned wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Over 500,000 river miles are systematically routed through the 18 major hydrologic regions of the continental U.S., excluding Alaska and Hawaii. A geographic information system interface coupled to ROUT provides a readily interpretable map of the predicted influences of environmental loadings on environmental concentrations. In addition, this capability allows for comparisons of ROUT output versus other water quality databases (i.e., STORET database) that are georeferenced. Further, for consumer product ingredients that are measured in surface waters, it may be possible to estimate the relative contribution of that ingredient in surface waters from consumer use. Concentrations of boron in receiving waters, predicted concentrations from consumer products, and the percentage of boron from consumer products were determined for California and the continental U.S. Over 55,000 records of dissolved boron were found in STORET between 1984 and 1993. At least one record was found in 667 counties in 44 states, most west of the Mississippi River. Based on all measurements, the median and 90th percentile boron concentrations for the U.S. were 0.076 and 0.387 mg B/L, respectively. The percent contribution of boron in surface waters from consumer product use and disposal to WWTPs was found to be dependent on the extent of sewage treatment plant effluent/receiving water dilution and natural background boron levels. Where background boron levels and dilution factors were lowest, the percent consumerderived contributions were the greatest.

Circulating tumor cells (CTC) are cells that have detached from primary tumors and circulate in the bloodstream where they are carried to other organs, leading to seeding of new tumors and metastases. CTC have been known to exist in the bloodstream for more than a century. With recent progress in the area of micro- and nanotechnology, it has been possible to adopt new approaches in CTC research. Microscale and nanoscale studies can throw some light on the time course of CTC appearance in blood and CTC overexpression profiles for cancer-related markers and galvanize the development of drugs to block metastases. CTC counts could serve as endpoint biomarkers and as prognostic markers for patients with a metastatic disease. This paper reviews some of the recent researches on using micro- and nanotechnology to capture and profile CTC.