silicon and Heart-Diseases

Early detection of cardiac biomarkers for diagnosis of heart attack is the key to saving lives. Conventional method of detection like the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is time consuming and low in sensitivity. Here, we present a label-free detection system consisting of an array of silicon nanowire sensors and an interface readout application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). This system provides a rapid solution that is highly sensitive and is able to perform direct simultaneous-multiplexed detection of cardiac biomarkers in serum. Nanowire sensor arrays were demonstrated to have the required selectivity and sensitivity to perform multiplexed detection of 100 fg/ml troponin T, creatine kinase MM, and creatine kinase MB in serum. A good correlation between measurements from a probe station and the readout ASIC was obtained. Our detection system is expected to address the existing limitations in cardiac health management that are currently imposed by the conventional testing platform, and opens up possibilities in the development of a miniaturized device for point-of-care diagnostic applications.

Topics: Antibodies, Immobilized; Biomarkers; Biosensing Techniques; Creatine Kinase, MB Form; Creatine Kinase, MM Form; Equipment Design; Heart Diseases; Humans; Limit of Detection; Myocardial Infarction; Nanowires; Point-of-Care Systems; Silicon; Troponin T

A comparative study was made of the action of 5 intratracheally introduced dusts (of manganese, silicon, potassium, natrium, calcium, fluorine, and iron) on the cardio-respiratory system. A more marked biologic activity of the hard component of welding aerosols with a high content of fluorine, potassium and soluble manganese compounds was established. This was proved by structural damages, such as atelectasis, emphysema, bronchiectasis in the lungs, dystrophic developments in the contractual myocardium, a sharp decrease in the luminescent intensity of the adrenergic terminals in the myocardium. All the welding dust samples did not display a fibrogenous activity in any degree.

Topics: Aerosols; Animals; Bronchial Diseases; Dust; Fluorine; Heart Diseases; Iron; Lung Diseases; Male; Manganese; Occupational Exposure; Potassium; Rats; Silicon; Sodium; Welding

Topics: Animals; Heart Diseases; Humans; Lung Diseases; Occupational Diseases; Rats; Silanes; Silicon