<p dir="ltr">Since the beginning of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, 85.6 million people worldwide have become infected with HIV; more than half of whom have died from AIDS-related complications.[1] Sustained viral suppression below the clinically relevant threshold (1000 copies per mL) with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has proven effective at managing and prolonging the life expectancy of people living with HIV (PLHIV). However, in 2022, 11.3 million PLHIV had still not achieved viral suppression and may become susceptible to both HIV transmission and a variety of opportunistic infections. Of particular importance is the complex issue of patient non-compliance in global HIV management due to social, economic, behavioral, and healthcare access barriers, potentially disconnecting many PLHIV from the HIV care continuum. Therefore, to boost patient engagement in clinical care and to improve overall patient outcomes, new approaches to viral load monitoring practices need to be developed to increase access, particularly in regions of high HIV prevalence.</p><p dir="ltr">Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) have emerged as potent tools for monitoring viral load, with reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) being recognized as the benchmark due to its sensitivity and ability for real-time quantification enabled by fluorescence signal emission. Nevertheless, RT-qPCR is burdened by drawbacks including extended processing times, high operational costs, and the requirement for specialized laboratory facilities. In this study, we propose a novel method for HIV-1 viral load monitoring by integrating reverse-transcriptase loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) with real-time particle diffusometry (PD). This approach allows for the continuous monitoring of changes in the diffusion of 400 nm fluorescent particles during RT-LAMP amplification, targeting the <i>p24</i> gene region of HIV-1 RNA. This enables the real-time detection of amplification curves, achieving a detection sensitivity in water samples as low as 25 virus particles per μL within a short duration of 30 minutes. Additionally, to address challenges related to amplification inhibition in complex human specimens, we developed a power-free sample processing system specifically designed for extracting HIV-1 RNA from both whole blood and plasma.Top of FormBottom of FormThis system modifies a commercially available spin-column protocol by integrating a syringe device and handheld bulb dryer, thus eliminating the requirement for a centrifuge. The adaptation allows for the completion of the entire extraction procedure, encompassing viral lysis, RNA capture, washing, and elution of purified HIV-1 RNA, within a timeframe of less than 16 minutes. Subsequent analyses, including RT-LAMP and RT-qPCR, demonstrate a limit of detection of 100 copies per μL and an average RNA recovery of 32% (for blood) and 70% (for plasma) in the elution fraction. Further investigations emphasize the significant presence of purified RNA in the spin column volume (termed as dead volume), and the cumulative recovered RNA copies align with those obtained using the gold standard centrifugation extraction method. Ultimately, we incorporated the real-time quantitative PD-RT-LAMP assay onto a field-compatible handheld portable platform suitable for field use, featuring built-in quality control measures. This platform enables sample-to-answer viral load testing near the point of care (POC). Subsequently, we undertook essential preparatory steps, such as reagent drying to obviate the need for cold storage, initial device calibration, and hands-on training of laboratory personnel regarding device operation, to validate device performance within a cohort of individuals living with HIV (PLHIV). These innovations facilitate quick and comprehensive viral load determination, offering promise for enhanced HIV management and patient care</p>

Submitted by Marlene Santos (marlene.bc.ufg@gmail.com) on 2018-08-01T17:33:51Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Maythsulene Inácio de Sousa Oliveira - 2015.pdf: 3135445 bytes, checksum: a08e11c7f2df635f3ff7726cfde58f49 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2018-08-02T11:09:15Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Maythsulene Inácio de Sousa Oliveira - 2015.pdf: 3135445 bytes, checksum: a08e11c7f2df635f3ff7726cfde58f49 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-02T11:09:15Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Maythsulene Inácio de Sousa Oliveira - 2015.pdf: 3135445 bytes, checksum: a08e11c7f2df635f3ff7726cfde58f49 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-04-11 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is grown in Brazil in three different cropping seasons, and in diverse agroecosystems. In such different environments, the crop is exposed to several constraints responsible for yield losses, such as pathogenic organisms. Among common bean relevant diseases, fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. phaseoli), dry root-rot (Fusarium solani) and Curtobacterium wilt (Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens) have similar symptoms, hindering diagnosis in the field, and whose identification in seed health testing is also limited. In both cases, identification at species level is an important step to manage this root pathogen complex, whose detection can be improved by molecular biology tools. Therefore, this study aimed to: 1) to develop and validate a multiplex PCR (m-PCR) method for simultaneous identification of three common bean pathogens, F. oxysporum f. sp. phaseoli, F. solani and C. flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens; and 2) develop an isothermal amplification of DNA (LAMP) method to detect of F. oxysporum f. sp. phaseoli on seeds. M-PCR method was developed for identification of isolated colonies, as well as infected seeds. In seeds, total DNA was obtained by alkaline lysis method, which inactivates nucleases during the extraction process. M-PCR allowed the identification of all pathogens, with detection of C. flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens, F. oxysporum f. sp. phaseoli and F. solani amplicons in agarose gel with respectively 306, 609 and 143 base pairs. Furthermore, m-PCR also reduced costs and time to detect Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. phaseoli from 10 days to three hours. It was not possible to develop an optimized protocol for detection of F. oxysporum f. sp. phaseoli by the LAMP method, using only the tf1 gene for design of primers, since such primers were functional only for amplifying large amounts of target DNA. Based on the negative results with LAMP, it is suggested that further studies should be performed using other DNA sequences available in GenBank database. / O feijoeiro-comum (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) é cultivado durante todo o ano no território brasileiro, em três épocas distintas e em vários agroecosistemas. Nestes ambientes distintos, a cultura está exposta a diversos fatores que causam perdas de rendimento, como o ataque de patógenos. Dentre as doenças do feijoeiro-comum encontram-se a murcha-de-fusarium (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. phaseoli), a podridão-radicular-seca (Fusarium solani) e a murcha-de-curtobacterium (Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens) que apresentam sintomas semelhantes, dificultando seu diagnóstico no campo, e cuja identificação em testes de sanidade de sementes também é limitada. Em ambos os casos, a identificação em nível de espécie é uma importante etapa do manejo deste complexo de patógenos, cuja detecção pode ser aperfeiçoada com a adoção de ferramentas de biologia molecular. Portanto, este estudo teve como objetivos: 1) Desenvolver e validar um método de multiplex PCR (m-PCR) para identificação simultânea de três espécies de patógenos do feijoeiro-comum, F. oxysporum f. sp. phaseoli, F. solani e C. flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens; e 2) desenvolver a técnica de amplificação isotérmica de DNA (LAMP) para detecção de F. oxysporum f. sp. phaseoli em sementes. O método de m-PCR foi desenvolvido para identificação de colônias isoladas bem como sementes infectadas. Nas sementes, o DNA total foi obtido pela lise alcalina, método que inativa nucleases durante o processo de extração. A m-PCR possibilitou a identificação de todos os patógenos, com detecção de C. flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens, F. oxysporum f. sp. phaseoli e F. solani em bandas formadas em gel de agarose respectivamente com 306, 609 e 143 pares de base. Além disso, a extração do DNA total das sementes pela lise alcalina em combinação com a m-PCR também possibilitou redução de custos e tempo de realização do diagnóstico de Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. phaseoli, de 10 dias para três horas. Não foi possível estabelecer um protocolo otimizado para detecção de F. oxysporum f. sp. phaseoli pelo método LAMP, utilizando somente o gene tf1 para desenho dos iniciadores, uma vez que, os iniciadores revelaram-se funcionais apenas para a amplificação com grandes quantidades de DNA alvo. Diante dos resultados obtidos com LAMP, sugere-se que estudos posteriores sejam realizados empregando outras sequências de DNA disponíveis no banco de dados GenBank.

<p dir="ltr">The gastrointestinal tract harbors a diverse range of microorganisms, collectively constituting the gut microbiome. <a href="" target="_blank">The maintenance of a symbiotic relationship between the host and these microorganisms is essential to gastrointestinal health. Disruption of the ecological balance within the gut microbiome can result in discomfort or pathological conditions.</a> <a href="" target="_blank">This dissertation explores these alterations within the gastrointestinal tract as potential indicators for specific gastrointestinal diseases.</a> <a href="" target="_blank">In pursuit of this, I collaborated with others to develop a smart ingestible capsule that offers a non-invasive method for enhancing the effectiveness of differential diagnosis and treatment strategies for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). </a>My contributions encompassed conducting <i>in vitro</i> protein sampling and extraction experiments, as well as enteric coating dissolution tests. Following thorough characterization of the capsule, I advanced to <i>ex vivo</i> sampling experiments. As a proof of concept, the capsule's sampling capabilities have been rigorously validated both <i>in vitro</i> and <i>ex vivo</i> using calprotectin, a key biomarker for monitoring and managing IBD. Future research may explore integrating this technology with other sensors for diverse chemical and gas sensing capabilities, aiming to refine the differential diagnostics of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and IBD.</p><p dir="ltr">Simultaneously, the potential transmission of pathogenic microorganisms from the gastrointestinal tract to the environment through fecal matter can lead to substantial public health implications if adequate surveillance is not in place. These pathogens can contaminate water and food sources from various origins, exacerbating the problem. Furthermore, conventional laboratory-based assays, while effective, have extensive turnaround times and require skilled scientists to operate them. In response to this challenge, I have undertaken the development of point-of-care assays, aiming to streamline the detection of fecal contamination. This innovation is designed to mitigate the limitations associated with traditional methods by offering a more rapid and user-friendly approach. The primary objective is to enhance the accessibility of these assays, enabling on-site personnel with varying levels of expertise to utilize them effectively. Through the widespread adoption of these point-of-care assays, the overarching goal is to ensure the consistent provision of safe and reliable water and food supplies to the public.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The necessity for on-farm, point-of-need (PON) nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) arises from the prolonged turnaround times and high costs associated with traditional laboratory equipment. This thesis aims to address these challenges by developing devices and a user-interface application designed for the efficient, accurate, and rapid detection of <i>Bacteroidales</i> as an indicator of fecal contamination on fresh produce farms.</p><p dir="ltr">In pursuit of this, I collaborated with lab members to engineer a Field-Applicable Rapid Microbial Loop-mediated isothermal Amplification Platform, FARM-LAMP. This device is portable (164 x 135 x 193 mm), energy-efficient (operating under 20 W), achieves the target 65°C with ± 0.2°C fluctuations, and is compatible with paper-based biosensors for loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP). Subsequently, I led the fabrication of the microfluidic Field-Applicable Sampling Tool, FAST, designed to deliver high-throughput (10 samples per device), equal flow-splitting of fluids to paper-based biosensors, eliminating the need for a laboratory or extensive training. FARM-LAMP achieved 100% concordance with standard lab-based tests when deployed on a commercial lettuce farm and FAST achieved an average accuracy of 89% in equal flow-splitting and 70% in volume hydration.</p><p dir="ltr">A crucial aspect of device development is ensuring that results are easily interpretable by users. To this end, I developed a Python-based image analysis codebase to quantify sample positivity for fecal contamination, ranging from 0% (no contamination) to nearly 100% (definite contamination) and the concentration of field samples. It utilizes calculus-based mathematics, such as first and second derivative analysis, and incorporates image analysis techniques, including hue, saturation, and value (HSV) binning to a sigmoid function, along with contrast limited adaptive histogram equalization (CLAHE). Additionally, I developed a preliminary graphical user interface in Python that defines a prediction model for the concentration of <i>Bacteroidales</i> based on local weather patterns.</p><p dir="ltr">This thesis encompasses hardware development for on-field quantification and the creation of a preliminary user-interface application to assess fecal contamination risk on fresh produce farms. Integrating these devices with a user-interface application allows for rapid interpretation of results on-farm, aiding in the effective development of strategies to ensure safety in fresh produce operations.</p>