The Press-Dispatch
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Vibrating sensors could identify biomarkers, improve early-stage detection By Eric Nauman Purdue News Service enauman@purdue.edu Purdue University researchers have found a method of identify- ing biological markers in small amounts of blood that they believe could be used to detect a myriad of diseases, infections and dif- ferent medical conditions at ear- ly stages. Jeffrey Rhoads, a professor in Purdue's School of Mechani- cal Engineering; George Chiu, a professor in Purdue's School of Mechanical Engineering, School of Electrical and Computer En- gineering, and Department of Psychological Sciences; and Er- ic Nauman, a professor in the School of Mechanical Engineer- ing, Department of Basic Medical Sciences and the Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, are part of a team of researchers that has created microelectromechan- ical resonators, or small vibrating sensors, that can detect these bio- markers using just a drop or two of blood. The plate-style resonant sensors allows sensitive, inexpen- sive detection of biomarkers that can signify disease, illness or trauma. "The goal here is to find the dis- ease so early that you can treat it without invasive surgery," Rhoads said. "The test looks for a partic- ular protein related to a disease, so you could use this for the detec- tion of many different diseases." The sensors use a piezoelec- trically actuated resonant micro- system, which when driven by electricity can sense a change in mass. The sensitivity of the res- onator increases as the resonant frequency increases, making high-frequency resonators excel- lent candidates for biomarker de- tection, Rhoads said. The meth- od also is much faster and less ex- pensive than other types of med- ical tests. The paper was published in IEEE Sensors Letters (http:// ieeexplore.ieee.org/docu- ment/8093625). Rhoads said they discovered a way to conduct the test that iden- tifies a minute amount of protein in a very small amount of blood. "Detecting biomarkers is like trying to find a handful of nee- dles in a large haystack. So we de- vised a method that divided the large haystack into smaller hay- stacks," Rhoads said. "Instead of having a single sensor, it makes more sense to have an array of sensors and do statistical-based detection." One of the first uses for the test could be the early detection of traumatic brain injury in athletes, particularly high school football and soccer players. A Purdue re- search team, known as the Pur- due Neurotrauma Group, began studying the effects of head inju- ries in 2009 and found that con- cussions are usually caused by multiple hits over time and not by a single blow, as commonly be- lieved. The group, which includes Nauman and Thomas Talavage, a professor in the schools of Elec- trical and Computer Engineering and Biomedical Engineering, has studied football and women's soc- cer at the high school and colle- giate levels. Research into the effects of repeated head impacts on high school football players has shown changes in brain chemistry and metabolism even in players who have not been diagnosed with con- cussions, Nauman said. Concussions now are diag- nosed using a battery of tests, of- ten starting with asking an athlete whether he knows what time it is or where he is. They then move to cognitive tests that grade concus- sion symptoms along a scale. Nau- man said that while 5 percent to 10 percent of high school football players will be diagnosed with concussions, more than 50 per- cent of those athletes will expe- rience neurological changes be- fore a concussion is diagnosed. Researchers have learned that a concussion is generally an ac- cumulation of injury and the test they have developed can detect the traumatic brain injury before it becomes symptomatic. "You do enough damage, you knock out enough systems and eventually you have symptoms," Nauman said. The test the Purdue research- ers developed can detect minute amounts of proteins, including protein from glial cells, which sur- round neurons in the brain. The proteins are secreted in relative- ly high concentrations in cerebro- spinal fluid of victims of traumat- ic brain injury. Prior studies have found that a small amount of flu- id leaked through the blood-brain barrier and got into the blood- stream of victims. "Essentially the idea is that if you can measure anything that passes through the blood-brain By Cindy Petty SG Star-Times Staff Writer cpetty@sgstartimes.com Chances are you've probably visit- ed Berry's Produce and Country Mar- ket, located just west of the overpass on Brumfield Avenue, in Princeton, for some great local vegetables and fruits! But did you know about the inside? In- side Berry's Market is more than just food. It's a country store full of can- dles, lotions, crafts, wooden sleds, birdhouses, ornaments, country and primitive décor, and some very unique one-of-a-kind gifts. In fact, there is something for everyone. Are you looking for live plants, such as poinsettias, Christmas cacti and/or fir trees? Or maybe just some everyday live plants? These make great house- warming gifts. They can be delivered to local funeral homes or are nice for someone in the hospital. You'll find candles, country and holiday décor, and so much more when you shop at Berry's. You're sure to find that special or unique gift you are seeking this hol- iday season. Berry's has many hand- made, one-of-a-kind gifts. Many are hand-painted, decorated or can be personalized with your special fami- ly names. Customized fruit and gift baskets are a big hit at the holidays. They can be filled with anything in the store— mints, nuts, candies, chocolates, dip or bread mixes, jellies, various fruits, etc. Or you may want to send a gift of a meat/cheese/crackers tray or basket. All baskets can be personalized to fit your budget and/or needs. Feel free to drop in and pick one up, but special- ized baskets should be pre-ordered so they are ready for the day and time you need them. Berry's can deliver local- ly and ship them for an additional fee. Call Kathy at 812-386 -6365 to order. If you're looking to add that special flair to yours or someone's holiday par- ty, stop in for Kathy's gourmet dips, soups and bread mixes, or noodles. Or bring along some local jellies or honey; she carries these all year long! Take along some of her special blend teas, coffees, and hot chocolates. These al- so make great stocking stuffers. She encourages you to try her own brand of Friendship Coffee. You can choose from regular blend, sugar-free blend or a winter blend. Berry's Produce and Country Mar- ket has been around since 1996, when Kathy first opened her small stand out- side the front door of her Princeton home. Business was brisk and it wasn't long before the move to the current location, west of the overpass at the curve on Brumfield. While produce seems like a summer/fall item, Kathy is open for all seasons...with flowers and spring berries in the spring; the summer fruit and vegetable bounty; autumn squash, apples, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, and mums; and Hol- iday décor, food items, gift items, and more are in the winter. Berry's will be closed for the months of January through March, but Kathy is available by chance or appointment. Just give her a call at 812-386 -6365 if you need any of her eggs, honey, noodles, or any of her other items. During the holiday season, Berry's is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. She is open Christmas Eve un- til 2 p.m. BERRY'S PRODUCE AND COUNTRY MARKET SHOP BERRY'S FOR CHRISTMAS ■ Poinsettias, Christmas Cacti, Fir Trees and other Miscellaneous Plants ■ Gourmet Foods, Candies, Jellies and more ■ Candles, Tarts and Warmers ■ Hot Chocolate, Teas and Coffees ■ Unique Gift Ideas 1415 W. Brumfield, Princeton • (812) 386-6365 Mon.-Fri.: 9-6 Sat.: 9-4, Sun.: 11-4 Berry's Produce & Country Market UNIQUE GIFTS Shop Inside for STOP IN OR CALL TO ORDER Fruit Baskets, Gift Baskets, and Meat Cheese & Cracker Trays/Baskets let us do your CHRISTMAS Cookie Tray 12" - $ 15.99 16" - $ 29.99 (Includes iced sugar, choc- olate chip, snickerdoodles, peanut butter & brownies) PRE-ORDER BY DEC. 13 Also add one of our famous holiday pies or pumpkin log rolls. Holiday Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9-6 • Sat. 9-4 2803 B West Broadway, Princeton 812-385-CAKE Holland Store Only Equipment Company 407 E. KENTUCKY, HOLLAND (812) 536-3486 www.BLESCHBROS.com We service what we sell! IF YOU DIDN'T BUY AT RICHARD'S, YOU PROBABLY PAID TOO MUCH! IF YOU DIDN'T BUY AT RICHARD'S, YOU PROBABLY PAID TOO MUCH! IF YOU DIDN'T BUY RICHARD'S, YOU PROBABLY PAID TOO MUCH! IF YOU DIDN'T BUY AT RICHARD'S, YOU PROBABLY PAID TOO MUCH! No Credit? Bad Credit? We Finance! MONDAY-SATURDAY: 10AM-5PM RichaRd's FURNITURE & MATTRESS 108 N. Main, Princeton • 812-385-3855 If you didn't buy at Richard's, you probably paid too much! BUY 1 RECLINER, GET THE 2ND HALF OFF! HOLIDAY BLOWOUT 50-70% off Other Retail Dealer Prices Layaway Now! Goldsmith The 812-386-7149 205 N. Embree, Princeton Monday-Friday 9 a.m.- 5p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Ask about 12-month free financing Since 1991 Aspire Collection Diamonds and Sterling Silver Mommy Chic Sparkling in the Season A-4 Shopping Wednesday, November 29, 2017 The Press-Dispatch