Characterization of neuronal viability and network activity under microfluidic flow.

Background: Microfluidics technology has the potential to allow precise control of the temporal and spatial aspects of solute concentration, making it highly relevant for the study of volume transmission mechanisms in neural tissue. However, full utilization of this technology depends on understanding how microfluidic flow at the rates needed for rapid solution exchange affects neuronal viability and network activity.

New Method: We designed a tape-based pressurized microfluidic flow system that is simple to fabricate and can be attached to commercial microelectrode arrays.

Subjective effects of prisoners using buprenorphine for detoxification.

Purpose: Buprenorphine (Subutex) was piloted in two Scottish prisons between 2004 and 2006 and consequently used within other penal establishments in Scotland. This 2007 qualitative study aimed to explore the use of Subutex and its associated effects on 14 participants on detoxification programmes.

Design/methodology/approach: All participants were male, aged from 21 to 44 years with prison sentences ranging from a few months to life imprisonment.

The effect of total starvation and very low energy diet in lean men on kinetics of whole body protein and five hepatic secretory proteins.

It is unclear whether the rate of weight loss, independent of magnitude, affects whole body protein metabolism and the synthesis and plasma concentrations of specific hepatic secretory proteins. We examined 1) whether lean men losing weight rapidly (starvation) show greater changes in whole body protein kinetics, synthesis, and circulating concentrations of selected hepatic secretory proteins than those losing the same amount of weight more slowly [very low energy diet (VLED)]; and 2) whether plasma concentrations and synthetic rates of these proteins are related. Whole body protein kinetics were measured using [1-(13)C]leucine in 11 lean men (6 starvation, 5 VLED).