Permanent Hydrophobic Surface Treatment Combined with Solvent Vapor-Assisted Thermal Bonding for Mass Production of Cyclic Olefin Copolymer Microfluidic Chips.

A hydrophobic surface modification followed by solvent vapor-assisted thermal bonding was developed for the fabrication of cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) microfluidic chips. The modifier species 1,1,2,2-perfluorooctyl trichlorosilane (FOTS) was used to achieve the entrapment functionalization on the COC surface, and a hydrophobic surface was developed through the formation of a Si-O-Si crosslink network. The COC surface coated with 40 vol % cyclohexane, 59 vol % acetone, and 1 vol % FOTS by ultrasonic spray 10 and 20 times maintained its hydrophobicity with the water contact angle increasing from ∼86 to ∼115° after storage for 3 weeks.

Towards Assessing the Human Trajectory Planning Horizon.

Mobile robots are envisioned to cooperate closely with humans and to integrate seamlessly into a shared environment. For locomotion, these environments resemble traversable areas which are shared between multiple agents like humans and robots. The seamless integration of mobile robots into these environments requires accurate predictions of human locomotion.

Proteomics analysis of vesicles isolated from plasma and urine of prostate cancer patients using a multiplex, aptamer-based protein array.

Proteomics analysis of biofluid-derived vesicles holds enormous potential for discovering non-invasive disease markers. Obtaining vesicles of sufficient quality and quantity for profiling studies has, however, been a major problem, as samples are often replete with co-isolated material that can interfere with the identification of genuine low abundance, vesicle components. Here, we used a combination of ultracentrifugation and size-exclusion chromatography to isolate and analyse vesicles of plasma or urine origin.

The ribosome triggers the stringent response by RelA via a highly distorted tRNA.

The bacterial stringent response links nutrient starvation with the transcriptional control of genes. This process is initiated by the stringent factor RelA, which senses the presence of deacylated tRNA in the ribosome as a symptom of amino-acid starvation to synthesize the alarmone (p)ppGpp. Here we report a cryo-EM study of RelA bound to ribosomes bearing cognate, deacylated tRNA in the A-site.

Model systems of precursor cellular membranes: long-chain alcohols stabilize spontaneously formed oleic acid vesicles.

Oleic acid vesicles have been used as model systems to study the properties of membranes that could be the evolutionary precursors of more complex, stable, and impermeable phospholipid biomembranes. Pure fatty acid vesicles in general show high sensitivity to ionic strength and pH variation, but there is growing evidence that this lack of stability can be counterbalanced through mixtures with other amphiphilic or surfactant compounds. Here, we present a systematic experimental analysis of the oleic acid system and explore the spontaneous formation of vesicles under different conditions, as well as the effects that alcohols and alkanes may have in the process.

Normal pregnancy outcome in L-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria.

L-2-Hydroxyglutaric aciduria (L-2-HGA) is a rare progressive neurometabolic disease, defined as a characteristic clinical and radiological entity, mainly including mental retardation, cerebellar dysfunction and involvement of the subcortical white matter, cerebellum and basal ganglia on brain MRI. The biochemical hallmark is an increased urinary excretion of L-2-hydroxyglutaric acid. Management is only supportive.

A novel splicing mutation in KCNQ2 in a multigenerational family with BFNC followed for 25 years.

Purpose: A large multigenerational family with benign familial neonatal convulsions (BFNC) was revisited to identify the disease-causing mutation and to assess long-term outcome.

Methods: We supplemented the original data with recent clinical and neurophysiologic data on patients and first-degree relatives, including information on seizure recurrence. We conducted linkage analysis at the EBN1 and EBN2 loci, followed by mutation analysis of KCNQ2.

Successful liver transplantation for argininosuccinate lyase deficiency (ASLD).

Liver transplantation was performed in a girl with early-onset ASLD, leading to unrestricted protein intake and no further neurological deterioration.

Complete genomic structure and mutational spectrum of PHKA2 in patients with x-linked liver glycogenosis type I and II.

X-linked liver glycogenosis (XLG) is probably the most frequent glycogen-storage disease. XLG can be divided into two subtypes: XLG I, with a deficiency in phosphorylase kinase (PHK) activity in peripheral blood cells and liver; and XLG II, with normal in vitro PHK activity in peripheral blood cells and with variable activity in liver. Both types of XLG are caused by mutations in the same gene, PHKA2, that encodes the regulatory alpha subunit of PHK.

Lyme disease in a child presenting with bilateral facial nerve palsy: MRI findings and review of the literature.

We report a 7-year-old boy with neuroborreliosis presenting with headache and bilateral facial nerve palsy. MRI demonstrated tentorial and bilateral facial and trigeminal nerve enhancement.

Lyme borreliosis--a review of the late stages and treatment of four cases.

Difficulties in diagnosis of late stages of Lyme disease include low sensitivity of serological testing and late inclusion of Lyme disease in the differential diagnosis. Longer treatment modalities may have to be considered in order to improve clinical outcome of late disease stages. These difficulties clinical cases of Lyme borreliosis.

Ophthalmological signs of tuberous sclerosis.

A patient with tuberous sclerosis and retinal astrocytic hamartomas is described. The different types of these astrocytomas are illustrated as well as systemic signs of Bourneville disease. Finally the value of the ophthalmological examination in the diagnostic work-up prior to genetic counselling the patient and/or the family members is discussed.

[Infection by avian chlamydiosis in breeding pigeons in New Caledonia].

An epidemiological survey on avian chlamydiosis, carried out by serological probing in 8 pigeon breeders representative of New Caledonian livestock, combined with bacteriological research on pigeon organs and droppings was set up in New Caledonia in order to determine the prevalence rate of this infection and to adapt sanitary regulations concerning pigeon imports. All sera collected (230) were analysed by complement fixation test (CFT). The organs were diluted in sucrose solution, then stored frozen (-70 degrees C), until inoculation of the yolk-sac of 3 6-8-day-old embryonated eggs (2 blind passages).

Endoscopic treatment of suprasellar arachnoid cysts.

Four cases of large suprasellar arachnoid cysts in children are described. The authors propose a large fenestration into the lateral ventricles and into the basal cisterns as the treatment of choice. A specific multipurpose cerebral endoscope has been designed by the first author.

Autosomal recessive inheritance of polymicrogyria and dermatomyositis with paracrystalline inclusions.

A 7-year-old mentally retarded girl died following subacute dermatomyositis. Muscle biopsies supported the clinical diagnosis and revealed paracrystalline inclusions on EM. The brain autopsy showed cerebral and cerebellar polymicrogyria.

Pulmonary vascular resistance rises with lung volume on exercise in obstructed airflow disease.

There has been experimental evidence that lung distension produces an increase in pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR). To study this effect in patients, we measured functional residual capacity (FRC) by helium dilution at rest and during low-load supine exercise in 30 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Pulmonary haemodynamics were studied in these patients under the same conditions.

A case of fatal rotenone poisoning in a child.

A case of a fatal rotenone poisoning in a three-and-a-half-year-old girl is described. The case report and autopsy findings are mentioned. For the extraction of rotenone out of biological samples, a solvent partitioning and silica gel open column chromatographic cleanup procedure has been used.

Acute tubulo-interstitial nephritis and uveitis syndrome (TINU syndrome).

Acute renal failure due to tubulo-interstitial nephritis developed in a 15-year-old girl. The disease was accompanied by uveitis and an inflammatory syndrome, consisting of a markedly increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate and high serum gamma globulin levels. The nephropathy as well as the inflammatory syndrome subsided spontaneously.

Benign familial neonatal convulsions.

A male neonate presented with very frequent seizures, from the second day of life until the age of two weeks. Subsequently, convulsions did not recur. The patient, 7 years of age at present, has developed normally.