Integrated planar optical waveguide interferometer biosensors: a comparative review.

Integrated planar optical waveguide interferometer biosensors are advantageous combinations of evanescent field sensing and optical phase difference measurement methods. By probing the near surface region of a sensor area with the evanescent field, any change of the refractive index of the probed volume induces a phase shift of the guided mode compared to a reference field typically of a mode propagating through the reference arm of the same waveguide structure. The interfering fields of these modes produce an interference signal detected at the sensor׳s output, whose alteration is proportional to the refractive index change.

The forensiX evidence collection tube and its impact on DNA preservation and recovery.

Biological samples are vulnerable to degradation from the time they are collected until they are analysed at the laboratory. Biological contaminants, such as bacteria, fungi, and enzymes, as well as environmental factors, such as sunlight, heat, and humidity, can increase the rate of DNA degradation. Currently, DNA samples are normally dried or frozen to limit their degradation prior to their arrival at the laboratory.

Heart rate reduction by ivabradine improves aortic compliance in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice.

Background: Impaired vascular compliance is associated with cardiovascular mortality. The effects of heart rate on vascular compliance are unclear. Therefore, we characterized effects of heart rate reduction (HRR) by I(f) current inhibition on aortic compliance and underlying molecular mechanisms in apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE(-)/(-)) mice.

Heart rate contributes to the vascular effects of chronic mental stress: effects on endothelial function and ischemic brain injury in mice.

Background And Purpose: Vascular effects of mental stress are only partially understood. Therefore, we studied effects of chronic stress and heart rate (HR) on endothelial function and cerebral ischemia.

Methods: 129S6/SvEv mice were randomized to the I(f)-channel inhibitor ivabradine (10 mg/kg per day) or vehicle and underwent a chronic stress protocol for 28 days.

Optimization of a whole-blood gamma interferon assay for detection of Mycobacterium bovis-infected cattle.

Antigens of Mycobacterium bovis elicit a cell-mediated immune response upon intradermal injection in cattle. In vitro, such antigens stimulate the production of gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) by bovine T cells in whole-blood culture (IFN-gamma assay). We have analyzed various parameters of the in vitro IFN-gamma assay, ranging from blood sampling to execution of the IFN-gamma test, in view of potential simplifications of the assay.