Electrogenerated chemiluminescence detection in paper-based microfluidic sensors.

This paper describes the first approach at combining paper microfluidics with electrochemiluminescent (ECL) detection. Inkjet printing is used to produce paper microfluidic substrates which are combined with screen-printed electrodes (SPEs) to create simple, cheap, disposable sensors which can be read without a traditional photodetector. The sensing mechanism is based on the orange luminescence due to the ECL reaction of tris(2,2'-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) (Ru(bpy)(3)(2+)) with certain analytes.

Peripheral tissue oxygenation improves during ED treatment of acute heart failure.

Objective: The objective of the study was to quantitatively characterize peripheral tissue microvascular oxygenation during emergency department (ED) treatment of acute heart failure (HF).

Methods: This prospective, observational study enrolled acutely decompensated HF patients presenting to an urban ED and stable, asymptomatic HF patients evaluated in an outpatient cardiology clinic. Stable, pre-ED treatment, and post-ED treatment microvascular oxygen extraction ratios (OER(M)s) were calculated, defined as SaO(2) - StO(2)/0.

Interactions between normal and transformed epithelial cells: Their contributions to tumourigenesis.

During the initial stages of carcinogenesis, neoplastic transformation occurs in single epithelial cells and the transformed cells proliferate while being surrounded by normal epithelia. In Drosophila, normal and transformed epithelial cells compete with each other for survival, a process called cell competition. However, it was not known whether comparable phenomena also occur in mammals.

Chemiluminescence and electrochemiluminescence detection of controlled drugs.

We review the determination of various controlled drugs (opioids, tranquilizers, stimulants, and hallucinogens) using flow-analysis methodologies (flow injection analysis, high performance liquid chromatography, capillary electrophoresis, and microfluidic devices) with chemiluminescence and electrochemiluminescence reagents such as luminol, diaryloxalates, tris(2,2'-bipyridine)ruthenium(II), permanganate, manganese(IV), and sulfite, for industrial, clinical, pharmaceutical, and forensic science applications.

Cardiac ion channel safety profiling on the IonWorks Quattro automated patch clamp system.

The normal electrophysiologic behavior of the heart is determined by the integrated activity of specific cardiac ionic currents. Mutations in genes encoding the molecular components of individual cardiac ion currents have been shown to result in multiple cardiac arrhythmia syndromes. Presently, 12 genes associated with inherited long QT syndrome (LQTS) have been identified, and the most common mutations are in the hKCNQ1 (LQT1, Jervell and Lange-Nielson syndrome), hKCNH2 (LQT2), and hSCN5A (LQT3, Brugada syndrome) genes.

Highly stable ECL active films formed by the electrografting of a diazotized ruthenium complex generated in situ from the amine.

The electrodeposition of the electrochemiluminescent (ECL) ruthenium complex, bis(2,2'-bipyridyl)(4'-(4-aminophenyl)-2,2'-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II), [Ru(bpy)(2)(apb)](2+), via the in situ formation of a diazonium species from aqueous media is reported. Surface characterization undertaken using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) determined that the layer is bound to the substrate via azo bonding. The layer displays good ECL activity and is stable over a long period of time.

A simple magnetic separation method for high-yield isolation of pure primary microglia.

Microglial cells play a dynamic role in the brain beyond their established function of immune surveillance. Activated microglia play key roles in neural development, neuroinflammation, neural repair and neurotoxicity. They are particularly important in several neurodegenerative diseases in which sustained microglial activation contributes to the progression of neurodegenerative processes.

Women with cardiovascular disease have increased risk of osteoporotic fracture.

This study investigated whether women with cardiovascular disease (CVD) would have an increased risk of fractures as osteoporosis and CVD share many common risk factors. From February 2006 to January 2007, 17,033 women aged ≥50 years (mean 71.8, range 50-106) were recruited by 1,248 primary care practitioners and interviewed by trained nurses.

Ion mobility-mass spectrometry of phosphorylase B ions generated with supercharging reagents but in charge-reducing buffer.

We investigate whether "supercharging" reagents able to shift the charge state distributions (CSDs) of electrosprayed protein ions upward also influence gas-phase protein structure. A differential mobility analyzer and a mass spectrometer are combined in series (DMA-MS) to measure the mass and mobility of monomer and multimeric phosphorylase B ions (monomer molecular weight ∼97 kDa) in atmospheric pressure air. Proteins are electrosprayed from charge-reducing triethylammonium formate in water (pH = 6.

Leptin treatment confers clinical benefit at multiple stages of virally induced type 1 diabetes in BB rats.

The adipokine, leptin, regulates blood glucose and the insulin secretory function of beta cells, while also modulating immune cell function. We hypothesized that the dual effects of leptin may prevent or suppress the autoreactive destruction of beta cells in a virally induced rodent model of type 1 diabetes. Nearly 100% of weanling BBDR rats treated with the combination of an innate immune system activator, polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (pIC), and Kilham rat virus (KRV) become diabetic within a predictable time frame.

Rapid multi-locus sequence typing using microfluidic biochips.

Background: Multiple locus sequence typing (MLST) has become a central genotyping strategy for analysis of bacterial populations. The scheme involves de novo sequencing of 6-8 housekeeping loci to assign unique sequence types. In this work we adapted MLST to a rapid microfluidics platform in order to enhance speed and reduce laboratory labor time.

Spontaneous formation of surface antisite defects in the stabilization of the Sb-rich GaSb(001) surface.

This Letter solves the long-standing puzzle [Phys. Rev. Lett.

Ion-pair evaporation from ionic liquid clusters.

A differential mobility analyzer (DMA) is used in atmospheric pressure N(2) to select a narrow range of electrical mobilities from a complex mix of cluster ions of composition (CA)(n)(C(+))(z). The clusters are introduced into the N(2) gas by electrospraying concentrated (approximately 20 mM) acetonitrile solutions of ionic liquids (molten salts) of composition CA (C(+) = cation, A(-) = anion). Mass analysis of these mobility-selected ions reveals the occurrence of individual neutral ion-pair evaporation events from the smallest singly charged clusters: (CA)(n)C(+)-->(CA)(n-1)C(+)+CA.

Mid-region pro-hormone markers for diagnosis and prognosis in acute dyspnea: results from the BACH (Biomarkers in Acute Heart Failure) trial.

Objectives: Our purpose was to assess the diagnostic utility of mid-regional pro-atrial natriuretic peptide (MR-proANP) for the diagnosis of acute heart failure (AHF) and the prognostic value of mid-regional pro-adrenomedullin (MR-proADM) in patients with AHF.

Background: There are some caveats and limitations to natriuretic peptide testing in the acute dyspneic patient.

Methods: The BACH (Biomarkers in Acute Heart Failure) trial was a prospective, 15-center, international study of 1,641 patients presenting to the emergency department with dyspnea.

The virologic and immunologic effects of cyclosporine as an adjunct to antiretroviral therapy in patients treated during acute and early HIV-1 infection.

Acute human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection is characterized by high levels of immune activation. Immunomodulation with cyclosporine combined with antiretroviral therapy (ART) in the setting of acute and early HIV-1 infection has been reported to result in enhanced immune reconstitution. Fifty-four individuals with acute and early infection were randomized to receive ART with 4 weeks of cyclosporine versus ART alone.

Homozygous mutations in the 5' region of the JUP gene result in cutaneous disease but normal heart development in children.

Desmosomes are intercellular adhesive junctions and attachment sites for the intermediate filament (IF) cytoskeleton, prominent in tissues subject to high levels of mechanical stress such as the epidermis and heart. The obligate desmosomal constituent, plakoglobin (PG), is involved in coupling transmembrane desmosomal components with IFs. PG also contributes to intercellular adhesion through adherens junctions and has additional signaling roles.

Interaction with surrounding normal epithelial cells influences signalling pathways and behaviour of Src-transformed cells.

At the initial stage of carcinogenesis, transformation occurs in a single cell within an epithelial sheet. However, it remains unknown what happens at the boundary between normal and transformed cells. Using Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells transformed with temperature-sensitive v-Src, we have examined the interface between normal and Src-transformed epithelial cells.

Bone marrow-derived angiogenic cells restore lung alveolar and vascular structure after neonatal hyperoxia in infant mice.

Neonatal hyperoxia impairs vascular and alveolar growth in mice and decreases endothelial progenitor cells. To determine the role of bone marrow-derived cells in restoration of neonatal lung structure after injury, we studied a novel bone marrow myeloid progenitor cell population from Tie2-green fluorescent protein (GFP) transgenic mice (bone marrow-derived angiogenic cells; BMDAC). We hypothesized that treatment with BMDAC would restore normal lung structure in infant mice during recovery from neonatal hyperoxia.

Fission yeast Iec1-ino80-mediated nucleosome eviction regulates nucleotide and phosphate metabolism.

Ino80 is an ATP-dependent nucleosome-remodeling enzyme involved in transcription, replication, and the DNA damage response. Here, we characterize the fission yeast Ino80 and find that it is essential for cell viability. We show that the Ino80 complex from fission yeast mediates ATP-dependent nucleosome remodeling in vitro.

Polo-like kinase-1 phosphorylates MDM2 at Ser260 and stimulates MDM2-mediated p53 turnover.

The E3 ubiqutin ligase, murne double-minute clone 2 (MDM2), promotes the degradation of p53 under normal homeostatic conditions. Several serine residues within the acidic domain of MDM2 are phosphorylated to maintain its activity but become hypo-phosphorylated following DNA damage, leading to inactivation of MDM2 and induction of p53. However, the signalling pathways that mediate these phosphorylation events are not fully understood.

Determinants of initiation and progression of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

IPF is a devastating disease with few therapeutic options. The precise aetiology of IPF remains elusive. However, our understanding of the pathologic processes involved in the initiation and progression of this disease is improving.

Airborne virus capture and inactivation by an electrostatic particle collector.

Airborne virus capture and inactivation were studied in an electrostatic precipitator (ESP) at applied voltages from -10 to +10 kV using aerosolized bacteriophages T3 and MS2. For each charging scenario, samples were collected from the effluent air stream and assayed for viable phages using plaque assays and for nucleic acids using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assays. At higher applied voltages, more virus particles were captured from air with maximum log reductions of 6.

Tandem ion mobility-mass spectrometry (IMS-MS) study of ion evaporation from ionic liquid-acetonitrile nanodrops.

Ion evaporation is an essential step in the formation of charged ions from electrosprays, yet many aspects of the process are poorly understood. The ion evaporation kinetics of the 1-ethyl-3-methyl-imidazolium+ (EMI+) based ionic liquids (ILs) EMI-BF4, EMI-bis(perfluoroethylsulfonyl)imide, EMI-bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide and EMI-tris(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)methide (EMI-Methide) are studied by tandem ion mobility-mass spectrometry (IMS-MS) of IL nanodrop residues from positive and negative electrosprays of IL-acetonitrile solutions. Two-dimensional (2D) IMS-MS spectra are obtained using a differential mobility analyzer (DMA) coupled to a commercial quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometer.