Controlling orientational order in block copolymers using low-intensity magnetic fields.

The interaction of fields with condensed matter during phase transitions produces a rich variety of physical phenomena. Self-assembly of liquid crystalline block copolymers (LC BCPs) in the presence of a magnetic field, for example, can result in highly oriented microstructures due to the LC BCP's anisotropic magnetic susceptibility. We show that such oriented mesophases can be produced using low-intensity fields (<0.

iQuant™ Analyser: A rapid quantitative immunoassay reader.

Lateral flow immunoassays (LFIA) used in rapid quantitative point of care testing require an accurate, reliable and easy to operate instrument to read the LFIA kit and calculate the quantitative result value. We present iQuant® Analyser, an immunoassay reader designed for reading the Quanti® range of LFIA test kits for key markers such as HbA1C, Vitamin D, TSH etc. The instrument utilizes a laser based confocal optics system to capture the test and control lines from the LFIA kit, digitizes the fluorescent signal with high spatiotemporal resolution, computes necessary peak area ratios, applies calibration curves and declares the final result in an automated manner with minimal operator input.

Predictors of Lesion Calcification in Patients with Solitary Cysticercus Granuloma and New-Onset Seizures.

Solitary cysticercus granuloma is a common neuroimaging abnormality in Indian patients with new-onset epilepsy. Calcific transformation of cysticercus granuloma is frequently associated with seizure recurrence. We evaluated predictors of lesion calcification in patients with solitary cysticercus granuloma and new-onset seizures.

Reduced in vivo toxicity of doxorubicin by encapsulation in cholesterol-containing self-assembled nanoparticles.

We previously reported the development of an amphiphilic brush-like block copolymer composed of polynorbornene-cholesterol/polyethylene glycol (P(NBCh9-b-NBPEG)) that self-assembles in aqueous media to form long circulating nanostructures capable of encapsulating doxorubicin (DOX-NPs). Biodistribution studies showed that this formulation preferentially accumulates in tumor tissue with markedly reduced accumulation in the heart and other major organs. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the in vivo efficacy and toxicity of DOX containing self-assembled polymer nanoparticles in a mouse xenograft tumor model and compare its effects with the hydrochloride non-encapsulated form (free DOX).

Long circulating self-assembled nanoparticles from cholesterol-containing brush-like block copolymers for improved drug delivery to tumors.

Amphiphilic brush-like block copolymers composed of polynorbonene-cholesterol/poly(ethylene glycol) (P(NBCh9-b-NBPEG)) self-assembled to form a long circulating nanostructure capable of encapsulating the anticancer drug doxorubicin (DOX) with high drug loading (22.1% w/w). The release of DOX from the DOX-loaded P(NBCh9-b-NBPEG) nanoparticles (DOX-NPs) was steady at less than 2% per day in PBS.