Higher COVID-19 pneumonia risk associated with anti-IFN-α than with anti-IFN-ω auto-Abs in children

We found that 19 (10.4%) of 183 unvaccinated children hospitalized for COVID-19 pneumonia had autoantibodies (auto-Abs) neutralizing type I IFNs (IFN-alpha 2 in 10 patients: IFN-alpha 2 only in three, IFN-alpha 2 plus IFN-omega in five, and IFN-alpha 2, IFN-omega plus IFN-beta in two; IFN-omega only in nine patients). Seven children (3.8%) had Abs neutralizing at least 10 ng/ml of one IFN, whereas the other 12 (6.6%) had Abs neutralizing only 100 pg/ml. The auto-Abs neutralized both unglycosylated and glycosylated IFNs. We also detected auto-Abs neutralizing 100 pg/ml IFN-alpha 2 in 4 of 2,267 uninfected children (0.2%) and auto-Abs neutralizing IFN-omega in 45 children (2%). The odds ratios (ORs) for life-threatening COVID-19 pneumonia were, therefore, higher for auto-Abs neutralizing IFN-alpha 2 only (OR [95% CI] = 67.6 [5.7-9,196.6]) than for auto-Abs neutralizing IFN-. only (OR [95% CI] = 2.6 [1.2-5.3]). ORs were also higher for auto-Abs neutralizing high concentrations (OR [95% CI] = 12.9 [4.6-35.9]) than for those neutralizing low concentrations (OR [95% CI] = 5.5 [3.1-9.6]) of IFN-omega and/or IFN-alpha 2

3D Printed Device for Separation of Cells and Particles by Tilted Bulk Acoustic Wave Actuation

Three-dimensional (3D) printing has been proven to be a reliable manufacturing method for a diverse set of applications in engineering. Simple benchtop tools such as mini centrifuges, automated syringe pumps, and basic-robotic platforms have been successfully printed by basic 3D printers. The field of lab-on-a-chip offers promising functions and convenience for point-of-care diagnostics and rapid disease screening for limited resource settings. In this work, stereolithography (SLA) 3D resin printing is implemented to fabricate a microfluidic device to be used for separation of HeLa cells from smaller polystyrene particles through titled angle standing bulk acoustic wave actuation. The demonstrated device achieved continuous and efficient separation of target cells with over 92% HeLa cell purity and 88% cell recovery rates. Overall, 3D printing is shown to be a viable method for fabrication of microfluidic devices for lab-on-a-chip applications

Continuous Flow Separation of Live and Dead Cells Using Gravity Sedimentation

The separation of target cell species is an important step for various biomedical applications ranging from single cell studies to drug testing and cell-based therapies. The purity of cell solutions is critical for therapeutic application. For example, dead cells and debris can negatively affect the efficacy of cell-based therapies. This study presents a cost-effective method for the continuous separation of live and dead cells using a 3D resin-printed microfluidic device. Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast cells are used for cell separation experiments. Both numerical and experimental studies are presented to show the effectiveness of the presented device for the isolation of dead cells from cell solutions. The experimental results show that the 3D-printed microfluidic device successfully separates live and dead cells based on density differences. Separation efficiencies of over 95% are achieved at optimum flow rates, resulting in purer cell populations in the outlets. This study highlights the simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and potential applications of the 3D-printed microfluidic device for cell separation. The implementation of 3D printing technology in microfluidics holds promise for advancing the field and enabling the production of customized devices for biomedical applications

An Evaluation of the Metabolic Profile in Total Thyroidectomy

Aim: To investigate the relationship between metabolic parameters and thyroid hormone changes which occur in patients treated with thyroid replacement therapy following total thyroidectomy. Material and Method: The study comprised 30 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy. Evaluations were made preoperatively and after 6 and 12 months postoperatively. Body mass index was calculated by recording height and weight of all patients, waist size was measured, arterial blood pressure was measured with a sphyngomanometer on the right arm after 10 mins of rest. Peripheral blood samples were taken after 12-hour fasting for the evaluation of low density lipoprotein, high density lipoprotein, total cholesterol, triglyceride, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, thyroid stimulating hormone, free T3, free T4, C-reactive protein, and haemoglobin A1c values.Results: In the postoperative 1-year follow-up, a significant increase was determined in total cholesterol, low-density protein and triglyceride levels, which are related to cardiovascular risk, but no significant change was determined in high density protein levels. In addition, a significant increase was determined in the postoperative trend of both systolic and diastolic arterial blood pressures compared to the preoperative values.Conclusion: Although euthyroid was achieved with follow-up of thyroid functions in the patients who underwent bilateral total thyroidectomy, it was found that there could be changes in metabolic parameters. Therefore, with close monitoring of the metabolic profile of these patients, it can be recommended that lifestyle changes are made when medical intervention is insufficient

A Multi-Flow Production Line for Sorting of Eggs Using Image Processing

In egg production facilities, the classification of eggs is carried out either manually or by using sophisticated systems such as load cells. However, there is a need for the classification of eggs to be carried out with faster and cheaper methods. In the agri-food industry, the use of image processing technology is continuously increasing due to the data processing speed and cost-effective solutions. In this study, an image processing approach was used to classify chicken eggs on an industrial roller conveyor line in real-time. A color camera was used to acquire images in an illumination cabinet on a motorized roller conveyor while eggs are moving on the movement halls. The system successfully operated for the grading of eggs in the industrial multi-flow production line in real-time. There were significant correlations among measured weights of the eggs after image processing. The coefficient of linear correlation (R2) between measured and actual weights was 0.95

On-Chip Organoid Formation to Study CXCR4/CXCL-12 Chemokine Microenvironment Responses for Renal Cancer Drug Testing

Organoid models have gained importance in recent years in determining the toxic effects of drugs in cancer studies. Organoid designs with the same standardized size and cellular structures are desired for drug tests. The field of microfluidics offers numerous advantages to enable well-controlled and contamination-free biomedical research. In this study, simple and low-cost microfluidic devices were designed and fabricated to develop an organoid model for drug testing for renal cancers. Caki human renal cancer cells and mesenchymal stem cells isolated from human umbilical cord were placed into alginate hydrogels. The microfluidic system was implemented to form size-controllable organoids within alginate hydrogels. Alginate capsules of uniform sizes formed in the microfluidic system were kept in cell culture for 21 days, and their organoid development was studied with calcein staining. Cisplatin was used as a standard chemotherapeutic, and organoid sphere structures were examined as a function of time with an MTT assay. HIF-1α, CXCR4 and CXCL-12 chemokine protein, and CXCR4 and CXCL-12 gene levels were tested in organoids and cisplatin responses. In conclusion, it was found that the standard renal cancer organoids made on a lab-on-a-chip system can be used to measure drug effects and tumor microenvironment responses

Comparison of the TIMI Frame Count in Dipper and Non-Dipper Hypertensive Patients with Normal Coronary Arteries

29th Turkish Cardiology Congress of the Turkish-Society-of-Cardiology (TSC) with International Participation -- OCT 26-29, 2013 -- Antalya, TURKEYWOS: 000329858400450…Turkish Soc Cardio

Acousto-plasmofluidics: Acoustic modulation of surface plasmon resonance in microfluidic systems

We acoustically modulated the localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPRs) of metal nanostructures integrated within microfluidic systems. An acoustically driven micromixing device based on bubble microstreaming quickly and homogeneously mixes multiple laminar flows of different refractive indices. The altered refractive index of the mixed fluids enables rapid modulation of the LSPRs of gold nanodisk arrays embedded within the microfluidic channel. The device features fast response for dynamic operation, and the refractive index within the channel is tailorable. With these unique features, our “acousto-plasmofluidic” device can be useful in applications such as optical switches, modulators, filters, biosensors, and lab-on-a-chip systems