Spiral Microchannels with Trapezoidal Cross Section Fabricated by Femtosecond Laser Ablation in Glass for the Inertial Separation of Microparticles

The fabrication and testing of spiral microchannels with a trapezoidal cross section for the passive separation of microparticles is reported in this article. In contrast to previously reported fabrication methods, the fabrication of trapezoidal spiral channels in glass substrates using a femtosecond laser is reported for the first time in this paper. Femtosecond laser ablation has been proposed as an accurate and fast prototyping method with the ability to create 3D features such as slanted-base channels. Moreover, the fabrication in borosilicate glass substrates can provide high optical transparency, thermal resistance, dimensional stability, and chemical inertness. Post-processing steps of the laser engraved glass substrate are also detailed in this paper including hydrogen fluoride (HF) dipping, chemical cleaning, surface activation, and thermal bonding. Optical 3D images of the fabricated chips confirmed a good fabrication accuracy and acceptable surface roughness. To evaluate the particle separation function of the microfluidic chip, 5 μm, 10 μm, and 15 μm particles were focused and recovered from the two outlets of the spiral channel. In conclusion, the new chemically inert separation chip can be utilized in biological or chemical processes where different sizes of cells or particles must be separated, i.e., red blood cells, circulating tumor cells, and technical particle suspensions

Novel neoadjuvant immunotherapy regimen safety and survival in head and neck squamous cell cancer

Background Cellular immune suppression is observed in head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) and contributes to poor prognosis. Restoration of immune homeostasis may require primary cell‐derived cytokines at physiologic doses. An immunotherapy regimen containing a biologic, with multiple‐active cytokine components, and administered with cytoxan, zinc, and indomethacin was developed to modulate cellular immunity. Methods Study methods were designed to determine the safety and efficacy of a 21‐day neoadjuvant immunotherapy regimen in a phase 2 trial that enrolled 27 therapy‐naïve patients with stage II to IVa HNSCC. Methods included safety, clinical and radiologic tumor response, disease‐free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS), and tumor lymphocytic infiltrate (LI) data collection. Results Acute toxicity was minimal. Patients completed neoadjuvant treatment without surgical delay. By independent radiographic review, 83% had stable disease during treatment. OS was 92%, 73%, and 69% at 12, 24, and 36 months, respectively. Histologic analysis suggested correlation between survival and tumor LI. Conclusion Immunotherapy regimen was tolerated. Survival results are encouraging. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2011Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/88112/1/21660_ftp.pd

IRX-2, a novel biologic, favors the expansion of T effector over T regulatory cells in a human tumor microenvironment model

IRX-2, a natural cytokine biological with multiple components, has been used in preclinical and clinical studies to promote antitumor activity of T lymphocytes. To define cellular mechanisms responsible for antitumor effects of IRX-2, its ability to induce effector T cells (Teff) was examined in a model simulating the tumor microenvironment. An in vitro model containing conventional CD4+CD25− cells co-cultured with autologous immature dendritic cells, irradiated tumor cells, and cytokines was used to study differentiation and expansion of regulatory T cells (Treg) and Teff in the presence and absence of IRX-2. Phenotype, suppressor function, signaling, and cytokine production were serially measured using flow cytometry, Western blots, CFSE-based suppressor assays, and Luminex-based analyses. The presence of IRX-2 in the co-cultures promoted the induction and expansion of IFN-γ+Tbet+ Teff and significantly (p < 0.01) decreased the induction of inducible IL-10+TGF-β+ Treg. The responsible mechanism involved IFN-γ-driven T cell polarization towards Teff and suppression of Treg differentiation. In an in vitro model simulating the human tumor microenvironment, IRX-2 promoted Teff expansion and antitumor activity without inducing Treg. Thus, IRX-2 could be considered as a promising component of future antitumor therapies

Strengthening Internet of Things Security: Surveying Physical Unclonable Functions for Authentication, Communication Protocols, Challenges, and Applications

The spectrum of Internet of Things (IoT) applications is vast. It serves in various domains such as smart homes, intelligent buildings, health care, emergency response, and many more, reflecting the exponential market penetration of the IoT. Various security threats have been made to modern-day systems. Cyberattacks have seen a marked surge in frequency, particularly in recent times. The growing concern centers around the notable rise in cloning attacks, persisting as a significant and looming threat. In our work, an in-depth survey on the IoT that employs physically unclonable functions (PUFs) was conducted. The first contribution analyzes PUF-based authentication, communication protocols, and applications. It also tackles the eleven challenges faced by the research community, proposes solutions to these challenges, and highlights cloning attacks. The second contribution suggests the implementation of a framework model known as PUF3S-ML, specifically crafted for PUF authentication in the Internet of Things (IoT), incorporating innovative lightweight encryption techniques. It focuses on safeguarding smart IoT networks from cloning attacks. The key innovation framework comprises three stages of PUF authentication with IoT devices and an intelligent cybersecurity monitoring unit for IoT networks. In the methodology of this study, a survey relevant to the concerns was conducted. More data were provided previously regarding architecture, enabling technologies, and IoT challenges. After conducting an extensive survey of 125 papers, our analysis revealed 23 papers directly relevant to our domain. Furthermore, within this subset, we identified 11 studies specifically addressing the intersection of communication protocols with PUFs. These findings highlight the targeted relevance and potential contributions of the existing literature to our research focus

Serum IL10 and circulating CD4+CD25high regulatory T cell numbers as predictors of clinical outcome and survival in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Background. Patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) commonly have an imbalance in T helper (Th)1/Th2-type cytokines and elevated levels of CD4 + CD25 high regulatory T cells (Treg). Here, we investigated the association of circulating interleukin (IL)10, IL12, and Treg-cells with clinical outcome in patients with HNSCC. Methods. Serum cytokine levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in patients' pretreatment (n = 107) and 4 to 6 weeks posttreatment (n = 43), and in nontumor controls (n = 40). Treg-cell levels were determined by flow cytometry. Results. IL10 detectability was significantly higher in patients than controls (p =.001). Pretreatment IL10 levels in all anatomical subsites, except the oral cavity, were significantly elevated in stages III/IV, N+ patients, and in T3/4-tumors (p =.005,.037, and.001, respectively). The detectability of IL10 significantly correlated with poorer survival after a maximum follow-up of 36 months. Treg-cell levels did not correlate with any clinical parameters. Conclusion. IL10 is a potential independent factor in predicting a poor clinical outcome in newly presenting tumors of laryngeal and pharyngeal origin. The role of circulating Treg-cells as predictors of clinical outcome requires further investigation. Copyright © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc

Electric Vehicles in Jordan: Challenges and Limitations

An increasing number of electric vehicles (EVs) are replacing gasoline vehicles in the automobile market due to the economic and environmental benefits. The high penetration of EVs is one of the main challenges in the future smart grid. As a result of EV charging, an excessive overloading is expected in different elements of the power system, especially at the distribution level. In this paper, we evaluate the impact of EVs on the distribution system under three loading conditions (light, intermediate, and full). For each case, we estimate the maximum number of EVs that can be charged simultaneously before reaching different system limitations, including the undervoltage, overcurrent, and transformer capacity limit. Finally, we use the 19-node distribution system to study these limitations under different loading conditions. The 19-node system is one of the typical distribution systems in Jordan. Our work estimates the upper limit of the possible EV penetration before reaching the system stability margins

Serum IL10, IL12 and circulating CD4+CD25high T regulatory cells in relation to long-term clinical outcome in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients

IL10, but not IL12 or T regulatory cells in the circulation of newly presenting, pre-treatment head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients, has been shown previously to be related to survival over a mean follow-up period of 15 months. Here, we followed the same patients for a longer period to determine whether these associations change. Pre- and post-treatment serum IL10/IL12 and circulating T regs were measured using ELISA and flow cytometry respectively and were correlated with survival after a 33 month average follow-up in a cohort of newly presenting HNSCC patients (n=107), with cancers of the hypopharynx (n=16), larynx (n=36), oral cavity (n=21), oropharynx (n=25), sinonasal (n=4) or unknown origin (n=5). Although the mean survival time of patients with detectable levels of IL10 pre-treatment was lower (40.6 months) than that of those without detectable levels of IL10 (45.6 months), the difference was no longer significant, in contrast to earlier follow-up data. In conclusion, although serum levels of IL10 may be a prognostic indicator for HNSCC patients over the short-term, they become less significant as follow-up time increases