Cell detachment and label-free cell sorting using modulated surface acoustic waves (SAW) in droplet-based microfluidics

We present a droplet-based surface acoustic wave (SAW) system designed to viably detach biological cells from a surface and sort cell types based on differences in adhesion strength (adhesion contrast), without the need to label cells with molecular markers. The system uses modulated SAW to generate pulsatile flows in the droplets and efficiently detach the cells, thereby minimizing SAW excitation power and exposure time. As a proof-of-principle, the system is shown to efficiently sort HEK 293 from A7r5 cells based on adhesion contrast. Results are obtained in minutes with sorting purity and efficiency reaching 97 % and 95 %, respectively.Comment: Accepted for publication in Lab on a Chi

Acoustic dipole surfing on its own acoustic field: toward acoustic quantum analogues

In a recent paper [J. Fluid Mech., 952: A22 (2022)], Roux et al. demonstrated that a translating monopolar acoustic source is subjected to a self-induced radiation force opposite to its motion. This force results from a symmetry breaking of the emitted wave induced by Doppler effect. In the present work, we show that for a dipolar source, the selfinduced radiation force can be aligned with the velocity perturbation, hence amplifying it. This work suggests the possibility of a dipolar acoustic source surfing on its own acoustic wave, hence paving the way towards acoustic quantum analogues

Effect of harvest time on seed oil and protein contents and compositions in the oleaginous gourd Lagenaria siceria (Molina) Standl

BACKGROUND: The stage of fruit ripeness at the time of harvest determines the final quality of ripe fruit. In this study, changes in the chemical composition of seed kernels from the oleaginous gourd Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl. during maturation were evaluated to determine the best time to harvest the berries. Two cultivars (round and oval berry) were studied at three maturation stages (30 and 50 days after fruit set (DAFS) and complete plant whiteness (CPW))

Determinants of radiographic progression in early psoriatic arthritis:Insights from a real-world cohort

Objective Persistent articular inflammation in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is associated with radiographic damage. Despite advances in diagnosis and therapy, radiographic structural damage remains prevalent in PsA. To elucidate this topic, we studied which baseline clinical characteristics determine radiographic progression. Methods For this analysis, data were used from DEPAR (Dutch South West Psoriatic Arthritis) Study, a real-world cohort of patients with newly diagnosed PsA. Radiographic changes were assessed using the modified Total Sharp/van der Heijde Score (mTSS) for PsA. Univariable-multivariable mixed-effects negative binomial regression analysis was applied to define baseline predictors for radiographic progression over time. Results The study included 476 patients with early PsA with 1660 hand and feet radiographs from four different time points (baseline, first, second and third year). The progressive group (n=71) had a higher mTSS compared with the non-progressive group (n=405) at diagnosis (17 (3-36) vs 0 (0-1)). A comparison of the two groups revealed that the progressive group had significantly older (59 (12) vs 49 (13)) and a higher rate of the presence of swollen joints (93% vs 78%) at diagnosis. Multivariable analysis identified age (incidence rate ratio (IRR)=1.10, p=0.000), sex (female) (IRR=0.48, p=0.043) and baseline mTSS (IRR=1.11, p=0.000) as significant determinants of radiographic change over time. For the progressive subset, additionally, the multivariable analysis highlighted baseline Disease Activity in PSoriatic Arthritis (IRR=1.05, p=0.006) and swollen joint count (IRR=1.07, p=0.034) as predictors. Conclusions According to this real-world cohort, patients with early PsA exhibit minimal radiographic progression under current treatment protocols. This study indicates that while old age and initial radiographic damage predict progression, female sex confers a protective effect on it. Furthermore, disease activity score and swollen joints emerged as predictors for radiographic changes during the follow-up in progressive patients.</p

Determinants of radiographic progression in early psoriatic arthritis:Insights from a real-world cohort

Objective Persistent articular inflammation in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is associated with radiographic damage. Despite advances in diagnosis and therapy, radiographic structural damage remains prevalent in PsA. To elucidate this topic, we studied which baseline clinical characteristics determine radiographic progression. Methods For this analysis, data were used from DEPAR (Dutch South West Psoriatic Arthritis) Study, a real-world cohort of patients with newly diagnosed PsA. Radiographic changes were assessed using the modified Total Sharp/van der Heijde Score (mTSS) for PsA. Univariable-multivariable mixed-effects negative binomial regression analysis was applied to define baseline predictors for radiographic progression over time. Results The study included 476 patients with early PsA with 1660 hand and feet radiographs from four different time points (baseline, first, second and third year). The progressive group (n=71) had a higher mTSS compared with the non-progressive group (n=405) at diagnosis (17 (3-36) vs 0 (0-1)). A comparison of the two groups revealed that the progressive group had significantly older (59 (12) vs 49 (13)) and a higher rate of the presence of swollen joints (93% vs 78%) at diagnosis. Multivariable analysis identified age (incidence rate ratio (IRR)=1.10, p=0.000), sex (female) (IRR=0.48, p=0.043) and baseline mTSS (IRR=1.11, p=0.000) as significant determinants of radiographic change over time. For the progressive subset, additionally, the multivariable analysis highlighted baseline Disease Activity in PSoriatic Arthritis (IRR=1.05, p=0.006) and swollen joint count (IRR=1.07, p=0.034) as predictors. Conclusions According to this real-world cohort, patients with early PsA exhibit minimal radiographic progression under current treatment protocols. This study indicates that while old age and initial radiographic damage predict progression, female sex confers a protective effect on it. Furthermore, disease activity score and swollen joints emerged as predictors for radiographic changes during the follow-up in progressive patients.</p

The ANTENATAL multicentre study to predict postnatal renal outcome in fetuses with posterior urethral valves: objectives and design

Abstract Background Posterior urethral valves (PUV) account for 17% of paediatric end-stage renal disease. A major issue in the management of PUV is prenatal prediction of postnatal renal function. Fetal ultrasound and fetal urine biochemistry are currently employed for this prediction, but clearly lack precision. We previously developed a fetal urine peptide signature that predicted in utero with high precision postnatal renal function in fetuses with PUV. We describe here the objectives and design of the prospective international multicentre ANTENATAL (multicentre validation of a fetal urine peptidome-based classifier to predict postnatal renal function in posterior urethral valves) study, set up to validate this fetal urine peptide signature. Methods Participants will be PUV pregnancies enrolled from 2017 to 2021 and followed up until 2023 in >30 European centres endorsed and supported by European reference networks for rare urological disorders (ERN eUROGEN) and rare kidney diseases (ERN ERKNet). The endpoint will be renal/patient survival at 2 years postnatally. Assuming α = 0.05, 1–β = 0.8 and a mean prevalence of severe renal outcome in PUV individuals of 0.35, 400 patients need to be enrolled to validate the previously reported sensitivity and specificity of the peptide signature. Results In this largest multicentre study of antenatally detected PUV, we anticipate bringing a novel tool to the clinic. Based on urinary peptides and potentially amended in the future with additional omics traits, this tool will be able to precisely quantify postnatal renal survival in PUV pregnancies. The main limitation of the employed approach is the need for specialized equipment. Conclusions Accurate risk assessment in the prenatal period should strongly improve the management of fetuses with PUV