A Microfluidic Device Based on Standing Surface Acoustic Waves for Sorting and Trapping Microparticles

Microfluidic devices can provide innovative means to handle and control the transport of (bio)particles within a fluid flow. The advantage of microscale devices is that different components can be integrated in a single chip at low cost, with a negligible power consumption, compared to alternative solutions. In this work, a numerical investigation is developed on the use of standing surface acoustic waves (SAWs) generated within a microfluidic channel in order to manipulate microparticles. Far-field waves are generated via inter-digital transducers (IDTs), travel on the surface of a piezoelectric substrate and finally interfere in the channel, giving rise to a standing wave solution in terms of acoustic pressure. Results are reported for different geometries of the channel, to define the sensitivity of the acoustic pressure field to the relevant geometric features of the channel. This investigation shows how the acoustic radiation and drag forces interact with each other to move and focus the particles, possibly leading to a separation of heterogeneous ones, and generally provide a way to manipulate them at a small scale

Manejo integrado de pragas de grãos armazenados.

bitstream/item/128618/1/ID-8331.pd

Chronic Citalopram Administration Causes a Sustained Suppression of Serotonin Synthesis in the Mouse Forebrain

BACKGROUND:Serotonin (5-HT) is a neurotransmitter with important roles in the regulation of neurobehavioral processes, particularly those regulating affect in humans. Drugs that potentiate serotonergic neurotransmission by selectively inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin (SSRIs) are widely used for the treatment of psychiatric disorders. Although the regulation of serotonin synthesis may be an factor in SSRI efficacy, the effect of chronic SSRI administration on 5-HT synthesis is not well understood. Here, we describe effects of chronic administration of the SSRI citalopram (CIT) on 5-HT synthesis and content in the mouse forebrain. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS:Citalopram was administered continuously to adult male C57BL/6J mice via osmotic minipump for 2 days, 14 days or 28 days. Plasma citalopram levels were found to be within the clinical range. 5-HT synthesis was assessed using the decarboxylase inhibition method. Citalopram administration caused a suppression of 5-HT synthesis at all time points. CIT treatment also caused a reduction in forebrain 5-HIAA content. Following chronic CIT treatment, forebrain 5-HT stores were more sensitive to the depleting effects of acute decarboxylase inhibition. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE:Taken together, these results demonstrate that chronic citalopram administration causes a sustained suppression of serotonin synthesis in the mouse forebrain. Furthermore, our results indicate that chronic 5-HT reuptake inhibition renders 5-HT brain stores more sensitive to alterations in serotonin synthesis. These results suggest that the regulation of 5-HT synthesis warrants consideration in efforts to develop novel antidepressant strategies

A recombination event in the closely linked plasminogen and apolipoprotein(a)gene loci

Genetic studies as well as in situ hybridisation data have strongly demonstrated that the genes coding for apoprotein(a) and plasminogen are linked and localised to chromosome 6 at band 6q26-27. We describe in this report the presence of a recombination event in a region of approximately 50 kb of DNA separating the two genes. The recombination was found in an Italian family, in which a mutation affecting both plasminogen plasma level and activity of plasminogen activity has been detected. Polymerase chain reaction and sequencing analysis showed the presence of a mutation different from those previously reported in two Japanese families

First aid and public access defibrillation in mountain huts: the Mountain Huts Initiative of the Bergamo section of the Club Alpino Italiano.

Mountain huts of the CAI BErgamo have been provided with medical kits according to recommendation of the International Commission for Alpine Rescue (ICAR) with some adjustments. Three compartments have been devised in order to separate dressings from medications, and to facilitate access to medical supplies and drugs according to the type of treatment required (trauma or illness) and the specific skills of the rescuer involved (lay person or physician). Public Access Defibrillation has also been provided