Integration of microfluidic channels and optical waveguides using low-cost polymer microfabrication techniques

Recent progress on the realization of a silicon integrated biophotonic chip using plasma etching and laser ablation is presented. The chip utilizes films of SU-8 and UV-15 polymer material. An intersecting optical waveguide and microfluidic channel exhibiting good optical transmission across the channel is demonstrated

Anti-ulcer activity of arachidonic acid (PUFA) oils in different induced ulcer animal models

Background: Ulcers of the lower part of the oesophagus, the stomach and the first part of the duodenum are also known as peptic ulcers. Peptic ulcers can affect people of any age, but they are more common as you get older. There is a focus on research for better tolerated and efficacious anti-ulcer agents.Methods: Effect of anti-ulcer activity of fish oil and Arasco oil was evaluated in different animal models of ulcers i.e. ethanol induced, water immersion and pyloric ligation techniques. The Superoxide dismutase activity in gastric tissue was also ascertained in two groups of animals. The animals received either fish oil (40 µl, PO), Arasco oil (40 µl, PO), omeprazole (20 mg/kg PO) or ranitidine (30 mg/kg PO). The gastro-protection was calculated based on ulcer index, pH and gastric juice volume.Results: The results of this study suggest that poly unsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) contained in fish oil and Arasco oil have moderate anti-ulcer activity although probably lesser in potency than the available anti-ulcer drugs like omeprazole and ranitidine.Conclusion: These  results  have  shown  that  PUFA containing oils  provided  moderate  gastrointestinal  protection  in  all  the induced ulcer models employed. Thus it can be concluded that PUFA containing oils like the Fish oil and Arasco oil have anti-ulcer properties and the mechanisms involved in these actions need to be investigated.

An immunohistochemical study of altered immunomodulatory molecule expression in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

For the presentation of peptide antigens to cytotoxic CD8+ T lymphocytes of the immune system, the expression of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I molecules on the cell surface is necessary. There is increasing evidence that surface HLA class I antigen expression is altered in a variety of human tumours by either loss or down-regulation of these molecules, which may be a strategy for evasion of immunosurveillance by malignant cells. This study has examined the expression of HLA class I molecules in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) specimens by immunohistochemistry, using a wide panel of antibodies directed against allele-specific as well as monomorphic determinants of these molecules. The expression of TAP proteins, HLA-DR and the co-stimulatory molecule ICAM-1 were also studied. In addition, the expression of the tumour-associated antigens (TAA) p53 and MAGE genes was determined. Aberrant allelic expression of HLA class I antigens was detected in 17 out of 34 (50%) of the specimens stained, whereas HLA class I expression determined by W6/32 staining was found to be heterogeneous in only 2 out of 34 (6%) cases. Decreased expression of ICAM-1 was observed in 12 out of 34 (35%) tumour specimens and de novo expression of HLA-DR (HLA class II) by carcinoma cells in 13 out of 34 (38%) cases. Aberrant expression of HLA class I antigens was frequently observed in cases in which MAGE genes and p53 overexpression were detected. The altered expression of these immunomodulatory molecules in HNSCC may affect prognosis and has important implications for peptide-based immunotherapy strategies for these patients

Cell-Free DNA Screening: Complexities and Challenges of Clinical Implementation

Screening for fetal aneuploidy in pregnant women using cell-free DNA has increased dramatically since the technology became commercially available in 2011. Since that time, numerous trials have demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity to screen for common aneuploidies in high-risk populations. Studies assessing the performance of these tests in low-risk populations have also demonstrated improved detection rates compared with traditional, serum-based screening strategies. Concurrent with the increased use of this technology has been a decrease in invasive procedures (amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling). As the technology becomes more widely understood, available, and utilized, challenges regarding its clinical implementation have become apparent. Some of these challenges include test failures, false-positive and false-negative results, limitations in positive predictive value in low-prevalence populations, and potential maternal health implications of abnormal results. In addition, commercial laboratories are expanding screening beyond common aneuploidies to include microdeletion screening and whole genome screening. This review article is intended to provide the practicing obstetrician with a summary of the complexities of cell-free DNA screening and the challenges of implementing it in the clinical setting

Clinical Utility of Radiologic Disease Reassessment in the Management of Pediatric B-Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Although outcomes for children with B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma are excellent, between 20% and 40% demonstrate residual radiologic abnormalities at disease assessment during consolidation therapy, the significance of which remains uncertain. The authors report the outcomes for all children treated for B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma at our center over an 11-year period. Twenty-four of 64 (38%) children had residual radiologic abnormalities at disease remission assessment. Seven (29%) underwent histologic biopsies that were normal. No children with residual radiologic abnormalities experienced disease relapse or death, suggesting that imaging at this time point creates clinical uncertainty without indicating residual disease or predicting relapse

Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array-based signature of low hypodiploidy in acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Low hypodiploidy (30-39 chromosomes) is one of the most prevalent genetic subtypes among adults with ALL and is associated with a very poor outcome. Low hypodiploid clones can often undergo a chromosomal doubling generating a near-triploid clone (60-78 chromosomes). When cytogenetic techniques detect a near triploid clone, a diagnostic challenge may ensue in differentiating presumed duplicated low hypodiploidy from good risk high hyperdiploid ALL (51-67 chromosomes). We used single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays to analyze low hypodiploid/near triploid (HoTr) (n=48) and high hyperdiploid (HeH) (n=40) cases. In addition to standard analysis, we derived log2 ratios for entire chromosomes enabling us to analyze the cohort using machine-learning techniques. Low hypodiploid and near triploid cases clustered together and separately from high hyperdiploid samples. Using these approaches, we also identified three cases with 50-60 chromosomes, originally called as HeH, which were, in fact, HoTr and two cases incorrectly called as HoTr. TP53 mutation analysis supported the new classification of all cases tested. Next, we constructed a classification and regression tree model for predicting ploidy status with chromosomes 1, 7 and 14 being the key discriminators. The classifier correctly identified 47/50 (94%) HoTr cases. We validated the classifier using an independent cohort of 44 cases where it correctly called 7/7 (100%) low hypodiploid cases. The results of this study suggest that HoTr is more frequent among older adults with ALL than previously estimated and that SNP array analysis should accompany cytogenetics where possible. The classifier can assist where SNP array patterns are challenging to interpret. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

Public health impact of low-dose aspirin on colorectal cancer, cardiovascular disease and safety in the UK – Results from micro-simulation model

Background: Low-dose aspirin therapy reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease and may have a positive effect on the prevention of colorectal cancer. We evaluated the population-level expected effect of regular low-dose aspirin use on cardiovascular disease (CVD), colorectal cancer (CRC), gastrointestinal bleeding, symptomatic peptic ulcers, and intracranial hemorrhage, using a microsimulation study design. Methods: We used individual-level state transition modeling to assess the impact of aspirin in populations aged 50–59 or 60–69 years old indicated for low-dose aspirin usage for primary or secondary CVD prevention. Model parameters were based on data from governmental agencies from the UK or recent publications. Results: In the 50–59 years cohort, a decrease in incidence rates (IRs per 100 000 person years) of non-fatal CVD (-203 and -794) and fatal CVD (-97 and-381) was reported in the primary and secondary CVD prevention setting, respectively. The IR reduction of CRC (-96 and -93) was similar for primary and secondary CVD prevention. The IR increase of non-fatal (116 and 119) and fatal safety events (6 and 6) was similar for primary and secondary CVD prevention. Similar results were obtained for the 60–69 years cohort. Conclusions: The decrease in fatal CVD and CRC events was larger than the increase in fatal safety events and this difference was more pronounced when low-dose aspirin was used for secondary compared to primary CVD prevention. These results provide a comprehensive image of the expected effect of regular low-dose aspirin therapy in a UK population indicated to use aspirin for CVD prevention. © 202

A high pressure XRD setup at ADXRD beamline (BL-12) on Indus-2

A high pressure XRD measurement setup in the angle dispersive geometry has been setup in the Angle Dispersive X-ray diffraction beamline (BL-12) in Indus-2 synchrotron facility. The X-ray beam is collimated inside the Diamond Anvil Cell (DAC) using a pair of cross-slit collimators and 100 micron orifice in a 400 micron thick Ta sheet. With the use of an adaptive optics to ensure a converging beam at the sample position, the need of an X-ray beam collimator is eliminated making the alignment of the DAC quite easy. The alignment of the DAC with respect to the incident X-ray beam is made by placing it on a computer controlled sample mounting and alignment stage developed specifically for this setup. Interactive software has been developed to make the alignment of the X-ray through the DAC very easy and accurate. NIST standard LaB6 powder was used for test runs, and a few fine pieces of gold served as pressure calibrator. The data was recorded on a MAR345 Image plate detector

A Pediatric Infectious Disease Perspective of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 in Children.

Understanding the role that children play in the clinical burden and propagation of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) responsible for novel coronavirus (COVID-19) infections is emerging. While the severe manifestations and acute clinical burden of COVID-19 has largely spared children compared to adults, understanding the epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnostics, management, and prevention opportunities as well as the social and behavioral impacts on child health is vital. Foremost is clarifying the contribution of asymptomatic and mild infections to transmission within the household and community and the clinical and epidemiologic significance of uncommon severe post-infectious complications. Herein we summarize the current knowledge, identify useful resources, and outline research opportunities. Pediatric infectious disease clinicians have a unique opportunity to advocate for the inclusion of children in epidemiological, clinical, treatment and prevention studies to optimize their care, as well as to represent children in the development of guidance and policy during pandemic response