Foil assisted replica molding for fabrication of microfluidic devices and their application in vitro

Lab on a Chip ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (19) ◽  
pp. 3695-3699 ◽  
Author(s):  
Issac J. Micheal ◽  
Aditya J. Vidyasagar ◽  
Kiran Kumar Bokara ◽  
Naveen Kumar Mekala ◽  
Amit Asthana ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Microfluidic Devices ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Replica Molding ◽  
Novel Technique

We present a facile, rapid and cost-effective way to fabricate microfluidic devices in laboratory atmosphere, named as “foil assisted replica molding” (FARM). This novel technique involves use of Al foil, pen and an X–Y plotter to create plano-concave microchannels. We have also demonstrated in vitro applications of these devices.

Polyamines and Related Nitrogen Compounds in the Chemotherapy of Neglected Diseases Caused by Kinetoplastids

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 321-368 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan A. Bisceglia ◽  
Maria C. Mollo ◽  
Nadia Gruber ◽  
Liliana R. Orelli
Keyword(s):  
Drug Targets ◽  
Redox Homeostasis ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Mammalian Host ◽  
Neglected Diseases ◽  
Nitrogen Compounds ◽  
Chemical Structures

Neglected diseases due to the parasitic protozoa Leishmania and Trypanosoma (kinetoplastids) affect millions of people worldwide, and the lack of suitable treatments has promoted an ongoing drug discovery effort to identify novel nontoxic and cost-effective chemotherapies. Polyamines are ubiquitous small organic molecules that play key roles in kinetoplastid parasites metabolism, redox homeostasis and in the normal progression of cell cycles, which differ from those found in the mammalian host. These features make polyamines attractive in terms of antiparasitic drug development. The present work provides a comprehensive insight on the use of polyamine derivatives and related nitrogen compounds in the chemotherapy of kinetoplastid diseases. The amount of literature on this subject is considerable, and a classification considering drug targets and chemical structures were made. Polyamines, aminoalcohols and basic heterocycles designed to target the relevant parasitic enzyme trypanothione reductase are discussed in the first section, followed by compounds directed to less common targets, like parasite SOD and the aminopurine P2 transporter. Finally, the third section comprises nitrogen compounds structurally derived from antimalaric agents. References on the chemical synthesis of the selected compounds are reported together with their in vivo and/or in vitro IC50 values, and structureactivity relationships within each group are analyzed. Some favourable structural features were identified from the SAR analyses comprising protonable sites, hydrophobic groups and optimum distances between them. The importance of certain pharmacophoric groups or amino acid residues in the bioactivity of polyamine derived compounds is also discussed.

scholarly journals Facile sonochemical-assisted synthesis of orthorhombic phase black phosphorus/rGO hybrids for effective photothermal therapy

Nanophotonics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 3023-3034
Author(s):  
Weiyuan Liang ◽  
Dou Wang ◽  
Xiaohui Ren ◽  
Chenchen Ge ◽  
Hanyue Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electrode Materials ◽  
Orthorhombic Phase ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Black Phosphorus ◽  
Antitumor Effects ◽  
Covalent Bonds ◽  
Preparation Conditions ◽  
Reduced Graphene

AbstractTwo-dimensional black phosphorus (BP) has been demonstrated to be promising in photoelectronic devices, electrode materials, and biomedicine owing to its outstanding properties. However, the application of BP has been hindered by harsh preparation conditions, high costs, and easy degradation in ambient condition. Herein, we report a facile and cost-effective strategy for synthesis of orthorhombic phase BP and a kind of BP-reduced graphene oxide (BP/rGO) hybrids in which BP remains stable for more than 4 weeks ascribed to the formation of phosphorus-carbon covalent bonds between BP and rGO as well as the protection effect of the unique wrinkle morphology of rGO nanosheets. Surface modification BP/rGO hybrids (PEGylated BP/rGO) exhibit excellent photothermal performance with photothermal conversion efficiency as high as 57.79% at 808 nm. The BP/rGO hybrids exhibit enhanced antitumor effects both in vitro and in vivo, showing promising perspectives in biomedicine.

scholarly journals Design Strategies for Electrochemical Aptasensors for Cancer Diagnostic Devices

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 736
Author(s):  
Kamila Malecka ◽  
Edyta Mikuła ◽  
Elena E. Ferapontova
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Diagnosis ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Quality Of Healthcare ◽  
Cancer Diagnostics ◽  
Screening Tests ◽  
Design Strategies ◽  
Excellent Thermal Stability ◽  
Electrochemical Biosensing ◽  
Equipment Size

Improved outcomes for many types of cancer achieved during recent years is due, among other factors, to the earlier detection of tumours and the greater availability of screening tests. With this, non-invasive, fast and accurate diagnostic devices for cancer diagnosis strongly improve the quality of healthcare by delivering screening results in the most cost-effective and safe way. Biosensors for cancer diagnostics exploiting aptamers offer several important advantages over traditional antibodies-based assays, such as the in-vitro aptamer production, their inexpensive and easy chemical synthesis and modification, and excellent thermal stability. On the other hand, electrochemical biosensing approaches allow sensitive, accurate and inexpensive way of sensing, due to the rapid detection with lower costs, smaller equipment size and lower power requirements. This review presents an up-to-date assessment of the recent design strategies and analytical performance of the electrochemical aptamer-based biosensors for cancer diagnosis and their future perspectives in cancer diagnostics.

scholarly journals Myocardial fibrosis reversion via rhACE2-electrospun fibrous patch for ventricular remodeling prevention

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zeping Qiu ◽  
Jingwen Zhao ◽  
Fanyi Huang ◽  
Luhan Bao ◽  
Yanjia Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Myocardial Infarction ◽  
Myocardial Fibrosis ◽  
Ventricular Remodeling ◽  
Cardiac Fibroblasts ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Intramyocardial Injection ◽  
Undesirable Consequence ◽  
Adverse Remodeling

AbstractMyocardial fibrosis and ventricular remodeling were the key pathology factors causing undesirable consequence after myocardial infarction. However, an efficient therapeutic method remains unclear, partly due to difficulty in continuously preventing neurohormonal overactivation and potential disadvantages of cell therapy for clinical practice. In this study, a rhACE2-electrospun fibrous patch with sustained releasing of rhACE2 to shape an induction transformation niche in situ was introduced, through micro-sol electrospinning technologies. A durable releasing pattern of rhACE2 encapsulated in hyaluronic acid (HA)—poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) core-shell structure was observed. By multiple in vitro studies, the rhACE2 patch demonstrated effectiveness in reducing cardiomyocytes apoptosis under hypoxia stress and inhibiting cardiac fibroblasts proliferation, which gave evidence for its in vivo efficacy. For striking mice myocardial infarction experiments, a successful prevention of adverse ventricular remodeling has been demonstrated, reflecting by improved ejection fraction, normal ventricle structure and less fibrosis. The rhACE2 patch niche showed clear superiority in long term function and structure preservation after ischemia compared with intramyocardial injection. Thus, the micro-sol electrospun rhACE2 fibrous patch niche was proved to be efficient, cost-effective and easy-to-use in preventing ventricular adverse remodeling.

scholarly journals Rapid Fabrication of Microfluidic Devices for Biological Mimicking: A Survey of Materials and Biocompatibility

Micromachines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 346
Author(s):  
Hui Ling Ma ◽  
Ana Carolina Urbaczek ◽  
Fayene Zeferino Ribeiro de Souza ◽  
Paulo Augusto Gomes Garrido Carneiro Leão ◽  
Janice Rodrigues Perussi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Shear Stress ◽  
Cell Viability ◽  
Cellular Response ◽  
Fluid Shear Stress ◽  
Umbilical Vein ◽  
Microfluidic Devices ◽  
In Vitro Assays ◽  
Stress Effect

Microfluidics is an essential technique used in the development of in vitro models for mimicking complex biological systems. The microchip with microfluidic flows offers the precise control of the microenvironment where the cells can grow and structure inside channels to resemble in vivo conditions allowing a proper cellular response investigation. Hence, this study aimed to develop low-cost, simple microchips to simulate the shear stress effect on the human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Differentially from other biological microfluidic devices described in the literature, we used readily available tools like heat-lamination, toner printer, laser cutter and biocompatible double-sided adhesive tapes to bind different layers of materials together, forming a designed composite with a microchannel. In addition, we screened alternative substrates, including polyester-toner, polyester-vinyl, glass, Permanox® and polystyrene to compose the microchips for optimizing cell adhesion, then enabling these microdevices when coupled to a syringe pump, the cells can withstand the fluid shear stress range from 1 to 4 dyne cm2. The cell viability was monitored by acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EB) staining to detect live and dead cells. As a result, our fabrication processes were cost-effective and straightforward. The materials investigated in the assembling of the microchips exhibited good cell viability and biocompatibility, providing a dynamic microenvironment for cell proliferation. Therefore, we suggest that these microchips could be available everywhere, allowing in vitro assays for daily laboratory experiments and further developing the organ-on-a-chip concept.

scholarly journals O23: CHARACTERISING PATIENT-DERIVED COLORECTAL CANCER TISSUE-ORIGINATED ORGANOIDAL SPHEROIDS FOR HIGH-THROUGHPUT MICROFLUIDIC APPLICATIONS

2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
MI Khot ◽  
M Levenstein ◽  
R Coppo ◽  
J Kondo ◽  
M Inoue ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Fluid Flow ◽  
High Throughput ◽  
Microfluidic Devices ◽  
In Vitro Models ◽  
Fluorescent Imaging ◽  
Cancer Tissue ◽  
Cell Models

Abstract Introduction Three-dimensional (3D) cell models have gained reputation as better representations of in vivo cancers as compared to monolayered cultures. Recently, patient tumour tissue-derived organoids have advanced the scope of complex in vitro models, by allowing patient-specific tumour cultures to be generated for developing new medicines and patient-tailored treatments. Integrating 3D cell and organoid culturing into microfluidics, can streamline traditional protocols and allow complex and precise high-throughput experiments to be performed with ease. Method Patient-derived colorectal cancer tissue-originated organoidal spheroids (CTOS) cultures were acquired from Kyoto University, Japan. CTOS were cultured in Matrigel and stem-cell media. CTOS were treated with 5-fluorouracil and cytotoxicity evaluated via fluorescent imaging and ATP assay. CTOS were embedded, sectioned and subjected to H&E staining and immunofluorescence for ABCG2 and Ki67 proteins. HT29 colorectal cancer spheroids were produced on microfluidic devices using cell suspensions and subjected to 5-fluorouracil treatment via fluid flow. Cytotoxicity was evaluated through fluorescent imaging and LDH assay. Result 5-fluorouracil dose-dependent reduction in cell viability was observed in CTOS cultures (p<0.01). Colorectal CTOS cultures retained the histology, tissue architecture and protein expression of the colonic epithelial structure. Uniform 3D HT29 spheroids were generated in the microfluidic devices. 5-fluorouracil treatment of spheroids and cytotoxic analysis was achieved conveniently through fluid flow. Conclusion Patient-derived CTOS are better complex models of in vivo cancers than 3D cell models and can improve the clinical translation of novel treatments. Microfluidics can streamline high-throughput screening and reduce the practical difficulties of conventional organoid and 3D cell culturing. Take-home message Organoids are the most advanced in vitro models of clinical cancers. Microfluidics can streamline and improve traditional laboratory experiments.

scholarly journals Development of a gel dedicated to gel immersion endoscopy

2021 ◽  
Vol 09 (06) ◽  
pp. E918-E924
Author(s):  
Tomonori Yano ◽  
Atsushi Ohata ◽  
Yuji Hiraki ◽  
Makoto Tanaka ◽  
Satoshi Shinozaki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Conductivity ◽  
Porcine Model ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
In Vitro Experiments ◽  
Efficacy And Safety ◽  
Coagulative Necrosis ◽  
Novel Technique ◽  
In Vivo Experiments

Abstract Backgrounds and study aims Gel immersion endoscopy is a novel technique to secure the visual field during endoscopy. The aim of this study was to develop a dedicated gel for this technique. Methods To identify appropriate viscoelasticity and electrical conductivity, various gels were examined. Based on these results, the dedicated gel “OPF-203” was developed. Efficacy and safety of OPF-203 were evaluated in a porcine model. Results  In vitro experiments showed that a viscosity of 230 to 1900 mPa·s, loss tangent (tanδ) ≤ 0.6, and hardness of 240 to 540 N/cm2 were suitable. Ex vivo experiments showed electrical conductivity ≤ 220 μS/cm is appropriate. In vivo experiments using gastrointestinal bleeding showed that OPF-203 provided clear visualization compared to water. After electrocoagulation of gastric mucosa in OPF-203, severe coagulative necrosis was not observed in the muscularis but limited to the mucosa. Conclusions OPF-203 is useful for gel immersion endoscopy.

scholarly journals An Artificial-Intelligence-Discovered Functional Ingredient, NRT_N0G5IJ, Derived from Pisum sativum, Decreases HbA1c in a Prediabetic Population

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 1635
Author(s):  
Sweeny Chauhan ◽  
Alish Kerr ◽  
Brian Keogh ◽  
Stephanie Nolan ◽  
Rory Casey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
Pisum Sativum ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Glycated Haemoglobin ◽  
Glucose Regulation ◽  
Functional Ingredient ◽  
Effective Manner ◽  
Human Skeletal Muscle Cells ◽  
Increased Risk

The prevalence of prediabetes is rapidly increasing, and this can lead to an increased risk for individuals to develop type 2 diabetes and associated diseases. Therefore, it is necessary to develop nutritional strategies to maintain healthy glucose levels and prevent glucose metabolism dysregulation in the general population. Functional ingredients offer great potential for the prevention of various health conditions, including blood glucose regulation, in a cost-effective manner. Using an artificial intelligence (AI) approach, a functional ingredient, NRT_N0G5IJ, was predicted and produced from Pisum sativum (pea) protein by hydrolysis and then validated. Treatment of human skeletal muscle cells with NRT_N0G5IJ significantly increased glucose uptake, indicating efficacy of this ingredient in vitro. When db/db diabetic mice were treated with NRT_N0G5IJ, we observed a significant reduction in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels and a concomitant benefit on fasting glucose. A pilot double-blinded, placebo controlled human trial in a population of healthy individuals with elevated HbA1c (5.6% to 6.4%) showed that HbA1c percentage was significantly reduced when NRT_N0G5IJ was supplemented in the diet over a 12-week period. Here, we provide evidence of an AI approach to discovery and demonstrate that a functional ingredient identified using this technology could be used as a supplement to maintain healthy glucose regulation.

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