Cell-based microfluidic device for screening anti-proliferative activity of drugs in vascular smooth muscle cells

This paper presents a microfluidic device consisting of five parallel microchambers with integrated readout-grid for the screening of anti-proliferative activity of drugs in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). A two-level SU-8 master was fabricated and replicated with poly(dimethylsiloxane), PDMS, using standard soft-lithographic methods. The relative small height (4-10 μm) of the integrated grid allowed the identification of single-cells or cell groups and the monitoring of their motility, morphology and size with time, without disturbing their proliferation pattern. This is of particular interest when considering VSMC which, apart of being crucial in the atherosclerotic process, do not proliferate in a single layer but in a non-homogenous hill and valley phenotype. The performance of the microfluidic device has been validated by comparison with conventional culturing methods, proving that the cell proliferation remains unaffected by the microchamber structure (with the integrated grid) and the experimental conditions. Finally, the microfluidic device was also used to evaluate the anti-proliferative activity of curcumin and colchicine in VSMC. With this cellular type, the anti-proliferative activity of curcumin (IC(50) =35 ± 5 μM) was found to be much lower than colchicine (IC(50) =3.2 ± 1.2 μM). These results demonstrate the good performance of the microfluidic device in the evaluation of the anti-proliferative activity (or cytotoxicity) of drugs.

Microlenses with defined contour shapes

Ink-jet printing of optical ink over SU-8 pillars is here proposed as a technology for obtaining microlenses with shape control. To demonstrate the flexibility of this method, microlenses with five different contour shapes (ranging from circular and elliptical to toric or more advanced geometries) have been fabricated. Furthermore, the optical properties of the different fabricated lenses have been experimentally investigated. Focal distance, numerical aperture (NA) and full-width at half maximum (FWHM) of the microlenses have been determined. Arrays of microlenses showed an identical behavior with a standard deviation in the total intensity of only 7%. Additionally, the focal plane of the fabricated symmetric microlenses and the Sturm interval of the non-symmetric ones have been obtained. The experimental results demonstrate the validity and flexibility of the proposed technology.

Fluorophore-doped xerogel antiresonant reflecting optical waveguides

Rhodamine B and Alexa Fluor 430 fluorophores have been used as doping agents for xerogel waveguides defined over an antiresonant (ARROW) filter. This configuration has a significant level of integration, since it merges the waveguide, the light emitter and the filter in a single photonic element. Different technologies have been combined for their implementation, namely soft lithography, standard silicon-based technology and silicon bulk micromachining. The spectral response of 15-mm long waveguides without fluorophore is first analyzed as a function of the waveguide width. Here, it has been observed how the xerogel used has a high transparency in the visible spectra, having only significant absorption at the wavelength where the ARROW filter is in resonance. In a second step, identical waveguides but doped with two different concentrations of Rhodamine B and Alexa Fluor 430 are studied. In addition to the effect of the filter, fluorophore-doped xerogel waveguides show losses close to -2 dB (equivalent to 2 dB of light emission). In addition, it has been observed how an increase of the fluorophore concentration within the xerogel matrix does not provide with a emission increase, but saturation or even a decrease of this magnitude due to self-absorption. Finally, the total losses of the proposed waveguides are analyzed as a function of their width, obtaining losses close to 5 dB for waveguide widths higher than 50 µm.

Disposable parallel poly(dimethylsiloxane) microbioreactor with integrated readout grid for germination screening of Aspergillus ochraceus

In this work a disposable, parallel microbioreactor (MBR) suitable for screening in batch or continuous mode is presented. The reactor consists of five parallel microchambers made of poly(dimethylsiloxane) bonded to a glass substrate. A grid structure is engraved on each chamber, allowing subsequent morphology imaging. Measurements are recorded over the entire cultivation period with constant parameters, namely, position and focus in the z-axis. The microdevice may be used for either parallel, uni- or multiparametric screening, and overcomes the drawback of gridless microwell plates which require expensive equipment such as an inverted microscope with an automatic stage. To validate the scalability from laboratory scale to microscale, and thus the cultivation protocol in the MBR, the germination of fungal spores (A. ochraceus) is evaluated for two different key magnitudes (pH and temperature) and compared to the results obtained from conventional laboratory scale systems (flasks and agar plates). Information on germination capacity with regard to interspecies' variability allows for optimization of industrial processes as optimal pH and temperature matched to the mesoscopic cultivation systems. The germination conditions therefore remain unaffected inside the MBR, while providing the following advantages: (i) dramatic reduction of medium consumption, (ii) submerged cultivation with constant oxygen supply, (iii) assured low cost and disposability, and (iv) possibility of a continuous cultivation mode.

3-D modulable PDMS-based microlens system

The design, simulation, fabrication and characterization of 3-D modulable micro-optical system based on poly-dimethilsiloxane (PDMS) are presented in this paper. This system consists on two uncoupled PDMS lenses with different diameter (2 and 10 microm). Under stretching conditions, the dimensions of the small lens are not modified, whereas the geometry of the bigger lens is shifted from spherical to elliptical. A combination of different technologies is used to fabricate this microsystem: silicon, polymer and soft-lithography microfabrication techniques. This combination allows obtaining structures with a simple and mass production technology. Experimental results confirm the predicted numerical simulations, showing that, when the structure is under stretching conditions, the first focus is virtually invariable whereas the second focus becomes a Sturm zone.

Multiple internal reflection poly(dimethylsiloxane) systems for optical sensing

Compact poly(dimethylsiloxane)-based (PDMS) multiple internal reflection systems which comprise self-alignment systems, lenses, microfluidic channels and mirrors have been developed for highly sensitive absorbance measurements. With the proper definition of air mirrors at both sides of the sensing region, the optical path of the light from the LED has been meaningfully lengthened without a dramatic increase of the mean flow cell volume. By recursive positioning of such air mirrors, propagating multiple internal reflection (PMIR) systems have been designed, simulated and characterized. Experimental results confirm the ray-tracing predictions and allow the determining that there are some regions of the mean flow cell volume that do not contribute to the increase of the sensitivity. The tailoring of the sensing region, following the optical path, results in a similar limit of detection (110 nM) for fluorescein diluted in phosphate buffer. Finally, a ring configuration, labelled RMIR, has also been developed. With the addition of a third air mirror, the LOD can be decreased to 41 nM with the additional advantage of a substantial decrease of the length of the sensing region. These results confirm the validity of the proposed systems for high sensitivity measurements.

Optimization of poly(dimethylsiloxane) hollow prisms for optical sensing

A new generation of simple, robust and compact microfluidic systems with optical readout is presented. The devices consist of hollow prisms fabricated by soft-lithography, together with microlenses and self-aligned channels for fibre optic positioning, conferring the system with a high degree of monolithic integration. Its working principle is based on the absorption of the working wavelength (lambda = 460 nm) by the different substances that can fill the hollow prisms. By modifying the volumes and geometries, optimization of the presented systems has been achieved. Results show how the limit of detection (LOD) for fluorescein and methylorange diluted in phosphate buffer can be significantly lowered, by increasing the size of the prism or increasing the total deviation angle. For our investigations we used concentrations for which the Beer-Lambert law is fulfilled and the measurements showed a LOD in the microM range for both species. Finally, since the change in the fractions of the methylorange as a function of the pH causes a variation of the total absorption of the solution, the hollow prisms have also been used for pH measurements.

Poly(dimethylsiloxane) hollow Abbe prism with microlenses for detection based on absorption and refractive index shift

In this paper we report on an optical detection method that utilizes two physical effects for signal transduction, namely absorption and shift of refractive index. The device consists of a hollow prism and was fabricated by means of soft-lithography. It exhibits a high degree of monolithic integration. In order to keep down the amount of external equipment that is necessary to run the device, we were able to integrate several functions, such as focussing of light and alignment of optical fibres. Since all components are fabricated in the same material and in the same process, compatibility with other microfluidic devices or components can be achieved easily. The functional efficiency and the performance of the detector were tested by investigating solutions containing fluorescein, with concentrations between 5 and 1000 microM. The results clearly show the two regions in which the two physical effects are effective.

Effect of wall tilt on the optical properties of integrated directional couplers

The effect of wall tilt on the performance of directional couplers has been studied. There is a significant reduction in the coupling length as the tilt decreases when nonvertical walls, which are inherent in nearly all clean-room waveguide fabrication processes, are considered. Comparison of 90 degrees and 45 degrees coupling lengths reveals a difference of nearly a factor of 2 between them. Experimental data obtained with antiresonant reflecting optical waveguide directional couplers confirm that tilt effects should be considered in any device with large core thickness.

Characterization of antiresonant reflecting optical waveguide devices by scanning near-field optical microscopy

Silicon-based antiresonant reflecting optical waveguide (ARROW) devices were studied by means of a scanning near-field optical microscope. Various structures such as a Y junction of a Mach-Zehnder interferometer and a directional optical coupler were characterized, showing the propagation of the light inside the devices simultaneously with the topography. Scattering on the splitting point of the Y junction was shown, as well as a partial coupling of the light between the two branches of the coupler. Measurements on the decay length of the evanescent field were also performed to study the use of the ARROW waveguide for sensor purposes.

Effects of phytic acid on renal stone formation in rats

The effects of phytic acid and phytic acid/zinc mixtures on renal urolith development in an animal model of nephrolitiasis were studied. Male rats were divided into four groups of 15, 10, 10 and 12 rats each. The rats of Group I were treated with ethylene glycol; of Group II with ethylene glycol plus zinc; of Group III with ethylene glycol phytic acid; and of Group IV with ethylene glycol plus a mixture of phytic acid/zinc. Urine analysis (24 h) was carried out to determine the levels of calcium, oxalate, citrate, zinc and phytic acid in each group. At the end of the experiment all kidneys were removed and examined macroscopically and microscopically for possible crystal/stone locations and the total calcium amount in the renal papillary tissue was evaluated. In the rats treated with the aqueous phytic acid and phytic acid/zinc mixture, the number of calcifications on the papillary tips and the total calcium amount of the papillary tissue were significantly reduced compared with the controls treated exclusively with ethylene glycol or ethylene glycol plus zinc. Consequently, phytic acid and mixtures of phytic acid/zinc may be a useful agent in the treatment of patients with calcic urolithiasis.

Psychiatric morbidity in couples attending a fertility service

The structured clinical interview for diagnosis (axis 1) according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM-III-R) was used to assess psychiatric morbidity in 110 infertile patients. They were divided into two groups according to whether referral to the service of psychosomatic medicine was deemed advisable by the physician in charge. Psychiatric disorders were diagnosed in 39 of 56 (69.6%) patients in the referred group and in 13 of 54 (24.1%) in the non-referred group. Psychiatric morbidity was found in 61.1% of females and 21% of males. Adjustment disorders were found in 59.6% (31/52) of all patients, in 59% (24/39) of patients among the referred group and in 61.5% (8/13) of patients among the non-referred group. Fourteen (67%) of 21 women in the referred group with adjustment disorders suffered from anxiety. In addition, 33.3% of patients in the non-referred group showed important psychological dysfunction, although DSM-III-R criteria were not met. Psychiatric morbidity was significantly associated with the number of treatment cycles and female gender in the whole study population, as well as with the type and length of infertility in the non-referred group. Psychological services in an infertility clinic help to identify at an early stage those individuals who are more likely to be vulnerable. This would enable psychological interventions to be targeted towards those in greater need.

Experimental model to study sedimentary kidney stones

An experimental model to reproduce, to some extent, the conditions prevailing during the formation of the so-called sedimentary urinary stones, was developed. The results obtained demonstrated that in the absence of organic matter no calcium phosphate crystals were deposited in cavities with scarce liquid renovation. Nevertheless, in such case a regular hydroxyapatite layer was developed on the walls around the cavity. The presence of crystallization inhibitors cannot stop indefinitely the crystal development. Therefore, phytate manifested important inhibitory effects in concentrations normally found in urine (0.77-1.54 x 10(-6) mol/l), whereas citrate only manifested important inhibitory effects when found at high urinary concentrations (2.64 x 10(-3) mol/l). When mucin (a glycoprotein) was present in the urine, a clear deposit of calcified organic material was formed. The organic matter appeared mixed with the spherulites of hydroxyapatite, this demonstrating the capacity of the glycoprotein agglomerates to act as heterogeneous nucleants of calcium salts and their important role in the formation of sedimentary stones. The structural features of the obtained in vitro deposits were compared with the fine structure of human sedimentary phosphate calculi. Scanning electron microscopy images demonstrated a good correspondence between in vitro experiments and in vivo observations.

A comparative study between etiological factors of calcium oxalate monohydrate and calcium oxalate dihydrate urolithiasis

A comparative study between different etiological factors of calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) and calcium oxalate dihydrate (COD) is presented. The most frequent alteration in COD urolithiasis was associated with hypercalciuria, whereas in COM urolithiasis was associated with urinary pH. A comparison between COM and COD groups of stone formers that exhibited 1, 2 or 3 alterations was performed. Thus, in individuals with two simultaneous alterations, the association between altered urinary pH and hypomagnesiuria was the most frequent in the COM group, whereas the association between hypercalciuria and altered urinary pH was most frequent in the COD group. In individuals with three simultaneous alterations, the association between hypercalciuria, hyperphosphaturia and hyperuricuria was most frequent in both COM and COD stone formers.

Application of the Hammett equation in the esterification of substituted benzoic acids, catalyzed by AlPO4 in the gas phase

The Hammett equation has for the first time been applied to the esterification in the gas phase of m-MeO, p-MeO, m-Me, p-Me, H, m-NO2, m-Cl, and m-Br benzoic acids, catalyzed by AlPO4 of the F type. It is shown that the Hammett equation could be applied to the adsorption equilibrium constant, KA, and to the apparent kinetic constant, [Formula: see text] The KA and [Formula: see text] values used in this paper have been taken from a study by the same authors. The m-NO2 benzoic acid is in disagreement with the general behavior of the other acids in the application of the Hammett equation to the adsorption process. The p-MeO benzoic acid is in disagreement with the behavior of the acids in the application of the equation to the surface reaction. In these cases, the ρ values were negative. It can be deduced that a positive charge is generated in the adsorption process and in the surface reaction. The AAc2 mechanism is discussed according to the values of ρ, and a more detailed mechanism is proposed. The separation of the enthalpic and entropic contributions to the substituent effect is carried out. [Formula: see text] and[Formula: see text] are nearly 50% in the adsorption process. In the surface reaction, the entropie contribution is greater (72.5%) than the enthalpic (27.5%).