ABSTRACT
High-throughput microbiological experimentation using droplet microfluidics is limited due to the complexity and restricted versatility of the available detection techniques. Current detection setups are bulky, complicated, expensive, and require tedious optical alignment procedures while still mostly limited to fluorescence. In this work, we demonstrate an optofluidic detection setup for multi-parametric analyses of droplet samples by easily integrating micro-lenses and embedding optical fibers for guiding light in and out of the microfluidic chip. The optofluidic setup was validated for detection of absorbance, fluorescence, and scattered light. The developed platform was used for simultaneous detection of multiple parameters in different microbiological applications like cell density determination, growth kinetics, and antibiotic inhibition assays. Combining the high-throughput potential of droplet microfluidics with the ease, flexibility, and simplicity of optical fibers results in a powerful platform for microbiological experiments.
ABSTRACT
A microfluidic chip approach utilising integrated electrically connected stationary SERS targets based on inkjet-printed silver nanoparticles is presented. It enables multiple interference-free consecutive surface-enhanced Raman measurements inside chip channels by electrically assisted regeneration of the stationary SERS substrate. Thereby it circumvents common adsorption and memory effect problems associated with stationary SERS targets allowing multiple consecutive measurements in a continuous-flow system.
Subject(s)
Electricity , Microfluidic Analytical Techniques , Spectrum Analysis, Raman , Metal Nanoparticles/chemistry , Microfluidic Analytical Techniques/instrumentation , Printing , Silver/chemistry , Spectrum Analysis, Raman/instrumentation , Surface PropertiesABSTRACT
After introduction in clinical, histological and ultrastructural features of erythropoietic protoporphyria the therapeutic effect of beta-Carotene is reported in 5 patients with erythropoietic proporphyria and in 1 patient with polymorphous light dermatosis. beta-Carotene was given orally in a daily initial dose of 50-100 mg, continued with 25 mg a day. In all patients the therapeutic effect set on about 2 months after beginning of the treatment and was measured by increased toleration to insolation. During the treatment over a period of four years no side effects were noticed by 127 clinical and biochemical controls beside a dose-dependent "icterus" localized as well in the perioral region as on the hands and feet.
