ABSTRACT
Oral submucous fibrosis is a chronic debilitating disorder which is usually seen in adults with areca nut chewing habit. A rapid upsurge in the popularity of commercial areca nut products, especially among the younger generation, is a cause of grave concern, as satisfactory management is still lacking. Hereby, two pediatric cases of oral submucous fibrosis are reported.
Subject(s)
Oral Submucous Fibrosis/diagnosis , Areca/adverse effects , Child , Dietary Supplements , Exercise Therapy , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Iron, Dietary/therapeutic use , Male , Mouthwashes/therapeutic use , Vitamin A/therapeutic use , Vitamins/therapeutic use , Zinc Acetate/therapeutic useABSTRACT
Intense research has been carried out in recent years into methods that aim to harvest fetal genetic material from maternal blood as substitutes to amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling. Just over 30 years have past since the first fetal cells were separated from maternal blood using flow cytometry highlighting the prospect of non-invasive prenatal diagnosis of fetal abnormalities. The aim of this review paper is to describe the most commonly used cell separation methods with emphasis on the isolation of fetal cells from maternal blood. The most significant breakthroughs and advances in fetal cell separation are reviewed and critically analyzed. Although much has been accomplished using well established techniques, a rapid and inexpensive method to separate fetal cells with great accuracy, sensitivity and efficiency to maximize cell yield is still required. In the past decade MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) technologies have enabled the miniaturization of many biological and medical laboratory processes. Lab-on-chip systems have been developed and encompass many modules capable of processing different biological samples. Such chips contain various integrated components such as separation channels, micropumps, mixers, reaction and detection chambers. This article will also explore new emerging MEMS based separation strategies, which hope to overcome the current limitations in fetal cell separation.
Subject(s)
Blood Cells/cytology , Cell Separation/methods , Fetus/cytology , Prenatal Diagnosis/methods , Blood Cells/chemistry , Female , Fetus/chemistry , Humans , PregnancyABSTRACT
Recent advances in microparticle separation in continuous flow are presented. It is intended for scientists in the field of separation science in biology, chemistry and microsystems engineering. Recent techniques of micron-sized particle separation within microsystems are described with emphasis on five different categories: optical, magnetic, fluidic-only, electrical and minor separation methods. Examples from the growing literature are explained with insights on separation efficiency and microengineering challenges. Current applications of the techniques are discussed.
Subject(s)
Chemical Fractionation/instrumentation , Electrochemistry/instrumentation , Electrochemistry/trends , Microarray Analysis/instrumentation , Microarray Analysis/trends , Microfluidic Analytical Techniques/instrumentation , Microfluidic Analytical Techniques/trends , Chemical Fractionation/methods , Electrochemistry/methods , Forecasting , Microarray Analysis/methods , Microfluidic Analytical Techniques/methods , Microspheres , Point-of-Care Systems/trendsABSTRACT
Sections of teeth partly demineralized in 10% formic acid were examined by X-ray diffraction, microradiography and scanning electron microscopy. In the undemineralized circumpulpal dentin, the tubules were empty, lying in a matrix containing hydroxyapatite. In the "plume" areas of remineralisation, the tubules were filled with mineral deposits. X-ray diffraction revealed the presence of brushite and monetite in these areas. In the outer layers of dentin the tubules were empty, lying in a matrix containing some residual hydroxyapatite. These findings confirmed that the remineralisation process occurred within the dentinal tubules.