ABSTRACT
A bioluminescence-based assay system was fabricated for an efficient determination of the activities of air pollutants. The following four components were integrated into this assay system: (1) an 8-channel assay platform uniquely designed for simultaneously sensing multiple optical samples, (2) single-chain probes illuminating toxic chemicals or heavy metal cations from air pollutants, (3) a microfluidic system for circulating medium mimicking the human body, and (4) the software manimulating the above system. In the protocol, we briefly introduce how to integrate the components into the system and the application to the illumination of the metal cationic activities in air pollutants.
Subject(s)
Aerosols/chemistry , Air Pollutants/analysis , Cations/analysis , Environmental Monitoring/methods , Luminescent Measurements/methods , Metals/analysis , Animals , COS Cells , Chlorocebus aethiops , Environmental Monitoring/instrumentation , Humans , Luminescent Measurements/instrumentation , Particulate Matter/analysisABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: It would be beneficial to be able to predict the cord blood (CB) cell yield from volunteer donors before cell processing. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The maternal and neonatal factors that influence the total nucleated cell (TNC), CD34+ cell, and CFU-GM yields in CB collected for the Chugoku-Shikoku Cord Blood Bank were evaluated. RESULTS: In a univariate analysis, the volume of CB collected was significantly correlated with the TNC, CD34+ cell, and CFU-GM yields (p < 0.001). A longer cord (p < 0.001), larger placenta (p < 0.001), and bigger baby (p < 0.001) were associated with a greater volume of CB. A female baby (p < 0.05) and longer gestational age (p < 0.005) were associated with a higher TNC concentration. A younger maternal age (p < 0.05), larger birth weight (p < 0.001), shorter gestational age (p < 0.001), and shorter time from collection to processing (p < 0.05) were associated with a higher CD34+ cell concentration. A multivariate linear regression analysis was performed to predict the yield and determine first-level selection criteria to start processing when the volume of CB units was on the borderline. However, this formula might not be suitable for actual use. CONCLUSION: Maternal and neonatal factors appeared to affect CB cell yields. These findings might be useful for efficiently collecting more qualified CB units.
