Prostate cancer and microfluids.

Microfluidic systems aim to detect sample matter quickly with high sensitivity and resolution, on a small scale. With its increased use in medicine, the field is showing significant promise in prostate cancer diagnosis and management due, in part, to its ability to offer point-of-care testing. This review highlights some of the research that has been undertaken in respect of prostate cancer and microfluidics. Firstly, this review considers the diagnosis of prostate cancer through use of microfluidic systems and analyses the detection of prostate specific antigen, proteins, and circulating tumor cells to highlight the scope of current advancements. Secondly, this review analyses progressions in the understanding of prostate cancer physiology and considers techniques used to aid treatment of prostate cancer, such as the creation of a micro-environment. Finally, this review highlights potential future roles of microfluidics in assisting prostate cancer, such as in exosomal analysis. In conclusion, this review shows the vast scope and application of microfluidic systems and how these systems will ensure advancements to future prostate cancer management.

Electrowetting-based Digital Microfluidics Platform for Automated Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay.

Electrowetting is the effect by which the contact angle of a droplet exposed to a surface charge is modified. Electrowetting-on-dielectric (EWOD) exploits the dielectric properties of thin insulator films to enhance the charge density and hence boost the electrowetting effect. The presence of charges results in an electrically induced spreading of the droplet which permits purposeful manipulation across a hydrophobic surface. Here, we demonstrate EWOD-based protocol for sample processing and detection of four categories of antigens, using an automated surface actuation platform, via two variations of an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) methods. The ELISA is performed on magnetic beads with immobilized primary antibodies which can be selected to target a specific antigen. An antibody conjugated to HRP binds to the antigen and is mixed with H2O2/Luminol for quantification of the captured pathogens. Assay completion times of between 6 and 10 min were achieved, whilst minuscule volumes of reagents were utilized.

Fully integrated digital microfluidics platform for automated immunoassay; A versatile tool for rapid, specific detection of a wide range of pathogens.

With the tangible threat posed by the release of chemical and biological warfare (CBW) agents, detection of airborne pathogens is a critical military and security concern. Recent air sampling techniques developed for biocollection take advantage of Electrowetting on Dielectric (EWOD) to recover material, producing highly concentrated droplet samples. Bespoke EWOD-based digital microfluidics platforms are very well suited to take full advantage of the microlitre concentrated droplet resulting from this recovery process. In this paper we present a free-standing, fully automated DMF platform for immunoassay. Using this system, we demonstrate the automated detection of four classes of CBW agent simulant biomolecules and organisms each representing credible threat agents. Taking advantage of the full magnetic separation process with antibody-bound microbeads, rapid and complete separation of specific target antigen can be achieved with minimal washing steps allowing for very rapid detection. Here, we report clear detection of four categories of antigens achieved with assay completion times of between six and ten minutes. Detection of HSA, Bacillus atrophaeus (BG spores), MS2 bacteriophage and Escherichia coli are demonstrated with estimated limit of detection of respectively 30 ng ml-1, 4 × 104 cfu ml-1, 106 pfu ml-1 and 2 × 107 cfu ml-1. The fully-integrated portable platform described in this paper is highly compatible with the next generation of electrowetting-coupled air samplers and thus shows strong potential toward future in-field deployable biodetection systems and could have key implication in life-changing sectors such as healthcare, environment or food security.

British Thoracic Society Study on cryptogenic fibrosing alveolitis: Response to treatment and survival.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The initial results of a survey of 588 patients with a clinical presentation of cryptogenic fibrosing alveolitis (CFA) also known as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, have been published. This article reports further results pertaining to response to treatment and survival. METHODS: Data on the treatment given and lung function response were collected over 4-6 years. Survival data were collected over 10 years. RESULTS: Treatment was given to 445 (76%) patients, 55% were given prednisolone alone and the remainder another immunosuppressive agent, usually with prednisolone. Treated patients had worse lung function initially. At 3 months after study entry, treated patients were more likely to have improved forced vital capacity (FVC) than the untreated patients. Patients whose FVC improved were younger (p = 0.001 analysis of variance (ANOVA)) and had lower initial FVC (p<0.001, ANOVA). Patients who responded to treatment at 3 months or at 1 year survived longer than those who remained stable, who in turn survived longer than those who deteriorated (p = 0.002). These differences were largely accounted for by patients with better lung function surviving longer. Younger age at entry, female sex and higher percentage predicted FVC and carbon monoxide transfer factor [corrected] at study entry were associated with greater chances of survival at 4 years. Overall median survival from entry was 2.43 years (95% confidence interval (CI) 2.17 to 3.18). CONCLUSIONS: About a third of patients with CFA showed improved lung function after initiation of corticosteroid or immunosuppressive treatment, and those who improved survived longer. Poorer lung function, male sex and age are adverse prognostic features. Overall survival was poor.

Metastatic lung and pleural malignancy presenting as bilateral acute anterior uveitis.

Anterior uveitis is associated with a variety of underlying systemic diseases but the association between bilateral acute anterior uveitis (BAAU) and lung and pleural malignancy is not widely recognized. The case is described here of a 61-year-old woman presenting to an eye clinic with BAAU. A routine chest radiograph performed principally to exclude pulmonary sarcoidosis revealed an intrapulmonary mass and she was subsequently found to have widespread lung and pleural malignancies. Evidence is discussed that suggests a link and potential aetiology between BAAU and lung and pleural malignancies. The present case shows the virtue of requesting a chest radiograph in patients presenting with BAAU, even in the absence of other symptoms or clinical findings.