Three-dimensional microscale hanging drop arrays with geometric control for drug screening and live tissue imaging.

Existing three-dimensional (3D) culture techniques are limited by trade-offs between throughput, capacity for high-resolution imaging in living state, and geometric control. Here, we introduce a modular microscale hanging drop culture where simple design elements allow high replicates for drug screening, direct on-chip real-time or high-resolution confocal microscopy, and geometric control in 3D. Thousands of spheroids can be formed on our microchip in a single step and without any selective pressure from specific matrices. Microchip cultures from human LN229 glioblastoma and patient-derived mouse xenograft cells retained genomic alterations of originating tumors based on mate pair sequencing. We measured response to drugs over time with real-time microscopy on-chip. Last, by engineering droplets to form predetermined geometric shapes, we were able to manipulate the geometry of cultured cell masses. These outcomes can enable broad applications in advancing personalized medicine for cancer and drug discovery, tissue engineering, and stem cell research.

Decolorization of anaerobically digested molasses spent wash by Pseudomonas putida.

The distillery wastewater (spent wash) contains dark-brown colored recalcitrant organic compounds that are not amenable to conventional biological treatment. The characteristic recalcitrance to decolorization is due to the presence of brown melanoidin polymers. In the present study, feasibility of using Pseudomonas putida strain U for decolorization of spent wash was demonstrated. Batch cultures of P. putida decolourized spent wash by 24%, 2- fold higher decolorization was achieved following immobilization in calcium alginate beads. Glucose concentration was critical for decolourization and improved color removal efficiency was obtained by periodic replenishment of glucose. Decolourization was also observed with lactose or whey as alternative carbon sources. The results of our study suggest that P. putida could be used for biological decolorization of molasses spent washes and that supplementation with whey (a by-product from cheese industry) can offer economical viability to the process.

Cervical dilatation in late first trimester termination by prostaglandin, hylase and isogel.

Pre-operative dilatation of the cervix was attempted in 223 cases prior to vacuum aspiration in patients seeking late first trimester termination beyond ten weeks. 15 Me PGF2a was used in the form of vaginal suppositories, intramuscular and intracervical injections. Dilatation of cervix of 10 mm or more was achieved within 4 hours in 86% cases with intra-cervical injections. Gastro-intestinal disturbances caused by intra-muscular injections could be avoided by intra-cervical injections, as the amount of prostaglandin required was only 100 ugm, but the success rate was significantly lower. The success with multiple dose suppositories was 80%. There was no significant difference in the success with 1.5 mgm or 1.0 mgm dosage, but the side effects were significantly higher with 1.5 mgm suppositories. Intra-cervical Hylase did not dilate the cervix but successfully softened it within 5 minutes to make metallic dilatation simple. The hygroscopic Isogel tents achieved dilatation of 10 mm or more in 73% of the patients in 12 hours. The tents as well as intra-cervical prostaglandin injection had the disadvantage of requiring an additional theatre procedure prior to suction curettage.

PIP: Preoperative dilatation of the cervix was attempted in 223 cases prior to vacuum aspiration in patients seeking late first trimester termination beyond 10 weeks. 15 Me PGF2alpha was used in the form of vaginal suppositiories, intramuscular and intracervical injections. Dilatation of cervix of 10 mm or more was achieved within 4 hours in 86% cases with intracervical injections. Gastrointestinal disturbances caused by intramuscular injections could be avoided by intracervical injections, as the amount of (PG) prostaglandin required was only 100 ugm, but the success rate was significantly lower. The success with multiple dose suppositories was 80%. There was no significant difference in the success with 1.5 mgm or 1.0 mgm dosage, but the side effects were significantly higher with 1.5 mgm suppositories. Intracervical Hylase did not dilate the cervix but successfully softened it within 5 minutes to make metallic dilatation simple. The hygroscopic Isogel tents achieved dilatation of 10 mm or more in 73% of the patients in 12 hours. The tents as well as intracervical PG injection had the disadvantage of requiring an additional theater procedure prior to suction curettage.