Integrated "lab-on-a-chip" microfluidic systems for isolation, enrichment, and analysis of cancer biomarkers.

The liquid biopsy has garnered considerable attention as a complementary clinical tool for the early detection, molecular characterization and monitoring of cancer over the past decade. In contrast to traditional solid biopsy techniques, liquid biopsy offers a less invasive and safer alternative for routine cancer screening. Recent advances in microfluidic technologies have enabled handling of liquid biopsy-derived biomarkers with high sensitivity, throughput, and convenience. The integration of these multi-functional microfluidic technologies into a 'lab-on-a-chip' offers a powerful solution for processing and analyzing samples on a single platform, thereby reducing the complexity, bio-analyte loss and cross-contamination associated with multiple handling and transfer steps in more conventional benchtop workflows. This review critically addresses recent developments in integrated microfluidic technologies for cancer detection, highlighting isolation, enrichment, and analysis strategies for three important sub-types of cancer biomarkers: circulating tumor cells, circulating tumor DNA and exosomes. We first discuss the unique characteristics and advantages of the various lab-on-a-chip technologies developed to operate on each biomarker subtype. This is then followed by a discussion on the challenges and opportunities in the field of integrated systems for cancer detection. Ultimately, integrated microfluidic platforms form the core of a new class of point-of-care diagnostic tools by virtue of their ease-of-operation, portability and high sensitivity. Widespread availability of such tools could potentially result in more frequent and convenient screening for early signs of cancer at clinical labs or primary care offices.

Comparing the Effectiveness of Ultrasonic Instruments Over Manual Instruments for Scaling and Root Planing in Patients With Chronic Periodontitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Periodontal disease is a chronic, complex, and infectious condition that affects the periodontium. Its progressive form can be identified by the loss and destruction of the periodontal ligament and the alveolar bone, respectively. Periodontal disease, one of the most prevalent oral cavity diseases, is responsible for tooth loss. Scaling and root planing (SCRP) is a standard, non-invasive periodontal therapy for treating patients with periodontitis. However, there have also been connections to disputed results. According to reports, SCRP alone is ineffective in removing pathogenic microorganisms and their by-products from periodontal pockets. In light of this, our current study aims to determine if using manual or ultrasonic instruments for SCRP in patients with a clinical diagnosis of chronic periodontitis is preferable. This systematic evaluation compares the effectiveness of manual and ultrasonic devices for SCRP, a line of therapy for individuals with a clinical diagnosis of chronic periodontitis. The databases searched were Prospero, PubMed, MEDLINE, CENTRAL, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Cochrane Library, which exclusively included English-language papers. The articles were also manually searched for any information missed during the search process.