Sheathless coupling of microchip electrophoresis to ESI-MS utilising an integrated photo polymerised membrane for electric contacting.

In this article, we present a novel approach for the sheathless coupling of microchip electrophoresis (MCE) with electrospray mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). The key element is an ion-conductive hydrogel membrane, placed between the separation channel and an adjacent microfluidic supporting channel, contacted via platinum electrodes. This solves the persistent challenge in hyphenation of mass spectrometry to chip electrophoresis, to ensure a reliable electrical connection at the end of the electrophoresis channel without sacrificing separation performance and sensitivity. Stable electric contacting is achieved via a Y-shaped supporting channel structure, separated from the main channel by a photo polymerised, ion permeable hydrogel membrane. Thus, the potential gradient required for performing electrophoretic separations can be generated while simultaneously preventing gas formation due to electrolysis. In contrast to conventional make-up or sheathflow approaches, sample dilution is also avoided. Rapid prototyping allowed the study of different chip-based approaches, i.e. sheathless, open sheathflow and electrode support channel designs, for coupling MCE to ESI-MS. The performance was evaluated with fluorescence microscopy and mass spectrometric detection. The obtained results revealed that the detection sensitivity obtained in such Y-channel chips with integrated hydrogel membranes was superior because sample dilution or loss was prevented. Furthermore, band broadening is reduced compared to similar open structures without a membrane.

Integrated on-chip mass spectrometry reaction monitoring in microfluidic devices containing porous polymer monolithic columns.

Chip-based microfluidics enable the seamless integration of different functions into single devices. Here, we present microfluidic chips containing porous polymer monolithic columns as a means to facilitate chemical transformations as well as both downstream chromatographic separation and mass spectrometric analysis. Rapid liquid phase lithography prototyping creates the multifunctional device economically.

Mycoplasma hominis surgical wound infection: a case report and discussion.

A patient with Mycoplasma hominis infection of a clean surgical wound that contained a prosthetic vascular graft had clinical findings similar to those observed in patients with acute bacterial infections. Etiologic diagnosis was delayed because M. hominis is not appreciated as a cause of surgical wound infections and because of its special growth characteristics. Confirmation of M. hominis infection requires awareness on the part of the clinician and assistance from an informed microbiologist. The organism can be recovered by means of media and techniques available in most microbiology laboratories. Although M. hominis has been reported to sporadically infect wounds, it is possible that many other wound infections with this organism are being missed. The clinical settings in which mycoplasmal infections might be expected are described.

[Characteristics of physical therapy in internal medicine]. / Charakteristik einer internistischen Physiotherapie.

Internal physiotherapy is interpreted as supplementary level of performance (clinical feature--aim of therapy--means of physiotherapy) both of the internal specialist and the physiotherapeutist. It is particularly referred to the commonness of the responsibility for the aim of therapy. The importance of the phase of the disease when the plan of therapy is established is described.

[Physical therapy in angiology]. / Physiotherapie in der Angiologie.

It is the aim of the physiotherapy in angiology at the classified clinical picture to perform a differential therapy, i.e. physiotherapeutic means graded in their dosage. The domain of physiotherapy in the disturbances of the peripheral arterial blood supply of stage I and II is the active kinesitherapy according to the interval principle. Following the laws of training physiology it induces functional and morphologic processes of adaptation in musculature and skin. In stage III and IV the apparative physiotherapy is used under a curative purpose with dosed serial application. As to the functional disturbances of the blood supply it is the aim of physiotherapy to influence the incorrect vegetative regulation. In the disturbances of the venous reflux measures for the tonisation of the wall of the vein, for the activation of the muscle pump and for the promotion of the resorption of the venous stasis by compression are the basic elements of physiotherapy. Every form of physiotherapy in diseases of the vascular system is dependent on the active cooperation of the patient and his discernment into necessity.