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Effective Platform (effective + platform)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	40%

Selected Abstracts

Affinity monolith preconcentrators for polymer microchip capillary electrophoresis

ELECTROPHORESIS, Issue 16 2008
Weichun Yang
Abstract Developments in biology are increasing demands for rapid, inexpensive, and sensitive biomolecular analysis. In this study, polymer microdevices with monolithic columns and electrophoretic channels were used for biological separations. Glycidyl methacrylate- co -ethylene dimethacrylate monolithic columns were formed within poly(methyl methacrylate) microchannels by in situ photopolymerization. Flow experiments in these columns demonstrated retention and then elution of amino acids under conditions optimized for sample preconcentration. To enhance analyte selectivity, antibodies were immobilized on monoliths, and subsequent lysozyme treatment blocked nonspecific adsorption. The enrichment capability and selectivity of these affinity monoliths were evaluated by purifying fluorescently tagged amino acids from a mixture containing green fluorescent protein (GFP). Twenty-fold enrichment and 91% recovery were achieved for the labeled amino acids, with a >25,000-fold reduction in GFP concentration, as indicated by microchip electrophoresis analysis. These devices should provide a simple, inexpensive, and effective platform for trace analysis in complex biological samples. [source]

Self-Assembled Graphene,Enzyme Hierarchical Nanostructures for Electrochemical Biosensing

ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 19 2010
Qiong Zeng
Abstract The self-assembly of sodium dodecyl benzene sulphonate (SDBS) functionalized graphene sheets (GSs) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) by electrostatic attraction into novel hierarchical nanostructures in aqueous solution is reported. Data from scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction demonstrate that the HRP,GSs bionanocomposites feature ordered hierarchical nanostructures with well-dispersed HRP intercalated between the GSs. UV-vis and infrared spectra indicate the native structure of HRP is maintained after the assembly, implying good biocompatibility of SDBS-functionalized GSs. Furthermore, the HRP,GSs composites are utilized for the fabrication of enzyme electrodes (HRP,GSs electrodes). Electrochemical measurements reveal that the resulting HRP,GSs electrodes display high electrocatalytic activity to H2O2 with high sensitivity, wide linear range, low detection limit, and fast amperometric response. These desirable electrochemical performances are attributed to excellent biocompatibility and superb electron transport efficiency of GSs as well as high HRP loading and synergistic catalytic effect of the HRP,GSs bionanocomposites toward H2O2. As graphene can be readily non-covalently functionalized by "designer" aromatic molecules with different electrostatic properties, the proposed self-assembly strategy affords a facile and effective platform for the assembly of various biomolecules into hierarchically ordered bionanocomposites in biosensing and biocatalytic applications. [source]

Supporting virtual organizations through constraint fusion

INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS IN ACCOUNTING, FINANCE & MANAGEMENT, Issue 1 2001
Alun Preece
The formation and operation of dynamic and open virtual organizations is a central concern in business-to-business e-commerce. Virtual organizations enable partner companies to develop and manufacture customized products with low costs and rapid delivery. Agent-based architectures are an effective platform for such virtual organizations because they provide mechanisms to allow organizations to advertise their capabilities, exchange rich information, and synchronize workflows at a high level of abstraction. In this paper, we examine the KRAFT architecture and its features for supporting virtual organizations. In particular, we focus upon KRAFT's agent-based architecture, and its use of constraints as a knowledge-exchange medium. We show how constraint fusion supports the design of customized products. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Combination of Cobe AutoPBSC and Gambro Elutra as a platform for monocyte enrichment in dendritic cell (DC) therapy: Clinical study

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL APHERESIS, Issue 5 2008
Ying Chen
Abstract Monocytes are a common source for generating dendritic cells (DCs). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficiency of a platform for monocyte collection and enrichment in a clinical setting. The platform was based on the combination of two semiautomated devices; the Cobe Spectra Auto PBSC for mononuclear cells (MNC) collection followed by counterflow elutriation for monocyte enrichment (Gambro BCT Elutra). Twenty-four patients with various types of epithelial cancer participated in the study. MNC collections were first performed as large volume leukapheresis (LVL). Subsequently, MNC products were processed with an elutriation system for monocyte isolation. LVL resulted in the collection of MNC at a median of 8.1 × 109 cells, containing of 31.4% monocytes. A similar efficacy was also shown in patients with lower peripheral blood counts. Elutriation of the MNC product with the Cobe Elutra device resulted in the enrichment of monocytes at a median of 2.7 × 109 cells, with a recovery of 80.2% and a purity of 90.7%. These monocytes were then successfully developed into DCs for clinical therapy after in vitro manipulation. These data suggest that the combination of the Cobe Spectra Auto PBSC and the Gambro BCT Elutra is an effective platform for monocyte enrichment in clinical practice according to GCP standards and GMP guidelines, and can be easily implemented in the clinical routine under current DC protocols. J. Clin. Apheresis, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Improving substance abuse treatment enrollment in community syringe exchangers

ADDICTION, Issue 5 2009
Michael Kidorf
ABSTRACT Aims The present study evaluated the effectiveness of an intervention combining motivational enhancement and treatment readiness groups, with and without monetary incentives for attendance and treatment enrollment, on enhancing rates of substance abuse treatment entry among new registrants at the Baltimore Needle Exchange Program (BNEP). Design Opioid-dependent study participants (n = 281) referred by the BNEP were assigned randomly to one of three referral interventions: (i) eight individual motivational enhancement sessions and 16 treatment readiness group sessions (motivated referral condition,MRC); (ii) the MRC intervention with monetary incentives for attending sessions and enrolling in treatment,MRC+I); or (iii) a standard referral condition which directed participants back to the BNEP for referral (standard referral,SRC). Participants were followed for 4 months. Findings MRC+I participants were more likely to enroll in any type of treatment than MRC or SRC participants (52.1% versus 31.9% versus 35.5%; ,2 = 9.12, P = 0.01), and more likely to enroll in treatment including methadone than MRC or SRC participants (40.4% versus 20.2% versus 16.1%; ,2 = 16.65, P < 0.001). MRC+I participants also reported less heroin and injection use than MRC and SRC participants. Conclusions Syringe exchange sites can be effective platforms to motivate opioid users to enroll in substance abuse treatment and ultimately reduce drug use and number of drug injections. [source]