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Ma L, Zhao X, Hou J, Huang L, Yao Y, Ding Z, Wei J, Hao N. Droplet Microfluidic Devices: Working Principles, Fabrication Methods, and Scale-Up Applications. Small Methods 2024:e2301406. [PMID: 38594964 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202301406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Compared with the conventional emulsification method, droplets generated within microfluidic devices exhibit distinct advantages such as precise control of fluids, exceptional monodispersity, uniform morphology, flexible manipulation, and narrow size distribution. These inherent benefits, including intrinsic safety, excellent heat and mass transfer capabilities, and large surface-to-volume ratio, have led to the widespread applications of droplet-based microfluidics across diverse fields, encompassing chemical engineering, particle synthesis, biological detection, diagnostics, emulsion preparation, and pharmaceuticals. However, despite its promising potential for versatile applications, the practical utilization of this technology in commercial and industrial is extremely limited to the inherently low production rates achievable within a single microchannel. Over the past two decades, droplet-based microfluidics has evolved significantly, considerably transitioning from a proof-of-concept stage to industrialization. And now there is a growing trend towards translating academic research into commercial and industrial applications, primarily driven by the burgeoning demands of various fields. This paper comprehensively reviews recent advancements in droplet-based microfluidics, covering the fundamental working principles and the critical aspect of scale-up integration from working principles to scale-up integration. Based on the existing scale-up strategies, the paper also outlines the future research directions, identifies the potential opportunities, and addresses the typical unsolved challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Ma
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, 28 Xianning West Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710049, P. R. China
| | - Xiong Zhao
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, 28 Xianning West Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710049, P. R. China
| | - Junsheng Hou
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, 28 Xianning West Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710049, P. R. China
| | - Lei Huang
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, 28 Xianning West Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710049, P. R. China
| | - Yilong Yao
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, 28 Xianning West Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710049, P. R. China
| | - Zihan Ding
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, 28 Xianning West Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710049, P. R. China
| | - Jinjia Wei
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, 28 Xianning West Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710049, P. R. China
| | - Nanjing Hao
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, 28 Xianning West Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710049, P. R. China
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2
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Li S, Chen C, Lof J, Stolze EA, Sklenar J, Chen X, Pacella JJ, Villanueva FS, Matsunaga TO, Everbach EC, Radio SJ, Westphal SN, Shiva S, Xie F, Leng X, Porter TR. Acoustic Activation Imaging With Intravenous Perfluoropropane Nano droplets Results in Selective Bioactivation of the Risk Area. J Ultrasound Med 2024. [PMID: 38440926 DOI: 10.1002/jum.16435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acoustically activatable perfluoropropane droplets (PD) can be formulated from commercially available microbubble preparations. Diagnostic transthoracic ultrasound frequencies have resulted in acoustic activation (AA) predominately within myocardial infarct zones (IZ). OBJECTIVE We hypothesized that the AA area following acute coronary ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) would selectively enhance the developing scar zone, and target bioeffects specifically to this region. METHODS We administered intravenous PD in 36 rats and 20 pigs at various stages of myocardial scar formation (30 minutes, 1 day, and 7 days post I/R) to determine what effect infarct age had on the AA within the IZ. This was correlated with histology, myeloperoxidase activity, and tissue nitrite activity. RESULTS The degree of AA within the IZ in rats was not associated with collagen content, neutrophil infiltration, or infarct age. AA within 24 hours of I/R was associated with increased nitric oxide utilization selectively within the IZ (P < .05 compared with remote zone). The spatial extent of AA in pigs correlated with infarct size only when performed before sacrifice at 7 days (r = .74, P < .01). CONCLUSIONS Acoustic activation of intravenous PD enhances the developing scar zone following I/R, and results in selective tissue nitric oxide utilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shouqiang Li
- Department of Ultrasound, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Cheng Chen
- Center for Ultrasound Molecular Imaging and Therapeutics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - John Lof
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Stolze
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | | | - Xucai Chen
- Center for Ultrasound Molecular Imaging and Therapeutics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - John J Pacella
- Center for Ultrasound Molecular Imaging and Therapeutics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Flordeliza S Villanueva
- Center for Ultrasound Molecular Imaging and Therapeutics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Terry O Matsunaga
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - E Carr Everbach
- Department of Engineering, Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Stanley J Radio
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Sherry N Westphal
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Sruti Shiva
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Molecular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Feng Xie
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Xiaoping Leng
- Department of Ultrasound, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Thomas R Porter
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
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Khattak HK, Shanzeela A, Raphael E, Dalnoki-Veress K. Directed droplet motion along thin fibers. PNAS Nexus 2024; 3:pgae086. [PMID: 38500601 PMCID: PMC10946855 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgae086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
When microscopic droplets are placed between fibers held at a fixed angle, the droplets spontaneously move toward the apex of the fibers. The speed of the droplet motion increases both with the angle between the fibers and the distance the droplet spans across the fibers. The speed of these droplets can be described by a simple scaling relationship. Bending these fibers into a sawtooth geometry results in a droplet ratchet where cyclic motion in a fiber results in extended linear motion of the droplet, and can even be used to induce droplet mergers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamza K Khattak
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada
| | - Aileen Shanzeela
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada
| | - Elie Raphael
- UMR CNRS Gulliver 7083, ESPCI Paris, PSL Research University, Paris 75005, France
| | - Kari Dalnoki-Veress
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada
- UMR CNRS Gulliver 7083, ESPCI Paris, PSL Research University, Paris 75005, France
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Günther-Müller S, Azizy R, Strehle S. Droplet Motion Driven by Liquid Dielectrophoresis in the Low-Frequency Range. Micromachines (Basel) 2024; 15:151. [PMID: 38276850 DOI: 10.3390/mi15010151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Electrohydrodynamic wetting manipulation plays a major role in modern microfluidic technologies such as lab-on-a-chip applications and digital microfluidics. Liquid dielectrophoresis (LDEP) is a common driving mechanism, which induces hydrodynamic motion in liquids by the application of nonhomogeneous electrical fields. Among strategies to analyze droplet movement, systematic research on the influence of different frequencies under AC voltage is missing. In this paper, we therefore present a first study covering the motion characteristics of LDEP-driven droplets of the dielectric liquids ethylene glycol and glycerol carbonate in the driving voltage frequency range from 50 Hz to 1600 Hz. A correlation between the switching speed of LDEP-actuated droplets in a planar electrode configuration and the frequency of the applied voltage is shown. Hereby, motion times of different-sized droplets could be reduced by up to a factor of 5.3. A possible excitation of the droplets within their range of eigenfrequencies is investigated using numerical calculations. The featured fluidic device is designed using larger-sized electrodes rather than typical finger or strip electrodes, which are commonly employed in LDEP devices. The influence of the electrode shape is considered simulatively by studying the electric field gradients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Günther-Müller
- Institute of Micro- and Nanotechnologies (IMN) MacroNano®, Microsystems Technology Group, Technische Universität Ilmenau, Max-Planck-Ring 12, 98693 Ilmenau, Germany
| | - Raschid Azizy
- Institute of Micro- and Nanotechnologies (IMN) MacroNano®, Microsystems Technology Group, Technische Universität Ilmenau, Max-Planck-Ring 12, 98693 Ilmenau, Germany
| | - Steffen Strehle
- Institute of Micro- and Nanotechnologies (IMN) MacroNano®, Microsystems Technology Group, Technische Universität Ilmenau, Max-Planck-Ring 12, 98693 Ilmenau, Germany
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5
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Valzano F, Coda ARD, Liso A, Arena F. Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria Contaminating Plumbing Components and Sanitary Installations of Hospital Restrooms. Microorganisms 2024; 12:136. [PMID: 38257963 PMCID: PMC10818725 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12010136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses several issues concerning the management of hospital-acquired infections, leading to increasing morbidity and mortality rates and higher costs of care. Multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria can spread in the healthcare setting by different ways. The most important are direct contact transmission occurring when an individual comes into physical contact with an infected or colonized patient (which can involve healthcare workers, patients, or visitors) and indirect contact transmission occurring when a person touches contaminated objects or surfaces in the hospital environment. Furthermore, in recent years, toilets in hospital settings have been increasingly recognised as a hidden source of MDR bacteria. Different sites in restrooms, from toilets and hoppers to drains and siphons, can become contaminated with MDR bacteria that can persist there for long time periods. Therefore, shared toilets may play an important role in the transmission of nosocomial infections since they could represent a reservoir for MDR bacteria. Such pathogens can be further disseminated by bioaerosol and/or droplets potentially produced during toilet use or flushing and be transmitted by inhalation and contact with contaminated fomites. In this review, we summarize available evidence regarding the molecular features of MDR bacteria contaminating toilets of healthcare environments, with a particular focus on plumbing components and sanitary installation. The presence of bacteria with specific molecular traits in different toilet sites should be considered when adopting effective managing and containing interventions against nosocomial infections potentially due to environmental contamination. Finally, here we provide an overview of traditional and new approaches to reduce the spreading of such infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felice Valzano
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Via Napoli 20, 71122 Foggia, Italy; (F.V.); (F.A.)
| | - Anna Rita Daniela Coda
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Via Napoli 20, 71122 Foggia, Italy;
| | - Arcangelo Liso
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Via Napoli 20, 71122 Foggia, Italy;
| | - Fabio Arena
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Via Napoli 20, 71122 Foggia, Italy; (F.V.); (F.A.)
- IRCCS Don Carlo Gnocchi Foundation, Via di Scandicci 269, 50143 Florence, Italy
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6
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Khan AK, Muñoz-Castro G, Muñoz JJ. Single and two-cells shape analysis from energy functionals for three-dimensional vertex models. Int J Numer Method Biomed Eng 2023; 39:e3766. [PMID: 37551449 DOI: 10.1002/cnm.3766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
Vertex models have been extensively used for simulating the evolution of multicellular systems, and have given rise to important global properties concerning their macroscopic rheology or jamming transitions. These models are based on the definition of an energy functional, which fully determines the cellular response and conclusions. While two-dimensional vertex models have been widely employed, three-dimensional models are far more scarce, mainly due to the large amount of configurations that they may adopt and the complex geometrical transitions they undergo. We here investigate the shape of single and two-cells configurations as a function of the energy terms, and we study the dependence of the final shape on the model parameters: namely the exponent of the term penalising cell-cell adhesion and surface contractility. In single cell analysis, we deduce analytically the radius and limit values of the contractility for linear and quadratic surface energy terms, in 2D and 3D. In two-cells systems, symmetrical and asymmetrical, we deduce the evolution of the aspect ratio and the relative radius. While in functionals with linear surface terms yield the same aspect ratio in 2D and 3D, the configurations when using quadratic surface terms are distinct. We relate our results with well-known solutions from capillarity theory, and verify our analytical findings with a three-dimensional vertex model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad K Khan
- Department of Mathematics, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Guillem Muñoz-Castro
- Department of Mathematics, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jose J Muñoz
- Department of Mathematics, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
- Laboratori de Càlcul Numèric (LaCàN), Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
- Centre Internacional de Mètodes Numèrics en Enginyeria (CIMNE), Barcelona, Spain
- Institut de Matemàtiques de la UPC-BarcelonaTech (IMTech), Barcelona, Spain
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7
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Li A, Ganann MG, Pisegna JM. Does doffing the FEES Box generate a significant cloud of particles after aerosol-generating procedures? A proof-of-concept study. Int J Speech Lang Pathol 2023:1-12. [PMID: 37941422 DOI: 10.1080/17549507.2023.2264541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The spread of airborne diseases, including coronaviruses, remains a widespread public health concern. Published studies outline the use of protective barriers to limit the spread of pathogenic particles and droplets resulting from coughing, sneezing, and talking. The findings suggest a role for these barriers during aerosol-generating procedures, such as flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES). However, the question remains of whether doffing a protective barrier will create a concentrated cloud of particles that will increase health professionals' exposure. METHOD We simulated four clinical scenarios of coughing and sneezing, talking, eating and drinking, and delivering supplemental oxygen to test whether doffing the FEES Box protective barrier would result in a particle cloud. RESULT For all scenarios simulated, doffing the FEES Box did not result in a significant increase in mean particle count. Further, the manner of FEES Box removal did not significantly influence mean particle counts on a consistent basis. CONCLUSION These results suggest that doffing the FEES Box does not increase exposure to airborne particles. Although more research is needed to confirm these findings, FEES Box usage should be considered during aerosol-generating procedures, to protect and reassure healthcare professionals who work with patients with COVID-19 or other airborne diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Li
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
- Departments of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Aram V. Chobanian and Edward Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michelle G Ganann
- Department of Speech-Language Pathology, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jessica M Pisegna
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
- Aram V. Chobanian and Edward Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Speech-Language Pathology, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
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8
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Wang L, Jiang G, Zhu D, Tian Z, Chen C, Hu X, Peng R, Li D, Zhang H, Zhao H, Fan P, Zhong M. Self-Driven Droplet Motions Below their Icing Points. Small 2023; 19:e2302339. [PMID: 37312674 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202302339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Liquid fluidity is a most key prerequisite for a broad range of technologies, from energy, fluid machineries, microfluidic devices, water, and oil transportation to bio-deliveries. While from thermodynamics, the liquid fluidity gradually diminishes as temperature decreases until completely solidified below icing points. Here, self-driven droplet motions are discovered and demonstrated occurring in icing environments and accelerating with both moving distances and droplet volumes. The self-driven motions, including self-depinning and continuous wriggling, require no surface pre-preparation or energy input but are triggered by the overpressure spontaneously established during icing and then continuously accelerated by capillary pulling of frosts. Such self-driven motions are generic to a broad class of liquid types, volumes, and numbers on various micro-nanostructured surfaces and can be facilely manipulated by introducing pressure gradients spontaneously or externally. The discovery and control of self-driven motions below icing points can greatly broaden liquid-related applications in icing environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lizhong Wang
- Laser Materials Processing Research Center, Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials Processing Technology (Ministry of Education), Joint Research Center for Advanced Materials & Anti-icing of Tsinghua University (SMSE)-AVIC ARI, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
| | - Guochen Jiang
- Laser Materials Processing Research Center, Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials Processing Technology (Ministry of Education), Joint Research Center for Advanced Materials & Anti-icing of Tsinghua University (SMSE)-AVIC ARI, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
| | - Dongyu Zhu
- Shenyang Key Laboratory of Aircraft Icing and Ice Protection, AVIC Aerodynamics Research Institute, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110034, P. R. China
| | - Ze Tian
- Laser Materials Processing Research Center, Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials Processing Technology (Ministry of Education), Joint Research Center for Advanced Materials & Anti-icing of Tsinghua University (SMSE)-AVIC ARI, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
| | - Changhao Chen
- Laser Materials Processing Research Center, Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials Processing Technology (Ministry of Education), Joint Research Center for Advanced Materials & Anti-icing of Tsinghua University (SMSE)-AVIC ARI, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
| | - Xinyu Hu
- Laser Materials Processing Research Center, Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials Processing Technology (Ministry of Education), Joint Research Center for Advanced Materials & Anti-icing of Tsinghua University (SMSE)-AVIC ARI, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
| | - Rui Peng
- Laser Materials Processing Research Center, Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials Processing Technology (Ministry of Education), Joint Research Center for Advanced Materials & Anti-icing of Tsinghua University (SMSE)-AVIC ARI, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
| | - Daizhou Li
- Laser Materials Processing Research Center, Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials Processing Technology (Ministry of Education), Joint Research Center for Advanced Materials & Anti-icing of Tsinghua University (SMSE)-AVIC ARI, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
| | - Hongjun Zhang
- Laser Materials Processing Research Center, Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials Processing Technology (Ministry of Education), Joint Research Center for Advanced Materials & Anti-icing of Tsinghua University (SMSE)-AVIC ARI, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
| | - Huanyu Zhao
- Shenyang Key Laboratory of Aircraft Icing and Ice Protection, AVIC Aerodynamics Research Institute, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110034, P. R. China
| | - Peixun Fan
- Laser Materials Processing Research Center, Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials Processing Technology (Ministry of Education), Joint Research Center for Advanced Materials & Anti-icing of Tsinghua University (SMSE)-AVIC ARI, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
| | - Minlin Zhong
- Laser Materials Processing Research Center, Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials Processing Technology (Ministry of Education), Joint Research Center for Advanced Materials & Anti-icing of Tsinghua University (SMSE)-AVIC ARI, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
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Pal R. Recent Developments in the Viscosity Modeling of Concentrated Monodisperse Emulsions. Foods 2023; 12:3483. [PMID: 37761192 PMCID: PMC10528054 DOI: 10.3390/foods12183483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Emulsions form a large group of food materials. Many foods are either partly or wholly emulsions or are in the form of emulsion at some stage of the production process. A good understanding of the rheological properties of emulsions, especially their shear viscosity, is essential in the design, formulation, and processing of food emulsions. The texture and mouthfeel of food emulsions are also largely influenced by emulsion viscosity. Therefore, it is of practical importance to be able to correlate and predict emulsion viscosity as a function of droplet concentration and other relevant variables. In this article, the recent developments made in the viscosity modeling of concentrated emulsions are reviewed. The viscosity models for concentrated emulsions published in the twenty-first century are discussed, compared, and evaluated using a large body of experimental viscosity data available on emulsions. The effects of droplet size distribution and capillary number on the viscosity of concentrated emulsions are also discussed in detail. A new generalized viscosity model is developed for concentrated emulsions that includes the effect of capillary number and is accurate with small average percent relative error (within 3%).
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajinder Pal
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
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10
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Wang P, Xu C, Li C, Wang L, Niu Q, Li H. Investigation of factors enhancing droplets spreading on leaves with burrs. Front Plant Sci 2023; 14:1220878. [PMID: 37662168 PMCID: PMC10469947 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1220878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Spread effect is one of the aspects on deposition quality evaluation of pesticide droplets. It could be affected by many factors such as the microstructure of the target plant leaf surface, physical features of the droplets, and the concentration of spray additives. Methods In this study, using a high-speed photography system, 2.3% glyphosate ammonium salt solution with different concentration of the additive was applied to investigate the impact process of single droplet deposition on the plant leaf surface with burrs. Effect of droplet sizes and velocities on spreading area and dynamic deposition procedure was analyzed using image processing programs. Results The diffusion factor in the process of droplet spreading was changed over time. The occurrence of bubbles in the droplets was observed in the results. With the bubble generation, the droplet diameter expands and a better diffusion effect is obtained. As a result, better spreading effect was obtained as the droplet diameter was expanded with the generation of bubbles. The significant effects of each physical property of droplets on droplet spreading and the interaction effects between the influencing factors were analyzed. A significant correlation was found between additive concentration, droplet impact velocity, droplet diameters and droplet spreading area. All interactions of concentration:velocity, concentration:diameter, velocity:diameter, and concentration:velocity:diameter had a significant effect on the spreading area of droplets. The study of the factors influencing the process of pesticide droplet impact on the leaf surface contributes to the efficient use of pesticides. Thus, the consumption of pesticides and the resulting impact on the environment can be reduced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei Wang
- College of Engineering and Technology, Key Laboratory of Agricultural Equipment for Hilly and Mountain Areas, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Interdisciplinary Research Center for Agriculture Green Development in Yangtze River Basin, College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Chengrui Xu
- College of Engineering and Technology, Key Laboratory of Agricultural Equipment for Hilly and Mountain Areas, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Chengsong Li
- College of Engineering and Technology, Key Laboratory of Agricultural Equipment for Hilly and Mountain Areas, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- National Citrus Engineering Research Center, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences & Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lihong Wang
- College of Engineering and Technology, Key Laboratory of Agricultural Equipment for Hilly and Mountain Areas, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Qi Niu
- College of Engineering and Technology, Key Laboratory of Agricultural Equipment for Hilly and Mountain Areas, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hui Li
- College of Engineering and Technology, Key Laboratory of Agricultural Equipment for Hilly and Mountain Areas, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
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11
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Lian X, Liao S, Han W, Song C, Wang Y. Stabilizing Liquid in Precise Nonequilibrium Shapes via Fast Interfacial Polymerization. Small 2023; 19:e2301039. [PMID: 37069770 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202301039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Due to the minimization of interface area caused by surface tension, the stabilization of liquid in complex and precise nonequilibrium shapes is challenging. In this work, a simple, surfactant-free, and covalent strategy to stabilize liquid in precise nonequilibrium shapes via fast interfacial polymerization (FIP) of highly reactive n-butyl cyanoacrylate (BCA) monomer triggered by water-soluble nucleophiles is described. Full interfacial coverage can be achieved instantly, and the resultant polyBCA film anchored at the interface can support the unequal interface stress, which allows the production of non-spherical droplets with complex shapes. Notably, the formulation of internal aqueous phase is nearly unaffected since no specific additive is required. Moreover, considering the excellent biocompatibility of BCA and polyBCA, the produced droplets can be used as micro-bioreactor for enzyme catalysis and even bacterial culture, which well mimic the morphology of cells and bacteria to achieve the biochemical reaction in non-spherical droplets. The present work not only opens a new sight for the stabilization of liquid in nonequilibrium shapes, but may also promote the development of synthetic biology based on non-spherical droplets, and tremendous potential applications are anticipated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaodong Lian
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Light Conversion Materials and Biophotonics, Department of Chemistry, Renmin University of China, Beijing, 100872, China
| | - Shenglong Liao
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Light Conversion Materials and Biophotonics, Department of Chemistry, Renmin University of China, Beijing, 100872, China
| | - Wenwen Han
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Light Conversion Materials and Biophotonics, Department of Chemistry, Renmin University of China, Beijing, 100872, China
| | - Chenhao Song
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Light Conversion Materials and Biophotonics, Department of Chemistry, Renmin University of China, Beijing, 100872, China
| | - Yapei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Light Conversion Materials and Biophotonics, Department of Chemistry, Renmin University of China, Beijing, 100872, China
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12
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Picus CM, Mihai I, Suciu C. Experimental Investigations upon Ultrasound Influence on Calefaction of AdBlue in Selective Catalytic Reduction Systems (SCR). Micromachines (Basel) 2023; 14:1488. [PMID: 37630024 PMCID: PMC10456810 DOI: 10.3390/mi14081488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
The present paper intends to provide an analysis of how the process of calefaction occurs in a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system and the mechanisms by which the deposition of AdBlue crystals on a hot surface evolve. Experimentally, two aluminium samples heated to 200 °C were used, over which AdBlue droplets with different atomisation rates were dropped, maintaining the same dynamic flow parameters, in order to observe the influence of temperature effects on the degree of deposition of crystallised sediment on the surface. The authors proposed the use of calefaction in an ultrasonic environment to prevent deposition and to increase droplet fragmentation by a break-up process. To prove the performance of this method one sample was subjected to a normal flow regime while a second sample was exposed to ultrasound. Both samples were assembled on a magneto-strictive concentrator operating at a frequency of 20 kHz. The obtained results indicated that the sample exposed to ultrasound demonstrated lower urea crystallisation compared to the sample that was not exposed to this treatment. Thus, it can be seen that the proposed method of injecting AdBlue into an ultrasonic zone gives the desired results.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ioan Mihai
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Automotive and Robotics, Stefan cel Mare University, 720229 Suceava, Romania;
| | - Cornel Suciu
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Automotive and Robotics, Stefan cel Mare University, 720229 Suceava, Romania;
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13
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Kojima K, Tomita S, Kamimura M. Fluorescence Imaging of Nanoparticle Uptake into Liquid-Liquid Phase-Separated Droplets. Chempluschem 2023; 88:e202300207. [PMID: 37310764 DOI: 10.1002/cplu.202300207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) in living cells has received considerable attention in the biomedical research field. This study is the first to report nanoparticle (NP) uptake into LLPS droplets. Fluorescent dye, Nile red loaded polystyrene NPs (NR-PSt NPs) uptake into model LLPS droplets consisting of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and poly-L-lysine (PLL) was visualized using fluorescence imaging. Fluorescence imaging showed that the LLPS droplets had a quick NP uptake behavior. Furthermore, temperature changes (4-37 °C) significantly affected the NP uptake behavior of the LLPS droplets. Moreover, the NP-incorporated droplets displayed high stability under strong ionic strength conditions (1 M NaCl). ATP measurements displayed that ATP was released from the NP-incorporated droplets, indicating that the weakly negatively charged ATP molecules and strongly negatively charged NPs were exchanged, which resulted in the high stability of the LLPS droplets. These fundamental findings will contribute to the LLPS studies using various NPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keitaro Kojima
- Faculty of Advanced Engineering, Tokyo University of Science, 6-3-1 Niijuku, Katsushika, Tokyo, 125-8585, Japan
| | - Shunsuke Tomita
- Health and Medical Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8566, Japan
| | - Masao Kamimura
- Faculty of Advanced Engineering, Tokyo University of Science, 6-3-1 Niijuku, Katsushika, Tokyo, 125-8585, Japan
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14
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Song Z, Lin ES, Uddin MH, Abid HA, Ong JW, Ng TW. Graphene Oxide Paper Manipulation of Micro-Reactor Drops. Micromachines (Basel) 2023; 14:1306. [PMID: 37512618 PMCID: PMC10384384 DOI: 10.3390/mi14071306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Digital microfluidics, which relies on the movement of drops, is relatively immune to clogging problems, making it suited for micro-reactor applications. Here, graphene oxide paper of 100 μm thickness, fabricated by blade coating sedimented dispersions onto roughened substrates, followed by drying and mechanical exfoliation, was found to be relatively free of cracks and curling. It also exhibited high wettability and elasto-capillary characteristics. Possessing low enough stiffness, it could rapidly and totally self-wrap water drops of 20 μL volume placed 2 mm from its edge when oriented between 0 and 60° to the horizontal. This complete wrapping behavior allowed drops to be translated via movement of the paper over long distances without dislodgement notwithstanding accelerations and decelerations. An amount of 2 drops that were wrapped with separate papers, when collided with each other at speeds up to 0.64 m/s, were found to eschew coalescence. This portends the development of robust digital microfluidic approaches for micro-reactors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhixiong Song
- Laboratory for Optics and Applied Mechanics, Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Eric Shen Lin
- Laboratory for Optics and Applied Mechanics, Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Md Hemayet Uddin
- Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication, 151 Wellington Rd., Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia
| | - Hassan Ali Abid
- Laboratory for Optics and Applied Mechanics, Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Jian Wern Ong
- Laboratory for Optics and Applied Mechanics, Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Tuck Wah Ng
- Laboratory for Optics and Applied Mechanics, Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
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15
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Kumar P, Nath K, Prasad A, Tiwari LK, Chowdhry BK, Sinha AK, Chaudhary N. Effects of the Use of N95 Masks on the Vital Signs of Healthy Healthcare Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Hospital-Based Cross-Sectional Study. Cureus 2023; 15:e40622. [PMID: 37476108 PMCID: PMC10355089 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.40622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS The N95 filtering facepiece respirator (FR) is the most commonly recommended respiratory protection used in healthcare settings. However, concerns have been raised about its use because it can increase respiratory resistance and dead space. The primary objective of this study was to determine the effect of wearing N95 masks on the vital signs, i.e., oxygen saturation, pulse rate, and respiratory rate, of the participant health workers. Our secondary objective was to assess the subjective feeling of discomfort when wearing N95 masks. METHODS The study participants were healthy healthcare workers taking care of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-infected pediatric cases who did at least six hours of continuous shift duty in the pediatric COVID-19 ward at a tertiary care hospital in the eastern part of India. They were evaluated for vital signs at various time intervals while wearing N95 masks. Subjective discomfort at any point in time was also noted. RESULTS We found a significant variation in the mean oxygen saturation (SpO2) and heart rate (HR) reduction across the four different points. The pair-wise comparison showed a small but significant decrease in the mean SpO2 of 98.3% (1.1) at six hours as compared with a mean SpO2 of 98.7% (0.9) at three hours. Similarly, a significant increase was noted for a mean HR of 84.7 bpm (11.2) at six hours compared with a baseline of 82.3 bpm (9.2) and 83.2 bpm (8.8) at three hours. CONCLUSION The continuous use of an N95 mask leads to a mild increase in respiratory rate. However, heart rate and oxygen saturation vary significantly at different points in time after N95 mask use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pradeep Kumar
- Pediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, IND
| | - Kunal Nath
- Pediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, IND
| | - Arun Prasad
- Pediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, IND
| | - Lokesh K Tiwari
- Pediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, IND
| | | | - Amit K Sinha
- Pediatric Surgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, IND
| | - Neha Chaudhary
- Community and Family Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, IND
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16
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Abstract
Many organisms in nature have evolved superhydrophobic surfaces that leverage water droplets to clean themselves. While this ubiquitous self-cleaning process has substantial industrial promise, experiments have so far been unable to comprehend the underlying physics. With the aid of molecular simulations, here we rationalize and theoretically explain self-cleaning mechanisms by resolving the complex interplay between particle-droplet and particle-surface interactions, which originate at the nanoscale. We present a universal phase diagram that consolidates (a) observations from previous surface self-cleaning experiments conducted at micro-to-millimeter length scales and (b) our nanoscale particle-droplet simulations. Counterintuitively, our analysis shows that an upper limit for the radius of the droplet exists to remove contaminants of a particular size. We are now able to predict when and how particles of varying scale (from nano-to-micrometer) and adhesive strengths are removed from superhydrophobic surfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rohit Pillai
- School of Engineering, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3FB, U.K
| | - Matthew K Borg
- School of Engineering, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3FB, U.K
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17
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Bchellaoui N, Xu Q, Zhang X, Bendeif EE, Bennacer R, El Abed AI. Role and Effect of Meso-Structuring Surfactants on Properties and Formation Mechanism of Microfluidic-Enabled Mesoporous Silica Microspheres. Micromachines (Basel) 2023; 14:mi14050936. [PMID: 37241560 DOI: 10.3390/mi14050936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
We have shown in a previous work that the combination of the emulsion solvent evaporation technique and droplet-based microfluidics allows for the synthesis of well-defined monodisperse mesoporous silica microcapsules (hollow microspheres), whose size, shape and composition may be finely and easily controlled. In this study, we focus on the crucial role played by the popular Pluronic® P123 surfactant, used for controlling the mesoporosity of synthesised silica microparticles. We show in particular, that although both types of initial precursor droplets, prepared with and without P123 meso-structuring agent, namely P123+ and P123- droplets, have a similar diameter (≃30 μm) and a similar TEOS silica precursor concentration (0.34 M), the resulting microparticles exhibit two noticeably different sizes and mass densities. Namely, 10 μm and 0.55 g/cm3 for P123+ microparticles, and 5.2 μm and 1.4 g/cm3 for P123- microparticles. To explain such differences, we used optical and scanning electron microscopies, small-angle X-ray diffraction and BET measurements to analyse structural properties of both types of microparticles and show that in the absence of Pluronic molecules, P123- microdroplets divide during their condensation process, on average, into three smaller droplets before condensing into silica solid microspheres with a smaller size and a higher mass density than those obtained in the presence of P123 surfactant molecules. Based on these results and on condensation kinetics analysis, we also propose an original mechanism for the formation of silica microspheres in the presence and in the absence of the meso-structuring and pore-forming P123 molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nizar Bchellaoui
- Laboratoire Lumière Matière et Interfaces (LUMIN), UMR 9024, Ecole Normale Supérieure Paris Saclay, CentraleSupélec, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, 4 Avenue des Sciences, 91190 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Qisheng Xu
- Laboratoire Lumière Matière et Interfaces (LUMIN), UMR 9024, Ecole Normale Supérieure Paris Saclay, CentraleSupélec, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, 4 Avenue des Sciences, 91190 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Xuming Zhang
- Photonics Research Institute, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - El-Eulmi Bendeif
- CRM2 (UMR UL-CNRS 7036), Faculté des Sciences et Technologies, Université de Lorraine, BP 70239, Boulevard des Aiguillettes, 54506 Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy CEDEX, 54000 Nancy, France
| | - Rachid Bennacer
- LPMS, ENS Paris Saclay, CentraleSupélec, Université Paris Saclay, CNRS, 4 Avenue des Sciences, 91190 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Abdel I El Abed
- Laboratoire Lumière Matière et Interfaces (LUMIN), UMR 9024, Ecole Normale Supérieure Paris Saclay, CentraleSupélec, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, 4 Avenue des Sciences, 91190 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
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18
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Huang Y, Huang J, Yin W, Xie F, Coleman B, Cao Y, Aya S, Zhu W, Yang Z, Jiang L. Encoding Coacervate Droplets with Paramagnetism for Dynamical Reconfigurability and Spatial Addressability. ACS Nano 2023; 17:6234-6246. [PMID: 36951305 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c09617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
It is an ongoing endeavor in chemistry and materials science to regulate coacervate droplets on a physiologically relevant spatiotemporal scale to ultimately match or even surpass living cells' precision, complexity, and functionality. Herein, we develop a magnetic strategy orthogonal to the thermal, pH, light, or chemical counterparts that are commonly employed by biotic or artificial systems; its successful implementation thus adds a missing piece to the current arsenal of manipulative methodologies. Specifically, we paramagnetize the otherwise diamagnetic coacervate droplets by cooperatively combining paramagnetic ingredients (including organic radicals, metal ions, and Fe3O4 nanoparticles) and coacervate ingredients to obtain "MagCoa" droplets. A simple model is derived theoretically to account for migration and division of MagCoa droplets in an uneven magnetic field. Experimentally, we produce an array of compartmentalized and monodispersed droplets using microfluidics and magnetically steer them with uniformity and synchronicity. We design and fabricate spatial magnetic modulators to engineer the landscape of a magnetic field that, in turn, directs the MagCoa droplets into predesigned patterns in a reconfigurable fashion. These programmable liquid patterns can be potentially extended to dynamic assembly and information encryption. We envision that the toolbox established here is of generality and multitudes to serve as a practical guide to control droplets magnetically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangkun Huang
- South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology (AISMST), School of Emergent Soft Matter, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Jinpeng Huang
- South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology (AISMST), School of Emergent Soft Matter, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Functional and Intelligent Hybrid Materials and Devices, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Wenxiang Yin
- MOE International Joint Research Laboratory on Synthetic Biology and Medicines, School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Fei Xie
- Institute of Information Technology, Handan University, Handan 056005, China
| | - Benjamin Coleman
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005-1892, United States
| | - Yaoyu Cao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Optical Fiber Sensing and Communications, Institute of Photonics Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China
| | - Satoshi Aya
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Functional and Intelligent Hybrid Materials and Devices, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Wei Zhu
- MOE International Joint Research Laboratory on Synthetic Biology and Medicines, School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Zhijie Yang
- Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface Chemistry, Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China
| | - Lingxiang Jiang
- South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology (AISMST), School of Emergent Soft Matter, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Functional and Intelligent Hybrid Materials and Devices, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
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19
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French AJ, Longest AK, Pan J, Vikesland PJ, Duggal NK, Marr LC, Lakdawala SS. Environmental Stability of Enveloped Viruses Is Impacted by Initial Volume and Evaporation Kinetics of Droplets. mBio 2023; 14:e0345222. [PMID: 37036343 PMCID: PMC10128059 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03452-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Efficient spread of respiratory viruses requires the virus to maintain infectivity in the environment. Environmental stability of viruses can be influenced by many factors, including temperature and humidity. Our study measured the impact of initial droplet volume (50, 5, and 1 μL) and relative humidity (RH; 40%, 65%, and 85%) on the stability of influenza A virus, bacteriophage Phi6 (a common surrogate for enveloped viruses), and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) under a limited set of conditions. Our data suggest that the drying time required for the droplets to reach quasi-equilibrium (i.e., a plateau in mass) varied with RH and initial droplet volume. The macroscale physical characteristics of the droplets at quasi-equilibrium varied with RH but not with the initial droplet volume. Virus decay rates differed between the wet phase, while the droplets were still evaporating, and the dry phase. For Phi6, decay was faster in the wet phase than in the dry phase under most conditions. For H1N1pdm09, decay rates between the two phases were distinct and initial droplet volume had an effect on virus viability within 2 h. Importantly, we observed differences in virus decay characteristics by droplet size and virus. In general, influenza virus and SARS-CoV-2 decayed similarly, whereas Phi6 decayed more rapidly under certain conditions. Overall, this study suggests that virus decay in media is related to the extent of droplet evaporation, which is controlled by RH. Importantly, accurate assessment of transmission risk requires the use of physiologically relevant droplet volumes and careful consideration of the use of surrogates. IMPORTANCE During the COVID-19 pandemic, policy decisions were being driven by virus stability experiments with SARS-CoV-2 in different droplet volumes under various humidity conditions. Our study, the first of its kind, provides a model for the decay of multiple enveloped RNA viruses in cell culture medium deposited in 50-, 5-, and 1-μL droplets at 40%, 65%, and 85% RH over time. The results of our study indicate that determination of half-lives for emerging pathogens in large droplets may overestimate transmission risk for contaminated surfaces, as observed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our study implicates the need for the use of physiologically relevant droplet sizes with use of relevant surrogates in addition to what is already known about the importance of physiologically relevant media for risk assessment of future emerging pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea J French
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Alexandra K Longest
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
| | - Jin Pan
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
| | - Peter J Vikesland
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
| | - Nisha K Duggal
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
| | - Linsey C Marr
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
| | - Seema S Lakdawala
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Center for Vaccine Research, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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20
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Jiao L, Wu Y, Hu Y, Guo Q, Wu H, Yu H, Deng L, Li D, Li L. Mosaic Patterned Surfaces toward Generating Hardly-Volatile Capsular Droplet Arrays for High-Precision Droplet-Based Storage and Detection. Small 2023; 19:e2206274. [PMID: 36617523 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202206274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Precise detection involving droplets based on functional surfaces is promising for the parallelization and miniaturization of platforms and is significant in epidemic investigation, analyte recognition, environmental simulation, combinatorial chemistry, etc. However, a challenging and considerable task is obtaining mutually independent droplet arrays without cross-contamination and simultaneously avoiding droplet evaporation-caused quick reagent loss, inaccuracy, and failure. Herein, a strategy to generate mutually independent and hardly-volatile capsular droplet arrays using innovative mosaic patterned surfaces is developed. The evaporation suppression of the capsular droplet arrays is 1712 times higher than the naked droplet. The high evaporation suppression of the capsular droplet arrays on the surfaces is attributed to synergistic blocking of the upper oil and bottom mosaic gasproof layer. The scale-up of the capsular droplet arrays, the flexibility in shape, size, component (including aqueous, colloidal, acid, and alkali solutions), liquid volume, and the high-precision hazardous substance testing proves the concept's high compatibility and practicability. The mutually independent capsular droplet arrays with amazingly high evaporation suppression are essential for the new generation of high-performance open-surface microfluidic chips used in COVID-19 diagnosis and investigation, primary screening, in vitro enzyme reactions, environmental monitoring, nanomaterial synthesis, etc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long Jiao
- College of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310023, P. R. China
| | - Yixiao Wu
- College of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310023, P. R. China
| | - Yanjun Hu
- College of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310023, P. R. China
| | - Qianqian Guo
- College of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310023, P. R. China
| | - Huaping Wu
- College of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310023, P. R. China
| | - Huiyao Yu
- College of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310023, P. R. China
| | - Longqiang Deng
- Zhejiang Tuff Development Company Ltd., Jiaxing, 314400, P. R. China
| | - Dongliang Li
- School of Energy and Power Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400030, P. R. China
| | - Lin Li
- School of Energy and Power Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, P. R. China
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21
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Zheng Y, Chen H, Lin X, Li M, Zhao Y, Shang L. Scalable Production of Biomedical Microparticles via High-Throughput Microfluidic Step Emulsification. Small 2023; 19:e2206007. [PMID: 36725312 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202206007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 12/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Drug microcarriers are widely used in disease treatment, and microfluidics is well established in the preparation of microcarrier particles. A proper design of the microfluidic platform toward scalable production of drug microcarriers can extend its application values in wound healing, where large numbers of microcarriers are required. Here, a microfluidic step emulsification method for the preparation of monodisperse droplets is presented. The droplet size depends primarily on the microchannel depth rather than flow rate, making the system robust for high-throughput production of droplets and hydrogel microparticles. Based on this platform, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is uniformly encapsulated in the microparticles, and black phosphorus (BP) is incorporated for controllable release via near-infrared (NIR) stimulation. The microparticles serve as drug carriers to be applied to the wound site, inducing angiogenesis and collagen deposition, thereby accelerating wound repair. These results indicate that the step emulsification technique provides a promising solution to scalable production of drug microcarriers for wound healing as well as tissue regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yazhi Zheng
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China
| | - Hanxu Chen
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China
| | - Xiang Lin
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China
| | - Minli Li
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China
| | - Yuanjin Zhao
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China
- Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Luoran Shang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China
- Shanghai Xuhui Central Hospital, Zhongshan-Xuhui Hospital, and the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism (Ministry of Science and Technology, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences), Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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22
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Hayat Z, El Abed A. First Experimental Evidence of Anti-Stokes Laser-Induced Fluorescence Emission in Micro droplets and Microfluidic Systems Driven by Low Thermal Conductivity of Fluorocarbon Carrier Oil. Micromachines (Basel) 2023; 14:765. [PMID: 37420997 DOI: 10.3390/mi14040765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023]
Abstract
With the advent of many optofluidic and droplet microfluidic applications using laser-induced fluorescence (LIF), the need for a better understanding of the heating effect induced by pump laser excitation sources and good monitoring of temperature inside such confined microsystems started to emerge. We developed a broadband highly sensitive optofluidic detection system, which enabled us to show for the first time that Rhodamine-B dye molecules can exhibit standard photoluminescence as well as blue-shifted photoluminescence. We demonstrate that this phenomenon originates from the interaction between the pump laser beam and dye molecules when surrounded by the low thermal conductive fluorocarbon oil, generally used as a carrier medium in droplet microfluidics. We also show that when the temperature is increased, both Stokes and anti-Stokes fluorescence intensities remain practically constant until a temperature transition is reached, above which the fluorescence intensity starts to decrease linearly with a thermal sensitivity of about -0.4%/°C for Stokes emission or -0.2%/°C for anti-Stokes emission. For an excitation power of 3.5 mW, the temperature transition was found to be about 25 °C, whereas for a smaller excitation power (0.5 mW), the transition temperature was found to be about 36 °C.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zain Hayat
- Laboratoire Lumière Matière et Interfaces (LUMIN), UMR 9024, Ecole Normale Supérieure Paris Saclay, CentraleSupélec, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, 4 Avenue des Sciences, 91190 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Abdel El Abed
- Laboratoire Lumière Matière et Interfaces (LUMIN), UMR 9024, Ecole Normale Supérieure Paris Saclay, CentraleSupélec, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, 4 Avenue des Sciences, 91190 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
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23
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Yuan H, Li F, Jia L, Guo T, Kong T, Meng T. Bacteria-Inspired Aqueous-in-Aqueous Compartmentalization by In Situ Interfacial Biomineralization. Small Methods 2023; 7:e2201309. [PMID: 36549693 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202201309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 12/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Compartmentalization is essential for living cells to orchestrate their biological processes with controlled external influences. Thus, compartmentalization has been a constant theme for cell-mimicking materials. Despite recent advances in engineering compartmentalized materials as synthetic cells and organelles, it remains difficult to produce robust and well-ordered compartments with secluded environments in aqueous surroundings. Nature creates hierarchically ordered compartmentalized materials by utilizing bio-catalyzed mineralization, inspired by which, mechanically robust all-aqueous compartments are developed by engineering a mild biomimetic mineralization at aqueous/aqueous interfaces. The enzyme-induced biomineralization generates a layer of densely-packed particles, acting as an armor to enclose aqueous interiors. This strategy of in situ bio-synthesized compartments is different from current strategies, where compartments are constructed by randomly adsorbed particles at interface, leading to inadequately controlled properties of compartments. To demonstrate the robustness and adaptiveness of the in situ bio-synthesized all-aqueous compartments, these are utilized as drug delivery materials by sequestering protein drugs at their aqueous interiors and releasing when exposing to gastric environments. The study provides new ways to fabricate compartmentalized materials with well-defined properties, unlocking routes to the next generation of self-assembled materials and structures by integrating aqueous two-phase systems with biomineralization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Yuan
- School of Life Sciences and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610031, P. R. China
| | - Fei Li
- School of Life Sciences and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610031, P. R. China
| | - Lufan Jia
- School of Life Sciences and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610031, P. R. China
| | - Ting Guo
- School of Life Sciences and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610031, P. R. China
| | - Tiantian Kong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518060, P. R. China
| | - Tao Meng
- School of Life Sciences and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610031, P. R. China
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24
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Li Y, Pahlavan AA, Chen Y, Liu S, Li Y, Stone HA, Granick S. Oil-on-water droplets faceted and stabilized by vortex halos in the subphase. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2214657120. [PMID: 36649407 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2214657120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
For almost 200 y, the dominant approach to understand oil-on-water droplet shape and stability has been the thermodynamic expectation of minimized energy, yet parallel literature shows the prominence of Marangoni flow, an adaptive gradient of interfacial tension that produces convection rolls in the water. Our experiments, scaling arguments, and linear stability analysis show that the resulting Marangoni-driven high-Reynolds-number flow in shallow water overcomes radial symmetry of droplet shape otherwise enforced by the Laplace pressure. As a consequence, oil-on-water droplets are sheared to become polygons with distinct edges and corners. Moreover, subphase flows beneath individual droplets can inhibit the coalescence of adjacent droplets, leading to rich many-body dynamics that makes them look alive. The phenomenon of a "vortex halo" in the liquid subphase emerges as a hidden variable.
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25
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Heltberg MS, Lucchetti A, Hsieh FS, Minh Nguyen DP, Chen SH, Jensen MH. Enhanced DNA repair through droplet formation and p53 oscillations. Cell 2022; 185:4394-4408.e10. [PMID: 36368307 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2022.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Living organisms are constantly exposed to DNA damage, and optimal repair is therefore crucial. A characteristic hallmark of the response is the formation of sub-compartments around the site of damage, known as foci. Following multiple DNA breaks, the transcription factor p53 exhibits oscillations in its nuclear concentration, but how this dynamics can affect the repair remains unknown. Here, we formulate a theory for foci formation through droplet condensation and discover how oscillations in p53, with its specific periodicity and amplitude, optimize the repair process by preventing Ostwald ripening and distributing protein material in space and time. Based on the theory predictions, we reveal experimentally that the oscillatory dynamics of p53 does enhance the repair efficiency. These results connect the dynamical signaling of p53 with the microscopic repair process and create a new paradigm for the interplay of complex dynamics and phase transitions in biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathias S Heltberg
- Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, 2100, Denmark.
| | | | - Feng-Shu Hsieh
- Lab for Cell Dynamics, Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 115, Taiwan
| | - Duy Pham Minh Nguyen
- Lab for Cell Dynamics, Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 115, Taiwan
| | - Sheng-Hong Chen
- Lab for Cell Dynamics, Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 115, Taiwan; National Center for Theoretical Sciences, Physics Division, Complex Systems, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan
| | - Mogens H Jensen
- Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, 2100, Denmark.
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26
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Coughlan MF, Sawhney MS, Pleskow DK, Khan U, Silva-Santisteban A, Ahmed A, Zhang X, Glyavina M, Chen L, Upputuri PK, Zakharov YN, Zhang L, Qiu L, Perelman LT. Biopsy channel of the endoscope as a potential source of infectious droplets during GI endoscopy. Gastrointest Endosc 2022; 96:764-770. [PMID: 35724696 PMCID: PMC10699089 DOI: 10.1016/j.gie.2022.06.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS During endoscopy, droplets with the potential to transmit infectious diseases are known to emanate from a patient's mouth and anus, but they may also be expelled from the biopsy channel of the endoscope. The main goal of our study was to quantify droplets emerging from the biopsy channel during clinical endoscopy. METHODS A novel light-scattering device was used to measure droplets emanating from the biopsy channel. An endoscopy model was created, and in vitro measurements were carried out during air insufflation, air and water suctioning, and the performance of biopsy sampling. Similar measurements were then made on patients undergoing endoscopy, with all measurements taking place over 2 days to minimize variation. RESULTS During in vitro testing, no droplets were observed at the biopsy channel during air insufflation or air and water suctioning. In 3 of 5 cases, droplets were observed during biopsy sampling, mostly when the forceps were being removed from the endoscope. In the 22 patients undergoing routine endoscopy, no droplets were observed during air insufflation and water suctioning. Droplets were detected in 1 of 11 patients during air suctioning. In 9 of 18 patients undergoing biopsy sampling and 5 of 6 patients undergoing snare polypectomies, droplets were observed at the biopsy channel, mostly when instruments were being removed from the endoscope. CONCLUSIONS We found that the biopsy channel may be a source of infectious droplets, especially during the removal of instruments from the biopsy channel. When compared with droplets reported from the mouth and anus, these droplets were larger in size and therefore potentially more infectious.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark F. Coughlan
- Center for Advanced Biomedical Imaging and Photonics, Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School
| | - Mandeep S. Sawhney
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School
| | - Douglas K. Pleskow
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School
| | - Umar Khan
- Center for Advanced Biomedical Imaging and Photonics, Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School
| | - Andy Silva-Santisteban
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School
| | - Awais Ahmed
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School
| | - Xuejun Zhang
- Center for Advanced Biomedical Imaging and Photonics, Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School
| | - Maria Glyavina
- Center for Advanced Biomedical Imaging and Photonics, Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School
| | - Liming Chen
- Center for Advanced Biomedical Imaging and Photonics, Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School
| | - Paul K. Upputuri
- Center for Advanced Biomedical Imaging and Photonics, Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School
| | - Yuri N. Zakharov
- Center for Advanced Biomedical Imaging and Photonics, Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School
| | - Lei Zhang
- Center for Advanced Biomedical Imaging and Photonics, Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School
| | - Le Qiu
- Center for Advanced Biomedical Imaging and Photonics, Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School
| | - Lev T. Perelman
- Center for Advanced Biomedical Imaging and Photonics, Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences Program, Harvard University
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27
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Werner EM, Lam BX, Hui EE. Phase-Optimized Peristaltic Pumping by Integrated Microfluidic Logic. Micromachines (Basel) 2022; 13:mi13101784. [PMID: 36296137 PMCID: PMC9610095 DOI: 10.3390/mi13101784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Microfluidic droplet generation typically entails an initial stabilization period on the order of minutes, exhibiting higher variation in droplet volume until the system reaches monodisperse production. The material lost during this period can be problematic when preparing droplets from limited samples such as patient biopsies. Active droplet generation strategies such as antiphase peristaltic pumping effectively reduce stabilization time but have required off-chip control hardware that reduces system accessibility. We present a fully integrated device that employs on-chip pneumatic logic to control phase-optimized peristaltic pumping. Droplet generation stabilizes in about a second, with only one or two non-uniform droplets produced initially.
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28
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Ghifari N, Bennacer R, Chahboun A, El Abed AI. Hierarchical Self-Assembly of Dipolar ZnO Nanoparticles and Micro droplets. Micromachines (Basel) 2022; 13:1522. [PMID: 36144145 PMCID: PMC9502180 DOI: 10.3390/mi13091522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
In this work, we investigated the orientation and the polarization of ZnO nanoparticles, which serve as building blocks of highly monodisperse microspheres, using a droplet microfluidic-assisted synthesis method. We observe, for the first time, a square lattice organization of liquid microdroplets, in a steady state, at the oil/water interface. Such square organization reveals clearly a dipolar organization of ZnO nanoparticles at the surfaces of droplets at the early stage of ZnO nanocrystal aggregation and microsphere formation. We discuss different models of organization of ZnO nanoparticles and show that the well-known tip-streaming effect in droplets in microfluidics explains the reason for the obtained dipolar droplets. The square organization is illustrated and explained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Najla Ghifari
- Laboratoire Lumière Matière et Interfaces (LUMIN), UMR 9024, Ecole Normale Supérieure Paris Saclay, CentraleSupélec, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, 4 Avenue des Sciences, 91190 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Rachid Bennacer
- ENS Paris-Saclay, CNRS, LMPS, Université Paris-Saclay, 91190 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Adil Chahboun
- Laboratoire des Couches Minces et Nanomatériaux (CMN), FST Tanger, Université Abdelmalek Essaadi, BP 416, Tangier 90000, Morocco
| | - Abdel I. El Abed
- Laboratoire Lumière Matière et Interfaces (LUMIN), UMR 9024, Ecole Normale Supérieure Paris Saclay, CentraleSupélec, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, 4 Avenue des Sciences, 91190 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
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29
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Hall S, Johnson P, Bailey C, Gould Z, White R, Crook B. Evaluation of Face Shields, Goggles, and Safety Glasses as a Virus Transmission Control Measure to Protect the Wearer Against Cough Droplets. Ann Work Expo Health 2022; 67:36-49. [PMID: 35853621 PMCID: PMC9384474 DOI: 10.1093/annweh/wxac047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Face shields (also referred to as visors), goggles and safety glasses have been worn during the COVID-19 pandemic as one measure to control transmission of the virus. However, their effectiveness in controlling facial exposure to cough droplets is not well established and standard tests for evaluating eye protection for this application are limited. A method was developed to evaluate face shields, goggles, and safety glasses as a control measure to protect the wearer against cough droplets. The method uses a semi-quantitative assessment of facial droplet deposition. A cough simulator was developed to generate droplets comparable to those from a human cough. The droplets consisted of a UV fluorescent marker (fluorescein) in water. Fourteen face shields, four pairs of goggles and one pair of safety glasses were evaluated by mounting them on two different sizes of breathing manikin head and challenging them with the simulated cough. The manikin head was positioned in seven orientations relative to the cough simulator to represent various potential occupational exposure scenarios, for example, a nurse standing over a patient. Droplet deposition in the eyes, nose and mouth regions were visualised following three 'coughs'. Face shields, goggles, and safety glasses reduced, but did not eliminate exposure to the wearer from droplets such as those produced by a human cough. The level of protection differed based on the design of the personal protective equipment and the relative orientation of the wearer to the cough. For example, face shields, and goggles offered the greatest protection when a cough challenge was face on or from above and the least protection when a cough challenge was from below. Face shields were also evaluated as source control to protect others from the wearer. Results suggested that if a coughing person wears a face shield, it can provide some protection from cough droplets to those standing directly in front of the wearer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Hall
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +44-02030282185; e-mail:
| | - Paul Johnson
- Health and Safety Executive Science and Research Centre, Harpur Hill, Buxton, Derbyshire SK17 9JN, UK
| | - Claire Bailey
- Health and Safety Executive Science and Research Centre, Harpur Hill, Buxton, Derbyshire SK17 9JN, UK
| | - Zoe Gould
- Health and Safety Executive Science and Research Centre, Harpur Hill, Buxton, Derbyshire SK17 9JN, UK
| | - Robert White
- Health and Safety Executive Science and Research Centre, Harpur Hill, Buxton, Derbyshire SK17 9JN, UK
| | - Brian Crook
- Health and Safety Executive Science and Research Centre, Harpur Hill, Buxton, Derbyshire SK17 9JN, UK
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30
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Abstract
Phase separation has emerged as an essential concept for the spatial organization inside biological cells. However, despite the clear relevance to virtually all physiological functions, we understand surprisingly little about what phases form in a system of many interacting components, like in cells. Here we introduce a numerical method based on physical relaxation dynamics to study the coexisting phases in such systems. We use our approach to optimize interactions between components, similar to how evolution might have optimized the interactions of proteins. These evolved interactions robustly lead to a defined number of phases, despite substantial uncertainties in the initial composition, while random or designed interactions perform much worse. Moreover, the optimized interactions are robust to perturbations, and they allow fast adaption to new target phase counts. We thus show that genetically encoded interactions of proteins provide versatile control of phase behavior. The phases forming in our system are also a concrete example of a robust emergent property that does not rely on fine-tuning the parameters of individual constituents.
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31
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Ahlawat A, Mishra SK, Herrmann H, Rajeev P, Gupta T, Goel V, Sun Y, Wiedensohler A. Impact of Chemical Properties of Human Respiratory Droplets and Aerosol Particles on Airborne Viruses' Viability and Indoor Transmission. Viruses 2022; 14:v14071497. [PMID: 35891477 PMCID: PMC9318922 DOI: 10.3390/v14071497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The airborne transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been identified as a potential pandemic challenge, especially in poorly ventilated indoor environments, such as certain hospitals, schools, public buildings, and transports. The impacts of meteorological parameters (temperature and humidity) and physical property (droplet size) on the airborne transmission of coronavirus in indoor settings have been previously investigated. However, the impacts of chemical properties of viral droplets and aerosol particles (i.e., chemical composition and acidity (pH)) on viability and indoor transmission of coronavirus remain largely unknown. Recent studies suggest high organic content (proteins) in viral droplets and aerosol particles supports prolonged survival of the virus by forming a glassy gel-type structure that restricts the virus inactivation process under low relative humidity (RH). In addition, the virus survival was found at neutral pH, and inactivation was observed to be best at low (<5) and high pH (>10) values (enveloped bacteriophage Phi6). Due to limited available information, this article illustrates an urgent need to research the impact of chemical properties of exhaled viral particles on virus viability. This will improve our fundamental understanding of indoor viral airborne transmission mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajit Ahlawat
- Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research, 04318 Leipzig, Germany; (H.H.); (A.W.)
- Correspondence:
| | | | - Hartmut Herrmann
- Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research, 04318 Leipzig, Germany; (H.H.); (A.W.)
| | - Pradhi Rajeev
- Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur 208016, India; (P.R.); (T.G.)
| | - Tarun Gupta
- Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur 208016, India; (P.R.); (T.G.)
| | - Vikas Goel
- School of Interdisciplinary Research, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi 110016, India;
| | - Yele Sun
- LAPC, Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100017, China;
| | - Alfred Wiedensohler
- Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research, 04318 Leipzig, Germany; (H.H.); (A.W.)
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32
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Liu Q, Liu P, Ji T, Zheng L, Shen C, Ran S, Liu J, Zhao Y, Niu Y, Wang T, Dong J. The histone methyltransferase SUVR2 promotes DSB repair via chromatin remodeling and liquid-liquid phase separation. Mol Plant 2022; 15:1157-1175. [PMID: 35610973 DOI: 10.1016/j.molp.2022.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 05/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Maintaining genomic integrity and stability is particularly important for stem cells, which are at the top of the cell lineage origin. Here, we discovered that the plant-specific histone methyltransferase SUVR2 maintains the genome integrity of the root tip stem cells through chromatin remodeling and liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) when facing DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). The histone methyltransferase SUVR2 (MtSUVR2) has histone methyltransferase activity and catalyzes the conversion of histone H3 lysine 9 monomethylation (H3K9me1) to H3K9me2/3 in vitro and in Medicago truncatula. Under DNA damage, the proportion of heterochromatin decreased and the level of DSB damage marker γ-H2AX increased in suvr2 mutants, indicating that MtSUVR2 promotes the compaction of the chromatin structure through H3K9 methylation modification to protect DNA from damage. Interestingly, MtSUVR2 was induced by DSBs to phase separate and form droplets to localize at the damage sites, and this was confirmed by immunofluorescence and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching experiments. The IDR1 and low-complexity domain regions of MtSUVR2 determined its phase separation in the nucleus, whereas the IDR2 region determined the interaction with the homologous recombinase MtRAD51. Furthermore, we found that MtSUVR2 drove the phase separation of MtRAD51 to form "DNA repair bodies," which could enhance the stability of MtRAD51 proteins to facilitate error-free homologous recombination repair of stem cells. Taken together, our study reveals that chromatin remodeling-associated proteins participate in DNA repair through LLPS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianwen Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Peng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Tuo Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Lihua Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Chen Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Shasha Ran
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Jinling Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yafei Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yiding Niu
- Key Laboratory of Forage and Endemic Crop Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, China
| | - Tao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
| | - Jiangli Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
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Park J, Su MY, Kang KN, Kim AS, Ahn JH, Cho E, Lee JH, Kim YU. Body Map of Droplet Distributions During Oropharyngeal Suction to Protect Health Care Workers From Airborne Diseases. J Perianesth Nurs 2022; 38:180-185. [PMID: 36229328 PMCID: PMC9186442 DOI: 10.1016/j.jopan.2022.05.087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Health care workers (HCWs), and in particular anesthesia providers, often must perform aerosol-generating medical procedures (AGMPs). However, no studies have analyzed droplet distributions on the bodies of HCWs during AGMPs. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess and analyze droplet distributions on the bodies of HCWs during suction of oral cavities with and without oral airways and during extubations. DESIGN Using a quasi-experiemental design, we assumed the HCWs perform suction and extubation on intubated patients, and we prepared an intubated mannequin mimicking a patient. This study performed the oral suction and extubation on the intubated mannequin (with or without oral airways in place) and analyzed the droplet distributions. METHODS We prepared a mannequin intubated with an 8.0 mm endotracheal tube, assuming the situation of general anesthesia. We designed the body mapping gown, and divided it into 10 areas including the head, neck, chest, abdomen, upper arms, forearms, and hands. We classified experiments into group O when suctions were performed on the mannequin with an oral airway, and into group X when the suctions were performed on the mannequin without an oral airway. An experienced board-certified anesthesiologist performed 10 oral suctions on each mannequin, and 10 extubations. We counted the droplets on the anesthesiologist's gown according to the divided areas after each procedure. FINDINGS The mean droplet count after suction was 6.20 ± 2.201 in group O and 13.6 ± 4.300 in group X, with a significant difference between the two groups (P < .001). The right and left hands were the most contaminated areas in group O (2.8 ± 1.033 droplets and 2.0 ± 0.943 droplets, respectively). The abdomen, right hand, left forearm, and left hand showed many droplets in group X. (1.3 ± 1.337 droplets, 3.1 ± 1.792 droplets, 3.2 ± 3.910 droplets, and 4.3 ± 2.214 droplets, respectively). The chest, abdomen, and left hand presented significantly more droplets in group X than in group O. The trunk area (chest and abdomen) was exposed to more droplets during extubations than during suctions. CONCLUSIONS During suctions, more droplets are splattered from mannequins without oral airways than from those with oral airways. The right and left hands were the most contaminated areas in group O. Moreover, the abdomen, right hand, left forearm, and left hand presented a lot of droplets in group X. In addition, extubations contaminate wider areas (the head, neck, chest and abdomen) of an HCW than suctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiyeon Park
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Min-Ying Su
- Department of Radiological Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA
| | - Keum Nae Kang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, National Police Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ae Sook Kim
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Catholic Kwandong University, College of Medicine, International St. Mary's Hospital, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Hee Ahn
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Eunah Cho
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun-Ho Lee
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Uk Kim
- Department of Radiological Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA; Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Catholic Kwandong University, College of Medicine, International St. Mary's Hospital, Incheon, Republic of Korea.
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34
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Abstract
Digital PCR (dPCR) surpasses the performance of earlier PCR formats because of highly precise, absolute quantification and other unique merits. A simple thermocycling approach and durable microcarrier are of great value for dPCR advancement and application. Herein, a near-infrared (NIR) controlled thermocycling approach by embedding magnetic graphene oxide (GO) composite into the agarose microcarriers is developed. The core-shell composite is constructed by sequentially encapsulating GO and silica outside the magnetic nanocores. Benefiting from these additives, the resultant composite agarose gains appealing features as light-driven temperature changing, switchable gel-sol phase transforming, biocompatibility, and magnetic traction. By further emulsifying into droplets via the microfluidics method, the influence of typical parameters including material loading amount, laser intensity, and droplet diameter at various ranges is investigated for assembling microcarriers with different responsiveness. Then a paradigm of the NIR program can be easily tailored for PCR thermocycling. Finally, the feasibility of the approach is verified by detecting statistically diluted Klebsiella pneumoniae DNA samples, from 0.1 to 2 copies per drop. It is anticipated that this method has promising prospects for dPCR-based and other temperature-controlled applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lexiang Zhang
- Joint Centre of Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325000, China
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, 210008, China
- Oujiang Laboratory (Zhejiang Lab for Regenerative Medicine, Vision and Brain Health) & Wenzhou Institute-University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325001, China
| | - Parvin Rokshana
- Oujiang Laboratory (Zhejiang Lab for Regenerative Medicine, Vision and Brain Health) & Wenzhou Institute-University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325001, China
| | - Yunru Yu
- Oujiang Laboratory (Zhejiang Lab for Regenerative Medicine, Vision and Brain Health) & Wenzhou Institute-University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325001, China
| | - Yuanjin Zhao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, 210008, China
- Oujiang Laboratory (Zhejiang Lab for Regenerative Medicine, Vision and Brain Health) & Wenzhou Institute-University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325001, China
| | - Fangfu Ye
- Oujiang Laboratory (Zhejiang Lab for Regenerative Medicine, Vision and Brain Health) & Wenzhou Institute-University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325001, China
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
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35
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Aubry G, Milisavljevic M, Lu H. Automated and Dynamic Control of Chemical Content in Droplets for Scalable Screens of Small Animals. Small 2022; 18:e2200319. [PMID: 35229457 PMCID: PMC9050880 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202200319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Screening functional phenotypes in small animals is important for genetics and drug discovery. Multiphase microfluidics has great potential for enhancing throughput but has been hampered by inefficient animal encapsulation and limited control over the animal's environment in droplets. Here, a highly efficient single-animal encapsulation unit, a liquid exchanger system for controlling the droplet chemical environment dynamically, and an automation scheme for the programming and robust execution of complex protocols are demonstrated. By careful use of interfacial forces, the liquid exchanger unit allows for adding and removing chemicals from a droplet and, therefore, generating chemical gradients inaccessible in previous multiphase systems. Using Caenorhabditis elegans as an example, it is demonstrated that these advances can serve to analyze dynamic phenotyping, such as behavior and neuronal activity, perform forward genetic screen, and are scalable to manipulate animals of different sizes. This platform paves the way for large-scale screens of complex dynamic phenotypes in small animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Aubry
- School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - Marija Milisavljevic
- School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - Hang Lu
- School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
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Watanabe C, Yanagisawa M. Evaporation Patterns of Dextran-Poly(Ethylene Glycol) Droplets with Changes in Wettability and Compatibility. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:life12030373. [PMID: 35330124 PMCID: PMC8954583 DOI: 10.3390/life12030373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The dextran−PEG system is one of the most famous systems exhibiting phase separation. Various phase behaviors, including the evaporation process of the dextran−PEG system, have been studied in order to understand the physicochemical mechanism of intracellular phase separation and the effect of condensation on the origin of life. However, there have been few studies in dilute regime. In this study, we focused on such regimes and analyzed the pattern formation by evaporation. The specificity of this regime is the slow onset of phase separation due to low initial concentration, and the separated phases can have contrasting wettability to the substrate as evaporation progresses. When the polymer concentration is rather low (<5 wt%), the dextran−PEG droplets form a phase-separated pattern, consisting of PEG at the center and dextran ring of multiple strings pulling from the ring. This pattern formation is explained from the difference in wettability and compatibility between dextran and PEG upon condensation. At the initial dilute stage, the dextran-rich phase with higher wettability accumulates at the contact line of the droplet to form a ring pattern, and then forms multiple domains due to density fluctuation. The less wettable PEG phase recedes and pulls the dextran domains, causing them to deform into strings. Further condensation leads to phase separation, and the condensed PEG with improved wettability stops receding and prevents a formed circular pattern. These findings suggest that evaporation patterns of polymer blend droplets can be manipulated through changes in wettability and compatibility between polymers due to condensation, thus providing the basis to explore origins of life that are unique to the process of condensate formation from dilute systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiho Watanabe
- School of Integrated Arts and Sciences, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Kagamiyama 1-7-1, Higashi-Hiroshima 739-8521, Japan
- Correspondence:
| | - Miho Yanagisawa
- Komaba Institute for Science, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Komaba 3-8-1, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan;
- Universal Biology Institute, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Komaba 3-8-1, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan
- Department of Physics, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Hongo 7-3-1, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
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Yang C, Yu Y, Wang X, Shang L, Zhao Y. Programmable Knot Microfibers from Piezoelectric Microfluidics. Small 2022; 18:e2104309. [PMID: 34825481 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202104309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Microfibers have demonstrated significant application values in a large number of areas. Current efforts focus on developing new technologies to prepare microfibers with controllable morphological and structural features to enhance their functions. Here, a piezoelectric microfluidic platform is presented for consecutive spinning of functional microfibers with programmable spindle-knots. In this platform, a jet of a pregel-solution flowing in the channel can be subjected to a programmable piezoelectric signal and vibrates synchronously. Following a rapid polymerization of the wavy jet, microfibers with corresponding morphologies can be generated, including uniform, gradient, and symmetrical knots. Such a unique knot structure contributes to a water-collection mechanism. Thus, it has been observed that microfibers with programmed knots enable even more flexible droplet handling and active water transport. In addition, by constructing higher-order knot fiber networks, practical applications including spray reaction, lab-on-a-chip vapor detection, etc., can also be demonstrated. it is believed that this platform opens a new avenue for fiber spinning, and the programmable microfibers would be highly applicable in chemical, biomedical, and environmental areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaoyu Yang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, 210008, China
- Shanghai Xuhui Central Hospital, Zhongshan-Xuhui Hospital and the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics the International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, and Metabolism (Ministry of Science and Technology) Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Oujiang Laboratory (Zhejiang Lab for Regenerative Medicine, Vision and Brain Health), Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325001, China
- Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, 325001, China
| | - Yunru Yu
- Oujiang Laboratory (Zhejiang Lab for Regenerative Medicine, Vision and Brain Health), Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325001, China
- Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, 325001, China
| | - Xiaocheng Wang
- Oujiang Laboratory (Zhejiang Lab for Regenerative Medicine, Vision and Brain Health), Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325001, China
- Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, 325001, China
| | - Luoran Shang
- Shanghai Xuhui Central Hospital, Zhongshan-Xuhui Hospital and the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics the International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, and Metabolism (Ministry of Science and Technology) Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, 325001, China
| | - Yuanjin Zhao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, 210008, China
- Oujiang Laboratory (Zhejiang Lab for Regenerative Medicine, Vision and Brain Health), Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325001, China
- Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, 325001, China
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
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Indulkar AS, Lou X, Zhang GGZ, Taylor LS. Role of Surfactants on Release Performance of Amorphous Solid Dispersions of Ritonavir and Copovidone. Pharm Res 2022; 39:381-397. [PMID: 35169959 DOI: 10.1007/s11095-022-03183-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To understand the role of different surfactants, incorporated into amorphous solid dispersions (ASDs) of ritonavir and copovidone, in terms of their impact on release, phase behavior and stabilization of amorphous precipitates formed following drug release. METHODS Ternary ASDs with ritonavir, copovidone and surfactants (30:70:5 w/w/w) were prepared by rotary evaporation. ASD release performance was tested using Wood's intrinsic dissolution rate apparatus and compared to the binary drug-polymer ASD with 30% drug loading. Size measurement of amorphous droplets was performed using dynamic light scattering. Solid state characterization was performed using attenuated total reflectance-infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS All surfactant-containing ASDs showed improvement over the binary ASD. Span 85 and D-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol succinate (TPGS) showed complete release with no evidence of AAPS or crystallization whereas Span 20 and Tween 80 showed < 50% release with amorphous amorphous phase separation (AAPS). Span 20 also induced solution crystallization. Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) showed very rapid, albeit incomplete (~ 80%) release. AAPS was not observed with SDS. However, crystallization on the dissolving solid surface was noted. Span 20 and TPGS formed the smallest and most size-stable droplets with ~ 1 µm size whereas coalescence was noted with other surfactants. CONCLUSIONS Surfactants improved the release performance relative to the binary ASD. Different surfactant types impacted overall performance to varying extents and affected different attributes. Overall, Span 85 showed best performance (complete release, no crystallization/AAPS and small droplet size). Correlation between physicochemical properties and surfactant performance was not observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anura S Indulkar
- Drug Product Development, Research and Development, AbbVie Inc., N Waukegan Road, North Chicago, IL, 60064, USA
- Department of Industrial and Physical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, 575 Stadium Mall Drive, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Xiaochun Lou
- Drug Product Development, Research and Development, AbbVie Inc., N Waukegan Road, North Chicago, IL, 60064, USA
| | - Geoff G Z Zhang
- Drug Product Development, Research and Development, AbbVie Inc., N Waukegan Road, North Chicago, IL, 60064, USA.
| | - Lynne S Taylor
- Department of Industrial and Physical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, 575 Stadium Mall Drive, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA.
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Abstract
Hydrogels belong to the most promising materials in polymer and materials science at the moment. As they feature soft and tissue-like character as well as high water-content, a broad range of applications are addressed with hydrogels, e.g. tissue engineering and wound dressings but also soft robotics, drug delivery, actuators and catalysis. Ways to tailor hydrogel properties are crosslinking mechanism, hydrogel shape and reinforcement, but new features can be introduced by variation of hydrogel composition as well, e.g. via monomer choice, functionalization or compartmentalization. Especially, multicompartment hydrogels drive progress towards complex and highly functional soft materials. In the present review the latest developments in multicompartment hydrogels are highlighted with a focus on three types of compartments, i.e. micellar/vesicular, droplets or multi-layers including various sub-categories. Furthermore, several morphologies of compartmentalized hydrogels and applications of multicompartment hydrogels will be discussed as well. Finally, an outlook towards future developments of the field will be given. The further development of multicompartment hydrogels is highly relevant for a broad range of applications and will have a significant impact on biomedicine and organic devices. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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40
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Abstract
We report on a fluorescent-droplet-based acid-sensing scheme that allows limits of detection below 100 pM for weak acids. The concept is based on a strong partitioning of acid from an aqueous phase into octanol droplets. Using salicylic acid as a demonstration, we show that at a high concentration, the acid partitions into the organic phase by a factor of 260, which is approximately consistent with literature values. However, at lower concentrations, we obtain a partition coefficient as high as 106, which is partly responsible for the excellent sensing performance. The enhanced equilibrium partitioning is likely due to the interaction of the dissociated acid phase with the sensor dye employed for this work. The effect of droplet size was determined, after which we derived a simple model to predict the time dependence of the color change as a function of droplet size. This work shows that color-change fluorescent-droplet-based detection is a promising avenue that can lead to exceptional sensing performance from an aqueous analyte.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Wang
- Department of Physics, University of Alberta, 11335 Saskatchewan Dr NW, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2M9, Canada
| | - Zixiang Wei
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 1H9, Canada
| | - Sergei I. Vagin
- Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Lichtenbergstraße 4, 85747 Garching bei München, Germany
| | - Xuehua Zhang
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 1H9, Canada
| | - Bernhard Rieger
- Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Lichtenbergstraße 4, 85747 Garching bei München, Germany
| | - Alkiviathes Meldrum
- Department of Physics, University of Alberta, 11335 Saskatchewan Dr NW, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2M9, Canada
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41
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Luo X, Chen JY, Ataei M, Lee A. Microfluidic Compartmentalization Platforms for Single Cell Analysis. Biosensors (Basel) 2022; 12:58. [PMID: 35200319 PMCID: PMC8869497 DOI: 10.3390/bios12020058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Many cellular analytical technologies measure only the average response from a cell population with an assumption that a clonal population is homogenous. The ensemble measurement often masks the difference among individual cells that can lead to misinterpretation. The advent of microfluidic technology has revolutionized single-cell analysis through precise manipulation of liquid and compartmentalizing single cells in small volumes (pico- to nano-liter). Due to its advantages from miniaturization, microfluidic systems offer an array of capabilities to study genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics of a large number of individual cells. In this regard, microfluidic systems have emerged as a powerful technology to uncover cellular heterogeneity and expand the depth and breadth of single-cell analysis. This review will focus on recent developments of three microfluidic compartmentalization platforms (microvalve, microwell, and microdroplets) that target single-cell analysis spanning from proteomics to genomics. We also compare and contrast these three microfluidic platforms and discuss their respective advantages and disadvantages in single-cell analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuhao Luo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; (X.L.); (J.-Y.C.)
| | - Jui-Yi Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; (X.L.); (J.-Y.C.)
| | - Marzieh Ataei
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA;
| | - Abraham Lee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; (X.L.); (J.-Y.C.)
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA;
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42
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Thio SK, Park SY. Optical Dielectrophoretic (DEP) Manipulation of Oil-Immersed Aqueous Droplets on a Plasmonic-Enhanced Photoconductive Surface. Micromachines (Basel) 2022; 13:112. [PMID: 35056277 PMCID: PMC8777958 DOI: 10.3390/mi13010112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
We present a plasmonic-enhanced dielectrophoretic (DEP) phenomenon to improve optical DEP performance of a floating electrode optoelectronic tweezers (FEOET) device, where aqueous droplets can be effectively manipulated on a light-patterned photoconductive surface immersed in an oil medium. To offer device simplicity and cost-effectiveness, recent studies have utilized a polymer-based photoconductive material such as titanium oxide phthalocyanine (TiOPc). However, the TiOPc has much poorer photoconductivity than that of semiconductors like amorphous silicon (a-Si), significantly limiting optical DEP applications. The study herein focuses on the FEOET device for which optical DEP performance can be greatly enhanced by utilizing plasmonic nanoparticles as light scattering elements to improve light absorption of the low-quality TiOPc. Numerical simulation studies of both plasmonic light scattering and electric field enhancement were conducted to verify wide-angle scattering light rays and an approximately twofold increase in electric field gradient with the presence of nanoparticles. Similarly, a spectrophotometric study conducted on the absorption spectrum of the TiOPc has shown light absorption improvement (nearly twofold) of the TiOPc layer. Additionally, droplet dynamics study experimentally demonstrated a light-actuated droplet speed of 1.90 mm/s, a more than 11-fold improvement due to plasmonic light scattering. This plasmonic-enhanced FEOET technology can considerably improve optical DEP capability even with poor-quality photoconductive materials, thus providing low-cost, easy-fabrication solutions for various droplet-based microfluidic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si Kuan Thio
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117575, Singapore;
| | - Sung-Yong Park
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182-1323, USA
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43
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Pérez-Sosa C, Sanluis-Verdes A, Waisman A, Lombardi A, Rosero G, Greca AL, Bhansali S, Bourguignon N, Luzzani C, Pérez MS, Miriuka S, Lerner B. Single cell transfection of human-induced pluripotent stem cells using a droplet-based microfluidic system. R Soc Open Sci 2022; 9:211510. [PMID: 35242349 PMCID: PMC8753139 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.211510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Microfluidic tools have recently made possible many advances in biological and biomedical research. Research in fields such as physics, engineering, chemistry and biology have combined to produce innovation in microfluidics which has positively impacted diverse areas such as nucleotide sequencing, functional genomics, single-cell studies, single molecules assays and biomedical diagnostics. Among these areas, regenerative medicine and stem cells have benefited from microfluidics since these tools have had a profound impact on their applications. In this study, we present a high-performance droplet-based system for transfecting individual human-induced pluripotent stem cells. We will demonstrate that this system has great efficiency in single cells and captured droplets, like other microfluidic methods but with lower cost. Moreover, this microfluidic approach can be associated with the PiggyBac transposase-based system to increase its transfection efficiency. Our results provide a starting point for subsequent applications in more complex transfection systems, single-cell differentiation interactions, cell subpopulations and cell therapy, among other potential applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilo Pérez-Sosa
- National Technological University (UTN), IREN Center, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET) - Foundation for the Fight Against Childhood Neurological Diseases, (LIAN-CONICET-FLENI), FLENI Escobar Headquarters, Route 9 Km 53, 1625, Belén de Escobar, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Ariel Waisman
- National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET) - Foundation for the Fight Against Childhood Neurological Diseases, (LIAN-CONICET-FLENI), FLENI Escobar Headquarters, Route 9 Km 53, 1625, Belén de Escobar, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Antonella Lombardi
- National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET) - Foundation for the Fight Against Childhood Neurological Diseases, (LIAN-CONICET-FLENI), FLENI Escobar Headquarters, Route 9 Km 53, 1625, Belén de Escobar, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gustavo Rosero
- National Technological University (UTN), IREN Center, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alejandro La Greca
- National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET) - Foundation for the Fight Against Childhood Neurological Diseases, (LIAN-CONICET-FLENI), FLENI Escobar Headquarters, Route 9 Km 53, 1625, Belén de Escobar, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Shekhar Bhansali
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33174, USA
| | - Natalia Bourguignon
- National Technological University (UTN), IREN Center, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33174, USA
| | - Carlos Luzzani
- National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET) - Foundation for the Fight Against Childhood Neurological Diseases, (LIAN-CONICET-FLENI), FLENI Escobar Headquarters, Route 9 Km 53, 1625, Belén de Escobar, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Maximiliano. S. Pérez
- University of Buenos Aires (UBA), Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Paseo Colon 850, C1428EGA Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33174, USA
| | - Santiago Miriuka
- National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET) - Foundation for the Fight Against Childhood Neurological Diseases, (LIAN-CONICET-FLENI), FLENI Escobar Headquarters, Route 9 Km 53, 1625, Belén de Escobar, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Betiana Lerner
- National Technological University (UTN), IREN Center, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33174, USA
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Randall K, Ewing ET, Marr LC, Jimenez JL, Bourouiba L. How did we get here: what are droplets and aerosols and how far do they go? A historical perspective on the transmission of respiratory infectious diseases. Interface Focus 2021; 11:20210049. [PMID: 34956601 PMCID: PMC8504878 DOI: 10.1098/rsfs.2021.0049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed major gaps in our understanding of the transmission of viruses through the air. These gaps slowed recognition of airborne transmission of the disease, contributed to muddled public health policies and impeded clear messaging on how best to slow transmission of COVID-19. In particular, current recommendations have been based on four tenets: (i) respiratory disease transmission routes can be viewed mostly in a binary manner of ‘droplets’ versus ‘aerosols’; (ii) this dichotomy depends on droplet size alone; (iii) the cut-off size between these routes of transmission is 5 µm; and (iv) there is a dichotomy in the distance at which transmission by each route is relevant. Yet, a relationship between these assertions is not supported by current scientific knowledge. Here, we revisit the historical foundation of these notions, and how they became entangled from the 1800s to today, with a complex interplay among various fields of science and medicine. This journey into the past highlights potential solutions for better collaboration and integration of scientific results into practice for building a more resilient society with more sound, far-sighted and effective public health policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Randall
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - E T Ewing
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - L C Marr
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - J L Jimenez
- Department of Chemistry and CIRES, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - L Bourouiba
- Fluid Dynamics of Disease Transmission Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
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45
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Abstract
Current infection-control guidelines subscribe to a contact/droplet/airborne paradigm that is based on outdated understanding. Here, we propose to modify and align existing guidelines with a more accurate description of the different transmission routes. This will improve the effectiveness of control measures as more transmissible variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linsey C Marr
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
| | - Julian W Tang
- Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
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46
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Cieplak M, Travasso RDM. Preface to the JPCM special issue on droplets and vesicles. J Phys Condens Matter 2021; 34:030401. [PMID: 34723836 DOI: 10.1088/1361-648x/ac2f6f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Marek Cieplak
- Institute of Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Al. Lotników 32/46, 02-668 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Rui D M Travasso
- CFisUC, Department of Physics, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-516 Coimbra, Portugal
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47
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Hofstätter N, Hofer S, Duschl A, Himly M. Children's Privilege in COVID-19: The Protective Role of the Juvenile Lung Morphometry and Ventilatory Pattern on Airborne SARS-CoV-2 Transmission to Respiratory Epithelial Barriers and Disease Severity. Biomedicines 2021; 9:1414. [PMID: 34680531 PMCID: PMC8533273 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9101414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The incidence of severe COVID-19 in children is low, and underlying mechanisms for lower SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility and self-limiting disease severity are poorly understood. Severe clinical manifestations in adults require SARS-CoV-2 inoculation in the lower respiratory tract, establishing a pulmonary disease phase. This may be either accomplished by direct inoculation of the thoracic region upon exposure to virion-laden aerosols, or by infection of the upper respiratory system and aspiration of virion-laden aerosols originating right there into the lower respiratory tract. The particularities of epithelial barriers as the anatomical site of first viral deposition specifically determine the initial characteristics of an innate immune response, emerging respiratory tissue damage and dysfunctionality, and hence, severity of clinical symptoms. We, thus, investigated by in silico modeling whether the combined effect of juvenile lung morphometry, children's ventilatory pattern and the peculiarities of the virion-laden aerosols' properties, render children more resilient to aerosol deposition in the lower respiratory tract. Our study presents evidence for major age-dependent differences of the regional virion-laden aerosol deposition. We identified deposition hotspots in the alveolar-interstitial region of the young adult. Our data reveal that children are void of corresponding hotspots. The inoculum quantum in the alveolar-interstitial region hotspots is found to be considerably related to age. Our results suggest that children are intrinsically protected against SARS-CoV-2 inoculation in the lower respiratory tract, which may help to explain the lower risk of severe clinical manifestations associated with a pulmonary phase.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Martin Himly
- Department of Biosciences, Paris Lodron University of Salzburg (PLUS), 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (N.H.); (S.H.); (A.D.)
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Chen L, Xiao Y, Wu Q, Yan X, Zhao P, Ruan J, Shan J, Chen D, Weitz DA, Ye F. Emulsion Designer Using Microfluidic Three-Dimensional Droplet Printing in Droplet. Small 2021; 17:e2102579. [PMID: 34390183 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202102579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Hierarchical emulsions are interesting for both scientific researches and practical applications. Hierarchical emulsions prepared by microfluidics require complicated device geometry and delicate control of flow rates. Here, a versatile method is developed to design hierarchical emulsions using microfluidic 3D droplet printing in droplet. The process of droplet printing in droplet mimics the dragonfly laying eggs and has advantages of easy processing and flexible design. To demonstrate the capability of the method, double emulsions and triple emulsions with tunable core number, core size, and core composition are prepared. The hierarchical emulsions are excellent templates for the developments of functional materials. Flattened crescent-moon-shaped particles are then fabricated using double emulsions printed in confined 2D space as templates. The particles are excellent delivery vehicles for 2D interfaces, which can load and transport cargos through a well-defined trajectory under external magnetic steering. Microfluidic 3D droplet printing in droplet provides a powerful platform with improved simplicity and flexibility for the design of hierarchical emulsions and functional materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Chen
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, P. R. China
- Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325001, P. R. China
| | - Yao Xiao
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, P. R. China
| | - Qinglin Wu
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoxiao Yan
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, P. R. China
| | - Peng Zhao
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, P. R. China
| | - Jian Ruan
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, P. R. China
| | - Jianzhen Shan
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, P. R. China
| | - Dong Chen
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, P. R. China
- College of Energy Engineering and State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310027, P. R. China
| | - David A Weitz
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Fangfu Ye
- Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325001, P. R. China
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
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Abstract
An extensive experimental study of the shapes of two-dimensional bipolar droplets of the chromonic nematic phase of disodium cromoglycate (DSCG) sandwiched between glass plates, by Kimet alwas published in (2013J. Phys.: Condens. Matter25404202). The paper includes a mathematical model of this system. We have extended this study by further theoretical modelling. Our results are in good, quantitative agreement with the experimental data. The model has produced what promises to be a more accurate estimate for the isotropic surface tension at the nematic/isotropic solution interface-and predicts a regime of shape bistability (which has not yet been observed) for larger droplets, where tactoids (pointed, zeppelin-shaped droplets) and smooth-edged discoids can coexist in equilibrium. The general method presented in this paper is also applied to the tactoids formed by F-actin filaments in solution, for which an estimate is given for the value of the isotropic surface tension at the nematic/isotropic interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Paparini
- Dipartimento di Matematica, Università di Pavia, Via Ferrata 5, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Epifanio G Virga
- Dipartimento di Matematica, Università di Pavia, Via Ferrata 5, 27100 Pavia, Italy
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Karaca A, Akçimen M, Özen H. Less Exposure for Health Care Workers, More Comfort for Patients During COVID-19 Swab Testing. Workplace Health Saf 2021; 70:37-42. [PMID: 34558368 DOI: 10.1177/21650799211045309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nasopharyngeal (NP) and oropharyngeal (OP) swab sampling for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) diagnosis may lead to droplet and/or airborne particle transmission and increase the exposure risk for health care workers (HCWs). However, there is limited evidence for effective methods to reduce occupational exposure from NP and OP swab sampling. This study aimed to reduce droplet-forming responses (DFRs) and the related exposure risk of NP and OP swab sampling by administering 10% lidocaine spray (LS) to the NP and OP areas prior to conducting swab tests. METHODS This quasi-experimental study was conducted with 100 patients who presented to our tertiary care hospital with symptoms of COVID-19 between December 1 and 15, 2020. First, NP and OP swabbings were performed on each patient. Thereafter, LS was applied to the OP and NP regions, and the swab samples were taken once again. Frequency of DFRs and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test results before and after LS application were recorded for comparison. In addition, the cycle threshold (Ct) was used as a proxy indicator for SARS-CoV-2 viral load in COVID-19 positive cases. FINDINGS Significant differences in OP DFR frequencies before and after LS intervention were found (37% and 9%, respectively), as well as before and after NP DFR (31% and 18%, respectively). The mean Ct values for the positive samples did not differ before and after applying LS. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that applying LS to the OP and NP area prior to swab testing reduces DFR frequencies without affecting (RT-PCR) test results for SARS-CoV-2 and may increase patient and practitioner comfort.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adeviyye Karaca
- University of Health Science Antalya Training and Research Hospital
| | - Mehmet Akçimen
- University of Health Science Antalya Training and Research Hospital
| | - Hatice Özen
- University of Health Science Antalya Training and Research Hospital
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