As microchip technology evolves to allow for the integration of more complex processes, particularly the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), it will become necessary to define simple approaches for minimizing the effects of surfaces on the chemistry/processes to be performed. We have explored alternatives to silanization of the glass surface with the use of additives that either dynamically coat or adsorb to the glass surface. Polyethylene glycol, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), and hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC) have been explored as potential dynamic coatings and epoxy (poly)dimethylacrylamide (EPDMA) evaluated as an adsorbed coating. By carrying out analysis of the PCR products generated under different conditions via microchip electrophoresis, we demonstrate that these coating agents adequately passivate the glass surface in a manner that prevents interference with the subsequent PCR process. While several of the agents tested allowed for PCR amplification of DNA in glass, the EPDMA was clearly superior with respect to ease of preparation. However, more efficient PCR (larger mass of amplified product) could be obtained by silanizing the glass surface.

HLC dyads from -0.02 to 0.2 (ICC Difference ¼ 0.22). Physical QOL Congruence increased slightly for both FACE dyads from 0.4 to 0.43 (ICC Difference ¼ 0.03) and HLC dyads from 0.5 to 0.59 (ICC Difference ¼ 0.09). School QOL Congruence decreased for FACE dyads from 0.51 to 0.08 (-0.43 ICC Difference) and increased from 0.66 to 0.82 for HLC dyads (0.16 ICC Difference). At baseline perinatally infected adolescents vs. behaviorally infected adolescents reported significantly higher QOL in two domains: Emotional (¼ 84.4 vs. ¼ 73.3; p ¼ 0.041) and Physical (¼ 91.0 vs. ¼ 84.5, p ¼ 0.058), otherwise there were no significant differences between them. Conclusions: Understanding adolescents' QOL may influence family decision-making with respect to future healthcare utilization and end-of-life care. The FACE intervention increased communication in all domains, but School QOL, where adolescents denied problems and families reported problems. Higher Physical and Emotional QOL among perinatally infected adolescents was unexpected. This might represent a measure of their access to medical and mental health care from birth in comprehensive "one-stop" hospital-based clinics.