We describe a technology to perform sizing and concentration analysis of double stranded DNA with a sensitivity of 10 fg/μL in an operating time of 20 min. The technology is operated automatically on a commercial capillary electrophoresis instrument using electro-hydrodynamic actuation. It relies on a new capillary device that achieves online concentration of DNA at the junction between two capillaries of different diameters, thanks to viscoelastic lift forces. Using a set of DNA ladders in the range of 100-1500 bp, we report a sizing accuracy and precision better than 3% and a concentration quantification precision of ∼20%. When the technology is applied to the analysis of clinical samples of circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA), the measured cfDNA concentrations are in good correlation with those measured by digital PCR. Furthermore, the cfDNA size profiles indicate that the fraction of low molecular weight cfDNA in the range of 75-240 bp is a candidate biomarker to discriminate between healthy subjects and cancer patients. We conclude that our technology is efficient in analyzing highly diluted DNA samples and suggest that it will be helpful in translational and clinical research involving cfDNA.

LEDs present an alternative to lasers in LIF detection with CE, resulting in LED-induced fluorescence (LEDIF). LEDs are much less expensive, consume less energy and are more stable. In addition, LED light sources allow a greater range of wavelengths to better match the maximum wavelength for the fluorescence of the dye. Antibodies were largely studied in SDS capillary gel electrophoresis (SDS-CGE) and LIF detection with different dyes to label the proteins. In this work, our goal is to show that LEDs can advantageously replace lasers. We used 5-carboxytetramethylrhodamine succinimidyl ester (5-TAMRA.SE), 3-(2-furoyl)-quinoline-2 carboxaldehyde (FQ), and naphthalene-2,3-dialdehyde (NDA) to label IgG and we compared the LIF sensitivity with that obtained from LEDIF. We measured that the LOD values of LEDIF are identical to that obtained with the wavelength equivalent laser, and for 5-TAMRA.SE analysis, LOD values are about six times better than when the classical 488 nm laser was used.

Au Mali, l'usage des pesticides sur la culture de coton constitue un réel problème de santé publique et pour l'environnement. Cette étude porte sur les risques potentiels correspondant à la « dangerosité » des matières actives présentes dans les pesticides distribués pour le coton. Nous avons recensé 174 pesticides homologués par le Comité sahélien des pesticides (CSP) destinés à la culture du coton, dont 106 insecticides et fongicides et 68 herbicides. Ils sont formulés à partir de 50 matières actives ; 10 sont interdites en Europe et se retrouvent dans 35 produits homologués (soit 20 % des produits disponibles). Un indice de risque de toxicité (IRT) sur la santé des utilisateurs a été calculé pour chacune des 50 matières actives tenant compte de leurs toxicités aiguë et chronique. Il montre que la pendiméthaline et la bifenthrine ont les IRT les plus élevés respectivement pour les herbicides et les insecticides. Un indicateur de contamination des sols et des eaux de surface et souterraine par ces matières actives a été calculé. Il montre qu'une matière active peut présenter un risque important pour la santé et avoir un fort niveau de toxicité pour l'environnement ou avoir un faible impact sur la santé mais présenter un risque élevé pour l'environnement. Une sensibilisation des différents acteurs sur les risques encourus par les pesticides permettrait de réduire leurs impacts sur la santé humaine et l'environnement. Mots clés : coton / pesticides / santé publique / environnement / MaliAbstract -Assessing potential risks regarding pesticides used in cotton production in Mali. In Mali, pesticides used on cotton crops are a real public health and environmental problem. This study presents an analysis of potential risks corresponding to the "dangerousness" of active ingredient present in these pesticides for cotton. We identified 174 pesticides registered by the Sahel Pesticides Committee (CILSS-CSP) for cotton, including 106 insecticides and fungicides and 68 herbicides. They are formulated from 50 active ingredients; 10 are banned in Europe and are found in 35 registered products (20% of available products). For each active ingredient present in these pesticides, a Health Risk Index was calculated for the health of users. This indicator takes into account the acute and chronic toxicities of the different active ingredient. The results of our work show that, for herbicides, pendimethalin has the highest Health Risk Index; for insecticides, it is bifenthrin. We have also identified an indicator of soil, surface water and groundwater contamination by these active ingredients. The results show that an active ingredient could have a significant risk for health and have a high level of toxicity to the environment or have a low impact on health but have a high risk for the environment. Rising awareness among stakeholders about the risks of pesticides would reduce their impact on human health and environment.

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