Recent developments in microfluidic devices, nanoparticle chemistry, fluorescent microscopy, and biochemical techniques such as genetic identification and antibody capture have provided easier and more sensitive platforms for detecting and diagnosing diseases as well as providing new fundamental insight into disease progression. These advancements have led to the development of new technology and assays capable of easy and early detection of pathogenicity as well as the enhancement of the drug discovery and development pipeline. While some studies have focused on treatment, many of these technologies have found initial success in laboratories as a precursor for clinical applications. This review highlights the current and future progress of microfluidic techniques geared toward the timely and inexpensive diagnosis of disease including technologies aimed at high-throughput single cell analysis for drug development. It also summarizes novel microfluidic approaches to characterize fundamental cellular behavior and heterogeneity.

Breast cancer cells co-cultured with adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) in a microfluidic device exhibited enhanced growth, a more aggressive morphology and polarization towards the ASCs, and increased drug resistance.

BACKGROUND The effects of byproducts of lignocellulosic hydrolyzates, such as furfural, 5‐hydroxy methyl furfural (HMF), vanillin, para‐hydroxy benzaldehyde (PHB), and syringaldehyde, on the growth and lipid accumulation by Lipomyces starkeyi were investigated. All the studies were conducted using a minimal medium. RESULTS The growth and lipid accumulation patterns on individual sugars (glucose and xylose) were similar, sequential utilization was observed when both the sugars were present in the medium. The tolerance of Lipomyces starkeyi to the acid‐hydrolysis byproducts, furfural, 5‐hydroxy methyl furfural (HMF), vanillin, para‐hydroxy benzaldehyde (PHB), and syringaldehyde, was promising. CONCLUSION The inhibitory effects of 5‐hydroxy methyl furfural (HMF), vanillin, para‐hydroxy benzaldehyde (PHB), and syringaldehyde were not significant at concentrations up to 500 mg L−1; for furfural the threshold was 400 mg L−1. The fatty acid profiles of lipids were not affected by the presence of inhibitors in the medium. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry

Background: Regional metastases to the cervical lymph node is common in laryngeal carcinoma and this is also the most important prognostic factor of the disease. Objective: The purpose of the present study was to see the frequency of cervical metastases related to the sites of laryngeal carcinoma and also to see the relation between primary site and level of metastatic node as well as the relation between T and N stage of the tumour. Methodology: This cross sectional study was done in the Department of Otolaryngology and Head-Neck Surgery at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka and Specialized ENT Hospital of SAHIC, Dhaka from April 2009 to March 2010. A total number of 50 patients who were histopathologically proven laryngeal carcinoma at any age with both sexes were included in this study. General physical examination and ENT examination was done thoroughly. Direct laryngoscopy was done under general anaesthesia to assess the site, size, and extension of the tumour as well as for staging and biopsy. Results: A total number of 60% laryngeal carcinoma patients presented with regional metastases to the cervical nodes. Highest cases among laryngeal carcinoma were supraglottic carcinoma (72.0%) which also showed the highest rate of lymph node metastases (72.2%). Most frequently involved levels of the neck were level II (56.7%) and level III (33.3%). It was also observed that the rate of regional metastases was increasing with the advancing T-stage of the disease. Conclusion: Regional metastases is a useful prognostic indicator of the laryngeal carcinoma. So, early detection of the disease has a great importance on the management of the disease.

Indications of prostate biopsy are high serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) value and or abnormal digital rectal examination (DRE) findings. Although serum PSA value of 4 ng/ml is the most commonly used threshold for recommending prostate biopsy, significant proportion of men harbor prostate cancer even when their serum PSA values are less than 4.0 ng/ml. Therefore present study was designed to determine the performance status of serum PSA in lower cut-off values. This hospital based prospective study was conducted in the Department of Urology of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) and Comfort Nursing Home Pvt. Ltd, Dhaka from July 2009 to October 2010. Two hundred six male patients aged over 50 years having lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and serum PSA more than 2.5 ng/ml were prepared for prostate biopsy. Trans rectal ultrasound (TRUS) guided biopsy was done. The test statistics used to analyze the data were descriptive statistics, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value, ROC curve. For all analytical tests, the level of significance was set at 0.05 and p<0.05 was considered significant. In 2.5-4 serum PSA range, 28.26% (13 out of 46) of all malignancy were found, which would be missed if we take cut off value 4. At 2.5 PSA cut-off, Sensitivity 91.3%, Specificity 14.37%, PPV 23.46%, NPV 85.18%, Efficacy 31.55%. At 4 PSA cut-off value, Sensitivity 71.73%, Specificity 46.25%, PPV 27.73%, NPV 85.05%, Efficacy 51.94%. So it can be concluded that, for early diagnosis of prostate cancer cut-off value of serum PSA of 2.5 ng/ml can be recommended as an indication for prostate biopsy. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bmrcb.v38i3.14333 Bangladesh Med Res Counc Bull 2012; 38(3): 90-93 (December)