G. (2013). Inertial focusing in a straight channel with asymmetrical expansion-contraction cavity arrays using two secondary flows. Journal of Micromechanics and Microengineering, 23 (8), 1-13. Inertial focusing in a straight channel with asymmetrical expansioncontraction cavity arrays using two secondary flows AbstractThe focusing of particles has a variety of applications in industry and biomedicine, including wastewater purification, fermentation filtration, and pathogen detection in flow cytometry, etc. In this paper a novel inertial microfluidic device using two secondary flows to focus particles is presented. The geometry of the proposed microfluidic channel is a simple straight channel with asymmetrically patterned triangular expansion-contraction cavity arrays. Three different focusing patterns were observed under different flow conditions: (1) a single focusing streak on the cavity side; (2) double focusing streaks on both sides; (3) half of the particles were focused on the opposite side of the cavity, while the other particles were trapped by a horizontal vortex in the cavity. The focusing performance was studied comprehensively up to flow rates of 700 μl min−1. The focusing mechanism was investigated by analysing the balance of forces between the inertial lift forces and secondary flow drag in the cross section. The influence of particle size and cavity geometry on the focusing performance was also studied. The experimental results showed that more precise focusing could be obtained with large particles, some of which even showed a single-particle focusing streak in the horizontal plane. Meanwhile, the focusing patterns and their working conditions could be adjusted by the geometry of the cavity. This novel inertial microfluidic device could offer a continuous, sheathless, and high-throughput performance, which can be potentially applied to high-speed flow cytometry or the extraction of blood cells. (1) single focusing streak on cavity side; (2) double focusing streaks on both sides; (3) half of particles focused on the opposite side of cavity, and other particles trapped by horizontal vortex in cavity. The focusing performance was studied comprehensively up to the flow rates of 700 µl min -1 . The focusing mechanism was investigated by analyzing force balance between inertial lift forces and secondary flow drag in the cross section.The influence of particle size and cavity geometry on the focusing performance was also studied. Experimental results showed that a more pronounced focusing performance can be obtained with large particles, which even showed a single-particle focusing streak in horizontal plane. Meanwhile, focusing patterns and their working conditions were adjustable by the geometry of cavity. The novel inertial microfluidic device was capable of offering a continuous, sheathless, and high-throughput performance, which can be potentially applied to highspeed flow cytometry or extraction of blood cells.

Biglycan might play a role in the progression of human endometrial cancer and it might be a useful molecular marker for the prognosis of endometrial cancer. This research is an initial step towards biglycan as a potential prognosis marker in endometrial cancer.

Melamine (MEL) has been involved in several food recalls after the discovery of severe kidney damages in children and pets poisoned by melamine-adulterated food. To detect MEL residue in foods and animal feeds, an indirect competitive ELISA (cELISA) method was developed in this study based on preparation of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to MEL. The immunogen was prepared by linking MEL hapten with carrier protein via carbodiimide method. The method is applicable in the range of 5.0-135.0 microg L(-1) MEL in buffer solution, with an IC(50) value of 22.6 +/- 1.9 microg L(-1). The MAbs showed high specificity with low cross-reactivity (< or =1%) toward cyanurate, ammelide, and ammeline. The method was utilized in the detection of MEL in raw milk, milk powder, and animal feeds, with detection limits of 0.1 mg L(-1) for milk, 0.2 mg kg(-1) for milk powder, and 0.5 mg L(-1) for feeds. The recovery ratio was 79-110% for all matrices. The intra-assay and interassay coefficients of variation were <12.0 and <13.0%, respectively. Finally, the application of the cELISA in quantity evaluation of MEL in various feeds from local markets was evaluated and discussed.

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An indirect competitive ELISA method based on a monoclonal antibody towards chlorpromazine with excellent sensitivity and specificity has been successfully developed. The immunoassay provided in this study was a hopeful alternative to chromatography spectrometry for regulatory analysis of chlorpromazine residue in food-producing animals.