Mark Prince

Differentiating human NT2/D1 neurospheres as a versatile in vitro 3D model system for developmental neurotoxicity testing

Developmental neurotoxicity is a major issue in human health and may have lasting neurological implications. In this preliminary study we exposed differentiating Ntera2/clone D1 (NT2/D1) cell neurospheres to known human teratogens classed as non-embryotoxic (acrylamide), weakly embryotoxic (lithium, valproic acid) and strongly embryotoxic (hydroxyurea) as listed by European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods (ECVAM) and examined endpoints of cell viability and neuronal protein marker expression specific to the central nervous system, to identify developmental neurotoxins. Following induction of neuronal differentiation, valproic acid had the most significant effect on neurogenesis, in terms of reduced viability and decreased neuronal markers. Lithium had least effect on viability and did not significantly alter the expression of neuronal markers. Hydroxyurea significantly reduced cell viability but did not affect neuronal protein marker expression. Acrylamide reduced neurosphere viability but did not affect neuronal protein marker expression. Overall, this NT2/D1-based neurosphere model of neurogenesis, may provide the basis for a model of developmental neurotoxicity in vitro.

Impact of Soft Contact Lens Edge Design and Midperipheral Lens Shape on the Epithelium and Its Indentation With Lens Mobility

PURPOSE To evaluate the influence of soft contact lens midperipheral shape profile and edge design on the apparent epithelial thickness and indentation of the ocular surface with lens movement. METHODS Four soft contact lens designs comprising of two different plano midperipheral shape profiles and two edge designs (chiseled and knife edge) of silicone-hydrogel material were examined in 26 subjects aged 24.7 ± 4.6 years, each worn bilaterally in randomized order. Lens movement was imaged enface on insertion, at 2 and 4 hours with a high-speed, high-resolution camera simultaneous to the cross-section of the edge of the contact lens interaction with the ocular surface captured using optical coherence tomography (OCT) nasally, temporally, and inferiorly. Optical imaging distortions were individually corrected for by imaging the apparent distortion of a glass slide surface by the removed lens. RESULTS Apparent epithelial thickness varied with edge position (P < 0.001). When distortion was corrected for, epithelial indentation decreased with time after insertion (P = 0.010), changed after a blink (P < 0.001), and varied with position on the lens edge (P < 0.001), with the latter being affected by midperipheral lens shape profile and edge design. Horizontal and vertical lens movement did not change with time postinsertion. Vertical motion was affected by midperipheral lens shape profile (P < 0.001) and edge design (P < 0.001). Lens movement was associated with physiologic epithelium thickness for lens midperipheral shape profile and edge designs. CONCLUSIONS Dynamic OCT coupled with high-resolution video demonstrated that soft contact lens movement and image-corrected ocular surface indentation were influenced by both lens edge design and midperipheral lens shape profiles.

The development of a novel Bio-MEMS filtration chip for the separation of specific cells in fluid suspension.

Abstract In the clinical/microbiological laboratory there are currently several ways of separating specific cells from a fluid suspension. Conventionally cells can be separated based on size, density, electrical charge, light-scattering properties, and antigenic surface properties. Separating cells using these parameters can require complex technologies and specialist equipment. This paper proposes new Bio-MEMS (microelectromechanical systems) filtration chips manufactured using deep reactive ion etching (DRIE) technology that, when used in conjunction with an optical microscope and a syringe, can filter and grade cells for size without the requirement for additional expensive equipment. These chips also offer great versatility in terms of design and their low cost allows them to be disposable, eliminating sample contamination. The pumping mechanism, unlike many other current filtration techniques, leaves samples mechanically and chemically undamaged. In this paper the principles behind harnessing passive pumping are explored, modelled, and validated against empirical data, and their integration into a microfluidic device to separate cells from a mixed population suspension is described. The design, means of manufacture, and results from preliminary tests are also presented.

Characterization of Sclerotinia and mycoparasite Coniothyrium minitans interaction by microscale co‐culture

Aims:  To characterize the interaction of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and S. minor with strains of the mycoparasite and commercial biocontrol agent Coniothyrium minitans using novel perfusion chamber gasket co‐culture.

The ‘endoscope‐i’: a mobile solution for endoscopy in otolaryngology

Thirty seven patients treated for H&N carcinoma, dying as inpatients between 2005 and 2010, were identified. Four (11%) were cared for by the H&N team. All MCCDs were completed by doctors at CT Year 2 or below. Of the 37 cases, 17 (46%) had proven locoregional recurrence or metastases from H&N primary. In 8 (47%) of these cases, the carcinoma was not mentioned on the MCCD. Twenty (54%) had no evidence of recurrence or metastases at last clinic review. Seven (35%) cases mentioned the carcinoma on the MCCD without evidence that it contributed to the death (Table 1).

IMPLEMENTING CDIO - REVOLUTION OR EVOLUTION ?

While the CDIO standards and syllabus give a strong framework upon which to develop good quality engineering programmes, the exact means by which Universities and Colleges implement these is often less clear. Within the UK and Ireland CDIO region most institutions have gradually evolved their programmes to meet the CDIO standards. At Aston University we have instead, for local reasons, opted for a rapid step-change to create a swift and revolutionary change within our programmes. This was done for a number of purely educational reasons to ensure our students could get an enhanced learning experience from a very early stage. There were also however other considerations which influenced the nature of our approach including being able to make a bold statement of intent to academic and executive staff within the University. While this methodology has reaped significant rewards it has not been a painless experience. This paper will outline some aspects of our own experience and the decision making processes used while examining a number of other strategies from around the CDIO community.

CDIO and resources - Can we do it on a budget ?

Universities are continually under pressure to do more in terms of delivery, for less in terms of resources. For engineering and design courses, particularly those where a high level of practical project work is expected, this can be a particular challenge. The session will be structured around participants taking part in a simple, low cost and hopefully enjoyable CDIO activity in order to catalyse debate amongst participants on effective CDIO learning under limited resource.

Step Change Implementation of CDIO - The Aston University Story

The aim of this paper is to provide a comprehensive account of the experience of Mechanical Engineering & Design (MED) at Aston University in adopting a system level implementation of the CDIO framework at EQF Level 4. This is Aston’s first experience of CDIO and represents a step-change in learning and teaching philosophy from a long-established traditional engineering science didactic format. The paper describes the reasons for changing, the innovative teaching and learning practices that have been employed, how it has been implemented, and the experiences of staff involved during its development and practical implementation. The account shows the progress that Aston has made in its first semester of implementation and details some of the cultural challenges it has faced, along with some of the unexpected benefits of improving learning and teaching practice. Through building engineering and design programmes around large 30 credit active learning modules based upon the CDIO framework Aston academics have found that early stage implementation has increased efficiencies in terms of reduced assessment loading by 54 % and reduced space utilisation requirements by 37 %. Furthermore the changes have been made without significant increase in workload beyond the creation of new learning experiences, and without sacrificing academic challenge. Successful implementation of the new CDIO based programmes have been demonstrated as being effective at increasing student engagement, creativity and problem solving in both practical, active learning sessions and conventional declarative knowledge learning sessions.

Design and Modelling of a Micro Fluid Filter for Separating Spermatogenic Cells

The small size of microfabricated structures are opening new avenues in the field of biomedical engineering where structures are being developed to process [1] and analyze [2,3] nanolitre quantities of biological fluids, and cellular tissues. This paper outlines the design and manufacture principals of a passive micro-mechatronic device for the filtration and sorting of spermatogenic cells. This device is to be applied in a urological clinical environment where it can be used to semi-automate the spermatozoa selection process from non-obstructive azoospermic testis biopsies. Detailed and discussed herein are the advantages and drawbacks of Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) as applied to clinical biomedical situations, and requirements for the design methodology and process of a microfluidic system based on MEMS technology with a view to manufacture by Deep Reactive Ion Etching process. The modelling of the micro device using computational fluid dynamic simulation methods is also covered in this paper.© 2005 ASME