“
“Our previous study indicated that consuming (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) before or after traumatic brain injury (TBI) eliminated free radical generation in rats, resulting in inhibition of neuronal degeneration and apoptotic death, and improvement of cognitive impairment. Here we investigated the

effects of administering EGCG at various times pre- and post-TBI on cerebral function and morphology. Wistar rats were divided into five groups and were allowed access to (1) normal drinking water, (2) EGCG pre-TBI, (3) EGCG pre- and post-TBI, (4) EGCG post-TBI, and (5) sham-operated Blebbistatin manufacturer group with access to normal drinking water. TBI was induced with a pneumatic controlled injury device at 10 weeks of age. Immunohistochemistry and lipid peroxidation studies revealed that at 1, 3, and 7 days post-TBI, the number of 8-Hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine-, 4-Hydroxy-2-nonenal- and single-stranded DNA (ssDNA)-positive cells, and levels of malondialdehyde around the damaged area were significantly decreased in all EGCG treatment groups compared with the water group (P < 0.05). Although there was a significant increase in the number of surviving neurons after TBI in each EGCG treatment group compared with the water group (P < 0.05), significant improvement of cognitive impairment

after TBI was only AR-13324 Cell Cycle inhibitor observed in the groups with continuous and post-TBI access to EGCG (P < 0.05). These results indicate that EGCG inhibits free radical-induced neuronal degeneration and apoptotic death around the area damaged by TBI. Importantly, continuous and post-TBI access to EGCG improved cerebral function following TBI. In summary, consumption of green tea may

be an effective therapy for TBI patients.”
“AIM: To investigate the association between epidermal growth factor (EGF) +61A/G polymorphism and susceptibility to gastric cancer, through a cross-sectional Selleck Thiazovivin study.\n\nMETHODS: Polymerase chain reaction resctriction fragment lenght polymorphism analyses were used to geno-type EGF +61 in 207 patients with gastric lesions (162 patients with gastric adenocarcinomas, 45 with atrophy or intestinal metaplasia) and 984 controls. All subjects were Caucasian.\n\nRESULTS: Genotype distribution was 23.5% for GG and 76.5% for GA/AA in the control group, 18.4% for GG and 68.6% for GA/AA in the entire group with gastric lesions and 17.9% for GG and 82.1% for GA/AA in the group with gastric adenocarcinoma. No statistically significant associations were found between EGF +61 variants and risk for developing gastric cancer [odds ratios (OR) = 1.41, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 0.90-2.21, P = 0.116]. However, the stratification of individuals by gender revealed that males carrying A alleles (EGF +61A/G or AA) had an increased risk for developing gastric cancer as compared to GG homozygous males (OR = 1.55, 95% CI: 1.05-2.28, P = 0.021).

\n\nMethods: All

perforator-supercharged occipitocervicopectoral flaps that were used for face and neck reconstructions were analyzed retrospectively.\n\nResults: In all nine cases, the second internal mammary artery perforator was attached at the end of the occipitocervicopectoral flap and supercharged with the contralateral recipient facial artery vessels. The average flap size was 22.6 x 6.2 cm, without Ruboxistaurin purchase any flap loss. It was possible to cover a large defect extending to bilateral sides with thin and pliable local skin tissue. All patients were satisfied with functional and aesthetic results achieved postoperatively after 6 months.\n\nConclusions: The internal C59 cell line mammary artery perforator-supercharged occipitocervicopectoral flap can be considered a type of bipedicle perforator flap and can provide reliable flap vascularity. By using a perforator supercharging technique, we can adjust and enlarge the flap length tailored to the defect. (Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 129: 879, 2012.)\n\nCLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.”
“Plants are unique in their ability to continuously produce new meristems and organ primordia.

In Arabidopsis, the transcription factor LEAFY (LFY) functions as a master regulator of a gene network that is important for floral meristem and organ specification. UNUSUAL FLORAL ORGANS (UFO) is a co-activator of LEAFY and is required for proper activation of APETALA3 in the floral meristem during the specification of stamens and petals. The ufo mutants display defects in other parts of the flower and the inflorescence, suggestive of additional roles. Here we show that the normal determinacy of the developing Arabidopsis leaves is affected by the expression of a gain-of-function UFO LY294002 supplier fusion protein with the VP16 transcriptional activator domain. In these lines, the rosette and cauline leaf

primordia exhibit reiterated serration, and upon flowering produce ectopic meristems that develop into flowers, bract leaves and inflorescences. These striking phenotypes reveal that developing leaves maintain the competency to initiate flower and inflorescence programs. Furthermore, the gain-of-function phenotypes are dependent on LFY and the SEPALLATA (SEP) MADS-box transcription factors, indicative of their functional interactions with UFO. The findings of this study also suggest that UFO promotes the establishment of the lateral meristems and primordia in the peripheral zone of the apical and floral meristems by enhancing the activity of LFY. These novel phenotypes along with the mutant phenotypes of UFO orthologs in other plant species suggest a broader function for UFO in plants.”
“Decision making (DM) in the context of others often entails complex cognition-emotion interaction.

In vitro dry matter degradability varied according to ingredient (P<0.001). Higher values were observed for OG, ranging from 0.88 to 0.99 as compared to oat, hB and HB, for which degradability ranged from 0.63 to 0.73, 0.68 to 0.80 and 0.69 to 0.71, respectively. A “cereal type” effect (P<0.05) was observed on fermentation kinetics parameters. Total gas production was higher (P<0.05) with hB (224 ml/g DM incubated) than with HB and oat (188 and 55 ml/g DM incubated, respectively). No difference was observed between hB cultivars BEZ235 in vitro (P>0.05) for total gas production but differences (P<0.001) were found for lag time and the fractional

rate of degradation. Hulless barley cultivar CDC Fibar (waxy starch) and CDC McGwire (normal starch) started to ferment sooner (lag time of 0.7 and 0.9 h, respectively) than SH99250 (high amylose starch; 1.7 h). The fractional rate of degradation was similar in both hB and OG (0.15/h on average), which was higher than that of HB (0.12/h). The production of SCFA was also higher (P<0.05) with hB (6.1 mmol/g DM https://www.selleckchem.com/products/pf-03084014-pf-3084014.html incubated, on average) than with HB and oat (4.9 and 2.9 mmol/g DM incubated, respectively). Similar trends were found for SCFA production expressed per g fermented carbohydrates, with higher butyrate and lower acetate ratio. In contrast, oat fermentation generated higher (P<0.05)

ammonia concentration (1.4 mmol/g DM incubated, on average) than hB (1.0 mmol/g DM incubated). In summary, hulless barleys, irrespective of cultivar type had higher in vitro fermentability and produced more SCFA and less ammonia than hulled barley and oat. Thus, hulless barleys have a better potential to be used in pig nutrition to manipulate the fermentation activity in the intestine of pigs. (C) 2010 Elsevier By. All rights reserved.”
“In this paper, we estimate the effect

of school quality on the relationship between schooling and health outcomes using the substantial improvements check details in the quality of schools attended by black students in the segregated southern states during the mid-1900s as a source of identifying variation. Using data from the National Health Interview Survey, our results suggest that improvements in school quality, measured as the pupil-teacher ratio, average teachers’ wage, and length of the school year, amplify the beneficial effects of education on several measures of health in later life, including self-rated health, smoking, obesity, and mortality. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.”
“The monotypic genus Chileotrecha Maury, 1987, includes Chileotrecha atacamensis Maury, 1987 from Atacama and Coquimbo regions in Chile. We describe Chileotrecha argentinensis n. sp., which is the first record of the genus from Argentina. Phylogenetic relationships of Chileotrecha with other genera of Ammotrechidae are discussed based on external morphology. We report for the first time the presence of blunt and clubbed setae in Ammotrechidae.

(Am J Public Health. 2009;99:1239-1246. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2008.149930)”
“The whole tissue of the earthworm (Eisenia andrei) was lyophilized and extracted to purify glycosaminoglycans. Fractions, eluting from an anion-exchange column at 1.0 M and 2.0 M NaCl, showed the presence of acidic polysaccharides on agarose gel electrophoresis. Monosaccharide compositional analysis showed that galactose and glucose were most abundant monosaccharides in both fractions. Depolymerization of the polysaccharide mixture with glycosaminoglycan-degrading enzymes confirmed the presence of chondroitin sulfate/dermatan sulfate and heparan sulfate in the 2.0 M NaCl fraction. The content of

GAGs (uronic acid containing polysaccharide) in DNA Synthesis inhibitor the 2.0 M NaCl fraction determined by carbazole assay was 2%. Disaccharide compositional analysis using liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

(LC-ESI-MS) analysis after chondroitinase digestion (ABC and ACII), showed see more that the chondroitin sulfate/dermatan sulfate contained a 4-O-sulfo (76%), 2,4-di-O-sulfo (15%), 6-O-sulfo (6%), and unsulfated (4%) uronic acid linked N-acetylgalactosamine residues. LC-ESI-MS analysis of heparin lyase I/II/III digests demonstrated the presence of N-sulfo (69%), N-sulfo-6-O-sulfo (25%) and 2-O-sulfo-N-sulfo-6-O-sulfo (5%) uronic acid linked N-acetylglucosamine residues.”
“Aim To investigate the neuronal basis for the effects of mirror therapy in patients with stroke.\n\nMethods 22 patients with stroke participated EPZ004777 molecular weight in this study. The authors used functional MRI to investigate neuronal activation patterns in two experiments. In the unimanual experiment, patients moved their unaffected hand, either while observing it directly (no-mirror condition) or while observing its mirror reflection (mirror condition). In the bimanual experiment, patients moved both hands, either while observing the affected hand directly (no-mirror condition)

or while observing the mirror reflection of the unaffected hand in place of the affected hand (mirror condition). A two-factorial analysis with movement (activity vs rest) and mirror (mirror vs no mirror) as main factors was performed to assess neuronal activity resultant of the mirror illusion.\n\nResults Data on 18 participants were suitable for analysis. Results showed a significant interaction effect of movementXmirror during the bimanual experiment. Activated regions were the precuneus and the posterior cingulate cortex (p<0.05 false discovery rate).\n\nConclusion In this first study on the neuronal correlates of the mirror illusion in patients with stroke, the authors showed that during bimanual movement, the mirror illusion increases activity in the precuneus and the posterior cingulate cortex, areas associated with awareness of the self and spatial attention. By increasing awareness of the affected limb, the mirror illusion might reduce learnt non-use.

6% and 25.6% of total cancer cases, respectively. Ovarian cancer was the most frequent gynecologic cancer followed by endometrium. Endometrial

cancer revealed the highest age specific incidence rate followed by ovary (after 59 years). Conclusions: Regarding disease burden, breast and gynecologic cases account for 33.4% of total cancer patients. The age specific incidence rate is a useful guide in epidemiologic and future plans.”
“The gating isomerization of neuromuscular acetylcholine receptors links the rearrangements of atoms at two transmitter-binding sites with those at a distant gate region in the pore. To explore the this website mechanism of this reversible process, we estimated the gating rate and equilibrium constants for receptors with point mutations of alpha-subunit residues located between the binding sites and the membrane domain (N95, A96, Y127, and 149). The maximum energy change caused by a side-chain substitution at alpha A96 was huge (similar to 8.6 kcal/mol, the largest value measured so far for any alpha-subunit amino acid). A Phi-value analysis suggests that alpha A96 experiences its change in energy (structure) approximately synchronously with residues alpha Y127 and alpha 149, but after the agonist molecule and other residues in loop

A. Double mutant-cycle experiments show that the energy changes at alpha A96 are strongly coupled with those of alpha Y127 and alpha 149. We identify a column of mutation-sensitive residues in the alpha-subunit FK228 cell line that may be a pathway for Dibutyryl-cAMP solubility dmso energy transfer through the extracellular domain in the

gating isomerization.”
“Chloroplast protein synthesis elongation factor, EF-Tu, has been implicated in heat tolerance in maize (Zea mays). Chloroplast EF-Tu is highly conserved, and it is possible that this protein may be of importance to heat tolerance in other species including wheat (Triticum aestivum). In this study, we assessed heat tolerance and determined the relative levels of EF-Tu in mature plants (at flowering stage) of 12 cultivars of winter wheat experiencing a 16-d-long heat treatment (36/30 degrees C, day/night temperature). In addition, we also investigated the expression of EF-Tu in young plants experiencing a short-term heat shock (4 In at 43 degrees C). Heat tolerance was assessed by examining the stability of thylakoid membranes, measuring chlorophyll content, and assessing plant growth traits (shoot dry mass, plant height, titter number, and ear number). In mature plants, relative levels of EF-Tu were determined after 7 d of heat stress. High temperature-induced accumulation of EF-Tu in mature plants of all cultivars, and a group of cultivars that showed greater accumulation of EF-Tu displayed better tolerance to heat stress. Young plants of all cultivars but one did not show significant increases in the relative levels of EF-Tu. The results of the study suggest that EF-Tu protein may play a rote in heat tolerance in winter wheat.

We identified patients with an incident psoriasis diagnosis between 1994 and 2005 and matched one control subject to each patient on age, sex, general practice, calendar time, and years of history in the database. We estimated odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), stratified exposure by timing and duration, and adjusted the ORs for potential confounders.\n\nResults: We identified 36,702 incident psoriasis cases and the same

number of matched controls. Adjusted ORs for current use (last prescription < 30 clays before index date) of 1 to 4, 5 to 19, or greater than or equal to 20 prescriptions for stains, as compared with nonuse, were 0.60(95% CI 0.45-0.80), 1.00(95% CI 0.84-1.18), and 1.08 (95% CI 0.92-1.28), SBE-β-CD mw respectively. The ORs for recent and past use (last prescription 30-89 days and a 90 clays ago, respectively)

were around 1, except for past use of 1 to 4 prescriptions selleck chemical (OR 1.39; 95% Cl 1.09-1.78).\n\nLimitations: Potential of residual confounding as a result of retrospective study design is a limitation.\n\nConclusions: This large case-control study does not provide evidence for an altered risk of developing psoriasis in association with long-term use of stains. The reduced psoriasis risk for current short-term stain users is interesting, but whether the association is indeed causal needs further investigation. (J Am Acad Dermatol 2011;65:77-83.)”
“In Yersinia, the most commonly used expression vectors for genetic studies such as gene complementation do not effectively

allow for both induction and repression of gene expression. Additionally, there is no expression system available that can be induced in bacteria growing in vitro as well as in vivo, e.g. in eukaryotic cell lines or in living animal models. Here, we present a series of novel inducible low copy expression vectors that are well suited for use in the Yersinia species. Their tet operator/promoter/repressor system makes them distinct from other vectors, and gene transcription in bacteria can easily be induced by addition of anhydrotetracyline AS1842856 (ATc) either to the growth medium, to tissue culture medium during bacterial infections of cell lines or by injection into animals infected with bacteria. Researchers can choose between two different antibiotic resistances (kanamycin or spectinomycin), between two copy numbers (5 or 12-22) as well as between two different versions for expression from either the native RBS and ATG or RBS and ATG encoded in the plasmid. The whole vector series contains the same multi-cloning site from pBluescript II KS+ that allows for easy subcloning. Moreover, these vectors are built in a modular fashion that makes it simple to adapt them for other purposes. Finally, in addition to their use in Yersinia they are suitable for use in many other Enterobacteriaceae. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.”
“Hypertension treatment commonly requires multiple agents to achieve target blood pressure (BP).

In addition, we investigated whether the achieved dose reductions would

theoretically translate into a reduction of salivary dysfunction and Bafilomycin A1 price xerostomia.\n\nMethods and Materials: Ten patients with NO oropharyngeal carcinoma were used. The intensity-modulated plans delivered simultaneously 70 Gy to the boost planning target volume (PTV2) and 54 Gy to the elective nodal areas (PTV1). The 3D-CRT technique delivered sequentially 70 Gy and 46 Gy to PTV2 and PTV1, respectively. Normal tissue complication probabilities were calculated for salivary dysfunction and xerostomia.\n\nResults: Planning target volume coverage results were similar for IMPT and IMRT. Intensity-modulated proton therapy clearly improved the conformity. The 3D-CRT results were inferior to these results. The mean dose to the parotid glands by 3D-CRT (50.8 Gy), IMRT (25.5 Gy), and IMPT (16.8 Gy) differed significantly. For the submandibular glands no significant differences between BIRT and IMPT were found. The dose reductions obtained with IMPT theoretically translated into a significant reduction in normal tissue complication probability.\n\nConclusion: Compared

with IMRT and 3D-CRT, IMPT improved sparing of the organs at risk, while keeping similar target coverage results. The dose reductions obtained with IMPT vs. IMRT and 3D-CRT varied Selleck ICG-001 widely per individual patient. Intensity-modulated proton therapy theoretically translated into a clinical benefit for most cases, but this requires clinical validation. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc.”
“For hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a leading cause of cancer death world-wide, there is no effective therapy especially for the advanced stage of the disease. Thus, we started the MS-275 chemical structure investigations about a novel anti HCC

approach based on the depletion of the transcription factor serum response factor (SRF) in HCC cell lines; SRF choice was based on its recently proposed contribution to HCC tissue development and on its important role in cell proliferation.\n\nSRF depletion, obtained by a siRNA (siSRF797), was studied in two HCC cell lines, i.e. HepG2 and JHH6 assigned to high and low hepatocytic differentiation grade on the base of the capacity to synthesize albumin.\n\nIn the HCC cell lines examined, siSRF797 reduced both the mRNA and protein levels of SRF without inducing unspecific interferon response or cytotoxicity. Moreover, SRF depletion induced the reduction of S-phase cells and a decrease in cell number and vitality. Particularly in HepG2, cell growth impairment was paralleled by the decrease of the levels of the transcription factor E2F1 together with some of its regulated genes. In HepG2 but not in JHH6, SRF depletion was associated with apoptosis.

We sought to compare alpha-stat and pH-stat assessment of Pao(2) and Paco(2) in such patients. Materials and methods: Using

ABG data obtained during the first 24 hours of intensive care unit admission, we determined the impact of measured alpha vs calculated pH-stat on Pao(2) and Paco(2) on patient classification and outcomes for CA patients. Results: We assessed 1013 ABGs from 120 CA patients with a median age of patients 66 years (interquartile range, 50-76). Median alpha-stat Pao(2) changed from 122 (95-156) to 107 (82-143) mm Hg with pH-stat and median Paco(2) from 39 (34-46) to 35 (30-41) mm Hg (both P smaller than .001). Using the categories of hyperoxemia, normoxemia, and hypoxemia, pH-stat estimation of Pao(2) reclassified approximately 20% of patients. Using the categories of hypercapnia, normocapnia,

and hypocapnia, pH-stat estimation of Paco(2) reclassified approximately Cyclopamine 40% of patients. The mortality of patients in different Pao(2) and Paco(2) categories was similar for pH-stat and alpha-stat. Conclusions: Using the pH-stat method, fewer resuscitated CA patients admitted to intensive care unit were classified as hyperoxemic or hypercapnic compared with alpha-stat. These findings suggest an impact of ABG assessment methodology on Pao(2), Paco(2), and patient classification but not on associated outcomes. (C) 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.”
“Mrs3p find more and Mrs4p (Mrs3/4p) are yeast mitochondrial iron carrier proteins that play important roles in ISC

(iron-sulphur cluster) and haem biosynthesis. At low iron conditions, rnitochondrial and cytoplasmic ISC protein maturation is correlated with MRS3/4 expression. Prexasertib Zebrafish mitoferrin1 (mfrn1), one of two MRS3/4 orthologues, is essential for erythropoiesis, but little is known about the ubiquitously expressed paralogue mfrn2. In the present study we identified it single mitoferrin gene (dmfrn) in the genome of Drosophila melanogaster, which is probably an orthologue of mfrn2. Overexpression of dmfrn in the Drosophila I(2)mbn cell line (mbn-dmfrn) resulted in decreased binding between IRP-1A (iron regulatory protein 1A) and stem-loop RNA structures referred to as IREs (iron responsive elements). mbn-dmfrn cell lines also had increased cytoplasmic aconitase activity and slightly decreased iron content. In contrast, iron loading results in decreased IRP-1A-IRE binding, but increased cellular iron content, in experimental mbn-dmfm and control cell lines. Iron loading also increases cytoplasmic aconitase activity in all cell lines, but with slightly higher activity observed in mbn-dmfrn cells. From this we concluded that dmfrn overexpression stimulates cytoplasmic ISC protein maturation, as has been reported for MRS3/4 overexpression.

The growth of six of eight isolated actinomycetes

strains, all of which were identified as close to Streptomyces Ro-3306 manufacturer neyagawaensis, was enhanced by ATP treatment. This study suggests that exATP regulates bacterial physiology and that the exATP response system is a target for the control of bacterial ecology.”
“Supramolecular assemblies of benzenepentacarboxylic acid (BPC) and 4,4′-bipyridine (bpy) as hepta- and di-hydrates in a 2:1 and 1:1 ratios of the respective co-crystal formers, as well as an anhydrous complex of 1:2 ratio have been reported. The three supramolecular complexes [(BPC-)(2)(bpy(2+))(H2O)(7)], 1a, [(BPC-)(bpy(+))(bpy)], 1b and [(BPC2-)(bpy(2+))(H2O)(2)], 1c, were obtained by carrying out co-crystallization experiments at varied conditions. 1a and 1b were obtained at ambient and hydrothermal conditions, respectively, while 1c also was obtained at hydrothermal conditions but only in the presence of Ni(NO3)(2). All the molecular complexes were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction method. Molecules

in all the complexes are packed in the form of stacked layers with the realization of host-guest network in la and lc along a crystallographic axis, wherein the host network is formed by BPC and water molecules through different types of hydrogen bonding patterns and bpy molecules remain as guests in the voids, while in 1b, a ladder type network is observed. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.”
“Background. The aim of this study was the assessment of kidney morphology and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) CP-868596 ic50 in rat models of polycystic Selleck Androgen Receptor Antagonist kidney disease and

a healthy control group of Sprague-Dawley rats (SD rats). The performance of two non-invasive GFR estimation methods-3.0 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and optical imaging were investigated. Data of GFR assessment was compared to surrogate markers of kidney function and renal histology.\n\nMethods. Optical imaging of GFR was performed transcutaneously in a small animal imaging system with the fluorescent renal marker fluorescein-isothiocyanate-labelled-sinistrin. Morphologic and dynamic renal imaging was done on a clinical 3.0T MR scanner. Renal perfusion analysis was performed with a two-compartment filtration model.\n\nResults. The healthy SD rats showed physiological levels of creatinine and urea, indicating normal kidney function. These parameters were elevated in the small animal groups of polycystic kidney disease. For the calculation of perfusion and filtration parameters of kidney function in MRI, a 2D turbo FLASH sequence was performed and allowed to distinguish between normal GFR of healthy rats and reduced GFR of rats with polycystic kidney disease. Also, MRI GFR varied among two different rat strains of polycystic kidney disease, according to their status of renal function impairment.

In the neurohypophysis, immunostaining of basal lamina delineated meningeal invaginations. In these invaginations, vessels were seen to penetrate the organ without submerging into its parenchyma. On the parenchymal side of the invaginations, beta-dystroglycan was detected, whereas utrophin was detected

in the walls of vessels. Immunostaining of alpha 1-dystrobrevin and alpha 1-syntrophin did not delineate the vessels. The cells of the intermediate lobe were fully immunoreactive to alpha 1-dystrobrevin and alpha 1-syntrophin, whereas components of the basal find more lamina delineated the contours of the cells. GFAP-immunoreactive processes surrounded them. Aquaporin-4 localized at the periphery of the neurohypophysis, mainly adjacent to the intermediate lobe but not along the vessels. It colocalized only partially with GFAP and not at all with alpha 1-syntrophin. Aquaporin-9 was not detected. These results emphasize the possibility that the components of the dystrophin dystroglycan complex JQ-EZ-05 mw localize differently and raise the question about the roles of dystrobrevins, alpha 1-syntrophin, and aquaporin-4 in the functions of the intermediate and neural lobes, respectively. (J Histochem Cytochem

58:463-479, 2010)”
“DNA microarrays have become one of the most powerful tools in the field of genomics and medical diagnosis. Recently, there has been increased interest in combining microfluidics with microarrays since this approach offers advantages in terms of portability, reduced analysis time, low consumption of reagents, and increased system integration. Polymers are widely used for microfluidic systems, but fabrication of microarrays on such materials often requires complicated chemical surface modifications, which hinders learn more the integration of microarrays into microfluidic systems. In this paper, we demonstrate that simple UV irradiation can be used to directly immobilize poly(T)poly(C)-tagged

DNA oligonucleotide probes on many different types of plastics without any surface modification. On average, five- and fourfold improvement in immobilization and hybridization efficiency have been achieved compared to surface-modified slides with aminated DNA probes. Moreover, the TC tag only costs 30% of the commonly used amino group modifications. Using this microarray fabrication technique, a portable cyclic olefin copolymer biochip containing eight individually addressable microfluidic channels was developed and used for rapid and parallel identification of Avian Influenza Virus by DNA hybridization. The one-step, cost-effective DNA-linking method on non-modified polymers significantly simplifies microarray fabrication procedures and permits great flexibility to plastic material selection, thus making it convenient to integrate microarrays into plastic microfluidic systems.