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At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources

Preliminary clinical evaluation of a protein chip for tumor marker serodiagnosis of various cancers.

This preliminary study aimed to investigate sensitivity and specificity of a protein chip system for multi-tumor marker serodiagnosis of ten types of cancers, and to understand the possible clinical applications of this protein chip for the Thai population. The specific cancers diagnosed by this protein chip are lung, breast, liver, cervix, colo-rectal, stomach, ovary, esophagus, prostate and pancreas cancers. We analyzed 215 serum samples of which 165 were obtained from clinically confirmed cancer patients and 50 from healthy people with no evidence of cancer. The sensitivity and specificity of the protein chip were 82.4% and 94.0%, respectively. The success rate of the protein chip for detecting all 10 types of cancers varied from 57% to 100%. The value of the simultaneous measurement of multiple tumor markers using the protein chip for cancer screening lied in the higher sensitivity compared to using single tumor markers for each type of cancer. In short, protein chips may be useful in mass screening for cancer during health checkups as well as for metastasis follow-up of cancer patients.

Adult↗

[Development of the cDNA chip for SARS virus and a primary study on the possible molecular mechanism of interferon alpha2b inhibiting the SARS virus replication].

BACKGROUND: To study the molecular mechanism of interferon alpha2b(IFNalpha2b) inhibiting the SARS virus replication. SARS-associated coronavirus (SARS virus) cDNA chip was developed and applied to detect the virus RNA transcription levels in the interferon-treated and untreated cell cultures, and the mechanism of anti-SARS virus activity of interferon alpha2b in cell culture system was explored. METHODS: SARS virus cDNA chip was prepared by comparing the published SARS virus genome sequence, and the cDNA chip was used to study the interferon alpha2b function during SARS virus replication. RESULTS: SARS virus cDNA chip was successfully prepared by using PCR method. The results showed that the cDNA chip could be used to detect the viral RNA transcription level. Interferon alpha2b could inhibit almost all the SARS virus gene transcription. An unknown gene at the position 28130-28426 bp, named as U gene, may play an important role during the viral replication. CONCLUSION: A SARS virus whole genome cDNA chip was established. It could be used to study the virus molecular biology and antiviral drug screening. The results also showed that interferon alpha2b could inhibit almost the whole virus gene transcription by using the cDNA chip.

Humans↗

Preparation and analysis of cSNP chip on hepatocellular carcinoma-related genes.

BACKGROUND: The understanding of cSNPs of cancer-related genes harboring in high frequency loss regions of tumor chromosomes can advance the disclosure of genetic and variant mechanisms of tumorigenesis, and the investigation of cancer susceptibility. In preparing a gene chip for detecting polymorphisms on coding region of genes in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues, some cSNPs are of interest for their potential links with phenotype. METHODS: The genes harboring in loss regions with high frequency of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were selected, the related information of cSNP sequences was obtained from the SNP database (dbSNP) of the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Then appropriate primers and oligonucleotide probes were designed according to the SNP sites, and a gene chip for the detection of SNPs was constructed. The chip included 48 cSNPs of 25 hepatocellular carcinoma-related genes. The PCR products labeled by Dig-dUTP were hybridized with the cSNP chip. RESULTS: The sensitivity, influence by probe concentration, and reiteration of the chip were detected, with a high sensitivity of 6X10(-3) ng/mul. The signal of hybridization was reduced with a lower concentration of probe. Seven polymorphisms of caspase 9 (rs2308941)C-->T and DOK2(rs2242241) T-->G, 6 of polymorphisms of EGFL3 (rs947345)A -->G, caspase 9 ( rs2308938) C-->G and PHGDH(rs1801955)T-->A, 5 of polymorphisms of E2F2(rs3218170) G-->A,4 of polymorphisms of MUTYH(rs1140507)T-->C and BNIP3L(rs1055806)G-->T, and 1 of polymorphism of TNFRSF1B (rs1061622)T-->G were detected by the chip in the tissues of 10 HCC. Samples of caspase 9 (rs2308941G) and (rs2308941A) were verified by PCR-SSCP and sequencing. CONCLUSION: The cSNP chip of hepatocellular carcinoma-related genes can accelerate the discovery of polymorphic markers on hepatocellular carcinoma.

Adult↗

[Histopathological studies of periodontal tissue reactions following apical plugging with autogenous dentin chips].

After treating the infected canals, we investigated to determine the influence of autogenous dentin chips accidentally applied as filling in the root apexes. Materials were 15 mandibular premolars and molars obtained from healthy, mature dogs. According to standard procedures, after pulp extirpation, canals were temporarily filled with sandarac cotton pellets and left otherwise untreated for 4 weeks. At this time, the degree of infection was ascertained. After root-canal enlargement, root canals were filled with No. 55 gutta-percha points; and a sealer (Neotriozinc Paste, AH26, or Sealapex) was applied. The animals were sacrificed at the conclusion of either a short term (2 weeks) or a long term (16 weeks), and histological studies were performed. Conclusions In short-term specimens, no formation of new hard tissue was observed at the apical dentino-cemental junction; and inflammatory changes in the periapical soft tissue were remarkable. In long-term specimens, hard-tissue formation had resulted in apical closure in 6 out of 8 instances; and periapical inflammatory changes had decreased. Relations between dentin-chip density and histopathological conditions were as follows: In most of the specimens that were evaluated as good, dentin chips were very densely applied. Insufficient numbers of dentin chips produced poor results. In other words, dense applications of dentin chips result in good prognoses. Consequently, when root-canal enlargement has been adequately performed, application of dentin chips to the apex of infected canals stimulates hard-tissue formation resulting in biological apical closure. In infected canals, however, the degree to which dentin chips are infected can be a major factor.

Animals↗

Molecular structure of the water channel through aquaporin CHIP. The hourglass model.

Aquaporin channel-forming integral protein (CHIP) is the first characterized water channel protein (genome symbol AQP1), but the molecular structure of the aqueous pathway through CHIP remains undefined. The two halves of CHIP are sequence-related, and each has three bilayer-spanning domains with the motif asparagine-proline-alanine (NPA) at residues 76-78 (in cytoplasmic loop B) and 192-194 (in extracellular loop E). The NPA motifs are oriented 180 degrees to each other, and the second NPA is near cysteine 189, the known site where mercurials inhibit osmotic water permeability (Pf). When expressed in Xenopus oocytes, the double mutant A73C/C189S exhibited high, mercurial-sensitive Pf similar to wild-type CHIP. Conservative substitutions of slightly greater mass in or near NPA motifs in loop B or loop E in CHIP caused reduced Pf and failure of the protein to localize at the plasma membrane. Certain nonfunctional loop E mutants complemented the truncation mutant D237Z. Formation of mixed oligomers was demonstrated by velocity sedimentation, immunoprecipitation, and analysis of dimeric-CHIP polypeptides. Cellular distributions of individual mutants or complementing pairs of mutants were verified by plasma membrane isolation and confocal microscopy. An hourglass structural model is proposed in which a cytoplasmic chamber (loop B) connects within the membrane to an extracellular chamber (loop E) forming a single, narrow aqueous pathway through each of the CHIP subunits; subunit oligomerization may provide the vertical symmetry necessary for residence within the lipid bilayer.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Localization of aquaporin CHIP in the human eye: implications in the pathogenesis of glaucoma and other disorders of ocular fluid balance.

PURPOSE: The existence of integral membrane proteins that serve as selective water channels has been postulated to explain the movement of water across plasma membranes. Aquaporin CHIP (channel-forming integral membrane protein of 28 kd) is the first such channel to be characterized and is abundant in human erythrocytes and a variety of secretory and absorptive epithelia of the rat. Because disturbances in the movement of water characterize several ocular diseases, the distribution of CHIP in the human eye was studied. METHODS: Affinity-purified antibodies against purified CHIP protein were used for the indirect immunofluorescence localization of CHIP in human eye structures. Labeling was confirmed by immunoblot analyses of membrane preparations from eye structures. RESULTS: CHIP immunolabeling was found in the corneal endothelium, the lens epithelium, the nonpigmented epithelium of the ciliary process, the iris epithelium, and the endothelium of the trabecular meshwork and the canal of Schlemm. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of CHIP water channels in the secretory and absorptive tissues of the human eye provides a mechanism for transcellular water movement and may be important for understanding diseases of the eye that involve excess or insufficient movement of ocular fluid such as glaucoma, cataracts, and Fuch's dystrophy. In addition, the existence of CHIP in the outflow pathways of the human eye provides a novel explanation for the movement of water out of the eye.

Adolescent↗

Determination of SARS-coronavirus by a microfluidic chip system.

We have developed a new experimental system based on a microfluidic chip to determine severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV). The system includes a laser-induced fluorescence microfluidic chip analyzer, a glass microchip for both polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and capillary electrophoresis, a chip thermal cycler based on dual Peltier thermoelectric elements, a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) SARS diagnostic kit, and a DNA electrophoretic sizing kit. The system allows efficient cDNA amplification of SARS-CoV followed by electrophoretic sizing and detection on the same chip. To enhance the reliability of RT-PCR on SARS-CoV detection, duplex PCR was developed on the microchip. The assay was carried out on a home-made microfluidic chip system. The positive and the negative control were cDNA fragments of SARS-CoV and parainfluenza virus, respectively. The test results showed that 17 positive samples were obtained among 18 samples of nasopharyngeal swabs from clinically diagnosed SARS patients. However, 12 positive results from the same 18 samples were obtained by the conventional RT-PCR with agarose gel electrophoresis detection. The SARS virus species can be analyzed with high positive rate and rapidity on the microfluidic chip system.

Autopsy↗

Chip-based capillary electrophoresis with an electrodeless nanospray interface.

A sheathless and electrodeless nanospray interface has been used to interface a polycarbonate capillary electrophoresis (CE) chip to a mass spectrometer (MS). The chip was made of two flat polycarbonate plates which were bolted together. Channels were imprinted in one of the plates with metal wires, using a hydraulic press. A short tapered capillary connected to the chip was used as the nanospray emitter. The advantage of this electrodeless interface is that it was not necessary to apply a electrospray voltage to the chip or the nanospray emitter. Instead, the CE voltage already applied to the buffer compartment on the chip, to drive the electrophoresis, was used to generate the spray also. A low conductivity buffer of 1.25 mmol/L ammonium acetate in 80% methanol was used to obtain a large electric field across the buffer channel. The performance of the device was evaluated by analyzing a mixture of three beta-agonists Relative standard deviation (RSD) values obtained were between 4.8 and 5.0%. A sample concentration of 40 nmol/L resulted in a signal-to-noise ratio of 2 to 5 for the different components. Compared to a conventional CE analysis in a fused silica capillary with UV detection, only a minor loss of resolution was observed, which can be attributed to the design of the chip.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗

Quantification and evaluation of Joule heating in on-chip capillary electrophoresis.

We present the use of a novel, picoliter volume interferometer to measure, for the first time, the extent of Joule heating in chip-scale capillary electrophoresis (CE). The simple optical configuration for the on-chip interferometric backscatter detector (OCIBD) consists of an unfocused laser, an unaltered silica chip with a half-cylinder channel and a photodetector. Using OCIBD for millidegree-level noninvasive thermometry, temperature changes associated with Joule heating (2.81 degrees C above ambient) in on-chip CE have been observed in 90 microm wide and 40 microm deep separation channels. The temporal response of Joule heating in isotropically etched channels was exponential, with it taking an excess of 2.7 s to reach equilibrium. Buffer viscosity changes have also been derived from empirical on-chip thermometry data, allowing for the determination of diffusion coefficients for solutes when separated in heated buffers. In addition, OCIBD has allowed the reduction in separation efficiency to be estimated in the absence of laminar flow and due to increased molecular diffusion and lower buffer viscosity. A 7% reduction in separation efficiency was determined for a high current drawing buffer such as Tris-boric acid under an applied field of just 400 V/cm. Results indicate that heating effects in on-chip CE have been underestimated and there is a need to readdress the theoretical model.

Buffers↗

Determination of oxalate in urine by zone electrophoresis on a chip with conductivity detection.

The use of a poly(methylmethacrylate) capillary electrophoresis chip, provided with a high sample load capacity separation system (a 8500 nL separation channel coupled to a 500 nL sample injection channel) and a pair of on-chip conductivity detectors, for zone electrophoresis (ZE) determination of oxalate in urine was studied. Hydrodynamic and electroosmotic flows of the solution in the separation compartment of the chip were suppressed and electrophoresis was a dominant transport process in the separations performed on the chip. A low pH of the carrier electrolyte (4.0) provided an adequate selectivity in the separation of oxalate from anionic urine constituents and, at the same time, also a sufficient sensitivity in its conductivity detection. Under our working conditions, this anion could be detected at a 8 x 10(-8) mol/L concentration also in samples containing chloride (a major anionic constituent of urine) at 3.5 x 10(-3) mol/L concentrations. Such a favorable analyte/matrix concentration ratio (in part, attributable to a transient isotachophoresis stacking in the initial phase of the separation) made possible accurate and reproducible (typically, 2-5% relative standard deviation (RSD) values of the peak areas of the analyte in dependence on its concentration in the sample) determination of oxalate in 500 nL volumes of 20-100-fold diluted urine samples. Short analysis times (about 280 s), no sample pretreatment (not considering urine dilution) and reproducible migration times of this analyte (0.5-1.0% RSD values) were characteristic for ZE on the chip. This work indicates general potentialities of the present chip design in rapid ZE analysis of samples containing the analyte(s) at high ionic matrix/analyte concentration ratios.

Electric Conductivity↗

Correlation of cervical carcinoma and precancerous lesions with human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes detected with the HPV DNA chip microarray method.

BACKGROUND: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is considered to play an important role in the development of cervical carcinoma, and it is known that certain HPV types, such as HPV-16 and HPV-18, are highly associated with cervical carcinoma. However, the pathologic behavior of other HPV types remains unclear. Recently, a new HPV detection technique, the HPV DNA chip, was introduced. The HPV DNA chip harbors 22 HPV probes and has the advantage of being able to detect 22 HPV types simultaneously. To evaluate the quality of the HPV DNA chip method and to identify HPV types related to cervical carcinoma and precancerous lesions, the authors performed HPV typing in cervical specimens from 1983 patients and compared their cytologic and histologic diagnoses. METHODS: The HPV DNA chip was used for HPV typing. Among 1983 patients who were tested for HPV types, cervical smear cytology was performed in 1650 patients, and 677 of those patients underwent cervical biopsy. RESULTS: Among the 1650 smears that were examined cytologically, 92.7% (114 of 123 smears) of low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSILs), 98.1% (106 of 108 smears) of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSILs), and 96.3% (51 of 53 smears) of carcinomas were HPV positive, compared with only 35.1% of smears with normal cytology that were HPV positive. HPV-16 was the most prevalent type (chi-square test; P < 0.01) in LSILs (28.5%), in HSILs (51.9%), and in carcinomas (62.5%) followed by HPV-58 and a group of low-risk types (HPV-6, HPV-11, HPV-34, HPV-40, HPV-42, HPV-43,and HPV-44) in LSILs. HPV-58 (15.7%), HPV-18 (6.7%), and HPV-52 (4.6%) were the next most prevalent types after HPV-16 in HSILs. HPV-18 (11.4%) and HPV-58 (11.4%) were the second most common types in carcinomas. HPV-58 had the highest positive predictive value (54.9%) for the detection of histologically confirmed HSIL or carcinoma, whereas HPV 16 had the highest negative predictive value (80.6%). The sensitivity (96.0%) of the HPV test using the DNA chip method for detecting HSIL or carcinoma was superior compared with the sensitivity of cytologic diagnosis (83.6%). CONCLUSIONS: The HPV DNA chip provides a very sensitive method for detecting 22 HPV genotypes with reasonable sensitivity (96.0%) and reasonable negative predictive value (96.9%), and it overcomes the low sensitivity of cytologic screening for the detection of HSIL or carcinoma. HPV-58, HPV-52, and HPV-56, as well as HPV-16 and HPV-18, were associated highly with HSIL and carcinoma in the current large series. In addition, multiple HPV infection was associated less frequently with cervical carcinoma and with precancerous lesions compared with normal cytology.

Adult↗

Electrophoretic separations on chips with hydrodynamically closed separation systems.

This review focuses on capillary electrophoretic separations performed on capillary electrophoresis chips (CE chips) with hydrodynamically closed separation systems in a context with transport processes (electroosmotic flow (EOF)) and hydrodynamic flow (HDF)) that may accompany the separations in these devices. It also reflects some relevant works dealing with conventional CE operating under such hydrodynamic conditions. The use of zone electrophoresis (ZE), isotachophoresis (ITP) and their on-line combination (ITP-ZE) on the single-column and column-coupling CE chips with the closed separation systems and related problems are key topics of the review. Some attention is paid to sample pretreatment in the separations performed on the CE chips. Here, mainly potentialities of the ITP-ZE combination in trace analysis applications of the miniaturized systems are discussed in a broader extent. Links between the ZE separation and detection provide a frame for the discussion of current status of the detection on the CE chips. Analytical applications illustrate potentialities of the CE chips operating with the closed separation systems (suppressed HDF and EOF) to the determination of small ions present in various matrices by ZE, ITP and ITP-ZE.

Electrophoresis, Capillary↗

Measurement of the electrophoretic mobility of sheep erythrocytes using microcapillary chips.

Cell electrophoretic mobility (EPM) can be used to characterize individual cells. The purpose of this study is to establish reproducible and reliable cell EPM values obtained using microcapillary electrophoresis (microCE) chips. We studied cell electrophoresis on microCE chips through the comprehensive measurement of EPM and zeta potential. The inner wall of microchannels in microCE chips was coated with three kinds of reagents, namely bovine serum albumin (BSA), gelatin, and 2-methacryloyloxyethylphosphorylcholine (MPC) polymer to prevent nonspecific adhesion and interaction between cells and the inner wall. Electrophoresis was conducted in phosphate-buffered saline (pH 4-9) using erythrocytes extracted from sheep whole blood. Electroosmotic flow (EOF) mobility was measured using noncharged particles, and then the true EPM was calculated by subtracting the EOF mobility from the electromigration. MPC polymer coatings in microCE chips reduced the zeta potential of the inner wall and fully prevented nonspecific adhesion. EPM data obtained using microCE chips were almost the same and reproducible over a wide range of pH irrespective of the coating reagent used. In conclusion, reliability in the measurement of cell EPM using microCE chips was realized.

Animals↗

Microorganisms associated with mouldiness of dried yam chips and their prevention.

The broad objective of this study was to isolate and identify the microorganisms causing mouldiness of stored yam chips and to look for ways of preventing the problem. Microorganisms isolated included Aspergillus flavus, A. glaucus, A. nidulans, A. niger, A. ochraceous, A. tamarii, A. candidus, Penicillium oxalicum, Trichoderma longibrachyatum, Rhizopus nigricans, Cylindrocarpon radicicola, Neurospora crassa, Botryodiplodia theobromae, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus, Erwinia carotovora and Serratia marcescens. Some of these microorganisms are transient invaders. Of the calcium-based chemicals used to prevent mouldiness, only CaCO3 and Ca(OH)2 proved effective and also prevented infestation of the chips by storage pests throughout the period of study. Whereas the product of the untreated yam chips was preferred in terms of colour, the product of CaCO3- and Ca(OH)2-treated yam chips were preferred in terms of taste and texture. As for physiological reaction after eating the products of the treated chips, Ca(OH)2- treated chips seemed to be more preferred by the members of the tasting panel.

Calcium Chloride↗

Genotyping microarray (gene chip) for the ABCR (ABCA4) gene.

Genetic variation in the ABCR (ABCA4) gene has been associated with five distinct retinal phenotypes, including Stargardt disease/fundus flavimaculatus (STGD/FFM), cone-rod dystrophy (CRD), and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Comparative genetic analyses of ABCR variation and diagnostics have been complicated by substantial allelic heterogeneity and by differences in screening methods. To overcome these limitations, we designed a genotyping microarray (gene chip) for ABCR that includes all approximately 400 disease-associated and other variants currently described, enabling simultaneous detection of all known ABCR variants. The ABCR genotyping microarray (the ABCR400 chip) was constructed by the arrayed primer extension (APEX) technology. Each sequence change in ABCR was included on the chip by synthesis and application of sequence-specific oligonucleotides. We validated the chip by screening 136 confirmed STGD patients and 96 healthy controls, each of whom we had analyzed previously by single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) technology and/or heteroduplex analysis. The microarray was >98% effective in determining the existing genetic variation and was comparable to direct sequencing in that it yielded many sequence changes undetected by SSCP. In STGD patient cohorts, the efficiency of the array to detect disease-associated alleles was between 54% and 78%, depending on the ethnic composition and degree of clinical and molecular characterization of a cohort. In addition, chip analysis suggested a high carrier frequency (up to 1:10) of ABCR variants in the general population. The ABCR genotyping microarray is a robust, cost-effective, and comprehensive screening tool for variation in one gene in which mutations are responsible for a substantial fraction of retinal disease. The ABCR chip is a prototype for the next generation of screening and diagnostic tools in ophthalmic genetics, bridging clinical and scientific research.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗

On-line on-chip post-column derivatisation reactions for pre-ionisation of analytes and cluster analysis in gradient micro-liquid chromatography/electrospray mass spectrometry.

A system is presented that demonstrates the principle of on-line and on-chip post-column derivatisation reactions in micro-high-performance liquid chromatography (micro-HPLC) hyphenated to electrospray time-of-flight mass spectrometry (ESI-TOFMS). In this micro-HPLC-chip-MS set-up, the analytes are separated using gradient micro-HPLC and subsequently derivatised on-chip and detected. One of the major limitations of MS detection is its dependency on the degree of ionisation, which is widely variable and compound-specific. Optimising and controlling the degree of ionisation in a simple manner would allow MS detection to be truly generic. One way of achieving this is by pre-ionisation of analytes using simple derivatisation procedures that are both rapid and quantitative. Performing this in situ on the system described here overcomes issues of sample handling and efficiency losses when time-consuming "bench chemistry" is necessary prior to analysis. The power of the system is demonstrated by the separation of primary and secondary amines, which are subsequently derivatised with a positively charged phosphonium complex and detected in an enhanced manner. Typically, molecular cations (M(+)) are detected showing that the ionisation process is dominated by the phosphonium species, leading to more constant ionisation for a variety of compounds. In addition, stable isotopically labelled ((12)C/(13)C)-phosphonium reagent is used for the reactions, allowing for inherent signal/noise (S/N) improvement and automated data processing using cluster analysis. A similar reaction scheme is used for the derivatisation of ketones and aldehydes, also demonstrating dramatic increases in sensitivity, especially with increasing temperature. Minimal loss in chromatographic fidelity in terms of retention times is observed by the introduction of the micromixer chip into the system. Optimal flow rates in micro-HPLC and ESI-MS are compatible with flow rates for the chip as well as a multitude of in-line optical detectors including UV and fluorescence. In addition, the micromixer chip can be positioned pre-column if preferred. The system is robust, easily fully automated and applicable to a wide variety of reactions. The system has a major advantage in its simple robust connection to the "normal scale" outside world.

Journal Article↗

Processing and quality evaluation of sweet potato chips.

A study was conducted to develop a process for producing sweet potato chips. Sweet potato tubers sliced to 0.5 by 0.5 cm size were dehydrated at 70 degrees C for various times (0, 90, 105, 120, 135, 150, 165 min). Determination of the moisture content of the dehydrated chips and sensory evaluation of the dehydrated and fried chips were carried out to establish optimum dehydration time and moisture which corresponded to optimum quality. Blanching the slices in water and 1% sodium metabisulfite solution respectively prior to the dehydration significantly (P greater than 0.05) improved the color and general acceptability of the chips over those immersed in water. The process development resulted in about 26 to 76% decrease in the ascorbic acid content of the chips. Significant changes also occurred in the total and reducing sugars of the chip following partial dehydration.

Cooking↗

Chip electrochromatography of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons on an acrylate-based UV-initiated porous polymer monolith.

The first rigorous evaluation of a UV-initiated porous polymer monolith (PPM) as a stationary phase for chip electrochromatography (ChEC) is described. All channels in an offset T-injector-design-chip (25-microm deep by 50-microm wide channels) were filled by capillary action with an acrylate-based PPM precursor solution and polymerized in situ using 365 nm light for several minutes. Photodefinability of the monolith cast in the channels during the polymerization process was also demonstrated by masking off the injection arms during photoinitiation. The chromatographic performance of this chip was compared with that of chips completely filled with monolith. The detection window was photodefined after polymerization using the detection laser (257 nm doubled argon ion laser) to depolymerize the detection window. A successful ChEC separation of 10 out of 13 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) was performed with on-column, off-packing laser-induced fluorescence detection at 257 nm. Van Deemter plots for early-, middle-, and late-eluting compounds showed the minimum plate height to be 5 microm. The average number of theoretical plates per meter for the PAH was 200,000. Several factors contributed to irreproducible results. Oxygen was observed to dynamically quench the fluorescence of the sample over time. Improved sealing of the reservoirs solved this problem. A within-chip variability in the retention time of 2-10% RSD was observed. These results demonstrate the feasibility and reliability of the PPM as a solid reversed-phase for electroosmotic flow-driven chip-based chromatography in microscale total analysis systems.

Journal Article↗