This paper describes the development of an on-chip nucleic acid (NA) extraction assay from whole blood using a centrifugal microfluidic platform that allows for pneumatic actuation of liquids during rotation. The combination of pneumatic and centrifugal forces makes it possible to perform fluidic operations without the need for integrating active control elements on the microfluidic cartridge. The cartridge is fabricated from thermoplastic polymers (e.g., Zeonor 1060R) and features a simple design that is compatible with injection molding. In addition, the cartridge is interfaced with two external vials for off-chip storage of the blood sample and retrieval of the eluted NA solution, respectively. On-chip capture of NAs is performed using an embedded solid-phase extraction matrix composed of commercial glass microfiber filters (Whatman GF/D and GF/F). The yield of the automated, on-chip extraction protocol, determined by measuring absorbance at 260 nm, is comparable to some of the best manually operated kits (e.g., Qiagen QIAamp DNA Mini Kit) while providing low assay-to-assay variability due to the high level of control provided by the platform for each processing step. The A260/A280 and A260/A230 ratios of the absorbance spectra also reveal that protein contamination of the sample is negligible. The capability of the pneumatic platform to circulate air flux through the microfluidic conduit was used to dry leftover ethanol residues retained in the capture matrix during washing. This method, applied in combination with localized heating, proved effective for reducing ethanol contamination in eluted samples from ∼12% to 1% (v/v).

Objective: To compare the acute and chronic effects of low-volume high-intensity interval training (HIIT) to moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) on glycemic control, body composition and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in older women with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Methods: Thirty older women (68 ± 5 years) with T2D were randomized in two groups—HIIT (75 min/week) or MICT (150 min/week). Glucose homeostasis (A1c, glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR2) and body composition (iDXA) were measured before and after the 12-week exercise intervention. During the first and last week of training (24-h before and 48-h after exercise), the following CGM-derived data were measured: 24-h and peak glucose levels, glucose variability and time spent in hypoglycemia as well as severe and mild hyperglycemia. Results: While lean body mass increased (p = 0.035), total and trunk fat mass decreased (p ≤ 0.007), without any difference between groups (p ≥ 0.81). Fasting glucose levels (p = 0.001) and A1c (p = 0.014) significantly improved in MICT only, with a significant difference between groups for fasting glucose (p = 0.02). Neither HIIT nor MICT impacted CGM-derived data at week 1 (p ≥ 0.25). However, 24-h and peak glucose levels, as well as time spent in mild hyperglycemia, decreased in HIIT at week 12 (p ≤ 0.03). Conclusion: These results suggest that 12 weeks of low-volume HIIT is enough to provide similar benefit to MICT for body composition and improve the acute effect of exercise when measured with CGM.