In the present article we report a new hybrid microfluidic device (hyFlow) comprising a disposable paper electrode and a three-dimensional (3D) printed plastic chip for the electrochemical detection of a magnetic bead-silver nanoparticle (MB-AgNP) bioconjugate. This hybrid device evolved due to the difficulty of incorporating micron-scale MBs into paper-only fluidic devices. Specifically, paper fluidic devices can entrap MB-containing conjugates within their cellulose or nitrocellulose fiber matrix. The hyFlow system was designed to minimize such issues and transport MB conjugates more efficiently to the electrochemical detection zone of the device. The hyFlow system retains the benefit of fluid transport by pressure-driven flow, however, no pump is required for its operation. The hyFlow device is capable of detecting either pre-formed MB-AgNP conjugates or conjugates formed in situ. The detection limit of AgNPs using this device is 12 pM, which represents just 22 AgNPs per MB.

The first Lewy Body Dementia Association (LBDA) Research Centers of Excellence (RCOE) Investigator's meeting was held on December 14, 2017, in New Orleans. The program was established to increase patient access to clinical experts on Lewy body dementia (LBD), which includes dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD), and to create a clinical trials-ready network. Four working groups (WG) were created to pursue the LBDA RCOE aims: (1) increase access to high-quality clinical care, (2) increase access to support for people living with LBD and their caregivers, (3) increase knowledge of LBD among medical and allied (or other) professionals, and (4) create infrastructure for a clinical trials-ready network as well as resources to advance the study of new therapeutics.