Detection of sulphamethazine with an optical biosensor and anti-idiotypic antibodies

We describe the development of an assay for the detection of sulphamethazine in animal urine with a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor. In order to obtain a general assay that can easily be transferred to other veterinary drug residues, a monoclonal antibody against sulphamethazine and a corresponding anti-idiotypic antibody were used. The assay had a lower detection limit of 5 μg/l which is well below the maximum residue limits (MRL) of 100 μg/l and can be used for screening purposes in animal urine. The binding reaction between the antibodies as occurring during sensor application was characterized with respect to avidity and kinetic properties.     

Design optimization of an enzymatic assay in an electrokinetically-driven microfluidic device

Microfluidic systems are increasingly popular for rapid and cheap determinations of enzyme assays and other biochemical analysis. In this study reduced order models (ROM) were developed for the optimization of enzymatic assays performed in a microchip. The model enzyme assay used was β-galactosidase (β-Gal) that catalyzes the conversion of Resorufin β-d-galactopyranoside (RBG) to a fluorescent product as previously reported by Hadd et al. (Anal Chem 69(17): 3407–3412, 1997). The assay was implemented in a microfluidic device as a continuous flow system controlled electrokinetically and with a fluorescence detection device. The results from ROM agreed well with both computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations and experimental values. While the CFD model allowed for assessment of local transport phenomena, the CPU time was significantly reduced by the ROM approach. The operational parameters of the assay were optimized using the validated ROM to significantly reduce the amount of reagents consumed and the total biochip assay time. After optimization the analysis time would be reduced from 20 to 5.25 min which would also resulted in 50% reduction in reagent consumption.     

彗星试验在农药安全评价中的应用

彗星试验(Comet assay)，又称单细胞凝胶电泳试验(SCGE)，是一种快速、简便、灵敏的检测单个细胞DNA断裂的新技术，由于其具备其它试验无可比拟的优越性，因此应用前景十分广泛。本文就该技术的原理、操作程序和方法作一介绍，并预测其在农药安全评价中将有广阔的应用前景。     

模拟抗原（Ac-NK16-Ahx-3）免疫反应抗体ELISA检测方法研究

为满足实验室单克隆抗体的制备研究,本实验特对实验室常用的制备单抗的模拟抗原（Ac-NK16-Ahx-3）进行ELISA间接法检测,进而建立一种高效的检测方法。通过对不同稀释度待测抗体的免疫吸附测定,检测出它的最终灵敏度为0.078mg/mL,最佳二抗稀释倍数为300倍,其最佳拟合曲线为y=-0.0732x＋0.6875,R2=0.8619。并且,通过统计学方法进行统计分析,确定出各实验组的相关性及变异系数,从而排除实验中的操作误差,最终可确定最佳的实验条件,并保证实验的准确性。     

碱性单细胞凝胶电泳预测肿瘤细胞内在放射敏感性研究

应用克隆形成法和碱性单细胞凝胶电泳技术检测辐射诱导的人红白血病细胞株K562、人结肠腺癌细胞株LS-T-117和鼠胶质瘤细胞株C6的初始DNA单链断裂数及单链断裂后的修复与细胞内在放射敏感性之间的关系。结果表明,3种细胞系的放射敏感性依次为K562>LS-T-117>C6;3种细胞系的DNA迁移距离都随着照射剂量的增加而增大,呈良好的剂量-效应关系。在相同剂量下,辐射诱导的DNA单链的初始断裂数目也依次为K562>LS-T-117>C6;3种细胞系经10Gy X射线照射并在PBS中培养不同时间后DNA迁移距离都有较大幅度的下降,但下降幅度依次为C6>LS-T-117>K562,在相同剂量下辐射诱导的DNA单链断裂后的修复能力也依次为C6>LS-T-117> K562。结果显示,辐射诱导的DNA单链断裂及修复与细胞内在放射敏感性有很好的相关性,可用于人体肿瘤细胞内在放射敏感性的预测。     

磷化液的简便分析方法

介绍磷化液化学分析机制和常用试剂的配置方法。找出了一种连续测试和计算磷化液成分的方法,与常规的各个参数分别测试相比,简化了操作过程,节约了大量试剂。通过优化指示剂,控制了终点误差,结果表明该方法完全可行。     

ADAM10 and ADAM17—Novel Players in Retinoblastoma Carcinogenesis

A disintegrin and metalloproteinase (ADAM) family proteins, acting as sheddases, are important factors in a number of pathologies, including cancer, and have been suggested as promising therapeutic targets. The study presented focuses on the involvement of ADAM10 and ADAM17 in retinoblastoma (RB), the most common malignant intraocular childhood tumor. A significant correlation between ADAM17 expression levels and RB laterality and RB staging was observed. Levels of ADAM10 or ADAM17 regulating miRNAs miR-145, -152, and -365 were significantly downregulated in RB cell lines, and reduced miR levels with simultaneously upregulated ADAM10 and ADAM17 expression were found in RB patients. The involvement of both ADAMs analyzed in ectodomain shedding of the neuronal cell adhesion molecule L1 (L1CAM), shown to induce pro-tumorigenic effects in RB, was confirmed. Lentiviral ADAM10 and ADAM17 single or ADAM10/17 double knockdown (KD) induced caspase-dependent apoptosis and reduced cell viability, proliferation, growth, and colony formation capacity of RB cells. Moreover, differential phosphorylation of the serine/threonine kinase AKT was observed following ADAM17 KD in RB cells. Chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assays revealed that ADAM17 and ADAM10/17 depletion decreases the tumorigenic and migration potential of RB cells in vivo. Thus, ADAMs are potential novel targets for future therapeutic RB approaches.     

Discovery of Mitophagy Inhibitors with Therapeutic Potential in Different Familial Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Mutations

Mitophagy is the selective degradation of mitochondria by autophagy. It promotes the turnover of mitochondria and prevents the accumulation of dysfunctional mitochondria, which can lead to cellular degeneration. Mitophagy is known to be altered in several pathological conditions, especially in neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We recently demonstrated an increase in autophagy flux in lymphoblasts from ALS patients bearing a mutation in SOD1. Thus, the identification of mitophagy inhibitors may be a therapeutic option to recover mitochondrial homeostasis. Here, using a phenotypic mitophagy assay, we identified a new mitophagy inhibitor, the small molecule named IGS2.7 from the MBC library. Interestingly, the treatment of different cellular and in vivo models of ALS with mutations on SOD1 and TARDBP with this inhibitor restores autophagy to control levels. These results point mitophagy inhibitors, especially IGS2.7, to a new therapeutic approach for familial ALS patients.     

Assessing T-Cell Immunity in Kidney Transplant Recipients with Absent Antibody Production after a 3rd Dose of the mRNA-1273 Vaccine

The vulnerable population of kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) are low responders to COVID-19 vaccines, so specific immune surveillance is needed. The interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) release assay (IGRA) is effective in assessing T cell-mediated immunity. We assessed SARS-CoV-2-directed T cell responses in KTRs with absent antibody production after a third dose of the mRNA-1273 vaccine, using two different IGRAs. A cohort of 57 KTRs, who were actively followed up, received a third dose of the mRNA-1273 vaccine. After the evaluation of humoral immunity to SARS-CoV-2, 14 seronegative patients were tested with two commercial IGRAs (SD Biosensor and Euroimmun). Out of 14 patients, one and three samples were positive by IGRAs with Euroimmun and SD Biosensor, respectively. The overall agreement between the two assays was 85.7% (κ = 0.444). In addition, multivariate linear regression analysis showed no statistically significant association between the IFN-γ concentration, and the independent variables analyzed (age, gender, years since transplant, total lymphocytes cells/mcl, CD3+ cells/mcl, CD3+ CD4+ cells/mcl, CD3+ CD8+ cells/mcl, CD19+ cells/mcl, CD3-CD16+CD56+ cells/mcl) (p > 0.01). In a vulnerable setting, assessing cellular immune response to complement the humoral response may be advantageous. Since the two commercial IGRAs showed a good agreement on negative samples, the three discordant samples highlight the need for further investigations.     

Genetic Diversity Analysis Reveals Potential of the Green Peach Aphid (Myzus persicae) Resistance in Ethiopian Mustard

Brassica carinata (BBCC, 2n = 34) is commonly known as Ethiopian mustard, Abyssinian mustard, or carinata. Its excellent agronomic traits, including resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses, make it a potential genetic donor for interspecific hybridization. Myzus persicae (green peach aphid, GPA) is one of the most harmful pests of Brassica crops, significantly effecting the yield and quality. However, few aphid-resistant Brassica crop germplasms have been utilized in breeding practices, while the underlying biochemical basis of aphid resistance still remains poorly understood. In this study, we examined the genetic diversity of 75 B. carinata accessions and some plant characteristics that potentially contribute to GPA resistance. Initially, the morphological characterization showed abundant diversity in the phenotypic traits, with the dendrogram indicating that the genetic variation of the 75 accessions ranged from 0.66 to 0.98. A population structure analysis revealed that these accessions could be grouped into two main subpopulations and one admixed group, with the majority of accessions (86.67%) clustering in one subpopulation. Subsequently, there were three GPA-resistant B. carinata accessions, BC13, BC47, and BC51. The electrical penetration graph (EPG) assay detected resistance factors in the leaf mesophyll tissue and xylem. The result demonstrated that the Ethiopian mustard accessions were susceptible when the phloem probing time, the first probe time, and the G-wave time were 20.51–32.51 min, 26.36–55.54 s, and 36.18–47.84 min, respectively. In contrast, resistance of the Ethiopian mustard accessions was observed with the phloem probing time, the first probe time, and G-wave time of 41.18–70.78 min, 181.07–365.85 s, and 18.03–26.37 min, respectively. In addition, the epidermal characters, leaf anatomical structure, glucosinolate composition, defense-related enzyme activities, and callose deposition were compared between the resistant and susceptible accessions. GPA-resistant accessions had denser longitudinal leaf structure, higher wax content on the leaf surface, higher indole glucosinolate level, increased polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity, and faster callose deposition than the susceptible accessions. This study validates that inherent physical and chemical barriers are evidently crucial factors in the resistance against GPA infestation. This study not only provide new insights into the biochemical basis of GPA resistance but also highlights the GPA-resistant B. carinata germplasm resources for the future accurate genetic improvement of Brassica crops.