Preparation of immunomagnetic beads coupled with a rhodamine hydrazine immunosensor for the detection of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis in bovine feces,milk, and colostrum

The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate a method for detecting Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis (MAP) bacteria in bovine fecal, milk, and colostrum samples using immunomagnetic beads (IMB) and a rhodamine hydrazone immunosensor. Immunomagnetic beads were prepared by using purified antibodies from hyperimmunized sera that were coupled to Fe nanoparticles with diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) or ethyl (dimethyl aminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC)-N-hydroxy succinimide (NHS) as linkers. Rhodamine hydrazone particles were synthesized and coupled to IgY anti-MAP antibodies using DTPA or EDC-NHS linkers. Separation efficiency of the IMB was tested on bovine fecal, milk, and colostrum samples experimentally contaminated with MAP. The studied methods were evaluated on their ability to detect MAP and separate bacteria in complex mediums. The ELISA results indicated 95% efficacy in antibody coupling to IMB, with the DTPA-IMB method being more efficient than the EDC-NHS-IMB method. By using the DTPA-IMB method, MAP bacteria were successfully recovered from fecal, milk, and colostrum samples. The DTPA-IMB method used in combination with the rhodamine hydrazone immunosensor had a limit of detection equal to 30 and 30,000 MAP cells/mL using chromogenic and fluorescent properties, respectively. Combining the DTPA-IMB separation method with the rhodamine hydrazone immunosensor provides a fast, sensitive, and cost-beneficial method for detecting MAP in bovine feces, milk, and colostrum.     

Point-tracked quantitative analysis of left ventricular surface motion from 3-D image sequences

We propose and validate the hypothesis that we can use differential shape properties of the myocardial surfaces to recover dense field motion from standard three-dimensional (3-D) image sequences (MRI and CT). Quantitative measures of left ventricular regional function can be further inferred from the point correspondence maps. The noninvasive, algorithm-derived results are validated on two levels. First, the motion trajectories are compared to those of implanted imaging-opaque markers of a canine model in two imaging modalities, where subpixel accuracy is achieved. Second, the validity of using motion parameters (path length and thickness changes) for detecting myocardial injury area is tested by comparing algorithms derived results to postmortem analysis TTC staining of myocardial tissue, where the achieved Pearson product-moment correlation value is 0.968.     

Factors associated with colostral specific gravity in dairy cows

The objectives of this study were to identify factors associated with colostral specific gravity in dairy cows, as measured by a commercially available hydrometer (Colostrometer). Colostral specific gravity was measured in 1085 first-milking colostrum samples from 608 dairy cows of four breeds on a single farm during a 5-yr period. Effects of breed, lactation number, and month and year of calving on colostral specific gravity were determined, as were correlations between colostral specific gravity, nonlactating period length, and 305-d yields of milk, protein, and fat. For 75 multiparous Holstein cows, relationships between colostral specific gravity, colostral IgG1, protein, and fat concentrations, and season of calving were determined. Colostral specific gravity values were lower for Brown Swiss and Ayrshire cows than for Jersey and Holstein cows, and lower for cows entering first or second lactation than third or later lactations. Month of calving markedly affected colostral specific gravity values, with highest values occurring in autumn and lowest values in summer. In multiparous Holstein cows, colostral specific gravity was more strongly correlated with colostral protein concentration (r = 0.76) than IgG1 concentration (r = 0.53), and colostral protein concentration varied seasonally (higher in autumn than summer). Our results demonstrate that colostral specific gravity more closely reflects colostral protein concentration than IgG1 concentration and is markedly influenced by month of calving. These results highlight potential limitations of using colostral specific gravity as an indicator of IgG1 concentration.     

Supramolecular and nanochemistry

The following contributions describe various research activities of the Department of Chemistry, University of Basel in the area of nanochemistry and supramolecular chemistry.     

Bioorganic and bioinorganic chemistry

The interdisciplinary projects in bioinorganic and bioorganic chemistry of the Department of Chemistry, University of Basel led to the preparation of new systems that mimic biologically important processes and to the discovery of compounds from natural sources which are very promising with respect to medical applications. The advances in these areas are reported here.     

A strategy for controlling charge and conformation in 2,2′-bipyridine complexes for use in photonic applications

The complex [ⁿBu₄N][Cu(H1)₂]·H₂O (H₂1 = 3,3′-dihydroxy-6,6′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine) is readily formed from the reaction of H₂1 with [Cu(MeCN)₄][PF₆] in the presence of [ⁿBu₄N]Br; in the solid state the anion comprises a discrete dinuclear {[Cu(H1)₂](H₂O)₂[Cu(H1)₂]}^2– unit in which two oxygen atoms of each [H1]^– ligand and two water oxygens form a chair shaped hydrogen-bonded six-membered ring.     

Laser ablation of anisotropic conductive adhesive

A laser ablation process has been developed and optimized for the rework of anisotropic conducting adhesive bonds. Ablative photodecomposition of the adhesive matrix and simultaneous removal of the conductive particles is a dry, controllable, and readily implemented alternative for removal of these materials and preparation of the substrate for reprocessing. The ultraviolet absorption spectrum was evaluated, and ablation results evaluated at both λ=193 nm and λ=248 nm. The λ=193 nm wavelength was determined to be optimal for complete adhesive removal and minimal thermal damage to the substrate. A systematic evaluation of the fluence level, angle of incidence, and cumulative exposure established the parameter range between complete adhesive removal and substrate damage. The surface topology of reworked samples showed little change from the original, but a resistance increase was observed for the rebonded circuits. This process appears superior to competing methods because it is both dry and restores the bonding surface to nearly original condition     

Periparturient effects of feeding a low dietary cation-anion difference diet on acid-base, calcium, and phosphorus homeostasis and on intravenous glucose tolerance test in high-producing dairy cows

Feeding rations with low dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD) to dairy cows during late gestation is a common strategy to prevent periparturient hypocalcemia. Although the efficacy of low-DCAD rations in reducing the incidence of clinical hypocalcemia is well documented, potentially deleterious effects have not been explored in detail. The objective of the study presented here was to determine the effect of fully compensated metabolic acidosis on calcium and phosphorus homeostasis, insulin responsiveness, and insulin sensitivity as well as on protein metabolism. Twenty multiparous Holstein-Friesian dairy cows were assigned to 1 of 2 treatment groups and fed a low-DCAD ration (DCAD = −9 mEq/100 g, group L) or a control ration (DCAD = +11 mEq/100 g, group C) for the last 3 wk before the expected calving date. Blood and urine samples were obtained periodically between 14 d before to 14 d after calving. Intravenous glucose tolerance tests and 24-h volumetric urine collection were conducted before calving as well as 7 and 14 d postpartum. Cows fed the low-DCAD ration had lower urine pH and higher net acid excretion, but unchanged blood pH and bicarbonate concentration before calving. Protein-corrected plasma Ca concentration 1 d postpartum was higher in cows on the low-DCAD diet when compared with control animals. Urinary Ca and P excretion was positively associated with urine net acid excretion and negatively associated with urine pH. Whereas metabolic acidosis resulted in a 6-fold increase in urinary Ca excretion, the effect on renal P excretion was negligible. A more pronounced decline of plasma protein and globulin concentration in the periparturient period was observed in cows on the low-DCAD diets resulting in significantly lower total protein and globulin concentrations after calving in cows on low-DCAD diets. Intravenous glucose tolerance tests conducted before and after calving did not reveal group differences in insulin response or insulin sensitivity. Our results indicate that fully compensated metabolic acidosis increased the Ca flux resulting in increased urinary calcium excretion before calving and increased plasma Ca concentration on the day after calving, whereas the effect on P homeostasis was unlikely to be clinically relevant. The clinical relevance of the effect of metabolic acidosis on the plasma protein and globulin concentration is unclear but warrants further investigation.     

Durability of porous silica antireflection coatings for solar collector cover plates

The preparation of porous silica antireflection films on glass and plastic substrates is described briefly, and it is shown to be possible to obtain solar reflectance values of 2 per cent per sheet by the use of such films. There is some increase in this reflectance value during exposure tests, but in the outdoor trials described here the average year-long increase is less than 0.6 per cent. This increase is attributed to adsorption of airborne contaminants partially filling the pores of the film, leading to an increase in the refractive index and hence in the reflectance value.