Gold Immunochromatography Assay for the Rapid Detection of Spiramycin in Milk and Beef Samples Based on a Monoclonal Antibody

Spiramycin (SP) residues in food do harm to human health. It is necessary to establish rapid detection method for SP. In this work, a monoclonal antibody (mAb)‐based gold immunochromatography assay (GICA) is developed for the rapid detection of SP. Under optimum conditions, the half‐maximal inhibitory concentration of SP‐mAb is 0.43 ng mL^–1. The subtype of SP‐mAb is IgG2b. This antibody has no cross‐reactivity with other analogues and has high affinity (4.52 × 10¹⁰ L mol^–1). Qualitative results can be visualized with the naked eye, with a visual detection limit of 1.0 ng mL^–1 and cut‐off value of 10 ng mL^–1. A hand‐held strip scanner is used for the quantitative analysis, with LOD 0.43 ng mL^–1 in assay buffer. The recoveries of SP ranged from 72.3% to 112% in milk and 98.5% to 115% in beef, with variable coefficient ranging from 9.4% to 11.7% in milk and 8.14% to 15.4% in beef. Besides, the proposed GICA method for SP is confirmed by LC–MS/MS in SP‐spiked milk and beef samples. Overall, the developed GICA can be a useful tool for SP residues on‐site screening in milk and beef samples.     

Plasmonic Biosensor Controlled by DNAzyme for On‐Site Genetic Detection of Pathogens

On‐site predetection of pathogens could significantly decrease of a disease outbreak or national loss in most of the countries. However, conventional detection techniques are limited in use for on‐site detection due to the necessity of specialized skill or equipment. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a new technique that can predetect pathogens in the field without special skills or equipment. Here, a DNAzyme strategy to control a plasmonic biosensor for rapid and simple visual detection of Salmonella choleraesuis is adopted. Multicomponent DNAzyme formed by target addition can cleave the linker effectively at 50 °C. Linker cleavage induces dispersion of two DNA‐immobilized gold nanoparticles and color change. Under optimized assay conditions, the target could be detected via visual discrimination sensitively and specifically. Moreover, the biosensor shows the possibility of practical use with contaminants and a 16S rRNA real target. As a result, the proposed plasmonic biosensor can visually detect S. choleraesuis without unstable enzymes, a specialized technique, or equipment. Therefore, these advantages could allow that this biosensor would be used for on‐site predetection to lower the risk of transmission of infectious diseases.     

PLA2R-IgG间接荧光定量免疫层析分析的构建与应用

目的 血清抗磷脂酶A2受体抗体IgG (PLA2R-IgG)水平是诊断和治疗特发性膜性肾病（IMN）的重要依据,而目前国内外常规检测手段主要是酶免法。为提升检测的便捷性,同时满足灵敏、宽量程分析需求,本研究构建了一种新的PLA2R-IgG检测技术。方法 采用包裹铕元素的微球示踪,对反应步骤进行选择,对微球制备液的p H、微球-抗体反应比例和反应时间优化,本文基于间接法构建了PLA2R-IgG的荧光定量免疫层析检测方法,并进行了初步临床评价。结果 本方法的灵敏度达0.7 RU/ml,标准曲线方程为y=0.771x-1.437,相关系数0.995,线性测量范围为0.7～1 500 RU/ml,回收率为86.27%～98.98%,平均批内变异系数为8.13%,交叉反应率均小于0.1%,试剂37℃储存10 d稳定。本方法与市售酶免试剂盒相关性为0.953,阴阳性判断一致,对IMN的检出率为76.9%。结论 采用两步法反应的PLA2R-IgG间接荧光定量免疫层析分析,快速、灵敏、准确,具有临床实用性。     

心肌肌钙蛋白I和糖原磷酸化酶同工酶BB金标记免疫层析联合检测法的建立

目的：建立人心肌肌钙蛋白I（cTnI）及糖原磷酸化酶同工酶BB（GPBB）的胶体金免疫层析联合检测法。方法：以纯化的人心肌cTnI和GPBB为免疫原免疫小鼠,制备抗cTnI和抗GPBB单克隆抗体,并用胶体金标记cTnI和GPBB抗体,采用免疫层析技术建立快速准确检测cTnI和GPBB的胶体金免疫层析法。结果：建立的检测方法灵敏度高,可检出血液样品中1ng／mL的cTnI和7ng／mL的GPBB;特异性强,与心肌肌钙蛋白T、心肌肌钙蛋白C、肌酸激酶同工酶均无交叉反应。结论：该方法特异性强,灵敏度高,快速、简便,弥补了传统心肌梗死诊断方法的不足,对急性心肌梗死的早期筛查有重要意义,具有较高的临床应用价值和广泛的应用前景。     

Chemiluminescence of off‐line and on‐line gold nanoparticle‐catalyzed luminol system in the presence of flavonoid

It was found that flavonoids could remarkably inhibit the chemiluminescence (CL) intensity of an off‐line gold nanoparticle (AuNP)‐catalyzed luminol–H₂O₂ CL system. By contrast, flavonoids enhanced the CL intensity of an on‐line AuNP‐catalyzed luminol–H₂O₂ CL system. In the off‐line system, the AuNPs were prepared beforehand, whereas in the on‐line system, AuNPs were produced by on‐line mixing of luminol prepared in a buffer solution of NaHCO₃ ? Na₂CO₃ and HAuCl₄ with no need for the preliminary preparation of AuNPs. The on‐line system had prominent advantages over the off‐line system, namely a lowering of the background noise and improvements in the stability of the CL system. The results show that differences in the signal suppression effect of flavonoids on the off‐line AuNP‐catalyzed CL system are influenced by the combined action of a free radical scavenging effect and occupy‐sites function; the latter was proved to be predominant using controlled experiments. Enhancement of the on‐line system was ascribed to the presence of flavonoids promoting the on‐line formation of AuNPs, which better catalyzed the luminol–H₂O₂ CL reaction, and the enhancement activity of the six flavonoids increased with the increase in reducibility. This work broadens the scope of practical applications of an AuNP‐catalyzed CL system.     

Engineering Cell‐Free Protein Synthesis for High‐Yield Production and Human Serum Activity Assessment of Asparaginase: Toward On‐Demand Treatment of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) is a common childhood cancer in the United States, with over 6000 new cases diagnosed each year. Administration of bacterial asparaginase (ASNase) has improved survival rates to nearly 80%, however these therapeutics have high incidence of immunological neutralization and serum activity must be monitored for most effective treatment regimens. Here, a 72% improvement in cell‐free protein synthesis (CFPS) of FDA approved l ‐asparaginase (crisantaspase) is demonstrated by employing an aspartate‐fed‐batch reactor format. A CFPS‐based ASNase activity assay as a tool for therapeutic regimentation and production quality control is also presented. This work suggests that shelf‐stable and low‐cost Escherichia coli‐based CFPS reactions may be employed on‐demand to 1) synthesize biologics on‐site for patient administration, 2) verify biologic activity for dosage calculations, and 3) monitor therapeutic activity in human serum during the treatment regimen. The combination of both therapeutic production and activity assessment introduces a concept of synergistic utility for bacterial cell lysates in modern medical treatment. Indeed, recent work with CFPS biosensors supports a not‐too‐distant future when shelf‐stable E. coli CFPS systems are used to diagnose, treat, and monitor treatment of diseases in the clinical setting.     

Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus nest‐site selection in relation to habitat and the distribution of Goshawks Accipiter gentilis

The selection of a suitable nest‐site is critical for successful reproduction. Species' preferences for nest‐sites have presumably evolved in relation to local habitat resources and/or interactions with other species. The importance of these two components in the nest‐site selection of the Eurasian Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus was assessed in two study areas in eastern Austria. There was almost no difference in macro‐ and micro‐habitat features between nest‐sites and random plots, suggesting that Honey Buzzards did not base their choice of nest‐site on habitat characteristics. However, nests were placed significantly further from nests of Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis than would be expected if nest‐sites had been chosen at random. Furthermore, in one study area Honey Buzzards appeared to favour areas close to human settlements, perhaps indicating a mechanism to avoid Goshawks, which tend to avoid the proximity of humans. No habitat variable was significantly associated with the loss of Honey Buzzard young, but predation was higher in territories closer to breeding pairs of Goshawks at both study sites. Although Honey Buzzards are restricted to nesting in forests, their choice of nest‐site therefore appears to be largely dictated by the distribution of predators. Studies of habitat association may yield misleading results if the effects of predation risk on distribution are not considered.     

Engineering Local Coordination Environments of Atomically Dispersed and Heteroatom‐Coordinated Single Metal Site Electrocatalysts for Clean Energy‐Conversion

Carbon‐based heteroatom‐coordinated single‐atom catalysts (SACs) are promising candidates for energy‐related electrocatalysts because of their low‐cost, tunable catalytic activity/selectivity, and relatively homogeneous morphologies. Unique interactions between single metal sites and their surrounding coordination environments play a significant role in modulating the electronic structure of the metal centers, leading to unusual scaling relationships, new reaction mechanisms, and improved catalytic performance. This review summarizes recent advancements in engineering of the local coordination environment of SACs for improved electrocatalytic performance for several crucial energy‐convention electrochemical reactions: oxygen reduction reaction, hydrogen evolution reaction, oxygen evolution reaction, CO₂ reduction reaction, and nitrogen reduction reaction. Various engineering strategies including heteroatom‐doping, changing the location of SACs on their support, introducing external ligands, and constructing dual metal sites are comprehensively discussed. The controllable synthetic methods and the activity enhancement mechanism of state‐of‐the‐art SACs are also highlighted. Recent achievements in the electronic modification of SACs will provide an understanding of the structure–activity relationship for the rational design of advanced electrocatalysts.     

Species‐Specific PCR‐Based Assay for Identification and Detection of Phomopsis (Diaporthe) azadirachtae Causing Die‐Back Disease in Azadirachta indica

Die‐back disease caused by Phomopsis (Diaporthe) azadirachtae is the devastating disease of Azadirachta indica. Accurate identification of P. azadirachtae is always problematic due to morphological plasticity and delayed appearance of conidia. A species‐specific PCR‐based assay was developed for rapid and reliable identification of P. azadirachtae by designing a species‐specific primer‐targeting ITS region of P. azadirachtae isolates. The assay was validated with DNA isolated from different Phomopsis species and other fungal isolates. The PCR assay amplified 313‐bp product from all the isolates of P. azadirachtae and not from any other Phomopsis species or any genera indicating its specificity. The assay successfully detected the pathogen DNA in naturally and artificially infected neem seeds and twigs indicating its applicability in seed quarantine and seed health testing. The sensitivity of the assay was 100 fg when genomic DNA of all isolates was analysed. The PCR‐based assay was 92% effective in comparison with seed plating technique in detecting the pathogen. This is the first report on the development of species‐specific PCR assay for identification and detection of P. azadirachtae. Thus, PCR‐based assay developed is very specific, rapid, confirmatory and sensitive tool for detection of pathogen P. azadirachtae at early stages.     

Rapid Detection of Colletotrichum lagenarium,Causal Agent of Anthracnose of Cucurbitaceous Crops,by PCR and Real‐time PCR

Rapid and accurate polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and real‐time PCR methods were developed for the detection of Colletotrichum lagenarium, the causal agent of anthracnose, in tissues of squash (Cucurbita moschata), watermelon (Citrullus lanatus), cucumber (Cucumis sativus) and muskmelon (Cucumis melo). PCR assays amplified different internal transcribed spacer sequences from C. lagenarium, so effectively detected this pathogen in infected tissues. PCR analysis with the primer co‐m‐337F1/R1 was able to differentiate C. lagenarium from other fungal pathogens, including Colletotrichum spp., Fusarium spp., Alternaria spp. and Didymella spp. An optimized real‐time PCR assay was developed to detect and monitor C. lagenarium in both infected plant tissues and soil samples. The sensitivity of real‐time PCR can detect down to 1 pg of DNA. Thus, PCR‐based analysis is a useful technique for rapid detection and diagnosis of C. lagenarium in infected plants or infested soils.     

Specific and Rapid Detection of Lily symptomless virus and Arabis mosaic virus in Lily by Dual IC‐RT‐PCR

Lily symptomless virus (LSV) and Arabis mosaic virus (ArMV) cause severe losses of quantity and quality of lily flower and bulb production. Specificity, sensitivity and speed of detection methods for viruses need to be improved greatly to prevent LSV and ArMV from spreading from infected lilies. A dual IC‐RT‐PCR procedure for detection was developed in which the antibodies of LSV and ArMV were mixed and the mixture used to coat the PCR tubes. The particles of the two viruses were captured by the respective antibodies. Interference by other RNA viruses in infected lily was eliminated in the RT‐PCR. Also, an RNA extraction step was omitted. The dual IC‐RT‐PCR products of LSV and ArMV were 521 bp and 691 bp, respectively. The specificity of the method was validated; only LSV and ArMV of four viruses were detected by dual IC‐RT‐PCR. The sensitivity of the detection method is 1 mg leaf tissue and higher than DAS‐ELISA due to enrichment by dual immunocapture.