Enhanced Specificity of TPMT*2 Genotyping Using Unidirectional Wild-Type and Mutant Allele-Specific Scorpion Primers in a Single Tube

Genotyping of thiopurine S-methyltransferase (TPMT) is recommended for predicting the adverse drug response of thiopurines. In the current study, a novel version of allele-specific PCR (AS-PCR), termed competitive real-time fluorescent AS-PCR (CRAS-PCR) was developed to analyze the TPMT*2 genotype in ethnic Chinese. This technique simultaneously uses wild-type and mutant allele-specific scorpion primers in a single reaction. To determine the optimal conditions for both traditional AS-PCR and CRAS-PCR, we used the Taguchi method, an engineering optimization process that balances the concentrations of all components using an orthogonal array rather than a factorial array. Instead of running up to 264 experiments with the conventional factorial method, the Taguchi method achieved the same optimization using only 16 experiments. The optimized CRAS-PCR system completely avoided non-specific amplification occurring in traditional AS-PCR and could be performed at much more relaxed reaction conditions at 1% sensitivity, similar to traditional AS-PCR. TPMT*2 genotyping of 240 clinical samples was consistent with published data. In conclusion, CRAS-PCR is a novel and robust genotyping method, and the Taguchi method is an effective tool for the optimization of molecular analysis techniques.     

Application of Taguchi method in optimization of cervical ring cage

The Taguchi method is a statistical approach to overcome the limitation of the factorial and fractional factorial experiments by simplifying and standardizing the fractional factorial design. The objective of the current study is to illustrate the procedures and strengths of the Taguchi method in biomechanical analysis by using a case study of a cervical ring cage optimization. A three-dimensional finite element (FE) model of C(5)-C(6) with a generic cervical ring cage inserted was modelled. Taguchi method was applied in the optimization of the cervical ring cage in material property and dimensions for producing the lowest stress on the endplate to reduce the risk of cage subsidence, as in the following steps: (1) establishment of objective function; (2) determination of controllable factors and their levels; (3) identification of uncontrollable factors and test conditions; (4) design of Taguchi crossed array layout; (5) execution of experiments according to trial conditions; (6) analysis of results; (7) determination of optimal run; (8) confirmation of optimum run. The results showed that a cage with larger width, depth and wall thickness can produce the lower von Mises stress under various conditions. The contribution of implant materials is found trivial. The current case study illustrates that the strengths of the Taguchi method lie in (1) consistency in experimental design and analysis; (2) reduction of time and cost of experiments; (3) robustness of performance with removing the noise factors. The Taguchi method will have a great potential application in biomechanical field when factors of the issues are at discrete level.     

Study of cryopreservation of articular chondrocytes using the Taguchi method

This study evaluates the effect of control factors on cryopreservation of articular cartilage chondrocytes using the Taguchi method. Freeze-thaw experiments based on the L₈(2⁷) two-level orthogonal array of the Taguchi method are conducted, and ANOVA (analysis of variables) is adopted to determine the statistically significant control factors that affect the viability of the cell. Results show that the type of cryoprotectant, freezing rate, thawing rate, and concentration of cryoprotectant (listed in the order of influence) are the statistically significant control factors that affect the post-thaw viability. The end temperature and durations of the first and second stages of freezing do not affect the post-thaw viability. Within the ranges of the control factors studied in this work, the optimal test condition is found to be a freezing rate of 0.61 ± 0.03 °C/min, a thawing rate of 126.84 ± 5.57 °C/min, Me₂SO cryoprotectant, and a cryoprotectant concentration of 10% (v/v) for maximum cell viability. In addition, this study also explores the effect of cryopreservation on the expression of type II collagen using immunocytochemical staining and digital image processing. The results show that the ability of cryopreserved chondrocytes to express type II collagen is reduced within the first five days of monolayer culture.     

植物种质资源超低温保存概述

简要回顾了植物种质资源超低温保存的历史,说明了超低温保存植物材料的多样性,阐述了超低温耐性的生物学基础及超低温伤害产生的原因和类型,介绍了各种常用超低温保存方法的技术要点,并对生产顽拗性种子的植物种质资源的超低温保存作了专门的论述,分析了生产顽拗性种子的植物种质资源超低温保存的潜力、现状和困难,指出顽拗性种子的超低温保存是植物种质资源超低温保存的重点和难点,而真正实现用超低温保存技术贮藏顽拗性植物种质资源还有很长的路要走。     

Transformations of count data for tests of interaction in factorial and split-plot experiments

In applied entomological experiments, when the response is a count-type variable, certain transformation remedies such as the square root, logarithm (log), or rank transformation are often used to normalize data before analysis of variance. In this study, we examine the usefulness of these transformations by reanalyzing field-collected data from a split-plot experiment and by performing a more comprehensive simulation study of factorial and split-plot experiments. For field-collected data, significant interactions were dependent upon the type of transformation. For the simulation study, Poisson distributed errors were used for a 2 by 2 factorial arrangement, in both randomized complete block and split-plot settings. Various sizes of main effects were induced, and type I error rates and powers of the tests for interaction were examined for the raw response values, log-, square root-, and rank-transformed responses. The aligned rank transformation also was investigated because it has been shown to perform well in testing interactions in factorial arrangements. We found that for testing interactions, the untransformed response and the aligned rank response performed best (preserved nominal type I error rates), whereas the other transformations had inflated error rates when main effects were present. No evaluations of the tests for main effects or simple effects have been conducted. Potentially these transformations will still be necessary when performing these tests.     

Use of a Fractional Factorial Design to Evaluate Interactions of Environmental Factors Affecting Biodegradation Rates

For investigation of main and interactive effects of six experimentally controlled environmental factors on phenol biodegradation in a shake-flask system, a largely neglected statistical procedure was applied. A major benefit resulting from the application of the orthogonal, fractional factorial design is that the number of experiments necessary to evaluate multifactor interactions is limited. In our investigation, the required number of experiments was reduced to 81 from the 324 necessary with conventional factorial designs; information was sacrificed for only 3 of 15 possible two-factor interactions. Six experimentally controlled factors were investigated at two or three treatment levels each; the six factors were (1) amount of phenol substrate, (2) amount of bacterial inoculum, (3) filtration of inoculum, (4) type of basal salts medium, (5) initial pH of basal salts medium, and (6) flask closure. Significant main effects were found for factors 1, 2, and 4; whereas significant interactive effects were found only for factor 2 with factor 3 and for factor 2 with factor 5. Our results suggest that the application of these statistical designs will greatly reduce the number of experiments necessary to evaluate multifactor effects on degradation rates during optimization of both hazard screening systems and waste treatment systems.     

藻类种质超低温保存研究概况

藻类种质的超低温保存技术已受到广泛的重视。目前已对数千种、株的淡水和海水藻类进行过超低温保存。其中,绝大多数藻类是采用两步冰冻法保存。影响藻类存活的主要因素是两步法冰冻保存程序和藻类自身的抗冻性。鉴定存活率是超低温保存技术中的重要环节。由于两步法保存技术的局限性,玻璃化和包埋脱水法等新技术在某些藻类的种质保存中可能有较大的应用潜力。     

Evaluation of Analytical Techniques to Predict Viability after Cryopreservation

Preservation of plant germplasm is important to safeguard biodiversity and to store elite plants. Cryopreservation is one of the possible preservation techniques. Research for a cryopreservation protocol is often inefficient because of slow or poor regrowth of plant material. Therefore, at least one technique, that allows a quick and accurate prognosis of viability after cryopreservation, is required. We evaluated five techniques: electrolyte leakage, triphe-nyltetrazoliumchloride (TTC) staining (visual and spectrophotometrical analysis), malondialdehyde concentrations in plant tissue and a mathematical model that relates ‘water content’ to the weight of encapsulated plant material. Electrolyte leakage and TTC-staining (if visually analysed) are efficient to predict viability. Our mathematical model allows us to save time and plant material in order to develop an efficient encapsulation—dehydration protocol. All other techniques were rejected because of the high variability of the results. This is due to the variability of biochemical activity in plant tissue and the small amount of tissue used in the experiments.     

藻类种质超低温保存研究概况

藻类种质的超低温保存技术已受到广泛的重视。目前已对数千种、株的淡水和海水藻类进行过超低温保存。其中 ,绝大多数藻类是采用两步冰冻法保存。影响藻类存活率的主要因素是两步法冰冻保存程序和藻类自身的抗冻性。鉴定存活率是超低温保存技术中的重要环节。由于两步法保存技术的局限性 ,玻璃化和包埋脱水法等新技术在某些藻类的种质保存中可能有较大的应用潜力。     

Optimizing the spectrofluorimetric determination of cefdinir through a Taguchi experimental design approach

The aim of this work is to optimize a spectrofluorimetric method for the determination of cefdinir (CFN) using the Taguchi method. The proposed method is based on the oxidative coupling reaction of CFN and cerium(IV) sulfate. The quenching effect of CFN on the fluorescence of the produced cerous ions is measured at an emission wavelength (λ_em) of 358 nm after excitation (λ_ex) at 301 nm. The Taguchi orthogonal array L₉ (3⁴) was designed to determine the optimum reaction conditions. The results were analyzed using the signal‐to‐noise (S/N) ratio and analysis of variance (ANOVA). The optimal experimental conditions obtained from this study were 1 mL of 0.2% MBTH, 0.4 mL of 0.25% Ce(IV), a reaction time of 10 min and methanol as the diluting solvent. The calibration plot displayed a good linear relationship over a range of 0.5–10.0 µg/mL. The proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of CFN in bulk powder and pharmaceutical dosage forms. The results are in good agreement with those obtained using the comparison method. Finally, the Taguchi method provided a systematic and efficient methodology for this optimization, with considerably less effort than would be required for other optimizations techniques. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Statistical optimization of fermentation conditions and comparison of their influences on production of cellulases by a psychrophilic marine bacterium, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Psychrobacter aquimaris</Emphasis> LBH-10 using orthogonal array method

The optimal conditions for the production of cellulases by a marine bacterium, Psychrobacter aquimaris LBH-10, were established and their effects were compared using orthogonal array experiments based on the Taguchi method. The optimal conditions of rice bran, peptone and initial pH for the production of avicelase and CMCase by P. aquimaris LBH-10 were 50.0, 3.0, and 8.0 g/L, respectively, whereas those for filter paperase (FPase) were 100.0, 3.0, and 8.0 g/L, respectively. Rice bran was found to be the most important factor for the production of cellulases based on the calculated percentage of participation P (%) from an analysis of the variance (ANOVA). The optimal temperature for the cell growth of P. aquimaris LBH-10 was 25°C, whereas that for the production of avicelase, CMCase and FPase was 30°C. The optimal agitation speed and aeration rate for cell growth was 400 rpm and 1.5 vvm, respectively, whereas those for the production of CMCase were 300 rpm and 1.0 vvm, respectively. Aeration was found to be more important for cell growth and CMCase production than agitation. The maximum production of avicelase, CMCase and FPase in a 100 L bioreactor for 72 h under optimized conditions was 83.2, 388.7, and 75.4 U/mL, respectively.     

Optimization of Process Parameters for a Quasi-Continuous Tablet Coating System Using Design of Experiments

The aim of this study was to identify and optimize the critical process parameters of the newly developed Supercell quasi-continuous coater for optimal tablet coat quality. Design of experiments, aided by multivariate analysis techniques, was used to quantify the effects of various coating process conditions and their interactions on the quality of film-coated tablets. The process parameters varied included batch size, inlet temperature, atomizing pressure, plenum pressure, spray rate and coating level. An initial screening stage was carried out using a 2^6−1(IV) fractional factorial design. Following these preliminary experiments, optimization study was carried out using the Box–Behnken design. Main response variables measured included drug-loading efficiency, coat thickness variation, and the extent of tablet damage. Apparent optimum conditions were determined by using response surface plots. The process parameters exerted various effects on the different response variables. Hence, trade-offs between individual optima were necessary to obtain the best compromised set of conditions. The adequacy of the optimized process conditions in meeting the combined goals for all responses was indicated by the composite desirability value. By using response surface methodology and optimization, coating conditions which produced coated tablets of high drug-loading efficiency, low incidences of tablet damage and low coat thickness variation were defined. Optimal conditions were found to vary over a large spectrum when different responses were considered. Changes in processing parameters across the design space did not result in drastic changes to coat quality, thereby demonstrating robustness in the Supercell coating process.     

Development of a common PVS2 vitrification method for cryopreservation of several fruit and vegetable crops

Many cryopreservation techniques are currently available, and it is common for new modifications to be developed for individual crops or specific genotypes. In this study, results of variations of the PVS2 cryopreservation protocol are compared to provide evidence for the suitability of a standard form of this technique for cryopreservation of a range of fruit, berry crops, and potato. Shoot cultures of Malus, Solanum, Lonicera, and Berberis were tested with variations of cold acclimation, pretreatment media, and PVS2 exposure times. A general protocol with some modifications was produced that was suitable for all four genera. The regenerative capacity of shoot tips after cryopreservation by this method exceeded a mean of 50% for Malus, Solanum, Lonicera, and Berberis, which is sufficient for setting storage in a cryobank. After liquid nitrogen storage, the shoot cultures that survived had a healthy appearance and developed rapidly. For each species tested, the only optimization required was the preparation of donor plants by cold acclimation and pretreatment. The choice of one common method simplifies the methodology for conducting experiments and storing a range of germplasm. The use of the PVS2 vitrification method with a 0.3-M sucrose pretreatment is multiuse and can be recommended as the most effective method for the cryopreservation of shoot tips from many plant species.     

Effects and mechanisms of basic fibroblast growth factor on the proliferation and regenerative profiles of cryopreserved dental pulp stem cells

ObjectivesVarious factors could interfere the biological performance of DPSCs during post‐thawed process. Yet, little has been known about optimization of the recovery medium for DPSCs. Thus, our study aimed to explore the effects of adding recombinant bFGF on DPSCs after 3‐month cryopreservation as well as the underlying mechanisms.Materials and methodsDPSCs were extracted from impacted third molars and purified by MACS. The properties of CD146⁺ DPSCs (P3) were identified by CCK‐8 and flow cytometry. After cryopreservation for 3 months, recovered DPSCs (P4) were immediately supplied with a series of bFGF and analysed cellular proliferation by CCK‐8. Then, the optimal dosage of bFGF was determined to further identify apoptosis and TRPC1 channel through Western blot. The succeeding passage (P5) from bFGF pre‐treated DPSCs was cultivated in bFGF‐free culture medium, cellular proliferation and stemness were verified, and pluripotency was analysed by neurogenic, osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation.ResultsIt is found that adding 20 ng/mL bFGF in culture medium could significantly promote the proliferation of freshly thawed DPSCs (P4) through suppressing apoptosis, activating ERK pathway and up‐regulating TRPC1. Such proliferative superiority could be inherited to the succeeding passage (P5) from bFGF pre‐stimulated DPSCs, meanwhile, stemness and pluripotency have not been compromised.ConclusionsThis study illustrated a safe and feasible cell culture technique to rapidly amplify post‐thawed DPSCs with robust regenerative potency, which brightening the future of stem cells banking and tissue engineering.     

桃花粉低温和超低温保存方法比较研究

桃(Prunus persica(L.)Batsch)是我国重要的无性繁殖作物种质资源,目前主要保存于3个国家无性繁殖作物种质圃。随着以茎尖、花粉、休眠芽为保存载体的超低温保存技术的发展,超低温保存已成为无性繁殖作物重要备份保存方式。本研究以15份桃种质花粉为研究对象,开展含水量、回湿处理和保存温度(4℃低温保存和液氮超低温保存)对保存后花粉离体萌发率的影响研究。研究结果:明确了桃种质花粉超低温保存的含水量;揭示了回湿处理对部分桃种质花粉超低温保存产生显著影响;超低温保存后花粉离体萌发率最高可达83%;4℃低温保存和超低温保存比较研究结果表明,超低温保存4年后14份桃种质花粉离体萌发率仍可保持30%以上,11份桃种质花粉离体萌发率与保存前花粉离体萌发率相比无显著变化甚至显著提高,而4℃低温保存的花粉离体萌发率降至0。该研究为国家种质库建立花粉规模化超低温保存提供技术支撑。     

Validation of cryopreservation protocols for plant germplasm conservation: a pilot study using Ribes L.

Uniformly applicable techniques for germplasm preservation are important to the international genetic resources community and validation of techniques among working genebanks will enable the integration of new technologies into plant genetic resources programs. Apical meristems from micropropagated plants of Ribes nigrum L. cv. Ojebyn and R. aureum cv. Red Lake were used to test three cryopreservation protocols (controlled freezing, plant vitrification solution no. 2 (PVS2) vitrification and encapsulation–dehydration) at the USDA-ARS National Clonal Germplasm Repository (NCGR), Corvallis, OR, USA and the University of Abertay Dundee (UAD), Scotland. Similar results were obtained with PVS2 vitrification at both locations but meristem regrowth varied greatly for the other techniques. Variable results between the locations were noted for controlled freezing and were largely attributed to differences in ice crystal initiation by the controlled rate freezers. Low survival of `Red Lake' at UAD with all three techniques was attributed to poorly performing shoot cultures. Attention to protocol details is important for limiting variation between locations and step by step instructions for procedures and solution preparation aided protocol standardization. These studies suggest that source plant status, cryogenic facilities, and culture conditions may be the most likely causes of variation when validating cryopreservation methodologies in different locations. However, in-house optimization of standard procedures offers considerable potential in ensuring that cryopreservation methodologies can be transferred between international laboratories.     

单因子-响应面法优化白地霉Y162产脂肪酶条件

对白地霉Y162液体发酵产脂肪酶的条件进行了优化。首先采用单因子实验筛选出最适碳源为橄榄油,氮源为黄豆粉和NH4Cl,无机盐为BaCl2和MgCl2。在此基础上,利用Plackett-Burman设计对影响产酶因素的效应进行评价,筛选出具有显著效应的橄榄油、BaCl2和NH4Cl三个最显著的因素。用最陡爬坡路径逼近最大产酶区域后,利用响应面中心组合设计对显著因素进行优化,得出橄榄油、BaCl2和NH4Cl最佳浓度分别为2.35％,0.36％,1.35％。优化后液体发酵液中脂肪酶活力提高到31.85 U/mL,比初始酶活力14.16 U/mL提高了2.25倍,表明单因子-响应面结合法可显著优化白地霉Y162液体发酵产脂肪酶条件。     

响应面法优化枯草芽孢杆菌产脂肪酶的合成培养基

对枯草芽孢杆菌(Bacillus subtilis)CICC20034利用合成培养基液体发酵产脂肪酶的条件进行了优化。首先采用单因子实验筛选出最适诱导剂为三丁酸甘油酯,氮源为尿素,碳源为葡萄糖,无机盐为MgSO4。在此基础上,利用Plackett-Burman设计对影响产酶因素的效应进行评价,筛选出具有显著效应的三丁酸甘油酯、尿素、KH2PO4和培养基起始pH值4个最显著的因素。用最陡爬坡路径逼近最大产酶区域后,利用响应面中心组合设计对显著因素进行优化,获得最适合成培养基组分为:葡萄糖8g/L,尿素8.57g/L,三丁酸甘油酯2.62%,KH2PO42.59g/L,MgSO4.7H2O0.5g/L,TritonX-1000.5g/L,pH9.47。优化后的B.subtilis CICC 20034胞外脂肪酶活力达0.483U/ml,比初始酶活力0.072U/ml提高了6.7倍。     

Assessment of some critical factors in the freezing technique for the cryopreservation of precision-cut rat liver slices

A number of studies on the cryopreservation of precision-cut liver slices using various techniques have been reported. However, the identification of important factors that determine cell viability following cryopreservation is difficult because of large differences between the various methods published. The aim of this study was to evaluate some important factors in the freezing process in an effort to find an optimized approach to the cryopreservation of precision-cut liver slices. A comparative study of a slow and a fast freezing technique was carried out to establish any differences in tissue viability for a number of endpoints. Both freezing techniques aim at the prevention of intracellular ice formation, which is thought to be the main cause of cell death after cryopreservation. Subsequently, critical variables in the freezing process were studied more closely in order to explain the differences in viability found in the two methods in the first study. For this purpose, a full factorial experimental design was used with 16 experimental groups, allowing a number of variables to be studied at different levels in one single experiment. It is demonstrated that ATP and K(+) content and histomorphology are sensitive parameters for evaluating slice viability after cryopreservation. Subsequently, it is shown that freezing rate and the cryopreservation medium largely determine the residual viability of liver slices after cryopreservation and subsequent culturing. It is concluded that a cryopreservation protocol with a fast freezing step and using William's Medium E as cryopreservation medium was the most promising approach to successful freezing of rat liver slices of those tested in this study.     

包埋玻璃化法超低温保存植物种质的研究进展

包埋玻璃化法是在玻璃化法和包埋脱水法基础上发展起来的超低温保存植物种质的新技术.它具有能同时处理大量材料,处理后恢复生长快,对材料的毒害作用较小及成芽率高等优点,已成功地用于辣根、山嵛菜等20余种植物,在植物种质资源的保存上显示出了巨大的应用潜力.本文介绍了包埋玻璃化法产生的背景及其优点,阐述了包埋玻璃化法的基本方法和预培养、包埋、脱水、化冻及恢复培养等过程,比较了该法冻存后的效果和冻存后所形成植株的遗传稳定性,同时指出了进一步研究的重点.