Immobilization of glucose oxidase and lactate dehydrogenase onto magnetic nanoparticles for bioprocess monitoring system

Glucose oxidase (GOD) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were immobilized onto magnetic nanoparticles, viz. Fe₃O₄, via carbodiimide and glutaraldehyde. The immobilization efficiency was largely dependent upon the immobilization time and concentration of glutaraldehyde. The magnetic nanoparticles had a mean diameter of 9.3 nm and were superparamagnetic. The immobilization of GOD and LDH on the nanoparticles slightly decreased their saturation magnetization. However, the FT-IR spectra showed that GOD and LDH were immobilized onto the nanoparticles by different binding mechanisms, the reason for which was not well explained. The optimum pH values of the immobilized GOD and LDH were changed to 8 and 10, respectively. The free and immobilized enzyme kinetic parameters (K_m and V_max) were determined by Michaelis-Menten enzyme kinetics. The Km values for free and immobilized GOD were 0.168 and 0.324 mM, respectively, while those for free and immobilized LDH were 0.19 and 0.163 mM for NAD, and 2.976 and 4.785 mM for lactate, respectively. High operational stability was observed, with more than 80% of the initial enzyme activity being retained for the immobilized GOD up to 12 h and for the immobilized LDH up to 24 h. The immobilized GOD was applied to a sequential injection analysis system for the application of bioprocess monitoring.     

Development of FET-type albumin sensor for diagnosing nephritis

An albumin biosensor based on a potentiometric measurement using Biofield-effect-transistor (BioFET) has been designed and fabricated, and its characteristics were investigated. The BioFET was fabricated using semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) technology. The gate surface of the BioFET was chemically modified by newly developed self-assembled monolayer (SAM) synthesized by a thiazole benzo crown ether ethylamine (TBCEA)-thioctic acid to immobilize anti-albumin. SAM formation, antibody immobilization, and antigen-antibody interaction were verified using surface plasmon resonance (SPR). The output voltage changes of the BioFET with respect to various albumin concentrations were obtained. Quasi-reference electrode (QRE) and reference FET (ReFET) has been integrated with the BioFET, and its output characteristic was investigated. The results demonstrate the feasibility of the BioFET as the albumin sensor for diagnosing nephritis.     

Molecular identification and phylogenetic analysis of nuclear rDNA sequences among three opisthorchid liver fluke species (Opisthorchiidae: Trematoda)

In this study, we describe the development of a fast and accurate molecular identification system for human-associated liver fluke species (Opisthorchis viverrini, Opisthorchis felineus, and Clonorchis sinensis) using the PCR-RFLP analysis of the 18S-ITS1-5.8S nuclear ribosomal DNA region. Based on sequence variation in the target rDNA region, we selected three species-specific restriction enzymes within the ITS1 regions, generating different restriction profiles among the species: MunI for O. viverrini, NheI for O. felineus, and XhoI for C. sinensis, respectively. Each restriction enzyme generated different-sized fragments specific to the species examined, but no intraspecific polymorphism or cross-reaction between the species was detected in their restriction pattern. These results indicate that PCR-linked restriction analysis of the ITS1 region allows for the rapid and reliable molecular identification among these opisthorchid taxa. In addition, phylogenetic analysis of rDNA sequences using different methods (MP, ML, NJ, and Bayesian inference) displayed O. viverrini and O. felineus as a sister group, but this relationship was not strongly supported. The failure of recovering a robust phylogeny may be due to the relatively small number of synapomorphic characters shared among the species, yielding weak phylogenetic signal. Alternatively, rapid speciation within a very short period time could be another explanation for the relatively poorly resolved relationships among these species. Our data are insufficient for discriminating between sudden cladogenesis and other potential causes of poor resolution. Further information from independent loci might help resolve this phylogeny.     

Cytokine release from placental endothelial cells, a process associated with preterm labour in the absence of intrauterine infection

There is currently a great deal of interest in the role that cytokines may play in the processes mediating preterm as well as normal term labour. In case of preterm delivery a cause-effect relationship between infection, uncontrollable preterm labour, and increased uterine cytokine concentrations is widely accepted, but there is considerable information that increased uterine cytokine release is also a condition in normal term labour and preterm labour not due to infection. Thereby, the exact cellular sources of cytokine production have not yet been identified. In the present study, the authors used immunohistochemical analysis to localize interleukin 1beta (IL-1beta) interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) immunoreactivity within trophoblastic villi and fetal membranes. In the absence of chorioamnionitis, uncontrollable preterm labour, and also normal term labour was associated with strong immunoreactivity for IL-1beta and IL-6 in the endothelial cells within trophoblastic villi. In contrast, preterm delivery accompanied by histologically confirmed chorioamnionitis, was not associated with increased expression of cytokine antigens within endothelial cells of the fetal vascular system, but strong cytokine activity was found in polymorphonuclear cells infiltrating the amniochorionic membranes. Therefore, the data suggest two well-defined subgroups among patients delivering preterm. Thereby, increased uterine cytokine concentrations may be realized in both groups, but the cellular sources of cytokine production may be different.     

Activation and inactivation of cyclo-oxygenase in rat alveolar macrophages by aqueous cigarette tar extracts.

Cyclo-oxygenase (COX) activity and its level of expression, the release of arachidonic acid (AA), and the accumulation of prostaglandins (PGs) were determined in isolated rat pulmonary alveolar macrophages (PAM) exposed to aqueous cigarette tar (ACT) extracts. COX activity increased 3-fold above the initial activity within 2 h of incubation with ACT extracts and gradually decreased below the initial activity after 8 h of incubation. The increased COX activity after 2 h of incubation did not lead to increased accumulation of PGE2. Accumulated levels of PGE2 increased dramatically after 12 h of incubation despite decreased COX activity in cells incubated with ACT extracts. This increased accumulation of PGE2 was greater in cells derived from vitamin E deficient rats compared with control rats. Release of AA from cells was dramatically increased in cells incubated with ACT extracts in parallel to PG accumulation. Thus increased accumulation of PGE2 despite decreased COX activity after 12 h of incubation is likely the result of increased substrate availability. These results suggest that, contrary to earlier reports, cigarette smoke stimulates the formation of PGs in alveolar macrophages. Increased PG production may lead to suppressed immune response and enhanced risk of tumorigenesis in smokers' lungs.     

Effect of Helicobacter pylori infection on the expression of DNA mismatch repair protein

BACKGROUND: Helicobacer pylori infection is a major gastric cancer risk factor. Deficient DNA mismatch repair (MMR) caused by H. pylori may underlie microsatellite instability (MSI) in the gastric epithelium and may represent a major mechanism of mutation accumulation in the gastric mucosa during the early stages of H. pylori-associated gastric carcinogenesis. In this study, we examined the expression of DNA MMR protein (hMLH1 and hMSH2) in patients with chronic H. pylori infection before and after eradication of the infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Gastric tissue samples were collected from 60 patients with H. pylori gastritis and peptic ulcer disease before and after eradication of the infection. The DNA MMR protein expression (hMLH1 and hMSH2) was determined by immunohistochemical staining in 60 patients before and after H. pylori eradication. The percentage of epithelial cell nuclei and intensity of staining were then compared in gastric biopsies before and after eradication. RESULTS: The percentage of hMLH1 (76.60 +/- 20.27, 84.82 +/- 12.73, p=.01) and hMSH2 (82.36 +/- 12.86, 88.11 +/- 9.27, p<.05) positive epithelial cells significantly increased in 53 patients who became H. pylori-negative after eradication therapy. However, the intensity of hMLH1 and hMSH2 staining was not significantly different. In those 7 patients, who did not respond to the eradication therapy and were still H. pylori-positive, the percent positivity and intensity of hMLH1 and hMSH2 staining did not change. CONCLUSIONS: The expression of DNA MMR proteins increased in the gastric mucosa after H. pylori eradication, indicating that H. pylori gastritis may be associated with a reduced DNA MMR system during infection. The effect of H. pylori infection on MMR protein expression appears to be at least partially reversible after H. pylori eradication. These data suggest that H. pylori gastritis might lead to a deficiency of DNA MMR in gastric epithelium that may increase the risk of mutation accumulation in the gastric mucosa cells during chronic H. pylori infection.     

A novel cellulase gene from the mulberry longicorn beetle, Apriona germari: gene structure, expression, and enzymatic activity

We have previously cloned a cellulase [β-1,4-endoglucanase (EGase), EC 3.2.1.4] cDNA (Ag-EGase I) belonging to glycoside hydrolase family (GHF) 45 from the mulberry longicorn beetle, Apriona germari. We report here the gene structure, expression and enzyme activity of an additional celluase (Ag-EGase II) from A. germari and also described the gene structure of Ag-EGase I. The Ag-EGase II gene spans 1033 bp and consisted of two introns and three exons coding for 239 amino acid residues. The 2713-bp-long genomic DNA of Ag-EGase I also consisted of two introns and three exons. The Ag-EGase II showed 61% protein sequence identity to Ag-EGase I and 51% to another beetle, Phaedon cochleariae, cellulase, belonging to GHF 45. The catalytic sites of GHF 45 are conserved in Ag-EGase II. The Ag-EGase II has 14 conserved cysteine residues and three putative N-glycosylation sites. Northern blot analysis confirmed midgut-specific expression of Ag-EGase II, suggesting that the midgut is the prime site for cellulase synthesis in A. germari larvae. The cDNA encoding Ag-EGase II was expressed as a 36-kDa polypeptide in baculovirus-infected insect Sf9 cells and the enzyme activity of the purified recombinant Ag-EGase II was approximately 812 U/mg of recombinant Ag-EGase II. The enzymatic properties of the purified recombinant Ag-EGase II showed the highest activity at 50 °C and pH 6.0, and were stable at 60 °C at least for 10 min.     

Cloning and expression of a fat body-specific chitinase cDNA from the spider, Araneus ventricosus

A fat body-specific chitinase cDNA was cloned from the spider, Araneus ventricosus. The cDNA encoding A. ventricosus chitinase (AvChit1) is 1515 bp long with an open reading frame (ORF) of 431 amino acid residues. AvChit1 possesses the chitinase family 18 active site signature and one N-glycosylation site. The deduced amino acid sequence of AvChit1 cDNA showed 43% identity to both Glossina morsitans morsitans chitinase and a human chitotriosidase, and 30-40% to some insect chitinases which lack both the serine/threonine and chitin binding domains. Southern blot analysis of genomic DNA suggested the presence of AvChit1 gene as a single copy. Northern and Western blot analysis and enzyme activity assay showed the tissue-specific expression of AvChit1 in the A. ventricosus fat body. The AvChit1 cDNA was expressed as a 61 kDa polypeptide in baculovirus-infected insect Sf9 cells and the recombinant AvChit1 showed activity in the chitinase enzyme assay using 0.1% glycol chitin as a substrate. Treatment of recombinant virus-infected Sf9 cells with tunicamycin, a specific inhibitor of N-glycosylation, revealed that AvChit1 is N-glycosylated, but the carbohydrate moieties are not essential for chitinolytic activity.     

A digestive beta-glucosidase from the silkworm, Bombyx mori: cDNA cloning, expression and enzymatic characterization

A digestive β-glucosidase cDNA was cloned from the silkworm, Bombyx mori. The B. mori β-glucosidase cDNA contains an open reading frame of 1473 bp encoding 491 amino acid residues. The B. mori β-glucosidase possesses the amino acid residues involved in catalysis and substrate binding conserved in glycosyl hydrolase family 1. Southern blot analysis of genomic DNA suggested the B. mori β-glucosidase to be a single gene. Northern blot analysis of B. mori β-glucosidase gene confirmed larval midgut-specific expression. The B. mori β-glucosidase mRNA expression in larval midgut was detectable only during feeding period, whereas its expression was downregulated during starvation. The B. mori β-glucosidase cDNA was expressed as a 57-kDa polypeptide in baculovirus-infected insect Sf9 cells, and the recombinant β-glucosidase was active on cellobiose and lactose, but not active on salicin, indicating that the B. mori β-glucosidase possesses the characteristics of the Class 2 enzyme. The enzyme activity of the purified recombinant β-glucosidase expressed in baculovirus-infected insect cells was approximately 665 U per μg of recombinant B. mori β-glucosidase. The purified recombinant B. mori β-glucosidase showed the highest activity at 35 °C and pH 6.0, and were stable at 50 °C at least for 10 min. Treatment of recombinant virus-infected Sf9 cells with tunicamycin, a specific inhibitor of N-glycosylation, revealed that the recombinant B. mori β-glucosidase is N-glycosylated, but the carbohydrate moieties are not essential for enzyme activity.     

30% oxygen inhalation enhances cognitive performance through robust activation in the brain

This study aimed to investigate whether inhalation of the air with 30% oxygen compared with normal air enhances cognitive functioning through increased activation in the brain. The verbal and visuospatial tasks were performed while brain images were scanned. The results showed that there were improvements in performance and also increased activation in several brain areas under the condition of 30% oxygen. These results suggest that a higher concentration of the inhaled oxygen increases the saturation of the blood oxygen in the brain, and facilitates cognitive performance.