Cytokinin oxidase/cytokinin dehydrogenase assay: optimized procedures and applications

1H NMR spectroscopy has been used to assess long-term toxicological effects of a rare earth. Male Wistar rats were administrated orally with La(NO3)3 at doses of 0.1, 0.2, 2.0, 10, and 20 mg/kg body wt, resp., for 3-6 months. Urine was collected at 1, 2, and 3 months and serum samples were taken after 6 months. Numerous low-M(r) metabolites in rats serum and rats urine, including creatinine, citrate, glucose, ketone bodies, trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), and various amino acids, were identified on 400- and 500-MHz 1H NMR spectra. La3+-induced renal and liver damage is characterized by an increase in the amounts of the excreted ketone bodies, amino acids, lactate, ethanol, succinate, TMAO, dimethylamine, and taurine and a decrease in citrate, glucose, urea, and allantoin. Information on the molecular basis of the long-term toxicity of La(NO>3)3 was derived from the abnormal patterns of metabolite excretions. An assay of some biochemical indexes and analysis of some enzymes in plasma supported NMR results.     

Biofluid spectroscopic disease diagnostics: A review on the processes and spectral impact of drying

The complex patterns observed from evaporated liquid drops have been examined extensively over the last 20 years. Complete understanding of drop deposition is vital in many medical processes, and one which is essential to the translation of biofluid spectroscopic disease diagnostics. The promising use of spectroscopy in disease diagnosis has been hindered by the complicated patterns left by dried biological fluids which may inhibit the clinical translation of this technology. Coffee‐ring formation, cracking and gelation patterns have all been observed in biofluid drops, and with surface homogeneity being a key element to many spectroscopic techniques, experimental issues have been found to arise. A better understanding of the fundamental processes involved in a drying droplet could allow efficient progression in this research field, and ultimately benefit the population with the development of a reliable cancer diagnostic.      

Novel Proteomic Profiling of Epididymal Extracellular Vesicles in the Domestic Cat Reveals Proteins Related to Sequential Sperm Maturation with Differences Observed between Normospermic and Teratospermic Individuals

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Highlights

• •Several proteins were found to be unique to each male type.
• •Expression levels of seven proteins trended downward in teratospermic males.
• •Several proteins were related to sperm motility and subsequent oocyte binding.

     

Investigating pre‐analytical requirements for serum and plasma based infrared spectro‐diagnostic

Infrared spectroscopy is a rapid, easy‐to‐operate, label‐free and therefore cost‐effective technique. Many studies performed on biofluids (eg, serum, plasma, urine, sputum, bile and cerebrospinal fluid) have demonstrated its promising application as a clinical diagnostic tool. Given all these characteristics, infrared spectroscopy appears to be an ideal candidate to be implemented into the clinics. However, before considering its translation, a clear effort is needed to standardise protocols for biofluid spectroscopic analysis. To reach this goal, careful investigations to identify and track errors that can occur during the pre‐analytical phase is a crucial step. Here, we report for the first time, results of investigations into pre‐analytical factors that can affect the quality of the spectral data acquired on serum and plasma, such as the impact of long‐term freezing time storage of samples as well as the month‐to‐month reproducibility of the spectroscopic analysis. The spectral data discrimination has revealed to be majorly impacted by a residual water content variation in serum and plasma dried samples.      

Chemical speciation of aluminium in blood plasma with reference to silica

Abstract

When viewed solely from an equilibrium viewpoint, computer models show that it is impossible for significant quantities of aluminium and silicate ions to co-exist as low molecular mass complexes in the presence of citrate and phosphate in intestinal and blood plasma fluids.     

Tumor‐Derived Extracellular Vesicles as a Novel Source of Protein Biomarkers for Cancer Diagnosis and Monitoring

“Liquid biopsies” have received attention as a complementary tool for traditional tissue biopsies that may enhance the spectrum of analysis for tumor‐derived factors. One such factor gaining prominence in the liquid biopsy field is extracellular vesicles (EVs), membrane‐bound nanovesicles which are secreted by cells into biofluids such as blood, urine, and saliva. EVs are released in both physiological and pathological conditions and can transport a variety of molecules, including proteins, metabolites, RNA, microRNAs, and DNA, to distant sites throughout the body. As such, they are emerging as a promising source of tumor biomarkers for the noninvasive diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring of cancer patients. In particular, the wealth of tumor‐related information that can be gleaned from the EV proteomic cargo has become apparent through mass spectrometric analysis, which has provided new benchmarks for clinically focused biomarker research. In this review, the current achievements in the use of MS for identifying potential EV‐derived protein biomarkers of cancer are explored, and the techniques and challenges involved in this pursuit are summarized.     

Developments and Applications of Functional Protein Microarrays

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Highlights

• •Summarize the development of functional protein microarray.
• •Application of functional proteome microarray in basic research.
• •Application of functional proteome microarray in translational research.
• •Fabrication of functional membrane protein array using virion display method.