Detection of two different influenza A viruses using a nitrocellulose membrane and a magnetic biosensor

Here we describe a new analytical method for the detection of two influenza A viruses by nitrocellulose membrane and magnetic sensors that employ a special frequency mixing technique. The combination of the nitrocellulose membrane and magnetic bead detection permits a rapid assay procedure and excludes two steps (the development of color and the stop reaction) required for usual immunochemical detection methods such as ELISA. Quantitative virus detection was performed using magnetic beads conjugated with secondary antibody. The results were compared with conventional assay methods and with a dot-blot assay with fluorescence compound (FITC). Under optimum conditions, our new assay procedure is capable of detecting picograms of virus per well. This new method combining the nitrocellulose membrane and magnetic bead detection reduces analytical time and allows stable and repeatable analyses of samples in point-of-care applications.     

登革病毒悬液芯片分型检测方法的建立

目的 建立一种基于悬液芯片的登革病毒(dengue virus,DV)检测方法,可对四种血清型登革病毒进行快速检测和鉴定.方法 依据GenBank上4种病毒的基因序列信息,设计并合成相关引物及探针序列.抽提病毒RNA,经反转录后对目的基因进行PCR扩增,产物与核酸探针微球组杂交后于Bio-PlexTM 200系统检测荧光信号值.结果 DV1的悬液芯片检测敏感性约9 DNA拷贝,DV2、DV3、DV4的悬液芯片检测敏感性约90 DNA拷贝.进而将本方法用于检测15份临床标本,其检测结果与分型荧光RT-PCR一致.结论 建立了可同时检测四种血清型登革病毒的悬液芯片检测方法,为快速筛查和鉴定登革病毒提供了新的手段.     

Binding of von Willebrand factor to collagen by flow cytometry

We developed a new method for the detection of large von Willebrand factor (vWf) multimers binding to collagen and for the determination of vWf antigen (vWf:Ag) using flow cytometry. Collagen is coated on to polystyrene beads, allowing detection of found large vWf multimers. In addition, rabbit antibody against vWf is coated on to the beads allowing detection of all vWf:Ag. In plasma samples from healthy persons and patients (with type 1, 2A, 2N, or severe von Willebrand disease or hemophilia), 4 different assays were performed: vWf:Ag by immunoelectrophoresis; vWf ristocetin cofactor (vWf:RCof); CBA; and vWf:Ag based on an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using polystyrene beads. We assayed the flow cytometric method using 2 bead sizes. The optimal bead size was 3.136 microns. The results of CBA and vWf:Ag closely correlated with those of vWf:RCof and vWf:Ag (immunoelectrophoresis), respectively, and showed a low limit of detection. Interassay variance of cytometric methods was lower than interassay variance of traditional assays. In addition, we used the new assays to monitor desmopressin therapy.     

Rapid Determination of Clenbuterol in Urine by a Competitive Bead Immunoassay Based on Luminex Technology

A new competitive bead immunoassay (CBIA) based on Luminex technology for detecting clenbuterol in urine was reported. The carboxylated fluorescent beads were directly coated with clenbuterol derivatives without carrier protein spacer. Clenbuterol antibody was biotinylated, which was used for clenbuterol detection in combination with the functionalized bead and streptavidin-phycoerythrin (SAPE). The effects of spacer on the CBIA method were investigated. The results indicated that the presence of small molecular spacer between bead and hapten improved the assay sensitivity and the hydrophilic spacer (glycine) was better than the hydrophobic spacer (m-aminobenzoic acid) for this CBIA method. The study affirms the importance of the judicious choice of hapten derivatives in the CBIA method for detecting small molecule drug based on Luminex technology. The method could be used for clenbuterol detection in livestock urine and possible for the simultaneous detection of multiple veterinary drugs.     

多种物理方法分离脂肪源基质血管组分细胞的比较

文题释义： 脂肪源基质血管组分：是指来源于脂肪组织的基质血管组分细胞,它广泛存在于脂肪组织中,主要包含脂肪来源干细胞、内皮祖细胞、造血干细胞、抗炎细胞、T细胞等混合细胞成分。由于它相对较易获取且对供体不会造成过大的损伤,同时可以避免细胞培养等优点,被认为是干细胞医学良好的细胞来源。 物理方法：酶解法为国际公认的富集基质血管组分的方法,但加入了外源性消化物质,国际上不允许用于临床试验,故使用不加入外源消化物质的物理方法获取基质血管组分即成为了研究的主要方向。 背景：脂肪源基质血管组分和脂肪源性干细胞在组织工程中的应用受到越来越多科研工作者的关注。当前,分离脂肪源基质血管组分的方法主要有酶解法和推注法,但这两种方法都存在着不容忽视的缺点。 目的：寻找一种更加高活性、安全、简便的制备脂肪源基质血管组分的方法。 方法：以无任何处理的脂肪组织为阴性对照,酶解法为阳性对照,通过细胞量、存活率、细胞碎片、细胞活性、增殖率等指标来比较酶解法、普通推注法、改良推注法、玻璃珠破碎法(简称玻璃珠法)及内置式超声波破碎法(简称内置超声波法)的差异。酶解法及普通推注法为目前分离脂肪源基质血管组分细胞普遍使用的方法;改良推注法是在普通推注法的基础上进行改良后得到的方法;玻璃珠法是利用玻璃珠震荡产生的剪切力,在脂肪颗粒中加入玻璃珠后在2 500 r/min的条件下震荡9 min以制备基质血管组分细胞;内置超声波法则是利用空化效应,在25 W的功率下对脂肪组织处理36 s以获得基质血管组分细胞。 结果与结论：①5种方法获得的基质血管组分细胞的大小差异无显著性意义(P > 0.05);②阴性对照组细胞活性最低,酶解法细胞活性最高,酶解法、玻璃珠法及内置超声波法的细胞活性高于改良推注法和普通推注法(P < 0.05);③酶解法、玻璃珠法及内置超声波法的细胞存活率、细胞增殖率高于改良推注法和普通推注法   (P < 0.05);④酶解法、玻璃珠法及内置超声波法细胞碎片比例、细胞凋亡率要远远低于普通推注法和改良推注法(P < 0.05);⑤结果表明,玻璃珠法和内置超声波法富集基质血管组分细胞的效果优良,但玻璃珠法加入了外源物质进行处理,增加了污染的风险,而内置超声波法尽管将超声探头插入脂肪组织中,但只要将超声探头彻底灭菌,即可将污染风险降到最小。总的来说,内置超声波法和玻璃珠法优于普通推注法及改良推注法。 ORCID: 0000-0003-1692-6038(张玲华) 中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：干细胞;骨髓干细胞;造血干细胞;脂肪干细胞;肿瘤干细胞;胚胎干细胞;脐带脐血干细胞;干细胞诱导;干细胞分化;组织工程     

Trace element-incorporating octacalcium phosphate porous beads via polypeptide-assisted nanocrystal self-assembly for potential applications in osteogenesis

The promising future of calcium phosphates (CaP) as a group of biomedical materials with a wide range of functions, might ultimately depend on tuning their composition and microstructure. However, the disorderly growth and aggregation of CaP nanocrystals limit their practical application. This paper reports a strategy for designing polypeptide/trace elements (TE), dual mediating the self-assembly of octacalcium phosphate (OCP) nanocrystals, with multilayered porous cross section and TE dilute doping. Intriguing advantages such as bead morphology, mesoporous structure, tunable diameter (20-1,000 μm) and TE contents, biodegradability and bioactivity are obtained. The microcomputerized-tomography reconstruction reveals an interconnective macroporous architecture and a void volume of over 49.02% for the nearly close-packed bead scaffolds. The specific surface area and average mesopore size are 89.73 m(2)g(-1) and 2.75 nm for the 180 μm diameter bead group, and those of 500 μm diameter beads are 130.17 m(2)g(-1) and 3.69 nm, respectively. It is demonstrated that the bead production mechanism is a multistep process including liquid-like precursor formation, nanocrystal nucleation and aggregation, aggregate combination and bead growth. Such a multilayer structure of TE-OCP porous beads would have adequate physical strength to maintain their shape, in contrast to the physical weakness of pure OCP hollow shell. The beads exhibit good biocompatibility and degradability and encourage bone mineralization in the early stage in vivo. This study demonstrates the feasibility of developing highly porous calcium phosphate giant beads via biomimetic self-assembly for direct application in reconstructive surgery and other widespread applications such as tissue engineering and drug delivery.     

Suitability of dyed latex bead agglutination test for immunodiagnosis of Karnal bunt (Tilletia indica) teliospores in a single seed of wheat

The immunodiagnosticum for this test was prepared extempore by mixing blue color dyed latex beads (1% suspension) with equal volume of diluted anti-teliospore serum. This test was considered to be better for the detection of solubilized teliosporic antigens over intact teliospores of Karnal bunt. The teliosporic antigens solubilized using sonication and detergent extraction were used for the standardization of the test by optimizing the dilution of latex bead suspension and determining the detection limits. For determining the sensitivity of test, antigen concentration kinetics analysis was performed by adding 15 µl of antibodies sensitized latex beads to 15 µl of different concentrations of solubilized antigens on glass slide. The detection limit of this test was 7.5 µg solubilized teliosporic antigens equivalent to 750 teliospores and suitable for single seed analysis. Small agglutinin formation with solubilized antigen of Puccinia recondita and T. barclayana interpreted on the basis of partial cross reactivity of immunodignosticum with these pathogens. However, no cross reactivity was found with teliosporic antigen(s) of spores of Curvularia lunata, Ustilaga tritici, Helminthosporium sativum, Ustilaginoidea vircns and Alternaria triticina.     

A Theoretical Model of a Molecular-Motor-Powered Pump

The motion of a cylindrical bead in a fluid contained within a two-dimensional channel is investigated using the boundary element method as a model of a biomolecular-motor-powered microfluidics pump. The novelty of the pump lies in the use of motor proteins (kinesin) to power the bead motion and the few moving parts comprising the pump. The performance and feasibility of this pump design is investigated using two model geometries: a straight channel, and a curved channel with two concentric circular walls. In the straight channel geometry, it is shown that increasing the bead radius relative to the channel width, increases the flow rate at the expense of increasing the force the kinesins must generate in order to move the bead. Pump efficiency is generally higher for larger bead radii, and larger beads can support higher imposed loads. In the circular channel geometry, it is shown that bead rotation modifies the force required to move the bead and that shifting the bead inward slightly reduces the required force. Bead rotation has a minimal effect on flow rate. Recirculation regions, which can develop between the bead and the channel walls, influence the stresses and force on the bead. These results suggest this pump design is feasible, and the kinesin molecules provide sufficient force to deliver pico- to atto- l/s flows.     

Evaluation of the bead enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of cholera toxin directly from stool specimens.

A highly sensitive bead enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (bead ELISA) for detection of cholera toxin (CT) was evaluated for direct detection of CT from stool specimens of patients with acute secretory diarrhea. Of the 75 stool samples examined, 59 yielded biochemically, and serologically confirmed strains of Vibrio cholerae O1. The bead ELISA was positive for CT in stool supernatants in 50 (84.7%) of the 59 samples from which V. cholerae O1 was isolated. In addition, the bead ELISA was positive for three stool specimens which were negative by culture. The free CT present in 48 of the 50 stool samples positive by culture for V. cholerae O1 and for CT by bead ELISA was completely absorbed by anti-CT immunoglobulin G. All of the 59 strains of V. cholerae O1 biotype eltor isolated in this study produced in vitro CT. The concentration of CT present in the bead ELISA-positive stool samples ranged between 26 pg/ml and greater than 100 ng/ml. This evaluation study demonstrates that the bead ELISA is a sensitive and simple method for direct detection of CT in nonsterile stool samples, and we recommend routine use of this assay for detection of CT in stool samples and culture supernatants in clinical and reference laboratories.     

E. coli K-12 asparaginase-based asparagine biosensor for leukemia

The present work aims at the development of a novel, diagnostic biosensor for monitoring asparagine levels in leukemia. Various immobilization strategies have been applied to improve the stability of the biocomponent (asparaginase). Response time studies have been carried out for different immobilization methods. Phenol Red indicator has been coimmobilized with asparaginase and color visualization approach has been optimized for various asparagine ranges. The detection limit of asparagine achieved with nitrocellulose membrane is 10(-1) M, with silicon gel is 10(-10)-10(-1) M, and with calcium alginate beads is 10(-9)-10(-1) M. Furthermore, the calcium alginate bead system of immobilization has been applied for the asparagine range detection in normal and leukemia serum samples.     

Capture and detection of carcinoembryonic antigen on antibody coated beads used in enzyme immunoassay

We have evaluated antibody coated beads for capture and detection of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). Assay parameters of time, temperature, buffer molarity, specificity of antibody on the bead and reagent addition sequence have been studied. Optimal assay kinetics occurred at a temperature of 45 degrees C and a buffer molarity of 0.1M or above. The type and quantity of antibody on the bead surface were also critical to optimal CEA detection. Beads coated with baboon or goat anti-CEA antibody were able to capture a higher percentage of CEA than monoclonal mouse anti-CEA antibody or guinea pig anti-CEA antibody. The sequence of addition of CEA, anti-CEA antibody coated bead, and anti-CEA-horse radish peroxidase conjugate was important for optimal CEA detection. Formation of an immune complex of CEA with the anti-CEA horse radish peroxidase conjugate prior to capture of the CEA on an antibody bead resulted in the optimal detection of CEA.     

An evaluation of the accuracy of screening antisperm antibodies using the combined GAM immunobead

A simplified method of screening for antisperm antibodies has been previously described using rabbit antihuman immunoglobulin immunobeads (GAM beads). These reports have indicated a high correlation between the GAM bead and maximal individual isotype binding. However, preliminary data in our laboratory (using a 14% cut-off criterion) indicated a high frequency of samples with positive GAM bead, but negative individual isotype results. This study was conducted to evaluate more critically the use of the GAM bead for initial antisperm antibody screening. Immunobead binding tests were performed on 98 undiluted sera. The maximal binding of the individual isotype beads (IgG, IgA, or IgM) and the GAM beads were significantly correlated (r = 0.94, P = 0.0001). However, when results were categorized as positive or negative, there was a significantly lower frequency (P less than 0.05) of positive samples using the individual isotype (46.9%) than using the GAM approach (58.2%). These data support the hypothesis that, based on continuous percent binding, the GAM bead method produces results similar to individual isotype testing. However, when data are interpreted categorically, the results may differ significantly.     

Phase and size separations occurring during the injection of model pastes composed of β-tricalcium phosphate powder,glass beads and aqueous solutions

Glass beads a few hundred micrometers in size were added to aqueous β-tricalcium phosphate pastes to simulate the effect of porogens and drug-loaded microspheres on the injectability of calcium phosphate cements and putties. The composition of the pastes was monitored during the injection process to assess the effect of glass bead content, glass bead size and paste composition on the paste injectability. The results revealed that the injection process led to both liquid and glass bead segregations: the liquid flowed faster than the glass beads, which themselves flowed faster than the β-tricalcium phosphate microparticles. In fact, even the particle size distribution of the glass beads was modified during injection. These results reveal that a good design of multiphasic injectable pastes is essential to prevent phase separation.     

Four-layer radioimmunoassay for detection of adenovirus in stool.

A four-layer antispecies radioimmunoassay (RIA) was developed for the detection of adenovirus in stool specimens. Polystyrene beads were used as the solid phase, anti-adenovirus guinea pig immunoglobulin (1 microgram per bead) was used as the primary antibody, anti-adenovirus rabbit immunoglobulin (16 micrograms/ml) was used as the secondary antibody, and 125I-labeled sheep anti-rabbit immunoglobulin was used as the indicator antibody. A highly purified, crystallized adenovirus type 2 hexon antigen was used as the immunizing antigen for the production of hyperimmune sera. The sensitivity of the test was 1 ng of hexon protein per ml. Each of the 13 stool specimens positive for adenovirus by electron microscopy was positive for adenovirus by the RIA. Of 200 nonconcentrated stool specimens negative by electron microscopy, 14 additional specimens were positive by the RIA, increasing the detection rate from 6% by electron microscopy to 13% by the RIA. A confirmatory test was done on the RIA-positive, electron microscopy-negative specimens, and the test indicated a true specific result with each specimen. A confirmatory test was also done on each specimen with a low positive counts per minute value. The specificity of the RIA was further demonstrated by the fact that a positive result was found with only 3 of 295 specimens positive by the rotavirus RIA. In two of these three specimens, adenovirus and rotavirus were also detected simultaneously by electron microscopy, and the third specimen was from a patient with serological evidence for a dual infection. The adenovirus and rotavirus RIAs are now in a routine diagnostic laboratory, and in the 307 stool specimens tested during the first 5 months, the positive rate was 32% for rotavirus and 9.5% for adenovirus.     

Quantitative characterization and classification of leech behavior

This paper describes an automatic system for the analysis and classification of leech behavior. Three colored beads were attached to the dorsal side of a free moving or pinned leech, and color CCD camera images were taken of the animal. The leech was restrained to moving in a small tank or petri dish, where the water level can be varied. An automatic system based on color processing tracked the colored beads over time, allowing real-time monitoring of the leech motion for several hours. At the end of each experimental session, six time series (2 for each bead) describing the leech body motion were obtained. A statistical analysis based on the speed and frequency content of bead motion indicated the existence of several stereotypical patterns of motion, corresponding to different leech behaviors. The identified patterns corresponded to swimming, pseudo-swimming, crawling, exploratory behavior, stationary states, abrupt movements, and combinations of these behaviors. The automatic characterization of leech behavior demonstrated here represents an important step toward understanding leech behavior and its properties. This method can be used to characterize the behavior of other invertebrates and also for some small vertebrates.     

Rapid and sensitive detection of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis in bovine milk and feces by a combination of immunomagnetic bead separation-conventional PCR and real-time PCR

Immunomagnetic bead separation coupled with bead beating and real-time PCR was found to be a very effective procedure for the isolation, separation, and detection of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis from milk and/or fecal samples from cattle and American bison. Samples were spiked with M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis organisms, which bound to immunomagnetic beads and were subsequently lysed by bead beating; then protein and cellular contaminants were removed by phenol-chloroform-isopropanol extraction prior to DNA precipitation. DNA purified by this sequence of procedures was then analyzed by conventional and real-time IS900-based PCR in order to detect M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis in feces and milk. By use of this simple and rapid technique, 10 or fewer M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis organisms were consistently detected in milk (2-ml) and fecal (200-mg) samples, making this sensitive procedure very useful and cost-effective for the diagnosis of clinical and subclinical Johne's disease (paratuberculosis) compared to bacteriological culture, which is constrained by time, labor, and expense under diagnostic laboratory conditions.     

Capture and Detection of Carcinoembryonic Antigen on Antibody Coated Beads Used in Enzyme Immunoassay

Abstract

We have evaluated antibody coated beads for capture and detection of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). Assay parameters of time, temperature, buffer molarity, specificity of antibody on the bead and reagent addition sequence have been studied. Optimal assay kinetics occurred at a temperature of 45°C and a buffer molarity of 0.1M or above. The type and quantity of antibody on the bead surface were also critical to optimal CEA detection. Beads coated with baboon or goat anti-CEA antibody were able to capture a higher percentage of CEA than monoclonal mouse anti-CEA antibody or guinea pig anti-CEA antibody. The sequence of addition of CEA, anti-CEA antibody coated bead, and anti-CEA-horse radish peroxidase conjugate was important for optimal CEA detection. Formation of an immune complex of CEA with the anti-CEA horse radish peroxidase conjugate prior to capture of the CEA on an antibody bead resulted in the optimal detection of CEA.     

Synthesis of antibiotic-loaded hydroxyapatite beads and in vitro drug release testing.

Various forms of hydroxyapatite (HAP) materials have been developed for use as bone grafts. Since the risk of local infection is associated with surgery, it seems reasonable to incorporate drugs such as antibiotics into implant materials. We therefore investigated the characteristics of drug incorporation into a spherical porous HAP bead (diameter = 8.48 mm, bulk porosity = 0.439) and its in vitro release behavior. Cefotiam (CTM) was used as a model antibiotic. Because of nonuniform pore distribution in the bead, distribution of CTM was estimated from the amounts of CTM experimentally determined at three different sites: the surface, halfway to the center, and the center of the beads. The results indicated that 90% of the drug was incorporated in the concentric outer 0.387 (radius = 1) section of the bead. CTM was released with a short lag time when the dry HAP bead was placed in water. Incorporation of CTM with egg phosphatidylcholine eliminated initial lag time and decreased the release rate of the drug from the bead. The lipid load was useful in controlling the release of CTM from the beads. In addition, to protect relatively unstable drugs from humidity and avoid contamination of drug-incorporated HAP beads an apparatus was designed with which the beads could be enclosed in vials in vacuo and under aseptic conditions on a bench-scale basis.     

Flow cytometric detection of HLA antibodies using a spectrum of microbeads

We describe here the use of HLA antigen coated beads for specificity and class determination of HLA antibodies by flow cytometry. The HLA specificity of antibodies was determined by use of beads containing eight levels of fluorescence. HLA antigens isolated from eight cultured cells were coated onto these beads so that each bead was the equivalent of one cell. By using four sets of eight beads, an equivalent of 32 cells could be examined in four test tubes. A total of 76 class I and 25 class II specificities could be determined by the 32 class I bead-panel and 32 class II bead-panel used, respectively. We noted no cross-reactivity of reactions between class I and II. The sensitivity of the test was shown to be higher than that of the standard cytotoxicity by dilution experiments and detection of additional cross-reacting antigens. By use of these coated beads, we achieved improved standardized detection of HLA antibodies. Antigen-coated beads have several advantages over the use of spleens or lymphocytes. (a) A highly selected panel of antigens can be routinely used. (b) Class I and class II antibodies can be readily distinguished from each other, even when they are present as mixtures in one serum. (c) Non-HLA antibodies are not detected because the beads do not have any other antigens than HLA on them. (d) The quantity of antigens coated on beads is more uniform than that found in cells from different individuals. (e) Beads are more convenient for storage and daily use.