Polyoxometalate-Guanosine Monophosphate Hydrogels with Haloperoxidase-like Activity for Antibacterial Performance

Haloperoxidases represent an important class of enzymes that nature adopts as a defense mechanism to combat the colonial buildup of microorganisms on surfaces, commonly known as biofouling. Subsequently, there has been tremendous focus on the development of artificial haloperoxidase mimics that can catalyze the oxidation of X- (halide ion) in the presence of H2O2 to form HOX. The natural intermediate HOX disrupts the bacterial quorum sensing, thus preventing biofilm formation. Herein, we report a simple method for the formation of supramolecular hydrogels through the self-assembly of Keggin-structured polyoxometalates, phosphotungstic acid, and silicotungstic acid with the small biomolecule guanosine monophosphate (GMP) in an aqueous medium. The polyoxometalate-GMP hydrogels that contained highly entangled nanofibers were mechanically robust and showed thixotropic properties. The gelation of the polyoxometalates with GMP not only rendered manifold enhancement in biocompatibility but also the fibril network in the hydrogel provided high water wettability and the polyoxometalates acted as an efficient haloperoxidase mimic to trigger oxidative iodination, as demonstrated by a haloperoxidase assay. The antifouling activity of the phosphotungstic acid-GMP hydrogel was demonstrated against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, which showed enhanced antibacterial performance of the hydrogel as compared to the polyoxometalate alone. We envision that the polyoxometalate-GMP hydrogels may facilitate mechanically robust coatings in a simple pathway that can be useful for antifouling applications.

Durability assessment of hydrogel mountings for contrast-enhanced micro-CT

Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) provides valuable data for studying soft tissue, though it is often affected by sample movement during scans and low contrast in X-ray absorption. This can result in lower image quality and geometric inaccuracies, collectively known as 'artefacts'. To mitigate these issues, samples can be embedded in hydrogels and enriched with heavy metals for contrast enhancement. However, the long-term durability of these enhancements remains largely unexplored. In this study, we examine the effects of two contrast enhancement agents - iodine and phosphotungstic acid (PTA) - and two hydrogels - agarose and Poloxamer 407 - over a 14-day period. We used Drosophila melanogaster as a test model for our investigation. Our findings reveal that PTA and agarose are highly durable, while iodine and poloxamer hydrogel exhibits higher leakage rates. These observations lay the foundation for estimating contrast stabilities in contrast-enhanced micro-CT with hydrogel embedding and serve to inform future research in this field.

Synthesis and comparison of three photocatalysts for degrading tramadol as an analgesic and widely used drug in water samples

Tramadol is an analgesic drug that is mainly excreted in the urine. The entry of Tramadol into water samples causes their biological contamination. Therefore, three catalysts such as bismuth ferrite, cobalt-doped bismuth ferrite, and a magnetized Keggin type of polyoxometalate (α-Fe₂O₃@phosphotungstic acid), were synthesized as photocatalysts to degrade Tramadol in water samples. The morphology and properties of the prepared photocatalysts were evaluated using several techniques. Effects of several factors, including tramadol concentration, pH, hydrogen peroxide concentration, and photocatalyst amount, were studied and optimized by a design experiment procedure based on Box-Behnken design for reducing the number of experiments and cost and investigating the interactions between factors in the photocatalytic degradation process of Tramadol. These factors were optimized for each prepared photocatalyst individually. Under the optimum conditions, the percentages of tramadol degradation and kinetics of the degradation process were evaluated in the presence of each photocatalyst. The tramadol degradation percentages using bismuth ferrite, cobalt-doped bismuth ferrite, and α-Fe₂O₃ @phosphotungstic acid were 81.10% for 120 min, 90.63% for 80 min, and 91.32% for 80 min, respectively. The rate constants of tramadol degradation were 0.0145, 0.0329, and 0.0312 min^-1 for bismuth ferrite, cobalt-doped bismuth ferrite, and α-Fe₂O₃ @phosphotungstic acid, respectively. The results indicated the highest percentage of tramadol degradation and rate of the degradation process were obtained using α-Fe₂O₃ @phosphotungstic acid and cobalt-doped bismuth ferrite, respectively.

Phosphotungstic Acid-treated Picrosirius Red Staining Improves Whole-slide Quantitative Analysis of Collagen in Histological Specimens

We tried to prevent nonspecific nuclear staining (NS-NS) of picrosirius red (PSR) staining by treating the specimens with one of the heteropoly acids phosphotungstic acid (PTA). We analyzed a total of 35 cases of non-cancerous liver tissue for fibrosis and NS-NS under PSR-alone, phosphomolybdic acid (PMA)-pretreated PSR (PMA + PSR), or PTA-pretreated PSR (PTA + PSR) condition. In addition, we analyzed the photosensitivity of PMA or PTA single stain specimens. PTA + PSR significantly suppressed NS-NS compared with PSR. The color of the specimens did not change into blue by 30 times the exposure to whole slide scanner (WSS) light. The PTA + PSR condition showed the highest correlation with the Ishak score (pathological evaluation of liver fibrosis) compared with other conditions. Furthermore, Sirius Red-positive percentage (SRP%) in PSR was increased in the NS-NS observed cases. SRP% in PMA + PSR was significantly affected by WSS light exposure time. Moreover, the deposition of non-polarized PSR-stained substances (NP-PSR+S) clinging to the collagen fibers potentially explains why SRP% seemed bigger under PSR than PTA + PSR. Our protocol enabled us to analyze the whole slide image of PSR staining by high magnification, which would contribute to the accurate analysis of collagen amount in the tissue sections.

Comparing Cs+ binding affinity of Keggin type polyoxometalate and sodium Tetrakis(4-florophenyl)borate in solution and from Cs-doped pure phase vermiculite

We assessed the aptitude of cesium (Cs⁺) binding by Keggin type polyoxometalates (POMs) and compared the results with the Cs⁺ binding by sodium tetrakis(4-fluorophenyl)-borate (Na-TFPB). In this work, we aimed to establish a system to treat radioactive Cs⁺ contaminated soil with POMs economically. We evaluated the effect of initial Cs⁺ concentration (0.1M) and precipitant (POMs and TFPB) concentrations (0.01M) on Cs⁺ precipitation. Our comparison of Cs⁺ precipitation by three different POMs and TFPB was obtained by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES). We synthesized POMs molybdovanadophosphoric acid, H₅PMo₁₀V₂O₄₀ (MVPA), and silicotungstic acid, H₄SiW₁₂O₄₀ (STA), and used commercially available phosphotungstic acid, H₃PW₁₂O₄₀ (PTA), and TFPB. Cs-doped pure phase vermiculite was also used to demonstrate the extraction potential of Cs⁺ by TFPB, STA, and PTA. All the POMs and corresponding Cs-bound POMs were characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). In this simulation study, we demonstrated that the Cs⁺ removal by POMs is much more effective than TFPB and could be a promising method for the treatment of radiocesium contaminated soil.

Integrating phosphotungstic acid-assisted prerefining with cellulase treatment for enhancing the reactivity of kraft-based dissolving pulp

Viscosity control and reactivity enhancement are of practical importance for high-quality dissolving pulp manufacturing. In this work, we demonstrate a two-step activating process consisting of a phosphotungstic acid (PTA)-assisted prerefining (PTA/R pretreatment), followed by cellulase treatment for this purpose. The cellulase adsorption can increase from 29.1% to 49.7% as a result of PTA/R pretreatment (8000 r at 90 °C). The viscosity of the resultant pulp decreases from 665 to 430 mL/g, while its Fock reactivity increases from 31.5% to 74.4% under a low-loading cellulase treatment (0.5 mg cellulase /g odp), which mainly due to the fact that the PTA/R pretreatment can increase fiber accessibility and viscosity control, thus facilitating cellulase adsorption and reaction efficiency. Moreover, PTA also shows a high recyclability/ reusability (more than 86%) during the PTA/R pretreatment. Therefore, the new proposed two-step activating process provides a green, and efficient pathway for large-scale manufacturing of high-quality dissolving pulp.

Reduction of N2O by H2 Catalyzed by Keggin-Type Phosphotungstic Acid Supported Single-Atom Catalysts: An Insight from Density Functional Theory Calculations

In the present paper, the mechanisms of N₂O reduction by H₂ were systemically examined over various polyoxometalate-supported single-atom catalysts (SACs) M₁/PTA (M = Fe, Co, Mn, Ru, Rh, Os, Ir, and Pt; PTA = [PW₁₂O₄₀]^3-) by means of density functional theory calculations. Among these M₁/PTA SACs, Os₁/PTA SAC possesses high activity for N₂O reduction by H₂ with a relatively low rate-determining barrier. The favorable catalytic pathway involves the first and second N₂O decomposition over the Os₁/PTA SAC and hydrogenation of the key species after the second N₂O decomposition. Molecular geometry and electronic structure analyses along the favorable reaction pathway indicate that a strong charge-transfer cooperative effect of metal and support effectively improves the catalytic activity of Os₁/PTA SAC. The isolated Os atom not only plays the role of adsorption and activation of the N₂O molecule but also works as an electron transfer medium in the whole reaction process. Meanwhile, the PTA support with very high redox stability has also been proven to be capable of transporting the electron to promote the whole reaction. We expect that our computation results can provide ideas for designing new SACs for N₂O reduction by using H₂ selective catalytic reduction technology.

Damaged starch derived carbon foam-supported heteropolyacid for catalytic conversion of cellulose: Improved catalytic performance and efficient reusability

To develop an efficient heterogeneous catalyst with good stability and reusability for catalytic conversion of cellulose to platform compounds, carbon foam (CF) was used to immobilize phosphotungstic acid (HPW) to prepare CF-supported HPW (HPW/CF) catalyst. Three-dimensional CF was prepared by carbonization of bread (precursor of CF) with mechanical activation (MA)-damaged starch, gluten protein, and yeast as materials. CF30 (30 wt% of gluten protein) exhibited good mechanical strength, relatively high specific surface area, and desired hierarchical porous structure. HPW was successfully anchored onto CF30 by grafting to prepare HPW/CF30 catalyst, which could effectively catalyze the hydrolysis of cellulose to produce glucose, especially for the hydrolysis of MA-pretreated cellulose with small granules and amorphous structure. The affinity between free hydroxyl groups of MA-pretreated cellulose and oxygen-containing groups of CF30 enhanced the catalytic efficiency of HPW/CF30. In addition, HPW/CF30 catalyst exhibited good reusability and was easily separated from reaction system for recycling.

Alternative staining methods for Lowicryl sections

A number of stains and stain combinations have been identified that, when used with the hydrophilic resin Lowicryl K11M, produce marked improvements over aqueous uranyl and lead salts (UA-Pb) in terms of low granularity, specificity, and range of components contrasted. Three test specimens, tobacco mosaic virus (TMV), starfish sperm, and cultured mouse fibroblasts, were used to evaluate stain characteristics. UA-Pb showed a preference for nuclei acids, which were stained specifically by osmium ammine-B at pH 1.5. A number of stain combinations in which UA was followed or preceded by salts containing barium, manganese, tungsten, molybdenum, and vanadium provided excellent staining of protein-containing components, each stain combination being unique in terms of the degree to which specific components were discriminated. These stains were particularly effective for visualizing internal components of the nucleus where a number of fibrillar and particulate structures not seen with UA-Pb were well contrasted.

Determining collagen distribution in articular cartilage using contrast-enhanced micro-computed tomography

OBJECTIVE

Collagen distribution within articular cartilage (AC) is typically evaluated from histological sections, e.g., using collagen staining and light microscopy (LM). Unfortunately, all techniques based on histological sections are time-consuming, destructive, and without extraordinary effort, limited to two dimensions. This study investigates whether phosphotungstic acid (PTA) and phosphomolybdic acid (PMA), two collagen-specific markers and X-ray absorbers, could (1) produce contrast for AC X-ray imaging or (2) be used to detect collagen distribution within AC.

METHOD

We labeled equine AC samples with PTA or PMA and imaged them with micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) at pre-defined time points 0, 18, 36, 54, 72, 90, 180, 270 h during staining. The micro-CT image intensity was compared with collagen distributions obtained with a reference technique, i.e., Fourier-transform infrared imaging (FTIRI). The labeling time and contrast agent producing highest association (Pearson correlation, Bland-Altman analysis) between FTIRI collagen distribution and micro-CT -determined PTA distribution was selected for human AC.

RESULTS

Both, PTA and PMA labeling permitted visualization of AC features using micro-CT in non-calcified cartilage. After labeling the samples for 36 h in PTA, the spatial distribution of X-ray attenuation correlated highly with the collagen distribution determined by FTIRI in both equine (mean ± S.D. of the Pearson correlation coefficients, r = 0.96 ± 0.03, n = 12) and human AC (r = 0.82 ± 0.15, n = 4).

CONCLUSIONS

PTA-induced X-ray attenuation is a potential marker for non-destructive detection of AC collagen distributions in 3D. This approach opens new possibilities in development of non-destructive 3D histopathological techniques for characterization of OA.

Multifactorial Optimization of Contrast-Enhanced Nanofocus Computed Tomography for Quantitative Analysis of Neo-Tissue Formation in Tissue Engineering Constructs

To progress the fields of tissue engineering (TE) and regenerative medicine, development of quantitative methods for non-invasive three dimensional characterization of engineered constructs (i.e. cells/tissue combined with scaffolds) becomes essential. In this study, we have defined the most optimal staining conditions for contrast-enhanced nanofocus computed tomography for three dimensional visualization and quantitative analysis of in vitro engineered neo-tissue (i.e. extracellular matrix containing cells) in perfusion bioreactor-developed Ti6Al4V constructs. A fractional factorial ‘design of experiments’ approach was used to elucidate the influence of the staining time and concentration of two contrast agents (Hexabrix and phosphotungstic acid) and the neo-tissue volume on the image contrast and dataset quality. Additionally, the neo-tissue shrinkage that was induced by phosphotungstic acid staining was quantified to determine the operating window within which this contrast agent can be accurately applied. For Hexabrix the staining concentration was the main parameter influencing image contrast and dataset quality. Using phosphotungstic acid the staining concentration had a significant influence on the image contrast while both staining concentration and neo-tissue volume had an influence on the dataset quality. The use of high concentrations of phosphotungstic acid did however introduce significant shrinkage of the neo-tissue indicating that, despite sub-optimal image contrast, low concentrations of this staining agent should be used to enable quantitative analysis. To conclude, design of experiments allowed us to define the most optimal staining conditions for contrast-enhanced nanofocus computed tomography to be used as a routine screening tool of neo-tissue formation in Ti6Al4V constructs, transforming it into a robust three dimensional quality control methodology.

In vitro detection of prionemia in TSE-infected cervids and hamsters

Blood-borne transmission of infectious prions during the symptomatic and asymptomatic stages of disease occurs for both human and animal transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs). The geographical distribution of the cervid TSE, chronic wasting disease (CWD), continues to spread across North America and the prospective number of individuals harboring an asymptomatic infection of human variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD) in the United Kingdom has been projected to be ~1 in 3000 residents. Thus, it is important to monitor cervid and human blood products to ensure herd health and human safety. Current methods for detecting blood-associated prions rely primarily upon bioassay in laboratory animals. While bioassay provides high sensitivity and specificity, it requires many months, animals, and it is costly. Here we report modification of the real time quaking-induced conversion (RT-QuIC) assay to detect blood-borne prions in whole blood from prion-infected preclinical white-tailed deer, muntjac deer, and Syrian hamsters, attaining sensitivity of >90% while maintaining 100% specificity. Our results indicate that RT-QuIC methodology as modified can provide consistent and reliable detection of blood-borne prions in preclinical and symptomatic stages of two animal TSEs, offering promise for prionemia detection in other species, including humans.

Plant tissues in 3D via X-ray tomography: simple contrasting methods allow high resolution imaging

Computed tomography remains strongly underused in plant sciences despite its high potential in delivering detailed 3D phenotypical information because of the low X-ray absorption of most plant tissues. Existing protocols to study soft tissues display poor performance, especially when compared to those used on animals. More efficient protocols to study plant material are therefore needed. Flowers of Arabidopsis thaliana and Marcgravia caudata were immersed in a selection of contrasting agents used to treat samples for transmission electron microscopy. Grayscale values for floral tissues and background were measured as a function of time. Contrast was quantified via a contrast index. The thick buds of Marcgravia were scanned to determine which contrasting agents best penetrate thick tissues. The highest contrast increase with cytoplasm-rich tissues was obtained with phosphotungstate, whereas osmium tetroxide and bismuth tatrate displayed the highest contrast increase with vacuolated tissues. Phosphotungstate also displayed the best sample penetration. Furthermore, infiltration with phosphotungstate allowed imaging of all plants parts at a high resolution of 3 µm, which approaches the maximum resolution of our equipment: 1.5 µm. The high affinity of phosphotungstate for vasculature, cytoplasm-rich tissue, and pollen causes these tissues to absorb more X-rays than the surrounding tissues, which, in turn, makes these tissues appear brighter on the scan data. Tissues with different brightness can then be virtually dissected from each other by selecting the bracket of grayscale to be visualized. Promising directions for the future include in silico phenotyping and developmental studies of plant inner parts (e.g., ovules, vasculature, pollen, and cell nuclei) via virtual dissection as well as correlations of quantitative phenotypes with omics datasets. Therefore, this work represents a crucial improvement of previous methods, allowing new directions of research to be undertaken in areas ranging from morphology to systems biology.

UV-H2O2 degradation of methyl orange catalysed by H3PW12O40/activated clay

A catalyst consisting of phosphotungstic acid (H3PW12O40) combined with activated clay was prepared by the impregnation method, and an experiment was carried out to evaluate the catalytic activity of the H3PW12O40/activated clay for the degradation of methyl orange (MO) in the UV-H2O2 process. The degradation ratio of MO can be affected by H2O2 concentration, reaction time, catalyst dosage, pH and temperature. The reaction temperature should be controlled at less than 70 degrees C, and the catalyst has a wide applicable pH range in the UV-H2O2 process. Hydroxyl radicals were generated in the UV-H2O2 system under the action of H3PW12O40/activated clay, and MO was degraded by hydroxyl radicals. Compared with traditional catalysts used in UV-H2O2 systems, H3PW12O40/activated clay has certain advantages for its practical application.

Sperm ultrastructure of Mytella (Bivalvia) populations from distinct habitats along the northern coast of São Paulo State, Brazil

Ultrastructural analyses of bivalve spermatozoa are relevant in studies that aim to identify taxonomic traits for the purposes of discriminating species and conducting phylogenetic studies. In the present work, spermatozoa of mussel specimens of the genus Mytella, collected from two populations living in distinct habitats, were examined by electron microscopy. The objective was to identify sperm ultrastructural taxonomic traits that could be used to differentiate Mytella species. The specimens were from populations that live in intertidal zones on the southeast coast of Brazil, either buried in muddy-sand sediment or anchored to rocky substrates. The acrosomal vesicle was conical and long, the axial rod extended from the nucleus to the acrosome, the nucleus was an oblate spheroid with a condensed chromatin, the intermediate portion contained mitochondria encircling a pair of centrioles, and there was a single flagellum. The sperm was of a primitive type. The spermatozoon ultrastructure did not distinguish the specimens buried in muddy-sand sediment from those anchored to rocky substrates. The data suggest that the specimens analyzed, despite living in distinct habitats, belong to the same species, which conchological analyses identified as M. charruana. The presence of an axial rod in their sperm cells supports the inclusion of M. charruana in the subfamily Mytilinae.

Examination of electron stains as a substitute for uranyl acetate for the ultrathin sections of bacterial cells

Electron staining reagents were examined to find a possible substitute for uranyl acetate (UA) in electron microscopy of bacterial ultrathin sections. Four kinds of stains, platinum blue (Pt-blue), oolong tea extract (OTE), potassium permanganate (KMnO(4)) and phosphotungstic acid (PTA), were examined in comparison with UA either with or without post-staining with lead citrate (Pb). Electron microscopy was performed on sections from Spurr-embedded cells of a Gram-positive bacterium, Bacillus cereus NBRC 13597, and a Gram-negative bacterium, Escherichia coli NBRC 3301. Both Pt-blue and OTE showed staining similar to each other and to that of double staining with UA and Pb in B. cereus, while in E. coli the cytoplasmic membrane appeared less dense when compared with UA and Pb. KMnO(4) stained excessively to some extent, but showed images of the best contrast in the cytoplasmic membrane comparable with UA and Pb among the four reagents. PTA could stain the peptidoglycan layer but gave images of low quality for both bacteria. This study demonstrated that none of the reagents examined showed staining results of the same quality or better than the conventional method with UA and Pb. However, stains of Pt-blue, OTE and KMnO(4) could possibly be an alternative candidate for the UA according to the structure in question.

MicroCT for comparative morphology: simple staining methods allow high-contrast 3D imaging of diverse non-mineralized animal tissues

BACKGROUND

Comparative, functional, and developmental studies of animal morphology require accurate visualization of three-dimensional structures, but few widely applicable methods exist for non-destructive whole-volume imaging of animal tissues. Quantitative studies in particular require accurately aligned and calibrated volume images of animal structures. X-ray microtomography (microCT) has the potential to produce quantitative 3D images of small biological samples, but its widespread use for non-mineralized tissues has been limited by the low x-ray contrast of soft tissues. Although osmium staining and a few other techniques have been used for contrast enhancement, generally useful methods for microCT imaging for comparative morphology are still lacking.

RESULTS

Several very simple and versatile staining methods are presented for microCT imaging of animal soft tissues, along with advice on tissue fixation and sample preparation. The stains, based on inorganic iodine and phosphotungstic acid, are easier to handle and much less toxic than osmium, and they produce high-contrast x-ray images of a wide variety of soft tissues. The breadth of possible applications is illustrated with a few microCT images of model and non-model animals, including volume and section images of vertebrates, embryos, insects, and other invertebrates. Each image dataset contains x-ray absorbance values for every point in the imaged volume, and objects as small as individual muscle fibers and single blood cells can be resolved in their original locations and orientations within the sample.

CONCLUSION

With very simple contrast staining, microCT imaging can produce quantitative, high-resolution, high-contrast volume images of animal soft tissues, without destroying the specimens and with possibilities of combining with other preparation and imaging methods. Such images are expected to be useful in comparative, developmental, functional, and quantitative studies of morphology.

[A simple separative method for measuring serum amyloid A in high-density-lipoprotein and low-density-lipoprotein fractions using the phosphotungstic acid-Mg2+ precipitation procedure]

We developed a simple separative method for measuring serum amyloid A (SAA) in both high-density-lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density-lipoprotein (LDL) fractions. It was devised using the SAA agglutination method and phosphotungstic acid-Mg2+ precipitation procedure for evaluating HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C). The new method is also able to detect amyloid A (AA) in each fraction with precision. The results of both the present method and the method using SAA agglutination and the dextran sulfate-Mg2+ precipitation procedure showed a strong correlation when used to measure the level of SAA in the LDL fraction of patients (r = 0.997; p < 0.0001). Reference intervals in normal healthy subjects (n=75) ranged from 0.5 to 4.7 microg/ml in the HDL fraction and from 0.1 to 1.9 microg/ml in the LDL fraction. SAA in the LDL fraction of subjects with hyperlipidemia was significantly higher than in normal subjects and subjects with normal lipidemia. SAA in the HDL fraction and total sera of subjects with hyperlipidemia was significantly higher than in normal subjects; however, it was not higher than in patients with normal lipidemia. The present methods for detecting SAA, especially in the LDL fraction, might benefit from analyzing patho-physiological events in various lipid disorders.

Malignant stromal tumor, so called "gastrointestinal stromal tumor", with rhabdomyomatous differentiation occurring in the gallbladder

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) constitute the largest category of primary nonepithelial neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract. It is extremely rare that this tumor occurs in the bile tract, and only a few cases have been reported. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells revealed a phenotype similar to Cajal cells, occasionally with differentiation to smooth muscle cells or neural cells. We present a case of malignant stromal tumor similar to GISTs with rhabdomyomatous differentiation of the gallbladder in a 68-year-old woman. The resected tumor was predominantly composed of spindle cells with rhabdomyomatous differentiation. Immunohistochemical study revealed diffuse staining of tumor cells using vimentin despite negative staining for desmin or S-100. This indicated a mesenchymal origin of the cells without smooth muscle or neuronal differentiation. Myoglobin-positive cells, in which phosphotungstic acid hematoxylin staining revealed cross striations of the cytoplasm, suggested rhabdomyomatous differentiation. Diffuse positivity for KIT in the cells suggested that the pathogenesis of this tumor may resemble that of GIST. The tumor may have derived from a mesenchymal stem cell that had undergone partial rhabdomyomatous differentiation.

Evaluation of Western blotting methods using samples with or without sodium phosphotungstic acid precipitation for diagnosis of scrapie and chronic wasting disease

The purpose of this study was to enhance the sensitivity of the Western blot (WB) test for use as an alternative and confirmatory method for the diagnosis of scrapie and chronic wasting disease (CWD) in Canada by comparing 2 sample preparation procedures: an abnormal prion protein (PrPSc) concentration procedure using sodium phosphotungstic acid (PTA) precipitation and a procedure using crude sample without precipitation. A total of 100 cerebrum samples (52 sheep and 48 elk), including 66 negative (31 sheep, 35 elk) and 34 positive (21 scrapie and 13 CWD positive) samples diagnosed by using immunohistochemistry (IHC) on retropharyngeal lymph node (RPLN) and medulla oblongata at obex, were tested by using WB with the 2 sample preparation procedures. The WB using non-PTA enriched sample (crude extract) detected, on average, only 71.7% (9 of 15, 60.0% for scrapie, 5 of 6, 83.3% for CWD) of the samples that tested positive by using WB with PTA enriched samples. No case was positive by WB using crude extract but negative by WB using PTA enriched sample. No false positive was found. Serial dilution of PTA precipitated samples demonstrated that the technique increases the detection limit approximately 100 fold. Additionally, the comparison of the WB and IHC on cerebrum from all the positive cases demonstrated that WB following PTA precipitation and IHC had 100% agreement by detecting 6 positive for CWD on cerebrum; while IHC detected scrapie in only 14 out of 15 positive cerebrum samples by using WB following PTA precipitation. Phosphotungstic acid precipitation is therefore a useful adjunct to WB analysis of scrapie and CWD and tissues.

Alterations of N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive atpase following transient cerebral ischemia

Neuronal repair following injury requires recruitment of large amounts of membranous proteins into synaptic and other cell membranes, which is carried out by the fusion of transport vesicles to their target membranes. A critical molecule responsible for assemblage of membranous proteins is N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor (NSF) which is an ATPase. To study whether NSF is involved in ischemic neurological deficits and delayed neuronal death, we investigated alterations of NSF after transient cerebral ischemia by means of biochemical methods, as well as confocal and electron microscopy. We found that transient cerebral ischemia induced depletion of free NSF and concomitantly relocalization of NSF into the Triton X-100-insoluble fraction including postsynaptic densities in CA1 neurons during the postischemic period. The NSF alterations are accompanied by accumulation of large quantities of intracellular vesicles in CA1 neurons that are undergoing delayed neuronal death after transient cerebral ischemia. Therefore, permanent depletion of free NSF and relocalization of NSF into the Triton X-100-insoluble fraction may disable the vesicle fusion machinery necessary for repair of synaptic injury, and ultimately leads to synaptic dysfunction and delayed neuronal death in CA1 neurons after transient cerebral ischemia.

Adaptation of the phosphotungstate method to determine reduced and oxidized vitamin C in blood plasma

The phosphotungstate reagent (PTR) was used for quantitative spectrophotometric determination of physiological forms of vitamin C in blood plasma. An immediate action of PTR on the first half of the tested samples allowed to determine reduced vitamin C concentrations (I) at 700 nm. 10 mM dithiothreitol added to the second half of the samples reduced oxidized vitamin C in it--hence the total amount of this vitamin was reduced with a concentration (II) determined as above (remains of dithiothreitol were removed with N-ethylmaleimide). The difference of results (II) and (I) gave the concentration of oxidized vitamin C. The method is characterised by fault-less analytical parameters: correlation coefficients of analytical curves > 0.99, recovery factor 100.5%, variation coefficients intra- and inter-serial < 3% and < 5%, respectively, detection limit 0.05 microM. The simplicity of the method enables an easy control of the ratio of oxidized and reduced vitamin C concentrations in blood plasma--the biomarker of the level of oxidative damage to cells.

Malignant astrocytoma with binucleated granular cells in a Sprague-Dawley rat

A 2-year-old Sprague-Dawley rat with hindlimb paralysis was diagnosed with a cerebral malignant astrocytoma. The distinctive feature of this astrocytoma was the presence of scattered binucleated cells that contained hypereosinophilic, 1-2 micro m in diameter, cytoplasmic granules. The neoplastic astrocytes stained positively for vimentin (VIM), lysozyme, and phosphotungstic acid hematoxylin (PTAH). Within the binucleated cells, granules stained with PTAH and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) before and after diastase digestion. Ultrastructurally, neoplastic astrocytes were characterized by cytoplasmic aggregates of electron-dense intermediate filaments consistent with VIM and desmin. The cytoplasm of binucleated cells contained numerous phagolysosomes enlarged by myelin figures and glycoprotein or glycolipid. Intermediate filaments were not present. This is the first description, in the rat, of a neoplasm with features resembling the human granular cell astrocytoma. Our findings suggest that an astrocytic origin should be considered for the binucleated cells in this neoplasm.

Electron densitometry of stained virus particles

Methods are described for determining the relative mass of particles in electron microscope specimens through the measurement of photographic densities in recorded images. These methods were applied to a quantitative study of the amounts of electron stains that could be associated with the particles of tomato bushy stunt virus (BSV) and tobacco mosaic virus (TMV). In the pH range above 2 where the viruses are stable, the amount of stain absorbed is too small to produce adequate contrast in the electron microscope. Maximum stain absorption was achieved at pH about 1 where with several reagents and combinations of reagents the mass of BSV could be increased to about four times that of the unstained particles. Optimum results were obtained with phosphotungstic acid alone or in combination with Pt, Th, or La ions. Since the pH conditions for high stain absorption are normally destructive, morphology is satisfactorily preserved only when the phosphotungstic acid is applied in concentrations of 10 per cent or greater or when the use of destructive reagents is preceded by a preliminary fixation under mild conditions. Maximum staining of TMV increased the mass of the particles to about two times that of the unstained. Estimates of the mass of heavily stained BSV particles indicate that their density is 3.3 gm./cm.³ The high internal hydration of BSV probably accounts for the greater stain absorption and penetration compared to those of TMV which has very low or zero internal hydration. Anomalous images resulting from the use of electron stains are shown and discussed.

Adaptation of the phosphotungstate method for the determination of vitamin C contents in animal and human tissues

The usefulness of phosphotungstate reagent for vitamin C determination in tissue homogenates has been confirmed. An optimal homogenization medium was selected: 1.8 M solution of HPO3 in 1.3 M CH3COOH. With this medium the analytical curve (at 700 nm) demonstrated the right linearity, correlation and recovery coefficients were appropriately high (0.999 and 99.8%) and the values of intraserial and interserial variation coefficient were low (< 5% and < 10%, respectively). It makes this method sensitive, easily repeatable, and useful for vitamin C determination in animal and human tissues, including neoplastic ones.

Morphometry of E-PTA stained synapses at the periphery of pathological lesions

We carried out a novel application of the disector sampling and counting method, in a biopsy material from the pathologic human brain, to estimate the synaptic structural dynamics, quantitatively. Parietal cortex biopsies of adult (mean age: 40.0 years) and old (mean age: 66.2 years) patients having undergone surgical intervention were investigated. The tissue samples were excised at the periphery of meningioma masses. Synaptic contact zones were stained en bloc by the ethanol phosphotungstic acid (E-PTA) preferential technique which selectively enhances both the pre- and post-synaptic paramembranous material separated by a sharp cleft against a very faint background, thus facilitating and objectifying synaptic morphometry. The disector method, associated with currently used morphometric formulas, enabled us to measure the number of synapses/m3 of tissue (numeric density: Nv); the total area of the synaptic contact zones/m3 of tissue (surface density: Sv) and the average synaptic size (S). In old vs. adult patients, Nv decreased by 7.5% (Mean (SEM): Adult 2.0040(0.0452); Old 1.6780(0.0623)), while S increased by 17.5% (Adult 0.0203(0.0026); Old 0.0246(0.0035)). Sv did not show any age-related difference. The same negative correlation between Nv and S has also been reported in physiological aging, and this suggests the active presence of age-related synaptic restructuring mechanisms in the nervous tissue surrounding a tumoral mass.

Ultrastructural analyses of the Caenorhabditis elegans DR 847 bli-1(n361) mutant which produces abnormal cuticle blisters

The bli-1 gene of Caenorhabditis elegans has been previously described as a mutation which disrupts the structure of the adult-stage cuticle causing the formation of fluid-filled blisters. We investigated the blistering phenotype exhibiting n361 allele and observed a gradual blister formation in adult nematodes. In the course several fine changes occurred including a high electron density granulous material filling the intermediate layer, alterations on struts structure, and finally the total disappearance of the fibrous and basal layers. With the ethanolic phosphotungstic acid technique (E-PTA), which localizes basic proteins, reaction product was observed in the cortical layer of the wild strain, whereas in the mutant strain an irregular labelling pattern was observed in this region. The granulous material inside the intermediate layer of the mutant strain showed also a strong reaction. An imidazole-buffered osmium tetroxide solution was used to visualize lipids at ultrastructural level, however no dense product was detected in the cuticle of both strains of C. elegans. Based on these results we postulated that the blistering phenotype is due to an altered function of bli-1 gene, which is probably enzymatic.

Ultrastructural and immunocytochemical characterization of interstitial cells in pre- and postnatal developing sheep pineal gland

Pineal gland interstitial cells from 32 sheep embryos (from day 54 of gestation until birth) and 18 sheep (from 1 month to >2 years) were analysed using ultrastructural and immunohistochemical techniques. From day 98 of gestation and throughout postnatal development, a second cell type was observed in addition to pinealocytes; these cells displayed uniform ultrastructural features similar to those of CNS astrocytes. Ultrastructural homogeneity was not matched by the results of histochemical and immunohistochemical analysis. Expression of phosphotungstic acid hematoxylin, glial fibrillary acidic protein and vimentin indicates that the second cell population in the developing ovine pineal gland is, in fact, a combination of glial-astrocyte cells at varying stages of maturity. Pineal interstitial cells started to show signs of functional activity evident in vascular tropism; such activity, evident from around day 98 of gestation, appeared to relate to the exchange of substances between the pineal parenchyma and blood vessels and, though it continued throughout postnatal development, was most evident in animals slaughtered between 9 months and 2 years of age (group II). Morphologically, functional activity in interstitial cells in this age-group was apparent in: 1, formation of specific contact sites between interstitial cells and nerve fibres in the perivascular space; and 2, the presence of numerous gap junctions between the bulbous endings of cytoplasmic processes.

Application of an automated specimen search system installed in a transmission electron microscope for the detection of caliciviruses in clinical specimens

To evaluate the performance of an automated specimen search system in the detection of caliciviruses such as Norwalk-like viruses and Sapporo-like viruses, a suitable negative staining method was developed and the viruses were examined using the system installed in a transmission electron microscope (TEM). Clear images of the viruses were obtained by staining with 2% uranyl acetate at pH 4.0 as compared with 2% phosphotungstic acid staining at any pH. When the image parameter of 30+/-6 nm for the diameter of a single virus-like particle of 2% uranyl-acetate-stained Norwalk-like virus was set on the automated specimen search system, 95% of the virus-like particles that were counted by the conventional TEM technique were detected. The system was used to detect Norwalk-like viruses in five semipurified stool samples in which Norwalk-like viruses had already been detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay and conventional electron microscopy. The positive detection rate for Norwalk-like viruses, which had been counted by the conventional technique, ranged from 56.2 to 77.9% using this system. Our findings indicate that the automated specimen search system installed in a TEM is suitable for the detection of caliciviruses in semipurified stool samples. The system is useful for clinical diagnosis without the need for operator intervention.

Tissue distribution of protease resistant prion protein in variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease using a highly sensitive immunoblotting assay

BACKGROUND

Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) has a pathogenesis distinct from other forms of human prion disease: disease-related prion protein (PrP(Sc)) is readily detectable in lymphoreticular tissues. Quantitation of risk of secondary transmission, and targeting of risk reduction strategies, is limited by lack of knowledge about relative prion titres in these and other peripheral tissues, the unknown prevalence of preclinical vCJD, and a transmission barrier which limits the sensitivity of bioassay. We aimed to improve immunoblotting methods for high sensitivity detection of PrP(Sc) to investigate the distribution of PrP(Sc) in a range of vCJD tissues.

METHODS

We obtained tissues at necropsy from four patients with neuropathologically confirmed vCJD and from individuals without neurological disease. Tissues were analysed by sodium phosphotungstic acid precipitation of PrP(Sc) and western blotting using high sensitivity enhanced chemiluminescence.

FINDINGS

We could reliably detect PrP(Sc) in the equivalent of 50 nL 10% vCJD brain homogenate, with a maximum limit of detection equivalent to 5 nl. PrP(Sc) could be detected in tissue homogenates when present at concentrations 10(4)-10(5) fold lower than those reported in brain. Tonsil, spleen, and lymph node were uniformly positive for PrP(Sc) at concentrations in the range of 0.1-15% of those found in brain: the highest concentrations were consistently seen in tonsil. PrP(Sc) was readily detected in the retina and proximal optic nerve of vCJD eye at levels of 2.5 and 25%, respectively of those found in brain. Other peripheral tissues studied were negative for PrP(Sc) with the exception of low concentrations in rectum, adrenal gland, and thymus from a single patient with vCJD. vCJD appendix and blood (Buffy coat fraction) were negative for PrP(Sc) at this level of assay sensitivity.

INTERPRETATION

We have developed a highly sensitive immunoblot method for detection of PrP(Sc) in vCJD tissues that can be used to provide an upper limit on PrP(Sc) concentrations in peripheral tissues, including blood, to inform risk assessment models. Rectal and other gastrointestinal tissues should be further investigated to assess risk of iatrogenic transmission via biopsy instruments. Ophthalmic surgical instruments used in procedures involving optic nerve and the posterior segment of the eye, in particular the retina, might represent a potential risk for iatrogenic transmission of vCJD. Tonsil is the tissue of choice for diagnostic biopsy and for population screening of surgical tissues to assess prevalence of preclinical vCJD infection within the UK and other populations.

Protein aggregation after focal brain ischemia and reperfusion

Two hours of transient focal brain ischemia causes acute neuronal death in the striatal core region and a somewhat more delayed type of neuronal death in neocortex. The objective of the current study was to investigate protein aggregation and neuronal death after focal brain ischemia in rats. Brain ischemia was induced by 2 hours of middle cerebral artery occlusion. Protein aggregation was analyzed by electron microscopy, laser-scanning confocal microscopy, and Western blotting. Two hours of focal brain ischemia induced protein aggregation in ischemic neocortical neurons at 1 hour of reperfusion, and protein aggregation persisted until neuronal death at 24 hours of reperfusion. Protein aggregates were found in the neuronal soma, dendrites, and axons, and they were associated with intracellular membranous structures during the postischemic phase. High-resolution confocal microscopy showed that clumped protein aggregates surrounding nuclei and along dendrites were formed after brain ischemia. On Western blots, ubiquitinated proteins (ubi-proteins) were dramatically increased in neocortical tissues in the postischemic phase. The ubi-proteins were Triton-insoluble, indicating that they might be irreversibly aggregated. The formation of ubi-protein aggregates after ischemia correlated well with the observed decrease in free ubiquitin and neuronal death. The authors concluded that proteins are severely damaged and aggregated in neurons after focal ischemia. The authors propose that protein damage or aggregation may contribute to ischemic neuronal death.

Novel filaments 5 nm in diameter constitute the cytosolic ring of the plastid division apparatus

The plastid division apparatus (called the plastid-dividing ring) has been detected in several plant and algal species at the constricted region of plastids by transmission electron microscopy. The apparatus is composed of two or three rings: an outer ring in the cytosol, an inner ring in the stroma, and a middle ring in the intermembrane space. The components of these rings are not clear. FtsZ, which forms the bacterial cytokinetic ring, has been proposed as a component of both the inner and outer rings. Here, we present the ultrastructure of the outer ring at high resolution. To visualize the outer ring by negative staining, we isolated dividing chloroplasts from a synchronized culture of a red alga, Cyanidioschyzon merolae, and lysed them with nonionic detergent Nonidet P-40. Nonidet P-40 extracted primarily stroma, thylakoids, and the inner and middle rings, leaving the envelope and outer ring largely intact. Negative staining revealed that the outer ring consists of a bundle of 5-nm filaments in which globular proteins are spaced 4.8 nm apart. Immunoblotting using an FtsZ-specific antibody failed to show immunoreactivity in the fraction containing the filament. Moreover, the filament structure and properties are unlike those of known cytoskeletal filaments. The bundle of filaments forms a very rigid structure and does not disassemble in 2 M urea. We also identified a dividing phase-specific 56-kD protein of chloroplasts as a candidate component of the ring. Our results suggest that the main architecture of the outer ring did not descend from cyanobacteria during the course of endosymbiosis but was added by the host cell early in plant evolution.

Analytical and clinical evaluation of two homogeneous assays for LDL-cholesterol in hyperlipidemic patients

BACKGROUND

LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) concentrations are the primary basis for treatment guidelines established for hyperlipidemic patients. LDL-C concentrations are commonly monitored by means of the Friedewald formula, which provides a relative estimation of LDL-C concentration when the triglyceride concentration is <2000 mg/L and there are no abnormal lipids. The Friedewald formula has several limitations and may not meet the current total error requirement of <12% in LDL-C measurements.

METHODS

We evaluated the analytical and clinical performance of two direct methods (Roche and Wako) by analyzing 313 fresh serum samples obtained from dyslipidemic patients in a lipid clinic and comparing them with modified beta-quantification.

RESULTS

Both homogeneous assays displayed excellent precision (CV <2%). The Roche method showed a mean total error of 7.72%, and the Wako method showed a mean total error of 4.46% over a wide range of LDL-C concentrations. The Roche method correlated highly with the modified beta-quantification assay (r = 0.929; y = 1.052x - 168 mg/L; n = 166) and showed a bias of -4. 5% as a result of the assigned standard value. The Wako method also correlated highly with beta-quantification (r = 0.966; y = 0.9125x + 104.8 mg/L; n = 145) without significant bias. The Roche method correctly classified 97% of patients with triglycerides <2000 mg/L, 75% of patients with type IIb hyperlipemia (HPL), and 84% of patients with type IV HPL based on the cutpoints of 1300 and 1600 mg/L, compared with 98%, 78.4%, and 89%, respectively, for the Wako method. In dysbetalipoproteinemic patients, both methods have a 30% mean positive bias compared with beta-quantification.

CONCLUSIONS

Both direct methods can be a useful alternative when ultracentrifugation is not available for the diagnosis and control of lipid-lowering medication for patients with mixed HPL, but not for patients with type III hyperlipidemia.

Proteolysis in Manchego-type cheese salted by brine vacuum impregnation

A new salting procedure based on the brine vacuum impregnation of porous products was tested on Manchego-type cheese and compared with conventional brine immersion. Its effect on cheese proteolysis throughout a 90-d ripening period was determined. Three cheese regions were evaluated (the rind, the middle, and the internal regions). The parameters analyzed were total N, water-soluble N, soluble N in trichloroacetic acid and soluble N in phosphotungstic acid by using the Kjeldahl method, casein profile by urea-PAGE, and peptide profile of the water soluble nitrogen extract by reverse-phase HPLC. Free amino acid formation was monitored with a spectrophotometric method by using a Cd-ninhydrin reagent. Globally, proteolysis was significantly affected by ripening stage (increasing throughout all the maturation period studied) and cheese region (rind showed a proteolysis pattern different from the middle and internal regions). The salting procedure only affected cheese proteolysis in the rind, whereas conventional brine-salted cheeses showed lower proteolysis than vacuum-impregnated cheeses.

Morpho-structural variations of bacterial spores after treatment in steam vacuum assisted autoclave

This study intended to verify, through microbiological techniques and TEM investigations, the killing of bacterial spores after treatment in steam autoclave, and to propose strictly morphological considerations about the target of this sterilisation process. Autoclave is the most common device for sterilising instruments in order to prevent cross infections in dental offices. The autoclave efficiency has been improved in the last years and part of this improvement is related to both a better and more correct use of the autoclave system and to the technological innovations introduced in the last generation of devices. However, associations as ADA or CDC suggest to regularly verify the process of 'autoclaving' through biological indicators (BI). The most commonly used BI are made of spores strips or suspensions of Bacillus Subtilis (pb 168) and Bacillus Stearothermophilus (ATCC 10149). They visually prove, changing colours on enzymatic base, the death of micro-organism and if the physical parameters, necessary for sterilisation, have been achieved. These two strains of endospore-forming bacteria were processed and prepared following two different techniques: Karnovsky fixed and epon embedded--phosphotungstic acid fixed for direct observation. The kind and the extent of analysed modifications are extremely various: from deep lacerations, which changed the spore structure, to little clefts which let the cytoplasm go out.

[A new trichromic safranin stain for the detection of Cryptosporidium parvum, Cyclospora cayetanensis, species of Microsporidia and Isospora belli in fecal material]

Cryptosporidium parvum, Isospora belli, Cyclospora cayetanensis and Microsporidia are frequent pathogens in the immunodeficient host, which may cause multiple infections. The above mentioned parasites are found in feces by the application of different specific tintorial techniques. The objective of this work was the development of a stain for the simultaneous detection of these parasites, reducing costs as well as the time taken to make the diagnosis. The safranin-trichrome stain is simple, chip and its results are similar to those of specific tints. All microorganisms are easy to detect and besides being perfectly distinguishable from fungi and faecal elements.

Growth of collagen fibrils produced by human osteosarcoma cells: high-resolution scanning electron microscopy

To demonstrate three-dimensionally the process of the collagen fibril growth, the bottom of culture dishes with human osteosarcoma cells (NOS-1) and their extracts were examined by conventional scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Backscattered electron (BSE) imaging of SEM was also applied to the specimens, which were stained with phosphotungustic acid and uranyl acetate. Conventional SEM images showed several stages of collagen fibril assembly. Short collagen fibrils with tapered ends were distributed at the bottom of the dish just beneath and/or around the cultured cells; they were 1 microm long and 20-30 nm in diameter at the thickest middle portion. These fibrils were often twisted and united in a right helical direction, and consequently increased in length (5-10 microm) and diameter (more than 100 nm). In BSE images, the periodical bands stained with phosphotungstic acid and uranyl acetate were visualized throughout the individual fibrils. The banding pattern indicated that the polarity of the collagen molecules was unidirectional; namely, that all molecules were pointed in the same direction throughout the length of the fibrils.

[Multicenter evaluation on different analyzers of three methods for direct HDL-cholesterol assay]

Most frequently, in routine laboratories, C-HDL is measured in the supernatant after precipitation of apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins by the sodium phosphotungstate/magnesium chloride reagent (PTA). This method involves precipitation, centrifugation and decantation steps which prevent full automation of the measurement and decrease the accuracy of the results. Recently, three direct assays for C-HDL including alpha-cyclodextrin sulphate (alpha-CD), polyanions/detergents (PA-D) or antibodies anti-beta-lipoproteins (AC) have been commercialized, in which all steps are fully managed by automated analyzers. These new methods have been compared to the conventional procedure (PTA), in multicenter studies among six laboratories using different analyzers. The C-HDL values measured by the alpha-CD and PA-D assays correlated well with those of the PTA method (r > 0.98), on most of the analyzers. With the AC assay, only the results obtained with the Hitachi 717 analyzer were correlated with C-HDL values of the PTA method. The linearity and specificity studies were evaluated in the laboratory A on a Kone Specific analyzer. The alpha-CD and PA-D assays were linear for C-HDL values from 0 to 5.56 mmol/l, as observed by increasing amounts of HDL2 + HDL3 or serum without lipoprotein isolated by ultracentrifugation. The specificity of these two methods was evaluated simultaneously, by adding various amounts of lipoproteins isolated by sequential ultracentrifugation. No interference was observed when adding chylomicrons up to 13.4 mmol/l of triglycerides for both methods. Inversely, increased C-HDL values were observed with added VLDL from 6 mmol/l of triglycerides for the PA-D assay and from 8 mmol/l for the alpha-CD assay. No interference was observed with added LDL up to 11.5 mmol/l of C-LDL for the alpha-CD assay and up to 6.7 mmol/l for the PA-D assay. In conclusion, the present multicenter evaluation demonstrates that the new procedures for the direct automation of C-HDL are easy and accurate and most of them correlated well with the classical precipitation method. In addition the study provides arguments for a choice between the different direct C-HDL methods.

A comparison to precipitation with phosphotungstic acid/MgCl2 and a lyophilized homogeneous assay

We evaluated a new ready to use liquid assay for the homogeneous determination of HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C; Merck, Darmstadt, Germany) in comparison to phosphotungstic acid precipitation and a homogeneous assay, based on sulfated alpha-cyclodextrin and polyethylene glycol-modified enzymes (Roche Diagnostics/Boehringer Mannheim, Germany). The new liquid homogeneous HDL-C assay had inter-assay coefficients' of variation of less than 2.1%. The method is linear up to at least 3.11 mmol/I HDL-C, but even at 4.40 mmol/I the deviation from the expected value is less than 5%. Spinking experiments with low density lipoproteins and very low density lipoproteins proved that the new assay was specific for high density lipoproteins up to cholesterol associated with low density lipoproteins (LDL-C) and very low density lipoproteins (VLDL)-triglyceride concentrations of 18.13 and 22.60 mmol/l, respectively. Free fatty acids above 2mmol/l did not interfere. Icteric samples with bilirubin concentrations between 170 and 400 micromol/l did not show any systematic deviation compared to the precipitation procedure. In addition, serum hemoglobin concentrations up to 7.0 mmol/l and ascorbic acid up to 3000 micromol/l did not interfere with the HDL-C assay. An intermethod comparison including 120 samples revealed good agreement of the liquid HDL-C assay and the precipitation procedure (y = 0.943x + 0.074 mmol/l; r = 0.992). The new homogeneous HDL-C assay is thus precise, comparable and robust. Due to its ease of handling this assay will significantly facilitate attempts to include the differentiation between HDL-C and LDL-C in the routine screening for cardiovascular risk factors and in the monitoring of lipid lowering therapy.

Single-molecule imaging of human insulin receptor ectodomain and its Fab complexes

The insulin receptor (IR) is a four-chain, transmembrane dimer held together by disulfide bonds. To gain information about the molecular envelope and the organization of its domains, single-molecule images of the IR ectodomain and its complexes with three Fabs have been analyzed by electron microscopy. The data indicate that the IR ectodomain resembles a U-shaped prism of approximate dimensions 90 x 80 x 120 A. The width of the cleft (assumed membrane-distal) between the two side arms is sufficient to accommodate ligand. Fab 83-7, which recognizes the cys-rich region of IR, bound halfway up one end of each side arm in a diametrically opposite manner, indicating a twofold axis of symmetry normal to the membrane surface. Fabs 83-14 and 18-44, which have been mapped respectively to the first fibronectin type III domain (residues 469-592) and residues 765-770 in the insert domain, bound near the base of the prism at opposite corners. These images, together with the data from the recently determined 3D structure of the first three domains of the insulin-like growth factor type I receptor, suggest that the IR dimer is organized into two layers with the L1/cys-rich/L2 domains occupying the upper (membrane distal) region of the U-shaped prism and the fibronectin type III domains and the insert domains located predominantly in the membrane-proximal region.

Immunohistochemical, ultrastructural and molecular study of well differentiated adenocarcinomas of the lung predominantly composed of goblet cells

In order to clarify the morphological and biological characteristics of well differentiated adenocarcinoma of the lung predominantly composed of goblet cells (WDAG), histopathological examinations, including some molecular biological procedures, were carried out using 42 surgical specimens of primary lung carcinoma which were predominantly (>50% of the total cell population) or totally composed of goblet cells. The subjects included 19 men and 21 women, ranging in age from 41 to 81 (mean 60 years old) with predominantly nodular, peripherally located lesions. Ultrastructural examination revealed characteristic apical microvillous filamentous core rootless (AFCR) in some, but not all, cases. Histologically, these AFCR corresponded well with structures stained by phosphotungstic acid hematoxylin (PTAH). The goblet cells of WDAG were divided into PTAH-positive (26 cases) and -negative (16 cases) groups. The PTAH-positive group had larger tumor size, greater number of intrapulmonary and extrapulmonary metastases and shorter disease-free interval. The immunoexpression of p53 protein (60%) and rate of K-ras point mutation (84%) were also higher in the PTAH-positive group. Therefore the goblet cell population of WDAG, though it may appear morphologically homogeneous under light microscopy, is actually composed of heterogeneous groups of cells with different histopathological characteristics and biological behavior.

Eight prion strains have PrP(Sc) molecules with different conformations

Variations in prions, which cause different incubation times and deposition patterns of the prion protein isoform called PrP(Sc), are often referred to as 'strains'. We report here a highly sensitive, conformation-dependent immunoassay that discriminates PrP(Sc) molecules among eight different prion strains propagated in Syrian hamsters. This immunoassay quantifies PrP isoforms by simultaneously following antibody binding to the denatured and native forms of a protein. In a plot of the ratio of antibody binding to denatured/native PrP graphed as a function of the concentration of PrP(Sc), each strain occupies a unique position, indicative of a particular PrP(Sc) conformation. This conclusion is supported by a unique pattern of equilibrium unfolding of PrP(Sc) found with each strain. Our findings indicate that each of the eight prion strains has a PrP(Sc) molecule with a unique conformation and, in accordance with earlier results, indicate the biological properties of prion strains are 'enciphered' in the conformation of PrP(Sc) and that the variation in incubation times is related to the relative protease sensitivity of PrP(Sc) in each strain.

Localization of glucose-6-phosphatase activity and carbohydrates in boar caput epididymal principal cells

Unidentified tubulovesicular profiles have been reported in the apical cytoplasm of boar caput epididymal principal cells in addition to vesicles considered to be involved in endocytosis and secretion. The main aim of the present study was to clarify the character of these organelles and to differentiate them from the endocytic apparatus. Glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) activity was determined as the reporter enzyme of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and phosphotungstic acid was used to visualize carbohydrate moieties in both the proximal and distal caput. Phosphotungstic acid revealed the glycocalyx of the endocytic apparatus, which was similar in both regions studied, and also stained specific granules of the proximal caput. Glucose-6-phosphatase showed the tubulovesicular profiles to be sparsely granulated ER that was poorly developed in the proximal caput and very abundant in the apical cytoplasm of the distal caput principal cells. The function of such large amounts of sparsely granulated ER with corresponding G6Pase activity in caput epididymal principal cells is unknown.

Glycation changes the charge distribution of type I collagen fibrils

In aging and diabetes, glycation of collagen molecules leads to the formation of cross-links that could alter the surface charge on collagen fibrils, and hence affect the properties and correct functioning of a number of tissues. The electron-optical stain phosphotungstic acid (PTA) binds to positively charged amino acid side-chains and leads to the characteristic banding pattern of collagen seen in the electron microscope; any change in the charge on these side-chains brought about by glycation will affect the uptake of PTA. We found that, upon glycation, a decrease in stain uptake was observed at up to five regions along the collagen D-period; the greatest decrease in stain uptake was apparent at the c1 band. This reduction in PTA uptake indicates that the binding of fructose leads to an alteration in the surface charge at several sites along the D-period. Not all lysine and arginine residues are involved; there appear to be specific residues that suffer a loss of positive charge.

New immunoseparation-based homogeneous assay for HDL-cholesterol compared with three homogeneous and two heterogeneous methods for HDL-cholesterol

We evaluated four new commercial methods for HDL-cholesterol determination. The three completely homogeneous assays were an immunoseparation-based (IS) method from Wako, a polyethylene glycol-modified enzyme (PEG) method from Boehringer Mannheim, and a synthetic polymer-based (SP) method from Genzyme. The fourth method was a new heterogeneous method in which lipoproteins are removed using dextran sulfate-coated magnetic beads and Mg2+ (MB, Reference Diagnostics). We compared these methods with the conventional phosphotungstic acid/MgCl2 precipitation (PTA) procedure. The homogeneous assays had good intraassay imprecision with total CVs <2.3%, whereas the CVs of the MB assay were <5.9%. Adding HDL to serum to achieve HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) concentrations up to 1000 mg/L revealed nearly complete recoveries in the IS, PEG, and MB assays, whereas the SP assay showed a lower recovery (approximately 70%). The SP HDL-C apparently increased at increasing LDL-cholesterol and VLDL-triglyceride concentrations, whereas the IS, PEG, and MB methods were not influenced by LDL-cholesterol up to 6000 mg/L (MB, 5000 mg/L) and VLDL-triglycerides up to 9000 mg/L. Free fatty acids above approximately 2 mmol/L produced falsely high HDL-C in the IS and SP assays, the error amounting to as much as 50% in some samples. An intermethod comparison in 291 fresh serum samples yielded correlation coefficients of at least r = 0.95 for all assays, when compared with the PTA procedure. The slopes and intercepts of the regression lines were 1.05 and 57 (IS), 1.12 and 9.9 (PEG), 1.00 and 39 (SP), and 1.0 and 38 mg/L (MB), respectively. The new assays are precise and simplify the determination of HDL-C, but in part they lack specificity or are susceptible to interferences, resulting in discrepancies when compared with the established PTA procedure.

Ultracytochemical analysis of E-PTA-positive synaptic junctions in postmortem-examined brains with neurologic disorders

The synaptic junctions from four postmortem-examined brains were studied ultracytochemically, using the ethanolic phosphotungustic acid (E-PTA) method. A noteworthy finding was the presence of variable-shaped vesicles that were not observed in the control E-PTA-treated preparations. This structural change in synaptic junctions is thought to represent a degenerative process. It is suggested that the neuronal transmission in brains with acquired neuropathologic abnormalities may be impaired because of the degenerative change in synaptic junctions.

Reference standardization and triglyceride interference of a new homogeneous HDL-cholesterol assay compared with a former chemical precipitation assay

A homogeneous HDL-c assay (HDL-H), which uses polyethylene glycol-modified enzymes and sulfated alpha-cyclodextrin, was assessed for precision, accuracy, and cholesterol and triglyceride interference. In addition, its analytical performance was compared with that of a phosphotungstic acid (PTA)/MgCl2 precipitation method (HDL-P). Within-run CVs were < or = 1.87%; total CVs were < or = 3.08%. Accuracy was evaluated in fresh normotriglyceridemic sera using the Designated Comparison Method (HDL-H = 1.037 Designated Comparison Method + 4 mg/L; n = 63) and in moderately hypertriglyceridemic sera by using the Reference Method (HDL-H = 1.068 Reference Method - 17 mg/L; n = 41). Mean biases were 4.5% and 2.2%, respectively. In hypertriglyceridemic sera (n = 85), HDL-H concentrations were increasingly positively biased with increasing triglyceride concentrations. The method comparison between HDL-H and HDL-P yielded the following equation: HDL-H = 1.037 HDL-P + 15 mg/L; n = 478. We conclude that HDL-H amply meets the 1998 NCEP recommendations for total error; its precision is superior compared with that of HDL-P, and its average bias remains below +/-5% as long as triglyceride concentrations are < or = 10 g/L and in case of moderate hypercholesterolemia.

Morphological diversity of cultured canine gastric Helicobacter spp

The cell morphology, the number of flagella, the occurrence of periplasmic fibrils and ultrastructural structures of five groups of cultured canine gastric Helicobacter spp. were compared. The study included four strains of Helicobacter felis, four strains of Helicobacter bizzozeronii, one strain of 'Flexispira', six strains of an unnamed spiral organism 2 and one strain of an unnamed spiral organism 3 which were isolated from gastric biopsies. Cultures were studied with negative staining, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Bacterial dimensions were measured from the negative staining samples and values were tested with ANOVA and Bonferroni tests. The organisms studied differed from each other morphologically. H. felis was a slightly spiraled organism with periplasmic fibrils. 'Flexispira' was a thin and straight organism with periplasmic fibrils. H. bizzozeronii was a tightly spiraled organism. Spiral organism 2 was loosely spiraled and thicker than the other organisms. Spiral organism 3 was a short curved rod having a single bipolar flagellum. The other species had multiple flagella. As a conclusion the canine gastric Helicobacter spp. can be differentiated from each other morphologically with an electron microscope. The morphological differences were mainly found in the structures involved in motility. The importance of the differences may lie in their impact on the colonization in a gastric mucous environment.

Evaluation of two homogeneous methods for measuring high-density lipoprotein cholesterol

We evaluated the performance of two homogeneous assays for quantifying HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) and compared them with the phosphotungstic acid (PTA)/ MgCl2 assay. Both homogeneous HDL-C assays were precise, having a within-run CV of < 1.20% and a between-run CV of < 4.07%. The HDL-C values (y) measured by the two homogeneous methods correlated well with those by the PTA/MgCl2 method (x): y = 1.00x + 64.98 mg/L, r = 0.987, Sy/x = 27.99 mg/L (n = 152) for the polyethylene glycol-modified enzymes/alpha-cyclodextrin sulfate (PEGME) assay (Kyowa), and y = 0.84x + 106.51 mg/L, r = 0.984, Sy/x = 26.10 mg/L (n = 152) for the polyanion-polymer/detergent (PPD) assay (Daiichi). The specificity of the PEGME method seemed better than that of the PPD method, as the PPD method was markedly interfered with by supplemental LDL-C. Addition of 20 g/L triglycerides produced a negative error of approximately 18% in both homogeneous assays. Bilirubin and hemoglobin had little influence on the PEGME method; hemoglobin had little effect on the PPD method. Bilirubin, however, markedly decreased the readings by the PPD method. We found the PEGME assay superior to the PPD assay for routine HDL-C testing, because the PPD assay is relatively inaccurate and not specific.

Three generations of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol assays compared with ultracentrifugation/dextran sulfate-Mg2+ method

We report on the analytical performance of three generations of HDL-cholesterol assays: phosphotungstic acid/Mg2+, Spinpro, and a homogeneous method, N-geneous. The run-to-run imprecision (CV) of all assays was < or = 4.9%, and all results correlated highly with those of a modified reference procedure (r > or = 0.96). At triglycerides concentrations < 4000 mg/L, these field methods showed an acceptable systematic error (y = 1.12x - 47, 1.05x - 23, and 0.96x + 8 for the phosphotungstate, Spinpro, and N-geneous assays, respectively), and the total error of the field methods met the current National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) performance goal of < or = 22%. Regression analyses of results for samples with triglycerides > 4000 mg/L produced the following results for the above respective assays: y = 1.08x - 4.2, 1.02x + 3.6, and 0.85x + 108. In this hypertriglyceridemic group, only the N-geneous assay (at an HDL-cholesterol content of 240 mg/L) had a total error (35%) that exceeded the NCEP limit. Bilirubin and ascorbate produced a negative interference with the phosphotungstate and Spinpro assays but had little effect on the N-geneous assay.