Sensitive point-of-care monitoring of HIV related DNA sequences with a personal glucometer

2012 ◽  
Vol 48 (87) ◽  
pp. 10733 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jin Xu ◽  
Bingying Jiang ◽  
Jiaqing Xie ◽  
Yun Xiang ◽  
Ruo Yuan ◽  
...  
Author(s):  
Everardo González-González ◽  
Grissel Trujillo-de Santiago ◽  
Itzel Montserrat Lara-Mayorga ◽  
Sergio Omar Martínez-Chapa ◽  
Mario Moisés Alvarez

AbstractThe COVID-19 pandemic has crudely demonstrated the value of massive and rapid diagnostics. By the first week of April, more than 900,000 positive cases of COVID-19 have been reported worldwide, although this number could be greatly underestimated. In the case of an epidemic emergency, the first line of response should be based on commercially available and validated resources. Here, we demonstrate the combined use of the miniPCR®, a commercial compact and portable PCR device recently available on the market, and a commercial well-plate reader as a diagnostic system for detecting SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acids. We used the miniPCR to detect and amplify SARS-CoV-2 DNA sequences using the sets of initiators recommended by the World Health Organization for targeting three different regions that encode for the N protein. Prior to amplification, samples were combined with a DNA intercalating reagent (i.e., EvaGreen® Dye). Sample fluorescence after amplification was then read using a commercial 96-well plate reader. This straightforward method allows the detection and amplification of SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acids in the range of ∼625 to 2×105 DNA copies. The accuracy and simplicity of this diagnostics strategy may provide a cost-efficient and reliable alternative for COVID-19 pandemic testing, particularly in underdeveloped regions where RT-QPCR instrument availability may be limited. The portability, ease of use, and reproducibility of the miniPCR® makes it a reliable alternative for deployment in point-of-care SARS-CoV-2 detection efforts during pandemics.


Author(s):  
David P. Bazett-Jones ◽  
Mark L. Brown

A multisubunit RNA polymerase enzyme is ultimately responsible for transcription initiation and elongation of RNA, but recognition of the proper start site by the enzyme is regulated by general, temporal and gene-specific trans-factors interacting at promoter and enhancer DNA sequences. To understand the molecular mechanisms which precisely regulate the transcription initiation event, it is crucial to elucidate the structure of the transcription factor/DNA complexes involved. Electron spectroscopic imaging (ESI) provides the opportunity to visualize individual DNA molecules. Enhancement of DNA contrast with ESI is accomplished by imaging with electrons that have interacted with inner shell electrons of phosphorus in the DNA backbone. Phosphorus detection at this intermediately high level of resolution (≈lnm) permits selective imaging of the DNA, to determine whether the protein factors compact, bend or wrap the DNA. Simultaneously, mass analysis and phosphorus content can be measured quantitatively, using adjacent DNA or tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) as mass and phosphorus standards. These two parameters provide stoichiometric information relating the ratios of protein:DNA content.


Author(s):  
Barbara Trask ◽  
Susan Allen ◽  
Anne Bergmann ◽  
Mari Christensen ◽  
Anne Fertitta ◽  
...  

Using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), the positions of DNA sequences can be discretely marked with a fluorescent spot. The efficiency of marking DNA sequences of the size cloned in cosmids is 90-95%, and the fluorescent spots produced after FISH are ≈0.3 μm in diameter. Sites of two sequences can be distinguished using two-color FISH. Different reporter molecules, such as biotin or digoxigenin, are incorporated into DNA sequence probes by nick translation. These reporter molecules are labeled after hybridization with different fluorochromes, e.g., FITC and Texas Red. The development of dual band pass filters (Chromatechnology) allows these fluorochromes to be photographed simultaneously without registration shift.


Author(s):  
José L. Carrascosa ◽  
José M. Valpuesta ◽  
Hisao Fujisawa

The head to tail connector of bacteriophages plays a fundamental role in the assembly of viral heads and DNA packaging. In spite of the absence of sequence homology, the structure of connectors from different viruses (T4, Ø29, T3, P22, etc) share common morphological features, that are most clearly revealed in their three-dimensional structure. We have studied the three-dimensional reconstruction of the connector protein from phage T3 (gp 8) from tilted view of two dimensional crystals obtained from this protein after cloning and purification.DNA sequences including gene 8 from phage T3 were cloned, into Bam Hl-Eco Rl sites down stream of lambda promotor PL, in the expression vector pNT45 under the control of cI857. E R204 (pNT89) cells were incubated at 42°C for 2h, harvested and resuspended in 20 mM Tris HC1 (pH 7.4), 7mM 2 mercaptoethanol, ImM EDTA. The cells were lysed by freezing and thawing in the presence of lysozyme (lmg/ml) and ligthly sonicated. The low speed supernatant was precipitated by ammonium sulfate (60% saturated) and dissolved in the original buffer to be subjected to gel nitration through Sepharose 6B, followed by phosphocellulose colum (Pll) and DEAE cellulose colum (DE52). Purified gp8 appeared at 0.3M NaCl and formed crystals when its concentration increased above 1.5 mg/ml.


2019 ◽  
Vol 63 (6) ◽  
pp. 757-771 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire Francastel ◽  
Frédérique Magdinier

Abstract Despite the tremendous progress made in recent years in assembling the human genome, tandemly repeated DNA elements remain poorly characterized. These sequences account for the vast majority of methylated sites in the human genome and their methylated state is necessary for this repetitive DNA to function properly and to maintain genome integrity. Furthermore, recent advances highlight the emerging role of these sequences in regulating the functions of the human genome and its variability during evolution, among individuals, or in disease susceptibility. In addition, a number of inherited rare diseases are directly linked to the alteration of some of these repetitive DNA sequences, either through changes in the organization or size of the tandem repeat arrays or through mutations in genes encoding chromatin modifiers involved in the epigenetic regulation of these elements. Although largely overlooked so far in the functional annotation of the human genome, satellite elements play key roles in its architectural and topological organization. This includes functions as boundary elements delimitating functional domains or assembly of repressive nuclear compartments, with local or distal impact on gene expression. Thus, the consideration of satellite repeats organization and their associated epigenetic landmarks, including DNA methylation (DNAme), will become unavoidable in the near future to fully decipher human phenotypes and associated diseases.


VASA ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 40 (6) ◽  
pp. 429-438 ◽  
Author(s):  
Berent ◽  
Sinzinger

Based upon various platelet function tests and the fact that patients experience vascular events despite taking acetylsalicylic acid (ASA or aspirin), it has been suggested that patients may become resistant to the action of this pharmacological compound. However, the term “aspirin resistance” was created almost two decades ago but is still not defined. Platelet function tests are not standardized, providing conflicting information and cut-off values are arbitrarily set. Intertest comparison reveals low agreement. Even point of care tests have been introduced before appropriate validation. Inflammation may activate platelets, co-medication(s) may interfere significantly with aspirin action on platelets. Platelet function and Cox-inhibition are only some of the effects of aspirin on haemostatic regulation. One single test is not reliable to identify an altered response. Therefore, it may be more appropriate to speak about “treatment failure” to aspirin therapy than using the term “aspirin resistance”. There is no evidence based justification from either the laboratory or the clinical point of view for platelet function testing in patients taking aspirin as well as from an economic standpoint. Until evidence based data from controlled studies will be available the term “aspirin resistance” should not be further used. A more robust monitoring of factors resulting in cardiovascular events such as inflammation is recommended.


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