scholarly journals An Optical Urate Biosensor Based on Urate Oxidase and Long-Lifetime Metalloporphyrins

Sensors ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 959
Author(s):  
Tokunbo Falohun ◽  
Michael J. McShane
Keyword(s):  
Limit Of Detection ◽  
Bone Erosion ◽  
Joint Destruction ◽  
Urate Oxidase ◽  
Management Tool ◽  
Long Term Storage ◽  
Hydrogel Matrix ◽  
Biosensor Response

Gout is a condition that affects over 8 million Americans. This condition is characterized by severe pain, and in more advanced cases, bone erosion and joint destruction. This study explores the fabrication and characterization of an optical, enzymatic urate biosensor for gout management, and the optimization of the biosensor response through the tuning of hydrogel matrix properties. Sensors were fabricated through the co-immobilization of oxygen-quenched phosphorescent probes with an oxidoreductase within a biocompatible copolymer hydrogel matrix. Characterization of the spectral properties and hydrogel swelling was conducted, as well as evaluation of the response sensitivity and long-term stability of the urate biosensor. The findings indicate that increased acrylamide concentration improved the biosensor response by yielding an increased sensitivity and reduced lower limit of detection. However, the repeatability and stability tests highlighted some possible areas of improvement, with a consistent response drift observed during repeatability testing and a reduction in response seen after long-term storage tests. Overall, this study demonstrates the potential of an on-demand, patient-friendly gout management tool, while paving the way for a future multi-analyte biosensor based on this sensing platform.

scholarly journals Characterization of Postharvest Fungicide-Resistant Botrytis cinerea Isolates From Commercially Stored Apple Fruit

2017 ◽  
Vol 107 (3) ◽  
pp. 362-368 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wayne M. Jurick ◽  
Otilia Macarisin ◽  
Verneta L. Gaskins ◽  
Eunhee Park ◽  
Jiujiang Yu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Botrytis Cinerea ◽  
Gray Mold ◽  
Apple Fruit ◽  
Sublethal Dose ◽  
Long Term Storage ◽  
Pose Control ◽  
First Time

Botrytis cinerea causes gray mold and is an economically important postharvest pathogen of fruit, vegetables, and ornamentals. Fludioxonil-sensitive B. cinerea isolates were collected in 2011 and 2013 from commercial storage in Pennsylvania. Eight isolates had values for effective concentrations for inhibiting 50% of mycelial growth of 0.0004 to 0.0038 μg/ml for fludioxonil and were dual resistant to pyrimethanil and thiabendazole. Resistance was generated in vitro, following exposure to a sublethal dose of fludioxonil, in seven of eight dual-resistant B. cinerea isolates. Three vigorously growing B. cinerea isolates with multiresistance to postharvest fungicides were further characterized and found to be osmosensitive and retained resistance in the absence of selection pressure. A representative multiresistant B. cinerea strain caused decay on apple fruit treated with postharvest fungicides, which confirmed the in vitro results. The R632I mutation in the Mrr1 gene, associated with fludioxonil resistance in B. cinerea, was not detected in multipostharvest fungicide-resistant B. cinerea isolates, suggesting that the fungus may be using additional mechanisms to mediate resistance. Results from this study show for the first time that B. cinerea with dual resistance to pyrimethanil and thiabendazole can also rapidly develop resistance to fludioxonil, which may pose control challenges in the packinghouse environment and during long-term storage.

scholarly journals Resveratrol prevents amyloid fibrillation of insulin by arresting it in a bioactive oligomeric form

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bani Kumar Pathak ◽  
Debajyoti Das ◽  
Sayan Bhakta ◽  
Partha Chakrabarti ◽  
Jayati Sengupta
Keyword(s):  
Phenolic Compounds ◽  
Limiting Factor ◽  
Commercial Preparation ◽  
Long Term Storage ◽  
Natural Polyphenol ◽  
Oligomeric Form ◽  
Amyloid Fibrillation

AbstractInsulin fibrillation is a limiting factor for its long-term storage because of considerably reduced bioavailable moieties. Deposition of fibrillated insulin can also cause subcutaneous insulin amyloidoma. Toxic phenolic compounds along with Zinc are used during commercial preparation of insulin to stabilize it in a hexameric form. Designed or repurposed natural small molecules with anti-amyloidogenic properties could thus be attractive agents for preventing insulin fibrillation. Natural polyphenolic compounds which have been shown to serve as anti-amyloid agents for proteins associated with neurodegenerative diseases are potential candidates for such function.In this study we have demonstrated that resveratrol, a natural polyphenol, can not only prevent insulin fibrillation but can also preserve insulin in a bioactive oligomeric form even at high temperature. While investigating the influence of some natural polyphenols on human insulin (hINS) in a condition inductive to amyloid fibrillation at physiological pH, we found attenuation, to different extents, of insulin fibril formation. However, visualization of polyphenol-treated hINS revealed that resveratrol in particular has the unique ability to arrest hINS before the onset of fibrillation growth in soluble oligomeric forms with discrete spherical morphology. Importantly, insulin treated with resveratrol retains its full biological activity in vivo and exerts no toxicity towards cell lines. Structural characterization of the major population of resveratrol-induced insulin oligomers by cryo-EM and single particle 3D reconstruction revealed its morphology that resembled crystal structure of insulin hexamer formulated with phenolic compounds. Thus, our study suggests that resveratrol can be an effective nontoxic substituent of phenolic compounds for insulin preservation.

Characterization of aluminum nanopowders after long-term storage

2014 ◽  
Vol 321 ◽  
pp. 475-480 ◽  
Author(s):  
O.B. Nazarenko ◽  
Yu.A. Amelkovich ◽  
A.I. Sechin
Keyword(s):  
Long Term Storage ◽  
Term Storage

scholarly journals Characterization of Representative Materials in Support of Safe, Long Term Storage of Surplus Plutonium in DOE-STD-3013 Containers

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua E. Narlesky ◽  
Mary Ann Stroud ◽  
Paul Herrick Smith ◽  
David M. Wayne ◽  
Richard E. Mason ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Long Term Storage ◽  
Term Storage

The need for better links between pedology and soil carbon research in Australia

Soil Research ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. J. W. Biggs ◽  
M. J. Grundy
Keyword(s):  
Soil Carbon ◽  
Focal Point ◽  
Management Tool ◽  
Long Term Storage ◽  
Maximum Value ◽  
Research Investment ◽  
Term Storage ◽  
Potential Use ◽  
Australian Soil

Considerable soil carbon research has occurred in Australia in recent years. A review of published literature suggests there are gaps in both the collection of associated data and the long-term storage of soil carbon data, thus limiting the potential use of these data beyond the original purpose. A more co-operative approach between researchers and pedologists is essential to ensure maximum value is obtained from research investment. Further capacity needs to develop to capture data from all sources and especially non-government scientists. ASRIS can be the national focal point; it is recommended that it be more effectively utilised as a data management tool for Australian soil carbon data.

Characterization of Botrytis spp. from Chilean kiwifruit populations and pre-harvest prediction of risk of grey mould in long-term storage

2018 ◽  
pp. 333-340
Author(s):  
H. García ◽  
M. Lopez ◽  
A. Espinoza ◽  
V. Rojas ◽  
E. Silva-Moreno ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Grey Mould ◽  
Long Term Storage ◽  
Term Storage

scholarly journals Novel Pickering High Internal Phase Emulsion Stabilized by Food Waste-Hen Egg Chalaza

Foods ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 599
Author(s):  
Lijuan Wang ◽  
Jingjing Wang ◽  
Anheng Wang
Keyword(s):  
Rheological Models ◽  
Trans Fats ◽  
Long Term Storage ◽  
Internal Phase ◽  
3D Network ◽  
Oil Water ◽  
First Time ◽  
Hen Egg

A massive amount of chalaza with nearly 400 metric tons is produced annually as waste in the liquid-egg industry. The present study aimed to look for ways to utilize chalaza as a natural emulsifier for high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs) at the optimal production conditions to expand the utilization of such abundant material. To the author’s knowledge, for the first time, we report the usage of hen egg chalaza particles as particulate emulsifiers for Pickering (HIPEs) development. The chalaza particles with partial wettability were fabricated at different pH or ionic strengths by freeze-drying. The surface electricity of the chalaza particles was neutralized when the pH was adjusted to 4, where the chalaza contained a particle size around 1500 nm and held the best capability to stabilize the emulsions. Similarly, the chalaza reaches proper electrical charging (−6 mv) and size (700 nm) after the ionic strength was modified to 0.6 M. Following the characterization of chalaza particles, we successfully generated stable Pickering HIPEs with up to 86% internal phase at proper particle concentrations (0.5–2%). The emulsion contained significant stability against coalescence and flocculation during long term storage due to the electrical hindrance raised by the chalaza particles which absorbed on the oil–water interfaces. Different rheological models were tested on the formed HIPEs, indicating the outstanding stability of such emulsions. Concomitantly, a percolating 3D-network was formed in the Pickering HIPES stabilized by chalaza which provided the emulsions with viscoelastic and self-standing features. Moreover, the current study provides an attractive strategy to convert liquid oils to viscoelastic soft solids without artificial trans fats.

scholarly journals Experimental method for the assessment and characterization of hazardous waste for long-term storage

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-28
Author(s):  
Gina Alina Catrina ◽  
◽  
Bogdan Stanescu ◽  
Agnes Serbanescu ◽  
Georgiana Cernica ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Redox Potential ◽  
Experimental Method ◽  
Hazardous Waste ◽  
Ph Value ◽  
Ph Values ◽  
Long Term Storage ◽  
Chemical Conditions ◽  
Term Storage

Long-term landfilling of hazardous waste should be a careful choice for any producer or generator of waste, as the behavior of the waste is different due to the physical-chemical conditions or following contact with other hazardous waste. In this study, the research undertaken was aimed at developing an experimental method for the assessment and characterization of hazardous waste for long-term storage. The method consists in the assessment of the behavior of heavy metals from waste, under different leaching conditions. To study various hazardous wastes, fly ash from the incineration of medical waste and slag from aluminum casting were chosen. Contact time, pH and redox potential are important parameters in the leaching process. The solubility of metals increases at pH values between 2 - 5 pH units and decreases at pH values between 6-12 pH units. The highest solubility of metals (As, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) in the tested waste was obtained after 48 hours at pH values between 2 - 5 pH units. Also, the values of the redox potential decrease almost linearly as the pH value increases. The developed method is a useful tool to assess the behavior of hazardous waste for long-term storage in landfills for this category of wastes.

scholarly journals The effect of ethanol concentration on the morphological and molecular preservation of insects for biodiversity studies

PeerJ ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. e10799
Author(s):  
Daniel Marquina ◽  
Mateusz Buczek ◽  
Fredrik Ronquist ◽  
Piotr Łukasik
Keyword(s):  
Ethanol Concentration ◽  
Extended Period ◽  
Morphological Examination ◽  
Long Term Storage ◽  
Copy Numbers ◽  
Insect Biodiversity ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Negative Effect

Traditionally, insects collected for scientific purposes have been dried and pinned, or preserved in 70% ethanol. Both methods preserve taxonomically informative exoskeletal structures well but are suboptimal for preserving DNA for molecular biology. Highly concentrated ethanol (95–100%), preferred as a DNA preservative, has generally been assumed to make specimens brittle and prone to breaking. However, systematic studies on the correlation between ethanol concentration and specimen preservation are lacking. Here, we tested how preservative ethanol concentration in combination with different sample handling regimes affect the integrity of seven insect species representing four orders, and differing substantially in the level of sclerotization. After preservation and treatments (various levels of disturbance), we counted the number of appendages (legs, wings, antennae, or heads) that each specimen had lost. Additionally, we assessed the preservation of DNA after long-term storage by comparing the ratio of PCR amplicon copy numbers to an added artificial standard. We found that high ethanol concentrations indeed induce brittleness in insects. However, the magnitude and nature of the effect varied strikingly among species. In general, ethanol concentrations at or above 90% made the insects more brittle, but for species with robust, thicker exoskeletons, this did not translate to an increased loss of appendages. Neither freezing the samples nor drying the insects after immersion in ethanol had a negative effect on the retention of appendages. However, the morphology of the insects was severely damaged if they were allowed to dry. We also found that DNA preserves less well at lower ethanol concentrations when stored at room temperature for an extended period. However, the magnitude of the effect varies among species; the concentrations at which the number of COI amplicon copies relative to the standard was significantly decreased compared to 95% ethanol ranged from 90% to as low as 50%. While higher ethanol concentrations positively affect long-term DNA preservation, there is a clear trade-off between preserving insects for morphological examination and genetic analysis. The optimal ethanol concentration for the latter is detrimental for the former, and vice versa. These trade-offs need to be considered in large insect biodiversity surveys and other projects aiming to combine molecular work with traditional morphology-based characterization of collected specimens.

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