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Chain Reaction is a work of recent American political history. It seeks to explain how and why America came to depend so heavily on its experts after World War II, how those experts translated that authority into political clout, and why that authority and political discretion declined in the 1970s. The author's research into the internal memoranda of the Atomic Energy Commission substantiates his argument in historical detail. It was not the ravages of American anti-intellectualism, as so many scholars have argued, that brought the experts back down to earth. Rather, their decline can be traced to the very roots of their success after World War II. The need to over-state anticipated results in order to garner public support, incessant professional and bureaucratic specialization, and the sheer proliferation of expertise pushed arcane and insulated debates between experts into public forums at the same time that a broad cross section of political participants found it easier to gain access to their own expertise. These tendencies ultimately undermined the political influence of all experts. (author)
Chain Reaction Polymerization.
McGrath, James E.
The salient features and importance of chain-reaction polymerization are discussed, including such topics as the thermodynamics of polymerization, free-radical polymerization kinetics, radical polymerization processes, copolymers, and free-radical chain, anionic, cationic, coordination, and ring-opening polymerizations. (JN)
Limitations of clonality analysis of B cell proliferations using CDR3 polymerase chain reaction
Hoeve, M A; Krol, A D G; Philippo, K; Derksen, P W B; Veenendaal, R. A.; Schuuring, E; Kluin, Ph M; Krieken, J.H.J.M. van
Background/Aims—Detection of clonal immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) rearrangements by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is an attractive alternative to Southern blotting in lymphoma diagnostics. However, the advantages and limitations of PCR in clonality analysis are still not fully appreciated. In this study, clonality was analysed by means of PCR, focusing in particular on the sample size requirements when studying extremely small samples of polyclonal and monoclonal lesions.
Gaurav Solanki
The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a technique in molecular biology to amplify a single or a few copies of a piece of DNA across several orders of magnitude, generating thousands to millions of copies of a particular DNA sequence. PCR is now a common and often indispensable technique used in medical and biological research labs for a variety of applications. There are three major steps involved in the PCR technique: denaturation, annealing and extension. PCR is useful in the investigation...
Analysis of hepcidin expression: In situ hybridization and quantitative polymerase chain reaction from paraffin sections
AIM: To establish methods for quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for hepcidin using RNAs isolated from paraffin-embedded sections and in situ hybridization of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
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Gaurav Solanki
Full Text Available The polymerase chain reaction (PCR is a technique in molecular biology to amplify a single or a few copies of a piece of DNA across several orders of magnitude, generating thousands to millions of copies of a particular DNA sequence. PCR is now a common and often indispensable technique used in medical and biological research labs for a variety of applications. There are three major steps involved in the PCR technique: denaturation, annealing and extension. PCR is useful in the investigation and diagnosis of a growing number of diseases. PCR is also used in forensics laboratories. PCR can identify genes that have been implicated in the development of cancer. The present paper is an attempt to review basics of PCR in relation to its methods, application and use.
Tissue extraction of DNA and RNA and analysis by the polymerase chain reaction.
Jackson, D P; Lewis, F A; Taylor, G R; Boylston, A W; Quirke, P
Several DNA extraction techniques were quantitatively and qualitatively compared using both fresh and paraffin wax embedded tissue and their suitability investigated for providing DNA and RNA for the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A one hour incubation with proteinase K was the most efficient DNA extraction procedure for fresh tissue. For paraffin wax embedded tissue a five day incubation with proteinase K was required to produce good yields of DNA. Incubation with sodium dodecyl sulphate produced very poor yields, while boiling produced 20% as much DNA as long enzyme digestion. DNA extracted by these methods was suitable for the PCR amplification of a single copy gene. Proteinase K digestion also produced considerable amounts of RNA which has previously been shown to be suitable for PCR analysis. A delay before fixation had no effect on the amount of DNA obtained while fixation in Carnoy's reagent results in a much better preservation of DNA than formalin fixation, allowing greater yields to be extracted. Images PMID:1696290
On-Chip integration of sample pretreatment and Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for DNA analysis
DEFF Research Database (Denmark)
Brivio, Monica; Snakenborg, Detlef; Søgaard, E.; Ahlford, A.; Syvänen, A.-C; Kutter, Jörg Peter; Wolff, Anders
In this paper we present a modular lab-on-a-chip system for integrated sample pre-treatment (PT) by magnetophoresis and DNA amplification by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). It consists of a polymer-based microfluidic chip mounted on a custom-made thermocycler (Figure 1) and includes a simple and...
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'Logic' (Leading Oil and Gas Industry Competitiveness) is a government-industry supply chain management initiative which aims to improve the competitiveness of the UK's North Sea business by 1 billion UK pounds by 2002 and its export performance by 50% inside 5 years. Much of the article is devoted to the background and views of Logic's chief executive Chris. Freeman. Freeman makes clear that 'unlike Crine, we are not a cost-reduction initiative: that may be one of the outcomes, but we are really focusing on the co-operation side of things'. Logic aims to change the culture of the UK offshore industry through example. Freeman believes that the creation of collaborative success will flag up industry and give credence to Logics objectives
Automated Microfluidic Platform for Serial Polymerase Chain Reaction and High-Resolution Melting Analysis.
Cao, Weidong; Bean, Brian; Corey, Scott; Coursey, Johnathan S; Hasson, Kenton C; Inoue, Hiroshi; Isano, Taisuke; Kanderian, Sami; Lane, Ben; Liang, Hongye; Murphy, Brian; Owen, Greg; Shinoda, Nobuhiko; Zeng, Shulin; Knight, Ivor T
We report the development of an automated genetic analyzer for human sample testing based on microfluidic rapid polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with high-resolution melting analysis (HRMA). The integrated DNA microfluidic cartridge was used on a platform designed with a robotic pipettor system that works by sequentially picking up different test solutions from a 384-well plate, mixing them in the tips, and delivering mixed fluids to the DNA cartridge. A novel image feedback flow control system based on a Canon 5D Mark II digital camera was developed for controlling fluid movement through a complex microfluidic branching network without the use of valves. The same camera was used for measuring the high-resolution melt curve of DNA amplicons that were generated in the microfluidic chip. Owing to fast heating and cooling as well as sensitive temperature measurement in the microfluidic channels, the time frame for PCR and HRMA was dramatically reduced from hours to minutes. Preliminary testing results demonstrated that rapid serial PCR and HRMA are possible while still achieving high data quality that is suitable for human sample testing. PMID:25827436
Tissue extraction of DNA and RNA and analysis by the polymerase chain reaction.
Jackson, D P; Lewis, F A; Taylor, G R; Boylston, A W; Quirke, P
Several DNA extraction techniques were quantitatively and qualitatively compared using both fresh and paraffin wax embedded tissue and their suitability investigated for providing DNA and RNA for the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A one hour incubation with proteinase K was the most efficient DNA extraction procedure for fresh tissue. For paraffin wax embedded tissue a five day incubation with proteinase K was required to produce good yields of DNA. Incubation with sodium dodecyl sulphate p...
Analysis of infectious laryngotracheitis virus isolates from Ontario and New Brunswick by the polymerase chain reaction.
Alexander, H S; Key, D.W.; Nagy, E.
The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to amplify DNA of infectious laryngotracheitis virus (ILTV) isolates obtained from field specimens. The examined 47 samples included 37 isolates representing 35 cases of infectious laryngotracheitis from Ontario and 10 isolates originating from 10 field cases in New Brunswick. The viruses were grown in either embryonated chicken eggs or cell culture, the DNA extracted and amplified using primers designed from the sequence information of a 1.1 kb Ba...
Human von Willebrand factor gene and pseudogene: Structural analysis and differentiation by polymerase chain reaction
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Structural analysis of the von Willebrand factor gene located on chromosome 12 is complicated by the presence of a partial unprocessed pseudogene on chromosome 22q11-13. The structures of the von Willebrand factor pseudogene and corresponding segment of the gene were determined, and methods were developed for the rapid differentiation of von Willebrand factor gene and pseudogene sequences. The pseudogene is 21-29 kilobases in length and corresponds to 12 exons (exons 23-34) of the von Willebrand factor gene. Approximately 21 kilobases of the gene and pseudogene were sequenced, including the 5' boundary of the pseudogene. The 3' boundary of the pseudogene lies within an 8-kb region corresponding to intron 34 of the gene. The presence of splice site and nonsense mutations suggests that the pseudogene cannot yield functional transcripts. The pseudogene has diverged ∼3.1% in nucleotide sequence from the gene. This suggests a recent evolutionary origin ∼19-29 million years ago, near the time of divergence of humans and apes from monkeys. Several repetitive sequences were identified, including 4 Alu, one Line-1, and several short simple sequence repeats. Several of these simple repeats differ in length between the gene and pseudogene and provide useful markers for distinguishing these loci. Sequence differences between the gene and pseudogene were exploited to design oligonucleotide primers for use in the polymerase chain reaction to selectivity amplify sequences corresponding to exons 23-34 from either the von Willebrand factor gene or the pseudogene. This method is useful for the analysis of gene defects in patients with von Willebrand disease, without interference from homologous sequences in the pseudogene
Vibrational nonequilibrium in chain branching reactions of hydrogen combustion using quasi-classical trajectory analysis
Voelkel, Stephen; Raman, Venkat; Varghese, Philip
In high-speed reactive flows in scramjets, thermal nonequilibrium is introduced in the flow via shock waves. Though rotational and translational energy modes relax back to equilibrium quickly, vibrational relaxation is comparable to the bulk mixing and reaction timescales. The discrepancy between vibration and rotation/translation energy distributions can dramatically alter on the initiation of the fuel oxidation process. For continuum-scale applications, thermal nonequilibrium effects are derived from the rovibrational state-specific reaction and scattering rates associated with the chemical mechanism. In this work, the state-specific reaction rates are calculated for the chain branching reactions in the hydrogen combustion mechanism using a quasi-classical trajectory (QCT) framework. The state-specific rates are incorporated into a multiple temperature continuum-scale model whereby each species is characterized by a Boltzmann distribution parametrized by its own vibrational temperature. The flame ignition rates are implemented in a CFD code to simulate a reactive coflow. Funded by AFOSR FA9550-12-1-0460.
Quantitative analysis of MDR1 (multidrug resistance) gene expression in human tumors by polymerase chain reaction
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Noonan, K.E.; Beck, C.; Holzmayer, T.A.; Chin, J.E.; Roninson, I.B. (Univ. of Illinois, Chicago (USA)); Wunder, J.S.; Andrulis, I.L. (Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario (Canada)); Gazdar, A.F. (National Cancer Inst., Bethesda, MD (USA)); Willman, C.L.; Griffith, B. (Univ. of New Mexico, Albuquerque (USA)); Von Hoff, D.D. (Univ. of Texas, San Antonio (USA))
The resistance of tumor cells ot chemotheraprutic drugs is a major obstacle to successful cancer chemotherapy. In human cells, expression of the MDR1 gene, encoding a transmembrane efflux pump (P-glycoprotein), leads to decreased intracellular accumulation and resistance to a variety of lipophilic drugs (multidrug resistance; MDR). The levels of MDR in cell lines selected in bitro have been shown to correlate with the steady-state levels of MDR1 mRNA and P-glycoprotein. In cells with a severalfold increase in cellular drug resistance, MDR1 expression levels are close to the limits of detection by conventional assays. MDR1 expression has been frequently observed in human tumors after chemotherapy and in some but not all types of clinically refactory tumors untreated with chemotherapeutic drugs. The authors have devised a highly sensitive, specific, and quantitative protocol for measuring the levels of MDR1 mRNA in clincal samples, based on the polymerase chain reaction. They have used this assay to measure MDR1 gene expression in MDR cell lines and >300 normal tissues, tumor-derived cell lines, and clinical specimens of untreated tumors of the types in which MDR1 expression was rarely observed by standard assays. Low levels of MDR1 expression were found by polymerase chain reaction in most solid tumors and leukemias tested. The frequency of samples without detectable MDR1 expression varied among different types of tumors; MDR1-negative samples were ost common among tumor types known to be relatively responsive to chemotherapy.
An integrated one-chip-sensor system for microRNA quantitative analysis based on digital droplet polymerase chain reaction
Tsukuda, Masahiko; Wiederkehr, Rodrigo Sergio; Cai, Qing; Majeed, Bivragh; Fiorini, Paolo; Stakenborg, Tim; Matsuno, Toshinobu
A silicon microfluidic chip was developed for microRNA (miRNA) quantitative analysis. It performs sequentially reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction in a digital droplet format. Individual processes take place on different cavities, and reagent and sample mixing is carried out on a chip, prior to entering each compartment. The droplets are generated on a T-junction channel before the polymerase chain reaction step. Also, a miniaturized fluorescence detector was developed, based on an optical pick-up head of digital versatile disc (DVD) and a micro-photomultiplier tube. The chip integrated in the detection system was tested using synthetic miRNA with known concentrations, ranging from 300 to 3,000 templates/µL. Results proved the functionality of the system.
Analysis of infectious laryngotracheitis virus isolates from Ontario and New Brunswick by the polymerase chain reaction.
Alexander, H S; Key, D W; Nagy, E
The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to amplify DNA of infectious laryngotracheitis virus (ILTV) isolates obtained from field specimens. The examined 47 samples included 37 isolates representing 35 cases of infectious laryngotracheitis from Ontario and 10 isolates originating from 10 field cases in New Brunswick. The viruses were grown in either embryonated chicken eggs or cell culture, the DNA extracted and amplified using primers designed from the sequence information of a 1.1 kb BamHI fragment of the Ontario 1598 ILTV strain. Thirty-four of the Ontario isolates and all of the New Brunswick isolates were amplified successfully. This suggests that the selected primers would be useful for the majority of the isolates encountered in outbreaks of ILTV. Images Figure 1. Figure 2. PMID:9442943
A comparison of three DNA extractive procedures with Leptospira for polymerase chain reaction analysis
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Veloso IF
Full Text Available Three DNA extraction methods were evaluated in this study: proteinase K followed by phenol-chloroform; a plant proteinase (E6870 followed by phenol-chloroform; and boiling of leptospires in 0.1 mM Tris, pH 7.0 for 10 min at 100°C, with no phenol treatment. Every strain treated with proteinase K or E6870 afforded positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR reaction. On the other hand, from five strains extracted by the boiling method, three did not feature the 849 bp band characteristic in Leptospira. We also evaluated by RAPD-PCR, DNAs from serovars isolated with proteinase K and proteinase 6870 with primers B11/B12. Each of the DNA samples provided PCR profiles in agreement with previous data. Moreover, the results with E6870 showed less background non-specific amplification, suggesting that removal of nucleases was more efficient with E6870. The limit for detection by PCR using Lep13/Lep14 was determined to be 10(2 leptospira, using the silver stain procedure.
Determining Annealing Temperatures for Polymerase Chain Reaction
Porta, Angela R.; Enners, Edward
The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a common technique used in high school and undergraduate science teaching. Students often do not fully comprehend the underlying principles of the technique and how optimization of the protocol affects the outcome and analysis. In this molecular biology laboratory, students learn the steps of PCR with an…
Trends and advances in food analysis by real-time polymerase chain reaction.
Salihah, Nur Thaqifah; Hossain, Mohammad Mosharraf; Lubis, Hamadah; Ahmed, Minhaz Uddin
Analyses to ensure food safety and quality are more relevant now because of rapid changes in the quantity, diversity and mobility of food. Food-contamination must be determined to maintain health and up-hold laws, as well as for ethical and cultural concerns. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), a rapid and inexpensive quantitative method to detect the presence of targeted DNA-segments in samples, helps in determining both accidental and intentional adulterations of foods by biological contaminants. This review presents recent developments in theory, techniques, and applications of RT-PCR in food analyses, RT-PCR addresses the limitations of traditional food analyses in terms of sensitivity, range of analytes, multiplexing ability, cost, time, and point-of-care applications. A range of targets, including species of plants or animals which are used as food ingredients, food-borne bacteria or viruses, genetically modified organisms, and allergens, even in highly processed foods can be identified by RT-PCR, even at very low concentrations. Microfluidic RT-PCR eliminates the separate sample-processing step to create opportunities for point-of-care analyses. We also cover the challenges related to using RT-PCR for food analyses, such as the need to further improve sample handling. PMID:27407185
Analysis of hepcidin expression: In situ hybridization and quantitative polymerase chain reaction from paraffin sections
Institute of Scientific and Technical Information of China (English)
Yuhki Sakuraoka; Tokihiko Sawada; Takayuki Shiraki; Kyunghwa Park; Yuhichiro Sakurai; Naohisa Tomosugi; Keiichi Kubota
AIM:TO establish methods for quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for hepcidin using RNAs isolated from paraffin-embedded sections and in situ hybridization of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).METHODS:Total RNA from paraffin-embedded sections was isolated from 68 paraffin-embedded samples of HCC.Samples came from 54 male and 14 female patients with a mean age of 66.8 ± 7.8 years.Quantitative PCR was performed.Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization for hepcidin were also performed.RESULTS:Quantitative PCR for hepcidin using RNAs isolated from paraffin-embedded sections of HCC was performed successfully.The expression level of hepcidin mRNA in cancer tissues was significantly higher than that in non-cancer tissues.A method of in situ hybridization for hepcidin was established successfully,and this demonstrated that hepcidin mRNA was expressed in non-cancerous tissue but absent in cancerous tissue.CONCLUSION:We have established novel methods for quantitative PCR for hepcidin using RNAs isolated from paraffin-embedded sections and in situ hybridization of HCC.
Real-time polymerase chain reaction for diagnosing infectious mononucleosis in pediatric patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Jiang, Sha-Yi; Yang, Jing-Wei; Shao, Jing-Bo; Liao, Xue-Lian; Lu, Zheng-Hua; Jiang, Hui
In this meta-analysis, we evaluated the diagnostic role of Epstein-Barr virus deoxyribonucleic acid detection and quantitation in the serum of pediatric and young adult patients with infectious mononucleosis. The primary outcome of this meta-analysis was the sensitivity and specificity of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) detection and quantitation using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed by searching for articles that were published through September 24, 2014 in the following databases: Medline, Cochrane, EMBASE, and Google Scholar. The following keywords were used for the search: "Epstein-Barr virus," "infectious mononucleosis," "children/young adults/infant/pediatric," and "polymerase chain reaction or PCR." Three were included in this analysis. We found that for detection by PCR, the pooled sensitivity for detecting EBV DNA was 77% (95%CI, 66-86%) and the pooled specificity for was 98% (95%CI, 93-100%). Our findings indicate that this PCR-based assay has high specificity and good sensitivity for detecting of EBV DNA, indicating it may useful for identifying patients with infectious mononucleosis. This assay may also be helpful to identify young athletic patients or highly physically active pediatric patients who are at risk for a splenic rupture due to acute infectious mononucleosis. J. Med. Virol. 88:871-876, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. PMID:26455510
Polymerization as a Model Chain Reaction
Morton, Maurice
Describes the features of the free radical, anionic, and cationic mechanisms of chain addition polymerization. Indicates that the nature of chain reactions can be best taught through the study of macromolecules. (CC)
Shortening Isolation of Patients With Suspected Tuberculosis by Using Polymerase Chain Reaction Analysis
DEFF Research Database (Denmark)
Fløe, Andreas; Hilberg, Ole; Thomsen, Vibeke Østergaard;
reaction (PCR) can guide isolation. Methods. We retrospectively evaluated sputum samples analyzed for M. tuberculosis complex at the International Reference Laboratory of Mycobacteriology, Copenhagen, Denmark in 2002–2011. We selected culture-confirmed tuberculosis cases with ≥3 samples within 14 days...
Testing vaccines in human experimental malaria: statistical analysis of parasitemia measured by a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.
Hermsen, C.C.; Vlas, S.J. de; Gemert, G.J.A. van; Telgt, D.S.C.; Verhage, D.F.; Sauerwein, R.W.
Clinical trials are an essential step in evaluation of safety and efficacy of malaria vaccines, and human experimental malaria infections have been used for evaluation of protective immunity of Plasmodium falciparum malaria. In this study, a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was used
On 18 March, beam commissioning started in the first 'link' of the accelerator chain – LINAC 2. This marks the start of what will be the longest period of beam operations in CERN's history, with the accelerator complex remaining operational throughout the winter to supply the LHC. The Bulletin finds out what is being done to make sure the whole chain is ready for this historic run.
Statistical Models for the Analysis and Design of Digital Polymerase Chain Reaction (dPCR) Experiments.
Dorazio, Robert M; Hunter, Margaret E
Statistical methods for the analysis and design of experiments using digital PCR (dPCR) have received only limited attention and have been misused in many instances. To address this issue and to provide a more general approach to the analysis of dPCR data, we describe a class of statistical models for the analysis and design of experiments that require quantification of nucleic acids. These models are mathematically equivalent to generalized linear models of binomial responses that include a complementary, log-log link function and an offset that is dependent on the dPCR partition volume. These models are both versatile and easy to fit using conventional statistical software. Covariates can be used to specify different sources of variation in nucleic acid concentration, and a model's parameters can be used to quantify the effects of these covariates. For purposes of illustration, we analyzed dPCR data from different types of experiments, including serial dilution, evaluation of copy number variation, and quantification of gene expression. We also showed how these models can be used to help design dPCR experiments, as in selection of sample sizes needed to achieve desired levels of precision in estimates of nucleic acid concentration or to detect differences in concentration among treatments with prescribed levels of statistical power. PMID:26436653
Exogenous reference gene normalization for real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis under dynamic endogenous transcription
Institute of Scientific and Technical Information of China (English)
Stephen Johnston; Zachary Gallaher; Krzysztof Czaja
Quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) is widely used to investigate transcriptional changes following experimental manipulations to the nervous system. Despite the widespread utilization of qPCR, the interpretation of results is marred by the lack of a suitable reference gene due to the dynamic nature of endogenous transcription. To address this inherent deficiency, we investigated the use of an exogenous spike-in mRNA, luciferase, as an internal reference gene for the 2-ΔΔCt normalization method. To induce dynamic transcription, we systemically administered capsaicin, a neurotoxin selective for C-type sensory neurons expressing the TRPV-1 receptor, to adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. We later isolated nodose ganglia for qPCR analysis with the reference being either exogenous luciferase mRNA or the commonly used endogenous reference β-III tubulin. The exogenous luciferase mRNA reference clearly demonstrated the dynamic expression of the endogenous reference. Furthermore, variability of the endogenous reference would lead to misinterpretation of other genes of interest. In conclusion, traditional reference genes are often unstable under physiologically normal situations, and certainly unstable following the damage to the nervous system. The use of exogenous spike-in reference provides a consistent and easily implemented alternative for the analysis of qPCR data.
Value of Candida polymerase chain reaction and vaginal cytokine analysis for the differential diagnosis of women with recurrent vulvovaginitis.
Stephanie Weissenbacher; Witkin, Steven S.; Vera Tolbert; Paulo Giraldo; Iara Linhares; Andrea Haas; E. Rainer Weissenbacher; Ledger, William J.
Objectives: Recurrent vulvovaginitis remains difficult to diagnose accurately and to treat. The present investigation evaluated the utility of testing vaginal specimens from women with symptomatic recurrent vulvovaginitis for Candida species by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and for cytokine responses.Methods: Sixty-one consecutive symptomatic women with pruritus, erythema, and/or a thick white discharge and a history of recurrent vulvovaginitis and 31 asymptomatic women with no such history...
Performance of polymerase chain reaction techniques detecting perforin in the diagnosis of acute renal rejection: a meta-analysis.
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Yushu Shang
Full Text Available BACKGROUND: Studies in the past have shown that perforin expression is up-regulated during acute renal rejection, which provided hopes for a non-invasive and reliable diagnostic method to identify acute rejection. However, a systematic assessment of the value of perforin as a diagnostic marker of acute renal rejection has not been performed. We conducted this meta-analysis to document the diagnostic performance of perforin mRNA detection and to identify potential variables that may affect the performance. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Relevant materials that reported the diagnostic performance of perforin mRNA detection in acute renal rejection patients were extracted from electronic databases. After careful evaluation of the studies included in this analysis, the numbers of true positive, true negative, false positive and false negative cases of acute renal rejection identified by perforin mRNA detection were gathered from each data set. The publication year, sample origin, mRNA quantification method and housekeeping gene were also extracted as potential confounding variables. Fourteen studies with a total of 501 renal transplant subjects were included in this meta-analysis. The overall performance of perforin mRNA detection was: pooled sensitivity, 0.83 (95% confidence interval: 0.78 to 0.88; pooled specificity, 0.86 (95% confidence interval: 0.82 to 0.90; diagnostic odds ratio, 28.79 (95% confidence interval: 16.26 to 50.97; and area under the summary receiver operating characteristic curves value, 0.9107±0.0174. The univariate analysis of potential variables showed some changes in the diagnostic performance, but none of the differences reached statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Despite inter-study variability, the test performance of perforin mRNA detected by polymerase chain reaction was consistent under circumstances of methodological changes and demonstrated both sensitivity and specificity in detecting acute renal
Analysis of colorectal cancer and polyp for presence herpes simplex virus and cytomegalovirus DNA sequences by polymerase chain reaction
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Sahar Mehrabani khasraghi
Full Text Available Introduction: In recent years, it was demonstrated that there is a clear association between the complicated course of colorectal cancer (CRC and the presence of herpes viruses. Despite a great number of published reports, the exact pathogenic role of herpes viruses remains unclear in these patients. The purpose of this study is to explore the prevalence of herpes simplex virus (HSV and cytomegalovirus (CMV in patients with CRC and polyp in comparison with healthy subjects using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR method. Methods: In this case-control study, 15 biopsies of patients with CRC and 20 colorectal polyp sample were selected. From each patient, two tissue samples were obtained: one sample from malignant tissue, and the other from normal colorectal tissue in an area located 15 cm away from the malignant tissue. Furthermore, 35 samples from healthy people as controls were selected. After DNA extraction, PCR was used to determine HSV and CMV genomes by specific primers. A statistical analysis was performed using the chi-square test. Results: Five CRC patients (33.3% had HSV DNA detected in both the malignant and the matched normal tissue. Five CRC patients (33.3% and seven polyp patients (35.0% had CMV DNA detected in both the malignant and the matched normal tissue. HSV DNA was found in 20% and CMV DNA in 37.1% of samples from healthy people as a control group. Thus, no significant association was observed between the prevalence of HSV and CMV, and an incidence of CRC and polyps according to the location of the samples as compared with the control group. Conclusion: The findings demonstrated that there is no direct molecular evidence to support the association between HSV and CMV and human colorectal malignancies. However, the results from this study do not exclude a possible oncogenic role of these viruses in the neoplastic development of colon cells.
Human papillomavirus infection and anal carcinoma. Retrospective analysis by in situ hybridization and the polymerase chain reaction.
Zaki, S R; Judd, R.; Coffield, L. M.; Greer, P; Rolston, F.; Evatt, B L
To examine the association of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection with anal squamous cell carcinoma, the authors applied the highly sensitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and in situ hybridization (ISH) techniques to detect HPV DNA in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues from 18 patients. The presence of HPV types 16/18 in 3 (16.7%) of 18 patients with anal carcinoma was found, using a colorimetric ISH technique for HPV types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 35, and 51. Results from one of these t...
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based typing analysis of atypical isolates of the fish pathogen Aeromonas salmonicida
DEFF Research Database (Denmark)
Høie, S.; Dalsgaard, Inger; Aase, I.L.; Heum, M.; Thornton, J.M.; Powell, R.
Two hundred and five isolates of atypical Aeromonas salmonicida, recovered from a wide range of hosts and countries were characterized by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting four genes. The chosen genes were those encoding the extracellular A-layer protein (AP), the serine protease (Sprot......-sets only. A. salmonicida subsp. salmonicida isolates tested, belonged to group 1. The PCR primer-sets separated A. salmonicida from other reference strains of Aeromonas species and related bacteria with the exception of Aeromonas hydrophila. The results indicated that PCR typing is a useful framework for...
Analysis of the rDNA internal transcribed spacer region of the Fusarium species by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism
Zarrin, Majid; GANJ, FARZANEH; FARAMARZI, SAMA
The Fusarium species are a widely spread phytopathogen identified in an extensive variety of hosts. The Fusarium genus is one of the most heterogeneous fungi and is difficult to classify. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis is a useful method in detection of DNA polymorphism in objective sequences. The aim of the present study was to identify the phylogenetic associations and usefulness of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region as a gen...
Bordetella pertussis diagnosed by polymerase chain reaction
DEFF Research Database (Denmark)
Birkebaek, N H; Heron, I; Skjødt, K
The object of this work was to test the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for demonstration of Bordetella pertussis (BP) in nasopharyngeal secretions. The method was applied to patients with recently diagnosed pertussis, as verified by BP culture. In order to test the sensitivity and specificity of...
Detection and quantification of Renibacterium salmoninarum DNA in salmonid tissues by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis.
Chase, Dorothy M; Elliott, Diane G; Pascho, Ronald J
Renibacterium salmoninarum is an important salmonid pathogen that is difficult to culture. We developed and assessed a real-time, quantitative, polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay for the detection and enumeration of R. salmoninarum. The qPCR is based on TaqMan technology and amplifies a 69-base pair (bp) region of the gene encoding the major soluble antigen (MSA) of R. salmoninarum. The qPCR assay consistently detected as few as 5 R. salmoninarum cells per reaction in kidney tissue. The specificity of the qPCR was confirmed by testing the DNA extracts from a panel of microorganisms that were either common fish pathogens or reported to cause false-positive reactions in the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Kidney samples from 38 juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in a naturally infected population were examined by real-time qPCR, a nested PCR, and ELISA, and prevalences of R. salmoninarum detected were 71, 66, and 71%, respectively. The qPCR should be a valuable tool for evaluating the R. salmoninarum infection status of salmonids. PMID:16921877
Rapid analysis of rearranged kappa light chain genes of circulating polysaccharide-specific B lymphocytes by means of immunomagnetic beads and the polymerase chain reaction
DEFF Research Database (Denmark)
Hougs, L; Barington, T; Madsen, HO;
of the B lymphocytes activated in vivo. Here, we present a method for rapid analysis of the rearranged kappa light chain genes used by human circulating antigen-specific B lymphocytes. After vaccination with Haemophilus influenzae type b capsular polysaccharide (HibCP) conjugated with protein, the......Analysis of rearranged immunoglobulin genes used by B lymphocytes of known specificity is an important tool for the study of diversity and selection of B lymphocytes. Usually hybridoma cell lines are used for such analyses, but they are difficult to obtain from humans and may not be representative...... HibCP-specific B lymphocytes were isolated by antigen-coated immunomagnetic beads. After the purification, at least 98% of the immunoglobulin-secreting recovered cells were HibCP specific. The RNA was isolated and amplified by cDNA synthesis using a kappa constant region primer followed by polymerase...
Analysis of ancient DNA from coprolites: a perspective with random amplified polymorphic DNA-polymerase chain reaction approach
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Iñiguez Alena M
Full Text Available The aim of this work was to determine approaches that would improve the quality of ancient DNA (aDNA present in coprolites to enhance the possibility of success in retrieving specific sequence targets. We worked with coprolites from South American archaeological sites in Brazil and Chile dating up to 7,000 years ago. Using established protocols for aDNA extraction we obtained samples showing high degradation as usually happens with this kind of material. The reconstructive polymerization pretreatment was essential to overcome the DNA degradation and the serial dilutions helped with to prevent polymerase chain reaction (PCR inhibitors. Moreover, the random amplified polymorphic DNA-PCR has been shown to be a reliable technique for further experiments to recover specific aDNA sequences.
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based typing analysis of atypical isolates of the fish pathogen Aeromonas salmonicida
DEFF Research Database (Denmark)
Høie, S.; Dalsgaard, Inger; Aase, I.L.;
Two hundred and five isolates of atypical Aeromonas salmonicida, recovered from a wide range of hosts and countries were characterized by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting four genes. The chosen genes were those encoding the extracellular A-layer protein (AP), the serine protease (Sprot......), the glycerophospholipid:cholestrol acetyltransferase protein (GCAT), and the 16S rRNA (16S rDNA). All the atypical A. salmonicida isolates could be assigned to 4 PCR groups. Group 1 comprised 45 strains which rested positive for PCR amplification, using the 16S rDNA, GCAT2, Sprot2, and AP primer......-sets only. A. salmonicida subsp. salmonicida isolates tested, belonged to group 1. The PCR primer-sets separated A. salmonicida from other reference strains of Aeromonas species and related bacteria with the exception of Aeromonas hydrophila. The results indicated that PCR typing is a useful framework for...
Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA-polymerase chain reaction analysis of two different populations of cultured Korean catfish Silurus asotus
Indian Academy of Sciences (India)
Jong-Man Yoon; Gye-Woong Kim
Genetic similarity and diversity of cultured catfish Silurus asotus populations collected from two areas in western Korea were examined using randomly amplified polymorphic DNA-polymerase chain reaction (RAPD-PCR). Out of 20 random primers tested, 5 produced 1344 RAPD bands ranging from 8.2 to 13.6 polymorphic bands per primer. The polymorphic bands in these populations ranged from 56.4% to 59.6%. Polymorphic bands per lane within populations ranged from 4.9% to 5.3%. The similarity within the Kunsan population varied from 0.39 to 0.82 with a mean (± SD) of 0.56 ± 0.08. The level of bandsharing values was 0.59 ± 0.07 within the catfish population from Yesan. The genetic similarity in cultured catfish populations may have been caused because individuals from two populations were reared in the same environmental conditions or by inbreeding during several generations. However, in view of bandsharing values, polymorphic bands and also the specific major bands that were inter-population-specific, significant genetic differentiation between these populations were present even if bandsharing (BS) values were somewhat numerically different. Therefore, the number of RAPD polymorphisms identified in this study may be sufficient to permit estimating genetic similarity and diversity. However, in future, additional populations, sampling sites and individuals will be necessary to make up for these weak points.
Detection of Listeria monocytogenes by using the polymerase chain reaction
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
A method was developed for detection of Listeria monocytogens by polymerase chain reaction amplification followed by agarose gel electrophoresis or dot blot analysis with 32P-labeled internal probe. The technique identified 95 of 95 L. monocytogenes strains, 0 of 12 Listeria strains of other species, and 0 of 12 non-Listeria strains
Progesterone receptor isoform analysis by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded canine mammary dysplasias and tumors
DEFF Research Database (Denmark)
Guil-Luna, S.; Stenvang, Jan; Brünner, Nils;
its isoforms in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue samples from canine mammary lesions (4 dysplasias, 10 benign tumors, and 46 carcinomas) using 1-step SYBR Green quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Progesterone receptor was expressed in 75% of dysplasias, all benign...... the expression of isoform A versus B. Analysis of progesterone receptor mRNA isoforms by RT-qPCR was successful in routinely formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue samples and enabled the distribution of isoforms A and B to be identified for the first time in dysplasias, benign tumors, and malignant...
Avian haemosporidian parasites (Haemosporida): A comparative analysis of different polymerase chain reaction assays in detection of mixed infections.
Bernotienė, Rasa; Palinauskas, Vaidas; Iezhova, Tatjana; Murauskaitė, Dovilė; Valkiūnas, Gediminas
Mixed infections of different species and genetic lineages of haemosporidian parasites (Haemosporida) predominate in wildlife, and such infections are particularly virulent. However, currently used polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based detection methods often do not read mixed infections. Sensitivity of different PCR assays in detection of mixed infections has been insufficiently tested, but this knowledge is essential in studies addressing parasite diversity in wildlife. Here, we applied five different PCR assays, which are broadly used in wildlife avian haemosporidian research, and compared their sensitivity in detection of experimentally designed mixed infections of Haemoproteus and Plasmodium parasites. Three of these PCR assays use primer sets that amplify fragments of cytochrome b gene (cyt b), one of cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene, and one target apicoplast genome. We collected blood from wild-caught birds and, using microscopic and PCR-based methods applied in parallel, identified single infections of ten haemosporidian species with similar parasitemia. Then, we prepared 15 experimental mixes of different haemosporidian parasites, which often are present simultaneously in wild birds. Similar concentration of total DNA was used in each parasite lineage during preparation of mixes. Positive amplifications were sequenced, and the presence of mixed infections was reported by visualising double-base calling in sequence electropherograms. This study shows that the use of each single PCR assay markedly underestimates biodiversity of haemosporidian parasites. The application of at least 3 PCR assays in parallel detected the majority, but still not all lineages present in mixed infections. We determined preferences of different primers in detection of parasites belonging to different genera of haemosporidians during mixed infections. PMID:26821298
Transformational leadership: a cascading chain reaction.
Murphy, Lorraine
Historical influences still permeate contemporary nursing practise. These are mirrored in organizational philosophies, transactional and autocratic leadership styles and disempowered staff. Whilst there is disparity amongst the theorists' definitions of leadership, there is consensus pertaining to the attributes necessary to realize effective leadership. Transformational leadership is heralded as new criterion for nurse managers, and can be achieved through training, education and professional development in key leadership competencies. To achieve a chain reaction, charismatic transformational leaders espouse intellectual stimulation and individual consideration to empower staff and enhance patient care. Nurse managers that develop and foster transformational leadership can surmount oppressive traditions and confidently navigate a complex and rapidly changing health care environment. PMID:15720482
Degenerate Oligonucleotide Primed-Polymerase Chain Reaction-Based Array Comparative Genomic Hybridization for Extensive Amplicon Profiling of Breast Cancers : A New Approach for the Molecular Analysis of Paraffin-Embedded Cancer Tissue
Daigo, Yataro; Chin, Suet-Feung; Gorringe, Kylie L.; Bobrow, Lynda G; Bruce A J Ponder; Pharoah, Paul D P; Caldas, Carlos
We have developed a protocol for degenerate oligonucleotide-primed-polymerase chain reaction-based array comparative genomic hybridization (array CGH) that, when combined with a laser microdissection technique, allows the analysis of cancer cell populations isolated from routine, formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue samples. Comparison of copy number changes detected by degenerate oligonucleotide-primed-polymerase chain reaction-based array CGH to those detected by conventional array CGH ...
Leading coordinate analysis of reaction pathways in proton chain transfer: Application to a two-proton transfer model for the green fluorescent protein
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
The 'leading coordinate' approach to computing an approximate reaction pathway, with subsequent determination of the true minimum energy profile, is applied to a two-proton chain transfer model based on the chromophore and its surrounding moieties within the green fluorescent protein (GFP). Using an ab initio quantum chemical method, a number of different relaxed energy profiles are found for several plausible guesses at leading coordinates. The results obtained for different trial leading coordinates are rationalized through the calculation of a two-dimensional relaxed potential energy surface (PES) for the system. Analysis of the 2-D relaxed PES reveals that two of the trial pathways are entirely spurious, while two others contain useful information and can be used to furnish starting points for successful saddle-point searches. Implications for selection of trial leading coordinates in this class of proton chain transfer reactions are discussed, and a simple diagnostic function is proposed for revealing whether or not a relaxed pathway based on a trial leading coordinate is likely to furnish useful information
A rapid direct-extraction method was used to obtain DNA from environmental soil samples. eat, enzymes, and guanidine isothiocyanate were utilized to lyse cells. he DNA was purified by agarose gel electrophoresis, amplified with 16S based primers by use of the polymerase chain rea...
Chain reaction. History of the atomic bomb
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
Henri becquerel tracked down in 1896 a strange radiation, which was called radioactivity by Marie Curie. In the following centuries German scientists Max Planck, Albert Einstein and Werner Heisenberg presented fundamental contributions to understand processes in the atomic nucleus. At Goettingen, center of the international nuclear physics community, the American student J. Robert Oppenheimer admit to this physical research. In the beginning of 1939 the message of Otto Hahns' nuclear fission electrified researchers. The first step, unleashing atomic energy, was done. A half year later the Second World War begun. And suddenly being friend with and busily communicating physicians were devided into hostile power blocs as bearers of official secrets. The author tells in this exciting book the story of the first atomic bomb as a chain reaction of ideas, discoveries and visions, of friendships, jealousy and intrigues of scientists, adventurers and genius. (orig./GL)
Analysis of Colorectal Cancer and Polyps for the Presence of Herpes Simplex Virus and Epstein - Barr virus DNA Sequences by Polymerase Chain Reaction
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Sahar Mehrabani-Khasraghi
Full Text Available Background: Colorectal cancer is one of the most common malignancies worldwide with more than one million new cases diagnosed each year. The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of herpes simplex virus and Epstein-Barr virus in patients with colorectal carcinomas and polyps in comparison with healthy subjects by using the polymerase chain reaction technique. Methods: In this analytical case-control study, we selected 15 patients with colorectal cancer, 20 patients with colorectal polyps and 35 patients without malignancy as controls. Biopsy specimens were frozen under sterile conditions at -20ºC. After DNA extraction, analysis of polymerase chain reaction to detect herpes simplex virus and Epstein-Barr virus DNA in tissue samples was performed. Statistical analysis was performed with the χ2 test. Results: We observed herpes simplex DNA in 33.3% of tumor samples (5 of 15 and 20% from the non-malignant control group (7 of 35. There was no herpes simplex DNA in the polyp tissues (0 of 20. Epstein-Barr DNA was found in 60% of tumor samples (9 of 15, 35% of polyp samples (7 of 20, and 40% of the non-malignant control group (14 of 35. Statistical analysis showed no significant association between the prevalence of herpes simplex and Epstein- Barr viruses and the incidence of colorectal cancer and polyps compared with the control group. Conclusion: The results demonstrate a lack of direct molecular evidence to support an association between herpes simplex and Epstein-Barr viruses with human colorectal malignancies. These results do not exclude a possible oncogenic role of these viruses to infect different colon cells.
Comparison of detection platforms and post-polymerase chain reaction DNA purification methods for use in conjunction with Cleavase fragment length polymorphism analysis.
Sander, T; Olson, S; Hall, J; Siebert, M; Grooms, K; Heisler, L; de Arruda, M; Neri, B
The removal of impurities and contaminants from PCR-amplified fragments is important for mutation detection methods which identify mutations based on shifts in electrophoretic mobility. This is particularly critical for assays and detection methods which use target DNA that is labeled prior to analysis and electrophoretic detection. We examined several procedures for purifying DNA amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and their use in conjunction with a novel DNA scanning method, the Cleavase fragment length polymorphism (CFLP)* assay. In this study, a 480 bp DNA fragment, fluorescently labeled on the 5'-end of one strand, was amplified and subjected to various widely used purification procedures, including several commercially available clean-up kits. We demonstrate that visualization of the fluorescent label, as opposed to simple ethidium bromide staining, reveals the presence of considerable levels of labeled, truncated, amplification products. The various procedures were evaluated on the basis of their ability to remove these unwanted DNA fragments as well as on the degree to which they inhibited or promoted the CFLP reaction. Several procedures are recommended for use with CFLP analysis, including isopropanol precipitation, gel excision, and several commercially available spin columns. Concurrently, we evaluated (compared) a number of commonly used visualization platforms, including fluorescence imaging, chemiluminescence, and post-electrophoretic staining, for the ability to detect CFLP pattern changes. The advantages and disadvantages of different methods are discussed and amounts of DNA to be used for CFLP analysis on different detection platforms are recommended. PMID:10380752
Performance of Polymerase Chain Reaction Analysis of the Amniotic Fluid of Pregnant Women for Diagnosis of Congenital Toxoplasmosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Introduction Congenital infection caused by Toxoplasma gondii can cause serious damage that can be diagnosed in utero or at birth, although most infants are asymptomatic at birth. Prenatal diagnosis of congenital toxoplasmosis considerably improves the prognosis and outcome for infected infants. For this reason, an assay for the quick, sensitive, and safe diagnosis of fetal toxoplasmosis is desirable. Goal To systematically review the performance of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of the amniotic fluid of pregnant women with recent serological toxoplasmosis diagnoses for the diagnosis of fetal toxoplasmosis. Method A systematic literature review was conducted via a search of electronic databases; the literature included primary studies of the diagnostic accuracy of PCR analysis of amniotic fluid from pregnant women who seroconverted during pregnancy. The PCR test was compared to a gold standard for diagnosis. Results A total of 1.269 summaries were obtained from the electronic database and reviewed, and 20 studies, comprising 4.171 samples, met the established inclusion criteria and were included in the review. The following results were obtained: studies about PCR assays for fetal toxoplasmosis are generally susceptible to bias; reports of the tests' use lack critical information; the protocols varied among studies; the heterogeneity among studies was concentrated in the tests' sensitivity; there was evidence that the sensitivity of the tests increases with time, as represented by the trimester; and there was more heterogeneity among studies in which there was more time between maternal diagnosis and fetal testing. The sensitivity of the method, if performed up to five weeks after maternal diagnosis, was 87% and specificity was 99%. Conclusion The global sensitivity heterogeneity of the PCR test in this review was 66.5% (I2). The tests show low evidence of heterogeneity with a sensitivity of 87% and specificity of 99% when performed up to five weeks
Actinobaculum suis Detection Using Polymerase Chain Reaction
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Cristina Román Amigo
Full Text Available Actinobaculum suis is an important agent related to urinary infection in swine females. Due to its fastidious growth characteristics, the isolation of this anaerobic bacterium is difficult, thus impairing the estimation of its prevalence. The purpose of this study was to develop and test a polymerase chain reaction (PCR for the detection and identification of A. suis and then compare these results with traditional isolation methods. Bacterial isolation and PCR were performed on one hundred and ninety-two urine samples from sows and forty-five preputial swabs from boars. The results indicate that this PCR was specific for A. suis, presenting a detection limit between 1.0×101 CFU/mL and 1.0×102 CFU/mL. A. suis frequencies, as measured by PCR, were 8.9% (17/192 in sow urine samples and 82.2% (37/45 in preputial swabs. Assessed using conventional culturing techniques, none of the urine samples were positive for A. suis; however, A. suis was detected in 31.1% (14/45 of the swabs. This PCR technique was shown to be an efficient method for the detection of A. suis in urine and preputial swabs.
Genome shuffling of Saccharomyces cerevisiae for enhanced glutathione yield and relative gene expression analysis using fluorescent quantitation reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.
Yin, Hua; Ma, Yanlin; Deng, Yang; Xu, Zhenbo; Liu, Junyan; Zhao, Junfeng; Dong, Jianjun; Yu, Junhong; Chang, Zongming
Genome shuffling is an efficient and promising approach for the rapid improvement of microbial phenotypes. In this study, genome shuffling was applied to enhance the yield of glutathione produced by Saccharomyces cerevisiae YS86. Six isolates with subtle improvements in glutathione yield were obtained from populations generated by ultraviolet (UV) irradiation and nitrosoguanidine (NTG) mutagenesis. These yeast strains were then subjected to recursive pool-wise protoplast fusion. A strain library that was likely to yield positive colonies was created by fusing the lethal protoplasts obtained from both UV irradiation and heat treatments. After two rounds of genome shuffling, a high-yield recombinant YSF2-19 strain that exhibited 3.2- and 3.3-fold increases in glutathione production in shake flask and fermenter respectively was obtained. Comparative analysis of synthetase gene expression was conducted between the initial and shuffled strains using FQ (fluorescent quantitation) RT-PCR (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction). Delta CT (threshold cycle) relative quantitation analysis revealed that glutathione synthetase gene (GSH-I) expression at the transcriptional level in the YSF2-19 strain was 9.9-fold greater than in the initial YS86. The shuffled yeast strain has a potential application in brewing, other food, and pharmaceutical industries. Simultaneously, the analysis of improved phenotypes will provide more valuable data for inverse metabolic engineering. PMID:27302037
Application of polymerase chain reaction to detect rearrangement of immunoglobulin heavy chain genes in lymphoproliferative disease.
Khalil, S H; Siegrist, K; Akhtar, M
As part of our routine work-up in the diagnosis of lymphoproliferative disease, we used a rapid polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay to amplify the DNA fragments of the framework 3 (FR3) region of the immunoglobulin heavy (IgH) chain genes. The assay does not involve hybridization, nested priming, or sequencing of the amplified PCR product. It was performed on 66 specimens of B-cell lymphoproliferative disease, including acute lymphoblastic leukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, multiple myeloma, hairy cell leukemia and follicular lymphoma. Twenty-six specimens of negative controls, including acute myeloid leukemia, chronic myeloid leukemia in myeloid transformation and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, were also analyzed. The assay was performed with 77% sensitivity and 100% specificity. The standard IgH chain gene rearrangement by Southern blot analysis is reserved for the remaining negative cases if clinically indicated. PMID:17353588
Identification of blood meal sources of Lutzomyia longipalpis using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of the cytochrome B gene
Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)
Vítor Yamashiro Rocha Soares
Full Text Available An analysis of the dietary content of haematophagous insects can provide important information about the transmission networks of certain zoonoses. The present study evaluated the potential of polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP analysis of the mitochondrial cytochrome B (cytb gene to differentiate between vertebrate species that were identified as possible sources of sandfly meals. The complete cytb gene sequences of 11 vertebrate species available in the National Center for Biotechnology Information database were digested with Aci I, Alu I, Hae III and Rsa I restriction enzymes in silico using Restriction Mapper software. The cytb gene fragment (358 bp was amplified from tissue samples of vertebrate species and the dietary contents of sandflies and digested with restriction enzymes. Vertebrate species presented a restriction fragment profile that differed from that of other species, with the exception of Canis familiaris and Cerdocyon thous. The 358 bp fragment was identified in 76 sandflies. Of these, 10 were evaluated using the restriction enzymes and the food sources were predicted for four: Homo sapiens (1, Bos taurus (1 and Equus caballus (2. Thus, the PCR-RFLP technique could be a potential method for identifying the food sources of arthropods. However, some points must be clarified regarding the applicability of the method, such as the extent of DNA degradation through intestinal digestion, the potential for multiple sources of blood meals and the need for greater knowledge regarding intraspecific variations in mtDNA.
Analysis of microbial diversity on deli slicers using polymerase chain reaction and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis technologies.
Koo, O K; Mertz, A W; Akins, E L; Sirsat, S A; Neal, J A; Morawicki, R; Crandall, P G; Ricke, S C
Cross-contamination of pathogenic and spoilage bacteria from food-contact surfaces to food products is a serious public health issue. Bacteria may survive and attach to food-contact surfaces by residual food components and/or background bacteria which may subsequently transfer to other food products. Deli slicers, generally used for slicing ready-to-eat products, can serve as potential sources for considerable bacterial transfer. The objective of this study was to assess the extent and distribution of microbial diversity of deli slicers by identification of pathogenic and background bacteria. Slicer-swab samples were collected from restaurants in Arkansas and Texas in the United States. Ten surface areas for each slicer were swabbed using sterile sponges. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) was applied to investigate the fingerprint of samples, and each band was further identified by sequence analysis. Pseudomonads were identified as the dominant bacteria followed by Enterobacteriaceae family, and lactic acid bacteria such as Lactococcus lactis and Streptococcus thermophilus were also found. Bacterial distribution was similar for all surface areas, while the blade guard exhibited the greatest diversity. This study provides a profile of the microbial ecology of slicers using DGGE to develop more specific sanitation practices and to reduce cross-contamination during slicing. PMID:23121623
An analysis of the subtypes of dengue fever infections in Barbados 2003–2007 by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction
Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)
Gittens-St Hilaire M
Full Text Available Abstract Background To perform a retrospective analysis of patients with IgM antibodies to dengue fever infection to determine the serotypes present by molecular techniques. A representative sample (~20%/per year of patients diagnosed with dengue fever infection were selected based on the detection of IgM antibodies in the acute phase serum sample. RNA was extracted from each sample and reverse transcribed. Following this, the amplicons were electrophoresed and serotyped based on band sizes. Results This study consisted of 71 males and 101 females ranging in age from 0 – 50+ yrs giving a total of 172 persons with an average of 34.4 patients per year. Onset averaged 6.9 days ranging from 0–90 days. Common symptoms were as follows: fever (69%, headache (52%, arthralgia (36%, ocular pain (32%, emesis (15% and lumbar pain (15%. All patients investigated with the exception of one, were infected with DENV-3. Conclusion DENV-3 is currently circulating on the island and not DENV-1 or DENV-2 as in previous years. This has implications for the enhancement of clinical, laboratory and environmental surveillance systems.
Molecular Analysis of Oral Bacteria in Heart Valve of Patients With Cardiovascular Disease by Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction.
Oliveira, Francisco Artur Forte; Forte, Clarissa Pessoa Fernandes; Silva, Paulo Goberlânio de Barros; Lopes, Camile B; Montenegro, Raquel Carvalho; Santos, Ândrea Kely Campos Ribeiro Dos; Sobrinho, Carlos Roberto Martins Rodrigues; Mota, Mário Rogério Lima; Sousa, Fabrício Bitu; Alves, Ana Paula Negreiros Nunes
Structural deficiencies and functional abnormalities of heart valves represent an important cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and a number of diseases, such as aortic stenosis, have been recently associated with infectious agents. This study aimed to analyze oral bacteria in dental plaque, saliva, and cardiac valves of patients with cardiovascular disease. Samples of supragingival plaque, subgingival plaque, saliva, and cardiac valve tissue were collected from 42 patients with heart valve disease. Molecular analysis of Streptococcus mutans, Prevotella intermedia, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Treponema denticola was performed through real-time PCR. The micro-organism most frequently detected in heart valve samples was the S. mutans (89.3%), followed by P. intermedia (19.1%), P. gingivalis (4.2%), and T. denticola (2.1%). The mean decayed, missing, filled teeth (DMFT) was 26.4 ± 6.9 (mean ± SD), and according to the highest score of periodontal disease observed for each patient, periodontal pockets > 4 mm and dental calculus were detected in 43.4% and 34.7% of patients, respectively. In conclusion, oral bacteria, especially S. mutans, were found in the cardiac valve samples of patients with a high rate of caries and gingivitis/periodontitis. PMID:26632711
Assessing HER2 amplification by IHC, FISH, and real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis (real-time PCR) following LCM in formalin-fixed paraffin embedded tissue from 40 women with ovarian cancer
DEFF Research Database (Denmark)
Hillig, Thore; Thode, Jørgen; Breinholt, Ellen Marie;
We compare HER2 receptor amplification analysis by immunohistochemistry (IHC), fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR) DNA copy-number assay following laser capture microdissection (LCM) in formalin-fixed paraffin embedded tissue from 40...
Detection of high-risk subtypes of human papillomavirus in cervical swabs: routine use of the Digene Hybrid Capture assay and polymerase chain reaction analysis.
LENUS (Irish Health Repository)
Brennan, M M
Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are major causative agents in the pathogenesis of cervical cancer, and more than twenty types are associated with its development. With the introduction of liquid-based preparation systems, it is envisaged that large-scale HPV testing will be established in the near future. Preliminary studies demonstrate the accessibility of these samples for DNA testing using both the Digene Hybrid Capture assay (DHCA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques. This study aims to assess the validity and sensitivity of the DHCA system to detect high-risk HPV DNA, using two sets of HPV consensus primers (Gp5+\\/Gp6+ and MY09\\/MY11) in tandem with routine assessment of cervical smear and biopsy samples. Results indicate that the combination of DHCA and PCR detects more high-grade lesions than does the DHCA alone. DHCA-negative cases were categorised by subsequent PCR amplification into low-grade HPV-negative (12\\/16) cervical lesions and high-grade HPV-positive (7\\/9) cervical lesions. Gp5+\\/Gp6+ primers were less sensitive in detecting HPV-positive samples than was the MY09\\/MY11 primer set. These results support the use of high-risk HPV testing by DHCA, with subsequent analysis of DHCA-negative samples by PCR using the MY09\\/MY11 primers.
Robust quantification of polymerase chain reactions using global fitting.
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Ana C Carr
Full Text Available BACKGROUND: Quantitative polymerase chain reactions (qPCR are used to monitor relative changes in very small amounts of DNA. One drawback to qPCR is reproducibility: measuring the same sample multiple times can yield data that is so noisy that important differences can be dismissed. Numerous analytical methods have been employed that can extract the relative template abundance between samples. However, each method is sensitive to baseline assignment and to the unique shape profiles of individual reactions, which gives rise to increased variance stemming from the analytical procedure itself. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We developed a simple mathematical model that accurately describes the entire PCR reaction profile using only two reaction variables that depict the maximum capacity of the reaction and feedback inhibition. This model allows quantification that is more accurate than existing methods and takes advantage of the brighter fluorescence signals from later cycles. Because the model describes the entire reaction, the influences of baseline adjustment errors, reaction efficiencies, template abundance, and signal loss per cycle could be formalized. We determined that the common cycle-threshold method of data analysis introduces unnecessary variance because of inappropriate baseline adjustments, a dynamic reaction efficiency, and also a reliance on data with a low signal-to-noise ratio. SIGNIFICANCE: Using our model, fits to raw data can be used to determine template abundance with high precision, even when the data contains baseline and signal loss defects. This improvement reduces the time and cost associated with qPCR and should be applicable in a variety of academic, clinical, and biotechnological settings.
Multi-template polymerase chain reaction
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Elena Kalle
Full Text Available PCR is a formidable and potent technology that serves as an indispensable tool in a wide range of biological disciplines. However, due to the ease of use and often lack of rigorous standards many PCR applications can lead to highly variable, inaccurate, and ultimately meaningless results. Thus, rigorous method validation must precede its broad adoption to any new application. Multi-template samples possess particular features, which make their PCR analysis prone to artifacts and biases: multiple homologous templates present in copy numbers that vary within several orders of magnitude. Such conditions are a breeding ground for chimeras and heteroduplexes. Differences in template amplification efficiencies and template competition for reaction compounds undermine correct preservation of the original template ratio. In addition, the presence of inhibitors aggravates all of the above-mentioned problems. Inhibitors might also have ambivalent effects on the different templates within the same sample. Yet, no standard approaches exist for monitoring inhibitory effects in multitemplate PCR, which is crucial for establishing compatibility between samples.
Progesterone receptor isoform analysis by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded canine mammary dysplasias and tumors.
Guil-Luna, S; Stenvang, J; Brünner, N; Sánchez-Céspedes, R; Millán, Y; Gómez-Laguna, J; de las Mulas, J Martín
Cloning and sequencing of the progesterone receptor gene in dogs have revealed 2 isoforms, A and B, transcribed from a single gene. Distribution of isoforms A and B in canine mammary lesions has hitherto been investigated only by Western blot analysis. This study analyzed progesterone receptor and its isoforms in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue samples from canine mammary lesions (4 dysplasias, 10 benign tumors, and 46 carcinomas) using 1-step SYBR Green quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Progesterone receptor was expressed in 75% of dysplasias, all benign tumors, and 59% of carcinomas. Carcinomas, and particularly simple epithelial-type carcinomas, displayed the lowest levels of expression. A high rate of agreement was recorded between RT-qPCR and immunohistochemical labeling. Isoforms A and B were successfully amplified, with correlation coefficients of 0.99 and amplification efficiencies close to 2, and were expressed in all lesion types analyzed. Predominance of A over B expression was observed in carcinomas and complex adenomas. Low-grade tumors exhibited higher progesterone receptor messenger RNA (mRNA) levels, but no difference was observed in the expression of isoform A versus B. Analysis of progesterone receptor mRNA isoforms by RT-qPCR was successful in routinely formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue samples and enabled the distribution of isoforms A and B to be identified for the first time in dysplasias, benign tumors, and malignant tumors of the canine mammary gland. These findings will facilitate future research into the role of progesterone receptor isoforms in the progression of canine mammary tumors. PMID:24249219
A chain reaction approach to modelling gene pathways.
Cheng, Gary C; Chen, Dung-Tsa; Chen, James J; Soong, Seng-Jaw; Lamartiniere, Coral; Barnes, Stephen
BACKGROUND: Of great interest in cancer prevention is how nutrient components affect gene pathways associated with the physiological events of puberty. Nutrient-gene interactions may cause changes in breast or prostate cells and, therefore, may result in cancer risk later in life. Analysis of gene pathways can lead to insights about nutrient-gene interactions and the development of more effective prevention approaches to reduce cancer risk. To date, researchers have relied heavily upon experimental assays (such as microarray analysis, etc.) to identify genes and their associated pathways that are affected by nutrient and diets. However, the vast number of genes and combinations of gene pathways, coupled with the expense of the experimental analyses, has delayed the progress of gene-pathway research. The development of an analytical approach based on available test data could greatly benefit the evaluation of gene pathways, and thus advance the study of nutrient-gene interactions in cancer prevention. In the present study, we have proposed a chain reaction model to simulate gene pathways, in which the gene expression changes through the pathway are represented by the species undergoing a set of chemical reactions. We have also developed a numerical tool to solve for the species changes due to the chain reactions over time. Through this approach we can examine the impact of nutrient-containing diets on the gene pathway; moreover, transformation of genes over time with a nutrient treatment can be observed numerically, which is very difficult to achieve experimentally. We apply this approach to microarray analysis data from an experiment which involved the effects of three polyphenols (nutrient treatments), epigallo-catechin-3-O-gallate (EGCG), genistein, and resveratrol, in a study of nutrient-gene interaction in the estrogen synthesis pathway during puberty. RESULTS: In this preliminary study, the estrogen synthesis pathway was simulated by a chain reaction model. By
Detection of Francisella tularensis in blood by polymerase chain reaction.
Long, G W; Oprandy, J J; Narayanan, R. B.; Fortier, A H; Porter, K R; Nacy, C.A.
We developed a polymerase chain reaction-based assay for Francisella tularensis which we evaluated by using spiked blood samples and experimentally infected mice. The assay detected both type A and type B F. tularensis at levels equivalent to one CFU/microliter of spiked blood. Results from polymerase chain reaction-based assay of limiting dilutions of blood from mice infected with the live vaccine strain agreed closely with results from blood culture.
Kouritzin, Michael A.; Hongwei Long
In the context of simulating the transport of a chemical or bacterial contaminant through a moving sheet of water, we extend a well-established method of approximating reaction-diffusion equations with Markov chains by allowing convection, certain Poisson measure driving sources and a larger class of reaction functions. Our alterations also feature dramatically slower Markov chain state change rates often yielding a ten to one-hundred-fold simulation speed increase over the previous version o...
Expression of steroidogenic enzymes and their transcription factors in cortisol-producing adrenocortical adenomas: immunohistochemical analysis and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction studies.
Kubota-Nakayama, Fumie; Nakamura, Yasuhiro; Konosu-Fukaya, Sachiko; Azmahani, Abdullah; Ise, Kazue; Yamazaki, Yuto; Kitawaki, Yuko; Felizola, Saulo J A; Ono, Yoshikiyo; Omata, Kei; Morimoto, Ryo; Iwama, Noriyuki; Satoh, Fumitoshi; Sasano, Hironobu
Adrenal Cushing syndrome (CS) is caused by the overproduction of cortisol in adrenocortical tumors including adrenal cortisol-producing adenoma (CPA). In CS, steroidogenic enzymes such as 17α-hydroxylase/17, 20-lase (CYP17A1), 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD3B), and 11β-hydroxylase (CYP11B1) are abundantly expressed in tumor cells. In addition, several transcriptional factors have been reported to play pivotal roles in the regulation of these enzymes in CPA, but their correlations with those enzymes above have still remained largely unknown. Therefore, in this study, we examined the status of steroidogenic enzymes and their transcriptional factors in 78 and 15 CPA cases by using immunohistochemistry and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), respectively. Immunoreactivity of HSD3B2, CYP11B1, CYP17A1, steroidogenic factor-1 (SF1[NR5A1]), GATA6, and nerve growth factor induced-B (NGFIB[NR4A1]) was detected in tumor cells. Results of qPCR analysis revealed that expression of HSD3B2 mRNA was significantly higher than that of HSD3B1, and CYP11B1 mRNA was significantly higher than CYP11B2. In addition, the expression of CYP11B1 mRNA was positively correlated with those of NR5A1, GATA6, and NR4A1. These results all indicated that HSD3B2 but not HSD3B1 was mainly involved in cortisol overproduction in CPA. In addition, NR5A1, GATA6, and NR4A1 were all considered to play important roles in cortisol overproduction through regulating CYP11B1 gene transcription. PMID:27085553
Sensitive and simultaneous analysis of five transgenic maizes using multiplex polymerase chain reaction, capillary gel electrophoresis, and laser-induced fluorescence
García-Cañas, Virginia; González García, Ramón; Cifuentes, Alejandro
The benefits of using multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by capillary gel electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence (CGE-LIF) for the simultaneous detection of five transgenic maizes (Bt11, T25, MON810, GA21, and Bt176) are demonstrated. The method uses a hexaplex PCR protocol to amplify the five mentioned transgenic amplicons plus the zein gene used as reference, followed by a CGE-LIF method to analyze the six DNA fragments. CGE-LIF was demonstrated very useful and info...
Assessing HER2 amplification by IHC, FISH, and real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis (real-time PCR) following LCM in formalin-fixed paraffin embedded tissue from 40 women with ovarian cancer
Hillig, Thore; Thode, Jørgen; Breinholt, Marie F; Franzmann, Maria-Benedicte; Pedersen, Carsten; Lund, Flemming; Mygind, Henrik; Sölétormos, György; Rudnicki, Martin
We compare HER2 receptor amplification analysis by immunohistochemistry (IHC), fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR) DNA copy-number assay following laser capture microdissection (LCM) in formalin-fixed paraffin embedded tissue from 40 women with verified ovarian cancer. We speculate that LCM should result in a more accurate assessment of HER2 amplification in our real-time PCR assay compared with IHC and FISH. HER2 overexpression m...
Comparison of the accuracy of Hybrid Capture II and polymerase chain reaction in detecting clinically important cervical dysplasia: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Luu, Hung N; Dahlstrom, Kristina R; Mullen, Patricia Dolan; VonVille, Helena M; Scheurer, Michael E
The effectiveness of screening programs for cervical cancer has benefited from the inclusion of Human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA assays; which assay to choose, however, is not clear based on previous reviews. Our review addressed test accuracy of Hybrid Capture II (HCII) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays based on studies with stronger designs and with more clinically relevant outcomes. We searched OvidMedline, PubMed, and the Cochrane Library for English language studies comparing both tests, published 1985–2012, with cervical dysplasia defined by the Bethesda classification. Meta-analysis provided pooled sensitivity, specificity, and 95% confidence intervals (CIs); meta-regression identified sources of heterogeneity. From 29 reports, we found that the pooled sensitivity and specificity to detect high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) was higher for HCII than PCR (0.89 [CI: 0.89–0.90] and 0.85 [CI: 0.84–0.86] vs. 0.73 [CI: 0.73–0.74] and 0.62 [CI: 0.62–0.64]). Both assays had higher accuracy to detect cervical dysplasia in Europe than in Asia-Pacific or North America (diagnostic odd ratio – dOR = 4.08 [CI: 1.39–11.91] and 4.56 [CI: 1.86–11.17] for HCII vs. 2.66 [CI: 1.16–6.53] and 3.78 [CI: 1.50–9.51] for PCR) and accuracy to detect HSIL than atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS)/ low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) (HCII-dOR = 9.04 [CI: 4.12–19.86] and PCR-dOR = 5.60 [CI: 2.87–10.94]). For HCII, using histology as a gold standard results in higher accuracy than using cytology (dOR = 2.87 [CI: 1.31–6.29]). Based on higher test accuracy, our results support the use of HCII in cervical cancer screening programs. The role of HPV type distribution should be explored to determine the worldwide comparability of HPV test accuracy. PMID:23930214
Comparison of the accuracy of Hybrid Capture II and polymerase chain reaction in detecting clinically important cervical dysplasia: a systematic review and meta-analysis
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
The effectiveness of screening programs for cervical cancer has benefited from the inclusion of Human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA assays; which assay to choose, however, is not clear based on previous reviews. Our review addressed test accuracy of Hybrid Capture II (HCII) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays based on studies with stronger designs and with more clinically relevant outcomes. We searched OvidMedline, PubMed, and the Cochrane Library for English language studies comparing both tests, published 1985–2012, with cervical dysplasia defined by the Bethesda classification. Meta-analysis provided pooled sensitivity, specificity, and 95% confidence intervals (CIs); meta-regression identified sources of heterogeneity. From 29 reports, we found that the pooled sensitivity and specificity to detect high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) was higher for HCII than PCR (0.89 [CI: 0.89–0.90] and 0.85 [CI: 0.84–0.86] vs. 0.73 [CI: 0.73–0.74] and 0.62 [CI: 0.62–0.64]). Both assays had higher accuracy to detect cervical dysplasia in Europe than in Asia-Pacific or North America (diagnostic odd ratio – dOR = 4.08 [CI: 1.39–11.91] and 4.56 [CI: 1.86–11.17] for HCII vs. 2.66 [CI: 1.16–6.53] and 3.78 [CI: 1.50–9.51] for PCR) and accuracy to detect HSIL than atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS)/ low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) (HCII-dOR = 9.04 [CI: 4.12–19.86] and PCR-dOR = 5.60 [CI: 2.87–10.94]). For HCII, using histology as a gold standard results in higher accuracy than using cytology (dOR = 2.87 [CI: 1.31–6.29]). Based on higher test accuracy, our results support the use of HCII in cervical cancer screening programs. The role of HPV type distribution should be explored to determine the worldwide comparability of HPV test accuracy
The Ripple Effect: Citation Chain Reactions of a Nobel Prize
DEFF Research Database (Denmark)
Faber Frandsen, Tove; Nicolaisen, Jeppe
This paper explores the possible citation chain reactions of a Nobel Prize using the mathematician Robert J. Aumann as a case example. The results show that the award of the Nobel Prize in 2005 affected not only the citations to his work, but also affected the citations to the references in his...... scientific oeuvre. The results indicate that the spillover effect is almost as powerful as the effect itself. We are consequently able to document a ripple effect in which the awarding of the Nobel Prize ignites a citation chain reaction to Aumann's scientific ouvre and to the references in its nearest...
Analysis of phosphate-accumulating organisms cultivated under different carbon sources with polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis assay
Institute of Scientific and Technical Information of China (English)
YU Shui-li; LIU Ya-nan; JING Guo-lin; ZHAO Bing-jie; GUO Si-yuan
To investigate the microbial communities of microorganisms cultivated under different carbon sources, three sequencing batch reactors were operated. They were supplied with sewage, glucose and sodium acetate as carbon sources respectively and showed high phosphorus removal performance. The results of denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis(DGGE) of polymerase chain reaction-amplified (PCR) 16S rDNA fragments demonstrated that β-protebacteria, Actinomyces sp. and γ-protebacteria only exited in 1 # reactor. The microbiological diversity of 1 # reactor exceeded the other two reactors. Flavobacterium, Bacillales, Actinomyces, Actinobacteridae and uncultured bacteria(AF527584, AF502204, AY592749, AB076862, AJ619051, AF495454 and AY133070) could be detected in the biological phosphorus removal reactors.
Detecting mycoplasma contamination in cell cultures by polymerase chain reaction.
Uphoff, Cord C; Drexler, Hans G
The detection of mycoplasmas in human and animal cell cultures is mandatory for every cell culture laboratory, because these bacteria are common contaminants, persist unrecognized in cell cultures for many years, and affect research results as well as the purity of cell culture products. The reliability of the mycoplasma detection depends on the sensitivity and specificity of the method and should also be convenient to be included in the basic routine of cell culture quality assessment. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection is one of the acknowledged methodologies to detect mycoplasmas in cell cultures and cell culture products. Although the PCR offers a fast and simple technique to detect mycoplasmas, the method is also susceptible to errors and can produce false positive as well as false-negative results. Thus, the establishment and the routine application of the PCR assay require optimization and the inclusion of the appropriate control reactions. The presented protocol describes sample preparation, DNA extraction, PCR run, the analysis of the PCR products, and speciation of the contaminant. It also provides detailed information on how to avoid artifacts produced by the method. Established properly, PCR is a reliable, fast, and sensitive method and should be applied regularly to monitor the contamination status of cell cultures. PMID:21516400
The generalised self-sustaining chain reaction theory about ADS
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
The basic connotation of ADS (accelerator driven system) is investigated from the point of view of generalized self-sustaining chain reaction. The ADS is composed of proton accelerator, neutron producing target and the subcritical reactor. This system can be viewed entirely as a generalized self sustaining chain reaction system. In this view of point, the accelerator with target, as a part of ADS, can be viewed as an energy-neutron transformer (energy be fed to accelerator to produce medium energy protons, neutrons be produced in the heavy target as a result of proton-heavy nucleus spallation reaction). In this generalized self-sustaining chain reaction system, the number of neutrons produced after a fission event is not only the fission neutrons but also the neutrons produced by the energy-neutron transformer. That is, the ADS has more effective secondary neutrons after a fission event. It is just these additional neutrons, the ADS can be in state of self-sustaining chain reaction (criticality), although the reactor part of ADS is in state of sub-criticality. The critical equation of the generalized self-sustaining chain reaction system is presented. The relationship between the effective multiplication factors of ADS and subcritical reactor part of ADS is also presented. The power output of ADS is represented by a function of the proton current, the subcritical reactivity of the reactor in ADS, the number of neutrons produced in spallation process per proton and etc. At last, the probable application of ADS in the future is investigated
Use of polymerase chain reaction for detection of Chlamydia trachomatis
DEFF Research Database (Denmark)
Østergaard, Lars; Birkelund, Svend; Christiansen, Gunna
A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was developed for detection of Chlamydia trachomatis DNA. From the published sequence of the common C. trachomatis plasmid, two primer sets were selected. Detection of amplified sequences was done by agarose gel electrophoresis of cleaved or uncleaved...
Characteristics of a chain thermal explosion as a function of the kinetic properties of reaction chains
Azatyan, V. V.; Piloyan, A. A.; Saikova, G. R.; Smirnov, N. N.
Study of the combustion and explosion of hydrogen‒carbon oxide‒air mixtures shows that the sharpness of a chain thermal explosion depends on the frequency of branching in a given branch of a reaction chain. It is established that varying the CO: H2 concentration allows us to observe and eliminate the degeneration of an explosion while maintaining the regimes of ignition and deflagration.
Polymerase chain reaction and bacteriological comparative analysis of raw milk samples and buffalo mozzarella produced and marketed in Caserta in the Campania region of Italy
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Elisabetta Di Giannatale
Full Text Available To help identify an epidemiological link between the consumption of buffalo mozzarella prepared with raw milk (not heat-treated and cases of human brucellosis, 80 samples of raw buffalo milk and 315 samples of mozzarella were tested for the presence of Brucella spp. Samples originated from Caserta, the province with the highest number of Brucella-positive buffalo herds in Campania, the region in which 96.02% of all cases of human brucellosis reported in 2000-2005 were recorded. To take into account possible seasonal variations, between February 2006 and March 2007, samples were purchased directly from 72 dairy outlets that were representative of the province. Samples were tested for Brucella spp. using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR and bacterial isolation. Samples tested negative for Brucella using both methods. Spiked samples were then prepared and tested by PCR and bacterial isolation and the sensitivity, specificity, repeatability, reproducibility and limit of detection were determined. The PCR limit of detection was below 1 colony-forming unit (cfu/g. The repeatability and reproducibility of the method were 100% (p = 0.95, the sensitivity was 96.7% (p = 0.95 and the specificity was 100% (p = 0.95.
A Comparative Analysis of Routine Techniques: Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR and Five Cell Lines for Detection of Enteroviruses in Stool Specimens
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F Abbasian
Full Text Available Background and objectives: Each year, Enteroviruses infect millions of people and cause different diseases. The agents are usually detected using cell culture. RD (Rhabdomyosarcoma and L20B (L cells are among the recommended cells by the World Health Organisation (WHO for this purpose. Even though cell culture is the most common method used in diagnosing Enteroviruses in stool specimens, this particular method poses some problems, which include false positive or negative results, lack of a unique cell line for diagnosing all Enterovirus types in addition to being time consuming. For these reasons, an attempt was made to find better techniques of Enterovirus detection. RT-PCR (Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction is a technique used in place of the cell culture method. In this study, the cell culture method was compared with RT-PCR for detection of Enteroviruses in stool specimens.Material and method: First, the chloroform treated stool samples were inoculated onto five cell lines, including RD, L20B, Hep-2 (Human Epidermoid carcinoma cell line, Vero (Verde Reno and GMK (Green Monkey Kidney. The results were then compared with data from Enterovirus detection using the RT-PCR technique.Results and conclusion: The difference between RT-PCR and cell culture results was significant. Enteroviruses were detected in 24% of specimens using RT-PCR while cell lines could isolate Enteroviruses in just 14.4% of the samples.
Detection of Neisseria Gonorrhoeae from Urine with Ligase Chain Reaction
Institute of Scientific and Technical Information of China (English)
曹经江; 郑和义; 胡维
Objective: To evaluate the value of ligase chain reaction(LCR) in the diagnosis of diplococcus gonorrhoeae in urine.Methods: LCR detection of the urine for Neisseria gonorrhoeae and bacteria culture of discharge was per-formed simultaneously to 276 patients with urethritis or cervicitis seeking treatment in sex transmitted dis-eases (STDs) outpatient clinic. For specimens with discordant results, polymerase chain reaction was conducted. The purpose was to detect the respective sensitivity and specificity of bacteria culture and LCR. Results: 24 of 276(8.7%) patients had positive LCR results and 21 of 276(7.6%) were positive for culture.5 specimens had discordant results from LCR and bacteria culture. The sensitivity and specificity of LCR in the diagnosis of gonorrhoeae were 92.3% and 100% respectively. Conclusion: This study showed that LCR had a higher sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of gonorrhoeae from urine.
The chain gas phase reactions. The present problems
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
The results of investigations of chain gas phase reactions which are directed for solving practically important problems have been carried out. The problem of increasing methanol formation selectivity in the direct natural gas oxidation process is discussed. The peculiarities of cool flame of cyclic hydrocarbons, particularly cyclohexane which are containing in the different kinds of fuel. The influence of cool flame on intensity and full consumption of fuels burning is examined. Conjugated processes of SO2 conversion to SO3 and sulfur under effect of hydrocarbon and hydrogen oxidation chain gas phase reactions are considered. The results of discussed investigations can be served as a basis for the developing of industrial processes for conversion natural hydrocarbon row materials and also the ecological problems of utilization of SO2 gas ejected from thermoelectric power stations and metallurgical plants
Polymerase chain reaction: A molecular diagnostic tool in periodontology
Maheaswari, Rajendran; Kshirsagar, Jaishree Tukaram; Lavanya, Nallasivam
This review discusses the principles of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and its application as a diagnostic tool in periodontology. The relevant MEDLINE and PubMed indexed journals were searched manually and electronically by typing PCR, applications of PCR, PCR in periodontics, polymorphism studies in periodontitis, and molecular techniques in periodontology. The searches were limited to articles in English language and the articles describing PCR process and its relation to periodontology w...
Enteroviral pharyngitis diagnosed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction.
Sharland, M.; Hodgson, J.; Davies, E G; Booth, J.; Jeffery, S
The role of enteroviruses in childhood pharyngitis was investigated using enteroviral specific reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Viral/bacterial throat swabs were taken from 50 children with acute pharyngitis and 26 controls. A positive culture was identified in only 26% of children with pharyngitis (adenovirus 10%, group A streptococci 2%), and none of the controls. Enteroviral RT-PCR was positive in 8% of the pharyngitis group and none of the controls. Enteroviruses ...
Comparative Analysis of Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction Methods to Typing HLA-B*57:01 in HIV-1-Positive Patients.
Falasca, Francesca; Dello Russo, Cinzia; Mora, Barbara; Pirazzoli, Antonella; Fantauzzi, Alessandra; Navarra, Pierluigi; Pizzuti, Antonio; De Vito, Corrado; Antonelli, Guido; Turriziani, Ombretta
The HLA-B*57:01 allele is strongly associated with the hypersensitivity reaction to Abacavir (ABC). Therefore, treatment guidelines recommend that patients initiating ABC are preventively tested for the presence of this allele. To date, four different commercial assays based on the real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR) technique are available for the detection of HLA-B*57:01: Duplicα-RealTime Reagent Set HLA-B*57:01 by Euroclone, HLA-B*57:01 Real-TM by Sacace Biotechnologies, COBAS AmpliPrep/COBAS TaqMan HLA-B*57:01 Screening Test by Roche Diagnostic, and HLA-B*57:01 by Nuclear Laser Medicine. The study was carried out to compare the performance of the first three commercially available Q-PCR kits in a routine clinical setting. A total of 98 samples from Policlinico Umberto I Hospital were tested. Results obtained by the Duplicα-RealTime Genotyping kit and AmpliPrep/TaqMan system were 100% concordant. In contrast, genotyping by the HLA-B*57:01 Real-TM kit showed poor agreement with the other systems, that is, 12 out of 33 positive samples were detected as HLA-B*57:01 negative. To confirm the correct genotype of these discordant samples, two additional methods with rapid turnaround times and already implemented into routine clinical practice were used, that is, a PCR-based microsequence-specific primer DNA typing test and a laboratory-developed screening test in Q-PCR. All 12 discordant samples were genotyped as HLA-B*57:01-positive samples using these two additional methods in a single-blinded manner, thus confirming the low sensitivity of HLA-B*57:01 Real-TM test. These findings underline the need to compare results obtained with commercial assays before choosing a test suitable for use in a routine clinical laboratory. PMID:26750774
Pasteurella multocida in backyard chickens in Upper Egypt: incidence with polymerase chain reaction analysis for capsule type, virulence in chicken embryos and antimicrobial resistance
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Moemen A. Mohamed
Full Text Available The prevalence of Pasteurella multocida strains among 275 backyard chickens from different regions of Upper Egypt was studied. A total of 21 isolates of P. multocida were recovered in 21 out of 275 chickens tested (7.6% and were confirmed using phenotypic characterisation. Somatic serotyping of the 21 isolates resulted in 12 isolates being classed as serotype A:1 (57.14%, 4 as serotype A:3 (19.05% and 5 could not be typed (23.8%. Capsular typing, using multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR, demonstrated that 18 strains were capsular type A (85.7%, and 3 were type D (14.3%. The present findings suggest that a multiplex capsular PCR could be valuable for the rapid identification of P. multocida in cases of fowl cholera infection. A total of 5 isolates of P. multocida were selected to study their pathogenicity in embryonated chicken eggs instead of conducting a study in mature chickens. The results showed a variation in pathogenicity between the strains tested, namely: serotype A:1 strains caused 80% mortality, in contrast to 20% mortality by type D strains. Pathological findings included severe congestion of the entire embryo, haemorrhaging of the skin, feather follicles and toe, and ecchymotic haemorrhages on the liver of the inoculated embryos. The observations in this study indicate that P. multocida serogroup A could be highly pathogenic for mature chickens and therefore might be a cause of considerable economic losses in commercial production. A total of 10 isolates were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility to determine the minimal inhibitory concentration of 7 antimicrobials. All isolates were susceptible to ciprofloxacin, florfenicol, streptomycin and sulphamethoxazol with trimethoprim and with varying degrees of sensitivity to the other agents.
Reaction chain modeling of denitrification reactions during a push-pull test
Boisson, A.; de Anna, P.; Bour, O.; Le Borgne, T.; Labasque, T.; Aquilina, L.
Field quantitative estimation of reaction kinetics is required to enhance our understanding of biogeochemical reactions in aquifers. We extended the analytical solution developed by Haggerty et al. (1998) to model an entire 1st order reaction chain and estimate the kinetic parameters for each reaction step of the denitrification process. We then assessed the ability of this reaction chain to model biogeochemical reactions by comparing it with experimental results from a push-pull test in a fractured crystalline aquifer (Ploemeur, French Brittany). Nitrates were used as the reactive tracer, since denitrification involves the sequential reduction of nitrates to nitrogen gas through a chain reaction (NO3- → NO2- → NO → N2O → N2) under anaerobic conditions. The kinetics of nitrate consumption and by-product formation (NO2-, N2O) during autotrophic denitrification were quantified by using a reactive tracer (NO3-) and a non-reactive tracer (Br-). The formation of reaction by-products (NO2-, N2O, N2) has not been previously considered using a reaction chain approach. Comparison of Br- and NO3- breakthrough curves showed that 10% of the injected NO3- molar mass was transformed during the 12 h experiment (2% into NO2-, 1% into N2O and the rest into N2 and NO). Similar results, but with slower kinetics, were obtained from laboratory experiments in reactors. The good agreement between the model and the field data shows that the complete denitrification process can be efficiently modeled as a sequence of first order reactions. The 1st order kinetics coefficients obtained through modeling were as follows: k1 = 0.023 h- 1, k2 = 0.59 h- 1, k3 = 16 h- 1, and k4 = 5.5 h- 1. A next step will be to assess the variability of field reactivity using the methodology developed for modeling push-pull tracer tests.
Using the Polymerase Chain Reaction in an Undergraduate Laboratory to Produce "DNA Fingerprints."
Phelps, Tara L.; And Others
Presents a laboratory exercise that demonstrates the sensitivity of the Polymerase Chain Reaction as well as its potential application to forensic analysis during a criminal investigation. Can also be used to introduce, review, and integrate population and molecular genetics topics such as genotypes, multiple alleles, allelic and genotypic…
Radioinitiation of Chain Branched Reactions and its Sensitization
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
This paper describes the results of experiments by the writers with radioinitiation of chain branched reactions of the oxidation of organic compounds. The function of radiation as an initiating agent is described with reference to the oxidation of several unsaturated hydrocarbons and butanol. The reaction is self-accelerating and proceeds spontaneously after radiation has ceased. A detailed investigation was made of a process from oxidizing benzene, which has a high radiation resistance. The writers devised a method of sensitizing the radioinitiation of the oxidation of radiation-resistant substances by chemically inert but non-radiation-resistant substances. The main quantitative features of the process for the radiooxidation of benzene are stated to be the accumulation of various reaction products, and the effect of temperature, pressure, power and radiation dosage on the process of such accumulation. Information was obtained about the mechanism of the process. The design of circulating equipment is described. (author)
Convective polymerase chain reaction around micro immersion heater
Hennig, Martin; Braun, Dieter
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is performed in the thermal convection created by a micro immersion heater. Instead of repetitive heating and cooling, the temperature gradient induces thermal convection which drives the reaction liquid between hot and cold parts of the chamber. The convection triggers DNA amplification as the DNA melts into two single strands in the hot region and replicates with the use of proteins into twice the amount in the cold region. The constant heater is simply dipped into the reaction solution. Compared to previous experiments, we demonstrate that convective PCR is possible in a robotically accessible open vessel. Our approach compares well with fast PCR cyclers and replicates DNA 500 000 fold within 20minutes. We reduce the necessary components for PCR to cheap, single-use components and therefore increasing the prospects of bringing PCR to point of care applications—even in third world countries.
Buoyancy-Driven Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Devices
Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)
Ness, K D; Wheeler, E K; Benett, W; Stratton, P; Christian, A; Chen, A; Ortega, J; Weisgraber, T H; Goodson, K E
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) facilitates DNA detection by significantly increasing the concentration of specific DNA segments. A new class of PCR instruments uses a buoyancy-driven re-circulating flow to thermally cycle the DNA sample and benefits from reduced cycle times, low sample volumes, a miniaturized format, and low power consumption. This paper analyzes a specific buoyancy PCR device in a micro-channel ''race-track'' geometry to determine key parameters about PCR cycle times and other figures of merit as functions of device dimensions. The 1-D model balances the buoyancy driving force with frictional losses. A hydrostatic pressure imbalance concept is used between the left and right sides of the fluid loop to calculate the buoyancy driving force. Velocity and temperature distributions within the channels are determined from two-dimensional analysis of the channel section, with developing region effects included empirically through scaled values of the local Nusselt number. Good agreement between four independent verification steps validate the 1-D simulation approach: (1) analytical expressions for the thermal entrance length are compared against, (2) comparison with a full 3-D finite element simulation, (3) comparison with an experimental flow field characterization, and (4) calculation of the minimum PCR runtime required to get a positive PCR signal from the buoyancy-driven PCR device. The 1-D approach closely models an actual buoyancy-driven PCR device and can further be used as a rapid design tool to simulate buoyancy PCR flows and perform detailed design optimizations studies.
Implosion chain reaction mitigation in underwater assemblies of photomultiplier tubes
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
Since the accident with a cascade failure of photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) in the Super-Kamiokande experiment in 2001, the mechanical performance of large format semi-hemispherical PMTs has become a critical issue for large water Cherenkov detectors. The subject of this study is the survival of an assembled array of PMTs under significant hydrostatic pressure and subjected to shock waves caused by the failure of a single PMT. This paper details the results of the second stage of a R and D program focused on the design and testing of different PMT assemblies to mitigate the risk of a "chain-reaction" of PMT failures. The initial results show that our PMT assembly design can effectively reduce the magnitude of the shock wave. With the testing results in this paper and the hydrodynamic simulation calculation, we can further improve the design of PMT deployment to mitigate the risk of chain reactions caused by implosion induced shock waves
Identification of Meat Species by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Technique
İLHAK, O. İrfan; Arslan, Ali
The origin of horse, dog, cat, bovine, sheep, porcine, and goat meat was determined by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique, using species-specific primers. Test mixtures of meat were prepared by adding 5%, 2.5%, 1%, 0.5%, and 0.1% levels of pork, horse, cat, or dog meat to beef, sheep, and goat meat. Samples taken from those combinations were analyzed by PCR for species determination. Mitochondrial DNA (mt DNA) fragments of 439, 322, 274, 271, 225, 212, and 157 bp for horse, dog, ca...
Identification of Erwinia stewartii by a ligase chain reaction assay.
Wilson, W.J.; Wiedmann, M; Dillard, H. R.; Batt, C A
A PCR-coupled ligase chain reaction (LCR) assay was developed to distinguish the plant pathogenic bacterium Erwinia stewartii from other erwiniae. This new technique allows discrimination to the species level on the basis of a single-base-pair difference in the 16S rRNA gene which is unique to E. stewartii. Portions of the 16S rRNA genes of E. stewartii and the closely related Erwinia herbicola were sequenced. From comparison of the two 16S rRNA gene regions, two primer pairs were constructed...
Institute of Scientific and Technical Information of China (English)
郭增柱; 王正仪; 安亦军; 祝宏
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has been applied in diagnosing amebic liver infection by detecting pathogenic Entamoeba histolytica DNA in liver aspirates. Oligonucleotide primers found to he specific for the gene encoding the 30 kDa molecule of this pathogenic ameba were used in the test. Liver aspirates obtained from 23 patients with amebic liver abscess substantiated by typical clinical rnanifastation or with very high titres of anti-E histtolytica antibodies by ELISA were found to he positive by PCR. Fourteen controlsamples (3 cases of bacterial liver abscess, I of liver cancer and 10 of other abscess) were all found to be negative to this reaction. The results suggested PCR to he a specific and sensitive tool for diagnosing amebic liver abscess infections.
Electrochemiluminescence polymerase chain reaction detection of genetically modified organisms
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
With the development of biotechnology, more and more genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have entered commercial market. Because of the safety concerns, detection and characterization of GMOs have attracted much attention recently. Electrochemiluminescence (ECL) method is a chemiluminescent (CL) reaction of species generated electrochemically on an electrode surface. It is a highly efficient and accurate detection method. In this paper, ECL polymerase chain reaction (PCR) combined with two types of nucleic acid probes hybridization was applied to detect GMOs for the first time. Whether the organisms contain GM components was discriminated by detecting the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S (CaMV35S) promoter and nopaline synthase (NOS) terminator. The experiment results show that the detection limit is 100 fmol of PCR products. The promoter and the terminator can be clearly detected in GMOs. The method may provide a new means for the detection of GMOs due to its simplicity and high efficiency
Electrochemiluminescence polymerase chain reaction detection of genetically modified organisms
Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)
Liu Jinfeng [Institute of Laser Life Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631 (China); Xing Da [Institute of Laser Life Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631 (China)]. E-mail: email@example.com; Shen Xingyan [Institute of Laser Life Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631 (China); Zhu Debin [Institute of Laser Life Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631 (China)
With the development of biotechnology, more and more genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have entered commercial market. Because of the safety concerns, detection and characterization of GMOs have attracted much attention recently. Electrochemiluminescence (ECL) method is a chemiluminescent (CL) reaction of species generated electrochemically on an electrode surface. It is a highly efficient and accurate detection method. In this paper, ECL polymerase chain reaction (PCR) combined with two types of nucleic acid probes hybridization was applied to detect GMOs for the first time. Whether the organisms contain GM components was discriminated by detecting the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S (CaMV35S) promoter and nopaline synthase (NOS) terminator. The experiment results show that the detection limit is 100 fmol of PCR products. The promoter and the terminator can be clearly detected in GMOs. The method may provide a new means for the detection of GMOs due to its simplicity and high efficiency.
Automated generation of burnup chain for reactor analysis applications
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
This paper presents the development of an automated generation of a new burnup chain for reactor analysis applications. The JENDL FP Decay Data File 2011 and Fission Yields Data File 2011 were used as the data sources. The nuclides in the new chain are determined by restrictions of the half-life and cumulative yield of fission products or from a given list. Then, decay modes, branching ratios and fission yields are recalculated taking into account intermediate reactions. The new burnup chain is output according to the format for the SRAC code system. Verification was performed to evaluate the accuracy of the new burnup chain. The results show that the new burnup chain reproduces well the results of a reference one with 193 fission products used in SRAC. Further development and applications are being planned with the burnup chain code. (author)
Sustainability Analysis for Gayo Coffee Supply Chain
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Rachman Jaya
Full Text Available Sustainable supply chain is a development of the conventional supply chains that discuses trade-off among economic, social and environmental dimensions in order to achieve better responsiveness in terms of quality, quantity and time-delivery in the supply chain structure. The objective of this research was to determine the Gayo coffee supply chain sustainability. The research was conducted at Bener Meriah and Aceh Tengah Districts, Aceh Province, Indonesia. Key actors in the supply chain considered were farmers, collectors, agro-industry and exporter. Sustainability dimensions considered in this research were the economic, social, environmental and material resources. The performance of each aspect was analyzed by using Multi-dimensional scaling and leverage analysis. The result of the research showed that the composite of Gayo coffee supply chain sustainability index was 33.53 which mean less sustainable level. Therefore it is recommended to reengineering the Gayo coffee supply chain by considering all of the four sustainability dimensions above.
Polymerase chain reaction: A molecular diagnostic tool in periodontology
Maheaswari, Rajendran; Kshirsagar, Jaishree Tukaram; Lavanya, Nallasivam
This review discusses the principles of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and its application as a diagnostic tool in periodontology. The relevant MEDLINE and PubMed indexed journals were searched manually and electronically by typing PCR, applications of PCR, PCR in periodontics, polymorphism studies in periodontitis, and molecular techniques in periodontology. The searches were limited to articles in English language and the articles describing PCR process and its relation to periodontology were collected and used to prepare a concise review. PCR has now become a standard diagnostic and research tool in periodontology. Various studies reveal that its sensitivity and specificity allow it as a rapid, efficient method of detecting, identifying, and quantifying organism. Different immune and inflammatory markers can be identified at the mRNA expression level, and also the determination of genetic polymorphisms, thus providing the deeper insight into the mechanisms underlying the periodontal disease. PMID:27143822
Early detection of typhoid by polymerase chain reaction
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
Typhoid is a common problem in developing countries. Cultivation ofbacteria and serology (especially Widal test) gives unacceptable levels offalse-negative and false-positive results respectively. In this study, arecently introduced polymerase chain reaction based technique (which has 100%specificity for Salmonella typhi) was compared with blood culture and Widaltest during the first week of illness of 82 suspected cases of typhoid. Therespective figures of positivity for PCR, blood culture and Widal test were71.95%, 34.1% and 36.5%. A control group of 20 healthy persons gave figuresof 0%, 0% and 33.3%, respectively. We conclude that this PCR-based techniqueis not only absolutely specific, but also very sensitive and therefore muchsuperior to blood culture and, Widal test for the early diagnosis of typhoid.(author)
Polymerase chain reaction-based gene removal from plasmids
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Vishnu Vardhan Krishnamurthy
Full Text Available This data article contains supplementary figures and methods to the research article entitled, "Multiplex gene removal by two-step polymerase chain reactions" (Krishnamurthy et al., Anal. Biochem., 2015, doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ab.2015.03.033, which presents a restriction-enzyme free method to remove multiple DNA segments from plasmids. Restriction-free cloning methods have dramatically improved the flexibility and speed of genetic manipulation compared to conventional assays based on restriction enzyme digestion (Lale and Valla, 2014. DNA Cloning and Assembly Methods, vol. 1116. Here, we show the basic scheme and characterize the success rate for single and multiplex gene removal from plasmids. In addition, we optimize experimental conditions, including the amount of template, multiple primers mixing, and buffers for DpnI treatment, used in the one-pot reaction for multiplex gene removal.
Polymerase chain reaction of Au nanoparticle-bound primers
Institute of Scientific and Technical Information of China (English)
SHEN Hebai; HU Min; YANG Zhongnan; WANG Chen; ZHU Longzhang
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a useful technique for in vitro amplification of a DNA fragment. In this paper, a PCR procedure using Au nanoparticle (AuNP) -bound primers was systemically studied. The 5′-SH- (CH2)6-modified primers were covalently attached to the AuNP surface via Au-S bonds, and plasmid pBluescript SK was used as a template. The effects of the concentration of AuNP-bound primers, annealing temperature and PCR cycles were evaluated, respectively. The results indicate that PCR can proceed successfully under optimized condition, with either forward or reverse primers bound to the AuNP surface or with both the two primers bound to the AuNP surface. Development of PCR procedure based on AuNPs not only makes the isolation of PCR products very convenient, but also provides novel methods to prepare AuNP-bound ssDNA and nanostructured material.
Enhancing the efficiency of polymerase chain reaction using graphene nanoflakes
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The effect of the recently developed graphene nanoflakes (GNFs) on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has been investigated in this paper. The rationale behind the use of GNFs is their unique physical and thermal properties. Experiments show that GNFs can enhance the thermal conductivity of base fluids and results also revealed that GNFs are a potential enhancer of PCR efficiency; moreover, the PCR enhancements are strongly dependent on GNF concentration. It was found that GNFs yield DNA product equivalent to positive control with up to 65% reduction in the PCR cycles. It was also observed that the PCR yield is dependent on the GNF size, wherein the surface area increases and augments thermal conductivity. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were performed to analyze the heat transfer through the PCR tube model in the presence and absence of GNFs. The results suggest that the superior thermal conductivity effect of GNFs may be the main cause of the PCR enhancement. (paper)
Nested methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction cancer detection method
Belinsky, Steven A.; Palmisano, William A.
A molecular marker-based method for monitoring and detecting cancer in humans. Aberrant methylation of gene promoters is a marker for cancer risk in humans. A two-stage, or "nested" polymerase chain reaction method is disclosed for detecting methylated DNA sequences at sufficiently high levels of sensitivity to permit cancer screening in biological fluid samples, such as sputum, obtained non-invasively. The method is for detecting the aberrant methylation of the p16 gene, O 6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase gene, Death-associated protein kinase gene, RAS-associated family 1 gene, or other gene promoters. The method offers a potentially powerful approach to population-based screening for the detection of lung and other cancers.
Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction: Applications in Diagnostic Microbiology
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Kordo B. A. Saeed
Full Text Available The polymerase chain reaction (PCR has revolutionized the detection of DNA and RNA. Real-Time PCR (RT-PCR is becoming the gold standard test for accurate, sensitive and fast diagnosis for a large range of infectious agents. Benefits of this procedure over conventional methods for measuring RNA include its sensitivity, high throughout and quantification. RT-PCR assays have advanced the diagnostic abilities of clinical laboratories particularly microbiology and infectious diseases. In this review we would like to briefly discuss RT-PCR in diagnostic microbiology laboratory, beginning with a general introduction to RT-PCR and its principles, setting up an RT PCR, including multiplex systems and the avoidance and remediation of contamination issues. A segment of the review would be devoted to the application of RT-PCR in clinical practice concentrating on its role in the diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases.
Modelling of Serpentine Continuous Flow Polymerase Chain Reaction Microfluidics
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Abubakar Mohammed
Full Text Available The continuous flow Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR microfluidics DNA amplification device is a recent discovery aimed at eliminating the cyclic hold experienced while using the alternative stationary device.The Application of Computational Fluid Dynamics is increasingly growing and can help achieve optimal designs before actual fabrication. This paper presents a CFD modelling of a continuous flow serpentine PCR device with narrow and wider channels. There are two temperature regions at 950C and 600C for denaturation and annealing respectively. Extension is achieved along the middle of the channel at 720C owing to temperature gradient. The model require a pressure of 42.6KPa for a 30 cycle amplification.
Polymerase chain reaction: A molecular diagnostic tool in periodontology.
Maheaswari, Rajendran; Kshirsagar, Jaishree Tukaram; Lavanya, Nallasivam
This review discusses the principles of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and its application as a diagnostic tool in periodontology. The relevant MEDLINE and PubMed indexed journals were searched manually and electronically by typing PCR, applications of PCR, PCR in periodontics, polymorphism studies in periodontitis, and molecular techniques in periodontology. The searches were limited to articles in English language and the articles describing PCR process and its relation to periodontology were collected and used to prepare a concise review. PCR has now become a standard diagnostic and research tool in periodontology. Various studies reveal that its sensitivity and specificity allow it as a rapid, efficient method of detecting, identifying, and quantifying organism. Different immune and inflammatory markers can be identified at the mRNA expression level, and also the determination of genetic polymorphisms, thus providing the deeper insight into the mechanisms underlying the periodontal disease. PMID:27143822
Polymerase chain reaction: A molecular diagnostic tool in periodontology
Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)
Rajendran Maheaswari
Full Text Available This review discusses the principles of polymerase chain reaction (PCR and its application as a diagnostic tool in periodontology. The relevant MEDLINE and PubMed indexed journals were searched manually and electronically by typing PCR, applications of PCR, PCR in periodontics, polymorphism studies in periodontitis, and molecular techniques in periodontology. The searches were limited to articles in English language and the articles describing PCR process and its relation to periodontology were collected and used to prepare a concise review. PCR has now become a standard diagnostic and research tool in periodontology. Various studies reveal that its sensitivity and specificity allow it as a rapid, efficient method of detecting, identifying, and quantifying organism. Different immune and inflammatory markers can be identified at the mRNA expression level, and also the determination of genetic polymorphisms, thus providing the deeper insight into the mechanisms underlying the periodontal disease.
DNA amplification by polymerase chain reaction from brain tissues embedded in paraffin.
Gall, K; Pavelić, J.; Jadro-Santel, D.; Poljak, M; Pavelić, K.
A method which enables analysis of DNA from archival paraffin embedded normal and malignant brain tissue is described. The demonstration of a 317-bp long beta-actin DNA sequence by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to identify which fixation procedure, deparaffinization time and DNA extraction procedure would give the best results. Tissue specimens 1-39 years old were included in the experiments. Specimens fixed in either 10% formalin, Carnoy's or AMeX fixative were found to be bes...
Social network analysis and supply chain management
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Raúl Rodríguez Rodríguez
Full Text Available This paper deals with social network analysis and how it could be integrated within supply chain management from a decision-making point of view. Even though the benefits of using social analysis have are widely accepted at both academic and industry/services context, there is still a lack of solid frameworks that allow decision-makers to connect the usage and obtained results of social network analysis – mainly both information and knowledge flows and derived results- with supply chain management objectives and goals. This paper gives an overview of social network analysis, the main social network analysis metrics, supply chain performance and, finally, it identifies how future frameworks could close the gap and link the results of social network analysis with the supply chain management decision-making processes.
Controlling Hybridization Chain Reactions with pH.
Idili, Andrea; Porchetta, Alessandro; Amodio, Alessia; Vallée-Bélisle, Alexis; Ricci, Francesco
By taking inspiration from nature, where self-organization of biomolecular species into complex systems is finely controlled through different stimuli, we propose here a rational approach by which the assembly and disassembly of DNA-based concatemers can be controlled through pH changes. To do so we used the hybridization chain reaction (HCR), a process that, upon the addition of an initiator strand, allows to create DNA-based concatemers in a controlled fashion. We re-engineered the functional units of HCR through the addition of pH-dependent clamp-like triplex-forming domains that can either inhibit or activate the polymerization reaction at different pHs. This allows to finely regulate the HCR-induced assembly and disassembly of DNA concatemers at either basic or acidic pHs in a reversible way. The strategies we present here appear particularly promising as novel tools to achieve better spatiotemporal control of self-assembly processes of DNA-based nanostructures. PMID:26177980
Circulating polymerase chain reaction chips utilizing multiple-membrane activation
Wang, Chih-Hao; Chen, Yi-Yu; Liao, Chia-Sheng; Hsieh, Tsung-Min; Luo, Ching-Hsing; Wu, Jiunn-Jong; Lee, Huei-Huang; Lee, Gwo-Bin
This paper reports a new micromachined, circulating, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) chip for nucleic acid amplification. The PCR chip is comprised of a microthermal control module and a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based microfluidic control module. The microthermal control modules are formed with three individual heating and temperature-sensing sections, each modulating a specific set temperature for denaturation, annealing and extension processes, respectively. Micro-pneumatic valves and multiple-membrane activations are used to form the microfluidic control module to transport sample fluids through three reaction regions. Compared with other PCR chips, the new chip is more compact in size, requires less time for heating and cooling processes, and has the capability to randomly adjust time ratios and cycle numbers depending on the PCR process. Experimental results showed that detection genes for two pathogens, Streptococcus pyogenes (S. pyogenes, 777 bps) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae, 273 bps), can be successfully amplified using the new circulating PCR chip. The minimum number of thermal cycles to amplify the DNA-based S. pyogenes for slab gel electrophoresis is 20 cycles with an initial concentration of 42.5 pg µl-1. Experimental data also revealed that a high reproducibility up to 98% could be achieved if the initial template concentration of the S. pyogenes was higher than 4 pg µl-1. The preliminary results of the current paper were presented at the 19th IEEE International Conference on Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (IEEE MEMS 2006), Istanbul, Turkey, 22-26 January, 2006.
Social network analysis and supply chain management
Raúl Rodríguez Rodríguez
This paper deals with social network analysis and how it could be integrated within supply chain management from a decision-making point of view. Even though the benefits of using social analysis have are widely accepted at both academic and industry/services context, there is still a lack of solid frameworks that allow decision-makers to connect the usage and obtained results of social network analysis – mainly both information and knowledge flows and derived results- with supply chain manag...
Detection of hemoplasma infection of goats by use of a quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay and risk factor analysis for infection.
Johnson, Kathy A; do Nascimento, Naíla C; Bauer, Amy E; Weng, Hsin-Yi; Hammac, G Kenitra; Messick, Joanne B
OBJECTIVE To develop and validate a real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay for the detection and quantification of Mycoplasma ovis in goats and investigate the prevalence and risk factors for hemoplasma infection of goats located in Indiana. ANIMALS 362 adult female goats on 61 farms. PROCEDURES Primers were designed for amplification of a fragment of the dnaK gene of M ovis by use of a qPCR assay. Blood samples were collected into EDTA-containing tubes for use in total DNA extraction, blood film evaluation, and determination of PCV. Limit of detection, intra-assay variability, interassay variability, and specificity of the assay were determined. RESULTS Reaction efficiency of the qPCR assay was 94.45% (R(2), 0.99; slope, -3.4623), and the assay consistently detected as few as 10 copies of plasmid/reaction. Prevalence of infection in goats on the basis of results for the qPCR assay was 18.0% (95% confidence interval, 14% to 22%), with infected goats ranging from 1 to 14 years old, whereby 61% (95% confidence interval, 47% to 73%) of the farms had at least 1 infected goat. Bacterial load in goats infected with M ovis ranged from 1.05 × 10(3) target copies/mL of blood to 1.85 × 10(5) target copies/mL of blood; however, no bacteria were observed on blood films. Production use of a goat was the only risk factor significantly associated with hemoplasma infection. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE The qPCR assay was more sensitive for detecting hemoplasma infection than was evaluation of a blood film, and production use of a goat was a risk factor for infection. PMID:27463552
Plasmid Copy Number Determination by Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction.
Anindyajati; Artarini, A Anita; Riani, Catur; Retnoningrum, Debbie S
Recombinant therapeutic proteins are biopharmaceutical products that develop rapidly for years. Recombinant protein production in certain hosts requires vector expression harboring the gene encoding the corresponding protein. Escherichia coli is the prokaryote organism mostly used in recombinant protein production, commonly using a plasmid as the expression vector. Recombinant protein production is affected by plasmid copy number harboring the encoded gene, hence the determination of plasmid copy number also plays an important role in establishing a recombinant protein production system. On the industrial scale, a low copy number of plasmids are more suitable due to their better stability. In the previous study we constructed pCAD, a plasmid derived from the low copy number pBR322 plasmid. This study was aimed to confirm pCAD's copy number by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Plasmid copy number was determined by comparing the quantification signal from the plasmid to those from the chromosome. Copy number was then calculated by using a known copy number plasmid as a standard. Two pairs of primers, called tdk and ori, were designed for targeting a single gene tdk in the chromosome and a conserved domain in the plasmid's ori, respectively. Primer quality was analyzed in silico using PrimerSelect DNASTAR and PraTo software prior to in vitro evaluation on primer specificity and efficiency as well as optimization of qPCR conditions. Plasmid copy number determination was conducted on E. coli lysates harboring each plasmid, with the number of cells ranging from 10(2)-10(5) cells/μL. Cells were lysed by incubation at 95ºC for 10 minutes, followed by immediate freezing at -4°C. pBR322 plasmid with the copy number of ~19 copies/cell was used as the standard, while pJExpress414-sod plasmid possessing the high copy number pUC ori was also determined to test the method being used. In silico analysis based on primer-primer and primer-template interactions showed
Human parvovirus B19, varicella zoster virus, and human herpes virus 6 in temporal artery biopsy specimens of patients with giant cell arteritis: analysis with quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction
Alvarez-Lafuente, R.; Fernandez-Gutierr..., B; Jover, J; Judez, E; Loza, E; Clemente, D; Garcia-Asenjo, J; Lamas, J
Methods: Temporal artery biopsy specimens from 57 patients with GCA and 56 controls were investigated. DNA was obtained by biopsy, and quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction assay performed to establish the prevalence and viral load of B19, VZV, and HHV-6. Amplification of the human ß-globin gene was used as internal positive control.
Pea (Pisum sativum) genes involved in symbiosis with nitrogen-fixing bacteria.1.Analysis of the expression of the early nodulin gene ENOD12 using the polymerase chain-reaction
Zalenskii, A.O.; Kozik, A.V.; Scheres, B.J.G.; Bisseling, A.; Tikhonovich, I.A.
The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect the transcription products of the early nodulin gene in the pea. Single-stranded DNA copies were prepared using a primer corresponding to the terminal part of a previously sequenced cDNA clone and a total RNA isolate. The presence of amplificati
Optimization of asymmetric polymerase chain reaction for rapid fluorescent DNA sequencing.
Wilson, R K; Chen, C; Hood, L
A high-throughput method for the preparation of single-stranded template DNA, which is suitable for sequence analysis using fluorescent labeling chemistry, is described here. In this procedure, the asymmetric polymerase chain reaction is employed to amplify recombinant plasmid or bacteriophage DNA directly from colonies or plaques. The use of amplification primers located at least 200 base pairs 5' to the site of sequencing primer annealing removes the need for extensive purification of the asymmetric polymerase chain reaction product. Instead, the single-stranded product DNA is purified by a simple isopropanol precipitation step and then directly sequenced using fluorescent dye-labeled oligonucleotides. This method significantly reduces the time and labor required for template preparation and improves fluorescent DNA sequencing strategies by providing a much more uniform yield of single-stranded DNA. PMID:2317375
A string reaction coordinate for the folding of a polymer chain
Leitold, Christian; Lechner, Wolfgang; Dellago, Christoph
We investigate the crystallization mechanism of a single, flexible homopolymer chain with short range attractions. For a sufficiently narrow attractive well, the system undergoes a first-order like freezing transition from an expanded disordered coil to a compact crystalline state. Based on a maximum likelihood analysis of committor values computed for configurations obtained by Wang-Landau sampling, we construct a non-linear string reaction coordinate for the coil-to-crystal transition. In contrast to a linear reaction coordinate, the string reaction coordinate captures the effect of different degrees of freedom controlling different stages of the transition. Our analysis indicates that a combination of the energy and the global crystallinity parameter Q6 provide the most accurate measure for the progress of the transition. While the crystallinity paramter Q6 is most relevant in the initial stages of the crystallization, the later stages are dominated by a decrease in the potential energy.
Effects of upconversion nanoparticles on polymerase chain reaction.
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Sang-Hyun Hwang
Full Text Available Nanoparticles (NPs are attractive materials owing to their physical and electrochemical properties, which make them extremely useful in diagnostic applications. Photon upconversion is the phenomenon where high-energy photons are emitted upon excitation of low-energy photons. Nucleic acids detection based on upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs, which display a high signal-to-noise ratio and no photobleaching, has been widely applied. We evaluated whether UCNPs can improve polymerase chain reaction (PCR specificity and affect PCR amplification. The effects of UCNPs with a diameter size of 40, 70, and 250 nm were evaluated using 3 PCR kits (AccuPower PCR PreMix, AmpliTaq Gold 360 Master Mix, and HotStarTaq Plus Master Mix and 3 real-time PCR kits (AccuPower GreenStar qPCR PreMix, SYBR Green PCR Master Mix, and QuantiTect SYBR Green PCR Kit. Quantum dots were used for comparison with the UCNPs. In the presence of an appropriate concentration of UCNPs, PCR specificity was optimized. UCNPs of 40-nm size improved PCR specificity more effectively than did UCNPs sized 70 or 250 nm. As the size and concentrations of the UCNPs were increased, PCR amplification was more severely inhibited. At lower annealing temperatures (25°C-45°C, addition of the 40 nm UCNP (1 µg/µL to the PCR reagent produced specific PCR products without nonspecific sequence amplification. Therefore, UCNPs of different sizes, with different DNA polymerases used in the commercial kits, showed different inhibitory effects on PCR amplification. These results demonstrate that optimization of UCNPs, added to reaction mixtures at appropriate concentrations, can improve PCR specificity. However, the mechanism underlining UCNPs effect on PCR remains unclear and will require further investigation.
In Silico Analysis of the cadF Gene and Development of a Duplex Polymerase Chain Reaction for Species-Specific Identification of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli
Shams, Saeed; Bakhshi, Bita; Tohidi Moghadam, Tahereh
Background Campylobacteriosis is a zoonotic infectious disease caused by Campylobacter jejuni and C. coli. The cadF gene is considered as a genus-specific gene while other genes are mainly used for discrimination at the species level. Objectives This study aimed to analyze the cadF gene and to develop a duplex PCR assay for simultaneous detection of C. coli and C. jejuni, the two commonly encountered species. Materials and Methods In silico analysis of the cadF gene was carried out by several software and available online tools. A duplex PCR optimized with specific primers was used for detection and differentiation of both species. To evaluate specificity and sensitivity of the test, a panel of different Campylobacter spp. together with several intestinal bacterial pathogens was tested. The limit of detection (LOD) of method was determined using serial dilutions of standard genomes. Results The analysis of the full size cadF gene indicated variations in this gene, which can be used to differentiate C. jejuni and C. coli. The duplex PCR designed in this study showed that it could simultaneously detect and differentiate both C. jejuni and C. coli with product sizes of 737 bp and 461 bp, respectively. This assay, with 100% specificity and sensitivity, had a limit of detection (LOD) of about 14 and 0.7 µg/mL for C. jejuni and C. coli, respectively. Conclusions In silico analysis of the cadF full-gene showed variations between the two species that can be used as a molecular target for differentiating C. jejuni and C. coli in a single-step duplex-PCR assay with high specificity and sensitivity. PMID:27127589
A study of the frequency of infection of peripheral blood mononuclear cells of chronic hepatitis B virus carriers using the polymerase chain reaction and hybridization analysis
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Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 100 consecutive chronic carriers of the Hepatitis B virus (HBV) were analysed to determine the frequency of infection of the PBMCs. Cells were isolated using a ficoll gradient and DNA extracted by phenol following an overnight incubation with proteinase K and tween-20. Target nucleic acid were amplified using a set of primers spanning the S region of the viral genome between nucleotides 79 and 761. Following amplification, the samples were gel electrophoresed and the fragments visualized by ethidium bromide staining. The presence of a fragment of about 720 bp was taken as indicative of specific amplification of the HBV nucleic acid sequences. Specificity of amplification was confirmed by hybridization analysis using virus specific probes. Thirty-six out of 41 (87.8%) HBeAg seropositive cases and 15/54 (27.8%) anti-HBe positive cases had HBV DNA detectable by gel electrophoresis. Following hybridization all carriers were found to harbour the virus in their mononuclear cells. The sensitivity using ethidium bromide staining to visualize the amplified sequences was about 1 pg. With hybridization analysis, sensitivity was increased about 105-fold. (author). 12 refs, 1 fig., 1 tab
Identifying of meat species using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
Foong, Chow Ming; Sani, Norrakiah Abdullah
Meat has been widely consumed as an important protein source in daily life of human. Furthermore, with busy and intense urban lifestyle, processed food is now one of the main protein sources of one's diet. Consumers rely on the food labeling to decide if the meat product purchased is safe and reliable. Therefore, it is important to ensure the food labeling is done in a correct manner to avoid consumer fraud. More consumers are now concern about the food quality and safety as compared to before. This study described the meat species identification and detection method using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) in 8 types of meats (cattle, buffalo, goat, sheep, chicken, duck, pork and horse). The objective of this study is to decide on the specificity of oligonucleotide sequences obtained from previous study. There were 5 proposed oligonucleotide primer in this study. The main important finding in this work is the specificity of oligonucleotide primers to raw meats. It if found that the oligonucleotide primers proposed were not specific to the local raw meat species. Therefore, further study is needed to obtain a species-specific oligonucletide primers for PCR, in order to be applied in food product testing.
Identifying of meat species using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
Meat has been widely consumed as an important protein source in daily life of human. Furthermore, with busy and intense urban lifestyle, processed food is now one of the main protein sources of one's diet. Consumers rely on the food labeling to decide if the meat product purchased is safe and reliable. Therefore, it is important to ensure the food labeling is done in a correct manner to avoid consumer fraud. More consumers are now concern about the food quality and safety as compared to before. This study described the meat species identification and detection method using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) in 8 types of meats (cattle, buffalo, goat, sheep, chicken, duck, pork and horse). The objective of this study is to decide on the specificity of oligonucleotide sequences obtained from previous study. There were 5 proposed oligonucleotide primer in this study. The main important finding in this work is the specificity of oligonucleotide primers to raw meats. It if found that the oligonucleotide primers proposed were not specific to the local raw meat species. Therefore, further study is needed to obtain a species-specific oligonucletide primers for PCR, in order to be applied in food product testing
Effects of Superparamagnetic Nanoparticle Clusters on the Polymerase Chain Reaction
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Toshiaki Higashi
Full Text Available The polymerase chain reaction (PCR method is widely used for the reproduction and amplification of specific DNA segments, and a novel PCR method using nanomaterials such as gold nanoparticles has recently been reported. This paper reports on the effects of superparamagnetic nanoparticles on PCR amplification without an external magnetic field, and clarifies the mechanism behind the effects of superparamagnetic particle clusters on PCR efficiency by estimating the structures of such clusters in PCR. It was found that superparamagnetic nanoparticles tend to inhibit PCR amplification depending on the structure of the magnetic nanoparticle clusters. The paper also clarifies that Taq polymerase is captured in the spaces formed among magnetic nanoparticle clusters, and that it is captured more efficiently as a result of their motion from heat treatment in PCR thermal cycles. Consequently, Taq polymerase that should be used in PCR is reduced in the PCR solution. These outcomes will be applied to novel PCR techniques using magnetic particles in an external magnetic field.
Identifying of meat species using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)
Foong, Chow Ming; Sani, Norrakiah Abdullah [School of Chemical Sciences and Food Technology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor (Malaysia)
Meat has been widely consumed as an important protein source in daily life of human. Furthermore, with busy and intense urban lifestyle, processed food is now one of the main protein sources of one's diet. Consumers rely on the food labeling to decide if the meat product purchased is safe and reliable. Therefore, it is important to ensure the food labeling is done in a correct manner to avoid consumer fraud. More consumers are now concern about the food quality and safety as compared to before. This study described the meat species identification and detection method using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) in 8 types of meats (cattle, buffalo, goat, sheep, chicken, duck, pork and horse). The objective of this study is to decide on the specificity of oligonucleotide sequences obtained from previous study. There were 5 proposed oligonucleotide primer in this study. The main important finding in this work is the specificity of oligonucleotide primers to raw meats. It if found that the oligonucleotide primers proposed were not specific to the local raw meat species. Therefore, further study is needed to obtain a species-specific oligonucletide primers for PCR, in order to be applied in food product testing.
Quantitative interpretation to the chain mechanism of free radical reactions in cyclohexane pyrolysis
Institute of Scientific and Technical Information of China (English)
Yingxian Zhao; Bo Shen; Feng Wei
Pyrolysis of cyclohexane was conducted with a plug flow tube reactor in the temperature range of 873-973 K.Based on the experimental data,the mechanism and kinetic model of cyclohexane pyrolysis reaction were proposed.The kinetic analysis shows that overall conversion of cyclohexane is a first order reaction,of which the rate constant increased from 0.0086 to 0.0225 to 0.0623 s- 1 with the increase of temperature from 873 to 923 to 973 K,and the apparent activation energy was determined to be 155.0+1.0 kJ.mo1-1.The mechanism suggests that the cyclohexane is consumed by four processes:the homolysis of C-C bond (Path Ⅰ),the homolysis of C-H bond (Path Ⅱ) in reaction chain initiation,the H-abstraction of various radicals from the feed molecules in reaction chain propagation (Path Ⅲ),and the process associated with coke formation (Path Ⅳ).The reaction path probability (RPP) ratio of Xpath Ⅰ ∶ Xpath Ⅱ∶ XPath Ⅲ ∶ XPath Ⅳ was 0.5420 ∶ 0.0045 ∶ 0.3897 ∶ 0.0638 at 873 K,and 0.4336 ∶ 0.0061 ∶ 0.4885 ∶ 0.0718 at 973 K,respectively.
Localization of the CYP2D gene locus to human chromosome 22q13. 1 by polymerase chain reaction, in situ hybridization, and linkage analysis
Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)
Gouch, A.C.; Howell, S.M.; Bryant, S.P.; Spurr, N.K. (Clare Hall Lab., Hertfordshire (United Kingdom)); Smith, C.A.D.; Wolf, C.R. (Cancer Research Fund, Edinburgh (United Kingdom))
Using a combination of somatic cell hybrids, in situ hybridization, and linkage mapping, we have been able to localize the cytochrome P450 CYP2D6 gene to chromosome 22 in the region q13.1. Linkage analysis, using locus-specific primers, showed a maximum sex-average lod score of 8.12 ([theta] = 0.00) between the marker pH130 (D22S64) and CYPsD6, of 6.92 ([theta] - 0.00) between the marker KI839 (D22S95) and CYP2D6, and 4.80 ([theta] = 0.036) between the platelet-derived growth factor [beta] subunit gene (PDGFB) and CYP2D6. 16 refs., 2 figs.
Identification of tuna species in commercial cans by minor groove binder probe real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis of mitochondrial DNA sequences.
Terio, Valentina; Di Pinto, Pietro; Decaro, Nicola; Parisi, Antonio; Desario, Costantina; Martella, Vito; Buonavoglia, Canio; Tantillo, Marilia Giuseppina
Three different minor groove binder (MGB) probe assays have been developed for rapid and accurate identification of the species commonly used for production of canned tuna, i.e. yellowfin (Thunnus albacares), bluefin (Thunnus thynnus) and albacore (Thunnus alalunga) tunas. The assays targeting the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene were able to discriminate efficiently between the three species contained in fresh or canned tunas and did not react with other Scombroidei that were tested. A correct species prediction was obtained even from artificial mixtures prepared with different amounts of the reference tuna species and subjected to the sterilisation treatment. Testing of 27 commercial canned tunas by PCR-RFLP, MGB probe assays and sequence analysis showed a concordance of 100% between the last two techniques, whereas by using PCR-RFLP several samples were uncharacterised or mischaracterised. These results make the established MGB probe assays an attractive tool for direct and rapid species identification in canned tuna. PMID:20691254
Suitability of DNA extracted from archival specimens of fruit-eating bats of the genus Artibeus (Chiroptera, Phyllostomidae for polymerase chain reaction and sequencing analysis
Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)
Mário Pinzan Scatena
Full Text Available To establish a technique which minimized the effects of fixation on the extraction of DNA from formalin-fixed tissues preserved in scientific collections we extracted DNA samples from fixed tissues using different methods and evaluated the effect of the different procedures on PCR and sequencing analysis. We investigated muscle and liver tissues from museum specimens of five species of fruit-eating (frugivorous bats of the Neotropical genus Artibeus (Chiroptera, Phyllostomidae: A. fimbriatus, A. lituratus, A. jamaicensis, A. obscurus, and A. planirostris. The results indicated that treatment of tissues in buffered solutions at neutral pH and about 37 °C for at least four days improves the quality and quantity of extracted DNA and the quality of the amplification and sequencing products. However, the comparison between the performance of DNA obtained from fixed and fresh tissues showed that, in spite of the fact that both types of tissue generate reliable sequences for use in phylogenetic analyses, DNA samples from fixed tissues presented a larger rate of errors in the different stages of the study. These results suggest that DNA extracted from formalin-fixed tissue can be used in molecular studies of Neotropical Artibeus bats and that our methodology may be applicable to other animal groups.
Extended haplotype analysis of ovine ADRB3 using polymerase chain reaction single strand conformational polymorphism on two regions of the gene.
Yang, Guo; Hickford, Jon G H; Zhou, Huitong; Fang, Qian; Forrest, Rachel H
The β3 adrenergic receptor (ADRB3) plays a critical role in the regulation of energy metabolism in mammals. In sheep, intronic polymorphism of the ADRB3 gene has been associated with lamb survival and various production traits. This study investigates variation in the ovine ADRB3 3' untranslated region (3'UTR), a region that may impact expression of the gene. Using PCR- single strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP), six unique patterns (named a-f) were observed in an approximately 304-bp amplicon. Sequencing revealed three single-nucleotide polymorphisms (c.*233A>C, c.*271G>C, c.*357A>T) and a single-nucleotide deletion (c.*257delG). Haplotype analyses showed that the previously described allele A defined by variation in the ovine ADRB3 intron can be divided into three haplotypes (Aa, Ab, and Ac). In total, 16 haplotypes through ovine ADRB3 were detected. This study suggests that ovine ADRB3 is highly polymorphic and that the extended haplotype analysis through the promoter, 5'UTR, coding sequence, intron, and 3'UTR needs to be performed to define the full extent of variation in this gene. PMID:21348572
O6-Methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase protein expression by immunohistochemistry in brain and non-brain systemic tumours: systematic review and meta-analysis of correlation with methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
The DNA repair protein O6-Methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) confers resistance to alkylating agents. Several methods have been applied to its analysis, with methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP) the most commonly used for promoter methylation study, while immunohistochemistry (IHC) has become the most frequently used for the detection of MGMT protein expression. Agreement on the best and most reliable technique for evaluating MGMT status remains unsettled. The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the correlation between IHC and MSP. A computer-aided search of MEDLINE (1950-October 2009), EBSCO (1966-October 2009) and EMBASE (1974-October 2009) was performed for relevant publications. Studies meeting inclusion criteria were those comparing MGMT protein expression by IHC with MGMT promoter methylation by MSP in the same cohort of patients. Methodological quality was assessed by using the QUADAS and STARD instruments. Previously published guidelines were followed for meta-analysis performance. Of 254 studies identified as eligible for full-text review, 52 (20.5%) met the inclusion criteria. The review showed that results of MGMT protein expression by IHC are not in close agreement with those obtained with MSP. Moreover, type of tumour (primary brain tumour vs others) was an independent covariate of accuracy estimates in the meta-regression analysis beyond the cut-off value. Protein expression assessed by IHC alone fails to reflect the promoter methylation status of MGMT. Thus, in attempts at clinical diagnosis the two methods seem to select different groups of patients and should not be used interchangeably
The ligase chain reaction as a primary screening tool for the detection of culture positive tuberculosis.
LENUS (Irish Health Repository)
O'Connor, T M
BACKGROUND: The ligase chain reaction Mycobacterium tuberculosis assay uses ligase chain reaction technology to detect tuberculous DNA sequences in clinical specimens. A study was undertaken to determine its sensitivity and specificity as a primary screening tool for the detection of culture positive tuberculosis. METHODS: The study was conducted on 2420 clinical specimens (sputum, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, pleural fluid, urine) submitted for primary screening for Mycobacterium tuberculosis to a regional medical microbiology laboratory. Specimens were tested in parallel with smear, ligase chain reaction, and culture. RESULTS: Thirty nine patients had specimens testing positive by the ligase chain reaction assay. Thirty two patients had newly diagnosed tuberculosis, one had a tuberculosis relapse, three had tuberculosis (on antituberculous therapy when tested), and three had healed tuberculosis. In the newly diagnosed group specimens were smear positive in 21 cases (66%), ligase chain reaction positive in 30 cases (94%), and culture positive in 32 cases (100%). Using a positive culture to diagnose active tuberculosis, the ligase chain reaction assay had a sensitivity of 93.9%, a specificity of 99.8%, a positive predictive value of 83.8%, and a negative predictive value of 99.9%. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the largest clinical trial to date to report the efficacy of the ligase chain reaction as a primary screening tool to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. The authors conclude that ligase chain reaction is a useful primary screening test for tuberculosis, offering speed and discrimination in the early stages of diagnosis and complementing traditional smear and culture techniques.
Evaluation of polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) analysis for the detection of the rpoB mutations associated with resistance to rifampicin in Mycobacterium tuberculosis
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
Resistance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis to rifampicin (RIF) has been associated with mutations of the rpoB gene, which encodes for the RNA polymerase B subunit. Based on this information, polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) has been suggested as a sensitive and rapid screening test for the detection of RIF-resistant M. tuberculosis from clinical isolates. PCR-SSCP analyses with radioisotopes and without radioisotopes were employed to detect mutations of the rpoB gene associated with resistance to RIF in four laboratories, and results were compared with those of sequence analysis and the conventional proportion method of drug susceptibility test between laboratories. Radioisotopic PCR-SSCP showed an excellent correlation with sequence analysis of the 157 bp region of the rpoB gene by identifying correctly all 32 isolates analyzed in this study, with a high resolution of the banding patterns obtained. In a separate study, non-radioisotopic PCR-SSCP also gave a good correlation with sequence analysis in 22 isolates, but two (9.1%) isolates were classified as resistant by PCR-SSCP despite wild type sequences. When PCR-SSCP was compared with the results obtained using the proportion method, sensitivity of 44% to 85% were obtained in the 4 laboratories that participated in this study. Possible reasons for discordant results are discussed. It has been concluded that despite discordant results, which were sometimes observed, depending on the experimental conditions, PCR-SSCP appears to be an effective and promising method for the rapid detection of RIF-resistant M. tuberculosis, a marker of multidrug resistant tuberculosis. (author)
Development of polymerase chain reaction primer sets for diagnosis of Lyme disease and for species-specific identification of Lyme disease isolates by 16S rRNA signature nucleotide analysis.
We have determined and compared partial 16S rRNA sequences from 23 Lyme disease spirochete isolates and aligned these with 8 sequences previously presented. The 16S rRNA signature nucleotide compositions were defined for each isolate and compared with the genomic species signature nucleotide sets previously established. To identify positions truly indicative of species classification which could serve as targets for polymerase chain reaction species-specific identification primers, 16S rRNA-b...
Pea (Pisum sativum) genes involved in symbiosis with nitrogen-fixing bacteria.1.Analysis of the expression of the early nodulin gene ENOD12 using the polymerase chain-reaction
Zalenskii, A.O.; Kozik, A.V.; Scheres, B.J.G.; Bisseling, A.; Tikhonovich, I.A.
The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect the transcription products of the early nodulin gene in the pea. Single-stranded DNA copies were prepared using a primer corresponding to the terminal part of a previously sequenced cDNA clone and a total RNA isolate. The presence of amplification products was detected using Southern hybridization. Expression of the ENOD12 gene was found to occur at the earliest developmental stages of the symbiosis between the pea and nitrogenfixing bact...
Sex Identification of Red-crowned Crane by the Polymerase Chain Reaction
Institute of Scientific and Technical Information of China (English)
LI Jian-hong; LI Shu-ling; BAO Jun; BAI Xiu-juan
Sex determining gene primers of Oriental White Stork were used to amplify sex-linked gene of the Red-crowned Crane's W chromosome-specific by PCR for sex identification. The sexes of 7 couples of grown Red-crowned Cranes and 15 youngs were identified. Through DNA sequence analysis, the identity is 94.77% between Red-crowned Crane and Oriental White Stork. The results of this study suggest that the application of the polymerase chain reaction technique is practicable for determining sex in the Red-crowned Crane.
Zoster ... "a lmost" ... sine herpete: diagnostic utility of real time-polymerase chain reaction.
Vena, Gino A; Apruzzi, Doriana; Vestita, Michelangelo; Calvario, Agata; Foti, Caterina; Cassano, Nicoletta
Zoster sine herpete is a particular form of varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection characterized by segmental pain and dysesthesia, without any cutaneous lesions ever becoming perceptible. This report describes the case of a female patient, presenting with intercostal pain associated with a single papulo-vesicular lesion localized within the same area. Thanks to such a lesion, real time-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis on vesicle fluid swab was possible, thus revealing a significant number of VZV genome copies. This innovative tool has proven essential to diagnose this abortive form of herpes zoster, which would otherwise have remained unidentified. PMID:21213602
Use of polymerase chain reaction for detection of Listeria monocytogenes in food.
Niederhauser, C; Candrian, U; Höfelein, C; M. Jermini; Bühler, H P; Lüthy, J
A previously described polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay (B. Furrer, U. Candrian, C. Höfelein, and J. Lüthy, J. Appl. Bacteriol. 70:372-379, 1991) was used to analyze food for the presence of Listeria monocytogenes. Food samples were artificially contaminated to develop two procedures to detect the organism following enrichment steps. Procedure A was based on dilution of the enrichment broth followed by lysis of the bacteria and direct analysis of the lysate with PCR. With procedure A and...
The effect of chain flexibility and chain mobility on radiation crosslinking reactions of polymers
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
Flexibility of polymer chains is an important factor to effects of radiation crosslinking of the polymer. Polymers with flexible chains are easier to be crosslinked, with lower dose of gelation, than polymers with more rigid chains. And it is known that most polymers with abnormal rigidity can be radiation-crosslinked only at high temperatures when the molecular chains get enough mobility. The flexibility of polymer chains also influences the relationship between degree of degradation and radiation dose. A chain flexibility factor β has been introduced to modify the Charlesby-Pinner equation of sol-fraction and radiation dose. The new relationship equation applies to a wider range of polymers in radiation crosslinking. Studies also show that for flexible polymers with lower Tg and molecular internal rotating factor, mechanism of radiation crosslinking is mainly in H type, whereas for rigid polymers with higher Tg and molecular internal rotating factor, mechanism of radiation crosslinking is mainly in T type
Energy Chain Analysis of Passenger Car Transport
Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)
Hans Jakob Walnum
Full Text Available Transport makes up 20 percent of the World's energy use; in OECD countries this has exceeded 30 percent. The International Energy Agency (IEA estimates that the global energy consumption will increase by 2.1 percent annually, a growth rate that is higher than for any other sector. The high energy consumption means that transportation accounts for nearly 30 percent of CO2 emission in OECD countries and is also one of the main sources of regional and local air pollution. In this article, we analyze energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions from passenger car transport using an energy chain analysis. The energy chain analysis consists of three parts: the net direct energy use, the energy required for vehicle propulsion; the gross direct chain, which includes the net direct energy consumption plus the energy required to produce it; and, finally, the indirect energy chain, which includes the energy consumption for production, maintenance and operation of infrastructure plus manufacturing of the vehicle itself. In addition to energy consumption, we also analyze emissions of greenhouse gases measured by CO2-equivalents. We look at the trade-offs between energy use and greenhouse gas emissions to see whether some drivetrains and fuels perform favourable on both indicators. Except for the case of electric cars, where hydropower is the only energy source in the Norwegian context, no single car scores favourably on both energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
Polymerase chain reaction for the diagnosis of viral hepatitis B and C.
Bréchot, C
Polymerase chain reaction is a highly sensitive technique for the detection of hepatitis B virus-DNA and hepatitis C virus-RNA in serum, liver tissue, and peripheral mononuclear blood cells. In chronic hepatitis B, it is particularly useful for identification of infectious subjects who are hepatitis B surface antigen positive and anti-hepatitis B e antigen antibody-positive, and for follow up of hepatitis B virus infections in liver transplantation programmes. Polymerase chain reaction detect...
Polymerase chain reaction for detection of the cholera enterotoxin operon of Vibrio cholerae.
We report a set of oligonucleotide primers and amplification conditions for the polymerase chain reaction to detect the ctx operon of Vibrio cholerae. The results of this assay on strains of V. cholerae and related organisms were identical with those obtained by the DNA colony hybridization test with the polynucleotide probe. The detection limit of this system was 1 pg of chromosomal DNA or broth culture containing three viable cells. The polymerase chain reaction method could directly detect...
Multivariate High Order Statistics of Measurements of the Temporal Evolution of Fission Chain-Reactions
Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)
Mattingly, J.K.
The development of high order statistical analyses applied to measurements of the temporal evolution of fission chain-reactions is described. These statistics are derived via application of Bayes' rule to conditional probabilities describing a sequence of events in a fissile system beginning with the initiation of a chain-reaction by source neutrons and ending with counting events in a collection of neutron-sensitive detectors. Two types of initiating neutron sources are considered: (1) a directly observable source introduced by the experimenter (active initiation), and (2) a source that is intrinsic to the system and is not directly observable (passive initiation). The resulting statistics describe the temporal distribution of the population of prompt neutrons in terms of the time-delays between members of a collection (an n-tuplet) of correlated detector counts, that, in turn, may be collectively correlated with a detected active source neutron emission. These developments are a unification and extension of Rossi-a, pulsed neutron, and neutron noise methods, each of which measure the temporal distribution of pairs of correlated events, to produce a method that measures the temporal distribution of n-tuplets of correlated counts of arbitrary dimension n. In general the technique should expand present capabilities in the analysis of neutron counting measurements.
Repetitive sequence based polymerase chain reaction to differentiate close bacteria strains in acidic sites
Institute of Scientific and Technical Information of China (English)
XIE Ming; YIN Hua-qun; LIU Yi; LIU Jie; LIU Xue-duan
To study the diversity of bacteria strains newly isolated from several acid mine drainage(AMD) sites in China,repetitive sequence based polymerase chain reaction (rep-PCR),a well established technology for diversity analysis of closely related bacteria strains,was conducted on 30 strains of bacteria Leptospirillum ferriphilium,8 strains of bacteria Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans,as well as the Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans type strain ATCC (American Type Culture Collection) 23270.The results showed that,using ERIC and BOX primer sets,rep-PCR produced highly discriminatory banding patterns.Phylogenetic analysis based on ERIC-PCR banding types was made and the results indicated that rep-PCR could be used as a rapid and highly discriminatory screening technique in studying bacterial diversity,especially in differentiating bacteria within one species in AMD.
Comparison between qualitative and real-time polymerase chain reaction to evaluate minimal residual disease in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)
Francisco Danilo Ferreira Paula
Full Text Available ABSTRACT Introduction: Minimal residual disease is an important independent prognostic factor that can identify poor responders among patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze minimal residual disease using immunoglobulin (Ig and T-cell receptor (TCR gene rearrangements by conventional polymerase chain reaction followed by homo-heteroduplex analysis and to compare this with real-time polymerase chain reaction at the end of the induction period in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Methods: Seventy-four patients diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia were enrolled. Minimal residual disease was evaluated by qualitative polymerase chain reaction in 57 and by both tests in 44. The Kaplan-Meier and multivariate Cox methods and the log-rank test were used for statistical analysis. Results: Nine patients (15.8% were positive for minimal residual disease by qualitative polymerase chain reaction and 11 (25% by real-time polymerase chain reaction considering a cut-off point of 1 × 10−3 for precursor B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and 1 × 10−2 for T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Using the qualitative method, the 3.5-year leukemia- free survival was significantly higher in children negative for minimal residual disease compared to those with positive results (84.1% ± 5.6% versus 41.7% ± 17.3%, respectively; p-value = 0.004. There was no significant association between leukemia-free survival and minimal residual disease by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Minimal residual disease by qualitative polymerase chain reaction was the only variable significantly correlated to leukemia-free survival. Conclusion: Given the difficulties in the implementation of minimal residual disease monitoring by real-time polymerase chain reaction in most treatment centers in Brazil, the qualitative polymerase chain reaction strategy may be a cost-effective alternative.
The Unit of Analysis in Supply Chain Management Research
Ma, Jingjing
This dissertation will introduce the different unit of analysis in supply chain management research. The dissertation structure more base literature review dissertation. It selects several of academic journal bases on a periodicals journal list focus on supply chain management research. In this dissertation, it choice three issues which are supply chain relationship, sustainable supply chain and supply chain procurement. There were some units of analysis from these issues in order to find whi...
Polymerase chain reaction-mediated DNA fingerprinting for epidemiological studies on Campylobacter spp
Giesendorf, B A; Goossens, H; Niesters, H G; Van Belkum, A; Koeken, A; Endtz, H P; Stegeman, H; Quint, W G
The applicability of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-mediated DNA typing, with primers complementary to dispersed repetitive DNA sequences and arbitrarily chosen DNA motifs, to study the epidemiology of campylobacter infection was evaluated. With a single PCR reaction and simple gel electrophoresis,
Fast analysis of radionuclide decay chain migration
Chen, J. S.; Liang, C. P.; Liu, C. W.; Li, L.
A novel tool for rapidly predicting the long-term plume behavior of an arbitrary length radionuclide decay chain is presented in this study. This fast tool is achieved based on generalized analytical solutions in compact format derived for a set of two-dimensional advection-dispersion equations coupled with sequential first-order decay reactions in groundwater system. The performance of the developed tool is evaluated by a numerical model using a Laplace transform finite difference scheme. The results of performance evaluation indicate that the developed model is robust and accurate. The developed model is then used to fast understand the transport behavior of a four-member radionuclide decay chain. Results show that the plume extents and concentration levels of any target radionuclide are very sensitive to longitudinal, transverse dispersion, decay rate constant and retardation factor. The developed model are useful tools for rapidly assessing the ecological and environmental impact of the accidental radionuclide releases such as the Fukushima nuclear disaster where multiple radionuclides leaked through the reactor, subsequently contaminating the local groundwater and ocean seawater in the vicinity of the nuclear plant.
Absolute rate constants for the reaction of hypochlorous acid with protein side chains and peptide bonds
DEFF Research Database (Denmark)
Pattison, D I; Davies, Michael Jonathan
, absolute second-order rate constants for the reactions of HOCl with protein side chains, model compounds, and backbone amide (peptide) bonds have been determined at physiological pH values. The reactivity of HOCl with potential reactive sites in proteins is summarized by the series: Met (3.8 x 10(7) M(-1....... Proteins are major targets for this oxidant, and such reaction results in side-chain modification, backbone fragmentation, and cross-linking. Despite a wealth of qualitative data for such reactions, little absolute kinetic data is available to rationalize the in vitro and in vivo data. In this study...
A Theoretical Investigation on the Reaction Mechanism of the C8H+·10 Side-Chain Decomposition Processes
Institute of Scientific and Technical Information of China (English)
CHENG Xue-Li; ZHAO Yan-Yun; LI Feng
The dissociation of ethylbenzene cation C8H+·10 served as a prototype to investigate the decompasition mechanisms of alkylbenzene cations.The reactions of C8H+·10 decomposition reaction system have been studied extensively at the B3L YP/6-311++G** level with Gaussion 98 package.The chain reaction of C8H+·10 dissociation is initiated by C-H bond rupture.All reaction channels were fully investigated with the vibrational mode analysis to confirm the transition states and reveal the reaction mechanism.The energetically most favorable pathway is C8H+·10→TS4→·P2+H· and the channel ieading to C8H+·10 and C2H4 is also competitive.
A plasmonic colorimetric strategy for visual miRNA detection based on hybridization chain reaction.
Miao, Jie; Wang, Jingsheng; Guo, Jinyang; Gao, Huiguang; Han, Kun; Jiang, Chengmin; Miao, Peng
In this work, a novel colorimetric strategy for miRNA analysis is proposed based on hybridization chain reaction (HCR)-mediated localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) variation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). miRNA in the sample to be tested is able to release HCR initiator from a solid interface to AgNPs colloid system by toehold exchange-mediated strand displacement, which then triggers the consumption of fuel strands with single-stranded tails for HCR. The final produced long nicked double-stranded DNA loses the ability to protect AgNPs from salt-induced aggregation. The stability variation of the colloid system can then be monitored by recording corresponding UV-vis spectrum and initial miRNA level is thus determined. This sensing system involves only four DNA strands which is quite simple. The practical utility is confirmed to be excellent by employing different biological samples. PMID:27534372
Rapid isolation of DNA from fresh and preserved fish scales for polymerase chain reaction.
Yue, G H; Orban, L
We developed a simple and inexpensive method to extract DNA from fresh and preserved fish scales. The procedure is based on boiling the scales in 5% Chelex 100, followed by digestion with proteinase K and subsequent absorption of genomic DNA using silica. A single fresh scale from larger species (e.g., tilapia) or a few scales from smaller species (e.g., 4 scales from zebrafish) provide over 200 ng of DNA, enough for at least 40 polymerase chain reaction amplifications. The procedure is applicable for DNA isolation not only from fresh and ethanol-preserved scales, but also from dried and formaldehyde-treated samples, and thus might be useful for investigating specimens stored in museums and other collections. Since the removal of a few scales is a gentle means of sample collection, this technique will allow analysis of genetic diversity, mating systems, and parentage in populations of endangered or ornamental fish with minimal experimental influence. PMID:14961356
Supply Chains and Social Network Analysis
Mueller, Rolf A.E.; Buergelt, Doreen; Seidel-Lass, Linda
Judged by its currency, the supply chain is one of the more successful metaphors in economics. The metaphor borrows from mechanics the idea of the chain, that is something that consists of elements that are linked to each of their two immediate neighbors and which jointly provide a strong but flexible connection. The metaphor transplants the chain-idea into the sphere of economics where, before the introduction of supply chains, chains were, for most economists, things best left in the care o...
Sustainability Analysis for Gayo Coffee Supply Chain
Rachman Jaya; Machfud Machfud; Sapta Raharja; Marimin Marimin
Sustainable supply chain is a development of the conventional supply chains that discuses trade-off among economic, social and environmental dimensions in order to achieve better responsiveness in terms of quality, quantity and time-delivery in the supply chain structure. The objective of this research was to determine the Gayo coffee supply chain sustainability. The research was conducted at Bener Meriah and Aceh Tengah Districts, Aceh Province, Indonesia. Key actors in the supply chain cons...
Biofuel supply chain, market, and policy analysis
Zhang, Leilei
Renewable fuel is receiving an increasing attention as a substitute for fossil based energy. The US Department of Energy (DOE) has employed increasing effort on promoting the advanced biofuel productions. Although the advanced biofuel remains at its early stage, it is expected to play an important role in climate policy in the future in the transportation sector. This dissertation studies the emerging biofuel supply chain and markets by analyzing the production cost, and the outcomes of the biofuel market, including blended fuel market price and quantity, biofuel contract price and quantity, profitability of each stakeholder (farmers, biofuel producers, biofuel blenders) in the market. I also address government policy impacts on the emerging biofuel market. The dissertation is composed with three parts, each in a paper format. The first part studies the supply chain of emerging biofuel industry. Two optimization-based models are built to determine the number of facilities to deploy, facility locations, facility capacities, and operational planning within facilities. Cost analyses have been conducted under a variety of biofuel demand scenarios. It is my intention that this model will shed light on biofuel supply chain design considering operational planning under uncertain demand situations. The second part of the dissertation work focuses on analyzing the interaction between the key stakeholders along the supply chain. A bottom-up equilibrium model is built for the emerging biofuel market to study the competition in the advanced biofuel market, explicitly formulating the interactions between farmers, biofuel producers, blenders, and consumers. The model simulates the profit maximization of multiple market entities by incorporating their competitive decisions in farmers' land allocation, biomass transportation, biofuel production, and biofuel blending. As such, the equilibrium model is capable of and appropriate for policy analysis, especially for those policies
Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)
Full Text Available BACKGROUND: Molecular methods for detection of toxigenic Clostridium difficile have been established in the developed countries though not very common in our country. AIMS: The study was intended to determine the presence of toxin A and toxin B genes of Clostridium difficile isolates by means of polymerase chain reaction (PCR and a nalysis of clinical picture of the patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The prospective study was conducted in a tertiary care teaching hospital, South India from January 2012 to December 2014. Stool samples were collected consecutively from 563 in patients with diarrhoea from various wards. Clostridium difficile was isolated and identified by semi quantitative culture, latex agglutination and biochemical reactions. These isolates were then subjected to PCR for the detection of toxin A and toxin B genes. In addition, enzyme immunoassay was performed on stool samples for the detection of toxins A and B. The clinical spectrum of PCR positive patients was also analyzed. RESULTS: From 563 stool specimens, 113 (20. 07% Clostridium difficile isolates wer e grown by culture and identified by latex agglutination and biochemical reactions. Out of 113 isolates, 94 were subjected to PCR. 50 (53. 19% isolates out of 94 were found to be positive. Three toxigenic types obtained were A + B + , A - B + and A + B - which accou nted for 6. 38%, 42.55% and 4. 26% respectively. A - B - isolates were 46. 81%. 30 (26.55% out of 113 stool samples (which were culture positive was also enzyme immunoassay positive. 32 (64% out of 50 PCR positive patients e xhibited antibiotic usage (p<0. 05 and 39 (78% revealed the presence of underl ying illnesses/conditions (p<0. 01. CONCLUSION: The study highlights the usefulness of PCR for detection of toxigenic Clostridium difficile and for determination of its molecular epidemiology.
DCHAIN: A user-friendly computer program for radioactive decay and reaction chain calculations
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
A computer program for calculating the time-dependent daughter populations in radioactive decay and nuclear reaction chains is described. Chain members can have non-zero initial populations and be produced from the preceding chain member as the result of radioactive decay, a nuclear reaction, or both. As presently implemented, chains can contain up to 15 members. Program input can be supplied interactively or read from ASCII data files. Time units for half-lives, etc. can be specified during data entry. Input values are verified and can be modified if necessary, before used in calculations. Output results can be saved in ASCII files in a format suitable for including in reports or other documents. The calculational method, described in some detail, utilizes a generalized form of the Bateman equations. The program is written in the C language in conformance with current ANSI standards and can be used on multiple hardware platforms
Reaction mechanisms in the radiolysis of peptides, polypeptides and proteins II reactions at side-chain loci in model systems
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
The major emphasis in radiation biology at the molecular level has been on the nucleic acid component of the nucleic acid-protein complex because of its primary genetic importance. But there is increasing evidence that radiation damage to the protein component also has important biological implications. Damage to capsid protein now appears to be a major factor in the radiation inactivation of phage and other viruses. And, there is increasing evidence that radiation-chemical change in the protein component of chromation leads to changes in the stability of the repressor-operator complexes involved in gene expression. Knowledge of the radiation chemistry of protein is also of importance in other fields such as the application of radiation sterilization to foods and drugs. Recent findings that a class of compounds, the α,α'-diaminodicarboxylic acids, not normally present in food proteins, are formed in protein radiolysis is of particular significance since certain of their peptide derivatives have been showing to exhibit immunological activity. The purpose of this review is to bring together and to correlate our present knowledge of products and mechanisms in the radiolysis of peptides, polypeptides and proteins both aqueous and solid-state. In part 1 we presented a discussion of the radiation-induced reactions of the peptide main-chain in model peptide and polypeptide systems. Here in part 2 the emphasis is on the competing radiation chemistry at side-chain loci of peptide derivatives of aliphatic, aromatic-unsaturated and sulfur-containing amino acids in similar systems. Information obtained with the various experimental techniques of product analysis, competition kinetics, spin-trapping, pulse radiolysis, and ESR spectroscopy are included
Detection of African swine fever virus from formalin fixed and non-fixed tissues by polymerase chain reaction
P. D. Luka; A. R. Jambol; B. Yakubu
Aim: Formalin fixing and paraffin embedding of tissue samples is one of the techniques for preserving the structural integrity of cells for a very long time. However, extraction and analysis of genomic material from formalin fixed tissue (FFT) remains a challenge despite numerous attempts to develop a more effective method. The success of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) depends on the quality of DNA extract. Materials and Methods: Here we assessed the conventional method of DNA extraction ...
Differentiation of Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism of outer membrane protein IB genes.
Lau, Q C; Chow, V T; Poh, C. L.
OBJECTIVES--To employ polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis for the rapid differentiation of Neisseria gonorrhoeae protein IB (PIB) isolates and to compare its usefulness with the widely accepted auxotype/serovar classification scheme. METHODS--The outer membrane protein IB genes of 47 gonococcal isolates belonging to 10 different serovars were amplified by PCR. The approximately 1 kb DNA products were then digested separately with restri...
Method of carbon chain extension using novel aldol reaction
Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)
Silks, Louis A; Gordon, John C; Wu, Ruilan; Hangson, Susan Kloek
Method of producing C.sub.8-C.sub.15 hydrocarbons comprising providing a ketone starting material; providing an aldol starting material comprising hydroxymethylfurfural; mixing the ketone starting material and the aldol starting material in a reaction in the presence of a proline-containing catalyst selected from the group consisting of Zn(Pro).sub.2, Yb(Pro).sub.2, and combinations thereof, or a catalyst having one of the structures (I), (II) or (III), and in the presence of a solvent, wherein the solvent comprises water and is substantially free of organic solvents, where (I), (II) and (III) respectively are: ##STR00001## where R.sub.1 is a C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl moiety, X=(OH) and n=2. ##STR00002## In (III), X may be CH.sub.2, sulfur or selenium, M may be Zn, Mg, or a lanthanide, and R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 each independently may be a methyl, ethyl, phenyl moiety.
An Integrated Nucleic Acid Extraction Microchip for Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction Micro Total Analysis System%集成核酸提取的实时荧光PCR微全分析系统
Institute of Scientific and Technical Information of China (English)
赵树弥; 刘勇; 朱灵; 朱灿灿; 李阳; 王华东; 张龙; 堵棣威; 邓国庆; 王安
集成核酸提取的实时荧光PCR微全分析系统将核酸提取、PCR扩增与实时荧光检测进行整合,在同一块微流控芯片上实现了核酸分析过程的全自动和全封闭,具有试剂用量少、分析速度快、操作简便等优点。本研究采用微机械加工技术制作集成核酸提取微流控芯片的阳极模,使用组合模具法和注塑法制作具有3D通道的PDMS基片,与玻璃基底通过等离子体键合封装成集成核酸提取芯片。构建了由微流体速度可调节(0~10 mL/min)的驱动控制装置、温控精度可达0.1℃的TEC温控平台、CCD检测功能模块等组成的微全分析系统。以人类血液裂解液为样品,采用硅胶膜进行芯片上核酸提取。系统根据设置好的时序自动执行,以2 mL/min的流体驱动速度完成20μL裂解液上样、清洗;以1 mL/min的流体驱动速度完成DNA洗脱,抽取PCR试剂与之混合注入到反应腔。提取的基因组DNA以链上内参基因GAPDH为检测对象,并以传统手工提取为对照,在该系统平台上进行PCR扩增和熔解曲线分析实验。片上PCR扩增结果显示,扩增曲线明显, Ct值分别为25.3和26.9。扩增产物进行熔解曲线分析得到的熔解温度一致,均为89.9℃。结果表明,此系统能够自动化、全封闭的在微流控芯片上完成核酸提取、PCR扩增与实时定量分析。%A real-time polymerase chain reaction ( PCR ) micro total analysis system (μ-TAS ) integrated nucleic acid extraction, PCR amplification and real-time-fluorescent PCR detection on a same microfluidic chip was prepared for the fully automated and on-chip analysis of nucleic acid. The proposed method had the advantage such as low sample consumption, fast analysis and simple operation and so on. Micromachining technology was used to fabricate the anodic molds of integrated nucleic acid extraction microfluidic chip. A polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrate with 3D
Analysis of a quantum Markov chain
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
A quantum chain is analogous to a classical stationary Markov chain except that the probability measure is replaced by a complex amplitude measure and the transition probability matrix is replaced by a transition amplitude matrix. After considering the general situation, we study a particular example of a quantum chain whose transition amplitude matrix has the form of a Dirichlet matrix. Such matrices generate a discrete analog of the usual continuum Feynman amplitude. We then compute the probability distribution for these quantum chains
A comprehensive collection of experimentally validated primers for Polymerase Chain Reaction quantitation of murine transcript abundance
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Wang Xiaowei
Full Text Available Abstract Background Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (QPCR is a widely applied analytical method for the accurate determination of transcript abundance. Primers for QPCR have been designed on a genomic scale but non-specific amplification of non-target genes has frequently been a problem. Although several online databases have been created for the storage and retrieval of experimentally validated primers, only a few thousand primer pairs are currently present in existing databases and the primers are not designed for use under a common PCR thermal profile. Results We previously reported the implementation of an algorithm to predict PCR primers for most known human and mouse genes. We now report the use of that resource to identify 17483 pairs of primers that have been experimentally verified to amplify unique sequences corresponding to distinct murine transcripts. The primer pairs have been validated by gel electrophoresis, DNA sequence analysis and thermal denaturation profile. In addition to the validation studies, we have determined the uniformity of amplification using the primers and the technical reproducibility of the QPCR reaction using the popular and inexpensive SYBR Green I detection method. Conclusion We have identified an experimentally validated collection of murine primer pairs for PCR and QPCR which can be used under a common PCR thermal profile, allowing the evaluation of transcript abundance of a large number of genes in parallel. This feature is increasingly attractive for confirming and/or making more precise data trends observed from experiments performed with DNA microarrays.
Immunomagnetic Separation Combined with Polymerase Chain Reaction for the Detection of Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris in Apple Juice
Wang, Zhouli; Wang, Jun; Yue, Tianli; Yuan, Yahong; Cai, Rui; Niu, Chen
A combination of immunomagnetic separation (IMS) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris (A. acidoterrestris) in apple juice. The optimum technological parameters of the IMS system were investigated. The results indicated that the immunocapture reactions could be finished in 60 min and the quantity of IMPs used for IMS was 2.5 mg/mL. Then the combined IMS-PCR procedure was assessed by detecting A. acidoterrestris in apple juice samples. The agar...
Predators of Anopheles gambiae sensu lato (Diptera: Culicidae) larvae in wetlands, western Kenya: confirmation by polymerase chain reaction method.
Ohba, Shin-Ya; Kawada, Hitoshi; Dida, Gabriel O; Juma, Duncan; Sonye, Gorge; Minakawa, Noboru; Takagi, Masahiro
Polymerase chain reaction analysis was performed to determine whether mosquito predators in wetland habitats feed on Anopheles gambiae sensu lato (s.l.) larvae. Aquatic mosquito predators were collected from six wetlands near Lake Victoria in Mbita, Western Kenya. This study revealed that the whole positive rate of An. gambiae s.l. from 330 predators was 54.2%. The order of positive rate was the highest in Odonata (70.2%), followed by Hemiptera (62.8%), Amphibia (41.7%), and Coleoptera (18%). This study demonstrates that the polymerase chain reaction method can determine whether aquatic mosquito predators feed on An. gambiae s.l. larvae if the predators have undigested An. gambiae s.l. in their midgut or stomach. PMID:20939371
Evaluation of p16 hypermethylation in oral submucous fibrosis: A quantitative and comparative analysis in buccal cells and saliva using real-time methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction
Kaliyaperumal, Subadra; Sankarapandian, Sathasivasubramanian
Aims: The aim of this study was to quantitatively investigate the hypermethylation of p16 gene in buccal cells and saliva of oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) patients using real-time quantitative methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and to compare the values of two methods. Subjects and Methods: A total of 120 samples were taken from 60 subjects selected for this study, of which 30 were controls and 30 patients were clinically and histopathologically diagnosed with OSMF. In both groups, two sets of samples were collected, one directly from the buccal cells through cytobrush technique and the other through salivary rinse. We analyzed the samples for the presence of p16 hypermethylation using quantitative real-time PCR. Results: In OSMF, the hypermethylation status of p16 in buccal cells was very high (93.3%) and in salivary samples, it was partially methylated (50%). However, no hypermethylation was found in controls suggesting that significant quantity of p16 hypermethylation was present in buccal cells and saliva in OSMF. Conclusions: This study indicates that buccal cell sampling may be a better method for evaluation than the salivary samples. It signifies that hypermethylation of p16 is an important factor to be considered in epigenetic alterations of normal cells to oral precancer, i.e. OSMF.
Pyrotechnic reaction residue particle analysis.
Kosanke, Kenneth L; Dujay, Richard C; Kosanke, Bonnie J
Pyrotechnic reaction residue particle (PRRP) production, sampling and analysis are all very similar to that for primer gunshot residue. In both cases, the preferred method of analysis uses scanning electron microscopy to locate suspect particles and then uses energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy to characterize the particle's constituent chemical elements. There are relatively few times when standard micro-analytical chemistry performed on pyrotechnic residues may not provide sufficient information for forensic investigators. However, on those occasions, PRRP analysis provides a greatly improved ability to discriminate between materials of pyrotechnic origin and other unrelated substances also present. The greater specificity of PRRP analysis is the result of its analyzing a large number of individual micron-sized particles, rather than producing only a single integrated result such as produced using standard micro-analytical chemistry. For example, PRRP analyses are used to demonstrate its ability to successfully (1) discriminate between pyrotechnic residues and unrelated background contamination, (2) identify that two different pyrotechnic compositions had previously been exploded within the same device, and (3) establish the chronology of an incident involving two separate and closely occurring explosions. PMID:16566762
Use of the polymerase chain reaction in epizootiological studies of viral diseases
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has become a powerful diagnostic tool in veterinary virology. The research team at the Department of Virology of the National Veterinary Institute, Uppsala, Sweden, was among the first groups to develop and apply routine diagnostic PCR assays in veterinary virology, to develop PCR diagnostic kits and to introduce assays of molecular epizootiology, based on comparative nucleotide sequence analysis of the PCR products. In the paper the experiences of 10 years of application of these techniques are summarized, with special regard to technical developments, i.e. simplified methods of sample preparation, precautions to avoid false positive or negative results, comparison of standard and nested PCR and simple assays of visualization. The viruses involved in the routine PCR diagnostic work are listed in two tables. Examples are given concerning the problems of routine PCR diagnosis in veterinary virology. The use of the PCR as a basic method of 'molecular epizootiology' is discussed and illustrated with several examples. The approaches of molecular epizootiology are based on direct sequence analysis of the PCR products, comparative analysis of the sequences and construction of phylogenetic trees. By this approach the phylogenetic relations are determined and the viruses are rapidly identified and grouped. The accurate genetic identification of virus variants provides novel means to the epizootiologists to trace the geographic distribution of the viruses and to determine the origin of a given outbreak. (author)
Time-resolved studies of free radicals and laser-initiated chain reactions: Final report, 1 April 1979-31 March 1988
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
Pulsed lasers were used in this work to photofragment molecules or to initiate chain reactions. One of the major advances was the availability of high-powered rare gas halide excimer lasers. In addition, pulsed Nd:YAG lasers and dye lasers were used throughout. Results include: generalized kinetic formulations of the problem of laser-initiated chain reactions. Several studies were carried out to explore the details of chain combustion phenomena, slow chain reactions, chain branching behavior, and vibrational temperatures of combusting mixtures. A method to determine the rotational temperature of nitrogen molecules by laser multiphoton ionization was shown. The chain reaction methodology was applied to complex polyatomic systems, in which complete infrared spectra of the emitting species were obtained. Systems studied included, chlorine + HBr, HI, methane, hydrogen, ethane, propane, butane, cyclopropane, and cyclohexane. Photofragmentation studies involved the production and analysis of radical species, such as methyl, CH2I, and CCH. Molecules studied included methylene iodide, methyl iodide, dimethyl mercury, acetone, acetylene, vinyl chloride, dichloroethylene, and fluorochloroethylene. The first infrared characterization of a highly vibrationally excited radical was shown. Reactions of methyl radicals were studied in detail, in which a new method for obtaining absolute values of the methyl radical reaction rates were obtained
Detection of adenovirus hexon sequence in a cat by polymerase chain reaction(short communication)
Horzinek, M.C.; Lakatos, B.; Farkas, J.; Egberink, H.F.; Vennema, H.; Benko, M.
Adenoviral nucleic acid was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in pharyngeal and rectal swab samples of a cat seropositive for adenovirus and suffering from transient hepatic failure. The samples were taken at a one-year interval, and both faecal samples as well as the second pharyngeal sam
Monitoring for pathogenic Aspergillus species using a rapid, highly sensitive, quantitative polumerase chain reaction technique during carpet removal in a burn unit provided data which allowed the patients to be safely returned to the re-floored area sooner than if only conventio...
Polyvinylpyrrolidone-Agarose Gel Electrophoresis Purification of Polymerase Chain Reaction-Amplifiable DNA from Soils
Young, Charles C.; Burghoff, Robert L.; Keim, Lois G.; Minak-Bernero, Vera; Lute, James R.; Hinton, Stephen M.
This communication describes a modification of agarose gel electrophoresis to provide a rapid and simple method for the purification of polymerase chain reaction-amplifiable DNA from soil. This modification is to add polyvinylpyrrolidone to the agarose gel. The polyvinylpyrrolidone addition retards the electrophoretic mobility of denaturing phenolic compounds so that they do not comigrate with nucleic acids.
Designing Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Primer Multiplexes in the Forensic Laboratory
Elkins, Kelly M.
The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a common experiment in upper-level undergraduate biochemistry, molecular biology, and forensic laboratory courses as reagents and thermocyclers have become more affordable for institutions. Typically, instructors design PCR primers to amplify the region of interest and the students prepare their samples for…
Micromachined polymerase chain reaction system for multiple DNA amplification of upper respiratory tract infectious diseases.
Liao, Chia-Sheng; Lee, Gwo-Bin; Wu, Jiunn-Jong; Chang, Chih-Ching; Hsieh, Tsung-Min; Huang, Fu-Chun; Luo, Ching-Hsing
This paper presents a micro polymerase chain reaction (PCR) chip for the DNA-based diagnosis of microorganism genes and the detection of their corresponding antibiotic-resistant genes. The micro PCR chip comprises cheap biocompatible soda-lime glass substrates with integrated thin-film platinum resistors as heating/sensing elements, and is fabricated using micro-electro-mechanical-system (MEMS) techniques in a reliable batch-fabrication process. The heating and temperature sensing elements are made of the same material and are located inside the reaction chamber in order to ensure a uniform temperature distribution. This study performs the detection of several genes associated with upper respiratory tract infection microorganisms, i.e. Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemopilus influenze, Staphylococcu aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, and Neisseria meningitides, together with their corresponding antibiotic-resistant genes. The lower thermal inertia of the proposed micro PCR chip relative to conventional bench-top PCR systems enables a more rapid detection operation with reduced sample and reagent consumption. The experimental data reveal that the high heating and cooling rates of the system (20 and 10 degrees C/s, respectively) permit successful DNA amplification within 15 min. The micro PCR chip is also capable of performing multiple DNA amplification, i.e. the simultaneous duplication of multiple genes under different conditions in separate reaction wells. Compared with the large-scale PCR system, it is greatly advantageous for fast diagnosis of multiple infectious diseases. Multiplex PCR amplification of two DNA segments in the same well is also feasible using the proposed micro device. The developed micro PCR chip provides a crucial tool for genetic analysis, molecular biology, infectious disease detection, and many other biomedical applications. PMID:15590288
Comparison of a conventional polymerase chain reaction with real-time polymerase chain reaction for the detection of neurotropic viruses in cerebrospinal fluid samples
M Ramamurthy; Alexander, M; Aaron, S; Kannangai, R.; Ravi, V.; Sridharan, G.; A.M. Abraham
Purpose : To compare a conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and real-time PCR for the detection of neurotropic DNA viruses. Materials and Methods : A total of 147 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples was collected from patients attending a tertiary care hospital in South India for a period from 2005 to 2008. All these samples were tested using a conventional multiplex/uniplex PCR and a real-time multiplex/uniplex PCR. This technique was used to detect a large number of herpes viruses res...
Mucosal polymerase chain reaction for diagnosing Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with bleeding peptic ulcers
Institute of Scientific and Technical Information of China (English)
Hwai-Jeng Lin; Wen-Ching Lo; Chin-Lin Perng; Guan-Ying Tseng; Anna Fen-Yau Li; Yueh-Hsing Ou
AIM: Helicobacter pylori(Hpylori) has been linked to chronic gastritis, peptic ulcers, gastric cancer and MALT-lymphoma.Conventional invasive tests are less sensitive than noninvasive tests in diagnosing H pylori infection in patients with bleeding peptic ulcers. Polymerase chain reaction is a sensitive and accurate method for diagnosing H pylori infection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic role of mucosal polymerase chain reaction for H pylori infection in patients with bleeding peptic ulcers.METHODS: In patients with bleeding, non-bleeding peptic ulcers and chronic gastritis, we checked rapid urease test,histology, bacterial culture and mucosal polymerase chain reaction for detecting H pylori infection. Positive H pylori infection was defined as positive culture or both a positive histology and a positive rapid urease test. For mucosal polymerase chain reaction of Hpylori, we checked vacA (s1a, s1b, s1c, s2, m1, m1T, m2),iceA1,iceA2 and cag A.RESULTS: Between October 2000 and April 2002, 88 patients with bleeding peptic ulcers (males/females: 60/28, gastric ulcers/duodenal ulcers: 55/33), 81 patients with non-bleeding peptic ulcers (males/females: 54/27, gastric ulcers/duodenal ulcers: 45/36) and 37 patients with chronic gastritis (males/females: 24/13) were enrolled in this study. In patients with bleeding peptic ulcers, non-bleeding peptic ulcers and chronic gastritis, 45 patients (51%), 71 patients (88%)and 20 patients (54%) respectively were found to have positive H pylori infection (P<0.001). In patients with bleeding peptic ulcers, non-bleeding peptic ulcers and chronic gastritis, polymerase chain reaction for H pylori infection was positive in 54 patients (61%), 70 patients (86%) and 20 patients (54%) respectively (P<0.001). The sensitivity,positive predictive value and diagnostic accuracy of mucosal polymerase reaction for Hpylori infection were significantly lower in patients with bleeding peptic ulcers (84%, 79%and 81%) than in
RAPID DETECTION OF Salmonella IN SHRIMP BY POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION [Deteksi Cepat Salmonella pada Udang dengan Polymerase Chain Reaction
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Ulfah Amalia
Full Text Available Shrimp is an important non-oil commodity for foreign trade in Indonesia. However, rejection of shrimp exports by the importing countries is still commonly encountered. In 2011, the USFDA recorded two cases of Salmonella spp. contamination in shrimp products from two shrimp processing companies in Indonesia. Analysis of Salmonella spp. in seafood is generally performed using a conventional method which takes at least 5 days. The objective of the study is to get a Salmonellae rapid detection method in shrimp by PCR. In this study, optimization of PCR protocol method to detect Salmonella invA gene was conducted using six different annealing temperatures (59, 59.5, 60.8, 62, 64 and 64.5°C. The results showed that 64°C was the optimum annealing temperature to detect the 284 bp fragment of Salmonella invA gene. The PCR based detection method has a DNA detection limit of 27.81ug/mL and 10°CFU/mL of viable salmonellae with 100% specificity. The PCR protocol is capable of detecting six different Salmonella serovars (S. Enteritidis, S. Hadar, S. Heidelberg, S. Kentucky, S. Paratyphi and S. Typhimurium but none of the non salmonellae isolates. Application of the PCR assay on Salmonella in shrimp after the selective enrichment step suggested that all 16 samples were positive for Salmonella. At the same time, the conventional method could only detected 3 samples for Salmonella positive.
Identification of Entamoeba histolytica and E. dispar cysts in stool by polymerase chain reaction.
Sanuki, J; Asai, T; Okuzawa, E; Kobayashi, S; Takeuchi, T
An attempt to identify cysts of Entamoeba histolytica and E. dispar in human stool was conducted by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using two sets of primers (p11 plus p12 and p13 plus p14) specific for either species of ameba. The cysts in stool specimens obtained from 12 infected individuals were concentrated, freeze-thawed, and treated with Triton X-100 before their examination by PCR. The results of PCR on the cysts were generally consistent with data obtained by PCR on ameba trophozoites hatched from the cysts, by zymodeme analysis, and by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and with clinical findings. This PCR was negative for the stool containing large numbers of cysts of either E. coli, E. hartmanni, or Giardia lamblia as well as for the stool specimens obtained from uninfected individuals. The ameba cyst in stool processed using the present method was effective for the PCR analysis even after 1 month of storage at 4 degrees C. The present PCR was sensitive enough to detect ten cysts of either of the amebae. PMID:9000244
Institute of Scientific and Technical Information of China (English)
刘跃华; 王家璧; 司静懿
This study differentiated pseudocondyloma of vulva from condyloma acunainata using dot blot hybridization and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A total of 27 cases o{ pseudocondyloma of vulva and 65 cases of condyloma acuminata were selected for the sttldy. The genital lesions were examined clinically and were biopsled. Each biopsy v-as subjected to histological examination and HPV DNA analysis by dot blot hybridization and PCR. Dot blot analysis detected HPV DNA in 19(82.6%) out of 23 cases of condyloma acuminata and 2(25%) out of 8 cases pseudocondyloma of vulvae(P<0. 05). PCR detected HPV DNA in 51(92.7%) our of 55 cases of eondyloma acuminata, compared with none in 23 cases of pseudocondylorna(P<0. 001). HPV DNA was present in the majority of condyloma acuminata specimens, HPV 6 and 11 were the predominant types. Peudocondyloma is probably not associated with HPV. PCR was the most sensitive and useful techntque for HPV DNA detection.
Polymerase chain reaction based epidemiological investigation of canine parvoviral disease in dogs at Bareilly region
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Jobin Thomas
Full Text Available Aim: The aim of this study was to screen the suspected samples by polymerase chain reaction (PCR and epidemiological analysis of positive cases of canine parvovirus type2. Materials and Methods: Fecal samples were collected from dogs suspected for canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2 and viral DNA was extracted. Primers were designed, and PCR was done with all extracted DNA samples. Age, sex and breed wise distribution of positive cases were analyzed. Results: Out of a total 44 collected fecal samples, 23 were found to be positive for CPV-2 by developed PCR. The disease was found to be more common in Labrador male pups of 3-6 months of age. The percentage of positive cases in vaccinated dogs was found to be around 17.4%. Conclusion: Almost half (52.3% of total collected samples were found to be positive by PCR. However, number of field samples are needed to further validate this test and additionally sequence analysis needs to be done to ensure the prevalent field strain of CPV-2.
Fetal RHD Genotyping Using Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction Analysis of Cell-Free Fetal DNA in Pregnancy of RhD Negative Women in South of Iran
Moezzi, Leili; Keshavarz, Zeinab; Ranjbaran, Reza; Aboualizadeh, Farzaneh; Behzad-Behbahani, Abbas; Abdullahi, Masooma; Ramezani, Amin; Samsami, Alamtaj; Sharifzadeh, Sedigheh
Background Maternal-fetal RhD antigen incompatibility causes approximately 50% of clinically significant alloimmunization cases. The routine use of prophylactic anti-D immunoglobulin has dramatically reduced hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn. Recently, fetal RHD genotyping in RhD negative pregnant women has been suggested for appropriate use of anti-D immunoglobulin antenatal prophylaxis and decrease unnecessary prenatal interventions. Materials and Methods In this prospective cohort study, in order to develop a reliable and non-invasive method for fetal RHD genotyping, cell free fetal DNA (cffD- NA) was extracted from maternal plasma. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) for detection of RHD exons 7, 5, 10 and intron 4 was performed and the results were compared to the serological results of cord blood cells as the gold standard method. SRY gene and hypermethylated Ras-association domain family member 1 (RASSF1A) gene were used to confirm the presence of fetal DNA in male and female fetuses, respectively. Results Out of 48 fetuses between 8 and 32 weeks (wks) of gestational age (GA), we correctly diagnosed 45 cases (93.75%) of RHD positive fetuses and 2 cases (4.16%) of the RHD negative one. Exon 7 was amplified in one sample, while three other RHD gene sequences were not detected; the sample was classified as inconclusive, and the RhD serology result after birth showed that the fetus was RhD-negative. Conclusion Our results showed high accuracy of the qPCR method using cffDNA for fetal RHD genotyping and implicate on the efficiency of this technique to predict the competence of anti-D immunoglobulin administration.
Fetal RHD Genotyping Using Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction Analysis of Cell-Free Fetal DNA in Pregnancy of RhD Negative Women in South of Iran
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Leili Moezzi
Full Text Available Background: Maternal-fetal RhD antigen incompatibility causes approximately 50% of clinically significant alloimmunization cases. The routine use of prophylactic anti-D immunoglobulin has dramatically reduced hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn. Recently, fetal RHD genotyping in RhD negative pregnant women has been suggested for appropriate use of anti-D immunoglobulin antenatal prophylaxis and decrease unnecessary prenatal interventions. Materials and Methods: In this prospective cohort study, in order to develop a reliable and non-invasive method for fetal RHD genotyping, cell free fetal DNA (cffDNA was extracted from maternal plasma. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR for detection of RHD exons 7, 5, 10 and intron 4 was performed and the results were compared to the serological results of cord blood cells as the gold standard method. SRY gene and hypermethylated Ras-association domain family member 1 (RASSF1A gene were used to confirm the presence of fetal DNA in male and female fetuses, respectively. Results: Out of 48 fetuses between 8 and 32 weeks (wks of gestational age (GA, we correctly diagnosed 45 cases (93.75% of RHD positive fetuses and 2 cases (4.16% of the RHD negative one. Exon 7 was amplified in one sample, while three other RHD gene sequences were not detected; the sample was classified as inconclusive, and the RhD serology result after birth showed that the fetus was RhD-negative. Conclusion: Our results showed high accuracy of the qPCR method using cffDNA for fetal RHD genotyping and implicate on the efficiency of this technique to predict the competence of anti-D immunoglobulin administration.
Measurement errors in polymerase chain reaction are a confounding factor for a correct interpretation of 5-HTTLPR polymorphism effects on lifelong premature ejaculation: a critical analysis of a previously published meta-analysis of six studies.
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Paddy K C Janssen
Full Text Available OBJECTIVE: To analyze a recently published meta-analysis of six studies on 5-HTTLPR polymorphism and lifelong premature ejaculation (PE. METHODS: Calculation of fraction observed and expected genotype frequencies and Hardy Weinberg equilibrium (HWE of cases and controls. LL,SL and SS genotype frequencies of patients were subtracted from genotype frequencies of an ideal population (LL25%, SL50%, SS25%, p = 1 for HWE. Analysis of PCRs of six studies and re-analysis of the analysis and Odds ratios (ORs reported in the recently published meta-analysis. RESULTS: Three studies deviated from HWE in patients and one study deviated from HWE in controls. In three studies in-HWE the mean deviation of genotype frequencies from a theoretical population not-deviating from HWE was small: LL(1.7%, SL(-2.3%, SS(0.6%. In three studies not-in-HWE the mean deviation of genotype frequencies was high: LL(-3.3%, SL(-18.5% and SS(21.8% with very low percentage SL genotype concurrent with very high percentage SS genotype. The most serious PCR deviations were reported in the three not-in-HWE studies. The three in-HWE studies had normal OR. In contrast, the three not-in-HWE studies had a low OR. CONCLUSIONS: In three studies not-in-HWE and with very low OR, inadequate PCR analysis and/or inadequate interpretation of its gel electrophoresis resulted in very low SL and a resulting shift to very high SS genotype frequency outcome. Consequently, PCRs of these three studies are not reliable. Failure to note the inadequacy of PCR tests makes such PCRs a confounding factor in clinical interpretation of genetic studies. Currently, a meta-analysis can only be performed on three studies-in-HWE. However, based on the three studies-in-HWE with OR of about 1 there is not any indication that in men with lifelong PE the frequency of LL,SL and SS genotype deviates from the general male population and/or that the SL or SS genotype is in any way associated with lifelong PE.
9 CFR 147.30 - Laboratory procedure recommended for the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for Mycoplasma...
... the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for Mycoplasma gallisepticum and M. synoviae. 147.30 Section... Examination Procedures § 147.30 Laboratory procedure recommended for the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test... sample (100 to 2000 ng/5 μl) with one of the following 45 μl PCR cocktails: (i) 5 μl 10x PCR buffer, 1...
An Evaluation of Microbial Profile in Halitosis with Tongue Coating Using PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)- A Clinical and Microbiological Study
Kamaraj R., Dinesh; Bhushan, Kala S.; K.L., Vandana
Background: Medline search using key words halitosis, tongue coating, polymerase chain reaction, microbial profile did not reveal any study. Hence, the purpose of the present investigation was to assess the malodor using the organoleptic method and tanita device; to quantify odoriferous microorganisms using Polymerase Chain Reaction technique in chronic periodontitis patients.
Polymerase chain reaction and conventional DNA tests in detection of HPV DNA in cytologically normal and abnormal cervical scrapes
DEFF Research Database (Denmark)
Kalia, A.; Jalava, T.; Nieminen, P.;
Med.mikrobiologi, polymerase chain reaction, DNA tests, human papillomavirus (HPV), cervical smear, hybridisation, cytologi, affiProbe HPV test, ViraType test......Med.mikrobiologi, polymerase chain reaction, DNA tests, human papillomavirus (HPV), cervical smear, hybridisation, cytologi, affiProbe HPV test, ViraType test...
SCit: web tools for protein side chain conformation analysis.
Gautier, R; Camproux, A-C; Tufféry, P
SCit is a web server providing services for protein side chain conformation analysis and side chain positioning. Specific services use the dependence of the side chain conformations on the local backbone conformation, which is described using a structural alphabet that describes the conformation of fragments of four-residue length in a limited library of structural prototypes. Based on this concept, SCit uses sets of rotameric conformations dependent on the local backbone conformation of each protein for side chain positioning and the identification of side chains with unlikely conformations. The SCit web server is accessible at http://bioserv.rpbs.jussieu.fr/SCit. PMID:15215438
SMACS, Probabilistic Seismic Analysis Chain with Statistics
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
1 - Description of program or function: The SMACS (Seismic Methodology Analysis Chain with Statistics) system of computer programs is one of the major computational tools of the U.S. NRC Seismic Safety Margins Research Program (SSMRP). SMACS is comprised of the core program SMAX, which performs the SSI response analyses, five pre- processing programs, and two post-processors. The pre-processing programs include: GLAY and CLAN, which generate the nominal impedance matrices and wave scattering vectors for surface-founded structures; INSSIN, which projects the dynamic properties of structures to the foundation in the form of modal participation factors and mass matrices; SAPPAC, which projects the dynamic and pseudo-static properties of multiply-supported piping systems to the support locations, and LNGEN, which can be used to generate the multiplication factors to be applied to the nominal soil, structural, and subsystem properties for each of the response calculations in accounting for random variations of these properties. The post-processors are: PRESTO, which performs statistical operations on the raw data from the response vectors that SMAX produces to calculate best fit lognormal distributions for each response location, and CHANGO, which manipulates the data produced by PRESTO to produce other results of interest to the user. Also included is the computer program SAP4 (a modified version of the University of California, Berkeley SAPIV program), a general linear structural analysis program used for eigenvalue extractions and pseudo-static mode calculations of the models of major structures and subsystems. SAP4 is used to prepare input to the INSSIN and SAPPAC preprocessing programs. The GLAY and CLAN programs were originally developed by J.E. Luco (UCSD) and H.L. Wong (USC). 2 - Method of solution: SMACS performs repeated deterministic analyses, each analysis simulating an earthquake occurrence. Uncertainty is accounted for by performing many such analyses
Molecular identification of Amazonian stingless bees using polymerase chain reaction single-strand conformation polymorphism.
Souza, M T; Carvalho-Zilse, G A
In countries containing a mega diversity of wildlife, such as Brazil, identifying and characterizing biological diversity is a continuous process for the scientific community, even in face of technological and scientific advances. This activity demands initiatives for the taxonomic identification of highly diverse groups, such as stingless bees, including molecular analysis strategies. This type of bee is distributed in all of the Brazilian states, with the highest species diversity being found in the State of Amazônia. However, the estimated number of species diverges among taxonomists. These bees are considered the main pollinators in the Amazon rainforest, in which they obtain food and shelter; however, their persistence is constantly threatened by deforestation pressure. Hence, it is important to classify the number and abundance of bee specie, to measure their decline and implement meaningful, priority conservation strategies. This study aims to maximize the implementation of more direct, economic and successful techniques for the taxonomic identification of stingless bees. Specifically, the genes 16S rRNA and COI from mitochondrial DNA were used as molecular markers to differentiate 9 species of Amazonian stingless bees based on DNA polymorphism, using the polymerase chain reaction-single-strand conformation polymorphism technique. We registered different, exclusive SSCP haplotypes for both genes in all species analyzed. These results demonstrate that SSCP is a simple and cost-effective technique that is applicable to the molecular identification of stingless bee species. PMID:25117306
Spatiotemporal Patterns in a Ratio-Dependent Food Chain Model with Reaction-Diffusion
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Lei Zhang
Full Text Available Predator-prey models describe biological phenomena of pursuit-evasion interaction. And this interaction exists widely in the world for the necessary energy supplement of species. In this paper, we have investigated a ratio-dependent spatially extended food chain model. Based on the bifurcation analysis (Hopf and Turing, we give the spatial pattern formation via numerical simulation, that is, the evolution process of the system near the coexistence equilibrium point (u2*,v2*,w2*, and find that the model dynamics exhibits complex pattern replication. For fixed parameters, on increasing the control parameter c1, the sequence "holes → holes-stripe mixtures → stripes → spots-stripe mixtures → spots" pattern is observed. And in the case of pure Hopf instability, the model exhibits chaotic wave pattern replication. Furthermore, we consider the pattern formation in the case of which the top predator is extinct, that is, the evolution process of the system near the equilibrium point (u1*,v1*,0, and find that the model dynamics exhibits stripes-spots pattern replication. Our results show that reaction-diffusion model is an appropriate tool for investigating fundamental mechanism of complex spatiotemporal dynamics. It will be useful for studying the dynamic complexity of ecosystems.
Rapid enumeration of Listeria monocytogenes in artificially contaminated cabbage using real-time polymerase chain reaction.
Hough, Angela J; Harbison, Sally-Ann; Savill, Marion G; Melton, Laurence D; Fletcher, Graham
A quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection method specific for Listeria monocytogenes was developed, and studies involving pure culture showed that the response of the assay was linear over 7 log10 (log) cycles. The method was then applied to the detection of L. monocytogenes artificially inoculated onto cabbage, a vegetable chosen because it is a major component of coleslaw, which has been associated with an outbreak of listeriosis. After being allowed to attach to the food, cells were washed from the cabbage leaf surface and recovered by centrifugation. The DNA was purified by an organic solvent extraction technique and analyzed by real-time PCR. In this matrix, the method again produced a linear response over 7 log cycles from 1.4 x 10(2) to 1.4 x 10(9) CFU of L. monocytogenes in 25 g of cabbage, and analysis of the reproducibility of the system showed that log differences in L. monocytogenes numbers added to cabbage could be reliably distinguished. The system allowed quantitative results to be obtained within 8 h and was relatively inexpensive, showing good potential for routine analytical use. PMID:12182489
Relevance of semen polymerase chain reaction positive for tuberculosis in asymptomatic men undergoing infertility evaluation
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Subodh Kumar Regmi
Full Text Available OBJECTIVE: Male partners of infertile women with genital tuberculosis (TB are often screened for genital TB. We aimed to evaluate the clinical significance of a positive screening semen polymerase chain reaction (PCR for Mycobacterium tuberculosis test (TB-PCR in asymptomatic men undergoing infertility evaluation and determine the need for a detailed investigation and treatment for TB. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between March 2012 and January 2013, male partners of 15 infertile women with a diagnosis of genitourinary TB (GUTB as the cause of infertility, tested positive either on semen PCR for TB (13 cases, or Mycobacterium Growth Indicator Tube-960 test (2 cases. These asymptomatic men underwent infertility evaluation along with evaluation for GUTB. Diagnosis of GUTB was based on standard clinical criteria, which included a high index of suspicion along with clinical, laboratory, and/or radiological evidence of GUTB. Men who had no clinical evidence of GUTB were followed up with clinical evaluation, semen analysis, and repeat semen PCR for TB after 6 months. RESULTS: Fourteen subjects consented for inclusion in the study. One had a history of pulmonary TB 20 years earlier. Another patient was found to have mediastinal lymphadenopathy (tubercular. All except one had a normal semen analysis. None of the patients met the standard clinical criteria for GUTB diagnosis. 8 patients followed up at 6 months with repeat semen analysis, which was similar to the baseline values and no clinical evidence of TB. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS: Asymptomatic men with positive screening semen PCR for TB do not have clinical evidence of TB. Male partners of women with infertility and GUTB should not be screened if they have no symptoms.
Application of the polymerase chain reaction and molecular probe technology for the diagnosis of tuberculosis
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
Conventional methods for the diagnosis of tubercolosis based on microscopic examination and in vitro culture is both time consuming and tedious. Molecular methods of diagnosis have been suggested as an alternative which may provide the clinical laboratory with a means for rapid diagnosis. The present study was carried out to determined the feasibility of this approach for the detection of mycobacteria. Clinical specimens received from patients with suspected diagnosis of tuberculous infection were used. All specimens were examined microscopically and those that were smear positive were cultured. An aliquot of each specimen were kept for analysis by in vitro amplification using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The primers used for PCR were 20-mers specific for the insertion element IS986, which is restricted to the M. tuberculosis complex group. All specimens were analysed in quintriplicate, with 2 samples unspiked and 3 sampled spiked with M. tuberculosis. Appropriate positive and negative controls were included in all essays. Following amplification, the specimens were analysed by agarose gel electrophoresis (AGE). All specimens were further subject to hybridization studies using a specific radiolabelled probe. The sensitivity of the amplification assay coupled with visualization of the amplified targets using eithidium bromide staining was found to be about 1 fg of DNA. A total of 40 smear positive specimens were analyzed, 29 of which were culture positive. Twenty-eight of the 29 culture positive specimens tested positive by PCR/hybridization analysis. Of the 11 culture negative specimens, 9 were positive by PCR. Overall 37/40 (92.5%) specimens were positive by PCR/hybridization analysis. (author). 13 refs, 1 tab
Comprehensive cosmographic analysis by Markov chain method
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
We study the possibility of extracting model independent information about the dynamics of the Universe by using cosmography. We intend to explore it systematically, to learn about its limitations and its real possibilities. Here we are sticking to the series expansion approach on which cosmography is based. We apply it to different data sets: Supernovae type Ia (SNeIa), Hubble parameter extracted from differential galaxy ages, gamma ray bursts, and the baryon acoustic oscillations data. We go beyond past results in the literature extending the series expansion up to the fourth order in the scale factor, which implies the analysis of the deceleration q0, the jerk j0, and the snap s0. We use the Markov chain Monte Carlo method (MCMC) to analyze the data statistically. We also try to relate direct results from cosmography to dark energy (DE) dynamical models parametrized by the Chevallier-Polarski-Linder model, extracting clues about the matter content and the dark energy parameters. The main results are: (a) even if relying on a mathematical approximate assumption such as the scale factor series expansion in terms of time, cosmography can be extremely useful in assessing dynamical properties of the Universe; (b) the deceleration parameter clearly confirms the present acceleration phase; (c) the MCMC method can help giving narrower constraints in parameter estimation, in particular for higher order cosmographic parameters (the jerk and the snap), with respect to the literature; and (d) both the estimation of the jerk and the DE parameters reflect the possibility of a deviation from the ΛCDM cosmological model.
Polymerase chain reaction assay for detection of Staphylococcus aureus in buffalo milk
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V.K. Jain
Full Text Available In India, Haryana has the world's best dairy type buffalo, the Murrah capable of milk yields as high as 35 kg a day. Clinical and Sub clinical mastitis exerts a negative impact on milk quality, quantity and animal health and profits. In India, Staphylococci are the main causative agents responsible for mastitis of economic importance. Therefore, a suitable and specific test is required for the rapid diagnosis of Staphylococcus aureus. For definitive diagnosis of Staphylococcus aureus in mastitic milk, a polymerase chain reaction assay was developed using target sequence of 16S to 23S rRNA spacer region. This test can be performed within hours and avoids cumbersome and lengthy steps involved in microbiological culture of milk and biochemical tests. Polymerase chain reaction assay can be used as a screening test for a large herd to detect Staphylococcus aureus in milk.
Detection of Helicobacter pylori using nested polymerase chain reaction in gastric biopsy samples.
Mahajan, Divya; Jain, Anju; Singh, Varsha; Jain, A K; Rao, G R K; Nath, Gopal
Helicobacter pylori remains a controversial organism with regards to humans, its epidemiology still unclear nearly two decades after discovery. The present study was undertaken to estimate the prevalence of the organism in the gastrointestinal tract in symptomatic and asymptomatic subjects to understand its precise natural history in India. A total of 154 specimens were a part of the study. These included gastric biopsies from peptic ulcer disease and Non ulcer dyspepsia subjects, as visualized on endoscopy, saliva and stool samples from apparently normal healthy adults. Nested polymerase chain reaction was performed using the primers Hp1, Hp2, Hp3 targeting 16S rRNA gene. A prevalence of 65.1%, 100%, 66.7%, and 73.3% respectively was observed by polymerase chain reaction. No association was observed between the H.pylori status and the disease condition of the patient. PMID:23105762
Light chain editing generates polyreactive antibodies in chronic graft-versus-host reaction
Witsch, Esther J.; Cao, Hong; Fukuyama, Hidehiro; Weigert, Martin
The chronic graft-versus-host (cGvH) reaction is a model of induced lupus caused by alloreactive CD4+ T cells from a Bm-12 mouse in a C57BL/6 recipient. We used this cGvH reaction in C57BL/6 anti-DNA H chain transgenic mice, 56R/B6, to understand the structure, specificity, and origin of the induced autoantibodies (auto-Abs). We found anti-DNA Abs that reacted to several different antigens, such as phosphatidylserine, myelin basic protein, thyroglobulin, histone, insulin, cytochrome C, and β-...
Instability Criterion of One-Dimensional Detonation Wave with Three-Step Chain Branching Reaction Model
Institute of Scientific and Technical Information of China (English)
TENG Hong-Hui; JIANG Zong-Lin
@@ One-dimensional detonation waves are simulated with the three-step chain branching reaction model, and the instability criterion is studied.The ratio of the induction zone length and the reaction zone length may be used to decide the instability, and the detonation becomes unstable with the high ratio.However, the ratio is not invariable with different heat release values.The critical ratio, corresponding to the transition from the stable detonation to the unstable detonation, has a negative correlation with the heat release.An empirical relation of the Chapman-Jouguet Mach number and the length ratio is proposed as the instability criterion.
Cylindrical polymer brushes with dendritic side chains by iterative anionic reactions
Zhang, Hefeng
We report in this paper an easy method for the synthesis of cylindrical polymer brushes with dendritic side chains through anionic reaction. The synthesis is accomplished by iteratively grafting a living block copolymer, polyisoprene-. b-polystyrenyllithium (PI-. b-PSLi), to the main chain and subsequently to the branches in a divergent way. PI segment is short and serves as a precursor for multifunctional branching unit. The grafting reaction involves two successive steps: i) epoxidation of internal double bonds of PI segments, either in main chain or side chains; ii) ring-opening addition to the resulting epoxy group by the living PI-. b-PSLi. Repeating the two steps affords a series of cylindrical polymer brushes with up to 3rd generation and extremely high molecular weight. The branching multiplicity depends on the average number of oxirane groups per PI segment, usually ca. 8 in the present work. The high branching multiplicity leads to tremendous increase in molecular weights of the cylindrical products with generation growth. Several series of cylindrical polymer brushes with tunable aspect ratios are prepared using backbones and branches with controlled lengths. Shape anisotropy is investigated in dilute solution using light scattering technique. Worm-like single molecular morphology with large persistence length is observed on different substrates by atomic force microscopy.
Simple method for production of internal control DNA for Mycobacterium tuberculosis polymerase chain reaction assays.
Dewit, D.; Wootton, M.; Allan, B; Steyn, L
A simple method for the production of internal control DNA for two well-established Mycobacterium tuberculosis polymerase chain reaction assays is described. The internal controls were produced from Mycobacterium kansasii DNA with the same primers but at a lower annealing temperature than that used in the standard assays. In both assays, therefore, the internal control DNA has the same primer-binding sequences at the target DNA. One-microgram quantities of internal control DNA which was not c...
Microdissection and polymerase chain reaction amplification of genomic DNA from histological tissue sections.
Moskaluk, C A; Kern, S.E.
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assays are being used increasingly to study the molecular genetic changes that occur in minute cellular lesions that are identified in histological sections. It is often desirable to microdissect the cells of interest in a lesion, isolating them from surrounding normal tissue to obtain the purest representation of genomic DNA possible. We present here an optimized microdissection and DNA extraction protocol that reliably produces PCR-amplifiable DNA from ...
Uji Diagnostik Polymerase Chain Reaction –Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism Dalam Menegakkan Diagnosis Onikomikosis.
Lubis, Nova Zairina
Background: Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of one or more units of the nail caused by dermatophytes, or mold and nondermatophytes yeast. Investigations are needed to establish the diagnosis of onychomycosis before starting treatment. Several investigations methods for diagnosing onychomycosis such as microscopic examination with 20% KOH, fungal culture, histopathology examination with PAS staining (Periodic acid Schiff) and PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction), for culture methods require a l...
Detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae by polymerase chain reaction and nonradioactive hybridization in microtiter plates.
Lüneberg, E; Jensen, J S; M. Frosch
In order to improve the diagnosis of a Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection, we developed a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assay. The gene encoding elongation factor Tu (tuf) was selected as the target sequence. Oligonucleotides derived from variable stretches of the tuf gene were able to prime the amplification of a 950-bp fragment exclusively when M. pneumoniae DNA was used as the template. The sensitivity of the assay was increased 10-fold when the amplification products were hybridized ...
Amplification of human minisatellites by the polymerase chain reaction: towards DNA fingerprinting of single cells.
Jeffreys, A J; Wilson, V.; Neumann, R.; Keyte, J
Hypervariable minisatellites can be amplified from human DNA by the polymerase chain reaction, using primers from DNA flanking the minisatellite to amplify the entire block of tandem repeat units. Minisatellite alleles up to 5-10 kb long can be faithfully amplified. At least six minisatellite loci can be co-amplified from the same DNA sample and simultaneously detected to provide a reproducible and highly variable DNA fingerprint which can be obtained from nanogram quantities of human DNA. Th...
Genomic fingerprints of Staphylococcus aureus of bovine origin by polymerase chain reaction-based DNA fingerprinting.
Matthews, K R; Kumar, S. J.; O'Conner, S. A.; Harmon, R J; Pankey, J W; Fox, L. K.; Oliver, S P
Staphylococcus aureus (n = 75) isolated from mammary secretions of cows with subclinical and clinical mastitis from several geographic locations in the USA were examined using polymerase chain reaction-based DNA fingerprinting. DNA fingerprints were produced using a synthetic oligonucleotide primer (5'GTAACGCC3') to produce a distinct spectrum of amplified DNA fragments facilitating a high degree of resolution for differentiating S. aureus strains. PCR-based DNA fingerprinting grouped the 75 ...
Detection and Identification of Bursaphelenchus Species with DNA Fingerprinting and Polymerase Chain Reaction
Harmey, Judith H.; Harmey, Matthew A.
We have evaluated the potential of DNA-based methods to identify and differentiate Bursaphelenchus spp. and isolates. The isolation of a DNA probe, designated X14, and development of a DNA fingerprinting method for the identification and differentiation of Bursaphelenchus species and strains is described. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of DNA isolated from Bursaphelenchus species using two primers derived from the sequence of the cloned repetitive DNA fragment X14 resulted in m...
The impact of meningococcal polymerase chain reaction testing on laboratory confirmation of invasive meningococcal disease.
LENUS (Irish Health Repository)
Drew, Richard J
Laboratory methods of diagnosis were examined for 266 children with invasive meningococcal disease. Seventy-five (36%) of 207 cases with bloodstream infection had both positive blood culture and blood meningococcal polymerase chain reaction (PCR), 130 (63%) negative blood culture and positive blood PCR, and 2 (1%) had positive blood culture and negative blood PCR. Sixty-three percent of cases were diagnosed by PCR alone.
Solar thermal polymerase chain reaction for smartphone-assisted molecular diagnostics
Li Jiang; Matthew Mancuso; Zhengda Lu; Gunkut Akar; Ethel Cesarman; David Erickson
Nucleic acid-based diagnostic techniques such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) are used extensively in medical diagnostics due to their high sensitivity, specificity and quantification capability. In settings with limited infrastructure and unreliable electricity, however, access to such devices is often limited due to the highly specialized and energy-intensive nature of the thermal cycling process required for nucleic acid amplification. Here we integrate solar heating with microfluidics ...
Compact-like kink in a real electrical reaction-diffusion chain
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
We demonstrate experimentally the compact-like kinks existence in a real electrical reaction-diffusion chain. Our measures show that such entities are strictly localized and consequently present a finite spatial extent. We show equally that the kink velocity is threshold-dependent. A theoretical quantification of the critical coupling under which propagation fails is also achieved and reveals that nonlinear coupling leads to a propagation failure reduction
Utility of polymerase chain reaction as a diagnostic tool in cutaneous tuberculosis
Padmavathy L; Rao L; Veliath A
Background: Differentiation of cutaneous tuberculosis from other infective granulomas of the skin is difficult due to paucity of the organisms in tissue biopsies. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a newer technique to identify the DNA of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the tissues. Aim: We examined the utility of PCR as a tool for rapid diagnosis of cutaneous tuberculosis especially in cases negative by ZN staining and culture. Material and Methods: Twenty five random skin biopsies from patien...
Detection of Durum Wheat Pasta Adulteration in the Jordanian Market by Polymerase Chain Reaction Technology
H. Al-Rousan; N.D. Al-Hmoud; Ibrahim, M. A.; B.O. Hayek
Taking into account the impact of monitoring food adulteration on the quality of food products, the aim of this study was to use polymerase chain reaction technology to detect possible adulteration of durum wheat pasta products in the Jordanian market. Cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide method was applied for extracting genomic DNA from twenty six randomly collected pasta products, the results suggested the suitability of this method for DNA extraction from pasta products. Specific primers were ...
The design and construction of an electronic model of the chain reaction process
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
The design and construction of an electronic model simulating the nuclear chain reaction process up to three successive neutron generations is briefly described. This model is equipped with a special sound effect. However, a tape recorder can be attached and replayed in synchronism with the display with minimum hardware modifications. In this manner, it can function as a useful educational aid. The circuit is built around easily available ttl integrated circuits. (author)
A polymerase chain reaction assay to determine infection of Aedes polynesiensis by Wuchereria bancrofti
Nicolas, L.; Luquiaud, P.; Lardeux, Frédéric; Mercer, D.R.
The sensitivity of a previously described polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was improved to detect a single mosquito, infected by as few as 1-2 microfilariae of #Wuchereria bancrofti$, among 20-50 uninfected mosquitoes. Wild-caught #Aedes polynesiensis$ were used to compare assessment of infection by dissection of individuals with the PCR assay of pools of mosquitoes. The PCR assay was at least as sensitive as dissection for detection of mosquitoes infected with #W. bancrofti$. (Résumé d'...
Effect of fungal and plant secondary metabolites on polimerase chain reaction (PCR)
Thaler, Nejc; Bajc, Marko
Secondary metabolites are organic compounds that can be found in both fungi and plants, where they play an important role as defensive and signal molecules, or provide other kinds of advantage in natural selection, but are not directly involved in normal growth, development and reproduction of an organism. When working with DNA techniques, it is the secondary metabolites that most often affect the efficiency of polymerase chain reaction (PCR), either by hindering cell lysis, causing ...
Preliminary evaluation of the ligase chain reaction for specific detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
Birkenmeyer, L; Armstrong, A S
Rapid identification of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in clinical specimens is essential for effective control. Traditional culture requires a minimum of 24 h, and for some specimens harboring gonococci, the gonococci fail to grow or are misidentified. The recently described ligase chain reaction (LCR) is a highly specific and sensitive DNA amplification technique which was evaluated as an alternative to routine culture. Three LCR probe sets were used. Two of the probe sets were directed against the ...
Differentiation of Giardia duodenalis from other Giardia spp. by using polymerase chain reaction and gene probes.
Mahbubani, M H; Bej, A K; Perlin, M H; Schaefer, F W; Jakubowski, W; Atlas, R M
Giardia spp. are waterborne organisms that are the most commonly identified pathogenic intestinal protozoans in the United States. Current detection techniques for Giardia species in water include microscopy and immunofluorescence techniques. Species of the genus Giardia are classified on the basis of taxonomic criteria, such as cell morphology, and on host specificity. We have developed a polymerase chain reaction- and gene probe-based detection system specific for Giardia spp., which can di...
Detection of Rickettsia rickettsii DNA in clinical specimens by using polymerase chain reaction technology.
Tzianabos, T; Anderson, B E; McDade, J E
A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) procedure for detecting rickettsial DNA was developed and shown to be specific for Rickettsia rickettsii and R. conorii, the etiologic agents of Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) and Boutonneuse fever, respectively. Blood clots were obtained from nine confirmed RMSF patients and six controls and analyzed for the presence of rickettsial DNA by the PCR method. A defined region of the rickettsial genome was successfully amplified from seven of the nine clinica...
Molecular relapse in chronic myelogenous leukemia patients after bone marrow transplantation detected by polymerase chain reaction
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
Relapse of chronic myelogenous leukemia after bone marrow transplantation can be detected by using clinical, cytogenetic, or molecular tools. A modification of the polymerase chain reaction can be used in patients to detect low levels of the BCR-ABL-encoded mRNA transcript, a specific marker for chronic myelogenous leukemia. Early detection of relapse after bone marrow transplantation could potentially alter treatment decisions. The authors prospectively evaluated 19 patients for evidence of molecular relapse, cytogenetic relapse, and clinical relapse after bone marrow transplantation. They used the polymerase chain reaction to detect residual BCR-ABL mRNA in patients followed up to 45 months after treatment and found 4 patients with BCR-ABL mRNA expression following bone marrow transplantation. Fifteen patients did not express detectable BCR-ABL mRNA. All 19 patients remain in clinical remission. In this prospective study of chronic myelogenous leukemia patients treated with bone marrow transplantation, molecular relapse preceded cytogenetic relapse in those patients who persistently express BCR-ABL mRNA. They recommend using standard clinical and cytogenetic testing to make patient care decisions until further follow-up determines the clinical outcome of those patients with residual BCR-ABL mRNA transcripts detected by polymerase chain reaction
Predators of Anopheles gambiae sensu lato (Diptera: Culicidae) Larvae in Wetlands, Western Kenya: Confirmation by Polymerase Chain Reaction Method
Ohba, Shin-ya; Kawada, Hitoshi; Dida, Gabriel O; Juma, Duncan; SONYE, GORGE; Minakawa, Noboru; Takagi, Masahiro
Polymerase chain reaction analysis was performed to determine whether mosquito predators in wetland habitats feed on Anopheles gambiae sensu lato (s.l.) larvae. Aquatic mosquito predators were collected from six wetlands near Lake Victoria in Mbita, Western Kenya. This study revealed that the whole positive rate of An. gambiae s.l. from 330 predators was 54.2%. The order of positive rate was the highest in Odonata (70.2%), followed by Hemiptera (62.8%), Amphibia (41.7%), and Coleoptera (18%)....
Predators of Anopheles gambiae sensu lato (Diptera: Culicidae) larvae in Wetlands, Western Kenya: Confirmation by polymerase chain reaction method
Ohba, Shin-ya; Kawada, Hitoshi; Dida, Gabriel O; Juma, Duncan; SONYE, GORGE; Minakawa, Noboru; Takagi, Masahiro
Polymerase chain reaction analysis was performed to determine whether mosquito predators in wetland habitats feed on Anopheles gambiae sensu lato (s.l.) larvae. Aquatic mosquito predators were collected from six wetlands near Lake Victoria in Mbita, Western Kenya. This study revealed that the whole positive rate of An. gambiae s.l. from 330 predators was 54.2%. The order of positive rate was the highest in Odonata (70.2%), followed by Hemiptera (62.8%), Amphibia (41.7%), and Coleoptera (18%)....
Sensitivitas dan Spesifisitas Nested Polymerase Chain Reaction untuk Mendeteksi DNA Coxiella burnetii (SENSITIVITY AND SPECIFICITY OF NESTED POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION FOR DETECTION OF COXIELLA BURNETII DNA
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Trioso Purnawarman
Full Text Available Sensitivity and specificity of nested polymerase chain reaction (nested PCR to detect Coxiella burnetii(C. burnetii DNA were studied. The primer system which consists of external primers (OMP1 and OMP2and internal primers (OMP3 and OMP4, was designed from the nucleotide sequence of the com I geneencoding for 27 kDa outer membrane protein and used to specifically amplify a 501 bp and 438 bp fragment.This nested PCR assay was 50 fold more sensitive than that of using PCR external primer only. TheNested PCR has a detection limit as low as 300 pg/?l. Specificity studies showed that nested PCR onlydetected C. burnetii DNA and did not happened Brucella abortus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosaand Campylobacter Jejuni DNA. Nested PCR has high senstively and specificaly diagnostic method of C.burnetii as agent of Q fever disease.
A Case Study on Engineering Failure Analysis of Link Chain
Kim, Tae-Gu; Lee, Seong-Beom; Lee, Hong-Chul
Objectives The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of chain installation condition on stress distribution that could eventually cause disastrous failure from sudden deformation and geometric rupture. Methods Fractographic method used for the failed chain indicates that over-stress was considered as the root cause of failure. 3D modeling and finite element analysis for the chain, used in a crane hook, were performed with a three-dimensional interactive application program, CA...
Organic produce Value Chain Analysis (OF0344)
Simons, David
Growth in the Organic food market has been rapid in recent years. According to the soil association, retail sales of organic food are now worth £1.2 billion – an 11% increase on the previous year. Organic Supply Chains have developed to serve different routes to the consumer. Some chains are simple and involve direct supply to the consumer through, for example, box schemes and farmer's markets. However in the main greater complexity is involved. Some 75% of organic food is sold through t...
Analysis of entropy of XY Spin Chain
Franchini, F.; Its, A. R.; Jin, B. -Q.; Korepin, V. E.
Entanglement in the ground state of the XY model on the infinite chain can be measured by the von Neumann entropy of a block of neighboring spins. We study a double scaling limit: the size of the block is much larger then 1 but much smaller then the length of the whole chain. In this limit, the entropy of the block approaches a constant. The limiting entropy is a function of the anisotropy and of the magnetic field. The entropy reaches minima at product states and increases boundlessly at pha...
Enhanced detection and serotyping of Streptococcus pneumoniae using multiplex polymerase chain reaction
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Jong Gyun Ahn
Full Text Available <B>Purpose:</B> Methods for quick and reliable detection of <I>Streptococcus pneumoniae</I> are needed for the diagnosis of pneumococcal disease and vaccine studies. This study aimed to show that sequential multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR is more efficient than conventional culture in achieving <I>S. pneumoniae -positive</i> results. <B>Methods:</B> Nasopharyngeal (NP secretions were obtained from 842 pediatric patients admitted with lower respiratory infections at Severance Children's Hospital in Korea between March 2009 and June 2010. For identification and serotype determination of pneumococci from the NP secretions, the secretions were evaluated via multiplex PCR technique with 35 serotype-specific primers arranged in 8 multiplex PCR sets and conventional bacteriological culture technique. <B>Results:</B> Among the results for 793 samples that underwent both bacterial culture and PCR analysis for pneumococcal detection, 153 (19.3% results obtained by PCR and 81 (10.2% results obtained by conventional culture technique were positive for S. pneumoniae. The predominant serotypes observed, in order of decreasing frequency, were 19A (23%, 6A/B (16%, 19F (11%, 15B/C (5%, 15A (5%, and 11A (4%; further, 26% of the isolates were non-typeable. <B>Conclusion:</B> As opposed to conventional bacteriological tests, PCR analysis can accurately and rapidly identify pneumococcal serotypes.
Multiplex polymerase chain reaction-based prognostic models in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma patients treated with R-CHOP
DEFF Research Database (Denmark)
Green, Tina M; Jensen, Andreas K; Holst, René;
We present a multiplex analysis for genes known to have prognostic value in an attempt to design a clinically useful classification model in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to measure transcript levels of 28 relevant genes in 194 de...
Characterisation of Toxoplasma gondii isolates using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of the non-coding Toxoplasma gondii (TGR)-gene sequences
DEFF Research Database (Denmark)
Høgdall, Estrid; Vuust, Jens; Lind, Peter;
of using TGR gene variants as markers to distinguish among T. gondii isolates from different animals and different geographical sources. Based on the band patterns obtained by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplified TGR sequences, the...
Time-resolved FTIR [Fourier transform infrared] emission studies of laser photofragmentation and chain reactions
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
Recent progress is described resulting from the past three years of DOE support for studies of combustion-related photofragmentation dynamics, energy transfer, and reaction processes using a time-resolved Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) emission technique. The FTIR is coupled to a high repetition rate excimer laser which produces radicals by photolysis to obtain novel, high resolution measurements on vibrational and rotational state dynamics. The results are important for the study of numerous radical species relevant to combustion processes. The method has been applied to the detailed study of photofragmentation dynamics in systems such as acetylene, which produces C2H; chlorofluoroethylene to study the HF product channel; vinyl chloride and dichloroethylene, which produce HCl; acetone, which produces CO and CH3; and ammonia, which produces NH2. In addition, we have recently demonstrated use of the FTIR technique for preliminary studies of energy transfer events under near single collision conditions, radical-radical reactions, and laser-initiated chain reaction processes
Kinetic characteristics of continuous flow polymerase chain reaction chip: A numerical investigation
Institute of Scientific and Technical Information of China (English)
Continuous flow PCR (polymerase chain reaction) chip holds impressive advantages compared to micro chamber PCR chip. In order to have better understanding of kinetic characteristics of continuous flow PCR chip, a comprehensive mathematical model is presented in this paper, including melting, annealing and extension phases of a typical PCR process which has the essence of a convection-diffusion-reaction system. Using this model, we can simulate the PCR process in series of reaction cycles. Numerical results show that the average sample velocity plays a significant role in affecting the amplification efficiency. Also, appropriate combination of the PCR mixture is important for high-quality DNA amplification. Giving a large initial DNA concentration range, the continuous flow PCR scheme holds excellent real-time detection ability theoretically. The present numerical model bridges the temperature distribution to the real DNA amplification, and thereby is able to successfully predict continuous flow PCR properties which are important for the chip design.
Updating the Nuclear Reaction Rate Library (REACLIB) I. Experimental Reaction Rates of the Proton-Proton Chain
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
REACLIB is one of the most comprehensive and popular astrophysical reaction rate libraries. However, its experimentally obtained rates for light isotopes still rely mainly on the Caughlan and Fowler (1988) compilation and have never been updated despite the progress in many relevant nuclear astrophysics experiments. Moreover, due to fitting errors REACLIB is not reliable at temperatures lower than 107K. In this work we establish the formalism for updating the obsolete Caughlan-Fowler experimental rates of REACLIB. Then we use the NACRE compilation and results from the LUNA experiments to update some important charged-particle induced rates of REACLIB focusing on the proton-proton chain. The updated rates (available also in digital form) can now be used in the low temperature regime (below 107K) which was forbidden to the old version of REACLIB. (authors)
An integrated approach to supply chain risk analysis
Marco, Alberto; Cagliano, Anna Corinna; Rafele, Carlo; Grimaldi, Sabrina
Despite the increasing attention that supply chain risk management is receiving by both researchers and practitioners, companies still lack a risk culture. Moreover, risk management approaches are either too general or require pieces of information not regularly recorded by organisations. This work develops a risk identification and analysis methodology that integrates widely adopted supply chain and risk management tools. In particular, process analysis is performed by means of the standard ...
Scenario analysis for supply chain integration in container shipping
Lam, J.S.L.; E. Van de Voorde
Competition in the business world nowadays is largely between supply chains, rather than individual players only. The same situation exists in container shipping. The study looks into container shipping from an integrated perspective and investigates the nature and level of supply chain integration in container shipping. Based on empirical examinations of the world's top 30 container shipping lines, a scenario analysis is conducted. The paper aims to present the scenario analysis for examinin...
Markov Chains as Tools for Jazz Improvisation Analysis
Franz, David Matthew
This thesis describes an exploratory application of a statistical analysis and modeling technique (Markov chains) for the modeling of jazz improvisation with the intended subobjective of providing increased insight into an improviser's style and creativity through the postulation of quantitative measures of style and creativity based on the constructed Markovian analysis techniques. Using Visual Basic programming language, Markov chains of orders one to three are created using transcriptio...
Development of species-specific DNA probes for Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobacter coli, and Campylobacter lari by polymerase chain reaction fingerprinting
Giesendorf, B A; van Belkum, A; Koeken, A; Stegeman, H; Henkens, M H; van der Plas, J; Goossens, H; Niesters, H G; Quint, W G
The application of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) fingerprinting assays enables discrimination between species and strains of microorganisms. PCR primers aiming at arbitrary sequences in combination with primers directed against the repetitive extragenic palindrome (REP) or enterobacterial repetiti
Sensitive electrochemical monitoring of nucleic acids coupling DNA nanostructures with hybridization chain reaction
Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)
Zhuang, Junyang; Fu, Libing; Xu, Mingdi; Yang, Huanghao; Chen, Guonan; Tang, Dianping, E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com
Graphical abstract: -- Highlights: •A new signal-on metallobioassay was developed for detection of nucleic acids. •Target-triggered long-range self-assembled DNA nanostructures are used for amplification of electronic signal. •Hybridization chain reaction is utilized for construction of long-range DNA nanostructures. -- Abstract: Methods based on metal nanotags have been developed for metallobioassay of nucleic acids, but most involve complicated labeling or stripping procedures and are unsuitable for routine use. Herein, we report the proof-of-concept of a novel and label-free metallobioassay for ultrasensitive electronic determination of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related gene fragments at an ultralow concentration based on target-triggered long-range self-assembled DNA nanostructures and DNA-based hybridization chain reaction (HCR). The signal is amplified by silver nanotags on the DNA duplex. The assay mainly consists of capture probe, detection probe, and two different DNA hairpins. In the presence of target DNA, the capture probe immobilized on the sensor sandwiches target DNA with the 3′ end of detection probe. Another exposed part of detection probe at the 5′ end opens two alternating DNA hairpins in turn, and propagates a chain reaction of hybridization events to form a nicked double-helix. Finally, numerous silver nanotags are immobilized onto the long-range DNA nanostructures, each of which produces a strong electronic signal within the applied potentials. Under optimal conditions, the target-triggered long-range DNA nanostructures present good electrochemical behaviors for the detection of HIV DNA at a concentration as low as 0.5 fM. Importantly, the outstanding sensitivity can make this approach a promising scheme for development of next-generation DNA sensors without the need of enzyme labeling or fluorophore labeling.
Genome editing. The mutagenic chain reaction: a method for converting heterozygous to homozygous mutations.
Gantz, Valentino M; Bier, Ethan
An organism with a single recessive loss-of-function allele will typically have a wild-type phenotype, whereas individuals homozygous for two copies of the allele will display a mutant phenotype. We have developed a method called the mutagenic chain reaction (MCR), which is based on the CRISPR/Cas9 genome-editing system for generating autocatalytic mutations, to produce homozygous loss-of-function mutations. In Drosophila, we found that MCR mutations efficiently spread from their chromosome of origin to the homologous chromosome, thereby converting heterozygous mutations to homozygosity in the vast majority of somatic and germline cells. MCR technology should have broad applications in diverse organisms. PMID:25908821
Direct detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in sputum by polymerase chain reaction and DNA hybridization.
Nolte, F S; Metchock, B; McGowan, J. E.; Edwards, A; Okwumabua, O; Thurmond, C; Mitchell, P S; Plikaytis, B; Shinnick, T
A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for the rapid diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis was developed by using oligonucleotide primers to amplify a fragment of IS6110, an insertion sequence repeated multiple times in the chromosome of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Sediment obtained from sputa processed by the N-acetyl-L-cysteine-NaOH method was suspended in a simple lysis buffer and was heated at 100 degrees C for 30 min prior to amplification. A dUTP-uracil N-glycosylase PCR protocol was use...
Characterization of a nested polymerase chain reaction assay for detection of parvovirus B19.
Patou, G.; Pillay, D.; Myint, S; Pattison, J.
The characterization and application of a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for the detection of human parvovirus B19 DNA is described. The assay was evaluated with 149 diagnostic serum samples (collected up to 150 days after the onset of symptoms) previously tested by dot blot hybridization for B19 DNA and by class-specific capture radioimmunoassays for the detection of B19 immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG. B19 DNA was detectable by the PCR in 70% of the sera. There was a statistica...
I Nyoman Suartha; I Gusti Ngurah Kade Mahardika; Ida Ayu Sri Candra Dewi; Ni Ketut Dias Nursanty; Yosaphat L.S Kote; Anita Dwi Handayani; I Gusti Agung Ayu Suartini
A study was conducted to apply reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique for the confirmative diagnosis of canine distemper in dogs. Twenty mongreal dogs with clinical symptoms of canine distemper were used in this study. The viral RNA was isolated from nasal swab using Trizol® and transcribed into cDNA using random primers 5'ACAGGATTGCTGAGGACCTAT 3'. The cDNA was amplified in one step RT-PCR using primers 5'-ACAGGATTGCTGAGGACCTAT-3' (forward) and 5'- CAAGATAACCATGTAC...
A highly sensitive aptasensor for OTA detection based on hybridization chain reaction and fluorescent perylene probe.
Wang, Bin; Wu, Yuanya; Chen, Yanfen; Weng, Bo; Xu, Liqun; Li, Changming
An optical aptasensor was developed for ultrasensitive detection of ochratoxin A (OTA) based on hybridization chain reaction (HCR) amplification strategy and fluorescent perylene probe (PAPDI)/DNA composites. Dendritic DNA concatamers were synthesized by HCR strategy and modified on magnetic nanoparticles through aptamer as medium. A large amount of PAPDI probe aggregated under the induction of DNA concatamers and caused fluorescence quenching. In the presence of OTA, the PAPDI/DNA composites were released from magnetic nanoparticles due to the strong affinity between aptamer and OTA. In ethanol, PAPDI monomers disaggregated and produced strong fluorescence. The present method displays excellent sensitivity and selectivity towards OTA. PMID:26938491
Rapid method for separation of bacterial DNA from humic substances in sediments for polymerase chain reaction.
Tsai, Y L; Olson, B H
The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to amplify an Escherichia coli 16S ribosomal gene fragment from sediments with high contents of humic substances. Total DNA was extracted from 1 g of E. coli seeded or unseeded samples by a rapid freeze-and-thaw method. Several approaches (use of Bio-Gel P-6 and P-30 and Sephadex G-50 and G-200 columns, as well as use of the Stoffel fragment) were used to reduce interference with the PCR. The best results were obtained when crude DNA extracts conta...
Enhanced Specificity of Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction via CdTe Quantum Dots
Liang Gaofeng; Ma Chao; Zhu Yanliang; Li Shuchun; Shao Youhua; Wang Yong; Xiao Zhongdang
Abstract Nanoparticles were recently reported to be able to improve both efficiency and specificity in polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Here, CdTe QDs were introduced into multi-PCR systems. It was found that an appropriate concentration of CdTe QDs could enhance the performance of multi-PCR by reducing the formation of nonspecific products in the complex system, but an excessive amount of CdTe QDs could suppress the PCR. The effects of QDs on PCR can be reversed by increasing the polymerase ...
Diagnosis of Dengue by Using Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction
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Miagostovich Marize Pereira
Full Text Available A rapid identification of dengue viruses from clinical samples by using a nested reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR procedure was carried out for diagnostic and epidemiological purposes. RT-PCR identified DEN-1 and DEN-2 viruses in 41% (41/100 of previously confirmed cases and provided an accurate confirmation of DHF in four fatal cases. RT-PCR was also useful for detecting and typing dengue viruses in suspected cases, allowing a rapid identification of new serotypes in endemic areas
Development and validation of a Myxoma virus real-time polymerase chain reaction assay
Albini, S.; Sigrist, B; Guttinger, R; Schelling, C.; Hoop, R K; Vogtlin, A
To aid in the rapid diagnosis of myxomatosis in rabbits, a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the specific detection of Myxoma virus is described. Primers and probe were designed to amplify a 147-bp fragment within the Serp2 gene. The assay was able to detect 23 copies of a synthesized oligo indicating a reliable sensitivity. In addition, the real-time PCR did not detect the Rabbit fibroma virus used in myxomatosis vaccines. The novel PCR was shown to be able to detect Myxoma virus...
Development and validation of a Myxoma virus real-time polymerase chain reaction assay.
Albini, Sarah; Sigrist, Brigitte; Güttinger, Regula; Schelling, Claude; Hoop, Richard K; Vögtlin, Andrea
To aid in the rapid diagnosis of myxomatosis in rabbits, a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the specific detection of Myxoma virus is described. Primers and probe were designed to amplify a 147-bp fragment within the Serp2 gene. The assay was able to detect 23 copies of a synthesized oligo indicating a reliable sensitivity. In addition, the real-time PCR did not detect the Rabbit fibroma virus used in myxomatosis vaccines. The novel PCR was shown to be able to detect Myxoma virus in fresh and paraffin-embedded rabbit tissues originating from myxomatosis cases from various regions in Switzerland. PMID:22362943
Development of a real time polymerase chain reaction for quantitation of Schistosoma mansoni DNA
Ana Lisa do Vale Gomes; Fábio L Melo; Roberto P Werkhauser; Frederico GC Abath
This report describes the development of a SYBR Green I based real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) protocol for detection on the ABI Prism 7000 instrument. Primers targeting the gene encoding the SSU rRNA were designed to amplify with high specificity DNA from Schistosoma mansoni, in a real time quantitative PCR system. The limit of detection of parasite DNA for the system was 10 fg of purified genomic DNA, that means less than the equivalent to one parasite cell (genome ~580 fg DNA). Th...
Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction for Detection of Strongyloides stercoralis in Stool
Sultana, Yasmin; Jeoffreys, Neisha; Watts, Matthew R.; Gilbert, Gwendolyn L.; Lee, Rogan
The use of real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detection of Strongyloides stercoralis in stool has recently been described. We compared five DNA extraction methods by using normal human stool spiked with Strongyloides ratti and tested by using a real-time PCR. The PowerSoil kit was found to be the best technique in terms of sensitivity and ease of use. The PCR detected DNA extracted from one spiked S. ratti larva diluted 10−2. The PowerSoil kit was then used to extract DNA from 160 ...
Ultra sensitive detection of Listeria monocytogenes in milk by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
Starbuck, M A; Hill, P J; Stewart, G S
The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has been used to detect Listeria monocytogenes in whole milk at a level of 0.1 cfu per 30 ml. This high degree of sensitivity has been achieved following enzymatic digestion, polysulphonone membrane filtration and amplification of a nucleotide sequence within the promoter region of hlyA. Key elements of the procedure are the absence of enrichment culture and a complete solubilization of the membrane filter, ensuring total nucleic acid recovery. The simplicity of the protocol coupled with high sample volumes and exquisite sensitivity extends the relevance of PCR within food and environmental microbiology. PMID:1368996
Rapid detection of Helicobacter pylori in gastric biopsy material by polymerase chain reaction.
Hammar, M.; Tyszkiewicz, T; Wadström, T.; O'Toole, P W
By using primers based on the sequence of a species-specific antigen of Helicobacter pylori (P. O'Toole, S.M. Logan, M. Kostrzynska. T. Wadström, and T.J. Trust, J. Bacteriol. 173:505-513, 1991), a protocol was established for detection of this microorganism in gastric biopsy samples by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A single primer pair was used to specifically amplify a 298-bp sequence in a rapid two-step PCR. The primers exhibited the same specificity in PCR as that which we reported...
Use of the Polymerase Chain Reaction in the Detection of Bovine Leukosis
Kelly, Emma Jane
A diagnostic test for bovine leukosis was developed using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify a 375 base pair region in the gag gene of the proviral genome. Blood samples were collected from 3 adult Holstein cows shown to be infected with bovine leukosis virus (BLV) by the agar-gel immunodiffusion (AGID) technique. The 3 samples were mixed and the composite blood was used to inoculate 10 cows. Five of the cows were inoculated with 0.1 ml of blood, and the other cows were inocula...
Diagnosis of Fusarium keratitis in an animal model using the polymerase chain reaction
Alexandrakis, G.; JALALI, S; Gloor, P
AIMS/BACKGROUND—The purpose of this study was apply the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to develop a sensitive, specific, and rapid test to diagnose Fusarium keratitis. Fusarium is the most common cause of fungal corneal infection in some parts of the world. It is often difficult to establish that a keratitis is due to fungal infection. METHODS—Fusarium solani keratitis was induced in three eyes of three rabbits by injection of a suspension of the fungus into the anterior corneal stroma. In o...
Comparison of proteases in DNA extraction via quantitative polymerase chain reaction.
Eychner, Alison M; Lebo, Roberta J; Elkins, Kelly M
We compared four proteases in the QIAamp DNA Investigator Kit (Qiagen) to extract DNA for use in multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. The aim was to evaluate alternate proteases for improved DNA recovery as compared with proteinase K for forensic, biochemical research, genetic paternity and immigration, and molecular diagnostic purposes. The Quantifiler Kit TaqMan quantitative PCR assay was used to measure the recovery of DNA from human blood, semen, buccal cells, breastmilk, and earwax in addition to low-template samples, including diluted samples, computer keyboard swabs, chewing gum, and cigarette butts. All methods yielded amplifiable DNA from all samples. PMID:25197027
A Novel Nested Polymerase Chain Reaction (n-PCR) Assay for Identifying Sorghum nitidum
Wei, Shasha; Zhirui DENG; Liping YIN; Yi, Jianping; Renqi WU; Qin CHEN
This work developed a novel nested polymerase chain reaction (n-PCR) assay to identify Sorghum nitidum (S. nitidum). It has been designed a set of specific n-PCR inner primers Snit5/Snit2 and outer primers Nout1/Nout2 based on a conserved nucleotide sequence of adh1-like gene of S. nitidum. Fourteen samples of sorghum were used to investigate the specificity of the primers and the n-PCR assay. The result showed that 9 samples of S. nitidum displayed a positive strong, specific amplified band ...
Sensitive detection of Treponema pallidum by using the polymerase chain reaction.
Burstain, J M; Grimprel, E; Lukehart, S A; Norgard, M V; Radolf, J D
We have developed a sensitive assay for Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum (T. pallidum), the agent of veneral syphilis, based upon the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A 658-bp portion of the gene encoding the 47-kDa membrane immunogen was amplified, and the PCR products were probed by DNA-DNA hybridization with a 496-bp fragment internal to the amplitifed DNA. The assay detected approximately 0.01 pg of purified T. pallidum DNA, and positive results were obtained routinely from suspensions ...
Synthesis and Intramolecular [4+2] Cycloaddition Reactions of 4-Pyridazinecarbonitriles with Alkyne Side Chains
Norbert Haider; Günther Fülep
The preparation of a series of new 3-(alkynyl-X)-substituted 4-pyridazinecarbonitriles 2-5 (X = O, NH) is described. The compounds are shown to undergo thermally induced intramolecular Diels-Alder reactions with inverse electron demand, affording the fused benzonitriles 6-8. Incorporation of a 1,2-phenylene unit into the side chain, as in the case of compounds 10 and 13, results in a more favorable conformation of the dienophilic substructure and thus to a pronounced acceleration of the [4+2]...
Metode Direct Polymerase Chain Reaction untuk Melacak Campylobacter sp. pada Daging Ayam (DIRECT POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION METHOD FOR DETECTION CAMPYLOBACTER SP. OF POULTRY MEAT
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Andriani .
Full Text Available Campylobacter sp. is the most commonly reported as agent of foodborne zoonosis causing acutegastroenteritis in humans. Poultry meat is considered as a major source of C. jejuni infection in human.The conventional methods for detecting foodborne bacteria is time-consuming which rely on the of thebacteria in culture media, followed by biochemical identification. In this study polymerase chain reaction(PCR technique was used for rapid identification of the pathogenic Campylobacter sp. The samples usedwere 298 chicken carcass with sold in supermarkets and traditional markets, and were carried out inaccordance the isolation protocol ISO/ DIS 10272-1994. Identification was performed using biochemicalAPI Campy. The direct PCR (DPCR assay with two sets of primers was employed for isolation andidentification of C. jejuni and C. coli. The result of the isolation and identification both by conventional orPCR methods showed that chicken carcasses both from supermarket and traditional market werecontaminated with C. jejuni and or C. coli. Prevalence of Campylobacter sp. contamination in chicken meatwas higher by DPCR (62.6% than by conventional (19.8%, indicating that DPCR technique was moresensitive than conventional method with detection limit for C. jejuni was103 cfu/ml.
Pelacakan Kasus Flu Burung pada Ayam dengan Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction* (DETECTION OF AVIAN INFLUENZA IN CHICKENS BY REVERSE TRANSCRIPTASE POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION
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Gusti Ayu Yuniati Kencana
Full Text Available Avian Influenza (AI or Bird Flu is a fatal zoonotic disease caused by highly pathogenic avian influenza(HPAI virus of H5N1 sub-type. The disease is still endemic in Indonesia. This study was conducted toinvestigate AI cases in chickens in Bali. Virus isolation was performed in 9 day-old embryonated chickeneggs, and then followed by serologic testing by haemaglutination (HA and Haemaglutination Inhibition(HI assay using standard microtiter procedure. All of the samples were further tested with reversetrancriptasepolymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR. All work has been done in the Biomedical and MolecularBiology Laboratory, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Udayana University, Denpasar, during the period2009-2011. A total of ten samples were examined A total of ten chicken samples consisting of 6 fieldsamples and 4 meat samples have been confirmed to be AIV H5N1. All field cases showed clinical signsand gross pathology that were typical to the infection of avian influenza. The result indicates that AI casesare still prevalent among chickens in Bali.
Rapid Detection Of Escherichia coli Enterohemorragic (EHEC) Bacteria by PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) methods
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
A polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) assay for detect presence of enterohemmoragic Eschericha coli O157:H7 was carried out. DNA was extracted from bacterial cells with CTBA-phenol-chloroform and precipitated with isopropanol. To test sensitivity of PCR amplifies reaction, serial dilutions of E. coli DNA solution were prepared bwtween 1 mu g-1 ng/mu l. A single pair oligonucleotide primer SLTI-F and SLTI-R derived from shiga-like-toxin genes was used in amplification method. The results shows that 1 ng/mu l of E. coli DNA could be detected using the primers SLTI-F and SLTI-R with the position of 140 bp DNA fragment
Monitoring Acidophilic Microbes with Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Assays
Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)
Frank F. Roberto
Many techniques that are used to characterize and monitor microbial populations associated with sulfide mineral bioleaching require the cultivation of the organisms on solid or liquid media. Chemolithotrophic species, such as Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans and Leptospirillum ferrooxidans, or thermophilic chemolithotrophs, such as Acidianus brierleyi and Sulfolobus solfataricus can grow quite slowly, requiring weeks to complete efforts to identify and quantify these microbes associated with bioleach samples. Real-time PCR (polymerase chain reaction) assays in which DNA targets are amplified in the presence of fluorescent oligonucleotide primers, allowing the monitoring and quantification of the amplification reactions as they progress, provide a means of rapidly detecting the presence of microbial species of interest, and their relative abundance in a sample. This presentation will describe the design and use of such assays to monitor acidophilic microbes in the environment and in bioleaching operations. These assays provide results within 2-3 hours, and can detect less than 100 individual microbial cells.
Determination of the number of radicals in the initial chain reactions by mathematical methods
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Pejović Branko B.
Full Text Available Starting from the fact that the real mechanism in a chemical equation takes places through a certain number of radicals which participate in simultaneous reactions and initiate chain reactions according to a particular pattern, the aim of this study is to determine their number in the first couple of steps of the reaction. Based on this, the numbers of radicals were determined in the general case, in the form of linear difference equations, which, by certain mathematical transformations, were reduced to one equation that satisfies a particular numeric series, entirely defined if its first members are known. The equation obtained was solved by a common method developed in the theory of numeric series, in which its solutions represent the number of radicals in an arbitrary step of the reaction observed, in the analytical form. In the final part of the study, the method was tested and verified using two characteristic examples from general chemistry. The study also gives a suggestion of a more efficient procedure by reducing the difference equation to a lower order.
Analysis of a complex shape chain plate using Transmission Photoelasticity
Dasari, N.; Ramesh, K.
fixture was used to load the model during stress freezing in the furnace. The integrated fringe pattern of the offset chain plate is shown in Figure 2. Slices are cut in the offset zone to understand the nature of the stress distribution. A Simple photoelastic analysis of this has revealed a wealth of information to take suitable decision on the design of such plates taking into account the constraints in manufacturing.
Analysis of a complex shape chain plate using Transmission Photoelasticity
Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)
Dasari N.
-3]. A loading fixture was used to load the model during stress freezing in the furnace. The integrated fringe pattern of the offset chain plate is shown in Figure 2. Slices are cut in the offset zone to understand the nature of the stress distribution. A Simple photoelastic analysis of this has revealed a wealth of information to take suitable decision on the design of such plates taking into account the constraints in manufacturing.
Solving the SAT problem using a DNA computing algorithm based on ligase chain reaction.
Wang, Xiaolong; Bao, Zhenmin; Hu, Jingjie; Wang, Shi; Zhan, Aibin
A new DNA computing algorithm based on a ligase chain reaction is demonstrated to solve an SAT problem. The proposed DNA algorithm can solve an n-variable m-clause SAT problem in m steps and the computation time required is O (3m+n). Instead of generating the full-solution DNA library, we start with an empty test tube and then generate solutions that partially satisfy the SAT formula. These partial solutions are then extended step by step by the ligation of new variables using Taq DNA ligase. Correct strands are amplified and false strands are pruned by a ligase chain reaction (LCR) as soon as they fail to satisfy the conditions. If we score and sort the clauses, we can use this algorithm to markedly reduce the number of DNA strands required throughout the computing process. In a computer simulation, the maximum number of DNA strands required was 2(0.48n) when n=50, and the exponent ratio varied inversely with the number of variables n and the clause/variable ratio m/n. This algorithm is highly space-efficient and error-tolerant compared to conventional brute-force searching, and thus can be scaled-up to solve large and hard SAT problems. PMID:17904730
Polymerase chain reaction detection of candidatus liberibacter asiatic associated with citrus huanglonbing
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G.P. Jagtap
Full Text Available Polymerase chain reaction diagnosis of Candidatus liberibacter asiatic associated with citrus Huanglonbing disease is molecular technique which is used for detection of disease when pathogen present is very low concentration in disease sample. Among these three DNA isolation methods viz., commercial kit method, sodium sulphite method and membrane bard nucleic acid technique, sodium sulphite method is cost effective for commercial use. In nucleic acid membrane method for DNA extraction isolation there is no use of liquid nitrogen. Polymerase chain reaction detection of disease is based on principal of thermal cycling in which PCR instrument allow to run generally 60-65 thermal cycle, during PCR operation it allow different stages of cycle at different temperatures for different period of time i.e. initiation (940C, denaturation (940C, primer annealing (600C, extension/elongation step (720C, final elongation (720C and holding temperature (40C. PCR based diagnosis system is developed for detection of greening bacteria. The comparative cost of detection by various combinations of reagent and sampling time was determined and cost effective technology was standardized and validated.
A microfluidic device providing continuous-flow polymerase chain reaction heating and cooling
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
The objective of this study is to describe a new type of microfluidic device that could be used to manipulate fluid temperature in many microfluidic applications. The key component is a composite material containing a thermally conductive phase placed in a purposeful manner to manipulate heat flow into and out of an embedded microchannel. In actual use, the device is able to vary temperature along a defined flow path with remarkable precision. As a demonstration of capability, a functional prototype was designed and fabricated using four layers of patterned copper laminated between alternating layers of polyimide and acrylic. The key fabrication steps included laser micromachining, acid etching, microchannel formation, and hot lamination. In order to achieve the desired temperature variations along the microchannel, an outer optimization loop and an inner finite element analysis loop were used to iteratively obtain a near-optimal copper pattern. With a minor loss of generality, admissible forms were restricted to comb-like patterns. For a given temperature profile, the pattern was found by refining a starting guess based on a deterministic rubric. Thermal response was measured using fine thermocouples placed at critical locations along the microchannel wall. At most of these points, the agreement between measured and predicted temperatures was within 1 °C, and temperature gradients as high as ±45 °C mm−1 (equivalent to ±90 °C s−1 at 2 μl min−1 flow rate) were obtained within the range of 59–91 °C. The particular profile chosen for case study makes it possible to perform five cycles of continuous-flow polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in less than 15 s, i.e. it entails five successive cycles of cooling from 91 to 59 °C, rapid reheating from 59 to 73 °C, slow reheating from 73 to 76 °C, and a final reheating from 73 to 91 °C, using a resistively heated source at 100 °C at and a thermoelectrically cooled sink at 5�
A microfluidic device providing continuous-flow polymerase chain reaction heating and cooling
Harandi, A.; Farquhar, T.
The objective of this study is to describe a new type of microfluidic device that could be used to manipulate fluid temperature in many microfluidic applications. The key component is a composite material containing a thermally conductive phase placed in a purposeful manner to manipulate heat flow into and out of an embedded microchannel. In actual use, the device is able to vary temperature along a defined flow path with remarkable precision. As a demonstration of capability, a functional prototype was designed and fabricated using four layers of patterned copper laminated between alternating layers of polyimide and acrylic. The key fabrication steps included laser micromachining, acid etching, microchannel formation, and hot lamination. In order to achieve the desired temperature variations along the microchannel, an outer optimization loop and an inner finite element analysis loop were used to iteratively obtain a near-optimal copper pattern. With a minor loss of generality, admissible forms were restricted to comb-like patterns. For a given temperature profile, the pattern was found by refining a starting guess based on a deterministic rubric. Thermal response was measured using fine thermocouples placed at critical locations along the microchannel wall. At most of these points, the agreement between measured and predicted temperatures was within 1 °C, and temperature gradients as high as ±45 °C mm-1 (equivalent to ±90 °C s-1 at 2 μl min-1 flow rate) were obtained within the range of 59-91 °C. The particular profile chosen for case study makes it possible to perform five cycles of continuous-flow polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in less than 15 s, i.e. it entails five successive cycles of cooling from 91 to 59 °C, rapid reheating from 59 to 73 °C, slow reheating from 73 to 76 °C, and a final reheating from 73 to 91 °C, using a resistively heated source at 100 °C at and a thermoelectrically cooled sink at 5 °C.
The use of real-time polymerase chain reaction with high resolution melting (real-time PCR-HRM) analysis for the detection and discrimination of nematodes Bursaphelenchus xylophilus and Bursaphelenchus mucronatus.
Filipiak, Anna; Hasiów-Jaroszewska, Beata
The real-time PCR-HRM analysis was developed for the detection and discrimination of the quarantine nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus and Bursaphelenchus mucronatus. A set of primers was designed to target the ITS region of rDNA. The results have demonstrated that this analysis is a valuable tool for differentiation of these both species. PMID:26880540
Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in clinical samples by two-step polymerase chain reaction and nonisotopic hybridization methods.
Shawar, R M; el-Zaatari, F A; Nataraj, A; Clarridge, J E
Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in clinical specimens by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was compared with detection by culture. A 317-bp segment within the M. tuberculosis-specific insertion sequence IS6110 was amplified. The detection limit of the PCR assay for cultured mycobacteria was 50 cells per reaction by ethidium bromide-stained agarose gel electrophoresis and 5 cells per reaction by hybridization with an oligonucleotide probe conjugated with either digoxigenin or alkalin...
Design of Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR Method for Molecular Detection of Yersinia pestis Bacterium
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Mohammad Soleimani
Full Text Available Objective: Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of the zoonotic plague infection, is a majorpublic health concern both as a threat and potential bioweapon. The objective of thepresent study was to establish a uniplex and multiplex - polymerase chain reaction (PCRtest for the specific detection of Y. pestis.Materials and Methods: PCR reactions performed by three pair primers which targetedthe caf1 and pla genes located on the pFra and pPst plasmids and the irp2 chromosomalgene located on the 'pathogenicity island'. After TA cloning of the PCR products, the test'slimit of detection (LOD was determined. For evaluating the specificity, PCR reactionswere performed with negative control bacteria.Results: Assays were performed with the genome of Y. pestis which produced three DNAfragments of the expected sizes 300, 400 and 520 bp which corresponded to the irp2,caf1 and pla genes, respectively. The lower LoD was 370 copy numbers for the caf1 geneand 21 for the pla gene. In PCR reactions that used negative control bacteria, detectablefragments were not observed.Conclusion: Our method clearly discriminated Y. pestis DNA. The rapidity, specificityand sensitivity of this procedure suggest that it can serve as a useful alternative methodfor the inoculation of laboratory animals or the use of specific culture media for routineplaque surveillance and outbreak investigations. Another vital result of this study was theestablishment of Y. pestis molecular detection technique in Iran.
Use of the polymerase chain reaction for detection of Fusarium graminearum in bulgur wheat
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Carla Bertechini Faria
Full Text Available The detection of mycotoxigenic fungi in foodstuff is important because their presence may indicate the possible associated mycotoxin contamination. Fusarium graminearum is a wheat pathogen and a producer of micotoxins. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR has been employed for the specific identification of F. graminearum. However, this methodology has not been commonly used for detection of F. graminearum in food. Thus, the objective of the present study was to develop a molecular methodology to detect F. graminearum in commercial samples of bulgur wheat. Two methods were tested. In the first method, a sample of this cereal was contaminated with F. graminearum mycelia. The genomic DNA was extracted from this mixture and used in a F. graminearum specific PCR reaction. The F. graminearum species was detected only in samples that were heavily contaminated. In the second method, samples of bulgur wheat were inoculated on a solid medium, and isolates having F. graminearum culture characteristics were obtained. The DNA extracted from these isolates was tested in F. graminearum specific PCR reactions. An isolate obtained had its trichothecene genotype identified by PCR. The established methodology could be used in surveys of food contamination with F. graminearum.
Complex Network Characteristics and Invulnerability Simulating Analysis of Supply Chain
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Hui-Huang Chen
Full Text Available To study the characteristics of the complex supply chain, a invulnerability analysis method based on the complex network theory is proposed. The topological structure and dynamic characteristics of the complex supply chain network were analyzed. The fact was found that the network is with general characteristics of the complex network, and with the characteristics of small-world network and scale-free network. A simulation experiment was made on the invulnerability of the supply chain network in different attack modes, of which the outcome demonstrates that the supply chain network is not only with the robustness in random failure, but also with the vulnerability to deliberate assault. In addition, the outcome also shows the network reliability depends on the stability of critical nodes (i.e. core enterprises. As a result, it is vital to ensure this kind of enterprise operating normally and efficiently.
[Development of a real-time polymerase chain reaction method for the identification of Candida species].
Ağca, Harun; Dalyan Cilo, Burcu; Özmerdiven, Gülşah Ece; Sağlam, Sezcan; Ener, Beyza
Candida species are one of the major causes of nosocomial infections and are the fourth most common agent involved in bloodstream infections. The impact of non-albicans Candida species is increasing, however C.albicans is still the most common species. Since the antifungal susceptibility pattern among Candida spp. may be different, rapid diagnosis and identification of non-albicans Candida spp. are important for the determination of antifungal agents that will be used for treatment. The aim of the study was to describe a real-time polymerase chain reaction (Rt-PCR) assay that rapidly detects, identifies and quantitates Candida species from blood culture samples. A total of 50 consecutive positive blood culture bottles (BACTEC, Beckton Dickinson, USA) identified at our laboratory between June-November 2013, were included in the study. Reference strains of Candida spp. (C.albicans ATCC 10231, C.glabrata ATCC 90030, C.tropicalis ATCC 1021, C.krusei ATCC 6258, C.parapsilosis ATCC 22019 and C. dubliniensis CD36) grown on Sabouraud dextrose agar were used for quality control. BACTEC bottles that were positive for Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus were also studied to search the cross-reactivity. A commercial kit (Zymo Research, USA) was used for DNA extraction. Real-time PCR was performed on LightCycler 480 (Roche, Germany) with primers and probes specific for 18S rRNA of Candida species. Twenty microlitres of the reaction mix contained 2 μl of extracted DNA, 2 μl of LightCycler Fast Start DNA Master Probe (Roche Diagnostics, Germany), 2 μl of MgCl(2) (5 mmol), 2 μl of 10x PCR buffer (Roche Diagnostics, Germany), 0.5 μl of each primer (0.01 nmol/μl) and 1 μl of each probe (0.1 μmol/μl) (TibMolBiol, Germany). Amplification was performed using the following conditions; 95°C for 10 mins and 50 cycles of denaturation at 95°C for 10 secs, annealing at 62°C for 10 secs and polymerisation at 72°C for 20 secs. A melting curve was
A new measurement approach of ionizing radiation in irradiated trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) by Randomly Polymorphic DNA-Polymerase Chain Reaction.
Şakalar, Ergün; Mol, Sühendan
Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were irradiated at doses of 0.250, 0.500, 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 kGy in gamma cell. DNAs were extracted from the irradiated samples before and after storage. 1ERP primers were designed, and RAPD-PCR (Randomly Polymorphic DNA-Polymerase Chain Reaction) was applied to make randomly amplifications on the DNA of the irradiated samples. Agarose gel profiles of irradiated fish were obtained to determine change of band profiles. In addition, DNA fragmentation occurring in each dose was determined by comet assay for the verification of methodology developed in this study. The molecular methodology was developed to estimate ionizing radiation (IR) level in irradiated fish. This methodology allows the analysis of the trout irradiated up to the dose limit of around 0.5 kGy and stored for a period of three months. PMID:27407216
Elongase reactions as control points in long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid synthesis.
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Melissa K Gregory
Full Text Available BACKGROUND: Δ6-Desaturase (Fads2 is widely regarded as rate-limiting in the conversion of dietary α-linolenic acid (18:3n-3; ALA to the long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3; DHA. However, increasing dietary ALA or the direct Fads2 product, stearidonic acid (18:4n-3; SDA, increases tissue levels of eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3; EPA and docosapentaenoic acid (22:5n-3; DPA, but not DHA. These observations suggest that one or more control points must exist beyond ALA metabolism by Fads2. One possible control point is a second reaction involving Fads2 itself, since this enzyme catalyses desaturation of 24:5n-3 to 24:6n-3, as well as ALA to SDA. However, metabolism of EPA and DPA both require elongation reactions. This study examined the activities of two elongase enzymes as well as the second reaction of Fads2 in order to concentrate on the metabolism of EPA to DHA. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The substrate selectivities, competitive substrate interactions and dose response curves of the rat elongases, Elovl2 and Elovl5 were determined after expression of the enzymes in yeast. The competitive substrate interactions for rat Fads2 were also examined. Rat Elovl2 was active with C(20 and C(22 polyunsaturated fatty acids and this single enzyme catalysed the sequential elongation reactions of EPA→DPA→24:5n-3. The second reaction DPA→24:5n-3 appeared to be saturated at substrate concentrations not saturating for the first reaction EPA→DPA. ALA dose-dependently inhibited Fads2 conversion of 24:5n-3 to 24:6n-3. CONCLUSIONS: The competition between ALA and 24:5n-3 for Fads2 may explain the decrease in DHA levels observed after certain intakes of dietary ALA have been exceeded. In addition, the apparent saturation of the second Elovl2 reaction, DPA→24:5n-3, provides further explanations for the accumulation of DPA when ALA, SDA or EPA is provided in the diet. This study suggests that Elovl2 will be
The analysis of Al-based alloys by calorimetry: quantitative analysis of reactions and reaction kinetics
Starink, M.J.
Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and isothermal calorimetry have been applied extensively to the analysis of light metals, especially Al based alloys. Isothermal calorimetry and differential scanning calorimetry are used for analysis of solid state reactions, such as precipitation, homogenisation, devitrivication and recrystallisation; and solid–liquid reactions, such as incipient melting and solidification, are studied by differential scanning calorimetry. In producing repeatable calo...
The mutagenic chain reaction: a method for converting heterozygous to homozygous mutations
Gantz, Valentino M.; Bier, Ethan
An organism with a single recessive loss-of-function allele will typically have a wild-type phenotype while individuals homozygous for two copies of the allele will display a mutant phenotype. Here, we develop a method that we refer to as the mutagenic chain reaction (MCR), which is based on the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing system for generating autocatalytic mutations to generate homozygous loss-of-function mutations. We demonstrate in Drosophila that MCR mutations efficiently spread from their chromosome of origin to the homologous chromosome thereby converting heterozygous mutations to homozygosity in the vast majority of somatic and germline cells. MCR technology should have broad applications in diverse organisms. PMID:25908821
Typing of Poultry Influenza Virus (H5 and H7 by Reverse Transcription- Polymerase Chain Reaction
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Cesare Bonacina
Full Text Available The ability of the influenza Orthomixovirus to undergo to continually antigenically changes that can affect its pathogenicity and its diffusion, explains the growing seriousness of this disease and the recent epizoozies in various parts of the world. There have been 15 HA and 9 NA type A sub-types of the influenza virus identified all of which are present in birds. Until now the very virulent avian influenza viruses identified were all included to the H5 and H7 sub-types. We here show that is possible to identify the H5 and H7 sub-types with reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR by using a set of specific primers for each HA sub-type. The RT-PCR is a quick and sensitive method of identifying the HA sub-types of the influenza virus directly from homogenised organs.
Magnetic hydrophilic methacrylate-based polymer microspheres designed for polymerase chain reactions applications.
Spanová, Alena; Horák, Daniel; Soudková, Eva; Rittich, Bohuslav
Magnetic hydrophilic non-porous P(HEMA-co-EDMA), P(HEMA-co-GMA) and PGMA microspheres were prepared by dispersion (co)polymerization of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and ethylene dimethacrylate (EDMA) or glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) in the presence of several kinds of magnetite. It was found that some components used in the preparation of magnetic carriers interfered with polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Influence of non-magnetic and magnetic microspheres, including magnetite nanoparticles and various components used in their synthesis, on the PCR course was thus investigated. DNA isolated from bacterial cells of Bifidobacterium longum was used in PCR evaluation of non-interfering magnetic microspheres. The method enabled verification of the incorporation of magnetite nanoparticles in the particular methacrylate-based polymer microspheres and evaluation of suitability of their application in PCR. Preferably, electrostatically stabilized colloidal magnetite (ferrofluid) should be used in the design of new magnetic methacrylate-based microspheres by dispersion polymerization. PMID:14698232
Diagnosis of Leishmania infantum infection by Polymerase Chain Reaction in wild mammals
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Mayara C. Lombardi
Full Text Available Visceral leishmaniasis is a chronic infectious disease caused by Leishmania infantum (synonym: Leishmania chagasi and transmitted by the sandfly Lutzomyia longipalpis in Brazil. It is an endemic zoonosis in several regions of the country, including Belo Horizonte (State of Minas Gerais. In urban areas, the domestic dog is susceptible and considered the most important animal reservoir. However, L. infantum has been previously diagnosed in other species, including captive primates and canids. This study aimed to evaluate the presence of the agent DNA in captive animals as well as some free ranging animals from the Zoo-Botanical Foundation of Belo Horizonte by Polymerase Chain Reaction. Eighty one blood samples from primates, carnivores, ruminants, edentates, marsupial, and a monogastric herbivore were analyzed. Three primates Alouatta guariba (brown howler monkey, and two canids Speothos venaticus (bush dog were positive, demonstrating the importance of leishmaniasis control in endemic areas for preservation of wildlife species in captivity.
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for rapid diagnosis and differentiation of parapoxvirus and orthopoxvirus infections in camels
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
Rapid identification and differentiation of camel pox (CMP) and camel contagious ecthyma (CCE) were achieved by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with primers that distinguish Orthopoxvirus (OPV) and Parapovirus (PPV). Forty scab specimens collected from sick camels and sheep were treated by 3 different DNA extraction procedures and examined by PCR. The sensitivity of the PCR was compared with that of electron microscopy and virus isolation in cell culture. Procedure 1, in which viral DNA was extracted directly from scab specimens followed by PCR, proved to be superior and more sensitive. Procedure 2 enables a fast specific diagnosis of PPV and OPV infections directly from scab materials without the need for DNA extraction. These assays provide a rapid and feasible alternative to electron microscopy and virus isolation. (author)
Rapid Detection of Salmonella in Food and Beverage Samples by Polymerase Chain Reaction
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Radji, M.
Full Text Available Polymerase chain reaction (PCR assay had been used to detect Salmonella in food and beverage samples using suitable primers which are based on specific invA gene of Salmonella. Twenty nine samples were collected from street food counters and some canteens in Margonda Street, Depok, West Java, Indonesia. It was found that five of twenty nine samples were detected to contain Salmonella and showed the presence of the amplified product of the size 244 bp. The method of PCR demonstrated the specificity of invA primers for detection of Salmonella as confirmed by biochemical and serological assay. The results of this study revealed that PCR was a rapid and useful tool for detection of Salmonella in food and beverage samples.
Enhanced Specificity of Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction via CdTe Quantum Dots
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Liang Gaofeng
Full Text Available Abstract Nanoparticles were recently reported to be able to improve both efficiency and specificity in polymerase chain reaction (PCR. Here, CdTe QDs were introduced into multi-PCR systems. It was found that an appropriate concentration of CdTe QDs could enhance the performance of multi-PCR by reducing the formation of nonspecific products in the complex system, but an excessive amount of CdTe QDs could suppress the PCR. The effects of QDs on PCR can be reversed by increasing the polymerase concentration or by adding bovine serum albumin (BSA. The mechanisms underlying these effects were also discussed. The results indicated that CdTe QDs could be used to optimize the amplification products of the PCR, especially in the multi-PCR system with different primers annealing temperatures, which is of great significance for molecular diagnosis.
Detection of Trypanosoma cruzi DNA within murine cardiac tissue sections by in situ polymerase chain reaction
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Joshua E Lane
Full Text Available The use of in situ techniques to detect DNA and RNA sequences has proven to be an invaluable technique with paraffin-embedded tissue. Advances in non-radioactive detection systems have further made these procedures shorter and safer. We report the detection of Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease, via indirect and direct in situ polymerace chain reaction within paraffin-embedded murine cardiac tissue sections. The presence of three T. cruzi specific DNA sequences were evaluated: a 122 base pair (bp sequence localized within the minicircle network, a 188 bp satellite nuclear repetitive sequence and a 177 bp sequence that codes for a flagellar protein. In situ hybridization alone was sensitive enough to detect all three T. cruzi specific DNA sequences.
Detection of DNA sequence polymorphisms in carcinogen metabolism genes by polymerase chain reaction
Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)
Bell, D.A. (National Inst. of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC (United States))
The glutathione transferase mu gene (GST1) and the debrisoquine hydroxylase gene (CYP2D6) are known to be polymorphic in the human population and have been associated with increased susceptibility to cancer. Smokers with low lymphocyte GST mu activity are at higher risk for lung cancer, while low debrisoquine hydroxylase activity has been correlated with lower risk for lung and bladder cancer. Phenotypic characterization of these polymorphisms by lymphocyte enzyme activity (GST) and urine metabolite ratios (debrisoquine) is cumbersome for population studies. Recent cloning and sequencing of the mutant alleles of these genes has allowed genotyping via the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Advantages of PCR approaches are speed, technical simplicity, and minimal sample requirements. This article reviews the PCR-based methods for detection of genetic polymorphisms in human cancer susceptibility genes.
Detection of hepatopancreatic parvovirus (HPV) in wild shrimp from India by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
Manjanaik, B; Umesha, K R; Karunasagar, Indrani; Karunasagar, Iddya
The prevalence of hepatopancreatic parvovirus (HPV) in wild penaeid shrimp samples from India was studied by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using primers designed in our laboratory. The virus could be detected in 9 out of 119 samples by non-nested PCR. However, by nested PCR 69 out of 119 samples were positive. The PCR results were confirmed by hybridization with digoxigenin-labelled DNA probe. Shrimp species positive by non-nested PCR included Penaeus monodon, Penaeus indicus and Penaeus semisulcatus and by nested PCR Parapenaeopsis stylifera, Penaeus japonicus, Metapenaeus monoceros, M. affinis, M. elegans, M. dobsoni, M. ensis and Solenocera choprai. This is the first report on the prevalence of HPV in captured wild shrimp from India. PMID:15819441
Utility of polymerase chain reaction as a diagnostic tool in cutaneous tuberculosis
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Padmavathy L
Full Text Available Background: Differentiation of cutaneous tuberculosis from other infective granulomas of the skin is difficult due to paucity of the organisms in tissue biopsies. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR is a newer technique to identify the DNA of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the tissues. Aim: We examined the utility of PCR as a tool for rapid diagnosis of cutaneous tuberculosis especially in cases negative by ZN staining and culture. Material and Methods: Twenty five random skin biopsies from patients with various types of cutaneous tuberculosis were subjected to PCR. Results: An overall positivity of 64% was observed, which is comparable to other series. Seventy five percent of lupus vulgaris cases, 62.2% of tuberculosis verrucosa cutis and 50% of scrofuloderma cases showed PCR positivity. Conclusion: Though useful, the cost and the technique involved limit the use of PCR in developing countries like ours.
Midtrimester fetal herpes simplex-2 diagnosis by serology, culture and quantitative polymerase chain reaction.
Curtin, William M; Menegus, Marilyn A; Patru, Maria-Magdalena; Peterson, C Jeanne; Metlay, Leon A; Mooney, Robert A; Stanwood, Nancy L; Scheible, Amy L; Dorgan, Angela
The acquisition of herpes simplex virus (HSV) in utero comprises a minority of neonatal herpes infections. Prenatal diagnosis is rare. We describe a midtrimester diagnosis of fetal HSV-2 infection. Ultrasound at 20 weeks for elevated maternal serum α-fetoprotein (MSAFP) showed lagging fetal growth, echogenic bowel, echogenic myocardium, and liver with a mottled pattern of echogenicity. Amniocentesis demonstrated normal karyotype, elevated AFP and positive acetylcholinesterase. Culture isolated HSV-2 with an aberrant growth pattern. Maternal serology was positive for HSV-2. Quantitative DNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) showed 59 million copies/ml. Fetal autopsy demonstrated widespread tissue necrosis but only sparse HSV-2 inclusions. Fetal HSV-2 infection can be suspected when an elevated MSAFP accompanies ultrasound findings suggesting perinatal infection. Maternal HSV serology, amniotic fluid culture and quantitative PCR are recommended for diagnostic certainty and counseling. PMID:23075531
Thermostable Mismatch-Recognizing Protein MutS Suppresses Nonspecific Amplification during Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR
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Seiki Kuramitsu
Full Text Available Polymerase chain reaction (PCR-related technologies are hampered mainly by two types of error: nonspecific amplification and DNA polymerase-generated mutations. Here, we report that both errors can be suppressed by the addition of a DNA mismatch-recognizing protein, MutS, from a thermophilic bacterium. Although it had been expected that MutS has a potential to suppress polymerase-generated mutations, we unexpectedly found that it also reduced nonspecific amplification. On the basis of this finding, we propose that MutS binds a mismatched primer-template complex, thereby preventing the approach of DNA polymerase to the 3' end of the primer. Our simple methodology improves the efficiency and accuracy of DNA amplification and should therefore benefit various PCR-based applications, ranging from basic biological research to applied medical science.
Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detection of aquatic animal pathogens in a diagnostic laboratory setting
Purcell, Maureen K.; Getchell, Rodman G.; McClure, Carol A.; Weber, S.E.; Garver, Kyle A.
Real-time, or quantitative, polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) is quickly supplanting other molecular methods for detecting the nucleic acids of human and other animal pathogens owing to the speed and robustness of the technology. As the aquatic animal health community moves toward implementing national diagnostic testing schemes, it will need to evaluate how qPCR technology should be employed. This review outlines the basic principles of qPCR technology, considerations for assay development, standards and controls, assay performance, diagnostic validation, implementation in the diagnostic laboratory, and quality assurance and control measures. These factors are fundamental for ensuring the validity of qPCR assay results obtained in the diagnostic laboratory setting.
Single primer-mediated circular polymerase chain reaction for hairpin DNA cloning and plasmid editing.
Huang, Jiansheng; Khan, Inamullah; Liu, Rui; Yang, Yan; Zhu, Naishuo
We developed and validated a universal polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method, single primer circular (SPC)-PCR, using single primer to simultaneously insert and amplify a short hairpin sequence into a vector with a high success rate. In this method, the hairpin structure is divided into two parts and fused into a vector by PCR. Then, a single primer is used to cyclize the chimera into a mature short hairpin RNA (shRNA) expression vector. It is not biased by loop length or palindromic structures. Six hairpin DNAs with short 4-nucleotide loops were successfully cloned. Moreover, SPC-PCR was also applied to plasmid editing within 3 h with a success rate higher than 95%. PMID:26792375
Genotypic study of verocytotoxic Escherichia coli isolates from deer by multiplex polymerase chain reaction
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Raghavendra Prasad Mishra
Full Text Available Aim: This study was planned to study the genotypes of verocytotoxigenic Escherichia coli (VTEC in fecal samples of deer due to its public health significance. Materials and Methods: A total of 160 fecal samples of deer were taken from Mathura district and Kanpur Zoo and screened for VTEC genes by polymerase chain reaction (PCR. Results: All fecal samples were positive for E. coli. All the E. coli isolates were screened by PCR to detect virulence genes stx1, stx2, eaeA, and hlyA. Of these, 15 isolates were found positive for VTEC having one or more genes in different combinations. Conclusion: Genes such as stx1, stx2, eaeA, and hlyA were prevalent in VTEC isolates from feces of deer. The presence of VTEC isolates having virulent genes may pose a threat to public health.
The polymerase chain reaction and its application to clinical plastic surgery.
LENUS (Irish Health Repository)
Rea, S
Molecular biology has become an essential component in many fields of modern medical research, including plastic surgery. Research into the molecular mechanisms underlying many disease processes offer increased understanding of the pathogenesis of disease and provide exciting therapeutic possibilities. Yet for many clinicians, the presentation of much research into molecular biological processes is couched in confusing terminology and based on scientific techniques, the basis of which are frequently difficult for the clinician to understand. The purpose of this review is to present an introduction to some of the molecular biological techniques currently in use, namely the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and explore its applications to different aspects of plastic surgery. This review explores the role PCR now plays in all aspects of modern plastic surgery practise, with particular emphasis on normal and abnormal wound healing, the diagnosis of craniofacial anomalies, the diagnosis and treatment of cancer including melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, and burns.
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I Nyoman Suartha
Full Text Available A study was conducted to apply reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR technique for the confirmative diagnosis of canine distemper in dogs. Twenty mongreal dogs with clinical symptoms of canine distemper were used in this study. The viral RNA was isolated from nasal swab using Trizol® and transcribed into cDNA using random primers 5'ACAGGATTGCTGAGGACCTAT 3'. The cDNA was amplified in one step RT-PCR using primers 5'-ACAGGATTGCTGAGGACCTAT-3' (forward and 5'- CAAGATAACCATGTACGGTGC-3' (backward. A single band of 300 bp which was specific for canine distemper virus CDV was detected in fifteen out of twenty samples. It is therefore evident that confirmative diagnostics of canine distemper disease can be established with RT-PCR technique.
Detection of DNA sequence polymorphisms in carcinogen metabolism genes by polymerase chain reaction.
Bell, D A
The glutathione transferase mu gene (GST1) and the debrisoquine hydroxylase gene (CYP2D6) are known to be polymorphic in the human population and have been associated with increased susceptibility to cancer. Smokers with low lymphocyte GST mu activity are at higher risk for lung cancer, while low debrisoquine hydroxylase activity has been correlated with lower risk for lung and bladder cancer. Phenotypic characterization of these polymorphisms by lymphocyte enzyme activity (GST) and urine metabolite ratios (debrisoquine) is cumbersome for population studies. Recent cloning and sequencing of the mutant alleles of these genes has allowed genotyping via the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Advantages of PCR approaches are speed, technical simplicity, and minimal sample requirements. This article reviews the PCR-based methods for detection of genetic polymorphisms in human cancer susceptibility genes. PMID:1684153
An improved electrochemiluminescence polymerase chain reaction method for the detection of Fusarium wilts
Institute of Scientific and Technical Information of China (English)
Jie Wei; Xiao Ming Zhou
An improved electrochemiluminescence polymerase chain reaction (ECL-PCR) method was developed and applied to detect Fusarium wilt. Briefly, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp Cubense (FOC) was amplified by PCR. Two universal fragments, which were complimentary to Ru(bpy)32+ (TBR) labeled probe and Biotin labeled probe, respectively, were connected to the tail of primers so that all the PCR products got universal sequences. Then biotin labeled probes and TBR labeled probes were hybridized with the PCR products at the same time. Through the specific interaction between biotin and streptavidin, the PCR products were captured by streptavidin coated magnetic bead and then detected by ECL assay. The experiment results showed that the healthy banana samples and infected ones can be discriminated by this ECL-PCR method. This improved ECL-PCR approach is useful in Fusarium wilt detection due to its high sensitivity, simplicity and stability.
Rapid polymerase chain reaction diagnosis of white-nose syndrome in bats
Lorch, J.M.; Gargas, A.; Meteyer, C.U.; Berlowski-Zier, B. M.; Green, D.E.; Shearn-Bochsler, V.; Thomas, N.J.; Blehert, D.S.
A newly developed polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based method to rapidly and specifically detect Geomyces destructans on the wings of infected bats from small quantities (1-2 mg) of tissue is described in the current study (methods for culturing and isolating G. destructans from bat skin are also described). The lower limits of detection for PCR were 5 fg of purified fungal DNA or 100 conidia per 2 mg of wing tissue. By using histology as the standard, the PCR had a diagnostic specificity of 100% and a diagnostic sensitivity of 96%, whereas the diagnostic sensitivity of culture techniques was only 54%. The accuracy and fast turnaround time of PCR provides field biologists with valuable information on infection status more rapidly than traditional methods, and the small amount of tissue required for the test would allow diagnosis of white-nose syndrome in live animals.
The use of polymerase chain reaction for early diagnosis of tuberculosis in Mycobacterium tuberculosis culture
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M. Chagas
Full Text Available Early diagnosis plays a vital role in controlling tuberculosis. The conventional methodology is slow, with results taking several weeks, in addition to having low sensitivity, especially in clinical paucibacillary samples. The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR on solid medium culture for a rapid diagnosis of tuberculosis, mainly in cases of negative sputum smears. Forty sputum samples were collected from inpatients with tuberculosis treated for less than 2 days. Bacilloscopy, PCR for sputum, culture on Löwestein-Jensen (LJ solid medium, and daily PCR from culture were performed on each sample. DNA extracted from the BCG vaccine, which contains attenuated bacillus Calmette-Guérin, was used as the positive control. Smear microscopy showed 68.6% sensitivity, 80% specificity, 96% positive predictive value, and 26.7% negative predictive value, with culture on LJ medium as the gold standard. Culture at day 28 showed 74.3% sensitivity and 100% specificity. PCR of DNA extracted from sputum amplified a 1027-bp fragment of the 16s RNA gene, showing 22.9% sensitivity and 60% specificity. PCR performed with DNA extracted from daily culture showed that, from the 17th to the 40th day, the sensitivity (85.7% and specificity (60% were constant. We conclude that a 17-day culture is a good choice for rapid diagnosis and to interfere with the transmission chain of tuberculosis.
Detection of PERV by polymerase chain reaction and its safety in bioartificial liver support system
Institute of Scientific and Technical Information of China (English)
Hai-Hui Wang; Ying-Jie Wang; Hong-Ling Liu; Jun Liu; Yan-Ping Huang; Hai-Tao Guo; Yu-Ming Wang
AIM: To establish a method detecting porcine endogenous retrovirus (PERV) in China experimental minipigs and to evaluate the safety of PERV in three individuals treated with bioartificial liver support systems based on porcine hepatocytes.METHODS: Porcine hepatocytes were isolated with two-stage perfusion method, then cultured in the bioreactor, which is separated by a semipermeable membrane (0.2μm) from the lumen through which the patients' blood plasma was circulated. After post-hemoperfusion, patients' blood was obtained for screening. Additionally, samples of medium collected from both intraluminal and extraluminal compartments of the laboratory bioreactor and culture supernate in vitro was analyzed. The presence of viral sequences was estimated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Finally, the infection of virus in the supernate of common culture was ascertained by exposure to the fetal liver cells.RESULTS: PERV-specific gag sequences were found in the porcine hepatocytes using RT-PCR. and were detected in all samples from the intraluminal,extraluminal samples and culture supernate. However,culture supernatant from primary porcine hepatocytes (cleared of cellular debris) failed to infect human fetal liver cells. Finally, RT-PCR detected no PERV infection was found in the blood samples obtained from three patients at various times post-hemoperfusion.CONCLUSION: The assays used are specific and sensitive, identified by second PCR. PERVs could be released from hepatocytes cultured in bioreactor without the stimulation of mitogen and could not be prevented by the hollow fiber semipermeable membrane, indicating the existence of PERV safety in extracorporeal bioartificial liver support system (EBLSS).
Copy number ratios determined by two digital polymerase chain reaction systems in genetically modified grains
Pérez Urquiza, M.; Acatzi Silva, A. I.
Three certified reference materials produced from powdered seeds to measure the copy number ratio sequences of p35S/hmgA in maize containing MON 810 event, p35S/Le1 in soybeans containing GTS 40-3-2 event and DREB1A/acc1 in wheat were produced according to the ISO Guides 34 and 35. In this paper, we report digital polymerase chain reaction (dPCR) protocols, performance parameters and results of copy number ratio content of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in these materials using two new dPCR systems to detect and quantify molecular deoxyribonucleic acid: the BioMark® (Fluidigm) and the OpenArray® (Life Technologies) systems. These technologies were implemented at the National Institute of Metrology in Mexico (CENAM) and in the Reference Center for GMO Detection from the Ministry of Agriculture (CNRDOGM), respectively. The main advantage of this technique against the more-used quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) is that it generates an absolute number of target molecules in the sample, without reference to standards or an endogenous control, which is very useful when not much information is available for new developments or there are no standard reference materials in the market as in the wheat case presented, or when it was not possible to test the purity of seeds as in the maize case presented here. Both systems reported enhanced productivity, increased reliability and reduced instrument footprint. In this paper, the performance parameters and uncertainty of measurement obtained with both systems are presented and compared.
Estimation and Preparation of the Hypervariable Regions I/II Templates for Mitochondrial DNA Typing From Human Bones and Teeth Remains Using Singleplex Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction.
Le, Thien Ngoc; Van Phan, Hieu; Dang, Anh Tuan Mai; Nguyen, Vy Thuy
A method was designed for estimating and sequencing of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) that effectively and more quickly provides a complete mtDNA profile. In this context, we have developed this novel strategy for typing mtDNA from 10 bones and teeth remains (3 months to 44 years). The quantification of mtDNA was achieved by singleplex real-time polymerase chain reaction of the hypervariable region I fragment (445 bp) and hypervariable region II fragment (617 bp). Combined with the melting curve analysis, we have determined as little as 10 pg of mtDNA template that is suitable for sequence analysis. Furthermore, quantitative polymerase chain reaction products were directly used for following step of mtDNA typing by Sanger sequencing. This method allows the profile to be completely provided for faster human identification. PMID:27356010
A non-radioisotopic quantitative competitive polymerase chain reaction method: application in measurement of human herpesvirus 7 load.
Kidd, I M; Clark, D A; Emery, V C
Quantitative-competitive polymerase chain reaction (QCPCR) is a well-optimised and objective methodology for the determination of viral load in clinical specimens. A major advantage of QCPCR is the ability to control for the differential modulation of the PCR process in the presence of potentially inhibitory material. QCPCR protocols were developed previously for CMV, HHV-6, HHV-7 and HHV-8 and relied upon radioactively labelled primers, followed by autoradiography of the separated and digested PCR products to quantify viral load. Whilst this approach offers high accuracy and dynamic range, non-radioactive approaches would be attractive. Here, an alternative detection system is reported, based on simple ethidium bromide staining and computer analysis of the separated reaction products, which enables its adoption in the analysis of a large number of samples. In calibration experiments using cloned HHV-7 DNA, the ethidium bromide detection method showed an improved correlation with known copy number over that obtained with the isotopic method. In addition, 67 HHV-7 PCR positive blood samples, derived from immunocompromised patients, were quantified using both detection techniques. The results showed a highly significant correlation with no significant difference between the two methods. The applicability of the computerised densitometry method in the routine laboratory is discussed. PMID:10856765
Highly efficient capillary polymerase chain reaction using an oscillation droplet microreactor
Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)
Liu Dayu, E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com [Laboratory of Clinical Chemical Technology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Guangzhou First Municipal People' s Hospital, Affiliated to Guangzhou Medical College, 510180 Guangzhou (China); Liang Guangtie; Lei Xiuxia; Chen Bin; Wang Wei [Laboratory of Clinical Chemical Technology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Guangzhou First Municipal People' s Hospital, Affiliated to Guangzhou Medical College, 510180 Guangzhou (China); Zhou Xiaomian, E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com [Laboratory of Clinical Chemical Technology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Guangzhou First Municipal People' s Hospital, Affiliated to Guangzhou Medical College, 510180 Guangzhou (China)
Graphical abstract: An oscillation-flow approach using a droplet reactor was developed to fully explore the potential of continuous-flow PCR. By fully utilizing interfacial chemistry, a water-in-oil (w/o) droplet was automatically generated by allowing an oil-water plug to flow through a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) capillary. Due to the movement of aqueous phase relative to the oil phase, the droplet moves further into the middle of the oil plug with increase in migration distance. The resulting droplet was transported spanning the two heating zones and was employed as the reactor of oscillating-flow PCR. Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Droplet formation in a capillary. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Transport the droplet using oscillation-flow. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Oscillation droplet PCR. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Improved reaction efficiency. - Abstract: The current work presents the development of a capillary-based oscillation droplet approach to maximize the potential of a continuous-flow polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Through the full utilization of interfacial chemistry, a water-in-oil (w/o) droplet was generated by allowing an oil-water plug to flow along a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) capillary. The w/o droplet functioned as the reactor for oscillating-flow PCR to provide a stable reaction environment, accelerate reagent mixing, and eliminate surface adsorption. The capillary PCR approach proposed in the current research offers high amplification efficiency, fast reaction speed, and easy system control attributable to the oscillation droplet reactor. Experimental results show that the droplet-based micro-PCR assay requires lower reaction volume (2 {mu}L) and shorter reaction time (12 min) compared with conventional PCR methods. Taking the amplification of the New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase (NDM-1) gene as an example, the present work demonstrates that the oscillation droplet PCR assay is capable of achieving high efficiency up to
Highly efficient capillary polymerase chain reaction using an oscillation droplet microreactor
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
Graphical abstract: An oscillation-flow approach using a droplet reactor was developed to fully explore the potential of continuous-flow PCR. By fully utilizing interfacial chemistry, a water-in-oil (w/o) droplet was automatically generated by allowing an oil–water plug to flow through a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) capillary. Due to the movement of aqueous phase relative to the oil phase, the droplet moves further into the middle of the oil plug with increase in migration distance. The resulting droplet was transported spanning the two heating zones and was employed as the reactor of oscillating-flow PCR. Highlights: ► Droplet formation in a capillary. ► Transport the droplet using oscillation-flow. ► Oscillation droplet PCR. ► Improved reaction efficiency. - Abstract: The current work presents the development of a capillary-based oscillation droplet approach to maximize the potential of a continuous-flow polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Through the full utilization of interfacial chemistry, a water-in-oil (w/o) droplet was generated by allowing an oil–water plug to flow along a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) capillary. The w/o droplet functioned as the reactor for oscillating-flow PCR to provide a stable reaction environment, accelerate reagent mixing, and eliminate surface adsorption. The capillary PCR approach proposed in the current research offers high amplification efficiency, fast reaction speed, and easy system control attributable to the oscillation droplet reactor. Experimental results show that the droplet-based micro-PCR assay requires lower reaction volume (2 μL) and shorter reaction time (12 min) compared with conventional PCR methods. Taking the amplification of the New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase (NDM-1) gene as an example, the present work demonstrates that the oscillation droplet PCR assay is capable of achieving high efficiency up to 89.5% and a detection limit of 10 DNA copies. The miniature PCR protocol developed in the current
[The use of polymerase chain reaction in laboratory diagnosis of dermatophytosis].
Tiryaki, Yasin; Gültekin Korkmazgil, Berna; Eyigör, Mete; Aydın, Neriman
Dermatophytes are among the common causes of fungal infections in the community. Classical diagnostic tests for dermatophytosis have some disadvantages such as failure of direct microscopy in species differentiation and culture methods being time consuming and having low sensitivity. The aim of this study was to investigate the performance of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the identification of dermatophytes directly from the clinical samples and the cultures. A total of 123 samples that comprise 63 skin and 60 nail scrapings obtained from 110 patients (69 female, 41 male; age range: 4-82 years) who were prediagnosed as dermatophytosis, were included in the study. Samples were examined with routine direct microscopy, culture and two different nested PCR (nPCR) protocols. The first was a pan-dermatophyte nPCR protocol targeting chitin synthase gene (CHS-1) of dermatophytes and the second was a nPCR protocol which targets specific ITS-1 genes of Trichophyton rubrum and T.mentagrophytes. Similar PCR methods were also applied to cultivated strains. Sequence analysis was performed for the samples that yielded positive results in pan-dermatophyte nPCR and negative results in T.rubrum/T.mentagrophytes - specific nPCR. Hyphae and/or spore structures were observed in 62 (50%) samples with direct microscopic examination and dermatophytes were isolated in 30 (24%) samples. Twenty-eight of the isolates grown in culture were identified as T.rubrum, and two as T.mentagrophytes with T.rubrum/T.mentagrophytes-specific nPCR protocol. In direct application, 67 (55%) of the clinical samples were found positive with pan-dermatophyte nPCR and 65 (53%) were positive with T.rubrum/T.mentagrophytes-specific nPCR. Samples which were negative in direct microscopic examination were also negative in culture. Nine of them were found positive with pan-dermatophyte nPCR and eight were positive with T.rubrum/T.mentagrophytes-specific nPCR. Two of the 30 samples which were positive in culture
Development of Multiplex Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction for Detection of Entamoeba histolytica, Entamoeba dispar, and Entamoeba moshkovskii in Clinical Specimens
Hamzah, Zulhainan; Petmitr, Songsak; Mungthin, Mathirut; Leelayoova, Saovanee; Chavalitshewinkoon-Petmitr, Porntip
Multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was developed for differential detection of Entamoeba histolytica, Entamoeba dispar, and Entamoeba moshkovskii. Specific primers were designed for all three species, and then differentiation of E. histolytica and E. dispar was achieved simultaneously using a hybridization probe and melting curve analysis, whereas E. moshkovskii was detected with a separate probe under the same condition. This assay detected as little as 0.2 pg of E. histolyt...
The neutrino interaction analysis chain in OPERA
Rescigno, Regina
Abstract Th e aim of the OPERA experiment i s to provide a "smoking - gun" proof of neutrino oscillation s, through the detecti on of the appearance signal of ν τ 's in an initially pure ν μ beam. The beam is produced at CERN, 732 Km fa r from the detector , which is located underground in t he Gran Sasso laboratory. The evidence of the appearance signal will be provided by the detection of the daughter particles produced in the decay of the τ lepton. A micro - metric spatial resolution is needed in order to measure a nd study the topology of the ν τ - induced events. With this goal, n uclear emulsions, the highest resolution tracking detector , were chosen to be the core of the OPERA apparatus. The analysis of the large amount of nuclear emulsions used in the OPERA experime n t has required the development of a new generation of fast automatic mi croscopes , featuring a scanning speed more than one order of magnitude hi g h er th...
Leptospira spp detection by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) in clinical samples of captive black-capped Capuchin monkey (Cebus apella)
Scarcelli Eliana; Piatti Rosa Maria; Fedullo José Daniel Luzes; Simon Faiçal; Cardoso Maristela Vasconcellos; Castro Vanessa; Miyashiro Simone; Genovez Margareth Élide
Leptospirosis is a widely distributed zoonosis that affects domestic and wild animals, and that has the man as the end point of its epidemiological chain. Leptospirosis diagnosis in primates is more difficult than in other animal species, as clinical signs and lesions are less evident and antibody response is detected only for short periods. The aim of this article was to describe the detection of Leptospira spp using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), in clinical samples from one captive black...
A disposable, continuous-flow polymerase chain reaction device: design, fabrication and evaluation.
Ragsdale, Victoria; Li, Huizhong; Sant, Himanshu; Ameel, Tim; Gale, Bruce K
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is used to amplify a specific segment of DNA through a thermal cycling protocol. The PCR industry is shifting its focus away from macro-scale systems and towards micro-scale devices because: micro-scale sample sizes require less blood from patients, total reaction times are on the order of minutes opposed to hours, and there are cost advantages as many microfluidic devices are manufactured from inexpensive polymers. Some of the fastest PCR devices use continuous flow, but they have all been built of silicon or glass to allow sufficient heat transfer. This article presents a disposable polycarbonate (PC) device that is capable of achieving real-time, continuous flow PCR in a completely disposable polymer device in less than 13 minutes by thermally cycling the sample through an established temperature gradient in a serpentine channel. The desired temperature gradient was determined through simulations and validated by experiments which showed that PCR was achieved. Practical demonstration included amplification of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) derived cDNA. PMID:27393216
A power-efficient thermocycler based on induction heating for DNA amplification by polymerase chain reaction
Pal, Debjani; Venkataraman, V.; Mohan, K. Naga; Chandra, H. Sharat; Natarajan, Vasant
We have built a thermocycler based on the principles of induction heating for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of target sequences in DNA samples of interest. The cycler has an average heating rate of ˜0.8 °C/s and a cooling rate of ˜0.5 °C/s, and typically takes ˜4 h to complete a 40-cycle PCR protocol. It is power-efficient (˜6 W per reaction tube), micro-processor controlled, and can be adapted for battery operation. Using this instrument, we have successfully amplified a 350 bp segment from a plasmid and SRY, the human sex determining gene, which occurs as a single-copy sequence in genomic DNA of human males. The PCR products from this thermocycler are comparable to those obtained by the use of commercially available machines. Its easy front-end operation, low-power design, portability and low cost makes it suitable for diagnostic field applications of PCR.
Series DNA Amplification Using the Continuous-Flow Polymerase Chain Reaction Chip
Joung, Seung-Ryong; Kang, Chi Jung; Kim, Yong-Sang
We proposed a continuous-flow polymerase chain reaction (PCR) chip that can be used for series DNA amplification. The continuous-flow PCR chip has several advantages such as fast thermal cycling, series of amplifications, cost-effective fabrication, portability, and fluorescence detection. The continuous-flow PCR chip is composed of two parts namely poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) microchannel for sample injection and indium-tin-oxide (ITO) heater/glass chip for thermal cycling. The fabricated microchannel width and depth are 250 and 200 µm, respectively. Also, the total working length of the PDMS microchannel is 1340 mm which is equivalent for 20 cycles of amplification. A 2:2:3 microchannel length ratio for three different temperature zones namely denaturation, annealing, and extension was assigned, respectively. Upon the operation of the fabricated continuous-flow PCR chip, the amplification of plasmid DNA pKS-GFP with 720 base pairs and PG-noswsi with 300 base pairs were found successfully with a total reaction time of 15 min.
Amplifying genes using the polymerase chain reaction: A promising diagnostic tool
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
The power to amplify genetic material several millionfold using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has greatly enhanced the ability of molecular biologists to examine and manipulate genes. We have used the PCR reaction to detect bluetongue virus (BTV) in infected animals and are currently able to serogroup, serotype and determine the geographic origin of a BTV isolate. Similarly, using a combination of hybridization analyses and direct sequencing of the PCR products we can rapidly detect avian influenza virus, Newcastle disease virus and Mycoplasma and predict if we have nucleic acid sequences that are characteristic of a virulent or avirulent isolate. The ability to manipulate genetic information has made it possible to generate proteins containing deletions or create chimeric proteins which contain additions to their sequences. Such studies are important for the understanding of immune responses to various protein epitopes. Besides its sensitivity, PCR has the advantage of speed over some other detection systems. A comprehensive detection and diagnosis can be done in a few hours compared with several weeks previously required for virus isolations. However, there are disadvantages to using PCR. Because of its ability to amplify a sequence several millionfold, contaminants other than the target species may be amplified and since the DNA polymerase used in PCR has no editing or proofreading functions, errors may be quickly incorporated into the final PCR product. 13 refs, 8 figs
Real-time polymerase chain reaction for diagnosis and quantitation of negative strand of chikungunya virus.
Chiam, Chun Wei; Chan, Yoke Fun; Loong, Shih Keng; Yong, Sara Su Jin; Hooi, Poh Sim; Sam, I-Ching
Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) is useful for diagnosis and studying virus replication. We developed positive- and negative-strand qRT-PCR assays to detect nsP3 of chikungunya virus (CHIKV), a positive-strand RNA alphavirus that causes epidemic fever, rash, and arthritis. The positive- and negative-strand qRT-PCR assays had limits of quantification of 1 and 3 log10 RNA copies/reaction, respectively. Compared to a published E1 diagnostic assay using 30 laboratory-confirmed clinical samples, the positive-strand nsP3 qRT-PCR assay had higher R(2) and efficiency and detected more positive samples. Peak viral load of 12.9 log(10) RNA copies/mL was reached on day 2 of illness, and RNA was detectable up to day 9, even in the presence of anti-CHIKV IgM. There was no correlation between viral load and persistent arthralgia. The positive-strand nsP3 assay is suitable for diagnosis, while the negative-strand nsP3 assay, which uses tagged primers to increase specificity, is useful for study of active viral replication kinetics. PMID:23886793
Probabilistic sensitivity analysis of biochemical reaction systems
Zhang, Hong-Xuan; Dempsey, William P.; Goutsias, John
Sensitivity analysis is an indispensable tool for studying the robustness and fragility properties of biochemical reaction systems as well as for designing optimal approaches for selective perturbation and intervention. Deterministic sensitivity analysis techniques, using derivatives of the system response, have been extensively used in the literature. However, these techniques suffer from several drawbacks, which must be carefully considered before using them in problems of systems biology. ...
Sipayung, Friska
Value Chain Analysis is a valueable analytical tool to understand activities and provide information on company position in the value in the form of product and service value. Value Chain Analysis can be classified in to analysis related to outside parties such as supplier linkages and customer linkages and the company's value chain analysis. The Value Chain Analysis helps the company to indentify a company position and analyze activities in value chain and to reduce or eliminate activities t...
Interprocedural Dataflow Analysis over Weight Domains with Infinite Descending Chains
DEFF Research Database (Denmark)
Kühnrich, Morten; Schwoon, Stefan; Srba, Jiri; Kiefer, Stefan
descending chains. The main novelty of our work is that we deal with semirings without the boundedness restriction. Our study is motivated by several applications from interprocedural dataflow analysis. We demonstrate how the reachability problem for weighted pushdown automata can be reduced to solving...
Rapid detection of sacbrood virus in honeybee using ultra-rapid real-time polymerase chain reaction.
Yoo, Mi-Sun; Thi, Kim Cuc Nguyen; Van Nguyen, Phu; Han, Sang-Hoon; Kwon, Soon-Hwan; Yoon, Byoung-Su
A real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assay was developed for the fast and highly sensitive detection of the sacbrood virus (SBV) genome and applied to honeybee samples. Using plasmid DNA containing a partial SBV genome and diluted serially, as few as 1×10(2)copies/μl (correlation co-efficiency >0.99) were detected by the qRT-PCR assay, whereas 1×10(3)copies/μl were detected by the conventional RT-PCR assay. As a rapid detection method, ultra-rapid real-time PCR (URRT-PCR) was carried out with a GenSpector TMC-1000 silicon-glass chip-based thermal cycler, which has a 6μl micro-chamber volume and a fast outstandingly heating/cooling rate. Using this method, 10(3)copies of pBX-SBV3.8 clone were detected within 17 min after 40 PCR cycles, including melting point analysis. To reduce the detection time for SBV, synthesis of the cDNA of the SBV genome from a honeybee sample was attempted for different reaction times and the cDNA was used as the template for URRT-PCR assays. The results indicated that a 5 min reaction time was sufficient to synthesize cDNA as the template for the SBV URRT-PCR assay. This study described a novel PCR-based method that is able to detect an RNA virus in environmental samples within 22 min, including reverse transcription, PCR detection and melting point analysis in real-time. PMID:22079620
The Dynamics of Repeat Migration: A Markov Chain Analysis
Zimmermann, Klaus F.; Amelie F. Constant
While the literature has established that there is substantial and highly selective return migration, the growing importance of repeat migration has been largely ignored. Using Markov chain analysis, this paper provides a modeling framework for repeated moves of migrants between the host and home countries. The Markov transition matrix between the states in two consecutive periods is parameterized and estimated using a logit specification and a large panel data with 14 waves. The analysis for...
Space system operations and support cost analysis using Markov chains
Unal, Resit; Dean, Edwin B.; Moore, Arlene A.; Fairbairn, Robert E.
This paper evaluates the use of Markov chain process in probabilistic life cycle cost analysis and suggests further uses of the process as a design aid tool. A methodology is developed for estimating operations and support cost and expected life for reusable space transportation systems. Application of the methodology is demonstrated for the case of a hypothetical space transportation vehicle. A sensitivity analysis is carried out to explore the effects of uncertainty in key model inputs.
A Subjective Risk Analysis Approach of Container Supply Chains
Institute of Scientific and Technical Information of China (English)
Zai-Li Yang; Jin Wang; Steve Bonsall; Jian-Bo Yang; Quan-Gen Fang
After the 9/11 terrorism attacks, the lock-out of the American West Ports in 2002 and the breakout of SARS disease in 2003 have further focused mind of both the public and industrialists to take effective and timely measures for assessing and controlling the risks related to container supply chains (CSCs). However, due to the complexity of the risks in the chains, conventional quantitative risk assessment (QRA) methods may not be capable of providing sufficient safety management information, as achieving such a functionality requires enabling the possibility of conducting risk analysis in view of the challenges and uncertainties posed by the unavailability and incompleteness of historical failure data. Combing the fuzzy set theory (FST) and an evidential reasoning (ER) approach, the paper presents a subjective method to deal with the vulnerability-based risks, which are more ubiquitous and uncertain than the traditional hazard-based ones in the chains.
Immersion-histo polymerase chain reaction: a practical tool for visualization of single-copy genes in tissue sections.
L. Pan; Diss, T C; Peng, H.; Isaacson, P G
A method, immersion-histo polymerase chain reaction (IH-PCR), was developed for visualization of single-copy DNA sequences in cells in paraffin-embedded tissue sections. Sections were mounted on coverslips, cut into small pieces, and immersed in reaction mixtures in micro-tubes for specific DNA amplification using a conventional thermal cycler. This was followed by in situ hybridization, in micro-tubes, with PCR-generated, digoxigenin-labeled probes. Epstein-Barr virus, chromosomal translocat...
Early diagnosis of primary human herpesvirus 6 infection in childhood: Serology, polymerase chain reaction, and virus load
Chiu, SS; Peiris, M.; Tse, CYC; Cheung, CY
Qualitative and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) DNA in whole blood and plasma was correlated with serology and clinical assessment in 143 children hospitalized for undifferentiated febrile illness to evaluate options for diagnosis of primary HHV-6 infection on the acute blood specimen. PCR and serology for HHV-7 were done in parallel to define serologic cross-reactions. Using HHV-6 seroconversion as the reference standard, detection of HHV-6 DNA in...
An amplified electrochemical aptasensor based on hybridization chain reactions and catalysis of silver nanoclusters
Chen, Ling; Sha, Liang; Qiu, Yuwei; Wang, Guangfeng; Jiang, Hong; Zhang, Xiaojun
In the present study, based on the mimic oxidase catalytic character of nucleic-acid-stabilized silver nanoclusters (DNA/AgNCs) and hybridization chain reactions for signal amplification, the fabrication of a label-free sensitive ``turn-on'' electrochemical aptasensor for the amplified determination of lysozyme was demonstrated. First, the designed DNA duplex was modified on the electrode. With the specific binding of the target, lysozyme and its aptamer, the lysozyme-binding DNA sequence was liberated, exposing the induced DNA sequence, which in turn triggered the formation of the supersandwich DNA structure. Because the cytosine-rich sequence was designed ingeniously on the DNA sequence, DNA/AgNCs were formed on the supersandwich DNA structure. The peroxidase-like character of DNA/AgNCs produced detectable electrochemical signals for the lysozyme aptasensor, which showed a satisfying sensitive detection of lysozyme with a low detection limit of 42 pM and a wide linear range of 10-10 M to 10-5 M.In the present study, based on the mimic oxidase catalytic character of nucleic-acid-stabilized silver nanoclusters (DNA/AgNCs) and hybridization chain reactions for signal amplification, the fabrication of a label-free sensitive ``turn-on'' electrochemical aptasensor for the amplified determination of lysozyme was demonstrated. First, the designed DNA duplex was modified on the electrode. With the specific binding of the target, lysozyme and its aptamer, the lysozyme-binding DNA sequence was liberated, exposing the induced DNA sequence, which in turn triggered the formation of the supersandwich DNA structure. Because the cytosine-rich sequence was designed ingeniously on the DNA sequence, DNA/AgNCs were formed on the supersandwich DNA structure. The peroxidase-like character of DNA/AgNCs produced detectable electrochemical signals for the lysozyme aptasensor, which showed a satisfying sensitive detection of lysozyme with a low detection limit of 42 pM and a wide linear
The new possibility of the fusion p + 11B chain reaction being induced by intense laser pulses
Belyaev, V. S.; Krainov, V. P.; Matafonov, A. P.; Zagreev, B. V.
We discuss the experimental and theoretical principal schemes of a thermonuclear reactor, based on the fusion reaction p + 11B: beam collisions, fusion in degenerate plasmas, ignition at the plasma, particle acceleration by nonlinear ponderomotive forces and irradiation of the solid 11B target by a proton beam at the Coulomb explosion of hydrogen microdroplets. The fusion reaction p + 11B can be initiated by ultrashort high intensity laser pulses under conditions far from thermodynamic equilibrium. This may result in fusion products containing a small amount of neutrons and other nuclear radiation effects. It was found that the fusion reaction p + 11B produces further nuclear reactions and generates high-energy protons. The latter can support the chain reaction process. Our approach allows us to also investigate nuclear reactions in the early Universe and in stars.
Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)
H. Movahedyan ، H. Khorsandi ، R. Salehi ، M. Nikaeen
Full Text Available Phenol is one of the organic pollutants in various industrial wastewaters especially petrochemical and oil refining. Biological treatment is one of the considerable choices for removing of phenol present in these wastewaters. Identification of effective microbial species is considered as one of the important priorities for production of the biomass in order to achieve desirable kinetic of biological reactions. Basic purpose of this research is identification of phenol-degrading Pseudomonas Putida in activated sludge by polymerase chain reaction (PCR that has high speed and specificity. In this research, 10 various colonies of phenol-degrading bacteria were isolated from municipal activated sludge and the rate of phenol removal and growth rate of these bacteria were assessed in different concentrations of phenol (200 – 900 mg/L. Confirmation of the largest subunit of multicomponent phenol hydroxylase (LmPH gene and gene coding the N fragment in Pseudomonas Putida-derived methyl phenol operon (DmpN gene through PCR were used for general identification of phenol-degrading bacteria and Pseudomonas Putida, respectively. Presence of a 600 bp (base pairs bond in all of isolated strains indicated that they contain phenol hydroxylase gene. 6 of 10 isolated bacteria were Pseudomonas Putida because they produced a 199 bp PCR product by DmpN primers. According to PCR results in this study, the best phenol-degrading bacteria that can utilize 500 – 600 mg/L phenol completely after 48 hours incubation, belong to Pseudomonas Putida strains. It is clear that use of isolated bacteria can lead to considerable decrease of treatment time as well as promotion of phenol removal rate.
Optimization of competitively differentiated polymerase chain reaction in detection of HBV basal core promoter mutation
Institute of Scientific and Technical Information of China (English)
Xiao-Mou Peng; Lin Gu; Xue-Juan Chen; Jian-Guo Li; Yang-Su Huang; Zhi-Liang Gao
AIM: To improve competitively differentiated polymerase chain reaction (CD-PCR) in detection of HBV basal core promoter mutation.METHODS: Recombinant plasmid of double point mutation A1762T/G1764A in basal core promoter of HBV constructed by site-directed mutagenesis was used as mutant control.To reveal the deficiency mechanism of CD-PCR, relationship between the circle number of PCR and the increased speed of products of each competitive primer was comparatively studied. Diversified amount of dNTPs and mutual primer of the competitive primers were tried to optimize CDPCR. Optimized CD-PCR was evaluated by detecting A1762T/G1764A mutation in recombinant plasmids and clinical sera from patients with HBV infection. RESULTS: The deficiency mechanism of CD-PCR was that the products of mismatched competitive primer grew fast when the amplification of matched primer entered into plateau stage, which led to decrease in or disappearance of the difference in the amount of their products. This phenomenon could be eliminated by reducing dNTPs to10 μmol/L and mutual primer to about 100 nmol/L. Optimized CD-PCR could detect both mutant and wild strain indepe ndent of the amount of templates and the number of PCRcycles. Its detection limit was 103 copies/mL, about 50 copies/reaction. About 10% of mutant DNAs among wild type DNAs could be detected. A1762T/G1764A mutant was detected in 41.8% (51/122) of patients with HBV infection, but not detected in controls with negative HBsAg. CONCLUSION: Optimized CD-PCR can detect mutation independent of the amount of initial templates and the number of PCR cycles.
Analysis of the presence of pathogens which predict the risk of disease at peri-implant sites through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) Análise por reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) da presença de patógenos preditores de risco em sítios periimplantares
Joely Ângela de Oliveira Leitão; José Luiz De Lorenzo; Mario Julio Avila-Campos; Wilson Roberto Sendyk
The presence of DNA of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Prevotella intermedia in the peri-implant sulcus samples of 19 partially edentulous patients was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and related to the depth of the peri-implant sulcus, bleeding on probing, and probable risk of disease. Ten of those patients presented a history of periodontal disease and nine of those did not. The DNA amplification of these pathogens was observed in seven sample...
Development, validation, and standardization of polymerase chain reaction-based detection of E-coli O157
DEFF Research Database (Denmark)
Abdulmawjood, A.; Bulte, M.; Roth, S.; Schonenbrucher, H.; Cook, N.; Heuvelink, A.E.; Hoorfar, Jeffrey
A diagnostic polymerase chain reaction assay was developed for the detection of E. coli O157 as the first part of a multicenter validation and standardization project. The assay is based on amplification of sequences of the rfbE O157 gene and includes an internal amplification control. The select...
Identification of related DNA sequences in Borrelia burgdorferi and two strains of Leptospira interrogans by using polymerase chain reaction.
Kron, M A; Gupta, A; Mackenzie, C. D.
The suitability of a polymerase chain reaction assay for Borrelia burgdorferi in epidemiological studies of infected tick populations was evaluated by using 28 strains of Leptospira interrogans and lysates of fixed adult Ixodes tick tissues. Two false positives representing leptospires were differentiated from B. burgdorferi by using an oligonucleotide probe.
A multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction assay differentiates between Bolbphorus damnificus and Bolbophorus type II sp
A duplex quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay was developed to differentiate between Bolbophorus damnificus and Bolbophorus type II species cercariae. Both trematode species are prevalent throughout the commercial catfish industry,.as both infect the ram's horn snail, Plano...
Quantitation of RHD by real-time polymerase chain reaction for determination of RHD zygosity and RHD mosaicism/chimerism
DEFF Research Database (Denmark)
Krog, Grethe Risum; Clausen, Frederik Banch; Dziegiel, Morten Hanefeld
Determination of RHD zygosity of the spouse is crucial in preconception counseling of families with history of hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn caused by anti-D. RHD zygosity can be determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) basically by determining RHD dosage...
Detection of human immunodeficiency virus DNA in cultured human glial cells by means of the polymerase chain reaction
DEFF Research Database (Denmark)
Teglbjærg, Lars Stubbe; Hansen, J-ES; Dalbøge, H;
This report describes the use of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the detection of viral genomic sequences in latently infected cells. Infection with human immunodeficiency virus in cultures of human glial cells was demonstrated, using nucleic acid amplification followed by dot blot hybrid...... where viral replication is absent, or where genomic copies are present at such low numbers that they are otherwise undetectable....
Evaluation of a multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction assay for the detection of influenza and respiratory syncytial viruses.
Esposito, Susanna; Scala, Alessia; Tagliabue, Claudia; Zampiero, Alberto; Bianchini, Sonia; Principi, Nicola
Nasopharyngeal swabs from 424 children were used to compare the performances of the new multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) RIDA®GENE Flu & RSV kit and monospecific RT-PCR assays in detecting respiratory syncytial and influenza viruses. The easy-to-use kit was highly sensitive and specific and is recommended for routine practice. PMID:26458277
9 CFR 147.31 - Laboratory procedures recommended for the real-time polymerase chain reaction test for Mycoplasma...
... 9 Animals and Animal Products 1 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Laboratory procedures recommended for the real-time polymerase chain reaction test for Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MGLP ReTi). 147.31 Section... test for Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MGLP ReTi). (a) DNA extraction. Use Qiagen Qiamp Mini Kit for...
Evaluation of Amplification Targets for the Specific Detection of Bordetella pertussis Using Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
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Mohammad Rubayet Hasan
Full Text Available BACKGROUND: Bordetella pertussis infections continue to be a major public health challenge in Canada. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR assays to detect B pertussis are typically based on the multicopy insertion sequence IS481, which offers high sensitivity but lacks species specificity.
Diagnosis of ventricular drainage-related bacterial meningitis by broad-range real-time polymerase chain reaction
DEFF Research Database (Denmark)
Deutch, Susanna; Dahlberg, Daniel; Hedegaard, Jesper;
OBJECTIVE: To compare a broad-range real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) diagnostic strategy with culture to evaluate additional effects on the etiological diagnosis and the quantification of the bacterial load during the course of ventricular drainage-related bacterial meningitis (VR-BM). M...
Pooling of porcine fecal samples for quantification of Lawsonia intracellularis by real-time polymerase chain reaction
DEFF Research Database (Denmark)
Pedersen, Ken Steen; Johansen, Markku; Jorsal, Sven Erik Lind;
obtained by averaging test results from individual fecal samples in relation to a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) test for Lawsonia intracellularis. Ten diarrheic and 10 normal fecal samples were submitted from each of 43 Danish swine herds (n = 860 fecal samples). Pools (n = 43), each...
LISA data analysis using Markov chain Monte Carlo methods
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
The Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) is expected to simultaneously detect many thousands of low-frequency gravitational wave signals. This presents a data analysis challenge that is very different to the one encountered in ground based gravitational wave astronomy. LISA data analysis requires the identification of individual signals from a data stream containing an unknown number of overlapping signals. Because of the signal overlaps, a global fit to all the signals has to be performed in order to avoid biasing the solution. However, performing such a global fit requires the exploration of an enormous parameter space with a dimension upwards of 50 000. Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods offer a very promising solution to the LISA data analysis problem. MCMC algorithms are able to efficiently explore large parameter spaces, simultaneously providing parameter estimates, error analysis, and even model selection. Here we present the first application of MCMC methods to simulated LISA data and demonstrate the great potential of the MCMC approach. Our implementation uses a generalized F-statistic to evaluate the likelihoods, and simulated annealing to speed convergence of the Markov chains. As a final step we supercool the chains to extract maximum likelihood estimates, and estimates of the Bayes factors for competing models. We find that the MCMC approach is able to correctly identify the number of signals present, extract the source parameters, and return error estimates consistent with Fisher information matrix predictions
Modeling the Manipulation of Natural Populations by the Mutagenic Chain Reaction.
Unckless, Robert L; Messer, Philipp W; Connallon, Tim; Clark, Andrew G
The use of recombinant genetic technologies for population manipulation has mostly remained an abstract idea due to the lack of a suitable means to drive novel gene constructs to high frequency in populations. Recently Gantz and Bier showed that the use of CRISPR/Cas9 technology could provide an artificial drive mechanism, the so-called mutagenic chain reaction (MCR), which could lead to rapid fixation of even a deleterious introduced allele. We establish the near equivalence of this system to other gene drive models and review the results of simple models showing that, when there is a fitness cost to the MCR allele, an internal equilibrium may exist that is usually unstable. In this case, introductions must be at a frequency above this critical point for the successful invasion of the MCR allele. We obtain estimates of fixation and invasion probabilities for the appropriate scenarios. Finally, we discuss how polymorphism in natural populations may introduce sources of natural resistance to MCR invasion. These modeling results have important implications for application of MCR in natural populations. PMID:26232409
Improvement of Temperature Uniformity for Polymerase Chain Reaction Chip with Heat Spreader
Chen, Rong-Sheng; Mao, Chao-Yang; Chen, Yung-Shieng
For polymerase chain reaction (PCR) applications, a uniform temperature field in the microreactor is crucial. In this paper, we report on the electrothermal and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations performed with the aim of optimizing the temperature distribution by heat spreaders for PCR application. Firstly, the equivalent resistivity of the microresistor heater is evaluated, and a conformable result is then verified by comparing with the experimental result using a prototype PCR chip. Secondly, the temperature distribution at 94 °C in the PCR chip is investigated. Furthermore, a heat spreader is inserted into the PCR chip to reduce the temperature difference in the DNA sample and thus improve the temperature uniformity effectively. The results demonstrated that the effective volume percentage and the energy consumption in the chamber are positively related to the thickness of the heat spreader, while the temperature difference is inversely related to the thickness of the heat spreader. Finally, the (b)-design is better than the (a)-design in terms of both the increase in effective volume percentage of the DNA sample and the decrease in energy consumption. In other words, the (b)-design is recognized as having better temperature uniformity.
Non-detection of Chlamydia trachomatis infection by polymerase chain reaction in pregnant Iranian women
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Parvin Hassanzadeh
Full Text Available Chlamydia trachomatis is the most common cause of sexually transmitted infection. In 75% of women and 50% of men infection is asymptomatic. According to World Health Organization reports, the number of new genital infections with Chlamydia trachomatis reaches 100 million annually. The sensitivity and specificity of nacid amplification tests are 95% and 99%, respectively. Urine samples can provide a non-invasive method of testing for the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis by polymerase chain reaction (PCR. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in pregnant women referred to a teaching hospital affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. Urine samples were obtained from 210 pregnant women and investigated microscopically and macroscopically by urinalysis. Precipitants were also used for DNA extraction and PCR test for detecting Chlamydia trachomatis. Among 210 urine specimens from women aged 15-39 years, none were positive for Chlamydia trachomatis by PCR. In spite of the high sensitivity and specificity of PCR, and the elimination of inhibitory effects on PCR test, no pregnant woman was positive for Chlamydia trachomatis. Here, we suggest that a larger sample should be studied and other sensitive methods could also be used in the future.
DNA amplification fingerprinting using 10 x polymerase chain reaction buffer with ammonium sulfate for human identification
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) - based DNA amplification fingerprinting (DAF) or randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) is based on a strategy using a single arbitrary oligonucleotide primer to generate anonymous amplification of genomic DNA. On this basic strategy, in this study, we aimed to test individual differences and usefulness of 2 basic primers (5-CGCGCCGG-3 and 5-TGCCGAGCTG-3) and examined whether there is a positive effect on results of 10 x PCR buffer with ammonium sulfate. A new approach in DNA fingerprinting, 10 x PCR buffer with ammonium sulfate, is presented in the study. Primers with single 8 and 10 nucleotides in length and 2 different PCR buffers with or without ammonium sulfate were used to identify 135 volunteers with no blood relationship. This study was carried out at the Pharmacology Laboratory, University of Gaziantep, School of Medicine, Turkey between 1999 and 2000. An average of 10 major bands representing 500-1500 base pair (bp) in length was determined as amplified DNA products on standard agarose gels for these volunteers. The use of ammonium sulfate in 10 x PCR buffers has increased to 92% success ratio of individual difference obtained from the 8 nucleotides primer. With this study, more reliable results can be obtained by using ammonium sulfate in 10 x PCR buffers. (author)
Development of a real time polymerase chain reaction for quantitation of Schistosoma mansoni DNA
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Ana Lisa do Vale Gomes
Full Text Available This report describes the development of a SYBR Green I based real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR protocol for detection on the ABI Prism 7000 instrument. Primers targeting the gene encoding the SSU rRNA were designed to amplify with high specificity DNA from Schistosoma mansoni, in a real time quantitative PCR system. The limit of detection of parasite DNA for the system was 10 fg of purified genomic DNA, that means less than the equivalent to one parasite cell (genome ~580 fg DNA. The efficiency was 0.99 and the correlation coefficient (R² was 0.97. When different copy numbers of the target amplicon were used as standards, the assay could detect at least 10 copies of the specific target. The primers used were designed to amplify a 106 bp DNA fragment (Tm 83ºC. The assay was highly specific for S. mansoni, and did not recognize DNA from closely related non-schistosome trematodes. The real time PCR allowed for accurate quantification of S. mansoni DNA and no time-consuming post-PCR detection of amplification products by gel electrophoresis was required. The assay is potentially able to quantify S. mansoni DNA (and indirectly parasite burden in a number of samples, such as snail tissue, serum and feces from patients, and cercaria infested water. Thus, these PCR protocols have potential to be used as tools for monitoring of schistosome transmission and quantitative diagnosis of human infection.
Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex by nested polymerase chain reaction in pulmonary and extrapulmonary specimens
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Adriana Antônia da Cruz Furini
Full Text Available OBJECTIVE: To compare the performance of nested polymerase chain reaction (NPCR with that of cultures in the detection of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex in pulmonary and extrapulmonary specimens.METHODS: We analyzed 20 and 78 pulmonary and extrapulmonary specimens, respectively, of 67 hospitalized patients suspected of having tuberculosis. An automated microbial system was used for the identification of Mycobacterium spp. cultures, and M. tuberculosis IS6110 was used as the target sequence in the NPCR. The kappa statistic was used in order to assess the level of agreement among the results.RESULTS: Among the 67 patients, 6 and 5, respectively, were diagnosed with pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis, and the NPCR was positive in all of the cases. Among the 98 clinical specimens, smear microscopy, culture, and NPCR were positive in 6.00%, 8.16%, and 13.26%, respectively. Comparing the results of NPCR with those of cultures (the gold standard, we found that NPCR had a sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 83%, respectively, in pulmonary specimens, compared with 83% and 96%, respectively, in extrapulmonary specimens, with good concordance between the tests (kappa, 0.50 and 0.6867, respectively.CONCLUSIONS: Although NPCR proved to be a very useful tool for the detection of M. tuberculosis complex, clinical, epidemiological, and other laboratory data should also be considered in the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis.
Three sample preparation protocols for polymerase chain reaction based detection of Cryptosporidium parvum in environmental samples.
Kostrzynska, M; Sankey, M; Haack, E; Power, C; Aldom, J E; Chagla, A H; Unger, S; Palmateer, G; Lee, H; Trevors, J T; De Grandis, S A
Cryptosporidium parvum is a protozoan parasite responsible for an increasing number of outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness worldwide. In this report, we describe development of sample preparation protocols for polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based detection of C. parvum in fecal material and environmental water samples. Two of these methods were found adequate for isolation of Cryptosporidium DNA from filtered water pellet suspensions. The first involved several filtration steps, immunomagnetic separation and freeze-thaw cycles. The second method involved filtration, addition of EnviroAmp lysis reagent, freeze-thaw cycles and precipitation of the DNA with isopropanol. Using nested PCR, we detected 100 oocysts/ml of filtered water pellet suspension, with either of the above sample preparation procedures. Nested PCR increased sensitivity of the assay by two to three orders of magnitude as compared to the primary PCR. The detection limit for seeded fecal samples was 10-fold higher than for filtered environmental water pellet suspension. Nested PCR results showed 62.4 and 91.1% correlation with immunofluorescence assay (IFA) for fecal samples and filtered environmental water pellet suspensions, respectively. This correlation decreased to 47.2% and 44.4%, respectively, when only IFA positive samples were analyzed. However, in fecal samples contaminated with a high number (> 10(5)/g) of C. parvum oocysts, this correlation was 100%. PMID:10076632
Application of polymerase chain reaction for detection of Legionella pneumophila in serum samples.
Alexiou-Daniel, S.; Stylianakis, A.; Papoutsi, A.; Zorbas, I.; Papa, A.; Lambropoulos, A.F.; Antoniadis, A.
OBJECTIVE: To apply the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to serum samples for the rapid diagnosis of Legionnaire's disease using the L5SL9 and L5SR93 primers designed to generate a 104-base-pair (bp) fragment from the 5S RNA gene of Legionella spp. The amplified product was detected by electrophoresis and by hybridization with the L5S-1-specific probe. METHODS: Single specimens of serum obtained from 24 patients with confirmed legionellosis, at different stages of their disease, were tested by PCR. Additionally, 10 serum samples from patients with no clinical symptoms of pneumonia and 10 samples from patients suffering from pneumonia caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Coxiella burnetii or Chlamydia psittaci were also tested as controls in order to determine the specificity of the method. RESULTS: Of the 24 examined serum samples, the amplified products from 12 hybridized with the L5S-1 probe (sensitivity 50%). None of the negative controls was positive after PCR. No correlation was found between the day of illness and the positivity in the test. CONCLUSIONS: The PCR technique could be applied as a diagnostic tool for the rapid diagnosis of legionellosis in serum samples after modification, mainly to improve its sensitivity. PMID:11864308
Alkyl chain length-dependent surface reaction of dodecahydro-N-alkylcarbazoles on Pt model catalysts
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Gleichweit, Christoph; Amende, Max; Bauer, Udo; Schernich, Stefan; Höfert, Oliver; Lorenz, Michael P. A.; Zhao, Wei; Bachmann, Philipp; Papp, Christian, E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com [Lehrstuhl für Physikalische Chemie II, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Egerlandstrasse 3, 91058 Erlangen (Germany); Müller, Michael; Koch, Marcus [Lehrstuhl für Chemische Reaktionstechnik, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Egerlandstrasse 3, 91058 Erlangen (Germany); Wasserscheid, Peter [Lehrstuhl für Chemische Reaktionstechnik, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Egerlandstrasse 3, 91058 Erlangen (Germany); Erlangen Catalysis Resource Center, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Egerlandstrasse 3, 91058 Erlangen (Germany); Libuda, Jörg; Steinrück, Hans-Peter [Lehrstuhl für Physikalische Chemie II, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Egerlandstrasse 3, 91058 Erlangen (Germany); Erlangen Catalysis Resource Center, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Egerlandstrasse 3, 91058 Erlangen (Germany)
The concept of liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHC) holds the potential for large scale chemical storage of hydrogen at ambient conditions. Herein, we compare the dehydrogenation and decomposition of three alkylated carbazole-based LOHCs, dodecahydro-N-ethylcarbazole (H{sub 12}-NEC), dodecahydro-N-propylcarbazole (H{sub 12}-NPC), and dodecahydro-N-butylcarbazole (H{sub 12}-NBC), on Pt(111) and on Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}-supported Pt nanoparticles. We follow the thermal evolution of these systems quantitatively by in situ high-resolution X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. We show that on Pt(111) the relevant reaction steps are not affected by the different alkyl substituents: for all LOHCs, stepwise dehydrogenation to NEC, NPC, and NBC is followed by cleavage of the C–N bond of the alkyl chain starting at 380–390 K. On Pt/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}, we discern dealkylation on defect sites already at 350 K, and on ordered, (111)-like facets at 390 K. The dealkylation process at the defects is most pronounced for NEC and least pronounced for NBC.
Genotypic characterization by polymerase chain reaction of Staphylococcus aureus isolates associated with bovine mastitis.
Ote, Isabelle; Taminiau, Bernard; Duprez, Jean-Noël; Dizier, Isabelle; Mainil, Jacques G
Staphylococcus aureus is recognized worldwide as a pathogen causing many serious diseases in humans and animals, and is the most common aetiological agent of clinical and subclinical bovine mastitis. The importance of evaluating the combination of S. aureus virulence factors has been emphasized both in human and veterinary medicine, and knowledge about the genetic variability within different S. aureus populations would help in the design of efficient treatments. The aim of the present study was to determine the genetic profiles of S. aureus strains isolated from milk of cows suffering from clinical and subclinical mastitis in Belgium. The presence of about forty virulence-associated genes was investigated by specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. A high number of genotypic subtypes were observed, demonstrating further the large variation in the presence of virulence genes in S. aureus isolates and the considerable diversity of strains populations that are able to cause mastitis in cows. In accordance with other studies, we showed that some genes are associated with mastitis-causing S. aureus isolates, whereas others are absent or rarely present. We also further highlighted the presence of conserved gene combinations, namely the enterotoxigenic egc-cluster and the bovine pathogenicity island SaPIbov. Importantly, the presence of isolates carrying genes coding for toxins involved in important human infections makes the milk of cows with mastitis a potential reservoir for these toxins, and therefore a potential danger in human health, which strengthens the importance to consider raw milk consumption and its processing very carefully. PMID:21708435
Detection of bovine leukemia virus in cattle by the polymerase chain reaction.
Murtaugh, M P; Lin, G F; Haggard, D L; Weber, A F; Meiske, J C
Bovine leukemia virus (BLV) is widely distributed in U.S. cattle herds. It infects B lymphocytes and causes neoplastic disease in 5-10% of infected animals. Direct economic losses are incurred as a result of death, reduced milk production and condemnation at slaughter. Thus the identification of cattle infected with BLV is of significant concern to the U.S. cattle industry. For this reason, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification was used to examine seropositive and seronegative cattle for the presence of BLV DNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Using an amplification protocol able to detect 1 viral genome in 100,000 cells, BLV was not detected in 7 seronegative cattle in an infected herd. BLV sequences were detected in 13 of 18 seropositive animals with various levels of infection as determined by in vitro lymphocyte culture and electron microscopy. An active infection was demonstrated in one animal, based on the presence of viral RNA. These findings indicate that PCR is a sensitive method for the detection of BLV in cattle and provides new information regarding the dynamics of the infection. PMID:1658030
A real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction for detection and quantification of Vesiculovirus
Tolardo, Aline Lavado; de Souza, William Marciel; Romeiro, Marilia Farignoli; Vieira, Luiz Carlos; Luna, Luciano Kleber de Souza; Henriques, Dyana Alves; de Araujo, Jansen; Siqueira, Carlos Eduardo Hassegawa; Colombo, Tatiana Elias; Aquino, Victor Hugo; da Fonseca, Benedito Antonio Lopes; Bronzoni, Roberta Vieira de Morais; Nogueira, Maurício Lacerda; Durigon, Edison Luiz; Figueiredo, Luiz Tadeu Moraes
Vesiculoviruses (VSV) are zoonotic viruses that cause vesicular stomatitis disease in cattle, horses and pigs, as well as sporadic human cases of acute febrile illness. Therefore, diagnosis of VSV infections by reliable laboratory techniques is important to allow a proper case management and implementation of strategies for the containment of virus spread. We show here a sensitive and reproducible real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for detection and quantification of VSV. The assay was evaluated with arthropods and serum samples obtained from horses, cattle and patients with acute febrile disease. The real-time RT-PCR amplified the Piry, Carajas, Alagoas and Indiana Vesiculovirus at a melting temperature 81.02 ± 0.8ºC, and the sensitivity of assay was estimated in 10 RNA copies/mL to the Piry Vesiculovirus. The viral genome has been detected in samples of horses and cattle, but not detected in human sera or arthropods. Thus, this assay allows a preliminary differential diagnosis of VSV infections. PMID:27276185
Detection of canine herpesvirus 1 in a wide range of tissues using the polymerase chain reaction.
Burr, P D; Campbell, M E; Nicolson, L; Onions, D E
Canine herpesvirus 1 (CHV-1), a member of the alphaherpesvirus sub-family, is known to cause fatal infections in litters of puppies and may also be involved in infertility, abortion, and stillbirths in adult dogs. The purpose of this study was to determine the presence of CHV-1 DNA using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in twelve key sites that have been associated with latency for the other herpesviruses. A 605 base pair portion of the viral glycoprotein B (gB) gene was amplified using degenerate primers, cloned, and sequenced. Conventional 20 mer primers were designed using this sequence information to amplify a 120 bp fragment of gB situated between the original degenerate primers. The specificity of amplification was confirmed by Southern Blot hybridisation using an internal oligonucleotide probe. DNA was extracted from tissue samples taken from twelve dogs at post mortem and from twenty-four blood samples. Nine out of twelve dogs showed evidence of infection with CHV-1; the tissues most commonly affected were lumbo-sacral ganglia (5/12 dogs), tonsil (5/12), parotid salivary gland (4/9), and liver (4/9). No positive results were detected within the twenty-four blood samples. These results indicate that exposure to CHV-1 may be much more common than previously suggested. PMID:9008334
Hybridization chain reaction amplification for highly sensitive fluorescence detection of DNA with dextran coated microarrays.
Chao, Jie; Li, Zhenhua; Li, Jing; Peng, Hongzhen; Su, Shao; Li, Qian; Zhu, Changfeng; Zuo, Xiaolei; Song, Shiping; Wang, Lianhui; Wang, Lihua
Microarrays of biomolecules hold great promise in the fields of genomics, proteomics, and clinical assays on account of their remarkably parallel and high-throughput assay capability. However, the fluorescence detection used in most conventional DNA microarrays is still limited by sensitivity. In this study, we have demonstrated a novel universal and highly sensitive platform for fluorescent detection of sequence specific DNA at the femtomolar level by combining dextran-coated microarrays with hybridization chain reaction (HCR) signal amplification. Three-dimensional dextran matrix was covalently coated on glass surface as the scaffold to immobilize DNA recognition probes to increase the surface binding capacity and accessibility. DNA nanowire tentacles were formed on the matrix surface for efficient signal amplification by capturing multiple fluorescent molecules in a highly ordered way. By quantifying microscopic fluorescent signals, the synergetic effects of dextran and HCR greatly improved sensitivity of DNA microarrays, with a detection limit of 10fM (1×10(5) molecules). This detection assay could recognize one-base mismatch with fluorescence signals dropped down to ~20%. This cost-effective microarray platform also worked well with samples in serum and thus shows great potential for clinical diagnosis. PMID:26922047
Solar thermal polymerase chain reaction for smartphone-assisted molecular diagnostics
Jiang, Li; Mancuso, Matthew; Lu, Zhengda; Akar, Gunkut; Cesarman, Ethel; Erickson, David
Nucleic acid-based diagnostic techniques such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) are used extensively in medical diagnostics due to their high sensitivity, specificity and quantification capability. In settings with limited infrastructure and unreliable electricity, however, access to such devices is often limited due to the highly specialized and energy-intensive nature of the thermal cycling process required for nucleic acid amplification. Here we integrate solar heating with microfluidics to eliminate thermal cycling power requirements as well as create a simple device infrastructure for PCR. Tests are completed in less than 30 min, and power consumption is reduced to 80 mW, enabling a standard 5.5 Wh iPhone battery to provide 70 h of power to this system. Additionally, we demonstrate a complete sample-to-answer diagnostic strategy by analyzing human skin biopsies infected with Kaposi's Sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV/HHV-8) through the combination of solar thermal PCR, HotSHOT DNA extraction and smartphone-based fluorescence detection. We believe that exploiting the ubiquity of solar thermal energy as demonstrated here could facilitate broad availability of nucleic acid-based diagnostics in resource-limited areas.
Polymerase chain reaction for detection of herpesvirus simiae (B virus) in clinical specimens.
Slomka, M J; Brown, D W; Clewley, J P; Bennett, A M; Harrington, L; Kelly, D C
A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was designed which is specific to Macaca fascicularis (cynomolgus monkey) isolates of B virus. The PCR primers produced the expected 188 basepair product from the Cyno 2 strain and seven other cynomolgus monkey isolates of B virus. Oligomer hybridization with a 31-mer oligonucleotide was used to confirm the origin of this product. The PCR failed to amplify DNA of Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, varicella-zoster virus, and other alphaherpesviruses (herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2, four SA 8 isolates and three rhesus isolates of B virus). PCR testing of swabs obtained from four orally-infected cynomolgus monkeys confirmed the presence of B virus DNA in samples previously shown to be positive by culture. In addition, PCR detected B virus in several swabs from infected monkeys that were culture negative. Total DNA extracts from the trigeminal and sacral ganglia of these animals were tested by nested PCR and B virus DNA was detected in the trigeminal ganglia of 3 of the 4 orally-infected cynomolgus monkeys. Nested PCR did not detect B virus DNA in total DNA extracts obtained from the brains of the four monkeys. PMID:8392323
Detection of Staphylococcus aureus in Dairy Products by Polymerase Chain Reaction Assay
Institute of Scientific and Technical Information of China (English)
YANG Yang; SU Xu-dong; YUAN Yao-wu; KANG Chun-yu; LI Ying-jun; ZHANG wei; ZHONG Xiao-ying
A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was employed for direct detection of Staphylococcus aureus without enrichment in dairy products. A solvent extraction procedure was successfully modified for the extraction of Staphylococcus aureus DNA from artificially contaminated whole milk, skim milk, and cheese. A primer targeting the thermostable nuclease gene (nuc) was used in the PCR. A DNA fragment of 279 bp was amplified. The PCR product was confirmed by DNA sequencing. In this study, the PCR, GB- 4789.10-94, Perifilm RSA.Count Plate, and Baird-Parker + RPF Agar were compared.The sensitivity of the PCR was 10 CFU mL-1 of whole milk, skim milk, and 55 CFU g-1 of cheese. The developed methodology allowed for detection of Staphylococcus aureus in dairy products in less than 6 h. The time taken for the development of this PCR assay was 12-24 h, less than the time taken by the general PCR assay using the enrichment method, and the coincidence rate of this developed PCR was 94.3%, the sensitivity was 100%. It was a rapid, sensitive, and effective method for PCR to detect Staphylococcus aureus in milk and milk products.
Institute of Scientific and Technical Information of China (English)
连伟; 罗慰慈
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect the presence of Borretia burgdoferi DNA in biological samples from patients with sarcoidcsis. The target DNA sequence was of chromosomal origin. The amplified DNA sequence was analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis, PAGE with silver staining, and the identity of amplified DNA was confirmed by restriction enzyme cleavage and DNA-DNA hybridlzation with a 32P-labelled probe. The assay was sensitive to fewer than two copies of B. burgdor feri genome, even in the presence of a 104-fold excess of human eukaryotic DNA, and was also specific to different B. burgdorferl strains tested. Sera seroiogieally positive to B. burgdorferi (n=26), broncbemlveolar lavage fluid and supematant of BALF (n=26) and peripheral blood (n=9) from sarcoidosis patients were tested. The positive rate was low (4/26, 2/26, and 0/9, respectively). It was considered that DNA from B. bur gdor feri may be identified in a minority of patients with s,arcoidosis, and it may play a pathogenetic rote in such cases. More studies need to be done before advancing the hypothesis of an etiologic role of B. burgdorferi in sarcoidosis.
Polymerase chain reaction amplification of a GC rich region by adding 1,2 propanediol
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Zeinab Mousavian
Full Text Available Background : Apolipoprotein E (ApoE is one of the most important carriers of lipids in mammalians. The gene for this lipoprotein (ApoE is located on chromosome 19 which is related with the pathogenesis of some nervous system disease. ApoE gene is identified as a high guanine-cytosine (GC content fragment. Detection and amplification of these templates are extensively laborious and baffling. The aim of this study was to find a practical and feasible method for the amplification of the number of GC rich genes such as ApoE. Materials and Methods: We experimented with simple polymerase chain reaction (PCR, nested PCR and PCR with 1-2 propanediol, dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO, and ethyleneglicol as additive substances to enhance the amplification ApoE gene and used the 40 samples of the human whole blood were collected in test tubes with a pre-treatment of ethylene diaminetetraacetic acid. Results: According to our observations, presence of 1-2 propanediol, DMSO, and ethyleneglicol as additive substances resulted to enhanced amplification of ApoE gene. Addition of 1-2 propanediol showed the best results, caused optimization and revealed more specific and sharp bands. Conclusion: According to our findings 1-2 propanediol are the best organic reagent for improving the amplification of ApoE gene. Optimization procedure for each GC rich sequence is recommended to be performed separately in order to identify which of the additive agent is more efficient and applicable for a particular target.
An improved electrochemiluminescence polymerase chain reaction method for highly sensitive detection of plant viruses
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Tang Yabing [MOE Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science and Institute of Laser Life Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631 (China); Xing Da [MOE Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science and Institute of Laser Life Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631 (China)]. E-mail: email@example.com; Zhu Debin [MOE Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science and Institute of Laser Life Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631 (China); Liu Jinfeng [MOE Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science and Institute of Laser Life Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631 (China)
Recently, we have reported an electrochemiluminescence polymerase chain reaction (ECL-PCR) method for detection of genetically modified organisms. The ECL-PCR method was further improved in the current study by introducing a multi-purpose nucleic acid sequence that was specific to the tris(bipyridine) ruthenium (TBR) labeled probe, into the 5' terminal of the primers. The method was applied to detect plant viruses. Conserved sequence of the plant viruses was amplified by PCR. The product was hybridized with a biotin labeled probe and a TBR labeled probe. The hybridization product was separated by streptavidin-coated magnetic beads, and detected by measuring the ECL signals of the TBR labeled. Under the optimized conditions, the experiment results show that the detection limit is 50 fmol of PCR products, and the signal-to-noise ratio is in excess of 14.6. The method was used to detect banana streak virus, banana bunchy top virus, and papaya leaf curl virus. The experiment results show that this method could reliably identity viruses infected plant samples. The improved ECL-PCR approach has higher sensitivity and lower cost than previous approach. It can effectively detect the plant viruses with simplicity, stability, and high sensitivity.
Polymerase chain reaction-based discrimination of viable from non-viable Mycoplasma gallisepticum
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Ching Giap Tan
Full Text Available The present study was based on the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR of the 16S ribosomal nucleic acid (rRNA of Mycoplasma for detection of viable Mycoplasma gallisepticum. To determine the stability of M. gallisepticum 16S rRNA in vitro, three inactivation methods were used and the suspensions were stored at different temperatures. The 16S rRNA of M. gallisepticum was detected up to approximately 20–25 h at 37 °C, 22–25 h at 16 °C, and 23–27 h at 4 °C. The test, therefore, could detect viable or recently dead M. gallisepticum (< 20 h. The RT-PCR method was applied during an in vivo study of drug efficacy under experimental conditions, where commercial broiler-breeder eggs were inoculated with M. gallisepticum into the yolk. Hatched chicks that had been inoculated in ovo were treated with Macrolide 1. The method was then applied in a flock of day 0 chicks with naturally acquired vertical transmission of M. gallisepticum, treated with Macrolide 2. Swabs of the respiratory tract were obtained for PCR and RT-PCR evaluations to determine the viability of M. gallisepticum. This study proved that the combination of both PCR and RT-PCR enables detection and differentiation of viable from non-viable M. gallisepticum.
Detection of Toxoplasma gondii in venous blood from AIDS patients by polymerase chain reaction.
Dupouy-Camet, J; de Souza, S L; Maslo, C; Paugam, A; Saimot, A G; Benarous, R; Tourte-Schaefer, C; Derouin, F
Detection of Toxoplasma gondii in blood by means of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) may facilitate the diagnosis and follow-up of cerebral toxoplasmosis in patients with AIDS. We evaluated this approach with seven patients with tissue culture-proven parasitemia, 14 patients with presumptive cerebral toxoplasmosis, and 17 healthy human immunodeficiency virus-positive controls. Each sample of blood was assayed on three different occasions by a PCR assay based on detection of the gene encoding the P30 surface protein. A positive PCR diagnosis required positivity in at least two of the three PCR tests. None of the controls had a positive PCR diagnosis, but six of the seven patients with parasitemia did. Cerebral toxoplasmosis was confirmed in 13 of the 14 patients with a presumptive diagnosis; diagnosis by PCR was positive before treatment for 9 of these 13 patients, whereas tissue culture was positive for only 1 patient. During treatment, blood samples were taken from 14 patients at regular intervals until day 12. PCR diagnosis became negative on ethidium-stained gels, but persistent signals were observed after hybridization, in some cases, for up to 12 days after initiation of therapy. PCR on venous blood could thus be a sensitive and noninvasive method for the diagnosis of cerebral and disseminated toxoplasmosis in AIDS patients and could be a potential tool for monitoring the effects of treatment. PMID:8349765
Alkyl chain length-dependent surface reaction of dodecahydro-N-alkylcarbazoles on Pt model catalysts
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
The concept of liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHC) holds the potential for large scale chemical storage of hydrogen at ambient conditions. Herein, we compare the dehydrogenation and decomposition of three alkylated carbazole-based LOHCs, dodecahydro-N-ethylcarbazole (H12-NEC), dodecahydro-N-propylcarbazole (H12-NPC), and dodecahydro-N-butylcarbazole (H12-NBC), on Pt(111) and on Al2O3-supported Pt nanoparticles. We follow the thermal evolution of these systems quantitatively by in situ high-resolution X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. We show that on Pt(111) the relevant reaction steps are not affected by the different alkyl substituents: for all LOHCs, stepwise dehydrogenation to NEC, NPC, and NBC is followed by cleavage of the C–N bond of the alkyl chain starting at 380–390 K. On Pt/Al2O3, we discern dealkylation on defect sites already at 350 K, and on ordered, (111)-like facets at 390 K. The dealkylation process at the defects is most pronounced for NEC and least pronounced for NBC
The utility of the polymerase chain reaction assay for aetiologic definition of unspecified bacterial meningitis cases
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Mari Tuyama
Full Text Available Most patients with acute suppurative meningitis are otherwise healthy individuals with regard to immune mechanisms against invasive bacterial disease. This medical emergency is among the most dramatic and potentially ravaging diseases that affect humans, particularly young children. The illness often strikes suddenly, and can either result in death or leave the survivors with significant neurological dysfunctions. The demonstration of a bacterial aetiology is necessary for decisions regarding treatment and prophylaxis. Conventional bacteriological methods frequently fail to identify an agent, as a result of administration of antibiotics or delayed lumbar punctures. We investigated the major aetiologic sources of unspecified bacterial meningitis cases (G00.9, ISCD-10 by polymerase chain reaction (PCR-based identification of Neisseria meningitidis (crgA, Streptococcus pneumoniae (ply and Haemophilus influenzae (bexA in cerebrospinal fluid samples. The multiplex PCR detected N. meningitidis in 92%, S. pneumoniae in 4% and H. influenzae in 1% of the 192 clinical samples assayed; 3% were negative for all three DNA targets. Bacterial DNA detection was found to be a valuable adjunct to enhance bacterial meningitis surveillance when the yield of specimens by culture is reduced. The implementation of PCR assays as a diagnostic procedure in Public Health Laboratories is perceived to be a significant advance in the investigation of bacterial meningitis.
An improved electrochemiluminescence polymerase chain reaction method for highly sensitive detection of plant viruses
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
Recently, we have reported an electrochemiluminescence polymerase chain reaction (ECL-PCR) method for detection of genetically modified organisms. The ECL-PCR method was further improved in the current study by introducing a multi-purpose nucleic acid sequence that was specific to the tris(bipyridine) ruthenium (TBR) labeled probe, into the 5' terminal of the primers. The method was applied to detect plant viruses. Conserved sequence of the plant viruses was amplified by PCR. The product was hybridized with a biotin labeled probe and a TBR labeled probe. The hybridization product was separated by streptavidin-coated magnetic beads, and detected by measuring the ECL signals of the TBR labeled. Under the optimized conditions, the experiment results show that the detection limit is 50 fmol of PCR products, and the signal-to-noise ratio is in excess of 14.6. The method was used to detect banana streak virus, banana bunchy top virus, and papaya leaf curl virus. The experiment results show that this method could reliably identity viruses infected plant samples. The improved ECL-PCR approach has higher sensitivity and lower cost than previous approach. It can effectively detect the plant viruses with simplicity, stability, and high sensitivity
Evaluation of a rapid polymerase chain reaction based identification technique for Vibrio cholerae isolates.
le Roux, W J; Masoabi, D; de Wet, C M E; Venter, S N
Rapid and accurate identification of waterborne pathogens, such as Vibrio cholerae, in drinking-water sources is important to enable effective resource management and public health protection. Phenotypic systems currently being used for the identification of Vibrio cholerae isolates are time-consuming and the need exists for the development of suitable molecular techniques that can offer both fast and reliable identification. During this study, isolates identified as Vibrio cholerae by means of two different biochemical test systems (API 20E and VITEK 32) were analysed with the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to compare the reliability of the various identification systems. The selected PCR technique amplified a sequence within the outer membrane protein of Vibrio cholerae, a gene specific for V. cholerae. It was found that out of 243 isolates biochemically identified as V. cholerae with either the API or VITEK system, 21 isolates did not give a positive result with the PCR detection method. Sequencing the 16S rDNA of more than half of these isolates and comparison of the sequences with Internet databases indicated that most of the isolates belonged to the genus Aeromonas. The results indicated that the rapid PCR procedure was more accurate than the API or VITEK systems currently being used for the phenotypic identification of Vibrio cholerae isolates. PMID:15318514
Detecting of Mycoplasma genitalium in male patients with urethritis symptoms in Turkey by polymerase chain reaction
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of Mycoplasma genitalium in the urine samples of 63 male patients who had urethritis symptoms. Along with Neisseria gonorrhoeae (N. gonorrhoeae) and Chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis). We also investigated Mycoplasma hominis (M. hominis) and Ureaplasma urealyticum (U. urealyticum), both of which are known to cause urethritis. Microorganisms were investigated in urine samples of the patients with polymerase chain reaction. The study was conducted between September 2003 - February 2004 at the Department of Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey. A total of 63 urine samples were analyzed and 6 (9.52%) patients had N. gonorrhoeae, 4 (6.34%) had C. trachomatis, while 4 (6.34%) urines were positive in terms of M. genitalium. Nevertheless, 3 (4.76%) patients had U. urealyticum and 2 (3.17%) patients had M. hominis. One urine sample was positive in terms of both N. gonorrhoeae and U. urealyticum, and another urine sample was positive in terms of both M. hominis and U. urealyticum. The results were compared with the control group and found no statistically significant difference. Mycoplasma species are found in normal flora of urogenital system and also as an agent of urogenital infection. In our study, we found low microorganism rates when compared with Europe and America. This difference may be due to the conservative sexual behavior in Turkey. (author)
Improving Nuclear Safety of Fast Reactors by Slowing Down Fission Chain Reaction
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G. G. Kulikov
Full Text Available Light materials with small atomic mass (light or heavy water, graphite, and so on are usually used as a neutron reflector and moderator. The present paper proposes using a new, heavy element as neutron moderator and reflector, namely, "radiogenic lead" with dominant content of isotope 208Pb. Radiogenic lead is a stable natural lead. This isotope is characterized by extremely low micro cross-section of radiative neutron capture (~0.23 mb for thermal neutrons, which is smaller than graphite and deuterium cross-sections. The reflector-converter for a fast reactor core is the structure capable of transforming some part of prompt neutrons leaked from the core into the reflected neutrons with properties similar to those of delayed neutrons, that is, sufficiently large contribution to reactivity at the level of effective fraction of delayed neutrons and relatively long lifetime, comparable with lifetimes of radionuclides-emitters of delayed neutrons. It is evaluated that the use of radiogenic lead makes it possible to slow down the chain fission reaction on prompt neutrons in the fast reactor. This can improve the fast reactor safety and reduce some requirements to the technologies used to fabricate fuel for the fast reactor.
Highly sensitive polymerase chain reaction-free quantum dot-based quantification of forensic genomic DNA
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
Highlights: ► Genomic DNA quantification were performed using a quantum dot-labeled Alu sequence. ► This probe provided PCR-free determination of human genomic DNA. ► Qdot-labeled Alu probe-hybridized genomic DNAs had a 2.5-femtogram detection limit. ► Qdot-labeled Alu sequence was used to assess DNA samples for human identification. - Abstract: Forensic DNA samples can degrade easily due to exposure to light and moisture at the crime scene. In addition, the amount of DNA acquired at a criminal site is inherently limited. This limited amount of human DNA has to be quantified accurately after the process of DNA extraction. The accurately quantified extracted genomic DNA is then used as a DNA template in polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification for short tandem repeat (STR) human identification. Accordingly, highly sensitive and human-specific quantification of forensic DNA samples is an essential issue in forensic study. In this work, a quantum dot (Qdot)-labeled Alu sequence was developed as a probe to simultaneously satisfy both the high sensitivity and human genome selectivity for quantification of forensic DNA samples. This probe provided PCR-free determination of human genomic DNA and had a 2.5-femtogram detection limit due to the strong emission and photostability of the Qdot. The Qdot-labeled Alu sequence has been used successfully to assess 18 different forensic DNA samples for STR human identification.
Molecular detection of plant pathogenic bacteria using polymerase chain reaction single-strand conformation polymorphism
Institute of Scientific and Technical Information of China (English)
Chandrashekar Srinivasa; Umesha Sharanaiah; Chandan Shivamallu
The application of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology to molecular diagnostics holds great promise for the early identification of agriculturally important plant pathogens.Ralstonia solanacearum,Xanthomoans axonopodis pv.vesicatoria,and Xanthomonas oryzae pv.oryzae are phytopathogenic bacteria,which can infect vegetables,cause severe yield loss.PCR-single-strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) is a simple and powerful technique for identifying sequence changes in amplified DNA.The technique of PCR-SSCP is being exploited so far,only to detect and diagnose human bacterial pathogens in addition to plant pathogenic fungi.Selective media and serology are the commonly used methods for the detection of plant pathogens in infected plant materials.In this study,we developed PCR-SSCP technique to identify phytopathogenic bacteria.The PCR product was denatured and separated on a non-denaturing polyacrylamide gel.SSCP banding patterns were detected by silver staining of nucleic acids.We tested over 56 isolates of R. solanacearum,44 isolates of X. axonopodis pv.vesicatoria,and 20 isolates of X.oryzae pv.oryzae.With the use of universal primer 16S rRNA,we could discriminate such species at the genus and species levels.Speciesspecific patterns were obtained for bacteria R.solanacearum,X.axonopodis pv.vesicatoria,and X.oryzae pv.oryzae.The potential use of PCR-SSCP technique for the detection and diagnosis of phytobacterial pathogens is discussed in the present paper.
Routine application of the polymerase chain reaction for detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in clinical samples.
Noordhoek, G T; Kaan, J A; Mulder, S; Wilke, H; Kolk, A H
AIM--To investigate the use of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the routine laboratory for the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in clinical samples. METHODS--Samples were divided and processed separately for the detection of M tuberculosis by microscopy, culture and PCR. After DNA extraction, PCR was performed with primers specific for the insertion element IS6110 and the product was analysed by agarose gel electrophoresis, Southern blotting or dot blotting and hybridisation with a digoxigenin labelled internal probe. Each sample was tested for inhibitors of Taq polymerase with the aid of an internal control. Multiple negative and positive controls were used to monitor each step of the procedure. RESULTS--The data from two laboratories, using the same operating procedures, were combined. Of 1957 specimens, 79 (4%) were culture and PCR positive, while 1839 (93.9%) were negative in both tests. Thirty specimens (1.5%) were PCR positive only and nine (0.5%) were culture positive but PCR negative. CONCLUSION--Using culture and clinical history as the gold standard, sensitivity and specificity for PCR were 92.1% and 99.8%, respectively. With elaborate precautions, PCR is a suitable and reliable method for the detection of M tuberculosis in clinical samples in a routine microbiology laboratory. Images PMID:7490312
GSH2 promoter methylation in pancreatic cancer analyzed by quantitative methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction
Tumor suppressor gene silencing via promoter hypermethylation is an important event in pancreatic cancer pathogenesis. Aberrant DNA hypermethylation events are highly tumor specific, and may provide a diagnostic tool for pancreatic cancer patients. The objective of the current study was to identify novel methylation-related genes that may potentially be used to establish novel therapeutic and diagnostic strategies against pancreatic cancer. The methylation status of the GS homeobox 2 (GSH2) gene was analyzed using the sodium bisulfite sequencing method. The GSH2 methylation ratio was examined in primary carcinomas and corresponding normal tissues derived from 47 patients with pancreatic cancer, using quantitative methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction. Methylation ratios were found to be associated with the patient's clinicopathological features. GSH2 gene methylation was detected in 26 (55.3%) of the 47 pancreatic cancer patients, indicating that it occurs frequently in pancreatic cancer. A significant association with methylation was observed for tumor-node-metastasis stage (P=0.031). GSH2 may be a novel methylation-sensitive tumor suppressor gene in pancreatic cancer and may be a tumor-specific biomarker of the disease. PMID:26171036
Differentiation of Helicobacter pylori isolates by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism
Institute of Scientific and Technical Information of China (English)
SHI Li; SUN Yong; ZHANG Ya-li; ZHANG Zhen-shu; ZHOU Dian-yuan
Objective: To investigate the association between the diversity of urease gene and urease activity of clinical isolates of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). Methods: Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) of urease gene and rapid urease activity test were used to study the urease activity of different clinical isolates of H. pylori. Results: H. pylori clinical isolates were divided into 4types according to their PCR-RFLP results of urease gene and urease activity. Type I , possessing strong urease activity (0. 11) and presented 1 fragment of 1.7 kb by PCR-RFLP, had close relations with gastric ulcer; type Ⅱ , with the weakest urease activity (0. 07) and 2 fragments (1.3 and 0. 4 kb respectively), was associated with duodenal bulb ulcer; type Ⅱ , with the strongest urease activity (0. 12) and 2 fragments (0. 4and 0. 17 kb) with or without 1 fragment (0. 23 or 0. 37 kb) , was responsible for gastritis; type Ⅳ, with weak urease activity (0. 09) and 2 fragments (1.5 and 0. 2 kb), was shown to be related to both gastric and duodenal bulb ulcers. Conclusion: The diversity of urease gene decides different urease activities of different clinical isolates of H. pylori, hence the different possibilities of pathogenesis due to this bacteria.
Platypus chain reaction: directional and ordered meiotic pairing of the multiple sex chromosome chain in Ornithorhynchus anatinus.
Daish, Tasman; Casey, Aaron; Grützner, Frank
Monotremes are phylogenetically and phenotypically unique animals with an unusually complex sex chromosome system that is composed of ten chromosomes in platypus and nine in echidna. These chromosomes are alternately linked (X1Y1, X2Y2, ...) at meiosis via pseudoautosomal regions and segregate to form spermatozoa containing either X or Y chromosomes. The physical and epigenetic mechanisms involved in pairing and assembly of the complex sex chromosome chain in early meiotic prophase I are completely unknown. We have analysed the pairing dynamics of specific sex chromosome pseudoautosomal regions in platypus spermatocytes during prophase of meiosis I. Our data show a highly coordinated pairing process that begins at the terminal Y5 chromosome and completes with the union of sex chromosomes X1Y1. The consistency of this ordered assembly of the chain is remarkable and raises questions about the mechanisms and factors that regulate the differential pairing of sex chromosomes and how this relates to potential meiotic silencing mechanisms and alternate segregation. PMID:19874721
Equilibrium analysis of trip chains in congested networks
Heydecker, B.
In this paper, we develop a model of travel in a chain of trips joining several locations througha congested network. We develop a microscopic analysis of individual benefits obtained byspending time at each of the locations and costs incurred through travel between them. This iscombined with a macroscopic equilibrium model of travel during congested peak periods toshow how individuals? travel choices are influenced by the congestion that result fromcorresponding choices made by others. We sh...
Stereoselective synthesis of 2,2-bis(C-branched-chain) glucopyranosid-3-ulose via autoxidation reaction
Institute of Scientific and Technical Information of China (English)
LIU Hong-Min; ZHANG Fuyi; TAO Jing-Chao
Many different approaches for synthesis of branched chain sugars have beenestablished,1 because they are very useful intermediates for synthesis of other non-sugar chiralmolecules, and usually occur in nature. Branched chain glycosidulose can be used for construction offive- and six-membered carbocyclic rings to which two chiral carbons of sugar are incorporated byintramolecular aldol condensation and Robinson annulation,2 Therefore they are useful in thesynthesis of natural products which consist of annulated carbohydrates or where a highlyfunctionalised enantiomerically pure cyclopentane or cyclohexane is required. Also, this type ofbranched chain sugar can be considered as the synthons of monoterpenoid natural products of theiridoid class which have the cyclopentan-(c)-pyran structure. In view of the importance of branchedchain glycosiduloses, it is desirable to have a general, convenient methodology to their synthesis.However, none of the literature methods was reported on their synthesis by a nuclephilic addition toa partially protected glycosidulose, due to the fact that these glycosiduloses are very difficult tosynthesize selectively and unstable;3 and what is more, one-step synthesis branched chainglycosidulose using this method is almost impossible.In this paper, we report on a general, convenient method for stereoselective syntheses of2,2-bis(C-branched-chain)glucopyranosid-3-uloses by the new reaction of 1 with various activemethylene compounds. The generality of this method was examined in detail. The optimumtemperature was 18-25℃. The solvent DMF was better than the others. In all cases he yields werehigher than 60%.All the 2,2-bis(C-branched-chain)glucopyranosid-3-uloses were characterized by X-raycrystallographic analyses. In addition, the important iintermediate in this reaction was isolated,which is the product of autoxidation of 1 at C-3 position. Thus the reaction mechanism for thesynthesis of 2,2-bis(C-branched-chain) glucopyranosid-3-uloses
Modelling and analysis of workflow for lean supply chains
Ma, Jinping; Wang, Kanliang; Xu, Lida
Cross-organisational workflow systems are a component of enterprise information systems which support collaborative business process among organisations in supply chain. Currently, the majority of workflow systems is developed in perspectives of information modelling without considering actual requirements of supply chain management. In this article, we focus on the modelling and analysis of the cross-organisational workflow systems in the context of lean supply chain (LSC) using Petri nets. First, the article describes the assumed conditions of cross-organisation workflow net according to the idea of LSC and then discusses the standardisation of collaborating business process between organisations in the context of LSC. Second, the concept of labelled time Petri nets (LTPNs) is defined through combining labelled Petri nets with time Petri nets, and the concept of labelled time workflow nets (LTWNs) is also defined based on LTPNs. Cross-organisational labelled time workflow nets (CLTWNs) is then defined based on LTWNs. Third, the article proposes the notion of OR-silent CLTWNS and a verifying approach to the soundness of LTWNs and CLTWNs. Finally, this article illustrates how to use the proposed method by a simple example. The purpose of this research is to establish a formal method of modelling and analysis of workflow systems for LSC. This study initiates a new perspective of research on cross-organisational workflow management and promotes operation management of LSC in real world settings.
Modeling Value Chain Analysis of Distance Education using UML
Acharya, Anal; Mukherjee, Soumen
Distance education continues to grow as a methodology for the delivery of course content in higher education in India as well as abroad. To manage this growing demand and to provide certain flexibility, there must be certain strategic planning about the use of ICT tools. Value chain analysis is a framework for breaking down the sequence of business functions into a set of activities through which utility could be added to service. Thus it can help to determine the competitive advantage that is enjoyed by an institute. To implement these business functions certain visual representation is required. UML allows for this representation by using a set of structural and behavioral diagrams. In this paper, the first section defines a framework for value chain analysis and highlights its advantages. The second section gives a brief overview of related work in this field. The third section gives a brief discussion on distance education. The fourth section very briefly introduces UML. The fifth section models value chain of distance education using UML. Finally we discuss the limitations and the problems posed in this domain.
Detection of epidermal growth factor receptor mutation in lung cancer by droplet digital polymerase chain reaction
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Xu Q
Full Text Available Qing Xu,1,* Yazhen Zhu,2,* Yali Bai,1 Xiumin Wei,1 Xirun Zheng,2 Mao Mao,1 Guangjuan Zheng21Translational Bioscience and Diagnostics, WuXi AppTec, Shanghai, 2Department of Pathology, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of TCM, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workBackground: Two types of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR mutations in exon 19 and exon 21 (ex19del and L858R are prevalent in lung cancer patients and sensitive to targeted EGFR inhibition. A resistance mutation in exon 20 (T790M has been found to accompany drug treatment when patients relapse. These three mutations are valuable companion diagnostic biomarkers for guiding personalized treatment. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR-based methods have been widely used in the clinic by physicians to guide treatment decisions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the technical and clinical sensitivity and specificity of the droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR method in detecting the three EGFR mutations in patients with lung cancer.Methods: Genomic DNA from H1975 and PC-9 cells, as well as 92 normal human blood specimens, was used to determine the technical sensitivity and specificity of the ddPCR assays. Genomic DNA of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens from 78 Chinese patients with lung adenocarcinoma were assayed using both qPCR and ddPCR.Results: The three ddPCR assays had a limit of detection of 0.02% and a wide dynamic range from 1 to 20,000 copies measurement. The L858R and ex19del assays had a 0% background level in the technical and clinical settings. The T790M assay appeared to have a 0.03% technical background. The ddPCR assays were robust for correct determination of EGFR mutation status in patients, and the dynamic range appeared to be better than qPCR methods. The ddPCR assay for T790M could detect
Antiadenoviral effects of N-chlorotaurine in vitro confirmed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction methods
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Eiichi Uchio
Full Text Available Eiichi Uchio1, Hirotoshi Inoue1, Kazuaki Kadonosono21Department of Ophthalmology, Fukuoka University School of Medicine, Fukuoka, Japan; 2Department of Ophthalmology, Yokohama City University Medical Center, Yokohama, JapanPurpose: Adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis is recognized as one of the major pathogens of ophthalmological nosocomial infection worldwide. N-Chlorotaurine (Cl–HN–CH2–CH2–SO3H, NCT is the N-chloro derivative of the amino acid taurine, which is an oxidant produced by human granulocytes and monocytes during inflammatory reactions. Using conventional viral plaque assay, it was previously shown that NCT causes inactivation of several human adenovirus (HAdV serotypes. In this study, we evaluated the antiadenoviral effect of NCT by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR methods.Methods: A549 cells were used for viral cell culture, and HAdV serotypes 3, 4, 8, 19, and 37 were used. After calculating 50% cytotoxic concentration (CC50 of NCT by MTS (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl-2-(4-sulfophenyl-2H-tetrazolium method, HAdV was cultured with NCT for 7 days, and extracted adenoviral DNA was quantitatively measured by real-time PCR.Results: A statistically significant (P < 0.05 dose-dependent inhibition was indicated for all serotypes except HAdV type 4 (HAdV4, which was maximally inhibited by only ~50%. Among the serotypes, NCT was particularly effective against HAdV8, HAdV19a, and HAdV37. The 50% effective concentration (EC50 obtained by real-time PCR of NCT ranged between 49 and 256 µM. EC50 of NCT against HAdV3 was slightly higher than that against serotypes of species D. The selective index (CC50/EC50 ranged between 41 and 60 except for HAdV4 (11.5.Conclusions: These results show that NCT has an antiviral effect against most serotypes of human HAdV inducing keratoconjunctivitis, indicating its possible therapeutic use.Keywords: adenovirus, N-chlorotaurine, epidemic keratoconjunctivitis, antiviral
Time-Resolved O3 Chemical Chain Reaction Kinetics Via High-Resolution IR Laser Absorption Methods
Kulcke, Axel; Blackmon, Brad; Chapman, William B.; Kim, In Koo; Nesbitt, David J.
Excimer laser photolysis in combination with time-resolved IR laser absorption detection of OH radicals has been used to study O3/OH(v = 0)/HO2 chain reaction kinetics at 298 K, (i.e.,(k(sub 1) is OH + 03 yields H02 + 02 and (k(sub 2) is H02 + 03 yields OH + 202). From time-resolved detection of OH radicals with high-resolution near IR laser absorption methods, the chain induction kinetics have been measured at up to an order of magnitude higher ozone concentrations ([03] less than or equal to 10(exp 17) molecules/cu cm) than accessible in previous studies. This greater dynamic range permits the full evolution of the chain induction, propagation, and termination process to be temporally isolated and measured in real time. An exact solution for time-dependent OH evolution under pseudo- first-order chain reaction conditions is presented, which correctly predicts new kinetic signatures not included in previous OH + 03 kinetic analyses. Specifically, the solutions predict an initial exponential loss (chain "induction") of the OH radical to a steady-state level ([OH](sub ss)), with this fast initial decay determined by the sum of both chain rate constants, k(sub ind) = k(sub 1) + k(sub 2). By monitoring the chain induction feature, this sum of the rate constants is determined to be k(sub ind) = 8.4(8) x 10(exp -14) cu cm/molecule/s for room temperature reagents. This is significantly higher than the values currently recommended for use in atmospheric models, but in excellent agreement with previous results from Ravishankara et al.
Real time polymerase chain reaction in diagnosis of chronic myeloid leukemia
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
Objective: To compare the sensitivity and specificity of Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) with conventional cytogenetics in diagnosis of chronic myeloid leukemia. Study Design: A cross-sectional, analytical study. Place and Duration of Study: The Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP), Rawalpindi, from December 2010 to January 2012. Methodology: A total number of 40 patients were studied, in which all were diagnosed as CML on peripheral blood and bone marrow aspiration. The subjects were tested for the presence of Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome by cytogenetics and BCR-ABL fusion gene by RT-PCR. 2-3 ml of venous blood was collected, half in sodium heparin (anti-coagulant) for cytogenetics and half in EDTA for PCR. For cytogenetics, cells were cultured for 72 hours in RPMI 1640 medium and examined by arresting in metaphase using Colchicine to identify Philadelphia chromosome. For PCR, RNA extraction was done by Tri Reagent LS (MRC, USA) and cDNA was synthesized using reverse transcriptase and gene specific primer. RT- PCR was done on ABI-7500. The positive samples were identified when fluorescence exceeded threshold limit. Results of cytogenetics and RT PCR were compared. Results: Out of the 40 patients, PCR showed 37 (92.5%) were positive and 3 (7.5%) were negative for BCR-ABL fusion gene, whereas in cytogenetics 28 (70%) were positive for Ph chromosome and 12 (30%) were negative for Ph chromosome. Sensitivity and specificity of cytogenetics was 75.6% and 100% respectively. Conclusion: Real time PCR as compared to cytogenetics is less tedious, gives quick results, does not require multiple sampling due to culture failure and can be done on peripheral blood. (author)
Use of polymerase chain reaction in the diagnosis of Whipple's disease.
Kono, Masanori; Yamamoto, Kei; Nagamatsu, Maki; Kutsuna, Satoshi
Whipple's disease, a systemic, chronic infectious disease caused by Tropheryma whipplei, is extremely rare in Asian populations. A correct diagnosis is necessary due to its high mortality rate. Unfortunately, patients are apt to be misdiagnosed with connective tissue diseases since they typically present with arthritis or arthralgia. There are three diagnostic tools for Whipple's disease using intestinal tissues: 1) periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)-positive macrophages; 2) electron microscopic observation; and 3) polymerase chain reaction (PCR). It is challenging to diagnose this disease in the absence of histological findings, especially in Japan, where the clinical protocol currently used to make the diagnosis needs improvement, although symptomology and PCR results may be sufficient. Herein, we investigated a 24-year-old Japanese woman who had suffered from intermittent fever, migratory arthralgia, and watery diarrhea for several months. Her biopsied intestinal tissue was negative for foamy macrophages and PAS-positive cells, and electron microscopy did not provide diagnostic insight. PCR amplification of the specimens, however, successfully revealed T. whipplei. Whipple's disease was diagnosed based on a positive PCR result and strong clinical suspicion. The patient was treated parenterally with ceftriaxone (2 g daily) for two weeks, followed by oral treatment with 160 mg trimethoprim and 800 mg sulfamethoxazole twice per day. After one month of treatment, her symptoms disappeared and inflammatory markers returned to normal levels. This case illustrates the practicality and effectiveness of a PCR-based diagnostic test in combination with clinical suspicion to correctly diagnose Whipple's disease, especially in cases when a histological examination does not provide insight. PMID:26390825
Detection of Listeria monocytogenes in salmon using the Probelia polymerase chain reaction system.
Wan, Jason; King, Kerryn; Forsyth, Santina; Coventry, M John
A validation was conducted on the performance of a commercially available polymerase chain reaction (PCR) kit (Probelia) in comparison with International Organization for Standardization (ISO) method 11290-1 (adopted as an Australian New Zealand Standard Method, AS/NZS 17184.108.40.206:1998) for the detection of Listeria monocytogenes in salmon samples. The validation was conducted following the guidelines of an Australian New Zealand Standard (Guide to Determining the Equivalence of Food Microbiology Test Methods, Part 1, Qualitative Tests, AS/NZS 4659.1:1999), which adopts an approach similar to that recommended by the Association of Analytical Communities Microbiology Method Validation Program for Performance Tested and Peer Verified Methods. The validation study involved the use of five cultures of L. monocytogenes, each challenged at a single level of inoculation into five different types of salmon samples. A total of 60 salmon samples (30 unchallenged and 30 challenged) were tested using both the PCR method and the ISO method. Results from this study indicated that the Probelia PCR method is equivalent to the ISO method. In addition, the detection sensitivity of the Probelia PCR system was determined as approximately 0.5 CFU per PCR assay (equivalent to 20 CFU/ml broth culture) for a pure culture of L. monocytogenes. The Probelia PCR method offers the advantage of detecting L. monocytogenes to genetic specificity within 48 to 50 h, whereas the ISO method requires 5 days for negative results with additional days for confirmed positive results by the use of other biochemical and cultural tests. PMID:12636297
Use of Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction for Determining Copy Numbers of Transgenes in Lesquerella fendleri
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Grace Q. Chen
Full Text Available Problem statement: In transgenic plants, the number of transgene copies could greatly influence the level of expression and genetic stability of the target gene, thus it is important to develop an efficient method for accurate estimation of transgene copies. The quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR technique is becoming more efficient nowadays to determine copy numbers of transgenes in transgenic plants, being used here, for the first time in quantifying copy numbers of transgenes in Lesquerella fendleri. Approach: The system utilized a known one copy gene, LfKCS4/5, from L. fendleri as an endogenous calibrator and the threshold Crossing point (Ct measured by Applied Biosystem 7500 system to calculate the copy numbers of transgenes in primary transgenic lines (T0 generation. Results: The qPCR condition was optimized and each primer set had a PCR efficiency of 0.99 or 1.01. Our data demonstrated unambiguous 2-fold discrimination of the copy number of β-glucuronidase gene (gusA and hygromycine phosphotransferase II (hptII genes in 12 T0 lines. Most of the lines contained one or two copies of each gene. Eight out of 12 samples (66.7% showed more copies of gusA gene than that of hptII gene, suggesting rearrangements of the Transferred (T-DNA. Possible modifications of the T-DNA cassette in L. fendleri are discussed based on main models of T-DNA integration in the plant genome. Conclusion: The qPCR described in this study is an efficient method and it is particularly useful in identification and selection of transgenic plants with desirable copy numbers at early stage.
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Yu. Rud
Full Text Available Purpose. To analyse the nucleotide sequences of salmonids Y chromosome and to determine the fragment for specific primers selection and also to develop the PCR based method for sex determination in huchen H. hucho. Methodology. Using the ClustalW algorithm in MEGA 5.2, the nucleotide sequences of salmonids Y chromosome were analysed. For developing of method for rapid diagnostic of huchen sex the polymerase chain reaction (PCR assay was used. Tne nucleotide sequences of amplified products were investigated by sequencing. Findings. Using PCR assay the method of sex determination in huchen H. hucho was developed. It was shown that specific PCR products in size of 450 nucleotides were visible in huchen males only. In addition we showed that selected primers can be used in sex determination of rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss and this fact is proved the high rate of sdY locus similarity and its wide destribution in salmonids. Originality. The nucleotide sequences of salmonids Y chromosome were analysed and highly conservative region of sdY locus for specific primers selection, which covers sex-linked marker, was identified. Practical Value. Rapid sex determination in huchen by the developed method will allow to identify reversal males in process of gormonal sex reversion. At the stage of reversal males screening, this method will allow to identify the genotypic males (XY in experimental group and discard them because only phenotypic males with XX genotype (reversal males must be used in the crosses with native femelas for getting of 100 % all-females stock.
Polymerase chain reaction targeting insertion sequence for the diagnosis of extrapulmonary tuberculosis
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V Makeshkumar
Full Text Available Background & objectives: Diagnosis of extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB is difficult using conventional diagnostic methods. This study was conducted to evaluate the use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR in diagnosis of definitive and probable extrapulmonary tuberculosis patients, and to assess the performance of insertion sequence (IS 6110 based PCR assay as compared to conventional culture by Lowenstein-Jensen (LJ method for the diagnosis of EPTB. Methods: A total of 178 non repeated clinical specimens were collected from clinically suspected extrapulmonary tuberculosis patients. The specimens included 59 ascitic fluid, 54 pleural fluid, 25 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF, 12 fine needle aspiration (FNA, 8 urine, 7 pus, 6 synovial fluid, 2 skin tissue, one pericardial fluid, one liver abscess, one pancreatic cyst fluid, one omental biopsy and one semen sample. All these clinical samples were subjected to Ziehl-Neelsen staining (ZN for acid fast bacilli (AFB and culture on LJ medium. PCR was performed by targeting 123bp fragment of insertion sequence IS6110 of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB. Results: Of the 178 specimens, 10 (5.61% were ZN smear positive for AFB, six (3.37% were L-J culture positive from 10 AFB smear positive cases and 48 (26.96% were PCR IS 6110 positive for M. tuberculosis. Interpretation & conclusions: PCR using IS6110 primer was able to pick up more EPTB patients compared to conventional L-J culture method for detection of M. tuberculosis. False positive PCR IS6110 in three CSF samples may be due to latent TB infection which was limitation in this study.
Use of the polymerase chain reaction to detect Mycobacterium leprae in urine
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K.R. Caleffi
Full Text Available Leprosy is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR has been applied to detect M. leprae in different clinical samples and urine seems to be attractive for this purpose. PCR was used to improve the sensitivity for diagnosing leprosy by amplifying a 151-bp PCR fragment of the M. leprae pra gene (PCR-Pra in urine samples. Seventy-three leprosy patients (39 males and 34 females, 14 to 78 years old were selected for leprosy diagnosis at a reference laboratory in Maringá, PR, Brazil. Of these, 36 were under anti-leprosy multidrug therapy with dapsone and rifampicin for tuberculoid (TT and dapsone, rifampicin and clofazimine for borderline (BB and lepromatous (LL forms. The control group contained 50 healthy individuals without any clinical history of leprosy. DNA isolated from leprosy patients' urine samples was successfully amplified by PCR-Pra in 46.6% (34/73 of the cases. The positivity of PCR-Pra for patients with the TT form was 75% for both patients under treatment and non-treated patients (P = 0.1306. In patients with the LL form, PCR-Pra positivity was 52 and 30% for patients under treatment and non-treated patients, respectively (P = 0.2386. PCR-Pra showed a statistically significant difference in detecting M. leprae between the TT and LL forms of leprosy in patients under treatment (P = 0.0033. Although the current study showed that the proposed PCR-Pra has some limitations in the detection of M. leprae, this method has the potential to be a useful tool for leprosy diagnosis mainly in TT leprosy where the AFB slit-skin smear is always negative.
Global Carbon Fiber Composites Supply Chain Competitiveness Analysis
Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)
Das, Sujit [Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States); Warren, Josh [Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States); West, Devin [Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States); Schexnayder, Susan M. [Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN (United States)
This study identifies key opportunities in the carbon fiber supply chain where the United States Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy resources and investments can help the United States achieve or maintain a competitive advantage. The report focuses on four application areas--wind energy, aerospace, automotive, and pressure vessels--that top the list of industries using carbon fiber and carbon fiber reinforced polymers and are also particularly relevant to EERE's mission. For each of the four application areas, the report addresses the supply and demand trends within that sector, supply chain, and costs of carbon fiber and components, all contributing to a competitiveness assessment that addresses the United States' role in future industry growth. This report was prepared by researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Tennessee for the Clean Energy Manufacturing Analysis Center.
Global Carbon Fiber Composites Supply Chain Competitiveness Analysis
Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)
Das. Sujit; Warren, Josh; West, Devin; Schexnayder, Susan M.
This study identifies key opportunities in the carbon fiber supply chain where the United States Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy resources and investments can help the United States achieve or maintain a competitive advantage. The report focuses on four application areas--wind energy, aerospace, automotive, and pressure vessels--that top the list of industries using carbon fiber and carbon fiber reinforced polymers and are also particularly relevant to EERE's mission. For each of the four application areas, the report addresses the supply and demand trends within that sector, supply chain, and costs of carbon fiber and components, all contributing to a competitiveness assessment that addresses the United States' role in future industry growth. This report was prepared by researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Tennessee for the Clean Energy Manufacturing Analysis Center.
Profit Analysis and Supply Chain Planning Model for Closed-Loop Supply Chain in Fashion Industry
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Jisoo Oh
Full Text Available In recent decades, due to market growth and use of synthetic fiber, the fashion industry faces a rapid increase of CO2 emission throughout the production cycle and raises environmental issues in recovery processing. This study proposes a closed-loop supply chain (CLSC structure in fashion industry and develops its planning model as multi-objective mixed integer linear programming to find an optimal trade-off between CLSC profit and CO2 emission. The planning model is associated with the profit analysis of each member in CLSC to find the optimal price of products on CLSC network. The model determines optimal production, transportation, and inventory quantities on CLSC network. The proposed models are validated using numerical experiments and sensitivity analyses, and from the results some managerial insights are addressed.
Identifying Innovative Interventions to Promote Healthy Eating Using Consumption-Oriented Food Supply Chain Analysis
Hawkes, Corinna, ed.
The mapping and analysis of supply chains is a technique increasingly used to address problems in the food system. Yet such supply chain management has not yet been applied as a means of encouraging healthier diets. Moreover, most policies recommended to promote healthy eating focus on the consumer end of the chain. This article proposes a consumption-oriented food supply chain analysis to identify the changes needed in the food supply chain to create a healthier food environment, measured in...
Fresh fish distribution chains: An analysis of three Danish and three Australian chains
DEFF Research Database (Denmark)
Frederiksen, Marco Thorup; Bremner, Allan
. Traceability is a most important issue in the high value product chains in Australia. No information technology methods, were in evidence. In the Danish chains, nearly all traceability was lost after the collector/auction stage and the only evaluation of quality parameters was by inspection.......Information on traceability was gathered for three domestic Danish fish chains typical of the current trading practices in fresh seafood and for three chains exporting products from Australia to Japan. The same standard questionnaires, coupled with personal interviews, were used in all six chains...
Multiplex Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction for Simultaneous Screening of 29 Chromosomal Translocation in Hematologic Malignancies
Institute of Scientific and Technical Information of China (English)
Multiplex reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (M-RT-PCR) has been proved to possess great clinical potential for simultaneous screening of 29 chromosomal translocations in acute leukemia. To evaluate the clinical value of M-RT-PCR in hematologic malignancies, bone marrow samples from 90 patients with various hematologic malignancies, including 25 acute myeloge nous leukemia (AML), 22 acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), 27 chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), 4 myeloproliferative diseases (MPD), 3 chronic lymphoblastic leukemia (CLL), 3 and 1 malignant histocytosis (MH) were subjected to both M-RT-PCR and chromosome karyotypic analysis. Some of cases were subjected to follow-up examination of M-RT-PCR during the period of ukemia. In our hand, 12 of 29chromosomal translocation transcripts including TEL/PDGFR, DEK/CAN, MLL/AF6, AML1/ETO,F9, BCR/ABL, MLL/MLL, PML/RARα, TLS/ERG, E2A/HLF, EVIl and HOXI1 were detected in 57 cases (63.3 %) of the 90 samples, which were in consistence with the results of karyore, M-RT-PCR had also shown good clinical relevance when used as an approach to detect minimal residual leukemia. We concluded that M-RT-PCR could be used as an effiy in the initial diagnosis of hematologic malignancies but also in subsequent monitor of minimal residual leukemia.
Comparison of real-time and quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays in detection of cytomegalovirus DNA in clinical specimens
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
To compare the real-time (RT) and qualitative (Q) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays for detection of Cytomegalovirus (CMV) DNA. The study took place in the Department of Microbiology, Erciyes University, Kayseri and in Iontek Laboratory, Istanbul, Turkey, from August to December 2006. One hundred and seven clinical specimens from 67 patients were included in the study. Cytomegalovirus DNA was investigated using RT-PCR kit (Fluorion Iontek, Turkey) and Q-PCR kit (Fluorion Iontek, Turkey). Deoxyribonucleic acid sequencing was applied to the samples that yielded discrepant results in both assays. Mac Nema's Chi Square test was used for statistical analysis. Of the specimens, 27 were found positive with both assays: 9 with only RT-PCR, and 11 with only Q-PCR assay. Both assays were found negative in 60 of the specimens. There was a good agreement between the 2 assays in 87(81.3%) of the specimens. There was no statistical significant difference between the assays (p>0.05). Two of the 11 samples that RT-PCR negative Q-PCR positive, and 3 of 9 samples that RT-PCR positive Q-PCR negative were found to be CMV DNA positive by DNA sequencing. A good level of concordance between RT-PCR and Q-PCR assays for CMV DNA detection has been found. (author)
Detection of Avibacterium paragallinarum by Polymerase chain reaction from outbreaks of Infectious coryza of poultry in Andhra Pradesh
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T. M. Nabeel Muhammad
Full Text Available Aim: This study was carried out for the detection of Avibacterium paragallinarum from outbreaks of infectious coryza of poultry Materials and Methods: The polymerase chain reaction (PCR was standardized for the diagnosis of infectious coryza by using infectious coryza Killed vaccine, ventri biologicals, Pune as source of DNA of A. paragallinarum. Five outbreaks of infectious coryza from Andhra Pradesh were investigated in the present study. A total of 56 infra orbital sinus swabs and 22 nasal swabs were tested by PCR. Results: PCR analysis showed 56 positives (71.7% for infectious coryza out of total 78 samples tested. Of 56 infra orbital sinus swabs tested, 47 were positive (83.9% and 9 nasal swabs (40.9% out of 22 tested had given positive results for infectious coryza. Samples collected from birds at acute stage of disease and samples collected before treatment with antibiotics were given better results on PCR. Conclusion: For preventing the economic losses associated with the disease, an early, accurate and rapid diagnosis is essential. PCR is a rapid and highly sensitive diagnostic technique which can substitute conventional cultural examination.
Comparison of Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction with Microscopy and Antigen Detection Assay for the Diagnosis of Malaria
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
Objective: To determine the sensitivity of a real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for malaria diagnosis and to compare its accuracy with microscopy and an antigen based rapid diagnostic test (OptiMal). Study Design: Cross-sectional analytical study. Place and Duration of Study: Military Hospital, Armed Forces Institute of Transfusion and Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Rawalpindi, from July to December 2011. Methodology: Venous blood samples of 300 clinically suspected patients of malaria were tested for malaria parasite by microscopy and OptiMal; and malaria parasite index was calculated for the positive samples. Plasmodium genus specific real time PCR was performed on all specimens, targeting small subunit rRNA gene. Diagnostic accuracy of three tests was compared and cost analysis was done. Results: Out of 300 patients, malaria parasite was detected in 110, 106 and 123 patients by microscopy, OptiMAL and PCR respectively. Real time PCR was 100% sensitive while microscopy and OptiMal had sensitivity of 89.4% and 86.2% respectively. All methods were 100% specific. The cost per test was calculated to be 0.2, 2.75 and 3.30 US dollar by microscopy, OptiMal and PCR respectively, excluding the once capital cost on PCR equipment. Conclusion: Genus specific real time PCR for the diagnosis of malaria was successfully established as a highly sensitive and affordable technology that should be incorporated in the diagnostic algorithm in this country. (author)
Detection of African swine fever virus from formalin fixed and non-fixed tissues by polymerase chain reaction
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P. D. Luka
Full Text Available Aim: Formalin fixing and paraffin embedding of tissue samples is one of the techniques for preserving the structural integrity of cells for a very long time. However, extraction and analysis of genomic material from formalin fixed tissue (FFT remains a challenge despite numerous attempts to develop a more effective method. The success of polymerase chain reaction (PCR depends on the quality of DNA extract. Materials and Methods: Here we assessed the conventional method of DNA extraction from FFT for African swine fever virus (ASFV detection. The modified conventional method gave a higher quality DNA when compared with commercially available DNA extraction kits (QIAamp® DNA Mini Kit, DNeasy® Blood and Tissue Kit, and ZR Genomic DNA™ Tissue MiniPrep. Results: An average A260/A280 DNA purity of 0.86-1.68 and 3.22-5.32 μg DNA/mg for formalin fixed and non-fixed tissues, respectively using a conventional method. In a reproducible and three times repeat PCR, the ASFV DNA expected product size of 278 bp was obtained from the DNA extract of the conventional method but not from the DNA extract of the commercial kits. Conclusion: The present study has demonstrated that the conventional method extracts ASFV genome better than commercial kit. In summary, the commercial kit extraction appeared not suitable to purify ASFV DNA from FFT. We, therefore, recommend that the use of the conventional method be considered for African swine fever DNA extraction from FFT.
Primary endobronchial synovial sarcoma confirmed by SYT-SSX1 fusion gene transcript by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction
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Kumar Rajiv
Full Text Available Primary sarcomas of lung are rare compared to metastatic sarcomas. Herein, we report a rare case of primary pulmonary synovial sarcoma with polypoid endobronchial growth in a 35-year-old lady who presented with cough and dyspnea. A malignant pulmonary tumor was suspected and left pneumonectomy was performed. Grossly, a non-encapsulated polypoidal endobronchial tumor measuring 6 cm in greatest diameter, with a solid, tan-white cut surface was identified. Microscopically, tumor was characterized by a proliferation of oval to spindle-shaped cells arranged in sheets and fascicles. Focal hemangiopericytomatous pattern was noted. Immunohistochemically, tumor cells were positive for vimentin, BCL-2, MIC-2 and calponin and focally positive for pancytokeratin and epithelial membrane antigen. A subsequent molecular analysis performed using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction with RNA extracted from paraffin-embedded tissue, revealed SYT/SSX1 fusion gene which confirmed the diagnosis of synovial sarcoma. The utility of immunohistochemistry and molecular techniques in diagnosis of such a rare case is stressed and the relevant literature is discussed.
Automation and integration of polymerase chain reaction with capillary electrophoresis for high throughput genotyping and disease diagnosis
Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)
Zhang, N.
Genotyping is to detect specific loci in the human genome. These loci provide important information for forensic testing, construction of genetic linkage maps, gene related disease diagnosis and pharmacogenetic research. Genotyping is becoming more and more popular after these loci can be easily amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Capillary electrophoresis has its unique advantages for DNA analysis due to its fast heat dissipation and ease of automation. Four projects are described in which genotyping is performed by capillary electrophoresis emphasizing different aspects. First, the author demonstrates a principle to determine the genotype based on capillary electrophoresis system. VNTR polymorphism in the human D1S80 locus was studied. Second, the separation of four short tandem repeat (STR) loci vWF, THO1, TPOX and CSF1PO (CTTv) by using poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) was studied in achieving high resolution and preventing rehybridization of the DNA fragments. Separation under denaturing, non-denaturing conditions and at elevated temperature was discussed. Third, a 250 {micro}m i.d., 365 {micro}m o.d. fused silica capillary was used as the microreactor for PCR. Fourth, direct PCR from blood was studied to simplify the sample preparation for genotyping to minimum.
DETECTION OF Leishmania (Viannia IN Nyssomyia neivai AND Nyssomyia whitmani BY MULTIPLEX POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION, IN SOUTHERN BRAZIL
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Herintha Coeto Neitzke-Abreu
Full Text Available Sandflies transmit pathogens of leishmaniasis. The natural infection of sandflies by Leishmania (Viannia was assessed in municipalities, in the state of Paraná, in Southern Brazil. Sandflies were collected with Falcão and Shannon traps. After dissection in search of flagellates in digestive tubes and identification of the species, female sandflies were submitted to the Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction (multiplex PCR for detection of the fragment of the kDNA of Leishmania (Viannia and the fragment from the IVS6 cacophony gene region of the phlebotomine insects. The analysis was performed in pools containing seven to 12 guts from females of the same species. A total of 510 female sandflies were analyzed, including nine Migonemyia migonei, 17 Pintomyia fischeri, 216 Nyssomyia neivai, and 268 Nyssomyia whitmani. Although none of the females was found naturally infected by flagellates through dissection, the fragment of DNA from Leishmania (Viannia was shown by multiplex PCR in one sample of Ny. neivai (0.46% and three samples of Ny. whitmani (1.12%. It was concluded that Ny. neivai and Ny. whitmani are susceptible to Leishmania infection, and that multiplex PCR can be used in epidemiological studies to detect the natural infection of the sandfly vector, because of its sensitivity, specificity and feasibility.
Quantitative fucK gene polymerase chain reaction on sputum and nasopharyngeal secretions to detect Haemophilus influenzae pneumonia.
Abdeldaim, Guma M K; Strålin, Kristoffer; Olcén, Per; Blomberg, Jonas; Mölling, Paula; Herrmann, Björn
A quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the fucK gene was developed for specific detection of Haemophilus influenzae. The method was tested on sputum and nasopharyngeal aspirate (NPA) from 78 patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). With a reference standard of sputum culture and/or serology against the patient's own nasopharyngeal isolate, H. influenzae etiology was detected in 20 patients. Compared with the reference standard, fucK PCR (using the detection limit 10(5) DNA copies/mL) on sputum and NPA showed a sensitivity of 95.0% (19/20) in both cases, and specificities of 87.9% (51/58) and 89.5% (52/58), respectively. In a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, sputum fucK PCR was found to be significantly superior to sputum P6 PCR for detection of H. influenzae CAP. NPA fucK PCR was positive in 3 of 54 adult controls without respiratory symptoms. In conclusion, quantitative fucK real-time PCR provides a sensitive and specific identification of H. influenzae in respiratory secretions. PMID:23541117
Detection of Haemophilus influenzae in respiratory secretions from pneumonia patients by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.
Abdeldaim, Guma M K; Strålin, Kristoffer; Kirsebom, Leif A; Olcén, Per; Blomberg, Jonas; Herrmann, Björn
A quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based on the omp P6 gene was developed to detect Haemophilus influenzae. Its specificity was determined by analysis of 29 strains of 11 different Haemophilus spp. and was compared with PCR assays having other target genes: rnpB, 16S rRNA, and bexA. The method was evaluated on nasopharyngeal aspirates from 166 adult patients with community-acquired pneumonia. When 10(4) DNA copies/mL was used as cutoff limit for the method, P6 PCR had a sensitivity of 97.5% and a specificity of 96.0% compared with the culture. Of 20 culture-negative but P6 PCR-positive cases, 18 were confirmed by fucK PCR as H. influenzae. Five (5.9%) of 84 nasopharyngeal aspirates from adult controls tested PCR positive. We conclude that the P6 real-time PCR is both sensitive and specific for identification of H. influenzae in respiratory secretions. Quantification facilitates discrimination between disease-causing H. influenzae strains and commensal colonization. PMID:19446978
Molecular characterization of Trichinella genotypes by inter-simple sequence repeat polymerase chain reaction (ISSR-PCR).
Fonseca-Salamanca, F; Nogal-Ruiz, J J; Benito, C; Camachot, M V; Martínez-Fernández, A R
A bulk analysis of inter-simple sequence repeat-polymerase chain reaction (ISSR-PCR) provides a quick, reliable, and highly informative system for DNA banding patterns that permit species identification. The present study evaluates the applicability of this system to Trichinella species identification. After a single amplification carried out on a single larva with the primer 816([CA]nRY) under high stringency conditions, which provide high reproducibility, we were able to identify by consistent banding patterns 5 sibling species: Trichinella spiralis (ISS48), 2 Trichinella britovi isolates (ISS11 and ISS86), Trichinella murrelli (ISS35), Trichinella nativa (ISS71), Trichinella nelsoni (ISS29); 3 additional Trichinella genotypes: T8 (ISS149), T9 (ISS408 and ISS409), and T6 (ISS34); and the nonencapsulated species Trichinella pseudospiralis (ISS13). Moreover, 33 new Trichinella isolates from 2 zoogeographical regions were unequivocally identified. All Trichinella isolates have shown an identical pattern with those produced by the reference strain. According to these data, we have demonstrated that ISSR-PCR is a robust technique that emerges as a useful new application for the molecular identification of Trichinella isolates in epidemiological studies. PMID:16884006
Prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome using cell-free fetal DNA in amniotic fluid by quantitative fluorescent polymersase chain reaction
Institute of Scientific and Technical Information of China (English)
Wu Dan; Chi Hongbin; Shao Minjie; Wu Yao; Jin Hongyan; Wu Baiyan; Qiao Jie
Backgroud Amniotic fluid (AF) supernatant contains cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) fragments.This study attempted to take advantage of cffDNA as a new material for prenatal diagnosis,which could be combined with simple quantitative fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (QF-PCR) to provide an ancillary method for the prenatal diagnosis of trisomy 21 syndrome.Methods AF supernatant samples were obtained from 27 women carrying euploid fetuses and 28 women carrying aneuploid fetuses with known cytogenetic karyotypes.Peripheral blood samples of the parents were collected at the same time.Short tandem repeat (STR) fragments on chromosome 21 were amplified by QF-PCR.Fetal condition and the parental source of the extra chromosome could be determined by the STR peaks.Results The sensitivity of the assay for the aneuploid was 93% (26/28; confidence interval,CI:77%-98%) and the specificity was 100% (26/26; CI:88%-100%).The determination rate of the origin of the extra chromosome was 69%.The sensitivity and the specificity of the assay in the euploid were 100% (27/27).Conclusions Trisomy 21 can be prenatally diagnosed by the QF-PCR method in AF supernatant.This karyotype analysis method greatly reduces the requirement for the specimen size.It will be a benefit for early amniocentesis and could avoid pregnancy complications.The method may become an ancillary method for prenatal diagnosis of trisomy 21.
Utility of a rapid immunochromatographic strip test in detecting canine parvovirus infection compared with polymerase chain reaction
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Sundaran S. Tinky
Full Text Available Aim: The present study was undertaken to detect the presence of canine parvovirus (CPV in fecal samples of diarrheic dogs by conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR and immunochromatographic (IC strip test and to compare the diagnostic potential of these tests. Materials and Methods: A total of 50 fecal samples collected from diarrheic dogs suspected for CPV infection were subjected to PCR using CPV-555 primer amplifying the gene coding for the VP1 protein. These samples were also tested by IC strip test using a commercial rapid Ag test kit. The results were statistically analyzed using McNemar test. Results: A total of 22 samples (44% were detected as positive by PCR, which yielded a specific amplicon of 583 bp. In IC strip test, 18 (36% samples were found to be positive. The sensitivity of the test as compared to PCR was found to be 72.22% and specificity was 92.86%. Positive predictive value and negative predictive value of IC strip test was found to be 88.89% and 81.25%, respectively. Statistical analysis of the results of PCR and IC assay using McNemar test revealed no significant difference (p>0.05. Conclusion: The IC strip test could be employed as a rapid field level diagnostic tool for the diagnosis of canine parvoviral diarrhea.
Babesia bovis and B. bigemina DNA detected in cattle and ticks from Zimbabwe by polymerase chain reaction
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I. Smeenk
Full Text Available From blood collected from 94 cattle at 12 locations in the eastern and northeastern areas of Zimbabwe, DNA was extracted and analysed by polymerase chain reaction with primers previously reported to be specific for Babesia bigemina and Babesia bovis. Overall, DNA of Babesia bigemina was detected in the blood of 33/94 (35 % cattle and DNA from B. bovis was detected in 27/58 (47 % of cattle. The prevalence of DNA of B. bigemina was significantly higher in young animals (<2 years (23/46 than in animals over 2 years of age (10/48; (chi2 = 8.77; P < 0.01 %. Although tick sampling was not thorough, Boophilus decoloratus could be collected at 7/9 sites sampled and Boophilus microplus at 4/9 sites. Of the 20 B. decoloratus allowed to oviposit before PCR analysis, 1 (5 % contained DNA that could be amplified with primers for B. bigemina while 12 (60 % were positive with primers for B. bovis. Of the B. microplus allowed to oviposit, 11/16 (69 % were positive for B. bovis DNAby PCR and 2/16 (12 % were positive for B. bigemina.
Investigation on natural diets of larval marine animals using peptide nucleic acid-directed polymerase chain reaction clamping.
Chow, Seinen; Suzuki, Sayaka; Matsunaga, Tadashi; Lavery, Shane; Jeffs, Andrew; Takeyama, Haruko
The stomach contents of the larvae of marine animals are usually very small in quantity and amorphous, especially in invertebrates, making morphological methods of identification very difficult. Nucleotide sequence analysis using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a likely approach, but the large quantity of larval (host) DNA present may mask subtle signals from the prey genome. We have adopted peptide nucleic acid (PNA)-directed PCR clamping to selectively inhibit amplification of host DNA for this purpose. The Japanese spiny lobster (Panulirus japonicus) and eel (Anguilla japonica) were used as model host and prey organisms, respectively. A lobster-specific PNA oligomer (20 bases) was designed to anneal to the sequence at the junction of the 18 S rDNA gene and the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) of the lobster. PCR using eukaryote universal primers for amplifying the ITS1 region used in conjunction with the lobster-specific PNA on a mixed DNA template of lobster and eel demonstrated successful inhibition of lobster ITS1 amplification while allowing efficient amplification of eel ITS1. This method was then applied to wild-caught lobster larvae of P. japonicus and P. longipes bispinosus collected around Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan. ITS1 sequences of a wide variety of animals (Ctenophora, Cnidaria, Crustacea, Teleostei, Mollusca, and Chaetognatha) were detected. PMID:20535520
Molecular typing of Paenibacillus larvae strains isolated from Bulgarian apiaries based on repetitive element polymerase chain reaction (Rep-PCR).
Rusenova, Nikolina; Parvanov, Parvan; Stanilova, Spaska
The aim of the present study was to perform molecular typing of Paenibacillus larvae (P. larvae) isolates from Bulgarian apiaries with repetitive element polymerase chain reaction (rep-PCR) using BOX A1R, MBO REP1, and ERIC primers. A total of 96 isolates collected from brood combs with clinical symptoms of American foulbrood originating from apiaries located in different geographical regions of Bulgaria, a reference strain P. larvae NBIMCC 8478 and 30 commercial honey samples with Bulgarian origin were included in the study. Rep-PCR fingerprinting analysis revealed two genotypes ab and AB of P. larvae isolates from brood combs and honey samples. A combination of genotypes ab/AB was detected in one apiary and honey sample. The prevailing genotype ab was found in 78.1 % of brood combs isolates as well as in the reference strain whereas genotype AB was determined in 21.9 % of isolates. The examination of honey samples confirmed the preponderance of ab genotype which was demonstrated in 20 of 30 samples analyzed. In conclusion, the genetic epidemiology of P. larvae revealed two genotypes--ab and AB for Bulgarian strains. Developed protocols for molecular typing of P. larvae are reliable and may be used to trace the source of infection. PMID:23361165
Structural analysis of the carbohydrate chains of glycoproteins by 500-MHz 1H-NMR spectroscopy
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
This thesis deals with the structural analysis by 500-MHz 1H-NMR spectroscopy of carbohydrate chains obtained from glycoproteins. In the chapters 1 to 6 the structural analysis of N-glycosidically linked carbohydrate chains is described. The chapters 7 to 10 describe the structural analysis of O-glycosidically linked carbohydrate chains. 381 refs.; 44 figs.; 24 tabs.; 7 schemes
Chain extension and branching of poly(L-lactic acid produced by reaction with a DGEBA-based epoxy resin
Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)
Full Text Available Dicarboxylated poly(L-lactic acid (PLLA was synthesized by reacting succinic anhydride with L-lactic acid prepolymer prepared by melt polycondensation. PLLA and epoxy resin based on diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA copolymers were prepared by chain extension of dicarboxylated PLLA with DGEBA. Infrared spectra confirmed the formation of dicarboxylated PLLA and PLLA/DGEBA copolymer. Influences of reaction temperature, reaction time, and the amount of DGEBA on the molecular weight and gel content of PLLA/DGEBA copolymer were studied. The viscosity average molecular weight of PLLA/DGEBA copolymer reached 87 900 when reaction temperature, reaction time, and mol ratio of dicarboxylated PLLA to DGEBA is 150°C, 30 min, and 1:1 respectively, while gel content of PLLA/DGEBA copolymer is almost zero.
A LCA Based Biofuel Supply Chain Analysis Framework
Institute of Scientific and Technical Information of China (English)
刘喆轩; 邱彤; 陈丙珍
This paper presents a life cycle assessment (LCA) based biofuel supply chain (SC) analysis framework which enables the study of economic, energy and environmental (3E) performances by using multi-objective opti-mization. The economic objective is measured by the total annual profit, the energy objective is measured by the average fossil energy (FE) inputs per MJ biofuel and the environmental objective is measured by greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions per MJ biofuel. A multi-objective linear fractional programming (MOLFP) model with multi-conversion pathways is formulated based on the framework and is solved by using theε-constraint method. The MOLFP prob-lem is turned into a mixed integer linear programming (MILP) problem by setting up the total annual profit as the optimization objective and the average FE inputs per MJ biofuel and GHG emissions per MJ biofuel as constraints. In the case study, this model is used to design an experimental biofuel supply chain in China. A set of the weekly Pareto optimal solutions is obtained. Each non-inferior solution indicates the optimal locations and the amount of biomass produced, locations and capacities of conversion factories, locations and amount of biofuel being supplied in final markets and the flow of mass through the supply chain network (SCN). As the model reveals trade-offs among 3E criteria, we think the framework can be a good support tool of decision for the design of biofuel SC.
Analysis of environmental and economic aspects of international pellet supply chains
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
Biomass plays a key role to achieve the EU's 20-20-20 energy and climate targets. Because of rising European demand and limited domestic resources, the EU relies on worldwide imports. Given this framework, the present thesis explores the influences on wood pellet supply chains considering different environmental policies, price risks and the effect of torrefaction pretreatment. The examinations refer to three real case studies for pellet trade from Australia, Canada, and Russia to Europe. In the first investigation, the efficiency of co-firing imported wood pellets in terms of CO2 savings and related subsidy schemes is analysed. Scenarios show that co-firing biomass is efficient to contribute to the EU energy targets. Though, policy makers could use these instruments more effective when directing sourcing decision towards options with even less environmental impacts. The second analysis explores the influence of statistically derived price risks on total supply chain economics. It is shown that price risks can effect strong fluctuations in the short term, which seriously affect the profitability of individual trade routes. Securing the supply chain is mainly based on individual producer-buyer agreements, personal branch experiences and fast reactions on the subsidy system. Systematic evaluation of supply chains could contribute to a more reliable market and thus foster investment decisions. In the last investigation, the economic and environmental performance of potential torrefaction-based supply chains is assessed. As a result, torrefaction-based supply chains turn out to be a certain alternative to conventional ones. Though, still huge research efforts and industrial demonstration are required to make torrefied biomass a real alternative on the market.
Analysis of environmental and economic aspects of international pellet supply chains
Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)
Ehrig, Rita
Biomass plays a key role to achieve the EU's 20-20-20 energy and climate targets. Because of rising European demand and limited domestic resources, the EU relies on worldwide imports. Given this framework, the present thesis explores the influences on wood pellet supply chains considering different environmental policies, price risks and the effect of torrefaction pretreatment. The examinations refer to three real case studies for pellet trade from Australia, Canada, and Russia to Europe. In the first investigation, the efficiency of co-firing imported wood pellets in terms of CO{sub 2} savings and related subsidy schemes is analysed. Scenarios show that co-firing biomass is efficient to contribute to the EU energy targets. Though, policy makers could use these instruments more effective when directing sourcing decision towards options with even less environmental impacts. The second analysis explores the influence of statistically derived price risks on total supply chain economics. It is shown that price risks can effect strong fluctuations in the short term, which seriously affect the profitability of individual trade routes. Securing the supply chain is mainly based on individual producer-buyer agreements, personal branch experiences and fast reactions on the subsidy system. Systematic evaluation of supply chains could contribute to a more reliable market and thus foster investment decisions. In the last investigation, the economic and environmental performance of potential torrefaction-based supply chains is assessed. As a result, torrefaction-based supply chains turn out to be a certain alternative to conventional ones. Though, still huge research efforts and industrial demonstration are required to make torrefied biomass a real alternative on the market.
Development, validation, and standardization of polymerase chain reaction-based detection of E-coli O157
DEFF Research Database (Denmark)
Abdulmawjood, A.; Bulte, M.; Roth, S.;
A diagnostic polymerase chain reaction assay was developed for the detection of E. coli O157 as the first part of a multicenter validation and standardization project. The assay is based on amplification of sequences of the rfbE O157 gene and includes an internal amplification control. The...... selectivity of the assay was evaluated against 155 strains, including 32 E. coli O157, 38 E. coli non-O157, and 85 non-E. coli. It was shown to be highly inclusive (100%) and exclusive (100%). The assay has a 100% detection probability of approximately 2 x 10(3) cells per reaction....
Peripheral Blood Leukocytes and Serum Nested Polymerase Chain Reaction Are Complementary Methods for Monitoring Active Cytomegalovirus Infection in Transplant Patients
Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)
PD Andrade
Full Text Available BACKGROUND: Human cytomegalovirus is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients. Qualitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR has proven to be a sensitive and effective technique in defining active cytomegalovirus infection, in addition to having low cost and being a useful test for situations in which there is no need for quantification. Real-time PCR has the advantage of quantification; however, the high cost of this methodology makes it impractical for routine use.
Interlaboratory validation data on real-time polymerase chain reaction detection for unauthorized genetically modified papaya line PRSV-YK
Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)
Kosuke Nakamura
Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR detection method for unauthorized genetically modified (GM papaya (Carica papaya L. line PRSV-YK (PRSV-YK detection method was developed using whole genome sequence data (DDBJ Sequenced Read Archive under accession No. PRJDB3976. Interlaboratory validation datasets for PRSV-YK detection method were provided. Data indicating homogeneity of samples prepared for interlaboratory validation were included. Specificity and sensitivity test data for PRSV-YK detection method were also provided.
Detection of Avibacterium paragallinarum by Polymerase chain reaction from outbreaks of Infectious coryza of poultry in Andhra Pradesh
T. M. Nabeel Muhammad; Sreedevi, B.
Aim: This study was carried out for the detection of Avibacterium paragallinarum from outbreaks of infectious coryza of poultry Materials and Methods: The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was standardized for the diagnosis of infectious coryza by using infectious coryza Killed vaccine, ventri biologicals, Pune as source of DNA of A. paragallinarum. Five outbreaks of infectious coryza from Andhra Pradesh were investigated in the present study. A total of 56 infra orbital sinus swabs and 22 nasa...
Alteration in sample preparation to increase the yield of multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction assay for diagnosis of genital ulcer disease
Rao, G.; A Das; Prabhakar, P.; V Nema; Risbud, A. R.
Purpose: Genital Ulcer Disease (GUD) is common sexually transmitted infection (STI). Multiple studies have shown that GUDs are strongly associated with the transmission and the acquisition of HIV infection. An accurate diagnosis of common etiology of GUD namely Herpes, syphilis and Chancroid is possible using Multiplex PCR (M-PCR). However, frequent presence of Polymerase Chain Reaction inhibitors in the ulcer swab specimen limits the performance of the assay. In order to overcome this proble...
Detection and Typing of Human Papilloma Viruses by Nested Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction Assay in Cervical Cancer
Background: Cervical cancer is the leading cause of death from cancer in under-developed countries. Human papilloma virus (HPV) 16 and 18 are the most prevalent types associated with carcinogenesis in the cervix. Conventional Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), type-specific and consensus primer-based PCR followed by sequencing, Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) or hybridization by specific probes are common methods for HPV detection and typing. In addition, some researchers have d...
Knockout confirmation for Hurries: rapid genotype identification of Trypanosoma cruzi transfectants by polymerase chain reaction directly from liquid culture
Gene knockout is a widely used approach to evaluate loss-of-function phenotypes and it can be facilitated by the incorporation of a DNA cassette having a drug-selectable marker. Confirmation of the correct knockout cassette insertion is an important step in gene removal validation and has generally been performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays following a time-consuming DNA extraction step. Here, we show a rapid procedure for the identification of Trypanosoma cruzi transfectants by...
Detection of Legionella by quantitative-polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) for monitoring and risk assessment
Krøjgaard Louise H; Krogfelt Karen A; Albrechtsen Hans-Jørgen; Uldum Søren A
Abstract Background Culture and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assays for the detection of Legionella were compared on samples from a residential area before and after two interventions. A total of 84 samples were collected from shower hoses and taps as first flush samples and at constant temperature. Samples were grouped according to the origin of the sample, a) circulation water b) water from empty apartments c) water from shower hoses. The aims were to investigate the useful...
Accuracy of replication in the polymerase chain reaction. Comparison between Thermotoga maritima DNA polymerase and Thermus aquaticus DNA polymerase
Diaz, R S; Sabino, E. C.
For certain applications of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), it may be necessary to consider the accuracy of replication. The breakthrough that made PCR user friendly was the commercialization of Thermus aquaticus (Taq) DNA polymerase, an enzyme that would survive the high temperatures needed for DNA denaturation. The development of enzymes with an inherent 3' to 5' exonuclease proofreading activity, lacking in Taq polymerase, would be an improvement when higher fidelity is needed. We use...
Viral etiology of respiratory infections in children in southwestern Saudi Arabia using multiplex reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction
Al-Ayed, Mohamed S.; Asaad, Ahmed M; Qureshi, Mohamed A.; Ameen, Mohammed S.
Objectives: To investigate 15 respiratory viruses in children with acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) using multiplex reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and to analyze the clinical and epidemiological features of these viruses. Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 135 children, ≤5 years of age who presented with ARTIs in Najran Maternity and Children Hospital, Najran, Saudi Arabia between October 2012 and July 2013 were included. The clinical and sociodemographi...
Magnetic isotope effect and oxygen enrichment by 17O isotope in chain oxidation reactions. Communication 1. Theory
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
The theory of magnetic isotope effect and enrichment of molecular oxygen by 17O isotope in chain oxidation reactions of organic compounds is presented. Recombination probabilities of perioxide radicals differing by isotope composition by oxygen are calculated; the magnetic isotope effect and its dependence on diffusion and viscosity coefficients are determined. Some geochemical and space-chemical consequences of the magnetic isotope effect are discussed
Rapid Detection/pathotyping of Newcastle disease virus isolates in clinical samples using real time polymerase chain reaction assay
Authors: Abdul Wajid, Muhammad Wasim, Tahir Yaqub, Shafqat F Rehmani, Tasra Bibi, Nadia Mukhtar, Javed Muhammad, Umar Bacha, Suliman Qadir Afridi, Muhammad Nauman Zahid, Zia u ddin, Muhammad Zubair Shabbir, Kamran Abbas & Muneer Ahmad ### Abstract In the present protocol we describe the real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) assay for the rapid detection/pathotyping of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) isoaltes in clinical samples. Fusion gene and matrix ...
Polymerase chain reaction as a succesful biotechnological application. Ways we use PCR in the fields of bioinformatics forensics and genetics
Λάζαρη, Σπυριδούλα
Molecular genetics use molecular methods that amplify specific fragments of DNA. Today, the molecular techniques which were developed for amplification and detection of specific sequences of nucleic acids helped in a great deal to understand the structure of many diseases. Polymerase chain reaction or PCR is a technique that is used for isolation and amplification of a specific sequence of DNA. PCR is an in vitro method that exploits the in vivo procedure of replication of DNA. DNA polyme...
Detection of Wuchereria bancrofti DNA in paired serum and urine samples using polymerase chain reaction-based systems
Camila Ximenes; Eduardo Brandão; Paula Oliveira; Abraham Rocha; Tamisa Rego; Rafael Medeiros; Ana Aguiar-Santos; João Ferraz; Christian Reis; Paulo Araujo; Luiz Carvalho; Melo, Fabio L
The Global Program for the Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis (GPELF) aims to eliminate this disease by the year 2020. However, the development of more specific and sensitive tests is important for the success of the GPELF. The present study aimed to standardise polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based systems for the diagnosis of filariasis in serum and urine. Twenty paired biological urine and serum samples from individuals already known to be positive for Wuche...
Diagnosis of human trypanosomiasis, due to Trypanosoma brucei gambiense in central Africa, by the polymerase chain reaction
Penchenier, Laurent; Simo, G.; Grébaut, Pascal; Nkinin, S.; Laveissière, Claude; Herder, Stéphane
During a mass screening of sleeping sickness conducted in 1998 and 1999, and involving 27,932 persons in Cameroon and the Central African Republic, we tested the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on whole blood for the diagnosis of human African trypanosomiasis due to #Trypanosoma brucei gambiense$. The 1858 samples obtained were from 4 groups : 155 infected patients, 1432 serological suspects detected by the card agglutination test for trypanosomiasis (CATT), 222 negative controls living in th...
Direct method for detecting small quantities of hepatitis B virus DNA in serum and plasma using the polymerase chain reaction.
Zeldis, J B; Lee, J. H.; Mamish, D; Finegold, D J; Sircar, R; Q. Ling; Knudsen, P J; Kuramoto, I K; Mimms, L T
Serum components inhibit DNA polymerase, thereby obviating direct detection of serum viral DNA sequences by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). This has necessitated extraction of nucleic acid from sera before performing PCR and has resulted in loss of sensitivity. By adsorbing virus to a solid surface (microcentrifuge tubes or antibody coated microparticles) followed by proteinase K digestion, as little as three viruses per 200 microliters serum may be directly detected by PCR without nucle...
A novel polymerase chain reaction method for detection of human immunodeficiency virus in dried blood spots on filter paper.
Yourno, J; Conroy, J.
A method for detection of proviral human immunodeficiency virus DNA in dried blood spots on filter paper by direct polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has been developed. To develop the method, a standard system was used which was prepared from cells each containing a single integrated provirus and titrated with normal donor blood. This rapid procedure provides virtually quantitative yields of nuclear DNA and exploits most of the standard methodology described for blood specimens. A nested PCR us...
Reni Herman; Endah Ariyanti; Ervi Salwati; Delima -; Emiliana Tjitra
In monitoring the treatment of malaria with Dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (DHP), microscopic cross check and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) performed to validate the results of laboratory examinations in the field. This study used finger prick samples from subjects with a diagnosis of malaria in monitoring the treatment of malaria with DHP in Kalimantan and Sulawesi. Samples taken at day 0, blood smears made on slides for microscopic and blood spot on filter paper for PCR examination. The P...
Rapid, simple method for treating clinical specimens containing Mycobacterium tuberculosis to remove DNA for polymerase chain reaction.
Buck, G E; O'Hara, L C; Summersgill, J T
Several simplified methods for treating mycobacteria to release DNA for amplification by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were investigated. The most effective of the methods was sonication. Samples were placed in screw-capped microcentrifuge tubes that were then placed in a plastic rack. The rack was floated in a dish of water next to the ultrasonic probe so that the ultrasonic energy was transmitted through the walls of the tubes. This allowed multiple samples to be processed safely and ...
Rapid diagnosis of enterovirus infection by magnetic bead extraction and polymerase chain reaction detection of enterovirus RNA in clinical specimens.
Muir, P; Nicholson, F; Jhetam, M; Neogi, S; Banatvala, J E
We describe a rapid method for extraction and detection of enterovirus RNA in clinical samples. By using magnetic bead technology, enterovirus RNA was efficiently and rapidly extracted from cerebrospinal fluid, stool, saliva, blood, pericardial fluid, urine, and cryopreserved or formalin-fixed solid tissue. Enterovirus RNA was then detected by reverse transcription followed by polymerase chain reaction amplification with primers designed to allow detection of most enterovirus serotypes. For d...
Detection of Lassa virus RNA in specimens from patients with Lassa fever by using the polymerase chain reaction.
Lunkenheimer, K; Hufert, F. T.; Schmitz, H.
Suitable oligonucleotide primers and probes were synthesized to amplify Lassa virus (Josiah strain)-specific nucleoprotein and glycoprotein gene fragments by using reverse transcription combined with the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Our primers did not amplify the related lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus. By using PCR, about 50 50% tissue culture infective doses could be detected in the supernatant of infected cells. Furthermore, in all five serum specimens and four of five urine specim...
Detection of Adenoviruses from clinical samples in bone marrow transplant patients by nested PCR (polymerase chain reaction)
Fatemeh Sabagh; Michael Roggendorf
Adenoviruses are recognized as common human pathogens that are responsible for a wide variety of infectious syndromes. Bone marrow transplant patients are prone to life threatening opportunistic infections like adenoviruses. The nested polymerase chain reaction has provided an alternative, sensitive diagnostic method for detection of Adenoviruses. In this study we developed PCR from hexon genes as rapid diagnostic method of Advs infections on different clinical samples. Adenovirus infections ...
Pilot Study of COBAS PCR and Ligase Chain Reaction for Detection of Rectal Infections Due to Chlamydia trachomatis
Matthew R Golden; Astete, Sabina G.; Galvan, Rosa; Lucchetti, Aldo; Sanchez, Jorge; Celum, Connie L.; Whittington, William L. H.; Stamm, Walter E.; Holmes, King K.; Totten, Patricia A.
We tested rectal specimens from men who have sex with men for Chlamydia trachomatis by using COBAS PCR (Roche Diagnostics) and ligase chain reaction LCR (Abbott laboratories) and compared three PCR specimen-processing procedures. Chlamydiae were detected by one or more procedures in 22 of 186 specimens. All three PCR tests were positive for 17 specimens, all of which also tested positive by LCR.
Isolation and Identification of Mycoplasma synoviae From Suspected Ostriches by Polymerase Chain Reaction, in Kerman Province, Iran
Tebyanian, Hamid; Mirhosseiny, Seyed Hanif; Kheirkhah, Babak; Hassanshahian, Mehdi; farhadian, Hamze
Background: Mycoplasma synoviae is an important avian pathogen which can cause both respiratory disease and synovial joint inflammation (synovitis) in poultry. Mycoplasmas spp. may cause the respiratory system infection in ostriches with symptoms such as inflammation of the nose, trachea and also damages of lungs. Objectives: The current study aimed to use the M. synoviae specific Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and microbiological methods in order to isolate and identify M. synoviae from sus...
Detection of colonic cells in peripheral blood of colorectal cancer patients by means of reverse transcriptase and polymerase chain reaction.
Castells, A.; Boix, L.; Bessa, X; Gargallo, L.; Piqué, J M
Circulating tumour cells play a central role in the metastatic process, but little is known about the relationship between this cellular subpopulation and the development of secondary disease. This study was aimed at assessing the presence of colonic cells in peripheral blood of patients with colorectal cancer in different evolutionary stages, by means of reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) targeted to carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) mRNA. In vitro sensitivity was establis...
Transgenes monitoring in an industrial soybean oil processing by conventional and real-time polymerase chain reaction
Costa, J; Mafra, I; Amaral, J S; Oliveira, M. B. P. P.
In recent years a great effort has been devoted to the development of new methods for the qualitative and quantitative detection of transgenic sequences in food. Most of the developed analytical methods for GMO detection are DNA-based, since protein-based assays are not suitable for processed food. For that purpose, polimerase chain reaction (PCR) and real-time quantitative PCR have been successfully applied. Since the approval of Roundup Ready (RR) soybean in Europe, the production of soybea...
Detection of Brazilian hantavirus by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction amplification of N gene in patients with hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome
Marcos Lázaro Moreli; Ricardo Luiz Moro de Sousa; Luiz Tadeu Moraes Figueiredo
We report a nested reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay for hantavirus using primers selected to match high homology regions of hantavirus genomes detected from the whole blood of hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS) patients from Brazil, also including the N gene nucleotide sequence of Araraquara virus. Hantavirus genomes were detected in eight out of nine blood samples from the HCPS patients by RT-PCR (88.9% positivity) and in all 9 blood samples (100% positi...
Use of the Polymerase Chain Reaction to Detect Helicobacter pylori in the Dental Plaque of Healthy and Symptomatic Individuals
Banatvala, N.; Lopez, C. Romero; Owen, R J; Hurtado, A; Abdi, Y; Davies, G. R.; Hardie, J. M.; Feldman, R A
A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay, based on the amplification of a species specific ureA (urease) gene internal sequence, was used to detect Helicobacter pylori. Total DNA extracts were obtained from dental plaque in patients attending an endoscopy clinic and from apparently healthy schoolchildren of Bangladeshi origin. Of the 54 samples of dental plaque from endoscopy patients examined, 39 were positive (72 per cent). There was 63 per cent correlation (34/54) between H. pylori in the s...
Development and validation of a Pneumocystis jirovecii real-time polymerase chain reaction assay for diagnosis of Pneumocystis pneumonia
Church, Deirdre L; Ambasta, Anshula; Wilmer, Amanda; Williscroft, Holly; Ritchie, Gordon; Pillai, Dylan R.; Champagne, Sylvie; Daniel G Gregson
Pneumocystis pneumonia is caused by Pneumocystis jirovecii, an opportunistic fungal pathogen. Presently, many clinical microbiology laboratories rely on direct microscopic detection of P jirovecii. The validation, and clinical and laboratory development of a qualitative P jirovecii real-time polymerase chain reaction assay for the rapid detection of Pneumocystis pneumonia is discussed by the authors. In addition, this new technique is compared with the existing gold-standard immunofluorescenc...
Fite-Faraco staining in combination with multiplex polymerase chain reaction: A new approach to leprosy diagnosis
Abu Hena Hasanoor Reja; Nibir Biswas; Supratik Biswas; Sarbani Dasgupta; Imran Hussain Chowdhury; Surajita Banerjee; Tapas Chakraborty; Pijush Kumar Dutta; Basudev Bhattacharya
Background: Leprosy is not always an easy disease to diagnose, and patients can remain undiagnosed for longtime, not only at the peripheral clinics but also even at places with higher medical facilities, so, there is an urgent need for rapid and definitive modalities for leprosy diagnosis. This prospective study evaluates the ability of Fite-Faraco staining (FF staining) and multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) over hematoxylin and eosin staining (H and E staining) and Ziehl-Neelsen stai...
Adoption of wireless sensors in supply chains: a process view analysis of a pharmaceutical cold chain
Haan, Georg Hendrik; Hillegersberg, van, R.; Jong, de, M.C.M.; Sikkel, Klaas
Real-time and continuous monitoring of high value goods can considerably improve the reliability and effectiveness of supply chains. Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) offer technical capabilities for continuous sense and respond capabilities. WSN offer complementary advantages over the use of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) in supply chains. Still, WSN have not been massively adopted. While some success stories on the use of RFID in supply chains have appeared, little research is available...
Evaluating Investments For Services: A Value Chain Analysis Framework
Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)
Narcyz Roztocki
Full Text Available This paper presents a framework based on value chain analysis to evaluate investments for services. The rationale for this approach is that to properly evaluate the benefits of any services investments, the value and cost interactions resulting from different business processes or activities need to be considered. To achieve reliable cost estimations, the framework employs a costing system, which integrates activity-based costing with the economic value added performance measure. The proposed framework is illustrated using a hypothetical case of an information technology investment in a car repair shop.
Markov chain analysis of single spin flip Ising simulations
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
The Markov processes defined by random and loop-based schemes for single spin flip attempts in Monte Carlo simulations of the 2D Ising model are investigated, by explicitly constructing their transition matrices. Their analysis reveals that loops over all lattice sites using a Metropolis-type single spin flip probability often do not define ergodic Markov chains, and have distorted dynamical properties even if they are ergodic. The transition matrices also enable a comparison of the dynamics of random versus loop spin selection and Glauber versus Metropolis probabilities
Stiffness Analysis Of Multi-Chain Parallel Robotic Systems
Pashkevich, Anatoly; Wenger, Philippe
The paper presents a new stiffness modelling method for multi-chain parallel robotic manipulators with flexible links and compliant actuating joints. In contrast to other works, the method involves a FEA-based link stiffness evaluation and employs a new solution strategy of the kinetostatic equations, which allows computing the stiffness matrix for singular postures and to take into account influence of the internal forces. The advantages of the developed technique are confirmed by application examples, which deal with stiffness analysis of the Orthoglide manipulator.
Stiffness Analysis Of Multi-Chain Parallel Robotic Systems
Pashkevich, Anatoly; Chablat, Damien; Wenger, Philippe
The paper presents a new stiffness modelling method for multi-chain parallel robotic manipulators with flexible links and compliant actuating joints. In contrast to other works, the method involves a FEA-based link stiffness evaluation and employs a new solution strategy of the kinetostatic equations, which allows computing the stiffness matrix for singular postures and to take into account influence of the external forces. The advantages of the developed technique are confirmed by application examples, which deal with stiffness analysis of a parallel manipulator of the Orthoglide family
An exploratory study to evaluate Clostridium difficile polymerase chain reaction ribotypes and infection outcomes
Thabit, Abrar K; Nicolau, David P
Background Clostridium difficile infection ranges from mild to severe prolonged diarrhea with systemic symptoms. Previous studies have assessed the correlation of some disease severity parameters to C. difficile ribotypes. However, certain clinical parameters of interest have not yet been evaluated. Aim We conducted an exploratory study to evaluate the correlation of C. difficile ribotypes to parameters not assessed previously, notably days to diarrhea resolution (in terms of days to formed stools and days to less than three stools per day), length of hospital stay, 30-day recurrence rates, and 30-day readmission rates. Additional severity parameters evaluated include leukocytosis, serum creatinine, fever, and nausea/vomiting. Methods Polymerase chain reaction ribotyping was performed on C. difficile isolates from baseline stool samples of 29 patients. A retrospective chart review was conducted to assess the parameters of interest. Results The most common ribotypes were 027 (38%), 014/020 (21%), and 106/174 (21%). Numerically, 027 ribotype patients required more days to less than three stools per day versus 014/020 and 106/174 ribotype patients (P=0.2). The three ribotypes were similar regarding time to formed stools, duration of hospitalization, and 30-day readmission rate (P=0.2, 0.6, and 0.8, respectively). Recurrence within 30 days occurred in two patients with 027 and two patients with 014/020 (P=0.6). Leukocytosis and fever were more prominent with 027 than with 014/020 and 106/174 (P=0.04 for both parameters), although the degree of nausea/vomiting did not differ between the three groups (P=0.3). A serum creatinine level ≥1.5 times the premorbid level was seen in only three patients, each infected with a different ribotype. Conclusion Although these data provide a baseline assessment of outcomes to aid in the design of future studies, the diversity of C. difficile ribotypes within the population must be considered, and additional work with other ribotypes
Nanobarcoding: detecting nanoparticles in biological samples using in situ polymerase chain reaction
Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)
Eustaquio T
Full Text Available Trisha Eustaquio, James F LearyWeldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USABackground: Determination of the fate of nanoparticles (NPs in a biological system, or NP biodistribution, is critical in evaluating an NP formulation for nanomedicine. Current methods to determine NP biodistribution are greatly inadequate, due to their limited detection thresholds. Herein, proof of concept of a novel method for improved NP detection based on in situ polymerase chain reaction (ISPCR, coined "nanobarcoding," is demonstrated.Methods: Nanobarcoded superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (NB-SPIONs were characterized by dynamic light scattering, zeta potential, and hyperspectral imaging measurements. Cellular uptake of Cy5-labeled NB-SPIONs (Cy5-NB-SPIONs was imaged by confocal microscopy. The feasibility of the nanobarcoding method was first validated by solution-phase PCR and "pseudo"-ISPCR before implementation in the model in vitro system of HeLa human cervical adenocarcinoma cells, a cell line commonly used for ISPCR-mediated detection of human papilloma virus (HPV.Results: Dynamic light-scattering measurements showed that NB conjugation stabilized SPION size in different dispersion media compared to that of its precursor, carboxylated SPIONs (COOH-SPIONs, while the zeta potential became more positive after NB conjugation. Hyperspectral imaging confirmed NB conjugation and showed that the NB completely covered the SPION surface. Solution-phase PCR and pseudo-ISPCR showed that the expected amplicons were exclusively generated from the NB-SPIONs in a dose-dependent manner. Although confocal microscopy revealed minimal cellular uptake of Cy5-NB-SPIONs at 50 nM over 24 hours in individual cells, ISPCR detected definitive NB-SPION signals inside HeLa cells over large sample areas.Conclusion: Proof of concept of the nanobarcoding method has been demonstrated in in vitro systems, but the technique needs further
Optimizing polymerase chain reaction testing for the diagnosis of pertussis: current perspectives
Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)
Arbefeville S
Full Text Available Sophie Arbefeville, Patricia Ferrieri Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA Abstract: Nucleic acid testing has revolutionized the diagnosis of pertussis in the clinical microbiology laboratory and has become the main avenue of testing for pertussis infection. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR is an important tool for timely diagnosis of pertussis and is more sensitive than culture. The most commonly amplified targets are the insertion-sequence (IS genes, which are found in multiple copies in the genome of Bordetella species. Some strains of Bordetella pertussis have more than 200 copies of IS481 in their genome. This high number of repeats allows RT-PCR assays to be very sensitive and makes nucleic acid testing two to three times more sensitive than culture. Despite these advantages, RT-PCR can give inaccurate results due to contamination or lack of specificity. Contamination can easily happen during specimen collection, DNA extraction, or nucleic acid amplification steps. To avoid contamination, laboratories need to have quality controls and good workflows in place. The poor specificity of the nucleic acid assays amplifying the IS genes is because they are found in various Bordetella species and, thus, not unique to a specific species. Bordetella holmesii, a more recently described Bordetella species found to be responsible for respiratory symptoms similar to pertussis in adolescents and adults, can be misidentified as B. pertussis in RT-PCR assays that amplify only the IS481 target. Use of multiple targets may improve specificity of RT-PCR assays for pertussis. In the past few years, the US Food and Drug Administration has cleared three commercial assays for the detection of B. pertussis in respiratory specimens. Several commercial assays and analyte-specific reagents, which are not US Food and Drug Administration cleared, are available for the detection of one
Nanoscale superstructures assembled by polymerase chain reaction (PCR): programmable construction, structural diversity, and emerging applications.
Kuang, Hua; Ma, Wei; Xu, Liguang; Wang, Libing; Xu, Chuanlai
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is an essential tool in biotechnology laboratories and is becoming increasingly important in other areas of research. Extensive data obtained over the last 12 years has shown that the combination of PCR with nanoscale dispersions can resolve issues in the preparation DNA-based materials that include both inorganic and organic nanoscale components. Unlike conventional DNA hybridization and antibody-antigen complexes, PCR provides a new, effective assembly platform that both increases the yield of DNA-based nanomaterials and allows researchers to program and control assembly with predesigned parameters including those assisted and automated by computers. As a result, this method allows researchers to optimize to the combinatorial selection of the DNA strands for their nanoparticle conjugates. We have developed a PCR approach for producing various nanoscale assemblies including organic motifs such as small molecules, macromolecules, and inorganic building blocks, such as nanorods (NRs), metal, semiconductor, and magnetic nanoparticles (NPs). We start with a nanoscale primer and then modify that building block using the automated steps of PCR-based assembly including initialization, denaturation, annealing, extension, final elongation, and final hold. The intermediate steps of denaturation, annealing, and extension are cyclic, and we use computer control so that the assembled superstructures reach their predetermined complexity. The structures assembled using a small number of PCR cycles show a lower polydispersity than similar discrete structures obtained by direct hybridization between the nanoscale building blocks. Using different building blocks, we assembled the following structural motifs by PCR: (1) discrete nanostructures (NP dimers, NP multimers including trimers, pyramids, tetramers or hexamers, etc.), (2) branched NP superstructures and heterochains, (3) NP satellite-like superstructures, (4) Y-shaped nanostructures and DNA
An exploratory study to evaluate Clostridium difficile polymerase chain reaction ribotypes and infection outcomes
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Thabit AK
Full Text Available Abrar K Thabit,1,2 David P Nicolau1,3 1Center for Anti-Infective Research and Development, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, CT, USA; 2Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 3Division of Infectious Diseases, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, CT, USA Background: Clostridium difficile infection ranges from mild to severe prolonged diarrhea with systemic symptoms. Previous studies have assessed the correlation of some disease severity parameters to C. difficile ribotypes. However, certain clinical parameters of interest have not yet been evaluated.Aim: We conducted an exploratory study to evaluate the correlation of C. difficile ribotypes to parameters not assessed previously, notably days to diarrhea resolution (in terms of days to formed stools and days to less than three stools per day, length of hospital stay, 30-day recurrence rates, and 30-day readmission rates. Additional severity parameters evaluated include leukocytosis, serum creatinine, fever, and nausea/vomiting.Methods: Polymerase chain reaction ribotyping was performed on C. difficile isolates from baseline stool samples of 29 patients. A retrospective chart review was conducted to assess the parameters of interest.Results: The most common ribotypes were 027 (38%, 014/020 (21%, and 106/174 (21%. Numerically, 027 ribotype patients required more days to less than three stools per day versus 014/020 and 106/174 ribotype patients (P=0.2. The three ribotypes were similar regarding time to formed stools, duration of hospitalization, and 30-day readmission rate (P=0.2, 0.6, and 0.8, respectively. Recurrence within 30 days occurred in two patients with 027 and two patients with 014/020 (P=0.6. Leukocytosis and fever were more prominent with 027 than with 014/020 and 106/174 (P=0.04 for both parameters, although the degree of nausea/vomiting did not differ between the three groups (P=0.3. A serum creatinine level ≥1.5 times the premorbid level was seen in only three
On the implementation of a chain nuclear reaction of thermonuclear fusion on the basis of the p+11B process
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
Various theoretical and experimental schemes for implementing a thermonuclear reactor on the basis of the p+11B reaction are considered. They include beam collisions, fusion in degenerate plasmas, ignition upon plasma acceleration by ponderomotive forces, and the irradiation of a solid-state target from 11B with a proton beam under conditions of a Coulomb explosion of hydrogen microdrops. The possibility of employing ultra-short high-intensity laser pulses to initiate the p+11B reaction under conditions far from thermodynamic equilibrium is discussed. This and some other weakly radioactive thermonuclear reactions are promising owing to their ecological cleanness—there are virtually no neutrons among fusion products. Nuclear reactions that follow the p+11B reaction may generate high-energy protons, sustaining a chain reaction, and this is an advantage of the p+11B option. The approach used also makes it possible to study nuclear reactions under conditions close to those in the early Universe or in the interior of stars
On the implementation of a chain nuclear reaction of thermonuclear fusion on the basis of the p+11B process
Belyaev, V. S.; Krainov, V. P.; Zagreev, B. V.; Matafonov, A. P.
Various theoretical and experimental schemes for implementing a thermonuclear reactor on the basis of the p+11B reaction are considered. They include beam collisions, fusion in degenerate plasmas, ignition upon plasma acceleration by ponderomotive forces, and the irradiation of a solid-state target from 11B with a proton beam under conditions of a Coulomb explosion of hydrogen microdrops. The possibility of employing ultra-short high-intensity laser pulses to initiate the p+11B reaction under conditions far from thermodynamic equilibrium is discussed. This and some other weakly radioactive thermonuclear reactions are promising owing to their ecological cleanness—there are virtually no neutrons among fusion products. Nuclear reactions that follow the p+11B reaction may generate high-energy protons, sustaining a chain reaction, and this is an advantage of the p+11B option. The approach used also makes it possible to study nuclear reactions under conditions close to those in the early Universe or in the interior of stars.
The CMS analysis chain in a distributed environment
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
The CMS collaboration is undertaking a big effort to define the analysis model and to develop software tools with the purpose of analysing several millions of simulated and real data events by a large number of people in many geographically distributed sites. From the computing point of view, one of the most complex issues when doing remote analysis is the data discovery and access. Some software tools were developed in order to move data, make them available to the full international community and validate them for the subsequent analysis. The batch analysis processing is performed with workload management tools developed on purpose, which are mainly responsible for the job preparation and the job submission. The job monitoring and the output management are implemented as the last part of the analysis chain. Grid tools provided by the LCG project are evaluated to gain access to the data and the resources by providing a user friendly interface to the physicists submitting the analysis jobs. An overview of the current implementation and of the interactions between the previous components of the CMS analysis system is presented in this work
Nested polymerase chain reaction study of 53 cases with Turner`s syndrome: Is cytogenetically undetected Y mosaicism common?
Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)
Binder, G.; Koch, A.; Ranke, M.B. [Univ. Children`s Hospital, Tuebingen (Germany)
Turner`s syndrome patients with Y mosaicism face a high risk of developing gonadoblastoma. Cytogenetic analysis can fail to detect rare cells bearing a normal or structurally abnormal Y chromosome (low level Y mosaicism). We screened 53 individuals with Turner`s syndrome for presence of sex-determining region Y (SRY), the testis-specific protein, Y encoded, gene, and the Y centromeric DYZ3 repeat using nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Thirty girls (57%) had the 45,X karyotype, determined through standard analysis of blood lymphocytes. The remaining 23 girls (43%) were mosaics and/or had structural abnormalities in 1 X-chromosome. Genomic DNA from blood leukocytes was amplified using 2 rounds of PCR. This method was sensitive enough to detect 0.0001% male DNA on a female background. None of 53 Turner`s syndrome cases was positive for Y-specific loci after the first round of PCR. After the second round, 2 of 53 Turner`s syndrome cases were positive for SRY mapping to the distal short arm of chromosome Y. In 1 SRY-positive subject, the karyotype was 45,X, and in the other, it was 46,Xi(Xq). None of 53 Turner`s syndrome individuals, including the 2 SRY-positive subjects, were positive for the testis-specific protein, Y encoded, gene on the proximal short arm of chromosome Y or the centromeric DYZ3 repeat. These data exclude low level Y mosaicism in almost all Turner`s syndrome cases tested. 35 refs., 3 figs., 1 tab.
In vitro evaluation of five different herbal extracts as an antimicrobial endodontic irrigant using real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction
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Thilla S Vinothkumar
Full Text Available Context: Sodium hypochlorite is the most commonly used irrigant but it has disadvantage like high cytotoxicity. So there is a need to find an alternative to 5.25% Sodium hypochlorite against microorganism Enterococcus faecalis and Candida albicans. Literature has shown that these 5 extracts namely Terminalia chebula, Myristica frangrans, Aloe barbadensis, Curcuma longa and Azadaricta indica has good properties which can be used as a potential endodontic irrigant. Aims: To evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of various herbal extracts namely Curcuma longa (CL, Azadiracta indica (AI, Aloe barbadensis (AV, Myristica fragrans (MF and Terminalia chebula (TC as endodontic irrigant against Enterococcus faecalis and Candida albicans using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR. Materials and Methods: Eighty-four teeth were extracted and suspended with Enterococcus faecalis and Candida albicans. A preliminary study was first performed to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration of extracts. The irrigating groups were divided into five herbal groups and 2 control groups. After irrigating the teeth the remaining microbial load was determined using qPCR. Statistical Analysis Used: Statistical analysis was performed using Oneway Anova/Kruskal-Wallis test with post-hoc Tukey′s HSD and was statistically significant ( P < 0.05. Results: It was shown that Neem was highly efficient to 5.25% NaOCl in reducing Enterococcus faecalis and Candida albicans within the root canals when compared with other extracts. Conclusions: Neem leaf extract has a significant antimicrobial efficacy against Enterococcus faecalis and Candida albicans compared to 5.25% sodium hypochlorite.
Decomposition of ozone in water in the presence of organic solutes acting as promoters and inhibitors of radical chain reactions
Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)
Staehelin, J.; Hoigne, J.
The decomposition of aqueous ozone is generally due to a chain reaction involving .OH radicals. Many organic solutes (impurities) can react with .OH to yield .O/sub 2//sup -/ upon addition of O/sub 2/. .O/sub 2//sup -/ transfers its electron to a further ozone molecule in a rather selective reaction. The ozonide anion (.O/sub 3//sup -/) formed immediately decomposes into a further .OH radical. Compounds that convert .OH radicals into ozone-selective .O/sub 2//sup -/, therefore, act as promoters of the chain reaction. The efficiencies of different .OH to .O/sub 2//sup -/ converters (e.g., formic acid, primary and secondary alcohols (including sugars), glyoxylic acid, and humic acids) are tested in the presence of other .OH radical scavengers that do not primarily produce .O/sub 2//sup -/ (carbonate, aliphatic alkyl compounds, and tert-butyl alcohol). The derived reaction kinetics allows one to qualitatively interpret the variation of the lifetime of O/sub 3/ found in model solutions and even in natural waters and during drinking water treatment.
Optimization of digital droplet polymerase chain reaction for quantification of genetically modified organisms.
Gerdes, Lars; Iwobi, Azuka; Busch, Ulrich; Pecoraro, Sven
Digital PCR in droplets (ddPCR) is an emerging method for more and more applications in DNA (and RNA) analysis. Special requirements when establishing ddPCR for analysis of genetically modified organisms (GMO) in a laboratory include the choice between validated official qPCR methods and the optimization of these assays for a ddPCR format. Differentiation between droplets with positive reaction and negative droplets, that is setting of an appropriate threshold, can be crucial for a correct measurement. This holds true in particular when independent transgene and plant-specific reference gene copy numbers have to be combined to determine the content of GM material in a sample. Droplets which show fluorescent units ranging between those of explicit positive and negative droplets are called 'rain'. Signals of such droplets can hinder analysis and the correct setting of a threshold. In this manuscript, a computer-based algorithm has been carefully designed to evaluate assay performance and facilitate objective criteria for assay optimization. Optimized assays in return minimize the impact of rain on ddPCR analysis. We developed an Excel based 'experience matrix' that reflects the assay parameters of GMO ddPCR tests performed in our laboratory. Parameters considered include singleplex/duplex ddPCR, assay volume, thermal cycler, probe manufacturer, oligonucleotide concentration, annealing/elongation temperature, and a droplet separation evaluation. We additionally propose an objective droplet separation value which is based on both absolute fluorescence signal distance of positive and negative droplet populations and the variation within these droplet populations. The proposed performance classification in the experience matrix can be used for a rating of different assays for the same GMO target, thus enabling employment of the best suited assay parameters. Main optimization parameters include annealing/extension temperature and oligonucleotide concentrations. The
SATMC: Spectral Energy Distribution Analysis Through Markov Chains
Johnson, S P; Tang, Y; Scott, K S
We present the general purpose spectral energy distribution (SED) fitting tool SED Analysis Through Markov Chains (SATMC). Utilizing Monte Carlo Markov Chain (MCMC) algorithms, SATMC fits an observed SED to SED templates or models of the user's choice to infer intrinsic parameters, generate confidence levels and produce the posterior parameter distribution. Here we describe the key features of SATMC from the underlying MCMC engine to specific features for handling SED fitting. We detail several test cases of SATMC, comparing results obtained to traditional least-squares methods, which highlight its accuracy, robustness and wide range of possible applications. We also present a sample of submillimetre galaxies that have been fitted using the SED synthesis routine GRASIL as input. In general, these SMGs are shown to occupy a large volume of parameter space, particularly in regards to their star formation rates which range from ~30-3000 M_sun yr^-1 and stellar masses which range from ~10^10-10^12 M_sun. Taking a...
Mohammad SHAMSUDDOHA; Alexandru Mircea NEDELEA
The emphasis on supply chain has increased in recent years among academic and industry circles. In this paper, a supply chain model will be developed based on a case study of the poultry industry under the Vensim environment. System dynamics, supply chain, design science and case method under positivist and quantitative paradigm will be studied to develop a simulation model. The objectives of this paper are to review literature, develop a Vensim based simulation supply chain model, and examin...
Hepatitis C Prevalence in Hemodialysis Patients in Mazandaran, Iran: A Survey by Polymerase Chain Reaction and Serological Methods
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Full Text Available Patients on maintenance hemodialysis are known to have an elevated risk of acquiring Hepatitis C Virus (HCV infection. The reported prevalence among hemodialysis patients in the United States ranges from 8-10% and is considerably higher in many European and Middle Eastern countries. Therefore, a reliable diagnosis of HCV infection is essential in order to prevent the spread of the disease in dialysis units. All hemodialysis patients (n = 186 were interviewed in 2 dialysis units in Imam Khomeini and Fatemeh Zahra hospitals of Sari and Valiasr hospital of Ghaemshahr city / Iran, Between June and august 2006.. Blood samples were collected and serum samples screened for anti-HCV antibodies by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA. Positive samples were retested for confirmation with Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR.Statistical analysis was done by means of SPSS (11 software. A total of 186 hemodialysis patients (mean age 58.86±16.9 years were studied. Mean duration of hemodialysis was 3.07±0.3 years. Mean of SGOT and SGPT were 30.64±6 and 32.01±8, respectively. 39 (21% patients were found to be seropositive by ELISA and 12 were confirmed positive by PCR, resulting in an anti-HCV prevalence of 6.5%. association between duration of hemodialysis andHCV seropositivity was statistically significant (p = 0.0001 but there were no significant correlation between number of transfusions and HCV seropositivity. Despite the growing demand for cost-effectiveness in the health system, tight control of HCV infection by PCR and ELISA examination must remain an essential part of the routine screening in hemodialysis patients.
Polymerase Chain Reaction, Bacteriologic Detection and Antibiogram of Bacteria Isolated from Otitis Media with Effusion in Children, Shiraz, Iran
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Mahmood Shishegar
Full Text Available Background: Otitis media with effusion is one of the leading causes of hearing loss in children. Effective treatment of effusion in the middle ear requires appropriate empirical treatment and characterization of responsible pathogens. Objective of the present study was to detect pathogens in clinical samples from patients with otitis media with effusion in our area and to determine the sensitivity profile of isolated organisms to commonly used antibiotics. Methods: Sixty three samples of middle ear effusion were aseptically obtained from 36 children, who had been treated up to at least two weeks before sampling. They were analyzed using standard bacteriological and multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR assays. Antibiotic susceptibility tests were also performed. Results: PCR analysis showed that DNA of Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis were present in 60 (95.2% of the samples. The culture-positive effusion for Streptococcus Pneumoniae, HaemophilusInfluenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis was 34.9%. Almost all isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniaee were sensitive to ciprofloxacin and erythromycin, and none of them was sensitive to co-trimoxazole. None of H. Influenzae isolates was sensitive to erythromycin, cefixim, co-trimoxazole, ampicillin and amoxicillin. None of M. Catarrhalis isolates was sensitive to ceftriaxone, co-trimoxazole, ampicillin and amoxicillin. Conclusion: Compared with other studies using PCR method, the number of H. influenza isolates was in higher in the present study (95.2%. Antibiotic sensitivity profiles of pathogens isolated in this study were different from others. Thus, we can determine empirical antibiotic therapy based on sensi-tivity profile in our geographic area.
Polymerase Chain Reaction, Bacteriologic Detection and Antibiogram of Bacteria Isolated from Otitis Media with Effusion in Children, Shiraz, Iran
Shishegar, Mahmood; Faramarzi, Abolhasan; Kazemi, Tayyebe; Bayat, Akbar; Motamedifar, Mohammad
Background: Otitis media with effusion is one of the leading causes of hearing loss in children. Effective treatment of effusion in the middle ear requires appropriate empirical treatment and characterization of responsible pathogens. Objective of the present study was to detect pathogens in clinical samples from patients with otitis media with effusion in our area and to determine the sensitivity profile of isolated organisms to commonly used antibiotics. Methods: Sixty three samples of middle ear effusion were aseptically obtained from 36 children, who had been treated up to at least two weeks before sampling. They were analyzed using standard bacteriological and multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. Antibiotic susceptibility tests were also performed. Results: PCR analysis showed that DNA of Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis were present in 60 (95.2%) of the samples. The culture-positive effusion for Streptococcus Pneumoniae, HaemophilusInfluenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis was 34.9%. Almost all isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniaee were sensitive to ciprofloxacin and erythromycin, and none of them was sensitive to co-trimoxazole. None of H. Influenzae isolates was sensitive to erythromycin, cefixim, co-trimoxazole, ampicillin and amoxicillin. None of M. Catarrhalis isolates was sensitive to ceftriaxone, co-trimoxazole, ampicillin and amoxicillin. Conclusion: Compared with other studies using PCR method, the number of H. influenza isolates was in higher in the present study (95.2%). Antibiotic sensitivity profiles of pathogens isolated in this study were different from others. Thus, we can determine empirical antibiotic therapy based on sensitivity profile in our geographic area. PMID:23115412
Influence of Pichia pastoris cellular material on polymerase chain reaction performance as a synthetic biology standard for genome monitoring.
Templar, Alexander; Woodhouse, Stefan; Keshavarz-Moore, Eli; Nesbeth, Darren N
Advances in synthetic genomics are now well underway in yeasts due to the low cost of synthetic DNA. These new capabilities also bring greater need for quantitating the presence, loss and rearrangement of loci within synthetic yeast genomes. Methods for achieving this will ideally; i) be robust to industrial settings, ii) adhere to a global standard and iii) be sufficiently rapid to enable at-line monitoring during cell growth. The methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris (P. pastoris) is increasingly used for industrial production of biotherapeutic proteins so we sought to answer the following questions for this particular yeast species. Is time-consuming DNA purification necessary to obtain accurate end-point polymerase chain reaction (e-pPCR) and quantitative PCR (qPCR) data? Can the novel linear regression of efficiency qPCR method (LRE qPCR), which has properties desirable in a synthetic biology standard, match the accuracy of conventional qPCR? Does cell cultivation scale influence PCR performance? To answer these questions we performed e-pPCR and qPCR in the presence and absence of cellular material disrupted by a mild 30s sonication procedure. The e-pPCR limit of detection (LOD) for a genomic target locus was 50pg (4.91×10(3) copies) of purified genomic DNA (gDNA) but the presence of cellular material reduced this sensitivity sixfold to 300pg gDNA (2.95×10(4) copies). LRE qPCR matched the accuracy of a conventional standard curve qPCR method. The presence of material from bioreactor cultivation of up to OD600=80 did not significantly compromise the accuracy of LRE qPCR. We conclude that a simple and rapid cell disruption step is sufficient to render P. pastoris samples of up to OD600=80 amenable to analysis using LRE qPCR which we propose as a synthetic biology standard. PMID:27211507
Sensitivity analysis of the terrestrial food chain model FOOD III
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
As a first step in constructing a terrestrial food chain model suitable for long-term waste management situations, a numerical sensitivity analysis of FOOD III was carried out to identify important model parameters. The analysis involved 42 radionuclides, four pathways, 14 food types, 93 parameters and three percentages of parameter variation. We also investigated the importance of radionuclides, pathways and food types. The analysis involved a simple contamination model to render results from individual pathways comparable. The analysis showed that radionuclides vary greatly in their dose contribution to each of the four pathways, but relative contributions to each pathway are very similar. Man's and animals' drinking water pathways are much more important than the leaf and root pathways. However, this result depends on the contamination model used. All the pathways contain unimportant food types. Considering the number of parameters involved, FOOD III has too many different food types. Many of the parameters of the leaf and root pathway are important. However, this is true for only a few of the parameters of animals' drinking water pathway, and for neither of the two parameters of mans' drinking water pathway. The radiological decay constant increases the variability of these results. The dose factor is consistently the most important variable, and it explains most of the variability of radionuclide doses within pathways. Consideration of the variability of dose factors is important in contemporary as well as long-term waste management assessment models, if realistic estimates are to be made. (auth)
Greenhouse gas emission inventory based on full energy chain analysis
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
Methodology, characteristics, features and results obtained for greenhouse gases within the recent Swiss LCA study 'Environmental Life-Cycle Inventories of Energy Systems' are presented. The focus of the study is on existing average Full Energy Chains (FENCHs) in the electricity generation mixes in Europe and in Switzerland. The systems, including coal (hard coal and lignite), oil, natural gas, nuclear and hydro, are discussed one by one as well as part of the electricity mixes. Photovoltaic systems are covered separately since they are not included in the electricity mixes. A sensitivity analysis on methane leakage during long-range transport via pipeline is shown. Whilst within the current study emissions are not attributed to specific countries, the main sectors contributing to the total GHGs emissions calculated for the various FENCHs are specified. (author). 10 refs, 10 figs, 9 tabs
Numerical analysis of ossicular chain lesion of human ear
Institute of Scientific and Technical Information of China (English)
Yingxi Liu; Sheng Li; Xiuzhen Sun
Lesion of ossicular chain is a common ear disease impairing the sense of hearing. A comprehensive numerical model of human ear can provide better understanding of sound transmission. In this study, we propose a three-dimensional finite element model of human ear that incorporates the canal, tympanic membrane, ossicular bones,middle ear suspensory ligaments/muscles, middle ear cavity and inner ear fluid. Numerical analysis is conducted and employed to predict the effects of middle ear cavity, malleus handle defect, hypoplasia of the long process of incus,and stapedial crus defect on sound transmission. The present finite element model is shown to be reasonable in predicting the ossicular mechanics of human ear.
Stability analysis of three species food chain with competition
Abadi, Savitri, D.
We study a food chain system that consists of 1 prey and 2 predators populations. The prey population grows logistically while the predators apply different Holling functional responses. The first predator preys on the prey following Holling type II functional response and the second predator preys on both the prey and the first predator following Holling type II and III functional responses, respectively. The study starts with the stability analysis of critical points of the systems. Then, by using normal form and centre manifold method the information about other nontrivial solutions due to bifurcation including possible limit cycles appearance is obtained. The results are confirmed by numerical simulation using MatCont and biological interpretation of the results are also presented.
A Theoretical Investigation on the Reaction Mechanism of the C9H+ 12·Side-chain Decomposition
Institute of Scientific and Technical Information of China (English)
CHENG,Xueli; ZHAO,Yanyun; LI,Feng; ZHANG,Dongsheng
n-Phenylpropane cation C9H+·12 serves as a prototype to investigate the reaction mechanisms of alkylbenzene cations.The decomposition reactions of C9H+·12 system have been studied extensively at the B3LYP/6-311 + + G**level with Gaussian 98 program package.All reaction channels were fully investigated with the vibrational mode analysis to confirm the transition states and with electron population analysis to discuss the electron redistribution,and to elucidate the reaction mechanism.The reaction mechanism shows that there is a non-barrier channel of C9H+·12→C7H+7+C2H·5,which is thermodynamically most favorable.
Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)
Mohammad SHAMSUDDOHA
Full Text Available The emphasis on supply chain has increased in recent years among academic and industry circles. In this paper, a supply chain model will be developed based on a case study of the poultry industry under the Vensim environment. System dynamics, supply chain, design science and case method under positivist and quantitative paradigm will be studied to develop a simulation model. The objectives of this paper are to review literature, develop a Vensim based simulation supply chain model, and examine the model qualitatively and quantitatively. The model will be also briefly discussed in relation of among forward, reverse and mainstream supply chain of the case.
Reaction path analysis of sodium-water chemical reaction field using laser diagnostics
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
In a sodium-cooled fast reactor (SFR), liquid sodium is used as a heat transfer fluid because of its excellent heat transport capability. On the other hand, it has strong chemical reactivity with water vapor. One of the design basis accidents of the SFR is the water leakage into the liquid sodium flow by a breach of heat transfer tubes. Therefore, the study on sodium-water chemical reactions is of importance for security reasons. This study aims to clarify the gas phase sodium-water reaction path and reaction products. Na, Na2, H2O, and reaction products in the counter-flow sodium-water reaction field were measured using laser diagnostics such as Raman scattering and photo-fragmentation. The main product in the sodium-water reaction was determined to be NaOH and its reaction path was discussed using Na-H2O elementally reaction analysis. (author)
Gynecological manifestations, histopathological findings, and schistosoma-specific polymerase chain reaction results among women with Schistosoma haematobium infection
DEFF Research Database (Denmark)
Randrianasolo, Bodo Sahondra; Jourdan, Peter Mark; Ravoniarimbinina, Pascaline;
BACKGROUND: The pathophysiology of female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) is only partially understood. This study aims to describe the histopathological findings, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) results, and gynecological manifestations of FGS in women with different intensities of Schistosoma hae...
PCR-STR在肝移植后移植物抗宿主病中的诊断意义%Short tandem repeat loci analysis with polymerase chain reaction in the diagnosis of graft-versus-host disease after liver transplantation
Institute of Scientific and Technical Information of China (English)
陈小平; 骆利敏; 罗敏; 肖露露
Objective To assess the value of short tandem repeat (STR) analysis with fluorescence labeling polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in evaluating the status of engraftment and predicting the occurrence of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) following orthotopic liver transplantation.Methods The method of STR analysis with fluorescence labeling PCR was established.DNA was extracted by monoclonal magnetic beads from the peripheral blood nucleated cells of 23 recipients and labeled with 4 fluorescence dyes before and at 7 days after orthotopic liver transplantation.Results In the 23 patients studied,5 patients showed mixed chimeras after orthotopic liver transplantation.Two of the 5 patients with mixed chimeras developed GVHD and died.The other 18 patients did not show mixed chimeras,and only one of them developed GVHD.The incidence of GVHD was significantly different between the patients with and without mixed chimeras (40% vs 5.6%,P<0.05).Conclusions PCR-STR analysis after orthotopic liver transplantation can be indicative of engraftment and help to predict the occurrence of GVHD following orthotopic liver transplantation.%目的 为了准确地识别肝脏移植物的植入状态,探讨多聚酶链反应-短串联重复序列(PCR-STR)技术在肝移植后移植物抗宿主病中的预测和诊断意义.方法 建立荧光标记PCR-STR等位基因分析技术,采用单克隆磁珠提取DNA,四色荧光标记,于移植前和移植后1周内,采集供、受血液DNA作PCR-STR分析.结果 23例患者中,5例患者供受者HLA完全嵌合表达,其中2例发生移植物抗宿主病(GVHD),均治疗无效死亡,另外3例未发生GVHD,顺利恢复出院,GVHD发生率40%.18例患者术后未发生嵌合表达,其中1例发生GVHD,家属放弃治疗出院,GVHD发生率5.6%,两组有显著差别.结论 基于分子水平的多位点PCR-STR可以提供肝脏移植后供体植入信息,在肝移植后移植物抗宿主病的诊断中具有一定的预测意义.
Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)
López-Montanero Edith Elizabeth
Full Text Available Introduction: The citomegalovirus (CMV is an important virus worldwide. The early and mass-produced detection of the viral load for CMV helps to treat in an early way the infection and to avoid the disease in immunodeficient patients that in several cases could be lethal. Objective: To determine the prevalence of CMV in immunodeficient children who received bone marrow transplantation by means of real-time polymerase chain reaction. Methods: Retrospective, descriptive and cross-sectional study. The viral load was determined in plasma samples recollected since 2009 to 2012 in children who received bone marrow transplantation in the Hospital de la Sociedad de Lucha contra el Cáncer (SOLCA in Guayaquil, Ecuador. Results: 38 samples were analyzed. The average age was 7.2 years, and 57.9% (n=22 were men and 42.1% (n=16 women, with a male-female relationship 1:4. Of the analyzed samples, five patients presented positive results in the mentioned technique, who were the 80% of the female gender. And the population with the higher number of cases with positive results were Los Ríos, Guayas and Esmeraldas. The patients who were transplanted due to acute lymphoblastic leukemia and lymphoma with leukemization to acute lymphoblastic leukemia had positive results for active infection by CMV, 80% and 20%, respectively. Conclusion: The prevalence of CMV in children who received bone marrow transplantation by means of real-time polymerase chain reaction was of 13%, higher in the female gender. Rev.cienc.biomed. 2015;6(1:53-59 KEYWORDS Cytomegalovirus; Cytomegalovirus Infections; Transplant Recipients; Polymerase Chain Reaction.
Multiplex-polymerase chain reaction assay for the authentication of the mackerel Scomber colias in commercial canned products.
Infante, Carlos; Manchado, Manuel
A multiplex-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) system was developed for the authentication of the mackerel Scomber colias in commercial canned products. This novel method consists of an S. colias-specific fragment [159 base pairs (bp)] located in the nontranscribed spacer (NTS) sequence, and a Scomber genus-specific PCR product in the 5S rRNA gene (196-201 bp) as a positive amplification control. The system was assayed using 18 different canned products labeled as S. colias. A positive identification was made in all but one sample, revealing this methodology as a potential molecular tool for direct application in the authentication of S. colias canned products. PMID:16792069
Rapid and inexpensive species differentiation using a multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction high-resolution melt assay.
Elkins, Kelly M; Perez, Anjelica C U; Sweetin, Katherine C
We demonstrate a method for developing real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) high-resolution melt (HRM) assays to identify multiple species present in a mixture simultaneously using LCGreen Plus and melt temperatures. Highly specific PCR primers are designed to yield amplicons with different melt temperatures for simple routine species identification compared with differentiating melt curve kinetics traces or difference plots. This method is robust and automatable, and it leads to savings in time and reagent costs, is easily modified to probe any species of interest, eliminates the need for post-PCR gel or capillary electrophoresis in routine assays, and requires no expensive dye-labeled primers. PMID:26836486
Evaluation of polymerase chain reaction for the detection of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis DNA on serum samples from patients with paracoccidioidomycosis
Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)
Cecília Eugenia Charbel
Full Text Available The aim of this study was to demonstrate the DNA of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis in human serum samples of patients with paracoccidioidomycosis using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR. The diagnosis of paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM was defined by microscopic observation of the fungus on direct exam or histopathology, culture, and serological positivity. DNA from serum of 33 patients with PCM was extracted and submitted to nested-PCR using primers from the gp 43 gene. Only one sample was positive on nested-PCR. We conclude that the prevalence of fungemia in patients with different clinical forms of PCM is low, limiting the use of serum DNA detection as an alternative diagnostic tool.
Susceptibility of Biomphalaria tenagophila and Biomphalaria straminea to Schistosoma mansoni infection detected by low stringency polymerase chain reaction
Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)
JANNOTTI-PASSOS Liana Konovaloff
Full Text Available In order to determine Schistosoma mansoni infection rates in Biomphalaria tenagophila and B. straminea, low stringency polymerase chain reaction (LS-PCR technique was used as a complementary method to light exposure technique. LS-PCR has already been standardized in our laboratory to detect the trematode DNA in B. glabrata. Higher S. mansoni infection rates were detected using conventional method and LS-PCR. The parasite DNA profile was detected in both species after 7-day exposure to miracidia, using LS-PCR. This technique enables early detection of schistosomiasis transmission focuses, in endemic areas, before the beginning of cercariae shedding.
Detection of Sphingomonas paucimobilis Infections in Domestic Animals by VITEK ® Compaq 2 and Polymerase Chain Reaction
Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)
S Cengiz
Full Text Available This case report presents the first cases of Sphingomonas paucimobilis in Turkey, which was isolated and identified from two cows, a calf and a lamb by conventional methods, VITEK Compaq® 2 system and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR. Compatible findings were reached among clinical history, necropsy findings and bacteriologic results. In conclusion, S. paucimobilis should be considered as a causative agent particularly for respiratory diseases, septicemia and foot infections with resistance to antibiotic treatment. Also, detection methods must be arranged not only for common pathogens but also for S. paucimobilis.
Influence of EDTA and magnesium on DNA extraction from blood samples and specificity of polymerase chain reaction
H. Khosravinia; Ramesha, KP
This study consisting of two trails conducted to examine the impact of initial EDTA level added to blood samples on quantity and quality of genomic DNA isolated from avian fresh blood and the influence of initial EDTA level with various levels of $MgCl_2$ added to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) final volume on amplification pattern. EDTA level added to collected blood samples had no significant impact on quantity as well as quality of extracted genomic DNA. However, higher levels of EDTA inc...
Use of Existing Diagnostic Reverse-Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction Assays for Detection of Ebola Virus RNA in Semen.
Pettitt, James; Higgs, Elizabeth S; Adams, Rick D; Jahrling, Peter B; Hensley, Lisa E
Sexual transmission of Ebola virus in Liberia has now been documented and associated with new clusters in regions previously declared Ebola free. Assays that have Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) and are routinely used to detect Ebola virus RNA in whole blood and plasma specimens at the Liberian Institute for Biomedical Research were tested for their suitability in detecting the presence of Ebola virus RNA in semen. Qiagen AVL extraction protocols, as well as the Ebola Zaire Target 1 and major groove binder quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction assays, were demonstrably suitable for this purpose and should facilitate epidemiologic investigations, including those involving long-term survivors of Ebola. PMID:26374912
Ribosomal RNA-based panbacterial polymerase chain reaction for rapid diagnosis of septicaemia in Intensive Care Unit patients.
Gupta, Mahua Das; Kaur, Harsimran; Ray, Pallab; Gautam, Vikas; Puri, G D
Early diagnosis and treatment of sepsis by appropriate antibiotics is of utmost importance. Therefore, we evaluated 16S rRNA panbacterial polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for rapid diagnosis of sepsis in 49 adult patients in Intensive Care Units (ICUs) and compared it with an automated blood culture. 8 ml of 10 ml blood collected was inoculated into BACTEC® aerobic bottle and the remaining 2 ml was used for DNA extraction and PCR. 109 of 115 (93%) episodes of suspected sepsis showed concordant results between automated culture and PCR. Six episodes were positive by PCR only. Panbacterial PCR reduces turnaround time with rapid differentiation between systemic inflammatory response syndrome and sepsis. PMID:27080778
Multilayer Network Analysis of Nuclear Reactions.
Zhu, Liang; Ma, Yu-Gang; Chen, Qu; Han, Ding-Ding
The nuclear reaction network is usually studied via precise calculation of differential equation sets, and much research interest has been focused on the characteristics of nuclides, such as half-life and size limit. In this paper, however, we adopt the methods from both multilayer and reaction networks, and obtain a distinctive view by mapping all the nuclear reactions in JINA REACLIB database into a directed network with 4 layers: neutron, proton, (4)He and the remainder. The layer names correspond to reaction types decided by the currency particles consumed. This combined approach reveals that, in the remainder layer, the β-stability has high correlation with node degree difference and overlapping coefficient. Moreover, when reaction rates are considered as node strength, we find that, at lower temperatures, nuclide half-life scales reciprocally with its out-strength. The connection between physical properties and topological characteristics may help to explore the boundary of the nuclide chart. PMID:27558995
Multilayer Network Analysis of Nuclear Reactions
Zhu, Liang; Ma, Yu-Gang; Chen, Qu; Han, Ding-Ding
The nuclear reaction network is usually studied via precise calculation of differential equation sets, and much research interest has been focused on the characteristics of nuclides, such as half-life and size limit. In this paper, however, we adopt the methods from both multilayer and reaction networks, and obtain a distinctive view by mapping all the nuclear reactions in JINA REACLIB database into a directed network with 4 layers: neutron, proton, 4He and the remainder. The layer names correspond to reaction types decided by the currency particles consumed. This combined approach reveals that, in the remainder layer, the β-stability has high correlation with node degree difference and overlapping coefficient. Moreover, when reaction rates are considered as node strength, we find that, at lower temperatures, nuclide half-life scales reciprocally with its out-strength. The connection between physical properties and topological characteristics may help to explore the boundary of the nuclide chart. PMID:27558995
Multilayer network analysis of nuclear reactions
Zhu, Liang; Chen, Qu; Han, Ding-Ding
The nuclear reaction network is usually studied via precise calculation of differential equation sets, and much research interest has been focused on the characteristics of nuclides, such as half-life and size limit. In this paper, however, we adopt the methods from both multilayer and reaction networks, and obtain a distinctive view by mapping all the nuclear reactions in JINA REACLIB database into a directed network with 4 layers: neutron, proton, $^4$He and the remainder. The layer names correspond to reaction types decided by the currency particles consumed. This combined approach reveals that, in the remainder layer, the $\\beta$-stability has high correlation with node degree difference and overlapping coefficient. Moreover, when reaction rates are considered as node strength, we find that, at lower temperatures, nuclide half-life scales reciprocally with its out-strength. The connection between physical properties and topological characteristics may help to explore the boundary of the nuclide chart.
Analysis of the gravitaxis signal transduction chain in Euglena gracilis
Nasir, Adeel
Abstract Euglena gracilis is a photosynthetic, eukaryotic flagellate. It can adapt autotrophic and heterotrophic mode of growth and respond to different stimuli, this makes it an organism of choice for different research disciplines. It swims to reach a suitable niche by employing different stimuli such as oxygen, light, gravity and different chemicals. Among these stimuli light and gravity are the most important. Phototaxis (locomotion under light stimulus) and gravitaxis (locomotion under gravity stimulus) synergistically help cells to attain an optimal niche in the environment. However, in the complete absence of light or under scarcity of detectable light, cells can totally depend on gravity to find its swimming path. Therefore gravity has certain advantages over other stimuli.Unlike phototatic signal transduction chain of Euglena gracilis no clear primary gravity receptor has been identified in Euglena cells so far. However, there are some convincing evidence that TRP like channels act as a primary gravity receptor in Euglena gracilis.Use of different inhibitors gave rise to the involvement of protein kinase and calmodulin proteins in signal transduction chain of Euglena gracilis. Recently, specific calmodulin (Calmodulin 2) and protein kinase (PKA) have been identified as potential candidates of gravitactic signal transduction chain. Further characterization and investigation of these candidates was required. Therefore a combination of biochemical and genetic techniques was employed to localize proteins in cells and also to find interacting partners. For localization studies, specific antibodies were raised and characterized. Specificity of antibodies was validated by knockdown mutants, Invitro-translated proteins and heterologously expressed proteins. Cell fractionation studies, involving separation of the cell body and flagella for western blot analysis and confocal immunofluorescence studies were performed for subcellular localization. In order to find
Non-detection of Chlamydia trachomatis infection by polymerase chain reaction in pregnant Iranian women
Parvin Hassanzadeh; Hosein Sharifi; Abdollah Bazargani; Reza Khashei; Amir Emami; Mohammad Motamedifar
Chlamydia trachomatis is the most common cause of sexually transmitted infection. In 75% of women and 50% of men infection is asymptomatic. According to World Health Organization reports, the number of new genital infections with Chlamydia trachomatis reaches 100 million annually. The sensitivity and specificity of nacid amplification tests are 95% and 99%, respectively. Urine samples can provide a non-invasive method of testing for the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis by polymerase chain r...
Esterhuizen, Dirk; van Rooyen, C.J.
The South African agricultural industry is consistently challenged to increase its competitiveness. The agribusiness supply chain starts with the input sector. The objective of this paper is therefore to determine the competitiveness of the various agricultural input industries in South Africa by using Balassa's method of Revealed Comparative Trade Advantage. This status will then be related to performance of the agricultural industry as a whole. South African manufacturing of farming requisi...
Increasing biomass resource availability through supply chain analysis
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
Increased inclusion of biomass in energy strategies all over the world means that greater mobilisation of biomass resources will be required to meet demand. Strategies of many EU countries assume the future use of non-EU sourced biomass. An increasing number of studies call for the UK to consider alternative options, principally to better utilise indigenous resources. This research identifies the indigenous biomass resources that demonstrate the greatest promise for the UK bioenergy sector and evaluates the extent that different supply chain drivers influence resource availability. The analysis finds that the UK's resources with greatest primary bioenergy potential are household wastes (>115 TWh by 2050), energy crops (>100 TWh by 2050) and agricultural residues (>80 TWh by 2050). The availability of biomass waste resources was found to demonstrate great promise for the bioenergy sector, although are highly susceptible to influences, most notably by the focus of adopted waste management strategies. Biomass residue resources were found to be the resource category least susceptible to influence, with relatively high near-term availability that is forecast to increase – therefore representing a potentially robust resource for the bioenergy sector. The near-term availability of UK energy crops was found to be much less significant compared to other resource categories. Energy crops represent long-term potential for the bioenergy sector, although achieving higher limits of availability will be dependent on the successful management of key influencing drivers. The research highlights that the availability of indigenous resources is largely influenced by a few key drivers, this contradicting areas of consensus of current UK bioenergy policy. - Highlights: • As global biomass demand increases, focus is placed indigenous resources. • A Biomass Resource Model is applied to analyse UK biomass supply chain dynamics. • Biomass availability is best increased
A computer simulation-based analysis of supply chains resilience in industrial environment
P. Wicher; D. Staš; Karkula, M.; R. Lenort; P. Besta
The article presents a computer simulation-based model for analysis of supply chain resilience, which allows determining and verifying the generally valid principles, capabilities and ways for building long-term resilience of global supply chains against serious disruptions. The model is created on the basis of a supply chain from automotive industry and contains the main logistics flows used by present automotive producers. Any real automotive supply chain can be modelled as a co...
Análise da contaminação por Salmonella em ovos do tipo colonial através da reação em cadeia da polimerase Analysis of Salmonella in free-range eggs through polymerase chain reaction
Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)
Maristela Lovato Flôres
Full Text Available A identificação de poedeiras comerciais infectadas por salmonelas tem sido um dos pontos fortes da profilaxia e conseqüente redução de surtos de salmonelose em humanos associados ao consumo de ovos, sendo que a análise dos ovos pode ser mais um dos pontos de detecção da infecção, que, muitas vezes, cursa sem sinais clínicos. A Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase (PCR parece ser uma estratégia útil para detecção de Salmonella, pois vários autores têm utilizado a PCR para verificar a presença da bactéria em carnes, fezes, tecidos, sangue, leite e ovos, com diferentes metodologias de manipulação das amostras. Foram analisados 360 ovos, procedentes de dez propriedades rurais, produtoras de ovos tipo colonial, no distrito de Camobi, em Santa Maria - RS. Os ovos foram divididos em grupos de seis, totalizando sessenta amostras. O exame bacteriológico foi realizado conforme metodologia preconizada pelas normas técnicas e a metodologia de extração de DNA pelo fenol-clorofórmio. A PCR foi realizada para a amplificação de um fragmento de DNA de 284 pb. A análise dos resultados não demonstrou diferença significativa entre a PCR e o bacteriológico. Todas as amostras positivas ao bacteriológico foram positivas na PCR, sendo que essa última detectou duas amostras a mais, devido a sua alta sensibilidade e especificidade, especialmente quando é sabido que os ovos apresentam uma população microbiana mista que, muitas vezes, impede o isolamento adequado das salmonelas no bacteriológico pela competição com a flora bacteriana normalmente presente.The identification of salmonella infection in commercial poultry has been one of the strong points of prophylaxis and consequent reduction of salmonellosis outbreaks in humans associated to consumption of eggs, considering that the analysis of the eggs can be one more point of detection of infection, which for many times appear without clinical signs. The Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR
Study on risk analysis of supply chain enterprises
Institute of Scientific and Technical Information of China (English)
Wu Xiaohui; Zhong Xiaobing; Song Shiji; Wu Cheng
The sources of supply chain enterprise risk from different aspects including material flow, information flow, cash flow and partner relationship is analyzed. Measures for risk reduction have also been summarized from the aspects of risk sharing, information sharing, change of inventory control mode, and supply chain flexibility. Finally, problems in current research on supply chain risk management are pointed out and a discussion on future research trend is presented.
International analysis of the countries where Brazilian franchise chains operate
Pedro Lucas de Resende Melo; Felipe Mendes Borini; Moacir de Miranda Oliveira Junior; Ronaldo Couto Parente
This paper aims to demonstrate which external environment factors are involved in the international commitment of Brazilian franchise chains. Our objectives herein are to understand which external country characteristics lead to international franchising operations and to ascertain the influence of such characteristics in the commitment of franchise chains in each country they operate in. The database has 54 Brazilian franchise chains with international operations in 26 countries, which impli...
Adoption of wireless sensors in supply chains: a process view analysis of a pharmaceutical cold chain
Haan, Georg Hendrik; Hillegersberg, van Jos; Jong, de Eelco; Sikkel, Klaas
Real-time and continuous monitoring of high value goods can considerably improve the reliability and effectiveness of supply chains. Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) offer technical capabilities for continuous sense and respond capabilities. WSN offer complementary advantages over the use of Radio Fre
Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction as a Tool for Evaluation of Magnetic Poly(Glycidyl methacrylate)-Based Microspheres in Molecular Diagnostics.
Trachtová, Stepánka; Spanová, Alena; Horák, Daniel; Kozáková, Hana; Rittich, Bohuslav
DNA amplification by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used for the evaluation of efficiency of polymer coating of magnetic hydrophilic poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-co-glycidyl methacrylate) (P(HEMA-co-GMA)) and poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA) microspheres with/without carboxyl groups. The inhibition effect of magnetic microspheres on real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) course was evaluated by regression analysis after the addition of different concentrations of tested microspheres to PCR mixtures. Microspheres mostly did not interfere in RT-PCR till the concentration 50 µg/25 µl PCR mixture. No relationship between Fe content (and microsphere diameter) and inhibition effect was found. Microspheres containing carboxyl groups extinguished the fluorescence at lower concentrations (10-20 µg/25 µl PCR mixture) without inhibition of DNA amplification as PCR products were detected using agarose gel electrophoresis. Negative effect of maghemite on PCR course was partially reduced by coating of magnetic core by silica or polymers. Two inhibition mechanisms of DNA amplification were discussed in this work. PMID:26708828
Identifying Innovative Interventions to Promote Healthy Eating Using Consumption-Oriented Food Supply Chain Analysis.
Hawkes, Corinna
The mapping and analysis of supply chains is a technique increasingly used to address problems in the food system. Yet such supply chain management has not yet been applied as a means of encouraging healthier diets. Moreover, most policies recommended to promote healthy eating focus on the consumer end of the chain. This article proposes a consumption-oriented food supply chain analysis to identify the changes needed in the food supply chain to create a healthier food environment, measured in terms of food availability, prices, and marketing. Along with established forms of supply chain analysis, the method is informed by a historical overview of how food supply chains have changed over time. The method posits that the actors and actions in the chain are affected by organizational, financial, technological, and policy incentives and disincentives, which can in turn be levered for change. It presents a preliminary example of the supply of Coca-Cola beverages into school vending machines and identifies further potential applications. These include fruit and vegetable supply chains, local food chains, supply chains for health-promoting versions of food products, and identifying financial incentives in supply chains for healthier eating. PMID:23144674
Non-Covalent Fluorescent Labeling of Hairpin DNA Probe Coupled with Hybridization Chain Reaction for Sensitive DNA Detection.
Song, Luna; Zhang, Yonghua; Li, Junling; Gao, Qiang; Qi, Honglan; Zhang, Chengxiao
An enzyme-free signal amplification-based assay for DNA detection was developed using fluorescent hairpin DNA probes coupled with hybridization chain reaction (HCR). The hairpin DNAs were designed to contain abasic sites in the stem moiety. Non-covalent labeling of the hairpin DNAs was achieved when a fluorescent ligand was bound to the abasic sites through hydrogen bonding with the orphan cytosine present on the complementary strand, accompanied by quench of ligand fluorescence. As a result, the resultant probes, the complex formed between the hairpin DNA and ligand, showed almost no fluorescence. Upon hybridization with target DNA, the probe underwent a dehybridization of the stem moiety containing an abasic site. The release of ligand from the abasic site to the solution resulted in an effective fluorescent enhancement, which can be used as a signal. Compared with a sensing system without HCR, a 20-fold increase in the sensitivity was achieved using the sensing system with HCR. The fluorescent intensity of the sensing system increased with the increase in target DNA concentration from 0.5 nM to 100 nM. A single mismatched target ss-DNA could be effectively discriminated from complementary target DNA. Genotyping of a G/C single-nucleotide polymorphism of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products was successfully demonstrated with the sensing system. Therefore, integrating HCR strategy with non-covalent labeling of fluorescent hairpin DNA probes provides a sensitive and cost-effective DNA assay. PMID:26879193
HLA-DPB1 typing with polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism technique in Danes
DEFF Research Database (Denmark)
Hviid, T V; Madsen, H O; Morling, N
We have used the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in combination with the restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) technique for HLA-DBP1 typing. After PCR amplification of the polymorphic second exon of the HLA-DPB1 locus, the PCR product was digested with seven allele-specific restriction...... PCR-ASO technique. The frequencies of the HLA-DPB1 genotypes deduced from the results of PCR-RFLP typing were estimated in 71 healthy Danes.......We have used the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in combination with the restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) technique for HLA-DBP1 typing. After PCR amplification of the polymorphic second exon of the HLA-DPB1 locus, the PCR product was digested with seven allele-specific restriction...... endonucleases: RsaI, FokI, ApaI, SacI, BstUI, EcoNI, and DdeI, and the DNA fragments were separated by electrophoresis in agarose gels. Altogether, 71 individuals were investigated and 16 different HLA-DPB1 types were observed in 26 different heterozygotic combinations, as well as five possible homozygotes...