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M Meusel

Publications and source records attributed to M Meusel.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

Disposable optical sensor chip for medical diagnostics: new ways in bioanalysis.

An optical sensor system is described which is particularly well suited for medical point-of-care diagnostics. The system allows for all kinds of immunochemical assay formats and consists of a disposable sensor chip and an optical readout device. The chip is built up from a ground and cover plate with in- and outlet and, between, of an adhesive film with a capillary aperture of 50 microns. The ground plate serves as a solid phase for the immobilization of biocomponents. In the readout device, an evanescent field is generated at the surface of the ground plate by total internal reflection of a laser beam. This field is used for the excitation of fluorophor markers. The generated fluorescence light is detected by a simple optical setup using a photomultiplier tube. Because of the evanescent field excitation, washing or separation steps can be avoided. With this system the pregnancy hormone chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) could be determined in human serum with a detection limit of 1 ng/mL. Recovery values were 86, 106, and 102% for 5, 50, and 100 ng/mL hCG, respectively. The SD in repeated measurements (n = 10) was 5.6%. Furthermore, the feasibility of the system in competitive-type immunoassays was demonstrated for serum theophylline. A linear calibration curve of signal vs theophylline between 1 and 50 mg/L was obtained. Recovery values varied between 118% (10 mg/L) and 81.0% (20 mg/L).

Biosensing Techniques

Influence of antibody valency in a displacement immunoassay for the quantitation of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid.

The influence of antibody valency in a displacement immunoassay was investigated by comparing the whole antibody molecule with the corresponding Fab-fragment. The displacement immunoassay for the herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) takes advantage of the cross-reactivity of monoclonal anti-2,4-D antibodies and the Fab-fragments toward immobilized 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (MCPA). Due to the low affinity of the antibodies toward MCPA (cross-reactivity of approximately 30%), the addition of 2,4-D resulted in a displacement of the antibodies or the fragments. The detection limits obtained with whole anti-2,4-D antibodies and Fab-fragments were 0.1 microg/l and 0.01 microg/l 2,4-D, respectively. The whole antibodies and the Fab-fragments show similarities, such as the cross-reactivity toward MCPA (26% and 33%), and some characteristics of the calibration curve, for example the large detection range and the sensitivity. In contrast to the bivalent antibodies, however, increasing the hapten/protein ratios of the immobilized MCPA-BSA conjugates did not affect the detection limit when using the Fab-fragments. Moreover, kinetic experiments reveal a faster displacement reaction with the Fab-fragments. A disadvantage of using the Fab-fragments is the generation of lower absorbance values in the ELISA.

2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid

In situ antigen immobilization for stable organic-phase immunoelectrodes.

A new method based on enzymatic single-step in situ synthesis of hapten-carrier conjugates on electrodes is described yielding stable, reproducible, and reusable organic-phase immunoelectrodes (OPIEs). The electrodes developed were tailored for analyte detection in organic solvents and allow for the analysis of soil extracts without further sample processing and cleanup. Catalyzed by transglutaminase from a variant of Streptoverticillium mobaraense, the reaction proceeds in aqueous solution with and without addition of organic media in only 1.5 hours. In this study, the herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) was chosen as model compound and chemically amino-functionalized prior to its enzymatic immobilization. The high reproducibility of the immobilization procedure allowed for batch calibration of the immunoelectrodes. Moreover, pure methanol or treatment with diluted sulfuric acid used for regeneration studies did not disturb the hapten layer. The OPIE consists of screen-printed carbon electrodes, monoclonal anti-2,4-D antibodies, and the immunochemical recognition reaction and was optimized with regard to a high stability in organic media. For electrochemical detection, horseradish peroxidase was used as enzyme label together with H2O2 as substrate and hexacyanoferrate (II)/(III) as mediator. The OPIE showed high stability upon storage over 93 days. Response times of 17 s (t95) were found to be advantageous compared to those of other biosensors. Including the immunochemical reactions, the complete assay takes 30 min. A calibration curve for 2,4-D in 30% methanol/buffer obtained with 70 electrodes within 4 weeks revealed a detection limit of 9 mg/L, a sensitivity of 1.3 nA L mg-1 cm-2, and a repeatability of 6.8%. Although we calculated a lowered repeatability for reused electrodes of 13.4% and a slightly decreased sensitivity of 0.9 nA L mg-1 cm-2, multiple-used OPIEs could also be applied for calibration.

2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid

Microbial transglutaminase-mediated synthesis of hapten-protein conjugates for immunoassays.

Hapten-protein conjugates are essential in many immunochemical assays, in particular, in assays employing titration or competitive assay formats. By exploitation of the catalytic properties of the microbial transglutaminase from Streptoverticillium mobarense sp. (MTGase), i.e., acyl transfer between gamma-carboxamide groups and various primary amines, new techniques for the synthesis of hapten-protein conjugates were developed. This is demonstrated by two examples. The feasibility of MTGase for hapten-protein conjugate synthesis was studied by coupling the herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) to casein. Different procedures for the synthesis and the immobilization of these 2,4-D-casein conjugates were evaluated, comprising (i) a batch procedure, (ii) coupling of 2,4-D to an already immobilized layer of casein, and (iii) a method for simultaneous immobilization and conjugation. Kinetic studies revealed that conjugate formation in the batch procedure was almost complete after approx 2 h. By employing the conjugates in a competitive ELISA, detection limits as low as 0.05 microgram/L 2,4-D were reached. Using the approach with simultaneous immobilization and conjugation, the time for the whole assay could be reduced to only 2 h. Finally, to demonstrate the versatility of the enzymatic synthesis of hapten-protein conjugates, an ELISA for 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) determination based on transglutaminase-synthesized conjugates was developed. In this assay, a detection limit as low as 0.04 microgram/l TNT was obtained.

2,4,5-Trichlorophenoxyacetic Acid

Pharmacokinetics of gadodiamide injection in patients with severe renal insufficiency and patients undergoing hemodialysis or continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The authors performed this study to evaluate the pharmacokinetics, dialysability, and safety of gadodiamide injection in patients with severely reduced renal function not treated with renal replacement therapy and patients undergoing hemodialysis or continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-seven patients--nine with severely reduced renal function (glomerular filtration rate, 2-10 mL/min), nine undergoing hemodialysis, and nine undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis--were followed up for 5, 8, and 22 days, respectively, after receiving gadodiamide injection (0.1 mmol per kilogram body weight). RESULTS: Gadodiamide injection caused no changes in renal function. In patients with severely reduced renal function, the elimination half-life of gadodiamide injection was prolonged (34.3 hours +/- 22.9) compared with data in healthy volunteers (1.3 hours +/- 0.25). An average of 65% of the gadodiamide injected was eliminated during a hemodialysis session. After 22 days of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis, 69% of the total amount of gadodiamide was excreted; this reflects the low peritoneal clearance. In all patients, no metabolism or transmetallation of gadodiamide was found. There were no contrast material-related adverse events. CONCLUSION: Gadodiamide is dialysable and can safely be used in patients with severely impaired renal function or those undergoing hemodialysis or continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. No precautions to increase the elimination are necessary.

Adult

[Community health reporting exemplified by the city of Nürnberg].

Taking the example of Nuremberg, a city of half a million inhabitants, the article illustrates how, despite very restricted resources, the local public health department was able to establish a series of health reports dealing with different topics. Treatment of a number of topics was only possible through cooperation with the local university. Initially two health reports were produced on a regional basis for the purpose of supporting health promotion in particular areas of the city. Whereas the first report attempts to give a comprehensive picture of health relevant living conditions in a certain area, the second report concentrates on an analysis of the situation of children and young people in a different part of the city. Another area of concern deals with the gathering of specific health related data. The data from a pediatric health sentinel in Nuremberg were combined with data on climate and air pollution in the years 1995 and 1996. Various dissertation topics were useful in the analysis of everyday public health data. Most of these results have been published in a separate reader. They include an analysis of the reports regarding pregnancy counciling, standardised reports of the HIV antibody tests as well as an analysis of the causes of infant mortality based on death certificates. Finally, a comparative study of basic health data from various cities is in progress. It is hoped that this will offer a basis for an evaluation of the health situation in Nuremberg.

Adolescent

Development of a displacement immunoassay by exploiting cross-reactivity of a monoclonal antibody.

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay-based displacement assay was developed for the determination of the herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). Advantage was taken of the cross-reactivity of a monoclonal anti-2,4-D antibody toward 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (MCPA). MCPA was conjugated with bovine serum albumin (BSA), immobilized on the surface of a microtiter plate, and saturated with the anti-2,4-D antibody. Due to the low affinity of the antibody toward MCPA (cross-reactivity of approximately 30%), the addition of 2,4-D resulted in a displacement of the antibody. Remaining antibodies were subsequently detected using a peroxidase-labeled goat anti-mouse antibody. The detection limit was as low as 0.1 microgram/liter for 2,4-D, which complies with the European Union Drinking Water Directives. When 2,4-D-BSA was used instead of MCPA-BSA conjugates, no significant displacement of bound antibody was observed.

2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid

Biosensors based on flow-through systems.

When combined with biosensors as the sensing element microdialysis and flow injection analysis (FIA) systems become sophisticated tools for handling analytical processes. In particular a FIA system offers a high degree of automation together with high reproducibility and small sample volumes, whereas the biosensor, allows selective and sensitive measurements of the various analytes. Here we describe first a miniaturised microdialysis flow-through system developed for glucose determination, then we focus on amperometric immunosensors and on microbial sensors. In the former, antibodies against low molecular weight environmental contaminants or against high molecular weight proteins are responsible for analyte detection, whereas the latter use immobilised microorganisms as the recognising element for monitoring water pollutants.

2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid

Development of an amperometric flow injection immunoanalysis system for the determination of the herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid in water.

An amperometric flow injection immunoanalysis (FIIA) system based on an immunoreactor with immobilized biocomponents on a silica surface has been developed for the determination of the herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). In the antigen coating mode the hapten was immobilized and monoclonal primary antibody against 2,4-D together with alkaline phosphatase (AP)-labelled secondary antibody were used as sensing elements in a titration assay. In the antibody coating mode a biotinylated monoclonal antibody was immobilized on the surface of the immunoreactor and a 2,4-D-AP-conjugate was used for detection. For electrochemical measurements p-aminophenol enzymatically generated from p-aminophenyl phosphate was oxidized at a carbon working electrode at +150 mV versus Ag/AgCl. The system enabled the determination of 2,4-D in drinking water samples in the range from 0.2 to 70 micrograms/l. The whole system was computer controlled with a measuring time of 12 min for one determination.

2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid

Development of a heterogeneous amperometric immunosensor for the determination of apolipoprotein E in serum.

Apolipoprotein (apo) E is a constituent of serum lipoproteins and can serve as a diagnostic parameter for the assessment of disorders of lipid metabolism. For the determination of apo E in serum a sandwich-type amperometric immunosensor using disposable membranes was developed. The best results were obtained by using a site-directed attachment of a monoclonal capture antibody to a hydrazide-functionalized membrane surface. Bound antigen was then determined with the aid of a polyclonal antibody labelled with alkaline phosphatase in conjunction with p-aminophenyl phosphate as substrate. In this approach a carbon working electrode (vs. Hg/HgCl2) was used, and enzymatically generated p-aminophenol could be monitored with a detection limit of 40 pmol and a linear range of 26-20000 nM. The sensor displayed a linear response from 50 to 1000 ng ml-1 apo E. In contrast, antibody coupling through primary amino groups led to a total loss of antigen binding capacity in this assay configuration. The approach with site-directed immobilization however, not only allowed the determination of apo E in serum, but also the determination of antibody cross-reactivity against the apolipoproteins AI, AII and B.

Aminophenols

Novel nonseparation sandwich-type electrochemical enzyme immunoassay system for detecting marker proteins in undiluted blood.

A novel nonseparation electrochemical enzyme immunoassay (NEEIA) for detecting marker proteins in undiluted blood is described. The approach is based on preferential electrochemical measurement of surface-bound enzyme-labeled reporter antibody (E-Ab), relative to an excess of this reagent in the sample solution. NEEIAs are carried out on microporous membranes coated with a thin, circular area of gold. The gold serves simultaneously as a working electrode and solid phase for immobilized capture anti-protein antibodies. In the assay, analyte protein is incubated concurrently with the Ab-coated gold surface and excess E-Ab conjugate. Detection of bound E-Ab is achieved by introducing the substrate for the enzyme through the back side of the membrane. The product of bound E-Ab is detected immediately by oxidation or reduction at the gold electrode, and the resulting current is proportional to the concentration of protein in the sample. The feasibility of the NEEIA approach is demonstrated via the detection of prostate-specific antigen in undiluted plasma samples (n = 64), with alkaline phosphatase as the label. Use of multiple gold films deposited on the same porous membrane to perform simultaneous NEEIAs is also described.

Antibodies, Monoclonal