Biomedical subjects

Tse-Chuan Chou

Publications and source records attributed to Tse-Chuan Chou.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2007

Optimizing the formulation of a myoglobin molecularly imprinted thin-film polymer--formed using a micro-contact imprinting method.

Thin-film myoglobin molecularly imprinted polymers have been fabricated using a micro-contact approach. By initially selecting the cross-linker on the basis of it having a minimal recognition for the template and using this as a starting point for functional monomer selection, we have produced myoglobin imprinted polymers with exceptionally high selectivities. The affinity of the polymers, for myoglobin, when prepared with a variety of different cross-linkers and no functional monomer was evaluated. Of these, tetraethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) exhibited the lowest affinity for the template species. Methyl methacrylate (MMA) was chosen as the functional monomer as when it was used in conjunction with TEGDMA, it exhibited maximum selectivity for the template compared to polymers made with other functional monomers. With a MMA to TEGDMA ratio of 1 to 3, the myoglobin molecularly imprinted polymer adsorbed 15.03+/-0.89 x 10(-11)mole/cm(2) of template from a 5.68 x 10(-7)M myoglobin solution, compared to 2.58+/-0.02 x 10(-11)mole/cm(2) for a polymer of similar composition, but formed in the absence of a template. Various washing conditions, using alkaline media to remove the template, were investigated. An extraction solvent comprising 2 wt.% SDS and 0.6 wt.% NaOH used at 80 degrees C for 30 min was shown to give the highest imprinting factor i.e. 5.83 with 72.82% myoglobin removal. The saturation kinetics of template binding to the thin-film MIP were examined and found to display a simple two-phase profile typical of non-cooperative binding. A Scatchard binding plot showed the dissociation constant (K(d)) for the specific binding phase to be 3.4 x 10(-7)M and the binding site capacity to be 7.24 x 10(-11)mole/cm(2). For the non-specific binding phase, K(d) was found to be 1.355 x 10(-5)M and the binding site capacity was determined as 9.62 x 10(-10)mole/cm(2). Selectivity experiments were carried out in both single protein and binary protein systems all using a total protein concentration of 5.68 x 10(-7)M. The molar ratio of adsorbed myoglobin to IgG, HSA and hemoglobin was found to 115.5, 230.9 and 2.5, respectively. While, in binary competition systems, myoglobin selectivity to IgG, HSA and hemoglobin was, respectively, 94.18, 98.21 and 61.09%. Rebinding in natural biological matrices, i.e. human serum or urine, showed the imprinted films to have significantly greater uptake than non-imprinted films. Re-binding in undiluted urine was found to be a facile process, with the imprinting factor, i.e. the ratio of MIP to NIP binding, being determined as 37.4.

Cross-Linking Reagents↗

PubMed2006

The microcontact imprinting of proteins: the effect of cross-linking monomers for lysozyme, ribonuclease A and myoglobin.

The performance of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) is of interest to researchers in the field of analytical chemistry, and in the pharmaceutical and food industries. Because the choice of the functional monomer(s) plays a key role in the selectivity of a MIP, the synthesis of an effective, tight-binding MIP can be difficult and time-consuming, involving the evaluation of the binding performance of MIPs of many different compositions. In this study, we report an express method combining molecular imprinting and microcontact printing techniques to prepare a polymer thin film as an artificial antibody. In addition to the microcontact printing technique, isothermal titration of monomers to proteins stamps was investigated to screen the functional monomer for MIPs. Finally, the importance of the choice of cross-linking monomers in MIPs was studied, and these studies suggest that monomers containing an optimal length PEG spacer give higher imprinting effectiveness. Several model antigens (lysozyme, ribonuclease A and myoglobin) were adsorbed on a cover glasses that were pretreated with hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS). These protein stamps were then contacted with different monomer solutions (cross-linking monomers) on a glass slide substrate. Photopolymerization yielded the molecularly imprinted polymer. This technique, analogous to microcontact printing, allows for the rapid, parallel synthesis of MIPs of different compositions, and requires very small volumes of monomers (ca. 4 microL). The technique also avoids potential solubility problems with the molecular targets. Of several cross-linking monomers screened, tetraethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) gave the most selective lysozyme binding, while polyethyleneglycol 400 dimethacrylate (PEG400DMA) were most selective for ribonuclease A and myoglobin.

Adsorption↗

PubMed2006

A portable potentiostat for the bilirubin-specific sensor prepared from molecular imprinting.

A portable amperometric potentiostat was designed and implemented in this work. It was developed to acquisit the current signals produced from bilirubin by an electrochemical sensor. Based on an SOC-based chip, this potentiostat has the merits of moderate accuracy, small size, low cost, and high portability. The bilirubin electrode was prepared by synthesizing a thin layer of bilirubin imprinted poly(methacrylic acid-co-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) onto the Au layer. With the molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) film, specific detection of bilirubin was successfully achieved. The cyclic voltammogram of the electrode was measured from this assembled potentiostat. The performance from a commercial potentiostat was considered rather stable and was used as a reference to examine and evaluate the performance of the assembled potentiostat. The detected current signals by the bilirubin sensing were obtained. Linear calibration with a sensitivity of 1.344+/-0.38 microA/mg dl was achieved. Our experimental results showed that the proposed potentiostat's performance could achieve sufficient performance. The evaluation was also made from the aspects such as reset time and steady-response time. The self-assembled potentiostat thus demonstrated its ability in precise detection of bilirubin from an electrode layered with the imprinted polymer film.

Bilirubin↗

PubMed2006

Using protein templates to direct the formation of thin-film polymer surfaces.

Protein imprinted electrodes formed by the cyclic voltammetric deposition of conductive polymers, on screen-printed platinum supports, in the presence of target proteins have been fabricated. An initial layer of polypyrrole was used as a supporting polymer layer, upon which were formed two layers of polyaminophenylboronic acid. The first of these layers was non-imprinted and formed a barrier between the polypyrrole and the outer layer, which was deposited in the presence of a protein template (lysozyme or cytochrome c). After protein extraction, re-binding of the template proteins to their respective imprinted electrodes showed a distinct two-phase binding profile; whereas, binding to control polymers, made in the same way but without the addition of protein templates, showed progressive binding typical of non-specific recognition. Reductions in the observed current transmission due to bonding to the polymer surface of non-conductive protein have been used as a measure of re-binding. It was found that when challenged with 1 part per million protein in solution, the current reductions for the lysozyme and cytochrome c imprinted electrodes were 30.3 and 66.2%, respectively, compared to 4.5 and 29.9% for their respective control electrodes. All measurements carried out at -0.1 V with Ag/AgCl reference.

Adsorption↗

PubMed2006

Development and characterization of an all-solid-state potentiometric biosensor array microfluidic device for multiple ion analysis.

A microfluidic device with an all-solid-state potentiometric biosensor array was developed using microfabrication technology. The sensor array included a pH indicator, and potassium and calcium ion-selective microelectrodes. The pH indicator was an iridium oxide thin film modified platinum microelectrode and the iridium oxide was deposited by an electrochemical method. The potassium and calcium ion-selective microelectrodes were platinum coated with silicon rubber based ion-selective membranes with respectively potassium (valinomycin) and calcium (ETH 1001) ionophores. The detection system was integrated with a micro-pneumatic pump which can continuously drive fluids into the microchannel through sensors at flow rates ranging from 52.4 microl min(-1) to 7.67 microl min(-1). The sensor array microfluidic device showed near-Nernstian responses with slopes of 62.62 mV +/- 2.5 mV pH(-1), 53.76 mV +/- 3 mV -log[K+](-1) and 25.77 mV +/- 2 mV -log[Ca2+](-1) at 25 degrees C +/- 5 degrees C, and a linear response within the pH range of 2-10, with potassium and calcium concentrations between 0.1 M and 10(-6) M. In this study the device provided a convenient way to measure the concentration of hydrogen, potassium and calcium ions, which are important physiological parameters.

Biosensing Techniques↗

PubMed2006

Fabrication of a planar-form screen-printed solid electrolyte modified Ag/AgCl reference electrode for application in a potentiometric biosensor.

This study features the fabrication of a planar-form, solid electrolyte modified, (PSEM) Ag/AgCl reference electrode using a screen-printing method. The PSEM Ag/AgCl reference electrode uses agar gel as the inner electrolyte and chloroprene rubber for the liquid junction and insulator. These common low-cost materials and the simple fabrication processes involved render the proposed reference electrode an ideal candidate for cost-efficient mass production. It is shown that the developed reference electrode is insensitive to most of the physiologically important ionic species, including Na+, K+, Li+, Ca2+, NH4+, and Cl-, under continuous measurement conditions. Moreover, as with conventional commercial reference electrodes, the proposed reference electrode exhibits a reversible response, which is maintained until the agar gel dries out. The PSEM Ag/AgCl reference electrode is integrated with an iridium oxide modified Pt-based pH indicator electrode to form a chip-type pH biosensor. The performance of this biosensor is consistent with that obtained from a pH meter based on a macroscopic commercial Ag/AgCl reference electrode. The experimental results confirm that the proposed biosensor is capable of providing precise pH measurements of various real samples. Accordingly, the PSEM Ag/AgCl reference electrode presented in this study provides a viable alternative to the macroscopic Ag/AgCl reference electrode used in many conventional chip-based pH sensors.

Biosensing Techniques↗

PubMed2006

Incorporation of styrene enhances recognition of ribonuclease A by molecularly imprinted polymers.

Ribonuclease A (RNase A) is an RNA-cleaving enzyme characterized by its high conformational stability and strong catalytic activity. This enzyme is ubiquitous in living organisms and is difficult to inactivate. In polymerase chain reaction (PCR) RNase activity is removed by adding inhibitors. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) with high selectivity, high stability, low cost and facile synthesis could prove useful in extraction of target molecules, such as RNase A, from reaction mixtures. In this investigation, MIPs were synthesized from the monomers styrene and polyethyleneglycol 400 dimethacrylate (PEG400DMA) in several different ratios. Styrene as a functional monomer gave MIPs with a higher affinity for RNase A than other functional monomers tested, according to both enzyme-linked immnuosorbent assay (ELISA) and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). The optimum volume ratio of styrene/PEG400DMA was 20/100 at 25 degrees C, and this ratio maximized the rebinding efficiency of RNase A to MIPs. Isothermal titration calorimetry was also used, and could be useful to design the composition of molecularly imprinted polymers for various target molecules.

Adsorption↗

PubMed2006

Amperometric protein sensor - fabricated as a polypyrrole, poly-aminophenylboronic acid bilayer.

An approach to the design of electrodes for the production of sensors, which show significant changes to the passage of current in response to the concentration of target protein molecules, is presented. Screen-printed platinum electrodes, modified with two separately applied conducting polymer layers, have been developed as a potential route to forming cheap disposable protein sensors. To achieve a heightened response for the target molecules, an initial layer of polypyrrole was formed on the electrode's surface by electro-deposition. This composite was then employed as a substrate for the subsequent electro-deposition of a relatively thin 'sensing layer' of poly-aminophenylboronic acid. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) of the prepared films revealed an excursion in the current versus potential curve in the anodic phase at approximately 0.0 to +0.2V. It was clearly shown that the introduction of proteins into the CV cell resulted in a measurable decrease in the passage of current in buffered aqueous media. Measured current reductions observed on introducing lysozyme (10ppm) into the test solution were 2.3x10(-6)A for an electrode formed with a poly-aminophenylboronic acid layer on platinum, and 1.75x10(-5)A for a composite electrode formed with poly-aminophenylboronic acid on a polypyrrole coated platinum substrate. The introduction of the competing analytes, dl adrenaline or dopamine, at concentrations typically found in human urine, had little effect on the sensor's response. Additionally, the sensing system was able to maintain a response to added target proteins with as much as 2vol.% urine in the test solution. Using the electrodes in high concentrations of competing physiological analytes, they were able to respond to protein concentrations as low as 0.5ppm in buffered solutions containing urea at a concentration representative of human urine (17,000ppm), which additionally contained glucose (1000ppm).

Biosensing Techniques↗

PubMed2006

Ionic effect on the binding of bilirubin to the imprinted poly(methacrylic acid-co-ethylene glycol dimethylacrylate).

A molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) capable of detecting bilirubin was successfully synthesized. Bilirubin template was imprinted in poly(methacrylic acid-co-ethylene glycol dimethylacrylate) [poly(MAA-co-EGDMA)]. MAA and EGDMA were used as the monomer and the cross-linker, respectively. The optimal solvent conditions to maintain its stability were discussed. Solvent system based on ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) and ascorbic acid was compared with respect to the stability of bilirubin. pH and bilirubin concentration were both investigated for the bilirubin stability. Blue light as well as aeration was applied to inspect the regarding effects. The cross-linking effect was further confirmed by the thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The effect of salts, such as NaCl and KCl on the binding capacity of the molecularly imprinted polymer was also discussed. Further, the rat serum and bile samples were applied and the binding of the MIPs for bilirubin was thus confirmed.

Adsorption↗

PubMed2006

Determination of C-reactive protein with an ultra-sensitivity immunochemiluminometric assay.

C-reactive protein (CRP), the classic acute phase reactant, is strongly associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events. The demand for measuring serum CRP levels has been predicted to increase. We developed an ultra-sensitivity in-house immunometric assay on polystyrene beads for measuring CRP and studied its analytical and clinical performance. The assay used a pair of monoclonal anti-CRP antibodies and detected CRP in a 1-step immunometric assay with a chemiluminescence signal. The calibration was traceable to the World Health Organization reference material. The assay covered a linear range of 0.01 to 50.00 mg/L. The analytical detection limit calculated from the mean level plus 3 SD of the zero calibrator was 0.004 mg/L. The within-run imprecision was 7.0%, 5.2%, and 4.1% for mean CRP levels of 0.02 mg/L, 1.44 mg/L, and 11.04 mg/L, respectively. The between-run imprecision was 9.2%, 7.0%, and 6.0% for mean CRP levels of 0.02 mg/L, 1.49 mg/L, and 10.90 mg/L, respectively. The average recovery was 102.0% (n=6). The assay correlated well with a high-sensitivity latex-enhanced nephelometric assay (regression line y=0.865 x +1.333, r=0.974, S(y/x)=3.415, n=47 for 0-50.00 mg/L and y=1.076 x-0.080, r=0.985, S(y/x)=0.989, n=29 for 0-20.00 mg/L). The central 95 percentile reference interval for Han Chinese residing in Taiwan was 0.02-4.33 mg/L (n=469). There was no significant difference in serum CRP levels between healthy male and female subjects (median, 0.34 and 0.31 mg/L, respectively); however, CRP levels increased moderately with age (r=0.276, P<.05). The reference values for the Chinese population were about 5-fold lower than those for the United States population. This ultra-sensitivity immunochemiluminometric assay for CRP is rapid and accurate and can be used to assess cardiovascular risk.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Size-selective recognition of catecholamines by molecular imprinting on silica-alumina gel.

The preparation of a catecholamine receptor was carried out using a molecular imprinting method with silica-alumina gel to form complementary structures for template recognition. The molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) was synthesized by the condensation of silicate from tetraethyl orthosilictate (TEOS) under hydrothermal conditions at 60 degrees C. Aluminum chloride was added as a functional monomer to increase the material's rebinding ability. The selectivity of the MIP receptor prepared with different ratios of template to Si and Al, was examined with seven analytes including: dopamine, epinephrine, norepinephrine, ascorbic acid, homovanillic acid, uric acid, and l-tyrosine. The results showed a size selective effect for the receptors with respect to the recognition of the catecholamines. Some factors affecting the recognition ability were investigated including: the solution pH of analytes, surface capping on the MIP, and the imprinting pH of the silica-alumina solution. Also, the catecholamine MIP films on quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) electrodes were fabricated as sensors for in situ monitoring of the analytes in a 2-propanol solution.

Aluminum Oxide↗

PubMed2005

Microfluidic pH-sensing chips integrated with pneumatic fluid-control devices.

This paper presents a microfluidic chip capable of performing precise continuous pH measurements in an automatic mode. The chip is fabricated using micro-electro-mechanical-systems (MEMS)-based techniques and incorporates polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microstructures, pH-sensing electrodes and pneumatic fluid-control devices. Through its enhanced microchannel design and use of pneumatic fluid-control devices, the microfluidic chip reduces the dead volume of the sample and increases the pumping rate. The maximum pumping rate of the developed micro-pump is 28 microL/min at an air pressure of 10 psi and a driving frequency of 10 Hz. The total sample volume consumed in each sensing operation is just 0.515 microL. As a result, the developed chip reduces the sample volume compared to conventional large-scale pH-sensing systems. The microfluidic chip employs the electrochemical sensing method to conduct precise pH level measurements. The sensing electrodes are fabricated by sputtering a layer of SiO(2)-LiO(2)-BaO-TiO(2)-La(2)O(3) (SLBTLO) onto platinum (Pt) electrodes and the pH value of the sample is evaluated by measuring the potential difference between the sensing electrodes and a reference electrode. Additionally, the integration of the microfluidic chip with a pneumatic fluid-control device facilitates automatic sample injection and a continuous sensing operation. The developed system provides a valuable tool with which to examine pH values in a wide range of biomedical and industrial applications.

Electrochemistry↗

PubMed2005

Enthalpy changes associated with protein binding to thin films.

Molecularly imprinted thin films consisting of proteins embedded in polymerised aminophenyl boronic acid have been made on glass supports. The protein contents of the films have been optimised to achieve a maximum energy of interaction between the film and the native template. The fabrication of the films and the subsequent removal from their surfaces of the imprint proteins has been shown to be a facile and easily reproduced process. The enthalpy changes associated with the rebinding of the films with their original templates (lysozyme and cytochrome c) and with non-native templates has been examined by micro-calorimetry. The results demonstrate that thin films can be successfully imprinted as shown by the significant reduction in the enthalpy (DeltaH) observed when the films were rebound with proteins other than the original templates. Additionally, it was shown that after binding, non-template proteins could be removed by washing and a greater enthalpy again observed when the films were rebound with the native protein compared to that which had been found with the non-native protein.

Binding Sites↗

PubMed2004

Telemetric electrochemical sensor.

A telemetric system was designed and constructed to sense pH and ethanol variation in aqueous solutions. The measured signals were transferred by software digitally and transmitted wirelessly by the telemeter, personal digital assistant (PDA), through the General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) protocol. The pH sensing electrode was designed to measure a chemical potential induced by a proton concentration gradient on the electrode's surface which exhibits internal Donnon diffusion behavior, and a linear relationship between the electrical potential and pH was found. The result shows that the wireless sensing system allowed not only long-term usage and long-distance transmission but also with high accuracy (e.g. S.D. less than +/-2%). The telemetric system can also be modified to measure ethanol concentration in aqueous solution amperometrically. It was found that the sensitivity of that ex situ measurements matched those of in field measurements with negligible deviation, less than 4%.

Cell Phone↗

PubMed2004

Thin film trichloroethylene electrochemical sensor.

Pt-Ti and Pb-Pt-Ti thin films were deposited on alumina substrates by sputtering in Ar gas. In this study, an electrodeposited Pb-modified Pt-Ti thin film working electrode was prepared. Optimal sensing conditions were found to be -2.10 V (versus Ag/Ag+ with 0.1 M tetrabutylammonium perchlorate (TBAP) in acetonitrile (AN) solution) sensing potential, 250 rpm agitation rate. At room temperature, the response time was 15 s (90% response time). The correlation of sensing response current, id, and trichloroethylene (TCE) concentration, CL, is id = 2.86CL in the range from 100 to 700 ppm TCE. Additionally, the rate constant of (TCE) cathodic reduction was found to be 2.434 x 10(-3) cm(-1) s(-1).

Biosensing Techniques↗

PubMed2004

Amperometric acetylcholine sensor catalyzed by nickel anode electrode.

An amperometric method was using a nickel catalytic electrode in aqueous base solution for detecting acetylcholine (ACh). A sensing mechanism was developed in which ACh was hydrolyzed in base aqueous solution to produce the acetic anion and choline. The alcohol group of choline was oxidized to the corresponding carboxylic acid by Ni(OH)2/NiOOH catalytic system. The amperometric response resulted from the current generated by ACh oxidation in response to step changes in ACh concentration. The potential window of limiting current of ACh anodic oxidation at the Ni interface was determined in NaOH electrolyte. The effect of NaOH electrolyte concentration on sensitivity was also discussed. At the optimum operating condition, the method exhibits a good linear relationship between the response current and the ACh concentration. The response time of the ACh sensing system was 10 s. Scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) with platinum micro-tips was used to investigate the diffusion layer thickness of Ni electrode.

Acetylcholine↗

PubMed2004

Ionic liquid ethanol sensor.

Ionic liquids containing lithium methylsulfonyl group were prepared from the precursors poly(propylene glycol)-block-(ethylene glycol)-block-(propylene glycol)-bis(2-aminopropyl ether) with different molecular weight. These liquids revealed excellent electrical conductivity in the temperature range -25 to 85 degrees C. Also, they exhibited a high boiling temperature and hence a low vapor pressure in ambient condition. Additionally, they showed a high fluidity with their viscosities being comparative with that of water. To determine the sensitivity of an ethanol sensor by using these ionic liquids, these liquids were subjected into a sequential electrochemical tests with nickel electrodes which performed a high sensitivity for the ethanol sensor. It was found that only the derivative with low molecular weight could detect ethanol. Furthermore, a linear relationship between the response current and the concentration of ethanol was constructed. The detection limit was found to be 0.13% (v/v) and its response time was 336 s.

Biosensing Techniques↗

PubMed2004

A sputtered thin film of nanostructured Ni/Pt/Ti on Al2O3 substrate for ethanol sensing.

A novel thin film ethanol sensor using sputtered Ni/Pt/Ti on an Al2O3 substrate as the working electrode in an alkaline solution was developed. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize the nanostructure of nickel films. Sputtering deposition conditions for maximum catalytic efficiency, electrode selectivity, and reproducibility were discussed. The results showed that ethanol oxidation was more efficient on the sputtered Ni/Pt/Ti on an Al2O3 substrate electrode than that on the conventional nickel electrode. The optimal operating conditions to generate the sputtered Ni/Pt/Ti on the Al2O3 substrate electrode were: 45 min of Ni sputtering deposition time, and 50 W of Ni sputtering power. The results also indicated that the response time of the prepared ethanol sensor is 27 s and the best sensitivity is 3.08 microA microM(-1) cm(-2).

Aluminum Oxide↗