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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Source coherence impairments in a direct detection direct sequence optical code-division multiple-access system.

We demonstrate that direct sequence optical code- division multiple-access (DS-OCDMA) encoders and decoders using sampled fiber Bragg gratings (S-FBGs) behave as multipath interferometers. In that case, chip pulses of the prime sequence codes generated by spreading in time-coherent data pulses can result from multiple reflections in the interferometers that can superimpose within a chip time duration. We show that the autocorrelation function has to be considered as the sum of complex amplitudes of the combined chip as the laser source coherence time is much greater than the integration time of the photodetector. To reduce the sensitivity of the DS-OCDMA system to the coherence time of the laser source, we analyze the use of sparse and nonperiodic quadratic congruence and extended quadratic congruence codes.

Journal Article↗

Direct detection of Cardiobacterium hominis in serum from a patient with infective endocarditis by broad-range bacterial PCR.

Bacterial DNA was detected directly in the serum of a patient with endocarditis by broad-range 16S rRNA PCR followed by sequencing and analysis of the results by the BLAST search. Using these methods, Cardiobacterium hominis was identified in 2 days from the date of serum collection. The microorganism was also isolated and identified using conventional methods (bacterial culture and biochemical tests) 17 days from the date of sample collection. This is the first report showing the direct detection of C. hominis in a patient's serum using molecular-based methods, emphasizing their potential usefulness as additional and rapid diagnostic tools for the detection and identification of fastidious bacteria.

Cardiobacterium↗

Direct detection of Helicobacter pylori resistance to macrolides by a polymerase chain reaction/DNA enzyme immunoassay in gastric biopsy specimens.

BACKGROUND: The increasing use of macrolides especially in the treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection has led to an increase in resistant strains. The resistance of H pylori to macrolides, especially clarithromycin, is one of the major causes of eradication failure. In H pylori, clarithromycin resistance is due to point mutations localised in domain V of 23S rRNA. AIM: To develop a molecular technique based on amplification of a relevant fragment of the 23S rRNA and colorimetric hybridisation in liquid phase to detect directly in biopsy specimens the type of mutation associated with resistance of H pylori to clarithromycin. METHODS: Gastric biopsy samples from 61 patients were submitted to this test. The results were compared with standard methods (determination of minimal inhibition concentration, polymerase chain reaction/restriction fragment length polymorphism, and/or DNA sequencing) in order to evaluate the test and to define the cut off values, specificity, and sensitivity. RESULTS: The 14 biopsy samples in which H pylori was not detected did not give a positive result in any assay, and the 14 samples harbouring strains susceptible to clarithromycin gave a positive result with the wild type probe as expected. The 33 biopsy specimens containing resistant strains always gave a positive signal with one of the probes detecting resistant organisms, but in eight cases they also reacted with the wild type probe, indicating that a mixture of resistant and susceptible organisms was present. CONCLUSION: The importance of this new assay is that it allows the detection of multiple genotypes corresponding to either heterogeneous genotypes or mixed infections. Moreover, it allows in a single step not only the detection of H pylori but also the determination of its susceptibility to clarithromycin directly in biopsy specimens without the need for culture.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Development and evaluation of a PCR-microplate capture hybridization method for direct detection of verotoxigenic Escherichia coli strains in artificially contaminated food samples.

For the purpose of detecting, directly in food, verotoxigenic Escherichia coli, a microplate hybridization method for the detection of PCR products from the SLT I and SLT II genes, was developed and evaluated. Two pairs of primers and two probes, specific for the SLT I gene and for the SLT II gene, were designed and tested. For the strains containing both genes, two PCR products of different molecular weights were obtained, whereas when only one gene was present only one fragment resulted from PCR. The use of the biotin-labeled probes allowed the immobilization of the PCR products in the microtiter plate wells and by this means their detection was possible using an ELISA-based technique. Forty artificially contaminated and fifty naturally contaminated food samples were analyzed by using the PCR-microplate hybridization technique developed in this study. All the artificially contaminated food samples were positive, independently of the number of cells inoculated before the enrichment step, whereas the naturally contaminated food samples were all negative.

Bacterial Toxins↗

Direct detection of beta-1,3-glucanase in plant extracts by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

By using carboxymethyl (CM)-curdlan, a polysaccharide linked with the dye Remazol Brilliant Blue (RBB) as a substrate in polyacrylamide gels, the beta-1,3-glucanase in plant extracts can be detected directly by native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. In contrast to the usually used procedures for the detection of glucanases, e.g., colorimetric assay, overlay technique, enzyme activity staining using laminarin as a substrate, this method is rapid and allows both the determination of the activity and the location of the relative position of the multiple forms of beta-1,3-glucanases.

Animals↗

Direct detection of proteins adsorbed on synthetic materials by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-mass spectrometry.

The irreversible accumulation of biological material on synthetic surfaces ("biofouling") adversely affects for instance contact lenses, implantable biomedical devices, biosensors, water purification, transport and storage systems, and marine structures. It is shown here that proteins adsorbed on contact lenses can be detected directly, rapidly, and conveniently, with high sensitivity, by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI)-mass spectrometry. This new approach allows detection of minor (and major) proteinaceous constituents of biofouled layers on samples retrieved from clinical usage and in vitro protein adsorption studies, at levels substantially below monolayer coverage. Identification of the detected biological molecules can be done by comparison of the detected mass peaks with known protein molecular masses or with spectra recorded of pure compounds or by separate biochemical assays. The MALDI mass spectra recorded on different contact lenses contain peaks assignable to lysozyme and a number of smaller proteins. Such sensitive characterization of the early stages of biofouling enhances the understanding of protein/materials interactions and assists in designing guided strategies toward control of biological adsorption processes.

Adsorption↗

Direct detection of biomolecules in a capillary electrophoresis-chemiluminescence detection system.

Direct detection of biomolecules, such as alpha-amino acids, peptides, and proteins, was accomplished using a capillary electrophoresis-chemiluminescence detection system, in which a luminol-hydrogen peroxide-Cu(II)-catalyzed chemiluminescence reaction was utilized. Biomolecules migrated in the capillary, where they mixed with luminol and the Cu(II) catalyst included in the running buffer. The capillary outlet was inserted into a batch-type chemiluminescence detection cell with hydrogen peroxide-supplemented electrolyte solution. Chemiluminescence was observed at the tip of the capillary outlet. The chemiluminescence peak from biomolecules appeared due to the enhancement of Cu(II) catalytic activity for luminol-hydrogen peroxide chemiluminescence. The Cu(II) was more catalytically active when it interacted with biomolecules forming Cu(II)-biomolecule complexes. In this study, biomolecules were directly separated and detected in a capillary electrophoresis-chemiluminescence detection system. Twenty alpha-amino acids, 4 peptides, and 11 proteins were examined. Most of them were detected with satisfactory CL intensity response. Glutamic acid, an alpha-amino acid, was detected at concentrations ranging from 2.0 x 10(-7) to 1.2 x 10(-5) M with a detection limit (S/N = 3) of 1.0 x 10(-7) M (0.6 fmol). Glycylglycine, a peptide, was detected at concentrations ranging from 1.7 x 10(-7) to 1.2 x 10(-5) M with a detection limit (S/N = 3) of 1.7 x 10(-7) M (0.9 fmol). Hemoglobin, a heme protein, in which the heme structure was independently catalytically active, was detected at concentrations ranging from 1.2 x 10(-7) to 1.0 x 10(-5) M with a detection limit (S/N = 3) of 1.2 x 10(-7) M (0.6 fmol). Representative mixtures of alpha-amino acids and peptides were well detected with superior separation.

Amino Acids↗

Protein microarray detection strategies: focus on direct detection technologies.

Protein microarrays are being utilized for functional proteomic analysis, providing information not obtainable by gene arrays. Microarray technology is applicable for studying protein-protein, protein-ligand, kinase activity and posttranslational modifications of proteins. A precise and sensitive protein microarray, the direct detection or reverse-phase microarray, has been applied to ongoing clinical trials at the National Cancer Institute for studying phosphorylation events in EGF-receptor-mediated cell signaling pathways. The variety of microarray applications allows for multiple, creative microarray designs and detection strategies. Herein, we discuss detection strategies and challenges for protein microarray technology, focusing on direct detection of protein microarrays.

Animals↗

Direct detection of activated platelets and platelet-derived microparticles in humans.

Flow cytometry was used to determine whether activated platelets and platelet-derived microparticles can be detected directly in whole blood after a hemostatic insult. Two different in vivo models of platelet activation were examined: (1) a standardized bleeding time, and (2) cardiopulmonary bypass. Platelets and microplatelets were identified with a biotinylated anti-glycoprotein (GP)lb antibody and a fluorophore, phycoerythrin-streptavidin. Microparticles were distinguished from platelets by light scatter. Activated platelets were detected with three fluorescein-labeled monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs): (1) PAC1, which binds to the activated form of GPIIb-IIIa; (2) 9F9, a newly developed antibody that is specific for fibrinogen bound to the surface of activated platelets; and (3) S12, which binds to an alpha-granule membrane protein expressed on the platelet surface after granule secretion. In nine normal subjects, bleeding times ranged from 4.5 to 7.5 minutes. Over this time, there was a progressive increase in the amount of PAC1, 9F9, and S12 bound to platelets in blood emerging from the bleeding time wound. With all three antibodies, platelet activation was apparent as early as 30 seconds after the incision (P less than .03). Activation was accompanied by a progressive decrease in the concentration of platelets in blood from the wound, while the concentration of microparticles increased slightly. In nine patients undergoing open heart surgery, 1 hour of cardiopulmonary bypass caused a 2.2-fold increase in the relative proportion of microparticles in circulating blood (P less than .001). Moreover, bypass caused platelet activation as evidenced by a mean two- to threefold increase in PAC1 binding to platelets. Although this increase was significant (P less than .02), PAC1 binding exceeded the normal range for unstimulated control platelets in only 5 of 9 patients, and 9F9 and S12 binding exceeded the normal range in only two patients. Taken together, these studies demonstrate that it is now feasible using flow cytometry to evaluate the extent of platelet activation and the presence of platelet-derived microparticles in the circulation of humans.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

Direct detection of Pneumocysytis carinii in outdoor air: preliminary results of a field study.

P. carinii causes pneumonia in immunocompromised patients. New studies are suggestive of the de novo infections. Although P. carinii is believed to be ubiquitous it has not been detected directly from outdoor air. Therefore, outdoor air samples (n = 20) of 5 m3 were collected onto gelatin filters (pore size: 3 microns) on a cemetery using a suction pump (Sartorius MD8). Five samples were silver-stained, five samples were stained with an indirect immunfluorescence test kit, the remaining ten samples were stained with the combinations of the two individual stains. In a total of 100 m3 outdoor air one cyst resembling P. carinii was detected by the methenamine silver stain. Other cells not resembling P. carinii were found with a silver stained cell wall and positive fluorescence. The natural reservoir of P. carinii remains unknown. The indirect immunfluoresence which is common in the clinical laboratory is probably not specific enough for environmental samples.

Air Microbiology↗

Direct detection of proviral gag segment of human immunodeficiency virus in peripheral blood lymphocytes by colorimetric PCR assay as a clinical laboratory tool applied to different at-risk populations.

We used a colorimetric polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assay in kit form to detect directly human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) proviral gag sequences in peripheral blood cells from 68 healthy blood donors, 51 subjects at risk for HIV infection, 122 patients with HIV-1 infection, 11 patients with indeterminate Western blot (immunoblot) results, 4 blood donors HIV-1 positive by enzyme immunoassay, and 13 children born to HIV-1-seropositive mothers. The results obtained in the blood donors and HIV-1-infected patients demonstrated the high degree of diagnostic specificity and sensitivity of the PCR method. HIV-1 infection was excluded in 10 of the 11 patients with indeterminate Western blot results and in all four enzyme immunoassay-positive blood donors. A diagnosis of HIV infection was ruled out by negative PCR results in 5 of 13 children from seropositive mothers, which excluded vertical transmission of the infection in these cases; these children were younger than 3 months and had positive serological results. Two at-risk patients with negative serological results had positive PCR results. All results were confirmed by conventional PCR. In conclusion, colorimetric PCR, which is commercially available in kit form, is an easy and reliable technique that can be used to detect proviral HIV-1 genomes in blood cells, and despite the limitations owing to HIV genome variability, it is useful in the clinical setting for the diagnosis of HIV infection in selected categories of patients.

Blotting, Western↗

Cobalt(II) and nickel(II) ions as promoters of free radicals in vivo: detected directly using electron spin resonance spectrometry in circulating blood in rats.

We employed an electron spin resonance (ESR)2 spectrometer and used a direct detection technique for determining free radicals in circulating blood in rats. We found that the simultaneous intravenous injection of CoCl2 (10-500 mM) and ascorbic acid (100 mM) led to the formation of ascorbic acid free radicals. The potential of the Co(II) salt for producing ascorbic acid radicals was found to be dose-dependent, and was 10-fold stronger than that of a Fe(III) salt. Low height signals of the ascorbic acid radical were also observed during the simultaneous injection of NiCl2 (500 mM) and ascorbic acid (100 mM). This study clearly demonstrated that the metal ions of iron family are promoters of free radicals in vivo. These results also provide evidence to support the speculation based predominantly on in vitro experiments, that the mechanism responsible for the toxicity produced by excessive intake of transitional metal ions may involve the formation of free radicals.

Animals↗

A tissue culture assay for direct detection of sodium channel blocking toxins in bacterial culture supernates.

A quantitative assay for sodium channel blocking toxins such as tetrodotoxin and saxitoxin has been developed for use with a microtitre plate reader. Mouse neuroblastoma cells, which die rapidly in the presence of ouabain and veratridine, were protected by tetrodotoxin; surviving cells were detected by their uptake of the vital dye Neutral red which was quantified with a microtitre plate reader at 540 nm. A sigmoidal dose response curve was obtained and tetrodotoxin concentrations were readily measured over the range 10 nM to 500 nM (3.2-160 ng/ml). With this method, sodium channel blocking toxins were detected directly, without processing or concentration, in culture supernates of several marine bacteria, including Shewanella alga, Alteromonas tetraodonis, Listonella (Vibrio) pelagia, V. alginolyticus, V. anguillarum and V. tubiashi. Culture supernates of Shewanella alga contained up to 510 ng/ml of sodium channel blocking toxin (using tetrodotoxin as a standard).

Animals↗

Direct detection of ototoxicant-induced reactive oxygen species generation in cochlear explants.

The proposal that free-radical generation contributes to the ototoxicities of several chemical agents was studied utilizing electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectrometry to detect directly ototoxicant-induced reactive oxygen species formation in cochlear tissue. Guinea pig cochlear explants in chelexed artificial perilymph (AP: 200 microliters) were exposed to an ototoxicant or AP for 10 min. Ototoxic agents included gentamicin sulfate (4.0 mM), kanamycin monosulfate (4.0 mM), ethacrynic acid (0.5 mM), furosemide (0.3 mM), cisplatin (0.1 mM), trimethyltin chloride (0.1 mM), and quinine HCl (3.0 mM). Following incubation, 20 microliters of AP/ototoxicant mixture was replaced by the filtered spin trap, 5,5-dimethylpyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO). After 10 min, the EPR spectrum of the mixture was obtained. Four line EPR spectra of relative intensities 1:2:2:1, associated with hydroxyl radical (OH)/DMPO adduct formation, were evidenced by reaction mixtures containing cochlear explants exposed to each ototoxicant. Cisplatin, quinine and the loop diuretics produced weak OH-associated EPR signals in the absence of a cochlear explant, which were amplified in its presence. Deferoxamine quenched all OH spectral peaks. Peroxide levels, assayed in parallel experiments, were diminished by each ototoxicant relative to those seen following AP exposure, suggesting possible H2O2 conversion to OH. These data support the proposal that various ototoxic agents are capable of reactive oxygen species generation or promotion in cochlear tissues.

Analgesics, Non-Narcotic↗

Direct detection of infectious HIV-1 in blood using a centrifugation-indicator cell assay.

Plasma HIV RNA is a useful surrogate marker for predicting HIV-1 disease progression in infected individuals but provides no information regarding the infectious viral titer. Traditional assays of infectious HIV-1 are, however, time consuming, insensitive, use non-standardized reagents and are subject to selection bias introduced by prolonged cultivation. In this pilot study infectious HIV-1 was detected directly in patient plasma using the indicator line HeLa-CD4-CCR5-LTR/beta-gal in a centrifugation-culture method. Replication competent HIV-1 was identified within 2 days of tissue culture inoculation in six (26%) of 23 plasma specimens. The capability of a new cell line, MT4-CCR5-tat, to amplify plasma HIV-1 was also tested. HIV was cultivated from ten (71%) of 14 specimens using MT4-CCR5-tat cells before titering the virus with the indicator cell assay. Using these stable cell lines in refined versions of this assay it may be feasible to develop rapid, simple methods for titering infectious plasma HIV-1 and for testing the susceptibility of the virus to antiretroviral drugs.

Blood↗

Direct detection by atomic force microscopy of single bond forces associated with the rupture of discrete charge-transfer complexes.

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to measure the chemical binding force of discrete electron donor-acceptor complexes formed at the interface between proximal self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). Derivatives of the well-known electron donor N,N,N',N'-tetramethylphenylenediamine (TMPD) and the electron acceptor 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) were immobilized on Au-coated AFM tips and substrates by formation of SAMs of N,N,N'-trimethyl-N'-(10-thiodecyl)-1,4-phenylenediamine (I) and bis(10-(2-((2,5-cyclohexadiene-1,4-diylidene)dimalonitrile))decyl) disulfide (II), respectively. Pull-off forces between modified tips and substrates were measured under CHCl(3) solvent. The mean pull-off forces associated with TMPD/TCNQ microcontacts were more than an order of magnitude larger than the pull-off forces for TMPD/TMPD and TCNQ/TCNQ microcontacts, consistent with the presence of specific charge-transfer interactions between proximal TMPD donors and TCNQ acceptors. Furthermore, histograms of pull-off forces for TMPD/TCNQ contacts displayed 70 +/- 15 pN periodicity, assigned to the rupture of individual TMPD-TCNQ donor-acceptor (charge-transfer) complexes. Both the mean pull-off force and the 70 pN force quantum compare favorably with a contact mechanics model that incorporates the effects of discrete chemical bonds, solvent surface tensions, and random contact area variations in consecutive pull-offs. From the 70 pN force quantum, we estimate the single bond energy to be approximately 4-5 kJ/mol, in reasonable agreement with thermodynamic data. These experiments establish that binding forces due to discrete chemical bonds can be detected directly in AFM pull-off measurements employing SAM modified probes and substrates. Because SAMs can be prepared with a wide range of exposed functional groups, pull-off measurements between SAM-coated tips and substrates may provide a general strategy for directly measuring binding forces associated with a variety of simple, discrete chemical bonds, e.g., single hydrogen bonds.

Journal Article↗

The use of NO-sensitive microelectrodes for direct detection of nitric oxide (NO) production in molluscs.

The endogenous production of nitric oxide (NO) from the CNS and a peripheral sensory structure (osphradium) of the pulmonate molluscs, Lymnaea stagnalis and Limax sp. as well as from the rat aorta was studied using two different types of NO-sensitive microelectrodes. Both NO-sensitive electrodes gave complementary, but comparable results. From our data it was possible to compile a hierarchy of tissues with respect to estimated NO production: the rat aorta (300-600 nM) > Lymnaea osphradium (100-300 nM) > Lymnaea buccal ganglia (30-100 nM) > Limax protocerebrum (10-50 nM). In the preparations tested the administration of L-arginine (10 nM) caused an increased level of the recorded signals. This effect was suppressed by NG-Nitro-L-arginine (10 nM), an inhibitor of NOS. It may be concluded that NO can be detected directly from the CNS and peripheral tissues of Lymnaea, and rat aorta, despite the limitations of the techniques used. The putative level of NO production in the osphradium is higher than that in areas of the mammalian CNS and can be compared with release from the aorta. The NO release from the buccal ganglia and the protocerebrum was comparable with that of the rat cerebellum. Such high levels of NO production lend themselves to further analysis of the biological role of this molecule in molluscs.

Animals↗

Initial attempts at directly detecting alpha wave activity in the brain using MRI.

The "direct detection" of neuronal activity by MRI could offer improved spatial and temporal resolution compared to the blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) effect. Here we describe initial attempts to use MRI to detect directly the neuronal currents resulting from spontaneous alpha wave activity, which have previously been shown to generate the largest extracranial magnetic fields. Experiments were successfully carried out on four subjects at 3 T. A single slice was imaged at a rate of 25 images per second under two conditions. The first (in darkness with eyes-closed) was chosen to promote alpha wave activity, while the second (eyes-open viewing a visual stimulus) was chosen to suppress it. The fluctuations of the phase and magnitude of the resulting MR image data were frequency analysed, and tested for the signature of both alpha wave activity and neuronal activity evoked by the visual stimulus. Regions were found that consistently showed elevated power in fluctuations of the phase of the MR signal, in the frequency range of alpha waves, during the eyes-closed condition. It was conservatively assumed that if oscillations occurred at the same frequency in the magnitude signal from the same region or at the same frequency in the phase or magnitude signal from other regions overlying large vessels or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), then the phase changes were not due to neuronal activity related to alpha waves. Using these criteria the data obtained were consistent with direct detection of alpha wave activity in three of the four volunteers. No significant MR signal fluctuations due to evoked activity were identified.

Adult↗