This study aimed to modify the surface of cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) prepared by TEMPO-mediated oxidation via two approaches: esterification and amination for further reaction with activated ...bromocresol green (BCG) to prepare CNF-BCG composites capable of changing color to pH level. Both the esterified and aminated CNFs were reacted with the activated BCG to obtain the composites of CNF-BCG1 and CNF-BCG2, respectively. Then, these composites were exposed to different pH levels to observe any color changes. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetry analysis (TGA), and UV–Vis spectroscopy were employed to characterize the modified CNFs and CNF-BCG composites. FTIR spectra showed that CNFs have been esterified or aminated, and the modified CNFs had been successfully reacted with the activated BCG to form CNF-BCG1 and CNF-BCG2, respectively. TGA results also supported this result with a greater thermal stability of both CNF-BCG composites than those of the CNFs. The CNF-BCG1 became yellow below pH 2 while it became green above pH 5. Although these CNF-BCG composites showed color changes to relevant pH levels, the CNF-BCG1 had more distinctive color changes than that of the CNF-BCG2. These results suggested that the esterification of CNFs was a better route to the reaction with the activated BCG for the color change, showing a possibility of using the CNF-BCG1 composites for colorimetric application.
Graphical abstract
Background
The bromocresol green (BCG) method has been reported to overestimate serum albumin concentration in several species due to non‐specific binding to globulins. As the white rhinoceros has ...high concentrations of serum globulins, significant differences in albumin measured by the BCG method, and the field method of agarose gel serum protein electrophoresis (SPE) are expected.
Objectives
We aimed to compare the BCG and SPE methods for albumin determination in the serum of white rhinoceroses.
Methods
SPE and BCG albumin were measured in 82 white rhinoceros serum samples. Results were compared using Bland‐Altman difference plots and Passing‐Bablok regression analysis.
Results
BCG albumin showed a significant mean constant positive bias of 7 g/L, or 36%, which was more than the total allowable error of 15% and was clinically significant. Methods were not comparable within the inherent imprecision of each method.
Conclusions
The BCG method overestimated albumin concentrations in this species compared with agarose gel SPE, and method‐specific reference intervals should be used.
Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) increases cell proliferation and stimulates migratory and angiogenic abilities in prostate cancer cells. However, the effects of PGE2 on non‐transformed prostate epithelial ...cells are unknown, despite the fact that PGE2 overproduction has been found in benign hyperplastic prostates. In the present work we studied the effects of PGE2 in immortalized, non‐malignant prostate epithelial RWPE‐1 cells and found that PGE2 increased cell proliferation, cell migration, and production of vascular endothelial growth factor‐A, and activated in vitro angiogenesis. These actions involved a non‐canonic intracrine mechanism in which the actual effector was intracellular PGE2 (iPGE2) instead of extracellular PGE2: inhibition of the prostaglandin uptake transporter (PGT) or antagonism of EP receptors prevented the effects of PGE2, which indicated that PGE2 activity depended on its carrier‐mediated translocation from the outside to the inside of cells and that EP receptors located intracellularly (iEP) mediated the effects of PGE2. iPGE2 acted through transactivation of epidermal growth factor‐receptor (EGFR) by iEP, leading to increased expression and activity of hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α (HIF‐1α). Interestingly, iPGE2 also mediates the effects of PGE2 on prostate cancer PC3 cells through the axis iPGE2‐iEP receptors‐EGFR‐HIF‐1α. Thus, this axis might be responsible for the growth‐stimulating effects of PGE2 on prostate epithelial cells, thereby contributing to prostate proliferative diseases associated with chronic inflammation. Since this PGT‐dependent non‐canonic intracrine mechanism of PGE2 action operates in both benign and malignant prostate epithelial cells, PGT inhibitors should be tested as a novel therapeutic modality to treat prostate proliferative disease.
In this contribution we have found in immortalized, non‐malignant prostate epithelial RWPE‐1 cells that PGE2, through the axis intracellular PGE2‐iEP receptors‐EGFR‐HIF‐1α, inhibits cell adhesion and stimulates cell proliferation, migration and in vitro angiogenesis (i.e., the same effects than we have previously described in PC3 cells). Since intracellular PGE2 mediates the growth‐stimulating effects of PGE2 on prostate epithelial cells, regardless they are benign or malign ones, the pharmacological inhibition of the prostaglandin trasnporter PGT could be a novel therapeutic approach to treat prostate proliferative diseases associated with chronic inflammation.
Blood biochemistry represents a minimally invasive tool for monitoring sea turtle health, assessing injured sea turtles and supporting conservation strategies. In Grenada, West Indies, plasma ...biochemical variables were examined in 33 nesting leatherback (
), 49 foraging green (
), 49 foraging hawksbill (
) and 12 nesting hawksbill sea turtles sampled between 2017 and 2022. Plasma biochemistry reference intervals are described herein except for nesting hawksbills, which are represented by descriptive statistics due to the low sample size. Select analyte concentrations were positively correlated with curved carapace length in leatherbacks (chloride), green turtles (total protein, albumin and globulin) and foraging hawksbills (total protein, albumin and phosphorus). Cholesterol (7.8 mmol/l ± 1.6 SD) and triglyceride (6.9 mmol/l ± 1.9 SD) concentrations were significantly higher in leatherbacks compared to foraging green turtles, foraging hawksbills and nesting hawksbills (
< 0.001 for all). Cholesterol was significantly higher in nesting hawksbills compared to foraging green turtles (
= 0.050) and foraging hawksbills (
= 0.050). Foraging hawksbills demonstrated significantly higher aspartate transaminase activities than leatherbacks (
= 0.002), green turtles (
= 0.009) and nesting hawksbills (
< 0.001). Biochemical results provide baseline population health data and support guidance for treatments during clinical sea turtle rehabilitation efforts. They also provide insight into species-specific physiologic differences and preludes further studies to better characterize the impacts of life-stage class on biochemistry reference intervals to better support wild sea turtle populations in Grenada.
Although serum protein electrophoresis is a diagnostic tool available through many veterinary laboratories, there currently are no reference intervals for protein fractions in healthy common mynahs ...(Acridotheres tristis). Therefore, electrophoretic patterns of proteins in serum and heparinized plasma of the common mynah were evaluated. Blood specimens were collected from 55 healthy adult common mynahs of unknown age (26 males and 29 females). The serum total protein and protein fractions were measured using the biuret method followed by cellulose acetate electrophoresis (CAE). The serum level of albumin was compared with bromocresol green (BCG) dye-binding and CAE methods. Four protein fractions, including albumin and α, β, and γ globulins, were recorded in the electrophoretogram of serum specimens. Sex appeared to have no significant effect on the measured parameters. The serum BCG albumin fraction was significantly higher than the CAE albumin fraction (P = .01). Also, the comparison of total protein and protein fractions in serum and plasma specimens of 25 of the 55 birds sampled showed that total protein (Cohen index d = 0.66, P = .03), gamma globulin (d = 1.13, P = .00), and total globulin (d = 0.67, P = .00) in plasma samples were significantly higher than those in serum samples. The results of this study provide the specific reference intervals for total protein and protein fractions in common mynahs, which are essential for proper interpretation of laboratory results and also revealed that the albumin measurement by the BCG method yields unreliable results in common mynahs.
The direct deposition of polyethyleneimine (PEI), a weak polycation with a large content of amino groups, onto sand fractions with different sizes (F70, F100, F200, and F355), resulted in versatile ...core-shell sorbents for water cleaning. Herein, PEI and the weak polyanion poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) were directly precipitated as an nonstoichiometric polyelectrolyte complex (PEI:PAA = 2:1) onto a sand surface followed by cross-linking with glutaraldehyde (GA) at three molar ratios (CHO:amine = 1:10; 1:5; 1:1 = r). Non-crosslinked polyelectrolyte chains were washed out in strongly basic (pH 14) and acidic (pH 0) media. The sand/PEI-GA composites were evaluated to determine the organic shell stability using swelling experiments and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The sorbed/desorbed amount of two model pollutants (copper ions and bromocresol green) in column experiments depended on the sand fraction size and cross-linking degree of the PEI shell. The maximum recorded values, after five loading/release cycles of pollutant species onto F70/PEI-GAr, F100/PEI-GAr, F200/PEI-GAr, and F355/PEI-GAr, were situated between the 0.7–5.5 mg Cu2+/mL column and 3.7–15 mg BCG/mL column. Sand/PEI-GAr composites could act as promising sorbents, low-cost and eco-friendly, which could be applied for water purification procedures.
Colorimetric albumin assays based on binding to bromocresol purple (BCP) and bromocresol green (BCG) yield different results in chronic kidney disease. Altered dye binding of carbamylated albumin has ...been suggested as a cause. In the present study, a detailed analysis was carried out in which uremic toxins, acute phase proteins and Kt/V, a parameter describing hemodialysis efficiency, were compared with colorimetrically assayed (BCP and BCG) serum albumin.
Albumin was assayed using immunonephelometry on a BN II nephelometer and colorimetrically based on, respectively, BCP and BCG on a Modular P analyzer. Uremic toxins were assessed using high-performance liquid chromatography. Acute phase proteins (C-reactive protein and α1-acid glycoprotein) and plasma protein α2-macroglobulin were assayed nephelometrically. In parallel, Kt/V was calculated.
Sixty-two serum specimens originating from hemodialysis patients were analyzed. Among the uremic toxins investigated, total para-cresyl sulfate (PCS) showed a significant positive correlation with the BCP/BCG ratio. The serum α1-acid glycoprotein concentration correlated negatively with the BCP/BCG ratio. The BCP/BCG ratio showed also a negative correlation with Kt/V.
In renal insufficiency, the BCP/BCG ratio of serum albumin is affected by multiple factors: next to carbamylation, uremic toxins (total PCS) and α1-acid glycoprotein also play a role.
The present study introduced a new and fast method for the removal of trace amounts of bromocresol green in water samples using β-cyclodextrin functionalized magnetic nanotubes. The donor phase used ...in the method contains (aqueous phase with bromocresol green) and the acceptor phase (functionalized magnetic nanotubes with cyclodextrin). Experiments were performed in two steps of extraction of dye from aqueous sample and desorption of dye using ethanol. The analysis of the samples was carried out with a UV-Vis spectrophotometer. The parameters of dye extraction were studied such as the effect of solvents, pH of the phases, time of extraction, interference species, and elution solvent volumes. The isotherm of dye adsorption was well described by the Langmuir model, and the sorption capacity in the maximum was 34.18 mg g
–1
. The kinetic studies indicating adsorption of bromocresol green by Fe
3
O
4
@MWCNT/CD fitted with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and resulting from that chemisorption process is the rate-limiting process in the bromocresol green adsorption. The limit of detection and limit of quantification factors for dye extraction were 7.2 and 23 µg L
–
1
, respectively. A linear range was achieved between 1–10 mg L
–
1
. In the last, the cyclodextrin functionalized magnetic nanotubes (Fe
3
O
4
@MWCNT/CD) presented a high potential for bromocresol green removal from aqueous samples.
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