Enhancement of Odor-Induced Activity in the Canine Brain by Zinc Nanoparticles: A Functional MRI Study in Fully Unrestrained Conscious Dogs.

Using noninvasive in vivo functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we demonstrate that the enhancement of odorant response of olfactory receptor neurons by zinc nanoparticles leads to increase in activity in olfaction-related and higher order areas of the dog brain. To study conscious dogs, we employed behavioral training and optical motion tracking for reducing head motion artifacts. We obtained brain activation maps from dogs in both anesthetized state and fully conscious and unrestrained state. The enhancement effect of zinc nanoparticles was higher in conscious dogs with more activation in higher order areas as compared with anesthetized dogs. In conscious dogs, voxels in the olfactory bulb and hippocampus showed higher activity to odorants mixed with zinc nanoparticles as compared with pure odorants, odorants mixed with gold nanoparticles as well as zinc nanoparticles alone. These regions have been implicated in odor intensity processing in other species including humans. If the enhancement effect of zinc nanoparticles observed in vivo are confirmed by future behavioral studies, zinc nanoparticles may provide a way for enhancing the olfactory sensitivity of canines for detection of target substances such as explosives and contraband substances at very low concentrations, which would otherwise go undetected.

Odorant response kinetics from cultured mouse olfactory epithelium at different ages in vitro.

Mammalian olfactory epithelium can withstand the external environment, undergo life-long regeneration, and respond to thousands of odorant stimuli, making it an attractive system for a variety of studies. Previously, we described a long-lived olfactory coculture of olfactory epithelium and bulb tissues and we present here the kinetic properties of that culture system. Neonatal mouse epithelial-bulbar explants were grown for periods as long as 121 days in vitro (DIV), nearly doubling the survival time of our previously longest lived cultures. Cultures at all ages responded to air-borne odorants. The youngest cultures (1-15 DIV) showed shorter half-rise and half-decay times than older cultures (21-121 DIV), and were more variable in their half-decay times. Zinc nanoparticles enhanced electro-olfactogram responses of both younger and older cultures and both groups were immunopositive for olfactory marker protein. The results show that our olfactory culture model can support mature, odorant-responsive olfactory receptor neurons that possess many of the response features of in situ olfactory receptor neurons.

Enhancement of odorant-induced responses in olfactory receptor neurons by zinc nanoparticles.

Zinc metal nanoparticles in picomolar concentrations strongly enhance odorant responses of olfactory sensory neurons. One- to 2-nm metallic particles contain 40-300 zinc metal atoms, which are not in an ionic state. We exposed rat olfactory epithelium to metal nanoparticles and measured odorant responses by electroolfactogram and whole-cell patch clamp. A small amount of zinc nanoparticles added to an odorant or an extracellular/intracellular particle perfusion strongly increases the odorant response in a dose-dependent manner. Zinc nanoparticles alone produce no odor effects. Copper, gold, or silver nanoparticles do not produce effects similar to those of zinc. If zinc nanoparticles are replaced by Zn(+2) ions in the same concentration range, we observed a reduction of the olfactory receptor neuron odorant response. Based on these observations, we hypothesize that zinc nanoparticles are closely located to the interface between the guanine nucleotide-binding protein and the receptor proteins and are involved in transferring signals in the initial events of olfaction. Our results suggest that zinc metal nanoparticles can be used to enhance and sustain the initial olfactory events.

Zinc Nanoparticles Enhance Brain Connectivity in the Canine Olfactory Network: Evidence From an fMRI Study in Unrestrained Awake Dogs.

Prior functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) studies have indicated increased neural activation when zinc nanoparticles are added to odorants in canines. Here we demonstrate that zinc nanoparticles up-regulate directional brain connectivity in parts of the canine olfactory network. This provides an explanation for previously reported enhancement in the odor detection capability of the dogs in the presence of zinc nanoparticles. In this study, we obtained fMRI data from awake and unrestrained dogs while they were being exposed to odorants with and without zinc nanoparticles, zinc nanoparticles suspended in water vapor, as well as just water vapor alone. We obtained directional connectivity between the brain regions of the olfactory network that were significantly stronger for the condition of odorant + zinc nanoparticles compared to just odorants, water vapor + zinc nanoparticles and water vapor alone. We observed significant strengthening of the paths of the canine olfactory network in the presence of zinc nanoparticles. This result indicates that zinc nanoparticles could potentially be used to increase canine detection capabilities in the environments of very low concentrations of the odorants, which would have otherwise been undetected.

Lytic phage as a specific and selective probe for detection of Staphylococcus aureus--A surface plasmon resonance spectroscopic study.

Rapid and reliable detection of harmful pathogens at low levels are vital due to the related environmental and economical impact. While antibodies (monoclonal or polyclonal) are successfully employed in many immunoanalysis procedures as a biorecognition element, many of them remain costly with a comparatively short shelf life and uncertain manufacturability. Additionally, they suffer from several limitations, such as susceptibility to hostile environmental stresses such as temperature, pH, ionic strength, and cross-reactivity. The development of easy available, sensitive, and robust alternative molecular recognition elements, capable of providing a very high level of selectivity are very attractive to industry and may benefit in multiple areas. Several attempts have been made to utilize fluorescent-tagged bacteriophages and phage-displayed peptides for bacterial detection. However, involvement of complex labeling and detecting procedures make these approaches time-consuming and complicated. Here, we are reporting for the first time, the label-free detection of Staphylococcus aureus using lytic phage as highly specific and selective biorecognition element and surface plasmon resonance-based SPREETA sensor as a detection platform. Lytic phage was immobilized on the gold surface of SPREETA sensor via trouble-free direct physical adsorption. The detection limit was found to be 10(4) cfu/ml. Detection specificity was investigated by an inhibition assay while selectivity was examined with Salmonella typhimurium. The preliminary results using lytic phage as a probe for bacterial detection, in combination with SPR platform are promising and hence can be employed for rapid and label-free detection of different bacterial pathogens.

Affinity-selected filamentous bacteriophage as a probe for acoustic wave biodetectors of Salmonella typhimurium.

Proof-in-concept biosensors were prepared for the rapid detection of Salmonella typhimurium in solution, based on affinity-selected filamentous phage prepared as probes physically adsorbed to piezoelectric transducers. Quantitative deposition studies indicated that approximately 3 x 10(10)phage particles/cm(2) could be irreversibly adsorbed for 1 h at room temperature to prepare working biosensors. The quality of phage deposition was monitored by fluorescent microscopy. Specific-bacterial binding resulted in resonance frequency changes of prepared sensors, which were evaluated using linear regression analysis. Sensors possessed a rapid response time of <180 s, had a low-detection limit of 10(2)cells/ml and were linear over a range of 10(1)-10(7)cells/ml with a sensitivity of 10.9 Hz per order of magnitude of S. typhimurium concentration. Viscosity effects due to increasing bacterial concentration and non-specific binding were not significant to the piezoelectric platform as confirmed by dose-response analysis. Phage-bacterial binding was confirmed by fluorescence and scanning electron microscopy. Overall, phage may constitute effective bioreceptors for use with analytical platforms for detecting and monitoring bacterial agents, including use in food products and possibly biological warfare applications.

Landscape phage probes for Salmonella typhimurium.

We selected from landscape phage library probes that bind preferentially Salmonella typhimurium cells compared with other Enterobacteriaceae. The specificity of the phage probes for S. typhimurium was analyzed by the phage-capture test, the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the precipitation test. Interaction of representative probes with S. typhimurium was characterized by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS), and fluorescent, optical and electron microscopy. The results show that the landscape phage library is a rich source of specific and robust probes for S. typhimurium suitable for long-term use in continuous monitoring devices and biosorbents.

Anterior-posterior dissociation of the default mode network in dogs.

The default mode network (DMN) in humans has been extensively studied using seed-based correlation analysis (SCA) and independent component analysis (ICA). While DMN has been observed in monkeys as well, there are conflicting reports on whether they exist in rodents. Dogs are higher mammals than rodents, but cognitively not as advanced as monkeys and humans. Therefore, they are an interesting species in the evolutionary hierarchy for probing the comparative functions of the DMN across species. In this study, we sought to know whether the DMN, and consequently its functions such as self-referential processing, are exclusive to humans/monkeys or can we also observe the DMN in animals such as dogs. To address this issue, resting state functional MRI data from the brains of lightly sedated dogs and unconstrained and fully awake dogs were acquired, and ICA and SCA were performed for identifying the DMN. Since anesthesia can alter resting state networks, confirming our results in awake dogs was essential. Awake dog imaging was accomplished by training the dogs to keep their head still using reinforcement behavioral adaptation techniques. We found that the anterior (such as anterior cingulate and medial frontal) and posterior regions (such as posterior cingulate) of the DMN were dissociated in both awake and anesthetized dogs.

Phage display for detection of biological threat agents.

The essential element of any immuno-based detector device is the probe that binds analyte and, as a part of the analytical platform, generates a measurable signal. The present review summarizes the state of the art in development of the probes for detection of the biological threat agents: toxins, bacteria, spores and viruses. Traditionally, the probes are antibodies, which are isolated from sera of immunized animals or culture media of hybridomas. However, the "natural" antibodies may have limited application in the new generation of real-time field detectors and monitoring systems, where stress-resistant and inexpensive long-livers are required. Phage display is a newcomer in the detection area, whose expertise is development of molecular probes for targeting of various biological structures. The probes can be selection from about billion clone libraries of recombinant phages expressing on their surface a vast variety of peptides and proteins, including antigen-binding fragments of antibodies. The selection procedure, like kind of affinity chromatography, allows separating of phage binders, which are propagated in Escherichia coli bacterial cells and purified using inexpensive technology. Although phage display traditionally is focused more on development of medical preparations and studying molecular recognition in biological systems, there are some examples of its successful use for detection, which are presented in the review. To be used as probes for detection, peptides and antibodies identified by phage display are usually chemically synthesized or produced in bacteria. Another interesting aspect is using of the selected phage itself as a probe in detector devices, like sort of substitute antibodies. This idea is illustrated in the review by "detection" of beta-galactosidase from E. coli with "landscape" phage displaying a dense array of peptide binders on the surface.

Functional MRI of the olfactory system in conscious dogs.

We depend upon the olfactory abilities of dogs for critical tasks such as detecting bombs, landmines, other hazardous chemicals and illicit substances. Hence, a mechanistic understanding of the olfactory system in dogs is of great scientific interest. Previous studies explored this aspect at the cellular and behavior levels; however, the cognitive-level neural substrates linking them have never been explored. This is critical given the fact that behavior is driven by filtered sensory representations in higher order cognitive areas rather than the raw odor maps of the olfactory bulb. Since sedated dogs cannot sniff, we investigated this using functional magnetic resonance imaging of conscious dogs. We addressed the technical challenges of head motion using a two pronged strategy of behavioral training to keep dogs' head as still as possible and a single camera optical head motion tracking system to account for residual jerky movements. We built a custom computer-controlled odorant delivery system which was synchronized with image acquisition, allowing the investigation of brain regions activated by odors. The olfactory bulb and piriform lobes were commonly activated in both awake and anesthetized dogs, while the frontal cortex was activated mainly in conscious dogs. Comparison of responses to low and high odor intensity showed differences in either the strength or spatial extent of activation in the olfactory bulb, piriform lobes, cerebellum, and frontal cortex. Our results demonstrate the viability of the proposed method for functional imaging of the olfactory system in conscious dogs. This could potentially open up a new field of research in detector dog technology.

Olfactory responses to explosives associated odorants are enhanced by zinc nanoparticles.

Many odorants related to manufactured explosives have low volatilities and are barely detectable as odors. We previously reported that zinc metal nanoparticles increased rat olfactory epithelium responses, measured by electroolfactogram (EOG), to several odorants. Here, we report that nanomolar concentrations of zinc metal nanoparticles strongly enhanced olfactory responses to the explosives related odorants cyclohexanone, methyl benzoate, acetophenone, and eugenol. Rat olfactory epithelium was exposed to metal nanoparticles and odorant responses were quantified by EOG. Zinc nanoparticles added to explosive odorants strongly increased the odorant response in a dose-dependent manner. The enzymatic breakdown of the second messenger cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) was prevented by adding the membrane-permeable phosphodiesterase inhibitor 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX). This caused the olfactory cilia cAMP concentration to increase and generated EOG signals. The EOG responses generated by IBMX were not enhanced by zinc nanoparticles. Based on these observations, we conclude that zinc nanoparticles act at the receptor site and are involved in the initial events of olfaction. Our results suggest that zinc metal nanoparticles can be used to facilitate a canine detection of explosive odorants.

Preservation of bacteria in natural polymers.

A new inexpensive and simple method for preserving microorganisms has been developed. Natural polymers of acacia gum and pullulan were used to preserve model bacteria Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis via immobilization and storage under various conditions. Formulation of E. coli and B. subtilis in acacia gum significantly increased the viability of both cultures during desiccation at 40 degrees C as well as during the storage at various temperatures and relative humidity. In the ranges of temperatures and humidity used in experiments, the high humidity affected the viability of E. coli more than high temperature. Thermodynamic parameters for E. coli thermal degradation were used for quantification of results and characterization of the preservation process. Viability of B. subtilis in acacia gum polymer was not significantly changed during the storage in the temperature and humidity experiments. The number of viable B. subtilis recovered after storage in pullulan, and in PBS under various humidity conditions was 1-2 logs less in comparison with the number of cells before storage. It was found that acacia gum provides better protection than pullulan for both bacteria during the preservation process.

Designing allosteric peptide ligands targeting a globular protein.

Patented signal analytic algorithms applied to hydrophobically transformed, numerical amino acid sequences have previously been used to design short, protein-targeted, L or D retro-inverso peptides. These peptides have demonstrated allosteric and/or indirect agonist effects on a variety of G-protein and tyrosine kinase coupled membrane receptors with 30% to over 80% hit rates. Here we extend these approaches to a globular protein target. We designed eight peptide ligands targeting an ELISA antibody responsive protein, beta-galactosidase, betaGAL. Three of the eight 14mer peptides allosterically activated betaGAL with ELISA methodology. Using Bayesian statistics, this 38% hit rate would have occurred 2 x 10(-9) by chance. These peptides demonstrated binding site competitive or noncompetitive interactions, suggesting allosteric site multiplicity with respect to their betaGAL binding-mediated ELISA signal. Kinetic studies demonstrated the temperature dependence of the betaGAL peptide binding functions. Using the van't Hoff relation, we found evidence for enthalpy-entropy compensation. This relation is often found for hydrophobic interactions in aqueous media, and is consistent with the postulated hydrophobic series encoding underlying our protein-targeted, peptide design methods. It appears that our algorithmic, hydrophobic autocovariance eigenvector template approach to the design of allosteric peptides targeting membrane receptors may also be applicable to the design of peptide ligands targeting nonmembrane involved globular proteins.

Highly sensitive phage-based biosensor for the detection of beta-galactosidase.

Development of real-time sensor based on the target-specific probe that make possible sensitive, rapid and selective detection and monitoring of the particular antigen molecules could be of substantial importance to the many applications. Because of its high specificity to the target molecules, excellent temperature stability, and easy production, bacterial phage might serve as a powerful biorecognition probe in biosensor applications. Here, we report extremely sensitive and specific label-free direct detection of model antigen, beta-galactosidase (beta-gal), based on surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectroscopy. The beta-gal specific landscape phage 1G40 has been immobilized on the gold surface of SPR SPREETA sensor chip through physical adsorption [V. Nanduri, A.M. Samoylova, V.Petrenko, V. Vodyanoy and A.L.Simonian, Comparison of optical and acoustic wave phage biosensors, 206th Meeting of The Electrochemical Society, Honolulu, Hawaii, October 3-8, (2004)]. Another non-specific to the beta-gal phage, a wild-type phage F8-5, was used in the reference channel. The concentration-dependent binding of beta-gal in both channels were assessed by monitoring the sensor optical response as a function of time under different experimental conditions, and the concentration of beta-gal was computed in differential mode. Concentrations of beta-gal between 10(-12) M and 10(-7) M could be readily detected, with linear part of calibration curve between 10(-9) M and 10(-6) M. When beta-gal was pre-incubated with different concentrations of free 1G40 phage prior to exposure to the biosensor, concentration-dependent inhibition was observed, indicating on biosensor high specificity toward beta-gal. Apart from a flow through mode used to deliver the samples to the surface for the SPR sensor, batch mode sensing was also employed to study the binding of beta-gal to immobilized phage on the SPR sensor surface. Experiments using a flow through mode provided more consistent results in the full dose range and showed higher sensitivity as opposed to the batch mode studies. The mean K(d) and binding valences for the flow through mode studies was 1.3+/-0.001 nM and 1.5+/-0.03, in comparison to 26+/-0.003 nM and 2.4+/-0.01 for the batch mode studies. The average thickness of phage 1G40 adlayer deposited through flow through and batch mode was 3+/-0.002 and 0.66+/-0.001 nm, respectively.

Numerical simulation of air flow in the human nasal cavity.

A highly automated method was used to construct numerical models of six 3-D human right nasal cavities from computed tomography data. Steady state airflow simulations were performed with computational fluid dynamics software for quiet breath on the six models. The method is validated with particle simulations. Simulation results from each of the six studies are compared.

Peptide biosensor for recognition of cross-species cell surface markers.

Biosensors based on phage display-derived peptides as biorecognition molecules were used for the detection of cell surface cross-species markers in tissue homogenates. The peptide selected for murine myofibers was immobilized onto the surface of an acoustic wave sensor by biotin-streptavidin coupling. To detect peptide-receptor interaction, the sensors were exposed to muscle and control (kidney, liver, brain) tissue homogenates. The sensor showed a strong response to murine muscle. The amplitudes of the responses to the feline muscle homogenates were lower compared to those of the murine muscle, while the same K(d) indicated that the peptide has cross-species affinity. In contrast, murine kidney, liver and brain homogenates produced insignificant responses. Specificity of the sensor was shown in a blocking experiment, as reduced signal was detected when muscle preparations were preincubated with free peptide. Additionally, when muscle-specific peptide was replaced with two different random control peptides, the sensors produced no response to murine muscle. Suitability of peptide ligands for a variety of species can be evaluated using this technology.