Flash-kinetics as a complementary analytical tool in PAM fluorimetry.

A new measuring system based on the already existing Multi-Color-PAM Fluorimeter (Schreiber et al. in Photosynth Res 113:127-144, 2012) was developed that in addition to standard PAM measurements enables pump-and-probe flash measurements and allows simultaneous measurements of the changes in chlorophyll fluorescence yield (F) during application of saturating flashes (ST). A high-power Chip-on-Board LED array provides ST flashes with close to rectangular profiles at wide ranges of widths (0.5 µs to 5 ms), intensities (1.3 mmol to 1.3 mol 440 nm quanta m-2 s-1) and highly flexible repetition times. Using a dedicated rising-edge profile correction, sub-µs time resolution is obtained for assessment of initial fluorescence and rise kinetics. At maximal to moderate flash intensities the flash-kinetics (changes of F during course of ST, STK) are strongly affected by 'High Intensity Quenching' (HIQ), consisting of Car-triplet quenching, TQ, and donor-side-dependent quenching, DQ. The contribution of TQ is estimated by application of a second ST after 20 µs dark-time. Upon application of flash trains (ST sequences with defined repetition times) typical period-4 oscillations in dark fluorescence yield (F0) and ST-induced fluorescence yield, FmST, are obtained which can be measured in vivo both with suspensions and from the surface of leaves. Examples of application with dilute suspensions of Chlorella and an intact dandelion leaf are presented. It is shown that weak far-red light (730-740 nm) advances the S-state distribution of the water-splitting system by one step, resulting in substantial lowering of FmST and also of the I1-level in the polyphasic rise of fluorescence yield induced by a multiple-turnover flash (MT). Based on comparative measurements of STK and the polyphasic rise kinetics with the same Chlorella sample, it is concluded that the generally observed lower values of maximal fluorescence yields using ST-protocols compared to MT-protocols are due to a higher extent of HIQ (mainly DQ) and the contribution of variable PSI fluorescence to FmST.

Analysis of the qPCR Assay Efficacy as Molecular Diagnostic in Patients with Chemotherapy and/or Antibiotic Therapy

Abstract High sensitivity of qPCR assay can be compromised by the presence of PCR inhibitors in samples analyzed. The aim of this study was to analyze the RT-qPCR assay efficiency considering the RNA quality/quantity and the presence of PCR inhibitors in patients with chemotherapy and/or antibiotic therapy. We analyzed 60 samples using RT-qPCR from individuals suspected of leukemia and 44 samples were quantified by fluorimetry and spectrophotometry. The efficiency of the RT-qPCR assay was evaluated comparing the threshold cycle (Ct) from tested samples and the standard curve. The 260/280 and 260/230 ratios, the presence of PCR inhibitors and the amount of sample (ng) used in the RT-qPCR reaction can be associated with 56.8% (R²=0.56, p<0.05) in the Ct obtained. The decrease of the RT-qPCR efficiency can be explained in 42,8% due to the variation of the 260/280 ratio (R²=0.42,p<0.05). The presence of antibiotics in the blood sample can be associated in 11.3% with the variability of 260/280 ratio (R²=0.11,p<0.05). Presence of chemotherapeutic drugs in the blood sample was not correlated with Ct variation (p=0.17). The spectrophotometer determines a RNA quantification with 2.2 times higher than the fluorimeter (t=2.2, p=0,03) and this difference is correlated with the 260/280 ratio (R²=0.36, p<0.05). Samples with low purity had a reduction in the qPCR efficiency, although we did not observe false results.

Optimización del análisis de ácidos biliares séricos por método enzimático fluorométrico / Improvement of an enzymatic fluorometric assay for serum bile acids

Con el objeto de optimizar la determinación fluorométrica de los ácidos biliares séricos (ABS) en cuanto a selectividad y sensibilidad, se desarrolló una metodología de preparación de muestra y preconcentración utilizando columnas de extracción en fase sólida (SPE-C18). Previa desproteinización del suero con acetonitrilo frío, la fase orgánica evaporada y reconstituida con acetonitrilo: agua (3:70), se aplicó a una columna SPE-C18 y los ABS fueron eluidos con metanol. En el extractivo metanólico, evaporado a sequedad y reconstituido con metanol se dosaron los ABS por método enzimático fluorométrico empleando 3Ó-hidroxiesteroide deshidrogenasa, ß-NAD, diaforasa y resazurina. En la validación de la preparación de muestra se utilizó [24-14C] ácido glicocólico. La recuperación fue del 89,0 ñ 1,3 por ciento (SD), con DSR de 1,4 para n=9 (3 días). Se determinaron los ABS en sujetos controles, resultando un valor medio de 2,61 ñ 0,39 µM (SEM) (n=27). La metodología propuesta combina las siguientes ventajas: aumento de la selectividad del método enzimático, eliminación de interferencias y preconcentración de los ABS liberados, previamente, de la unión a proteínas plasmáticas