Stress constitutes a more and more common cause for many health disorders inmodern society. Salivary -amylase (AA), the most abundant enzyme in humanwhole saliva, has in recent years been found to be a good surrogate biomarker formonitoring stress levels in individuals. This work aims to form the foundation ofa novel approach for measuring the activity of the enzyme in saliva samples bymeans of electrochemistry. The idea is to implement several enzymes along witha starch substrate and an electron mediator in a single system. This system isthen to be coated onto a screen-printed electrode (SPE), which is used along withan electrical component, designed to give rise to a quantifiable, electrical signalwhen the starch is broken down by the AA contained in an added saliva sample.Several such enzyme systems are here qualitatively evaluated. As electron mediator,ferro-/ferricyanide is used. Two different enzymes, glucose oxidase (GOx) andpyrroloquinoline quinone dependent glucose dehydrogenase (PQQ-GDH), are testedfor making up the saccharide oxidising part of the system. Both prove themselvescapable in terms of qualitatively giving rise to an electrical signal. But, in terms ofinternal quantitative comparisons between the two, no practical experiments areperformed in this work. In some runs, the enzyme -glucosidase (AG) is used asan intermediate for breaking down the AA/starch oligosaccharide products intomonosaccharides. This to increase the system’s electrical signal output when usingGOx as oxidising agent. Regrettably, due to lack of AG enzyme, these runs do notprovide any conclusive data, and so further investigations of systems including thisenzyme are needed. Otherwise, all systems tested seem to work, and neither ofthem appear better than the others. Therefore, all of them will require furtherquantitative testing to determine which one is best to implement in the final designof the enzyme system to be applied onto the SPE.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:29:08Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2011-06-21Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T18:38:50Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 foguel_mv_me_araiq.pdf: 1424253 bytes, checksum: 63eeed20ff10405c2717879b8b49170a (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / Muitas espécies de fungos pertencentes ao gênero Aspergillus sp. são capazes de contaminar e produzir micotoxinas em grãos e cereais, sendo responsáveis por doenças em animais e humanos. As espécies Aspergillus flavus e Aspergillus parasiticus são produtoras das aflatoxinas, que têm recebido grande atenção, devido a seus efeitos tóxicos no organismo como carcinogenicidade e mutagenicidade. Dentre os diversos tipos de aflatoxinas, destaca-se a aflatoxina B1, devido à alta potencialidade tóxica. Várias técnicas têm sido aplicadas na detecção desta toxina e o desenvolvimento de imunossensores eletroquímicos tem sido uma alternativa, devido à simplicidade, especificidade e alta sensibilidade. Superfícies metálicas de ouro, como CD-Rs de ouro (Au-CDtrodos), têm sido amplamente utilizadas como transdutores para a construção de imunossensores, devido à capacidade de imobilizar moléculas biológicas na presença ou ausência de monocamadas auto-organizadas (“selfassembled monolayers” - SAM). O presente trabalho relata o desenvolvimento de imunossensores, amperométrico e impedimétrico, para detecção de aflatoxina B1 em alimentos empregando CDtrodos de ouro. As etapas de construção dos imunossensores incluem as modificações do transdutor de ouro com p-aminotiofenol (p-ATP), proteína A ou ácido lipóico, seguido da imobilização do anticorpo anti-AFB1 e imunoensaios com o antígeno (AFB1). Empregando técnicas eletroquímicas (espectroscopia de impedância eletroquímica e voltametria cíclica) definiu-se que a SAM de ácido lipóico ativada com EDC/NHS foi o modificador que apresentou maior eficiência para a imobilização do anticorpo anti-AFB1. A partir de estudos quimiométricos, por meio do planejamento fatorial completo, definiram-se as melhores condições para o desenvolvimento do imunossensor:... / Many fungi species belonging to the genus Aspergillus sp. are able to infect and produce mycotoxins in grains and cereals, they are responsible for diseases in animals and humans. Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus are producers of aflatoxina, which have received great attention, due to toxic effects on the organism, such as carcinogenicity and mutagenicity. Among the different types of aflatoxins, aflatoxina B1 stands out due to high toxic potential. Several techniques have been applied in the detection of this toxin and the development of electrochemical immunosensors has been an option due to simplicity, specificity and high sensitivity. Metallic surfaces of gold, as gold CD-R (Au-CDtrodes), have been widely used as transducers for construction of immunosensors, due to the ability to immobilize biological molecules in presence or absence of self-assembled monolayers (SAM). This work describes the development of immunosensors, amperometric and impedimetric, for aflatoxin B1 detection in foods using gold CDtrodes. The construction steps of the immunosensors include modifications of the gold transducer with p-aminothiophenol (p-ATP), protein A or lipoic acid, followed by anti-AFB1 immobilization and immunoassays with antigen (AFB1). Employing electrochemical techniques (electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry) was defined that the lipoic acid SAM activated with EDC/NHS was the modifier with the highest efficiency for the anti-AFB1 antibody immobilization. Using chemometric studies, through the full factorial design, was defined the best conditions for the immunosensor development: anti-AFB1 antibody at 1:2000 dilution and surface blocking with 0.5% bovine serum albumin, both with incubation 1 hour and antibody- AFB1 antigen immunoreaction for 30 minutes... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

No description available.

Orientador: Hideko Yamanaka / Coorientador: Antonio Aparecido Pupim Ferreira / Banca: Zeki Naal / Banca: Lauro Tatsuo Kubota / Resumo: Muitas espécies de fungos pertencentes ao gênero Aspergillus sp. são capazes de contaminar e produzir micotoxinas em grãos e cereais, sendo responsáveis por doenças em animais e humanos. As espécies Aspergillus flavus e Aspergillus parasiticus são produtoras das aflatoxinas, que têm recebido grande atenção, devido a seus efeitos tóxicos no organismo como carcinogenicidade e mutagenicidade. Dentre os diversos tipos de aflatoxinas, destaca-se a aflatoxina B1, devido à alta potencialidade tóxica. Várias técnicas têm sido aplicadas na detecção desta toxina e o desenvolvimento de imunossensores eletroquímicos tem sido uma alternativa, devido à simplicidade, especificidade e alta sensibilidade. Superfícies metálicas de ouro, como CD-Rs de ouro (Au-CDtrodos), têm sido amplamente utilizadas como transdutores para a construção de imunossensores, devido à capacidade de imobilizar moléculas biológicas na presença ou ausência de monocamadas auto-organizadas ("selfassembled monolayers" - SAM). O presente trabalho relata o desenvolvimento de imunossensores, amperométrico e impedimétrico, para detecção de aflatoxina B1 em alimentos empregando CDtrodos de ouro. As etapas de construção dos imunossensores incluem as modificações do transdutor de ouro com p-aminotiofenol (p-ATP), proteína A ou ácido lipóico, seguido da imobilização do anticorpo anti-AFB1 e imunoensaios com o antígeno (AFB1). Empregando técnicas eletroquímicas (espectroscopia de impedância eletroquímica e voltametria cíclica) definiu-se que a SAM de ácido lipóico ativada com EDC/NHS foi o modificador que apresentou maior eficiência para a imobilização do anticorpo anti-AFB1. A partir de estudos quimiométricos, por meio do planejamento fatorial completo, definiram-se as melhores condições para o desenvolvimento do imunossensor:... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Many fungi species belonging to the genus Aspergillus sp. are able to infect and produce mycotoxins in grains and cereals, they are responsible for diseases in animals and humans. Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus are producers of aflatoxina, which have received great attention, due to toxic effects on the organism, such as carcinogenicity and mutagenicity. Among the different types of aflatoxins, aflatoxina B1 stands out due to high toxic potential. Several techniques have been applied in the detection of this toxin and the development of electrochemical immunosensors has been an option due to simplicity, specificity and high sensitivity. Metallic surfaces of gold, as gold CD-R (Au-CDtrodes), have been widely used as transducers for construction of immunosensors, due to the ability to immobilize biological molecules in presence or absence of self-assembled monolayers (SAM). This work describes the development of immunosensors, amperometric and impedimetric, for aflatoxin B1 detection in foods using gold CDtrodes. The construction steps of the immunosensors include modifications of the gold transducer with p-aminothiophenol (p-ATP), protein A or lipoic acid, followed by anti-AFB1 immobilization and immunoassays with antigen (AFB1). Employing electrochemical techniques (electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry) was defined that the lipoic acid SAM activated with EDC/NHS was the modifier with the highest efficiency for the anti-AFB1 antibody immobilization. Using chemometric studies, through the full factorial design, was defined the best conditions for the immunosensor development: anti-AFB1 antibody at 1:2000 dilution and surface blocking with 0.5% bovine serum albumin, both with incubation 1 hour and antibody- AFB1 antigen immunoreaction for 30 minutes... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Neste trabalho são apresentados resultados da eletrodeposição de MoOx e de WOx em eletrodos de carbono vítreo e em eletrodos de ouro. A estabilidade de filmes de WOx foi investigada em diferentes valores de pH utilizando voltametria cíclica e microbalança eletroquímica de cristal de quartzo e observou-se que estes filmes são estáveis em soluções com valores de pH inferiores a 3. O processo eletrocatalítico envolvendo a redução de IO3- em superfícies recobertas com WOx foi comparado com aquele observado em eletrodo modificado com MoOx, observando-se as vantagens deste processo em superfícies modificadas com WOx. Discutiram-se ainda os resultados obtidos do processo da oxidação de óxido nítrico na superfície eletródica polida e modificada com WOx. Também são apresentados resultados de estudos comparativos sobre a redução do IO3-, BrO3- e ClO3- na superfície modificada, concluindo-se que no caso do IO3- obtêm-se maiores valores de corrente devido à maior polarizabilidade do átomo de iodo em relação aos outros dois halogênios. Estudos envolvendo a permeabilidade de íons IO3- e Fe(CN)63- em filmes de WOx foram realizados por voltametria com eletrodos rotativos percebendo-se que filmes mais espessos apresentam pouca permeabilidade. Eletrodos recobertos por filmes de WOx foram utilizados como sensores amperométricos para iodato. Para tanto, desenvolveu-se método em fluxo para IO3- em uma faixa de concentração de 5 a 5000 mmol/L, com limite de detecção estimado em 210 nmol/L. A repetibilidade do método para 41 injeções de solução 80 mmol/L de IO3- foi de 98,3 %. Também foram realizados ensaios para determinar o analito em amostras de sal de cozinha e os dados obtidos foram concordantes com os resultados oriundos do uso de método oficial. / Thin films of non-stoichiometric tungsten oxides have been deposited onto glassy carbon surfaces by electrodeposition from acidic W (VI) solutions. At these modified surfaces, rotating disc electrode voltammetric experiments indicated that iodate is electrocatalytically reduced in a mass-transport controlled process. The influence of the film thickness on the response to iodate was investigated and the results suggested a reaction occurring at the film/solution interface. The modified electrode was employed successfully as an amperometric sensor for iodate in a flow injection apparatus. The linear response of the developed method is extended from a 5 mmol L-1 to 5 mmol L-1 iodate with a limit of detection (signal-to-noise = 3) of 210 nmol L-1. The repeatability of the method for 41 injections of an 80 mmol L-1 iodate solution was 98,3 % and the throughput was determined as 123 injections h-1. Interference from other oxidant anions such as nitrate and nitrite was not noticeable, whereas bromate and chlorate interfere at slight levels. The method was used in the determination of the iodate content in commercial salt samples.

Glucose-6-phosphate (G6P) plays an important role in carbohydrate metabolism of all living organisms. Compared to the conventional analytical methods available for estimation of G6P, the biosensors having relative simplicity, specificity, low-cost and fast response time are a promising alternative. We have reported a G6P biosensor based on screen-printed electrode utilizing Prussian Blue (PB) nanoparticles and enzymes, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and glutathione reductase. The PB nanoparticles acted as a mediator and thereby enhanced the rate of electron transfer in a bi-enzymatic reaction. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy study confirmed the formation of PB, whereas, the atomic forced microscopy revealed that PB nanoparticles were about 25-30 nm in diameter. Various optimization studies, such as pH, enzyme and cofactor loading, etc. were conducted to obtain maximum amperometric responses for G6P measurement. The developed G6P biosensor showed a broad linear response in the range of 0.01-1.25 mM with a detection limit of 2.3 mM and sensitivity of ­63.3 mA/mM at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3 within 15 s at an applied working potential of -100 mV. The proposed G6P biosensor also exhibited good stability, excellent anti-interference ability and worked well for serum samples.

Neste trabalho são apresentados resultados da eletrodeposição de MoOx e de WOx em eletrodos de carbono vítreo e em eletrodos de ouro. A estabilidade de filmes de WOx foi investigada em diferentes valores de pH utilizando voltametria cíclica e microbalança eletroquímica de cristal de quartzo e observou-se que estes filmes são estáveis em soluções com valores de pH inferiores a 3. O processo eletrocatalítico envolvendo a redução de IO3- em superfícies recobertas com WOx foi comparado com aquele observado em eletrodo modificado com MoOx, observando-se as vantagens deste processo em superfícies modificadas com WOx. Discutiram-se ainda os resultados obtidos do processo da oxidação de óxido nítrico na superfície eletródica polida e modificada com WOx. Também são apresentados resultados de estudos comparativos sobre a redução do IO3-, BrO3- e ClO3- na superfície modificada, concluindo-se que no caso do IO3- obtêm-se maiores valores de corrente devido à maior polarizabilidade do átomo de iodo em relação aos outros dois halogênios. Estudos envolvendo a permeabilidade de íons IO3- e Fe(CN)63- em filmes de WOx foram realizados por voltametria com eletrodos rotativos percebendo-se que filmes mais espessos apresentam pouca permeabilidade. Eletrodos recobertos por filmes de WOx foram utilizados como sensores amperométricos para iodato. Para tanto, desenvolveu-se método em fluxo para IO3- em uma faixa de concentração de 5 a 5000 mmol/L, com limite de detecção estimado em 210 nmol/L. A repetibilidade do método para 41 injeções de solução 80 mmol/L de IO3- foi de 98,3 %. Também foram realizados ensaios para determinar o analito em amostras de sal de cozinha e os dados obtidos foram concordantes com os resultados oriundos do uso de método oficial. / Thin films of non-stoichiometric tungsten oxides have been deposited onto glassy carbon surfaces by electrodeposition from acidic W (VI) solutions. At these modified surfaces, rotating disc electrode voltammetric experiments indicated that iodate is electrocatalytically reduced in a mass-transport controlled process. The influence of the film thickness on the response to iodate was investigated and the results suggested a reaction occurring at the film/solution interface. The modified electrode was employed successfully as an amperometric sensor for iodate in a flow injection apparatus. The linear response of the developed method is extended from a 5 mmol L-1 to 5 mmol L-1 iodate with a limit of detection (signal-to-noise = 3) of 210 nmol L-1. The repeatability of the method for 41 injections of an 80 mmol L-1 iodate solution was 98,3 % and the throughput was determined as 123 injections h-1. Interference from other oxidant anions such as nitrate and nitrite was not noticeable, whereas bromate and chlorate interfere at slight levels. The method was used in the determination of the iodate content in commercial salt samples.

No description available.

Trophic factors have shown great promise in their potential to treat neurological disease. In particular, glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) has been identified as a potent neurotrophic factor for midbrain dopamine (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra (SN), which lose function in Parkinson’s disease (PD). GDNF progressed to phase II clinical trials, which did not meet proposed endpoints. The large size and binding characteristics of GDNF have been suspected to contribute to some of the shortcomings of GDNF related to delivery to target brain regions. Smaller peptides derived from GDNF (Dopamine-Neuron Stimulating Peptides – DNSPs) have been recently investigated and appear to demonstrate trophic-like effects comparable to GDNF. In the described studies, a time course study was conducted to determine in vivo DA-release characteristics 1-, 2- and 4- weeks after peptide treatment. These studies determined the effects on DA terminals within striatal sub-regions using microelectrodes. A heterogeneous effect on striatal sub-regions was apparent with the maximum effect in the dorsal striatum – corresponding to terminals originating from the SN. Dysregulation of GDNF or GDNF signaling is believed to contribute to motor dysfunction in aging and PD. Thus, it is hypothesized that GDNF is necessary for the maintenance and function of neurons. To extend this line of investigation, in vivo functional measures (DA-release and -uptake) and behavioral and cellular alterations were investigated in a transgenic mouse model (Gdnf+/-) with reduced GDNF protein levels. The described studies determined that both DA-uptake and -release properties were altered in middle-aged Gdnf+/- mice with only modest reductions in DA neurochemical levels. GDNF levels in Gdnf+/- mice were restored to levels comparable to wild-type (WT) counterparts by treatment with GDNF. GDNF protein supplementation led to enhanced motor behavior and increased markers for DA neurons in the SN of Gdnf+/- mice. Gdnf+/- mice appeared to show a heightened sensitivity to GDNF treatment compared to WT counterparts. Overall, this body of work examines novel synthetic peptides with potential to enhance DA-neuron function and expands upon the current understanding of GDNF’s role in the nigrostriatal pathway.

Glutamate, the predominant excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, is involved in almost all aspects of neurological function including cognition, motor function, memory, learning, decision making, and neuronal plasticity. For normal neurological function, glutamate signaling must be properly regulated. Disrupted glutamate regulation plays a pivotal role in the acute pathophysiology of traumatic brain injury (TBI), disrupting neuronal signaling, initiating secondary injury cascades, and producing excitotoxicity. Increases in extracellular glutamate have been correlated with unfavorable outcomes in TBI survivors, emphasizing the importance of glutamate regulation. The aim of this thesis was to examine disruptions in the regulation of extracellular glutamate after experimental TBI. In these studies, we used glutamate-sensitive microelectrode arrays (MEAs) to examine the regulation of extracellular glutamate two days after diffuse brain injury. First, we examined which brain regions were vulnerable to post-traumatic increases in extracellular glutamate. We detected significant increases in extracellular glutamate in the dentate gyrus and striatum, which correlated to the severity of brain injury. Second, we examined the regulation of extracellular glutamate by neurons and glia to determine the mechanisms responsible for post-traumatic increases in extracellular glutamate. In the striatum of brain-injured rats, we detected significant disruptions in release of glutamate by neurons and significant decreases in the removal of glutamate from the extracellular space by glia. Third, we examined if a novel therapeutic strategy, a viral-vector mediated gene delivery approach, could improve the regulation of extracellular glutamate. Infusion of an adeno-associated virus expressing a glutamate transporter into the rat striatum produced significant improvements in glutamate clearance, identifying a novel strategy to reduce excitotoxicity. Lastly, we examined the translational potential of MEAs as novel neuromonitoring device for clinical TBI research. Overall, these studies have demonstrated the translational potential of MEAs to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of TBI survivors.