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Now showing 1 - 10 of 92
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    Biochemical Characterization of Mouse Retina of an Alzheimer's Disease Model by Raman Spectroscopy
    (Washington, DC : ACS Publications, 2020) Stiebing, Clara; Jahn, Izabella J.; Schmitt, Michael; Keijzer, Nanda; Kleemann, Robert; Kiliaan, Amanda J.; Drexler, Wolfgang; Leitgeb, Rainer A.; Popp, Jürgen
    The presence of biomarkers characteristic for Alzheimer's disease in the retina is a controversial topic. Raman spectroscopy offers information on the biochemical composition of tissues. Thus, it could give valuable insight into the diagnostic value of retinal analysis. Within the present study, retinas of a double transgenic mouse model, that expresses a chimeric mouse/human amyloid precursor protein and a mutant form of human presenilin 1, and corresponding control group were subjected to ex vivo Raman imaging. The Raman data recorded on cross sections of whole eyes highlight the layered structure of the retina in a label-free manner. Based on the Raman information obtained from en face mounted retina samples, a discrimination between healthy and Alzheimer's disease retinal tissue can be done with an accuracy of 85.9%. For this a partial least squares-linear discriminant analysis was applied. Therefore, although no macromolecular changes in form of, i.e., amyloid beta plaques, can be noticed based on Raman spectroscopy, subtle biochemical changes happening in the retina could lead to Alzheimer's disease identification. ©
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    Rapid isolation and identification of pneumonia associated pathogens from sputum samples combining an innovative sample preparation strategy and array-based detection
    (Washington : American Chemical Society, 2019) Pahlow, Susanne; Lehniger, Lydia; Hentschel, Stefanie; Seise, Barbara; Braun, Sascha D.; Ehricht, Ralf; Berg, Albrecht; Popp, Jürgen; Weber, Karina
    With this study, an innovative and convenient enrichment and detection strategy for eight clinically relevant pneumonia pathogens, namely, Acinetobacter baumannii, Escherichia coli, Haemophilus influenzae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Moraxella catarrhalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus pneumoniae is introduced. Bacteria were isolated from sputum samples with amine-modified particles exploiting pH-dependent electrostatic interactions between bacteria and the functionalized particle surface. Following this, an asymmetric polymerase chain reaction as well as subsequent stringent array-based hybridization with specific complementary capture probes were performed. Finally, results were visualized by an enzyme-induced silver nanoparticle deposition, providing stable endpoint signals and consequently an easy detection possibility. The assay was optimized using spiked samples of artificial sputum with different strains of the abovementioned bacterial species. Furthermore, actual patient sputum samples with S. pneumoniae were successfully analyzed. The presented approach offers great potential for the urgent need of a fast, specific, and reliable isolation and identification platform for important pneumonia pathogens, covering the complete process chain from sample preparation up to array-based detection within only 4 h.With this study, an innovative and convenient enrichment and detection strategy for eight clinically relevant pneumonia pathogens, namely, Acinetobacter baumannii, Escherichia coli, Haemophilus influenzae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Moraxella catarrhalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus pneumoniae is introduced. Bacteria were isolated from sputum samples with amine-modified particles exploiting pH-dependent electrostatic interactions between bacteria and the functionalized particle surface. Following this, an asymmetric polymerase chain reaction as well as subsequent stringent array-based hybridization with specific complementary capture probes were performed. Finally, results were visualized by an enzyme-induced silver nanoparticle deposition, providing stable endpoint signals and consequently an easy detection possibility. The assay was optimized using spiked samples of artificial sputum with different strains of the abovementioned bacterial species. Furthermore, actual patient sputum samples with S. pneumoniae were successfully analyzed. The presented approach offers great potential for the urgent need of a fast, specific, and reliable isolation and identification platform for important pneumonia pathogens, covering the complete process chain from sample preparation up to array-based detection within only 4 h.
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    Rapid Colorimetric Detection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Clinical Isolates Using a Magnetic Nanoparticle Biosensor
    (Washington, DC : ACS Publications, 2019) Alhogail, Sahar; Suaifan, Ghadeer A.R.Y; Bikker, Floris J.; Kaman, Wendy E.; Weber, Karina; Cialla-May, Dana; Popp, Jürgen; Zourob, Mohammed M.
    A rapid, sensitive, and specific colorimetric biosensor based on the use of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) was designed for the detection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in clinical samples. The biosensing platform was based on the measurement of P. aeruginosa proteolytic activity using a specific protease substrate. At the N-terminus, this substrate was covalently bound to MNPs and was linked to a gold sensor surface via cystine at the C-terminus of the substrates. The golden sensor appears black to naked eyes because of the coverage of the MNPs. However, upon proteolysis, the cleaved peptide–MNP moieties will be attracted by an external magnet, revealing the golden color of the sensor surface, which can be observed by the naked eye. In vitro, the biosensor was able to detect specifically and quantitatively the presence of P. aeruginosa with a detection limit of 102 cfu/mL in less than 1 min. The colorimetric biosensor was used to test its ability to detect in situ P. aeruginosa in clinical isolates from patients. This biochip is anticipated to be useful as a rapid point-of-care device for the diagnosis of P. aeruginosa-related infections.
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    Towards on-site testing of Phytophthora species
    (Cambridge : RSC Publ., 2014) Schwenkbier, Lydia; Pollok, Sibyll; König, Stephan; Urban, Matthias; Werres, Sabine; Cialla-May, Dana; Weber, Karina; Popp, Jürgen
    Rapid detection and accurate identification of plant pathogens in the field is an ongoing challenge. In this study, we report for the first time on the development of a helicase-dependent isothermal amplification (HDA) in combination with on-chip hybridization for the detection of selected Phytophthora species. The HDA approach allows efficient amplification of the yeast GTP-binding protein (Ypt1) target gene region at one constant temperature in a miniaturized heating device. The assay's specificity was determined by on-chip DNA hybridization and subsequent silver nanoparticle deposition. The silver deposits serve as stable endpoint signals that enable the visual as well as the electrical readout. Our promising results point to the direction of a near future on-site application of the combined techniques for a reliable detection of Phytophthora species.
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    Autofluorescence lifetime augmented reality as a means for real-time robotic surgery guidance in human patients
    (Berlin : Nature Publishing, 2019) Gorpas, Dimitris; Phipps, Jennifer E.; Bec, Julien; Ma, Dinglong; Dochow, Sebastian; Yankelevich, Diego R.; Sorger, Jonathan; Popp, Jürgen; Bewley, Arnaud Fassett; Gandour-Edwards, Regina F.; Marcu, Laura; Farwell, D. Gregory
    Due to loss of tactile feedback the assessment of tumor margins during robotic surgery is based only on visual inspection, which is neither significantly sensitive nor specific. Here we demonstrate time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy (TRFS) as a novel technique to complement the visual inspection of oral cancers during transoral robotic surgery (TORS) in real-time and without the need for exogenous contrast agents. TRFS enables identification of cancerous tissue by its distinct autofluorescence signature that is associated with the alteration of tissue structure and biochemical profile. A prototype TRFS instrument was integrated synergistically with the da Vinci Surgical robot and the combined system was validated in swine and human patients. Label-free and real-time assessment and visualization of tissue biochemical features during robotic surgery procedure, as demonstrated here, not only has the potential to improve the intraoperative decision making during TORS but also other robotic procedures without modification of conventional clinical protocols.
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    All-in-one: a versatile gas sensor based on fiber enhanced Raman spectroscopy for monitoring postharvest fruit conservation and ripening
    (Cambridge : Soc., 2016) Jochum, Tobias; Rahal, Leila; Suckert, Renè J.; Popp, Jürgen; Frosch, Torsten
    In today's fruit conservation rooms the ripening of harvested fruit is delayed by precise management of the interior oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) levels. Ethylene (C2H4), a natural plant hormone, is commonly used to trigger fruit ripening shortly before entering the market. Monitoring of these critical process gases, also of the increasingly favored cooling agent ammonia (NH3), is a crucial task in modern postharvest fruit management. The goal of this work was to develop and characterize a gas sensor setup based on fiber enhanced Raman spectroscopy for fast (time resolution of a few minutes) and non-destructive process gas monitoring throughout the complete postharvest production chain encompassing storage and transport in fruit conservation chambers as well as commercial fruit ripening in industrial ripening rooms. Exploiting a micro-structured hollow-core photonic crystal fiber for analyte gas confinement and sensitivity enhancement, the sensor features simultaneous quantification of O2, CO2, NH3 and C2H4 without cross-sensitivity in just one single measurement. Laboratory measurements of typical fruit conservation gas mixtures showed that the sensor is capable of quantifying O2 and CO2 concentration levels with accuracy of 3% or less with respect to reference concentrations. The sensor detected ammonia concentrations, relevant for chemical alarm purposes. Due to the high spectral resolution of the gas sensor, ethylene could be quantified simultaneously with O2 and CO2 in a multi-component mixture. These results indicate that fiber enhanced Raman sensors have a potential to become universally usable on-site gas sensors for controlled atmosphere applications in postharvest fruit management.
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    Toward food analytics: fast estimation of lycopene and β-carotene content in tomatoes based on surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)
    (Cambridge : Soc., 2016) Radu, Andreea Ioana; Ryabchykov, Oleg; Bocklitz, Thomas Wilhelm; Huebner, Uwe; Weber, Karina; Cialla-May, Dana; Popp, Jürgen
    Carotenoids are molecules that play important roles in both plant development and in the well-being of mammalian organisms. Therefore, various studies have been performed to characterize carotenoids’ properties, distribution in nature and their health benefits upon ingestion. Nevertheless, there is a gap regarding a fast detection of them at the plant phase. Within this contribution we report the results obtained regarding the application of surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) toward the differentiation of two carotenoid molecules (namely, lycopene and β-carotene) in tomato samples. To this end, an e-beam lithography (EBL) SERS-active substrate and a 488 nm excitation source were employed, and a relevant simulated matrix was prepared (by mixing the two carotenoids in defined percentages) and measured. Next, carotenoids were extracted from tomato plants and measured as well. Finally, a combination of principal component analysis and partial least squares regression (PCA-PLSR) was applied to process the data, and the obtained results were compared with HPLC measurements of the same extracts. A good agreement was obtained between the HPLC and the SERS results for most of the tomato samples.
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    Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy to Characterize Different Fractions of Extracellular Vesicles from Control and Prostate Cancer Patients
    (Basel : MDPI, 2021) Osei, Eric Boateng; Paniushkina, Liliia; Wilhelm, Konrad; Popp, Jürgen; Nazarenko, Irina; Krafft, Christoph
    Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane-enclosed structures ranging in size from about 60 to 800 nm that are released by the cells into the extracellular space; they have attracted interest as easily available biomarkers for cancer diagnostics. In this study, EVs from plasma of control and prostate cancer patients were fractionated by differential centrifugation at 5000× g, 12,000× g and 120,000× g. The remaining supernatants were purified by ultrafiltration to produce EV-depleted free-circulating (fc) fractions. Spontaneous Raman and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) at 785 nm excitation using silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were employed as label-free techniques to collect fingerprint spectra and identify the fractions that best discriminate between control and cancer patients. SERS spectra from 10 µL droplets showed an enhanced Raman signature of EV-enriched fractions that were much more intense for cancer patients than controls. The Raman spectra of dehydrated pellets of EV-enriched fractions without AgNPs were dominated by spectral contributions of proteins and showed variations in S-S stretch, tryptophan and protein secondary structure bands between control and cancer fractions. We conclude that the AgNPs-mediated SERS effect strongly enhances Raman bands in EV-enriched fractions, and the fractions, EV12 and EV120 provide the best separation of cancer and control patients by Raman and SERS spectra.
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    Fiber-based SORS-SERDS system and chemometrics for the diagnostics and therapy monitoring of psoriasis inflammatory disease in vivo
    (Washington, DC : Optica, 2021-1-28) Schleusener, Johannes; Guo, Shuxia; Darvin, Maxim E.; Thiede, Gisela; Chernavskaia, Olga; Knorr, Florian; Lademann, Jürgen; Popp, Jürgen; Bocklitz, Thomas W.
    Psoriasis is considered a widespread dermatological disease that can strongly affect the quality of life. Currently, the treatment is continued until the skin surface appears clinically healed. However, lesions appearing normal may contain modifications in deeper layers. To terminate the treatment too early can highly increase the risk of relapses. Therefore, techniques are needed for a better knowledge of the treatment process, especially to detect the lesion modifications in deeper layers. In this study, we developed a fiber-based SORS-SERDS system in combination with machine learning algorithms to non-invasively determine the treatment efficiency of psoriasis. The system was designed to acquire Raman spectra from three different depths into the skin, which provide rich information about the skin modifications in deeper layers. This way, it is expected to prevent the occurrence of relapses in case of a too short treatment. The method was verified with a study of 24 patients upon their two visits: the data is acquired at the beginning of a standard treatment (visit 1) and four months afterwards (visit 2). A mean sensitivity of ≥85% was achieved to distinguish psoriasis from normal skin at visit 1. At visit 2, where the patients were healed according to the clinical appearance, the mean sensitivity was ≈65%.
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    Shape-Memory Metallopolymers Based on Two Orthogonal Metal–Ligand Interactions
    (Weinheim : Wiley-VCH, 2021) Meurer, Josefine; Hniopek, Julian; Bätz, Thomas; Zechel, Stefan; Enke, Marcel; Vitz, Jürgen; Schmitt, Michael; Popp, Jürgen; Hager, Martin D.; Schubert, Ulrich S.
    A new shape-memory polymer is presented, in which both the stable phase as well as the switching unit consist of two different metal complexes. Suitable metal ions, which simultaneously form labile complexes with histidine and stable ones with terpyridine ligands, are identified via isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) measurements. Different copolymers are synthesized, which contain butyl methacrylate as the main monomer and the metal-binding ligands in the side chains. Zn(TFMS)2 and NiCl2 are utilized for the dual crosslinking, resulting in the formation of metallopolymer networks. The switching temperature can simply be tuned by changing the composition as well as by the choice of the metal ion. Strain fixity rates (about 99%) and very high strain recovery rates (up to 95%) are achieved and the mechanism is revealed using different techniques such as Raman spectroscopy. © 2021 The Authors. Advanced Materials published by Wiley-VCH GmbH