Islet Oxygen Consumption Rate (OCR) Dose Predicts Insulin Independence in Clinical Islet Autotransplantation

Background: Reliable in vitro islet quality assessment assays that can be performed routinely, prospectively, and are able to predict clinical transplant outcomes are needed. In this paper we present data on the utility of an assay based on cellular oxygen consumption rate (OCR) in predicting clinical islet autotransplant (IAT) insulin independence (II). IAT is an attractive model for evaluating characterization assays regarding their utility in predicting II due to an absence of confounding factors such as immune rejection and immunosuppressant toxicity. Methods: Membrane integrity staining (FDA/PI), OCR normalized to DNA (OCR/DNA), islet equivalent (IE) and OCR (viable IE) normalized to recipient body weight (IE dose and OCR dose), and OCR/DNA normalized to islet size index (ISI) were used to characterize autoislet preparations (n = 35). Correlation between pre-IAT islet product characteristics and II was determined using receiver operating characteristic analysis. Results: Preparations that resulted in II had significantly higher OCR dose and IE dose (p<0.001). These islet characterization methods were highly correlated with II at 6–12 months post-IAT (area-under-the-curve (AUC) = 0.94 for IE dose and 0.96 for OCR dose). FDA/PI (AUC = 0.49) and OCR/DNA (AUC = 0.58) did not correlate with II. OCR/DNA/ISI may have some utility in predicting outcome (AUC = 0.72). Conclusions: Commonly used assays to determine whether a clinical islet preparation is of high quality prior to transplantation are greatly lacking in sensitivity and specificity. While IE dose is highly predictive, it does not take into account islet cell quality. OCR dose, which takes into consideration both islet cell quality and quantity, may enable a more accurate and prospective evaluation of clinical islet preparations

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Not AvailablePeste des petits ruminants (PPR), a viral disease of goats and sheep caused by a morbillivirus of the family paramyxoviridae is a major threat to small ruminant farming. Global announcement of PPR eradication by 2030 has opened lot of research gaps for the development of vaccines and diagnostics for differentiating infected and vaccinated animals. With the advent of recombinant DNA technology, recombinant protein based vaccines and/or diagnostics are being tested in various heterologous systems across the globe for development of vaccines and/or diagnostic antigens. The recombinant viral proteins, virus like particle based vaccines, bivalent/multivalent vaccines, recombinant viral vectored vaccines, RNA interference as a therapy, suicidal DNAs, synthetic epitopes and peptides, reverse genetics, anti idiotypic antibody based vaccines and helper cell dependent diagnostics represent the present vaccine/diagnostic development strategies for the effective control and eradication of PPR. This review comprehend the current scenario of recombinant technology based vaccines and diagnostics, virus like particles (VLPs), reverse genetics approach etc., in the development of diagnostics and vaccines against PPR.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableWith the advent of recombinant DNA technology, cloning and expression of numerous mammalian genes in different systems have been explored to produce many therapeutics and vaccines for human and animals in the form of recombinant proteins. But selection of the suitable expression system depends on productivity, bioactivity, purpose and physicochemical characteristics of the protein of interest. However, large scale production of recombinant proteins is still an art in spite of increased qualitative and quantitative demand for these proteins. Researchers are constantly challenged to improve and optimise the existing expression systems, and also to develop novel approaches to face the demands of producing the complex proteins. Here, we concisely review the most frequently used conventional and alternative host systems, with their unique features, along with advantages and disadvantages and their potential applications for the production of recombinant products.Not Availabl

Porous wide band gap BiNbO4 ceramic nanopowder synthesised by low temperature solution-based method for gas sensing applications

In this study, we report the gas sensing behavior of BiNbO4 nanopowder prepared by a low temperature simple solution-based method. Before the sensing behaviour study, the as-synthesized nanopowder was characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, UV-diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, impedance analysis, and surface area measurement. The NH3 sensing behavior of BiNbO4 was then studied by temperature modulation (50-350 degrees C) as well as concentration modulation (20-140 ppm). At the optimum operating temperature of 325 degrees C, the sensitivity was measured to be 90%. The cross-sensitivity of as-synthesized BiNbO4 sensor was also investigated by assessing the sensing behavior toward other gases such as hydrogen sulphide (H2S), ethanol (C2H5OH), and liquid petroleum gas (LPG). Finally, selectivity of the sensing material toward NH3 was characterized by observing the sensor response with gas concentrations in the range 20-140 ppm. The response and recovery time for NH3 sensing at 120 ppm were about 16 s and about 17 s, respectively