Fecal Lipocalin 2, a Sensitive and Broadly Dynamic Non- Invasive Biomarker for Intestinal Inflammation

Inflammation has classically been defined histopathologically, especially by the presence of immune cell infiltrates. However, more recent studies suggest a role for low-grade inflammation in a variety of disorders ranging from metabolic syndrome to cancer, which is defined by modest elevations in pro-inflammatory gene expression. Consequently, there is a need for cost-effective, non-invasive biomarkers that, ideally, would have the sensitivity to detect low-grade inflammation and have a dynamic range broad enough to reflect classic robust intestinal inflammation. Herein, we report that, for assessment of intestinal inflammation, fecal lipocalin 2 (Lcn-2), measured by ELISA, serves this purpose. Specifically, using a well-characterized mouse model of DSS colitis, we observed that fecal Lcn-2 and intestinal expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1b, CXCL1, TNFa) are modestly but significantly induced by very low concentrations of DSS (0.25 and 0.5%), and become markedly elevated at higher concentrations of DSS (1.0 and 4.0%). As expected, careful histopathologic analysis noted only modest immune infiltrates at low DSS concentration and robust colitis at higher DSS concentrations. In accordance, increased levels of the neutrophil product myeloperoxidase (MPO) was only detected in mice given 1.0 and 4.0% DSS. In addition, fecal Lcn-2 marks the severity of spontaneous colitis development in IL-10 deficient mice. Unlike histopathology, MPO, and q-RT-PCR, the assay of fecal Lcn-2 requires only a stool sample, permits measurement over time, and can detect inflammation as early as 1 day following DSS administration. Thus, assay of fecal Lcn-2 by ELISA can function as a non-invasive, sensitive, dynamic, stable and cost-effective means to monitor intestinal inflammation in mice

Preliminary Study on Biethanol Production from Starchy Foodwastes by Immobilized Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Dumping of food wastes into the landfill resulted in major environmental pollution. However, attempted had been made to develop these wastes into a new renewable and sustainable energy. Liquid biofuels, bioethanol can be produced from a variety of feedstock including biomass and food crops or wastes. Therefore, in this study, starchy food wastes of bread, rice and potatoes were utilized as a potential feedstock for the bioethanol production. Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae was immobilized in 2% calcium alginate beads using entrapment technique. Then, the effect of temperature on bioethanol efficiency was investigated using the immobilized yeasts. From the result, highest fermentation efficiency of 1.24% was obtained at temperature 30oC, 48 h with agitation speed of 150 rpm. However, further research and studies are required in order to optimize the bioethanol production from fermentation process of starchy foodwastes

Catalysis in flow: Operando study of Pd catalyst speciation and leaching

A custom-made plug flow reactor was designed and constructed to examine the behaviour of Pd catalysts during Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reactions. Spatial-temporal resolution of catalyst activation, deactivation and leaching processes can be obtained by single-pass experiments. Subsequent deployment of the flow reactor in a XAS beam line revealed speciation of Pd along the catalyst bed

Substantial decrease in fecal Lcn-2 during mucosal healing.

<p>Mice were given 1.5% DSS in drinking water for 7 days (n = 5) and DSS was discontinued for 29 days. Fecal Lcn-2 levels were measured by ELISA (*p<0.05).</p

Fecal Lcn-2 is stable.

<p>Feces from 10 different mice were collected and split in four parts which were stored for 24 h at −20°C, 4°C, or room temperature (RT) or boiled for 1 h. Lcn-2 levels were measured by ELISA and expressed as values relative to those obtained from samples stored at −20°C. (*p<0.05).</p

DSS dose dependent increase in pro-inflammatory gene expression and histological damages.

<p>Colonic pro-inflammatory cytokine-encoding genes were quantified by qRT-PCR (<b>A</b>, KC; <b>C</b>, TNF-α; <b>D</b>, IL-1β) and KC was quantified in the serum by ELISA (<b>B</b>). Colonic MPO were determined (<b>E</b>), and H & E stained sections of the colon (<b>F</b>) were used for the determination of the histopathological score (<b>G</b>). * p<0.05.</p

Substantial elevation of fecal Lcn-2 by DSS, in a time and dose dependent manner.

<p>Fecal Lcn-2 levels were measured in feces from day 0 through 7 by ELISA.</p

Fecal Lcn-2 marks the spontaneous colitis in IL-10 deficient mice.

<p>WT and IL-10 KO mice (n = 20) were analyzed for colonic MPO (<b>A</b>), H & E stained colon (<b>B</b>) and fecal Lcn-2 (<b>C</b>). Red circle indicate colitic mice.</p