Oxygen consumption of cell suspension in a poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) microchannel estimated by scanning electrochemical microscopy

A quantitative analysis of the oxygen concentration profile near a poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) microfluidic device was performed using scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM). A microchannel filled with sodium sulfite (Na(2)SO(3)) aqueous solution was imaged by SECM, showing that the oxygen diffusion layer of the PDMS microchannel was observed to be hemicylindrical. Based on a theoretical analysis of the hemicylindrical diffusion layer of the microchannel, the total oxygen mass transfer rates of oxygen to the PDMS microchannel filled with the Na(2)SO(3) solution was calculated to be (4.01 +/- 0.30) x 10(-12) mol s(-1). This is the maximum value of the oxygen transfer rate for this PDMS microchannel device. The oxygen consumption rate increased almost linearly with the logarithm of the concentration of E. coli cells (10(6) approximately 10(8) cells). The respiratory activity for a single E. coli cell was estimated to be approximately 4.31 x 10(-20) mol s(-1) cell(-1).     

Electrochemical monitoring of intracellular enzyme activity of single living mammalian cells by using a double-mediator system

We evaluated the intracellular NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase (NQO) activity of single HeLa cells by using the menadione–ferrocyanide double-mediator system combined with scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM). The double-mediator system was used to amplify the current response from the intracellular NQO activity and to reduce menadione-induced cell damage. The electron shuttle between the electrode and menadione was mediated by the ferrocyanide/ferricyanide redox couple. Generation of ferrocyanide was observed immediately after the addition of a lower concentration (10 μM) of menadione. The ferrocyanide generation rate was constant for 120 min. At a higher menadione concentration (100 μM), the ferrocyanide generation rate decreased within 30 min because of the cytotoxic effect of menadione. We also investigated the relationship between intracellular reactive oxygen species or glutathione levels and exposure to different menadione concentrations to determine the optimal condition for SECM with minimal invasiveness. The present study clearly demonstrates that SECM is useful for the analysis of intracellular enzymatic activities in single cells with a double-mediator system.     

Interactions between photosynthesis and 'light-enhanced dark respiration' (LEDR) in the flagellate Euglena gracilis after irradiation with ultraviolet radiation

The effects of ultraviolet radiation (UV-A, 315-400 nm plus UV-B, 280-315 nm) on photosynthesis and 'light-enhanced dark respiration' (LEDR) in Euglena gracilis have been investigated by using light pulses (80 s) with increasing photon fluence rates of 59, 163, 600, 1180, 2080 and 3340 micromol m(-2) s(-1) and dark periods between the light pulses. LEDR is estimated as the maximum rate of oxygen consumption after a period of light minus the rate of oxygen consumption 30 s after the maximum rate. Without any exposure to UV radiation, the photosynthetic rate and LEDR increase with increasing photon fluence rate. After 20 and 40 min exposures to UV radiation, the photosynthetic rate and LEDR as functions of photon fluence rate are reduced. After a 20 min UV treatment respiration is greater than photosynthesis after the first light pulse of 59 micromol m(-2) s(-1) radiation, and especially at higher photon fluence rates photosynthesis is lower than the control values. The inhibitory effects of UV radiation on photosynthetic rate and LEDR are greater after a 40 min UV exposure than after a 20 min exposure. Only at 600 micromol m(-2) s(-1) is the rate of oxygen evolution greater than that of oxygen consumption after a 40 min UV treatment. Both photosynthetic rate and LEDR are inhibited by the photosynthetic inhibitor DCMU (10(-5) M) in a similar way, which indicates close regulatory interactions between photosynthesis and LEDR. Potassium cyanide (KCN) inhibits dark respiration more than it inhibits LEDR. Dark respiration is not affected to the same degree by UV radiation as are photosynthesis and LEDR.     

On-chip electrochemical measurement of beta-galactosidase expression using a microbial chip

[small beta]-Galactosidase expression in a small number of Escherichia coli cells has been measured in real time with an electrochemical sensor chip. E. coli cells were embedded using collagen gel within a micropore which was microfabricated onto a chip. The activity of the expressed [small beta]-galactosidase was determined using p-aminophenyl [small beta]-d-galactopyranoside (PAPG) as a substrate.     

Fabrication of microbial chip using collagen gel microstructure

A microbial chip was fabricated by filling the micropores on a glass substrate with collagen-embedded Escherichia coli(E. coli) cells, and characterized by scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) in a solution containing ferricyanide. The activity of the E. coli cells in the collagen gel microstructure was imaged and characterized with SECM by mapping the localized concentration of ferrocyanide produced by the respiration of the cells. The SECM-based activity measurement detected as low as approximately 100 E. coli cells. Furthermore, the optical-microscopic observation indicated that the E. coli cells on the chip proliferated during the incubation. The sequential SECM measurements were performed for the same E. coli chip to obtain the microbial growth curve for a small number of microorganisms.     

Formation of superoxide by benzofurazans in Escherichia coli under aerobic incubation.

The superoxide (O2-.) production in Escherichia coli through the action of benzofurazans (BZs) was examined using the cytochrome c (cyt. c) reduction method. Adding BZs to E. coli cell suspensions caused the cyt. c reduction, which was completely inhibited by superoxide dismutase (SOD). The effects of BZs on cyt. c reduction was in the order of benzofurazan (1) approximately 4,7-dimethylbenzofurazan (2) approximately 4,7-dibromobenzofurazan (3) less than 4-bromo-6-cyanobenzofurazan (4) less than 4,7-dicyanobenzofurazan (5). This was correlated with the toxicity of BZs against E. coli growth (1 approximately 2 approximately 3 less than 4 less than 5) and with the redox potentials of BZs (1 approximately 2 less than 3 less than 4 less than 5). The formation of compound 5 anion radical in the cell suspensions in the absence of dioxygen (O2), was determined using ESR spectrum. The ESR signal of the anion radical disappeared with the addition of O2. The BZs effected the O2-. production in E. coli cells.     

表面接枝季铵盐型高分子材料抗菌过程的特性研究

考察了一种表面接枝季铵盐型高分子材料对水溶液中大肠杆菌的抗菌过程特性,发现此材料可以在短时间内迅速降低溶液中的大肠杆菌的活菌量.用菌体耗氧测定法与扫描电镜观察法研究了其抗菌过程.结果表明,其抗菌过程由吸附和杀灭两个步骤构成,其中吸附过程由纤维与大肠杆菌表面静电作用所控制,是一个快速过程,而杀灭过程则伴随着细胞壁在纤维表面的溶解,是一个慢过程.菌体耗氧测定法与扫描电镜观察法所获得的结果具有一致性,并可广泛应用于研究抗菌纤维的抗菌作用机理及过程特性.     

Basic studies of hydrogen evolution by escherichia coli containing a cloned citrobacter freundii hydrogenase gene

Citrobacter freundii genes that complemented Escherichia coli hyd-(hydrogenase activity) mutation were cloned in plasmids pCBH4 (6.2 kb) and pCBH6(5.7 kb). Hydrogen evolution by the transformant E. coli HK-8(pCBH4 or pCBH6) was investigated. The optimum culture temperature of recombinant E. coli cells for hydrogen evolution from glucose was in the neighborhood of 18 degrees C. The recombinant E. coli cells cultured at this condition showed a several-fold increase of hydrogen evolution, as compared with that of the wild-type cells. The plasmid-retention stability of this recombinant E. coli was extremely high, especially plasmid pCBH4, which was completely retained during 2 wk without any restriction. Hydrogen production by immobilized recombinant E. coli was then investigated using cells cultured at 18 degrees C. The hydrogen evolution rate from glucose and Lennox-broth were about twofold higher than that of E. coli C600, and this high hydrogen evolution rate was maintained for more than 1 mo.     

Macromolecular scission and crosslinking rate changes during polyolefin photo-oxidation

Chain scission and crosslinking rates have been derived from molecular mass distributions obtained by gel permeation chromatography at different stages during photodegradation of various thermoplastics exposed to ultraviolet irradiation (UV). Results are given for a high density polyethylene (HDPE); a low density polyethylene (LDPE); a linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE); a polypropylene homopolymer (PPHO); and a polypropylene copolymer (PPCO). As the oxidation progressed, it was observed that the scission rate for HDPE, LLDPE, PPHO and PPCO increased near to the exposed surface whereas for LDPE the rate remained almost unchanged. The crosslink rate fell near to the surface with HDPE and LDPE but increased with PPHO and PPCO. The reaction rates near to the bar centre (∼1.5 mm from the exposed surface) were low for HDPE, PPHO and PPCO; this is attributed to oxygen starvation, caused by consumption of oxygen by rapid reaction near the surface. Reaction was observed in the interior with LDPE and LLDPE, presumably because of a combination of a higher oxygen diffusion rate than for HDPE and a lower rate of consumption of oxygen near the surface than with the polypropylenes.     

季铵盐型金属卟啉的合成及其对大肠杆菌生长代谢的抑制作用

以5,10,15,20-四(4′-吡啶基)卟啉为原料,合成了一系列季铵盐型金属卟啉1a,1b和2a～2c.使用LKB2277热活性监测器测定了大肠杆菌在不同浓度的金属卟啉1a,1b和2a～2c作用下的产热曲线,得到了大肠杆菌生长速率常数k,最大发热功率P_max和最大发热功率的出现时间t_p,发现季铵盐型金属卟啉2c对大肠杆菌生长代谢的抑制活性明显大于其它季铵盐型金属卟啉.     

PHOTOSENSITIZATION OF MELANINS: A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Abstract— Measurements of photosensitized free-radical production and oxygen consumption have been made in several melanin systems. The melanins studied were cysteinyldopa melanin (a model for pheomelanin), natural pheomelanins extracted from red hair and from red chicken feathers, and eumelanin extracted from bovine eyes. Rose Bengal was used as photosensitizer. A significant enhancement in the rates of free radical production and oxygen consumption was found in all systems when sensitizer was present. The largest effects were found with cysteinyldopa melanin and effects on pheomelanins were shown to be greater (by factors of4–6) than on eumelanins.     

Microcalorimetric study of the effect of Benzoinum and Styrax on the growth of Escherichia coli

In this study, the effects of Benzoinum and Styrax on Escherichia coli (E. coli) growth were investigated by microcalorimetry. Using a TAM Air Isothermal Calorimeter, ampoule method, the power-time curves of E. coli growth at 37°C affected by Benzoinum and Styrax were measured. By analysing some quantitative thermokinetic parameters, such as growth rate constants k, the maximum heat-out power Pm, the time of the maximum heat-out power tm, the total heat production Qt and inhibitory ratio I, one could find that low concentrations (0-3.9 mg mL(-1)) of Benzoinum and Styrax had stimulation effects on E. coli growth, and high concentrations (7.8-125.0 mg mL(-1)) of these two drugs would inhibit the growth of the bacteria. The antibacterial effects of Benzoinum and Styrax can also be expressed as half inhibitory concentration IC50. The IC50 values for Benzoinum and Styrax are 78.5 and 88.0 mg mL(-1), respectively, which suggests that the antibacterial effect of Benzoinum on E. coli was much stronger than that of Styrax. This study provides a useful method to investigate the effects of herbal medicines on microbes. It also supplies some references for the application of Benzoinum and Styrax in clinical treatment.     

Ultraviolet radiation has no effect on respiratory oxygen consumption or enhanced post-illumination respiration in three species of microalgae

A 30-min exposure to UV-B radiation (1.1 Wm(-2), unweighted) from a xenon arc lamp caused pronounced inhibition (33-78%) of net photosynthetic oxygen production in three species of microalgae, Phaeodactylum tricornutum Bohlin, Dunaliella tertiolecta Butcher and Wolozynskia sp., however, no statistical differences (t-test, alpha=0.05) in dark-respiration rates were found between the control group and the UV-treated group, for any of the species tested. These results indicate: (i) that the respiratory processes responsible for oxygen consumption do not sustain any appreciable impairment registered in the first half-hour after ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure; and (ii) any change in respiration that may occur in response to increased repair demands is not detected in this period. Dark-respiration rates were observed to be significantly higher in all species tested (17-29%; t-test, alpha=0.05) following illumination with photosynthetically active radiation, compared to dark-respiration before illumination. This increase, interpreted as enhanced post-illumination respiration (EPIR), was observed in all three species. The magnitude of this increase was not affected by prior exposure to UVR.     

Different lethal effects by enzyme-generated triplet indole-3-aldehyde in different Escherichia coli strains

Strains of Escherichia coli which lack 4-thiouridine (S4U) exhibit a higher survival rate than their wild-type parents which contain S4U after treatment with enzyme-generated triplet indole-3-aldehyde. In a similar manner to results obtained with monochromatic 334 nm UV light, the survival is related to single-strand breakage of DNA in E. coli containing the pBR 322 plasmid. The effects of the excited states generated by an enzymatic system suggest that S4U is an important chromophore in the lethal effects observed. The results also suggest that the energy transferred from triplet indole-3-aldehyde to S4U may also be passed from S4U of t-RNA to DNA, possibly through a singlet oxygen intermediate generated by excited S4U, resulting in a decrease in the survival rate of E. coli containing S4U. These results emphasize the importance of excited states in biological systems.     

Synthesis, primary photophysical and antibacterial properties of naphthyl ester cinoxacin and nalidixic acid derivatives

We have synthesized two naphthyl ester quinolone derivates and determined their ability to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as (1)O(2), ()OH, H(2)O(2) upon photolysis with UV-A light. The ability of cinoxacin (1) and nalidixic acid (2), and their naphthyl ester derivatives (3 and 4) to generate a dose-dependent amount of singlet oxygen and ROS (()(-)O(2), ()OH) in cell-free systems was detected by histidine assay and by luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence (LCL), respectively. Their electronic absorption and emission spectra were quantified and their photostability was determined. Their tendency to generate peroxidic derivative species showed the following order: 3>4; in contrast, their ability to generate singlet oxygen was 4>3 and these were better sensitizers than their parent quinolones 1 and 2. The antibacterial activity in darkness and under irradiation of compounds 3 and 4 was tested on Escherichia coli and compared with that of their parent compounds. An enhanced antibacterial activity by irradiation of the naphthyl esters of cinoxacin and nalidixic acid on E. coli was observed.     

溶菌酶在裸金电极和疏基乙酸或正十二疏烷基醇修饰电极上的吸附

电化学石英晶体阻抗系统;疏基乙酸;溶菌酶在裸金电极和疏基乙酸或正十二疏烷基醇修饰电极上的吸附     

新型金属卟啉的合成及其对大肠杆菌生长代谢的抑制作用

以5,10,15,20-四（对羟基苯基）卟啉（2）为原料,合成并表征了一系列 水溶性和非水溶性的金属卟啉。使用LKB 2277热活性监测器测定了大肠杆菌在金属 卟啉4a ～ 4f和7a ～ 7f作用下的生热曲线,得到了不同金属卟啉在不同浓度下大 肠杆菌生长代谢的生热速率常数k,最大发热功率p_(max)和最大发热功率的出现时 间t。结果发现,含有吡啶溴化盐的水溶性金属卟啉7a ～ 7f对大肠杆菌生长代谢 的抑制活性要明显大于含有酯基的金属卟啉4a ～ 4f。     

Light-dependent Oxygen Consumption in Bacteriochlorophyll-Serine-treated Melanoma Tumors: On-line Determination Using a Tissue-inserted Oxygen Microsensor

Successful application of anticancer therapy, and especially photodynamic therapy (PDT) mediated by type II (PDTII) processes, depends on the oxygen content within the tumor before, during and after treatment. The high consumption of oxygen during type II PDT imposes constraints on therapy strategies. Although rates of oxygen consumption and repletion during PDTII were suggested by theoretical studies, direct measurements have not been reported. Application of a novel oxygen sensor allowed continuous and direct in situ measurements (up to a depth of 8–9 mm from the tumor surface and for several hours) of temporal variations in the oxygen partial pressure (pO₂) during PDT. Highly pigmented M2R mouse melanoma tumors implanted in CD1 nude mice were treated with bacteriochlorophyll-serine (Bchl-Ser; a new photodynamic reagent) and were subjected to fractionated illumination (700 < λ. < 900 nm) at a fluence rate of 12 mW cm^-2. This illumination led to total oxygen depletion with an average consumption rate of 7.2 uAf(O₂) s^-1. Spontaneous reoxygenation (at an average rate of 2.5 µM(O₂)/s) was observed during the following dark period. These rates are in good agreement with theoretical considerations (Foster et al., Radiat. Res. 126, 296,1991 and Henning et al, Radiat. Res. 142, 221, 1995). The observed patterns of oxygen consumption and recovery during prolonged periods of light/dark cycles were interpreted in terms of vasculature damage and sensitizer clearance. The presented data support the previously suggested advantages of fractionated illumination for type II photodynamic processes.     

Correlation between oxygen consumption and photobleaching during in vitro photodynamic treatment with ATX-S10.Na(II) using pulsed light excitation: dependence of pulse repetition rate and irradiation time

We revealed that in ATX-S10.Na(II)(13,17-bis (1-carboxypropionyl) carbamoylethyl-8-etheny-2-hydroxy-3-hydroxyiminoethylidene-2,7,12,18-tetraethyl porphyrin sodium)-mediated photodynamic therapy using 667 nm nanosecond-pulsed light excitation at a peak intensity of 2.0 MW/cm(2), phototoxicity increased with decreasing pulse repetition rate in the range of 5-30 Hz for A549 cell cultures. To examine the relation between the reaction mechanism and measured phototoxicity, we carefully measured the kinetics of photochemical oxygen consumption and photobleaching during irradiation of ATX-S10.Na(II)-sensitized A549 monolayer cultures. Measurements of oxygen consumption with a microelectrode, which was performed just above the cells, showed that there was no significant difference between the magnitudes of decrease in oxygen at the three repetition rates at the same cumulative fluence. Loss of ATX-S10.Na(II) fluorescence intensity also exhibited little repetition rate dependence when compared at the same cumulative fluence. We investigated the correlation between oxygen consumption and photobleaching during irradiation and obtained "fluorescence-oxygen diagrams." The diagrams showed dynamic changes between oxygen-dependent and oxygen-independent photobleaching at the higher repetition rates of 10 and 30 Hz, whereas such change was not clearly seen over the whole irradiation time at 5 Hz. These results suggest that the reduced phototoxicity at high repetition rates might be due to an oxygen-independent reaction. We presumed that the change in the reaction mechanism was associated with the local concentrations of the photosensitizer and oxygen in cells during irradiation.