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Background & objectives: Dried blood spotted on to filter paper has been found suitable for a large number of studies. In tropical countries with varying temperature conditions the use of dried blood needs to be validated. We carried out this study to assess the use of blood spotted filter paper as a transport system to study genotyping ofApo E gene. Methods: Fifty five patients visiting Cardiothoracic Neuroscience Centre (CNC) OPD at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, and referred for lipid investigations to Cardiac Biochemistry Laboratory were selected at random. Blood was spotted on to Whatman 3 MM filter paper, dried and stored at room temperature. Genomic DNA was extracted and genotyping was carried out at the end of 0, 3 and 12 months. The study was further validated using samples collected on to filter paper from four centres and stored for eight years at room temperature. The temperature and humidity conditions of the centre varied widely. Results: Fifty five samples collected on to filter paper showed exact match of the genotyping when compared to fresh blood. In dried blood samples collected and stored for 1 yr at room temperature DNA extraction and apo E genotyping was done successfully. Interpretation & conclusions: The present results showed the feasibility of using dried blood samples on filter paper for apo E genotyping in tropical temperature. The findings need to be validated on a large sample before being recommended for use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Refining of cellulose fibers is essential for reaching desired paper properties, yet highly energy demanding. Enzymes like endoglucanases (e.g. EndoC) are increasingly used to reduce energy consumption during pulp refining. However, prediction of the enzyme effect is still a major concern, considering the high variety of commercially available enzyme formulations, containing a range of different enzymes. In this study, synergisms of xylanases and β-glucosidases in combination with endoglucanases purified from enzyme formulations were studied and related to their refining performance. Size exclusion chromatography with multi-angle laser light scattering (SEC-MALLS) of carboxymethylcellulose revealed that a narrow size distribution and a high reduction in molecular weight are beneficial characteristics for refining. SEC-MALLS of hardwood pulp resulted in pronounced formation of low molecular weight fractions (log MW 4.3) for most efficient refining enzymes. Application of enzyme formulations and combinations of endoglucanase EndoC with β-glucosidase or xylanase using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) revealed synergistic effects that promoted degradation of amorphous parts of cellulose. Laboratory refining trials on hardwood pulp confirmed the increase in degree of refining and tensile index after addition of xylanase and β-glucosidase. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) analysis resulted in strong binding of endoglucanases to regenerated cellulose, which correlated to refining performance.

Rainbow trout were exposed to a secondary treated, thermomechanical/bleached kraft pulp and paper effluent in 12,000-L, flow-through exposure tanks at an environmental research facility located at a pulp and paper mill in Kawerau, New Zealand. Trout (age, 21 years) were obtained from a local hatchery and exposed either to upstream river water or a nominal concentration of 12% (v/v) effluent diluted in upstream river water. Three treatment groups were used: Effluent exposure that started approximately three months before gonadal growth (eight-month total exposure), effluent exposure that started approximately halfway through gonadal development (two-month total exposure), and trout exposed to reference water alone for the total duration of the experiment. Trout were sacrificed just before spawning; exposure, growth, and reproductive endpoints were assessed during and at the termination of the experiment. Reduction in growth was observed in both sexes in the eight-month treatment group relative to the river water reference treatment group. No differences were observed in condition factor or liver size in either treatment. Females in the eight-month exposure group also had significantly lower ovary weight. The two-month exposure group showed no differences from the reference group in growth or somatic indices. Estradiol and testosterone were reduced in blood samples taken from the eight-month exposure group by four months into the experiment as compared to the reference treatment. Steroid and vitellogenin levels in individual female trout from this treatment were significantly correlated with gonadosomatic indices (GSI) measured at the termination of the experiment. The GSI was not correlated strongly or consistently with pregnenolone, nor were any treatment-related preg-nenolone differences observed, indicating that the steroid hormone reductions likely were not related to cholesterol side-chain cleavage. Male trout showed significant induction of vitellogenin and... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paper to Plastics (P2P) is an interdisciplinary program that combines chemistry and biology in a research setting. The goal of this project is 2-fold: to engage students in scientific research and to educate them about sustainability and biodegradable materials. The scientific aim of the project is to recycle unwanted office paper to the useful biodegradable polymer poly(lactic acid) (PLA). Through this program, students learn firsthand how chemistry and biology interact to form useful materials from waste. Students combine biological techniques, such as enzymatic digestion and fermentation, with chemical techniques, such as distillation and catalysis, to accomplish the conversion of waste paper into PLA. Through this summer program, students ultimately become familiar with diverse laboratory techniques, while learning how their scientific interests can be used to address important social problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blended learning combines face-to-face class based and online teaching and learning delivery in order to increase flexibility in how, when, and where students study and learn. The development, integration, and promotion of blended learning in frameworks of curriculum design can optimize the opportunities afforded by information and communication technologies and, concomitantly, accommodate a broad range of student learning styles. This study critically reviews the potential benefits of blended learning as a progressive educative paradigm for the teaching of biomedical science and evaluates the opportunities that blended learning offers for the delivery of accessible, flexible and sustainable teaching and learning experiences. A central tenet of biomedical science education at the tertiary level is the development of comprehensive hands-on practical competencies and technical skills (many of which require laboratory-based learning environments), and it is advanced that a blended learning model, which combines face-to-face synchronous teaching and learning activities with asynchronous online teaching and learning activities, effectively creates an authentic, enriching, and student-centred learning environment for biomedical science. Lastly, a blending learning design for introductory biochemistry will be described as an effective example of integrating face-to-face and online teaching, learning and assessment activities within the teaching domain of biomedical science. [This paper was presented at the International Conference on Teaching and Learning (ICTL) (4th, Bangkok, Thailand, Nov 13-15, 2013).]

For 26 years, it has been assumed by some that the thermodynamics of open-system biochemical reactions must be executed by performing Legendre transformations on the terms involving the species whose concentrations are being held fixed. In contrast, standard nontransformed thermodynamics applies to chemical processes. However, it has recently been shown that such biochemical reactions may be accurately examined using either method. The papers that report this finding use the hydrolysis of ATP at fixed pH and pMg as an example. This biochemical process comprises 14 equilibrium reactions involving 17 chemical species. Consequently, the chemical and mathematical complexity is so high that the underlying principles leading to the equivalence of the two methods tend to become lost. Furthermore, the details of such an example are too complex for classroom presentation. This paper makes these principles abundantly clear by the thermodynamic examination of the simple case of a unimolecular isomerization conducted under both open and closed conditions. For the open system, the analysis is conducted using both Legendre-transformed and nontransformed methods. The results are shown to be identical provided that the chemical potentials of the terms on which the transform is performed are held constant. More importantly, the analysis makes the underlying reasons for the equivalence of the two methods very clear and shows when they will not be equivalent. The model is ideally suited for classroom presentation because of its chemical and mathematical simplicity.

Abstract: A bioanalytical method for the determination of lumefantrine in 100μl blood applied onto sampling paper, by solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography, has been developed and validated. Whatman 31 ET Chr sampling paper was pre-treated with 0.75M tartaric acid before sampling capillary blood to enable a high recovery of lumefantrine. Lumefantrine was extracted from the sampling paper, then further purified using solid-phase extraction and finally quantified with HPLC. The between-day variation was below 10% over the range 0.4–25μM. The lower limit of quantification was 0.25μM in 100μl capillary blood. No decrease in lumefantrine concentration in dried blood spot is seen after 4 months storage at 22°C. The method was also evaluated in field samples from patients in Tanzania after treatment with lumefantrine/artemether. Lumefantrine could be estimated accurately enough to assess bioavailability and treatment compliance on day 7 (i.e. 4 days after the last dose) after a standard regimen with the lumefantrine/artemether combination. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article evaluates the effectiveness of the chemical compound, calcium propionate, in inhibiting the growth of several fungi involved in the biodeterioration of paper. The study mimics a restoration process wherein paper sheets that contain fungi are treated with the chemical agent. Among the fungi isolated and identified from the paper includes filamentous fungi genera and yeast. It was found that both water- and alcohol-based solutions of calcium propionate used as deacidification agents significantly inhibit the growth of fungi particularly in a saturated 3.5 g/L alcoholic solution.

Background: The traditional pattern of theory assessment may not address the principles of assessment due to faulty paper-setting practices. This interventional study aimed to sensitize the faculty in designing a test blueprint template to set question papers (QPs). The set QPs were reviewed by experts to evaluate the effectiveness of blueprinting in the quality of the QPs. Methods: Based on the validated weightage of the biochemistry syllabus, each of the 10 faculty prepared a test blueprint, and set theory QPs without and with those test blueprints. The QPs were blinded and randomly allocated to 9 experts for evaluation. The test paper review score and feedback from both faculty and subject experts were statistically analyzed. Results: Reliability check of faculty feedback and review checklist of test papers validated its internal consistency. In all, 95% of participants expressed their agreement with various attributes of blueprinting and its future application in assessment. Statistically significant improvement (P < 0.005) was observed in the overall quality of the QPs with blueprinting. Conclusion: It was determined that blueprinting aligns objectives, content areas, and curriculum with assessment, thus improving reliability and content validity. Validated weightage of the biochemistry syllabus and blueprints for written examination were systematized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Schizophrenia is a group of severe psychiatric disorders with high heritability but only low odds ratios of risk genes. Despite progress in the identification of pathophysiological processes, valid biomarkers of the disease are still lacking. Methods: This comprehensive review summarises recent efforts to identify genetic underpinnings, clinical and cognitive endophenotypes and symptom dimensions of schizophrenia and presents findings from neuroimaging studies with structural, functional and spectroscopy magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography. The potential of findings to be biomarkers of schizophrenia is discussed. Results: Recent findings have not resulted in clear biomarkers for schizophrenia. However, we identified several biomarkers that are potential candidates for future research. Among them, copy number variations and links between genetic polymorphisms derived from genome-wide analysis studies, clinical or cognitive phenotypes, multimodal neuroimaging findings including positron emission tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, and the application of multivariate pattern analyses are promising. Conclusions: Future studies should address the effects of treatment and stage of the disease more precisely and apply combinations of biomarker candidates. Although biomarkers for schizophrenia await validation, knowledge on candidate genomic and neuroimaging biomarkers is growing rapidly and research on this topic has the potential to identify psychiatric endophenotypes and in the future increase insight on individual treatment response in schizophrenia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on fabricating cost effective and time-efficient bioelectrodes for enzymatic bio fuel cells by immobilizing the enzymes, glucose oxidase, and laccase on the surface of buckeye composite Bucky paper (BP) without any redox cofactors. Electrochemical studies including linear sweep voltammetry, cyclic voltammetry open circuit potential, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were carried out to evaluate the performance of the prepared electrodes. Maximum current density of 9.79 mA/cm2 at 0.4 V and 2 mA/cm2 at 0.3 V was observed for anode and cathode, respectively, at a scan rate of 10 mV/s at 40-mM glucose concentration. Morphological studies using scanning electron microscope revealed uniform dispersion of the enzymes on the surface of the BP electrodes facilitating the presence of enzyme active sites for catalytic reactions. The absence of redox cofactors in this approach dramatically reduces the cost and fabrication cycle time and also preserves their biocompatible nature. The fabricated BP-based bioelectrodes have shown excellent performance and further encourage toward future studies at the microfluidics level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the detection of Cd(II) in aquatic media, a novel dicyanomethylene dihydrofuran hydrazone(DCDHFH)-based colorimetric chemosensor was developed. DCDHFH was prepared by an azo-coupling process involving the diazonium chloride of 2, 4-dichloroaniline and a dicyanomethylene dihydrofuran heterocyclic moiety bearing an active methyl group. The DCDHFH chromophore showed strong solvatochromism depending on solvent polarity due to electronic delocalization. The pH sensory effects of the DCDHFH chromophore were also explored. DCDHFH could be used to identify Cd(II) in the presence of other competitive metals, as indicated by variations in color and absorbance spectra. In the presence of cadmium ions, the synthesized DCDHFH probe with hydrazone recognition moiety exhibited a significant sensitivity and selectivity to cadmium ions at the ppm concentration level (10–250 ppm). A DCDHFH-immobilized paper test strip was also prepared and effectively used for the detection of cadmium in aqueous media at various concentrations. According to CIE Lab’s criteria, colorimetric strength (K/S), and the UV–Vis absorbance spectra, the cadmium detection abilities of the DCDHFH-immobilized paper strips were evaluated. The optimal pH range for the determination of Cd(II) was monitored in the area of 5.5–6.3, with a fast chromogenic change from yellow to red relying on the Cd(II) concentration. The deposition of dicyanomethylene dihydrofuran hydrazone onto the paper strip’s surface was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Gold-low density lipoprotein (LDL) conjugates were used to detect the LDL receptor on nitrocellulose paper. Solubilized rat liver membrane proteins were subjected to electrophoresis and electroblotted onto nitrocellulose paper. The receptor was then detected as a red band (within 10 min) by overlaying with the LDL conjugates. The coloration was prevented by unlabeled LDL, EDTA, and suramin but not by unlabeled HDL3. In the dot blot assay, detection with the colloidal gold-LDL conjugates was as sensitive as both the autoradiographic method with 125I-labeled LDL and the biotinylated LDL method; the estimated limit of detection by scanning densitometry was 1.6 femtomoles of receptor protein. When the coloration obtained with the colloidal gold-LDL conjugates was intensified by photochemical silver staining, down to 200 attomoles of the LDL receptor could be detected. In this assay, the EDTA-sensitive binding of colloidal gold-LDL to solubilized hepatic membrane proteins was 12 times higher for rats treated with 17 alpha-EE than for normal rats. The use of colloidal gold-LDL conjugates is therefore a very easy, safe, inexpensive, fast and sensitive method for the detection of the LDL receptor on nitrocellulose paper. Furthermore, with silver staining and scanning densitometry, the colloidal gold-LDL conjugates could be used in a dot blot assay to quantify tissue and cell LDL receptors down to attomolar levels.

The separation of dog serum lipoproteins by ultracentrifugation at a density of 1.063 is hindered by the failure of the high density fraction to accumulate in the bottom portion of the centrifuge tube. This phenomenon interferes with the quantitative recovery of pure low density lipoproteins. By paper electrophoresis, a lipid-containing protein with the mobility of a β-globulin was detected in the lowest layer of the centrifuge tube. Comparison of the preparative ultracentrifuge technique with that of dextran sulfate precipitation of β-lipoproteins revealed the suit ability of the latter procedure for the quantitative separation of β-lipoproteins. The dextran sulfate β-lipoprotein precipitate was shown to be free from α-lipoprotein by paper electrophoresis.

A rapid chromatographic procedure was developed for the separation of sphingomyelin, phosphatidyl choline, phosphatidyl ethanolamine, phosphatidyl serine, phosphatidyl inositol, and free fatty acids on glass paper coated with sodium silicate. In addition, phosphatidyl choline and sphingomyelin were determined quantitatively by densitometry of the charred chromatogram, which was obtained by spraying the developed chromatogram with sulfuric acid and heating in an oven. The separation of phosphatides on sodium silicate-treated glass paper is more rapid than on silicic acid-impregnated paper, and the former is simpler to prepare. Preliminary application of this quantitative technique to human serum indicates that it may have a wide adaptability for the determination of phospholipids in natural products.

Abstract: Lipophilic low molar-mass constituents in wood chips for the paper industry result in low quality pulp, pitch deposition, and effluent toxicity. New biotechnological solutions such as fungal pre-treatment of wood chips can reduce pitch problems. This laboratory-scale study focuses on the potential and limitations of a fungal bio-treatment of Norway spruce chips with the white-rot fungus Trametes versicolor. Different fungal treatment conditions were compared. A 4-week fungal treatment reduced the concentration of resin acids and triglycerides by 40% and 100%, respectively, but neither lowered the energy requirements of the TMP process nor significantly affected the morphological fiber characteristics and the physical pulp properties. The pre-treatment led to slightly poorer optical properties. The Trametes versicolor fungal treatment contributed to a less toxic effluent and improved the biodegradability. A treatment of 2–3 weeks appears optimal. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

At the Washington DC Pharmacogenomics in Drug Development and Regulatory Decision-Making: Workshop III – Three Years of Promise, Proposals and Progress on Optimizing the Benefit/Risk of Medicines (11–13 April 2005), one break-out session (Track 2) focused on co-development of therapeutic drug and diagnostic products. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a draft concept paper shortly before the workshop was to convene. Track 2 was a forum for initial discussion of the content of the concept paper, and industry's initial reactions. After the workshop, formal commentaries on the co-development concept paper were submitted by several trade associations (e.g., Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed), American Association for Clinical Chemistry) and individual companies to FDA's Docket No. 2004N-0279. This paper includes a summary of the key features of the draft concept paper, the discussion in Track 2 of the April, 2005 meeting and highlights of the industry comments submitted to the FDA docket following the meeting.The Pharmacogenomics Journal (2006) 6, 375–380. doi:10.1038/sj.tpj.6500392; published online 2 May 2006 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants commonly suffer from phosphorus (P) deficiency in calcareous soils. Plant responses to P application on such soils mostly show poor correlation with their soil test P values. Experiments were conducted on 24 different soil samples under laboratory and greenhouse conditions to illustrate the relationship of various inorganic P fractions in different calcareous soils with P uptake by plants, P extraction by iron‐impregnated filter paper, and P soil test values estimated by 0.5M NaHCO 3 and ammonium bicarbonate diethylene triamine penta‐acetic acid. Total P in the 24 soils ranged from 652 to 1245 mgkg -1 with a mean of 922 mgkg -1 . A major proportion (98%) of inorganic P was in HCl‐P (Ca‐bound) form. The HCl‐P (Ca‐bound) ranged from 296 to 729 with a mean of 480 mgkg -1 . The iron (Fe) and aluminum (Al)‐P (NaOH‐P) ranged from 0.92 to 12 mgkg -1 with a mean of 1.57 mgkg -1 . The Fe‐P (citrate‐dithionite bicarbonate) ranged from 0.22 to 4.40 mgkg -1 with a mean of 5.99 mgkg -1 . Data regarding P release from the soil matrix obtained by desorption with iron‐impregnated filter paper was best described by the Elovich equation. Range of slope and intercept values were found to be 5.48 to 17.3 and 17.23 to 56.27 mgkg -1 , respectively. Intercept values calculated for the Elovich equation may be related to labile P initially available for plant uptake in soils. Intercept values calculated for the Elovich equation correlated (r=0.77) significantly (p [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of fluorometric detection methods for toxic metal ions in real samples and inside cellular environments using fluorescent dyes has gained tremendous research interest. This work represents the design and synthesis of a 1,8-naphthalimide-based visible light absorbing fluorescence probe His-NMI-Bu showing an intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) feature. Photophysical properties of the fluoroprobe are investigated in-depth through a combination of steady-state, time-resolved spectroscopic techniques, and DFT calculation. The probe displays outstanding pH tolerance in the pH range of 5–10 as evident from UV–Vis. and fluorescence measurements. The fluoroprobe exhibits chelation with Hg2+-induced fluorescence attenuation via PET in the solution, thus acting as a suitable fluorescence sensor for mercury ions with LOD 0.52 µM. The high sensitivity and selectivity of the probe towards Hg2+ are validated from fluorescence titration with various metal ions. Banking on its intriguing solid-state emissive properties, dye-loaded filter paper-based sensing of Hg2+ is also developed demonstrating the sensitivity in the micromolar range. Finally, His-NMI-Bu fluorophore depicts its selective localization inside the lysosomal compartment of live cells which assists further to monitor the presence of mercury ions inside the lysosome showing similar Hg2+-induced fluorescence depletion.

Accreditation of academic programs and recognition of student degrees provide academic institutions a measure of a set of community agreed upon standards. These can aid pedagogical change, support faculty to successfully engage students in their discipline and to provide a mechanism to maintain standards. Several professional scientific societies from engineering, chemistry, and biochemistry and molecular biology have developed standards by which departments can be recognized for accreditation. As one of the members of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology who helped develop the accreditation and standardized exams and a committee member of the American Chemical Society's Committee on Professional Training I will present the evolution of the accreditation process, discuss the benefits and challenges with being an accreditation. How these programs serve their communities and at times can hinder or be used to support potential creativity and teaching pedagogies will also be discussed. [Paper presented at the joint International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (IUBMB) Education Conference and Philippine Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (PSBMB) Annual Convention (46th) (Manila City, Philippines, Nov 13-15, 2019).]

Biochemistry and molecular biology education starts before our students get to university. From a very early age, they start learning informally about science beginning with the basics of science and as they progress through their school years they should be exposed to more advanced topics such as biochemistry and molecular biology. This session at the conference focused on three very different examples of engaging school students with biochemistry and molecular biology. [Paper presented at the joint International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (IUBMB) Education Conference and Philippine Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (PSBMB) Annual Convention (46th) (Manila City, Philippines, Nov 13-15, 2019).]

This paper analyzes the abstracts from the 244th – 248th American Chemical Society national meetings, 2012–2014 for the Divisions of Biological Chemistry and Organic Chemistry. The main objective of the study was to identify the percentage of abstracts that were published as related papers and the time it took to do so. It also investigated likely factors that determined whether the abstracts will be published as papers. These factors included the number of author(s) per abstract, the number of institutions involved in the research, and the country of origin of the research. The paper also highlights the percentage of papers that were published before and after the conferences and the quality of the journals in which they were published. The citation characteristics of the articles published before and after the conference are also covered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chromatographic procedures for the detection and evaluation of oxygenated fatty acids are described. Emphasis has been placed on epoxy acids, but these methods promise to be of great value in studies of all classes of oxygenated acids. Paper chromatography of fatty acids and their esters has been developed for the examination of mixtures containing oxygenated derivatives. The method of adsorption chromatography on thin layers of silicic acid has been shown to be a powerful tool in studies of epoxy acids and hydroxy acids. Gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) of epoxy esters has been studied using both polar and nonpolar columns and has great utility in the detection and analysis of these compounds in mixtures. These methods have been applied to the examination of the epoxy components of six seed oils. Thin-layer and GLC proved particularly useful in this study and together demonstrated the presence of at least three distinct epoxy acids in each of these oils. Some conclusions as to the probable structures of these epoxy components are presented on the basis of their chromatographic characteristics in relation to known substances.

A rapid, sensitive method for the determination of sterols is described. Microgram samples are spotted on impregnated glass fiber paper, chromatographed for 7 minutes, dried, sprayed with sulfuric acid, and charred by heating. The amount of char formed is measured by densitometry. Values obtained for cholesterol in the serum are in agreement with those obtained by the Sobel-Mayer method. The method has been adapted to the determination of cholesterol in 10 μl. of plasma, and to the determination of standard solutions of other sterols.

The precipitation by trichloroacetic acid (TCA) of radioactive lipids on disks of filter-paper, followed by extraction with TCA and water to remove soluble radioactive precursors, provides the means for a convenient assay for lipid biosynthesis. Large numbers of disks can be washed in the same vessel, dried, and assayed for radioactivity with liquid scintillation counting equipment. Extraction of disks with lipid solvents provides a convenient control for the possible presence of TCA- and water-insoluble, nonlipid products. The application of the method to the assay of cyclopropane fatty acid synthetase is shown.

A new paper electrophoretic method for the separation of bile acids into five groups, (1) unconjugated, (2) glycine conjugates and (3) taurine conjugates, and (4) and (5) the respective monosulfates, is described. Rapid and accurate qualitative and quantitative estimations of each group are obtained by densitometry after internal standardization and phosphomolybdate color development. The technique can be done in the routine clinical laboratory and is useful for the detection of diseases affecting the enterohepatic circulation of bile acids.

This paper describes the development of a fully remote upper-class biochemistry lab course. The sudden change to online teaching in the middle of spring semester 2020 had a primarily negative impact on laboratory teaching. These effects were mitigated because the students had done many of the basic hands-on procedures before the switch. A true "at-home" biochemistry lab module was implemented in the fall semester of 2020 to ensure students could have a hands-on lab experience in a remote setting despite the remaining COVID-19 restrictions placed upon universities. The module covered several fundamental concepts and techniques found in a first semester biochemistry lab sequence: extraction and purification of a protein from a sample, and further analysis of the protein. Tyrosinase was isolated and purified from a banana extract followed by kinetic analysis of the enzyme. A key component to the module is an LED light board that, in combination with a cell-phone app, made a simple at-home colorimeter. The module was implemented in three sections of a first semester biochemistry lab course (81 students total) in the fall of 2020, and components of it have been used periodically since. Some of the procedures are now being implemented into normal in-lab sessions. An assessment in terms of a student survey showed that most of the students were able to adapt to this format and felt that their learning was not impeded.

Quantitative analysis in analytical chemistry is divided into semi-,relative, and absolute analysis. An example of each analysis is pH test paper, internal standard, and standard addition, respectively. However, their definition and differences have not yet been explained to students sufficiently in classes as well as textbooks. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a good demonstration of quantitative analysis because it covers all three methods of quantification listed above. For example, traditional PCR can perform semi quantification; real-time PCR includes both relative and absolute quantitation. Therefore, in this tutorial article, we take PCR as an example to explain the kinds of methods of quantification to students. The basic principle and theories of the three PCR techniques for quantification are demonstrated and derived in detail. This will help students obtain comprehensive knowledge of quantitative analysis by studying the theoretical principles of different PCR techniques and further understanding their applications by comparing the characteristics of semi-, relative, and absolute quantification. This report is an attempt to combine teaching of chemistry with biology and present theoretical principles in a new way, which will be a helpful complement to teaching theoretical concepts in analytical chemistry and biochemistry courses.

Nearly 100 years ago Michaelis and Menten published their now classic paper [Michaelis, L., and Menten, M. L. (1913) Die Kinetik der Invertinwirkung. Biochem. Z. 49, 333-369] in which they showed that the rate of an enzyme-catalyzed reaction is proportional to the concentration of the enzyme-substrate complex predicted by the Michaelis-Menten equation. Because the original text was written in German yet is often quoted by English-speaking authors, we undertook a complete translation of the 1913 publication, which we provide as Supporting Information. Here we introduce the translation, describe the historical context of the work, and show a new analysis of the original data. In doing so, we uncovered several surprises that reveal an interesting glimpse into the early history of enzymology. In particular, our reanalysis of Michaelis and Menten's data using modern computational methods revealed an unanticipated rigor and precision in the original publication and uncovered a sophisticated, comprehensive analysis that has been overlooked in the century since their work was published. Michaelis and Menten not only analyzed initial velocity measurements but also fit their full time course data to the integrated form of the rate equations, including product inhibition, and derived a single global constant to represent all of their data. That constant was not the Michaelis constant, but rather Vmax/Km, the specificity constant times the enzyme concentration (kcat/Km × E0). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We revisit an old Russian paper by V.V. Dynnik, R. Heinrich and E.E. Sel’kov (1980a,b) describing: “A mathematical model of carbohydrate energy metabolism. Interaction between glycolysis, the Krebs cycle and the H-transporting shuttles at varying ATPases load”. We analyse the model mathematically and calculate the control coefficients as a function of ATPase loads. We also evaluate the structure of the metabolic network in terms of elementary flux modes. We show how this model can respond to an ATPase load as well as to the glucose supply. We also show how this simple model can help in understanding the articulation between the major blocks of energetic metabolism, i.e. glycolysis, the Krebs cycle and the H-transporting shuttles. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Interdisciplinary research in biotechnology and related scientific areas has increased tremendously over the past decade. This rapid pace, in conjunction with advances in microfabricated systems, computer hardware, bioengineering and the availability of low-powered miniature components, has now made it feasible to design bio-inspired materials, sensors and systems with tremendous potential for defence and security applications. To realize the full potential of biotechnology and bio-inspiration, there is a need to define specific requirements to meet the challenges of the changing world and its threats. One approach to assisting the defence and security communities in defining their requirements is through the use of a conceptual model. The distributed or intelligent autonomous sensing (DIAS) system is one such model. The DIAS model is not necessarily aimed at a single component, for instance a sensor, but can include a system, or even a system of systems in the same way that a single organism, a multi-cellular organism or group of organisms is configured. This paper provides an overview of the challenges to and opportunities for bio-inspired sensors and systems together with examples of how they are being implemented. Examples focus on both learning new things from biological organisms that have application to the defence and security forces and adapting known discoveries in biology and biochemistry for practical use by these communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photoacoustic rapid-scan FT-IR spectroscopy was used to collect spectra of paper samples printed with mineral- and vegetable-oil-based inks at different concentrations. Partial least-squares (PLS) analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) were combined to form a model that, with data collected in the 3600-3200, 3000-2800, and 1800-1000 cm-1 spectral regions, enables one to predict the concentration of ink in printed samples. Prediction is statistically robust provided the selected optical path difference (OPD) velocities are within the range 0.05-1.00 cm/s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a representative catabolic reaction that widely exists in nature, anaerobic digestion (AD) exhibits great value regarding the global carbon cycle, renewable energy development, and environmental protection. Such an important biochemical reaction was ignored before and should be introduced into the teaching and textbooks of undergraduate biochemistry courses. However, students may face obstructions when learning AD theories since the metabolic pathways in AD are very complex. To solve these problems, an instructive metabolic minimap of the AD reaction was designed, including its reaction stages, reaction pathways, substrates, and enzymes. Furthermore, the interrelationships between aerobic catabolism (AEC) and anaerobic catabolism (ANC) were also summarized by combining the catabolic pathways of typical biological macromolecules. In this paper, AD theories were first replenished into undergraduate biochemistry courses by metabolic minimap, which not only provided valuable supports for the practical teaching of AD in undergraduate biochemistry courses, but also acted as an important reference for students in biology-related majors and biochemistry teachers.

Many disciplines have used concept inventories (CI) to better understand the alternative ideas held by students. Administering a CI at both the beginning and the end of the semester can yield much information. For example, a comparison of both pre- and post-test responses can help determine if specific gains in student learning were met. In this paper, we describe the development of a concept inventory over four academic years for the one-semester general, organic, and biochemistry (GOB) course required for nursing students. Questions were designed around course topics and to identify common misconceptions, which were gathered from the literature, student interviews, and content experts. The instrument was refined over several iterations to ensure that all questions were appropriate and understandable while providing useful information. The final version demonstrated appropriate gains in the comparison of pre- and post-test results for an active learning classroom and results are discussed. In addition, item quality was ascertained via the discrimination and difficulty values, and Cronbach's alpha coefficient was computed for the entire test as a measure of its reliability.

Games can help learners of all ages retain knowledge and build skills such as critical thinking. As such, they could be a useful tool in supporting practical training at the university level. This paper describes the development, use, and evaluation of a card game based on protein purification techniques, for a large cohort of undergraduates studying Molecular Biology and related subjects. Game materials are available and can be adapted for a different audience. Players collect cards representing chromatography columns, buffers, and elution methods by drawing cards from a common deck, and discard them in order to separate a single protein from a mixture of molecules with different properties (represented by a separate set of cards). Surveys showed that the game met its three goals: to assess, increase, and apply subject knowledge; to develop skills in communication and experimental planning; and to provide a fun experience. It was more successful for those students who enjoy games and puzzles in their spare time than for those who do not, correlating with the 'gamer' group finding it easier to understand and remember the rules of the game. Thus, games can form a useful part of biochemistry teaching practice.

Oxidation number (ON) is taught as an electron-counting concept for redox reactions in chemistry curriculum. The molecular formula method, the Lewis formula method, and the structural formula method have all been used to determine ON. However, the task of assigning ON still poses problems for some teachers and students. This paper explores a new method, the fragmentation method, which is a visual approach for counting the individual ON of any atom according to its structural formula. The critical step is to break the carbon-heteroatom bond into organic fragments and inorganic fragments. The individual ON of carbon atoms and heteroatoms can be determined by the bond cleavages in the organic and biological compounds. The mean ON of carbons can be calculated by the arithmetic mean of all individual ON of carbons in a molecule or molecular ion. The step-by-step operating procedures and examples are provided. When comparing corresponding molecules in organic conversions, the change of individual ON of atoms can be used as a tool for determining the number of transferred electrons. Furthermore, a reaction site can be identified by their changes of individual ON, chemical composition, and bond order in metabolic redox reactions.

Does early exposure to information literacy promote long-term student success? This paper describes a longitudinal case study testing the hypothesis that students who engage with scientific literature and develop information literacy early in their undergraduate studies will achieve higher grades on literature-based assignments in future coursework. We reasoned that students with previous experience in the scientific literature will develop more efficient and effective strategies to search and evaluate the literature and will ultimately favor higher-quality journals. To test these hypotheses, student performance data were collected during scientific literature-based assignments in two upper-division undergraduate lecture courses, Biochemistry 1 and Biochemistry 2. Data were analyzed from two student populations: students with prior information literacy instruction and critical practice from an Honors General Chemistry course sequence, and those students who had not undergone this training. The results indicate that, in Biochemistry 1, students with this prior information literacy training tend to use more professional, expert-like tools for exploring scientific literature and earn statistically higher scores on literature-based projects. However, by Biochemistry 2, the gaps close in both the exploration of the scientific literature and grade performance. This indicates that once students develop a foundation in information literacy, their sophistication in finding information and their performance on subsequent literature-based tasks improve. There was a small and statistically insignificant tendency for groups containing more students with prior information literacy training to cite more articles from the primary literature. However, the quality of the citations, as measured by journal impact factors, did not differ between the populations. The results of this interdisciplinary case study suggest that teaching information literacy to science students has both immediate and long-lasting benefits.

Discusses the weaknesses and strengths of both term papers and short reports in fulfilling the supplementary goals of an introductory biochemistry course, namely, the development of written communication skills in concert with the presentation of course materials. (JJK)