To investigate the application of bromocresol green Colorimetry (BCG) method in measuring serum albumin (ALB) and to evaluate its influencing factors in different diseases. This study was a cross-sectional study that included 128 people admitted to the department of nephrology, department of general surgery, department of infectious diseases and other departments of the Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University in July 2021. They were divided into groups according to disease types, including chronic kidney disease group (47 cases), liver disease group (40 cases), other diseases group (41 cases), serum ALB was detected by BCG method and immunoturbidimetry at the same time, and the results were expressed as ALB_BCG and ALB_I respectively, each group was subdivided into three subgroups according to ALB_I results: relatively high-value subgroup, relatively intermediate-value subgroup and relatively low-value subgroup of albumin. ALB_I and ALB_BCG were compared in all groups and subgroups. Passing-Bablok regression and Bland-Altman diagram analysis were used to evaluate the application of ALB_BCG in each group. Immunoturbidimetry was used as a reference method to evaluate the bias of ALB_BCG, and the differences between ALB_I and ALB_BCG were shown as follows:ΔALB= ALB_BCG-ALB_I. Pearson correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis were used to assess the correlation between ΔALB and ALB autoconcentration (ALB_I), α₁-globulin, α₂-globulin, β₁-globulin, β₂-globulin, γ-globulin, creatinine (Cr), urea (UN), uric acid (UA), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total bilirubin (TBil), direct bilirubin (DBil), and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels.The results showed that ALB_BCG were higher than ALB_I in the relative low subgroups of total patients group, chronic kidney disease group, liver disease group and other disease groups, and the differences were statistically significant (t value was 8.025, 6.878, 2.628, 4.915, respectively, P<0.05). In the relatively high value subgroup, ALB_BCG was lower than ALB_I, and the differences were statistically significant in the relative high value subgroup of total patients group, liver disease group and other disease groups (t value was -4.388, -2.927, -3.979, P<0.05). Passing-Bablok regression and Bland-Altman analysis showed that the BCG method had proportional bias. In the chronic kidney disease group, the concentrations of ALB_I and Cr had the greatest influence on BCG bias, and the regression model equation was ΔALB=5.437-0.146× Alb_I-0.001 ×Cr, R²=0.505. In the liver disease group, the concentrations of ALB_I, α₁-globulin, β₁-globulin had the greatest influence on BCG bias, and the regression model equation was ΔALB=3.652-0.230×ALB_I+0.398×α₁-globulin+1.171×β₁-globulin, R²=0.658. In the other disease group, the concentration of ALB_I and α₂-globulin had the greatest influence on BCG bias, and the regression equation was ΔALB=5.558-0.225×Alb_I-0.281×α₂-globulin, R²=0.646. The BCG method has a proportion error, and its bias may lead to unacceptable differences. BCG method is mainly affected by the concentration of ALB itself, and may also be affected by α₁-globulin, α ₂-globulin, β₁-globulin, Cr.
BCG Vaccine ; Bilirubin ; Bromcresol Green ; Colorimetry ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Globulins ; Humans ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; Retrospective Studies ; Serum Albumin/analysis*

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the effect of D55 and D65 light sources on the visual colorimetry performance of dental students by using a homemade light-source shelf. METHODS: Two Vitapan 3D-Master shade guides were randomly selected. One set was used as shade guides. Ten commonly used shade tabs of 2L2.5, 2M2, 2R2.5, 3M2, 3R2.5, 3L1.5, 3R1.5, 3L2.5, 4R1.5, and 4L1.5 were selected from the other set with covered value marks and numbered from 1 to 10. After the colorimetric training, 49 undergraduate dental students were randomly divided into two groups. Each student randomly selected two of the 10 shade tabs, and the colors were subsequently matched under D65 and D55 light sources from a distance of approximately 40 cm. The average color difference (ΔE) between the color selected by each participant and the actual color of shade tabs was calculated. Paired t test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The ΔE values between the color selected by each participant and the actual color of the shade tabs under the D55 light source varied from 0 to 6.540. The average value was 2.501. The ΔE values between the color selected by each participant and the actual color of the shade tabs under the D65 light source varied from 0 to 6.610. The average value was 2.530. No statistically significant difference was observed between the results under the two light sources (P=0.921). CONCLUSIONS Both D55 and D65 daylight lamps can be used for daily dental colorimetry. These two different color temperatures showed no significant difference.
Color ; Colorimetry ; Dental Prosthesis Design ; Humans ; Prosthesis Coloring ; Students, Dental

BACKGROUND: The ammonia contained in tobacco fillers and mainstream and sidestream cigarette smoke accelerates nicotine dependence in cigarette smokers. Ammonia has been included in the non-exhaustive priority list of 39 tobacco components and emissions of cigarette published by the World Health Organization (WHO) Study Group on Tobacco Product Regulation. The development of a simple ammonia detection method will contribute to the establishment of tobacco product regulation under tobacco control policies and allow surveys to be conducted, even by laboratories with small research budgets. METHODS: We developed a simple colorimetric method based on the salicylate-chlorine reaction and absorption spectrometry with two reagents (sodium nitroprusside and sodium dichloroisocyanurate). To compare this method to conventional ion chromatography, we analyzed the ammonia levels in tobacco fillers extracted from 35 Japanese commercially marketed cigarette brands manufactured by four tobacco companies (Japan Tobacco (JT) Inc., British American Tobacco (BAT), Philip Morris Japan, and Natural American Spirit). We also analyzed the ammonia levels in the sidestream smoke from cigarettes of the brands that were found to contain high or low tobacco filler ammonia levels. RESULTS: The ammonia levels in the reference cigarette (3R4F) measured by our method and ion chromatography were similar and comparable to previously reported levels. The ammonia levels in tobacco fillers extracted from 35 cigarette brands ranged from 0.25 to 1.58 mg/g. The mean ammonia level of JT cigarette brands was significantly higher (0.83 ± 0.28 mg/g) than that of Natural American Spirit cigarette brands (0.30 ± 0.08 mg/g) and lower than those in the other two cigarette brands (1.11 ± 0.19 mg/g for BAT and 1.24 ± 0.15 mg/g for Philip Morris) (p < 0.001 by Bonferroni test). The ammonia levels in the sidestream smoke of CABIN, Marlboro Black Menthol, American Spirit Light, and Seven Stars were 5.89 ± 0.28, 5.23 ± 0.12, 6.92 ± 0.56, and 4.14 ± 0.19 mg/cigarette, respectively. The ammonia levels were higher in sidestream smoke than in tobacco filler. CONCLUSIONS Our simple colorimetric could be used to analyze ammonia in tobacco fillers and sidestream smoke. There were significant differences between the ammonia levels of the 35 commercially marketed cigarette brands in Japan manufactured by four tobacco manufacturers. Over 90% of the ammonia in sidestream smoke was in gaseous phase.
Ammonia ; analysis ; Colorimetry ; methods ; Japan ; Smoke ; analysis ; Spectrophotometry ; methods ; Tobacco ; chemistry ; Tobacco Products ; analysis

The production of water-soluble pigments by fungal strains indigenous to South Korea was investigated to find those that are highly productive in submerged culture. Among 113 candidates, 34 strains that colored the inoculated potato dextrose agar medium were selected. They were cultured in potato dextrose broth and extracted with ethanol. The productivity, functionality (radical-scavenging activities), and color information (CIELAB values) of the pigment extracts were measured. Five species produced intense yellowish pigments, and two produced intense reddish pigments that ranked the highest in terms of absorbance units produced per day. The pigment extracts of Penicillium miczynskii, Sanghuangporus baumii, Trichoderma sp. 1, and Trichoderma afroharzianum exhibited high radical-scavenging activity. However, the S. baumii extract showed moderate toxicity in the acute toxicity test, which limits the industrial application of this pigment. In conclusion, P. miczynskii KUC1721, Trichoderma sp. 1 KUC1716, and T. afroharzianum KUC21213 were the best fungal candidates to be industrial producers of safe, functional water-soluble pigments.
Agar ; Colorimetry ; Efficiency ; Ethanol ; Fungi* ; Glucose ; Korea ; Penicillium ; Solanum tuberosum ; Toxicity Tests, Acute ; Trichoderma

OBJECTIVE: To investigate which shade guide, Vitapan Classical or Vita Bleachedguide 3DMaster, is better matched with the color of teeth in judging whitening effect, by comparing the color difference between shade tabs and corresponding teeth underwent cold light tooth whitening. METHODS: A total of 60 patients underwent Beyond cold light tooth whitening from May 2014 to April 2016. The patients were divided into two experimental groups according to the shade guide used. Vitapan Classical shade guide was used to judge whitening effect in one group, and Vita Bleachedguide 3DMaster shade guide was used in another. Shade matching was carried out before and after whitening in both the two groups, and the results were recorded by digital photographs. Shade matching procedures were carried out by two doctors independently. If they chose the same tab, it would be seen as the shade matching result; While if they chose different tabs, another doctor would be invited to make a decision. Photographs were taken in preset conditions: intraoral photos of the full dentition in the front, and the proportion of shooting was 1:3; aperture was F22; shutter speed was 1/200; intensity of flash was M/8; ISO value was 200. The photographs were analyzed by Photoshop software. Chromatic values were measured, and color difference values were calculated. Measuring of chromatic values was carried out by three doctors independently, and all the photos were measured twice by each doctor. Six measure results of each photo were recorded, and the maximum and the minimum were excluded, then the mean was seen as the final result. The color difference values were compared by independent-sample t test. Besides, changes of shade tabs after whitening in the two groups were recorded. RESULTS: Color difference value was 5.06±1.71 in Vitapan Classical group, and 3.39±1.36 in Vita Bleachedguide 3D-Master group. There was statistically significant difference between the two groups (t=4.68,P<0.001). Change of shade tabs was 3.63±1.75 in Vitapan Classical group, and 2.23±1.01 in Vita Bleachedguide 3DMaster group. CONCLUSION Vita Bleachedguide 3D-Master is better matched with the color of teeth, so it is preferred in judging the effect of cold light tooth whitening.
Color ; Colorimetry ; Dentition ; Humans ; Photography ; Prosthesis Coloring ; Tooth ; Tooth Bleaching

BACKGROUNDSurfactant protein-A (SP-A) contributes to the regulation of sepsis-induced acute kidney injury. In a previous study, we demonstrated that the expression of SP-A in the human renal tubular epithelial (HK-2) cells can be stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The present study evaluated the possible signal-transducing mechanisms of LPS-induced SP-A biosynthesis in the HK-2 cells.

METHODSTetrazolium salt colorimetry (MTT) assay was used to detect cell viability of HK-2 cells after LPS stimulation on different time points. HK-2 cells were stimulated with 100 ng/ml of LPS for different durations to determine the effects of LPS on SP-A and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) messenger RNA (mRNA) expression, as well as phosphorylation of mitogen-activated/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MEK) 1, extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK), and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) inhibitor-alpha (IkB-α). Then, HK-2 cells were pretreated with CLI-095, a TLR4 inhibitor, to analyze mRNA and protein levels of SP-A and TLR4 and expression of NF-κB in the cytoplasm and nucleus of HK-2 before LPS exposure.

RESULTSHK-2 cells exposed to 100 ng/ml of LPS for 1, 6, and 24 h did not affect cell viability which showed no toxic effect of 100 ng/ml LPS on cells (P = 0.16); however, the biosynthesis of SP-A mRNA and protein in HK-2 cells was significantly increased (P = 0.02). As to the mechanism, LPS enhanced transmembrane receptor TLR4 protein expression. Sequentially, LPS time dependently augmented phosphorylation of MEK1, ERK1/2, and p38MAPK. In addition, levels of phosphorylated IκB-α and nuclear NF-κB were augmented with LPS exposure for 2 h. LPS-induced SP-A and TLR4 mRNA as well as NF-κB expression were significantly inhibited by pretreatment with CLI-095.

CONCLUSIONSThe present study exhibited that LPS can increase SP-A synthesis in human renal epithelial cells through sequentially activating the TLR4-related MEK1-ERK1/2-NF-κB-dependent pathway.

Cell Line ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; physiology ; Colorimetry ; Humans ; Kidney ; cytology ; metabolism ; Lipopolysaccharides ; toxicity ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 ; metabolism ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 ; metabolism ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein A ; metabolism ; Sulfonamides ; pharmacology ; Tetrazolium Salts ; chemistry ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism

OBJECTIVES: Chitosan has been widely investigated and used. However, the literature does not refer to the shelf life of this solution. This study evaluated, through the colorimetric titration technique and an analysis of dentin micro-hardness, the shelf life of 0.2% chitosan solution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty human canines were sectioned, and specimens were obtained from the second and third slices, from cemento-enamel junction to the apex. A 0.2% chitosan solution was prepared and distributed in 3 identical glass bottles (v1, v2, and v3) and 3 plastic bottles (p1, p2, and p3). At 0, 7, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180 days, the specimens were immersed in each solution for 5 minutes (n = 3 each). The chelating effect of the solution was assessed by micro-hardness and colorimetric analysis of the dentin specimens. 17% EDTA and distilled water were used as controls. Data were analyzed statistically by two-way and Tukey-Kramer multiple comparison (α = 0.05). RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference among the solutions with respect to the study time (p = 0.113) and micro-hardness/time interaction (p = 0.329). Chitosan solutions and EDTA reduced the micro-hardness in a similar manner and differed significantly from the control group (p < 0.001). Chitosan solutions chelated calcium ions throughout the entire experiment. CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of the storage form, chitosan demonstrates a chelating property for a minimum period of 6 months.
Calcium ; Chelating Agents ; Chitosan* ; Colorimetry* ; Dentin* ; Edetic Acid ; Glass ; Humans ; Ions ; Plastics ; Product Packaging* ; Water

The present study was designed to perform structural modifications of of neobavaisoflavone (NBIF), using an in vitro enzymatic glycosylation reaction, in order to improve its water-solubility. Two novel glucosides of NBIF were obtained from an enzymatic glycosylation by UDP-glycosyltransferase. The glycosylated products were elucidated by LC-MS, HR-ESI-MS, and NMR analysis. The HPLC peaks were integrated and the concentrations in sample solutions were calculated. The MTT assay was used to detect the cytotoxic activity of compounds in cancer cell lines. Based on the spectroscopic analyses, the two novel glucosides were identified as neobavaisoflavone-4'-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (1) and neobavaisoflavone-4', 7-di-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (2). Additionally, the water-solubilities of compounds 1 and 2 were approximately 175.1- and 4 031.9-fold higher than that of the substrate, respectively. Among the test compounds, only NBIF exhibited weak cytotoxicity against four human cancer cell lines, with IC values ranging from 63.47 to 72.81 µmol·L. These results suggest that in vitro enzymatic glycosylation is a powerful approach to structural modification, improving water-solubility.
Antineoplastic Agents ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Bacillus ; enzymology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Colorimetry ; Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor ; Glucosides ; biosynthesis ; chemistry ; Glycosyltransferases ; metabolism ; Humans ; Isoflavones ; biosynthesis ; chemistry ; Molecular Structure ; Solubility

No abstract available.
Aged, 80 and over ; Ascorbate Oxidase/*metabolism ; Ascorbic Acid/administration & dosage/blood/*chemistry ; Breast Neoplasms/pathology ; Cholesterol/*blood ; *Colorimetry ; Enzyme Assays ; Female ; Humans ; Injections, Intravenous ; Intestine, Small/surgery ; Kidney/physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Palliative Care ; Recurrence

OBJECTIVETo develop a novel colorimetric method for detecting the tumor biomarker vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) based on aptamer and magnetic beads.

METHODSThe capture aptamer was hybridized to urease functionalized single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) and immobilize on the surface of magnetic beads by specific biotin-avidin binding. In the presence of VEGF, aptamers bound to VEGF to form a specific stem-loop structure to release the urease functionalized ssDNA. After separation, the supernatant was transferred to a tube and urea and phenol red were added. Urease hydrolyzed urea to produce ammonia to cause an increase of the pH value and a color change of phenol red. The results were inspected with either the naked eyes or by a UV spectrophotometer.

RESULTSUnder optimized conditions, the detection system showed a good linear relationship for VEGF detection in the range of 0.1 to 10 pmol/L with a detection limit as low as 0.06 pmol/L. The results of VEGF detection in the serum of patients with lung cancer were consistent with those using an ELISA Kit. The results of examination of 10 serum samples with this aptamer-based method and ELISA kit showed that the accuracy of this method was 90%.

CONCLUSIONThis aptamer-based system provides an simple and convenient method for VEGF detection with a high sensitivity and selectivity.

Aptamers, Nucleotide ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; Colorimetry ; DNA, Single-Stranded ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; Nucleic Acid Hybridization ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; analysis