Magdalena Parlinska-Wojtan

The role of zinc deficiency-induced changes in the phospholipid-protein balance of blood serum in animal depression model by Raman, FTIR and UV–vis spectroscopy

Depression is a serious mental illness. To study the mechanisms of diseases and search for new, more effective therapies, animal models are used. Unfortunately, none of the available models does reflect all symptoms of depression. Zinc deficiency is proposed as a new animal model of depression. However, it has not been yet validated in a detailed manner. Recently, spectroscopic techniques are increasingly being used both in clinical and preclinical studies. Here we examined the effect of zinc deficiency and amitryptyline treatment on the phospholipid - protein balance in the blood serum of rats using Raman, Fourier Transform Infra Red (FTIR) and UV-vis technique. Male Sprague Dawley rats were fed with a zinc ample diet (ZnA, 50mg Zn/kg) or a zinc deficient diet (ZnD, 3mg Zn/kg) for 4 weeks. Then amitriptyline administration (AMI, 10mg/kg, i.p.) was started. After injecting the drug for 2-weeks, blood samples were collected and analyzed. It was found that zinc deficiency decreases both the level of phospholipids and proteins and also causes structural changes in their structures. In the ZnD group amitriptyline treatment influenced the protein level and structure. UV-vis spectroscopy combined with the second derivative calculated from the FTIR spectra provided information that the proteins in blood serum of rat fed with a low Zn diet regain their intact structure after amitriptyline medication. Simultaneously, the antidepressant therapy did not have any effect on the level of phospholipids in this group of rats. Additionally, our results show, that amitriptyline administration can change the structure of phospholipids in rats subjected to zinc ample diet. This altered structure of phospholipids was identified as shortening of carbon chains. Our findings indicate that the decreased level of zinc may be the cause of depressive disorders, as it leads to changes in the phospholipid-protein balance necessary for the proper functioning of the body. This study also shows possible new applications of spectroscopic techniques in the diagnosis of affective disorders, and maybe even identifies markers of depressive disorders.

FTIR analysis of molecular composition changes in hazel pollen from unpolluted and urbanized areas

In this study, the effect of urbanization and environmental pollution on qualitative (structural) and quantitative changes of the Corylus avellana (hazel) pollen was investigated using scanning electron microscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and curve-fitting analysis of amide I profile. The obtained spectroscopic results show significant variations in the fraction of proteins in the hazel pollen, which probably depend on various degrees of anthropopression. Our results suggest that alterations in the chemical composition of pollen, induced by urbanization and air pollutants, may intensify the allergenic potential and may cause the increase in the incidence of allergies in people. Mutations in nucleic acids are accompanied by a number of molecular changes leading to the formation of allergenic proteins. It seems that the type of habitat, where the pollen grew, affects the individual differentiation. Indeed, it was found that in the site exhibiting low pollution, the hazel pollen contain a lower amount of proteins than to the ones from a site with high anthropopression. Hence, FTIR spectroscopy and curve-fitting analysis of amide I profile can be successfully applied as tools for identifying quantitative and qualitative changes of proteins in hazel pollen.Graphical AbstractAnthropogenic factors such as air pollution and urbanization lead to changes in structure and chemical composition of hazel pollen. Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Gaussian analysis showed structural changes in hazel pollen collected from sites with different absorbance values of individual chemical functional groups and changes in the secondary structure of proteins of the pollen.

Qualitative and quantitative changes in phospholipids and proteins investigated by spectroscopic techniques in animal depression model

Depression becomes nowadays a high mortality civilization disease with one of the major causes being chronic stress. Raman, Fourier Transform Infra Red (FTIR) and Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-vis) spectroscopies were used to determine the changes in the quantity and structure of phospholipids and proteins in the blood serum of rats subjected to chronic mild stress, which is a common animal depression model. Moreover, the efficiency of the imipramine treatment was evaluated. It was found that chronic mild stress not only damages the structure of the phospholipids and proteins, but also decreases their level in the blood serum. A 5weeks imipramine treatment did increase slightly the quantity of proteins, leaving the damaged phospholipids unchanged. Structural information from phospholipids and proteins was obtained by UV-vis spectroscopy combined with the second derivative of the FTIR spectra. Indeed, the structure of proteins in blood serum of stressed rats was normalized after imipramine therapy, while the impaired structure of phospholipids remained unaffected. These findings strongly suggest that the depression factor, which is chronic mild stress, may induce permanent (irreversible) damages into the phospholipid structure identified as shortened carbon chains. This study shows a possible new application of spectroscopic techniques in the diagnosis and therapy monitoring of depression.

Qualitative and quantitative changes in phospholipids and proteins investigated by spectroscopic techniques in olfactory bulbectomy animal depression model

HighlightsRemoved olfactory bulbs changes in the phospholipid‐proteins balance in blood serum of animal depression model.The spectroscopic spectra show structural changes in the protein and phospholipid fractions.Raman, FTIR and UV–vis spectroscopies showed that AMI causes an increase of the protein fraction in the blood serum of rats.Chronic use of amitriptyline in control group of rats will decrease in the amount of phospholipids or damage their structure. ABSTRACT Depression becomes nowadays a high mortality civilization disease with one of the potential causes being impaired smell. In this study Raman, Fourier Transform Infra Red (FTIR) and Ultraviolet–Visible (UV–vis) spectroscopies were used to determine the changes in the quantity and structure of phospholipids and proteins in the blood serum of bulbectomized rats (OB_NaCl), which is a common animal depression model. The efficiency of amitriptyline (AMI) treatment was also evaluated. The obtained results show a significant decrease in the phospholipid and protein fractions (as well as changes in their secondary structures) in blood serum of bulbectomized rats. AMI treatment in bulbectomized rats increased protein level and did not affect the level of phospholipids. Structural information from phospholipids and proteins was obtained from UV–vis spectroscopy combined with the second derivative of the FTIR spectra. Indeed, the structure of proteins in blood serum of bulbectomized rats was normalized after amitriptyline therapy, while the damaged structure of phospholipids remained unaffected. These findings strongly suggest that impaired smell could be one of the causes of depression and may induce permanent (irreversible) damages into the phospholipid structure identified as shortened carbon chains. This study shows a possible new application of spectroscopic techniques in the diagnosis and therapy monitoring of depression.

Comparing dried and liquid blood serum samples of depressed patients: An analysis by Raman and infrared spectroscopy methods

Depression is a serious mental illness. To study the mechanism of depression and search for new, more effective therapies, animal models are often used. Unfortunately, none of the available models reflects all the symptoms of depression. Therefore researchers are looking for new tools to diagnose depression. Unfortunately, the nowadays-available depression diagnosis methods are only psychological tests. However, it is known, that the amount of phospholipids, proteins and lipids decreases during depression. Raman and FTIR (Fourier Transform Infra Red) spectroscopies provide information on the chemical compounds in the measured sample e.g. blood serum. These spectroscopic techniques may thus become reliable and accurate tools for evaluating changes in the amount of phospholipids and proteins in depression disease. In this study differences between dried and liquid blood serum samples of healthy and depressed individuals measured by Raman (range 0-3000cm-1) and FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared) (range 900-3000cm-1) spectroscopy were evaluated. The resulting spectra and accurate analysis led to the conclusion that an appropriate measurement of the background and the elimination of peaks from water had the greatest impact on the reliability of the results. Furthermore, after detailed studies of FTIR and Raman spectra of dried and liquid blood serum samples, including a complete analysis of peaks after Kramers-Kröning (KK) transformation, it was found that the sample preparation did not affect the results obtained by Raman spectroscopy. In FTIR measurements only a minimal effect on peak intensity was observed.

Identification of birch pollen species using FTIR spectroscopy

In this study, the morphology and chemical composition of pollen grains of six birch species (Betula utilis Doorenbos, B. dahurica, B. maximowicziana, B. pendula, B. pubescens and B. humilis) were examined to verify which of these features allow distinguishing them in a more unambiguous way. For this purpose, scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy, as well as Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and curve-fitting analysis of amide I profile, were performed. The microscopy images show that the pollen grains of B. pubescens, B. pendula and B. humilis are similar in diameter and significantly smaller than those of others species, with the largest diameter observed for B. utilis Doorenbos. However, the results obtained from FTIR spectroscopy indicate that the chemical compositions of B. pubescens and B. pendula are similar, but B. humilis is outlaying. Summarizing, it is not possible to unambiguously state, which feature or which technique is the best for differentiating between the six chosen birch species. However, the study showed that both techniques have potential for identification of birch pollen species.

Classification and microstructural stability of high generation single crystal Nickel-based superalloys

This paper presents a brief review on various types of single crystal Ni-based superalloys designed over the recent years. The design principles to achieve required mechanical properties and microstructural stability over the long time exposure to high temperatures are emphasized. The main attention is given to alloys with a high content of refractory elements. In particular the formation of brittle phases, like topologically close packed (TCP) phases, degrading mechanical properties of the Ni-based superalloys is emphasized.

Erratum to: 3D π-Conjugated Poly(amic) Acid Polymer as Support Matrices for Ethanol Electro-Oxidation on Palladium and Platinum Catalysts

The search for new catalyst support matrices to replace the conventional carbon black support has been an important research field for decades. Aromatic conducting polymer (ACP)-based matrices have been found as prospective candidates. Poly(amic) acid (PAA) is one such polymer. We hereby present the catalytic activity and stability of electrodeposited palladium (PdNPs) and platinum (PtNPs) nanoparticles stabilized with PAA. We fabricated four electrodes: Pd/GCE, PAA/Pd/GCE, Pt/GCE, and PAA/Pt/GCE. Cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry were employed to assess the ethanol oxidation reaction using PAA as support matrix. PAA was used as support to enhance the stability of PdNPs and PtNPs in basic and acidic media, respectively. The synthesized PAA was characterized using NMR and FTIR. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used for nanoparticle characterization. Test results revealed that the presence of PAA layer on the catalysts leads to sluggish electron transfer kinetics as deduced from higher forward and reverse current densities (5 and 11 mA/cm2) for PdNPs on glassy carbon (Pd/GCE) electrode compared to PAA-stabilized PdNPs (PAA/Pd/GCE) (0.6 and 1.2 mA/cm2), respectively. A similar trend was reported for PtNPs. However, in presence of PAA, both PtNPs and PdNPs were observed to provide stability at up to 900 and 150 cycles, respectively. Chronoamperometric results reinforced the catalyst stabilization effect of the polymer, with findings revealing that the steady-state current density of PAA/Pd/GCE was ∼2.5 times higher than the bare Pd/GCE.