Haptoglobin (Hp) is an acute phase protein that binds free hemoglobin (Hb), preventing Hb-induced oxidative damage in the vascular system. There are three phenotypes in human Hp, whose heterogeneous polymorphic structures and varying concentrations in plasma have been attributed to the cause of diseases and outcome of clinical treatments. Different phenotypes of Hp may be composed of the same subunits but different copy numbers, rendering their determination difficult by a single procedure. In this study, we have developed a simple, fast, reliable and sensitive method, using label-free nanogold-modified bioprobes coupled with self-development electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). By this method, probe surface charge transfer resistance is detected. The relative charge transfer resistance ratios for Hp 1-1, Hp 2-1 and Hp 2-2 were characterized. We were able to determine protein size difference within 3 nm, and the linear region of the calibration curve for Hp levels in the range of 90 pg ml(-1) and 90 µg ml(-1) (∼1 fM to 1 pM). We surmise that similar approaches can be used to investigate protein polymorphism and altered protein-protein interaction associated with diseases.

A few clinical studies have reported that elderly male participants with hypertensive disease frequently have higher BMD than the normotensive participants at several skeletal sites. The detailed mechanism is still unknown; therefore a study of bone structure and density using the hypertensive animal models could be informative. We used micro-computed tomography (μCT) to quantitatively evaluate the tibial and 3rd lumbar vertebral bones in the 20-month-old male spontaneous hypertensive rat (SHR). The BMD, volume fraction, and the microarchitecture changes of the SHR were compared to those of same-age normotensive controls (Wistar-Kyoto rat, WKY). We found that in the very old (20-month) male rats, the trabecular bone fraction and microstructure were higher than those in the same-age normotensive controls. The observation of the association of hypertension with BMD and bone strength in hypertensive rats warrants further investigations of bone mass and strength in elderly males with hypertension.

The enterovirus 71 (EV71) has threatened Taiwan for more than ten years. Since traditional diagnostic methods are complicated, time consuming, and high-qualified personnel required. Therefore, a new detection process is highly desired. In this study, a high sensitive PC-based electrochemical analyzing system with a functionalized nano-gold modified immunological electrode are developed to detect EV71. Immobilizing specific EV71 polyclone antibodies, which is developed by center for disease control (CDC) Taiwan, onto nano gold of sensing electrode, the affinity interaction of the immobilized antibody with the specific antigen is identified quickly by electrochemical impedance spectrum (EIS) within 20 minutes. The detection limit of this EIS analysis was as low as 50 copy per ml (∼sub-atto molar). In summary, a biosensor and analyzing system based on EIS has been developed to identify EV71 with efficiency, high sensitivity and specificity.