Morphology-based assay

The chemistry, metabolism, and clinical importance of folic acid have been the subject of many excellent reviews (A7, Gil, H14, H20, Rl). Folic acid deficiency leads to a macrocytic anemia and leucopenia. These symptoms are due to inadequate synthesis of nucleic acid. The synthesis of purine bases and of thymine, required for nucleic acid synthesis, is impaired in folic acid deficiency. Detection of folic acid activity in biologic fluids and tissues is of the utmost importance it distinguishes between the various anemias, e.g., those due to vitamin Bi2 or folic acid deficiency. Because morphology of the abnormal red cell does not help in diagnosing vitamin deficiency, one must rely on assay methods for differential diagnosis. Treatment of pernicious anemia with folic acid has led to subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord despite... 

Based on the studies that indicated the relationship between a decrease in vitamin C concentration and morphological changes within the pancreas, it was suggested that assaying the level of vitamin C can constitute a useful indicator of pancreatic necrosis. 

HCS instruments take microscope-based images of a limited region of each microtitre plate well with sub-cellular resolution. Proteins of interest can be detected by a fluorescent tag, such as GFP, or are identified by fluorescent antibodies. One of the characteristics of HCS assays is the ability to not only monitor the levels of different proteins within the cells but also their location, the morphology and shape of the cells by multiplexing several labels.90 92... 

An important problem in determining nutrient requirements and optimum diet is the definition of the criteria of health that must be met. Often relatively short-term assays of requirements based on weight gain, morbidity, and mortality, or the incidences of morphological or biochemical lesions are used as indices to establish optimum nutrition. However, if the subhuman primates are to be used effectively as a model for human nutrition, then we should consider studies into optimum nutrition for a long and vigorous life. 

As shown in the extended signal in Figure 3, the function of the neurons was assayed based on the presence of nerve impulses these nerve impulses were equivalent to those of neurons that had not been cryopreserved (amplitude 30 pV, width of pulse 3 ms). These results indicated that the DMSO-cryopreserved neurons (at DMSO concentrations of 5-10 wt%) can be recovered and cultured without any damage to their morphology or electrical activities. 

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