ResonSense: simple linear fluorescent probes for quantitative homogeneous rapid polymerase chain reaction

Here we report a strand-specific fluorescent homogeneous assay format for rapid polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A number of similar assays are commonly used for research applications and are an ideal solution for a closed tube quantitative PCR. These assays use fluorescent resonant energy transfer (FRET) between donor and acceptor fluorescent moieties as the reporting mechanism. However, for different reasons these assays do not report amplification when very rapid cycling times are used. This is because current assays, such as TaqMan^®, are limited, in terms of assay speed, by the 5′-3′ exonuclease activity of Taq DNA polymerase. Other assays based on hybridisation require either a complex de-conformational event to occur, or require more than one probe to report amplification. Reducing the complexity of the experiment reduces costs in terms of design, optimisation and manufacture. Here, we describe ResonSense^® chemistries that use a simple linear fluorescent-labelled probe and a DNA minor-groove binding dye as either donor or acceptor moieties in a homogeneous assay format on the LightCycler^®. This assay format will provide for rapid analysis of samples and so it is particularly well suited to point-of-use testing.     

A composite thin film optical sensor for dissolved oxygen in contaminated aqueous environments

A robust optical composite thin film dissolved oxygen sensor was fabricated by ionically trapping the dye ruthenium(II) tris(4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline) dichloride in a blended fluoropolymer matrix consisting of Nafion^® and Aflas^®. Strong phosphorescence, which was strongly quenched by dissolved oxygen (DO), was observed when the sensor was immersed in water. The sensor was robust, optically transparent, with good mechanical properties. Fast response, of a few seconds, coupled with sensitivity of about 0.1 mg L⁻¹ (DO) over the range 0-30 mg L⁻¹ and resistance to leaching, were also exhibited by this system. The Stern-Volmer (SV) plot exhibited slight downward turning at all oxygen concentrations. A linear plot was obtained when the SV equation was modified to account for the varying sensitivity of dye molecules in the matrix to the quencher. Good long term stability was observed.     

The effect of spatial confinement of Nafion in porous membranes on macroscopic properties of the membrane

Polyelectrolytes were incorporated into porous reinforcing materials to study the properties of ionomers in confined spaces and to determine the effect of the porous material on the behaviour of the membranes. Nafion^® was imbibed into porous polypropylene (Celgard^®), ultra-high-molecular weight polyethylene (Daramic^®), and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) films. Through the use of reinforcing materials, it is possible to prepare membranes that are thinner, but stronger than pure ionomer membranes. Thin reinforced membranes have advantages such as lower areal resistance (as low as 0.14 Ω cm² for 57 μm CG3501 + Nafion^® compared to 0.34 Ω cm² for 89 μm cast Nafion^®) and lower dimensional changes due to swelling (as low as a 4% change in length and width for WDM + Nafion^® compared to 13% for cast Nafion^®). Using reinforcing materials results in a reduction in important membrane properties compared to bulk Nafion^®, such as proton conductivity (as low as 0.016 S cm⁻¹ for CG3401 + Nafion^® compared to 0.076 S cm⁻¹ for cast Nafion^®), effective proton mobility (as low as 3.2 × 10⁻⁴ cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹ CG3401 + Nafion^® compared to 7.6 × 10⁻⁴ cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹ for cast Nafion^®), and water vapour permeance (as low as 0.036 g h⁻¹ Pa⁻¹ m⁻² for WDM + Nafion^® compared to 0.056 g h⁻¹ Pa⁻¹ m⁻² for cast Nafion^®). By normalizing the membrane properties with respect to ionomer content, it was possible to examine the properties of the Nafion^® inside the pores of the membranes. The proton conductivity (as low as 0.032 S cm⁻¹ for CG3401 + Nafion^®), effective proton mobility (as low as 3.6 × 10⁻⁴ cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹ for CG3401 + Nafion^®), and water vapour permeability (as low as 2.7 × 10⁻⁶ g h⁻¹ Pa⁻¹ m⁻¹ for PTFE MP 0.1 + Nafion^®) of the ionomer in the membrane are also diminished compared to bulk Nafion^® due to decreased connectivity of the ionomer and a restriction in macromolecular motions caused by the pore walls. A series of porous materials with increasing pore were also examined. As the pore size of the PTFE MP materials increased from 0.1 μm to 10 μm, the proton conductivity (0.022 S cm⁻¹ to 0.041 S cm⁻¹), effective proton mobility ((4.1 to 5.6) × 10⁻⁴ cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹), and water vapour permeability ((2.4 to 4.3) × 10⁻⁶ g h⁻¹ Pa⁻¹ m⁻¹) of the reinforced membranes improved with increasing pore size and the properties of the ionomer inside the membranes approached the value of bulk Nafion^®.     

New superporous hydrogels composites based on aqueous Carbopol solution (SPHCcs): synthesis, characterization and in vitro bioadhesive force studies

In this investigation new superporous hydrogels composites based on aqueous Carbopol^® solution (SPHCcs) were prepared. SEM images indicated that the inner surface of SPHCcs contained a lot of pores connected each other and the outer surface of them was non-porous. The swelling ratio decreased with increasing the content of aqueous Carbopol^® solution, and the final swelling ratio was similar to that of the SPH although the initial swelling ratio was lower. The density measurement revealed that the porosity increased when aqueous Carbopol^® solution was incorporated. It was observed from in vitro bioadhesive force study that SPHCcs adhered to the intestinal mucosal more quickly and exhibited higher mucoadhesion as compared with SPH. It is evident that the hydrogels synthesized in this study could be a potential candidate for transmucosal drug delivery system.     

Microwave assisted synthesis of the fragrant compound Calone 1951

Calone 1951^®, 7-methyl-benzo[b][1,4]dioxepin-3-one, possesses a strong marine, ozone note with floral nuances and is synthesised via a three-step procedure using microwave irradiation. High yields were obtained, and reaction times reduced to a few minutes, allowing for an efficient and inexpensive synthesis of Calone 1951^®.     

Synthesis, characterisation and complex forming ability towards ferric ions of oligo(ether-amide)s of Jeffamines ED and chelidamic acid

New chelating oligo(ether-amide)s (CA-PE)s containing chelidamic acid residues in the main chain were prepared by reacting chelidamic acid with Jeffamines ED^® in the presence of N,N^′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide and 4-dimethylaminopyridine. A mixture of products having one or two polyether sequences with chelidamate end-groups was obtained. It was found spectrophotometrically that CA-PE polymers formed a complex with Fe³⁺ at pH 3-6 having a maximum absorbance in the 472-495 nm range. Fe³⁺ ion complexes of CA-PE were water soluble, except Fe³⁺-CA-PE₆₀₀. The stoichiometric ratio between chelidamic acid residues of oligo(ether-amide)s CA-PE and Fe³⁺ ions was found to be 2 at pH 5 by the method of shift of equilibrium. A hydroxypyridine structure of the chelidamic acid residues in the complex was suggested.     

A facile one-pot synthesis of α-fluoro-α,β-unsaturated esters from alkoxycarbonylmethyltriphenylphosphonium bromides

A convenient one-pot synthesis of α-fluoro-α,β-unsaturated esters from ethoxy- and tert-butoxycarbonylmethyltriphenylphosphonium bromide was developed. The fluorinated phosphoranes, generated in situ from alkoxycarbonylmethyltriphenylphosphonium bromides and 1-chloromethyl-4-fluoro-1,4-diazoniabicyclo[2.2.2]octane bis(tetrafluoroborate) (Selectfluor^®), undergo a Wittig reaction with aldehydes to yield α-fluoro-α,β-unsaturated esters with (Z)-selectivity.     

Nuclear fluorination of 3,5-diarylisoxazoles with Selectfluor

C-4 Fluorination of a series of 3,5-diarylisoxazoles has been accomplished using the N-F reagent Selectfluor^®. With substrates containing neutral or activating substituents on the 5-phenyl ring, acetonitrile at room temperature or at reflux could be used as solvent. However, when deactivating substituents were present, a higher reaction temperature was required for which sulfolane was found to be a good solvent. At this higher temperature, a unique trifluorination of the isoxazole nucleus by an addition mechanism occurred as a side reaction.     

Validation of a direct non-destructive quantitative analysis of amiodarone hydrochloride in Angoron formulations using FT-Raman spectroscopy

Raman spectroscopy was applied for the direct non-destructive analysis of amiodarone hydrochloride (ADH), the active ingredient of the liquid formulation Angoron^®. The FT-Raman spectra were obtained through the un-broken as-received ampoules of Angoron^®. Using the most intense vibration of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) at 1568 cm⁻¹, a calibration model, based on solutions with known concentrations, was developed. The model was applied to the Raman spectra recorded from three as-purchased commercial formulations of Angoron^® having nominal strength of 50 mg ml⁻¹ ADH. The average value of the API in these samples was found to be 48.56 ± 0.64 mg ml⁻¹ while the detection limit of the proposed technique was found to be 2.11 mg ml⁻¹. The results were compared to those obtained from the application of HPLC using the methodology described in the European Pharmacopoeia and found to be in excellent agreement. The proposed analytical methodology was also validated by evaluating the linearity of the calibration line as well as its accuracy and precision. The main advantage of Raman spectroscopy over HPLC method during routine analysis is that it is considerably faster and no solvent consuming. Furthermore, Raman spectroscopy is non-destructive for the sample. However, the detection limit for Raman spectroscopy is much higher than the corresponding for the HPLC methodology.     

Voltammetric assay of rifampicin and isoniazid drugs, separately and combined in bulk, pharmaceutical formulations and human serum at a carbon paste electrode

The electrochemical oxidation of both the rifampicin (RIF) and isoniazid (INH) drugs has been investigated by cyclic and square-wave voltammetry in Britton-Robinson buffers (pH 2-11) at a carbon paste electrode. The oxidation of rifampicin generated a well-defined pH-dependent quasi-reversible anodic-cathodic peak couple corresponding to a mechanism involving the transfer of two electrons/two protons, typical to that of hydroquinones, in addition to an irreversible anodic peak at a more positive potential which may be due to the oxidation of phenolic hydroxyl group. For the isoniazid, an irreversible anodic peak was observed, which may be attributed to the irreversible oxidation of the amide moiety of the drug molecule. A validated square-wave adsorptive anodic stripping voltammetric procedure was described to assay the two drugs separately or combined in pharmaceutical formulations and human serum. The recoveries of RIF in rimactane^® capsules (300 mg RIF) and INH in isocid^® tablets (200 mg INH) were found to be 98.57±0.81% and 100.57±0.74%, respectively. The proposed procedure was also successfully applied to simultaneous assay of rifampicin and isoniazid drugs combined in rimactazid tablets (150 mg INH+300 mg RIF) with recoveries of 98.79±0.97% and 99.54±0.74%, respectively, without the necessity for sample pretreatment or time-consuming extraction steps prior to the analysis. The results were favorably compared to those obtained by the reported USP method. Moreover, the proposed procedure was successfully applied to simultaneous assay of both drugs in human serum samples with limits of detection and quantitation of 5×10⁻⁸ and 1.7×10⁻⁷ M for RIF and 6.1×10⁻⁸ and 2×10⁻⁷ M for INH.     

PEG modified poly(amide-b-ethylene oxide) membranes for CO2 separation

In the present work, membranes from commercially available Pebax^® MH 1657 and its blends with low molecular weight poly(ethylene glycol) PEG were prepared by using a simple binary solvent (ethanol/water). Dense film membranes show excellent compatibility with PEG system up to 50 wt.% of content. Gas transport properties have been determined for four gases (H₂, N₂, CH₄, CO₂) and the obtained permeabilities were correlated with polymer properties and morphology of the membranes. The permeability of CO₂ in Pebax^®/PEG membrane (50 wt.% of PEG) was increased two fold regarding to the pristine Pebax^®. Although CO₂/N₂ and CO₂/CH₄ selectivity remained constant, an enhancement of CO₂/H₂ selectivity (∼11) was observed. These results were attributed to the presence of EO units which increases CO₂ permeability, and to a probable increase of fractional free-volume. Furthermore, for free-volume discussion and permeability of gases, additive and Maxwell models were used.     

Uranium aqueous speciation in the vicinity of the former uranium mining sites using the diffusive gradients in thin films and ultrafiltration techniques

The performance of the Diffusive Gradients in Thin films (DGT) technique with Chelex^®-100, Metsorb™ and Diphonix^® as binding phases was evaluated in the vicinity of the former uranium mining sites of Chardon and L'Ecarpière (Loire-Atlantique department in western France). This is the first time that the DGT technique with three different binding agents was employed for the aqueous U determination in the context of uranium mining environments. The fractionation and speciation of uranium were investigated using a multi-methodological approach using filtration (0.45 μm, 0.2 μm), ultrafiltration (500 kDa, 100 kDa and 10 kDa) coupled to geochemical speciation modelling (PhreeQC) and the DGT technique. The ultrafiltration data showed that at each sampling point uranium was present mostly in the 10 kDa truly dissolved fraction and the geochemical modelling speciation calculations indicated that U speciation was markedly predominated by CaUO₂(CO₃)₃²⁻. In natural waters, no significant difference was observed in terms of U uptake between Chelex^®-100 and Metsorb™, while similar or inferior U uptake was observed on Diphonix^® resin. In turn, at mining influenced sampling spots, the U accumulation on DGT-Diphonix^® was higher than on DGT-Chelex^®-100 and DGT-Metsorb™, probably because their performance was disturbed by the extreme composition of the mining waters. The use of Diphonix^® resin leads to a significant advance in the application and development of the DGT technique for determination of U in mining influenced environments. This investigation demonstrated that such multi-technique approach provides a better picture of U speciation and enables to assess more accurately the potentially bioavailable U pool.     

Mixed-matrix membranes composed of Matrimid and mesoporous ZSM-5 nanoparticles

Mixed-matrix membranes were prepared from Matrimid^® and mesoporous ZSM-5 nanoparticles containing crystalline ZSM-5. The ideal selectivity for H₂/N₂ separation increased from 79.6 for pure Matrimid^® to 143 at 10% loading, while the selectivity of O₂/N₂ increased from 6.6 for pure Matrimid^® to 10.4 at 20% loading. The ideal H₂/CH₄ separation factor increased from 83.3 to 169 at 20% loading. The results suggest that the mesopores of the ZSM-5 material provide good contact between the nanoparticles and the polymer, since the polymer chains can penetrate into the mesopores. The micropores of ZSM-5 crystals provide size and shape selectivity.     

Radiolabeling of HER2-specific Affibody molecule with F-18

The presence of human epidermal growth factor type 2 (HER2) on 20-30% of human breast cancer is a prognostic indicator of more rapid disease progression and a therapeutic indicator for anti-HER2 monoclonal antibodies. Because the literature has demonstrated some discordance between primary and metastatic tumors in the same patient for expression of the HER2 marker, we set out to develop an imaging agent that could be used to assess the marker concentration in vivo in an individual patient. The pharmaceutical company Affibody^® AB has optimized the specificity of Affibody^® molecules for HER2. Two Affibody^® molecules, a 7 kDa and an 8 kDa protein, were designed with a single carboxy terminal cysteine in order to provide a specific location for the purposes of labeling for various types of imaging. We have prepared [¹⁸F]FBEM utilizing a coupling reaction between [¹⁸F]fluorobenzoic acid and aminoethylmaleimide. We then optimized the conjugation of this radiolabeled maleimide to the free sulfhydryl of cysteine by incubating at pH 7.4 in phosphate buffered saline containing 0.1% sodium ascorbate. An overall uncorrected yield of radiolabeled Affibody^® molecule of approximately 10% from [¹⁸F]fluoride was achieved in a 2 h synthesis. These conjugated Affibody^® molecules were obtained with a specific activity of 2.51 ± 0.92 MBq/μg. Characterization of the product by HPLC-MS supported the conjugation of [¹⁸F]FBEM with the Affibody^® molecule. The radiolabeled Affibody^® molecule retained its binding specificity as demonstrated by successful imaging of xenografts expressing HER2.     

The Baeyer-Villiger oxidation of ketones with Oxone in the presence of ionic liquids as solvents

Cyclic and linear ketones were readily oxidised with Oxone^® at 40 °C in ionic liquids as solvents and short times (2.5-20 h), affording their corresponding lactones and esters in high yields (65-95%). Both, aprotic and protic ionic liquids were used. The best conversion of ketones and the highest yields of products were obtained with 1-buty-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate and 1-methylimidazolium acetate as solvents. These ionic liquids were also efficiently recycled in the Baeyer-Villiger reaction without significant loss of activity. Several factors, such as the partial solubility of KHSO₅ in the ionic liquid, its viscosity and the presence of a proton in protic ionic liquids, have an influence on the course of the reaction.     

A short synthesis of morachalcone A

Advanced C-prenylated intermediates for three aromatase inhibitors, including morachalcone A, can be synthesized through a Claisen-Schmidt condensation followed by Florisil^®-catalyzed [1,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement of a prenyl phenyl ether.     

Evaluation and application of Diffusive Gradients in Thin Films (DGT) technique using Chelex-100, Metsorb™ and Diphonix binding phases in uranium mining environments

A new resin- Diphonix^® in Diffusive Gradients in Thin Films (DGT) technique for the determination of uranium was investigated and compared with previously used binding phases for uranium, Chelex^®-100 and Metsorb™. The DGT gel preparation and the elution procedure were optimized for the new resin. The U uptake on Diphonix^® resin gel was 97.4 ± 1.5% (batch method; [U] = 20 μg L⁻¹; 0.01 M NaNO₃; pH = 7.0 ± 0.2). The optimal eluent was found to be 1 M 1-hydroxyethane-1, 1-diphosphonic acid (HEDPA) with an elution efficiency of 80 ± 4.2%. Laboratory DGT study on U accumulation using a DGT samplers with Diphonix^® resin showed a very good performance across a wide range of pH (3–9) and ionic strength (0.001–0.7 M NaNO₃). Diffusion coefficients of uranium at different pH were determined using both, a diffusion cell and the DGT time-series, demonstrating the necessity of the implementation of the effective diffusion coefficients into U-DGT calculations. Diphonix^® resin gel exhibits greater U capacity than Chelex^®-100 and Metsorb™ binding phase gels (a Diphonix^® gel disc is not saturated, even with loading of 10.5 μmol U). Possible interferences with Ca²⁺ (up to 1.33 × 10⁻² M), PO₄³⁻${{\text{PO}}_4}^{3\mathrm{-}}$ (up to 1.72 × 10⁻⁴ M), SO₄²⁻${{\text{SO}}_4}^{2\mathrm{-}}$ (up to 4.44 × 10⁻³ M) and −HCO₃${{\text{HCO}}_3}^{\mathrm{-}}$ (up to 8.20 × 10⁻³ M) on U-DGT uptake ([U] = 20 μg L⁻¹) were investigated. No effect or minor effect of Ca²⁺, PO₄³⁻${{\text{PO}}_4}^{3\mathrm{-}}$, SO₄²⁻${{\text{SO}}_4}^{2\mathrm{-}}$, and −HCO₃${{\text{HCO}}_3}^{\mathrm{-}}$ on the quantitative measurement of U by Diphonix^®-DGT was observed. The results of this study demonstrated the DGT technique with Diphonix^® resin is a reliable and robust method for the measurement of labile uranium species under laboratory conditions.     

Zirconium meta-sulfonphenyl phosphonic acid-incorporated Nafion membranes for reduction of methanol permeability

Zirconium meta-sulfonphenyl phosphonic acid (Zr-msPPA)/Nafion^® composite membranes were prepared to reduce methanol permeability of the Nafion^® 117 membrane in direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) applications. Zr-msPPA crystalline nano proton conductors were synthesized inside the membranes via the reaction of zirconium chloride octahydrate and meta-sulfonphenyl phosphonic acid that had been soaked prior. Synthesis of the Zr-msPPA in the membranes was identified from a series of chemical and physical structure characterizations using FTIR, NMR, EDS, and XRD spectroscopy. The thermal stability of the composite membranes was enhanced by addition of the Zr-msPPA, with considerable reduction in methanol permeability with increasing Zr-msPPA content, as the Zr-msPPA nano conductors acted as crystalline barriers to methanol permeation. The ion conductivity also decreased with increasing Zr-msPPA content, but its effect was not as strong as with methanol permeation given the innate, high conductivity of Zr-msPPA.     

A general method for synthesis of trifluoroacetyltrialkyl(aryl)silanes and the Sakurai reaction of fluorinated acylsilanes with allyl silanes

Trifluoroacetyltrialkyl(aryl)silanes, synthetic equivalents of trifluoroacetaldehyde, were prepared in good to moderate yields by reaction of 1,1-difluoro-2-trialkyl(aryl)silyl-2-trimethylsilyloxyethenes with Selectfluor^®. Sakurai reaction of fluorinated acylsilanes formed either the α-silylated ketones by means of Brook- and retro-Brook isomerization or, in the absence of Brook isomerization, homoallylic alcohols.     

The Pharmaceutical Use of Captisol®: Some Surprising Observations

The purpose of this paper is to share some recent observations on the pharmaceuticaluses and properties of Captisol^® or SBE_7M--CD in controlled porosity osmotic pump tablets (CP-OPT) and the underlying mechanism/sthat lead to apparent zero-order drug release pattern. It would have been simple toattribute the apparent zero-order release mechanism/s of poorly water-soluble drugsfrom CP-OPTs and pellets utilizing Captisol^®as both a solubilizing andosmotic agent, to purely osmotic and diffusional components. However, the mechanismmay be more related to a counterbalancing of physical properties as the concentration of Captisol^®changes within the matrix. Specifically, the initial concentration of Captisol^®within a core is 0.3–0.4M. When this drops to lower values an osmotic pressure drop occurs across the membrane. Therefore, drug release should not follow apparent zero-order kinetics if all the drug is solubilized. However, as the viscosity within the tablet also drops, the apparent diffusion coefficient of both Captisol^® and drug increases. Therefore, it appears that there is an initial resistance (hydraulic pressure) to fluid flow from the tablet through the rate-limiting microporous membrane. This resistance decreases so that even as osmotic pressure and concentration differences drop with time, counterbalancing faster release occurs. Osmotic driving force appears to be the most important initial driving force but a diffusional component becomes more significant with time.