Electrochemical detection of endotoxin using recombinant factor C zymogen

We have developed a zymogen-based electrochemical sensor. Zymogen is an inactive enzyme precursor (proenzyme) and it is necessary to transform it biochemically (e.g., by hydrolysis and conformational change) to make it an active enzyme. In this study, we demonstrated the detection of endotoxin by using recombinant Factor C (rFC), which is a protease zymogen activated by endotoxin binding. The activated rFC hydrolyzes a synthetic substrate of Boc-Val-Pro-Arg-p-nitroanilnide to generate an electrochemical active compound, p-nitroaniline (pNA). The liberated pNA was detected by differential pulse voltammetry at –0.75 V. By using this electrochemical process, 5000 endotoxin units (EU) L^?1 and 1000 EU L^?1 were detected in a Tris-Ac buffer with a pH of 7.5 at 37 °C for reaction times of 1 h and 3 h, respectively. The concept of zymogen-based electrochemical sensors is expected to lead to the development of new biosensors.     

Addition of alkyl radicals, generated from carboxylic acids via photochemical decarboxylation, to glyoxylic oxime ether: a mild and efficient route to α-substituted α-aminoesters

Radical addition to a glyoxylic oxime ether was accomplished under mild conditions using an alkyl radical generated from a free carboxylic acid via photochemical decarboxylation. The photoreaction provided an efficient route to α-substituted α-aminoesters from carboxylic acids and oxime ether.     

An efficient procedure for preparation of 2-monoalkyl or 2-monoaryl-3-ethoxycyclobutanones

Optimized reaction conditions for the preparation of various 2-monosubstituted 3-ethoxycyclobutanones are described. 2-Monoalkyl 3-ethoxycyclobutanones were efficiently prepared by the reaction of the corresponding carboxylic acid chlorides and an excess amount of ethyl vinyl ether in the presence of diisopropylethylamine at 90 °C in a sealed tube. 2-Monoaryl 3-ethoxycyclobutanones were prepared by using 2,6-lutidine as a base in the above-mentioned procedure.     

decay problem for the dissipative wave equation in odd dimensions

Consider the Cauchy problem in odd dimensions for the dissipative wave equation: (□+∂_t)u=0 in with (u,∂_tu)|_t=0=(u₀,u₁). Because the L² estimates and the L^∞ estimates of the solution u(t) are well known, in this paper we pay attention to the L^p estimates with 1p<2 (in particular, p=1) of the solution u(t) for t0. In order to derive L^p estimates we first give the representation formulas of the solution u(t)=∂_tS(t)u₀+S(t)(u₀+u₁) and then we directly estimate the exact solution S(t)g and its derivative ∂_tS(t)g of the dissipative wave equation with the initial data (u₀,u₁)=(0,g). In particular, when p=1 and n1, we get the L¹ estimate: u(t)_L¹Ce^−t/4(u_0W^n,1+u_1W^n−1,1)+C(u_0L¹+u_1L¹) for t0.     

A Novel Synthesis of Quinazolines by Cyclization of 1‐(2‐Isocyanophenyl)alkylideneamines Generated by the Treatment of 2‐(1‐Azidoalkyl)phenyl Isocyanides with NaH

A new and efficient method for the synthesis of quinazolines has been developed. Thus, N‐[2‐(1‐azidoalkyl)phenyl]formamides 1 are dehydrated with POCl₃ to give the corresponding 2‐(1‐azidoalkyl)phenyl isocyanides 2 , which are then treated with NaH in DMF at 0° to give quinazolines 6 in satisfactory yields via cyclization of 1‐(2‐isocyanophenyl)alkylideneamine intermediates 4 . This methodology can be applied to the synthesis of the 7‐azaanalogs of quinazolines, i.e., pyrido[3,4‐d]pyrimidines 9 .     

Interlaboratory study of DNA extraction from multiple ground samples, multiplex real-time PCR, and multiplex qualitative PCR for individual kernel detection system of genetically modified maize

In many countries, the labeling of grains, feed, and foodstuff is mandatory if the genetically modified (GM) organism content exceeds a certain level of approved GM varieties. We previously developed an individual kernel detection system consisting of grinding individual kernels, DNA extraction from the individually ground kernels, GM detection using multiplex real-time PCR, and GM event detection using multiplex qualitative PCR to analyze the precise commingling level and varieties of GM maize in real sample grains. We performed the interlaboratory study of the DNA extraction with multiple ground samples, multiplex real-time PCR detection, and multiplex qualitative PCR detection to evaluate its applicability, practicality, and ruggedness for the individual kernel detection system of GM maize. DNA extraction with multiple ground samples, multiplex real-time PCR, and multiplex qualitative PCR were evaluated by five laboratories in Japan, and all results from these laboratories were consistent with the expected results in terms of the commingling level and event analysis. Thus, the DNA extraction with multiple ground samples, multiplex real-time PCR, and multiplex qualitative PCR for the individual kernel detection system is applicable and practicable in a laboratory to regulate the commingling level of GM maize grain for GM samples, including stacked GM maize.     

Addressable electrode array device with IDA electrodes for high-throughput detection

An electrochemical device is proposed for high-throughput electrochemical detection that consists of 32 row and 32 column electrodes on a single glass substrate. The row and column electrodes are connected to interdigitated array (IDA) electrodes to form 1024 (32 × 32) addressable sensor points in the device. Electrochemical responses from each of the 1024 sensors were successfully acquired on the device within 1 min using redox cycling at individual IDA electrodes, which ensures application of the device to comprehensive, high-throughput electrochemical detection for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), reporter gene assay for monitoring gene expressions, and DNA analysis.