Latex Fractionation by Sedimentation and Colloidal Crystallization: The Case of Poly(styrene-co-acrylamide)

Poly(styrene-co-acrylamide) (PS-AAM) latex was prepared, fractionated by sedimentation under gravity, and characterized by PCS, infrared spectra, secondary and backscattered electron imaging in the scanning electron microscope, and electron spectroscopy imaging in an analytical transmission electron microscope. Three latex fractions were obtained. The lower fraction was opalescent and its particles were the more uniform, concerning size, chemical composition, and topochemical features. This lower fraction was still further fractionated by zonal centrifugation in a density gradient, yielding two fractions with similar macrocrystal-forming abilities but different sizes and chemical compositions. These results confirm those previously obtained for the PS-HEMA latex. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.     

Hydrolysis-Condensation Kinetics of Different Silane Coupling Agents

Abstract

The hydrolysis kinetics of 14 alkoxy silane coupling agents were carried out in an ethanol:water 80:20 (w/w) solution under acidic conditions and were monitored by ¹H, ¹³C, and ²⁹Si NMR spectroscopy. Acidic conditions were selected in order to enhance the silanol formation and to slow down the self-condensation between the resulting hydrolysed silanol groups. In situ ²⁹Si NMR spectroscopy allowed the determination of the intermediate species as a function of the reaction time. Thus, the following silane coupling agents were studied: 3-methacryloxypropyl trimethoxy silane (MPMS), 3-mercaptopropyl trimethoxy silane (MRPMS), 3-cyanopropyl triethoxy silane (CPES), triethoxy vinyl silane (VES), trimethoxy (2-phenylethyl) silane (PEMS), octyl triethoxy silane (OES), trimethoxy (7-octen-1-yl) silane (OEMS), 3-aminopropyl triethoxy silane (APES), 3-aminopropyl trimethoxy silane (APMS), 3-(2-aminoethylamino)propyl trimethoxy silane, (DAMS), 3-[2-(2-aminoethylamino)-ethylamino]propyl trimethoxy silane (TAMS), 4-amino-3,3-dibutyl trimethoxy silane (ADBMS), trimethoxy [3-(phenylamino)propyl] silane (PAPMS), and triethoxy-3-(2-imidazolin-1-yl) propyl silane (IZPES). A parameter quantifying the grafting potentiality of each silane coupling agent towards OH-rich solid substrates (such as cellulose) was established as a function of the nature of the alkoxy groups (methoxy or ethoxy), as well as that of the fourth substituent (vinyl, aminopropyl, etc.) of the silane studied.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT     

Functional GPCR microarrays

This paper describes G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) microarrays on porous glass substrates and functional assays based on the binding of a europium-labeled GTP analogue. The porous glass slides were made by casting a glass frit on impermeable glass slides and then coating with gamma-aminopropyl silane (GAPS). The emitted fluorescence was captured on an imager with a time-gated intensified CCD detector. Microarrays of the neurotensin receptor 1, the cholinergic receptor muscarinic 2, the opioid receptor mu, and the cannabinoid receptor 1 were fabricated by pin printing. The selective agonism of each of the receptors was observed. The screening of potential antagonists was demonstrated using a cocktail of agonists. The amount of activation observed was sufficient to permit determinations of EC50 and IC50. Such microarrays could potentially streamline drug discovery by helping integrate primary screening with selectivity and safety screening without compromising the essential functional information obtainable from cellular assays.     

Antisense-mediated isoform switching of steroid receptor coactivator-1 in the central nucleus of the amygdala of the mouse brain

Background

Antisense oligonucleotide (AON)-mediated exon skipping is a powerful tool to manipulate gene expression. In the present study we investigated the potential of exon skipping by local injection in the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) of the mouse brain. As proof of principle we targeted the splicing of steroid receptor coactivator-1 (SRC-1), a protein involved in nuclear receptor function. This nuclear receptor coregulator exists in two splice variants (SRC-1a and SRC-1e) which display differential distribution and opposing activities in the brain, and whose mRNAs differ in a single SRC-1e specific exon.

Methods

For proof of principle of feasibility, we used immunofluorescent stainings to study uptake by different cell types, translocation to the nucleus and potential immunostimulatory effects at different time points after a local injection in the CeA of the mouse brain of a control AON targeting human dystrophin with no targets in the murine brain. To evaluate efficacy we designed an AON targeting the SRC-1e-specific exon and with qPCR analysis we measured the expression ratio of the two splice variants.

Results

We found that AONs were taken up by corticotropin releasing hormone expressing neurons and other cells in the CeA, and translocated into the cell nucleus. Immune responses after AON injection were comparable to those after sterile saline injection. A successful shift of the naturally occurring SRC-1a:SRC-1e expression ratio in favor of SRC-1a was observed, without changes in total SRC-1 expression.

Conclusions

We provide a proof of concept for local neuropharmacological use of exon skipping by manipulating the expression ratio of the two splice variants of SRC-1, which may be used to study nuclear receptor function in specific brain circuits. We established that exon skipping after local injection in the brain is a versatile and useful tool for the manipulation of splice variants for numerous genes that are relevant for brain function.     

Studies of interactions between silane coupling agents and cellulose fibers with liquid and solid-state NMR

The hydrolysis of three alkoxy-silane coupling agents, gamma-methacryloxypropyl trimethoxy silane (MPS), gamma-aminopropyl triethoxy silane (APS), and gamma-diethylenetriaminopropyl trimethoxy silane (TAS), was carried out in ethanol/water solutions (80/20 w/w) at different pH values and followed by 1H, 13C and 29Si NMR spectroscopy. Acidic media were found to stabilize the hydrolyzed forms. As expected, the formation of silanol groups was followed by their self-condensation to generate oligomeric structures, yielding, ultimately, solid homopolycondensated structures, as analyzed by 29Si and 13C high-resolution solid-state NMR. Hydrolyzed MPS in acidic media was then successfully adsorbed onto a cellulose surface and the ensuing substrates submitted to thermal treatment at 110-120 degrees C under reduced pressure, in order to create covalent bonds between cellulose and the coupling agent.     

Transfer measurements for the Ti+Ni systems at near barrier energies

Large enhancements have been observed in the sub-barrier fusion cross sections for Ti+Ni systems in our previous studies. Coupled channel calculations incorporating couplings to 2⁺ and 3⁻ states failed to explain these enhancements completely. A possibilty of transfer channels contributing to the residual enhancements had been suggested. In order to investigate the role of relevant transfer channels, measurements of one- and two-nucleon transfer were carried out for ^46,48Ti+⁶¹Ni systems. The present paper gives the results of these studies.