“intelligent” polymers in medicine and biotechnology

One can define “intelligent” polymers as those polymers which respond with large property changes to small physical or chemical stimuli. These polymers may be in various forms, such as in solution, on surfaces, or as solids. One may also combine “intelligent” aqueous polymer systems with biomolecules, to yield a large family of polymers which respond “intelligently” to physical, chemical or biological stimuli. This article overviews such interesting and versatile polymer systems.     

Non-selective chemical sensors in analytical chemistry: from “electronic nose” to “electronic tongue”

Development, recent historical background and analytical applications of promising sensor instruments based on sensor arrays with data processing by pattern recognition methods have been described. Attention is paid to the “electronic tongue” based on an array of original non-specific (non-selective) potentiometric chemical sensors. Application results for integral qualitative analysis of beverages and for quantitative analysis of biological liquids and solutions, containing heavy metals are reported. Discriminating abilities and precision obtained allow to consider “electronic tongue” as a perspective analytical tool.     

Synthetic Photoelectrochemistry

Photoredox catalysis (PRC) and synthetic organic electrochemistry (SOE) are often considered competing technologies in organic synthesis. Their fusion has been largely overlooked. We review state‐of‐the‐art synthetic organic photoelectrochemistry, grouping examples into three categories: 1) electrochemically mediated photoredox catalysis (e‐PRC), 2) decoupled photoelectrochemistry (dPEC), and 3) interfacial photoelectrochemistry (iPEC). Such synergies prove beneficial not only for synthetic “greenness” and chemical selectivity, but also in the accumulation of energy for accessing super‐oxidizing or ‐reducing single electron transfer (SET) agents. Opportunities and challenges in this emerging and exciting field are discussed.     

Organs on microfluidic chips: A mini review

Microfluidic technology provides opportunities to create in vitro models with physiological microenvironment for cell study. Introducing the identified key aspects, including tissue-tissue interfaces, spatiotemporal chemical gradients, and dynamic mechanical forces, of living organs into the microfluidic system, “organs-on-chips” display an unprecedented application potential in a lot of biological fields such as fundamental physiological and pathophysiological research, drug efficacy and toxicity testing, and clinical diagnosis. Here, we review the recent development of organs-on-chips and briefly discuss their future challenges.     

Biochemical Aspects of Cholinergic Excitation

A prerequisite for every biological system to develop and to continue to function (“to live”) is an effective communication between its components, i.e. its cells. This intercellular communication is essentially of a chemical nature: It employs neurotransmitters and hormones as messengers, and receptors as the receivers of transmitted signals. As is typical for all communication systems, biological signal processes usually also utilize only relatively small amounts of material. This general rule, however, does not apply to some synaptic communication systems. One typical exception, for instance, is the nerve-muscle synapse and, in particular, its special form, the nerve-electroplaque synapse of electric fish. These systems, therefore, lend themselves to biochemical studies permitting investigation of the molecular basis of biological communication processes. Thus, the acetylcholine receptor of the plasma membrane of the postsynaptic cell was established as a structurally and functionally rather complicated “transducer system” responsible for both the reception of the chemical message and its conversion into an electrical activity of the receiving cell.     

Using the gini coefficient to measure the chemical diversity of small‐molecule libraries

Modern databases of small organic molecules contain tens of millions of structures. The size of theoretically available chemistry is even larger. However, despite the large amount of chemical information, the “big data” moment for chemistry has not yet provided the corresponding payoff of cheaper computer‐predicted medicine or robust machine‐learning models for the determination of efficacy and toxicity. Here, we present a study of the diversity of chemical datasets using a measure that is commonly used in socioeconomic studies. We demonstrate the use of this diversity measure on several datasets that were constructed to contain various congeneric subsets of molecules as well as randomly selected molecules. We also apply our method to a number of well‐known databases that are frequently used for structure‐activity relationship modeling. Our results show the poor diversity of the common sources of potential lead compounds compared to actual known drugs. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Design,Synthesis, and Phenotypic Profiling of Pyrano‐Furo‐Pyridone Pseudo Natural Products

Natural products (NPs) inspire the design and synthesis of novel biologically relevant chemical matter, for instance through biology‐oriented synthesis (BIOS). However, BIOS is limited by the partial coverage of NP‐like chemical space by the guiding NPs. The design and synthesis of “pseudo NPs” overcomes these limitations by combining NP‐inspired strategies with fragment‐based compound design through de novo combination of NP‐derived fragments to unprecedented compound classes not accessible through biosynthesis. We describe the development and biological evaluation of pyrano‐furo‐pyridone (PFP) pseudo NPs, which combine pyridone‐ and dihydropyran NP fragments in three isomeric arrangements. Cheminformatic analysis indicates that the PFPs reside in an area of NP‐like chemical space not covered by existing NPs but rather by drugs and related compounds. Phenotypic profiling in a target‐agnostic “cell painting” assay revealed that PFPs induce formation of reactive oxygen species and are structurally novel inhibitors of mitochondrial complex I.     

Design,Synthesis, and Phenotypic Profiling of Pyrano‐Furo‐Pyridone Pseudo Natural Products

Natural products (NPs) inspire the design and synthesis of novel biologically relevant chemical matter, for instance through biology‐oriented synthesis (BIOS). However, BIOS is limited by the partial coverage of NP‐like chemical space by the guiding NPs. The design and synthesis of “pseudo NPs” overcomes these limitations by combining NP‐inspired strategies with fragment‐based compound design through de novo combination of NP‐derived fragments to unprecedented compound classes not accessible through biosynthesis. We describe the development and biological evaluation of pyrano‐furo‐pyridone (PFP) pseudo NPs, which combine pyridone‐ and dihydropyran NP fragments in three isomeric arrangements. Cheminformatic analysis indicates that the PFPs reside in an area of NP‐like chemical space not covered by existing NPs but rather by drugs and related compounds. Phenotypic profiling in a target‐agnostic “cell painting” assay revealed that PFPs induce formation of reactive oxygen species and are structurally novel inhibitors of mitochondrial complex I.     

Gas Chromatographic Separation of Enantiomers it

Separation methods for the resolution of “optical isomers” (especially enantiomers) are developed to solve either of two basic problems: 1) the need to obtain, in optically pure form, one antipode or the other on a scale suitable for further chemical use-i.e.-“preparative” or 2) the analysis of the extent of racemization or “optical resolution” of a mixture of enantiomorphs on a scale sufficient for quantitative analysis-i.e.-“analytical”. The most economical, large-scale separation methods in use today are not chromatographic in nature but rather range from such common, general unit operations as recrystal1ization to very specific biological degradation.lS2 Chromatographic methods are generally limited to systems in which analytical data is the desired end product or in which only relatively small amounts of resolved material are needed.     

Which Metals are Green for Catalysis? Comparison of the Toxicities of Ni,Cu, Fe,Pd, Pt,Rh, and Au Salts

Environmental profiles for the selected metals were compiled on the basis of available data on their biological activities. Analysis of the profiles suggests that the concept of toxic heavy metals and safe nontoxic alternatives based on lighter metals should be re‐evaluated. Comparison of the toxicological data indicates that palladium, platinum, and gold compounds, often considered heavy and toxic, may in fact be not so dangerous, whereas complexes of nickel and copper, typically assumed to be green and sustainable alternatives, may possess significant toxicities, which is also greatly affected by the solubility in water and biological fluids. It appears that the development of new catalysts and novel applications should not rely on the existing assumptions concerning toxicity/nontoxicity. Overall, the available experimental data seem insufficient for accurate evaluation of biological activity of these metals and its modulation by the ligands. Without dedicated experimental measurements for particular metal/ligand frameworks, toxicity should not be used as a “selling point” when describing new catalysts.     

Toward a Consistent Interpretation of the QTAIM: Tortuous Link between Chemical Bonds,Interactions, and Bond/Line Paths

Currently, bonding analysis of molecules based on the Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules (QTAIM) is popular; however, “misinterpretations” of the QTAIM analysis are also very frequent. In this contribution the chemical relevance of the bond path as one of the key topological entities emerging from the QTAIM’s topological analysis of the one‐electron density is reconsidered. The role of nuclear vibrations on the topological analysis is investigated demonstrating that the bond paths are not indicators of chemical bonds. Also, it is argued that the detection of the bond paths is not necessary for the “interaction” to be present between two atoms in a molecule. The conceptual disentanglement of chemical bonds/interactions from the bonds paths, which are alternatively termed “line paths” in this contribution, dismisses many superficial inconsistencies. Such inconsistencies emerge from the presence/absence of the line paths in places of a molecule in which chemical intuition or alternative bonding analysis does not support the presence/absence of a chemical bond. Moreover, computational QTAIM studies have been performed on some “problematic” molecules, which were considered previously by other authors, and the role of nuclear vibrations on presence/absence of the line paths is studied demonstrating that a bonding pattern consistent with other theoretical schemes appears after a careful QTAIM analysis and a new “interpretation” of data is performed.     

Cytotoxicity of doxorubicin conjugated with C60 fullerene. Structural and in vitro studies

Structural Chemistry - Conjugating an anticancer drug of high biological efficacy but large cytotoxicity with a “transporting” molecule of low toxicity constitutes a valuable approach...     

中药质量评价关键问题与分析方法探讨

该文针对我国目前中药质量评价体系现状,总结了中药质量评价的关键科学问题,并围绕"发现"与"控制"有效成分的中药质量评价方法进行探讨.笔者结合多年中药质量分析研究工作经验,分析了中药"谱-效"关系研究、全时段等基线多波长融合指纹图谱、生物活性测定法3种质量评价与检测方法的研究内容、手段、适用范围等,为丰富、完善中药质量控...     

Flavonoids in Lemon and Grapefruit IntegroPectin**

Following the analysis of terpenes present in new lemon and grapefruit “IntegroPectin” pectins obtained via the hydrodynamic cavitation of industrial lemon and grapefruit processing waste, the HPLC-MS analysis of flavonoid and other phenolic compounds reveals the presence of eriocitrin, naringin, hesperidin and kaempferol typical of the respective citrus fruits. The pectic fibers rich in rhamnogalacturonan-I regions act as chemical sponges adsorbing and concentrating at their outer surface highly bioactive citrus flavonoids and terpenes. These findings, together with the unique molecular structure of these new whole citrus pectins, provide preliminary insight into the broad-scope biological activity of these new biomaterials. Numerous new biomedical applications are anticipated, including likely use in the prevention and treatment of microbial infections and neurodegenerative disease.     

A Biomimetic Nanoparticle to “Lure and Kill” Phospholipase A2

Inhibition of phospholipase A2 (PLA2) has long been considered for treating various diseases associated with an elevated PLA2 activity. However, safe and effective PLA2 inhibitors remain unavailable. Herein, we report a biomimetic nanoparticle design that enables a “lure and kill” mechanism designed for PLA2 inhibition (denoted “L&K-NP”). The L&K-NPs are made of polymeric cores wrapped with modified red blood cell membrane with two inserted key components: melittin and oleyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (OOPC). Melittin acts as a PLA2 attractant that works together with the membrane lipids to “lure” in-coming PLA2 for attack. Meanwhile, OOPC acts as inhibitor that “kills” PLA2 upon enzymatic attack. Both compounds are integrated into the L&K-NP structure, which voids toxicity associated with free molecules. In the study, L&K-NPs effectively inhibit PLA2-induced hemolysis. In mice administered with a lethal dose of venomous PLA2, L&K-NPs also inhibit hemolysis and confer a significant survival benefit. Furthermore, L&K-NPs show no obvious toxicity in mice. and the design provides a platform technology for a safe and effective anti-PLA2 approach.     

An informatic pipeline for managing high-throughput screening experiments and analyzing data from stereochemically diverse libraries

Integration of flexible data-analysis tools with cheminformatics methods is a prerequisite for successful identification and validation of “hits” in high-throughput screening (HTS) campaigns. We have designed, developed, and implemented a suite of robust yet flexible cheminformatics tools to support HTS activities at the Broad Institute, three of which are described herein. The “hit-calling” tool allows a researcher to set a hit threshold that can be varied during downstream analysis. The results from the hit-calling exercise are reported to a database for record keeping and further data analysis. The “cherry-picking” tool enables creation of an optimized list of hits for confirmatory and follow-up assays from an HTS hit list. This tool allows filtering by computed chemical property and by substructure. In addition, similarity searches can be performed on hits of interest and sets of related compounds can be selected. The third tool, an “S/SAR viewer,” has been designed specifically for the Broad Institute’s diversity-oriented synthesis (DOS) collection. The compounds in this collection are rich in chiral centers and the full complement of all possible stereoisomers of a given compound are present in the collection. The S/SAR viewer allows rapid identification of both structure/activity relationships and stereo-structure/activity relationships present in HTS data from the DOS collection. Together, these tools enable the prioritization and analysis of hits from diverse compound collections, and enable informed decisions for follow-up biology and chemistry efforts.     

Chemical Protein Synthesis by Native Chemical Ligation and Variations Thereof

For a long time, the total synthesis of proteins was considered as a “mission impossible” because of the tedious and complex synthetic steps and demanding purification processes. However, with the development of modern synthetic methodologies, many protein syntheses have now been reported. More importantly, through chemical synthesis, desired modifications can be installed to target proteins precisely, which is a major advantage over traditional bio‐synthesis approaches. This review summarizes the techniques developed for protein assembly, including native chemical ligation, Se‐mediated ligation, and a range of other ligation methods. A few synthetic examples, whereby synthetic proteins with desired modifications have been utilized for related biological research, are also included. We believe that chemical synthesis can provide alternative pathways to solve problems that have hitherto proved insurmountable by traditional biological approaches.     

A Biomimetic Nanoparticle to “Lure and Kill” Phospholipase A2

Inhibition of phospholipase A2 (PLA2) has long been considered for treating various diseases associated with an elevated PLA2 activity. However, safe and effective PLA2 inhibitors remain unavailable. Herein, we report a biomimetic nanoparticle design that enables a “lure and kill” mechanism designed for PLA2 inhibition (denoted “L&K‐NP”). The L&K‐NPs are made of polymeric cores wrapped with modified red blood cell membrane with two inserted key components: melittin and oleyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (OOPC). Melittin acts as a PLA2 attractant that works together with the membrane lipids to “lure” in‐coming PLA2 for attack. Meanwhile, OOPC acts as inhibitor that “kills” PLA2 upon enzymatic attack. Both compounds are integrated into the L&K‐NP structure, which voids toxicity associated with free molecules. In the study, L&K‐NPs effectively inhibit PLA2‐induced hemolysis. In mice administered with a lethal dose of venomous PLA2, L&K‐NPs also inhibit hemolysis and confer a significant survival benefit. Furthermore, L&K‐NPs show no obvious toxicity in mice. and the design provides a platform technology for a safe and effective anti‐PLA2 approach.     

Microfluidics in the “Open Space” for Performing Localized Chemistry on Biological Interfaces

Local interactions between (bio)chemicals and biological interfaces play an important role in fields ranging from surface patterning to cell toxicology. These interactions can be studied using microfluidic systems that operate in the “open space”, that is, without the need for the sealed channels and chambers commonly used in microfluidics. This emerging class of techniques localizes chemical reactions on biological interfaces or specimens without imposing significant “constraints” on samples, such as encapsulation, pre‐processing steps, or the need for scaffolds. They therefore provide new opportunities for handling, analyzing, and interacting with biological samples. The motivation for performing localized chemistry is discussed, as are the requirements imposed on localization techniques. Three classes of microfluidic systems operating in the open space, based on microelectrochemistry, multiphase transport, and hydrodynamic flow confinement of liquids are presented.