A simple and rapid high performance liquid chromatographic method with fluorescence detection for the estimation of fexofenadine in rat plasma--application to preclinical pharmacokinetics

A sensitive high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method involving fluorescence detection was developed for the determination of fexofenadine (FEX), known to have low oral bioavailability, in rat plasma. In order to understand the effect of various chromatographic factors on the separation of analytes and to simultaneously optimize the resolution and analysis run time, a response surface method was used. The chromatographic separation was achieved using a Supelco C(18)-DB (250 mm x 4.6mm I.D./5 microm particle size) column with mobile phase comprising of ammonium acetate buffer and acetonitrile (63:37, v/v), delivered isocratically at a flow rate of 1.0 mL min(-1). Diphenhydramine was used as an internal standard (I.S.). The statistical evaluation of the method was examined and the method was found to be precise and accurate with a linearity range of 1-500 ng mL(-1) (r>0.9980). The intra- and inter-day precision studies showed good reproducibility with coefficients of variation (C.V.) less than 12.26%. The advantages of our method are small sample volume (100 microL), short time of analysis (13 min) and a simple sample extraction and clean-up as compared to the previously published methods. The established method provides a reliable bioanalytical methodology to carry out FEX pharmacokinetics in rat plasma.     

Recent advances in liquid chromatographic methods for the determination of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors

Depression is now the second largest public health burden throughout the world. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) have replaced older antidepressants to become first-line medications to treat this disease with increased remission rates and markedly decreased incidence of severe adverse events. Traditional and modern bioanalytical strategies for SSRI and SNRI determination are being continuously improved. There has also been a recent increase in the use of unconventional sample preparation methods. This review critically evaluates the development of SSRI and SNRI liquid chromatographic analytical methods published between 2014 and mid-2019, with special attention to novel sample preparation methods.     

Matrix effect and methods for its elimination in bioanalytical methods using chromatography-mass spectrometry

The causes of the occurrence of matrix effect in bioanalytical methods using chromatography-mass spectrometry have been discussed. The comparative evaluation of the most frequently used methods for the reduction and elimination of matrix effects by the selection of an internal standard, various versions of sample preparation of biological samples for analysis, and the optimization of chromatographic and mass-spectrometric parameters has been performed. International requirements to the determination of the matrix effect in the validation of bioanalytical methods have been considered.     

Recent advances in sample preparation techniques for effective bioanalytical methods

This paper reviews the recent developments in bioanalysis sample preparation techniques and gives an update on basic principles, theory, applications and possibilities for automation, and a comparative discussion on the advantages and limitation of each technique. Conventional liquid-liquid extraction (LLE), protein precipitation (PP) and solid-phase extraction (SPE) techniques are now been considered as methods of the past. The last decade has witnessed a rapid development of novel sample preparation techniques in bioanalysis. Developments in SPE techniques such as selective sorbents and in the overall approach to SPE, such as hybrid SPE and molecularly imprinted polymer SPE, have been addressed. Considerable literature has been published in the area of solid-phase micro-extraction and its different versions, e.g. stir bar sorptive extraction, and their application in the development of selective and sensitive bioanalytical methods. Techniques such as dispersive solid-phase extraction, disposable pipette extraction and micro-extraction by packed sorbent offer a variety of extraction phases and provide unique advantages to bioanalytical methods. On-line SPE utilizing column-switching techniques is rapidly gaining acceptance in bioanalytical applications. PP sample preparation techniques such as PP filter plates/tubes offer many advantages like removal of phospholipids and proteins in plasma/serum. Newer approaches to conventional LLE techniques (salting-out LLE) are also covered in this review article.     

Catalyst Deactivation During Rhodium Complex-Catalyzed Propargylic C−H Activation

Detailed mechanistic investigations on our previously reported synthesis of branched allylic esters by the rhodium complex-catalyzed propargylic C−H activation have been carried out. Based on initial mechanistic studies, we present herein more detailed investigations of the reaction mechanism. For this, various analytical (NMR, X-ray crystal structure analysis, Raman) and kinetic methods were used to characterize the formation of intermediates under the reaction conditions. The knowledge obtained by this was used to further optimize the previous conditions and generate a more active catalytic system.     

糖尿病、鼻咽癌的头发分析模拟诊断

以糖尿病病人和鼻咽癌病人为例，建立了基于头发微量元素含量，可用于辅助筛选或识别病人的一种定量指标——动态诊断指标。模拟诊断显示，该定量指标具有较高的辨别一个人是否患有某种疾病(在此，为糖尿病或鼻咽癌)的准确率，其实际应用值得进一步探讨。     

Quantitation of VEGFR2 (vascular endothelial growth factor receptor) inhibitors – review of assay methodologies and perspectives

The introduction of small‐molecule tyrosine kinase VEGFR2 (vascular endothelial growth factor receptor) inhibitors has added another dimension in the treatment of several oncology indications as they offer a unique mechanism. The VEGFR2 inhibitors have demonstrated superior benefits in treating certain types of cancer, such as renal cell carcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma, as a monotherapy option. Many of the approved VEGFR2 inhibitors have also shown promise when used in combination with other anticancer agents. There are numerous bioanalytical methods published for the analysis of VEGFR2 inhibitors in preclinical and clinical samples. This review covers VEGFR2 inhibitors such as sunitinib, sorafenib, pazopanib and JI‐101. In addition to providing a comprehensive review of the available methods for the above‐mentioned VRGFR2 inhibitors, it also provides information on assays that can simultaneously measure multiple tyrosine kinase inhibitors, including VEGFR2 molecules. Based on the review, the published methodologies using LC/MS‐MS or HPLC‐UV are adequate for the quantification of the VEGFR2 inhibitors and can easily be established in a modern day bioanalytical laboratory. The availability of a plethora of assays for multiple tyrosine kinase inhibitors makes it easy to analyze a panel of compounds to support either therapeutic drug monitoring and/or clinical pharmacokinetics. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Bioanalytical chromatographic methods for the determination of catechol-O-methyltransferase inhibitors in rodents and human samples: A review

In the past years, it has been recognised that the levodopa therapy may be improved with therapeutic regimens including a catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitor. At the present time, tolcapone and entacapone are the only two COMT inhibitors available in the market. However, further COMT inhibitors are under development for Parkinson's disease, namely nebicapone and opicapone (formerly known as BIA 9-1067). In addition, the nitecapone, another well-known COMT inhibitor, is also in preclinical development but for neuropathic pain. Since the 1990s different liquid chromatography methods have been developed and validated to quantify tolcapone, entacapone, nitecapone, nebicapone and some metabolites in biological samples, particularly in plasma samples obtained from rodent and human species. These bioanalytical methods have been primarily used to support pharmacokinetic assays with such COMT inhibitors in non-clinical and clinical studies. As these inhibitors present hydrophobic groups in their chemical structures, reversed-phase liquid chromatography has been used as the major approach for the determination of such compounds, especially high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to ultraviolet detection (HPLC-UV), electrochemical detection (HPLC-ECD) and mass spectrometry detection (HPLC–MS). Regarding the sample preparation, the traditional liquid–liquid extraction (LLE) and solid-phase extraction (SPE) were also the most widely used procedures for extraction of the analytes of interest prior to the analysis of samples. Thus, this review aimed to gather, for the first time, sufficient background information about the bioanalytical chromatographic methods which have been already developed and applied for the determination of tolcapone, entacapone, nitecapone, nebicapone and their metabolites. Moreover, some pharmacokinetic aspects of the COMT inhibitors with interest from a bioanalytical perspective were also addressed.     

Theoretical evaluation of sensitivity and thermal stability for high explosives based on quantum chemistry methods: A brief review

Over the past 20 years, a number of scientists have conducted numerous fundamental investigations based on quantum chemistry theory into various mechanistic processes that seems to contribute to the sensitivity of energetic materials. A large number of theoretical methods that have been used to predict their mechanical and spark sensitivity are summarized in this article, in which the advantages and disadvantages of these methods, together with their scope of use are clarified. In addition, the theoretical models for thermal stability of explosives are briefly introduced as a supplement. It has been concluded that the current ability to predict sensitivity is merely based on a series of empirical rules, such as simple oxygen balance, molecular properties, and the ratios of C and H to oxygen for different classes of explosive compounds. These are valid only for organic classes of explosives, though some special models have been proposed for inorganic explosives, such as azides. An exact standard for sensitivity should be established experimentally by some new techniques for both energetic compounds and their mixtures. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

An Overview of Recent Advances in the Synthesis of Organic Unsymmetrical Disulfides

Organic unsymmetrical disulfides have been extensively applied in various academic and industrial fields including intermediates in organic synthesis, agriculture, and food science, natural materials, biochemistry, pharmaceutical and medicine chemistry, polymers, material engineering, etc. They play a crucial role in the fabrication of various biological active sulfur heterocycles. Due to broad and extensive applications, many methods have been developed for the synthesis of unsymmetrical S−S and efforts have been made to improve some issues such as cost, energy efficiency, green chemistry, avoid or minimizing waste generation. Several outstanding review articles have been previously published highlighting the advances of S−S bond formation, in general, using various reagents under different conditions in the absence or presence of oxidants/catalysts. In 2020, a review paper was published by our group focusing on recent developments since 2014 in the synthesis of organic symmetrical disulfides. However, investigations on new catalytic methods are being regularly reported and new types of unsymmetrical disulfides are synthesized. The present overview has attempted to systematically summarize recent advances in the process of unsymmetrical S−S bond formation with a major focus since 2010, highlighting mechanistic considerations, substrate scope, advantages, and limitations. The patents are not studied in this overview.     

Studies on the response of soil microflora to the application of the fungicide fenhexamid

The aim of this work was to evaluate the impact of the fungicide fenhexamid (FEX) on the genetic structure of soil bacterial communities using the Ribosomal Intergenic Spacer Analysis molecular technique. Using real-time PCR, we also tried to quantify the pcaH sequences which encode the dioxygenases involved in the degradation process of a variety of aromatic compounds. Soil taken from a vineyard in the Etna Park (Sicily, Italy) was treated with FEX in the ratio 2?µg?g^?1 soil every 7?days, the process being repeated four times. The analyses were carried out before treatment and 7?days after each further application of FEX. At the same time, the degradation rate was evaluated. The use of FEX determined a variation in the bacterial component of the soil which could be seen in an increase of some microbial strains and the inhibition of others. The pcaH sequence was already present in the genes of the soil microrganisms studied, but the use of FEX increased the number of the gene copies. These results suggest that the microbial population of the soil adapted to the presence of FEX with an increase in degradation potential. The measurements of the extent to which FEX was degraded confirm this hypothesis, showing that the molecule disappeared more quickly with successive applications.     

Excited state ab initio and Franck-Condon simulation of S1 → S0 fluorescence excitation spectra of p-, m-, and o-difluorobenzenes

Although difluorobenzenes (DFBs) are well-known organic molecules to understand the electronic structure and spectroscopy of benzene and its derivatives, few theoretical investigations have been performed to simulate their fine spectra and assign their vibrational bands. In this work, the fluorescence excitation (FEX) spectra of the first excited singlet states for three DFBs molecules (para-, meta- and ortho-difluorobenzene) were simulated by the Franck-Condon calculations with the displaced harmonic oscillator approximation plus the distorted correction. The calculated results indicated that the spectral profiles of three DFBs are primarily described by the Franck-Condon progression of their totally symmetric vibrational modes. Specifically, it is found that modes v(3) and v(5) of para-DFB, v(8) and v(9) of meta-DFB, and ortho-DFB play the most important roles in the fluorescence spectra. By taking into account the contributions of the distorted effect, we could assign most of the dominant overtones from the nontotally symmetric vibrational modes, and the results agree well with the experimental assignments. Some inferred and unassigned vibrational transitions in experiment were confirmed according to the present calculated results. In addition, in the simulated fluorescence spectra, we tentatively assigned several combination bands with relative moderate intensity and weak vibrational lines which appeared in the experimental observations but the corresponding assignments were not given. The present work reproduced satisfactorily the experimental FEX spectra of p-, m-, and o-DFBs derivatives and provided a useful method to simulate the FEX spectra of dihalogenated benzene molecules.     

Prediction of Drug-Drug Interaction Using an Attention-Based Graph Neural Network on Drug Molecular Graphs

The treatment of complex diseases by using multiple drugs has become popular. However, drug-drug interactions (DDI) may give rise to the risk of unanticipated adverse effects and even unknown toxicity. Therefore, for polypharmacy safety it is crucial to identify DDIs and explore their underlying mechanisms. The detection of DDI in the wet lab is expensive and time-consuming, due to the need for experimental research over a large volume of drug combinations. Although many computational methods have been developed to predict DDIs, most of these are incapable of predicting potential DDIs between drugs within the DDI network and new drugs from outside the DDI network. In addition, they are not designed to explore the underlying mechanisms of DDIs and lack interpretative capacity. Thus, here we propose a novel method of GNN-DDI to predict potential DDIs by constructing a five-layer graph attention network to identify k-hops low-dimensional feature representations for each drug from its chemical molecular graph, concatenating all identified features of each drug pair, and inputting them into a MLP predictor to obtain the final DDI prediction score. The experimental results demonstrate that our GNN-DDI is suitable for each of two DDI predicting scenarios, namely the potential DDIs among known drugs in the DDI network and those between drugs within the DDI network and new drugs from outside DDI network. The case study indicates that our method can explore the specific drug substructures that lead to the potential DDIs, which helps to improve interpretability and discover the underlying interaction mechanisms of drug pairs.     

Development of validated stability-indicating chromatographic method for the determination of fexofenadine hydrochloride and its related impurities in pharmaceutical tablets

ABSTRACT: A simple reversed phase high performance liquid chromatographic method with diode array detector (HPLC-DAD) has been developed and subsequently validated for the determination of fexofenadine hydrochloride (FEX) and its related compounds; keto fexofenadine (Impurity A), meta isomer of fexofenadine (Impurity B), methyl ester of fexofenadine (Impurity C) in addition to the methyl ester of ketofexofenadine (Impurity D). The separation was based on the use of a Hypersil BDS C-18 analytical column (250 × 4.6 mm, i.d., 5 μm). The mobile phase consisted of a mixture of phosphate buffer containing 0.1 gm% of 1-octane sulphonic acid sodium salt monohydrate and 1% (v/v) of triethylamine, pH 2.7 and methanol (60:40, v/v). The separation was carried out at ambient temperature with a flow rate of 1.5 ml/min. Quantitation was achieved with UV detection at 215 nm using lisinopril as internal standard, with linear calibration curves at concentration ranges 0.1-50 μg/ml for FEX and its related compounds. The optimized conditions were used to develop a stability-indicating HPLC-DAD method for the quantitative determination of FEX and its related compounds in tablet dosage forms. The drugs were subjected to oxidation, hydrolysis, photolysis and heat to apply stress conditions. Complete separation was achieved for the parent compounds and all degradation products. The method was validated according to ICH guidelines in terms of accuracy, precision, robustness, limits of detection and quantitation and other aspects of analytical validation.     

Simultaneous determination of zolazepam and tiletamine in dog plasma by liquid chromatography coupled to a tandem mass spectrometry

A mixture of tiletamine, a dissociative anesthetic, and zolazepam, a minor tranquilizer, has been widely used as an anesthetic or an immobilizing agent in a variety of animal species. However, interestingly, their pharmacokinetic behaviors have been published only in polar bears and pigs. In this study, we introduce a sensitive liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) method for determining the two drugs in dog plasma. After simple protein precipitation with acetonitrile including midazolam (internal standard), the analytes were chromatographed on a reversed‐phase column with a mobile phase of 10 m m ammonium acetate aqueous solution and acetonitrile (1:4, v/v). The accuracy and precision of the assay were in accordance with FDA regulations for the validation of bioanalytical methods. This method was used to measure the concentrations of zolazepam and tiletamine in plasma after a single intramuscular 10 mg dose of each in beagle dogs. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Molecular approaches for monitoring potentially toxic marine and freshwater phytoplankton species

Harmful phytoplankton species are a growing problem in freshwater and marine ecosystems, because of their ability to synthesize toxins that threaten both animal and human health. The monitoring of these microorganisms has so far been based on conventional methods, mainly involving the microscopic counting and identification of cells, and using analytical and bioanalytical methods to identify and quantify the toxins. However, the increasing number of microbial sequences in the GeneBank database and the development of new tools in the last 15 years nowadays enables the use of molecular methods for detection and quantification of harmful phytoplankton species and their toxins. These methods provide species-level identification of the microorganisms of interest, and their early detection in the environment by PCR techniques. Moreover, real time PCR can be used to quantify the cells of interest, and in some cases to evaluate the proportion of toxin-producing and non-toxin-producing genotypes in a population. Recently, microarray technologies have also been used to achieve simultaneous detection and semi-quantification of harmful species in environmental samples. These methods look very promising, but so far their use remains limited to research. The need for validation for routine use and the cost of these methods still hamper their use in monitoring programs.     

Bioanalytical LC–MS/MS validation of therapeutic drug monitoring assays in oncology

Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) has shown to benefit patients treated with drugs of many drug classes, among which is oncology. With an increasing demand for drug monitoring, new assays have to be developed and validated. Guidelines for bioanalytical validation issued by the European Medicines Agency and US Food and Drug Administration are applicable for clinical trials and toxicokinetic studies and demand fully validated bioanalytical methods to yield reliable results. However, for TDM assays a limited validation approach is suggested based on the intended use of these methods. This review presents an overview of publications that describe method validation of assays specifically designed for TDM. In addition to evaluating current practice, we provide recommendations that could serve as a guide for future validations of TDM assays.     

Nickel electrodes as a cheap and versatile platform for studying structure and function of immobilized redox proteins

Practical use of many bioelectronic and bioanalytical devices is limited by the need of expensive materials and time consuming fabrication. Here we demonstrate the use of nickel electrodes as a simple and cheap solid support material for bioelectronic applications. The naturally nanostructured electrodes showed a surprisingly high electromagnetic surface enhancement upon light illumination such that immobilization and electron transfer reactions of the model redox proteins cytochrome b₅ (Cyt b₅) and cytochrome c (Cyt c) could be followed via surface enhanced resonance Raman spectroscopy. It could be shown that the nickel surface, when used as received, promotes a very efficient binding of the proteins upon preservation of their native structure. The immobilized redox proteins could efficiently exchange electrons with the electrode and could even act as an electron relay between the electrode and solubilized myoglobin. Our results open up new possibility for nickel electrodes as an exceptional good support for bioelectronic devices and biosensors on the one hand and for surface enhanced spectroscopic investigations on the other hand.     

Lewis base activation of Lewis acids: development of a Lewis base catalyzed selenolactonization

The concept of Lewis base activation of Lewis acids has been applied to the selenolactonization reaction. Through the use of substoichiometric amounts of Lewis bases with "soft" donor atoms (S, Se, P) significant rate enhancements over the background reaction are seen. Preliminary mechanistic investigations have revealed the resting state of the catalyst as well as the significance of a weak Br?nsted acid promoter.