Use of Normal IgG and its Fragments to Lower the Non-Specific Binding of Fab'-Enzyme Conjugates in Sandwich Enzyme Immunoassay

Abstract

An antibody IgG-coated polystyrene ball was incubated with an antigen and then with affinity-purified Fab'-enzyme conjugate in the presence of normal IgG, F(ab')₂, Fab' or Fab'-bovine serum albumin conjugate. After washing by incubation at 30[ddot]C for 10 min with shaking, the enzyme activity bound to the polystyrene ball was assayed. The non-specific binding of the Fab'-enzyme conjugate to the polystyrene ball considerably decreased in the presence of normal IgG and the other related proteins, while the specific binding decreased only slightly. As a result, the detection limit of hCG, human IgE and human α-fetoprotein was improved 3 to 10-fold.     

RuO4-mediated oxidative polycyclization of linear polyenes. A new approach to the synthesis of the bis-THF diol core of antitumour cis-cis adjacent bis-THF annonaceous acetogenins

The RuO₄-catalyzed oxidative polycyclization of some selected linear polyenes, possessing a repetitive 1,5-diene structural motif, has been investigated. The all-trans triene (E,E,E)-acetic acid henicosa-2,6,10-trienyl ester gave the expected bis-tetrahydrofuranyl diol product possessing a threo-cis-threo-cis-threo relative configuration, along with a mixture of the corresponding bis-THF ketols. These compounds can be seen as useful intermediates in the synthesis of the bis-THF diol core of adjacent bis-THF antitumour acetogenins possessing a threo-cis-threo-cis-erythro relative configuration, such as rolliniastatiin-1, membranacin, rollimembrin and membrarollin. Oxidation of the related all-trans tetraene (E,E,E,E)-acetic acid pentacosa-2,6,10,14-tetraenyl ester stops at the second cyclization step giving a mixture of a threo-cis-threo-cis-threo bis-THF diol and the corresponding ketol products. Oxidation of the triene (E,Z,E)-acetic acid 12-acetoxy-dodeca-2,6,10-trienyl ester stops at the monocyclization level failing to give bis-cyclized products, as previously observed for the related isoprenoid triene (E,Z)-farnesyl acetate. This result confirms the difficulty of closing a second THF ring when the central double bond of the triene possesses a cis configuration. Based on the collected results, a plausible model is proposed that both explains the observed cis/trans stereoselectivity for each ring-closing step in these processes, and rationalize the stereochemical course of the previously studied polycyclization of the isoprenoid polyenes (E,E)-farnesyl acetate, geranylgeranyl acetate and squalene.     

An efficient mixed solid-liquid phase synthesis of a heterobifunctional amphiphilic PEG-NH2 derivative and its conjugation to folic acid

A very efficient, versatile as well as simple to perform procedure was developed in order to prepare a heterobifunctional amphiphilic PEG-NH₂ derivative which can be used for conjugation to a targeting ligand (such as folic acid). This method proceeds by a mixed solid-liquid phase strategy using a TentaGel^® PAP resin, a copolymer consisting of a polystyrene matrix on which a PEG (M_w 3400 Da) terminated by an amino function has been grafted. Solid phase chemistry was used for the conjugation of a highly hydrophobic moiety. After release from the resin, the amphiphilic PEG-OH conjugate was converted into its corresponding amphiphilic PEG-NH₂ derivative (four steps in 77% overall yields). This procedure allowed the preparation of ∼330 mg batches. This derivative was then coupled to folic acid, a ligand that is used for the targeting of drug (gene) carrier and delivery systems to cells over-expressing the folate receptor. The low and high molecular weight of folic acid and its amphiphilic PEG-folate conjugate, respectively, allowed easy purification by dialysis and led to the targeted compound with high recovery.     

A Method for Evaluating the Level of Soluble β‐Amyloid(1–40/1–42) in Alzheimer’s Disease Based on the Binding of Gelsolin to β‐Amyloid Peptides

In the present work, a new electrochemical strategy for the sensitive and specific detection of soluble β‐amyloid Aβ_{(1–40/1–42)} peptides in a rat model of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is described. In contrast to previous antibody‐based methods, β‐amyloid_{(1–40/1–42)} was quantified based on its binding to gelsolin, a secretory protein present in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma. The level of soluble β‐amyloid peptides in the CSF and various brain regions were found with this method to be lower in rats with AD than in normal rats.     

Conjugate addition of indoles to α,β-unsaturated ketones using Cu(OTf)2 immobilized in ionic liquids

Indoles undergo smooth conjugate addition with α,β-unsaturated ketones in the presence of 10 mol% copper(II) triflate immobilized in air and moisture stable [bmim]BF₄ ionic liquid under mild conditions to afford the corresponding conjugate addition products in high to quantitative yields. The recovery of Cu(OTf)₂ is facilitated by the ionic liquid. The recovered catalyst was reused four to five times with consistent activity.     

Controlled morphology synthesis of β-FeOOH and the phase transition to Fe2O3

The hexagram and arrayed β-FeOOH nanorods were first synthesized free of surfactants through the solvent-thermal method. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectrum (EDAX) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) were used to characterize the as-prepared products. The TEM and FESEM images showed that hexagram β-FeOOH and arrayed rod-like β-FeOOH with an average diameter of 10-15 nm and an average length of 100 nm (aspect ratio is about 10) were prepared. Electrochemical tests show that these nanorods deliver a large discharge capacity of 277 mA h g⁻¹ versus Li metal at 0.1 mA cm⁻² (voltage at 1.5-4.2 V). Treated the as-synthesized rod-like β-FeOOH by annealing, rhombus hematite was obtained.     

A DFT study of lithium battery materials: application to the β-VOXO4 systems (X=P, As, S)

VOXO₄ systems have been considered as potential lithium battery electrodes. They mainly present two distinct structural types: the tetragonal “α” type with a two-dimensional framework, and the three-dimensional orthorhombic “β”. DFT calculations were performed on this latter system for several β-Li_xVOXO₄ compounds (x=0, 1; X=P, As, S). They allowed to propose structural models for VOAsO₄ and LiVOSO₄, not fully crystallographically well described yet. Based on an experimental model of two-phase processes, these calculations led also to a good simulation of electrochemical potential values. A density of states analysis put in evidence the “inductive effect” and the role played by (XO₄)ⁿ⁻ groups inside the host frameworks on these potentials.     

Integration of metabolomics and network pharmacology to validate the mechanism of Schisandra chinensis（Turcz.）Baill - Acorus tatarinowii Schott ameliorating the Alzheimer's disease by regulating the aromatase activity to affect local estrogen in brain of AD model rats

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a latent and progressive neurodegenerative disease. Schisandra chinensis（Turcz.）Baill - Acorus tatarinowii Schott (Sc-At) are effective in treating neurological disorders.Purpose of this study is to explore the mechanism of Sc-At in AD treatment. First, untargeted ultra-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole-time of flight/mass spectrometer (UPLC-QTOF/MS) metabolomics was employed to detect the rat brain metabolism. Then, network pharmacology was used to determine the potential anti-AD targets. Bioinformatics, and molecular docking were conducted for further analysis. A MetScape study examined the association between differential metabolites and potential targets. Finally, the targeted ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) metabolomics and the potential protein activity studies were carried out to elucidate the mechanisms. The results showed that Sc-At improved the neuronal cell alignment disorder in hippocampal CA1 region of AD rats. In brain metabolomics, 30 differential metabolites were screened in the study model versus blank group. The network pharmacology analyzed 54 targets of Sc-At anti-AD where, 14 were correlated with amyloid β-protein (Aβ). Aromatase was selected as an important hub target having the best binding power in molecular docking simulation predictions and also correlated with Aβ. Further tests showed that the brain aromatase activity, and the downstream product 17β-Estradiol levels were elevated in AD rats treated with Sc-At. This work may provide new perspectives for the pharmacological effects and the action mechanisms of natural compounds extracts in treating AD progression.