Parallel and multiplexed bead-based assays and encoding strategies

Advances in high throughput screening (HTS), together with the rapid progress in combinatorial chemistry, genomic and proteomic sciences have dramatically stimulated the development of a variety tools to enable the drug discovery process to become more efficient. Major future challenges in HTS include obtaining high density and good quality data based on assays that are rapid, reliable, inexpensive, sensitive, simple and miniaturised. This paper reviews the development and role of bead-based assays for HTS including DNA and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) assays, particularly from a multiplex perspective and evaluating the recent advances in bead-based arrays. The encoding strategies that are commonly used in bead-based assays are highlighted, while the importance of magnetic beads in genomic and proteomic purifications is discussed. In conclusion, bead-based assays offer a powerful promising approach for many aspects of drug discovery.     

Study of the morphology of poly(methyl methacrylate) as polymerized by the redox system Ce(IV)–isopropyl alcohol

Methyl methacrylate has been polymerized in aqueous nitric acid at 30°C, with the redox system ceric ammonium nitrate–isopropyl alcohol as initiator. The gravimetric method has been used to follow the reaction. After a short induction period polymerization started, and conversion attained a maximum value with extent of reaction, whereas the ceric ion is exhausted. The size, distribution, and number of PMMA particles formed were measured by scanning electron microscope. From the electron micrographs it was found that the particles are formed over a short period, and that the particle size distribution seems to be determined by flocculation and coagulation of the particles, because these are not stabilized. Average-molecular weight was found to increase at high conversions and the molecular weight distribution became broader as particle size increased. Particle size increased with conversion, whereas the number of particles remained constant.     

Boron trifluoride-methanol complex—mild and powerful reagent for deprotection of labile acetylated amines

A set of amino-group possessing cyanine dyes is obtained from their N-acetyl derivatives via deprotection with boron trifluoride-methanol complex in good yields.     

Theoretical strategy to provide atomistic models of comblike polymers: a generation algorithm combined with configurational bias Monte Carlo

A computational strategy to model the amorphous phase of comblike polymers is presented. The strategy, denoted SuSi/CB (CB-configurational bias), combines the strength of an algorithm recently developed to generate reliable microstructures of dense amorphous polymers, which is based on a random search of energy minima, and configurational bias Monte Carlo method. The influence of different parameters used to define the characteristics of SuSi/CB on both the reliability of the generated structures and the computational effort has been examined in detail. Finally, we have modeled and characterized the supramolecular organization of poly(octadecyl acrylate) in the amorphous state.     

Simultaneous spectrofluorimetric determination of the rare earths with calcein

The reactivity of the fluorescent reagent calcein with the trivalent cations of the rare earths has been spectrofluorimetrically studied in aqueous solution. Optimum excitation and emission wavelengths were 492-497 and 519-522 nm, respectively. Optimum pH was in the range 6.0-9.2. The stoichiometry of the complexes was 1:1. A direct, rapid and sensitive method for the determination of rare earth mixtures has been proposed with a detection limit of 4.49x10(-8) M and a coefficient of variation of 0.82%.     

Novel method for the preparation of anionic surfactant-selective electrodes

A simple one-step synthesis is described for the functionalization of poly(vinyl chloride) used for the preparation of anionic surfactant-selective membrane electrodes. The method is based on the nucleophilic substitution of a fraction of the chlorine atoms bound to the poly(vinyl chloride) backbone by trimethylamine. The prepared slightly charged polymer gave rise to high-quality surfactant-selective electrode membranes, which had a Nernstian response, short response time, and appropriate stability.     

Structures of daurosides A and B — New acylated coumarin glycosides fromHaplophyllum dauricum

From the roots and epigeal parts ofHaplophyllum dauricum (L.) G. Don., new acylated courmarin glycosides have been isolated: dauroside A, C₂₃H₂₈O₁₃, mp 145–147°C (ethanol), [] _D ²² – 72.7° (methanol), and dauroside B, C₃₀H₃₂O₁₄, mp 145–150°C (methanol) [] _D ²² 0° (pyridine). Their structures have been established on the basis of chemical transformations and IR, UV, mass,¹H NMR and¹³C NMR spectra.Institute of the Chemistry of Plant Substances, Academy of Sciences of the Uzbek SSR, Tashkent. Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 2, pp. 142–147, March–April, 1983.     

Characterisation of flavonols in broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica) by liquid chromatography-uV diode-array detection-electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry

The flavonoid composition of broccoli inflorescences has been studied by LC/UV-DAD/ESI-MSn. A large number of hydroxycinnamic acid esters of kaempferol and quercetin glucosides has been characterised. The structures of the flavonoid glycosides were analysed after alkaline hydrolysis, and were identified as 3-sophoroside/sophorotrioside-7-glucoside/sophoroside of kaempferol, quercetin and isorhamnetin (this last found in trace amount). These complex quercetin and isorhamnetin glucosides have not been previously characterised in nature. In addition, several less complex glucosides based on the same aglycones have been identified. The effect of sugar substitution and acylation on chromatographic mobility and ESI ionisation and fragmentation are discussed.     

Where are the Sn atoms in LaSb2Snx, 0.1?x?∼0.75?

The composition range and (composite modulated) structure of compounds within the wide range non-stoichiometric LaSb₂Sn_x, 0.1?x?0.75, solid solution is carefully investigated via a combined electron diffraction, XRD and electron probe microanalysis study. Evidence for metastability of the LaSb₂Sn_x phase at the low x composition end of the solid solution is presented. Direct evidence is found for a reasonably (although by no means perfectly) well ordered Sn sub-structure which is, in general, mutually incommensurable with respect to a very well ordered underlying LaSb₂ sub-structure along both a and c directions. The overall (3+2)-d superspace group symmetry is given along with a discussion of the consequences as regards the arrangement of the Sn atoms. The Sn sub-structure c-axis cell dimension shows very little variation with composition x providing direct experimental evidence of the importance of Sn-Sn metallic bonding (along one-dimensional [001] Sn strings) for the stability of the phase.     

Determination of lead in wines by hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry.

The optimization of lead hydride generation in aqueous ethanolic media and the influence on its generation of the wine components, both white and red, have been studied. These interferences were overcome by careful control of the parameters affecting hydride generation and the procedure was applied to the determination of Pb in wines. The method is fast, accurate and sensitive and can be used to quantify 24 ppb of Pb in wines.