Real time electroporation control for accurate and safe in vivo non-viral gene therapy

In vivo cell electroporation is the basis of DNA electrotransfer, an efficient method for non-viral gene therapy using naked DNA. The electric pulses have two roles, to permeabilize the target cell plasma membrane and to transport the DNA towards or across the permeabilized membrane by electrophoresis. For efficient electrotransfer, reversible undamaging target cell permeabilization is mandatory. We report the possibility to monitor in vivo cell electroporation during pulse delivery, and to adjust the electric field strength on real time, within a few microseconds after the beginning of the pulse, to ensure efficacy and safety of the procedure. A control algorithm was elaborated, implemented in a prototype device and tested in luciferase gene electrotransfer to mice muscles. Controlled pulses resulted in protection of the tissue and high levels of luciferase in gene transfer experiments where uncorrected excessive applied voltages lead to intense muscle damage and consecutive loss of luciferase gene expression.     

Interactions between poloxamers in aqueous solutions: micellization and gelation studied by differential scanning calorimetry, small angle X-ray scattering, and rheology

Poloxamers F88 (EO97PO39EO97) and P85 (EO27PO39EO27) are triblock copolymers of ethylene oxide (EO) and propylene oxide (PO), which have the same hydrophobic PO block. We studied aqueous solutions of these two copolymers by the conjoint use of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), rheology, and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). The results showed that the temperature-induced micellization of aqueous solutions of F88 and P85 was a progressive process followed by gelation for sufficiently concentrated samples. Gelation was due to the ordered packing of micelles under a hexagonal compact (HC) structure for P85 and a body-centered cubic (BCC) phase for F88. Importantly, the phase diagram of F88/P85 mixtures in water was elucidated and showed the destabilization of the HC phase upon addition of small amounts of F88.     

Mass spectrometry and scanning electron microscopy study of silicone tunneled dialysis catheter integrity after an exposure of 15 days to 60% ethanol solution

Anti-infectious lock is an emerging therapeutic option for preventing and/or controlling catheter-associated infection. Ethanol has widespread bactericidal activity, limited side effects, and low risk of inducing antimicrobial resistance. However, concerns have been raised about ethanol-induced catheter structural degradation. In this study, silicone catheters were immersed at 37 degrees C in three different solvents: 0.9% sodium chloride, 60% ethanol, and 95% ethanol for 4 h, 15 days and 15 days after a first storage of 4 h. Scanning electron microscopy (magnification 1000-20 000 times) of the inner surface of the catheter revealed no damage to the lumen surfaces of catheters immersed in 95% ethanol for 15 days compared with the reference catheter. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOFMS) analysis of the storage solutions revealed a significant release of polydimethylsiloxanes having a number of dimethylsiloxane units lower than 30 in the 95% ethanol solution and a structure highly consistent with a cyclic structure. Most release occurred within the first 4 h of exposure. In contrast, there was no difference in the small amounts of silicone released in 0.9% sodium chloride as reference and 60% ethanol solution, whatever the exposure time. These results should allow the development of clinical trials to assess the efficacy of the 60% ethanol lock technique in preventing or controlling the infectious complications of silicone dialysis catheters.     

Efficient Intermolecular Charge Transport in Self-Assembled Fibers of Mono- and Bithiophene Bisurea Compounds

Hydrogen bonds between urea units allow self-organization of π systems in mono- and bithiophenes into fibers as shown schematically. In these fibers there is a surprisingly high mobility of charge carriers as determined by pulse-radiolysis time-resolved microwave conductivity measurements.     

Extraction of tungsten and rhenium by basic or neutral extractants in xylene from mineral acidic media

Extraction of WO ₄ ^2– and ReO ₄ ^– by Adogen-381, tricaprylmethylammonium chloride, Hyamine 10-X, trioctylphosphine oxide or dibenzylsulphoxide in xylene from HNO₃, HCl or H₂SO₄ acid medium was investigated. Based on the separation factors obtained, the separation of ReO ₄ ^– from WO ₄ ^2– was elucidated. ReO ₄ ^– was separated from WO ₄ ^2– in high radiochemical purity: >99.9% by three successive extractions and strippings using Adogen-381 from HCl or HNO₃ acid medium.     

New Pyrimidine‐2‐thiones from Reactions of Amidrazonethiols with 2‐Amino‐1,1,2‐ethenetricarbonitrile and Investigation of Their Antitumor Activity

Reactions of thiosemicarbazones with 2‐amino‐1,1,2‐ethenetricarbonitrile were reported. The reaction occurred in the amidrazonyl site, and new pyrimidine‐2‐thiones were obtained. The reaction mechanism was discussed. The structure of products was elucidated by MS, IR, and NMR spectra together with elemental analyses. The antitumor activity was evaluated against one tumor cell line. Using a standard MTT assay, the effect of the samples on the growth of HepG2 cells was investigated. Half of these compounds showed no cytotoxic effect on HepG2 cells, while the others result in decreasing in the HepG2 cell viability.     

Amination of Malononitrile Dimer to Amidines: Synthesis of 6‐aminopyrimidines

Reactions of amidines with malononitrile dimer in DMF and catalyzed with piperidine are reported. The reaction occurred via amination process followed by cyclization to give racemic 6‐aminopyrimidine compounds. The reaction mechanism was discussed. The structure of products was elucidated by mass spectrometry, IR and NMR spectra together with elemental analyses.     

Microwave‐Assisted Synthesis of Arylazoaminopyrazoles as Disperse Dyes for Textile Printing

The synthesis of heterocyclic azo‐dyes via conventional heating and microwave (MW) heating was investigated. From a sequence of reactions starting from cyanoacetic acid, 4‐arylazo‐2H‐pyrazol‐3‐ylamines and 4‐arylazo‐2‐phenyl‐2H‐pyrazol‐3‐ylamines were obtained. The structures these compounds were obtained by inspection of spectroscopic and analytical techniques including ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis. The fastness properties and UV/Vis absorption spectroscopic data of these disperse dyes in printing polyester fabrics were investigated.