Gapmer Antisense Oligonucleotides Containing 2′,3′-Dideoxy-2′-fluoro-3′-C-hydroxymethyl-β-d-lyxofuranosyl Nucleotides Display Site-Specific RNase H Cleavage and Induce Gene Silencing

Off-target effects remain a significant challenge in the therapeutic use of gapmer antisense oligonucleotides (AONs). Over the years various modifications have been synthesized and incorporated into AONs, however, precise control of RNase H-induced cleavage and target sequence selectivity has yet to be realized. Herein, the synthesis of the uracil and cytosine derivatives of a novel class of 2′-deoxy-2′-fluoro-3′-C-hydroxymethyl-β-d -lyxo-configured nucleotides has been accomplished and the target molecules have been incorporated into AONs. Experiments on exonuclease degradation showed improved nucleolytic stability relative to the unmodified control. Upon the introduction of one or two of the novel 2′-fluoro-3′-C-hydroxymethyl nucleotides as modifications in the gap region of a gapmer AON was associated with efficient RNase H-mediated cleavage of the RNA strand of the corresponding AON:RNA duplex. Notably, a tailored single cleavage event could be engineered depending on the positioning of a single modification. The effect of single mismatched base pairs was scanned along the full gap region demonstrating that the modification enables a remarkable specificity of RNase H cleavage. A cell-based model system was used to demonstrate the potential of gapmer AONs containing the novel modification to mediate gene silencing.     

Determination of selected trace elements in marine biota samples with the application of fast temperature programs and solid sampling continuous source high resolution atomic absorption spectroscopy: method validation

Analytical procedure for the determination of As, Cd, Cu, Ni, Co and Cr in marine biota samples using solid sampling high-resolution continuum source atomic absorption spectrometry (HR CS AAS) and accelerated fast temperature programmes has been developed. Calibration technique based on the use of solid certified reference materials similar to the nature of the analysed sample and statistics of regression analysis were applied. A validation approach in line with the requirements of ISO 17025 standard and Eurachem guidelines was followed. Accordingly, blanks, selectivity, calibration, linearity, working range, trueness, repeatability and reproducibility, limits of detection and quantification and expanded uncertainty for all investigated elements were assessed. The major contributors to the combined uncertainty of the analyte mass fractions were found to be the homogeneity of the samples and the microbalance precision. Traceability to the SI system of units of the obtained with the proposed analytical procedure results was also demonstrated. The potential of the proposed analytical procedure based on solid sampling HR CS AAS technique was demonstrated by direct analysis of marine reference biota samples. Overall, the use of solid sampling HR CS AAS permits obtaining significant advantages for the determination of selected trace elements in marine biota samples, such as straightforward calibration, a high sample throughput, sufficient precision, a suitable limit of detection and reduced risk of analyte loss and contamination.     

Preparation and properties of polyesters from diphenylmethane-4,4′-di(methylthiopropionic acid) and aliphatic diols

The new linear polyesters containing sulfur in the main chain were obtained by melt polycondensation of diphenylmethane-4,4′-di(methylthiopropionic acid) with ethanediol, 1,3-propanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,5-pentanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, 1,2-propanediol, 1,3-butanediol, and 2,2′-oxydiethanol. Low-molecular weights, low-softening temperatures and, very good solubility in organic solvents are their characteristics. The structure of all polyesters was determined by elemental analysis, FT-IR and ¹H-NMR spectroscopy, and x-ray diffraction analysis. The thermal behavior of these polymers was examined by differential thermal analysis (DTA), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The kinetics of polyesters formation by uncatalyzed melt polycondensation was studied in a model system: diphenylmethane-4,4′-di(methylthiopropionic acid) and 1,4-butanediol or 2,2′-oxydiethanol at 150, 160, and 170°C. Reaction rate constants (k₃) and activation parameters (ΔG^≠, ΔH^≠, ΔS^≠) from carboxyl group loss were determined using classical kinetic methods. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Effect of microcrystalline and microfibrillated cellulose on the evolution of hydration of cement pastes by thermogravimetry

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - The interest in the use of cellulose fibers of increasingly smaller sizes in cementitious materials has increased in recent years. This paper brings...     

Enzymatic hydrolysis of heterocyclic nitriles

Chemoselective hydrolysis of heterocyclic nitriles can be achieved by an easy to use immobilized biocatalyst prepared from Rhodococcus sp. Pyrimidine-2-carbonitrile ( 2a ) and 3-chloropyridazine-4-carbonitrile ( 4a ) were converted into the corresponding amides while from 2-ethoxycarbonyl-4-pyridinecarbonitrile ( 1a ), 6-methylpyridazine-3-carbonitrile ( 3a ), 3-chloropyridazine-4-carbonitrile ( 4a ), 3-ethoxycarbonyl-4,5-dihydroisoxazole-5-carbonitrile ( 8a ), indole-3-carbonitrile ( 9a ) and indole-3-ylacetonitrile ( 10a ) the acids were formed.