Single eye analysis and contralateral eye comparison of tear proteins in normal and dry eye model rabbits by MALDI-ToF mass spectrometry using wax-coated target plates

A study of rabbit tear protein expression in a dry eye rabbit model was performed to determine if a pattern in expressed proteins could be identified. The uniqueness of the model allows the comparison of normal (control) eye tear protein expression with surgically induced dry eye tear protein expression in individual animals. The sensitivity of the method allows for single eye analysis. One-dimensional mini-gel electrophoresis of the tear proteins did not show substantial differences between band patterns of the normal versus the dry eye, but was used to assess the molecular weight ranges of the major proteins. Specific assignments of some of the predominant proteins were obtained by tandem mass spectrometry (MS) which showed that the lower molecular weight lipid-binding proteins (approximately 10 kDa to 36 kDa) constitute a considerable amount of the observed protein, followed in lesser quantities by the transferrins which have higher molecular weights ranging from 70 kDa to 85 kDa. Enhancement of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-ToF) MS linear mode analysis of intact proteins in tear fluid was demonstrated through the use of wax-coated MALDI plates and spot washing. MALDI-ToF MS analysis of the expressed tear proteins illustrates that differences between normal eye tear and dry eye tear protein content are manifested in changes in the lower molecular weight lipid-binding proteins such as lipophilin which exhibits an increase in concentration in the dry eye, and β-2 microglobulin which undergoes a decrease.     

Tuning cell adhesion on gradient poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)-grafted surfaces

A simple yet versatile method was developed to prepare a low-density polymerization initiator gradient, which was combined with surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) to produce a well-defined poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (HEMA) gradient substrate. A smooth variation in film thickness was measured across the gradient, ranging from 20 A to over 80 A, but we observed a nonmonotonic variation in water contact angle. Fits of X-ray reflectivity profiles suggested that at the low graft density end, the polymer chain structure was in a "mushroom" regime, while the polymer chains at high graft density were in a "brush" regime. It was found that the "mushroom" region of the gradient could be made adhesive to cells by adsorbing adhesion proteins, and cell adhesion could be tuned by controlling the density of the polymer grafts. Fibroblasts were seeded on gradients precoated with fibronectin to test cellular responses to this novel substrate, but it was found that cell adhesion did not follow the expected trend; instead, saturated cell adhesion and spreading was found at the low grafting density region.     

Asymmetric Michael addition of glycine imines via quaternary ammonium ion catalysis

The asymmetric Michael addition of glycine imine esters to simple α,β-unsaturated ketones via PTC is investigated. It is found that by employing 1 mol % of a chiral quaternary ammonium salt, derived from α-methylnaphthylamine in conjunction with Cs₂CO₃, high enantioselectivities can be obtained in conjugate additions involving simple alkylvinylketones.     

Oxygen plasma-treatment effects on Si transfer

Oxygen plasma-treatment is commonly used to increase the hydrophilicity of poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) stamps used for microcontact printing (muCP) aqueous-based inks. Review of the literature reveals that a wide range of plasma parameters are currently employed to modify stamp surfaces. However, little is known about the effect of these parameters (e.g., power, chamber pressure, duration) on the undesirable transfer of low-molecular-weight silicon-containing fragments from the stamps that commonly occurs during muCP. To study the effect of oxygen plasma-treatment on Si transfer, unpatterned PDMS stamps were treated with oxygen plasma under various conditions and used to stamp deionized water on plasma-activated poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) substrates. Once stamped, the PMMA substrates were analyzed with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) to quantify and characterize silicon present on the substrate surface. In addition, used PDMS stamps were analyzed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to observe topographical changes that occur during oxygen plasma-treatment. XPS results show that all plasma treatments studied significantly reduced the amount of Si transfer from the treated stamps during muCP as compared to untreated PDMS stamps and that the source of transfer is residual PDMS fragments not removed by oxygen plasma. SEM results show that, although the treated stamps undergo a variety of topographical changes, no correlation exists between stamp topography and extent of Si transfer from the stamps.     

PEG- and peptide-grafted aliphatic polyesters by click chemistry

Novel aliphatic polyesters with pendent acetylene groups were prepared by controlled ring-opening polymerization and subsequently used for grafting poly(ethylene glycol) and oligopeptide moieties by the Cu(I)-catalyzed addition of azides and alkynes, a type of "click" chemistry. These aliphatic polyesters possess an acetylene graft density that can be tailored by ring-opening copolymerization of alpha-propargyl-delta-valerolactone (1) with epsilon-caprolactone. Since the mild conditions associated with the click reaction are shown to be compatible with the polyester backbone, this method is a generally useful means for grafting numerous types of functionality onto aliphatic polyesters. The amphiphilic graft polyesters prepared in this study are shown to be biocompatible by in vitro cytotoxicity evaluation, suggesting their suitability for a range of biomaterial applications.     

Synthetic surfaces for ribonuclease adsorption

Intact RNA and DNA are of central importance to biochemical research and biotechnology. The preservation of these nucleic acids requires the absence of nuclease activity. Here, radical-mediated polymerization of vinylsulfonate on resin and glass surfaces is shown to produce a high-density poly(vinylsulfonate) coating that sequesters ribonucleases from aqueous solutions quickly and completely. The adsorptive efficacy of this coating exceeds that of other known coatings by > or =10(7)-fold. Surfaces coated with poly(vinylsulfonate) could be used to maintain the integrity of ribonucleic acids in a variety of contexts.     

Multielement Analysis of Whole Blood Using a Capacitively Coupled Microwave Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometer

A capacitively coupled microwave plasma atomic emission spectrometer (CMP-AES) has been evaluated as a means for the direct analysis of several of the primary and trace elements in whole blood. A tungsten filament spiral electrode was used with the CMP, and whole blood samples were deposited on the electrode and subsequently dried, ashed, and atomized. The emission was measured with a spectrometer and a charge-coupled-device detector. A sample size of only 2 μl was required and the time for each sample run was under 4 min. This method has a wide dynamic range, allowing the determination of both the primary elements in blood and elements present in trace quantities. Potassium, sodium, lithium, magnesium, manganese, and zinc were studied. Good linearity was observed and the concentration levels obtained for these elements were consistent with literature values. The primary advantages of this method are that no sample pretreatment or dilution is required, the instrument cost is low, and the method is capable of simultaneous multielement analysis on small, discrete samples.     

Synthetic and structural studies on some 1,3-diselena- and 1,3-dithia-[3]ferrocenophanes of germanium and tin. crystal and molecular structure of 1,3-diselena-2,2- dichlorogermyl-[3]ferrocenophane

A series of [3]ferrocenophanes of general formula Fe(C₅H₄X)₂YCl₂ and the spiro compounds [Fe(C₅H₄X)₂]₂Ge (X = S, Se; Y = Ge, Sn) have been prepared by the reaction of ferrocene 1,1′-dithiol and ferrocene 1,1′-diselenol with tetrahalides of germanium and tin. Spectroscopic properties of the compounds are reported. In solution, the compounds are fluxional by a bridge reversal process. The crystal structure of 1,3-diselena-2,2-dichlorogermyl-[3]ferrocenophane at 163 K. has been determined by X-ray diffraction methods. At that temperature, crystals have space group P2₁/n with a 6.222(3), b 16.156(13), c 12.968(4) Å, β 97.53(1)° and Z = 4. Least-squares refinement gave R = 0.033 for 2834 unique significant reflections whose intensities were measured by counter diffractometry. The two SeGe bond lengths are 2.323 and 2.325(1) Å, with GeCl 2.148 and 2.161(1) Å. The SeGeSe bond angle is 118.2(1)°, ClGeCl 104.7(1)°, and SeGeCl angles range from 106.2 to 109.8(1)°. The SeC bond lengths are 1.901 and 1.904(5) Å, with CSeGe angles of 95.8 and 96.5(2)°. The cyclopentadienyl rings are in an eclipsed conformation with a mean twist angle of 2.7°, and are inclined to one another at 6.1°. The Se atoms are displaced from the ring planes by 0.17 and 0.20 Å yielding a non-bonded intramolecular Se…Se contact of 3.99 Å.     

Efficacy and Limitations of Chemically Diverse Small-Molecule Enzyme-Inhibitors against the Synergistic Coagulotoxic Activities of Bitis Viper Venoms

Snakebite remains a significant public health burden globally, disproportionately affecting low-income and impoverished regions of the world. Recently, researchers have begun to focus on the use of small-molecule inhibitors as potential candidates for the neutralisation of key snake venom toxins and as potential field therapies. Bitis vipers represent some of the most medically important as well as frequently encountered snake species in Africa, with a number of species possessing anticoagulant phospholipase A₂ (PLA₂) toxins that prevent the prothrombinase complex from inducing clot formation. Additionally, species within the genus are known to exert pseudo-procoagulant activity, whereby kallikrein enzymatic toxins cleave fibrinogen to form a weak fibrin clot that rapidly degrades, thereby depleting fibrinogen levels and contributing to the net anticoagulant state. Utilising well-validated coagulation assays measuring time until clot formation, this study addresses the in vitro efficacy of three small molecule enzyme inhibitors (marimastat, prinomastat and varespladib) in neutralising these aforementioned activities. The PLA₂ inhibitor varespladib showed the greatest efficacy for the neutralisation of PLA₂-driven anticoagulant venom activity, with the metalloproteinase inhibitors prinomastat and marimastat both showing low and highly variable degrees of cross-neutralisation with PLA₂ anticoagulant toxicity. However, none of the inhibitors showed efficacy in neutralising the pseudo-procoagulant venom activity exerted by the venom of B. caudalis. Our results highlight the complex nature of snake venoms, for which single-compound treatments will not be universally effective, but combinations might prove highly effective. Despite the limitations of these inhibitors with regards to in vitro kallikrein enzyme pseudo-procoagulant venom activity, our results further support the growing body of literature indicating the potential use of small molecule inhibitors to enhance first-aid treatment of snakebite envenoming, particularly in cases where hospital and thus antivenom treatment is either unavailable or far away.     

Design of free‐standing microstructured conducting polymer films for enhanced particle removal from non‐uniform surfaces

Efficient removal of particles from topologically‐complex surfaces is of significant import for a range of applications (e.g., explosive residue removal in security arenas). Here, we synthesize next‐generation polymeric particle removal swabs with tuned structural features to elucidate the influence of the polymer microstructure on the removal of trace particles from surfaces. Specifically, microstructured free‐standing films of the conducting polymer polypyrrole (PPy) were synthesized through template‐assisted electropolymerization techniques. The removal of polystyrene microspheres from representative aluminum surfaces of varying roughness was evaluated as a function of the PPy microstructure. PPy‐based microstructured swabs displayed increased particle trapping properties relative to non‐textured PPy‐based swabs and current commercial swabs. This increased effectiveness occurred from the more intimate particle‐swab contact, leading to increased van der Waals interactions for the microstructured swabs. Therefore, this effort provides critical design rules for the production of microstructured conducting polymer materials for their application toward advanced particle removal technologies. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2016 , 54, 1968–1974