Targeted drug delivery utilizing protein-like molecular architecture

Nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems (nanoDDSs) have seen recent popularity due to their favorable physical, chemical, and biological properties, and great efforts have been made to target nanoDDSs to specific cellular receptors. CD44/chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (CSPG) is among the receptors overexpressed in metastatic melanoma, and the sequence to which it binds within the type IV collagen triple-helix has been identified. A triple-helical "peptide-amphiphile" (alpha1(IV)1263-1277 PA), which binds CD44/CSPG, has been constructed and incorporated into liposomes of differing lipid compositions. Liposomes containing distearoyl phosphatidylcholine (DSPC) as the major bilayer component, in combination with distearoyl phosphatidylglycerol (DSPG) and cholesterol, were more stable than analogous liposomes containing dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) instead of DSPC. When dilauroyl phosphatidylcholine (DLPC):DSPG:cholesterol liposomes were prepared, monotectic behavior was observed. The presence of the alpha1(IV)1263-1277 PA conferred greater stability to the DPPC liposomal systems and did not affect the stability of the DSPC liposomes. A positive correlation was observed for cellular fluorophore delivery by the alpha1(IV)1263-1277 PA liposomes and CD44/CSPG receptor content in metastatic melanoma and fibroblast cell lines. Conversely, nontargeted liposomes delivered minimal fluorophore to these cells regardless of the CD44/CSPG receptor content. When metastatic melanoma cells and fibroblasts were treated with exogeneous alpha1(IV)1263-1277, prior to incubation with alpha1(IV)1263-1277 PA liposomes, to potentially disrupt receptor/liposome interactions, a dose-dependent decrease in the amount of fluorophore delivered was observed. Overall, our results suggest that PA-targeted liposomes can be constructed and rationally fine-tuned for drug delivery applications based on lipid composition. The selectivity of alpha1(IV)1263-1277 PA liposomes for CD44/CSPG-containing cells represents a targeted-nanoDDS with potential for further development and application.     

Wedged etalon tuning for miniature and monolithic lasers

We present an architecture permitting broad tuning of monolithic microchip lasers by using a wedged etalon. Full tuning from 282 to 314 nm is demonstrated by using a miniature Ce:LiCAF laser design, where tuning is achieved by translating the entire Ce laser cavity relative to the pump beam. The application of this technique to a range of microchip lasers will lead to extremely robust tunable monolithic lasers.     

Mass spectra of selected beta-carbolines [β-9H-pyrido(3,4-b)indoles]

The mass spectra of fifteen β-carbolines have been interpreted and proposed fragmentations have been substantiated by means of deuterium-labeling and accurate mass determinations. Most decompositions were predictable. An interesting fragmentation was observed in the spectra of 1-alkyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-β-carbolines, which rearrange to expel an alkylamino (RNH) radical from the molecular ion.     

Mass spectra of some quinoline hydroxamic acids and related compounds

The mass spectra of some 3- and 4-substituted quinoline hydroxamic acids and related compounds have been interpreted, and proposed fragmentations substantiated by means of deuterium-labeling and accurate mass determinations. All compounds examined gave abundant molecular ions; most showed strong [M ? 16]⁺ ions and weak [M ? 17]⁺ ions. The expulsion of CO and HCN molecules and H and HCO radicals were common subsequent decompositions. The spectrum of 4-hydroxy-2-methylquinazoline-3-oxide (VII) was unique and showed that nitric oxide was expelled from the molecular ion.     

Determination of polycyclic aromatic compounds in fish tissue

A method is presented for the analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polycyclic aromatic sulfur heterocycles (PASHs), and basic polycyclic aromatic nitrogen heterocycles (PANHs) in fish. The analytical procedure includes Soxhlet extraction of prepared fish tissue with methylene chloride followed by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) using Bio-beads SX-3. For PAHs/PASHs, further cleanup is performed using adsorption chromatography on Florisil (5% water deactivated) and elution with hexane. For basic PANHs further cleanup of the fish extracts after GPC is achieved using liquid-liquid partitioning with 6 M hydrochloric acid and chloroform and then basifying the aqueous phase and extracting it with chloroform. Analysis of fortified fish samples was performed using capillary gas chromatography with flame ionization detection and capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Good agreement was observed for both methods of analysis when applied to fish samples fortified with PAHs, PASHs and basic PANHs at 0.1 to 1 microgram/g, suggesting that the method is effective at removing interfering biogenic compounds prior to analysis. Average recovery of PAHs/PASHs from fortified fish tissue was 87% and 70% for fish tissue fortified at 0.24-1.1 and 0.024-0.11 microgram/g, respectively. Average recovery for basic PANHs was 97% for fish fortified at 1.2-1.4 micrograms/g.     

Electrochemical Measurement of Gold Oxide Reduction and Methods for Acid Neutralization and Minimization of Water in Wet Ionic Liquid

The formation and reduction of gold oxide in wet ionic liquid (IL), N‐trimethyl‐N‐butylammonium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, ([Me₃NⁿBu][TFSI]) is examined. The water concentration is determined using both the charge and peak current from the reduction of gold oxide and compared directly with Karl Fischer data. The quantitative determination of water in the IL is demonstrated for concentrations between 0.09 and 0.74 by weight (w%). The treatment of wet IL with dry nitrogen or molecular sieves reduces the water below background levels. Finally, methods for acid neutralization and the reduction of water with molecular sieves are conducted to minimize their impact on subsequent electrochemical measurements.     

Remarkable selectivity in the reaction of l-trityl-2-lithioimidazoles with t-butyl halogenoacetates

2-Lithio-1-triphenylmethylimidazoles react with t-butyl halogenoacetates to give a variety of products, the nature of which is cleanly determined by the halogen atom. With chloroacetate the products are chloromethyl ketones, while bromacetate gives di-t-butyl imidazolesuccinates, and iodoacetate yields iodoimidazoles. In each case 50% of the parent triphenylmethylimidazole is recovered from the reaction. When the triphenylmethyl substituent is replaced by the N,N-dimethylsulfamoyl group, reaction with bro-moacetate is suppressed, but t-butyl chloroacetate and iodoacetate again give chloroketones and aryl iodides respectively.     

Simple and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the determination of diltiazem and six of its metabolites in human plasma.

A sensitive, specific and reproducible high-performance liquid chromatographic technique is described for the simultaneous determination in human plasma of diltiazem (DZ) and six of its primary and secondary metabolites which are products of N- and O-demethylation, deacetylation and N-oxidation. The method involves addition of excess KHCO3 to 1 ml of plasma, followed by extraction with 4 ml of ethyl acetate. The organic layer was extracted with 0.01 M HCl and the aqueous layer was dried under nitrogen and then reconstituted with 0.002 M HCl. DZ and its metabolites were free from interference and wer baseline-separated. Calibration curves were linear in the concentration range studied (5-500 ng/ml for all the species). The lower limit of quantification of the assay was 5 ng/ml for DZ and the metabolites. Inter-day and intra-day coefficients of variation were less than 10%. The applicability of this procedure is shown by evaluating the kinetics of DZ and its metabolites in three patients receiving chronic DZ therapy. N-Demethyldiltiazem, deacetyldiltiazem and N-demethyldeacetyldiltiazem were found to be the major metabolites, as previously described. Deacetyldiltiazem N-oxide was found in two of the patients. The other two known but unreported metabolites in human, O-demethyldeacetyldiltiazem and N,O-didemethyldeacetyldiltiazem, were found in the plasma of all three patients.