Disposable polyester-toner electrophoresis microchips for DNA analysis

Microchip electrophoresis has become a powerful tool for DNA separation, offering all of the advantages typically associated with miniaturized techniques: high speed, high resolution, ease of automation, and great versatility for both routine and research applications. Various substrate materials have been used to produce microchips for DNA separations, including conventional (glass, silicon, and quartz) and alternative (polymers) platforms. In this study, we perform DNA separation in a simple and low-cost polyester-toner (PeT)-based electrophoresis microchip. PeT devices were fabricated by a direct-printing process using a 600 dpi-resolution laser printer. DNA separations were performed on PeT chip with channels filled with polymer solutions (0.5% m/v hydroxyethylcellulose or hydroxypropylcellulose) at electric fields ranging from 100 to 300 V cm(-1). Separation of DNA fragments between 100 and 1000 bp, with good correlation of the size of DNA fragments and mobility, was achieved in this system. Although the mobility increased with increasing electric field, separations showed the same profile regardless of the electric field. The system provided good separation efficiency (215,000 plates per m for the 500 bp fragment) and the separation was completed in 4 min for 1000 bp fragment ladder. The cost of a given chip is approximately $0.15 and it takes less than 10 minutes to prepare a single device.     

Total synthesis of a noricumazole A library and evaluation of HCV inhibition

The total synthesis of 16 new ion channel inhibitors derived from noricumazole?A, a secondary metabolite from the myxobacterium Sorangium cellulosum, is reported. Particular focus of library design is put on stereochemical permutations in the central region (C9 and C11), the oxazole moiety and the side chain at C4 of the isochromanone moiety. Noricumazole?A and all new noricumazole derivatives were tested in an assay system with inhibitory effect on the hepatitis?C virus (HCV) life cycle. Most of them are moderate to strong HCV inhibitors (350?nM-6?nM) but also exert pronounced cytotoxicity. In contrast, the thiazole analogue of noricumazole?A is a strong HCV inhibitor with only moderate cytotoxic property. It may become a lead structure with a good therapeutic index (CC(50)/IC(50)) of greater than 10.     

Synthesis and characterization of novel zwitterionic lipids with pH-responsive biophysical properties

We report the synthesis and biophysical characterization of a novel class of zwitterionic lipids (ZL) with head groups containing a 3° or 4° amine and carboxylate. ZL form stable liposomes that exhibit head group dependent, pH-responsive biophysical characteristics. These lipids may be suitable components for drug delivery applications due to their ease of synthesis and unique pH-dependent properties.     

Towards Recyclable NAD(P)H Regeneration Catalysts

Rh(III)-TsDPEN, an immobilized analog of the well-known [Cp*Rh(bpy)(H₂O)]²⁺ was evaluated as a heterogeneous, recyclable regeneration catalyst for reduced oxidoreductase cofactors [NAD(P)H]. Repeated use of this catalyst was established and the catalytic properties were initially investigated. Apparently, Rh(III)-TsDPEN is prone to severe diffusion limitations, necessitating further developments. Overall, a promising concept for chemoenzymatic redox catalysis is proposed, which may overcome some of the current limitations such as catalyst cost and incompatibility of Rh with some biocatalysts.     

Challenge of high polarity and low concentrations in analysis of cytostatics and metabolites in wastewater by hydrophilic interaction chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

A method for solid phase extraction and HPLC–MS/MS of the cytostatics 5-fluorouracil, cytarabine, and gemcitabine and human metabolites uracil 1-β-d-arabinofuranoside and 2′,2′-difluorodeoxyuridine in wastewater was established. Wastewater samples from a Swiss hospital were analyzed for 5-fluorouracil, gemcitabine and 2′,2′-difluorodeoxyuridine. The limits of quantification were 5.0, 0.9, and 9.0 ng/L and the maximum concentrations detected were 27, 38, and 840 ng/L, respectively. Along with the method development, retention mechanisms on the hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC) stationary phase were studied. Both partitioning and adsorption play a role in the retention on the tested sulfoalkylbetaine modified silica HILIC column material. The contribution of these two processes is changing over the 1.6–40% range water in the mobile phase. Although the specific break point is difficult to determine, adsorption becomes more significant as the fraction of water in the mobile phase decreases below approximately 16%.     

Insights into the Electronic Structure of a U(IV) Amido and U(V) Imido Complex

Reaction of the N-heterocylic carbene ligand ⁱPrIm (L¹) and lithium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide (TMSA) as a base with UCl₄ resulted in U(IV) and U(V) complexes. Uranium's +V oxidation state in (HL¹)₂[U(V)(TMSI)Cl₅] (TMSI=trimethylsilylimido) ( 2 ) was confirmed by HERFD-XANES measurements. Solid state characterization by SC-XRD and geometry optimisation of [U(IV)(L¹)₂(TMSA)Cl₃] ( 1 ) indicated a silylamido ligand mediated inverse trans influence (ITI). The ITI was examined regarding different metal oxidation states and was compared to transition metal analogues by theoretical calculations.     

The variability of times to detect growth from individual Clostridium botulinum type E endospores is differentially affected by high pressure treatments

High pressure thermal (HPT) processing is a candidate technology for the production of safe and stable food. However, little is known about the effect of HPT or high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) treatments at ambient temperature on the variability of times to detect growth from individual spores. We investigated this effect by treating Clostridium botulinum type E spores with HHP (200–600?MPa, 20°C) and HPT (600?MPa, 80°C and 800?MPa, 60°C). Our results indicate that the mean detection times increase and the frequency distribution shifts toward longer times when HHP treatment intensity is increased. HPT treatments result in a highly scattered distribution. In contrast, pressure levels ≤300?MPa decrease detection times and heterogeneity of their distribution, which could lead to an increase in the potential risk originating from C. botulinum type E spores. Data provided here could help to refine risk assessment regarding this important food intoxicator.