Determination of the immunostimulatory drug—glucosoaminyl-muramyl-dipeptide—in human plasma using HPLC–MS/MS and its application to a pharmacokinetic study

GMDP (glucosoaminyl-muramyl-dipeptide), a synthetic analog of the peptidoglycan fragment of the bacterial cell wall, is an active component of the immunomodulatory drug Licopid. But the pharmacokinetic parameters of GMDP in humans after oral administration have not been investigated yet. The present study aimed at developing and validating a sensitive LC–MS/MS method for the analysis of GMDP in human plasma. The sample was prepared by solid-phase extraction using Strata-X 33 μm polymeric reversed-phase 60 mg/3 mL cartridges Phenomenex (Torrance, CA, USA). The analytes were separated using an Acquity UPLC BEN C18 column, 1.7 μm 2.1 × 50 mm Waters (Milford, USA). GMDP and internal standard growth hormone releasing peptide-2 (pralmorelin) were ionized in positive electrospray ionization mode and detected in multiple reaction monitoring mode. The developed method was validated within a linear range of 50–3000 pg/mL for GMDP. Accuracy for all analytes, given as the deviation between the nominal and measured concentration and assay variability , ranged from 1.61 to 3.02% and from 0.89 to 1.79%, respectively, for both within- and between-run variabilities. The developed and validated HPLC–MS/MS method was successfully used to obtain the plasma pharmacokinetic profiles of GMDP distribution in human plasma.     

The Role of Lignocellulosic Composition and Residual Lipids in Empty Fruit Bunches on the Production of Humic Acids in Submerged Fermentations

The aim of this research was to study the production of humic acids (HA) by Trichoderma reesei from empty fruit bunches (EFBs) of palm oil processing, with a focus on the effects of lignocellulosic content and residual lipids. EFBs from two different soils and palm oil producers were previously characterized about their lignocellulosic composition. Submerged fermentations were inoculated with T. reesei spores and set up with or without residual lipids. The results showed that the soil and the processing for removal of the palm fresh fruits were crucial to EFB quality. Thus, EFBs were classified as type 1 (higher lignocellulosic and fatty acids composition similar to the palm oil and palm kernel oil) and type 2 (lower lignocellulosic content and fatty acids composition similar to palm oil). Despite the different profiles, the fungal growth was similar for both EFB types. HA production was associated with fungal growth, and it was higher without lipids for both EFBs. The highest HA productivity was obtained from type 1 EFB (approximately 90 mg L⁻¹ at 48 h). Therefore, the lignocellulosic composition and the nature of the residual lipids in EFBs play an important role in HA production by submerged fermentation.

     

Thermodynamic characteristics of fullerene-containing poly(methyl methacrylate-<Emphasis Type="Italic">co</Emphasis>-allyl methacrylate) and the C<Subscript>60</Subscript>-free copolymer analog

The heat capacities of fullerene-containing poly(methyl methacrylate-co-allyl methacrylate) and the C₆₀-free copolymer of the same composition are studied in the temperature interval 8 to 350–450 K via the methods of high-accuracy adiabatic and differential scanning calorimetry. Thermodynamic characteristics of glass transition, standard thermodynamic functions, and temperature intervals of the thermal stability of the samples are estimated. The fractal dimension is calculated, and conclusions about the topological structure of the copolymers are proposed. The effect of C₆₀ on the thermodynamic characteristics of the copolymer is studied.     

The steady axisymmetric flow of ideally plastic materials in a conical channel

The problem of the asymmetric flow of an ideally plastic medium is formulated within the framework of the von Mises model and the total plasticity condition, using the invariant condition of compatibility for the deviator component of the stress tensor. Flow in a converging conical channel, on the boundary of which the shear stresses are specified, is considered. First-order differential equations are obtained, describing the shear-stress distribution in the moving medium, one of which corresponds to the von Mises model, and the other to the total plasticity condition. It is established from an analysis of the solution in the neighbourhood of singular points, that the minus sign in front of the radical in these equations corresponds to positive shear stresses and vice versa. The problem of the shear stresses reaching a maximum value on the specified boundary surface of the channel is investigated. The aperture angle of the channel, beginning from which this value is reached, is determined. It is established that the value of the angle, following from the total plasticity condition, somewhat exceeds its value obtained within the framework of the von Mises model.     

Investigation of the Recording Mechanism of Multiplex Bragg Gratings for Planar Optical Radiation Input/Output in Glass Lightguides

Optics and Spectroscopy - The recording process of multiplex Bragg diffraction gratings for lightguide displays by the method of optical copying with use of a phase mask is described. In this...     

Calcium carbonate microparticles with embedded silver and magnetite nanoparticles as new SERS-active sorbent for solid phase extraction

Microchimica Acta - The authors describe a dual-use sorbent for solid phase extraction (SPE) in combination with surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). The sorbent consists of calcium...