Novel tangential-flow countercurrent cascade ultrafiltration configuration for continuous purification of humanized monoclonal antibody

This paper discusses the use of a novel tangential-flow, three-stage, countercurrent cascade ultrafiltration configuration for continuous purification of monoclonal antibody Campath-1H from simulated mammalian cell culture supernatant. The main limitation of conventional ultrafiltration based bioseparation, particularly when using a single-stage system is the trade-off between recovery and purity. The aim of this study was to try to improve both purity and recovery of the monoclonal antibody by using the novel cascade ultrafiltration system. Purification experiments were carried out with the three-stage cascade system as well as with single-stage and two-stage versions of the proposed system for comparison. The recovery and purification factor were both significantly higher with the three-stage system. The highest purity obtained using the three-stage cascade system was 85%. The experimental purity and recovery were compared with corresponding values obtained by simulation and found to be in reasonably good agreement.     

Evaluation of asymmetric liposomal nanoparticles for encapsulation of polynucleotides

Conventional lipid bilayer liposomes have similar inner and outer leaflet compositions; asymmetric liposomes have different lipid leaflet compositions. The goal of this work is to place cationic lipids in the inner leaflet to encapsulate negatively charged polynucleotides and to place neutral/anionic lipids on the outer leaflet to decrease nonspecific cellular uptake/toxicity. Inverse emulsion particles have been developed with a single lipid leaflet of cationic and neutral lipids surrounding an aqueous core containing a negatively charged 21-mer DNA oligo. The particles are accelerated through an oil-water interface, entrapping a second neutral lipid to form oligo encapsulated unilamellar liposome nanoparticles. Inverse emulsion particles can be consistently produced to encapsulate an aqueous environment containing negatively charged oligo. The efficiency of encapsulated liposome formation is low and depends on the hydrocarbon used as the oil phase. Dodecane, mineral oil, and squalene were tested, and squalene, a branched hydrocarbon, yielded the highest efficiency.     

1,3‐Bis(ethylamino)‐2‐nitrobenzene, 1,3‐bis(n‐octylamino)‐2‐nitrobenzene and 4‐ethylamino‐2‐methyl‐1H‐benzimidazole

1,3‐Bis(ethylamino)‐2‐nitrobenzene, C₁₀H₁₅N₃O₂, (I), and 1,3‐bis(n‐octylamino)‐2‐nitrobenzene, C₂₂H₃₉N₃O₂, (II), are the first structurally characterized 1,3‐bis(n‐alkylamino)‐2‐nitrobenzenes. Both molecules are bisected though the nitro N atom and the 2‐C and 5‐C atoms of the ring by twofold rotation axes. Both display intramolecular N—H...O hydrogen bonds between the amine and nitro groups, but no intermolecular hydrogen bonding. The nearly planar molecules pack into flat layers ca 3.4 Å apart that interact by hydrophobic interactions involving the n‐alkyl groups rather than by π–π interactions between the rings. The intra‐ and intermolecular interactions in these molecules are of interest in understanding the physical properties of polymers made from them. Upon heating in the presence of anhydrous potassium carbonate in dimethylacetamide, (I) and (II) cyclize with formal loss of hydrogen peroxide to form substituted benzimidazoles. Thus, 4‐ethylamino‐2‐methyl‐1H‐benzimidazole, C₁₀H₁₃N₃, (III), was obtained from (I) under these reaction conditions. Compound (III) contains two independent molecules with no imposed internal symmetry. The molecules are linked into chains via N—H...N hydrogen bonds involving the imidazole rings, while the ethylamino groups do not participate in any hydrogen bonding. This is the first reported structure of a benzimidazole derivative with 4‐amino and 2‐alkyl substituents.     

Polyelectrolyte behavior and kinetics of aminoacyl-tRNA on the ribosome

The torque acting on cognate (three base pairs that are matched) "ternary complex" consisting of elongation factor-Tu, guanosine-5'-triphosphate GTP, and aminoacyl-transfer RNA due to induced wrapping of the 30S subunit of the ribosome and the speed with which the ternary complex samples the space allowed by diffusion is determined. Under appropriate conditions, mode coupling speeds up the barrier crossing rate for cognate relative to near-cognate ternary complexes. We determine the flexibility of the ternary complex relative to transfer RNA (tRNA) by a coarse-grained model. We predict the magnesium binding sites in the ternary complex at low magnesium concentration and unravel the nature of the interaction energy of magnesium with site-specific tRNAPhe bases.     

Two N‐(2‐phenylethyl)nitroaniline derivatives as precursors for slow and sustained nitric oxide release agents

Notwithstanding its simple structure, the chemistry of nitric oxide (NO) is complex. As a radical, NO is highly reactive. NO also has profound effects on the cardiovascular system. In order to regulate NO levels, direct therapeutic interventions include the development of numerous NO donors. Most of these donors release NO in a single high‐concentration burst, which is deleterious. N‐Nitrosated secondary amines release NO in a slow, sustained, and rate‐tunable manner. Two new precursors to sustained NO‐releasing materials have been characterized. N‐[2‐(3,4‐Dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl]‐2,4‐dinitroaniline, C₁₆H₁₇N₃O₆, (I), crystallizes with one independent molecule in the asymmetric unit. The adjacent amine and nitro groups form an intramolecular N—H…O hydrogen bond. The anti conformation about the phenylethyl‐to‐aniline C—N bond leads to the planes of the arene and aniline rings being approximately perpendicular. Molecules are linked into dimers by weak intermolecular N—H…O hydrogen bonds such that each amine H atom participates in a three‐center interaction with two nitro O atoms. The dimers pack so that the arene rings of adjacent molecules are not parallel and π–π interactions do not appear to be favored. N‐(4‐Methylsulfonyl‐2‐nitrophenyl)‐l ‐phenylalanine, C₁₆H₁₆N₂O₆S, (II), with an optically active center, also crystallizes with one unique molecule in the asymmetric unit. The l enantiomer was established via the configuration of the starting material and was confirmed by refinement of the Flack parameter. As in (I), there is an intramolecular N—H…O hydrogen bond between adjacent amine and nitro groups. The conformation of the molecule is such that the arene rings display a dihedral angle of ca 60°. Unlike (I), molecules are not linked via intermolecular N—H…O hydrogen bonds. Rather, the carboxylic acid H atom forms a classic, approximately linear, O—H…O hydrogen bond with a sulfone O atom. Pairs of molecules related by twofold rotation axes are linked into dimers by two such interactions. The packing pattern features a zigzag arrangement of the arene rings without apparent π–π interactions. These structures are compared with reported analogues, revealing significant differences in molecular conformation, intermolecular interactions, and packing that result from modest changes in functional groups. The structures are discussed in terms of potential NO‐release capability.     

Analysis and evaluation of biobased polyester of PTT/PBAT blend: thermal,dynamic mechanical,interfacial bonding,and morphological properties

Novel blends were prepared from biobased poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT) and poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate) (PBAT) using a twin screw extrusion process as a function of different weight ratios. Thermal stability, mechanical, and interfacial properties of PTT/PBAT blends were investigated using a thermogravimetric analyzer and mechanical analyzer. Phase behavior and surface morphology of the blends were characterized using scanning electron microscopy. Interfacial bonding value of the PTT/PBAT blend was evaluated from the Pukanszky empirical relationship. Viscoelastic properties of PTT/PBAT blends were investigated using the dynamic mechanical analyzer. PTT/PBAT blend exhibited higher thermal stability than the neat PTT matrix. The entire blend showed better interfacial adhesion between the matrixes. Storage and loss modulus of the PTT/PBAT blend reduces with increasing PBAT content. PTT/PBAT blend exhibited higher impact energy than the neat PTT matrix, because of its flexible and amorphous nature of PBAT polymer and increasing toughness. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Phase-controlled growth of metastable Fe5Si3 nanowires by a vapor transport method

We report the synthesis of single-crystalline nanowires (NWs) of metastable Fe5Si3 phase via an iodide vapor transport method. Free-standing Fe5Si3 NWs are grown on a sapphire substrate placed on a Si wafer without the use of any catalyst. The typical size of the Fe5Si3 nanowires is 5-15 microm in length and 100-300 nm in diameter. Synthesis of the metastable phase is induced by composition-dependent nucleation from the gas-phase reaction. Depending on the concentration ratio of FeI2(g) to SiI4(g), different phases of iron silicides are formed. The growth of nanowires is facilitated by the initial nucleation of silicide particles on the substrate and further self-seeded growth of the NWs. The present work not only provides a method for the synthesis of metastable Fe5Si3 nanowires but also suggests that the phase controlled synthesis can be further optimized to produce other metal-rich silicide nanostructures for future spintronic devices.     

Effect of jute fibers on morphological characteristics and properties of thermoplastic starch/biodegradable polyester blend

Cellulose - The current work aims to study the effect of jute fiber (JF) on the characteristics and performance of a thermoplastic starch/poly(lactic acid)/poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate)...     

The effect of dynamic crosslinking on morphology,thermal and mechanical properties of polylactic acid and bioelastomer blend

The objective of this work is to enhance the toughness of In the current study, inherently brittle polylactic acid (PLA) has been toughened using a biobased polyester without compromising the biocompatibility, renewability, strength and thermal properties of PLA. For this purpose, biodegradable Renewable resources resource based flexible aliphatic polyester (BBPE) has been synthesized and the same has been confirmed by FTIR and ¹H NMR. Melt blending of BBPE elastomer with PLA in presence of free radical initiator dicumyl peroxide (DCP) leads to the development of crosslinked PLA/BBPE (PBE) blends of tunable properties. Additionally, the mechanical, morphological, thermal, crosslink density and water absorption behaviour of PBE blends were explored. It was observed that the synthesized biobased BBPE elastomers contribute to toughening of the PLA matrix consequently, improving the its impact strength and elongation at break. of the blend