Comparative study of three immunoassays based on monoclonal antibodies for detection of the pesticide parathion-methyl in real samples

Three immunoassay systems: indirect, direct competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (IC-ELISA and DC-ELISA), fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA) based on monoclonal antibodies for the detection of parathion-methyl (PM) were developed and optimized. Several PM derivatives (haptens) were conjugated to proteins and fluoresceinthiocarbamyl ethylenediamine (EDF) to obtain immunogens and competitors. The influence of immunogen and competitor structures on the assay performance was investigated. IC-ELISA was the most sensitive of all techniques developed, with a detection limit of 0.08 ng ml⁻¹, but assay time was the longest (3.5 h per 96-well microtitre plate). DC-ELISA was easier to perform and quicker (1.5 h per 96-well microtitre plate) but less sensitive than IC-ELISA (detection limit was 0.5 ng ml⁻¹). FPIA was the fastest and simplest (7 min per 10 samples) but the least sensitive (detection limit was 15 ng ml⁻¹) technique. The methods were characterized by high specificity and reproducibility. The cross-reactivity for parathion-ethyl was around 30-40% for IC-ELISA and FPIA, but significantly higher (125%) for DC-ELISA. The immunoassays were applied to the analysis of PM residues in different food and environmental matrices. Methanol extracts of vegetable, fruit and soil samples were used for the analysis. Recoveries for most spiked samples averaged between 85 and 110%. The methods developed can be used for screening of food and environmental samples for PM residues without complicated clean-up.     

PHOTOCYCLOADDITION OF 5,7-DIMETHOXYCOUMARIN TO THYMINE

Abstract— C₄-_-Photocycloaddition of 5,7-dimethoxycoumarin (DMC) to thymine (λ≥ 300 nm) was studied in dioxane-water solution, in aqueous frozen state, and solid film state. The major product was isolated and characterized by physical methods. Elemental analysis data, spectral analyses, and photo-splitting of the product indicate the product to be a 1:l C₄-_-cycloadduct of DMC and thymine.     

PHOTOCYCLOADDITION REACTION OF 5,7-DIMETHOXYCOUMARIN TO THYMIDINE

Abstract— The photocycloaddition reaction of 5,7-dimethoxycoumarin to thymidine on direct irradiation (λ > 300 nm) is studied as a model for photosensitization reaction of furocoumarins. The major photoadducts were isolated by silica gel column and gel permeation chromatography. Each component of the photoadducts was further separated by reverse phase, paired-ion high performance liquid chromatography. The structure of these photoproducts isolated is consistent with 1:1 C₄-cycloadducts in accordance with characteristics of their UV, IR, NMR and mass spectra and elemental analysis data. The stereochemistry of each isomer was studied by Fourier transform NMR, UV and IR spectra. The fraction C has the anti head-to-tail configuration and the fraction D has the configuration of anti head-to-head. The fractions A and B probably have the syn configuration.     

Effective isolation of magnesium lithospermate B and its inhibition of aldose reductase and fibronectin on mesangial cell line

We developed an effective isolation method of magnesium lithospermate B from Salviae miltiorrhizae Radix and found for the first time that magnesium lithospermate B shows strong in vitro inhibition (IC50=0.04 microM) of aldose reductase (AR), 2.5 times than that of clinically used epalrestat (IC50=0.1 microM) and accumulation of fibronectin dose dependently.     

Pt‐Nanoparticle Incorporated Carbon Paste Electrode for the Determination of Cu(II) Ion by Anodic Stripping Voltammetry

Pt‐nanoparticles were synthesized and introduced into a carbon paste electrode (CPE), and the resulting modified electrode was applied to the anodic stripping voltammetry of copper(II) ions. The synthesized Pt‐nanoparticles were characterized by cyclic voltammetry, scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy techniques to confirm the purity and the size of the prepared Pt‐nanoparticles (ca. 20 nm). This incorporated material seems to act as catalysts with preconcentration sites for copper(II) species that enhances the sensitivity of Cu(II) ions to Cu(I) species at a deposition potential of ?0.6 V in an aqueous solution. The experimental conditions, such as, the electrode composition, pH of the solution, pre‐concentration time, were optimized for the determination of Cu(II) ion using as‐prepared electrode. The sensitivity changes on the different binder materials and the presence of surfactants in the test solution. The interference effect of the coexisted metals were also investigated. In the presence of surfactants, especially TritonX‐100, the Cu(II) detection limit was lowered to 3.9×10^?9 M. However, the Pt‐nanoparticle modified CPE begins to degrade when the period of deposition exceeds to 10 min. Linear response for copper(II) was found in the concentration range between 3.9×10^?8 M and 1.6×10^?6 M, with an estimated detection limit of 1.6×10^?8 M (1.0 ppb) and relative standard deviation was 4.2% (n=5).     

New tetradentate Schiff-base polymers: preparation of poly[2,5-(didodecyloxy)phenylene-1,4-diyl-alt-N,N-(o-phenylene)-bis(salicylideneiminato-4,4-diyl)] and poly[2,5-(didodecyloxy)phenylene-1,4-diyl-alt-N,N-(alkylidene)-bis(salicylideneiminato-4,4-diyl)]s

New tetradentate Schiff-base polymers, in which phenylene units alternate with salicylideneiminato units, have been prepared by condensation of 2,5-(didodecyloxy)-1,4-bis(3-formyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)benzene (DFHB) with appropriate diamines in a mixed solution of CHCl₃/toluene/acetic acid with 31-79% yields. DFHB as the key building block was prepared by the Suzuki reaction of 2,5-(didodecyloxy)benzene-1,4-diboronic acid with 5-bromosalicylaldehyde in a two-phase solution of tetrahydrofuran/water in the presence of NaHCO₃/Pd(PPh₃)₄ in 45% yield. The molecular structures of the prepared compounds were identified by spectroscopy. Their absorption spectroscopic profiles have been analyzed.     

RELATIVE REACTIVITIES OF THE EXCITED STATES OF FUROCOUMARINS FOR [2+2] PHOTOCYCLOADDITION REACTION WITH TETRAMETHYLETHYLENE

Abstract— The Stern-Volmer constants for fluorescence quenching by tetramethylethylene decrease in the order DMC ≫ DHP > F-2 > 8-MOP. The same order was observed for the quantum yields of [2+2] cycloaddition reaction with tetramethylethylene on direct irradiation. In [2+2] photocycloaddition of F-2 with tetramethylethylene in ethanol, the ratio of quantum yields deduced from singlet and triplet states of F-2; φ₃⁰/φ₁⁰, is about 5. The excited triplet state is the reactive state for the [2+2] photocycloaddition of F-2 with tetramethylethylene in solution but the excited singlet state of F-2 becomes very important in biological conditions.     

Surface modification of polyethylene terephthalate using PEO-polybutadiene-PEO triblock copolymers

The initial step of thrombus formation on blood-contacting biomaterials is known to be adsorption of blood proteins followed by platelet adhesion. It is generally accepted that surface modification of the biomaterials with poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) substantially reduces protein adsorption and cell adhesion. Dacron® (polyethylene terephthalate) fabric, which is one of the biomaterials commonly used in blood-contacting devices, was grafted with PEO. A simple two-step procedure for covalent grafting of PEO onto the surface of Dacron® fabric was used. The surface was first treated with PEO-polybutadiene-PEO (PEO-PB-PEO) triblock copolymer, to introduce a layer of double bonds onto the surface. The Dacron® surface was then exposed to a solution of Pluronic® F108 (PF108), a commercially available PEO-poly(propylene oxide)-PEO (PEO-PPO-PEO) triblock copolymer. The surface with two adsorbed layers of PEO-PB-PEO and PF108 was γ-irradiated in the presence of PF108 in the bulk solution for a total radiation dose of 0.8 Mrad. The bulk concentrations of PEO-PB-PEO and PF108 were varied to maximize the efficiency of PEO grafting. Fibrinogen adsorption on PEO-grafted surfaces was reduced more than 90%, compared with that on control surfaces, irrespective of the bulk concentrations of polymers used for grafting. Platelet adhesion was also reduced substantially by PEO grafting. Only a few round platelets were able to adhere to the PEO-grafted surface, while the control surface was fully covered with aggregates of activated platelets. PEO grafting on polyethylene terephthalate using PEO-PB-PEO and PEO-PPO-PEO block copolymers is a simple approach that can be used for various other biomaterials.     

Ruthenium‐catalyzed formal alkyl group transfer: Synthesis of quinolines from nitroarenes and alkylammonium halides

Nitroarenes are reductively cyclized with an array of tetraalkylammonium halides and trialkylarnmonium chlorides in the presence of a catalytic amount of a ruthenium catalyst along with tin(II) chloride dihydrate at 180° to afford the corresponding quinolines in moderate to good yields. The addition of tin(II) chloride dihydrate is necessary for the effective formation of quinolines and toluene is the solvent of choice. A reaction pathway involving initial reduction of nitroarenes to anilines and conversion of alkylammonium halides to alkylamines, alkyl group transfer from alkylamines to anilines to form an imine, dimerization of imine, and heteroannulation is proposed for this catalytic process.     

Highly efficient Pd-catalyzed carbonylative cross-coupling reactions with tetraorganoindates

Tetraorganoindates, which were prepared easily from the reaction of 1 equiv of InCl(3) with 4 equiv of organometallics, could be employed as effective nucleophilic cross-coupling partners in Pd-catalyzed carbonylative cross-coupling reactions with a variety of organic electrophiles. The present method gave unsymmetrical ketones and 1,4-diacylbenzenes in good yields with highly efficient transfer of almost all the organic groups attached to the indium under a carbon monoxide atmosphere in THF at 60 degrees C.