Rapid and sensitive drug metabolism studies by SU-8 microchip capillary electrophoresis-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Monolithically integrated, polymer (SU-8) microchips comprising an electrophoretic separation unit, a sheath flow interface, and an electrospray ionization (ESI) emitter were developed to improve the speed and throughput of metabolism research. Validation of the microchip method was performed using bufuralol 1-hydroxylation via CYP450 enzymes as the model reaction. The metabolite, 1-hydroxybufuralol, was easily separated from the substrate (R(s)=0.5) with very good detection sensitivity (LOD=9.3nM), linearity (range: 50-500nM, r(2)=0.9997), and repeatability (RSD(Area)=10.3%, RSD(Migrationtime)=2.5% at 80nM concentration without internal standard). The kinetic parameters of bufuralol 1-hydroxylation determined by the microchip capillary electrophoresis (CE)-ESI/mass spectrometry (MS) method, were comparable to the values presented in literature as well as to the values determined by in-house liquid chromatography (LC)-UV. In addition to enzyme kinetics, metabolic profiling was demonstrated using authentic urine samples from healthy volunteers after intake of either tramadol or paracetamol. As a result, six metabolites of tramadol and four metabolites of paracetamol, including both phase I oxidation products and phase II conjugation products, were detected and separated from each other within 30-35s. Before analysis, the urine samples were pre-treated with on-chip, on-line liquid-phase microextraction (LPME) and the results were compared to those obtained from urine samples pre-treated with conventional C18 solid-phase extraction (SPE, off-chip cartridges). On the basis of our results, the SU-8 CE-ESI/MS microchips incorporating on-chip sample pre-treatment, injection, separation, and ESI/MS detection were proven as efficient and versatile tools for drug metabolism research.     

Interactions between inorganic nanoparticles and cellulose nanofibrils

Nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) is increasingly utilized in materials and biomedical applications consequently increasing interest in the modification of its surface properties. Besides modification using polyelectrolytes and polysaccharides, NFC can be combined with solid particles enabling formation of fibril network loaded with particles. Use of particles enabling easy functionalization could be beneficial for the development of hybrid structures, and lead to preparation of nanocomposites and functional materials. In order to explore interactions related to preparation of such structures, the interactions between nanosized precipitated calcium carbonate (nanoPCC) and nanoclay particles and NFC were examined by observing adsorption of the particles on NFC substrate using a quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) imaging. By a treatment with carboxymethylated cellulose (CMC), the anionicity of the NFC substrate could be increased, providing an additional tool to affect the interplay between NFC and the inorganic particles. For slightly cationic nanoPCC particles an increase in the anionicity of the NFC by the CMC treatment increased the affinity, while the opposite was true for anionic nanoclay. Additionally, for interactions between nanoclay and NFC, dispersion stability was an important factor. QCM-D was successfully used to examine the adsorption characteristics of nanoparticles although the technique is commonly used to study the adsorption of thin polymer layers. Distinct adsorption characteristics were observed depending on the nanoparticle used; nanoclay particles deposited as a thin layer, whereas nanoPCC particles formed clusters.     

Negative ion-atmospheric pressure photoionization-mass spectrometry

The ionization mechanism in the novel atmospheric pressure photoionization mass spectrometry (APPI-MS) in negative ion mode was studied thoroughly by the analysis of seven compounds in 17 solvent systems. The compounds possessed either gas-phase acidity or positive electron affinity, whereas the solvent systems had different polarities and gas-phase acidities and some of them positive electron affinities. The analytes that possessed gas-phase acidity formed deprotonated ions in proton transfer; in addition, fragments and solvent adducts were observed. The compounds of positive electron affinity formed negative molecular ions by electron capture or charge exchange and substitution products of form [M - X + O](-) by substitution reactions. The efficiency of deprotonation was decreased if the solvent used possessed higher gas-phase acidity than the analyte. Solvents of positive electron affinity captured thermal electrons and deteriorated the ionization of all the analytes. Also, the proportion of substitution products was affected by the solvent. Finally, the performances of negative ion APPI and negative ion APCI were compared. The sensitivity for the studied compounds was better in APPI, but the formation of substitution products was lower in APCI.     

Time-resolved coherent anti-Stokes Raman-scattering measurements of I2 in solid Kr: vibrational dephasing on the ground electronic state at 2.6-32 K

Time-resolved coherent anti-Stokes Raman-scattering (CARS) measurements are carried out for iodine (I2) in solid krypton matrices. The dependence of vibrational dephasing time on temperature and vibrational quantum number v is studied. The v dependence is approximately quadratic, while the temperature dependence of both vibrational dephasing and spectral shift, although weak, fits the exponential form characteristic of dephasing by pseudolocal phonons. The analysis of the data indicates that the frequency of the pseudolocal phonons is approximately 30 cm(-1). The longest dephasing times are observed for v = 2 being approximately 300 ps and limited by inhomogeneous broadening. An increase in the dephasing rate of v = 2 as the temperature is lowered to T = 2.6 K is taken as a clear indication of lattice-strain-induced inhomogeneity of the ensemble coherence.     

A neutral xenon-containing radical,HXeO

We report an open-shell species containing xenon, HXeO ((2)Sigma), prepared by UV photolysis of H(2)O/Xe or N(2)O/HBr/Xe solid mixtures at 7 K and subsequent thermal mobilization of oxygen atoms at >/=30 K. The H-Xe stretching absorption of HXeO in solid Xe is at 1466.1 cm(-1), and it shifts to 1070.3 cm(-1) upon deuteration. The extensive ab initio calculations indicate that HXeO is intrinsically stable, owing to significant ionic and covalent contributions to its bonding. The formation of HXeO ((2)Sigma) radicals in these experiments suggests extensive stabilization and thermal mobility of singlet ((1)D) oxygen atoms in solid Xe and holds promises for the stability of the HKrO and HArO species.     

Oxidation of crocein orange G by lignin peroxidase isoenzymes

The ligninolytic enzyme system ofPhanerochaete chrysosporiun is able to decolorize several recalcitrant dyes. Three lignin peroxidase isoenzymes, LiP 3.85, LiP 4.15, and LiP 4.65, were purified by preparative isoelectric focusing from the carbon-limited culture medium ofP. chrysosporium. Based on amino terminal sequences, the purified isoenzymes correspond to the isoenzymes H8, H6, and H2, respectively, from theN-limited culture. The purified isoenzymes were used for decolorization of an azo dye, Crocein Orange G (COG). According to the kinetic data obtained, the oxidation of COG by lignin peroxidase appeared to follow Michaelis-Menten kinetics. Kinetic parameters for each isoenzyme were determined. The inactivating effect of ascending H₂O₂ concentrations on COG oxidation is shown to be exponential within the used concentration range. The best degree of decolorization of 100 μM COG was obtained when the H₂O₂ concentration was 150 μM. This was also the lowest H₂O₂ concentration for maximal decolorization of 100 μM COG, regardless of the amount of lignin peroxidase used in the reaction.     

Preparation and structural characterization of (Me(3)SiNSN)(2)Se, a new synthon for sulfur-selenium nitrides

The reaction of (Me(3)SiN)(2)S with SeCl(2) (2:1 ratio) in CH(2)Cl(2) at -70 degrees C provides a route to the novel mixed selenium-sulfur-nitrogen compound (Me(3)SiNSN)(2)Se (1). Crystals of 1 are monoclinic and belong the space group P2(1)/c, with a = 7.236(1) A, b = 19.260(4) A, c = 11.436(2) A, beta = 92.05(3) degrees, V = 1592.7(5) A(3), Z = 4, and T = -155(2) degrees C. The NSNSeNSN chain in 1 consists of Se-N single bonds (1.844(3) A) and S=N double bonds (1.521(3)-1.548(3) A) with syn and anti geometry at the N=S=N units. The N-Se-N bond angle is 91.8(1) degrees. The EI mass spectrum shows a molecular ion with good agreement between the observed and calculated isotopic distributions. The (14)N NMR spectrum exhibits two resonances at -65 and -77 ppm. Both (13)C and (77)Se NMR spectra show single resonances at 0.83 and 1433 ppm, respectively. The reaction of 1 with an equimolar amount of SeCl(2) produces 1,5-Se(2)S(2)N(4) (2) in a good yield, and that of (Me(3)SiNSN)(2)S with SCl(2) affords S(4)N(4) (3), but the reactions of (Me(3)SiNSN)(2)Se with SCl(2) and (Me(3)SiNSN)(2)S with SeCl(2) result in the formation of a mixture of 2 and 3. A likely reaction pathway involves the intermediate formation of E(2)N(2) fragments (E = S, Se).     

Charge Exchange Reaction in Dopant-Assisted Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization and Atmospheric Pressure Photoionization

The efficiencies of charge exchange reaction in dopant-assisted atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (DA-APCI) and dopant-assisted atmospheric pressure photoionization (DA-APPI) mass spectrometry (MS) were compared by flow injection analysis. Fourteen individual compounds and a commercial mixture of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were chosen as model analytes to cover a wide range of polarities, gas-phase ionization energies, and proton affinities. Chlorobenzene was used as the dopant, and methanol/water (80/20) as the solvent. In both techniques, analytes formed the same ions (radical cations, protonated molecules, and/or fragments). However, in DA-APCI, the relative efficiency of charge exchange versus proton transfer was lower than in DA-APPI. This is suggested to be because in DA-APCI both dopant and solvent clusters can be ionized, and the formed reagent ions can react with the analytes via competing charge exchange and proton transfer reactions. In DA-APPI, on the other hand, the main reagents are dopant-derived radical cations, which favor ionization of analytes via charge exchange. The efficiency of charge exchange in both DA-APPI and DA-APCI was shown to depend heavily on the solvent flow rate, with best efficiency seen at lowest flow rates studied (0.05 and 0.1 mL/min). Both DA-APCI and DA-APPI showed the radical cation of chlorobenzene at 0.05–0.1 mL/min flow rate, but at increasing flow rate, the abundance of chlorobenzene M^+. decreased and reagent ion populations deriving from different gas-phase chemistry were recorded. The formation of these reagent ions explains the decreasing ionization efficiency and the differences in charge exchange between the techniques.

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Pinosylvin Shifts Macrophage Polarization to Support Resolution of Inflammation

Pinosylvin is a natural stilbenoid found particularly in Scots pine. Stilbenoids are a group of phenolic compounds identified as protective agents against pathogens for many plants. Stilbenoids also possess health-promoting properties in humans; for instance, they are anti-inflammatory through their suppressing action on proinflammatory M1-type macrophage activation. Macrophages respond to environmental changes by polarizing towards proinflammatory M1 phenotype in infection and inflammatory diseases, or towards anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype, mediating resolution of inflammation and repair. In the present study, we investigated the effects of pinosylvin on M2-type macrophage activation, aiming to test the hypothesis that pinosylvin could polarize macrophages from M1 to M2 phenotype to support resolution of inflammation. We used lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce M1 phenotype and interleukin-4 (IL-4) to induce M2 phenotype in J774 murine and U937 human macrophages, and we measured expression of M1 and M2-markers. Interestingly, along with inhibiting the expression of M1-type markers, pinosylvin had an enhancing effect on the M2-type activation, shown as an increased expression of arginase-1 (Arg-1) and mannose receptor C type 1 (MRC1) in murine macrophages, and C-C motif chemokine ligands 17 and 26 (CCL17 and CCL26) in human macrophages. In IL-4-treated macrophages, pinosylvin enhanced PPAR-γ expression but had no effect on STAT6 phosphorylation. The results show, for the first time, that pinosylvin shifts macrophage polarization from the pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype towards M2 phenotype, supporting resolution of inflammation and repair.     

Atomic layer deposition as pore diameter adjustment tool for nanoporous aluminum oxide injection molding masks

The wetting properties of polypropylene (PP) surfaces were modified by adjusting the dimensions of the surface nanostructure. The nanostructures were generated by injection molding with nanoporous anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) as the mold insert. Atomic layer deposition (ALD) of molybdenum nitride film was used to control the pore diameters of the AAO inserts. The original 50-nm pore diameter of AAO was adjusted by depositing films of thickness 5, 10, and 15 nm on AAO. Bis(tert-butylimido)-bis(dimethylamido)molybdenum and ammonia were used as precursors in deposition. The resulting pore diameters in the nitride-coated AAO inserts were 40, 30, and 20 nm, respectively. Injection molding of PP was conducted with the coated inserts, as well as with the non-coated insert. Besides the pore diameter, the injection mold temperature was varied with temperatures of 50, 70, and 90 degrees C tested. Water contact angles of PP casts were measured and compared with theoretical contact angles calculated from Wenzel and Cassie-Baxter theories. The highest contact angle, 140 degrees , was observed for PP molded with the AAO mold insert with 30-nm pore diameter. The Cassie-Baxter theory showed better fit than the Wenzel theory to the experimental values. With the optimal AAO mask, the nanofeatures in the molded PP pieces were 100 nm high. In explanation of this finding, it is suggested that some sticking and stretching of the nanofeatures occurs during the molding. Increase in the mold temperature increased the contact angle.