Oxygenated Metabolites of n‐3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids as Potential Oxidative Stress Biomarkers: Total Synthesis of 8‐F3t‐IsoP, 10‐F4t‐NeuroP and [D4]‐10‐F4t‐NeuroP

A wide variety of metabolic products of polyunsaturated fatty acids is of paramount importance for improving our medical knowledge in the field of oxidized lipids. Two novel metabolites of n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, 8‐F_3t‐IsoP and 10‐F_4t‐NeuroP as well as a deuterated derivative thereof were synthesized based on an acetylenic intermediate. An original approach achieved lateral chain insertion of 8‐F_3t‐IsoP by a ring‐closing alkyne metathesis/semi‐reduction strategy together with a temporary tether.     

Optimization of a lateral flow immunoassay for the ultrasensitive detection of aflatoxin M1 in milk

A high sensitive immunoassay-based lateral flow device for semi-quantitatively determine aflatoxin M₁ (AFM₁) in milk was developed. Investigation and optimization of the competitor design and of the gold-labelling strategy allowed the attainment of the ultra-sensitive assessment of AFM₁ contamination at nanograms per litre level (LOD 20 ng L⁻¹, IC₅₀ 99 ng L⁻¹), as requested by European regulations. A one order of magnitude detectability enhancement in comparison to previously reported gold colloid immunochromatographic assays for this toxin was obtained.     

Association of Valdecoxib,a Nonsteroidal Anti‐Inflammatory Drug,with Human Serum Albumin

Valdecoxib addition quenches the intrinsic human serum albumin (HSA) fluorescence. This allows an evaluation of the drug–protein association. However, both the number of binding sites and their affinity for the drug depend upon the methodology employed for their evaluation and the employed protein concentration. In this work, we measured the effect of valdecoxib on HSA fluorescence yield over a wide range of experimental conditions and discuss the validity of the binding parameters derived from the different data treatments: Stern–Volmer, Scatchard, double logarithmic, quadratic equation, Benesi–Hilderand, and Encinas–Lissi. It is proposed that a combination of Encinas–Lissi and Scatchard treatments of the data renders the most reliable results. From these data, it is concluded that HSA presents three high‐affinity binding sites for valdecoxib (K_as = 4.5 × 10⁴ m ^?1) and several secondary sites of smaller activity.     

Stability and phase transformations of the mesomorphic form of isotactic polypropylene in stereodefective polypropylene

A study of the thermodynamic stability and the related polymorphic transformations induced by thermal treatments of the mesomorphic form that crystallizes in stereodefective metallocene isotactic polypropylene (iPP) is presented. We show that the mesomorphic form of the more isotactic samples is stable at room temperature, whereas the mesomorphic form crystallizing in the more stereoirregular sample is unstable and crystallizes at room temperature in the crystalline α form. In any case, the mesomorphic form transforms during heating or by annealing at temperatures higher than 60–80 °C always in the α form, regardless of the stereoregularity, even in the case of stereoirregular samples generally crystallizing from the melt in the γ form. These data confirm the proposed model of structure of the mesomorphic form as small aggregates of chains in three-fold helical conformation packed with lateral correlations similar to the α form of iPP.     

Solid phase extraction of penicillins from milk by using sacrificial silica beads as a support for a molecular imprint

We have prepared molecularly imprinted beads with molecular recognition capability for target molecules containing the penicillanic acid substructure. They were prepared by (a) grafting mesoporous silica beads with 6-aminopenicillanic acid as the mimic template, (b) filling the pores with a polymerized mixture of methacrylic acid and trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate, and (c) removing the silica support with ammonium fluoride. The resulting imprinted beads showed good molecular recognition capability for various penicillanic species, while antibiotics such as cephalosporins or chloramphenicol were poorly recognized. The imprinted beads were used to extract penicillin V, nafcillin, oxacillin, cloxacillin and dicloxacillin from skimmed and deproteinized milk in the concentration range of 5–100 μg·L⁻¹. The extracts were then analyzed by micellar electrokinetic chromatography by applying reverse polarity staking as an in-capillary preconcentration step, and this resulted in a fast and affordable method within the MRL levels, characterized by minimal pretreatment steps and recoveries of 64–90 %.

Penicillanic acid-imprinted beads prepared in preformed porous silica by an imprinting &; etching approach show selectivity towards β-lactams antibiotics. Molecularly imprinted solid phase extraction/micellar electrokinetic chromatography coupled with in-capillary preconcentration resulted in a fast and affordable method for penicillins in milk at MRL levels.

     

Solid phase extraction of penicillins from milk by using sacrificial silica beads as a support for a molecular imprint

We have prepared molecularly imprinted beads with molecular recognition capability for target molecules containing the penicillanic acid substructure. They were prepared by (a) grafting mesoporous silica beads with 6-aminopenicillanic acid as the mimic template, (b) filling the pores with a polymerized mixture of methacrylic acid and trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate, and (c) removing the silica support with ammonium fluoride. The resulting imprinted beads showed good molecular recognition capability for various penicillanic species, while antibiotics such as cephalosporins or chloramphenicol were poorly recognized. The imprinted beads were used to extract penicillin V, nafcillin, oxacillin, cloxacillin and dicloxacillin from skimmed and deproteinized milk in the concentration range of 5–100 μg·L^?1. The extracts were then analyzed by micellar electrokinetic chromatography by applying reverse polarity staking as an in-capillary preconcentration step, and this resulted in a fast and affordable method within the MRL levels, characterized by minimal pretreatment steps and recoveries of 64–90 %.

Synthesis of Dibromo-Vinyl Chalcogenides

β-Bromovinyl chalcogenides were conveniently prepared in good yields by reacting alkynyl chalcogenides with bromine or by addition of organochalcogenyl bromide to bromoacetylenes in the presence of zinc bromide.     

Catalyst-Dependent Selective Synthesis of O/S- and S/S-Acetals from Enol Ethers

Enol ethers are reacted with mercaptanes to give the corresponding O/S- or S/S-acetals in medium to high yield. Either product can be formed selectively depending on the acid catalyst and the reaction time applied.     

Protective Effects of PollenAid Plus Soft Gel Capsules’ Hydroalcoholic Extract in Isolated Prostates and Ovaries Exposed to Lipopolysaccharide

Pollen extract represents an innovative approach for the management of the clinical symptoms related to prostatitis and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). In this context, the aims of the present work were to analyze the phenolic composition of a hydroalcoholic extract of PollenAid Plus soft gel capsules, and to evaluate the extract’s cytotoxic effects, in human prostate cancer PC3 cells and human ovary cancer OVCAR-3 cells. Additionally, protective effects were investigated in isolated prostate and ovary specimens exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The phytochemical investigation identified catechin, chlorogenic acid, gentisic acid, and 3-hydroxytyrosol as the prominent phenolics. The extract did not exert a relevant cytotoxic effect on PC3 and OVCAR-3 cells. However, the extract showed a dose-dependent inhibition of pro-inflammatory IL-6 and TNF-α gene expression in prostate and ovary specimens, and the extract was effective in preventing the LPS-induced upregulation of CAT and SOD gene expression, which are deeply involved in tissue antioxidant defense systems. Finally, a docking approach suggested the capability of catechin and chlorogenic acid to interact with the TRPV1 receptor, playing a master role in prostate inflammation. Overall, the present findings demonstrated anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of this formulation; thus, suggesting its capability in the management of the clinical symptoms related to prostatitis and PID.     

NMR Investigation of the Interaction of Three Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs with Human Serum Albumin

The understanding of the interaction between non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and human serum albumin plays a fundamental role in the development of new drugs and new therapeutic strategies. Several studies have been performed, nevertheless, the interaction phenomena are still not fully understood. In this work, high-field solution Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy was applied to compare the strength of the interaction of diclofenac sodium salt, ketorolac tris salt and flurbiprofen sodium salt toward albumin. To this aim, mono- and bi-selective relaxation rate measurements were performed by applying selective π-pulses at the selected frequencies and by following magnetization recovery. On the basis of the dependence of relaxation parameters on albumin concentration, normalized affinity indexes were calculated for several protons of the drugs. Affinity indexes for diclofenac were about five-fold higher in comparison with ketorolac and flurbiprofen. Aromatic moieties of the three drugs and methine protons at the chiral centers of ketorolac and flurbiprofen were more involved in the interaction with albumin. In conclusion, NMR spectroscopy allows not only for the comparison of drug-to-protein affinities but also points out the nature of the drug sites that are more extensively involved in the interaction.