Results from Super-Kamiokande and K2K

Results from Super-Kamiokande-I’s entire 1496 live days of solar neutrino data are presented, including the absolute flux, energy spectrum, zenith angle (day/night) and seasonal variation. The possibility of MSW and vacuum oscillations is discussed in light of these results. Results from the first 1289 days of Super-K-I’s atmospheric neutrino analysis are also presented, including the evidence for ν_μ →ν _τ oscillations, against ν_μ → ν_sterile oscillations, and the current limits on proton decay. Finally, results based on 56 × 10¹⁹ protons on target are given for the K2K long-baseline neutrino oscillation experiment.     

Gold nanoparticle networks with photoresponsive interparticle spacings

Photoresponsive gold nanoparticle networks were prepared by functionalizing them with azobenzene derivatives. A network can be formed when a linker molecule constituting the azobenzene moiety suitably derivatized on either side with gold surface sensitive groups such as thiols and amines is added to the nanoparticle solution. It is shown that the interparticle spacing in the networks could be controlled by the reversible trans-cis isomerization of the azobenzene moiety induced by UV and visible light, respectively. The photoinduced variation in the interparticle spacings is inferred by the changes in the optical spectra of the gold nanoparticles which display a red or blue shift in the surface plasmon resonance peak depending on a decrease or increase in the interparticle spacing, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy images are in consonance with the evidence from the optical spectra.     

Validation and clinical application of an LC‐ESI‐MS/MS method for simultaneous determination of tolmetin and MED5, the metabolites of amtolmetin guacil in human plasma

A highly sensitive, rapid assay method has been developed and validated for the simultaneous estimation of tolmetin (TMT) and MED5 in human plasma with liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization in the positive‐ion mode. A simple solid‐phase extraction process was used to extract TMT and MED5 along with mycophenolic acid (internal standard, IS) from human plasma. Chromatographic separation was achieved with 0.2% formic acid–acetonitrile (25:75, v/v) at a flow rate of 0.50 mL/min on an X‐Terra RP₁₈ column with a total run time of 2.5 min. The MS/MS ion transitions monitored were 258.1 → 119.0 for TMT, 315.1 → 119.0 for MED5 and 321.2 → 207.0 for IS. Method validation and clinical sample analysis were performed as per FDA guidelines and the results met the acceptance criteria. The lower limit of quantitation achieved was 20 ng/mL and the linearity was observed from 20 to 2000 ng/mL, for both the anlaytes. The intra‐day and inter‐day precisions were in the range 3.27–4.50 and 5.32–8.18%, respectively for TMT and 4.27–5.68 and 5.32–8.85%, respectively for MED5. This novel method has been applied to a clinical pharmacokinetic study. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Simultaneous estimation of four proton pump inhibitors—lansoprazole,omeprazole, pantoprazole and rabeprazole: development of a novel generic HPLC‐UV method and its application to clinical pharmacokinetic study

A highly selective, sensitive and accurate HPLC method has been developed and validated for the estimation of four proton‐pump inhibitors (PPI), lansoprazole (LPZ), omeprazole (OPZ), pantoprazole (PPZ) and rabeprazole (RPZ), with 500 µL human plasma using zonisamide as an internal standard (IS). The sample preparation involved simple liquid–liquid extraction of LPZ, OPZ, PPZ and RPZ and IS from human plasma with ethyl acetate. The baseline separation of all the peaks was achieved with 0.1% triethylamine (pH 6.0):acetonitrile (72:28, v/v) at a flow rate of 1 mL/min on a Zorbax C₈ column. The total chromatographic run time was 11.0 min and the simultaneous elution of IS, OPZ, RPZ, PPZ and LPZ occurred at approximately 2.42, 4.45, 5.02 and 9.37 min, respectively. The method was proved to be accurate and precise at linearity range of 20.61–1999.79 ng/mL with a correlation coefficient (r) of ≥0.999. The limit of quantitation for each of the PPI studied was 20.61 ng/mL. The intra‐ and inter‐day precision and accuracy values were found to be within the assay variability limits as per the FDA guidelines. The developed assay method was applied to a pharmacokinetic study in human volunteers. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Facile synthesis of unusual glycosyl carbamates and amino acid glycosides from propargyl 1,2-orthoesters as glycosyl donors

Propargyl 1,2-O-orthoesters are exploited for the synthesis of 1,2-trans O-glycosides of protected amino acids. N-Fmoc- and N-Cbz protected serine/threonine - benzyl/methyl esters reacted well with glucosyl-, galactosyl-, mannosyl- and lactosyl- derived propargyl 1,2-orthoesters affording respective 1,2-trans glycosides in good yields under AuBr(3)/4 ? MS Powder/CH(2)Cl(2)/rt. t-Boc serine derivative gave serine 1,2-orthoester and glycosyl carbamate. Optimized conditions enabled preparation of new glycosyl carbamates from N-Boc protected amines in a single step using gold catalysts and propargyl 1,2-orthoesters in excellent yields.     

Electronic structure study of the reactivity centres in Ti8C12 clusters

The reactivity centres of Ti₈C₁₂, for the three structures suggested in conformity with experimental observations, are studied by extended Huckel theory, The C₂ unit can complex with transition metal fragments such as Pt(PH₃)₂ with the unusual net result of transferring two electrons to Ti₈C₁₂. The metal centre, Ti can accommodate extra two-electron donors like CO. Model systems are used to explain the carbon and metal environment in Ti₈C₁₂.     

Sensitive method for the determination of paricalcitol by liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry and its application to a clinical pharmacokinetic study

A highly sensitive, specific and rapid LC‐ESI‐MS/MS method has been developed and validated for the quantification of paricalcitol (PAR) in human plasma (500 μL) using paricalcitol‐d₆ (PAR‐d₆) as an internal standard (IS) as per regulatory guidelines. A liquid–liquid extraction method was used to extract the analyte and IS from human plasma. Chromatography was achieved on Zorbax SB C₁₈ column using an isocratic mobile phase in a gradient flow. The total chromatographic run time was 6.0 min and the elution of PAR and PAR‐d₆ occurred at ~2.6 min. A linear response function was established for the range of concentrations 10–500 pg/mL in human plasma. The intra‐ and inter‐day accuracy and precision values for PAR met the acceptance criteria. The validated assay was applied to quantitate PAR concentrations in human plasma following oral administration of 4 µg capsules to humans. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Highly sensitive method for the determination of omeprazole in human plasma by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry: application to a clinical pharmacokinetic study

A highly sensitive, rapid assay method has been developed and validated for the estimation of omeprazole (OPZ) in human plasma with liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization in the positive-ion mode. The assay procedure involves alkalinization of plasma followed by simple liquid-liquid extraction of OPZ and lansoprazole (internal standard, IS) from human plasma with acetonitrile. Chromatographic separation was achieved with 0.01 M ammonium acetate:acetonitrile (40:60, v/v) at a flow rate of 0.25 mL/min on an Inertsil ODS 3 column with a total run time 2.5 min. The MS/MS ion transitions monitored were 346.1 --> 198.1 for OPZ and 370.1 --> 252.1 for IS. Method validation and clinical sample analysis were performed as per FDA guidelines and the results met the acceptance criteria. The lower limit of quantitation achieved was 0.05 ng/mL and the linearity was observed from 0.05 to 10.0 ng/mL. The intra-day and inter-day precisions were in the ranges 2.09-8.56 and 5.29-8.19%, respectively. This novel method has been applied to a pharmacokinetic study of OPZ in humans.     

"Click chemistry" inspired synthesis of pseudo-oligosaccharides and amino acid glycoconjugates

[reaction: see text] Various pseudo-oligosacchardies and amino acid glycoconjugates were synthesized via an intermolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition ("click") reaction using easily accessible carbohydrate and amino acid derived azides and alkynes as building blocks. It is pertinent to mention that the conjugation reaction is highly regioselective and high yielding and can be carried out under mild reaction conditions.