Quantification of soluble epoxide hydrolase inhibitors in experimental and clinical samples using the nanobody-based ELISA

To ensure proper dosage of a drug,analytical quantification of it in biofluid is necessary.Liquid chromatography mass spectrometry(LC-MS)is the conventional method of choice as it permits accurate identification and quantification.However,it requires expensive instrumentation and is not appropriate for bedside use.Using soluble epoxide hydrolase(sEH)inhibitors(EC5026 and TPPU)as examples,we report development of a nanobody-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)for such small molecules and its use to accurately quantify the drug chemicals in human samples.Under optimized conditions,two nanobody-based ELISAs were successfully established for EC5026 and TPPU with low limits of detection of 0.085 ng/mL and 0.31 ng/mL,respectively,and two order of magnitude linear ranges with high precision and accuracy.The assay was designed to detect parent and two biologically active metabolites in the investigation of a new drug candidate EC5026.In addition,the ELISAs displayed excellent correlation with LC-MS analysis and evaluation of inhibitory potency.The results indicate that nanobody-based ELISA methods can efficiently analyze drug like compounds.These methods could be easily implemented by the bedside,in the field in remote areas or in veterinary practice.This work illustrates that nanobody based assays offer alternative and supplementary analytical tools to mass spectrometry for monitoring small molecule medicines during clinical development and therapy.Attributes of nanobody based pharmaceutical assays are discussed.

Tailoring the microenvironment of Ti sites in Ti-containing materials for synergizing with Au sites to boost propylene epoxidation

Au sites supported on Ti-containing materials(Au/Ti-containing catalyst)are currently considered as a promising catalyst for the propylene epoxidation owing to the synergistic effect that hydrogen peroxide species formed on Au sites diffuses to the Ti sites to form the Ti-hydroperoxo intermedi-ates and contributes to the formation of propylene oxide(PO).In principle,thermal treatment will significantly affect the chemical and physical structures of Ti-containing materials.Consequently,the synergy between tailored Ti sites with different surface properties and Au sites is highly expected to enhance the catalytic performance for the reaction.Herein,we systematically studied the intrinsic effects of different microenvironments around Ti sites on the PO adsorption/desorption and conversion,and then effectively improved the catalytic performance by tailoring the number of surface hydroxyl groups.The Ti^(Ⅵ) material with fewer hydroxyls stimulates a remarkable enhancement in PO selectivity and H_(2) efficiency compared to the Ti^(Ⅵ) material that possessed more hydroxyls,offering a 7-fold and 4-fold increase,respectively.As expected,the Ti^(Ⅵ+Ⅳ) and Ti^(Ⅳ) materials also exhibit a similar phenomenon to the Ti^(Ⅵ) materials through the same thermal treatment,which strongly supports that the Ti sites microenvironment is an important factor in suppressing PO con-version and enhancing catalytic performance.These insights could provide guidance for the rational preparation and optimization of Ti-containing materials synergizing with Au catalysts for propylene epoxidation.

Lutein-stevioside nanoparticle attenuates H_(2)O_(2)-induced oxidative damage in ARPE cells

In order to improve the bioavailability of lutein(LUT),a novel lutein-stevio side nanoparticle(LUT-STE)were prepared previously,but the information about LUT-STE on protecting of eye health was limited.This study investigated the effect of LUT-STE on antioxidant activity of H_(2)O_(2)-induced human retinal pigment epithelial(ARPE)cells.LUT and LUT-STE(final concentration of 5μg/mL)significantly enhanced cell viability from(74.84±5.10)%to(81.92±10.01)%(LUT)and(89.33±4.34)%(LUT-STE),and inhibited the cell apoptosis(P<0.05).After pretreatment with LUT-STE in ARPE cells,the levels of superoxide dismutase(SOD),catalase(CAT)and glutathion peroxidase(GSH-Px)in ARPE cells were significantly increased(P<0.05),the contents of reactive oxygen species(ROS)and malondialdehyde(MDA)were decreased.In addition,the vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)levels were inhibited by 13.61%and 17.39%,respectively,pretreatment with LUT and LUT-STE.Western blotting results showed that the pretreatment with LUT-STE inhibited the expression of caspase-9 and caspase-3 and up-regulated Bcl-2/Bax pathway to inhibit H_(2)O_(2)-induced apoptosis.In summary,the novel delivery LUT-STE had more pronounced inhibitory effect on H_(2)O_(2)-induced damage in human ARPE cells.

Recent advances in metal-free catalysts for the synthesis of cyclic carbonates from CO_2 and epoxides

The aim of ＂green chemistry＂ and ＂atom economy＂ is to utilize carbon dioxide and replace harmful reactants such as CO and phosgene for the production of cyclic carbonates. In this paper, metal-free catalysts including organic bases, ionic liquids, supported catalysts, organic copolymers and carbon materials for the synthesis of cyclic carbonates by the cycloaddition of carbon dioxide to epoxides are reviewed. Recent advances in the design of the catalysts and the understanding of the reaction mechanism are summarized and discussed. The synergistic effects of organic bases and hydrogen bond donors, organic bases and nucleophilic anions, hydrogen bond donors and nucleophilic anions and active components and supports are highlighted. The challenge is to develop metal-free catalysts suitable for carbon dioxide capture and fixation. The ultimate goal is to synthesize cyclic carbonates in a flow reactor directly using carbon dioxide from industrial flue gas at ambient temperature and atmospheric pressure. By using synergetic effects, a multi-functional approach can meet the design strategy of metal-free catalysts for carbon dioxide adsorption and activation as well as epoxide ring opening.

Cyclohexene Epoxides from Piper polysyphorum

Three new cyclohexene epoxides,polysyphoside A,B and C,along with a known compound crotepoxide(4),were isolated from Piper polysyphorum C.DC.Based on spectroscopic analysis,their structures were established as 1-benzoyloxymethylene-2-hydroxy-3-benzoyloxy-1,6- epoxycyclohex-4-ene(1),1-benzoyloxymethylene-2-hydroxy-5-benzoyloxy-1,6-epoxycyclohex-3-ene (2)and 2-hydroxy-3-benzoyloxymethylene-5-benzoyloxy-1,6-epoxycyclohex-3-ene(3),respectively.It was the first time that(1),(2)and(3)had been isolated from a natural source.

IMPROVEMENT OF WET-CREASE RECOVERY PROPERTIES OF SILK FABRICS TREATED WITH EPOXIDES

Silk fabrics is finished with epoxide TDEA or TDEB. By the determination of washing fastness, DSC, IR spectrum and amino acid contents tests, TDEA or TDEB is confirmed to react with silk fibroin. By means of tests of silk fibroin swelling and solubility in some solvents, crosslinking reactions between TDEA or TDEB and silk fibroin arc further proved, which is obviously responsible to the increase of wet-crease recovery of silk fabrics finished with epoxide TDEA or TDEB.

Highly active double metal cyanide complexes: Effect of central metal and ligand on reaction of epoxide/CO2

Various novel double metal cyanide （DMC） catalysts were successfully prepared by modifying the central metal （M） and one of cyanide ion （CN-） in Zna[M（CN）b]c complex. Such modifications have significant impact on the catalytic efficiency as well as the polymer selectivity for the reaction of PO/CO2. Zn-Ni（Ⅱ） DMC is a potential catalyst for alternating copolymerization of PO/CO2,and DMC catalysts based on Zn3[Co（CN）5X]2 （X = Br^- and N3^-） exhibit moderate efficiency for the production of polycarbonates.This research presents the preliminary exploration of novel DMC complex via chemical modification of its central metal and ligand.

SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF HYDROXYLATED FULLERENE EPOXIDE—AN INTERMEDIATE FOR FORMING FULLEROL

A new C 60 derivative hydroxylated fullerene epoxide [C 60 (OH) x (O) y ] was prepared by the reaction of C 60 benzene solution with aqueous NaOH and H 2O 2 in the presence of tetrabutylammonium hydroxide(TBAH) as the catalyzer. The structure of hydroxylated fullerene epoxide was characterized by FT IR, NMR and MS , and it was found that it is easy to hydrolyze to fullerol.

Regioselective ring opening of epoxides using NH_4SCN/silica sulfuric acid:An efficient approach for the synthesis of β-hydroxy thiocyanate under solvent-free conditions

Silica sulfuric acid was developed as a stable and efficient heterogeneous catalyst in organic synthesis. This solid acid catalyzed the regioselective ring opening of epoxides by thiocyanate anion to give thiocyanohydrins as key intermediates in agricultural and pharmaceutical chemistry in high yields under solvent-free conditions.

Nuclephilic ring opening of epoxides promoted by multi-site phase-transfer catalyst:An efficient and eco-friendly route to synthesis of β-hydroxythiocyanate

A highly effective and mild protocol for ring opening of epoxides with NH4SCN in the presence of catalytic amount of a multi- site phase-transfer catalyst, α,α＇,α＂-N-hexakis（triethylammoniummethylene chloride）-melamine, is developed. A variety of ^-hydroxy thiocyanates as important intermediates in agricultural and pharmaceutical chemistry were obtained in high yields with excellent regioselectivity and in short reaction times. 2009 Ali Reza Kiasat. Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Chinese Chemical Society. All rights reserved.

Synthesis of Dimethyl Carbonate from CO_2, Methanol, and Epoxides Using Re(CO)_5Cl/K_2CO_3 as Catalyst System

Over the past few years, dimethyl carbonate （DMC） has been proven to be an efficient methylating, methoxylating, and methoxycarbonylating agent in organic syntheses, in which DMC is used to replace the toxic methyl halides, dimethyl sulfate or carbon monoxide, and so forth. Furthermore, DMC has been used in the syntheses of polycarbonates and polyurethane to develop the nonphosgene routes Therefore, DMC has become one of the most important compounds in the development of green synthetic chemistry.

Influence of Silencing Soluble Epoxide Hydrolase with RNA Interference on Cardiomyocytes Apoptosis Induced By Doxorubicin

In order to investigate the influence of silencing soluble epoxide hydrolase（sEH） with double-stranded small interfering RNA（siRNA） on cardiomyocytes apoptosis induced by doxorubicin（DOX）,two plasmids containing siRNA sequences specific to sEH were constructed and transfected into the primary cultured cardiomyocytes by using FuGENE HD transfection agents.The mRNA and protein expression levels of sEH were detected by semiquantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting respectively,and the plasmids that silenced sEH most significantly were selected,and renamed EH-R.The plasmids carrying a nonspecific siRNA coding sequence（PCN） served as the negative control.Cardiomyocytes were divided into four groups：control group,DOX group,PCN＋DOX group,and EH-R＋DOX group.Apoptosis of cardiomyocytes was induced by DOX at a concentration of 1 μmol/L.Apoptosis rate of cardiomyocytes was determined by flow cytometery.The protein expression levels of Bcl-2 and Bax were detected by Western blotting.The results showed that the expression of sEH was down-regulated by EH-R plasmid.The expression levels of sEH mRNA and protein in the EH-R＋DOX group were significantly decreased as compared with other groups（P0.01）.As compared with the control group,the apoptosis rate of cardiomyocytes in three DOX-treated groups was obviously increased,the expression levels of Bax increased,and those of Bcl-2 decreased（P0.01）.However,the expression levels of Bax were decreased,those of Bcl-2 increased and the apoptosis rate of cardiomyocytes obvi-ously decreased in EH-R＋DOX group when compared with those in the DOX group and the PCN＋DOX group（P0.01 for each）.It was concluded that the recombinant plasmids could be successfully constructed,and transfected into the primary cultured cardiomyocytes.They could ameliorate the DOX-induced cardiomyocytes apoptosis by selectively inhibiting the expression of sEH with RNAi and increasing the expression of Bcl-2.

A New Catalyst in the Crease Recovery Finishing of Silk Fabrics with Epoxide

The paper here intends to discuss silk crease recovery finishing behavior with ED GE (ethylene diglycidal ether) in the presence of a new catalyst WSH. The results show that ED GE reacts with silk fibroin and forms cross linkages through ether bond. The formation of cross linking was examined by FITR spectroscopy, soluble time in acid solution and changes of amino acids. Handle of treated silk with catalyst WSH is better than that of silk treated with the traditional catalysts such as thiosulfates and thiocyanates. Finishing technique, physical properties of the finished silk fabrics and evaluation of cross linkages are discussed.

SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION, METAL-UPTAKE BEHAVIOR OF BIS(BENZIMIDAZOLE) RESIN SUPPORTED ON EPOXIDE POLYMER

The new chelate resins, abbreviated as PNBMZs and PBBMZs based on epoxide polymer, were synthesized by polycondensation of N,N-diglycidyl-4-glycidyloxyaniline or 1,4-bis（2,3-epoxypropyl）benzene with the primary amine group of 1,3-bis（benzimidazol-2yl）propylamine （BBPAH）. The ion exchangers contain 2.71-3.23 mmol of the ligand contents per gram of the resin. Batch extraction capacities were determined for the metal chloride salts in buffer solutions in the pH range from -1 to 6.0. The chelate resins were very selective for Cu^2＋, Zn^2＋, Cd^2＋ in the presence of other divalent transition metal ions. The maximum uptake capacities of PNBMZ （synthetic molar ratio = 1：1.5） under non-competitive condition were found to be 0.94 mmol/g for Cu^2＋ at pH = 2, 1.3 mmol/g for Cd^2＋ at pH = 1 and 1.75 mmol/g for Zn^2＋ at pH = -1 respectively. While in the case of PBBMZ, it was 1.39 mmol/g for Cd〉 at pH = 1. The metal-uptake behaviors for both of them showed strong pH dependence, and their extraction capacities increase with decreasing pH. The uptake of Cu^2＋ by the resin PNBMZs at pH = 1 was found to be rather fast with t1/2 = 18 min. Metal-uptake experiments under competitive conditions also confirm that the chelate resins have a high selectivity for Cu^2＋, Zn^2＋, Cd^2＋ and the contrary pH dependence.

Decreased Expression of Vitamin K Epoxide Reductase Complex Subunit 1 in Kidney of Patients with Calcium Oxalate Urolithiasis

Urinary prothrombin fragment 1 （UPTFl） is a potent inhibitor of urinary stone formation. UPTF1 exerts such inhibitory effect by effective 7-carboxylation in which vitamin K epoxide reductase complex subunit 1 （VKORC1）, the rate-limiting enzyme, is involved. This study examined the correlation between VKORC1 expression and calcium oxalate urolithiasis. The renal cortex samples were obtained from patients undergoing nephrectomy and then divided into 3 groups： urolithiasis group, control group A [hydronephrosis-without-stone （HWS） group], control group B （normal control group）, The localization and expression of VKORC1 in renal tissues were determined by using immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence microscopy, Western blotting and SYBR Green I real-time reverse-transcription PCR. The rapid amplification of cDNA ends （RACE） were conducted to obtain the 3＇- and 5＇-untranslated region （UTR） of VKORC1. The results showed that VKORC1 was located in the cytoplasm of renal tubular epithelial cells. The expression of VKORC1 in the uro- lithiasis group was significantly lower than that in the other two control groups （P〈0.05）. Moreover, the 3＇- and 5＇-UTR sequence of the VKORC1 gene was successfully cloned. No insertion or deletion was found in the 3＇- and 5＇-UTR. However, a 171-bp new base sequence was discovered in the up- stream of 5＇-UTR end in the urolithiasis group. It was concluded that the decreased expression of VKORC 1 may contribute to the development of calcium oxalate urolithiasis in the kidney.

Al(HSO_4)_3/silica gel as a novel catalytic system for the ring opening of epoxides with thiocyanate anion under solvent-free conditions

For the first time,metal hydrogen sulfates and phosphates/silica gel have been studied as efficient and powerful solid acid catalysts in the ring opening of epoxides with thiocyanate anion.The most significant result was obtained by Al(HSO4)3/SiO2which afforded the corresponding β-hydroxy thiocyanates under mild reaction conditions and in very short reaction times.The cheapness, availability of the catalyst,ease of procedure and work-up make this method attractive for the organic synthesis.

Zirconium triflate grafted on SBA-15 as a highly efficient solid acid catalyst for ring opening of epoxides by amines and alcohols

Metal(Al,Ti,Zr)triflate grafted mesoporous SBA‐15(AlTf/S,TiTf/S,ZrTf/S)samples were synthesizedas inexpensive solid acid materials by a simple one‐pot‐two‐step synthesis methodology.These materials were characterized by X‐ray diffraction,N2‐sorption,thermogravimetric analysis,Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FT‐IR),in‐situ pyridine FT‐IR spectroscopy,and elementalanalysis.ZrTf/S was found to be a highly efficient and reusable solid acid catalyst for ring opening ofepoxides with amines and alcohols and producedβ‐amino alcohols andβ‐alkoxy alcohols respectivelyunder ambient reaction conditions.The ZrTf/S catalyst showed the highest activity,whichwas attributed to its high acidity compared with that of the Ti and Al containing samples.

Cobalt carbonyl ionic liquids based on the 1,1,3,3-tetra-alkylguanidine cation:Novel, highly efficient, and reusable catalysts for the carbonylation of epoxides

A series of novel cobalt carbonyl ionic liquids based on1,1,3,3‐tetra‐alkyl‐guanidine,such as[1,1‐dimethyl‐3,3‐diethylguanidinium][Co(CO)4](3a),[1,1‐dimethyl‐3,3‐dibutylguanidinium][Co(CO)4](3b),[1,1‐dimethyl‐3,3‐tetramethyleneguanidinium][Co(CO)4](3c),and[1,1‐dimethyl‐3,3‐pentamethyleneguanidinium][Co(CO)4](3d),were synthesized in good yields and were also characterized using infrared spectroscopy,ultraviolet‐visible spectroscopy,1H nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR)spectroscopy,13C NMR spectroscopy,high‐resolution mass spectrometry,differential scanning calorimetry,and thermogravimetric analysis.The four compounds exhibited high thermal and chemical stability.In addition,the catalytic performance of these compounds was investigated in the carbonylation of epoxides,with3a exhibiting the best catalytic activity without the aid of a base as the additive.The catalyst could be reused at least six times without significant decreases of the selectivity or conversion rate.Moreover,the catalyst system exhibited good tolerance with terminal epoxides bearing alkyl,alkenyl,aryl,alkoxy,and chloromethyl functional groups.

Science Letters:EHPred: an SVM-based method for epoxide hydrolases recognition and classification

A two-layer method based on support vector machines (SVMs) has been developed to distinguish epoxide hydrolases (EHs) from other enzymes and to classify its subfamilies using its primary protein sequences. SVM classifiers were built using three different feature vectors extracted from the primary sequence of EHs: the amino acid composition (AAC), the dipeptide composition (DPC), and the pseudo-amino acid composition (PAAC). Validated by 5-fold cross tests, the first layer SVM clas- sifier can differentiate EHs and non-EHs with an accuracy of 94.2% and has a Matthew’s correlation coefficient (MCC) of 0.84. Using 2-fold cross validation, PAAC-based second layer SVM can further classify EH subfamilies with an overall accuracy of 90.7% and MCC of 0.87 as compared to AAC (80.0%) and DPC (84.9%). A program called EHPred has also been developed to assist readers to recognize EHs and to classify their subfamilies using primary protein sequences with greater accuracy.

Iron Arene Salts as Initiators for Thermal Curing of Epoxides by Photo-catalysis

[Cyclopentadien-Fe-naphthalene]BF4(CFN) and [cyclopentadien-Fe-anisole]BF4(CFA) as thermal cationic initiators for the curing of epoxide E44 and GGE were investigated. CFN brought out the curing of E44 at 89.1℃ and that of GGE at 148.7℃. However, CFA had much less thermal initiating activity under 300℃. Under UV radiation for short time, the thermal initiating activities of CFN and CFA were enhanced obviously. It was observed that the initiating onset temperature decreased and the evolved heat of the curing increased. Both CFN and CFA can carry out the polymerization of E44 and GGE near 85℃ and 112℃ by UV radiation.