Development and validation of a simple HPLC-MS/MS method for the quantification of methylmalonic acid in human serum without a derivatization step.

A simple and rapid HPLC-MS/MS analytical method was developed and validated for the determination of methylmalonic acid (MMA) in human serum without a derivatization step. Serum samples (200 µl) were pretreated using a simple method based on ultrafiltration using a VIVASPIN 500 ultrafiltration column. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a Luna Omega C18 column with a PS C18 precolumn guard by gradient elution using 0.1% (v/v) formic acid in water (mobile phase A) and 0.5% (v/v) formic acid in acetonitrile (mobile phase B) at a flow rate of 0.2 ml min-1 . The total run time of the analysis was 4.5 min. Negative electrospray ionization and multiple reaction monitoring mode were used. The lower limit of detection and lower limit of quantification for MMA were determined to be 13.6 and 42.3 nmol L-1 , respectively. The developed method enabled the quantification of MMA in a wide linear range of 42.3-4230 nmol L-1 with a correlation coefficient of 0.9991.

Diastereoselective synthesis of (±)-trichodiene and (±)-trichodiene-D3 as analytical standards for the on-site quantification of trichothecenes.

The ubiquitous Fusarium genus is responsible for the spoilage of vast amounts of cereals and fruits. Besides the economic damage, the danger to human and animal health by the concomitant exposure to mycotoxins represents a serious problem. A large number of Fusarium species produce a variety of different mycotoxins of which the class of trichothecenes are of particular importance due to their toxicity. Being identified as the common volatile precursor during the biosynthesis of trichothecenes, (-)-trichodiene (TD) is considered to be a biomarker for the respective mycotoxin content in food samples. We postulated that the development of a non-invasive, on-site GC-IMS method for the quantification of (-)-trichodiene supplemented with a stationary SIDA headspace GC-MS reference method would allow circumventing the laborious and expensive analyses of individual trichothecenes in large cereal samples. In this work we present the syntheses of the required native calibration standard and an isotope labeled (TD-D3) internal standard.

First Synthesis of (-)-Altenuene-D3 Suitable as Internal Standard for Isotope Dilution Mass Spectrometry.

Metabolites from Alternaria fungi exhibit a variety of biological properties such as phytotoxic, cytotoxic, or antimicrobial activity. Optimization of a literature procedure culminated in an efficient total synthesis of (-)-altenuene as well as a stable isotope-labeled derivative suitable for implementation in a LC-MS/MS method for mycotoxin analysis.

SARS-CoV-2 rapid antigen testing in the healthcare sector: A clinical prediction model for identifying false negative results.

OBJECTIVES: SARS-CoV-2 rapid antigen tests (RAT) provide fast identification of infectious patients when RT-PCR results are not immediately available. We aimed to develop a prediction model for identification of false negative (FN) RAT results. METHODS: In this multicenter trial, patients with documented paired results of RAT and RT-PCR between October 1st 2020 and January 31st 2021 were retrospectively analyzed regarding clinical findings. Variables included demographics, laboratory values and specific symptoms. Three different models were evaluated using Bayesian logistic regression. RESULTS: The initial dataset contained 4,076 patients. Overall sensitivity and specificity of RAT was 62.3% and 97.6%. 2,997 cases with negative RAT results (FN: 120; true negative: 2,877; reference: RT-PCR) underwent further evaluation after removal of cases with missing data. The best-performing model for predicting FN RAT results containing 10 variables yielded an area under the curve of 0.971. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV for 0.09 as cut-off value (probability for FN RAT) were 0.85, 0.99, 0.7 and 0.99. CONCLUSION: FN RAT results can be accurately identified through ten routinely available variables. Implementation of a prediction model in addition to RAT testing in clinical care can provide decision guidance for initiating appropriate hygiene measures and therefore helps avoiding nosocomial infections.

Monitoring matrix remodeling in the cellular microenvironment using microrheology for complex cellular systems.

Multiple particle tracking (MPT) microrheology was employed for monitoring the development of extracellular matrix (ECM) mechanical properties in the direct microenvironment of living cells. A customized setup enabled us to overcome current limitations: (i) Continuous measurements were enabled using a cell culture chamber, with this, matrix remodeling by fibroblasts in the heterogeneous environment of macroporous scaffolds was monitored continuously. (ii) Employing tracer laden porous scaffolds for seeding human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs), we followed conventional differentiation protocols. Thus, we were, for the first time able to study the massive alterations in ECM elasticity during hMSC differentiation. (iii) MPT measurements in 2D cell cultures were enabled using a long distance objective. Exemplarily, local mechanical properties of the ECM in human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) cultures, that naturally form 2D layers, were investigated scaffold-free. Using our advanced setup, we measured local, apparent elastic moduli G0,app in a range between 0.08 and 60 Pa. For fibroblasts grown in collagen-based scaffolds, a continuous decrease of local matrix elasticity resulted during the first 10 hours after seeding. The osteogenic differentiation of hMSC cells cultivated in similar scaffolds, led to an increase of G0,app by 100 %, whereas after adipogenic differentiation it was reduced by 80 %. The local elasticity of ECM that was newly secreted by HUVECs increased significantly upon addition of protease inhibitor and in high glucose conditions even a twofold increase in G0,app was observed. The combination of these advanced methods opens up new avenues for a broad range of investigations regarding cell-matrix interactions and the propagation of ECM mechanical properties in complex biological systems. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Cells sense the elasticity of their environment on a micrometer length scale. For studying the local elasticity of extracellular matrix (ECM) in the direct environment of living cells, we employed an advanced multipleparticle tracking microrheology setup. MPT is based on monitoring the Brownian motion oftracer particles, which is restricted by the surrounding network. Network elasticity can thusbe quantified. Overcoming current limitations, we realized continuous investigations of ECM elasticityduring fibroblast growth. Furthermore, MPT measurements of stem cell ECM showed ECMstiffening during osteogenic differentiation and softening during adipogenic differentiation.Finally, we characterized small amounts of delicate ECM newly secreted in scaffold-freecultures of endothelial cells, that naturally form 2D layers.

Pro-angiogenic Activity Discriminates Human Adipose-Derived Stromal Cells From Retinal Pericytes: Considerations for Cell-Based Therapy of Diabetic Retinopathy.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a frequent diabetes-associated complication. Pericyte dropout can cause increased vascular permeability and contribute to vascular occlusion. Adipose-derived stromal cells (ASC) have been suggested to replace pericytes and restore microvascular support as potential therapy of DR. In models of DR, ASC not only generated a cytoprotective and reparative environment by the secretion of trophic factors but also engrafted and integrated into the retina in a pericyte-like fashion. The aim of this study was to compare the pro-angiogenic features of human ASC and human retinal microvascular pericytes (HRMVPC) in vitro. The proliferation and the expression of ASC and HRMVPC markers were compared. Adhesion to high glucose-conditioned endothelial extracellular matrix, mimicking the diabetic microenvironment, was measured. The angiogenesis-promoting features of both cell types and their conditioned media on human retinal endothelial cells (EC) were assessed. To identify a molecular basis for the observed differences, gene expression profiling was performed using whole-genome microarrays, and data were validated using PCR arrays and flow cytometry. Based on multiplex cytokine results, functional studies on selected growth factors were performed to assess their role in angiogenic support. Despite a distinct heterogeneity in ASC and HRMVPC cultures with an overlap of expressed markers, ASC differed functionally from HRMVPC. Most importantly, the pro-angiogenic activity was solely featured by ASC, whereas HRMVPC actively suppressed vascular network formation. HRMVPC, in contrast to ASC, showed impaired adhesion and proliferation on the high glucose-conditioned endothelial extracellular matrix. These data were supported by gene expression profiles with differentially expressed genes. The vessel-stabilizing factors were more highly expressed in HRMVPC, and the angiogenesis-promoting factors were more highly expressed in ASC. The vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 inhibition efficiently abolished the ASC angiogenic supportive capacities, whereas the addition of angiopoietin-1 and angiopoietin-2 did not alter these effects. Our results clearly show that ASC are pro-angiogenic, whereas HRMVPC are marked by anti-angiogenic/EC-stabilizing features. These data support ASC as pericyte replacement in DR but also suggest a careful risk-to-benefit analysis to take full advantage of the ASC therapeutic features.

Mesenchymal stromal/stem cells as potential therapy in diabetic retinopathy.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a multifactorial microvascular disease induced by hyperglycemia and subsequent metabolic abnormalities. The resulting cell stress causes a sequela of events that ultimately can lead to severe vision impairment and blindness. The early stages are characterized by activation of glia and loss of pericytes, endothelial cells (EC) and neuronal cells. The integrity of the retinal microvasculature becomes affected, and, as a possible late response, macular edema may develop as a common reason for vision loss in patients with non-proliferative DR. Moreover, the local ischemia can trigger vasoproliferation leading to vision-threating proliferative DR (PDR) in humans. Available treatment options include control of metabolic and hemodynamic factors. Timely intervention of advanced DR stages with laser photocoagulation, intraocular anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) or glucocorticoid drugs can reduce vision loss. As the pathology involves cell loss of both the vascular and neuroglial compartments, cell replacement strategies by stem and progenitor cells have gained considerable interest in the past years. Compared to other disease entities, so far little is known about the efficacy and potential mode of action of cell therapy in treatment of DR. In preclinical models of DR different cell types have been applied ranging from embryonic or induced pluripotent stem cells, hematopoietic stem cells, and endothelial progenitor cells to mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC). The latter cell population can combine various modes of action (MoA), thus they are among the most intensely tested cell types in cell therapy. The aim of this review is to discuss the rationale for using MSC as potential cell therapy to treat DR. Accordingly, we will revise identified MoA of MSCs and speculate how these may support the repair of the damaged retina.

A concise total synthesis of melithiazole C.

A short and convergent synthesis of the myxobacterial antibiotic melithiazole C is described featuring a highly E-selective cross-metathesis as the key step.

Total Synthesis of Putative 11-epi-Lyngbouilloside Aglycon.

We report here the total synthesis of 11-epi-lyngbouilloside aglycon. Our strategy features a Boeckman-type esterification followed by a RCM to form the 14-membered ring macrolactone and a late-stage side chain introduction via a Wittig olefination. Overall, the final product was obtained in 20 steps and 2% overall yield starting from commercially available 3-methyl-but-3-enol. Most importantly, the strategy employed is versatile enough to eventually allow us to complete the synthesis of the natural product and irrevocably confirm its structure.

Improved synthesis of (+/-)-trichodiene--a volatile marker for trichothecene mycotoxins.

Trichodiene is the first and only volatile intermediate in the biosynthesis of Fusarium mycotoxins and its detection in the gas-phase might therefore be of potential interest as a marker for food safety analysis. We herein present an improved diastereoselective synthesis of trichodiene which can be used as an analytical standard for a headspace gas chromatography / mass spectrometry method to be developed.

Lyngbouilloside and related macrolides from marine cyanobacteria.

Lyngbouilloside and the related macrolides lyngbyaloside, lyngbyaloside B and lyngbyaloside C have attracted a lot of attention over the past decade due to their intriguing architecture, their natural scarcity and their potential biological activities. This review aims to showcase the various strategies that have been used to access these natural products.

Total synthesis of nominal lyngbouilloside aglycon.

The first enantioselective total synthesis of the originally assigned structure of lyngbouilloside aglycon has been achieved using a particularly flexible route featuring an acylketene macrolactonization of a tertiary methyl carbinol as the key step. Comparison of the C13 chemical shifts of our synthetic aglycon with the ones pertaining to natural lyngbouilloside and lyngbyaloside C resulted in a possible stereochemical reassignment of the C11 stereogenic center.

Catalysis-based enantioselective total synthesis of myxothiazole Z, (14S)-melithiazole G and (14S)-cystothiazole F.

A common strategy for the stereoselective and protecting group-free total synthesis of the myxobacterial antibiotics myxothiazole Z, (14S)-melithiazole G and (14S)-cystothiazole F is described featuring an asymmetric organocatalytic transfer hydrogenation, a palladium-catalyzed Stille coupling and a cross-metathesis as the key steps.

Synthesis of gamma,delta-unsaturated-beta-keto lactones via sequential cross metathesis-lactonization: a facile entry to macrolide antibiotic (-)-A26771B.

A simple access to gamma,delta-unsaturated-beta-keto lactones is presented, allowing a rapid total synthesis of the naturally occurring 16-membered macrolide antibiotic (-)-A26771B via cross metathesis, asymmetric dihydroxylation, and lactonization as the key steps.