Parkour LIMS: high-quality sample preparation in next generation sequencing.

MOTIVATION: This paper presents Parkour, a software package for sample processing and quality management of next generation sequencing data and samples. RESULTS: Starting with user requests, Parkour allows tracking and assessing samples based on predefined quality criteria through different stages of the sample preparation workflow. Ideally suited for academic core laboratories, the software aims to maximize efficiency and reduce turnaround time by intelligent sample grouping and a clear assignment of staff to work units. Tools for automated invoicing, interactive statistics on facility usage and simple report generation minimize administrative tasks. Provided as a web application, Parkour is a convenient tool for both deep sequencing service users and laboratory personal. A set of web APIs allow coordinated information sharing with local and remote bioinformaticians. The flexible structure allows workflow customization and simple addition of new features as well as the expansion to other domains. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION: The code and documentation are available at https://github.com/maxplanck-ie/parkour. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.

Amphoteric surfactants: processing, product composition and properties.

Cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB) has been the most important secondary surfactant for personal-cleansing products for a long time. Its excellent toxicological profile is an important reason for its increasing use in oral-care products. Recently it has gained interest for further applications such as household cleaners, dish-washing liquids, and industrial and technical products. Imidazoline-derived amphoterics such as sodium cocoampho-acetate (SCAA) or diacetate play a more minor role than CAPB. Owing to the low irritation potential of the pure surfactant and its good toxicological properties, ampho-acetates have mainly found applications in cosmetics. Their industrial applications have been relatively small. While CAPB has a well-defined chemical structure from a straightforward production process, most imidazoline-derived amphoterics exhibit a complex composition of compounds with different structures. This depends on the production parameters. Improved processing methods have recently led to the commercial availability of well-defined SCAA with low levels of by-products. Modern production processes and the composition of high-purity amphoterics are reviewed. Raw materials and by-products are described, together with their analytical methods. The cosmetic performance, cleansing and foaming power, rheological effects and mildness-enhancing properties of both CAPB and SCAA are compared. La cocamidopropyl-betaine (CAPB) est, depuis longtemps le tensio-actif secondaire le plus important pour les produits d'hygiene personnelle. L'excellent profil toxicologique de la CAPB est certainement une raison majeure de son usage croissant dans les produits de soin buccaux. La CAPB a suscite depuis peu un interet pour des applications supplementaires telles que les nettoyants menagers, les liquides vaisselle, les produits industriels et techniques. Les derives amphoteres de l'imidazoline tels que le cocoampho-acetate de sodium (SCAA) ou le diacetate occupent une place mineure comparee a la CAPB. En raison du faible potentiel irritant du tensio-actif pur et meme de bonne proprietes toxicologiques, les ampho-acetates trouvent principalement leurs applications dans les cosmetiqes. Leur role dans les applications industrielles est relativement limite. Alors que la CAPB a une structure chimique bien definie a partir d'un procede de production direct, la plupart des derives amphoteres d'imidazoline presentent une composition complexe de composes aux structures differentes. Ceci depend des parametres de production. Des procedes de production ameliores ont recemment conduit a une disponibilite commerciale de SCAA bien definis avec de faibles teneurs en produits secondaires. Les procedes modernes de production et la composition d'amphoteres de grande purete sont decrits. Les matieres premieres et les produits secondaires sont decrits ainsi que leurs methodes d'analyse. Le comportement cosmetique, le pouvoir nettoyant et moussant, les effets rheologiques et les proprietes adoucissantes sont compares, a la fois pour la CAPB et le SCAA.