Development of Abuse-Deterrent Formulations Using Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate.

The objective of the present investigation was to understand the effect of sucrose acetate isobutyrate (SAIB) on abuse-deterrent properties (ADPs) of abuse-deterrent formulations (ADFs) based on Polyox™. SAIB would enhance ADPs of Polyox™-based formulations due to its glassy liquid and hydrophobic properties. Formulations were prepared by granulation followed by compression and heat curing at 90°C. The formulations were evaluated for surface morphology, hardness, manipulation in coffee grinder, particle size distribution, drug (pseudoephedrine hydrochloride) extraction in water, alcohol, 0.1 N HCl, 0.1 N NaOH at room temperature and elevated temperature using microwave and oven, syringeability and injectability, and dissolution. The heat curing of formulations significantly increased the hardness (> 490 N). Addition of SAIB imparted elasticity to formulations and decreased brittleness as indicated by lower values of work done and gradient compared to control formulations. After grinding, about 7.7-25.6% of the powder remained on the sieve (1 mm pore opening), D90 was 53.1-136.7 µm more, and Q (fraction < 500 µm) was 17.8-40.7% less in SAIB-based formulations compared to control formulations. Drug extraction between control and test intact formulations was similar. However, drug extraction was 23.9-42.5% (water), 20.6-26.1% (0.1 N HCl), and 37.4-50.6% (0.1 N NaOH) less in SAIB-based powder cured and uncured formulations compared to control formulations. Dissolution varied from 65.6 ± 4.2 to 97.6 ± 4.0% in 9 h from the formulations. In conclusion, addition of SAIB to Polyox™-based ADFs has synergistic effect on ADPs. This would further decrease potential of drug abuse/misuse by various routes.

[Urinary Stone Analysis - What does the Future Hold in Store?] / Harnsteindiagnostik ­ Was bringt uns die Zukunft?

Analysis of the composition of a urinary stone is one of the most important steps in the clinical management of patients with urolithiasis. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometry and petrographic microscopy are the techniques currently used. Novel technical developments in recent years - such as Raman spectroscopy and hyperspectral imaging - have resulted in new approaches to improve urinary stone analysis. In future, table-top portable systems may be used that allow stones to be rapidly examined directly after the operation. These systems may even be integrated into lithotripsy laser systems.

Effects of cooling rate in microscale and pilot scale freeze-drying - Variations in excipient polymorphs and protein secondary structure.

Microscale freeze-drying makes rapid process cycles possible for early-stage formulation development. To investigate the effects of equipment scale and cooling rate on the solid state properties and the protein's secondary structure of a sample, three binary formulations of catalase were prepared and freeze-dried with sucrose, mannitol, or (2-hydroxypropyl)-ß-cyclodextrin (HP-ß-CD). The protein's secondary structure was assessed using attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR). The solid state properties were assessed using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results were interpreted with respect to the biological activity of catalase after its reconstitution. According to the results of both the protein secondary structure and the reconstituted biological activity, scale-up could be achieved with the sucrose-catalase formulation when it was prepared at a high cooling rate and with the mannitol-catalase formulation when prepared at a low cooling rate. However, differences in the polymorph composition of crystalline mannitol were noted. No cooling rate influence was found with the HP-ß-CD formulation. The results clearly indicate that the effects of the cooling rate should be closely examined during microscale formulation development and scale-up of the freeze-drying process.

Serial femtosecond crystallography: A revolution in structural biology.

Macromolecular crystallography at synchrotron sources has proven to be the most influential method within structural biology, producing thousands of structures since its inception. While its utility has been instrumental in progressing our knowledge of structures of molecules, it suffers from limitations such as the need for large, well-diffracting crystals, and radiation damage that can hamper native structural determination. The recent advent of X-ray free electron lasers (XFELs) and their implementation in the emerging field of serial femtosecond crystallography (SFX) has given rise to a remarkable expansion upon existing crystallographic constraints, allowing structural biologists access to previously restricted scientific territory. SFX relies on exceptionally brilliant, micro-focused X-ray pulses, which are femtoseconds in duration, to probe nano/micrometer sized crystals in a serial fashion. This results in data sets comprised of individual snapshots, each capturing Bragg diffraction of single crystals in random orientations prior to their subsequent destruction. Thus structural elucidation while avoiding radiation damage, even at room temperature, can now be achieved. This emerging field has cultivated new methods for nanocrystallogenesis, sample delivery, and data processing. Opportunities and challenges within SFX are reviewed herein.

SAD phasing: History, current impact and future opportunities.

Single wavelength anomalous diffraction (SAD) can trace its beginnings to the early 1950s. Researchers at the time recognized that SAD offers some unique features that might be advantageous for crystallographic phasing, despite the fact that at that time recording accurate SAD data was problematic. In this review we will follow the trail from those early days, highlighting key advances in the field and interpreting them in terms on how they stimulated continued phasing development that produced the theoretical foundation for the routine macromolecular structure determination by SAD today. The technological advances over the past three decades in both hardware and software, which played a significant role in making SAD phasing a 'first choice method', will also be described.

Structural insights into the O2 reduction mechanism of multicopper oxidase.

Multicopper oxidases are ubiquitous enzymes that catalyse the oxidation of various substrates via the reduction of O2 to H2O. The enzymes contain a common active centre consisting of four copper ions. The key component for O2 reduction is the trinuclear copper centre comprising one type II and a pair of type III copper ions. Although the crystal structures of many multicopper oxidases have been determined by X-ray crystallography, the geometric parameters in the trinuclear copper centre are different for each study. Recent studies have revealed that the redox state of copper ions is altered by X-ray irradiation. The reported crystal structures may represent mixtures of different stages of the catalytic reactions. In this review, we discuss recent findings related to the structure of the active site in multicopper oxidases.

Analytical techniques for characterization of cyclodextrin complexes in the solid state: A review.

Cyclodextrins are cyclic oligosaccharides able to form inclusion complexes with a variety of hydrophobic guest molecules, positively modifying their physicochemical properties. A thorough analytical characterization of cyclodextrin complexes is of fundamental importance to provide an adequate support in selection of the most suitable cyclodextrin for each guest molecule, and also in view of possible future patenting and marketing of drug-cyclodextrin formulations. The demonstration of the actual formation of a drug-cyclodextrin inclusion complex in solution does not guarantee its existence also in the solid state. Moreover, the technique used to prepare the solid complex can strongly influence the properties of the final product. Therefore, an appropriate characterization of the drug-cyclodextrin solid systems obtained has also a key role in driving in the choice of the most effective preparation method, able to maximize host-guest interactions. The analytical characterization of drug-cyclodextrin solid systems and the assessment of the actual inclusion complex formation is not a simple task and involves the combined use of several analytical techniques, whose results have to be evaluated together. The objective of the present review is to present a general prospect of the principal analytical techniques which can be employed for a suitable characterization of drug-cyclodextrin systems in the solid state, evidencing their respective potential advantages and limits. The applications of each examined technique are described and discussed by pertinent examples from literature.

Diffraction-limited storage rings - a window to the science of tomorrow.

This article summarizes the contributions in this special issue on Diffraction-Limited Storage Rings. It analyses the progress in accelerator technology enabling a significant increase in brightness and coherent fraction of the X-ray light provided by storage rings. With MAX IV and Sirius there are two facilities under construction that already exploit these advantages. Several other projects are in the design stage and these will probably enhance the performance further. To translate the progress in light source quality into new science requires similar progress in aspects such as optics, beamline technology, detectors and data analysis. The quality of new science will be limited by the weakest component in this value chain. Breakthroughs can be expected in high-resolution imaging, microscopy and spectroscopy. These techniques are relevant for many fields of science; for example, for the fundamental understanding of the properties of correlated electron materials, the development and characterization of materials for data and energy storage, environmental applications and bio-medicine.

Time-resolved studies of dynamic biomolecules using small angle X-ray scattering.

Small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) of biomacromolecules in solution has become a prominent technique in structural biology. Whilst the majority of current use is for static measurements, the field is also advancing for measurements where the sample at the beam position changes with time, using high throughput systems, chromatography, high speed mixing and pump-probe techniques in particular. Time resolved work is greatly aided by increasingly sophisticated software for acquiring and analysing data, together with developments in X-ray sources, beamline optics and detectors. The exploitation of spatial coherence is under development, with X-ray free electron lasers aiming to provide major advances in single molecule structure reconstruction and time resolution. Here we provide an overview of current developments advancing time resolved solution SAXS.

Methods of amorphization and investigation of the amorphous state.

The amorphous form of pharmaceutical materials represents the most energetic solid state of a material. It provides advantages in terms of dissolution rate and bioavailability. This review presents the methods of solid- -state amorphization described in literature (supercooling of liquids, milling, lyophilization, spray drying, dehydration of crystalline hydrates), with the emphasis on milling. Furthermore, we describe how amorphous state of pharmaceuticals differ depending on the method of preparation and how these differences can be screened by a variety of spectroscopic (X-ray powder diffraction, solid state nuclear magnetic resonance, atomic pairwise distribution, infrared spectroscopy, terahertz spectroscopy) and calorimetry methods.

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of Two Nitro-Regioisomers of cis-4(4-Methoxyphenyl)-3-Methyl-2-Phenyl-1, 2, 3, 4-Tetrahydroquinoline / Síntesis y estudio de la estructura cristalina de dos nitro regioisómerosde la cis-4-(4-metoxifenil)-3-metil-2-fenil-1, 2, 3, 4-tetrahydroquinolina

Dos nitro-regioisómeros de la moléculacis-4-(4-metoxifenil)-3-metil-2-fenil-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolina fueronpreparados vía una síntesis one-pot de tres componentes basada en lareacción de cicloadición imino Diels-Alder catalizada por BF3.OEt2. Sucompleta caracterización estructural se llevó a cabo usando la técnicade difracción de rayos-X de monocristal y métodos espectroscópicos.La pureza de los productos y la composición de las mezclas de reacciónfueron monitoreadas por cromatografía en capa fina (CCD). Losproductos fueron aislados y purificados usando cromatografía encolumna. Las sustancias fueron identificadas usando resonancia magnéticanuclear (RMN) y espectrometría de masas (EM). Los datos para lacaracterización por difracción de rayos-X fueron colectados usando undifractómetro Bruker AFC7S Mercury con radiación de Mo-Kα (λ =0.71073Å) a temperatura ambiente. Las estructuras de los regio-isómerosfueron confirmadas por 1H RMN y 13C RMN y la estructura cristalinafue estudiada usando la difracción de rayos-X de monocristal. El análisisespectroscópico (RMN, EM y difracción de rayos-X) mostró una completacaracterización y permitió establecer la correcta estereoquímica para elanillo tetrahidroquinolínico. El empaquetamiento molecular en el cristalpara el regioisómero 5-nitro 4 es producto de la combinación de enlaces dehidrógeno intermoleculares e interacciones de van der Waals, mientras queen el 7-nitro regioisómero 3 el empaquetamiento se debe principalmente ainteracciones intermoleculares débiles de tipo van der Waals y N—H••• π...

Here we synthesized two nitro regioisomersof cis-4-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3-methyl-2-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline via the “one pot” three-componentimino Diels-Alder reaction catalyzed by BF3.OEt2and completed its structural characterization using thesingle crystal X-ray diffraction technique and otherspectroscopic methods. To monitor the purity of theproducts and the composition of the reaction mixtureswe used thin layer chromatography, and isolated andpurified the products by column chromatography. Thenusing nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and massspectrometry (MS) identified the substances. We collectedX-ray diffraction data for crystal characterization byusing a Bruker AFC7S Mercury diffractometer with Mo-Kα radiation (λ = 0.71073Å) at room temperature. Thestructures of these regioisomers were confirmed by 1HNMR and 13C NMR studies and studied their crystalstructure using single crystal X-ray diffraction technique.The spectroscopy analyses (NMR, GC-MS and X-raydiffraction) provided a complete characterizationand enabled the correct stereochemistry for thetetrahydroquinoline ring. We determined the molecularpacking for the 5-nitro regioisomer 4 is the product ofthe combination of intermolecular hydrogen bonds andvan der Waals interactions, while for 7-nitro regioisomer3 is mainly due to weak intermolecular van der Waalsinteractions and N—H··· π...

Dois nitro regioisómeros da molécula cis-4-(4-metoxifenil)-3-metil-2-fenil-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolina foram preparados através de umasíntese de um só recipiente de três componentes com base na reacçãode imino Diels-Alder cicloadição catalisada BF3.OEt2 e sua completacaracterização estrutural foi realizada usando a técnica de difracçãocristalografia de raios X, e outros métodos espectroscópicos. A purezado produto e a composição das misturas reaccionais foram monitorizadaspor cromatografia em camada fina (CCD). Os produtos foram isoladose purificados utilizando cromatografia em coluna. As substâncias foramidentificadaos por ressonância magnética nuclear (RMN) e espectrometriade massa (EM). Os dados para caracterização por difração de raios Xforam coletados usando um Bruker AFC7S Mercury difratômetro comMo-Ka radiação (λ = 0,71073Å) à temperatura ambiente. As estruturasdosa regioisómeros foram confirmadaos por 1H RMN e 13C RMN aestrutura de cristal foi investigada usando difracção de raios X de cristalúnico. As análises espectroscópicas (RMN, EM e difracção de raios-X)demonstraram uma completa caracterização e permitiramu estabelecer aestereoquímica correcta de anel tetrahidroquinolínico. O empacotamentomolecular no cristal para 5-nitro regioisómero 4 é derivado de umacombinação de ligações de hidrogénio intermoleculares e interacções devan der Waals, e ao 7-nitro regioisómero 3 embalagens é principalmentedevido a interacções intermoleculares fracas do tipo van der Waals e N-H• • • π...

Bulk-solvent and overall scaling revisited: faster calculations, improved results.

A fast and robust method for determining the parameters for a flat (mask-based) bulk-solvent model and overall scaling in macromolecular crystallographic structure refinement and other related calculations is described. This method uses analytical expressions for the determination of optimal values for various scale factors. The new approach was tested using nearly all entries in the PDB for which experimental structure factors are available. In general, the resulting R factors are improved compared with previously implemented approaches. In addition, the new procedure is two orders of magnitude faster, which has a significant impact on the overall runtime of refinement and other applications. An alternative function is also proposed for scaling the bulk-solvent model and it is shown that it outperforms the conventional exponential function. Similarly, alternative methods are presented for anisotropic scaling and their performance is analyzed. All methods are implemented in the Computational Crystallography Toolbox (cctbx) and are used in PHENIX programs.

Diffraction-enhanced imaging of musculoskeletal tissues using a conventional x-ray tube.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: In conventional projection radiography, cartilage and other soft tissues do not produce enough radiographic contrast to be distinguishable from each other. Diffraction-enhanced imaging (DEI) uses a monochromatic x-ray beam and a silicon crystal analyzer to produce images in which attenuation contrast is greatly enhanced and x-ray refraction at tissue boundaries can be detected. The aim of this study was to test the efficacy of conventional x-ray tube-based DEI for the detection of soft tissues in experimental samples. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cadaveric human tali (normal and degenerated) and a knee and thumb were imaged with DEI using a conventional x-ray tube and DEI setup that included a double-silicon crystal monochromator and a silicon crystal analyzer positioned between the imaged object and the detector. RESULTS: Diffraction-enhanced images of the cadaveric tali allowed the visualization of cartilage and its specific level of degeneration for each specimen. There was a significant correlation between the grade of cartilage integrity as assessed on the tube diffraction-enhanced images and on their respective histologic sections (r = 0.97, P = .01). Images of the intact knee showed the articular cartilage edge of the femoral condyle, even when superimposed by the tibia. In the thumb image, it was possible to visualize articular cartilage, tendons, and other soft tissues. CONCLUSION: DEI based on a conventional x-ray tube allows the visualization of skeletal and soft tissues simultaneously. Although more in-depth testing and optimization of the DEI setup must be carried out, these data demonstrate a proof of principle for further development of the technology for future clinical imaging.

Design and implementation of a compact low-dose diffraction enhanced medical imaging system.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Diffraction-enhanced imaging (DEI) is a new x-ray imaging modality that differs from conventional radiography in its use of three physical mechanisms to generate contrast. DEI is able to generate contrast from x-ray absorption, refraction, and ultra-small-angle scatter rejection (extinction) to produce high-contrast images with a much lower radiation dose compared to conventional radiography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prototype DEI system was constructed using a 1-kW tungsten x-ray tube and a single silicon monochromator and analyzer crystal. The monochromator crystal was aligned to reflect the combined Kalpha1 (59.32 keV) and Kalpha2 (57.98 keV) characteristic emission lines of tungsten using a tube voltage of 160 kV. System performance and demonstration of contrast were evaluated using a nylon monofilament refraction phantom, full-thickness breast specimens, a human thumb, and a live mouse. RESULTS: Images acquired using this system successfully demonstrated all three DEI contrast mechanisms. Flux measurements acquired using this 1-kW prototype system demonstrated that this design can be scaled to use a more powerful 60-kW x-ray tube to generate similar images with an image time of approximately 30 seconds. This single-crystal pair design can be further modified to allow for an array of crystals to reduce clinical image times to <3 seconds. CONCLUSIONS: This paper describes the design, construction, and performance of a new DEI system using a commercially available tungsten anode x-ray tube and includes the first high-quality low-dose diffraction-enhanced images of full-thickness human tissue specimens.

[Application of brilliant x-rays in mammography. Development and perspectives of phase contrast techniques]. / Einsatz brillanter Röntgenstrahlen in der Mammographie. Entwicklungen und Perspektiven von Phasenkontrasttechniken.

The early and reliable detection of breast cancer is often difficult with conventional mammography, especially within dense breast parenchyma. An alternative approach using x-rays are phase-sensitive imaging techniques, which are able to visualize the borders of tissues with different refraction indices with very high contrast. These phase contrast imaging techniques can generate projection images with much less glandular dose than conventional mammography. Even the acquisition of phase contrast CT data sets with an acceptable exposure dose is possible. As brilliant x-ray beams are required for phase contrast imaging, which up to now were only available at synchrotron facilities, these methods were restricted to only a few laboratories. However, with the advent of newly developed high intensity lasers which are also able to produce such radiation, a widespread and affordable use of this technique seems realistic. The further development of phase contrast imaging is funded by the excellence cluster MAP of the Munich universities.

X-ray absorption and diffraction studies of the metal binding sites in amyloid beta-peptide.

A major source of neurodegeneration observed in Alzheimer's disease is believed to be caused by the toxicity from reactive oxygen species produced in the brain mediated by the A beta protein and mainly copper species. An atomic model of an amyloid beta-peptide (A beta) Cu2+ complex or at least the structure of the metal binding site is of great interest. Accurate information about the Cu-binding site of A beta protein can facilitate simulation of redox chemistry using high level quantum mechanics. Complementary X-ray diffraction and X-ray absorption techniques can be employed to obtain such accurate information. This review provides a blend of X-ray diffraction results on amyloid structures and selected works on A beta Cu2+ binding based on spectroscopic measurements with emphasis on the X-ray absorption technique.

Brilliant opportunities across the spectrum.

Third generation synchrotron light sources provide stable, tuneable light of energy up to the hard X-ray region. The gain of a trillion in brightness as compared to a conventional laboratory X-ray source transforms the opportunities for establishing structure-function relationships. The light may be quasi-continuous or pulsed, have controllable polarisation and have coherence lengths larger than the sample size. The high brightness provides a basis for adding time and spatial resolution to X-ray scattering and spectroscopy. It may also be used to identify very specific information about the magnetic properties of atoms within materials, element specific vibrations, and local structural descriptions identified with chemical speciation. More demanding scattering and diffraction problems can be solved such as weakly scattering materials, large unit cells and structural entities. The high collimation of the source also provides enhanced spectroscopic and diffraction resolution that gives more insight into molecular, extended and supramolecular structures. The length scales can be bridged from the atomic up to that of visible light microscopy and buried features within materials can be observed with the appropriate energy. With an increased emphasis on ease of use, such capabilities are open to exploitation for chemical challenges.

Recent progress in ultrafast X-ray diffraction.

X-ray diffraction with femtosecond time-resolution represents a direct probe of ultrafast structural changes in condensed matter. The generation of ultrashort X-ray pulses in laser-driven plasma and/or accelerator-based sources has made substantial progress, and has allowed for studies of transient structures with an unprecedented accuracy. Herein, recent work on transient crystalline structures is reviewed, with the focus on laser-based experiments.