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Biomedical subjects

Frank V Bright

Publications and source records attributed to Frank V Bright.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Comparison of dansylated aminopropyl controlled pore glass solvated by molecular and ionic liquids.

We compare how (i) four ionic liquids (ILs) (1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([C4mim][BF4]), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([C4mim][Tf2N]), 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([C4mpy][Tf2N]), and trihexyltetradecylphosphonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([P(C6)3C14][Tf2N])) and (ii) two conventional molecular liquids (methanol and 1-octanol) solvate/wet luminescent organic moieties that are covalently attached to the surface of silica controlled pore glass (CPG). A series of aminopropyl CPG particles that have been covalently tagged with the solvatochromic fluorescent probe group dansyl were used in this study. The results demonstrate that ILs solvate/wet the silica surface differently in comparison to molecular liquids (MLs). Specifically, when comparing ILs and MLs that appear to solvate the free probe, dansylpropylsulfonamide (DPSA), equally in solution, we find that ILs do not solvate/wet the silica surfaces as well as the corresponding MLs. The cation component in these ILs is the significant factor in how the ILs solvate/wet silica surfaces. Solvation/wetting of surface-bound species at a silica surface depends on the cation size. Chlorosilane end-capping of the surface silanol and amine residues attenuates the cation's affects.

Journal Article↗

A cationic chalcogenoxanthylium photosensitizer effective in vitro in chemosensitive and multidrug-resistant cells.

Pentacyclic thio- (1) and seleno- (2) analogues of tetramethylrosamine (TMR) were prepared with a julolidyl fragment replacing the 3-dimethylamino substituent in the xanthylium core. The pentacylic structure increases the lipophilicity of 1 and 2 relative to TMR-S and TMR-Se and locks the lone-pair of electrons on the julolidyl N atom into conjugation with the xanthylium core. This conformational rigidization leads to longer wavelengths of absorption, but has little impact on other photophysical properties such as quantum yields for fluorescence and singlet-oxygen generation and fluorescence lifetimes in 1 and 2 relative to TMR-S and TMR-Se. Both 1 and 2 are effective photosensitizers against chemosensitive AUXB1 cells in vitro at 1x10(-7)M and compound 2 is an effective photosensitizer against multidrug-resistant CR1R12 cells in vitro at 1x10(-7)M. While the uptake TMR-S into CR1R12 cells as measured by fluorescence is significantly lower than uptake into chemosensitive AUXB1 cells, there is no significant difference in the uptake of 1 into either AUXB1 or CR1R12 cells. The addition of 2x10(-4)M verapamil to the cells prior to treatment with 1 had no significant effect on the uptake of 1 into either AUXB1 or CR1R12 cells. Treating lipid-activated, purified Pgp with 2 and light gave complete inhibition of Pgp ATPase activity.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

Tailored xerogel-based sensor arrays and artificial neural networks yield improved O2 detection accuracy and precision.

The objective of this research is to develop arrays of tuned chemical sensors wherein each sensor element responds to a particular target analyte in a unique manner. By creating sol-gel-derived xerogels that are co-doped with two luminophores at a range of molar ratios, we can form suites of sensor elements that can exhibit a continuum of response profiles. We trained an artificial neural network (ANN) to "learn" to identify the optical outputs from these xerogel-based sensor arrays. By using the ANN in concert with our tailored sensor arrays we obtained a 5-10 fold improvement in accuracy and precision for quantifying O2 in unknown samples. We also explored the response characteristics of these types of sensor elements after they had been contacted with rat plasma/blood. Contact with plasma/blood caused approximately 15% of the luminophore molecules within the xerogels to become non-responsive to O2. This behavior is consistent with rat albumin blocking certain pore sub-populations within the mesoporous xerogel matrix thereby limiting O2 access to the luminophores.

Journal Article↗

Site selectively templated and tagged xerogels for chemical sensors.

We report on a new sensor strategy that we have termed site selectively templated and tagged xerogels (SSTTX). The SSTTX platform is completely self-contained, and it achieves analyte recognition without the use of biomolecules. To illustrate the SSTTX scheme's potential, we present results for the selective detection and quantification of a model compound, 9-anthrol. The first-generation SSTTX shows the following: (i) exhibits an apparent dissociation constant of (1.8 +/- 0.3) x 10(-4) M for 9-anthrol; (ii) provides 0.3 muM detection limits for 9-anthrol; (iii) yields a 45-s response time (2-mum-thick film); (iv) is completely reversible (6% relative standard deviation after 25 cycles); (v) yields a selectivity factor for 9-anthrol over several structurally similar analogues/interferences (e.g., anthracene, 9,10-anthracenediol, benzophenone, 2-naphthol, phenol, and pyrene) of between 290 and 520; and (vi) is stable (<2% drift in performance) for at least 10 months when stored under ambient conditions in the dark. The results also suggest SSTTXs as new sensor elements for glycoside, pharmaceutical, prostaglandin, and steroid sensors.

Electrodes↗

Stable sensors with tunable sensitivities based on class II xerogels.

We report on the analytical figures of merit for O2-responsive sensor arrays and films formed by sequestering tris(4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline)ruthenium(II) within class II organically modified silicates that are composed of tetramethoxysilane or tetraethoxysilane and monoalkylsiloxanes of the form (CnH(2n+1))-Si-(OR)3 (n = 1-12, R = Me or Et). These sensors exhibit a reasonably linear response to gaseous and dissolved O2 (r2 > 0.99), and the sensor responses are stable for over 2 years. Sensor sensitivity can be tuned continuously by adjusting n. For gas-phase O2 detection, changes in the sensor sensitivity depend primarily on the O2 diffusion coefficient within the xerogel phase. The O2 solubility coefficient within the xerogel phase is also a factor but to a lesser degree. For dissolved O2 detection, changes in the sensor sensitivity depend on the O2 diffusion coefficient and the O2 solubility coefficient within the xerogel phase. A linear correlation also exists between the sensor sensitivity and the polarity within these xerogels. Finally, the feature size of pin-printed sensor elements was found to depend linearly on pin velocity. The results of these experiments demonstrate a new strategy for creating xerogel-based sensor arrays consisting of diversified sensor elements for the same target analyte.

Journal Article↗

O(2)-responsive chemical sensors based on hybrid xerogels that contain fluorinated precursors.

We report the development and analytical figures of merit associated with several new O(2)-responsive sensor materials. These new sensing materials are formed by sequestering the luminophore tris(4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline)ruthenium(II) ([Ru(dpp)(3)](2+)) within hybrid xerogels that are composed of two of the following methoxysilanes: tetramethoxysilane, n-propyl-trimethoxysilane, 3,3,3-trifluoropropyl-trimethoxysilane, phenethyl-trimethoxysilane, and pentafluorophenylpropyl-trimethoxysilane. Steady-state and time-resolved luminescence measurements are used to investigate these hybrid xerogel-based sensor materials and elucidate the underlying reasons for the observed performance. The results show that many of the [Ru(dpp)(3)](2+)-doped composites form visually uniform, crack-free xerogel films that can be used to construct O(2) sensors that have linear calibration curves and excellent long-term stability. To the best of our knowledge, the [Ru(dpp)(3)](2+)-doped fluorinated hybrid xerogels also exhibit the highest O(2) sensitivity of any reported [Ru(dpp)(3)](2+)-based sensor platform.

Biosensing Techniques↗

Temperature-dependent tail-tail dynamics of pyrene-labeled poly(dimethylsiloxane) oligomers dissolved in ethyl acetate.

We have determined the tail-tail dynamics and energetics of linear poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) polymers (M(n) = 3100; M(w)/M(n) = 1.07) that have been terminally labeled with pyrene (Py-PDMS-Py) in ethyl acetate between 255 and 323 K. The upper critical solution temperature (theta(u)) for the PDMS/ethyl acetate system is 278 K. The Py-PDMS-Py photophysics follow the Birks model at all of the temperatures studied. However, there is evidence for an increase in the local composition of PDMS surrounding the Py- residues in Py-PDMS-Py below the theta temperature. The recovered activation energy for Py-PDMS-Py tail-tail cyclization is the same as the activation energy for diffusion in ethyl acetate. The activation energy for cyclization is about fourfold larger in comparison to the barrier for PDMS internal backbone rotations. The estimated internal activation barrier for Py-PDMS-Py in ethyl acetate is in line with the internal barrier rotation for PDMS backbone rotation. The intramolecular excimer binding energy for Py-PDMS-Py in ethyl acetate is similar to the intermolecular pyrene excimer. In the ground state, the mean distance between the Py-PDMS-Py tail segments does not change over the temperature range studied. A comparison of these temperature-dependent Py-PDMS-Py/ethyl acetate results with previous results on Py-PDMS-Py in pure supercritical CO2 and CO2-dilated liquids shows that the addition of CO2 to the liquid phase offers the way to tune to Py-PDMS-Py tail-tail dynamics over the greatest range.

Journal Article↗

An analytical view of ionic liquids.

Within the last decade, ionic liquids have come to the fore as environmentally-responsible designer solvents. But what are ionic liquids and what can they offer the analytical scientist? This article addresses these questions and chronicles recent progress made in the application of ionic liquids toward analytical problem-solving. While further progress is required before ionic liquids become mainstream analytical solvents, results to date commend their use in various modes of chemical analysis. It is our aim that the findings reported herein draw other researchers into this area and encourage the increased application of ionic liquids in this manner.

Chemistry Techniques, Analytical↗

Radioluminescent light source for the development of optical sensor arrays.

A radioluminescent (RL) light source is evaluated for the development of photonically based chemical-responsive sensor arrays (CRSAs). The RL light source is comprised of a strontium-90 (90Sr) radionuclide and a plastic scintillator. The beta particles emitted from the 90Sr generate blue light (lambda(max) = 435 nm) from the plastic scintillator, and the blue light excites the analyte-responsive luminophores within the CRSA. To assess the RL light source utility, we have determined the analytical figures of merit from two tris(4,7'-diphenyl-1,10'-phenathroline)ruthenium(II)-doped xerogel-based sensor platforms: (i) a planar 5 x 5 multielement array and (ii) a discrete sensor element formed on the proximal face of poly(styrene) pillars that have a frustrated cone (frustum) geometry. We compare the performance from each platform when it is excited by a He-Cd laser (442 nm), a blue light-emitting diode (460-470 nm), and the RL light source. The RL light source yields results that are statistically equivalent to results from either electrically powered light source. The RL light source consumes no electrical power, is compact and simple, and has an extremely stable time-averaged signal. The primary trade-offs for these advantages are the RL light source's lower radiant power and the corresponding longer data acquisition times.

Journal Article↗

Hybrid xerogel films as novel coatings for antifouling and fouling release.

Hybrid sol-gel-derived xerogel films prepared from 45/55 (mol ratio) n-propyltrimethoxysilane (C3-TMOS)/tetramethylorthosilane (TMOS), 2/98 (mol ratio) bis[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]-ethylenediamine (enTMOS)/tetraethylorthosilane (TEOS), 50/50 (mol ratio) n-octyltriethoxysilane (C8-TEOS)/TMOS, and 50/50 (mol ratio) 3,3,3-trifluoropropyltrimethoxysilane (TFP-TMOS)/TMOS were found to inhibit settlement of zoospores of the marine fouling alga Ulva (syn. Enteromorpha) relative to settlement on acid-washed glass and give greater release of settled zoospores relative to glass upon exposure to pressure from a water jet. The more hydrophobic 50/50 C8-TEOS/TMOS xerogel films had the lowest critical surface tension by comprehensive contact angle analysis and gave significantly greater release of 8-day Ulva sporeling biomass after exposure to turbulent flow generated by a flow channel than the other xerogel surfaces or glass. The 50/50 C8-TEOS/TMOS xerogel was also a fouling release surface for juveniles of the tropical barnacle Balanus amphitrite. X-ray photon electron data indicated that the alkylsilyl residues of the C3-TMOS-, C8-TEOS-, and TFP-TMOS-containing xerogels were located on the surface of the xerogel films (in a vacuum), which contributes to the film hydrophobicity. Similarly, the amine-containing silyl residues of the enTMOS/TEOS films were located at the surface of the xerogel films, which contributes to the more hydrophilic character and increased critical surface tension of these films.

Animals↗

Dansylated aminopropyl controlled pore glass: a model for silica-liquid solvation.

We have prepared a series of aminopropyl controlled pore glass (CPG) particles that have been labeled with a solvatochromic fluorescent probe molecule (dansyl). We report on the behavior of the attached dansyl reporter as a function of dansyl-to-amine molar ratio (i.e., dansyl loading), solvent dipolarity, and surface-residue end capping. In these experiments, we systematically adjust the dansyl loading by 10(5); a range much larger than ever explored. The dansylated CPG particles were also end capped with trimethylchlorosilane to derivatize most of the residual silanol and/or aminopropyl groups. The attached dansyl molecules can be surrounded by other dansyl molecules; they can be distributed within an ensemble of sites with differing physicochemical properties, and/or they can be distributed in sites that are restrictive to dansyl motion and/or solvent inaccessible. At high dansyl loadings, the majority of the dansyl groups are solvated by other dansyl moieties and solvent does not significantly alter the local microenvironment surrounding the average dansyl molecule (i.e., the cybotactic region) to any significant level. At intermediate dansyl loadings, the average distance between the dansyl groups increases and solvent is able to access/solvate/wet the dansyl groups and alter their cybotactic region to a greater extent. At the lowest dansyl loadings studied, the results suggest that these dansyl moieties are localized within solvent inaccessible/restrictive SiO2 sites (e.g., small pores).

Air↗

Minimizing urine autofluorescence under multi-photon excitation conditions.

We report on the effects of excitation wavelength, laser power, and phase resolution on the multi-photon-excited autofluorescence (background) from human urine. When compared to the autofluorescence under one-photon excitation conditions (lambda(ex) = 260-480 nm), the urine multi-photon-excited autofluorescence (lambda(ex) = 725-950 nm) can be less complicated. However, at higher laser powers, the multi-photon-excited autofluorescence spectra that are produced by excitation above ~775 nm are more complex in comparison to the corresponding one-photon-excited autofluorescence. The origin of these more complex spectra arises from simultaneous two- and three-photon-driven excitation of intrinsic luminescent species within the urine. At lower laser powers, three-photon-driven processes are minimized and the autofluorescence spectrum is simplified. Phase resolution is used to further minimize the urine autofluorescence, but it cannot fully eliminate autofluorescence even when excitation is performed under multi-photon conditions at 950 nm. For detecting 250 nM Rhodamine 6G (a mock analyte) dissolved in urine, we find that the two-photon excitation is superior in comparison to one-photon excitation by 5- to 70-fold, depending on the excitation wavelength. Phase resolution combined with two-photon excitation leads to an additional 5- to 7-fold improvement in signal-to-background ratios in comparison to steady-state two-photon excitation.

Algorithms↗

Dendrimeric organochalcogen catalysts for the activation of hydrogen peroxide: origins of the "dendrimer effect" with catalysts terminating in phenylseleno groups.

Several scenarios were evaluated to explain the large "dendrimer effect" observed in the bromination of cyclohexene with H(2)O(2) and NaBr catalyzed by the addition of Frechét-type dendrimers terminating in -O(CH(2))(3)SePh groups. Although phenylseleninic acid was an efficient catalyst for the oxidation of NaBr with H(2)O(2), first-order rate constants for the selenoxide elimination were too small to produce PhSeO(2)H at a rate sufficient to explain the rates of catalysis and no dendrimer effect was observed in the rates of selenoxide elimination. An induction period was observed using 1-SePh as a catalyst for the oxidation of Br(-) with H(2)O(2). The addition of preformed selenoxide 1-Se(=O)Ph gave immediate catalysis with no induction period. However, rates of oxidation of the selenides with H(2)O(2) under homogeneous or biphasic conditions or with t-BuOOH under homogeneous conditions were too slow to account for the rates of catalysis, and no dendrimer effect was observed in the rates of oxidation. The primary oxidant for converting selenides to selenoxides was "Br(+)" produced initially by the uncatalyzed background reaction of H(2)O(2) with NaBr and then produced catalytically following formation of selenoxide groups. Autocatalysis is observed, and the rate of oxidation increases with the number of SePh groups. Autocatalysis is the source of the large dendrimer effect observed with the SePh series of catalysts.

Journal Article↗

Tailored delivery of active keratinocyte growth factor from biodegradable polymer formulations.

We report the results of a high throughput screening campaign that is aimed to develop a biodegradable polymer-based formulation to deliver active keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) and provide a means to tune the KGF delivery rate. A statistical design strategy was used to prepare and screen a series of polymer blends that were composed of poly(lactic acid) (PLA), poly(glycolic acid) (PGA), and the surfactant sodium bis(ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate (Aerosol-OT, AOT). Chloroform was the solvent. Our high throughput screening method used a two-tiered assessment strategy. At Level 1, we identified "lead" KFG-loaded formulations that exhibited KGF emission spectra that were the most similar to the native KGF spectrum recorded in buffer. At Level 2, we used steady-state emission and a homogeneous polarization immunoassay strategy to determine the concentration of total and active KGF, respectively, liberated from the lead formulations during biodegradation. After preparing and screening 2500 formulations, we identified several viable, lead formulations. An analysis of the data showed that the combination of PLA, PGA, and AOT were important to yield a high fraction of active KGF upon release from the formulation; no combination of any two together produced an effect as good as the ternary formulation. The optimum formulations that yielded the highest fraction of active KGF upon release had the following general features: PLA/PGA (w/w) near unity, AOT loading of 100-200 mM, water/AOT mole ratio of 10-20, and a pH between 6 and 8. PLA alone cast from chloroform delivered KGF, but that KGF did not bind to anti-KGF antibodies (i.e., it was inactive). We can tune the KGF release kinetics by more than two orders of magnitude while maintaining the KGF activity upon liberation from the formulation by adjusting the PLA molecular weight.

Biocompatible Materials↗

Sol-gel-derived sensor materials that yield linear calibration plots, high sensitivity, and long-term stability.

Novel O2-sensing materials based on spin-coated n-octyltriethoxysilane (Octyl-triEOS)/tetraethylorthosilane (TEOS) composite xerogel films have been synthesized and investigated. These sensors are based on the O2 quenching of tris(4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline)ruthenium(II) ([Ru(dpp)3]2+) sequestered within the xerogels. Scanning electron microscopy and luminescence measurements (steady state and time resolved) have been used to investigate the structure of these films and their analytical figures of merit and determine the underlying reasons for their observed performance. The results show that certain [Ru(dpp)3]2+-doped Octyl-triEOS/TEOS composites form uniform, crack-free xerogel films that can be used to construct high-sensitivity O2 sensors that have linear calibration curves and excellent long-term stability. For example, an 11-month-old sensor based on 50 mol % Octyl-triEOS exhibits more than 4-fold greater sensitivity in comparison to an equivalent sensor based on pure TEOS. Over an 11-month time period, the sensitivity of a pure TEOS-based sensor drops by more than 400% whereas a sensor based on 50 mol % Octyl-triEOS remains stable (RSD = 4%).

Biosensing Techniques↗