Mono-PEGylated lysozyme purification with increased productivity and isomer differentiation through heparin monolith chromatography.

PEGylated protein purification with the required quality attributes has represented a bioengineering challenge and Affinity Monolith Chromatography (AMC) has never been exploited for this goal. This work reports the generation of a heparin-modified affinity monolith disk by reductive alkylation with raised ligand density for its use as chromatographic support in the separation of lysozyme PEGylation reactions (LPRs) with three different PEG sizes (1, 20 and 40 kDa). For immobilized heparin determination a modified toluidine colorimetric assay adapted to microplate format was proposed. The heparin modified-disk was able to differentiate positional isomers of 20 kDa mono-PEGylated lysozyme at neutral pH using a salt linear gradient. Identity of PEG-conjugates was verified by SDS-PAGE and positional isomers were partially characterized by peptide mapping mass spectrometry. 20 kDa mono-PEGylated lysozyme conjugate purity (99.69 ± 0.05%) was comparable with traditional chromatographic methods while productivity (0.0964 ± 0.0001 mg/mL*min) was increased up to 6.1 times compared to that obtained in heparin packed-bed affinity chromatography procedures. The proposed AMC method represents a reliable, efficient, easy-handling, fast and single-step operation for the analysis or preparative isolation of PEGylated proteins containing a heparin binding domain.

Defining and measuring microservice granularity-a literature overview.

BACKGROUND: Microservices are an architectural approach of growing use, and the optimal granularity of a microservice directly affects the application's quality attributes and usage of computational resources. Determining microservice granularity is an open research topic. METHODOLOGY: We conducted a systematic literature review to analyze literature that addresses the definition of microservice granularity. We searched in IEEE Xplore, ACM Digital Library and Scopus. The research questions were: Which approaches have been proposed to define microservice granularity and determine the microservices' size? Which metrics are used to evaluate microservice granularity? Which quality attributes are addressed when researching microservice granularity? RESULTS: We found 326 papers and selected 29 after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria. The quality attributes most often addressed are runtime properties (e.g., scalability and performance), not development properties (e.g., maintainability). Most proposed metrics were about the product, both static (coupling, cohesion, complexity, source code) and runtime (performance, and usage of computational resources), and a few were about the development team and process. The most used techniques for defining microservices granularity were machine learning (clustering), semantic similarity, genetic programming, and domain engineering. Most papers were concerned with migration from monoliths to microservices; and a few addressed green-field development, but none address improvement of granularity in existing microservice-based systems. CONCLUSIONS: Methodologically speaking, microservice granularity research is at a Wild West stage: no standard definition, no clear development-operation trade-offs, and scarce conceptual reuse (e.g., few methods seem applicable or replicable in projects other than their initial proposal). These gaps in granularity research offer clear options to investigate on continuous improvement of the development and operation of microservice-based systems.

Pipette tip micro-solid phase extraction (octyl-functionalized hybrid silica monolith) and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to determine cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol in plasma samples.

This manuscript describes the development of an innovative method to determine cannabinoids (cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol) in human plasma samples by pipette tip micro-solid phase extraction and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectromtery. An octyl-functionalized hybrid silica monolith, which had been synthesized and characterized, was used as a selective stationary phase. The octyl-functionalized hybrid silica monoliths presented high permeability and adequate mechanical strength. The micro-solid phase extraction variables (sample pH, draw-eject cycles, solvent for phase clean-up, and desorption conditions) were investigated to improve not only the selectivity but also the sorption capacity. The method was linear at concentrations ranging from the lower limit of quantification (10.00 ng/mL) to the upper limit of quantification (150.0 ng/mL). The lack of fit and homoscedasticity tests, as well as the determination coefficients (r2 greater than 0.995), certified that linearity was adequate. The precision assays presented coefficient of variation values lower than 15%, and the accuracy tests provided relative error values ranging from 3.2 to 14%. Neither significant carry-over nor matrix effects were detected. Therefore, the pipette tip micro-solid phase extraction/liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry method has demonstrated to be adequate to determine cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol simultaneously in plasma samples for therapeutic drug monitoring of patients undergoing treatment with cannabinoids.

In-tube solid-phase microextraction with a dummy molecularly imprinted monolithic capillary coupled to ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to determine cannabinoids in plasma samples.

A selective and sensitive method that uses automated in-tube solid-phase microextraction coupled to ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (in-tube SPME/UHPLC-MS/MS) was developed to determine cannabidiol (CBD) and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) in plasma samples. A new dummy molecularly imprinted monolithic capillary (MIP monolith) for in-tube SPME was prepared by in situ polymerization in a fused silica capillary; hydrogenated cannabidiol was employed as dummy template. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed that the synthesis reagents were incorporated into the polymer chain. On the basis of the microscopy images (scanning electron microscopy - SEM and transmission electron microscopy - TEM), the MIP monolithic phase presented larger pores than the non-imprinted monolithic phase (NIP monolith), as well as a skeleton comprising clusters consisting of microspheres. By optimizing the polymerization conditions, the MIP monolith specifically recognized CBD and Δ9-THC. The MIP monolith had CBD and Δ9-THC sorption capacity of 148.05 and 44.49 ng cm-3, respectively. The capillary was reused over fifty times without significant changes in its extraction efficiency. For both CBD and Δ9-THC, in-tube SPME/UHPLC-MS/MS presented linear range from 10 to 300 ng mL-1, precision with coefficient of variation (CV) values ranging from 0.2% to 19.1% (LLOQ), and accuracy with relative standard deviation (RSD) values spanning from -9.3% to 19.6% (LLOQ). The developed method was successfully applied to determine cannabinoid levels in plasma samples from volunteer patients in treatment with CBD.

A Dual Ligand Sol⁻Gel Organic-Silica Hybrid Monolithic Capillary for In-Tube SPME-MS/MS to Determine Amino Acids in Plasma Samples.

This work describes the direct coupling of the in-tube solid-phase microextraction (in-tube SPME) technique to a tandem mass spectrometry system (MS/MS) to determine amino acids (AA) and neurotransmitters (NT) (alanine, serine, isoleucine, leucine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, lysine, methionine, tyrosine, and tryptophan) in plasma samples from schizophrenic patients. An innovative organic-silica hybrid monolithic capillary with bifunctional groups (amino and cyano) was developed and evaluated as an extraction device for in-tube SPME. The morphological and structural aspects of the monolithic phase were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), nitrogen sorption experiments, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses, and adsorption experiments. In-tube SPME-MS/MS conditions were established to remove matrix, enrich analytes (monolithic capillary) and improve the sensitivity of the MS/MS system. The proposed method was linear from 45 to 360 ng mL-1 for alanine, from 15 to 300 ng mL-1 for leucine and isoleucine, from 12 to 102 ng mL-1 for methionine, from 10 to 102 ng mL-1 for tyrosine, from 9 to 96 ng mL-1 for tryptophan, from 12 to 210 ng mL-1 for serine, from 12 to 90 ng mL-1 for glutamic acid, from 12 to 102 ng mL-1 for lysine, and from 6 to 36 ng mL-1 for aspartic acid. The precision of intra-assays and inter-assays presented CV values ranged from 1.6% to 14.0%. The accuracy of intra-assays and inter-assays presented RSE values from -11.0% to 13.8%, with the exception of the lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) values. The in-tube SPME-MS/MS method was successfully applied to determine the target AA and NT in plasma samples from schizophrenic patients.

[Comparison of CIM® C4-HLD monolithic column with Sartobind phenyl membrane column for pIDKE2 purification].

The main component of the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB) candidate vaccine against Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the pIDKE2 plasmid.The current designed downstream process for the production of pIDKE2 fulfils all regulatory requirements and renders the required quantities of pharmaceutical-grade plasmid DNA (pDNA) with 95% purity.The advantages of this procedure include high plasmid purity and the elimination of undesirable additives,such as toxic organic extractants and animal-derived enzymes.However,yields and consequently the productivity of the process are low.Previous work demonstrated that the most critical step of the process is the reverse phase chromatography,where conventional porous particle resins are used.Therefore,to increase the process productivity,alternative technologies such as membranes and chromatographic monoliths were tested as alternative options for this critical step.Here,a comparison between the behaviors of CIM® C4-HLD and Sartobind phenyl matrices was performed.To obtain higher productivities and purities,the dynamic binding capacities and selectivities were evaluated.The results showed that both matrices had a similar capacity for pIDKE2 plasmid,but the separation of pDNA isoforms using CIM technology was much better than that with Sartobind.Additionally,the optimal conditions for loading plasmid DNA on a CIM® C4-HLD 800-mL monolithic column in a real production process were determined.These optimizations will allow production levels to satisfy the high plasmid consumption demanded by clinical trials.

Synthesis of supermacroporous cryogel for bioreactors continuous starch hydrolysis.

A bioreactor was built by means of immobilizing alpha-amylase from Aspergillus oryzae by encapsulation, through cryopolymerization of acrylamide monomers for the continuous starch hydrolysis. The starch hydrolysis was evaluated regarding pH, the concentration of immobilized amylase on cryogel, the concentration of starch solution and temperature. The maximum value for starch hydrolysis was achieved at pH 5.0, concentration of immobilized enzyme 111.44 mg amylase /gcryogel , concentration of starch solution 45 g/L and temperature of 35°C. The immobilized enzyme showed a conversion ratio ranging from 68.2 to 97.37%, depending on the pH and temperature employed. Thus, our results suggest that the alpha-amylase from A. oryzae immobilized on cryogel monoliths represents a potential process for industrial production of maltose from starch hydrolysis.

Hybrid silica monolith for microextraction by packed sorbent to determine drugs from plasma samples by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

The present study (1) reports on the synthesis of two hybrid silica monoliths functionalized with aminopropyl or cyanopropyl groups by the sol-gel process; (2) evaluates these monoliths as selective stationary phase for microextraction by packed sorbent (MEPS) to determine drugs in plasma samples via liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in the multiple reactions monitoring (MRM) mode; and (3) discusses important factors related to the optimization of MEPS efficiency as well as the carryover effect. The prepared hybrid silica monoliths consisted of a uniform, porous, and continuous silica monolithic network. The structure of the aminopropyl hybrid silica monolith was more compact than the structure of the cyanopropyl hybrid silica monolith. The Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra of the hybrid silica monoliths displayed readily identifiable peaks, characteristic of the cyanopropyl and aminopropyl groups. Compared with the aminopropyl hybrid silica phase, the cyanopropyl hybrid silica phase exhibited higher binding capacity for most of the target drugs. The developed method afforded adequate linearity at concentrations ranging from the lower limit of quantification (0.05-1.00 ng mL(-1)) to the upper limit of quantification (40-10,500 ng mL(-1)); the coefficients of determination (r(2)) were higher than 0.9955. The precision of the method presented coefficients of variation (CV) lower than 14%; the relative standard error (RSE) of the accuracy ranged from -12% to 14%. The developed method allowed for simultaneous analysis of five antipsychotics (olanzapine, quetiapine, clozapine, haloperidol, and chlorpromazine) in combination with seven antidepressants (mirtazapine, paroxetine, citalopram, sertraline, imipramine, clomipramine, fluoxetine), two anticonvulsants (carbamazepine and lamotrigine), and two anxiolytics (diazepam and clonazepam) in plasma samples from schizophrenic patients, which should be valuable for therapeutic drug monitoring purposes.

Analysis of drugs in plasma samples from schizophrenic patients by column-switching liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry with organic-inorganic hybrid cyanopropyl monolithic column.

This study reports on the development of a rapid, selective, and sensitive column-switching liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method to analyze sixteen drugs (antidepressants, anticonvulsants, anxiolytics, and antipsychotics) in plasma samples from schizophrenic patients. The developed organic-inorganic hybrid monolithic column with cyanopropyl groups was used for the first dimension of the column-switching arrangement. This arrangement enabled online pre-concentration of the drugs (monolithic column) and their subsequent analytical separation on an XSelect SCH C18 column. The drugs were detected on a triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer (multiple reactions monitoring mode) with an electrospray ionization source in the positive ion mode. The developed method afforded adequate linearity for the sixteen target drugs; the coefficients of determination (R(2)) lay above 0.9932, the interassay precision had coefficients of variation lower than 6.5%, and the relative standard error values of the accuracy ranged from -14.0 to 11.8%. The lower limits of quantification in plasma samples ranged from 63 to 1250pgmL(-1). The developed method successfully analyzed the target drugs in plasma samples from schizophrenic patients for therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM).

CO2adsorption on activated carbon honeycomb-monoliths: a comparison of Langmuir and Tóth Models.

Activated carbon honeycomb-monoliths with different textural properties were prepared by chemical activation of African palm shells with H(3)PO(4), ZnCl(2) and CaCl(2) aqueous solutions of various concentrations. The adsorbents obtained were characterized by N(2) adsorption at 77 K, and their carbon dioxide adsorption capacities were measured at 273 K and 1 Bar in volumetric adsorption equipment. The experimental adsorption isotherms were fitted to Langmuir and Tóth models, and a better fit was observed to Tóth equation with a correlation coefficient of 0.999. The maximum experimental values for adsorption capacity at the highest pressure (2.627-5.756 mmol·g(-1)) are between the calculated data in the two models.

Entalpia de inmrrsión de monolitos de carbón activado en solvente apolar / Immersin enthalppy of activated carbon monoliths in nonpolar solvent / Entlpia de inmerrsión de monolitos de carbon ativado em solvente apolar

En este trabajo se presentan los resultados obtenidos de la calorimetría de inmersión en benceno sobre monolitos de carbón activado tipo disco y panal, que se obtuvieron mediante activación química de cascara de coco con cloruro de zinc a diferentes concentraciones. Adicionalmente, las estructuras fueron caracterizadas por adsorción de N2 a 77 K. Las entalpías de inmersión determinadas se encuentran entre 73,5 y 164,2 Jg-1; con los datos de inmersión se calculó el área accesible y se comparó con el área obtenida mediante adsorción de N2 a 77K, encontrando una buena correlación. En todas las muestras se observó un aumento de la entalpía de inmersión en benceno con el área superficial, igualmente una disminución de la energía característica con el aumento del volumen de poro.

This work presents the results obtained from immersion calorimetry in benzene on activated carbon monoliths disc and honeycomb type that were obtained from coconut shell using chemical activation with zinc chloride at different concentrations. The structures were characterized by adsorption N2 at 77 K. The immersion enthalpies are between 73.5 and 164.2 Jg-1. Using immersion enthalpy data the accessible area was calculated and compared with the area obtained by N2 adsorption at 77K. A good correlation was found. In all the samples was observed an increase in the immersion enthalpy into benzene with the surface area. In addition there was a decrease in the energy characteristic with increasing pore volume.

Neste trabalho se apresentam os resultados obtidos da calorimetría de imersão em benzeno sobre monolitos de carvão ativado tipo disco e panal que se obtiveram mediante activação química de casca de coco com cloreto de zinco a diferentes concentrações. Adicionalmente as estruturas foram caracterizadas por adsorção de N2 a 77 K. As entalpías de imersão determinadas se encontram entre 73,5 e 164,2 Jg-1, com os dados de imersão se calculo o área acessível e se comparo com o área obtida mediante adsorção de N2 a 77K, encontrando uma boa correlação. Em todas as mostras se observo um aumento da entalpía de imersão em benzeno com o área superficial. Ademais se observou uma diminuição da energia característica com o aumento do volume de poro.

Relación entre aarámetros texturales y energétios de monolitos de carbón activvado a partir de cascara de coco / Relation between textural and energetic parameter of activated carbon monoliths from coconut shells / Relação entreparrámetros texturales e energéticos de monolito de carvão actiivado a partir de cascara de coco

Se realizaron comparaciones entre las características estructurales y parámetros energéticos de cinco muestras de monolitos de carbón activado tipo disco, obtenidos a partir de cáscara de coco, mediante activación química con ácido fosfórico con diferentes concentraciones. Las muestras se caracterizaron por adsorción física de N2 a77K, CO2 a 273 K, y calorimetrías de inmersión en benceno. A partir de los datos obtenidos, se calcularon volúmenes de microporo, mesoporo, microporosidad estrecha y parámetros energéticos de la entalpía de inmersión, K del modelo Langmuir y Energías características, Eo, del modelo Dubinin-Radushkevich. Los resultados experimentales indicaron que la activación con ácido fosfórico produce desarrollo de micropo-rosidad, con un volumen de microporo entre 0,36 y 0,45 cm³g-1, área BET entre 975 y 1320 m²g-1 y entalpías de inmersión entre 112,9 y 147,7 Jg-1. Se encontró que a mayor área BET, existe una mayor en-talpía de inmersión en benceno, una menor energía característica y un menor valor de K.

Structural characteristics and the energetic parameters of five monoliths of activated carbon were compared. The samples were obtained from coconut shells by means of chemical activation using different concentrations of phosphoric acid. The samples are characterized by means of physical adsorption of N2 at 77K, CO2 at 273K, and immersion calorimetry in benzene. From the data obtained the volumes ofmicropore, mesopore, narrow microporosity and energy parameters of inmersion enthalpy were calculated. Also were calculated, K of the Langmuir model and characteristic energies, Eo, of the Dubinin-Radushkevich model. The experimental results show that the activation with phosphoric acid develops microporosity, giving a micropore volume between 0,36 and 0,45 cm³g-1, area BET between 975 and 1320 m²g-1 and immersion enthalpy between 112,9 and 147,7 Jg-1.It was found that for higher BET area, there is a greater immersion enthalpy in benzene, lower characteristic energy and smaller value of K.

Realizaram-se comparações entre as características estruturais e parámetros energéticos, de cinco mostras de monolitos de carvão activado tipo disco, obtidos a partir de cáscara de coco mediante activação química com ácido fosfórico a diferentes concentrações. As mostras caracterizaram-se por adsorción física de N2 a 77K, CO2 a 273K, e calorimetrías de inmersión em benceno. A partir dos dados obtidos, calcularam-se volumes de microporo, mesoporo, microporosidad estreita e parámetros energéticos da entalpía de inmersión, K do modelo Langmuir e Energias características, Eo, do modelo Dubinin-Radushkevich. Os resultados experimentales indicaram que a activação com ácido fosfórico produze desenvolvimento de microporosidad, com um volume de microporo entre 0,36 e 0,45 cm³g-1, área BET entre 975 e 1320 m²g-1 e entalpías de inmersión entre 112,9 e 147,7 Jg-1. Encontrou-se que a maior área BET, existe uma maior entalpía de inmersión em benceno, uma menor energia característica e um menor valor de K.