Optimization of an ammonia assay based on transmembrane pH-gradient polymersomes.

Reliable ammonia quantification assays are essential for monitoring ammonemia in patients with liver diseases. In this study, we describe the development process of a microplate-based assay for accurate, precise, and robust ammonia quantification in biological fluids, following regulatory guidelines on bioanalytical method validation. The assay is based on transmembrane pH-gradient polymersomes that encapsulate a pH-sensitive ratiometric fluorophore, the fluorescence signal of which correlates with the ammonia concentration in the sample.

A microparticulate based formulation to protect therapeutic enzymes from proteolytic digestion: phenylalanine ammonia lyase as case study.

Phenylketonuria is a genetic disorder affecting the metabolism of phenylalanine (phe) due to a deficiency in the enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase. This disorder is characterized by an elevated phe blood level, which can lead to severe intellectual disabilities in newborns. The current strategy to prevent these devastating consequences is limited to a life-long phe-free diet, which implies major lifestyle changes and restrictions.

Hyaluronan/Tannic Acid Nanoparticles Via Catechol/Boronate Complexation as a Smart Antibacterial System.

Nanoparticles based on hyaluronic acid (HA) are designed to deliver tannic acid (TA) as an antimicrobial agent. The presence of HA makes these particles potentially useful to target bacteria that colonize cells presenting HA membrane receptors (e.g.

Effect of the Interaction of the amyloid β (1-42) peptide with short single-stranded synthetic nucleotide sequences: morphological characterization of the inhibition of fibrils formation and fibrils disassembly.

The formation of extracellular neuritic plaques in the brain of individuals who suffered from Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a major pathological hallmark. These plaques consist of filamentous aggregates of the amyloid beta (1-42) (Aβ42) proteins. Prevention or reduction of the formation of these fibrils is foreseen as a potential therapeutic approach.

Evaluation and comparison of various separation techniques for the analysis of closely-related compounds of pharmaceutical interest.

The aim of the present work was to compare various separation techniques for the fast analysis of closely-related compounds, including structurally-related compounds, positional isomers, diastereoisomers, Z/E isomers. Three analytical techniques were evaluated, namely ultra high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC), ultra high performance supercritical fluid chromatography (UHPSFC), both with sub-2μm particles, and capillary electrophoresis (CE) using non-aqueous solvents. To fairly compare the three analytical techniques, only two starting conditions for further method development were considered.