Analysis of carbohydrates and glycoconjugates by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry: An update for 2013-2014

This review is the eighth update of the original article published in 1999 on the application of Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI) mass spectrometry to the analysis of carbohydrates and glycoconjugates and brings coverage of the literature to the end of 2014. Topics covered in the first part of the review include general aspects such as theory of the MALDI process, matrices, derivatization, MALDI imaging, fragmentation, and arrays. The second part of the review is devoted to applications to various structural types such as oligo- and poly- saccharides, glycoproteins, glycolipids, glycosides, and biopharmaceuticals. Much of this material is presented in tabular form. The third part of the review covers medical and industrial applications of the technique, studies of enzyme reactions, and applications to chemical synthesis. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Mass Spec Rev 37:353-491, 2018.

Peripherally diketopyrrolopyrrole-functionalized dendritic oligothiophenes – synthesis, molecular structure, properties and applications

Structure defined DPP functionalized conjugated thiophene dendrimers with a narrow optical band gap and a high TPA cross section are reported.

Synthesis and bioconjugation of first alkynylated poly(dithieno[3,2-b:2′,3′-d]pyrrole)s

First synthesis of alkynylated poly(dithieno[3,2-b:2′,3′-d]pyrroles) is reported for the fabrication of compositionally tuneable electrodes.

Tuning the optical and electrochemical properties of conjugated all-thiophene dendrimers via core functionalization with a benzothiadiazole unit

The optoelectronic properties of conjugated thiophene dendrimers can be tuned by core functionalization with a benzothiadiazole unit.

Self-assembling oligothiophene–bolaamphiphiles for loading and controlled release of doxorubicin into living cells

Symmetric mannose-functionalized oligothiophenes for efficient transport and release of the anti-tumour drug doxorubicin.

Unique tetrameric and hexameric mannoside clusters prepared by click chemistry

The synthesis of novel tetrameric and hexameric mannoside clusters bearing 1,2,3-trizole linkages via Cu(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition reaction ("click chemistry") is described. An attractive feature of these multiarmed mannoside clusters as potential inhibitors of uropathogenic Escherichia coli is the use of an aglycone whose length is designed to fit in the tyrosine gate. The acetylated mannosides were deprotected and the corresponding de-O-acetylated mannosides were found to exhibit good water solubility.

Surface-engineered dendrimeric nanoconjugates for macrophage-targeted delivery of amphotericin B: formulation development and in vitro and in vivo evaluation

The present study aimed to develop an optimized dendrimeric delivery system for amphotericin B (AmB). Fifth-generation (5.0 G) poly(propylene imine) (PPI) dendrimers were synthesized, conjugated with mannose, and characterized by use of various analytical techniques, including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance ((1)H-NMR) spectroscopic analysis, and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Mannose-conjugated 5.0 G PPI (MPPI) dendrimers were loaded with AmB and evaluated for drug loading efficiency, in vitro drug release profile, stability, hemolytic toxicity to human erythrocytes, cytotoxicity to and cell uptake by J774A.1 macrophage cells, antiparasitic activity against intracellular Leishmania donovani amastigotes, in vivo pharmacokinetic and biodistribution profiles, drug localization index, toxicity, and antileishmanial activity. AFM showed the nanometric size of the MPPI dendrimers, with a nearly globular architecture. The conjugate showed a good entrapment efficiency for AmB, along with pH-sensitive drug release. Highly significant reductions in toxicity toward human erythrocytes and macrophage cells, without compromising the antiparasitic activity of AmB, were observed. The dendrimeric formulation of AmB showed a significant enhancement of the parasiticidal activity of AmB toward intramacrophagic L. donovani amastigotes. In the in vitro cell uptake studies, the formulation showed selectivity toward macrophages, with significant intracellular uptake. Further pharmacokinetic and organ distribution studies elucidated the controlled delivery behavior of the formulation. The drug localization index was found to increase significantly in macrophage-rich organs. In vivo studies showed a biocompatible behavior of MPPIA, with negligible toxicity even at higher doses, and promising antileishmanial activity. From the results, we concluded that surface-engineered dendrimers may serve as optimized delivery vehicles for AmB with enhanced activity and low or negligible toxicity.

Self-organizing carbohydrate-oligothiophene-hybrids for eukaryotic membrane-labelling

Self-assembling d-(+) and l-(−) mannose-functionalized oligothiophene hybrids were synthesized via Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction. The hybrids are taken up into live myeloid cells and offer an ideal platform for imaging of artificial and cellular membranes.