Artificial nano‐pin as a temporal molecular glue for the targeting of acidic tumor cells

Highly precise control of molecular structure for developing efficient anticancer drug delivery is challenging. Our method reported herein can satisfy the need for building novel hybrid molecule; this molecule serves as a built‐in transformer that changes its molecular configuration from a pin‐shaped arrangement to a dog bone‐shaped arrangement. This approach led to a significant increase in the efficiency of tumor inhibition. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Thermodynamic description of the viscosity of liquid solder alloys with minor Co impurities

Because of the increasing complexity and cost of experiments carried out, the data for the multi-component alloy systems have frequently been obtained by numerical modelling. It is clear that the related calculations require reliable data dealing with the pure components and binary alloy systems. Selecting the reliable data concerning the pure components from the literature, the viscosities for the SAC and (SAC)_1?x Co_x solder alloys have been calculated using different viscosity models (geometric and physical). The viscosity decreases as the amount of tin content increases in the SAC387 alloy while the addition of the cobalt to SAC387 solder results in the increasing of the viscosity. Moreover, by computing the root mean square values between theoretical and experimental viscosities, it can be concluded that the lowest value among all models is that of obtained by Kaptay equation.     

Enantioselective phospha-Michael reaction of diethyl phosphonate with exocyclic α,β-unsaturated benzocyclic ketones catalyzed by a dinuclear zinc−AzePhenol catalyst

The dinuclear zinc complexes as high performance catalysts were used to catalyze phospha-Michael reaction of exocyclic α,β-unsaturated benzocyclic ketones under mild conditions, and the desired products possessing 1-indanones or 1-tetralones skeleton were obtained with excellent enantioselectivities of up to 99%/99% ee and yields of up to 99%. The absolute stereochemistry of the major products catalyzed by (R,R)-L1 was determined to be the (R,R)-configuration by X-ray crystallographic analysis of 3d. A positive nonlinear effect was observed and the possible mechanism was proposed.     

Low‐Magnetization Magnetic Microcapsules: A Synergistic Theranostic Platform for Remote Cancer Cells Therapy and Imaging

Multifunctional magnetic microcapsules (MMCs) for the combined cancer cells hyperthermia and chemotherapy in addition to MR imaging are successfully developed. A classical layer‐by‐layer technique of oppositely charged polyelectrolytes (poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) and poly(4‐styrene sulfonate sodium) (PSS)) is used as it affords great controllability over the preparation together with enhanced loading of the chemotherapeutic drug (doxorubicin, DOX) in the microcapsules. Superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIOs) nanoparticles are layered in the system to afford MMC1 (one SPIOs layer) and MMC2 (two SPIOs layers). Most interestingly, MMC1 and MMC2 show efficient hyperthermia cell death and controlled DOX release although their magnetic saturation value falls below 2.5 emu g^?1, which is lower than the 7–22 emu g^?1 reported to be the minimum value needed for biomedical applications. Moreover, MMCs are pH responsive where a pH 5.5 (often reported for cancer cells) combined with hyperthermia increases DOX release predictably. Both systems prove viable when used as T2 contrast agents for MR imaging in HeLa cells with high biocompatibility. Thus, MMCs hold a great promise to be used commercially as a theranostic platform as they are controllably prepared, reproducibly enhanced, and serve as drug delivery, hyperthermia, and MRI contrast agents at the same time.     

Exhaled breath condensate: Determination of non-volatile compounds and their potential for clinical diagnosis and monitoring. A review

Exhaled breath condensate is a promising, non-invasive, diagnostic sample obtained by condensation of exhaled breath. Starting from a historical perspective of early attempts of breath testing towards the contemporary state-of-the-art breath analysis, this review article focuses mainly on the progress in determination of non-volatile compounds in exhaled breath condensate. The mechanisms by which the aerosols/droplets of non-volatile compounds are formed in the airways are discussed with methodological consequences for sampling. Dilution of respiratory droplets is a major problem for correct clinical interpretation of the measured data and there is an urgent need for standardization of EBC. This applies also for collection instrumentation and therefore various commercial and in-house built devices are described and compared with regard to their design, function and collection parameters. The analytical techniques and methods for determination of non-volatile compounds as potential markers of oxidative stress and lung inflammation are scrutinized with an emphasis on method suitability, sensitivity and appropriateness. The relevance of clinical findings for each group of possible non-volatile markers of selected pulmonary diseases and methodological recommendations with emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration that is essential for future development into a fully validated clinical diagnostic tool are given.     

Poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) brushes fabricated by surface-mediated RAFT polymerization and their response to pH

In this study, well-defined, high density poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) [poly(DMAEMA)] brushes were fabricated by the combination of the self-assembly of a monolayer of RAFT agent and surface-mediated RAFT polymerization. The whole fabrication process of the poly(DMAEMA) was followed by water contact angles, grazing angle-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy. Kinetic studies revealed a linear increase in poly(DMAEMA) film thickness with polymerization time, indicating that the chain growth from the surface was a controlled process. Characterization of the poly(DMAEMA) brushes, such as molecular weight and thickness determination, were measured by gel permeation chromatography, and ellipsometry, and the grafting density was estimated. The pH response of the poly(DMAEMA) brushes was further investigated and the results verified the “brush-like” to “mushroom-like” transition of the poly(DMAEMA) chains due to the reversible protonation/deprotonation upon changing the solution pH.     

Microwave Assisted Rupture of Furoxans to Nitrile Oxides and Intermolecular Capture by Dipolarophiles

3,4-Diaroylfuroxans 1 react with various dipolarophiles 3 under microwave activation to afford the cycloadduct 4 instead of the expected isoxazole 5 in good yields in the absence of solvent.