Radiofrequency dielectric loss relaxation in polyion-induced liposome aggregates

In this note, we present a set of dielectric loss relaxation measurements of aqueous charged liposome suspensions during the whole aggregation process induced by oppositely charged adsorbing polyions. The system experiences two concomitant effects known as "reentrant condensation" and "charge inversion," resulting in the formation of liposome aggregates whose average size reaches a maximum in the vicinity of the electroneutrality condition, accompanied to a progressive reduction of their overall electrical charge. Far from the neutrality, from both sides, polyion-coated liposomes exist with a charge of opposite sign. The dielectric loss relaxation in these complex aggregating systems has never been measured so far and we report here, for the first time, the dielectric loss behavior of liposomes built up by a cationic lipid and stuck together by poly(acrylate), which is a flexible oppositely charged polyion. The data are analyzed in the framework of standard electrokinetic model theory. The evolution of the aggregation process as a function of the polyion content is mainly characterized by a counterion polarization effect, governed by the surface charge density of the aggregates and hence by the zeta-potential.     

The synergy between structural stability and DNA-binding controls the antibody production in EPC/DOTAP/DOPE liposomes and DOTAP/DOPE lipoplexes

We present a comparative study of the physico-chemical properties, in vitro cytotoxicity and in vivo antibody production of surface-complexed DNA in EPC/DOTAP/DOPE (50/25/25% molar) liposomes and DOTAP/DOPE (50/50% molar) lipoplexes. The study aims to correlate the biological behavior and structural properties of the lipid carriers. We used DNA-hsp65, whose naked action as a gene vaccine against tuberculosis has already been demonstrated. Additionally, surface-complexed DNA-hsp65 in EPC/DOTAP/DOPE (50/25/25% molar) liposomes was effective as a single-dose tuberculosis vaccine. The results obtained showed that the EPC inclusion stabilized the DOTAP/DOPE structure, producing higher melting temperature and lower zeta potential despite a close mean hydrodynamic diameter. Resemblances in morphologies were identified in both structures, although a higher fraction of loaded DNA was not electrostatically bound in EPC/DOTAP/DOPE. EPC also induced a striking reduction in cytotoxicity, similar to naked DNA-hsp65. The proper immune response lead to a polarized antibody production of the IgG2a isotype, even for the cytotoxic DOTAP/DOPE. However, the antibody production was detected at 15 and 30 days for DOTAP/DOPE and EPC/DOTAP/DOPE, respectively. Therefore, the in vivo antibody production neither correlates with the in vitro cytotoxicity, nor with the structural stability alone. The synergistic effect of the structural stability and DNA electrostatic binding upon the surface of structures account for the immunological effects. By adjusting the composition to generate proper packing and cationic lipid/DNA interaction, we allow for the optimization of liposome formulations for required immunization or gene therapy. In a specific manner, our results contribute to studies on the tuberculosis therapy and vaccination.     

Assembly properties of Triton X-100/phosphatidylcholine aggregates during liposome solubilization

The assembly properties of the nonionic surfactant Triton X-100 and phosphatidylcholine (PC) aggregates during the overall solubilization process of PC liposome were investigated. Permeability alterations were detected as a change in 5(6)-carboxyfluorescein (CF) released from the interior of vesicles and bilayer solubilization as a decrease in the static light scattered by liposome suspensions. A direct dependence was established between the bilayer/aqueous phase surfactant partition coefficients (K), the growth of vesicles and the leakage of entrapped CF in the initial interaction steps (surfactant to phospholipid molar ratioRe up to 0.2). These changes may be related to the increasing presence of surfactant molecules in the outer monolayer of vesicles. In theRe range 0.2–0.35 the coexistence of a low vesicle growth with a constant increase of CF release may be correlated with the decrease inK (increased rate of flip-flop of surfactant molecules). Furthermore, in theRe range between 0.64 and 2.0 (lytic levels) almost a linear dependence was detected between the composition of these aggregates (Re) and the decrease in both the surfactant-PC aggregate size and the static light scattered by the system. This dependence was not observed in the last solubilization steps (Re range 2.0–2.60) possibly due to the increased formation of mixed micelles in this interval. The fact that the free Triton X-100 concentration at sublytic and lytic levels showed respectively lower and similar values than its critical micelle concentration confirms that permeability alterations and solubilization were determined respectively by the action of surfactant monomer and by the formation of mixed micelles.Abbreviations PC phosphatidylcholine - PIPES piperazine-1,4 bis(2-ethanesulphonic acid) - T_X-100 Triton X-100 - CF 5(6)-carboxyflucrescein - Re enective surfactant/lipid molar ratio - Re _SAT effective surfactant/lipid molar ratio for bilayer saturation - Re _SOL enective surfactant/lipid molar ratio for bilayer solubilization - S _W surfanctant concentration in the aqueous medium - S _B surfactant concentration in the bilayers - S _T total surfactant concentration - K bilayer/aqueous phase surfactant partition coefficient - K _SAT bilayer/aqneous phase surfactant partition coefficient for bilayer saturation - K _SOL bilayer/aqueous phase surfactant partition coefficient for bilayer solubilization - PL phospholipid - TLC-FID thinlayer chromatography/flame ionization detection system - PI polydispersity index - CMC critical micellar concentration - r ² regression coefficient     

Structural stability against disintegration by anionic lipids rationalizes the efficiency of cationic liposome/DNA complexes

Reported here is the correlation between the transfection efficiency of cationic liposome/DNA complexes (lipoplexes) and the structural evolution that they undergo when interacting with anionic membrane lipids. Multicomponent lipoplexes, incorporating from three to six lipid species simultaneously, presented a much higher transfection efficiency than binary lipoplexes, which are more commonly used for gene-delivery purposes. The discovery that a high transfection efficiency can be achieved by employing multicomponent complexes at a lower-than-ever-before membrane charge density of lipoplexes was of primary significance. Synchrotron small-angle X-ray diffraction (SAXD) experiments showed that anionic liposomes made of dioleoylphosphatidylglycerol (DOPG) disintegrated the lamellar phase of lipoplexes. DNA unbinding was measured by electrophoresis on agarose gels. Most importantly, structural changes induced by anionic lipids strictly depended on the lipid composition of lipoplexes. We found evidence of the existence of three different regimes of stability related to the interaction between complexes and anionic membranes. Both unstable (with low membrane charge density, sigmaM) and highly stable lipoplexes (with high sigmaM) exhibited low transfection efficiency whereas highly efficient multicomponent lipoplexes exhibited an "optimal stability". This intermediate regime reflects a compromise between two opposing constraints: protection of DNA in the cytosol and endosomal escape. Here we advance the concept that structural stability, upon interaction with cellular anionic lipids, is a key factor governing the transfection efficiency of lipoplexes. Possible molecular mechanisms underlying experimental observations are also discussed.     

Thermal stability of ketoprofen

The purpose of this investigation is to calculate the kinetic parameters and the kinetic model for the studied process. The results are further used to predict the system’s behaviour in various circumstances. A kinetic study regarding the ketoprofen—involving active substance’s thermal decomposition—was performed under isothermal conditions and in a nitrogen atmosphere, for the temperature steps: 260; 265; 270; 275; and 280 °C. The thermogravimetry/derivative thermogravimetry data were processed by three differential methods: isothermal–isoconversional, Friedman’s isothermal–isoconversional, and isothermal model-fittings. The obtained results are in good accordance with those obtained under non-isothermal conditions of a previous study, and confirm the necessity for the kinetic parameters to be determined, under different thermal conditions, by the adequate calculation methods.     

Thermal stability of Peroxynitrates

Peroxynitrates are thermally unstable intermediates (at ambient temperatures) in the atmospheric degradation of hydrocarbons. In this work, thermal lifetimes of nine peroxynitrates have been measured as a function of temperature and, for two of them, also, as a function of total pressure. In the presence of excess NO, relative concentrations of the peroxynitrates were followed in a 420 I reaction chamber as a function of time by means of longpath IR absorption using a Fourier transform spectrometer. Original data on the unimolecular decomposition rate constants are presented for the peroxynitrates RO₂NO₂ with R = C₆H₁₁, CH₃C(O)CH₂, C₆H₅CH₂, CH₂I, CH₃C(O)OC(H)CH₃, C₆H₅OCH₂, (CH₃)₂NC(O), C₆H₅OC(O), and C₂H₅C(O). Thermal lifetimes at room temperature and atmospheric pressure are very short (in the order of seconds) for substituted methyl peroxynitrates (i.e., R'CH₂O₂NO₂) but rather long for substituted formyl peroxynitrates (i.e., R″C(O)O₂NO₂). Kinetic data from this and previous work from our laboratory are used to derive structure‐stability relationships which allow an estimate of the thermal lifetimes of peroxynitrates from readily available ¹³C n.m.r. shift data. ©1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 31: 127–144, 1999     

Thermal stability of elastomers

Thermal transitions of elastomers are classified and problems concerning their stability are discussed. It is concluded that in the case of general-purpose elastomers no simple correlation exists between the energy of the bonds in the skeleton of a chain and their thermal stability. This also holds for the parameters of the physical structure of the chains. A high tendency to cross-linking, a high concentration of cross-links and their chemical structure give rise to a more perceptible effect.

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Zusammenfassung Thermische Umwandlungen von Elastomeren werden klassifiziert und mit der StabilitÄt von Elastomeren zusammenhÄngende Probleme diskutiert. Es wird gefolgert, da\ bei Elastomeren für allgemeine Verwendungszwecke keine einfache Korrelation zwischen der Energie der Bindungen im Kettengerüst und der thermischen StabilitÄt besteht. Das gilt auch für die Parameter der physikalischen Struktur der Ketten. Der Effekt einer starken Neigung zur Vernetzung, der Netwerkdichte und der chemischen Konstitution der Netzwerkbrücken ist dagegen augenscheinlicher.

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Thermal stability of alcohols

3,3-Dimethylbutanol-2 (3,3-DMB-ol-2) and 2,3-dimethylbutanol-2 (2,3-DMB-ol-2) have been decomposed in comparative-rate single-pulse shock-tube experiments. The mechanisms of the decompositions are The rate expressions are They lead to D(iC₃H₇? H) – D((CH₃)₂(OH) C? H) = 8.3 kJ and D(C₂H₅? H) – D(CH₃(OH) CH? H) = 24.2 kJ. These data, in conjunction with reasonable assumptions, give and The rate expressions for the decomposition of 2,3-DMB-1 and 3,3-DMB-1 are and      

Thermal stability of polyurethanes

Summary The combined application of thermogravimetry reactiongas chromatography and gel-permeation chromatography permits to follow the heat degradation of polyurethane polymers in inert gas, air and water-saturated environment. The examinations give information on the rate of thermal degradation, the individual volatile degradation components, the critical points of the polymer chains and on the change of their molecular-weight distribution. Gas chromatographic examinations also permit the identification of the chain-extending components of different types of polyurethanes.     

Thermal stability of piroxicam

The application of thermal method is of great importance regarding the pharmaceutical problems such as the control of raw materials, the determination of purity, the qualitative and quantitative analysis of drug formulation, tests of thermal stability and compatibility and the determination of kinetic parameters etc. The purpose of a kinetic investigation is to calculate the kinetic parameters and the determination of the kinetic model for the studied process. The results are further used to predict the system’s behaviour in various circumstances. A kinetic study regarding the piroxicam—active substance’s thermal decomposition was performed under isothermal conditions and nitrogen atmosphere, for the temperature steps: 200, 205, 210, 215 and 220 °C. The TG/DTG data were processed by three differential methods: isothermal—isoconversional, Friedman’s isothermal isoconversional and isothermal model-fitting. The obtained results are in good accord between them, as well as with those obtained under non-isothermal conditions from a previous work and confirm the necessity of the kinetic parameters determining in different thermal conditions, by the adequate calculation methods.     

Novel method to form giant liposome entrapping DNA

We report a new method to prepare giant liposome with the size of several tens micrometers, entrapping DNA molecule within the closed phospholipid membrane. The formation of such liposomes has been confirmed through the observation with fluorescence microscopy.     

AFM study of the stability of a dense affinity-bound liposome layer

Liposomes that are surface-bound to a biomaterial such as a contact lens are of interest for localized delivery of therapeutic agents, but it is not known whether such liposome layers are sufficiently robust. The stability of a dense, PEG-functionalized layer of liposomes, affinity-bound onto a multilayer coated surface, was tested under various stress conditions using colloid-probe atomic force miscroscopy (AFM). The different stress effects were generated by varying the applied normal load of the probe and the impinging fluid shear through different approach velocities and by varying the applied lateral forces by scanning under increasing force loads. The effect of applied forces (normal and lateral) was further investigated by coating the probe with a layer of albumin. The liposomes remained intact following the ramping of both protein-coated and uncoated probes under the normal and lateral loads. The low-fouling nature of these liposomes, with respect to nonspecific protein adsorption, was also demonstrated from the interaction force measurements which showed only weak adhesion from the protein layer during the contact period of the albumin-coated probe. The observed adhesive interactions were concluded to be a direct result of the applied load from the probe, during the force measurements, rather than from attraction of the protein molecules for the surface-bound liposomes. The low frictional response of the liposome layer indicated the viscoelastic nature of these molecules, which enabled liposome structure retention during the continuous load application. The demonstrated stability of the liposomes presents a system of viable and localized drug delivery in, for example, ophthalmic applications.     

Thermal oxidative stability of poly-p-xylylenes

The air oxidation of poly-p-xylylene films was studied at temperatures between 125 and 200°C. The oxidation kinetics were obtained from neutron activation (NA) oxygen analyses and infrared (IR) Spectroscopy. A correlation between the NA oxygen analyses and mechanical properties indicated that the amount of oxygen incorporated into these polymers before a significant degradation mechanical properties is about 1000 ppm for poly(dichloro-p-xylylene) and 5000 ppm for poly(monochloro-p-xylylene) or poly-p-xylylene. The activation energy for the oxidation of these polymers was about 30 kcal/mole. Long-term-use (100,000 hr) temperatures were also estimated for each of the poly-p-xylylenes studied. The 100,000-hr maximum continuous-use temperature is 112°C for poly(dichloro-p-xylylene), 72°C for poly(monochloro-p-xylylene), and 57°C for poly-p-xylylene.     

Thermal stability of epoxy adhesives

A study was made of the thermal stability of epoxy compounds which were unfilled or contained metallic fillers such as aluminium dust, aluminium flakes, powdered bronze, powdered brass and silver flakes. The properties of the compounds were modified by the use of various hardeners.

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Zusammenfassung Es wurde die thermische StabilitÄt ungefüllter und gefüllter Epoxidkompositionen untersucht. Als metallische Füllstoffe wurden Aluminiumpulver und -flocken, Messing- und Bronzpulver sowie Silberflocken eingesetzt. Die Eigenschaften dieser Kompositionen wurden mit verschiedenen HÄrtern modifiziert.

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Thermal stability of fluorochloroindate glasses

New fluorindate glass compositions have been investigated in order to improve optical transmission as well as thermal properties. Chloride inclusion extends transmission of a fluoride matrix to longer wavelength in infrared region. In the present work thermal parameters of an IZnBS composition, based on InF₃, ZnF₂, BaF₂ and SrF₂, with various amounts of alkaline chlorides were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry. The chloride presence decreased all characteristic temperatures and increased both thermal stability and glass forming ability up to 10% of MCl content, where M=Li, Na, K and Rb. The presence of NaCl promoted glass phase separation. For samples containing same concentration of NaCl, this effect is accentuated for increasing the contents of SrF₂. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Thermal stability of ionene polymers

Two different cationic polymers of the same chemical type and with very similar chemical structures were reacted with a natural bentonite over a wide range of polymer/clay ratios. This study involved the synthesis of cationic aliphatic ammonium polyionenes, specifically 3,6-ionene and 3,6-dodecylionene. Ionenes are ion-containing polymers that contain quaternary nitrogen atoms in the main macromolecular chain as opposed to a pendant chain. The CHN content, basal spacing, and elemental composition of each of the polymer–clay complexes were analyzed by X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, and thermogravimetry. All the polycations reacted to form interlayer complexes with clay, which displaced more Na⁺ and little Ca²⁺. Sodium and calcium were both present as interlayer cations in the clay and its complexes. The TG/DTG curves show that both polymers underwent thermal degradation in more than one stage. Specifically, 3,6-ionene was found to undergo two stages of decomposition and 3,6-dodecylionene undergo three stages. The behavior of the TG/DTG curves and the activation energy values suggest that 3,6-dodecylionene (E = 174,85 kJ mol^?1) complexes have greater thermal stability than 3,6-ionene (E = 115,52 kJ mol^?1) complexes. The mechanism of degradation suggests a direct interaction with the dodecyl chain containing 12 carbons, which are present in 3,6-dodecylionene but not in 3,6-ionene.     

Thermal stability of high-energy compounds

The influence of molecular structure on the stability of high-energy compounds is considered. The kinetic parameters of the decomposition of various energy-rich groups in monofunctional compounds are established. Data on decomposition of compounds with mixed functional groups are described. The sites of primary breakdown are determined and the mutual influence of functional groups on the stability is considered. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 2, pp. 231–234, February, 2000.