A 1-D alternating copper(II) chain based on three acetate-bridging modes: synthesis,crystal structure,DNA binding and magnetic properties

A new 1-D alternating copper(II) polymer, [Cu₂(L)(OAc)₄]_n (1) (L = 5-chloro-2-(pyridine-2-yl)benzo[d]thiazole), has been isolated and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, and magnetic susceptibility. The complex crystallized in the triclinic space group P-1, a = 8.2277(16) Å, b = 9.4233(19) Å, c = 15.831(3) Å, α = 103.38(3)°, β = 99.95(3)°, γ = 92.70(3)°, V = 1171.3(4) Å³, and comprises a 1-D polymer linked by three kinds of acetate-bridging modes in an alternating manner. UV–visible and fluorescence spectra revealed that 1 is bound to CT-DNA in a partial intercalation mode. Through gel electrophoresis assays, 1 displayed an efficient oxidative cleavage activity on supercoiled plasmid DNA (pUC19) in the presence of H₂O₂. Magnetic measurements were performed from 2 to 300 K, and the experimental results were satisfactorily reproduced with J₁ = –160 ± 20 cm^?1, J₂ = 5.8 ± 0.2 cm^?1, zJ′ = 0.381 ± 0.005 cm^?1 and g = 2.1, showing antiferromagnetic coupling between Cu1 and Cu1i, ferromagnetic exchange between Cu2 and Cu2ii, and a weak ferromagnetic molecular field correction accounting for all interspecies interactions.     

Hydrogen bonding driven self‐assembly of side‐chain amino acid and fatty acid appended poly(methacrylate)s: Gelation and application in oil spill recovery

We report an interesting class of fatty acid appended side‐chain phenylalanine (Phe) containing poly(methacrylate) homopolymers that undergo self‐assembly leading to gelation in selective organic hydrocarbons, due to association among the side‐chain functionalities. Fatty acids of different n‐alkyl chain lengths have been attached to the N‐terminal of the Phe‐based methacrylate and the corresponding homopolymers have been synthesized via reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer polymerization. These homopolymers undergo gelation in selective organic hydrocarbons. The morphology of these organogels has been characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy which revealed macroporous structure of the organogels. Viscoelastic properties of organogels and the thermoreversible gel‐to‐sol transition have been investigated by rheological measurements. Powder X‐ray diffraction study has been performed to understand the effect of long n‐alkyl chains on the gelation process. FTIR study reveals inter‐/intra‐chain hydrogen bonding which is the driving force of organogelation of the polymers in suitable solvents. In absence of hydrogen bonding interaction, hydrophobic association fails to direct the self‐assembly process and no gelation is observed. An interesting feature of the homopolymeric gelators is that it can selectively congeal the diesel part from an oil–water biphasic mixture, which might be useful in oil spill treatment. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019 , 57, 511–521     

Cationic PLA nanoparticles for DNA delivery: comparison of three surface polycations for DNA binding, protection and transfection properties

Biodegradable cationic nanoparticles (cNP) made of poly(lactide) (PLA) have been shown to be promising carrier systems for in vivo DNA delivery and immunization. In previous work, we have described a versatile approach for the elaboration of cationic PLA cNP based on the use of pre-formed particles and subsequent adsorption of a model polycation, the poly(ethylenimine) (PEI). Here, we evaluated two more polycations, chitosan and poly(2-dimethyl-amino)ethyl methacrylate (pDMAEMA)) to determine the most suitable one for the development of PLA cNP as DNA carriers. Cationic PLA-PEI, PLA-chitosan and PLA-pDMAEMA nanoparticles were compared for interaction with plasmid DNA and, more importantly, with regards to the biological properties of bound DNA. pDMAEMA coating yielded the most positively charged nanoparticles with the highest DNA binding capacity (32 mg/g). Loaded with DNA, all three cNP were in the same size range ( approximately 500 nm) and had a negative zeta potential (-50 mV). PLA-chitosan was the only cNP that released DNA at pH 7; the two others required higher pH. Adsorption and release from cNP did not alter structural and functional integrity of plasmid DNA. Moreover, DNA coated onto cNP was partially protected from nuclease degradation, although this protection was less efficient for PLA-chitosan than others. The highest transfection efficiency in cell culture was obtained with PLA-pDMAEMA carriers. We have shown that at least three different cationic polymers (chitosan, PEI, pDMAEMA) can be used for the production of PLA-based particulate DNA carriers and most probably other cationic polymers can also be used in the same purpose. PLA-pDMAEMA cNP were the most promising system for DNA delivery in this in vitro study. Our future work will focus on the in vivo evaluation of these gene delivery systems.     

Interaction of Amino Acid Schiff Base Metal Complexes with DNA/BSA Protein and Antibacterial Activity: Spectral Studies,DFT Calculations and Molecular Docking Simulations

Cu(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) complexes of (E)‐2‐((2,4‐dihydroxybenzylidene)amino)‐3‐(1H‐indol‐3‐yl)propanoic acid Schiff base ( L ) were synthesized and characterized by various spectral methods. ESI‐MS was used to confirm the structure of synthesized compounds. Molecular geometries of the complexes were predicted by optimizing the structure by DFT/B3LYP method with LANL2DZ basis set in the gas phase. The interaction of the metal complexes with CT‐DNA and BSA protein has been examined by UV‐vis, fluorescence and viscometer titrations reveal that the complexes bind to DNA through intercalation binding mode. The copper complexes exhibit effective cleavage of pUC19 DNA by the oxidative mechanism. The synthesized compounds screened for their antibacterial activities against various bacteria strains exhibit the L and copper complex show potential activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli, respectively. Subsequently, molecular docking studies were performed on to understand the binding of the compounds with DNA, BSA and bacteria.     

Biosensors and rapid diagnostic tests on the frontier between analytical and clinical chemistry for biomolecular diagnosis of dengue disease: a review

The past decades have witnessed enormous technological improvements towards the development of simple, cost-effective and accurate rapid diagnostic tests for detection and identification of infectious pathogens. Among them is dengue virus, the etiologic agent of the mosquito-borne dengue disease, one of the most important emerging infectious pathologies of nowadays. Dengue fever may cause potentially deadly hemorrhagic symptoms and is endemic in the tropical and sub-tropical world, being also a serious threat to temperate countries in the developed world. Effective diagnostics for dengue should be able to discriminate among the four antigenically related dengue serotypes and fulfill the requirements for successful decentralized (point-of-care) testing in the harsh environmental conditions found in most tropical regions. The accurate identification of circulating serotypes is crucial for the successful implementation of vector control programs based on reliable epidemiological predictions. This paper briefly summarizes the limitations of the main conventional techniques for biomolecular diagnosis of dengue disease and critically reviews some of the most relevant biosensors and rapid diagnostic tests developed, implemented and reported so far for point-of-care testing of dengue infections. The invaluable contributions of microfluidics and nanotechnology encompass the whole paper, while evaluation concerns of rapid diagnostic tests and foreseen technological improvements in this field are also overviewed for the diagnosis of dengue and other infectious and tropical diseases as well.