Immunological Evaluation of Co‐Assembling a Lipidated Peptide Antigen and Lipophilic Adjuvants: Self‐Adjuvanting Anti‐Breast‐Cancer Vaccine Candidates

Co‐assembling vaccines composed of a lipidated HER2‐derived antigenic CH401 peptide and either a lipophilic adjuvant, Pam₃CSK₄, α‐GalCer, or lipid A 506, were evaluated as breast cancer vaccine candidates. This vaccine design was aimed to inherit both antigen multivalency and antigen‐specific immunostimulation properties, observed in reported self‐adjuvanting vaccine candidates, by using self‐assembly and adjuvant‐conjugated antigens. Under vaccination concentrations, respective lipophilic adjuvants underwent co‐assembly with lipidated CH401, which boosted the anti‐CH401 IgG and IgM production. In particular, α‐GalCer was responsible for the most significant immune activation. Therefore, the newly developed vaccine design enabled the optimization of adjuvants against the antigenic CH401 peptide in a simple preparatory manner. Overall, the co‐assembling vaccine design opens the door for efficient and practical self‐adjuvanting vaccine development.     

Liposomal Antitumor Vaccines Targeting Mucin 1 Elicit a Lipid‐Dependent Immunodominant Response

The tumor‐associated antigen mucin 1 (MUC1) has been pursued as an attractive target for cancer immunotherapy, but the poor immunogenicity of the endogenous antigen hinders the development of vaccines capable of inducing effective anti‐MUC1 immunodominant responses. Herein, we prepared synthetic anti‐MUC1 vaccines in which the hydrophilic MUC1 antigen was N‐terminally conjugated to one or two palmitoyl lipid chains (to form amphiphilic Pam‐MUC1 or Pam₂‐MUC1). These amphiphilic lipid‐tailed MUC1 antigens were self‐assembled into liposomes containing the NKT cell agonist αGalCer as an adjuvant. The lipid‐conjugated antigens reshaped the physical and morphological properties of liposomal vaccines. Promising results showed that the anti‐MUC1 IgG antibody titers induced by the Pam₂‐MUC1 vaccine were more than 30‐ and 190‐fold higher than those induced by the Pam‐MUC1 vaccine and the MUC1 vaccine without lipid tails, respectively. Similarly, vaccines with the TLR1/2 agonist Pam₃CSK₄ as an adjuvant also induced conjugated lipid‐dependent immunological responses. Moreover, vaccines with the αGalCer adjuvant induced significantly higher titers of IgG antibodies than vaccines with the Pam₃CSK₄ adjuvant. Therefore, the non‐covalent assembly of the amphiphilic lipo‐MUC1 antigen and the NKT cell agonist αGalCer as a glycolipid adjuvant represent a synthetically simple but immunologically effective approach for the development of anti‐MUC1 cancer vaccines.     

Immunological Evaluation of Co-Assembling a Lipidated Peptide Antigen and Lipophilic Adjuvants: Self-Adjuvanting Anti-Breast-Cancer Vaccine Candidates

Co-assembling vaccines composed of a lipidated HER2-derived antigenic CH401 peptide and either a lipophilic adjuvant, Pam₃CSK₄, α-GalCer, or lipid A 506, were evaluated as breast cancer vaccine candidates. This vaccine design was aimed to inherit both antigen multivalency and antigen-specific immunostimulation properties, observed in reported self-adjuvanting vaccine candidates, by using self-assembly and adjuvant-conjugated antigens. Under vaccination concentrations, respective lipophilic adjuvants underwent co-assembly with lipidated CH401, which boosted the anti-CH401 IgG and IgM production. In particular, α-GalCer was responsible for the most significant immune activation. Therefore, the newly developed vaccine design enabled the optimization of adjuvants against the antigenic CH401 peptide in a simple preparatory manner. Overall, the co-assembling vaccine design opens the door for efficient and practical self-adjuvanting vaccine development.     

Fully Synthetic Self‐Adjuvanting Thioether‐Conjugated Glycopeptide?Lipopeptide Antitumor Vaccines for the Induction of Complement‐Dependent Cytotoxicity against Tumor Cells

Glycopeptides of tumor‐associated mucin MUC1 are promising target structures for the development of antitumor vaccines. Because these endogenous structures were weakly immunogenic, they were coupled to immune‐response‐stimulating T‐cell epitopes and the Pam₃Cys lipopeptide to induce strong immune responses in mice. A new thioether‐ligation method for the synthesis of two‐ and three‐component vaccines that contain MUC1 glycopeptides as the B‐cell epitopes, a T‐cell epitope peptide, and the Pam₃CSK₄ lipopeptide is described. The resulting fully synthetic vaccines were used for the vaccination of mice, either in a liposome with Freund′s adjuvant or in aqueous PBS buffer. The three‐component vaccines that contained the Tetanus Toxoid P2 T‐cell epitope peptide induced strong immune responses, even when administered just in PBS. By activation of the complement‐dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) complex, the antisera induced the killing of tumor cells.     

Synthesis and Immunological Evaluation of Self‐Assembling and Self‐Adjuvanting Tricomponent Glycopeptide Cancer‐Vaccine Candidates

Self‐adjuvanting tricomponent vaccines were prepared and assessed for their self‐assembly and immunological activity in mouse models. The vaccines each consisted of a peptide or glycopeptide antigen that corresponds to a complete copy of the variable‐number tandem repeat (VNTR) of the tumor‐associated mucin 1 (MUC1) glycoprotein, the universal T‐cell helper peptide epitope PADRE, and the immunoadjuvant Pam₃CysSer. The vaccines were shown to spontaneously self‐assemble in water to form isotropic particles varying in size from 17 to 25 nm and elicited robust humoral responses in murine models without the addition of an external adjuvant. The serum antibodies could recognize tumor‐associated MUC1 epitopes on the surface of MCF7 breast‐cancer cells and B16 melanoma cells, which overexpress this tumor‐associated glycoprotein.     

Synthetic Multivalent Glycopeptide‐Lipopeptide Antitumor Vaccines: Impact of the Cluster Effect on the Killing of Tumor Cells

Multivalent synthetic vaccines were obtained by solid‐phase synthesis of tumor‐associated MUC1 glycopeptide antigens and their coupling to a Pam₃Cys lipopeptide through click reactions. These vaccines elicited immune responses in mice without the use of any external adjuvant. The vaccine containing four copies of a MUC1 sialyl‐T_N antigen showed a significant cluster effect. It induced in mice prevailing IgG_2a antibodies, which bind to MCF‐7 breast tumor cells and initiate the killing of these tumor cells by activation of the complement‐dependent cytotoxicity complex.     

Anti‐proliferative activity of newly synthesized Cd(II), Cu(II), Zn(II),Ni(II), Co(II), VO(II), and Mn(II) complexes of 2‐((4,9‐dimethoxy‐5‐oxo‐5H‐furo[3,2‐g]chromen‐6‐yl)methylene) hydrazinecarbothioamide on three human cancer cells

Thiosemicarbazone ligand, 2‐((4,9‐dimethoxy‐5‐oxo‐5H‐furo[3,2‐g]chromen‐6‐yl)methylene) hydrazinecarbothioamide and its Cd(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Ni(II), Co(II), VO(II), and Mn(II) complexes have been prepared and characterized by various spectroscopic and analytical techniques. Complexes molar conductance measurements displayed that all complexes (2–8) are non‐electrolyte. With general composition [M(H₃L)(CH₃COO)₂H₂O].nH₂O, where M = Cd(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Ni(II), Co(II) and Mn(II) while complex (8) has [VO(H₃L)(SO₄)H₂O].2H₂O formula. Based on analytical and spectral measurements, the octahedral or distorted octahedral geometries suggested for complexes. Ligand and complexes anti‐proliferative activities were assessed against three various human tumor cell lines including breast cancer (MCF‐7), liver cancer (HepG2) and lung cancer (A549) using SRB fluorometric assay and cis‐platin as positive control. The anti‐proliferative activity result indicated that the ligand and its complexes have considerable anti‐proliferative activity analogous to that of ordinarily utilized anti‐cancer drug (cis‐platin). They do their anti‐cancer activities by modifying free radical's generation via raising the superoxide dismutase activity and depletion of intracellular reduced glutathione level, catalase, glutathione peroxidase activities, escorted by highly generation of hydrogen peroxide, nitric oxide and other free radicals leading to tumor cells death, as monitoring by decreasing the protein and nucleic acids synthesis.     

Triiodide PVC Membrane Electrode Based on a Charge‐Transfer Complex of Iodine with Ditertbutyl‐Dicyclohexyl‐18‐Crown‐6

A new triiodide ion‐selective electrode based on a charge‐transfer complex of iodine with ditertbutyl‐dicyclohexyl‐18‐crown‐6 (t‐Bu)₂DC18C6 as membrane carrier was prepared. The electrode has a linear dynamic range from 6.3 × 10^?3‐5 × 10^?6 with a Nernstian response of 58.6 ± 1 mV decade^?1 and a detection limit of 1.3 × 10^?6 M. The response time of the sensor was 25 s. The membrane could be used for two months without any divergence in potentials. The electrode exhibits an anti‐Hofmeistetr selectivity sequence with a preference for triiodide at pH 2.0‐10.0. The response mechanism of the electrode was investigated by Uv‐Vis spectroscopic technique. The electrode can be used for the determination of ascorbic acid in orange juice.     

A Nickel Dithiolate Water Reduction Catalyst Providing Ligand‐Based Proton‐Coupled Electron‐Transfer Pathways

A nickel pyrazinedithiolate ([Ni(dcpdt)₂]²⁻; dcpdt=5,6‐dicyanopyrazine‐2,3‐dithiolate), bearing a NiS₄ core similar to the active center of [NiFe] hydrogenase, is shown to serve as an efficient molecular catalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). This catalyst shows effectively low overpotentials for HER (330–400 mV at pH 4–6). Moreover, the turnover number of catalysis reaches 20 000 over the 24 h electrolysis with a high Faradaic efficiency, 92–100 %. The electrochemical and DFT studies reveal that diprotonated one‐electron‐reduced species (i.e., [Ni^II(dcpdt)(dcpdtH₂)]⁻ or [Ni^II(dcpdtH)₂]⁻) forms at pH<6.4 via ligand‐based proton‐coupled electron‐transfer (PCET) pathways, leading to electrocatalytic HER without applying the highly negative potential required to generate low‐valent nickel intermediates. This is the first example of catalysts exhibiting such behavior.     

Surfactant‐Assisted Phase‐Selective Synthesis of New Cobalt MOFs and Their Efficient Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Reported herein are two new polymorphic Co‐MOFs (CTGU‐5 and ‐6) that can be selectively crystallized into the pure 2D or 3D net using an anionic or neutral surfactant, respectively. Each polymorph contains a H₂O molecule, but differs dramatically in its bonding to the framework, which in turn affects the crystal structure and electrocatalytic performance for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Both experimental and computational studies find that 2D CTGU‐5 which has coordinates water and more open access to the cobalt site has higher electrocatalytic activity than CTGU‐6 with the lattice water. The integration with co‐catalysts, such as acetylene black (AB) leads to a composite material, AB&CTGU‐5 (1:4) with very efficient HER catalytic properties among reported MOFs. It exhibits superior HER properties including a very positive onset potential of 18 mV, low Tafel slope of 45 mV dec⁻¹, higher exchange current density of 8.6×10⁻⁴ A cm⁻², and long‐term stability.     

A Novel Magnetism‐assisted Electrochemical Immunosensor with Sub‐Picomolar Sensitivity

A novel electrochemical immunosensor based on a magnetic glassy carbon electrode (MGCE) was developed for the quantitative determination of human immunoglobulin G (IgG). The immunosensing interface was fabricated by initially depositing silver nanoparticles on the MGCE surface and then immobilizing anti‐human IgG antibodies via the magnetic force between MGCE and Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. The antibodies were covalently bonded to the amine‐functionalized Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. Under optimal conditions, the magnetism‐assisted immunosensor exhibited a wide linear range from 0.1 pg/mL to 1.0 µg/mL with the detection limit of 0.05 pg/mL. Furthermore, the immunosensor displayed the advantages of good reproducibility and satisfactory stability.     

Synthesis and In Vitro Antibacterial Activities of Novel 2‐Aryl‐3‐(phenylamino)‐2,3‐dihydroquinazolin‐4(1H)‐one Derivatives

An efficient synthesis of novel 2‐aryl‐3‐(phenylamino)‐2,3‐dihydroquinazolin‐4(1H)‐one derivatives using KAl(SO₄)₂.12H₂O (Alum) as a catalyst from an aldehyde and 2‐amino‐N‐phenylbenzohydrazine in ethanol is described. All synthesized derivatives were screened for anti‐bacterial activity. Some compounds exhibited promising anti‐bacterial activity with reference to standard antibiotics.     

Tri‐ and diorganotin(IV) derivatives of non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug sulindac: Characterization,electronic structures (DFT), DNA binding and plasmid cleavage studies

Tri‐ and diorganotin(IV) derivatives of non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug sulindac ( Sul ), coordinated with carboxylate oxygen, namely C₂₃H₂₅FO₃SSn ( 1 ), C₃₈H₃₁FO₃SSn ( 2 ), C₃₂H₄₃FO₃SSn ( 3 ), C₅₂H₄₂F₂O₆S₂Sn ( 4 ), C₄₄H₄₄S₂Cl₂O₆F₂Sn₂ ( 5 ), C₄₈H₅₀F₂O₆S₂Sn ( 6 ) and C₅₆H₆₆F₂O₆S₂Sn ( 7 ), have been synthesized and characterized using analytical and spectroscopic (IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, ¹¹⁹Sn NMR and ESI‐MS) techniques. Optimized geometry and electronic structures of the complexes obtained from density functional theory calculations indicate that complexes 1 , 2 , 3 and 7 are tetra‐coordinated with monodentate carboxylates, 4 and 6 are hexa‐coordinated with highly distorted octahedral geometry, whereas 5 is penta‐coordinated with distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometry. Probable mode of DNA binding with ligand ( Sul ) and complexes 1 – 7 has been revealed via various biophysical techniques (UV–visible spectroscopy, fluorometry and circular dichroism). Intrinsic binding constants (K _b) obtained from UV–visible spectroscopy for Sul and complexes 1 – 7 are 3.69 × 10⁴, and 7.3 × 10³, 1.14 × 10⁴, 1.47 × 10⁴, 1.55 × 10⁴, 1.49 × 10⁴, 2.02 × 10⁴, 1.17 × 10⁴ M⁻¹, respectively. The quenching constants (K _sv) using fluorometric titrations, calculated from competitive binding of ethidium bromide versus Sul /complexes with calf thymus DNA, also correspond to the above results. Circular dichroism spectral patterns of calf thymus DNA with Sul and complexes 1 – 7 have also been investigated. All the results reveal that the complexes bind with DNA through partial intercalative mode. pBr322 plasmid fragmentation has also been studied using gel electrophoresis, which shows the fragmentation of circular DNA by an increase in nicked form and also by the appearance of linear form with increasing concentration of drug or complexes.     

One‐Step Synthesis of β‐Cyclodextrin Functionalized Graphene/Ag Nanocomposite and Its Application in Sensitive Determination of 4‐Nitrophenol

β‐Cyclodextrin functionalized graphene/Ag nanocomposite (β‐CD/GN/Ag) was prepared via a one‐step microwave treatment of a mixture of graphene oxide and AgNO₃. β‐CD/GN/Ag was employed as an enhanced element for the sensitive determination of 4‐nitrophenol. A wide linear response to 4‐nitrophenol in the concentration ranges of 1.0×10^?8–1.0×10^?7 mol/L, and 1.0×10^?7–1.5×10^?3 mol/L was achieved, with a low detection limit of 8.9×10^?10 mol/L (S/N=3). The mechanism and the heterogeneous electron transfer kinetics of the 4‐nitrophenol reduction were discussed according to the rotating disk electrode experiments. Furthermore, the sensing platform has been applied to the determination of 4‐nitrophenol in real samples.     

Capacitance Polypyrrole‐based Impedimetric Immunosensor for Interleukin‐10 Cytokine Detection

In the present study, we developed a novel label‐free capacitance impedimetric immunosensor based on the immobilization of the human monoclonal antibody anti‐interleukin‐10 (anti‐IL‐10 mAb) onto polypyrrole (PPy)‐modified silicon nitride (Si₃N₄) substrates. The immunosensor was used for the detection of the recombinant interleukin‐10 antigen (rh IL‐10) that may be secreted in patients at the early stage of inflammation. The immunosensor was created by chemical deposition of PPy conducting layer on pyrrole?silane (SPy)‐treated Si/SiO₂/Si₃N₄ substrates (Si/SiO₂/Si₃N₄?SPy), followed by anti‐IL‐10 mAb immobilization through carboxyl‐functionalized diazonium (CMA) protocol and carbodiimide chemistry. The surface characterization and the biofunctionalization steps were characterized by SEM, FTIR and cyclic voltammetry (CV) while the detection process was carried out by using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analyses. The created immunosensor showed two linear fittings (R²=0.999) for the detection of rh IL‐10 within the concentration range from 1–50 pg/mL. It exhibited high sensitivity (0.1128 (pg/mL)^?1) with a very low limit of detection (LOD)=0.347 pg/mL, more particularly, at the low concentration range (1–10 pg/mL). Thus, this developed polypyrrole‐based immunosensor represents a promising strategy for creation of miniaturized label‐free, fast and highly sensitive biosensors for diagnosis of inflammation biomarkers at very low concentrations with reduced cost.     

Electrocatalytic Reduction and Determination of Iodate and Periodate at Silicomolybdate‐Incorporated‐Glutaraldehyde‐ Cross‐Linked Poly‐L‐lysine Film Electrodes

The present work describes reduction of iodate (IO₃^?), and periodate (IO₄^?) at silicomolybdate‐doped‐glutaraldehyde‐cross‐linked poly‐L ‐lysine (PLL‐GA‐SiMo) film coated glassy carbon electrode in 0.1 M H₂SO₄. In our previous study, we were able to prepare the PLL‐GA‐SiMo film modified electrode by means of electrostatically trapping SiMo₁₂O₄₀^4? mediator in the cationic film of PLL‐GA, and the voltammetric investigation in pure supporting indicated that the charge transport through the film was fast. Here, the electrocatalytic activity of PLL‐GA‐SiMo film electrode towards iodate and periodate was tested and subsequently used for analytical determination of these analytes by amperometry. The two electron reduced species of SiMo₁₂O₄₀^4? anion was responsible for the electrocatalytic reduction of IO₃^? at PLL‐GA‐SiMo film electrode while two and six electron reduced species were showed electrocatalytic activity towards IO₄^? reduction. Under optimized experimental conditions of amperometry, the linear concentration range and sensitivity are 2.5×10^?6 to 1.1×10^?2 M and 18.47 μA mM^?1 for iodate, and 5×10^?6 to 1.43×10^?4 M and 1014.7 μA mM^?1 for periodate, respectively.     

Hollow Chevrel‐Phase NiMo3S4 for Hydrogen Evolution in Alkaline Electrolytes

Electrochemical water splitting to generate molecular hydrogen requires catalysts that are cheap, active, and stable, particularly for alkaline electrolyzers, where the cathodic hydrogen evolution reaction is slower in base than in acid even on platinum. Herein, we describe the synthesis of new hollow Chevrel‐phase NiMo₃S₄ and its alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) performance: onset potential of ?59 mV, Tafel slope of 98 mV per decade, and exchange current density of 3.9×10^?2 mA cm^?2. This Chevrel‐phase chalcogenide also demonstrates outstanding long‐term stability under harsh HER cycling conditions. Chevrel‐phase nanomaterials show promise as efficient, low‐cost catalysts for alkaline electrolyzers.     

Design of Sensitive Biocompatible Quantum‐Dots Embedded in Mesoporous Silica Microspheres for the Quantitative Immunoassay of Human Immunodeficiency Virus‐1 Antibodies

A novel sandwich‐type electrochemiluminescence (ECL) immunosensor was developed to enable the sensitive detection of HIV‐1 antibodies. This system incorporated mesoporous silica (mSiO₂) complexed with quantum dots (QDs) and nano‐gold particles, which were assembled to enhance signal detection. Magnetic beads were used by immobilizing the secondary anti‐IgG antibody. This was first employed to capture HIV‐1 antibody (Ab) to form a Fe₃O₄/anti‐IgG/Ab complex. A high loading and signal‐enhanced nanocomposite (hereafter referred to as Au‐mSiO₂‐CdTe) was used as a HIV‐1 antigen label. The Au‐mSiO₂‐CdTe nanocomposite was conjugated with the Fe₃O₄/anti‐IgG/Ab complex to form an immunocomplex (hereafter referred to as Fe₃O₄/anti‐IgG/Ab/HIV‐1/CdTe‐mSiO₂‐Au). This complex could be further separated by an external magnetic field to produce ECL signals. Due to the large specific surface area and pore volume of mSiO₂, the loading of the CdTe QDs was markedly increased. Thus, the loaded QDs released a powerful chemiluminescent signal with a concordantly increased sensitivity of the immunosensor. The immunosensor was highly sensitive, and displayed a linear range of responses for HIV‐1 antibody across a dilution range of 1 : 1500 through 1 : 50 with the detection limit of 1 : 4500. The immunoassay can be a promising candidate in early diagnosis of HIV infection.     

High‐temperature elastomers from silarylene‐siloxane‐diacetylene linear polymers

The syntheses and characterization of linear silarylene‐siloxane‐diacetylene polymers 3a–c and their thermal conversion to crosslinked elastomeric materials 4a–c are discussed. Inclusion of the diacetylene unit required synthesis of an appropriate monomeric species. 1,4‐Bis(dimethylaminodimethylsilyl)butadiyne [(CH₃)₂N? Si(CH₃)₂? C?C? C?C? (CH₃)₂Si? N(CH₃)₂] 2 was prepared from 1,4‐dilithio‐1,3‐butadiyne and 2 equiv of dimethylaminodimethylchlorosilane. The linear polymers were prepared via polycondensation of 2 with a series of disilanol prepolymers. The low molecular weight silarylene‐siloxane prepolymers 1a–c (terminated by hydroxyl groups) were synthesized via solution condensation of an excess amount of 1,4‐bis(hydroxydimethylsilyl)benzene with bis(dimethylamino)dimethylsilane. The linear polymers were characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and DSC. The elastomers exhibited long‐term oxidative stability up to 330 °C in air as determined by TGA. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 88–94, 2002     

NBS‐Promoted Rearrangement of 1,1‐Diarylmethylenecyclopentane

The 1‐aroyl‐1‐aryl‐2‐bromocyclopentanes 3a , 3b , 3c and 3d (Ar = C₆H₅, 2‐FC₆H₄, 3‐FC₆H₄, 4‐FC₆H₄) were prepared from N‐bromosuccinimide (NBS)‐promoted rearrangement of 1,1‐diarylmethylenecyclopentane 2 . The possible mechanism was proposed. Two 1‐phenyl‐cyclopentane carbamides 5a and 5b with the anti‐influenza effect were also accomplished from compound 3a .