Multiplexed binding determination of seven glycoconjugates for Pseudomonas aeruginosa lectin I (PA-IL) using a DNA-based carbohydrate microarray

The binding of seven multivalent glycoconjugates displaying linear or antenna-like structures and different electronic environments were evaluated towards PA-IL on a DNA-based carbohydrate microarray. The affinity can be modulated by the charge and the topology of the galactosylated derivatives.     

Linking Deltahedral Zintl Clusters with Conjugated Organic Building Blocks: Synthesis and Characterization of the Zintl Triad [R‐Ge9‐CHCH?CHCH‐Ge9‐R]4−

The accessibility of triads with deltahedral Zintl clusters in analogy to fullerene–linker–fullerene triads is another example for the close relationship between fullerenes and Zintl clusters. The compound {[K(2.2.2‐crypt)]₄[RGe₉‐CHCH CHCH‐Ge₉R]}(toluene)₂ (R=(2Z,4E)‐7‐amino‐5‐aza‐hepta‐2,4‐dien‐2‐yl), containing two deltahedral [Ge₉] clusters linked by a conjugated (1Z,3Z)‐buta‐1,3‐dien‐1,4‐diyl bridge, was synthesized through the reaction of 1,4‐bis(trimethylsilyl)butadiyne with K₄Ge₉ in ethylenediamine and crystallized after the addition of 2.2.2‐cryptand and toluene. The compound was characterized by single‐crystal structure analysis as well asNMR and IR spectroscopy.     

Synthesis and characterization of double hydrophilic block copolymers containing semi-rigid and flexible segments

3-Methyl-(E)-stilbene (3MSti) and 4-(diethylamino)-(E)-stilbene (DEASti) monomers are synthesized and polymerized separately with maleic anhydride (MAn) in a strictly alternating fashion using reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization techniques. The optimal RAFT chain transfer agents (CTAs) for each copolymerization affect the reaction kinetics and CTA compatibilities. Psuedo-first order polymerization kinetics are demonstrated for the synthesis of poly((3-methyl-(E)-stilbene)-alt-maleic anhydride) (3MSti-alt-MAn) with a thiocarbonylthio CTA (methyl 2-(dodecylthiocarbonothioylthio)−2-methylpropionate, TTCMe). In contrast, a dithioester CTA (cumyl dithiobenzoate, CDB) controls the synthesis of poly((4-(diethylamino)-(E)-stilbene)-alt-maleic anhydride) (DEASti-alt-MAn) with pseudo-first order polymerization kinetics. DEASti-alt-MAn is chain extended with 4-acryloylmorpholine (ACMO) to synthesize diblock copolymers and subsequently converted to a double hydrophilic polyampholyte block copolymers (poly((4-(diethylamino)-(E)-stilbene)-alt-maleic acid))-b-acryloylmorpholine) (DEASti-alt-MA)-b-ACMO) via acid hydrolysis. The isoelectric point and dissociation behavior of these maleic acid-containing copolymers are determined using ζ-potential and acid–base titrations, respectively. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015 , 53, 219–227     

Synthesis and Characterization of Flexible Hydrogel Electrodes for Electrochemical Impedance Measurements of Protective Coatings on Metal Sculptures

A novel conductive anionic hydrogel was synthesized for use as a solid electrolyte for electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) characterization of the barrier properties of protective coatings on outdoor metalworks, such as bronze sculptures. The AMPS‐co‐PAA hydrogel was soaked in a variety of aqueous salt solutions and characterized by swelling capacity and conductivity in order to determine the most appropriate gel/liquid electrolyte combination for use on culturally significant objects. K₂PIPES‐equilibrated hydrogels were selected as the preferred electrodes for this particular application and were used to measure the impedance of a coated substrate, yielding spectra similar to those from standard liquid cells.     

Isoconversional kinetic analysis of stoichiometric and off-stoichiometric epoxy-amine cures

The curing reaction of stoichiometric and off-stoichiometric diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) and 1,3-phenylene diamine (m-PDA) mixtures was studied by differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis and rheological measurements. In order to highlight the side reactions such as etherification and homopolymerization, the neat DGEBA and DGEBA/DMBA (N,N-dimethylbenzylamine) mixture were examined. The classical model-fitting and the advanced isoconversional methods were used to determine the activation energy of the different reactions. The advanced isoconversional method leads to a good agreement between isothermal, nonisothermal and rheological results. The effective activation energies of primary amine epoxy reaction, etherification and homopolymerization were estimated to about 55-60, 104 and 170 kJ mol⁻¹, respectively.     

Chemo‐ and Magnetotaxis of Self‐Propelled Light‐Emitting Chemo‐electronic Swimmers

Miniaturized autonomous chemo‐electronic swimmers, based on the coupling of spontaneous oxidation and reduction reactions at the two poles of light‐emitting diodes (LEDs), are presented as chemotactic and magnetotactic devices. In homogeneous aqueous media, random motion caused by a bubble‐induced propulsion mechanism is observed. However, in an inhomogeneous environment, the self‐propelled devices exhibit positive chemotactic behavior, propelling themselves along a pH or ionic strength gradient (?pH and ?I, respectively) in order to reach a thermodynamically higher active state. In addition, the intrinsic permanent magnetic moment of the LED allows self‐orientation in the terrestrial magnetic field or following other external magnetic perturbations, which enables a directional motion control coupled with light emission. The interplay between chemotaxis and magnetotaxis allows fine‐tuning of the dynamic behavior of these swimmers.     

Doping Polysulfone Membrane with Alpha‐Tocopherol and Alpha‐Lipoic Acid for Suppressing Oxidative Stress Induced by Hemodialysis Treatment

The reduction of free radicals by bioactive membranes used for hemodialysis treatment is an important topic due to the constant rise of oxidative stress‐associated cardiovascular mortality by hemodialysis patients. Therefore, it is urgent to find an effective solution that helps to solve this problem. Polysulfone membranes enriched with α‐lipoic acid, α‐tocopherol, and with both components are fabricated by spin coating. The antioxidant properties of these membranes are evaluated in vitro by determining the lipid‐peroxidation level and the total antioxidant status of the blood plasma. The biocompatibility is assessed by quantifying the protein adsorption, platelet adhesion, complement activation, and hemolytic effect. All types of membranes show in vitro antioxidant activity and a trend to reduce oxidative stress in vivo; the best results show membranes prepared with a combination of both compounds and prove to be nonhemolytic and hemocompatible. Moreover, the membrane specific separation ability for the main waste products is not affected by antioxidants incorporation.     

Transient ordering in a quasi-two-dimensional liquid near freezing

We report the results of a theoretical study of locally ordered fluctuations in a quasi-two-dimensional colloid fluid. The fluctuations in the equilibrium state are monitored by the aperture cross-correlation function of radiation scattered by the fluid, as calculated from molecular dynamics simulations of near hard spheres with diameter sigma confined between smooth hard walls. These locally ordered fluctuations are transient; their decay can be monitored as a function of the time between the cross-correlated scattered radiation signals, but only the single-time cross-correlated signals are discussed in this paper. Systems with thicknesses less than two hard sphere diameters were studied. For wall separation H in the range 1 sigma/=1.57 sigma, hexagonal fluctuations persist in the dense liquid up to H=1.75 sigma, and fluctuations with square ordered symmetry, that of the solid to which the liquid freezes, only emerge at densities approximately 2% below freezing. For H=1.8 sigma and 1.85 sigma, hexagonal ordered flucuations are no longer found, and the square ordered fluctuations dominate the dense liquid region as the system freezes into a two layer square solid. For H=1.9 sigma and 1.95 sigma, where the liquid freezes into a two layer hexagonal solid, both square and hexagonal ordered fluctuations are observed. At lower densities, the ordered fluctuations only exhibit square symmetry. Hexagonal ordered fluctuations appear at densities approximately 7% below freezing and become more dominant as the density is increased, but the square ordered fluctuations persist until the system is converted into the solid.