Nanodiamonds: A Cutting-Edge Approach to Enhancing Biomedical Therapies and Diagnostics in Biosensing

Nanodiamonds (NDs) have garnered attention in the field of nanomedicine due to their unique properties. This review offers a comprehensive overview of NDs synthesis methods, properties, and their uses in biomedical applications. Various synthesis techniques, such as detonation, high-pressure, high-temperature, and chemical vapor deposition, offer distinct advantages in tailoring NDs′ size, shape, and surface properties. Surface modification methods further enhance NDs′ biocompatibility and enable the attachment of bioactive molecules, expanding their applicability in biological systems. NDs serve as promising nanocarriers for drug delivery, showcasing biocompatibility and the ability to encapsulate therapeutic agents for targeted delivery. Additionally, NDs demonstrate potential in cancer treatment through hyperthermic therapy and vaccine enhancement for improved immune responses. Functionalization of NDs facilitates their utilization in biosensors for sensitive biomolecule detection, aiding in precise diagnostics and rapid detection of infectious diseases. This review underscores the multifaceted role of NDs in advancing biomedical applications. By synthesizing NDs through various methods and modifying their surfaces, researchers can tailor their properties for specific biomedical needs. The ability of NDs to serve as efficient drug delivery vehicles holds promise for targeted therapy, while their applications in hyperthermic therapy and vaccine enhancement offer innovative approaches to cancer treatment and immunization. Furthermore, the integration of NDs into biosensors enhances diagnostic capabilities, enabling rapid and sensitive detection of biomolecules and infectious diseases. Overall, the diverse functionalities of NDs underscore their potential as valuable tools in nanomedicine, paving the way for advancements in healthcare and biotechnology.     

A Retro-Diels Alder route to Tetramethyldisilene Me2Si=SiMe2 revisited: Flow Pyrolysis of 1,1,2,2-Tetramethyl-1,2-disilacyclohex-4-ene

Reinvestigation of the flow pyrolysis of 1,1,2,2-tetramethyl-1,2-disilacyclohex-4-ene did not identify conditions under which the retro-Diels Alder reaction was the exclusive process. Extrusion of Me₂Si=SiMe₂was confirmed, but dimerization of directly extruded Me₂Si: contributes significantly to its formation. Rearrangement of 1,1,2,2-tetramethyl-1,2-disilacyclohex-4-ene to 1,1,3,3-tetramethyl-1,3-disilacyclohex-4-ene is a major process under a variety of conditions. Computational studies reduced the number of viable pathways. Both experimental and computational results point to stepwise extrusion of Me₂Si=SiMe₂ via a diradical intermediate and to linkage by one or more common intermediates of the extrusion pathway and the pathway leading to rearranged disilacyclohexene. Such a mechanism receives support from the formation of 1,2- and 1,3-disilacyclohex-4-enes, that is both the Diels-Alder product and the rearrangement product, in the addition of Me₂Si=SiMe₂ to butadiene. Dedicated to Professor Mitsuo Kira on the occasion of his being honored for his inspiring work as the recipient of the 2005 Wacker Silicon Award.     

Quantum chemical and master equation studies of the methyl vinyl carbonyl oxides formed in isoprene ozonolysis

Methyl vinyl carbonyl oxide is an important intermediate in the reaction of isoprene and ozone and may be responsible for most of the (*)OH formed in isoprene ozonolysis. We use CBS-QB3 calculations and RRKM/master equation simulations to characterize all the pathways leading to the formation of this species, all the interconversions among its four possible conformers, and all of its irreversible isomerizations. Our calculations, like previous studies, predict (*)OH yields consistent with experiment if thermalized syn-methyl carbonyl oxides form (*)OH quantitatively. Natural bond order analysis reveals that the vinyl group weakens the C=O bond of the carbonyl oxide, making rotation about this bond accessible to this chemically activated intermediate. The vinyl group also allows one conformer of the carbonyl oxide to undergo electrocyclization to form a dioxole, a species not previously considered in the literature. Dioxole formation, which has a CBS-QB3 reaction barrier of 13.9 kcal/mol, is predicted to be favored over vinyl hydroperoxide formation, dioxirane formation, and collisional stabilization. Our calculations also predict that two dioxole derivatives, 1,2-epoxy-3-butanone and 3-oxobutanal, should be major products of isoprene ozonolysis.     

OPTICAL-MICROWAVE DOUBLE RESONANCE SPECTROSCOPY OF IN VIVO CHLOROPHYLL

At low temperatures, chloroplast and subchloroplast preparations exhibit complex fluorescence spectra. Emission bands can be attributed to photosystem (PS) particles and various antenna-chl proteins as well as solubilized chls. Initial results from a systematic study of the components of these fluorescence spectra via optical-microwave double resonance spectroscopy are presently reported. Conclusions regarding possible structural features are discussed. Experiments on triplet sublevel decay rates yielded data consistent with an interpretation of triplet energy transfer within antenna fragments.     

Solid- and solution-state studies of the novel mu-dicyanamide-bridged dinuclear spin-crossover system {[(Fe(bztpen)]2[mu-N(CN)2]}(PF6)3 x n H2O

The mononuclear diamagnetic compound {Fe(bztpen)[N(CN)2]}(PF6)CH3OH (1) (bztpen = N-benzyl-N,N',N'-tris(2-pyridylmethyl)ethylenediamine) has been synthesized and its crystal structure studied. Complex 1 can be considered to be the formal precursor of two new dinuclear, dicyanamide-bridged iron(II) complexes with the generic formula {[(Fe(bztpen)]2[mu-N(CN)2]}(PF6)3 x n H2O (n = 1 (2) or 0 (3)), which have been characterized in the solid state and in solution. In all three complexes, the iron atoms have a distorted [FeN6] octahedral coordination defined by a bztpen ligand and a terminal (1) or a bridging dicyanamide ligand (2 and 3). In the solid state, 2 and 3 can be considered to be molecular isomers that differ by the relative position of the phenyl ring of the two {Fe(bztpen)[N(CN)2]}+ halves (cis and trans, respectively). Depending on the texture of the sample, 2 exhibits paramagnetic behavior or displays a very incomplete spin transition at atmospheric pressure. Complex 3 undergoes a gradual two-step spin transition with no observed hysteresis in the solid state. Both steps are approximately 100 K wide, centered at approximately 200 K and approximately 350 K, with a plateau of approximately 80 K separating the transitions. The crystal structure of 3 has been determined in steps of approximately 50 K between 400 K and 90 K, which provides a fascinating insight into the structural behavior of the complex and the nature of the spin transition. Order-disorder transitions occur in the dicyanamide bridge and the PF6(-) ions simultaneously, with the spin-crossover behavior suggesting that these transitions may trigger the two-step character. In solution, 2 and 3 display very similar continuous spin conversions. Electrochemical studies of 2 and 3 show that the voltammograms are typical of dimeric systems with electronic coupling of the metals through the dicyanamide ligand.     

Competitive fluorescence polarization assays for the detection of phosphoinositide kinase and phosphatase activity

We describe the development and implementation of competitive fluorescence polarization (FP) based assays for determining activity of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI 3-K) and the type-II SH2-domain-containing inositol 5-phosphatase (SHIP2). These assays are based on the interaction of specific phosphoinositide binding proteins with fluorophore-labeled phosphoinositide and inositol phosphate tracers. Enzyme reaction products are detected by their ability to compete with the fluorescent tracers for protein binding, leading to an increase in the amount of free tracer and a decrease in polarization (mP) values. A variety of fluorophore-labeled tracers were evaluated, and assay sensitivity and specificity for products of PI 3-K and SHIP2 activity was determined. Assay performance was evaluated using recombinant PI 3-Kalpha and SHIP2 with diC(8)-PI(4,5)P(2) and diC(8)-PI(3,4,5)P(3) as respective substrates. IC(50) values for previously characterized PI 3-K inhibitors were within expected ranges. These assays are homogeneous, sensitive, and rapid, and suitable for HTS applications, and will facilitate screening for novel inhibitors of phosphoinositide kinases and phosphatases in drug development.     

Halogen-Bonding Heteroditopic [2]Catenanes for Recognition of Alkali Metal/Halide Ion Pairs

The first examples of halogen bonding (XB) heteroditopic homo[2]catenanes were prepared by discrete Na⁺ template-directed assembly of oligo(ethylene glycol) units derived from XB donor-containing macrocycles and acyclic bis-azide precursors, followed by a Cu^I-mediated azide-alkyne cycloaddition macrocyclisation reaction. Extensive ¹H NMR spectroscopic studies show the [2]catenane hosts exhibit positive cooperative ion-pair recognition behaviour, wherein XB-mediated halide recognition is enhanced by alkali metal cation pre-complexation. Notably, subtle changes in the catenanes’ oligo(ethylene glycol) chain length dramatically alters their ion-binding affinity, stoichiometry, complexation mode, and conformational dynamics. Solution-phase and single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies provide evidence for competing host-separated and direct-contact ion-pair binding modes. We further demonstrate the [2]catenanes are capable of extracting solid alkali-metal halide salts into organic media.     

Thermal, pressure and light induced spin transition in the two-dimensional coordination polymer [Fe(pmd)2[Cu(CN)2]2

A complete structural, calorimetric, and magnetic characterisation of the 2D coordination spin crossover polymer [Fe(pmd)(2)[Cu(CN)(2)](2)] is reported. The crystal structure has been investigated below room temperature at 180 K and 90 K, and at 30 K after irradiating the sample at low temperature with green light (lambda = 532 nm). The volume cell contraction through the thermal spin transition is only 18 A(3) which is lower than the usually observed value of around 25-30 A(3) while the average Fe-N bond distances decrease by the typical value of about 0.19 A. The structural data of the irradiated state indicate that the high spin state is well induced since the cell parameters are consistent with the data at 180 K. Calorimetric and photo-calorimetric experiments have also been performed. The entropy content for the thermal spin transition, DeltaS = 35-37 J mol(-1) K(-1) lies in the lowest range of the typical values and correlates with the low volume cell contraction. The combination of the crystallographic and calorimetric data predicts, in accordance with a mean-field approach, a linear pressure dependence of the critical temperature with a slope of 302 K GPa(-1). Magnetic measurements under pressure reveal an anomalous behaviour since the critical temperature and hysteresis do not change up to 0.22 GPa but an apparent linear dependence is obtained for higher pressures (up to 0.8 GPa) with a slope two times higher than the mean-field estimation.