Lipid bilayer disruption by polycationic polymers: the roles of size and chemical functional group

Polycationic polymers are used extensively in biology to disrupt cell membranes and thus enhance the transport of materials into the cell. The highly polydisperse nature of many of these materials makes obtaining a mechanistic understanding of the disruption processes difficult. To design an effective mechanistic study, a monodisperse class of polycationic polymers, poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers, has been studied in the context of supported dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) lipid bilayers using atomic force microscopy (AFM). Aqueous solutions of amine-terminated generation 7 (G7) PAMAM dendrimers caused the formation of 15-40-nm-diameter holes in lipid bilayers. This effect was significantly reduced for smaller G5 dendrimers. For G3, no hole formation was observed. In addition to dendrimer size, surface chemistry had a strong influence on dendrimer-lipid bilayer interactions. In particular, acetamide-terminated G5 did not cause hole formation in bilayers. In all instances, the edges of bilayer defects proved to be points of highest dendrimer activity. A proposed mechanism for the removal of lipids by dendrimers involves the formation of dendrimer-filled lipid vesicles. By considering the thermodynamics, interaction free energy, and geometry of these self-assembled vesicles, a model that explains the influence of polymer particle size and surface chemistry on the interactions with lipid membranes was developed. These results are of general significance for understanding the physical and chemical properties of polycationic polymer interactions with membranes that lead to the transport of materials across cell membranes.     

Extractive spectrophotometric determination of nitrite in polluted waters

Nitrite is diazotised with p-nitroaniline in hydrochloric acid and coupled with 8-quinolinol in alkaline medium to give a purple azo dye (λ_max = 550 nm, ? = 3.88 × 10⁴ l mol^-1 cm^-1). Extraction of the dye into 3-methyl-1-butanol shifts the absorption maximum to 570 nm and improves the apparent molar absorptivity to 5.852 × 10⁴ l mol^-1 cm^-1. Beer's law is obeyed for 0.01–0.06 ppm nitrite. The Sandell sensitivity is 0.00078 μg cm^-2. The method is applicable to polluted waters.     

Synthesis, Spectroscopic Characterization, and Structural Studies of Bis(&mgr;-sulfido)bis[{O,O-dialkyl (alkylene) dithiophosphato}oxomolybdenum(V)] Complexes. Crystal Structures of Mo(2)O(2)S(2)[S(2)P(OEt)(2)](2), Mo(2)O(2)S(2)[S(2)P(OEt)(2)](2).2NC(5)H(5), and Mo(2)O(3)[S(2)P(OPh)(2)](4)

A series of new complexes, Mo(2)O(2)S(2)[S(2)P(OR)(2)](2) (where R = Et, n-Pr, i-Pr) and Mo(2)O(2)S(2)[S(2)POGO](2) (where G = -CH(2)CMe(2)CH(2)-, -CMe(2)CMe(2)-) have been prepared by the dropwise addition of an ethanolic solution of the ammonium or sodium salt of the appropriate O,O-dialkyl or -alkylene dithiophosphoric acid, or the acid itself, to a hot aqueous solution of molybdenum(V) pentachloride. The complexes were also formed by heating solutions of Mo(2)O(3)[S(2)P(OR)(2)](4) or Mo(2)O(3)[S(2)POGO](4) species in glacial acetic acid. The Mo(2)O(2)S(2)[S(2)P(OR)(2)](2) and Mo(2)O(2)S(2)[S(2)POGO](2) compounds were characterized by elemental analyses, (1)H, (13)C, and (31)P NMR, and infrared and Raman spectroscopy, as were the 1:2 adducts formed on reaction with pyridine. The crystal structures of Mo(2)O(2)S(2)[S(2)P(OEt(2))](2), Mo(2)O(2)S(2)[S(2)P(OEt)(2)](2).2NC(5)H(5), and Mo(2)O(3)[S(2)P(OPh)(2)](4) were determined. Mo(2)O(2)S(2)[S(2)P(OEt)(2)](2) (1) crystallizes in space group C2/c, No. 15, with cell parameters a = 15.644(3) ?, b = 8.339(2) ?, c = 18.269(4) ?, beta = 103.70(2) degrees, V = 2315.4(8) ?(3), Z = 4, R = 0.0439, and R(w) = 0.0353. Mo(2)O(2)S(2)[S(2)P(OEt)(2)](2).2NC(5)H(5) (6) crystallizes in space group P&onemacr;, No. 2, with the cell parameters a = 12.663(4) ?,b = 14.291(5) ?, c = 9.349(3) ?, alpha = 100.04(3) degrees, beta = 100.67(3) degrees, gamma = 73.03(3) degrees V = 1557(1) ?(3), Z = 2, R = 0.0593, and R(w) = 0.0535. Mo(2)O(3)[S(2)P(OPh)(2)](4) (8) crystallizes in space group P2(1)/n, No. 14, with cell parameters a = 15.206(2)?, b = 10.655(3)?, c = 19.406(3)?, beta = 111.67(1) degrees, V = 2921(1)?(3), Z = 2, R = 0.0518, R(w) = 0.0425. The immediate environment about the molybdenum atoms in 1 is essentially square pyramidal if the Mo-Mo interaction is ignored. The vacant positions in the square pyramids are occupied by two pyridine molecules in 6, resulting in an octahedral environment with very long Mo-N bonds. The terminal oxygen atoms in both 1 and 6 are in the syn conformation. In 8, which also has a distorted octahedral environment about molybdenum, two of the dithiophosphate groups are bidentate as in 1 and 6, but the two others have one normal Mo-S bond and one unusually long Mo-S bond.     

Conjugate base catalysed one-pot synthesis of pyrazoles from β-formyl enamides

A novel one-pot synthesis of pyrazoles has been accomplished by the reaction of β-formyl enamides with hydroxylamine hydrochloride catalysed by potassium dihydrogenphosphate in acid medium.     

Bianchi type II,VIII, and IX cosmological models in Lyra's geometry

The Bianchi type II, VIII, and IX models are investigated in Lyra's geometry (in normal gauge) when the gauge function is time dependent. The physical behavior of these models in vacuum and in the presence of the Zeldovich fluid is discussed.     

In situ Raman studies on lithiated single-wall carbon nanotubes in liquid ammonia

The charge transfer induced lithiation of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) was investigated by in situ monitoring by Raman spectroscopy as lithium was added incrementally to a dispersion of SWNTs in liquid ammonia. Charge transfer from liquid ammonia solvated lithium to the SWNTs led to intercalation of lithium into the SWNT ropes, as well as to the semi-covalent lithiation of the SWNTs. Raman spectra of the SWNTs recorded as lithium was added showed a 30 wavenumber downshift of the G band (1594 cm⁻¹) with the concomitant appearance of a new peak at 1350 cm⁻¹ that was assigned as the signature of the lithiated SWNTs. Addition of 1-iodododecane to the lithiated SWNTs resulted in the covalent attachment of dodecyl groups. The intercalation of lithium throughout the SWNT ropes led to complete dodecylation of all individual SWNTs.     

Estimation of 90Sr in reprocessed uranium oxide samples

Summary A method has been developed for the estimation of ⁹⁰Sr in reprocessed uranium oxide samples obtained from the Purex processing of natural uranium spent fuel discharged from the research reactor. The method employs a combination of precipitation and solvent extraction procedure to eliminate other beta-impurities prior to resorting to the estimation of ⁹⁰Sr by beta-counting. ¹⁰⁶Ru was eliminated by volatalizing with perchloric acid, uranium was removed by carrier precipitation with strontium as sulphate. The sulphate precipitate was converted to carbonate and dissolved in nitric acid. ²³⁴Th and ²³⁴Pa were eliminated by synergistic solvent extraction using tri-n-butyl phosphate and thenoyl trifluoroacetone extractant mixture in xylene. An iron scavenging step was included to remove any residual impurities. Finally, strontium is precipitated as SrC₂O₄^. H₂O. The separated ⁹⁰Sr activity was followed to check the equilibrium growth of ⁹⁰Y.     

Multimodal Imaging and Phototherapy of Cancer and Bacterial Infection by Graphene and Related Nanocomposites

The advancements in nanotechnology and nanomedicine are projected to solve many glitches in medicine, especially in the fields of cancer and infectious diseases, which are ranked in the top five most dangerous deadly diseases worldwide by the WHO. There is great concern to eradicate these problems with accurate diagnosis and therapies. Among many developed therapeutic models, near infra-red mediated phototherapy is a non-invasive technique used to invade many persistent tumors and bacterial infections with less inflammation compared with traditional therapeutic models such as radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and surgeries. Herein, we firstly summarize the up-to-date research on graphene phototheranostics for a better understanding of this field of research. We discuss the preparation and functionalization of graphene nanomaterials with various biocompatible components, such as metals, metal oxides, polymers, photosensitizers, and drugs, through covalent and noncovalent approaches. The multifunctional nanographene is used to diagnose the disease with confocal laser scanning microscopy, magnetic resonance imaging computed tomography, positron emission tomography, photoacoustic imaging, Raman, and ToF-SMIS to visualize inside the biological system for imaging-guided therapy are discussed. Further, treatment of disease by photothermal and photodynamic therapies against different cancers and bacterial infections are carefully conferred herein along with challenges and future perspectives.     

Autonomous-Strengthening Adhesive Provides Hydrolysis-Resistance and Enhanced Mechanical Properties in Wet Conditions

The low-viscosity adhesive that is used to bond composite restorative materials to the tooth is readily damaged by acids, enzymes, and oral fluids. Bacteria infiltrate the resulting gaps at the composite/tooth interface, demineralize the tooth, and further erode the adhesive. This paper presents the preparation and characterization of a low-crosslink-density hydrophilic adhesive that capitalizes on sol-gel reactions and free-radical polymerization to resist hydrolysis and provide enhanced mechanical properties in wet environments. Polymerization behavior, water sorption, and leachates were investigated. Dynamic mechanical analyses (DMA) were conducted using water-saturated adhesives to mimic load transfer in wet conditions. Data from all tests were analyzed using appropriate statistical tests (α = 0.05). The degree of conversion was comparable for experimental and control adhesives at 88.3 and 84.3%, respectively. HEMA leachate was significantly lower for the experimental (2.9 wt%) compared to control (7.2 wt%). After 3 days of aqueous aging, the storage and rubbery moduli and the glass transition temperature of the experimental adhesive (57.5MPa, 12.8MPa, and 38.7 °C, respectively) were significantly higher than control (7.4MPa, 4.3 MPa, and 25.9 °C, respectively). The results indicated that the autonomic sol-gel reaction continues in the wet environment, leading to intrinsic reinforcement of the polymer network, improved hydrolytic stability, and enhanced mechanical properties.     

Phytocannabinoid Compositions from Cannabis Act Synergistically with PARP1 Inhibitor against Ovarian Cancer Cells In Vitro and Affect the Wnt Signaling Pathway

Ovarian cancer (OC) is the single most lethal gynecologic malignancy. Cannabis sativa is used to treat various medical conditions, and is cytotoxic to a variety of cancer types. We sought to examine the effectiveness of different combinations of cannabis compounds against OC. Cytotoxic activity was determined by XTT assay on HTB75 and HTB161 cell lines. Apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry. Gene expression was determined by quantitative PCR and protein localization by confocal microscopy. The two most active fractions, F5 and F7, from a high Δ9–tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) cannabis strain extract, and their standard mix (SM), showed cytotoxic activity against OC cells and induced cell apoptosis. The most effective phytocannabinoid combination was THC+cannabichromene (CBC)+cannabigerol (CBG). These fractions acted in synergy with niraparib, a PARP inhibitor, and were ~50-fold more cytotoxic to OC cells than to normal keratinocytes. The F7 and/or niraparib treatments altered Wnt pathway-related gene expression, epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenotype and β-catenin cellular localization. The niraparib+F7 treatment was also effective on an OC patient’s cells. Given the fact that combinations of cannabis compounds and niraparib act in synergy and alter the Wnt signaling pathway, these phytocannabinoids should be examined as effective OC treatments in further pre-clinical studies and clinical trials.