Photocontrolled Release of Chemicals from Nano‐ and Microparticle Containers

A benzoin‐derived diol linker was synthesized and used to generate biocompatible polyesters that can be fully decomposed on demand upon UV irradiation. Extensive structural optimization of the linker unit was performed to enable the defined encapsulation of diverse organic compounds in the polymeric structures and allow for a well‐controllable polymer cleavage process. Selective tracking of the release kinetics of encapsulated model compounds from the polymeric nano‐ and microparticle containers was performed by confocal laser scanning microscopy in a proof‐of‐principle study. The physicochemical properties of the incorporated and released model compounds ranged from fully hydrophilic to fully hydrophobic. The demonstrated biocompatibility of the utilized polyesters and degradation products enables their use in advanced applications, for example, for the smart packaging of UV‐sensitive pharmaceuticals, nutritional components, or even in the area of spatially selective self‐healing processes.     

IR,Raman, and UV/Vis Spectra of Corannulene for Use in Possible Interstellar Identification

The spectroscopic characterization of corannulene (C₂₀H₁₀) is carried out by several techniques. The high purity of the material synthesized for this study was confirmed by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS). During a high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) process, the absorption spectrum of corannulene in the ultraviolet (UV) and visible (vis) ranges is obtained. The infrared (IR) absorption spectrum is measured in CsI pellets, and the Raman scattering spectrum is recorded for pure crystal grains. In addition to room temperature measurements, absorption spectroscopy in an argon matrix at 12 K is also performed in the IR and UV/Vis ranges. The experimental spectra are compared with theoretical Raman and IR spectra and with calculated electronic transitions. All calculations are based on the density functional theory (DFT), either normal or time‐dependent (TDDFT). Our results are discussed in view of their possible application in the search for corannulene in the interstellar medium.     

Discovering novel targets for autoantibodies in dilated cardiomyopathy

There is increasing evidence that a large proportion of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) cases are mediated by autoimmune processes. Since DCM is a fatal disorder with rapid aggravation and is the leading cause of heart transplantation, further insights into disease pathogenesis are needed. Recent studies have separated the pathogenic capacity of autoantibodies and initial clinical trials removing such autoantibodies via immunoadsorption have been promising. In order to elucidate the full autoantibody repertoire involved in DCM, we applied an autoantibody screening test using ventricular and atrial proteomes as autoantigenic sources and subsequently tested the autoantibody-binding patterns of sera from dogs with spontaneous DCM. With this method, we detected five potentially DCM-related autoantigens which were identified by MS as being: myosin heavy chain cardiac muscle alpha isoform, alpha cardiac actin, mitochondrial aconitate hydratase, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), and brain glycogen phosphorylase (GPBB). The recovery of two known DCM autoantigens (myosin heavy chain and alpha cardiac actin) and the discovery of three novel autoantigens (mitochondrial aconitate hydratase, GADPH, and GPBB) underscore the efficacy of this experimental method and the significance of the spontaneous canine DCM model.     

Effect of the guest size and shape on its binding dynamics with sodium cholate aggregates

The binding dynamics of the guests acenaphthene, phenanthrene, fluorene, and acenaphthenol with sodium cholate aggregates were studied using laser flash photolysis and fluorescence. The location of the guests in the bile salt aggregate is determined by the guest's hydrophobicity, where acenaphthene, phenanthrene, and fluorene bind to the primary aggregates, while acenaphthenol binds to the secondary bile salt aggregates. The residence time of the guests in the primary aggregates and the access of ionic species from the aqueous phase to the guest in the aggregate depend on the size and the shape of the guest. These results show that bile salt aggregates are adaptable supramolecular host systems.