Uptake of Well‐Defined,Highly Glycosylated,Pentafluorostyrene‐Based Polymers and Nanoparticles by Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells

Chain length, size, composition, surface charge, and other properties of polymeric materials affect their recognition and uptake by cells and must be optimized to deliver polymers selectively to their target. However, it is often not possible to precisely modify selected properties without changing other parameters. To overcome these difficulties, well‐defined poly(pentafluorostyrene)‐based polymers are prepared that can be grafted via thiol/para‐fluorine “click” reaction with 1‐thio‐β‐D ‐glucose and 1‐thio‐β‐D ‐galactose. Fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry show that nanoparticles are taken up by HepG2 cells to a higher degree than the respective water‐soluble polymers, and that internalization of both galactosylated homo‐ and nanoprecipitated block copolymers is enhanced.

     

On some mixed variational principles in electro-elastostatics

Some mixed variational principles are presented for problems involving electro-elastic interactions, whereby the electric field follows from a scalar potential. Firstly, in order to set the stage, we consider the basic case of merely free space. Secondly, to increase the complexity, we immerse an electro-active but mechanically rigid body into vacuum. As our final goal we thirdly treat a geometrically non-linear deformable electro-elastic body that is surrounded by free space. Electro-elastic bodies are of particular interest since they can develop large elastic deformations as a response to the presence of electric fields.     

Dodecaborate cluster lipids with variable headgroups for boron neutron capture therapy: Synthesis, physical-chemical properties and toxicity

We have prepared two new boron-containing lipids with potential use in boron neutron capture therapy of tumors. These lipids consist of a diethanolamine frame with two myristoyl chains bonded as esters, and a butylene or ethyleneoxyethylene unit linking the doubly negatively charged dodecaborate cluster to the amino function of the frame, obtained by nucleophilic attack of the amino on the tetrahydrofurane and dioxane derivatives, respectively, of closo-dodecaborate. The latter cluster lipid can form liposomes at 25 °C whereas the former lipid at this temperature assembles into bilayer disks. Both lipids form stable liposomes when mixed with suitable helper lipids. The thermotropic behavior was found to be different for the two lipids, with the butylene lipid showing sharp melting transitions at surprisingly high temperatures. Toxicity in vitro and in vivo varies greatly, with the butylene derivative being more toxic than the ethyleneoxyethylene derivative.     

Inhibitors of the Bifunctional 2‐C‐Methyl‐d‐erythritol 4‐Phosphate Cytidylyl Transferase/2‐C‐Methyl‐d‐erythritol‐2,4‐cyclopyrophosphate Synthase (IspDF) of Helicobacter pylori

A library of over 103 thousand compounds was screened for inhibitors of the IspD domain (2‐C‐methyl‐d ‐erythritol 4‐phosphate cytidylyl transferase domain) of the bifunctional IspDF protein from Helicobacter pylori using a photometric assay. Around 300 compounds showed IC₅₀ values below 100 μm , and three compounds had IC₅₀ values below 1 μm . A few IspD inhibitors could also inhibit the IspF domain (2‐C‐Methyl‐d ‐erythritol‐2,4‐cyclopyrophosphate synthase) of the IspDF protein. The most potent IspD inhibitors were tested as growth inhibitors of H. pylori. Several compounds showed inhibition of bacterial growth with IC₅₀ in the single‐digit μm range. The most potent growth inhibitor had an IC₅₀ value of 3.4 μm . The most potent growth inhibitor without measurable effect on eukaryotic cell viability had an IC₅₀ value of 7.2 μm .     

Extended balance of linear momentum from higher gradient stress field theory

We present the equation of linear momentum considering higher gradients for stress and body force. Both are approximated via Taylor series expansion within a finite Cauchy cube of dimensions L_c. Whereas linear terms of the series expansion result to the classical balance of linear momentum, terms up to third order yield an extended balance equation. The extension includes an internal length scale L²_c caused by surface integrals on the cube. The approach makes use of Cauchy's theorem and standard Newtonian mechanics but constitutive assumptions are not applied. (© 2016 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Dynamical localization and eigenstate localization in trap models

The one-dimensional random trap model with a power-law distribution of mean sojourn times exhibits a phenomenon of dynamical localization in the case where diffusion is anomalous: the probability to find two independent walkers at the same site, as given by the participation ratio, stays constant and high in a broad domain of intermediate times. This phenomenon is absent in dimensions two and higher. In finite lattices of all dimensions the participation ratio finally equilibrates to a different final value. We numerically investigate two-particle properties in a random trap model in one and in three dimensions, using a method based on spectral decomposition of the transition rate matrix. The method delivers a very effective computational scheme producing numerically exact results for the averages over thermal histories and initial conditions in a given landscape realization. Only a single averaging procedure over disorder realizations is necessary. The behavior of the participation ratio is compared to other measures of localization, as for example to the states’ gyration radius, according to which the dynamically localized states are extended. This means that although the particles are found at the same site with a high probability, the typical distance between them grows. Moreover the final equilibrium state is extended both with respect to its gyration radius and to its Lyapunov exponent. In addition, we show that the phenomenon of dynamical localization is only marginally connected with the spectrum of the transition rate matrix, and is dominated by the properties of its eigenfunctions which differ significantly in dimensions one and three.     

Mechanochemical Synthesis and Characterization of Hydrated and Dehydrated Crystalline Strontium Terephtalates

A successful mechanochemical synthesis of strontium terephthalate trihydrate is described for the first time. The dehydration of Sr(C₈H₄O₄) · 3H₂O occurs at about 100 °C and results in a well‐defined strontium terephtalate, Sr(C₈H₄O₄), thermally stable up to 550 °C. Both compounds are not described so far in the literature. Their structures were solved by ab initio structure determination and subsequent Rietveld refinement of the powder diffraction data. Further methods like DTA‐TG, MAS NMR and FT‐IR spectroscopy, and BET measurements were used to characterize these compounds.     

Setup for evaluation of fatigue crack growth in rubber: Pure shear sample geometries tested in tension-compression mode

A novel measurement setup is developed to determine fatigue crack growth and heat build-up in rubber. Loading conditions include tensile and compressional loads. Deviations in the crack shape are detected with special features (swivel arm and additional light sources) and provide the possibility of a subsequent manual correction of the shadow crack length. This results in improved reproducibility and a worst-case scenario is obtained.