Design and fabrication of poly (glycerol sebacate)‐based fibers for neural tissue engineering: Synthesis,electrospinning, and characterization

Poly (glycerol sebacate) (PGS) is a thermoset biodegradable elastomer considered as a promising candidate material for nerve applications. However, PGS synthesis is very time and energy consuming. In this study, the PGS pre‐polymer (pPGS) was synthesized using three synthesis times of 3, 5, and 7 hours at 170°C. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry thermogram were utilized to study the pPGS behavior. Poly (vinyl alcohol) was used as a carrier to fabricate aligned poly (vinyl alcohol)‐poly (glycerol sebacate) (PVA‐PGS) fibers with various ratios (60:40, 50:50, and 40:60) using electrospinning and crosslinked through the thermal crosslinking method. Morphology of the fibers was studied before and after crosslinking using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). FTIR, mechanical properties in the dry and wet state, water contact angle, in vitro degradation, and water uptake behavior of crosslinked scaffolds were also investigated. 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, SEM analysis, and 4′, 6‐diamidino‐2‐phenylindole (DAPI) staining were utilized to determine the biocompatibility of scaffolds. The results show the synthesized pPGS in 3 hours at 170°C is the optimized sample in the terms of chemical reaction. All scaffolds have bead‐free and a uniform fiber diameter. The Young's modulus of crosslinked PVA‐PGS (50:50 and 40:60) fibers is shown to be in the expected range for nerve applications. The cell culture studies reveal PVA‐PGS (50:50 and 40:60) fibers could lead to better cell adhesion and proliferation. The results suggest that PVA‐PGS (50:50 and 40:60) is a suitable and promising biodegradable material in the fabrication of scaffolds for nerve regeneration.     

Properties of Modified Hexagonal Boron Nitride as Stable Nanofluids for Thermal Management Applications

Russian Journal of Applied Chemistry - In this report, hexadecylamine (HDA) as a Lewis base was used to prepare exfoliated layers of modified hexagonal boron nitride h-BN (mh-BN) via two distinct...     

Thermal properties of spray-dried cellulose nanofibril-reinforced polypropylene composites from extrusion-based additive manufacturing

Polypropylene block copolymer (PPco) is easier to process in extrusion-based additive manufacturing compared to isotactic PP homopolymer because it shrinks and warps less during printing. This study investigated the thermal properties of PPco and spray-dried CNF (SDCNF)-PPco composite pellet formulations. Thermogravimetric analysis data showed that the addition of SDCNF lowered the thermal degradation onset temperature and increased the residual mass content (at 450 °C) of PPco pellets. The peak degradation temperatures of SDCNF and PPco remained the same. The peak crystallization temperature and relative crystallinity of PPco were increased by the addition of SDCNF and MAPP. The peak melting temperature of PPco was not significantly changed. Printed specimens showed three melting peaks (β, β′ and α crystals) while injection molded PPco only showed one (α crystal) melting peak. Dynamic mechanical analysis results showed that the heat deflection temperatures of printed SDCNF-PPco composites were higher than injection molded PPco. SEM micrographs showed that the addition of SDCNF increased the number of voids inside the printed parts.

     

The Potential of Molybdenum Complexes Bearing Unsubstituted Heterodiatomic Group 15 Elements as Linkers in Supramolecular Chemistry

The reactions of tetrahedral molybdenum complexes bearing unsubstituted heterodiatomic Group 15 elements, [Cp₂Mo₂(CO)₄(μ,η²:η²‐PE)] (Cp=C₅H₅; E=As ( 1 ), Sb ( 2 )), with Cu^I halides afforded seven unprecedented neutral supramolecular assemblies. Depending on the Mo₂PE units and the Cu^I halide, the oligomers [?{Cp₂Mo₂(CO)₄}{μ₄,η²:η²:η²:η¹‐PE}?₄?{CuX}{Cu(μ‐X)}?₂] (E=As (X=Cl ( 3 ), Br ( 4 )); E=Sb (X=Cl ( 6 ), Br ( 7 ))) or the 1D coordination polymers [{Cp₂Mo₂(CO)₄}{μ₄,η²:η²:η¹:η¹‐PAs}{Cu(μ‐I)}]_n ( 5 ) and [{Cp₂Mo₂(CO)₄}{μ₄,η²:η²:η²:η¹‐PSb}₂{Cu(μ‐X)}₃]_n (X=I ( 8 ), Br ( 9 )) are accessible. These solid‐state aggregates are the first and only examples featuring the organometallic heterodiatomic Mo₂PE complexes 1 and 2 as linking moieties. DFT calculations demonstrate that complexes 1 and 2 present a unique class of mixed‐donor ligands coordinating to Cu^I centers via the P lone pair and the P?E σ‐bond, revealing an unprecedented coordination mode.     

Cation‐Controlled Formation and Interconversion of the fac/fac and mer/mer Stereoisomers of a Triple‐Stranded Helicate

Two biscatecholester ligands with oligoether spacers were used to prepare dinuclear titanium(IV) triscatecholate based helicates. In the case of Li₄[( 1 / 2 )₃Ti₂], “classical” helicates with three internally bound Li⁺ ions and syn‐oriented ligands in the complex units (fac/fac isomer) were obtained. In the case of the sodium salt Na₄[( 2 )₃Ti₂], a different homochiral dinuclear triple‐stranded helicate with two internally bound Na⁺ ions was formed. The complex units are anti‐configured, and two of the ligand spacers are connecting internal with external positions of the helicate (mer/mer isomer). Removal of the sodium ions and addition of lithium ions leads to the switching from one topology to the other with an expanded helicate [( 2 )₃Ti₂]^4? as an intermediate. Switching back to the “non‐classical” helicate cannot be observed because severe structural rearrangements would be required.     

Copper Salt Catalyzed Synthesis of Functionalized 2H‐Pyranes

A copper‐catalyzed reaction between terminal alkynes, oxiranes, and malonitrile has been described. In this transformation, copper acetylide was attacked on oxiranes to form homopropargyl alkoxy‐copper intermediate that was further transferred to 2H‐pyrane skeletons by reaction with malonitrile. We found that the reaction was not productive without hexafluoroisopropanol.     

Full MP2 study of solvent implicit and explicit effect on tautomers of Dithio-Biuret

Dithio biuret conformers were optimised and frequency calculations were performed at MP2/6–311++G(d,p) level of theory. Classification of conformers was done to five different tautomers and the most stable conformer of each tautomer was selected. Tautomer 3 having trans conformation of amino and thiocarbonyl functional group was the most stable tautomer in the gas phase. Optimisation and frequency calculations were also done in four different solvents as follows: benzene, acetonitrile, DMSO and water. Stability of tautomers were compared in these solvents to explore effect of polarity on stabilisation of tautomers. Inter-conversion of selected tautomers was investigated both in the gas phase and in four different media. Results showed that when solvent is used as an implicit media, it has negligible effect on proton transfer. Water-explicit effect was also investigated and the results exhibited high dependency of proton transfer mechanism on water molecules when they participate in breaking and formation of bonds.     

Therapeutic Potential of DNAzyme Loaded on Chitosan/Cyclodextrin Nanoparticle to Recovery of Chemosensitivity in the MCF-7 Cell Line

Commonly, acquired resistances to anticancer drug are mediated by overexpression of a membrane-associated protein that encode via multi-drug resistance gene-1 (MDR1). Herein, the mRNA-cleaving DNAzyme that targets the mRNA of MDR1 gene in doxorubicin-resistant breast cancer cell line (MCF-7/DR) loaded on the chitosan β-cyclodextrin complexes was used as a tropical agent. Chitosan/β-cyclodextrin complexes were used to deliver DNAzymes into cancer cells. Determination of the physicochemical characteristics of the particles was done by photon correlation spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The encapsulation efficiency of the complexes was tested by using gel retardation assay. Positively charged nanoparticles interacted with DNAzyme that could perform as an efficient DNAzyme transfection system. The rationale usage of this platform is to sensitize MCF-7/DR to doxorubicin by downregulating the drug-resistance gene MDR1. Results demonstrated a downregulation of MDR1 mRNAs in MCF-7/DR/DNZ by real-time PCR, compared to the MCF-7/DR as control. WST1 assay showed the 22-fold decrease in drug resistance on treated cells 24 h after transfection. Results showed the intracellular accumulation of Rh123 increased in the treated cells with DNAzyme. Results suggested a potential platform in association with chemotherapy drug for cancer therapy and indicated extremely efficient at delivery of DNAzyme in restoring chemosensitivity.

     

Current–Voltage Characteristics of the Aziridine-Based Nano-Molecular Wires: a Light-Driven Molecular Switch

Using nonequilibrium Green's function formalism combined first-principles density functional theory, we analyze the transport properties of a 4,4-dimethyl-6-(4-nitrophenyl)-2-phenyl-3,5-diaza-bicyclo[3.1.0]hex-2-ene molecular optical switch. The title molecule can convert between closed and open forms by visible or ultraviolet irradiation. The I-V characteristics, differential conductance, on-off ratio, electronic transmission coefficients, spatial distribution of molecular projected self-consistent Hamiltonian orbitals, HOMO-LUMO gaps, effect of electrode materials Y(111)(Y =Au, Ag and Pt) on electronic transport and different molecular geometries corresponding to the closed and open forms through the molecular device are discussed in detail. Based on the results, as soon as possible the open form translates to the closed form, and there is a switch from the ON state to the OFF state(low resistance switches to high resistance). Theoretical results show that the donor/acceptor substituent plays an important role in the electronic transport of molecular devices. The switching performance can be improved to some extent through suitable donor and acceptor substituents.     

Effect of orifice shape on bubble formation mechanism

The effect of orifice shape on the mechanism of bubble formation in gas–liquid two-phase flow is investigated experimentally with three different orifice geometries regarding a circle, a square, and a triangle with same cross-sectional areas. The liquid and gas phases are purified water at 20 °C and air at room temperature, respectively. Gas is injected at the rate of 50–1200 mlph into a stagnant pool of liquid in distances of 5, 10, and 15 cm below the liquid surface. The position, velocity, and acceleration of bubbles are measured at bubbles’ centers of mass (CM) and the effects of these parameters on the bubble volume are investigated. Moreover, the forces acting on a bubble are balanced and the effects of geometry and gas flow rate on each force are presented. In addition, the changes of the acting forces versus time are plotted and discussed for a specific condition. Results show the bubbles formed with the square and circular orifice cross-sectional areas have the most and least volumes at detachment, respectively.