Bioactive peptides grafted silicone dressings: A simple and specific method

The need for bioactive dressings increases with the population aging and the prevalence of chronic diseases. In contrast, there are very few dressings on the market which are designed to display a chosen bioactivity. In this context, we investigated the surface-functionalization of silicone wound dressing with bioactive peptides. One of the challenges was to avoid multistep grafting reactions involving catalysts, solvents or toxic reagents, which are not suitable for the fabrication of medical devices at an industrial scale. In the other hand, a covalent bonding was necessary to avoid the loss of the biological effect by progressive removal of the peptide in biological fluids generated by the wound. To solve these limitations, we developed a strategy allowing an easy and direct functionalization of silicone. This strategy relies on hybrid silylated bioactive peptides, which chemoselectively react with plasma-activated silicone surfaces. We synthesized three hybrid peptides with wound healing properties, which were grafted on commercially available silicone dressings Cerederm^® and Mepitel^®. Grafted dressings were evaluated in vitro and enabled a quicker scare recovery and extracellular matrix deposition with human dermal fibroblasts. These results were confirmed by in vivo studies showing an enhanced wound-healing of the pig skin. By this simple method, we transformed inert dressing into bioactive dressing which showed properties of wound healing.     

Neutron diffraction and theoretical DFT studies of two dimensional molecular-based magnet K2[Mn(H2O)2]3[Mo(CN)7]2.6H2O

Exchange mechanisms and magnetic structure in the two-dimensional cyano-bridged molecule-based magnet K2[Mn(H2O)2]3[Mo(CN)7]2.6H2O have been investigated by a combination of neutron diffraction studies on both single crystal and powder samples and theoretical DFT calculations. The experimental spin density has been deduced from a new refinement of previously obtained polarized neutron diffraction (PND) data which was collected in the ordered magnetic state at 4 K under a saturation field of 3 T performed in the C2/c space group, determined by an accurate re-evaluation of the X-ray structure. Positive spin populations were observed on the two manganese sites, and negative spin populations were observed on the molybdenum site, which provides evidence of antiferromagnetic Mo3+-Mn2+ exchange interactions through the cyano bridge. The experimental data have been compared to the results of DFT calculations. Moreover, theoretical studies reveal the predominance of the spin polarization mechanism in the Mo-C-N-Mn sequence, with the antiferromagnetic nature of the interaction being due to the overlap between the magnetic orbitals relative to manganese and molybdenum in the cyano bridging region. The magnetic structure of K2[Mn(H2O)2]3[Mo(CN)7]2.6H2O has been solved at low temperature in zero field by powder neutron diffraction measurements. The structure was found to be ferrimagnetic where the manganese and molybdenum spins are aligned along the axis in opposite directions.     

An integrated procedure of selective injection, sample stacking and fractionation of phosphopeptides for MALDI MS analysis

Protein phosphorylation is one of the most important post-translational modifications (PTM), however, the detection of phosphorylation in proteins using mass spectrometry (MS) remains challenging. This is because many phosphorylated proteins are only present in low abundance, and the ionization of the phosphorylated components in MS is very inefficient compared to the non-phosphorylated counterparts. Recently, we have reported a selective injection technique that can separate phosphopeptides from non-phosphorylated peptides due to the differences in their isoelectric points (pI) [1]. Phosphorylated peptides from α-casein were clearly observed at low femtomole level using MALDI MS. In this work, further developments on selective injection of phosphopeptides are presented to enhance its capability in handling higher sample complexity. The approach is to integrate selective injection with a sample stacking technique used in capillary electrophoresis to enrich the sample concentration, followed by electrophoresis to fractionate the components in preparation for MALDI MS analysis. The effectiveness of the selective injection and stacking was evaluated quantitatively using a synthetic phosphopeptide as sample, with an enrichment factor of up to 600 being recorded. Next, a tryptic digest of α-casein was used to evaluate the separation and fractionation of peptides for MALDI MS analysis. The elution order of phosphopeptides essentially followed the order of decreasing number of phosphates on the peptides. Finally, to illustrate the applicability, the integrated procedure was applied to evaluate the phosphorylation of a highly phosphorylated protein, osteopontin. Up to 41 phosphopeptides were observed, which allowed us to examine the phosphorylation of all 29 possible sites previously reported [2]. A high level of heterogeneity in the phosphorylation of OPN was evident by the multiple-forms of variable phosphorylation detected for a large number of peptides.     

Structure and DNA cleavage properties of two copper(II) complexes of the pyridine-pyrazole-containing ligands mbpzbpy and Hmpzbpya

The DNA-cleavage properties of the two copper(II) complexes, [Cu(mbpzbpy)Br(2)](H(2)O)(2.5) (1) and [Cu(mpzbpya)Cl](CH(3)OH) (2), obtained from the ligands 6,6'-bis(3,5-dimethyl-N-pyrazolmethyl)-2,2'-bipyridine) (mbpzbpy) and 6'-(3,5-dimethyl-N-pyrazolmethyl)-2,2'-bipyridine-6-carboxylic acid) (Hmpzbpya), respectively, are reported. Upon coordination to Cu(II) chloride in methanol, one arm of the ligand mbpzbpy is hydrolyzed to form mpzbpya. Under the same experimental conditions, the reaction of mbpzbpy with CuBr(2) does not lead to ligand hydrolysis. The ligand mpzbpya is coordinated to a copper(ii) ion generating a CuN(3)OCl chromophore, resulting in a distorted square-pyramidal environment, whereas with the N(4) mbpzbpy ligand, the Cu(II) ion is four-coordinated in a distorted square planar geometry. Both complexes promote the oxidative DNA cleavage of phiX174 phage DNA in the absence of reductant. The oxidative nature of the DNA cleavage reaction has been confirmed by religation and cell-transformation experiments. Studies using standard radical scavengers suggest the involvement of hydroxyl radicals in the oxidative cleavage of DNA. Although both compounds do convert form I (supercoiled) DNA to form II (nicked, relaxed form), only complex 1 is able to produce small amounts of form III (linearized DNA). This observation may be explained either by the attack of the copper(ii) complexes to only one single strand of DNA, or by a single cleavage event. Statistical analysis of relative DNA quantities present after the treatment with both copper(ii) complexes supports a random mode of DNA cleavage.     

Optical isomers of N,N'-bis(1-phenylethyl)-2,6-pyridinedicarboxamide coordinated to europium(III) ions as reliable circularly polarized luminescence calibration standards

The synthesis of two optical isomers of N,N'-bis(1-phenylethyl)-2,6-pyridinedicarboxamide and the constant circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) activity of their acetonitrile trivalent europium complex solutions over a long period of time open new perspectives for performing accurate routine CPL calibration tests at low cost.     

2,6‐Di­benzyl‐1,2,3,5,6,7‐hexa­hydro‐2,4,6,8‐tetra­aza‐s‐indacene and 2,6‐bis(4‐methoxy­benzyl)‐1,2,3,5,6,7‐hexa­hydro‐2,4,6,8‐tetra­aza‐s‐indacene

The title compounds, C₂₂H₂₂N₄ and C₂₄H₂₆N₄O₂ [alternative names: 2,6‐dibenzyl‐2,3,6,7‐tetrahydro‐1H,5H‐dipyrrolo[3,4‐b; 3′,4′‐e]pyrazine and 2,6‐bis(4‐methoxybenzyl)‐2,3,6,7‐tetrahydro‐1H,5H‐dipyrolo[3,4‐b;3′,4′‐e]pyrazine], two 1,2,3,5,6,7‐hexa­hydro‐2,4,6,8‐tetra­aza‐s‐indacene derivatives, are both centrosymmetric and have similar S‐shaped structures. In the former, there are two independent mol­ecules (A and B), both of which possess C_i symmetry. These two mol­ecules are arranged such that the benzene ring substituent of mol­ecule B is directed towards the plane of the benzene ring substituent of mol­ecule A, with a dihedral angle of 55.4 (2)° between their planes. The shortest C—H⋯C distance is, however, only 3.21 (1) Å. In both compounds, the benzene ring substituents are almost perpendicular to the plane of the central pyrazine ring, and the pyrrolidine rings have perfect envelope conformations. In the crystal structures of both compounds, the mol­ecules pack in a herring‐bone arrangement.     

Kinetic and Thermodynamic Stabilization of Metal Complexes by Introverted Coordination in a Calix[6]azacryptand

The Huisgen thermal reaction between an organic azide and an acetylene was employed for the selective monofunctionalization of a X₆‐azacryptand ligand bearing a tren coordinating unit [X₆ stands for calix[6]arene and tren for tris(2‐aminoethyl)amine]. Supramolecular assistance, originating from the formation of a host–guest inclusion complex between the reactants, greatly accelerates the reaction while self‐inhibition affords a remarkable selectivity. The new ligand possesses a single amino‐leg appended at the large rim of the calixarene core and the corresponding Zn²⁺ complex was characterized both in solution and in the solid state. The coordination of Zn²⁺ not only involves the tren cap but also the introverted amino‐leg, which locks the metal ion in the cavity. Compared with the parent ligand deprived of the amino‐leg, the affinity of the new monofunctionalized X₆tren ligand 6 for Zn²⁺ is found to have a 10‐fold increase in DMSO, which is a very competitive solvent, and with an enhancement of at least three orders of magnitude in CDCl₃/CD₃OD (1:1, v/v). In strong contrast with the fast binding kinetics, decoordination of Zn²⁺ as well as transmetallation appeared to be very slow processes. The monofunctionalized X₆tren ligand 6 fully protects the metal ion from the external medium thanks to the combination of a cavity and a closed coordination sphere, leading to greater thermodynamic and kinetic stabilities.     

Synthesis and properties of new tetrazines substituted by heteroatoms: towards the world's smallest organic fluorophores

New tetrazines substituted by heteroatoms have been synthesized and their electrochemical and photochemical properties investigated. All compounds are reversibly electroactive with standard potentials shifting cathodically according to the donor character of the substituent. The tetrazine derivatives are also fluorescent with maximum emission wavelengths in the range 550-575 nm. Some of them show very long fluorescence lifetimes (several tens of ns) and remain fluorescent in the solid state without major changes in the spectral features. The fluorescence of one of the derivatives can be efficiently quenched by the presence of electron-rich compounds such as triphenylamines, phenol or anisole, which make them very promising compounds for sensor applications.     

Europium(III) and its halides in anhydrous room-temperature imidazolium-based ionic liquids: a combined TRES, EXAFS, and molecular dynamics study

Combining spectroscopic techniques (TRES and EXAFS) and molecular dynamics simulations, we have investigated the state of trivalent europium dissolved in room-temperature ionic liquids (RTILs), as a function of the RTIL anion and in the presence of added chloride anions. The studied RTILs are based on the 1-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium (Bumim+) cation and differ by their anionic counterparts: BF4-, PF6-, Tf- (triflate, CF3SO3-), and Tf2N- [(CF3SO2)2N-]. The results show the strong influence of the RTIL nature on the first solvation shell of europium and on its complexation with chloride. Depending on the RTIL, europium(III), which was introduced in solution as a triflate salt, is found to be solvated either by RTIL anions only or as neutral undissociated EuTf3 moieties completed by solvent anions. Kinetic effects, related to the viscosity of the RTIL and the nature of the europium salt, also markedly influence the coordination of added Cl- or F- anions to the metal.     

A theoretical, spectroscopic, and photophysical study of 2,7-carbazolenevinylene-based conjugated derivatives

A combined theoretical and experimental study of the structure, optical, and photophysical properties of four 2,7-carbazolenevinylene-based derivatives in solution is presented. Geometry optimizations of the ground states of PCP, PCP-CN, TCT, and TCT-CN were carried out using the density functional theory (DFT/B3LYP/6-31G*). It is found that PCP and TCT are nearly planar in their ground electronic states (S0), whereas the cyano derivatives are more twisted. The nature and the energy of the first singlet-singlet electronic transitions have been obtained from time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) calculations performed on the optimized geometries. For all the compounds, excitation to the S1 state corresponds mainly to the promotion of one electron from the highest-occupied molecular orbital to the lowest-unoccupied molecular orbital, and the S1 <-- S0 electronic transition is strongly allowed and polarized along the long axis of the molecular frame. The optimization (relaxation) of the first singlet excited electronic state (S1) has been done using the restricted configuration interaction (singles) (RCIS/6-31G*) approach. It is observed that all four investigated compounds become more planar in their S1 relaxed excited state. Electronic transition energies from the relaxed excited states have been obtained from TDDFT calculations performed on the S1-optimized geometries. The absorption and fluorescence spectra of the carbazolenevinylenes have been recorded in chloroform. A good agreement is obtained between TDDFT vertical transitions energies and the (0,0) absorption and fluorescence bands. The change from phenylene to thiophene rings as well as the incorporation of cyano substituents induce bathochromic shifts in the absorption and fluorescence spectra. From the analysis of the energy of the frontier molecular orbitals, it is believed that thiophene rings and CN substituents induce some charge-transfer character to the first electronic transition, which is responsible for the red shifts observed. Finally, the fluorescence quantum yield and the lifetime of the compounds in chloroform have been obtained. In sharp contrast with many oligothiophenes, it is observed that TCT possesses a high fluorescence quantum yield. On the other hand, the CN-containing derivatives exhibit much lower fluorescence quantum yields, probably due to the combined influence of steric effects and charge-transfer interactions caused by the cyano groups.