Dielectric relaxation studies of some linear crosslinked and branched polymers

Dielectric loss measurements are reported for polystyrene, crosslinked polystyrene, polyacrylamide, branched polyacrylamide, and poly(methyl methacrylate) at 1 and 10 kHz f over the temperature range ?85 to +100°C. Crosslinking and branching have a pronounced effect on the dielectric relaxation spectra of polymers. The methods of preparation of these polymers and their viscosity molecular weight data are also reported.     

Scandium trifluoromethanesulfonate as a recyclable catalyst for efficient methoxymethylation of alcohols

Scandium triflate [Sc(OTf)₃] has been found to be a recyclable catalyst for mild highly efficient methoxymethylation of a variety of alcohols using formaldehyde dimethyl acetal (FDMA).     

Unoccupied electronic states in graphite oxides

Unoccupied electronic states of graphite oxides with different oxidation times have been investigated using X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) in total electron yield (TEY) and total fluorescence yield (TFY) modes. The graphite oxides exhibit graphite-like sp² states with additional electronic states originating from functional groups. The intensity of the π^* state decreases as the atomic ratio O:C increases. The intensity ratio of carboxyl to π^* states in XAS TEY mode corresponds to the area ratio of carboxyl to sp² carbon in X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. In addition, the two modes in XAS can identify electronic states of functional groups originating from surface or bulk regions.     

Development of a Piezoelectric PVDF‐TrFE Fibrous Scaffold to Guide Cell Adhesion,Proliferation, and Alignment

Severe peripheral nervous system injuries currently hold limited therapeutic solutions. Existing clinical techniques such as autografts, allografts, and newer nerve guidance conduits have shown variable outcomes in functional recovery, adverse immune responses, and in some cases low or minimal availability. This can be attributed in part to the lack of chemical, physical, and electrical cues directing both nerve guidance and regeneration. To address this pressing clinical issue, electrospun nanofibers and microfibers composed of piezoelectric polyvinylidene flouride‐triflouroethylene (PVDF‐TrFE) have been introduced as an alternative template for tissue engineered biomaterials, specifically as it pertains to their relevance in soft tissue and nerve repair. Here, biocompatible scaffolds of PVDF‐TrFE are fabricated and their ability to generate an electrical response to mechanical deformations and produce a suitable regenerative microenvironment is examined. It is determined that 20% (w/v) PVDF‐TrFE in (6:4) dimethyl formamide (DMF):acetone solvent maintains a desirable piezoelectric coefficient and the proper physical and electrical characteristics for tissue regeneration. Further, it is concluded that scaffolds of varying thickness promoted the adhesion and alignment of Schwann cells and fibroblasts. This work offers a prelude to further advancements in nanofibrous technology and a promising outlook for alternative, autologous remedies to peripheral nerve damage.     

Binding of serotonin to the human serotonin transporter. Molecular modeling and experimental validation

Molecular modeling and structure-activity relationship studies were performed to propose a model for binding of the neurotransmitter serotonin (5-HT) to the human serotonin transporter (hSERT). Homology models were constructed using the crystal structure of a bacterial homologue, the leucine transporter from Aquifex aeolicus, as the template and three slightly different sequence alignments. Induced fit docking of 5-HT into hSERT homology models resulted in two different binding modes. Both show a salt bridge between Asp98 and the charged primary amine of 5-HT, and both have the 5-HT C6 position of the indole ring pointing toward Ala173. The difference between the two orientations of 5-HT is an enantiofacial discrimination of the indole ring, resulting in the 5-hydroxyl group of 5-HT being vicinal to either Ser438/Thr439 or Ala169/Ile172/Ala173. To assess the binding experimentally, binding affinities for 5-HT and 17 analogues toward wild type and 13 single point mutants of hSERT were measured using an approach termed paired mutant-ligand analogue complementation (PaMLAC). The proposed ligand-protein interaction was systematically examined by disrupting it through site-directed mutagenesis and re-establishing another interaction via a ligand analogue matching the mutated residue, thereby minimizing the risk of identifying indirect effects. The interactions between Asp98 and the primary amine of 5-HT and the interaction between the C6-position of 5-HT and hSERT position 173 was confirmed using PaMLAC. The measured binding affinities of various mutants and 5-HT analogues allowed for a distinction between the two proposed binding modes of 5-HT and biochemically support the model for 5-HT binding in hSERT where the 5-hydroxyl group is in close proximity to Thr439.     

Synthesis of some novel thiocyanotopurine derivatives and investigation of their antimicrobial activity and DNA interactions

A series of 6-thiocyanatopurine derivatives introduced with different alkyl groups in position 9 was synthesized. The structures of the synthesized compounds were evaluated via spectroscopic methods and elemental methods of analyses. All the synthesized compounds were screened for their antibacterial activities against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and for their antifungal activities against yeast strains. All the synthesized compounds showed better antibacterial activities against Gram-positive bacteria compared to Gram-negative bacteria. DNA interactions with pBR322 DNA were determined. Most of the compounds caused conformational changes in DNA.     

Preferential Lectin Binding of Cancer Cells upon Sialic Acid Treatment Under Nutrient Deprivation

The terminal monosaccharide of glycoconjugates on a eukaryotic cell surface is typically a sialic acid (Neu5Ac). Increased sialylation usually indicates progression and poor prognosis of most carcinomas. Here, we utilize two human mammary epithelial cell lines, HB4A (breast normal cells) and T47D (breast cancer cells), as a model system to demonstrate differential surface glycans when treated with sialic acid under nutrient deprivation. Under a starved condition, sialic acid treatment of both cells resulted in increased activities of α2→3/6 sialyltransferases as demonstrated by solid phase assay using lectin binding. However, a very strong Maackia amurensis agglutinin I (MAL-I) staining on the membrane of sialic acid-treated T47D cells was observed, indicating an increase of Neu5Acα2→3Gal on the cell surface. To our knowledge, this is a first report showing the utility of lectins, particularly MAL-I, as a means to discriminate between normal and cancer cells after sialic acid treatment under nutrient deprivation. This method is sensitive and allows selective detection of glycan sialylation on a cancer cell surface.     

Phosphorus–nitrogen compounds part 33: in vitro cytotoxic and antimicrobial activities,DNA interactions,syntheses, and structural investigations of new mono(4-nitrobenzyl)spirocyclotriphosphazenes

The condensation reactions of hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene, N₃P₃Cl₆, with N-alkyl-N′-mono(4-nitrobenzyl)diamines (1–3), NO₂PhCH₂NH(CH₂) _n NHR₁ (R₁ = CH₃ or C₂H₅), led to the formation of the mono(4-nitrobenzyl)spirocyclotriphosphazenes (4–6). The tetra-pyrrolidino (4a–6a), piperidino (4b–6b), and 1,4-dioxa-8-azaspiro[4,5]decaphosphazenes (4c–6c) were prepared from(for) the reactions of partly substituted compounds (4, 5, and 6) with excess pyrrolidine, piperidine, and 1,4-dioxa-8-azaspiro[4,5]decane (DASD), respectively. The partly substituted geminal (4d and 5d) and cis-morpholino (6d) phosphazenes were isolated from the reactions of excess morpholine in boiling THF and o-xylene, but the expected fully substituted compounds were not obtained. The structures of all the phosphazene derivatives were determined by elemental analyses, MS, FTIR, ¹H, ¹³C{¹H}, ³¹P{¹H} NMR, HSQC, and HMBC techniques. The crystal structures of 4, 6, 4a, and 5a were verified by X-ray diffraction analysis. In addition, in vitro cytotoxic activities of fully substituted phosphazenes (4a–6c) against HeLa cervical cancer cell lines (ATCC CCL-2) and the compounds 4a and 4c against breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231) and L929 fibroblast cells were evaluated, respectively. Apoptosis effect was determined by MDA-MB-231 cancer cell lines and fibroblast cells. The MIC values of the compounds were in the ranges of 9.8–19.5 µM. The compounds 6, 5a, 6a, 5b, and 6d have greater MIC activity against bacterial and yeast strain. The investigation of DNA binding with the phosphazenes was studied using plasmid DNA. The phosphazene derivatives inhibit the restriction endonuclease cleavage of plasmid DNA by BamHI and HindIII enzymes. BamHI and HindIII digestion results demonstrate that the compounds bind with G/G and A/A nucleotides.