Light‐Driven Coordination‐Induced Spin‐State Switching: Rational Design of Photodissociable Ligands

The bistability of spin states (e.g., spin crossover) in bulk materials is well investigated and understood. We recently extended spin‐state switching to isolated molecules at room temperature (light‐driven coordination‐induced spin‐state switching, or LD‐CISSS). Whereas bistability and hysteresis in conventional spin‐crossover materials are caused by cooperative effects in the crystal lattice, spin switching in LD‐CISSS is achieved by reversibly changing the coordination number of a metal complex by means of a photochromic ligand that binds in one configuration but dissociates in the other form. We present mathematical proof that the maximum efficiency in property switching by such a photodissociable ligand (PDL) is only dependent on the ratio of the association constants of both configurations. Rational design by using DFT calculations was applied to develop a photoswitchable ligand with a high switching efficiency. The starting point was a nickel–porphyrin as the transition‐metal complex and 3‐phenylazopyridine as the photodissociable ligand. Calculations and experiments were performed in two iterative steps to find a substitution pattern at the phenylazopyridine ligand that provided optimum performance. Following this strategy, we synthesized an improved photodissociable ligand that binds to the Ni–porphyrin with an association constant that is 5.36 times higher in its trans form than in the cis form. The switching efficiency between the diamagnetic and paramagnetic state is efficient as well (72 % paramagnetic Ni–porphyrin after irradiation at 365 nm, 32 % paramagnetic species after irradiation at 440 nm). Potential applications arise from the fact that the LD‐CISSS approach for the first time allows reversible switching of the magnetic susceptibility of a homogeneous solution. Photoswitchable contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging and light‐controlled magnetic levitation are conceivable applications.     

Copper(II) complexes with pyridoxal dithiocarbazate and thiosemicarbazone ligands: crystal structure,spectroscopic analysis and cytotoxic activity

Transition Metal Chemistry - The present study reports the synthesis and crystal structures of Cu(II) complexes with pyridoxal S-allyldithiocarbazate (H2L1) and pyridoxal thiosemicarbazones...     

Duality for Koszul homology over Gorenstein rings

We study Koszul homology over local Gorenstein rings. It is well known that if an ideal is strongly Cohen–Macaulay the Koszul homology algebra satisfies Poincaré duality. We prove a version of this duality which holds for all ideals and allows us to give two criteria for an ideal to be strongly Cohen–Macaulay. The first can be compared to a result of Hartshorne and Ogus; the second is a generalization of a result of Herzog, Simis, and Vasconcelos using sliding depth.     

The Glycolytic Pathway as a Target for Novel Onco-Immunology Therapies in Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is one of the most lethal forms of human cancer, characterized by unrestrained progression, invasiveness and treatment resistance. To date, there are limited curative options, with surgical resection as the only effective strategy, hence the urgent need to discover novel therapies. A platform of onco-immunology targets is represented by molecules that play a role in the reprogrammed cellular metabolism as one hallmark of cancer. Due to the hypoxic tumor microenvironment (TME), PDA cells display an altered glucose metabolism—resulting in its increased uptake—and a higher glycolytic rate, which leads to lactate accumulation and them acting as fuel for cancer cells. The consequent acidification of the TME results in immunosuppression, which impairs the antitumor immunity. This review analyzes the genetic background and the emerging glycolytic enzymes that are involved in tumor progression, development and metastasis, and how this represents feasible therapeutic targets to counteract PDA. In particular, as the overexpressed or mutated glycolytic enzymes stimulate both humoral and cellular immune responses, we will discuss their possible exploitation as immunological targets in anti-PDA therapeutic strategies.     

Local force titration of wood surfaces by chemical force microscopy

Cellulose - Chemical force microcopy, a variation of atomic force microscopy, opened the door to visualize chemical nano-properties of various materials in their natural state. The key function of...