Luminescent Gold Nanorods To Enhance the Near-Infrared Emission of a Photosensitizer for Targeted Cancer Imaging and Dual Therapy: Experimental and Theoretical Approach

Strong plasmon absorption in the near-infrared (NIR) region renders gold nanorods (GNRs) amenable for biomedical applications, particularly for photothermal therapy. However, these nanostructures have not been explored for their imaging potential because of their weak emission profile. In this study, the weak fluorescence emission of GNRs is tuned to match that of the absorption of a photosensitizer (PS) molecule, and energy transfer from the GNR to PS enhances the emission profile of the GNR–PS combination. GNR complexes generally quench the fluorescence emission of nearby chromophores. However, herein, the complex retains or rather enhances the fluorescence through competition in energy transfer. Excitation-dependent energy transfer has been explained experimentally and theoretically by using DFT calculations, the CIE chromaticity diagram, and power spectrum. The final GNR–PS complex modified for tumor specificity serves as an excellent organ-specific theranostic probe for bioimaging and dual therapy both in vitro and in vivo. Principal component analysis designates photodynamic therapy a better candidate than that of photothermal therapy for long-term efficacy in vivo.     

Synthesis of casein-G-poly(vinyl acetate). II

Poly(vinyl acetate) was graft-copolymerized onto casein in the presence of potassium peroxydisulfate-ascorbic acid. The effect of synthetic variables on the rates of conversion of monomer (R_p), graft copolymerization (R_g), and homopolymerization (R_h), percent grafting, and grafting efficiency were investigated and the results, compared with the system initiated by peroxydisulfate alone.     

Synthesis,Characterization, and Molecular Docking Study of N-[4-(1H-Benzimidazol-2-yl)-1,3-thiazol-2-yl]-1-[(E)-phenyldiazenyl)-1-phenylmethanimines

Russian Journal of Organic Chemistry - A series of new benzamidine derivatives have been synthesized in good yields by involving 1-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)-2-bromoethanone,...     

Photochemical rearrangement of calix[4]arene-derived bis(spirodienones): formation of a new macrocycle

Bis(spirodienones) of calix[4]arene undergo a facile photochemical rearrangement leading to a new macrocycle having a spirocyclic cyclopentenone-THF unit, a trisubstituted phenol, and a benzofuran moiety. The macrocyclic ring system has a 14-membered irregular cavity and resembles a partial bowl in the solid state.     

Controlled synthesis and alkaline earth ion binding of switchable formamidoxime-based crown ether analogs

The partial positive charge of amide protons is used to promote macrocyclization and form crown-ether analogs. Their deprotonation generates very selective pH-switchable alkaline earth ion receptors only in the presence of an appropriate substrate.     

Green synthesis and dye-sensitized solar cell application of rutile and anatase TiO2 nanorods

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - Nanorods (NRs) of TiO2 have biogenically been prepared, i.e., from the extract of Phellinus linteus mushroom. The presence of mixed anatase and...     

The role of proton mobility in determining the energy-resolved vibrational activation/dissociation channels of N-glycopeptide ions

Site-specific glycoproteomic analysis largely hinges on the use of tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) to identify glycopeptides. Experiments of this type are usually aimed at drawing connections between individual oligosaccharide structures and their specific sites of attachment to the polypeptide chain. These determinations inherently require ion dissociation methods capable of interrogating both the monosaccharide and amino acid connectivity of the glycopeptide. Collision-induced dissociation (CID) shows potential to satisfy this requirement, as the vibrational activation/dissociation of protonated N-glycopeptides has been observed to access cleavage of either glycosidic bonds of the glycan or amide bonds of the peptide in an energy-resolved manner. Nevertheless, the relative energy requirement for these fragmentation pathways varies considerably among analytes. This research addresses the influence of proton mobility on the vibrational energy necessary to achieve either glycan or peptide cleavage in a collection of protonated N-glycopeptide ions. While greater proton mobility of the precursor ion was found to correlate with lower energy requirements for precursor ion depletion and appearance of glycosidic fragments, the vibrational energy deposition necessary for appearance of peptide backbone fragments showed no relation to the precursor ion proton mobility. These results are consistent with observations suggesting that peptide fragments arise from an intermediate fragment which is generally of lower proton mobility than the precursor ion. Such findings have potential to facilitate the rational selection of CID conditions which are best suited to provide either glycan or peptide cleavage products in MS/MS based N-glycoproteomic analysis.     

Synthesis and Properties of Imidazole-Blocked Toluene Diisocyanates

Abstract

Imidazole-, 2-methyl imidazole-, and benzimidazole-blocked toluene diisocyanates (TDI) were prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, and NMR spectroscopy. Simultaneous TGA/DTA results showed that the thermal stability of the adduct decreases in the following order: imidazole-TDI > 2-methylimidazole-TDI > benzimidazole-TDI. Gelation test involving imidazole-blocked adducts and hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene were also carried out. The cure rate of the adduct increases from the imidazole- to the 2-methylimidazole- and to the benzimidazole-blocked adduct. It is also found that the benzimidazole-blocked adduct shows better solubility in the polyols.     

Novel Polyurethane Multiblock Copolymers and Their Zwitterionomers Using a Polyurethane Macroiniferter

Abstract

Polyurethane-poly(4-vinylpyridine) multiblock copolymers have been prepared by the decomposition of a tetraphenylethane-based polyurethane macroiniferter in the presence of 4-vinylpyridine. The increase in the molecular weight and conversion with an increase in polymerization time proves the “living” radical mechanism. The polyurethane-poly(4-vinylpyridine) multiblock copolymers so obtained were converted into their zwitterionomers by treating with γ-propane sultone. Both block copolymers and their zwitterionomers have been characterized using spectral and thermal techniques.     

Preparation of Feather Keratin Hydrolyzate‐Gelatin Composites and Their Graft Copolymers

With the aim of utilizing the Keratinous waste material, poultry feather, which is up till now discarded as a waste, was hydrolyzed to form keratin hydrolyzate (FH). As FH does not form a film, it was mixed with gelatin (G) and FH‐G composite was prepared in film form. FH‐G was further graft co‐polymerized with 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) to achieve better physico‐chemical properties for the resultant hydrogels. Percentage grafting studies and IR studies confirmed the grafting of PHEMA onto FH‐G. FH‐G‐PHEMA exhibited better mechanical properties compared to FH‐G and FH‐PHEMA. TG studies clearly indicated the grafting of HEMA onto FH and FH‐G. SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy) pictures of FH‐G and FH‐PHEMA films exhibited brittle nature on their surface, whereas continuity and A smooth surface was observed on for the FH‐G‐PHEMA films.