Polyelectrolyte multilayer-like films from layer-by-layer processing of protected polyampholytic block copolymers.

Polyelectrolyte multilayer films (PEMs) are conventionally prepared by a layer-by-layer (LbL) deposition of alternating polycation and polyanion solutions. We introduce herein a block copolymer (BCP) approach employing a BCP with an H-bond acceptor block and a protected H-donor block as a masked polyampholyte to form new types of PEMs.

The Impact of CDH13 Polymorphism and Statin Administration on TG/HDL Ratio in Cardiovascular Patients.

PURPOSE: Adiponectin is expressed in adipose tissue, and is affected by smoking, obesity, and genetic factors, such as CDH13 polymorphism, contributing to the development of coronary vascular diseases (CVDs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We investigated the effect of genetic variations of CDH13 (rs3865188) on blood chemistry and adiponectin levels in 345 CVD patients undergoing statin-free or statin treatment. RESULTS: Genetic variation in CDH13 was significantly correlated with several clinical factors, including adiponectin, diastolic blood pressure, triglyceride (TG), and insulin levels. Subjects with the T allele (mutant form) had significantly lower adiponectin levels than those with the A allele. Total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc), TG/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc) ratio, and HDL3b subtype were markedly decreased in statin treated subjects regardless of having the A or T allele. TG and TG/HDL in the statin-free group with TT genotype of the rs3865188 was higher than in the others but they were not different in the statin-treated subjects. We observed a significant difference in adiponectin levels between patients with the A and T alleles in the statin-free group; meanwhile, no difference in adiponectin levels was noted in the statin group. Plasma levels of other cytokines, leptin, visfatin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), were not different among the CDH13 genotypes according to statin administration. Body mass index (BMI), TG, insulin, HDL3b, and TG/HDL ratio showed negative correlations with adiponectin levels. CONCLUSION: Plasma adiponectin levels and TG/HDL ratio were significantly different according to variants of CDH13 and statin administration in Korean patients with CVD.

Orbital interaction and electron density transfer in PdII([9]aneB2A)L2 complexes: theoretical approaches.

The geometric structures of Pd-complexes {Pd([9]aneB2A)L2 and Pd([9]aneBAB)L2 where A = P, S; B = N; L = PH3, P(CH3)3, Cl-}, their selective orbital interaction towards equatorial or axial (soft A…Pd) coordination of macrocyclic [9]aneB2A tridentate to PdL2, and electron density transfer from the electron-rich trans L-ligand to the low-lying unfilled a1g(5s)-orbital of PdL2 were investigated using B3P86/lanl2DZ for Pd and 6-311+G** for other atoms. The pentacoordinate endo-[Pd([9]aneB2A)(L-donor)2]2+ complex with an axial (soft A--Pd) quasi-bond was optimized for stability. The fifth (soft A--Pd) quasi-bond between the σ-donor of soft A and the partially unfilled a1g(5s)-orbital of PdL2 was formed. The pentacoordinate endo-Pd([9]aneB2A)(L-donor)2]2+ complex has been found to be more stable than the corresponding tetracoordinate endo-Pd complexes. Except for the endo-Pd pentacoordinates, the tetracoordinate Pd([9]aneBAB)L2 complex with one equatorial (soft A-Pd) bond is found to be more stable than the Pd([9]aneB2A)L2 isomer without the equatorial (A-Pd) bond. In particular, the geometric configuration of endo-[Pd([9]anePNP)(L-donor)2]2+ could not be optimized.

Single nucleotide deletion mutation of KCNH2 gene is responsible for LQT syndrome in a 3-generation Korean family.

Long QT syndrome (LQTS) is characterized by the prolongation of the QT interval in ECG and manifests predisposition to life threatening arrhythmia which often leads to sudden cardiac death. We encountered a 3-generation family with 5 affected family members in which LQTS was inherited in autosomal dominant manner. The LQTS is considered an ion channel disorder in which the type and location of the genetic mutation determines to a large extent the expression of the clinical syndrome. Upon screening of the genomic sequences of cardiac potassium ion channel genes, we found a single nucleotide C deletion mutation in the exon 3 of KCNH2 gene that co-segregates with the LQTS in this family. This mutation presumably resulted in a frameshift mutation, P151fs+15X. This study added a new genetic cause to the pool of mutations that lead to defected potassium ion channels in the heart.

Downregulation of Foxe1 by HR suppresses Msx1 expression in the hair follicles of Hr(Hp) mice.

Hairless (HR), a transcriptional cofactor, is highly expressed in the skin and brain. To characterize the effects of HR expression in the skin, we examined its capacity for transcriptional regulation of its target genes in mouse skin and keratinocytes. We found that Foxe1 mRNA expression was suppressed in HR-overexpressing skin, as well as in HR-expressing keratinocytes. In turn, Msx1 expression was downregulated contingent on Foxe1 downregulation in skin and keratinocytes. We also found that expression of Sfrp1 was also correlated with that of Foxe1. Further investigation of the mechanisms involved in the transcriptional regulation of these genes will facilitate our understanding of the relationship among genes involved in hair follicle morphogenesis and cycling.

Linear coupling of alignment with transport in a polymer electrolyte membrane.

Polymer electrolyte membranes (PEMs) selectively transport ions and polar molecules in a robust yet formable solid support. Tailored PEMs allow for devices such as solid-state batteries,'artificial muscle' actuators and reverse-osmosis water purifiers. Understanding how PEM structure and morphology relate to mobile species transport presents a challenge for designing next-generation materials. Material length scales from subnanometre to 1 µm influence bulk properties such as ion conductivity and water transport. Here we employ multi-axis pulsed-field-gradient NMR to measure diffusion anisotropy, and (2)H NMR spectroscopy and synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering to probe orientational order as a function of water content and of membrane stretching. Strikingly, transport anisotropy linearly depends on the degree of alignment, signifying that membrane stretching affects neither the nanometre-scale channel dimensions nor the defect structure,causing only domain reorientation. The observed reorientation of anisotropic domains without perturbation of the inherent nematic-like domain character parallels the behaviour of nematic elastomers, promises tailored membrane conduction and potentially allows understanding of tunable shape-memory effects in PEM materials. This quantitative understanding will drive PEM design efforts towards optimal membrane transport, thus enabling more efficient polymeric batteries, fuel cells, mechanical actuators and water purification.

Double-Gyroid Network Morphology in Tapered Diblock Copolymers.

We report the formation of a double-gyroid network morphology in normal-tapered poly(isoprene-b-isoprene/styrene-b-styrene) [P(I-IS-S)] and inverse-tapered poly(isoprene-b- styrene/isoprene-b-styrene) [P(I-SI-S)] diblock copolymers. Our tapered diblock copolymers with overall poly(styrene) volume fractions of 0.65 (normal-tapered) and 0.67 (inverse-tapered), and tapered regions comprising 30 volume percent of the total polymer, were shown to self-assemble into the double-gyroid network morphology through a combination of small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The block copolymers were synthesized by anionic polymerization, where the tapered region between the pure poly(isoprene) and poly(styrene) blocks was generated using a semi-batch feed with programmed syringe pumps. The overall composition of these tapered copolymers lies within the expected network-forming region for conventional poly(isoprene-b-styrene) [P(I-S)] diblock copolymers. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) clearly demonstrated that the order-disorder transition temperatures (T(ODT)'s) of the network-forming tapered block copolymers were depressed when compared to the T(ODT) of their non-tapered counterpart, with the P(I-SI-S) showing the greater drop in T(ODT). These results indicate that it is possible to manipulate the copolymer composition profile between blocks in a diblock copolymer, allowing significant control over the T(ODT), while maintaining the ability to form complex network structures.

3D QSAR pharmacophore modeling, in silico screening, and density functional theory (DFT) approaches for identification of human chymase inhibitors.

Human chymase is a very important target for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Using a series of theoretical methods like pharmacophore modeling, database screening, molecular docking and Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations, an investigation for identification of novel chymase inhibitors, and to specify the key factors crucial for the binding and interaction between chymase and inhibitors is performed. A highly correlating (r = 0.942) pharmacophore model (Hypo1) with two hydrogen bond acceptors, and three hydrophobic aromatic features is generated. After successfully validating "Hypo1", it is further applied in database screening. Hit compounds are subjected to various drug-like filtrations and molecular docking studies. Finally, three structurally diverse compounds with high GOLD fitness scores and interactions with key active site amino acids are identified as potent chymase hits. Moreover, DFT study is performed which confirms very clear trends between electronic properties and inhibitory activity (IC(50)) data thus successfully validating "Hypo1" by DFT method. Therefore, this research exertion can be helpful in the development of new potent hits for chymase. In addition, the combinational use of docking, orbital energies and molecular electrostatic potential analysis is also demonstrated as a good endeavor to gain an insight into the interaction between chymase and inhibitors.

Spectroscopic properties of quercetin derivatives, quercetin-3-O-rhamnoside and quercetin-3-O-rutinoside, in hydro-organic mixed solvents.

The characteristic fluorescence properties of quercetin-3-O-rhamnoside (QCRM) and quercetin-3-O-rutinoside (QCRT) were studied in CH3OH-H2O and CH3CN-H2O mixed solvents. Although QCRM and QCRT are known as nonfluorescent molecules, significant fluorescence emissions were discovered at 360 nm in CH3OH and CH3CN when they were promoted to the second excited state. The emission band is broad and structureless and the intensity decreases quickly as the H2O composition in the solvent increases. When the amount of H2O exceeds 60% in both mixed solvents, this emission disappears due to the formation of the distorted excited state. This state will be formed due to the strong intermolecular hydrogen bonding between the polar groups of solute and H2O. As the composition of CH3OH or CH3CN in solvent becomes large, the number of molecules having several intramolecular hydrogen bonding increases. Some of these molecules will be changed to a fluorescent species during the decay process, after excitation. The theoretical calculation further supports these results. The change of the lifetimes, quantum yields, and radiative and nonradiative rate constants of molecules was also examined as a function of solvatochromic parameters for CH3OH-H2O and CH3CN-H2O.

A novel mutation in Hr causes abnormal hair follicle morphogenesis in hairpoor mouse, an animal model for Marie Unna Hereditary Hypotrichosis.

Hairpoor mice (Hr(Hp)) were derived through N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) mutagenesis. These mice display sparse and short hair in the Hr(Hp)/+ heterozygous state and complete baldness in the Hr(Hp)/Hr(Hp) homozygous state. This phenotype was irreversible and was inherited in an autosomal semidominant manner. Hair follicles (HFs) of Hr(Hp)/+ mice underwent normal cycling and appeared normal, although smaller than those of the wild-type mice. In contrast, HFs of Hr(Hp)/Hr(Hp) mice became cyst-like structures by postnatal day (P) 21. The number and length of vibrissae decreased in a dose-dependent manner as the number of mutant alleles increased. A positional candidate gene approach was used to identify the gene responsible for the hairpoor phenotype. Genetic linkage analysis determined that the hairpoor locus is 2 cm from D14Mit34 on chromosome 14. Sequence analysis of the exons of the candidate gene hairless revealed a T-to-A transversion mutation at nucleotide position 403 (exon 2), presumably resulting in abolishment of an upstream open reading frame (uORF). In addition, we also found that the near-naked mouse (Hr(N)), a spontaneously arising mutant, harbors a A402G transition in its genome. Both mutations were in the uATG codon of the second uORF in the 5' UTR and corresponded to the mutations identified in Marie Unna Hereditary Hypotrichosis (MUHH) patients. In the present study we describe the phenotype, histological morphology, and molecular etiology of an animal model of MUHH, the hairpoor mouse.

Influence of ordered morphology on the anisotropic actuation in uniaxially oriented electroactive polymer systems.

Ionic polymer-metal composites (IPMCs) are electroactive materials that undergo bending motions with the stimulus of a relatively weak electric field. To understand the fundamental role of the nanoscale morphology of the ionomer membrane matrix in affecting the actuation behavior of IPMC systems, we evaluated the actuation performance of IPMC materials subjected to uniaxial orientation. The perfluorinated ionomer nanostructure altered by uniaxial orientation mimicks the fibrillar structure of biological muscle tissue and yields a new anisotropic actuation response. It is evident that IPMCs cut from films oriented perpendicular to the draw direction yield tip-displacement values that are significantly greater than those of unoriented IPMCs. In contrast, IPMCs cut from films oriented parallel to the draw direction appear to resist bending and yield tip-displacement values that are much less than those of unoriented IPMCs. This anisotropic actuation behavior is attributed, in part, to the contribution of the fibrillar morphology to the bulk bending modulus. As an additional contribution, electrically stimulated water swelling perpendicular to the rodlike aggregate axis facilitates bending in the perpendicular direction.

Stacking effect of polyfluorene on the chemical shift and electron transport.

We investigate the structures, NMR chemical shifts, absorption spectra, frontier molecular orbitals, and transition density matrices of pi-stacked polyfluorenes by ab initio calculations. For F1-F4, we consider two different conformations, syn and anti. The simulated 1H NMR chemical shifts are in good agreement with the previous experiment, and the significantly upfielded chemical shifts explain that the fluorene moieties are stacked on each other. It is found that the relative stability for syn and anti conformers is almost equivalent in B3LYP calculations; however, the syn conformer becomes much more stable than the anti conformer in MP2 calculations, which is consistent with the experimental finding that only the syn conformers are relevant. The vertical detachment energy, which is linearly proportional to the ionization potential, shows the same size dependence as the previous experiment. The electron attachment energy decreases exponentially as the size increases, which implies that the electron transport would be possible even for long chains such as F3 and F4. This was evident from the frontier molecular orbitals (HOMO and LUMO). Also, it is found that the syn conformers are very favorable for electron transport through the pi-stacked fluorene moieties.