Formulating a TMEM176B blocker in chitosan nanoparticles uncouples its paradoxical roles in innate and adaptive antitumoral immunity.

The immunoregulatory cation channel TMEM176B plays a dual role in tumor immunity. On the one hand, TMEM176B promotes antigen cross-presentation to CD8+ T cells by regulating phagosomal pH in dendritic cells (DCs). On the other hand, it inhibits NLRP3 inflammasome activation through ionic mechanisms in DCs, monocytes and macrophages. We speculated that formulating BayK8644 in PEGylated chitosan nanoparticles (NP-PEG-BayK8644) should slowly release the compound and by that mean avoid cross-presentation inhibition (which happens with a fast 30 min kinetics) while still triggering inflammasome activation. Chitosan nanocarriers were successfully obtained, exhibiting a particle size within the range of 200 nm; they had a high positive surface charge and a 99 % encapsulation efficiency. In in vitro studies, NP-PEG-BayK8644 did not inhibit antigen cross-presentation by DCs, unlike the free compound. The NP-PEG-BayK8644 activated the inflammasome in a Tmem176b-dependent manner in DCs. We administered either empty (eNP-PEG) or NP-PEG-BayK8644 to mice with established tumors. NP-PEG-BayK8644 significantly controlled tumor growth and improved mice survival compared to both eNP-PEG and free BayK8644 in melanoma and lymphoma models. This effect was associated with enhanced inflammasome activation by DCs in the tumor-draining lymph node and infiltration of the tumor by CD8+ T cells. Thus, encapsulation of BayK8644 in chitosan NPs improves the anti-tumoral properties of the compound by avoiding inhibition of antigen cross-presentation.

Exploring Mixed Ionic-Electronic-Conducting PVA/PEDOT:PSS Hydrogels as Channel Materials for Organic Electrochemical Transistors.

Here, we report the preparation and evaluation of PVA/PEDOT:PSS-conducting hydrogels working as channel materials for OECT applications, focusing on the understanding of their charge transport and transfer properties. Our conducting hydrogels are based on crosslinked PVA with PEDOT:PSS interacting via hydrogen bonding and exhibit an excellent swelling ratio of ~180-200% w/w. Our electrochemical impedance studies indicate that the charge transport and transfer processes at the channel material based on conducting hydrogels are not trivial compared to conducting polymeric films. The most relevant feature is that the ionic transport through the swollen hydrogel is clearly different from the transport through the solution, and the charge transfer and diffusion processes govern the low-frequency regime. In addition, we have performed in operando Raman spectroscopy analyses in the OECT devices supported by first-principle computational simulations corroborating the doping/de-doping processes under different applied gate voltages. The maximum transconductance (gm~1.05 µS) and maximum volumetric capacitance (C*~2.3 F.cm-3) values indicate that these conducting hydrogels can be promising candidates as channel materials for OECT devices.

Reverse Phase HPLC Methodology for the Determination of Bay K8644.

Following ICH guidelines for analytical validation, we report a common C18 column stability indicating isocratic reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography method for the determination of the ion channel modulator Bay K8644. Two main forced degradation products and a minor impurity were also tentatively identified by Mass Spectrometry. The mobile phase consisted of a 50/50 acetonitrile/buffer mixture at a flow rate of 2 mL/min. Mean retention time for Bay K8644 was 3.030 minutes. Excellent linearity (r = 0.9998) was achieved in the range 0.10-1.40 µg/mL at 274 nm wavelength. Analytical limits were 16.56 ± 1.04 ng/mL for detection and 55.21 ± 3.48 ng/mL for quantitation respectively. Accuracy and precision studies showed good results (95-105%). Robustness was assessed by varying ±3%, both temperature and flow rate. Five different stress conditions were applied to assess Bay K8644's stability. Only basic and photolytic treatments yielded degradation products, both correctly resolved in a total runtime of 4 minutes. In conclusion, we developed a fast, simple, sensitive, accurate, precise, reliable and stability indicating method for detecting/quantifying Bay K8644, and tentatively characterized its main impurities/forced degradation products.

On the Donor: Acceptor Features for Poly(3-hexylthiophene): TiO2 Quantum Dots Hybrid Materials Obtained via Water Vapor Flow Assisted Sol-Gel Growth.

Here, we present a novel methodology for the preparation of P3HT:TiO2 quantum dots hybrid materials via water vapor flow-assisted sol-gel growth focusing on the structural, optical and electrical property characterization complemented with first-principles calculations as a promising donor-acceptor system for polymer and hybrid solar cells. X-ray diffraction and UV-Vis spectroscopy analyses suggest that the increasing concentration of TiO2 quantum dots leads to the formation of higher amounts of amorphous regions while the crystalline regions exhibited interesting aspect ratio modifications for the P3HT polymer. Raman spectra evidenced the formation of charge carriers in the P3HT with increasing TiO2 quantum dots content and the P3HT:TiO2 50:50 weight ratio resulted in the best composition for optimizing the bulk electronic conductivity, as evidenced by impedance spectroscopy studies. Our DFT calculations performed for a simplified model of the P3HT:TiO2 interface revealed that there is an important contribution of the thiophene carbon atoms states in the conduction band at the Fermi level. Finally, our DFT calculations also reveal an evident gain of electron density at the TiO2 (101) surface while the thiophene rings showed a loss of the electron density, thus confirming that the P3HT:TiO2 junction acts as a good donor-acceptor system. In our opinion, these results not only present a novel methodology for the preparation of P3HT:TiO2 quantum dots hybrid materials but also reveal some key aspects to guide the more rational design of polymer and hybrid solar cells.

Hybrid Organic-Inorganic Materials and Interfaces With Mixed Ionic-Electronic Transport Properties: Advances in Experimental and Theoretical Approaches.

The main goal of this mini-review is to provide an updated state-of-the-art of the hybrid organic-inorganic materials focusing mainly on interface phenomena involving ionic and electronic transport properties. First, we review the most relevant preparation techniques and the structural features of hybrid organic-inorganic materials prepared by solution-phase reaction of inorganic/organic precursor into organic/inorganic hosts and vapor-phase infiltration of the inorganic precursor into organic hosts and molecular layer deposition of organic precursor onto the inorganic surface. Particular emphasis is given to the advances in joint experimental and theoretical studies discussing diverse types of computational simulations for hybrid-organic materials and interfaces. We make a specific revision on the separately ionic, and electronic transport properties of these hybrid organic-inorganic materials focusing mostly on interface phenomena. Finally, we deepen into mixed ionic-electronic transport properties and provide our concluding remarks and give some perspectives about this growing field of research.

Docetaxel in chitosan-based nanocapsules conjugated with an anti-Tn antigen mouse/human chimeric antibody as a promising targeting strategy of lung tumors.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the physicochemical and biological properties of docetaxel (DCX) loaded chitosan nanocapsules (CS Nc) functionalized with the monoclonal antibody Chi-Tn (CS-PEG-ChiTn mAb Nc) as a potential improvement treatment for cancer therapy. The Tn antigen is highly specific for carcinomas, and this is the first time that such structure is targeted for drug delivery. The nanocapsules (Ncs), formed as a polymeric shell around an oily core, allowed a 99.9% encapsulation efficiency of DCX with a monodispersity particle size in the range of 200 nm and a high positive surface charge that provide substantial stability to the nanosystems. Release profile of DCX from Ncs showed a sustained and pH dependent behavior with a faster release at acidic pH, which could be favorable in the intracellular drug delivery. We have designed PEGylated CS Nc modified with a monoclonal antibody which recognize Tn antigen, one of the most specific tumor associated antigen. A biotin-avidin approach achieved the successful attachment of the antibody to the nanocapsules. Uptake studies and viability assay conducted in A549 human lung cancer cell line in vitro demonstrate that ChiTn mAb enhance nanoparticles internalization and cell viability reduction. Consequently, these ChiTn functionalized nanocapsules are promising carriers for the active targeting of DCX to Tn expressing carcinomas.

From Chain- to Graphene-like Hydroxyl-terminated (ZnO)n Clusters with n≤6 Obtained via Zinc Dimethoxide Hydrolysis and Condensation: Ab initio Structural, Electronic, Vibrational and Optical Properties Calculations.

Recent reports are focusing on the structural evolution from the atomic-scale and also at the expenses of alkyl zinc alkoxide precursors towards (ZnO)n clusters and nanostructures with different interesting motifs, but still not much is known about their electronic properties. In this manuscript, we present a theoretical study using DFT and TD-DFT methodologies on the hydrolysis and condensation of zinc dimethoxide precursor in its monomeric, dimeric and trimeric forms towards thermodynamically stable hydroxyl-terminated (ZnO)n clusters with novel chain- and graphene-like fashions. For all cases, distinct vibrational and optical spectra features were assigned evidencing a global monotonic decrease in the opto-electronic gap with increasing oligomerization and cyclization stages. In addition, the electron-affinity of all clusters was also observed to be enhanced with increasing oligomerization and cyclization stages and the electronic charge localization in -e charged clusters was observed to be strongly related to the presence of zinc-oxo subunits and other particular structural features. Our calculations also indicate that the stabilization through hydroxyl termination of both chain- and graphene-like ZnO clusters not only could be a promising driving force to obtain larger atomic-scale 1D and 2D nanostructures but also envisage interesting properties, particularly as electronic acceptor materials for energy applications.

Mini-Review: Mixed Ionic-Electronic Charge Carrier Localization and Transport in Hybrid Organic-Inorganic Nanomaterials.

In this mini-review, a comprehensive discussion on the state of the art of hybrid organic-inorganic mixed ionic-electronic conductors (hOI-MIECs) is given, focusing on conducting polymer nanocomposites comprising inorganic nanoparticles ranging from ceramic-in-polymer to polymer-in-ceramic concentration regimes. First, a brief discussion on fundamental aspects of mixed ionic-electronic transport phenomena considering the charge carrier transport at bulk regions together with the effect of the organic-inorganic interphase of hybrid nanocomposites is presented. We also make a recount of updated instrumentation techniques to characterize structure, microstructure, chemical composition, and mixed ionic-electronic transport with special focus on those relevant for hOI-MIECs. Raman imaging and impedance spectroscopy instrumentation techniques are particularly discussed as relatively simple and versatile tools to study the charge carrier localization and transport at different regions of hOI-MIECs including both bulk and interphase regions to shed some light on the mixed ionic-electronic transport mechanism. In addition, we will also refer to different device assembly configurations and in situ/operando measurements experiments to analyze mixed ionic-electronic conduction phenomena for different specific applications. Finally, we will also review the broad range of promising applications of hOI-MIECs, mainly in the field of energy storage and conversion, but also in the emerging field of electronics and bioelectronics.

Physico-chemical and antilisterial properties of nisin-incorporated chitosan/carboxymethyl chitosan films.

The objective of this work was to investigate the effect of the addition of carboxymethyl chitosan on the structural properties and antilisterial activity of nisin-incorporated chitosan films. Chitosan and carboxymethyl chitosan solutions were prepared with different mass ratios and bacteriocin nisin was added (0, 1000 and 6000 IU/ml). Filmogenic solutions were cast, dried and their physico-chemical and antimicrobial properties were investigated. For the same chitosan/carboxymethyl chitosan mass ratio, the addition of NIS at 6000 IU/ml led to changes in the macro- and microstructure, as well as in physico-chemical properties of films. On the other hand, carboxymethyl chitosan had a plasticizing effect and enhanced the distribution of the bacteriocin within the biopolymer matrix. Moreover, nisin-incorporated blend films of chitosan and carboxymethyl chitosan were more effective against Listeria monocytogenes than their pure chitosan counterparts. This study showed that different formulations of nisin-incorporated composite films of chitosan and carboxymethyl chitosan may provide options for developing bioactive packaging to improve food safety.

Extremely Large Magnetic-Field-Effects on the Impedance Response of TiO2 Quantum Dots.

Here, we report large magnetoresistance and magnetocapacitance response of undoped TiO2 quantum dots weighting the contribution of both grain and grain boundaries by means of impedance spectroscopy. We also performed a complete characterization of the TiO2 quantum dots (~5 nm) prepared by sol-gel via water vapor diffusion method, using X-ray diffraction, small angle X-ray scattering, transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. In addition, we showed a complete theoretical study on the electronic properties of TiO2 surface and subsurface oxygen and titanium vacancies to shed some light in their electronic and magnetic properties. Based in our study, we can conclude that the presence of defects, mainly at the grain boundary of these undoped TiO2 quantum dots, could be responsible for the large positive magnetoresistance (+1200%) and negative magnetocapacitance (-115%) responses at low applied magnetic fields (1.8 kOe) and room temperature.

Raman Microscopy Insights on the Out-of-Plane Electrical Transport of Carbon Nanotube-Doped PEDOT:PSS Electrodes for Solar Cell Applications.

In the present report, we focused on the study of the out-of-plane electrical transport of multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)-doped poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) composites (PEDOT:PSS-MWCNTs) as electrodes for solar cell applications. The out-of-plane direct current and alternating current electrical transport, rarely studied but not less relevant, was additionally supported with in-plane and out-of-plane confocal Raman microscopy and grazing incidence small-angle X-ray scattering characterizations. The main relevance of our study is the monitoring of the polymer structure all across the polymeric film by using confocal Raman spectroscopy and its correlation with electrical transport. Modifications in the PEDOT benzenoid and quinoid conformations were observed in the vicinities of MWCNTs, and the enrichment of PSS at the indium tin oxide electrode interface was also evidenced. In consequence, the low MWCNT loadings into PEDOT:PSS lead to an increase of the out-of-plane conductivity, but the heavier MWCNT loadings lead to a drastic decrease. The tuning of the doping level of these polymer composites and the understanding of the interface structure are crucial to fabricate electrodes with higher out-of-plane conductivities for organic solar cell applications.

Experimental and Theoretical Study of Ionic Pair Dissociation in a Lithium Ion-Linear Polyethylenimine-Polyacrylonitrile Blend for Solid Polymer Electrolytes.

Herein, we report the preparation and characterization of a novel polymeric blend between linear polyethylene imine (PEI) and polyacrylonitrile (PAN), with the purpose of facilitating the dissociation of lithium perchlorate salt (LiClO4) and thus to enhance Li ion transport. It is a joint theoretical and experimental procedure for evaluating and thus demonstrating the lithium salt dissociation. The procedure implies the correlation between the theoretical pair distribution function (PDF) and conventional X-ray diffraction (XRD) by means of a molecular dynamics (MD) approach. Additionally, we correlated the experimental and theoretical Raman and infrared spectroscopy for vibrational characterization of the lithium salt after dissociation in the polymeric blend. We also performed confocal Raman microscopy analysis to evidence the homogeneity on the distribution of all components and the LiClO4 dissociation in the polymer blend. The electrochemical impedance analysis confirmed that the Li-PAN-PEI blend presents a slightly better lithium conductivity of ∼8 × 10-7 S cm-1. These results suggest that this polymer blend material is promising for the development of novel fluorine-free solid polymer lithium ion electrolytes, and the methodology is suitable for characterizing similar polymeric systems.

Crystal structure and absolute configuration of (3aS,4S,5R,7aR)-2,2,7-trimethyl-3a,4,5,7a-tetra-hydro-1,3-benzodioxole-4,5-diol.

The absolute configuration of the title compound, C10H16O4, determined as 3aS,4S,5R,7aR on the basis of the synthetic pathway, was confirmed by X-ray diffraction. The mol-ecule contains a five- and a six-membered ring that adopt twisted and envelope conformations, respectively. The dihedral angle between the mean planes of the rings is 76.80 (11)° as a result of their cis-fusion. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked by two pairs of O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming chains along [010]. These chains are further connected by weaker C-H⋯O inter-actions along [100], creating (001) sheets that inter-act only by weak van der Waals forces.

Magnetism in multivacancy graphene systems.

Ab initio calculations using density functional theory (DFT) have been performed in order to study defects in graphene. The structural distortions that can be observed when multi-atom vacancies are created in graphene and the net magnetic moment that can eventually appear are characterized for a variety of vacancy sizes and shapes. We conclude that the configuration arising in the construction of multivacancies in graphene can unambiguously indicate whether a magnetic response of the defected system is to be expected. Making use of the shape of the complementary figure-i.e. the geometric figure of the atomic arrangement that is extracted from graphene when the multivacancy is created-it is possible to construct a set of rules by means of which the optimized structural and magnetic behavior can be predicted. The validity of the rules is determined through DFT calculations.

Bisphosphonate metal complexes as selective inhibitors of Trypanosoma cruzi farnesyl diphosphate synthase.

In the search for a pharmacological answer to treat Chagas disease, eight metal complexes with two bioactive bisphosphonates, alendronate (Ale) and pamidronate (Pam), were described. Complexes of the formula [M(2)(II)(Ale)(4)(H(2)O)(2)]·2H(2)O, with M = Cu, Co, Mn, Ni, and ([CuPam]·H(2)O)(n) as well as [M(II)(Pam)(2)(H(2)O)(2)]·3H(2)O, with M = Co, Mn and Ni, were synthesized and fully characterized. Crystal structure of [Cu(2)(II)(Ale)(4)(H(2)O)(2)]·2H(2)O, [Co(II)(Pam)(2)(H(2)O)(2)] and [Ni(II)(Pam)(2)(H(2)O)(2)] were solved by X-ray single crystal diffraction methods and the structures of [M(2)(II)(Ale)(4)(H(2)O)(2)]·2H(2)O complexes M = Co, Mn and Ni were studied by X-ray powder diffraction methods. All obtained complexes were active against the amastigote form of Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi), etiological agent of Chagas disease. Most of them were more active than the corresponding free ligands showing no toxicity for mammalian cells. The main mechanism of the antiparasitic action of bisphosphonates, inhibition of parasitic farnesyl diphosphate synthase (TcFPPS), remains in the obtained metal complexes and an increase in the inhibiting enzyme levels was observed upon coordination. Observed enzymatic inhibition was selective for TcFPPS as the metal complexes showed no or little inhibition of human FPPS. Additionally, metal complexation might improve the bioavailability of the complexes through the hindrance of the phosphonate group's ionization at physiological pH and, eventually, through the ability of plasma proteins to work as complex transporters.

The conformations of two copper(I) complexes of 1H-benzimidazole-2(3H)-thione and thiosaccharinate.

(Acetonitrile-1κN)[µ-1H-benzimidazole-2(3H)-thione-1:2κ(2)S:S][1H-benzimidazole-2(3H)-thione-2κS]bis(µ-1,1-dioxo-1λ(6),2-benzothiazole-3-thiolato)-1:2κ(2)S(3):N;1:2κ(2)S(3):S(3)-dicopper(I)(Cu-Cu), [Cu(2)(C(7)H(4)NO(2)S(2))(2)(C(7)H(6)N(2)S)(2)(CH(3)CN)] or [Cu(2)(tsac)(2)(Sbim)(2)(CH(3)CN)] [tsac is thiosaccharinate and Sbim is 1H-benzimidazole-2(3H)-thione], (I), is a new copper(I) compound that consists of a triply bridged dinuclear Cu-Cu unit. In the complex molecule, two tsac anions and one neutral Sbim ligand bind the metals. One anion bridges via the endocyclic N and exocyclic S atoms (µ-S:N). The other anion and one of the mercaptobenzimidazole molecules bridge the metals through their exocyclic S atoms (µ-S:S). The second Sbim ligand coordinates in a monodentate fashion (κS) to one Cu atom, while an acetonitrile molecule coordinates to the other Cu atom. The Cu(I)-Cu(I) distance [2.6286 (6) Å] can be considered a strong 'cuprophilic' interaction. In the case of [µ-1H-benzimidazole-2(3H)-thione-1:2κ(2)S:S]bis[1H-benzimidazole-2(3H)-thione]-1κS;2κS-bis(µ-1,1-dioxo-1λ(6),2-benzothiazole-3-thiolato)-1:2κ(2)S(3):N;1:2κ(2)S(3):S(3)-dicopper(I)(Cu-Cu), [Cu(2)(C(7)H(4)NO(2)S(2))(2)(C(7)H(6)N(2)S)(3)] or [Cu(2)(tsac)(2)(Sbim)(3)], (II), the acetonitrile molecule is substituted by an additional Sbim ligand, which binds one Cu atom via the exocylic S atom. In this case, the Cu(I)-Cu(I) distance is 2.6068 (11) Å.

Magneto-structural studies on heterobimetallic malonate-bridged M(II)Re(IV) complexes (M = Mn, Co, Ni and Cu).

The mononuclear Re(IV) compound of formula (PPh(4))(2)[ReBr(4)(mal)] (1) was used as a ligand to obtain the heterobimetallic species [ReBr(4)(µ-mal)Co(dmphen)(2)]· MeCN (2), [ReBr(4)(µ-mal)Ni(dmphen)(2)] (3), [ReBr(4)(µ-mal)Mn(dmphen)(2)] (4a), [ReBr(4)(µ-mal)Mn(dmphen)(H(2)O)(2)]·dmphen·MeCN·H(2)O (4b), [ReBr(4)(µ-mal)Cu(phen)(2)]·1/4H(2)O (5) and [ReBr(4)(µ-mal)Cu(bipy)(2)] (6) (mal = malonate dianion, dmphen = 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline and bipy = 2,2'-bipyridine). The structures of 2 and 5 (single-crystal X-ray diffraction) are made up of neutral [ReBr(4)(µ-mal)M(AA)] dinuclear units [AA = dmphen with M = Co (2) and AA = phen with M = Cu (5)] where the metal ions are connected through a malonate ligand which exhibits simultaneously the bidentate [at the Re(IV)] and monodentate [at the M(II)] coordination modes. The carboxylate-malonate group in them adopts the anti-syn conformation with intramolecular ReM separation of 5.098(8) (2) and 4.947(2) Å (5). The magnetic properties of 1-6 were investigated in the temperature range 1.9-295 K. The magnetic behaviour of 1 is the expected for a magnetically isolated Re(IV) complex with a large value of the zero-field splitting (2D ca. -70 cm(-1)) whereas weak antiferromagnetic interactions between Re(IV) and M(II) are observed in the heterobimetallic compounds 2 (J = -0.63 cm(-1)), 3 (J = -1.37 cm(-1)), 4a (J = -1.29 cm(-1)), 5 (J = -1.83 cm(-1)) and 6 (J = -0.26 cm(-1)). Remarkably, 4b behaves as a ferrimagnetic chain with regular alternating Re(IV) and Mn(II) cations (J = -2.64 cm(-1)).

Is it possible to dope single-walled carbon nanotubes and graphene with sulfur?

Herein, we investigate sulfur substitutional defects in single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and graphene by using first-principles calculations. The estimated formation energies for the (3,3), (5,5), and (10,0) SWCNTs and graphene lie between 0.9 and 3.8 eV, at sulfur concentrations of 1.7-4 atom %. Thus, from a thermodynamic standpoint, sulfur doping is not difficult. Indeed, these values can be compared with that of 0.7 eV obtained for a nitrogen-doped (5,5) SWCNT. We suggest that it may be possible to introduce sulfur into the SWCNT framework by employing sulfur-containing heterocycles. Our simulations indicate that sulfur doping can modify the electronic structure of the SWCNTs and graphene, depending on the sulfur content. In the case of graphene, sulfur doping can induce different effects: the doped sheet can be a small-band-gap semiconductor, or it can have better metallic properties than the pristine sheet. Thus, S-doped graphene may be a smart choice for constructing nanoelectronic devices, since it is possible to modulate the electronic properties of the sheet by adjusting the amount of sulfur introduced. Different synthetic routes to produce sulfur-doped graphene are discussed.

Mechanical properties of graphene nanoribbons.

Herein, we investigate the structural, electronic and mechanical properties of zigzag graphene nanoribbons in the presence of stress by applying density functional theory within the GGA-PBE (generalized gradient approximation-Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof) approximation. The uniaxial stress is applied along the periodic direction, allowing a unitary deformation in the range of ± 0.02%. The mechanical properties show a linear response within that range while a nonlinear dependence is found for higher strain. The most relevant results indicate that Young's modulus is considerable higher than those determined for graphene and carbon nanotubes. The geometrical reconstruction of the C-C bonds at the edges hardens the nanostructure. The features of the electronic structure are not sensitive to strain in this linear elastic regime, suggesting the potential for using carbon nanostructures in nano-electronic devices in the near future.