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We present a simple approximation to estimate the largest charge that a given molecule can hold until fragmentation into smaller charged species becomes more energetically favorable. This approximation solely relies on the ionization potentials, electron affinities of the parent and fragment species, and also on the neutral parent's dissociation energy. By parameterizing these quantities, it is possible to obtain analytical phase diagrams of polycationic stability. We demonstrate the applicability of this approach by discussing the maximal charge dependence on the size of the molecular system. A numerical demonstration for linear polyenes, monocyclic annulenes, and helium clusters is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, conductive and stable partially fluorinated multi-cationic alkaline membrane (AM) has been reported by macromolecular modification of poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and chemical grafting of vinyl benzyl chloride (VBC). Quaternization was achieved using different amines, to control the concentration of quaternary ammonium (QA) groups. Different multi-cationic AMs were analysed by their structural (1H NMR and FT-IR) and morphological properties, ion-exchange capacity (IEC), water uptake (WU), alkaline conductivity (κ m ), and stabilities (mechanical, chemical, and thermal). Due to presence of multi cationic groups and thus steric hindrance, reported membranes were robust in alkaline medium. Single-cell anion exchange membrane fuel cell (AMFC) assembled with Tri-amino-VBC-g-PVDF membrane, exhibited relatively high performance (open circuit voltage (OCV): 1.03 V, peak power density: 244.0 mW cm−2 at 400.0 mA cm−2), in compare with other AMs reported in the literature. It was observed that AMFC performance was strongly depends on cationic group density, and present study explored the utilization possibility of partially fluorinated polymer matrix with multi-cationic groups for long lifetime during AMFC application. [Display omitted] • High performance partially fluorinated multi-cationic alkaline membrane. • Alkaline membrane robust for Hofmann β -elimination and SN 2 reactions. • 96.34% remained conductivity after alkali treatment at 80 °C for 768 h. • 244.0 mW cm−2 maximum power density at 400.0 mA cm−2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a critical radioactive anionic contaminant, traditional adsorbents primarily remove iodate (IO3−) through ion exchange or hard acid‐hard base interactions, but suffer from limited affinity and capacity. Herein, employing the synergistic effect of ion exchange and redox, we successfully synthesized a redox‐active cationic polymer network (SCU‐CPN‐6, [C9H10O2N5 ⋅ Cl]n) by merging guanidino groups with ion‐exchange capability and phenolic groups with redox ability via a Schiff base reaction. SCU‐CPN‐6 exhibits a groundbreaking adsorption capacity of 896 mg/g for IO3−. The inferior adsorption capacities of polymeric networks containing only redox (~0 mg/g) or ion exchange (232 mg/g) fragments underscore the synergistic "1+1>2" effect of the two mechanisms. Besides, SCU‐CPN‐6 shows excellent uptake selectivity for IO3− in the presence of high concentrations of SO42−, Cl−, and NO3−. Meanwhile, a high distribution coefficient indicates its exemplary deep‐removal performance for low IO3− concentration. The synergic strategy not only presents a breakthrough solution for the efficient removal of IO3− but also establishes a promising avenue for the design of advanced adsorbents for diverse applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The escalating spread of drug‐resistant bacteria and viruses is a grave concern for global health. Nucleic acids dominate the drug‐resistance and transmission of pathogenic microbes. Here, imidazolium‐type poly(ionic liquid)/porphyrin (PIL‐P) based electrospun nanofibrous membrane and its cerium (IV) ion complex (PIL‐P‐Ce) are developed. The obtained PIL‐P‐Ce membrane exhibits high and stable efficiency in eradicating various microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, and viruses) and decomposing microbial antibiotic resistance genes and viral nucleic acids under light. The nuclease‐mimetic and photocatalytic mechanisms of the PIL‐P‐Ce are elucidated. Co‐infection wound models in mice with methicillin‐resistant S. aureus and hepatitis B virus demonstrate that PIL‐P‐Ce integrate the triple effects of cationic polymer, photocatalysis, and nuclease‐mimetic activities. As revealed by proteomic analysis, PIL‐P‐Ce shows minimal phototoxicity to normal tissues. Hence, PIL‐P‐Ce has potential as a "green" wound dressing to curb the spread of drug‐resistant bacteria and viruses in clinical settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The widespread of drug‐resistant genes has greatly exacerbated the difficulty for the effectively tre atment of diseases associated with bacterial infections. The ineffectiveness of antibiotics poses great challenges to the development of new antimicrobial agents, especially those does not cause bacterial resistance. Herein, a cation porous organic polymer (CPOP) denoted as BDPP, was facilely prepared via the Alder‐Longo method skipping the tedious porphyrin‐bearing monomer synthesis procedure. The repeated porphyrin units endowed excellent photoactivity with the porous skeletons, and the inherent cations significantly improved the binding ability of BDPP with the bacterial cell membrane. As a result, the as‐synthesized POPs could be used as a physical broad spectrum sterilization agent, amalgamating the cation and photothermal therapy to exert synergistic amplified antibacterial effects. In vivo assay demonstrated BDPP with good biocompatibility, could also significantly promote the healing of wounds with bacteria‐infection. This work paves a facile way for the rational construction of material‐based antibacterial agent for the bacteria inactivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perfluorosulfonated anionic ionomers are known for their robust ion conductivity and chemical and mechanical stability. However, the structure and transport property degradation of perfluorinated cationic polymers (PfCPs) are not well understood. Herein, we propose an ion-exchange strategy to identify the structural degradation, ion transport mechanisms, and architectural reformation of PfCPs. Particularly, we demonstrate that the utility of a –SO2–N+ strategy employing the Menshutkin reaction cannot yield reliable PfCPs and anion-exchange membranes, but can yield an unreliable zwitterionic intermediate (cations–anions molar ratio is approximately 7.6%). Moreover, the degradation products were efficiently reformed as proton exchange membranes (PEMs), and the as-reformed PEMs achieved an ion-exchange capacity (IEC) value (0.89 mmol g−1), meanwhile retaining more than 94.7% of their initial capacity. Furthermore, the fuel cell assembled with reformed PEMs displayed a power density of 0.91 Wcm−2 at 2.32 A cm−2, which was 90.1% of that of the robust perfluorosulfonic acid PEMs. Our combined findings shed some fresh light on the state of understanding of the structure–property relationship in PfCPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We formed core–shell‐like polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) from an anionic bottlebrush polymer with poly (acrylic acid) side chains with a cationic linear poly (allylamine hydrochloride). By varying the pH, the number of side chains of the polyanionic BB polymers (Nbb), the charge density of the polyelectrolytes, and the salt concentration, the phase separation behavior and salt resistance of the complexes could be tuned by the conformation of the BBs. By combining the linear/bottlebrush polyelectrolyte complexation with all‐liquid 3D printing, flow‐through tubular constructs were produced that showed selective transport across the PEC membrane comprising the walls of the tubules. These tubular constructs afford a new platform for flow‐through delivery systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We formed core–shell‐like polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) from an anionic bottlebrush polymer with poly (acrylic acid) side chains with a cationic linear poly (allylamine hydrochloride). By varying the pH, the number of side chains of the polyanionic BB polymers (Nbb), the charge density of the polyelectrolytes, and the salt concentration, the phase separation behavior and salt resistance of the complexes could be tuned by the conformation of the BBs. By combining the linear/bottlebrush polyelectrolyte complexation with all‐liquid 3D printing, flow‐through tubular constructs were produced that showed selective transport across the PEC membrane comprising the walls of the tubules. These tubular constructs afford a new platform for flow‐through delivery systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The therapeutic resistance to ionizing radiation (IR) and angiogenesis inhibitors is a great challenge for clinicians in the treatment of glioblastoma, which is associated with Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)/MET, VEGF/VEGFR signaling pathway, and the crosstalk between them. In this study, we developed a novel recombinant fusion protein, rE27HGFK1, via HGFK1 tandem with 27 N-terminal residues of Endostatin (E27) and produced a polymeric nanoparticle formed by the co-polymer of PEGylated H1 cationic polymer (PH1) with a plasmid encoding the secreted rE27HGFK1 protein (PH1/pE27HGFK1). We further investigated the anti-tumor effects of rE27HGFK1 and PH1/pE27HGFK1 nanoparticles both in vivo and in vitro. Methods: We expressed and purified the rE27HGFK1 protein via E. coli. Then, we performed cellular experiments to determine the antitumoral effects and IR radio-sensitivities of the rE27HGFK1 protein in vitro. Finally, we performed animal studies to determine the tumor-targeted abilities and antitumoral activities of the polymeric nanoparticles, PH1/pE27HGFK1, in an orthotopic U118-Luc-bearing xenografted mouse model. Results: We showed that rE27HGFK1 inhibited the proliferation and the angiogenesis and enhanced the senescence and radiosensitivity of GBM via both MET and VEFGR2 signaling mediated-p16 over-expression and the down-regulation of cyclin D1-CDK4-Rb axis activities in vitro. Next, we displayed that systemic administration of the PEGylated H1 cationic polymer (PH1) effectively delivered the reporter genes to the brain tumor of an orthotopic U118-bearing xenografted mouse model. Finally, we showed that PH1/pE27HGFK1 significantly produced antitumor effects with radiosensitivity in the orthotopic U118-Luc-bearing xenografted Blab/c mouse model through inhibiting angiogenesis and tumor cell proliferation, as well as inducing the necrosis of tumor cells in vivo. Conclusions: The PH1/pE27HGFK1 nano-drug combined with radiotherapy can be used as a potentially effective therapeutic strategy for Glioblastoma multiforme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vinylene‐linked two‐dimensional polymers (V‐2DPs) and their layer‐stacked covalent organic frameworks (V‐2D COFs) featuring high in‐plane π‐conjugation and robust frameworks have emerged as promising candidates for energy‐related applications. However, current synthetic approaches are restricted to producing V‐2D COF powders that lack processability, impeding their integration into devices, particularly within membrane technologies reliant upon thin films. Herein, we report the novel on‐water surface synthesis of vinylene‐linked cationic 2DPs films (V‐C2DP‐1 and V‐C2DP‐2) via Knoevenagel polycondensation, which serve as the anion‐selective electrode coating for highly‐reversible and durable zinc‐based dual‐ion batteries (ZDIBs). Model reactions and theoretical modeling revealed the enhanced reactivity and reversibility of the Knoevenagel reaction on the water surface. On this basis, we demonstrated the on‐water surface 2D polycondensation towards V‐C2DPs films that show large lateral size, tunable thickness, and high chemical stability. Representatively, V‐C2DP‐1 presents as a fully crystalline and face‐on oriented film with in‐plane lattice parameters of a=b≈43.3 Å. Profiting from its well‐defined cationic sites, oriented 1D channels, and stable frameworks, V‐C2DP‐1 film possesses superior bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide anion (TFSI−)‐transport selectivity (transference, t_=0.85) for graphite cathode in high‐voltage ZDIBs, thus triggering additional TFSI−‐intercalation stage and promoting its specific capacity (from ~83 to 124 mAh g−1) and cycling life (>1000 cycles, 95 % capacity retention). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing to the variation of the characteristics due to the cationic substitution of diverse elements at both A and B sites, the new polycrystalline double perovskite BaBiFeMnO 6 , synthesized via a cost-efficient solid-state reaction route. Initial structural refinement by Rietveld analysis reveals material crystallised in dual phases i.e. monoclinic and orthorhombic. The respective cell parameters for monoclinic as well as orthorhombic phases are a = 5.5881 Å, b = 5.6541 Å, c = 7.9186 Å with cell angles α = γ = 900 and β = 89.90810 and a = 5.4807Å, b = 5.3583Å, c = 7.4045Å and refined angles are α = β = γ = 900 respectively. The microstructural interpretation of the present sample reflects a non-uniform distribution of the grains with an average grain size of 2.97 μm with a mean crystalline size of 342.65 nm. The Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) graph indicated that the sample belongs to the perovskite family. The impedance measurement was carried out in a selected frequency and an assigned temperature range to investigate the electrical features of the material which suggested the non-Debye type relaxation and negative temperature coefficient of resistance (NTCR). Furthermore, the thermistor constant (β) and temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) contributed to investigating the NTCR characteristic of the sample under NTC-type thermistor applications. The room temperature dielectric constant is 1707.67 with a minimal tangent loss of 0.7069 at 100Hz frequency has been estimated by fitting the dielectric data by utilizing the Havrilliak-Negami function. The polarization (P) induced due to the maximum applied electric field of 1.287 kV is studied from the hysteresis loop plotted between them. The hysteresis loop indicates the ferroelectric property of the material with a lossy nature. The room temperature remnant magnetization (2M r) of 0.4424 emu/g and coercivity (2H c) of 6.2 kOe have been estimated from the M ∼ H loop. The potentiality of the material to be used as a viable candidate in various energy storage devices and supercapacitors is suggested by all of the characterisations in conjunction with the high value of ε r i.e. ∼80000 at 300 °C for the lower frequency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of antimicrobial drugs with novel structures and clear mechanisms of action that are active against drug-resistant bacteria has become an urgent need of safeguarding human health due to the rise of bacterial drug resistance. The discovery of AMPs and the development of amphipathic peptidomimetics have lay the foundation for novel antimicrobial agents to combat drug resistance due to their overall strong antimicrobial activities and unique membrane-active mechanisms. To break the limitation of AMPs, researchers have invested in great endeavors through various approaches in the past years. This review summarized the recent advances including the development of antibacterial small molecule peptidomimetics and peptide-mimic cationic oligomers/polymers, as well as mechanism-of-action studies. As this exciting interdisciplinary field is continuously expanding and growing, we hope this review will benefit researchers in the rational design of novel antimicrobial peptidomimetics in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Titanium silicon molecular zeolite (TS-1) plays an important role in catalytic reactions due to its unique nanostructure. The straight channel on TS-1 was parallel to the orientation of the short b-axis and directly exposed to the aperture of the 10-member ring with a diameter of 0.54 nm × 0.56 nm. This structure could effectively reduce the diffuse restriction of bulk organic compounds during the oxidative desulfurization process. As a kind of cationic polymer electrolyte, polydimethyldiallyl ammonium chloride (PDDA) contains continuous [C8H16N+Cl−] chain segments, in which the Cl− could function as an effective structure-directing agent in the synthesis of nanomaterials. The chain of PDDA could adequately interact with the [0 1 0] plane in the preparation process of zeolite, and then the TS-1 nanosheet with short b-axis thickness (6 nm) could be obtained. The pore structure of the TS-1 nanosheet is controlled by regulating the content of PDDA. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), N2 physical adsorption analysis, infrared absorption spectrum and ultraviolet–visible spectrum were used to determine the TS-1. The thinner nanosheets exhibit excellent catalytic performance in oxidative desulfurization of dibenzothiophene (DBT), in which the removal rate could remain at 100% after three recycles. Here, the TS-1 nanosheet with short b-axis thickness has a promising future in catalytic reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate control of core–shell lipopolyplex nanoparticles (LPP NPs) size is crucial for finely adjusting their biomedical performance. However, the synthesis of LPP NPs encounters challenges as two mixing-sensitive processes are involved in the synthesis, rendering precise control over particle size difficult using conventional batch methods. In this study, the formation of the nucleic acid/cationic polymer cores through electrostatic complexation and the subsequent encapsulation by lipid shells via self-assembly were conducted in microreactors, with polyadenylic acid (poly A) and branched polyethylenimine (bPEI) employed as the model system. By assessing the micromixing performance of the microreactors using the Villermaux-Dushman method, the characteristic time scale for electrostatic complexation between poly A and bPEI, as well as the self-assembly of lipids, was determined to be below 1 ms. The Reynolds number, governing micromixing performance, emerged as a crucial factor influencing the sizes of poly A/bPEI cores and LPP NPs. In the kinetic control region, characterized by rapid mixing, the size of poly A/bPEI remained slightly influenced by the N/P molar ratio and volumetric flow rate ratio, irrespective of concentration. The zeta potential, however, was primarily affected by the N/P molar ratio. In the case of LPP NPs, under optimized conditions of anionic lipid molar ratio, the size of LPP NPs was significantly influenced by the composition of lipid shells. This study establishes the foundation for elucidating the structure–activity relationship of LPP NPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interaction of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) with orange II has been studied spectrophotometrically. CTA‐Orange II complex was isolated from an aqueous solution with chloroform. The results indicate that the CTAB interacts in 1:1 stoichiometry with orange II. CTAB capped FeNPs were used as an adsorbent to the removal of CTA‐Orange II complex. Energy dispersive x‐ray spectroscope (EDX), Fourier transform infrared spectroscope (FTIR), surface scanning microscope (SEM), and transmission electron microscope (TEM) were used to determine the morphology of FeNPs. The effect of contact time, pH, and concentration of orange II were examined on the removal of dye and surfactant. The removal of orange II followed pseudo‐second‐order kinetic and Langmuir isotherm model. The maximum adsorption capacity (Qmax) of CTAB‐FeNPs for orange II was 1288.9 mg/g at 30°C. CTA‐Orange II complex was adsorbed onto the adsorbent through several types of interaction (e.g., electrostatic attractions, van der Waals interactions, hydrogen bonding and n‐π stacking interactions). The sorption of orange G was also studied at different CTAB concentrations. The results implied that the maximum sorption amount was almost half of the orange II adsorption. The findings reveal the feasibility of CTAB capped FeNPs to be used as an excellent and low‐cost adsorbent for the removal of various water pollutants, more specifically anionic dyes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PEGylation is a commonly used approach to prolong the blood circulation time of cationic liposomes. However, PEGylation is associated with the "PEG dilemma", which hinders binding and uptake into tumor cells. The cleavable PEG products are a possible solution to this problem. In the current research, doxorubicin-loaded cationic liposomes (Dox-CLs) surface-conjugated with a matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2)-sensitive octapeptide linker-PEG derivative were prepared and compared to non-PEGylated and PEGylated CLs in terms of size, surface charge, drug encapsulation and release, uptake, in vivo pharmacokinetics, and anticancer efficacy. It was postulated that PEG deshielding in response to the overexpressed MMP-2 in the tumor microenvironment increases the interaction of protected CLs with cellular membranes and improves their uptake by tumor cells/vasculature. MMP2-responsive Dox-CLs had particle sizes of ∼115-140 nm, surface charges of ∼+25 mV, and encapsulation efficiencies of ∼85-95%. In vitro cytotoxicity assessments showed significantly enhanced uptake and cytotoxicity of PEG-cleavable CLs compared to their non-cleavable PEG-coated counterparts or Caelyx®. Also, the chick chorioallantoic membrane assay showed great antiangiogenesis ability of Dox-CLs leading to target and prevent tumor neovascularization. Besides, in vivo studies showed an effective therapeutic efficacy of PEG-cleavable Dox-CLs in murine colorectal cancer with negligible hematological and histopathological toxicity. Altogether, our results showed that MMP2-responsive Dox-CLs could be served as a promising approach to improve tumor drug delivery and uptake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Designing materials capable of disinfecting water without releasing harmful by-products is an ongoing challenge. Here, we report a novel polycationic sponge material synthesized from chitosan derivatives and cellulose fibers, exhibiting antibacterial properties. The design of such material is based on three key principles. First, the formation of a highly porous structure through cryogelation for an extensive surface area. Second, the incorporation of cationic quaternary ammonium moieties onto chitosan to enhance bacterial adsorption and antibacterial activity. Lastly, the reinforcement of mechanical properties through integration of cellulose fibers. The presented sponge materials exhibit up to a 4-log (99.99%) reduction within 6 h against both gram-positive B. subtilis and gram-negative E. coli. Notably, QCHI90/Cell, with the highest surface charge, exhibits a 2–4.5 log reduction within 1 h of incubation time. The eco-friendly synthesis from water and readily available biomaterials, along with cost-effectiveness and simplicity, underscores its versatility and feasibility of upscaling. Together with its outstanding antibacterial activity, this macroporous biomaterial emerges as a promising candidate for water disinfection applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is an inflammatory disease affecting the sinuses or nose. Persistent inflammatory responses can lead to tissue remodeling, which is a pathological characteristics of CRS. Activation of fibroblasts in the nasal mucosal stroma, differentiation and collagen deposition, and subepithelial fibrosis have been associated with CRS. Objectives: We aimed to assess the inhibitory effects of doxycycline and deoxycholic acid-polyethyleneimine conjugate (DA3-Doxy) on myofibroblast differentiation and extracellular matrix (ECM) production in nasal fibroblasts stimulated with TGF-β1. Methods: To enhance efficacy, we prepared DA3-Doxy using a conjugate of low-molecular-weight polyethyleneimine (PEI) (MW 1800) and deoxycholic acid (DA) and Doxy. The synthesis of the DA3-Doxy polymer was confirmed using nuclear magnetic resonance, and the critical micelle concentration required for cationic micelle formation through self-assembly was determined. Subsequently, the Doxy loading efficiency of DA3 was assessed. The cytotoxicity of Doxy, DA3, PEI, and DA-Doxy in nasal fibroblasts was evaluated using the WST-1 assay. The anti-tissue remodeling and anti-inflammatory effects of DA3-Doxy and DA3 were examined using real-time polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR), immunocytochemistry, western blot, and Sircol assay. Results: Both DA3 and DA3-Doxy exhibited cytotoxicity at 10 μg/ml in nasal fibroblasts. Doxy partially inhibited α-smooth muscle actin, collagen types I and III, and fibronectin. However, DA3-Doxy significantly inhibited α-SMA, collagen types I and III, and fibronectin at 5 μg/ml. DA3-Doxy also modulated TGF-β1-induced changes in the expression of MMP 1, 2, and 9. Nonetheless, TGF-β1-induced expression of MMP3 was further increased by DA3-Doxy. The expression of TIMP 1 and 2 was partially reduced with 5 μg/ml DA3-Doxy. Conclusions: Although initially developed for the delivery of genetic materials or drugs, DA3 exhibits inhibitory effects on myofibroblast differentiation and ECM production. Therefore, it holds therapeutic potential for CRS, and a synergistic effect can be expected when loaded with CRS treatment drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The document is a contents list for the journal CrystEngComm. It highlights various papers and communications published in the journal, including topics such as hydrogen storage, coordination polymers, luminescent sensors, and chemical solution deposition. The cover image features the Tembleque Aqueduct World Heritage Site in Mexico. The journal is published by the Royal Society of Chemistry, a leading chemistry community that connects the world with the chemical sciences. [Extracted from the article]

This research paper focuses on the removal of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, ibuprofen, from an aqueous solution using a dissolved air flotation process. The comparison of different types of cationic surface-active agents such as cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB), tetrabutyl ammonium bromide (TBAB), and octyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (OTAB) have been employed to scrutinize the effective removal of the ecotoxic pharmaceutically active compound. The work included the influencing parameters such as pressure, contact time, surfactant dosage, pH, flow rate, and initial concentration owing to the best-optimized conditions. The maximum removal rate of 96.09% was achieved at 15 min for CTAB, TBAB had 62.36% at 45 min, and 89.6% was obtained for OTAB at 30 min, with 50 mg L−1 as the initial concentration and pH = 4. The removal rate was better with the optimized dosage of CTAB at 0.6 g, TBAB at 1.2 g, and OTAB at 1.0 g. It was observed that the geometric shape of the surface-active agents had greater impacts on the contaminants' efficiency. CTAB and OTAB were combined to find out the best possible removal rate of contaminants. The synergistic effect augments surfactant-based occurrence to be better in forming a good foaming effect and tends to have a lower critical micelle concentration (CMC). From the evaluation of kinetic models, pseudo-second-order flotation kinetics fitted the experimental data best. Furthermore, the formed metabolites that had been identified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry were found to be less toxic than the parenting compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Transfection is an important analytical method for studying gene expression in the cellular environment. There are some barriers to efficient DNA transfection in host cells, including circumventing the plasma membrane, escaping endosomal compartmentalization, autophagy, immune sensing pathways, and translocating the nuclear envelope. Therefore, it would be very useful to introduce an optimum transfection approach to achieve a high transfection efficiency in the Vero cell line. The aim of this study was to compare various transfection techniques and introduce a highly efficient method for gene delivery in Vero cells. Methods: In the current study, three transfection methods were used, including chemical transfection, electroporation, and lentiviral vector transduction, to obtain the optimum transfection conditions in the Vero cell line. Vero cells were cultured and transfected with chemical transfection reagents, electroporation, or HIV-1-based lentivectors under different experimental conditions. Transfection efficiency was assessed using flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy to detect GFP-positive cells. Results: Among the tested methods, TurboFect™ chemical transfection exhibited the highest efficiency. Optimal transfection conditions were achieved using 1 µg DNA and 4 µL TurboFect™ in 6 × 104 Vero cells. Conclusion: TurboFect™, a cationic polymer transfection reagent, demonstrated superior transfection efficiency in Vero cells compared with electroporation and lentivirus particles, and is the optimal choice for chemical transfection in the Vero cell line. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the most refractory organisms to antibiotic treatment and appears to be one of the least susceptible to photodynamic treatment. TMPyP is effective in the photoinactivation of P. aeruginosa, and the co‐administration with the cationic polymer Eudragit®‐E100 (Eu) potentiates this effect against isolates both sensitive and resistant to antibiotics. The fluorescent population (>98%) observed by flow cytometry after exposure to Eu + TMPyP remained unchanged after successive washings, indicating a stronger interaction/internalization of TMPyP in the bacteria, which could be attributed to the rapid neutralization of surface charges. TMPyP and Eu produced depolarization of the cytoplasmic membrane, which increased when both cationic compounds were combined. Using confocal laser scanning microscopy, heterogeneously distributed fluorescent areas were observed after TMPyP exposure, while homogeneous fluorescence and enhanced intensity were observed with Eu + TMPyP. The polymer caused alterations in the bacterial envelopes that contributed to a deeper and more homogeneous interaction/internalization of TMPyP, leading to a higher probability of damage by cytotoxic ROS and explaining the enhanced result of photodynamic inactivation. Therefore, Eu acts as an adjuvant without being by itself capable of eradicating this pathogen. Moreover, compared with other therapies, this combinatorial strategy with a polymer approved for pharmaceutical applications presents advantages in terms of toxicity risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The non-toxic amphiphilic bottlebrush polymers capable of self-organization on various interfaces and including cerium ions in structural assemblies without changing their biological properties have great importance for medicine and pharmacy. In the work, we studied the self-assembly in mixed monolayers of two copolymers – methoxy[oligo(propylene glycol)] methacrylate and methoxy[oligo(ethylene glycol)] methacrylate (PK) and its analogue with N-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]methacrylamide) units quaternized with methyl iodide (PKq), and cholesterol on the aqueous subphase-air interface in the present of cerium compounds. The effect of the polymer-cerium composition on the oxidoruductase activity was investigated as well. The cationic polymer PKq was shown to exhibit higher specific activity of antioxidant enzymes than the non-ionic PK copolymer, increasing the activity of SOD by 20%, catalase – by 15%, GR – by 24%, G6PD – by 88%, and AlDH – by 10%. In the presence of cerium compounds (Ce(NO3)3, NH4[Ce(NO3)3], CeO2 nanoparticles) these effects increased significantly. Cholesterol in a monolayer of polymers contributed to an increase of compressibility modulus Cs−1 under the influence of cerium ions in mixed monolayers by approximately two times compared to mixed Chol+polymers monolayers on water, and Cs−1 became 640 mN/m for Chol+PK monolayers and 700 mN/m for Chol+PKq monolayers. AFM and wettability study suggest elastic structure of transferred mixed monolayers that is suitable for designing a drug delivery system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) released from dead cells could be a player in some autoimmune disorders by activating Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) and inducing proinflammatory cytokines. Cationic nanoparticles (cNPs) address cfDNA clearance, yet challenges persist, including toxicity, low specificity and ineffectiveness against endocytosed cfDNA. This study introduced pH-sensitive cNPs, reducing off-target effects and binding cfDNA at inflammatory sites. This unique approach inhibits the TLR9 pathway, offering a novel strategy for inflammation modulation. Synthesized cNPs, with distinct cationic moieties, exhibit varied pKa values, enhancing cfDNA binding. Comprehensive studies elucidate the mechanism, demonstrating minimal extracellular binding, enhanced endosomal DNA binding, and optimal tumor necrosis factor-α suppression. In a traumatic brain injury mice model, pH-sensitive cNPs effectively suppress inflammatory cytokines, highlighting their potential in acute inflammation regulation. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The thermosensitive ceramics of negative temperature coefficient (NTC), SrCo 1- x Ru x O 3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.8), were synthesized using the solid-phase method. The research systematically explored the phase structure, microstructure, elemental chemical states, electrical properties, and aging performance. X-ray diffraction (XRD) data indicates that with the increase of Ru content, the lattice parameter increases. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images reveal a dense and uniform microstructure. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) data indicates the presence of Co2+/Co3+ and Ru4+/Ru5+ ion pairs. Resistive temperature data indicates its potential use as a low-temperature thermosensitive resistance material in the range of 2–300 K. Fitting the resistance-temperature curve using the thermally activated band conduction model and Mott's 3D variable range hopping model. Proposed the Ru–O2--Co hopping model, elucidating the hole hopping transport mechanism in NTC ceramics. Impedance spectroscopy analysis indicates that grain boundary resistance dominates the overall resistance of the sample. After aging at 77 K for 864 h, the maximum aging drift rate of the ceramic material is 1.55 %. Proposed a novel cationic vacancy diffusion model to explain aging phenomena, offering a new perspective for designing high-stability low-temperature NTC thermistors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

β-Hydroxy esters are essential building blocks utilised by the pharmaceutical and food industries in the synthesis of functional products. The asymmetric reduction of β-keto esters using cell-free enzymes presents a viable approach to manufacture enantiomerically pure β-hydroxy esters. However, the unbearable economic costs underlying enzymes and cofactors call for innovative approaches to maximise their reusability. Herein, we develop two self-sufficient Heterogeneous Biocatalysts (ssHBs) for the enantiodivergent reduction of β-keto esters to yield enantiomerically pure β-hydroxy esters. A thermophilic (S)-3-hydroxybutyryl-CoA dehydrogenase from Thermus thermophilus HB27 (TtHBDH) and an (R)-specific ketoreductase from Lactobacillus kefir (LkKRED) are selected, kinetically characterised, and immobilised onto macroporous agarose beads. Finally, the immobilised enzymes are coated with cationic polymers to co-immobilise the required redox cofactors. The resulting ssHBs catalyse the asymmetric reduction of β-keto esters without the exogenous supply of NAD(P)H and using 2-propanol as an ancillary electron donor. Then, we construct two enantiodivergent packed bed reactors (PBRs) integrating these two ssHBs and determine their optimal operational parameters through condition screening and kinetic simulations. The ssHBs in continuous flow operation exhibit good operational stability, illustrated by a maximum Space-Time Yield (STY) of 49.5 g L−1 h−1 for the continuous production of enantiopure ethyl 3-(R)-hydroxybutyrate over 21 days. Under these conditions, LkKRED and NADPH achieve total turnover numbers of 9.3 × 105 and 2.7 × 104, respectively. Upon mass metric analysis, we conclude that these ssHBs meet the efficiency and sustainability standards to be implemented in some industrial processes, advancing the concept of self-sufficient biocatalysis for process intensification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antibacterial coatings are becoming increasingly attractive for application in the field of biomaterials. In this framework, we developed polymer coating zirconia with antibacterial activity using the "grafting from" methodology. First, 1-(4-vinylbenzyl)-3-butylimidazolium chloride monomer was synthesized. Then, the surface modification of zirconia substrates was performed with this monomer via surface-initiated photo atom transfer radical polymerization for antibacterial activity. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, ellipsometry, static contact angle measurements, and an atomic force microscope were used to characterize the films for each step of the surface modification. The results revealed that cationic polymers could be successfully deposited on the zirconia surfaces, and the thickness of the grafted layer steadily increased with polymerization time. Finally, the antibacterial adhesion test was used to evaluate the antibacterial activity of the modified zirconia substrates, and we successfully showed the antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cationic polymers are a class of promising carriers for nucleic acid delivery. However, the balance between biosafety and transfection efficiency is still a major obstacle for nucleic acid delivery. Accurate structural design can effectively evaluate the relationship between structural factors and nucleic acid delivery. Previously designed series of vectors optimized based on artificial amino acid Stp have been shown to effectively improve gene transfection. Here, a series of sequenced-defined oligomers containing hydrophobic oleic acid with different topologies, different charge densities and with or without crosslinking cystine domains were designed and synthesized for a better understanding of the structure-activity relationship. The oligomers were further mixed with either pDNA or siRNA to form polyplexes. The particle size, zeta potential, formation properties, in vitro stability and reductive responsiveness of the polyplexes were investigated. In addition, studies regarding the transfection efficiency, cellular uptake, cellular trafficking, cytotoxicity and hemolysis were performed. The resulting oligomers display general good complexation ability with pDNA and siRNA with enhanced stability and redox sensitivity. Some of the oligomers showed adequate or surpassed transfection efficiency compared with PEI. The polyplexes formed with oligomer #1 have good cellular uptake and endo-lysosome escape properties. In addition, all the oligomers and the polyplexes showed low cytotoxicity and hemolysis, and demonstrated high biocompatibility. In summary, the results evidenced that tuning the charge density combined with hydrophobic oleic acid and thiol crosslinking cystine improves the overall performance in delivering pDNA and siRNA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oral diseases are prevalent but challenging diseases owing to the highly movable and wet, microbial and inflammatory environment. Polymeric materials are regarded as one of the most promising biomaterials due to their good compatibility, facile preparation, and flexible design to obtain multifunctionality. Therefore, a variety of strategies have been employed to develop materials with improved therapeutic efficacy by overcoming physicobiological barriers in oral diseases. In this review, we summarize the design strategies of polymeric biomaterials for the treatment of oral diseases. First, we present the unique oral environment including highly movable and wet, microbial and inflammatory environment, which hinders the effective treatment of oral diseases. Second, a series of strategies for designing polymeric materials towards such a unique oral environment are highlighted. For example, multifunctional polymeric materials are armed with wet-adhesive, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory functions through advanced chemistry and nanotechnology to effectively treat oral diseases. These are achieved by designing wet-adhesive polymers modified with hydroxy, amine, quinone, and aldehyde groups to provide strong wet-adhesion through hydrogen and covalent bonding, and electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions, by developing antimicrobial polymers including cationic polymers, antimicrobial peptides, and antibiotic-conjugated polymers, and by synthesizing anti-inflammatory polymers with phenolic hydroxy and cysteine groups that function as immunomodulators and electron donors to reactive oxygen species to reduce inflammation. Third, various delivery systems with strong wet-adhesion and enhanced mucosa and biofilm penetration capabilities, such as nanoparticles, hydrogels, patches, and microneedles, are constructed for delivery of antibiotics, immunomodulators, and antioxidants to achieve therapeutic efficacy. Finally, we provide insights into challenges and future development of polymeric materials for oral diseases with promise for clinical translation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the field of gene delivery, hydrophobic cationic copolymers hold great promise. They exhibit improved performance by effectively protecting genetic material from serum interactions while facilitating interactions with cellular membranes. However, managing cytotoxicity remains a significant challenge, prompting an investigation into suitable hydrophobic components. A particularly encouraging approach involves integrating nutrient components, like lipoic acid, which is known for its antioxidant properties and diverse cellular benefits such as cellular metabolism and growth. In this study, a copolymer library comprising 2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) and lipoic acid methacrylate (LAMA), combined with either n‐butyl methacrylate (nBMA), ethyl methacrylate (EMA), or methyl methacrylate (MMA), is synthesized. This enables to probe the impact of lipoic acid incorporation while simultaneously exploring the influence of pendant acyclic alkyl chain length. The inclusion of lipoic acid results in a notable boost in transfection efficiency while maintaining low cytotoxicity. Interestingly, higher levels of transfection efficiency are achieved in the presence of nBMA, EMA, or MMA. However, a positive correlation between pendant acyclic alkyl chain length and cytotoxicity is observed. Consequently, P(DMAEMA‐co‐LAMA‐co‐MMA), emerges as a promising candidate. This is attributed to the optimal combination of low cytotoxic MMA and transfection‐boosting LAMA, highlighting the crucial synergy between LAMA and MMA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In cancer therapy, photodynamic therapy (PDT) has attracted significant attention due to its high potential for tumor-selective treatment. However, PDT agents often exhibit poor physicochemical properties, including solubility, necessitating the development of nanoformulations. In this study, we developed two cationic peptide-based self-assembled nanomaterials by using a PDT agent, chlorin e6 (Ce6). To manufacture biocompatible nanoparticles based on peptides, we used the cationic poly-L-lysine peptide, which is rich in primary amines. We prepared low- and high-molecular-weight poly-L-lysine, and then evaluated the formation and performance of nanoparticles after chemical conjugation with Ce6. The results showed that both molecules formed self-assembled nanoparticles by themselves in saline. Interestingly, the high-molecular-weight poly-L-lysine and Ce6 conjugates (HPLCe6) exhibited better self-assembly and PDT performance than low-molecular-weight poly-L-lysine and Ce6 conjugates (LPLCe6). Moreover, the HPLCe6 conjugates showed superior cellular uptake and exhibited stronger cytotoxicity in cell toxicity experiments. Therefore, it is functionally beneficial to use high-molecular-weight poly-L-lysine in the manufacturing of poly-L-lysine-based self-assembling biocompatible PDT nanoconjugates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Typical examples of non-viral vectors are binary complexes of plasmid DNA with cationic polymers such as polyethyleneimine (PEI). However, problems such as cytotoxicity and hemagglutination, owing to their positively charged surfaces, hinder their in vivo use. Coating binary complexes with anionic polymers, such as γ-polyglutamic acid (γ-PGA), can prevent cytotoxicity and hemagglutination. However, the role of interactions between these complexes and serum components in in vivo gene transfer remains unclear. In this study, we analyzed the contribution of serum components to in vivo gene transfer using PEI/plasmid DNA binary complexes and γ-PGA/PEI/plasmid DNA ternary complexes. In binary complexes, heat-labile components in the serum greatly contribute to the hepatic and splenic gene expression of the luciferase gene. In contrast, serum albumin and salts affected the hepatic and splenic gene expression in the ternary complexes. Changes in physicochemical characteristics, such as increased particle size and decreased absolute values of ζ-potential, might be involved in the enhanced gene expression. These findings would contribute to a better understanding of in vivo non-viral gene transfer using polymers, such as PEI and γ-PGA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The microstructure of polymer chain of low molecular weight polybutadienes synthesized with cationic initiating systems has been investigated using one-dimensional (13C, 13C with a T2-filter, and 13C DEPT-135°) and two-dimensional 1H—13C (HSQC and HMBC) NMR spectroscopy. It was found that the unsaturated part of main polymer chain consists of 1,4-trans- and 1,2-structures with different combination of units. For the first time, structures of the head groups of polymers were identified, which are dimethylpropane fragments of the initiator (2-chloro-2-methyl-butane) connected with 1,4-trans- or 1,2-units of polybutadiene. Structures of two types (1,4-trans- and 1,2-) of chlorine-containing end groups were found. Methods for the calculation of the content of head and end groups, unsaturation and functionality of polybutadiene macromolecules on the terminal groups were developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] The mucoadhesive characteristics of amphoteric polymers (also known as polyampholytes) can vary and are influenced by factors such as the solution's pH and its relative position against their isoelectric point (pH IEP). Whilst the literature contains numerous reports on mucoadhesive properties of either cationic or anionic polymers, very little is known about these characteristics for polyampholytes Here, two amphoteric polymers were synthesized by reaction of linear polyethylene imine (l -PEI) with succinic or phthalic anhydride and their mucoadhesive properties were compared to bovine serum albumin (BSA), selected as a natural polyampholyte. Interactions between these polymers and porcine gastric mucin were studied using turbidimetric titration and isothermal titration calorimetry across a wide range of pHs. Model tablets were designed, coated with these polymers and tested to evaluate their adhesion to porcine gastric mucosa at different pHs. Moreover, a retention study using fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labelled polyampholytes deposited onto mucosal surfaces was also conducted All these studies indicated the importance of solution pH and its relative position against pH IEP in the mucoadhesive properties of polyampholytes. Both synthetic and natural polyampholytes exhibited strong interactions with mucin and good mucoadhesive properties at pH < pH IEP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three new PbII complexes [Pb(LI)(SCN)]n, {[Pb(LII)](SCN)}n and {[Pb(HLIII)(SCN)](SCN)}n (HLI = N′-phenyl(pyridin-2-yl)methylene-N-phenylthiosemicarbazide, HLII = N′-amino(pyrazin-2-yl)methylenethiosemicarbazide, HLIII = N′-amino(pyridin-2-yl)methylenethiosemicarbazide) have been synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic techniques and single crystal X-ray diffraction. In all complexes, the corresponding organic ligand behaves as a tridentate N,N′,S-chelating species. A 1D supramolecular polymeric aggregation in complex [Pb(LI)(SCN)]n is dictated by the Pb⋯NCS and Pb⋯S＝C tetrel bonds formed between the [Pb(LI)(SCN)] species. 1D cationic coordination polymers ([Pb(LII)])nn+ in the structure of complex {[Pb(LII)](SCN)}n are linked into a 2D supramolecular polymeric layer through the Pb⋯NCS tetrel bonds and Pb⋯π(NCS) interactions formed with the nitrogen atom and the conjugated system of the free SCN− anions, respectively. The cationic species [Pb(HLIII)(SCN)]+ in the structure of complex {[Pb(HLIII)(SCN)](SCN)}n produce a 1D supramolecular polymer due to the Pb⋯SCN and Pb⋯S＝C tetrel bonds, further stabilized by the Pb⋯π(NCS) interactions formed with the conjugated system of the coordinated NCS− anion. The latter anions also link these 1D chains through the Pb⋯SCN tetrel bonds, yielding 1D supramolecular polymeric ribbons. The energetic relevance of the Pb⋯S and Pb⋯N tetrel bonds has been studied by DFT calculations. The tetrel bonds have been characterized using QTAIM and NCIplot analysis and rationalized using molecular electrostatic potential surface calculations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Researchers have been chasing plastics that can automatically and fully degrade into valuable products under natural conditions. Here, we develop a series of water‐degradable polymers from the first reported fast and selective cationic copolymerization of formaldehyde (B) with cyclic anhydrides (A). In addition to readily accessible monomers, the method is performed at industrially relevant temperatures (~100 °C), takes tens or even minutes, and uses common acid as the catalyst. Interestingly, such polymers possess tunable AB/ABB‐type repeating units, which are considered to be thermodynamic and kinetic products, respectively, resulting in low carbon content ([O] : [C] up to 1 : 1). Notably, the polymers can completely degrade to valuable diacids within 150 days in water at ambient temperature owing to the incorporation of carboxyl terminals and acid‐responsive acetal units. By washing with aqueous sodium carbonate, the polymers are relatively stable over several months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Researchers have been chasing plastics that can automatically and fully degrade into valuable products under natural conditions. Here, we develop a series of water‐degradable polymers from the first reported fast and selective cationic copolymerization of formaldehyde (B) with cyclic anhydrides (A). In addition to readily accessible monomers, the method is performed at industrially relevant temperatures (~100 °C), takes tens or even minutes, and uses common acid as the catalyst. Interestingly, such polymers possess tunable AB/ABB‐type repeating units, which are considered to be thermodynamic and kinetic products, respectively, resulting in low carbon content ([O] : [C] up to 1 : 1). Notably, the polymers can completely degrade to valuable diacids within 150 days in water at ambient temperature owing to the incorporation of carboxyl terminals and acid‐responsive acetal units. By washing with aqueous sodium carbonate, the polymers are relatively stable over several months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents the results of applying the methods of synthesizing mesoporous carbon and mesoporous polymer materials with an extended porous mesostructure as adsorbents for cationic dye molecules. Both types of adsorbents are synthetic materials. The aim of the presented research was the preparation, characterisation, and utilisation of obtained mesoporous adsorbents. The physicochemical properties, morphology, and porous structure characteristics of the obtained materials were determined using low-temperature nitrogen sorption isotherms, X-ray diffraction (XRD), small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), and potentiometric titration measurements. The morphology and microstructure were imaged using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The chemical characterisation of the surface chemistry of the adsorbents, which provides information about the surface-active groups, the elemental composition, and the electronic state of the elements, was carried out using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The adsorption properties of the mesoporous materials were determined using equilibrium and kinetic adsorption experiments for three selected cationic dyes (derivatives of thiazine (methylene blue) and triarylmethane (malachite green and crystal violet)). The adsorption capacity was analysed to the nanostructural and surface properties of used materials. The Generalized Langmuir equation was applied for the analysis of adsorption isotherm data. The adsorption study showed that the carbon materials have a higher sorption capacity for both methylene blue and crystal violet, e.g., 0.88–1.01 mmol/g and 0.33–0.44 mmol/g, respectively, compared to the polymer materials (e.g., 0.038–0.044 mmol/g and 0.038–0.050 mmol/g, respectively). The kinetics of dyes adsorption was closely correlated with the structural properties of the adsorbents. The kinetic data were analysed using various equations: first-order (FOE), second-order (SOE), mixed 1,2-order (MOE), multi-exponential (m-exp), and fractal-like MOE (f-MOE). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protein amyloids have attracted attention for their application as functional amyloid materials because of their strong properties, such as high resistance to chemical or biological degradation, despite their medical issues. Amyloids can be used for various applications by modifying the amyloid surface with functional materials, such as proteins and polymers. In this study, we investigated the effect of polyallylamine (PAA), a functional cationic polymer as a candidate for amyloid modification, on the amyloids formed from amyloid β (Aβ) peptide. It was demonstrated for the first time that PAA can bind to Aβ amyloids through fluorescence observations and the quenched emission from the tyrosine at site 10 near the fibrillogenic core. These results suggest that PAA could be used to develop new functional amyloids. However, notably, coating Aβ amyloid with PAA could affect conventional amyloid detection assays such as thioflavin T assay and detection using antibodies. Thus, our results also indicate that consideration would be necessary for the analysis of functional amyloids coated with various polymers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The document is a contents list of the New Journal of Chemistry, published on March 14, 2024. It includes a variety of articles and papers on topics such as SARS-CoV-2 detection, synthesis of branched bottlebrushes, glycosyl sulfonation, catalytic behavior, and more. The journal, published by The Royal Society of Chemistry and the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, aims to explore new directions in chemistry. The document provides a comprehensive overview of the articles included in the journal issue, which cover a wide range of topics and provide valuable research and insights in their respective fields. [Extracted from the article]

The New Journal of Chemistry is a publication that focuses on the chemical sciences and aims to connect researchers worldwide. The document provided is a contents list for the journal's 2024 edition. It includes papers on various topics such as membrane modification, nanoparticle synthesis, targeted therapy, catalysis, and material properties. Two specific papers are highlighted: one discusses the use of cationic lipids in non-viral gene delivery, while the other explores the confinement of metal-organic framework (MOF) etching-induced hollow structures for enhanced activation of peroxymonosulfate. The journal is published by The Royal Society of Chemistry and the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique. [Extracted from the article]

Pseudorabies virus (PRV) is the causative agent of Aujeszky's disease, which is responsible for enormous economic losses to the global pig industry. Although vaccination has been used to prevent PRV infection, the effectiveness of vaccines has been greatly diminished with the emergence of PRV variants. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop anti-PRV drugs. Polyethylenimine (PEI) is a cationic polymer and has a wide range of antibacterial and antiviral activities. This study found that a low dose of 1 µg/mL of the 25-kDa linear PEI had significantly specific anti-PRV activity, which became more intense with increasing concentrations. Mechanistic studies revealed that the viral adsorption stage was the major target of PEI without affect ing viral entry, replication stages, and direct inactivation effects. Subsequently, we found that cationic polymers PEI and Polybrene interfered with the interaction between viral proteins and cell surface receptors through electrostatic interaction to exert the antiviral function. In conclusion, cationic polymers such as PEI can be a category of options for defense against PRV. Understanding the anti-PRV mechanism also deepens host-virus interactions and reveals new drug targets for anti-PRV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hereditary tyrosinemia type 1 (HT-1) is a rare autosomal recessive genetic disease with no effective cure at presen t. In recent years, gene-editing techniques such as base editor (BE) have been explored for treating HT-1. However, the delivery of nucleic acids faces challenges due to existing physiological barriers. In the present study, we constructed an asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR)-targeted polymer-lipid nanoparticle to enhance the delivery efficiency of therapeutic nucleic acids for HT-1. To deliver BE plasmids, a biodegradable cationic polymer, acrylate-amino alcohol copolymer was synthesized and demonstrated superior transfection efficiency compared to the commercially available transfection reagent, Hieff TransTM. Subsequently, DOPE-PEG-GalNAc was combined with copolymer nanoparticles to enhance the hepatocyte delivery of the nanoparticles. Upon loading the recombinant BE plasmid, Fah-pCMV-ABE6.3-EGFP, the polymer-lipid nanoparticles exhibited remarkable hepatocyte selectivity, with a transfection efficiency over 70-fold higher than that of the free plasmid. The study suggested that polymer-lipid nanoparticles, in combination with liver-targeted ligands, could effectively enhance the liver-targeted delivery of therapeutic BE plasmids, providing a promising vector for gene therapy of HT-1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carfilzomib (CFZ) is a second-generation proteasome inhibitor showing great efficacy in multiple myeloma treatment, yet its clinical applications for other diseases such as solid cancers are limited due to low aqueous solubility and poor biostability. Ternary polypeptide nanoparticles (tPNPs) are drug carriers that we previously reported to overcome these pharmaceutical limitations by entrapping CFZ in the core of the nanoparticles and protecting the drugs from degradation in biological media. However, preclinical studies revealed that tPNPs would require further improvement in particle stability to suppress initial burst drug release and thus achieve prolonged inhibition of proteasome activity with CFZ against tumor cells in vivo. In this study, CFZ-loaded tPNPs are stabilized by polycations which have varying pKa values and thus differently modulate nanoparticle stability in response to solution pH. Through polyion complexation, the polycations appeared to stabilize the core of tPNPs entrapping CFZ-cyclodextrin inclusion complexes while allowing for uniform particle size before and after freeze drying. Interestingly, CFZ-loaded tPNPs (CFZ/tPNPs) showed pH-dependent drug release kinetics, which accelerated CFZ release as solution acidity increased (pH < 6) without compromising particle stability at the physiological condition (pH 7.4). In vitro cytotoxicity and proteasome activity assays confirmed that tPNPs stabilized with cationic polymers improved bioactivity of CFZ against CFZ-resistant cancer cells, which would be greatly beneficial in combination with pH-dependent drug release for treatment of solid cancers with drug resistance and tumor microenvironment acidosis by using CFZ and other proteasome inhibitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melanoma, one of the most devastating forms of skin cancer, currently lacks effective clinical treatments. Delivery of functional genes to modulate specific protein expression to induce melanoma cell apoptosis could be a promising therapeutic approach. However, transfecting melanoma cells using non-viral methods, particularly with cationic polymers, presents significant challenges. In this study, we synthesized three branched poly(β-amino ester)s (HPAEs) with evenly distributed branching units but varying space lengths through a two-step "oligomer combination" strategy. The unique topological structure enables HPAEs to condense DNA to form nano-sized polyplexes with favorable physiochemical properties. Notably, HPAEs, especially HPAE-2 with intermediate branching unit space length, demonstrated significantly higher gene transfection efficiency than the leading commercial gene transfection reagent, jetPRIME, in human melanoma cells. Furthermore, HPAE-2 efficiently delivered the Bax-encoding plasmid into melanoma cells, leading to a pronounced pro-apoptotic effect without causing noticeable cytotoxicity. This study establishes a potent non-viral platform for gene transfection of melanoma cells by harnessing the distribution of branching units, paving the way for potential clinical applications of gene therapy in melanoma treatment. [Display omitted] • Transfecting melanoma cells using non-viral methods are notoriously difficult. • Cationic polymers HPAE-2 demonstrated significantly higher gene transfection efficiency than the leading commercial gene transfection reagent-jetPRIME in human melanoma cells. • HPAE-2 efficiently delivered the Bax-encoding plasmid into melanoma cells and led to a pronounced pro-apoptotic effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study deals with removing crude oil droplets from colloidal oil in water emulsions. The target was the development of efficient adsorbents for the tertiary treatment of industrial-produced water (PW). The novel adsorbent was designed from recycled low-density polyethylene (LDPE) powder grafted by the cationic polymer. The cationic polymer was synthesized directly on the LDPE surface by plasma-induced radical polymerization. A positively charged adsorbent was chosen due to the negative character of oily droplets to enhance separation efficiency in treating oil-water emulsions. The separation was performed in both batch and filtration modes. Absorption/adsorption uptake capacities showed a sigmoidal S-shape that was analyzed using the Sips model and compared with the newly developed empirical model. Both models showed a remarkable coincidence in the description of experimental data. The separation efficiency of the novel adsorbent was also tested in a filtration mode mimicking a commonly used deep-bed filtration technology. The comparison of the separation efficiency for various sorbents indicated a supreme performance of novel adsorbent. This study demonstrates the potential of a relatively cheap, prepared commodity-based adsorbent for the purification of emulsified oily polluted water in both batch and filtration configurations. This study also contributes to the recycling of polyethylene waste because LDPE attracts meager interest in recycled LLDPE due to many obstacles to reusing LDPE waste for its reprocessing as packaging materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a cationic amphiphilic self-assembling peptide (SAP) Z23 was designed, and a simple bisphenol a (BPA) sensor, based on SAP Z23/multiwalled carbon nanotubes (Z23/MWCNTs) composite, was successfully fabricated on the surface of a glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The composite material was formed by π-π stacking interaction between the aromatic group on the hydrophobic side of Z23 and the side-wall of MWCNTs, with the charged hydrophilic group of Z23 exposed. During the electrocatalytic process of BPA, a synergistic effect was observed between Z23 and MWCNTs. The current response of the sensor based on composite material was 3.24 times that of the MWCNTs-modified electrode, which was much higher than that of the peptide-based electrode. Differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) was used to optimize the experimental conditions affecting the analytical performance of the modified electrode. Under optimal conditions, the linear range of the sensor was from 10 nM to 100 μM by amperometric measurement with sensitivity and limit of detection (LOD) at 6.569 μAμM−1cm−2 and 1.28 nM (S/N = 3), respectively. Consequently, the sensor has excellent electrochemical performance and is easy to fabricate, making it a good prospect in the field of electrochemical detection in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, p‐type polymer semiconductor poly(2‐((3,6,7,10,11‐pentakis (hexyloxy) triphenylene‐2‐yl)oxy)ethyl methacrylate) (PMHT) is added into polyetherimide (PEI). Benefiting from the electrostatic interaction between strong electrophilic charged phenyls of the PEI matrix and strong electronegative benzophenanthrene unit of the PMHT filler, the physical cross‐linked networks are formed in polymer blends. Meanwhile, the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital level of PEI is close to the highest occupied molecular orbital level of PMHT, which is easy to establish electron–hole pair by Coulomb force. Thus, the carrier trap is constructed in the heterojunction region between PMHT filler and PEI matrix. Both physically cross‐linked networks and electron–hole pairs can promote breakdown strength (Eb) of PEI and decrease energy loss. Importantly, PMHT filler can improve the dielectric constant of PEI. As a result, 0.75 wt% PMHT/PEI delivers an ultrahigh discharge energy density (Ud) of 10.7 J cm−3 at an Eb of 680 MV m−1 and at room temperature, and maintains a charge and discharge efficiency of above 90%. In addition, a superior Ud of 5.1 and 3.3 J cm−3 is achieved at 150 and 200 °C, respectively. This paper creates a new perspective for preparing high‐properties polymer dielectrics by combining the advantages of cross‐linking and electron–hole pairs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the antibacterial effects and physical properties of a novel resin composite incorporating poly[{2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl}trimethylammonium chloride] (poly(METAC)), a methacrylate cationic polymer comprising quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs). Resin composites incorporating poly(METAC) were fabricated by adding 6 wt.% METAC aqueous solution to a commercially available resin composite. The FE-SEM/EDS and Raman spec-troscopy analyses showed that METAC was assembled and polymerized in the resin composites after curing. The antibacterial effect was evaluated by inoculating Streptococcus mutans or Strepto-coccus sobrinus suspensions on the surface of cured resin composites, and the experimental resin composites incorporating poly(METAC) clusters exhibited bactericidal effects even after 28 days of ageing. The physical properties of the experimental resin composites were within the ISO-stipulated ranges. Newly fabricated resin composites containing the QAC-based poly(METAC) cluster ex-hibited long-term bactericidal effects against oral bacteria on their surfaces and demonstrated ac-ceptable physical properties for clinical use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medical device-associated infection remains a critical problem in the healthcare setting. Different clinical- or device-related methods have been attempted to reduce the infection rate. Among these approaches, creating a surface with bactericidal cationic functionality has been proposed. To do so, a sophisticated multi-step chemical procedure would be needed. Instead, a simple immersion approach was utilized in this investigation to render the titanium and polypropylene surface with the quaternary ammonium functionality by using a mussel-inspired novel lab-synthesized biomimetic catechol-terminated polymer, PQA-C8. The chemical oxidants, CuSO4/H2O2, as well as dopamine, were added into the novel PQA-C8 polymer immersion solution for one-step surface modification. Additionally, a two-step immersion scheme, in which the polypropylene substrate was first immersed in the dopamine solution and then in the PQA-C8 solution, was also attempted. Surface analysis results indicated the surface characteristics of the modified substrates were affected by the immersion solution formulation as well as the procedure utilized. The antibacterial assay has shown the titanium substrates modified by the one-step dopamine + PQA-C8 mixtures with the oxidants added and the polypropylene modified by the two-step scheme exhibited bacterial reduction percentages greater than 90% against both Gram-positive S. aureus and Gram-negative E. coli and these antibacterial substrates were non-cytotoxic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]