A review of multi-disciplinary decomposition research and key drivers of variation in decay.

The decomposition of animal remains is a multifaceted process, involving ecological, biological, and chemical interactions. While the complexity is acknowledged through concepts like the necrobiome, it's unclear if this complexity is reflected in research. Appreciation of the complexity of decomposition is crucial for identifying sources of variation in estimations of time since death in medico-legal science, as well as building broader ecological knowledge of the decomposition process. To gain insights into the extent of multidisciplinary research in the field of decomposition science, we conducted an examination of peer-reviewed literature on four key drivers of variation: volatile organic compounds, microbes, drugs/toxins, and insects. Among 650 articles, we identified their scientific discipline, driver/s of variation investigated, and year of publication. We found that 19% explored relationships between two drivers, while only 4% investigated interactions between three. None considered all four drivers. Over the past three decades, there has been a steady increase in decomposition research publications, signifying its growing importance. Most research (79%) was linked to forensic science, highlighting opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration in decomposition science. Overall, our review underscores the need to incorporate multidisciplinary approaches and theory into contemporary decomposition research.

Self-Assembled Peptide Habitats to Model Tumor Metastasis.

Metastatic tumours are complex ecosystems; a community of multiple cell types, including cancerous cells, fibroblasts, and immune cells that exist within a supportive and specific microenvironment. The interplay of these cells, together with tissue specific chemical, structural and temporal signals within a three-dimensional (3D) habitat, direct tumour cell behavior, a subtlety that can be easily lost in 2D tissue culture. Here, we investigate a significantly improved tool, consisting of a novel matrix of functionally programmed peptide sequences, self-assembled into a scaffold to enable the growth and the migration of multicellular lung tumour spheroids, as proof-of-concept. This 3D functional model aims to mimic the biological, chemical, and contextual cues of an in vivo tumor more closely than a typically used, unstructured hydrogel, allowing spatial and temporal activity modelling. This approach shows promise as a cancer model, enhancing current understandings of how tumours progress and spread over time within their microenvironment.

Colour tuning and enhancement of gel-based electrochemiluminescence devices utilising Ru(ii) and Ir(iii) complexes.

Combining luminophores in ratios that compensate for energy transfer provides a readily selectable range of new emission colours for gel-based electrochemiluminescence devices (ECLDs). A novel blue ECLD luminophore is also introduced and shown to enhance the intensity of the conventional green emitter through a mixed annihilation ECL mechanism. Peak-to-peak voltages were minimised using asymmetric potential pulse sequences, which increased the longevity of the ECLD emission.

Secondary Self-Assembly of Supramolecular Nanotubes into Tubisomes and Their Activity on Cells.

The properties and structures of viruses are directly related to the three-dimensional structure of their capsid proteins, which arises from a combination of hydrophobic and supramolecular interactions, such as hydrogen bonds. The design of synthetic materials demonstrating similar synergistic interactions still remains a challenge. Herein, we report the synthesis of a polymer/cyclic peptide conjugate that combines the capability to form supramolecular nanotubes via hydrogen bonds with the properties of an amphiphilic block copolymer. The analysis of aqueous solutions by scattering and imaging techniques revealed a barrel-shaped alignment of single peptide nanotubes into a large tubisome (length: 260 nm (from SANS)) with a hydrophobic core (diameter: 16 nm) and a hydrophilic shell. These systems, which have a structure that is similar to those of viruses, were tested in vitro to elucidate their activity on cells. Remarkably, the rigid tubisomes are able to perforate the lysosomal membrane in cells and release a small molecule into the cytosol.

Coassembled nanostructured bioscaffold reduces the expression of proinflammatory cytokines to induce apoptosis in epithelial cancer cells.

The local inflammatory environment of the cell promotes the growth of epithelial cancers. Therefore, controlling inflammation locally using a material in a sustained, non-steroidal fashion can effectively kill malignant cells without significant damage to surrounding healthy cells. A promising class of materials for such applications is the nanostructured scaffolds formed by epitope presenting minimalist self-assembled peptides; these are bioactive on a cellular length scale, while presenting as an easily handled hydrogel. Here, we show that the assembly process can distribute an anti-inflammatory polysaccharide, fucoidan, localized to the nanofibers within the scaffold to create a biomaterial for cancer therapy. We show that it supports healthy cells, while inducing apoptosis in cancerous epithelial cells, as demonstrated by the significant down-regulation of gene and protein expression pathways associated with epithelial cancer progression. Our findings highlight an innovative material approach with potential applications in local epithelial cancer immunotherapy and drug delivery.

Selective sensing of pyrophosphate in physiological media using zinc(II)dipicolylamino-functionalised peptides.

A series of linear peptide based anion receptors, in which the distance between the bis[zinc(II)dipicolylamine] binding sites and the peptide backbone was varied systematically, was prepared and their anion binding ability was investigated using indicator displacement assays. Shortening the distance between the binding site and the peptide backbone was found to enhance both the receptor affinity and selectivity for pyrophosphate over other organic polyphosphate anions in Krebs buffer with the maximum selectivity and affinity observed with a spacer length of two methylene units. The suitability of these receptors for the determination of pyrophosphate concentrations in Krebs buffer and in artificial urine was examined.

The influence of the framework: an anion-binding study using fused [n]polynorbornanes.

A series of bis-thiourea-functionalized [n]polynorbornane hosts (1-6) with increasing size were synthesized and their anion-binding properties were evaluated by using ¹H NMR spectroscopic titration and Job's plot analysis. The larger bis-thiourea-[3]polynorbornane scaffolds 4 and 5 bound acetate in a 1:1 (cooperative) arrangement, whereas the corresponding smaller norbornane host 2, identical in preorganization, bound acetate in a 1:2 (independent) arrangement. In contrast, the size of the framework had no influence on the binding of dihydrogenphosphate. These results clearly highlight the subtle influence that the framework itself can have on host-guest interactions.

Conformationally preorganised hosts for anions using norbornane and fused [n]polynorbornane frameworks.

Norbornane and fused [n]polynorbornane frameworks are readily synthesised, can be tailored to a variety of predictable geometries and can be functionalised regiospecifically. As such, these highly preorganised scaffolds offer the supramolecular chemist an excellent starting point when designing hosts for specific guests. This feature article will highlight the evolution of our research from relatively simple norbornane based anion receptors to more sophisticated tetrathioureido functionalised fused [n]polynorbornane hosts.

Examples of regioselective anion recognition among a family of two-, three-, and four-"armed" bis-, tris-, and tetrakis(thioureido) [n]polynorbornane hosts.

A family of conformationally preorganized, [n]polynorbornane-based anion hosts 1a,b-6a,b have been synthesized. The series includes receptors with 4, 8, and 12 H-bond donors. Using (1)H NMR titration techniques, evaluation of the new hosts against a series of alkyl and aryl dicarboxylates as well as a range of phosphoanionic species has revealed that the tris(thioureido) hosts (in particular 3a) are capable of regioselectively binding dicarboxylates and pyrophosphate (H(2)PPi(2-)).