Molecular Model of a Quantum Dot Beyond the Constant Interaction Approximation.

We present a physically intuitive model of molecular quantum dots beyond the constant interaction approximation. It accurately describes their charging behavior and allows the extraction of important molecular properties that are otherwise experimentally inaccessible. The model is applied to data recorded with a noncontact atomic force microscope on three different molecules that act as a quantum dot when attached to the microscope tip. The results are in excellent agreement with first-principles simulations.

Coordination-triggered redox activity of early and late lanthanide calix[4]arene complexes.

The methylation of p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene in the distal 1,3-phenolic sites provides H2L = {p-tert-butylcalix[4](OMe)2(OH)2arene}. This unit acts as a rigid coordinating ligand to early and late lanthanide metal ions, enabling the construction of two families of mononuclear compounds featuring (N(nBu)4)[LnIIIL(acac)2]·CH3CN (Ln = Pr (1), Nd (2), Ho (3), and Er (4)) and (N(nBu)4)2[LnIIIL{Mo5O13(OMe)4(NO)}]·CH2Cl2 (Ln = Nd (5) and Er (6)). The metal ions adopt distorted bicapped trigonal prismatic coordination environments, resulting in slow relaxation of the magnetization for 4. These compounds exhibit reversible redox waves at positive potentials, centered within the calix[4]arene ligand, representing a new type of calix[n]arene-based electrochemical activity induced by coordination to the metal centers.

SEC24D gene as a biomarker in human cancers and its association with CD8+ T cell immune cell infiltration.

OBJECTIVE: The SEC24D (SEC24 Homolog D, COPII Coat Complex Component) gene belongs to the SEC24 subfamily of genes. The protein encoded by this gene, along with its other binding partners, mediates the transport of newly-synthesized proteins from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi apparatus. METHODS: A pan-cancer analysis of this gene, as well as its diagnostic and prognostic implications, are lacking in the medical literature. First, we analyzed SEC24D gene expression, its prognostic effect, promoter methylation level, genetic alteration landscape, pathways, CD8+ T immune cell infiltration, and gene-drug network in various types of cancer through various online databases and bioinformatic tools. Then, we performed the expression and methylation validation analysis of the SEC24D gene on cell lines using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and targeted bisulfite sequencing (bisulfite-seq) techniques. RESULTS: Bioinformatic analysis showed that the SEC24D gene was overexpressed in metastasis across Kidney Renal Clear Cell Carcinoma (KIRC), Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma (LUSC), and Stomach Adenocarcinoma (STAD) patients and was a prognostic risk factor. Then, using RNA sequencing and targeted bisulfite sequencing analysis, it was validated in cell lines that SEC24D was overexpressed and hypomethylated in KIRC patients. Mutational analysis revealed that SEC24D was mutated less frequently in KIRC, LUSC, and STAD patients. It was further observed that CD8+ T cell infiltration levels were increased in SEC24D-overexpressed KIRC, LUSC, and STAD samples. Pathway enrichment analysis of SEC24D-associated genes revealed their participation in two important pathways. Moreover, we suggested a few valuable drugs for treating KIRC, LUSC, and STAD patients with respect to overexpressed SEC24D. CONCLUSION: This is the first pan-cancer study that details the oncogenic roles of SEC24D among different cancers.

Hybrid lanthanide double-deckers based on calixarene and polyoxometalate units.

Complementarity of calixarene (H2L) and polyoxometalate ligands results in the first organic-inorganic [MIIIL{Mo5O13(OMe)4(NO)}]2- (M = Y, Gd and Dy) hybrid, directing the formation of a distorted square-antiprismatic MO8 ligand field and resulting in slow relaxation of the magnetisation for the Dy derivative.

Exploiting complementary ligands for the construction of square antiprismatic monometallic lanthanide SMMs.

The methylation of p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene in the distal 1,3-phenolic sites provides the ligand H2L = {p-tert-butylcalix[4](OMe)2(OH)2arene} that enables construction of heteroleptic mononuclear lanthanide complexes. The reaction of (N(nBu)4)(acac) (Hacac = acetylacetone), MIIICl3 and H2L under Schlenk conditions results in the formation of a family of (N(nBu)4)[MIIIL(acac)2] complexes where M = Y (1), Gd (2), Tb (3) and Dy (4). The metal ions are eight-coordinate in distorted square-antiprismatic coordination geometries, resulting in slow relaxation of the magnetisation for the Tb derivative.

Phthalocyanine-polyoxotungstate lanthanide double deckers.

Acetate ligand metathesis results in the first hybrid [MIII(Pc)(PW11O39)]6- (M = Y, Dy, Tb) double-decker scaffolds, where a phthalocyanate (Pc2-) and one of the conceptually most simple polyoxotungstates, a monolacunary Keggin cluster, are interlinked via a single rare earth ion. Characterisation includes high-resolution mass spectrometry, synchrotron-based single-crystal X-ray diffraction, various spectroscopic and electrochemical methods, and magnetic studies revealing slow relaxation of the magnetisation for the Dy derivate.