Rational Design of Molecularly Imprinted Polymers for Curcuminoids Binding: Computational and Experimental Approaches for the Selection of Functional Monomers.

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) have emerged as bespoke materials with versatile molecular applications. In this study, we propose a proof of concept for a methodology employing molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to guide the selection of functional monomers for curcuminoid binding in MIPs. Curcumin, demethoxycurcumin, and bisdemethoxycurcumin are phenolic compounds widely employed as spices, pigments, additives, and therapeutic agents, representing the three main curcuminoids of interest. Through MD simulations, we investigated prepolymerization mixtures composed of various functional monomers, including acrylamide (ACA), acrylic acid (AA), methacrylic acid (MAA), and N-vinylpyrrolidone (NVP), with ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as the cross-linker and acetonitrile as the solvent. Curcumin was selected as the template molecule due to its structural similarity to the other curcuminoids. Notably, the prepolymerization mixture containing NVP as the functional monomer demonstrated superior molecular recognition capabilities toward curcumin. This observation was supported by higher functional monomer molecules surrounding the template, a lower total nonbonded energy between the template and monomer, and a greater number of hydrogen bonds in the aggregate. These findings suggest a stronger affinity between the functional monomer NVP and the template. We synthesized, characterized, and conducted binding tests on the MIPs to validate the MD simulation results. The experimental binding tests confirmed that the MIP-NVP exhibited higher binding capacity. Consequently, based on MD simulations, our computational methodology effectively guided the selection of the functional monomer, leading to MIPs with binding capacity for curcuminoids. The outcomes of this study provide a valuable reference for the rational design of MIPs through MD simulations, facilitating the selection of components for MIPs. This computational approach holds the potential for extension to other templates, establishing a robust methodology for the rational design of MIPs.

Correction: Velasco-Amo et al. Use of traC Gene to Type the Incidence and Distribution of pXFAS_5235 Plasmid-Bearing Strains of Xylella fastidiosa subsp. fastidiosa ST1 in Spain. Plants 2022, 11, 1562.

In the original publication [...].

pH-Sensitive Acrylic Terpolymers for the Coating of Orally Administered Drugs Used for Colonic Release.

Polymeric coatings are a promising option for the development of delivery systems for orally administered drugs. However, the gastrointestinal conditions to which they are subjected, which include low pH and solubility as well as peristaltic movements, can limit their applications. In this work, different formulations of polymeric coatings were produced using pH-sensitive materials consisting of copolymers of methyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, and methacrylic acid. The polymers were synthesized by the emulsion polymerization technique, obtaining small average particle sizes (56-190 nm), molecular weights between 200,000 and 400,000 g/mol, and a glass transition temperature above 35 °C, which are suitable for film formation at room temperature. Thus, they were assessed as coatings for hydroxypropyl methylcellulose capsules (HPMC) using the immersion method, showing adequate capacity to protect the capsule at gastric pH (pH 1.2) and dissolve at the simulated intestinal pH (pH= 7.2). In particular, the higher the content of the acidic monomer, the higher the release time of the test molecule contained in the acrylic terpolymer-coated HPMC capsules proposed, which was a curcuminoid derivative due to their bright color and potential medical benefits. In addition, a minimum number of immersions was required for coating the HPMC capsules at high acidic concentrations, which further facilitates the delayed release needed for colonic treatment. However, too high proportions of methacrylic acid may result in cytotoxicity issues. Consequently, a biocompatible formulation containing a proportion of methyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, and methacrylic acid of 7:3:3 is proposed as the most adequate for colonic release. Thus, by chemically modulating the molar percentages of the acrylic monomers, it was possible to obtain tailored acrylic terpolymer coatings with different characteristics and desired properties in order to modulate the release kinetics of an active substance in a colonic environment.

Bronquiolitis respiratoria y neumonía descamativa asociada a fungemia por trichosporon asahii en inmunocompetente: a propósito de un caso / Respiratory bronchiolitis and desquamative interstitial pneumonia associated with fungemia by trichosporon asahii in immunocompetent: a case report / Bronquiolite respiratória e pneumonia intersticial desquamativa associada a fungômia por trichosporon asahii em imuno-componente: um relato de caso

Trichosporon asahii es un hongo patógeno emergente reportado en la literatura médica principalmente en pacientes inmunocomprometidos. No obstante, el presente caso es inusual debido a que se trata de un paciente adulto joven inmunocompetente que presentó fungemia por T. asahii y al mismo tiempo desarrolló insuficiencia respiratoria aguda por bronquiolitis respiratoria y neumonía descamativa, la cual resolvió posterior al tratamiento antimicótico instaurado, soporte ventilatorio y vigilancia en Unidad de Cuidado Intesivo (UCI).

Trichosporon asahii is an emerging fungal pathogen reported in the medical literature mainly in immunologically compromised patients. However, this case is unusual because is a young immunocompetent patient who developed fungemia by T. asahii simultaneously with acute respiratory failure, respiratory bronchiolitis and desquamative interstitial pneumonia, who responded satisfactorily to ventilatory support and antifungal therapy.

Trichosporon asahii é um patógeno fúngico emergente relatado na literatura médica principalmente em pacientes imunologicamente comprometidos. No entanto, este caso é incomum porque é um jovem imunocompetente que desenvolveu fungemia por T. asahii simultaneamente com insuficiência respiratória aguda, bronquiolite respiratória e pneumonia intersticial descamativa, que responderam satisfatoriamente ao suporte ventilatório e à terapia antifúngica.

Fibrinógeno-trombina como tratamiento puente en un caso de hemoptisis masiva / Fibrinogen-thrombin as bridge therapy in massive hemoptysis

Se presenta el caso de una paciente joven con hemoptisis masiva por tuberculosis que no pudo ser controlada de forma efectiva con la inserción de un catéter Fogarty por un fibrobroncoscopio. Ante esto y el alto riesgo de asfixia o desangramiento, se decidió infundir fibrinógeno-trombina a través de un catéter, introducido por el fibrobroncoscopio; con esto se logró controlar el sangrado, intubarla con un tubo orotraqueal de doble luz y estabilizarla para remitirla a otra institución, donde fue sometida a lobectomía y se le proporcionó tratamiento antituberculoso. La infusión de fibrinógeno-trombina podría considerarse como una opción terapéutica transitoria, de tipo puente, mientras se practica el manejo definitivo.

This article presents the case of a young woman with massive hemoptysis (1,000 mL in 6 hours) due to tuberculosis, which could not be controlled by insertion of a Fogarty catheter through a fiber-optic bronchoscope. Because of asphyxia and persistent bleeding risk we instilled fibrinogen-thrombin through a fiber-optic bronchoscope inserted catheter, achieving bleeding cessation and permitting the placing of a double-lumen oro-tracheal tube. Later on, the patient underwent lobectomy and anti-tuberculosis treatment. The fibrinogen-thrombin could be considered as a bridge, transitory measure for massive hemoptysis, while definitive treatment could be established.