Tetraphenylethene Derivatives Bearing Alkylammonium Substituents: Synthesis, Chemical Properties, and Application as BSA, Telomere DNA, and Hydroxyl Radical Sensors.

Tetraphenylethene derivatives (TPEs) are used as luminescence probes for the detection of metal ions and biomolecules. These sensors function by monitoring the increase in the photoluminescence (PL) intensity of the TPEs resulting from aggregation-induced emission (AIE) upon interaction with the analytes. The AIE behavior of the sensors was investigated by measuring their PL. In this study, PL, PL lifetime, and confocal laser scanning microscopy measurements were carried out as part of our in-depth investigation of AIE behavior of TPEs for the detection of biomolecules and radical species. We used 1,1,2,2-tetrakis(4-((trimethylammonium)alkoxy)phenyl)tetraphenylethene tetrabromide (TPE-C(m)N+Me3Br-, m = 2, 4, and 6, where m denotes the number of methylene groups in the alkyl chain) and TPE-C(m)N+Me3TCNQ-• (TCNQ-• is the 7,7',8,8'-tetracyanoquinodimethane anion radical) as luminescent probes for the detection of bovine serum albumin (BSA), DNA, and the hydroxyl radical (•OH) generated from Fenton's reagent. The sensing performance of TPE-C(m)N+Me3Br- for BSA and DNA was found to depend on the length of the alkyl chains (m). UV-vis and PL measurements revealed that the responses of TPE-C(m)N+Me3Br- and TPE-C(4)N+TCNQ-• to Fenton's reagent depended on the solvent. The electrochemical properties of the TPE derivatives prepared in this study were additionally investigated via cyclic voltammetry.

Near-atomic, non-icosahedrally averaged structure of giant virus Paramecium bursaria chlorella virus 1.

Giant viruses are a large group of viruses that infect many eukaryotes. Although components that do not obey the overall icosahedral symmetry of their capsids have been observed and found to play critical roles in the viral life cycles, identities and high-resolution structures of these components remain unknown. Here, by determining a near-atomic-resolution, five-fold averaged structure of Paramecium bursaria chlorella virus 1, we unexpectedly found the viral capsid possesses up to five major capsid protein variants and a penton protein variant. These variants create varied capsid microenvironments for the associations of fibers, a vesicle, and previously unresolved minor capsid proteins. Our structure reveals the identities and atomic models of the capsid components that do not obey the overall icosahedral symmetry and leads to a model for how these components are assembled and initiate capsid assembly, and this model might be applicable to many other giant viruses.

Water-soluble oligofluorenes bearing N1-alkylcytosine side chains as turn-on and turn-off materials in telomere DNA length sensing.

Water-soluble cationic and anionic oligofluorenes bearing N1-alkylcytosine side chains, namely OF-1 and OF-2, were synthesized. The photoluminescence (PL) intensity of an aqueous solution of OF-1 decreased on the addition of (TTAGGG)m as telomere DNA models. In contrast, the PL intensity of OF-2 increased on the addition of DNA.

Optimization of parameters for femoral component implantation during TKA using finite element analysis and orthogonal array testing.

BACKGROUND: Individualized and accurate implantation of a femoral component during total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is essential in achieving equal distribution of intra-articular stress and long-term survival of the prosthesis. However, individualized component implantation remains challenging. This study aimed to optimize and individualize the positioning parameters of a femoral component in order to facilitate its accurate implantation. METHODS: Using computer-simulated TKA, the positioning parameters of a femoral component were optimized individually by finite element analysis in combination with orthogonal array testing. Flexion angle, valgus angle, and external rotation angle were optimized in order to reduce the peak value of the pressure on the polyethylene liner of the prosthesis. RESULTS: The optimal implantation parameters of the femoral component were as follows: 1° flexion, 5° valgus angle, and 4° external rotation. Under these conditions, the peak value of the pressure on the polyethylene liner surface was minimized to 16.46 MPa. Among the three parameters, the external rotation angle had the greatest effect on the pressure, followed by the valgus angle and the flexion angle. CONCLUSION: Finite element analysis in combination with orthogonal array testing can optimize the implantation parameters of a femoral component for TKA. This approach would possibly reduce the wear of the polyethylene liner and prolong the survival of the TKA prosthesis, due to its capacity to minimize stress. This technique represents a new method for preoperative optimization of the implantation parameters that can achieve the best possible TKA outcome.

Eco-friendly synthesis of ionic helical polymers and their chemical properties and reactivity.

Reaction of N-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)pyridinium chloride (salt(Cl-)) with sodium dicyanamide (Na(CN)2N) resulted in anion exchange between Cl- and (CN)2N- to yield a new Zincke salt, salt((CN)2N-). Reactions of salt((CN)2N-) with piperazine, specifically (R)-(-)- or (S)-(+)-2-methylpiperazine under eco-friendly conditions, such as in aqueous solution, in the absence of a catalyst, and at room temperature, resulted in pyridinium ring opening to yield ionic high-molecular-weight polymers with 5-2,4-dienylideneammonium dicyanamide units or chiral 5-(2-methylpiperazinium)-2,4-dienylideneammonium dicyanamide units, namely, polymer(H;(CN)2N-), polymer(R-Me;(CN)2N-), and polymer(S-Me;(CN)2N-). UV-Vis measurements revealed that the π-conjugation system expanded along the polymer chain due to the orbital interaction between the electrons on the two nitrogen atoms of the piperazinium ring. Circular dichroism (CD) measurements revealed a helical conformation of the main chain in polymer(R-Me;(CN)2N-) and polymer(S-Me;(CN)2N-). The reaction of polymer(H;(CN)2N-) with p-phenylenediamine (PDA) caused recyclization of the 2,4-dienylideneammonium unit and resulted in depolymerization to yield N-(4-aminophenyl)pyridinium dicyanamide. Cyclic voltammetry analysis suggested that the polymers obtained in this study undergo electrochemical oxidation and reduction.

Synthesis of Isothianaphthene (ITN) and 3,4-Ethylenedioxy-Thiophene (EDOT)-Based Low-Bandgap Liquid Crystalline Conjugated Polymers.

Copolymers, consisting of isothianaphthene and phenylene derivatives with liquid crystal groups, were synthesized via Migita-Kosugi-Stille polycondensation reaction. IR absorption, UV-vis optical absorption, and PL spectroscopy measurements were carried out. Thermotropic liquid crystallinity of the polymers with bandgap of ~2.5 eV was confirmed.