Heterotelechelic Silicones: Facile Synthesis and Functionalization Using Silane-Based Initiators.

The synthetic utility of heterotelechelic polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) derivatives is limited due to challenges in preparing materials with high chain-end fidelity. In this study, anionic ring-opening polymerization (AROP) of hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane (D) monomers using a specifically designed silyl hydride (Si-H)-based initiator provides a versatile approach toward a library of heterotelechelic PDMS polymers. A novel initiator, where the Si-H terminal group is connected to a C atom (H-Si-C) and not an O atom (H-Si-O) as in traditional systems, suppresses intermolecular transfer of the Si-H group, leading to heterotelechelic PDMS derivatives with a high degree of control over chain ends.

Pre-analytical factors affect the accurate measurement of testosterone concentrations in plasma and serum of goats.

Several pre-analytical factors may influence the accurate measurements of testosterone (T) and therefore, these factors must be a significant concern. This study aimed to examine the effects of 1) time of sample collection, 2) delay to centrifugation, 3) sample matrix types, and 4) device and duration of sample storage on the T concentrations. Blood samples were collected from 34 bucks of Kacang goats.

CC Chemokine Receptor 5 Targeted Nanoparticles Imaging the Progression and Regression of Atherosclerosis Using Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography.

Chemokines and chemokine receptors play an important role in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis by mediating the trafficking of inflammatory cells. Chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) has major implications in promoting the development of plaques to advanced stage and related vulnerability. CCR5 antagonist has demonstrated the effective inhibition of atherosclerotic progression in mice, making it a potential biomarker for atherosclerosis management.

Polymer Stereocomplexation as a Scalable Platform for Nanoparticle Assembly.

DNA-mediated assembly of inorganic particles has demonstrated to be a powerful approach for preparing nanomaterials with a range of interesting optical and electrical properties. Building on this inspiration, we describe a generalizable gram-scale method to assemble nanoparticles through the formation of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) triple-helices. In this work, alkene-terminated (-) and (-) PMMA polymers were prepared and subsequently functionalized to afford nanoparticle ligands.