Impact of metal exchange on the electronic structure and optical properties of isostructural octa-coordinated Mo/Cd and W/Cd polynuclear cyanide polymers.

The electronic structure and related electronic properties of two novel isostructural octacyanometallates Cd(HO)[Mo(CN)]·2HO and Cd(HO)[W(CN)]·2HO are described from a combined experimental and computational approach. The impact that the octacoordinated heavy metals W and Mo have on the electronic structure and optical response of isostructural materials whose electronic properties strongly depend on the crystal structure is discussed. It is found that the effect of the polarization power of the metal centers, combined with the ligand field of cyanos, produces considerable changes in the electronic structure and, consequently, in the band gap energy.

A first principles study of the electronic structure and optical response of heterobimetallic M-dicyanoaurate-based coordination polymers (M = Mn, Co, Ni, Zn and Cd).

The electronic structure and derived optical properties of five synthesized metal-dicyanoaurate(I), (K)M[Au(CN)], (M = Mn, Co, Ni, Zn and Cd), coordination polymers are described from a combined experimental analysis and theoretical study based on density functional theory. In this sense, the topological features that influence the electronic structure, which in turn give rise to electronic transitions associated with the band gap energy, are studied from first principles calculations (with hybrid HSE06 and GGA-PBE density functionals) and electronic spectroscopy. The impact of gold (through spin-orbit coupling) and aurophilic interactions on the electronic transitions that gives rise to optical properties is described.

Immunostimulatory nucleic acid nanoparticles (NANPs) augment protective osteoblast and osteoclast type I interferon responses to Staphylococcus aureus.

Recalcitrant staphylococcal osteomyelitis may be due, in part, to the ability of Staphylococcus aureus to invade bone cells. However, osteoclasts and osteoblasts are now recognized to shape host responses to bacterial infection and we have recently described their ability to produce IFN-β following S. aureus infection and limit intracellular bacterial survival/propagation.

Cracking the Code: Enhancing Molecular Tools for Progress in Nanobiotechnology.

Nature continually refines its processes for optimal efficiency, especially within biological systems. This article explores the collaborative efforts of researchers worldwide, aiming to mimic nature's efficiency by developing smarter and more effective nanoscale technologies and biomaterials. Recent advancements highlight progress and prospects in leveraging engineered nucleic acids and proteins for specific tasks, drawing inspiration from natural functions.

Laser microdissection, proteomics, and multiplex immunohistochemistry: a bumpy ride into the study of paraffin-embedded fetal and pediatric lung tissues.

Background: Knowledge about lung development or lung disease is mainly derived from data extrapolated from mouse models. This has obvious drawbacks in developmental diseases, particularly due to species differences. Our objective is to describe the development of complementary analysis methods that will allow a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of rare congenital diseases.

Characterization of PAMAM Dendrimers for the Delivery of Nucleic Acid Nanoparticles.

The protocols described in this book chapter are meant to be used as an outline and guideline to explore the use of a cationic, polymeric, and synthetic carrier-poly (amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers. The amine-terminated, hyperbranched structures have been identified as a vehicle for the delivery of nucleic acids. As such, clear protocols for the optimization of dendrimer usage should be set in place.

Characterization of RNA Nanoparticles and Their Dynamic Properties Using Atomic Force Microscopy.

The protocol described in this chapter allows for acquiring topography images of RNA-based nanoring structures and assessing their dynamic properties using atomic force microscopy (AFM) imaging. AFM is an indispensable tool for characterization of nucleic acid-based nanostructures with the exceptional capability of observing complexes in the range of a few nanometers. This method can visualize structural characteristics and evaluate differences between individual structurally different RNA nanorings.

Expanding Structural Space for Immunomodulatory Nucleic Acid Nanoparticles (Nanps) via Spatial Arrangement of Their Therapeutic Moieties.

Different therapeutic nucleic acids (TNAs) can be unified in a single structure by their elongation with short oligonucleotides designed to self-assemble into nucleic acid nanoparticles (NANPs). With this approach, therapeutic cocktails with precisely controlled composition and stoichiometry of active ingredients can be delivered to the same diseased cells for enhancing pharmaceutical action. In this work, an additional nanotechnology-based therapeutic option that enlists a biocompatible NANP-encoded platform for their controlled patient-specific immunorecognition is explored.

Nanoscale metal-organic frameworks for the delivery of nucleic acids to cancer cells.

Therapeutic nucleic acids (TNAs) are gaining increasing interest in the treatment of severe diseases including viral infections, inherited disorders, and cancers. However, the efficacy of intracellularly functioning TNAs is also reliant upon their delivery into the cellular environment, as unmodified nucleic acids are unable to cross the cell membrane mainly due to charge repulsion. Here we show that TNAs can be effectively delivered into the cellular environment using engineered nanoscale metal-organic frameworks (nanoMOFs), with the additional ability to tailor which cells receive the therapeutic cargo determined by the functional moieties grafted onto the nanoMOF's surface.

Resistance induction with silicon in Hass avocado plants inoculated with Rands.

Root rot caused by Rands, is one of the main factors that limits avocado production worldwide; silicon as a defense inducer seems to be a viable strategy to integrate into the management of this disease. Hereby, the present study evaluated the induction of resistance with silicon in Hass avocado plants inoculated with , as a possible alternative to conventional agrochemical management. A potassium silicate solution (10 mL, 0.

An Insight into nd10 Metal Cyanide-based Coordination Polymers Through ab-initio Calculations: Electronic Properties and Optical Response.

Semiconductors are essential for modern life since they are the basis of many current technologies that are related to better living standards. Some of them, characterized by the periodic assembling of metal cyanides with filled d-shell (nd ) constitute an interesting series of cyanide-based coordination polymers with physical properties such like anomalous anisotropic thermal expansion and quantum confinement effects related to the polymer's width that can be exploited for technological applications. Herein, the electronic structure of nd metal cyanide-based systems were studied both experimentally and through Density Functional Theory.

Corrosion Performance and Mechanical Strength in Aluminum 6061 Joints by Pulsed Gas Metal Arc Welding.

In this paper, the analysis of electrochemical corrosion performance and mechanical strength of weld joints of aluminum 6061 in two-heat treatment conditions was performed. The joints were produced by gas metal arc welding in pulsed mode. The original material exhibited precipitates of β and β" phases in a volume fraction (Vf) of 2.

Nature of the observed ν(NO) band shift and splitting during the 3D to 2D structural change in transition metal nitroprussides.

The electronic structure and related optical properties of the nitroprusside ion, [Fe(CN)NO], are dominated by the nitrosyl (NO) group. The light-induced 2b(xy) → 7e(π*NO) (Fe → NO) and related appearance of meta-stable isomers for the NO group supports many of the functional properties of metal nitroprussides. In recent studies on the preparation of 2D transition metal nitroprussides from their 3D analogs, we have observed that such a structural change is concomitant with a decrease for the ν(NO) frequency and certain band splitting (unfolding).

Induction of Cytokines by Nucleic Acid Nanoparticles (NANPs) Depends on the Type of Delivery Carrier.

Recent insights into the immunostimulatory properties of nucleic acid nanoparticles (NANPs) have demonstrated that variations in the shape, size, and composition lead to distinct patterns in their immunostimulatory properties. While most of these studies have used a single lipid-based carrier to allow for NANPs' intracellular delivery, it is now apparent that the platform for delivery, which has historically been a hurdle for therapeutic nucleic acids, is an additional means to tailoring NANP immunorecognition. Here, the use of dendrimers for the delivery of NANPs is compared to the lipid-based platform and the differences in resulting cytokine induction are presented.

Consequences of Low Sleep Duration in Anthropometric and Body Composition Parameters of Chilean Preschoolers.

Reduced sleep duration in schoolchildren has been associated with poor health outcomes at the scholar level; however, there is little information on the effects of sleep loss on Chilean preschoolers. The aim of this study was to describe and compare cardiometabolic outcomes according with the sleep duration in Chilean preschoolers. A second aim was to identify potential risk outcomes (i.

Influence of the Phenological State of in the Antioxidant Potential and Chemical Composition of . Effects on the P-Glycoprotein Function.

(Kunth) R. M. King & H.

From 3D to 2D Transition Metal Nitroprussides by Selective Rupture of Axial Bonds.

1-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (1m2p) is a solvent with proven abilities for 2D-solid exfoliation due to its extremely high surface tension. In principle, such a feature could be used also to induce the selective breaking of certain bonds in solids to obtain new materials. Such a hypothesis is demonstrated in this study for transition metal nitroprussides, where 2D solids are obtained from 3D frameworks by selective rupture of axial bonds.

The anti-CD6 antibody itolizumab provides clinical benefit without lymphopenia in rheumatoid arthritis patients: results from a 6-month, open-label Phase I clinical trial.

Itolizumab is a humanized anti-CD6 monoclonal antibody (mAb) that has previously shown encouraging results, in terms of safety and positive clinical effects, in a 6-week monotherapy clinical trial conducted in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. The current Phase I study evaluated the safety and clinical response for a longer treatment of 12 itolizumab intravenous doses in subjects with active RA despite previous disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) therapy. Twenty-one subjects were enrolled into four dosage groups (0·1, 0·2, 0·4 and 0·8 mg/kg).

Lymph node-positive prostate cancer after robotic prostatectomy and extended pelvic lymphadenectomy.

Optimal management of node-positive prostate cancer patients after prostatectomy remains a challenge. We evaluated clinically localized patients who demonstrated node positivity and identified predictors for secondary treatment. From 2010 to 2015, clinically localized prostate cancer patients who underwent robot prostatectomy with extended lymphadenectomy and node-positive disease on pathologic analysis were identified.

First principles calculations of phenol adsorption on pristine and group III (B, Al, Ga) doped graphene layers.

We studied the doping effects on the electronic and structural properties of graphene upon interaction with phenol. Calculations were performed within the periodic density functional theory as implemented in PWscf code of the Quantum Espresso package. Graphene layers were modeled using 3 × 3 and 4 × 4 periodic supercells.

Effect of vaccination with N-glycolyl GM3/VSSP vaccine by subcutaneous injection in patients with advanced cutaneous melanoma.

NeuGc-containing gangliosides have been described in melanoma cells and are an attractive target for cancer immunotherapy because they are minimally or not expressed in normal human tissues. Melanoma patients treated with a vaccine based on N-glycolyl gangliosides have shown benefit in progression free survival and overall survival. We conducted a multicenter Phase I/II clinical trial in patients with metastatic cutaneous melanoma treated with the N-gycolyl GM3/very-small-size proteoliposomes vaccine by the subcutaneous route.

A clinical exploratory study with itolizumab, an anti-CD6 monoclonal antibody, in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

T cells are involved in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). CD6 is a co-stimulatory molecule, predominantly expressed on lymphocytes, that has been linked to autoreactive responses. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety, immunogenicity and preliminary efficacy of itolizumab, a humanized anti-CD6 monoclonal antibody, in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis.

Natural killer cell receptor--repertoire and functions after induction therapy by polyclonal rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin in unsensitized kidney transplant recipients.

Polyclonal rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin (rATG) is widely used in solid organ transplantation (SOT) as induction therapy or to treat corticosteroid-resistant rejection. In vivo, the effect of rATG on natural killer (NK) cells has not been studied. These cells are of particular relevance after SOT because classical immunosuppressive drugs do not inhibit or even can activate NK cells.

QEEG prognostic value in acute stroke.

The objective of our study is to determine the predictive value of QEEG in patients suffering from an acute ischemic cerebral stroke. Twenty-eight patients were studied within the first 72 hours of clinical evolution of middle cerebral artery territory ischemic stroke. Thirty-seven QEEG recordings were obtained: 13 in the first 24 hours after cerebral stroke onset, 9 between 24-48 hours and 15 between 48-72 hours.