Gold Nanoparticle Virus-like Particles Presenting SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein: Synthesis, Biophysical Properties and Immunogenicity in BALB/c Mice.

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) decorated with antigens have recently emerged as promising tools for vaccine development due to their innate ability to provide stability to antigens and modulate immune responses. In this study, we have engineered deactivated virus-like particles (VLPs) by precisely functionalizing gold cores with coronas comprising the full SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (S). Using BALB/c mice as a model, we investigated the immunogenicity of these S-AuNPs-VLPs.

Nucleation and growth of gold nanoparticles in the presence of different surfactants. A dissipative particle dynamics study.

Nanoparticles (NPs) show promising applications in biomedicine, catalysis, and energy harvesting. This applicability relies on controlling the material's features at the nanometer scale. Surfactants, a unique class of surface-active molecules, have a remarkable ability to tune NPs activity; provide specific functions, avoid their aggregation, and create stable colloidal solutions.

Antibody cooperative adsorption onto AuNPs and its exploitation to force natural killer cells to kill HIV-infected T cells.

HIV represents a persistent infection which negatively alters the immune system. New tools to reinvigorate different immune cell populations to impact HIV are needed. Herein, a novel nanotool for the specific enhancement of the natural killer (NK) immune response towards HIV-infected T-cells has been developed.

Carbon nanotube transmembrane channel formation and single-stranded DNA spontaneous internalization: a dissipative particle dynamics study.

Single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) transmembrane channel formation in a pure 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine (DMPC) bilayer, and the spontaneous internalization of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) into the formed pore were simulated. A combination of computational techniques, Dissipative Particle Dynamics-Monte Carlo hybrid simulations and quantum mechanical calculations at the hybrid-DFT level, was used as a new proposal to perform DPD simulations granting specific chemical identity to the model particles. The simulated transmembrane channels showed that, in the case of pristine SWCNTs and upon increasing the nanotube length, a higher tilt angle with respect to the bilayer normal is observed and more time is needed for the nanotube to stabilize.

Evidence of Enantiomers of Spiroglycol. Distinction by Using α,α'-Bis(trifluoromethyl)-9,10-anthracenedimethanol as a Chiral Solvating Agent and by Derivatization with Chiral Acids.

Herein, we perform for the first time a preliminary NMR and computational study of the spiroglycol structure. Spiroglycol is a highly symmetrical molecule, but it should be chiral due to the presence of a chiral axis. The presence of two enantiomers was demonstrated performing NMR enantiodifferentiation experiments using α,α'-bis(trifluoromethyl)-9,10-anthracenedimethanol (ABTE) as a chiral solvating agent (CSA).

Platinum nanoparticles stabilized by N-heterocyclic thiones. Synthesis and catalytic activity in mono- and di-hydroboration of alkynes.

N-Heterocyclic Thiones (NHT) proved to be efficient ligands for the stabilization of small platinum nanoparticles (1.3-1.7 nm), synthesized by decomposition of [Pt(dba)], under a H atmosphere, in the presence of variable sub-stoichiometric amounts of the NHT.

Interaction with Modified Cyclodextrin as a Way to Increase the Antimalarial Activity of Primaquine.

Background: Malaria is still a dangerous disease that impacts specifically Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The development of therapies to overcome the parasite infection is an important challenge nowadays. The medicine primaquine (PQ) is used in the treatment, although several side effects and low oral bioavailability are reported.

Chitosan as a capping agent: Insights on the stabilization of gold nanoparticles.

A theoretical method based on Dissipative Particle Dynamics (DPD) was applied for the study of the interaction between coarse-grained models of chitosan and gold nanoparticles. These models were used to understand the role of chitosan in the stabilization of gold nanoparticles (5 and 7 nm). In addition, this stabilization was also supported by synthesized and characterized chitosan-gold nanoparticles comparing their stabilities with typical citrate-gold nanoparticles.

Domain Formation and Conformational Changes in Gold Nanoparticle Conjugates Studied Using DPD Simulations.

A gold nanoparticle (AuNP) conjugate formed with 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUA) and thiolated polyethylene glycol (SH-PEG) is simulated using dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) methods, obtaining an excellent agreement with previous experimental observations. The simulations cover the isolated components (AuNP, MUA, and SH-PEG), as well as pairs of components, and finally the all three components at the same time. In this latter case, changes in the order of addition of MUA and SH-PEG over the AuNP are also considered.

Complexes between methyltestosterone and β-cyclodextrin for application in aquaculture production.

The inclusion complexes between 17-α-methyltestosterone (MT) and β-cyclodextrin (bCD) were prepared and characterized in dissolution and solid phase. The complex promoted a sixfold increment in solubility of the hormone. It has a limited solubility and stoichiometry of 2:1 (bCD:MT) determined by DSC, NMR and solubility experiments, the association constant Ka=2846Lmol and complex fraction of 76% (assessed by DOSY-NMR, in (1:3) DMSO/DO).

Selective deuteration of [(pyridylmethyl)sulfinyl]benzimidazole antisecretory drugs. A NMR study where DMSO-d acts as deuteration agent.

The use of deuterated drug bioisosteres to obtain superior pharmacokinetic properties or to investigate biotransformations at the molecular level is a growing field of pharmaceutical research. This work presents a NMR study on the deuteration of three structurally related antisecretory proton-pump inhibitors, the sodium salts of esomeprazole, 1, pantoprazole, 2, and rabeprazole, 3. It has been found that the methylene adjacent to the sulfinyl group displays stereoselective deuteration when the sodium salts of these products are dissolved at room temperature in DO or CDOD, a process that also occurs very efficiently in DMSO-d (a solvent considered non-deuterating) if a catalytic amount of NaOH is added.

Computational study on the intramolecular self-organization of the macrorings of some 'giant' cyclodextrins (CD(n), n = 40, 70, 85, 100).

The conformations of some 'giant' cyclodextrins (CDn, n = 40, 70, 85, 100) were examined by molecular dynamic simulations using the Glycam06 force field. CD14 and CD26, the largest cyclodextrins, for which crystallographic data are available, were also studied as reference structures. Principal component analysis was used for the analyses of the simulation trajectories.

Configuration and conformation of alfentanil hydrochloride. Conformational study by NMR and theoretical calculations.

The configurational and conformational structure of alfentanil hydrochloride (1) was studied by nuclear magnetic resonance and theoretical calculations. Compound 1 is best described by equilibrium between two stereoisomeric piperidinium rings with the N-substituent always being in equatorial position. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectra demonstrate that, depending on the solvent, 1 adopts the conformation with an axial methoxymethylene group.

Folding and self-assembling with beta-oligomers based on (1R,2S)-2-aminocyclobutane-1-carboxylic acid.

Improved methodologies are provided to synthesize (1R,2S)-2-aminocyclobutane-1-carboxylic acid derivatives and their incorporation into beta-peptides of 2-8 residues bearing different N-protecting groups. The conformational analysis of these oligomers has been carried out by using experimental techniques along with theoretical calculations. This study shows that these oligomers adopt preferentially a strand-type conformation in solution induced by the formation of intra-residue six-membered hydrogen-bonded rings, affording cis-fused [4.

Optimal configurations of "capped" beta-cyclodextrin dimers in water maximise hydrophobic association.

Circular dichroism analysis and proton NMR experiments revealed that solutions of 3-O-(2-methylnaphthyl)-beta-cyclodextrin form different dimer configurations. The exact nature of the dimer configurations were postulated to be of three types in which these capped cyclodextrins (CDs) are orientated in head-to-head and head-to-tail arrangements. Here we show from detailed computer simulations and free-energy calculations on the configurations that the head-to-head configuration in which the naphthyl groups are mutually inserted into each other's CD cavities is the most favoured configuration.

Molecular tweezers for enantiodiscrimination in NMR: Di-(R,R)-1-[10-(1-hydroxy-2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)-9-anthryl]-2,2,2-trifluoroethyl benzenedicarboxylates.

A series of new chiral molecular tweezers, di-(R,R)-1-[10-(1-hydroxy-2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)-9-anthryl]-2,2,2-trifluoroethyl phthalate (2), isophthalate (3) and terephthalate (4), were synthesized and their structure studied by NMR and molecular mechanics. Their effectiveness as chiral solvating agents for the determination of the enantiomeric purity of chiral compounds using NMR was demonstrated.

Size-tunable trehalose-based nanocavities: synthesis, structure, and inclusion properties of large-ring cyclotrehalans.

An efficient strategy toward the synthesis of large-ring cyclodextrin (CD) analogs alternating alpha,alpha'-trehalose disaccharide subunits and pseudoamide segments (cyclotrehalans, CTs), involving a bimolecular macrocyclization reaction as the key step, is reported. NMR and molecular modeling confirmed that the eight and ten alpha-d-glucopyranoside subunits in tetrameric and pentameric CT homologues (CT4 and CT5, respectively) are magnetically equivalent, as in the gamma and epsilonCD counterparts. Yet, the orientation of the monosaccharide constituents is reversed in CTs as compared with CDs, the beta-face being directed to the inside of the nanometric cavity while the alpha-face remains in contact with the bulk solvent.

Insights into the Structure of Large-Ring Cyclodextrins through Molecular Dynamics Simulations in Solution.

Molecular dynamics simulations were carried out using the AMBER parm99 force field and explicit water molecules (TIP3P) to gain insight into the structural deformations and energetics of several large-ring cyclodextrins (with a degree of polymerization 26, 30, 55, 70, 85, and 100) in solution. The structures displayed by CD26 during the MD simulation (10.0 ns) did not correspond to the conformation in the crystalline state.

Molecular dynamics study on the conformational flexibility and energetics in aqueous solution of methylated beta-cyclodextrins.

All possible methylated beta-cyclodextrins (CDs) with C7-symmetry have been studied by molecular dynamics simulations, in gas phase and in water solution. Energetic and structural information were obtained from the trajectory analysis. CD flexibility increases with degree of methylation, very likely due to the concomitant reduction of the intramolecular hydrogen bonds.

Synthesis, structure, and inclusion capabilities of trehalose-based cyclodextrin analogues (cyclotrehalans).

Concise and efficient strategies toward the synthesis of D2h- and D3h-symmetric cyclodextrin analogues alternating alpha,alpha'-trehalose disaccharide subunits and pseudoamide segments (cyclotrehalans, CTs) are reported. The conformational properties of these cyclooligosaccharides are governed by the rigidity of the alpha,alpha'-trehalose disaccharide repeating unit and the partial double-bond character of the N-(C=X) linkages. In contrast to the typical concave-shaped cavity of cyclodextrins (CDs), CTs feature a convex-shaped hydrophobic cavity in which the beta-face of the monosaccharide subunits is oriented toward the inner side, as supported by NMR and modeling (molecular mechanics and dynamics) studies.

Fine-tuning ligand-receptor design for selective molecular recognition of dicarboxylic acids.

The host-guest interaction between the hexaaza macrocyclic ligand 3,7,11,18,22,26-hexaazatricyclo[26.2.2.

Molecular dynamics study of the conformational dynamics and energetics of some large-ring cyclodextrins (CDn, n = 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29).

Molecular dynamics simulations in water solution were performed on six large-ring cyclodextrins (LR-CDs) with a degree of polymerization 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, and 29. The AMBER parm99 force field and explicit water molecules (TIP3P) were used in the simulations. The present research was aimed at further extending our knowledge on the structural dynamics and the energetics of this new class of compounds that may eventually provide chiral cavities suitable for formation of inclusion complexes with small molecules, and, accordingly, to serve as host structures for chiral recognition.

Di-(R,R)-1-[10-(1-hydroxy-2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)-9-anthryl]-2,2,2-trifluoroethyl muconate: a highly chiral cavity for enantiodiscrimination by NMR.

A new chiral molecular tweezer, di-(R,R)-1-[10-(1-hydroxy-2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)-9-anthryl]-2,2,2-trifluoroethyl muconate 2, was synthesized in enantiopure form, and its geometry was studied using NMR and molecular mechanics. The effectiveness of 2 as a chiral solvating agent for determining the enantiomeric composition of chiral compounds using NMR was demonstrated, improving the results obtained with other methods. The stoichiometry and the association constant of the resulting diastereomeric complexes were studied, and their geometry was analyzed by NOE and 1H NMR.