656 research outputs found
Complexes of tetracyclines with divalent metal cations investigated by stationary and femtosecond-pulsed techniques
No full textPhysical Chemistry Chemical Physics
Volume 14, Issue 2, 14 January 2012, Pages 823-834
Complexes of tetracyclines with divalent metal cations investigated by stationary and femtosecond-pulsed techniques (Article)
Carlotti, B., Cesaretti, A., Elisei, F.
Chemistry Department, Centro di Eccellenza sui Materiali Innovativi Nanostrutturati (CEMIN), University of Perugia, via Elce di Sotto 8, 06123 Perugia, Italy
View references (56)
Abstract
Spectroscopic techniques both in steady-state (in absorption and emission) and pulsed (absorption of excited states with femtosecond resolution) conditions were used to study the complexation process between six molecules belonging to the tetracycline family and Mg 2+; in the case of TC the study was extended to the metal ions Ca 2+ and Cu 2+. The study was carried out in aqueous solution at various pH values, where one acid-base form of the substrate prevails over the others. The processing of experimental results, performed by means of Singular Value Decomposition and Global Analysis methods, allowed us to evaluate the extent of interaction through the association constants, to identify the number of equilibria present in solution and the stoichiometry (11 or 12) of the tetracyclinemetal ion complex, and to define the spectral and photophysical properties of the latter (in terms of fluorescence quantum yields, lifetimes and rate constants). In fact, the (allowed) radiative decay process is a minor root for the lowest excited state of the complexes which mainly decay to the ground state by internal conversion. Details of the complexation sites are proposed for the various protonated forms of tetracyclines, and for the various cations in the case of TC. In particular, the molecular structure seems to affect significantly the dynamics of interaction when the upper peripheral region of tetracycline is rich in additional hydroxyl groups. Moreover, the state of protonation of the substrate produces changes in the order of the complexation sites, whose affinity for the cation increases significantly when they are negatively charged owing to the loss of protons. Magnesium and calcium (hard cations) give similar interactions, at least in acid solution, while copper(ii) (borderline cation) binds more efficiently on different sites, thus forming complexes with different properties
The Role of pH in Modulating the Electronic State Properties of Minocycline Drug and Its Inclusion within Micellar Carriers
No full textA detailed investigation of the spectral and photophysical properties of minocycline (MC) in water at different pHs, solvents of different polarity, and micellar surfactant solutions was carried out in this study. An unusual behavior was highlighted with respect to other tetracyclines due to the presence of an additional dimethylamino group in the MC molecular structure. In particular, four equilibrium constants associated with monodeprotonation reactions were characterized by steady-state spectroscopy. Femtosecond time resolved pump probe and fluorescence up-conversion measurements allowed the dynamics of the lowest excited singlet state of the five different acid base species of MC to be characterized in terms of lifetimes and transient spectra. Two emissive species associated with keto enol tautomerism resulting from excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) were revealed with time constants of a few and tens of picoseconds. TD-DFT quantum mechanical calculations were also performed to define the state order and nature of the differently protonated species, together with their absorption spectra. The role of pH proved to be fundamental in modulating the drug charge and therefore the interaction with cationic micelles where the neutral form of MC, that is the biologically active one, resulted efficiently included
The Pottesman Collection in the British Museum. Early Dynastic and Sargonic administrative texts. With an Appendix on a Palmyrene Inscription
No full textEdizione, trascrizione, traduzione e commento di un frammento di iscrizione palmirena inedita presente nella collezione Pottesman del British Museum (Appendice Agostini).The British Museum houses a small collection of six cuneiform tablets and a Palmyrene dedicatory inscription purchased in 1987 from the private collection of Solomon Pottesman. The aim of the present contribution is to provide a catalog of this lot and an edition of the so far unpublished cuneiform texts. In the appendix, Alessio Agostini added the edition of the Palmyrene inscription, which would have otherwise gone beyond the capabilities of the present author
Photoinduced Intramolecular Charge Transfer and Hyperpolarizability Coefficient in Push‐Pull Pyridinium Salts with Increasing Strength of the Acceptor Group
No full textThe synthesis of three push-pull cationic dyes is reported here together with a photophysical study carried out by stationary and ultrafast spectroscopies. The hyperpolarizability (β) values of the three molecules have been estimated through a simple solvatochromic method based on conventional, low-cost equip- ment, which had been tested previously with success in our laboratory. The investigated pyridinium salts showing strong negative solvatochromism bear the same piperidine ring as a strong electron-donor group and the same thiophenes as electron-rich π-linkers, but differ in terms of the N-substituent on the electron-acceptor pyridinium unit, namely N-methyl in compound A, N-pyrimidin-2yl in B and N-2,4-dinitrophenyl in C.
The derived β values were found to increase (in the order A< B < C) along with the increasing electron-acceptor strength of the pyridinium substituent, with the highest polarizability being estimated for the derivative bearing the strongest electron- withdrawing substituent dinitrobenzene. State-of-the-art femto- second transient absorption measurements evidenced fast kinetics and dynamics in the singlet excited state in agreement with charge transfer (CT) processes promoted by excitation, with a proper ICT state observed in the case of C. This finding confirms the efficiency of photoinduced intramolecular CT as a significant factor that affects the NLO response
Microplastic and Extracellular Vesicle Interactions: Recent Studies on Human Health and Environment Risks
No full textMicroplastics (MPs) are widespread environmental pollutants that have drawn significant attention due to their possible health risks to humans and animals, as well as their extensive presence in ecosystems. Recent growing evidence highlights a remarkable relationship between MPs and extracellular vesicles (EVs), nanoscale particles involved in intercellular communication. The purpose of this review was to investigate how the relationships between MPs and EVs can affect cellular functions and how this interaction could impact environmental conditions leading to broader ecological risks. The interaction patterns and bioactivity of both MPs and EVs are strongly influenced by biophysical characteristics such as hydrophobicity, surface charge, and particle size, which have received particular attention from the scientific community. Recent studies indicate that MPs affect EV distribution and their capacity to function appropriately in biological systems. Additionally, MPs can modify the molecular cargo of EVs, which may result in alterations of cell signaling pathways. Understanding the interactions between MPs and EVs could provide important opportunities to comprehend their potential effects on human health and environmental systems, especially when it comes to cancer development, endocrine, metabolic, and inflammatory disorders, and ecological disruptions. This review emphasizes the necessity of multidisciplinary research to clarify the molecular and biophysical mechanisms regulating the interaction between MPs and EVs
Biocompatible Polymer Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery Applications in Cancer and Neurodegenerative Disorder Therapies
No full textPolymer nanoparticles (NPs) represent one of the most innovative non-invasive approaches for drug delivery applications. NPs main objective is to convey the therapeutic molecule be they drugs, proteins, or nucleic acids directly into the target organ or tissue. Many polymers are used for the synthesis of NPs and among the currently most employed materials several biocompatible synthetic polymers, namely polylactic acid (PLA), poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA), and polyethylene glycol (PEG), can be cited. These molecules are made of simple monomers which are naturally present in the body and therefore easily excreted without being toxic. The present review addresses the different approaches that are most commonly adopted to synthetize biocompatible NPs to date, as well as the experimental strategies designed to load them with therapeutic agents. In fact, drugs may be internalized in the NPs or physically dispersed therein. In this paper the various types of biodegradable polymer NPs will be discussed with emphasis on their applications in drug delivery. Close attention will be devoted to the treatment of cancer, where both active and passive targeting is used to enhance efficacy and reduce systemic toxicity, and to diseases affecting the central nervous system, inasmuch as NPs can be modified to target specific cells or cross membrane barriers
New Styryl Phenanthroline Derivatives as Model D−π−A−π−D Materials for Non-Linear Optics
No full textRecensione di Cecilia Falchini (2023). Ruperto di deutz - Un’intima familiarità. Antologia, Edizioni Qiqajon (Comunità di Bose), Magnano (Bi), 281 pp.
No full textReview of Cecilia Falchini (2023). Ruperto di deutz - Un’intima familiarità. Antologia, Edizioni Qiqajon (Comunità di Bose), Magnano (Bi), 281 pp.
Author: Alessio MagogaRecensione di Cecilia Falchini (2023). Ruperto di deutz - Un’intima familiarità. Antologia, Edizioni Qiqajon (Comunità di Bose), Magnano (Bi), 281 pp.
Autor: Alessio Magog
“Spectroscopic investigation of the pH controller inclusion of Doxycycline and Oxytetracycline antibiotics in cationic micelles and their Mg2+ driven release”
No full textPhotoluminescence properties of La2xGa2yIn2zO3 solid solutions used as photocatalysts for water splitting and promising panchromatic emitters.
No full textThe steady-state and time-resolved photoluminescence of nine ternary solid solutions, whose general formula is La2xGa2yIn2zO3, used as heterogeneous photocatalysts for the production of hydrogen by water splitting, has been investigated in order to characterize the properties of their electronic excited states. The comparison with the parent binary oxides (LaGaO3, LaInO3 and GaInO3) proved to be essential for understanding the composition of the solids in terms of phases and allowed the different emissions to be assigned to specific crystal structures and band gap transitions. Upholding what was previously deduced by means of the X-ray powder diffraction and micro-Raman techniques, the structural properties of the La2xGa2yIn2zO3 samples were corroborated. By doing so, the employment of photoluminescence as a distinctive feature to strengthen the structural information gathered by other techniques is demonstrated. Moreover, the luminescence lifetimes of the photo-generated electron–hole pairs were measured and analyzed in view of the photocatalytic activity of the samples, with their efficiency being directly proportional to the excited state lifetime. Finally, the metal oxides solid solutions have been found able to emit over the entire visible region up to near-IR. Therefore, they might be appealing panchromatic emitters for display and lightning technologies
- …
