@article{RibarHuberSmialeketal.2018, author = {Ribar, Anita and Huber, Stefan E. and Smialek, Malgorzata A. and Tanzer, Katrin and Neustetter, Michael and Sch{\"u}rmann, Robin and Bald, Ilko and Denifl, Stephan}, title = {Hydroperoxyl radical and formic acid formation from common DNA stabilizers upon low energy electron attachment}, series = {Physical chemistry, chemical physics : a journal of European Chemical Societies}, volume = {20}, journal = {Physical chemistry, chemical physics : a journal of European Chemical Societies}, number = {8}, publisher = {Royal Society of Chemistry}, address = {Cambridge}, issn = {1463-9076}, doi = {10.1039/c7cp07697e}, pages = {5578 -- 5585}, year = {2018}, abstract = {2-Amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-propanediol (TRIS) and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid ( EDTA) are key components of biological buffers and are frequently used as DNA stabilizers in irradiation studies. Such surface or liquid phase studies are done with the aim to understand the fundamental mechanisms of DNA radiation damage and to improve cancer radiotherapy. When ionizing radiation is used, abundant secondary electrons are formed during the irradiation process, which are able to attach to the molecular compounds present on the surface. In the present study we experimentally investigate low energy electron attachment to TRIS and methyliminodiacetic acid ( MIDA), an analogue of EDTA, supported by quantum chemical calculations. The most prominent dissociation channel for TRIS is through hydroperoxyl radical formation, whereas the dissociation of MIDA results in the formation of formic and acetic acid. These compounds are well-known to cause DNA modifications, like strand breaks. The present results indicate that buffer compounds may not have an exclusive protecting effect on DNA as suggested previously.}, language = {en} } @article{SchneiderGuenterTaubert2018, author = {Schneider, Matthias and G{\"u}nter, Christina and Taubert, Andreas}, title = {Co-deposition of a hydrogel/calcium phosphate hybrid layer on 3D printed poly(lactic acid) scaffolds via dip coating}, series = {Polymers}, volume = {10}, journal = {Polymers}, number = {3}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {2073-4360}, doi = {10.3390/polym10030275}, pages = {19}, year = {2018}, abstract = {The article describes the surface modification of 3D printed poly(lactic acid) (PLA) scaffolds with calcium phosphate (CP)/gelatin and CP/chitosan hybrid coating layers. The presence of gelatin or chitosan significantly enhances CP co-deposition and adhesion of the mineral layer on the PLA scaffolds. The hydrogel/CP coating layers are fairly thick and the mineral is a mixture of brushite, octacalcium phosphate, and hydroxyapatite. Mineral formation is uniform throughout the printed architectures and all steps (printing, hydrogel deposition, and mineralization) are in principle amenable to automatization. Overall, the process reported here therefore has a high application potential for the controlled synthesis of biomimetic coatings on polymeric biomaterials.}, language = {en} } @article{FarhanRudolphNoecheletal.2018, author = {Farhan, Muhammad and Rudolph, Tobias and N{\"o}chel, Ulrich and Kratz, Karl and Lendlein, Andreas}, title = {Extractable Free Polymer Chains Enhance Actuation Performance of Crystallizable Poly(epsilon-caprolactone) Networks and Enable Self-Healing}, series = {Polymers}, volume = {10}, journal = {Polymers}, number = {3}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {2073-4360}, doi = {10.3390/polym10030255}, pages = {15}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Crosslinking of thermoplastics is a versatile method to create crystallizable polymer networks, which are of high interest for shape-memory actuators. Here, crosslinked poly(epsilon-caprolactone) thermosets (cPCLs) were prepared from linear starting material, whereby the amount of extractable polymer was varied. Fractions of 5-60 wt \% of non-crosslinked polymer chains, which freely interpenetrate the crosslinked network, were achieved leading to differences in the resulting phase of the bulk material. This can be described as "sponge-like" with open or closed compartments depending on the amount of interpenetrating polymer. The crosslinking density and the average network chain length remained in a similar range for all network structures, while the theoretical accessible volume for reptation of the free polymer content is affected. This feature could influence or introduce new functions into the material created by thermomechanical treatment. The effect of interpenetrating PCL in cPCLs on the reversible actuation was analyzed by cyclic, uniaxial tensile tests. Here, high reversible strains of up to Delta epsilon = 24\% showed the enhanced actuation performance of networks with a non-crosslinked PCL content of 30 wt \% resulting from the crystal formation in the phase of the non-crosslinked PCL and co-crystallization with network structures. Additional functionalities are reprogrammability and self-healing capabilities for networks with high contents of extractable polymer enabling reusability and providing durable actuator materials.}, language = {en} } @article{BehrendtSchlaad2018, author = {Behrendt, Felix Nicolas and Schlaad, Helmut}, title = {Entropy-Driven Ring-Opening Disulfide Metathesis Polymerization for the Synthesis of Functional Poly(disulfide)s}, series = {Macromolecular rapid communications}, volume = {39}, journal = {Macromolecular rapid communications}, number = {6}, publisher = {Wiley-VCH}, address = {Weinheim}, issn = {1022-1336}, doi = {10.1002/marc.201700735}, pages = {4}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Metal-free entropy-driven disulfide metathesis polymerization of unsaturated L-cystine based macrocycles produces high-molar-mass heterofunctional poly(disulfide)s, i.e., poly(ester-disulfide-alkene) and poly(amide-disulfide-alkene); M-w(app) = 44-60 kDa, (sic) > 1.7. The polymerization is fast and reaches equilibrium within 1-5 minutes (monomer conversion 70-90\%) in polar aprotic solvents such as N,N-dimethylacetamide, dimethylsulfoxide, or y-valerolactone. Thiol-terminated polymers are stable in bulk or when dissolved in weakly polar solvents, but rapidly depolymerize in dilute polar solution.}, language = {en} } @article{PilusoVukicevieNoecheletal.2018, author = {Piluso, Susanna and Vukicevie, Radovan and N{\"o}chel, Ulrich and Braune, Steffen and Lendlein, Andreas and Neffe, Axel T.}, title = {Sequential alkyne-azide cycloadditions for functionalized gelatin hydrogel formation}, series = {European polymer journal}, volume = {100}, journal = {European polymer journal}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {0014-3057}, doi = {10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2018.01.017}, pages = {77 -- 85}, year = {2018}, abstract = {While click chemistry reactions for biopolymer network formation are attractive as the defined reactions may allow good control of the network formation and enable subsequent functionalization, tailoring of gelatin network properties over a wide range of mechanical properties has yet to be shown. Here, it is demonstrated that copper-catalyzed alkyne-azide cycloaddition of alkyne functionalized gelatin with diazides gave hydrogel networks with properties tailorable by the ratio of diazide to gelatin and diazide rigidity. 4,4′-diazido-2,2′-stilbenedisulfonic acid, which has been used as rigid crosslinker, yielded hydrogels with Young's moduli E of 50-390 kPa and swelling degrees Q of 150-250 vol.\%, while the more flexible 1,8-diazidooctane resulted in hydrogels with E = 125-280 kPa and Q = 225-470 vol.\%. Storage moduli could be varied by two orders of magnitude (G′ = 100-20,000 Pa). An indirect cytotoxicity test did not show cytotoxic properties. Even when employing 1:1 ratios of alkyne and azide moieties, the hydrogels were shown to contain both, unreacted alkyne groups on the gelatin backbone as well as dangling chains carrying azide groups as shown by reaction with functionalized fluorescein. The free groups, which can be tailored by the employed ratio of the reactants, are accessible for covalent attachment of drugs, as was demonstrated by functionalization with dexamethasone. The sequential network formation and functionalization with click chemistry allows access to multifunctional materials relevant for medical applications.}, language = {en} } @article{AravopoulouKyriakosMiasnikovaetal.2018, author = {Aravopoulou, Dionysia and Kyriakos, Konstantinos and Miasnikova, Anna and Laschewsky, Andre and Papadakis, Christine M. and Kyritsis, Apostolos}, title = {Comparative Investigation of the Thermoresponsive Behavior of Two Diblock Copolymers Comprising PNIPAM and PMDEGA Blocks}, series = {The journal of physical chemistry : B, Condensed matter, materials, surfaces, interfaces \& biophysical chemistry}, volume = {122}, journal = {The journal of physical chemistry : B, Condensed matter, materials, surfaces, interfaces \& biophysical chemistry}, number = {9}, publisher = {American Chemical Society}, address = {Washington}, issn = {1520-6106}, doi = {10.1021/acs.jpcb.7b09647}, pages = {2655 -- 2668}, year = {2018}, abstract = {The thermoresponsive behavior of two diblock copolymers PS-b-PNIPAM and PS-b-PMDEGA, which both comprise a hydrophobic polystyrene (PS) block but different thermoresponsive blocks, also differing in length, poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) and poly(methoxy diethylene glycol acrylate) (PMDEGA), respectively, was comparatively investigated in a wide temperature range. Concentrated aqueous solutions containing 25 wt \% polymer were studied by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and broadband dielectric spectroscopy (BDS). DSC measurements show that, during the demixing phase transition, the hydration number per oligo(ethylene glycol) side chain in the PS-b-PMDEGA solution decreases rather gradually, even up to 20 °C above the onset of the transition, i.e., the cloud point (CP). In contrast, the PS-b-PNIPAM solution exhibits an abrupt, stepwise dehydration behavior at its CP, indicated by the sharp, narrow endothermic peak. BDS measurements suggest that the organization of the expelled water during the phase transition and the subsequent evolution of the micellar aggregates are different for the two copolymers. In the PS-b-PMDEGA solution, the long-range charge transport process changes significantly at its CP and strong interfacial polarization processes appear, probably due to charge accumulation at the interfaces between the micellar aggregates and the aqueous medium. On the contrary, in the PS-b-PNIPAM solution, the phase transition has only a marginal effect on the long-range conduction process and is accompanied by a reduction in the high-frequency (1 MHz) dielectric permittivity, ε′. The latter effect is attributed to the reduced polarization strength of local chain modes due to an enhancement of intra- and interchain hydrogen bonds (HBs) in the polymer-rich phase during the water detaching process. Surprisingly, our BDS measurements indicate that prior to both the demixing and remixing processes the local chain mobility increases temporally. Our dielectric studies suggest that for PS-b-PNIPAM the water detaching process initiates a few degrees below CP and that the local chain mobility and intra- and/or interchain HBs of the PNIPAM blocks may control its thermoresponsive behavior. Dielectric "jump" experiments show that the kinetics of micellar aggregation in the PS-b-PMDEGA solution is slower than that in the PS-b-PNIPAM solution and is independent of the target temperature within the two-phase region. From the experimental point of view, it is shown that the dielectric susceptibility, especially, the dielectric permittivity, ε′, is a well-suited probe for monitoring both the reversible changes in the molecular dipolar bond polarizability and the long-range interfacial polarization at the phase transition.}, language = {en} } @article{SchulzeMakuchWagnerKounavesetal.2018, author = {Schulze-Makuch, Dirk and Wagner, Dirk and Kounaves, Samuel P. and Mangelsdorf, Kai and Devine, Kevin G. and de Vera, Jean-Pierre and Schmitt-Kopplin, Philippe and Grossart, Hans-Peter and Parro, Victor and Kaupenjohann, Martin and Galy, Albert and Schneider, Beate and Airo, Alessandro and Froesler, Jan and Davila, Alfonso F. and Arens, Felix L. and Caceres, Luis and Cornejo, Francisco Solis and Carrizo, Daniel and Dartnell, Lewis and DiRuggiero, Jocelyne and Flury, Markus and Ganzert, Lars and Gessner, Mark O. and Grathwohl, Peter and Guan, Lisa and Heinz, Jacob and Hess, Matthias and Keppler, Frank and Maus, Deborah and McKay, Christopher P. and Meckenstock, Rainer U. and Montgomery, Wren and Oberlin, Elizabeth A. and Probst, Alexander J. and Saenz, Johan S. and Sattler, Tobias and Schirmack, Janosch and Sephton, Mark A. and Schloter, Michael and Uhl, Jenny and Valenzuela, Bernardita and Vestergaard, Gisle and Woermer, Lars and Zamorano, Pedro}, title = {Transitory microbial habitat in the hyperarid Atacama Desert}, series = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America}, volume = {115}, journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America}, number = {11}, publisher = {National Acad. of Sciences}, address = {Washington}, issn = {0027-8424}, doi = {10.1073/pnas.1714341115}, pages = {2670 -- 2675}, year = {2018}, language = {en} } @article{SaremAryaHeizmannetal.2018, author = {Sarem, Melika and Arya, Neha and Heizmann, Miriam and Neffe, Axel T. and Barbero, Andrea and Gebauer, Tim P. and Martin, Ivan and Lendlein, Andreas and Shastri, V. Prasad}, title = {Interplay between stiffness and degradation of architectured gelatin hydrogels leads to differential modulation of chondrogenesis in vitro and in vivo}, series = {Acta biomaterialia}, volume = {69}, journal = {Acta biomaterialia}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {1742-7061}, doi = {10.1016/j.actbio.2018.01.025}, pages = {83 -- 94}, year = {2018}, abstract = {The limited capacity of cartilage to heal large lesions through endogenous mechanisms has led to extensive effort to develop materials to facilitate chondrogenesis. Although physical-chemical properties of biomaterials have been shown to impact in vitro chondrogenesis, whether these findings are translatable in vivo is subject of debate. Herein, architectured 3D hydrogel scaffolds (ArcGel) (produced by crosslinking gelatin with ethyl lysine diisocyanate (LDI)) were used as a model system to investigate the interplay between scaffold mechanical properties and degradation on matrix deposition by human articular chondrocytes (HAC) from healthy donors in vitro and in vivo. Using ArcGel scaffolds of different tensile and shear modulus, and degradation behavior; in this study, we compared the fate of ex vivo engineeredArcGels-chondrocytes constructs, i.e. the traditional tissue engineering approach, with the de novo formation of cartilaginous tissue in HAC laden ArcGels in an ectopic nude mouse model. While the softer and fast degrading ArcGel (LNCO3) was more efficient at promoting chondrogenic differentiation in vitro, upon ectopic implantation, the stiffer and slow degrading ArcGel (LNCO8) was superior in maintaining chondrogenic phenotype in HAC and retention of cartilaginous matrix. Furthermore, surprisingly the de novo formation of cartilage tissue was promoted only in LNCO8. Since HAC cultured for only three days in the LNCO8 environment showed upregulation of hypoxia-associated genes, this suggests a potential role for hypoxia in the observed in vivo outcomes. In summary, this study sheds light on how immediate environment (in vivo versus in vitro) can significantly impact the outcomes of cell-laden biomaterials. Statement of Significance In this study, 3D architectured hydrogels (ArcGels) with different mechanical and biodegradation properties were investigated for their potential to promote formation of cartilaginous matrix by human articular chondrocytes in vitro and in vivo. Two paradigms were explored (i) ex vivo engineering followed by in vivo implantation in ectopic site of nude mice and (ii) short in vitro culture (3 days) followed by implantation to induce de novo cartilage formation. Softer and fast degrading ArcGel were better at promoting chondrogenesis in vitro, while stiffer and slow degrading ArcGel were strikingly superior in both maintaining chondrogenesis in vivo and inducing de novo formation of cartilage. Our findings highlight the importance of the interplay between scaffold mechanics and degradation in chondrogenesis.}, language = {en} } @article{RackwitzBald2018, author = {Rackwitz, Jenny and Bald, Ilko}, title = {Low-energy electron-induced strand breaks in telomere-derived DNA sequences}, series = {Chemistry - a European journal}, volume = {24}, journal = {Chemistry - a European journal}, number = {18}, publisher = {Wiley-VCH}, address = {Weinheim}, issn = {0947-6539}, doi = {10.1002/chem.201705889}, pages = {4680 -- 4688}, year = {2018}, abstract = {During cancer radiation therapy high-energy radiation is used to reduce tumour tissue. The irradiation produces a shower of secondary low-energy (<20 eV) electrons, which are able to damage DNA very efficiently by dissociative electron attachment. Recently, it was suggested that low-energy electron-induced DNA strand breaks strongly depend on the specific DNA sequence with a high sensitivity of G-rich sequences. Here, we use DNA origami platforms to expose G-rich telomere sequences to low-energy (8.8 eV) electrons to determine absolute cross sections for strand breakage and to study the influence of sequence modifications and topology of telomeric DNA on the strand breakage. We find that the telomeric DNA 5′-(TTA GGG)2 is more sensitive to low-energy electrons than an intermixed sequence 5′-(TGT GTG A)2 confirming the unique electronic properties resulting from G-stacking. With increasing length of the oligonucleotide (i.e., going from 5′-(GGG ATT)2 to 5′-(GGG ATT)4), both the variety of topology and the electron-induced strand break cross sections increase. Addition of K+ ions decreases the strand break cross section for all sequences that are able to fold G-quadruplexes or G-intermediates, whereas the strand break cross section for the intermixed sequence remains unchanged. These results indicate that telomeric DNA is rather sensitive towards low-energy electron-induced strand breakage suggesting significant telomere shortening that can also occur during cancer radiation therapy.}, language = {en} } @article{ZimmermannJohnGrigorievetal.2018, author = {Zimmermann, Marc and John, Daniela and Grigoriev, Dmitry and Puretskiy, Nikolay and B{\"o}ker, Alexander}, title = {From 2D to 3D patches on multifunctional particles}, series = {Soft matter}, volume = {14}, journal = {Soft matter}, number = {12}, publisher = {Royal Society of Chemistry}, address = {Cambridge}, issn = {1744-683X}, doi = {10.1039/c8sm00163d}, pages = {2301 -- 2309}, year = {2018}, abstract = {A straightforward approach for the precise multifunctional surface modification of particles with three-dimensional patches using microcontact printing is presented. By comparison to previous works it was possible to not only control the diameter, but also to finely tune the thickness of the deposited layer, opening up the way for three-dimensional structures and orthogonal multifunctionality. The use of PEI as polymeric ink, PDMS stamps for microcontact printing on silica particles and the influence of different solvents during particle release on the creation of functional particles with three-dimensional patches are described. Finally, by introducing fluorescent properties by incorporation of quantum dots into patches and by particle self-assembly via avidin-biotin coupling, the versatility of this novel modification method is demonstrated.}, language = {en} } @article{HeidenYueKirschetal.2018, author = {Heiden, Sophia and Yue, Yanhua and Kirsch, Harald and Wirth, Jonas A. and Saalfrank, Peter and Campen, Richard Kramer}, title = {Water dissociative adsorption on α-Al2O3(112̅0) is controlled by surface site undercoordination, density, and topology}, series = {The journal of physical chemistry / publ. weekly by the American Chemical Society : C, Nanomaterials and interfaces}, volume = {122}, journal = {The journal of physical chemistry / publ. weekly by the American Chemical Society : C, Nanomaterials and interfaces}, number = {12}, publisher = {American Chemical Society}, address = {Washington}, issn = {1932-7447}, doi = {10.1021/acs.jpcc.7b10410}, pages = {6573 -- 6584}, year = {2018}, abstract = {α-Al2O3 surfaces are common in a wide variety of applications and useful models of more complicated, environmentally abundant, alumino-silicate surfaces. While decades of work have clarified that all properties of these surfaces depend sensitively on the crystal face and the presence of even small amounts of water, quantitative insight into this dependence has proven challenging. Overcoming this challenge requires systematic study of the mechanism by which water interacts with various α-Al2O3 surfaces. Such insight is most easily gained for the interaction of small amounts of water with surfaces in ultra high vacuum. In this study, we continue our combined theoretical and experimental approach to this problem, previously applied to water interaction with the α-Al2O3 (0001) and (11̅02) surfaces, now to water interaction with the third most stable surface, that is, the (112̅0). Because we characterize all three surfaces using similar tools, it is straightforward to conclude that the (112̅0) is most reactive with water. The most important factor explaining its increased reactivity is that the high density of undercoordinated surface Al atoms on the (112̅0) surface allows the bidentate adsorption of OH fragments originating from dissociatively adsorbed water, while only monodentate adsorption is possible on the (0001) and (11̅02) surfaces: the reactivity of α-Al2O3 surfaces with water depends strongly, and nonlinearly, on the density of undercoordinated surface Al atoms.}, language = {en} } @article{AriasFeuerbachSchmidtetal.2018, author = {Arias, Hugo R. and Feuerbach, Dominik and Schmidt, Bernd and Heydenreich, Matthias and Paz, Cristian and Ortells, Marcelo O.}, title = {Drimane Sesquiterpenoids Noncompetitively Inhibit Human alpha 4 beta 2 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors with Higher Potency Compared to Human alpha 3 beta 4 and alpha 7 Subtypes}, series = {Journal of natural products}, volume = {81}, journal = {Journal of natural products}, number = {4}, publisher = {American Chemical Society}, address = {Washington}, issn = {0163-3864}, doi = {10.1021/acs.jnatprod.7b00893}, pages = {811 -- 817}, year = {2018}, abstract = {The drimane sesquiterpenoids drimenin, cinnamolide, dendocarbin A, and polygodial were purified from the Canelo tree (Drimys winteri) and chemically characterized by spectroscopic methods. The pharmacological activity of these natural compounds were determined on hα4β2, hα3β4, and hα7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) by Ca2+ influx measurements. The results established that drimane sesquiterpenoids inhibit AChRs with the following selectivity: hα4β2 > hα3β4 > hα7. In the case of hα4β2 AChRs, the following potency rank order was determined (IC50's in μM): drimenin (0.97 ± 0.35) > cinnamolide (1.57 ± 0.36) > polygodial (62.5 ± 19.9) ≫ dendocarbin A (no activity). To determine putative structural features underlying the differences in inhibitory potency at hα4β2 AChRs, additional structure-activity relationship and molecular docking experiments were performed. The Ca2+ influx and structural results supported a noncompetitive mechanism of inhibition, where drimenin interacted with luminal and nonluminal (TMD-β2 intrasubunit) sites. The structure-activity relationship results, i.e., the lower the ligand polarity, the higher the inhibitory potency, supported the nonluminal interaction. Ligand binding to both sites might inhibit the hα4β2 AChR by a cooperative mechanism, as shown experimentally (nH > 1). Drimenin could be used as a molecular scaffold for the development of more potent inhibitors with higher selectivity for the hα4β2 AChR.}, language = {en} } @article{MuzdaloSaalfrankVreedeetal.2018, author = {Muzdalo, Anja and Saalfrank, Peter and Vreede, Jocelyne and Santer, Mark}, title = {Cis-to-Trans Isomerization of Azobenzene Derivatives Studied with Transition Path Sampling and Quantum Mechanical/Molecular Mechanical Molecular Dynamics}, series = {Journal of chemical theory and computation}, volume = {14}, journal = {Journal of chemical theory and computation}, number = {4}, publisher = {American Chemical Society}, address = {Washington}, issn = {1549-9618}, doi = {10.1021/acs.jctc.7b01120}, pages = {2042 -- 2051}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Azobenzene-based molecular photoswitches are becoming increasingly important for the development of photoresponsive, functional soft-matter material systems. Upon illumination with light, fast interconversion between a more stable trans and a metastable cis configuration can be established resulting in pronounced changes in conformation, dipole moment or hydrophobicity. A rational design of functional photosensitive molecules with embedded azo moieties requires a thorough understanding of isomerization mechanisms and rates, especially the thermally activated relaxation. For small azo derivatives considered in the gas phase or simple solvents, Eyring's classical transition state theory (TST) approach yields useful predictions for trends in activation energies or corresponding half-life times of the cis isomer. However, TST or improved theories cannot easily be applied when the azo moiety is part of a larger molecular complex or embedded into a heterogeneous environment, where a multitude of possible reaction pathways may exist. In these cases, only the sampling of an ensemble of dynamic reactive trajectories (transition path sampling, TPS) with explicit models of the environment may reveal the nature of the processes involved. In the present work we show how a TPS approach can conveniently be implemented for the phenomenon of relaxation-isomerization of azobenzenes starting with the simple examples of pure azobenzene and a push-pull derivative immersed in a polar (DMSO) and apolar (toluene) solvent. The latter are represented explicitly at a molecular mechanical (MM) and the azo moiety at a quantum mechanical (QM) level. We demonstrate for the push-pull azobenzene that path sampling in combination with the chosen QM/MM scheme produces the expected change in isomerization pathway from inversion to rotation in going from a low to a high permittivity (explicit) solvent model. We discuss the potential of the simulation procedure presented for comparative calculation of reaction rates and an improved understanding of activated states.}, language = {en} } @article{LiebigSarhanPrietzeletal.2018, author = {Liebig, Ferenc and Sarhan, Radwan Mohamed and Prietzel, Claudia Christina and Schmitt, Clemens Nikolaus Zeno and Bargheer, Matias and Koetz, Joachim}, title = {Tuned Surface-Enhanced raman scattering performance of undulated Au@Ag triangles}, series = {ACS applied nano materials}, volume = {1}, journal = {ACS applied nano materials}, number = {4}, publisher = {American Chemical Society}, address = {Washington}, issn = {2574-0970}, doi = {10.1021/acsanm.8b00570}, pages = {1995 -- 2003}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Negatively charged ultraflat gold nanotriangles (AuNTs) stabilized by the anionic surfactant dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate (AOT) were reloaded with the cationic surfactant benzylhexadecyldimethylammonium chloride (BDAC). Because of the spontaneous formation of a catanionic AOT micelle/BDAC bilayer onto the surface of the reloaded AuNTs, a reduction of Ag+ ions leads to the formation of spherical silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). With increasing concentration of AgNPs on the AuNTs, the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) is shifted stepwise from 1300 to 800 nm. The tunable LSPR enables to shift the extinction maximum to the wavelength of the excitation laser of the Raman microscope at 785 nm. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) experiments performed under resonance conditions show an SERS enhancement factor of the analyte molecule rhodamine RG6 of 5.1 X 10(5), which can be related to the silver hot spots at the periphery of the undulated gold nanoplatelets.}, language = {en} } @article{GuoTianYangetal.2018, author = {Guo, Ranran and Tian, Ye and Yang, Yueqi and Jiang, Qin and Wang, Yajun and Yang, Wuli}, title = {A Yolk-Shell nanoplatform for gene-silencing-enhanced photolytic ablation of cancer}, series = {Advanced functional materials}, volume = {28}, journal = {Advanced functional materials}, number = {14}, publisher = {Wiley-VCH}, address = {Weinheim}, issn = {1616-301X}, doi = {10.1002/adfm.201706398}, pages = {11}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Noninvasive near-infrared (NIR) light responsive therapy is a promising cancer treatment modality; however, some inherent drawbacks of conventional phototherapy heavily restrict its application in clinic. Rather than producing heat or reactive oxygen species in conventional NIR treatment, here a multifunctional yolk-shell nanoplatform is proposed that is able to generate microbubbles to destruct cancer cells upon NIR laser irradiation. Besides, the therapeutic effect is highly improved through the coalition of small interfering RNA (siRNA), which is codelivered by the nanoplatform. In vitro experiments demonstrate that siRNA significantly inhibits expression of protective proteins and reduces the tolerance of cancer cells to bubble-induced environmental damage. In this way, higher cytotoxicity is achieved by utilizing the yolk-shell nanoparticles than treated with the same nanoparticles missing siRNA under NIR laser irradiation. After surface modification with polyethylene glycol and transferrin, the yolk-shell nanoparticles can target tumors selectively, as demonstrated from the photoacoustic and ultrasonic imaging in vivo. The yolk-shell nanoplatform shows outstanding tumor regression with minimal side effects under NIR laser irradiation. Therefore, the multifunctional nanoparticles that combining bubble-induced mechanical effect with RNA interference are expected to be an effective NIR light responsive oncotherapy.}, language = {en} } @article{VishnevetskayaHildebrandDyakonovaetal.2018, author = {Vishnevetskaya, Natalya S. and Hildebrand, Viet and Dyakonova, Margarita A. and Niebuur, Bart-Jan and Kyriakos, Konstantinos and Raftopoulos, Konstantinos N. and Di, Zhenyu and M{\"u}ller-Buschbaum, Peter and Laschewsky, Andre and Papadakis, Christine M.}, title = {Dual orthogonal switching of the "Schizophrenic" self-assembly of diblock copolymers}, series = {Macromolecules : a publication of the American Chemical Society}, volume = {51}, journal = {Macromolecules : a publication of the American Chemical Society}, number = {7}, publisher = {American Chemical Society}, address = {Washington}, issn = {0024-9297}, doi = {10.1021/acs.macromol.8b00096}, pages = {2604 -- 2614}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Based on diblock copolymers, a pair of "schizophrenic" micellar systems is designed by combining a nonionic and thermoresponsive block with a zwitterionic block, which is thermoresponsive and salt-sensitive. The nonionic block is poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) or poly(N-isopropylmethacrylamide) (PNIPMAM) and exhibits a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) behavior in aqueous solution. The zwitterionic block is a polysulfobetaine, i.e., poly(4((3-methacrylamidopropyl)dimethylammonio)butane-1-sulfonate) (PSBP), and has an upper critical solution temperature (UCST) behavior with the clearing point decreasing with increasing salt concentration. The PSBP-b-PNIPAM and PSBP-b-PNIPMAM diblock copolymers are prepared by successive reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerizations. The PSBP block is chosen such that the clearing point of the homopolymer is significantly higher in pure water than the cloud point of PNIPAM or PNIPMAM. Using turbidimetry, H-1 NMR, and small-angle neutron scattering, we investigate the overall phase behavior as well as the structure and interaction between the micelles and the intermediate phase, both in salt-free D2O and in 0.004 M NaBr in D2O in a wide temperature range. We find that PSBP-b-PNIPAM at 50 g L-1 in salt-free D2O is turbid in the entire temperature range. It forms spherical micelles below the cloud point of PNIPAM and cylindrical micelles above. Similar behavior is observed for PSBP-b-PNIPMAM at 50 g L-1 in salt-free D2O with a slight and smooth increase of the light transmission below the cloud point of PNIPMAM and an abrupt decrease above. Upon addition of 0.004 M NaBr, the UCST-type cloud point of the PSBP-block is notably decreased, and an intermediate regime is encountered below the cloud point of PNIPMAM, where the light transmission is slightly enhanced. In this regime, the polymer solution exhibits behavior typical for polyelectrolyte solutions. Thus, double thermosensitive and salt-sensitive behavior with "schizophrenic" micelle formation is found, and the width of the intermediate regime, where both blocks are hydrophilic, can be tuned by the addition of electrolyte.}, language = {en} } @article{KirpichenkoShainyanKleinpeteretal.2018, author = {Kirpichenko, Svetlana and Shainyan, Bagrat A. and Kleinpeter, Erich and Shlykov, Sergey A. and Tran Dinh Phien, and Albanov, Alexander}, title = {Synthesis of 3-fluoro-3-methyl-3-silatetrahydropyran and its conformational preferences in gas and solution by GED, NMR and theoretical calculations}, series = {Tetrahedron}, volume = {74}, journal = {Tetrahedron}, number = {15}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {0040-4020}, doi = {10.1016/j.tet.2018.02.055}, pages = {1859 -- 1867}, year = {2018}, abstract = {The 3,3-disubstitued 3-silaheterocyclohexane with an electronegative substituent at silicon, 3-fluoro-3-methyl-3-silatetrahydropyran 1, was synthesized, and its molecular structure and conformational properties studied by gas-phase electron diffraction (GED) and low temperature C-13 and F-19 NMR spectroscopy. Quantum-chemical calculations were carried out both for the isolated species and Hcomplexes in gas and in polar medium. The predominance of the 1-FeqMeax conformer (1-F-eq:1-F-ax ratio of 65:35, Delta G degrees = 0.37 kcal/mol) determined from GED is close to the theoretically estimated conformational equilibrium, especially at the DFT level. In solution, low temperature NMR spectroscopy showed no decoalescence of the signals in C-13 (down to 95 K) and F-19 NMR spectra (down to 123 K). However, the calculated F-19 chemical shift of -173.6 ppm for the 1-FeqMeax conformer practically coincides with the experimentally observed value (-173 to -175 ppm) as distinct from that for the 1-FaxMeeq conformer (-188.8 ppm), suggesting compound 1 to be anancomeric in solution, in compliance with its theoretical and experimental preference in the gas phase.}, language = {en} } @article{RoderHille2018, author = {Roder, Phillip and Hille, Carsten}, title = {Local tissue manipulation via a force- and pressure-controlled AFM micropipette for analysis of cellular processes}, series = {Scientific reports}, volume = {8}, journal = {Scientific reports}, publisher = {Nature Publ. Group}, address = {London}, issn = {2045-2322}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-018-24255-9}, pages = {9}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Local manipulation of complex tissues at the single-cell level is challenging and requires excellent sealing between the specimen and the micromanipulation device. Here, biological applications for a recently developed loading technique for a force-and pressure-controlled fluidic force microscope micropipette are described. This technique allows for the exact positioning and precise spatiotemporal control of liquid delivery. The feasibility of a local loading technique for tissue applications was investigated using two fluorescent dyes, with which local loading behaviour could be optically visualised. Thus, homogeneous intracellular distribution of CellTracker Red and accumulation of SYTO 9 Green within nuclei was realised in single cells of a tissue preparation. Subsequently, physiological micromanipulation experiments were performed. Salivary gland tissue was pre-incubated with the Ca2+-sensitive dye OGB-1. An intracellular Ca2+ rise was then initiated at the single-cell level by applying dopamine via micropipette. When pre-incubating tissue with the nitric oxide (NO)-sensitive dye DAF-FM, NO release and intercellular NO diffusion was observed after local application of the NO donor SNP. Finally, local micromanipulation of a well-defined area along irregularly shaped cell surfaces of complex biosystems was shown for the first time for the fluidic force microscope micropipette. Thus, this technique is a promising tool for the investigation of the spatiotemporal effects of locally applied substances in complex tissues.}, language = {en} } @article{LiebigSarhanPrietzeletal.2018, author = {Liebig, Ferenc and Sarhan, Radwan Mohamed and Prietzel, Claudia Christina and Th{\"u}nemann, Andreas F. and Bargheer, Matias and Koetz, Joachim}, title = {Undulated Gold Nanoplatelet Superstructures}, series = {Langmuir}, volume = {34}, journal = {Langmuir}, number = {15}, publisher = {American Chemical Society}, address = {Washington}, issn = {0743-7463}, doi = {10.1021/acs.langmuir.7b02898}, pages = {4584 -- 4594}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Negatively charged flat gold nanotriangles, formed in a vesicular template phase and separated by an AOT-micelle-based depletion flocculation, were reloaded by adding a cationic polyelectrolyte, that is, a hyperbranched polyethylenimine (PEI). Heating the system to 100 degrees C in the presence of a gold chloride solution, the reduction process leads to the formation of gold nanoparticles inside the polymer shell surrounding the nanoplatelets. The gold nanoparticle formation is investigated by UV-vis spectroscopy, small-angle X-ray scattering, and dynamic light scattering measurements in combination with transmission electron microscopy. Spontaneously formed gold clusters in the hyperbranched PEI shell with an absorption maximum at 350 nm grow on the surface of the nanotriangles as hemispherical particles with diameters of similar to 6 nm. High-resolution micrographs show that the hemispherical gold particles are crystallized onto the {111} facets on the bottom and top of the platelet as well as on the edges without a grain boundary. Undulated gold nanoplatelet superstructures with special properties become available, which show a significantly modified performance in SERS-detected photocatalysis regarding both reactivity and enhancement factor.}, language = {en} } @article{WessigJohnMertens2018, author = {Wessig, Pablo and John, Leonard and Mertens, Monique}, title = {Extending the Class of [1,3]-Dioxolo[4.5-f]benzodioxole (DBD) Fluorescent Dyes}, series = {European journal of organic chemistry}, volume = {2018}, journal = {European journal of organic chemistry}, number = {14}, publisher = {Wiley-VCH}, address = {Weinheim}, issn = {1434-193X}, doi = {10.1002/ejoc.201800002}, pages = {1674 -- 1681}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Synthetic routes to a collection of new fluorescent dyes are described, which are based on the [1,3]-dioxolo[4.5-f]benzodioxole (DBD) core. By introducing different electron withdrawing groups in 4- and 8-position of the DBD moiety the emission wavelength could be adjusted over a large spectral range from blue to orange light.}, language = {en} } @article{TianHuZhangetal.2018, author = {Tian, Guang-Zong and Hu, Jing and Zhang, Heng-Xi and Rademacher, Christoph and Zou, Xiao-Peng and Zheng, Hong-Ning and Xu, Fei and Wang, Xiao-Li and Linker, Torsten and Yin, Jian}, title = {Synthesis and conformational analysis of linear homo- and heterooligomers from novel 2-C-branched sugar amino acids (SAAs)}, series = {Scientific reports}, volume = {8}, journal = {Scientific reports}, publisher = {Nature Publ. Group}, address = {London}, issn = {2045-2322}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-018-24927-6}, pages = {8}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Sugar amino acids (SAAs), as biologically interesting structures bearing both amino and carboxylic acid functional groups represent an important class of multifunctional building blocks. In this study, we develop an easy access to novel SAAs in only three steps starting from nitro compounds in high yields in analytically pure form, easily available by ceric (IV) mediated radical additions. Such novel SAAs have been applied in the assembly of total nine carbopeptoids with the form of linear homo-and heterooligomers for the structural investigations employing circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, which suggest that the carbopeptoids emerge a well-extended, left (or right)-handed conformation similar to polyproline II (PPII) helices. NMR studies also clearly demonstrated the presence of ordered secondary structural elements. 2D-ROESY spectra were acquired to identify i+1NH <-> (C1H)-C-i, (C2H)-C-i correlations which support the conformational analysis of tetramers by CD spectroscopy. These findings provide interesting information of SAAs and their oligomers as potential scaffolds for discovering new drugs and materials.}, language = {en} } @article{JohnZimmermannBoeker2018, author = {John, Daniela and Zimmermann, Marc and B{\"o}ker, Alexander}, title = {Generation of 3-dimensional multi-patches on silica particles via printing with wrinkled stamps}, series = {Soft matter}, volume = {14}, journal = {Soft matter}, number = {16}, publisher = {Royal Society of Chemistry}, address = {Cambridge}, issn = {1744-683X}, doi = {10.1039/c8sm00224j}, pages = {3057 -- 3062}, year = {2018}, abstract = {A simple route towards patchy particles with anisotropic patches with respect to a different functionality and directionality is presented. This method is based on microcontact printing of positively charged polyethylenimine (PEI) on silica particles using wrinkled stamps. Due to the wrinkled surface, the number of patches on the particles as well as the distance between two patches can be controlled.}, language = {en} } @article{MaticSchlaad2018, author = {Matic, Aleksandar and Schlaad, Helmut}, title = {Thiol-ene photofunctionalization of 1,4-polymyrcene}, series = {Polymer international}, volume = {67}, journal = {Polymer international}, number = {5}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {0959-8103}, doi = {10.1002/pi.5534}, pages = {500 -- 505}, year = {2018}, abstract = {1,4-Polymyrcene was synthesized by anionic polymerization of -myrcene and was subjected to photochemical functionalization with various thiols (i.e. methyl thioglycolate, methyl 3-mercaptopropionate, butyl 3-mercaptopropionate, ethyl 2-mercaptopropionate and 2-methyl-2-propanethiol) using benzophenone/UV light as the radical source. The yield of thiol addition to the trisubstituted double bonds of 1,4-polymyrcene decreased in the order 1 degrees thiol (ca 95\%) > 2 degrees thiol (ca 80\%) > 3 degrees thiol (<5\%), due to the reversibility of the thiol-ene reaction. Remarkably, thiol addition to the side-chain double bonds was 8 - 10 times (1 degrees thiol) or 24 times (2 degrees thiol) faster than to the main-chain double bonds, which can be explained by the different accessibility of the double bonds and steric hindrance. Despite the use of a 10-fold excess of thiol with respect to myrcene units, the thiol-ene addition was accompanied by chain coupling reactions, which in the extreme case of 3 degrees thiol (or in the absence of thiol) resulted in the formation of insoluble crosslinked material. As an example, a methyl-thioglycolate-functionalized 1,4-polymyrcene was saponified/crosslinked to give submicron polyelectrolyte particles in dilute alkaline solution. (c) 2018 Society of Chemical Industry}, language = {en} } @article{PazHeydenreichSchmidtetal.2018, author = {Paz, Cristian and Heydenreich, Matthias and Schmidt, Bernd and Vadra, Nahir and Baggio, Ricardo}, title = {Three new dihydro-beta-agarofuran sesquiterpenes from the seeds of Maytenus boaria}, series = {Acta Crystallographica Section C}, volume = {74}, journal = {Acta Crystallographica Section C}, publisher = {International Union of Crystallography}, address = {Chester}, issn = {2053-2296}, doi = {10.1107/S2053229618005429}, pages = {564 -- 570}, year = {2018}, abstract = {As part of a project studying the secondary metabolites extracted from the Chilean flora, we report herein three new beta-agarofuran sesquiterpenes, namely (1S,4S,5S,6R,7R,8R,9R,10S)-6-acetoxy-4,9-dihydroxy-2,2,5a,9-tetramethyloctahydro-2H-3,9a-methanobenzo[b] oxepine-5,10-diylbis(furan-3-carboxylate), C27H32O11, (II), (1S,4S,5S,6R,7R,9S,10S)-6-acetoxy-9-hydroxy-2,2,5a, 9-tetramethyloctahydro-2H-3,9a-methanobenzo[ b] oxepine-5,10-diyl bis(furan-3-carboxylate), C27H32O10, (III), and (1S,4S,5S,6R,7R,9S,10S)-6-acetoxy-10-(benzoyloxy)-9-hydroxy-2,2,5a,9-tetramethyloctahydro-2H-3,9a-methanobenzo[b]oxepin-5-yl furan-3-carboxylate, C29H34O9, (IV), obtained from the seeds of Maytenus boaria and closely associated with a recently published relative [Paz et al. (2017). Acta Cryst. C73, 451-457]. In the (isomorphic) structures of (II) and (III), the central decalin system is esterified with an acetate group at site 1 and furoate groups at sites 6 and 9, and differ at site 8, with an OH group in (II) and no substituent in (III). This position is also unsubstituted in (IV), with site 6 being occupied by a benzoate group. The chirality of the skeletons is described as 1S, 4S, 5S, 6R, 7R, 8R, 9R, 10S in (II) and 1S, 4S, 5S, 6R, 7R, 9S, 10S in (III) and (IV), matching the chirality suggested by NMR studies. This difference in the chirality sequence among the title structures (in spite of the fact that the three skeletons are absolutely isostructural) is due to the differences in the environment of site 8, i.e. OH in (II) and H in (III) and (IV). This diversity in substitution, in turn, is responsible for the differences in the hydrogen-bonding schemes, which is discussed.}, language = {en} } @article{StarkeKochKammeretal.2018, author = {Starke, Ines and Koch, Andreas and Kammer, Stefan and Holdt, Hans-J{\"u}rgen and M{\"o}ller, Heiko Michael}, title = {Electrospray mass spectrometry and molecular modeling study of formation and stability of silver complexes with diazaperylene and bisisoquinoline}, series = {Journal of mass spectrometry}, volume = {53}, journal = {Journal of mass spectrometry}, number = {5}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {1076-5174}, doi = {10.1002/jms.4071}, pages = {408 -- 418}, year = {2018}, abstract = {The complex formation of the following diazaperylene ligands (L) 1,12-diazaperylene 1, 1,1-bisisoquinoline 2, 2,11-disubstituted 1,12-diazaperylenes (alkyl=methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, 3, 5, 7), 3,3-disubstituted 1,1-bisisoquinoline (alkyl=methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, 4, 6, 8 and with R=phenyl, 11 and with pyridine 12), and the 5,8-dimethoxy-substituted diazaperylene 9, 6,6-dimethoxy-substituted bisisoquinoline 10 with AgBF4 was investigated. Collision-induced dissociation measurements were used to evaluate the relative stabilities of the ligands themselves and for the [1:1](+) complexes as well as for the homoleptic and heteroleptic silver [1:2](+) complexes in the gas phase. This method is very useful in rapid screening of the stabilities of new complexes in the gas phase. The influence of the spatial arrangement of the ligands and the type of substituents employed for the complexation were examined. The effect of the preorganization of the diazaperylene on the threshold activation voltages and thus of the relative binding energies of the different complexes are discussed. Density functional theory calculations were used to calculate the optimized structures of the silver complexes and compared with the stabilities of the complexes in the gas phase for the first time.}, language = {en} } @article{Bouakline2018, author = {Bouakline, Foudhil}, title = {Unambiguous signature of the berry phase in intense laser dissociation of diatomic molecules}, series = {The journal of physical chemistry letters}, volume = {9}, journal = {The journal of physical chemistry letters}, number = {9}, publisher = {American Chemical Society}, address = {Washington}, issn = {1948-7185}, doi = {10.1021/acs.jpclett.8b00607}, pages = {2271 -- 2277}, year = {2018}, abstract = {We report strong evidence of Berry phase effects in intense laser dissociation of D-2(+) molecules, manifested as Aharonov-Bohm-like oscillations in the photofragment angular distribution (PAD). Our calculations show that this interference pattern strongly depends on the parity of the diatom initial rotational state, (-1)(j). Indeed, the PAD local maxima (minima) observed in one case (j odd) correspond to local minima (maxima) in the other case (j even). Using simple topological arguments, we clearly show that such interference conversion is a direct signature of the Berry phase. The sole effect of the latter on the rovibrational wave function is a sign change of the relative phase between two interfering components, which wind in opposite senses around a light-induced conical intersection (LICI). Therefore, encirclement of the LICI leads to constructive (j odd) or destructive (j even) self-interference of the initial nuclear wavepacket in the dissociative limit. To corroborate our theoretical findings, we suggest an experiment of strong-field indirect dissociation of D-2(+) molecules, comparing the PAD of the ortho and para molecular species in directions nearly perpendicular to the laser polarization axis.}, language = {en} } @article{MeilingCywinskiLoehmannsroeben2018, author = {Meiling, Till Thomas and Cywinski, Piotr J. and L{\"o}hmannsr{\"o}ben, Hans-Gerd}, title = {Two-Photon excitation fluorescence spectroscopy of quantum dots}, series = {The journal of physical chemistry : C, Nanomaterials and interfaces}, volume = {122}, journal = {The journal of physical chemistry : C, Nanomaterials and interfaces}, number = {17}, publisher = {American Chemical Society}, address = {Washington}, issn = {1932-7447}, doi = {10.1021/acs.jpcc.7b12345}, pages = {9641 -- 9647}, year = {2018}, abstract = {The applications of quantum dots (QDs) in two-photon (2P) excitation applications demand reliable data about their 2P absorption (2PA) cross sections (sigma(2PA)). In the present study, sigma(2PA) values have been determined for a series of commercial colloidal CdSe/ZnS QDs and CdSeTe/ZnS QDs in aqueous media. For the first time for these QDs, the sigma(2PA) values have been determined over a wide spectral range, that is, between 720 and 900 nm, and are compared to the extinction coefficient (epsilon) values obtained under one-photon (1P) excitation. Furthermore, we present a QD in combination with an organic dye in a biotin-streptavidin Forster resonance energy transfer bioassay under 1P and 2P excitation. The results for the bioassay under 2P excitation are compared to those obtained under 1P excitation. The results demonstrate that in the case of the 2P excitation, higher sensitivity can be achieved because of an improved signal-to-noise ratio.}, language = {en} } @article{SchultzeSchmidt2018, author = {Schultze, Christiane and Schmidt, Bernd}, title = {Prenylcoumarins in One or Two Steps by a Microwave-Promoted Tandem Claisen Rearrangement/Wittig Olefination/Cyclization Sequence}, series = {The journal of organic chemistry}, volume = {83}, journal = {The journal of organic chemistry}, number = {9}, publisher = {American Chemical Society}, address = {Washington}, issn = {0022-3263}, doi = {10.1021/acs.joc.8b00667}, pages = {5210 -- 5224}, year = {2018}, abstract = {The one-pot synthesis of 8-prenylcoumarins from 1,1-dimethylallylated salicylaldehydes and the stabilized ylide [(ethoxycarbonyl)methylene]triphenylphosphorane under microwave conditions was found to have a limited scope. The sequence suffers from a difficult and sometimes low-yielding synthesis of the precursors and from a competing deprenylation upon microwave irradiation. This side reaction occurs in particular with electron rich arenes with two or more alkoxy groups at adjacent positions, a prominent substitution pattern in naturally occurring 8-prenylcoumarins. Both limitations of this one-step sequence were overcome by a two-step synthesis consisting of a microwave-promoted tandem allyl ether Claisen rearrangement/Wittig olefination and a subsequent olefin cross metathesis with 2-methyl-2-butene. The cross metathesis step proceeds with a high selectivity and yields exclusively the desired prenyl, rather than the alternative crotyl substituent. Several naturally occurring 8-prenylcoumarins that were previously inaccessible have been synthesized in good overall yields along this route.}, language = {en} } @article{LeeHwangSchildeetal.2018, author = {Lee, Hui-Chun and Hwang, Jongkook and Schilde, Uwe and Antonietti, Markus and Matyjaszewski, Krzysztof and Schmidt, Bernhard V. K. J.}, title = {Toward ultimate control of radical polymerization}, series = {Chemistry of materials : a publication of the American Chemical Society}, volume = {30}, journal = {Chemistry of materials : a publication of the American Chemical Society}, number = {9}, publisher = {American Chemical Society}, address = {Washington}, issn = {0897-4756}, doi = {10.1021/acs.chemmater.8b00546}, pages = {2983 -- 2994}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Herein, an approach via combination of confined porous textures and reversible deactivation radical polymerization techniques is proposed to advance synthetic polymer chemistry, i.e., a connection of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and activators regenerated by electron transfer atom transfer radical polymerization (ARGET ATRP). Zn-2(benzene-1,4-dicarboxylate)2(1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]-octane) [Zn-2(bdc)(2)(dabco)] is utilized as a reaction environment for polymerization of various methacrylate monomers (methyl, ethyl, benzyl, and isobornyl methacrylate) in a confined nanochannel, resulting in polymers with control over dispersity, end functionalities, and tacticity with respect to distinct molecular size. To refine and reconsolidate the compartmentation effect on polymer regularity, initiator-functionalized Zn MOF was synthesized via cocrystallization with an initiator-functionalized ligand, 2-(2-bromo-2-methylpropanamido)-1,4-benzenedicarboxylate (Brbdc), in different ratios (10\%, 20\%, and 50\%). Through the embedded initiator, surface-initiated ARGET ATRP was directly initiated from the walls of the nanochannels. The obtained polymers had a high molecular weight up to 392 000. Moreover, a significant improvement in end-group functionality and stereocontrol was observed, entailing polymers with obvious increments in isotacticity. The results highlight a combination of MOFs and ATRP that is a promising and universal methodology to prepare various polymers with high molecular weight exhibiting well-defined uniformity in chain length and microstructure as well as the preserved chain-end functionality.}, language = {en} } @article{MeilingSchuermannVogeletal.2018, author = {Meiling, Till Thomas and Sch{\"u}rmann, Robin Mathis and Vogel, Stefanie and Ebel, Kenny and Nicolas, Christophe and Milosavljevic, Aleksandar R. and Bald, Ilko}, title = {Photophysics and Chemistry of Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Nanodots with High Photoluminescence Quantum Yield}, series = {The journal of physical chemistry : C, Nanomaterials and interfaces}, volume = {122}, journal = {The journal of physical chemistry : C, Nanomaterials and interfaces}, number = {18}, publisher = {American Chemical Society}, address = {Washington}, issn = {1932-7447}, doi = {10.1021/acs.jpcc.8b00748}, pages = {10217 -- 10230}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Fluorescent carbon nanodots (CNDs) are very promising nanomaterials for a broad range of applications because of their high photostability, presumed selective luminescence, and low cost at which they can be produced. In this respect, CNDs are superior to well-established semiconductor quantum dots and organic dyes. However, reported synthesis protocols for CNDs typically lead to low photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) and low reproducibility, resulting in a poor understanding of the CND chemistry and photophysics. Here, we report a one-step synthesis of nitrogen-doped carbon nanodots (N-CNDs) from various carboxylic acids, Tris, and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid resulting in high PLQY of up to 90\%. The reaction conditions in terms of starting materials, temperature, and reaction time are carefully optimized and their influence on the photophysical properties is characterized. We find that citric acid-derived N-CNDs can result in a very high PLQY of 90\%, but they do not show selective luminescence. By contrast, acetic acid-derived N-CNDs show selective luminescence but a PLQY of 50\%. The chemical composition of the surface and core of these two selected N-CND types is characterized among others by high-resolution synchrotron X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy using single isolated N-CND clusters. The results indicate that photoexcitation occurs in the N-CND core, whereas the emission properties are determined by the N-CND surface groups.}, language = {en} } @article{KarrasHolecBednarovaetal.2018, author = {Karras, Manfred and Holec, Jan and Bednarova, Lucie and Pohl, Radek and Schmidt, Bernd and Stara, Irena G. and Stary, Ivo}, title = {Asymmetric Synthesis of Nonracemic 2-Amino[6]helicenes and Their Self-Assembly into Langmuir Films}, series = {The journal of organic chemistry}, volume = {83}, journal = {The journal of organic chemistry}, number = {10}, publisher = {American Chemical Society}, address = {Washington}, issn = {0022-3263}, doi = {10.1021/acs.joc.8b00538}, pages = {5523 -- 5538}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Alternative ways of preparing nonracemic 2-amino[6]helicene derivatives were explored. The enantioselective [2 + 2 + 2] cycloisomerization of a nonchiral triyne under Ni(cod)(2)/(R)-QUINAP catalysis delivered the enantioenriched (+)-(P)-2-aminodibenzo[6]helicene derivative in 67\% ee. An ultimate "point-to-helical" chirality transfer was observed in the cyclization of enantiopure triynes mediated by Ni(CO)(2)(PPh3)(2) affording (-)-(M)- or (+)-(P)-7,8-bis(p-tolyl)hexahelicen-2-amine in >99\% ee as well as its benzoderivative in >99\% ee. The latter mode of stereocontrol was inefficient for a 2-aminobenzo[6]helicene congener with an embedded five-membered ring. The rac-, (-)-(M)-, and (+)-(P)-7,8-bis(p-tolyl)hexahelicen-2-amines formed Langmuir monolayers at the air water interface featuring practically identical surface pressure vs mean molecular area isotherms. The corresponding Langmuir-Blodgett films on quartz or silicon substrates were characterized by UV vis/ECD spectroscopy and AFM microscopy, respectively.}, language = {en} } @article{KimHeyneAbouserieetal.2018, author = {Kim, Yohan and Heyne, Benjamin and Abouserie, Ahed and Pries, Christopher and Ippen, Christian and G{\"u}nter, Christina and Taubert, Andreas and Wedel, Armin}, title = {CuS nanoplates from ionic liquid precursors-Application in organic photovoltaic cells}, series = {The journal of chemical physics : bridges a gap between journals of physics and journals of chemistr}, volume = {148}, journal = {The journal of chemical physics : bridges a gap between journals of physics and journals of chemistr}, number = {19}, publisher = {American Institute of Physics}, address = {Melville}, issn = {0021-9606}, doi = {10.1063/1.4991622}, pages = {10}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Hexagonal p-type semiconductor CuS nanoplates were synthesized via a hot injection method from bis(trimethylsilyl) sulfide and the ionic liquid precursor bis(N-dodecylpyridinium) tetrachloridocuprate( II). The particles have a broad size distribution with diameters between 30 and 680 nm and well-developed crystal habits. The nanoplates were successfully incorporated into organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells as hole conduction materials. The power conversion efficiency of OPV cells fabricated with the nanoplates is 16\% higher than that of a control device fabricated without the nanoplates. (C) 2018 Author(s).}, language = {en} } @article{RajuLiebigKlemkeetal.2018, author = {Raju, Rajarshi Roy and Liebig, Ferenc and Klemke, Bastian and Koetz, Joachim}, title = {pH-responsive magnetic Pickering Janus emulsions}, series = {Colloid and polymer science : official journal of the Kolloid-Gesellschaft}, volume = {296}, journal = {Colloid and polymer science : official journal of the Kolloid-Gesellschaft}, number = {6}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {New York}, issn = {0303-402X}, doi = {10.1007/s00396-018-4321-z}, pages = {1039 -- 1046}, year = {2018}, abstract = {We report ultrasonically generated pH-responsive Pickering Janus emulsions of olive oil and silicone oil with controllable droplet size and engulfment. Chitosan was used as a pH-responsive emulsifier. The increase of pH from 2 to 6 leads to a transition from completely engulfed double emulsion droplets to dumbbell-shaped Janus droplets accompanied by a significant decrease of droplet diameter and a more homogeneous size distribution. The results can be elucidated by the conformational change of chitosan from a more extended form at pH 2 to a more flexible form at pH 4-5. Magnetic responsiveness to the emulsion was attributed by dispersing superparamagnetic nanoparticles (Fe3O4 with diameter of 13 +/- 2 nm) in the olive oil phase before preparing the Janus emulsion. Incorporation of magnetic nanoparticles leads to superior emulsion stability, drastically reduced droplet diameters, and opened the way to control movement and orientation of the Janus droplets according to an external magnetic field.}, language = {en} } @article{FerrerPeresdosSantosetal.2018, author = {Ferrer, Beatriz and Peres, Tanara Vieira and dos Santos, Alessandra Antunes and Bornhorst, Julia and Morcillo, Patricia and Goncalves, Cinara Ludvig and Aschner, Michael}, title = {Methylmercury affects the expression of hypothalamic neuropeptides that control body weight in C57BL/6J mice}, series = {Toxicological sciences}, volume = {163}, journal = {Toxicological sciences}, number = {2}, publisher = {Oxford Univ. Press}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {1096-6080}, doi = {10.1093/toxsci/kfy052}, pages = {557 -- 568}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Methylmercury (MeHg) is an environmental pollutant that affects primarily the central nervous system (CNS), causing neurological alterations. An early symptom of MeHg poisoning is the loss of body weight and appetite. Moreover, the CNS has an important role in controlling energy homeostasis. It is known that in the hypothalamus nutrient and hormonal signals converge to orchestrate control of body weight and food intake. In this study, we investigated if MeHg is able to induce changes in the expression of key hypothalamic neuropeptides that regulate energy homeostasis. Thus, hypothalamic neuronal mouse cell line GT 1-7 was treated with MeHg at different concentrations (0, 0.5, 1, and 5 mu M). MeHg induced the expression of the anorexigenic neuropeptide pro-omiomelanocortin (Pomc) and the orexigenic peptide Agouti-related peptide (Agrp) in a concentration-dependent manner, suggesting deregulation of mechanisms that control body weight. To confirm these in vitro observations, 8-week-old C57BL/6J mice (males and females) were exposed to MeHg in drinking water, modeling the most prevalent exposure route to this metal. After 30-day exposure, no changes in body weight were detected. However, MeHg treated males showed a significant decrease in fat depots. Moreover, MeHg affected the expression of hypothalamic neuropeptides that control food intake and body weight in a gender-and dose-dependent manner. Thus, MeHg increases Pomc mRNA only in males in a dose-dependent way, and it does not have effects on the expression of Agrp mRNA. The present study shows, for first time, that MeHg is able to induce changes in hypothalamic neuropeptides that regulate energy homeostasis, favoring an anorexigenic/catabolic profile.}, language = {en} } @article{SchoenemannLaschewskyRosenhahn2018, author = {Sch{\"o}nemann, Eric and Laschewsky, Andre and Rosenhahn, Axel}, title = {Exploring the long-term hydrolytic behavior of zwitterionic polymethacrylates and polymethacrylamides}, series = {Polymers}, volume = {10}, journal = {Polymers}, number = {6}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {2073-4360}, doi = {10.3390/polym10060639}, pages = {23}, year = {2018}, abstract = {The hydrolytic stability of polymers to be used for coatings in aqueous environments, for example, to confer anti-fouling properties, is crucial. However, long-term exposure studies on such polymers are virtually missing. In this context, we synthesized a set of nine polymers that are typically used for low-fouling coatings, comprising the well-established poly(oligoethylene glycol methylether methacrylate), poly(3-(N-2-methacryloylethyl-N,N-dimethyl) ammoniopropanesulfonate) (sulfobetaine methacrylate), and poly(3-(N-3-methacryamidopropyl-N,N-dimethyl)ammoniopropanesulfonate) (sulfobetaine methacrylamide) as well as a series of hitherto rarely studied polysulfabetaines, which had been suggested to be particularly hydrolysis-stable. Hydrolysis resistance upon extended storage in aqueous solution is followed by H-1 NMR at ambient temperature in various pH regimes. Whereas the monomers suffered slow (in PBS) to very fast hydrolysis (in 1 M NaOH), the polymers, including the polymethacrylates, proved to be highly stable. No degradation of the carboxyl ester or amide was observed after one year in PBS, 1 M HCl, or in sodium carbonate buffer of pH 10. This demonstrates their basic suitability for anti-fouling applications. Poly(sulfobetaine methacrylamide) proved even to be stable for one year in 1 M NaOH without any signs of degradation. The stability is ascribed to a steric shielding effect. The hemisulfate group in the polysulfabetaines, however, was found to be partially labile.}, language = {en} } @article{ReegHeineMihanetal.2018, author = {Reeg, Jette and Heine, Simon and Mihan, Christine and Preuss, Thomas G. and McGee, Sean and Jeltsch, Florian}, title = {Potential impact of effects on reproductive attributes induced by herbicides on a plant community}, series = {Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry}, volume = {37}, journal = {Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry}, number = {6}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {0730-7268}, doi = {10.1002/etc.4122}, pages = {1707 -- 1722}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Current herbicide risk assessment guidelines for nontarget terrestrial plants require testing effects on young, vulnerable life stages (i.e., seedling emergence [and subsequent growth] and vegetative vigor [growth and dry wt]) but not directly on the reproduction of plants. However, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has proposed that effects on reproduction might be considered when evaluating the potential effects on plants. We adapted the plant community model for grassland (IBC-grass) to give insight into the current debate on the sensitivity of reproductive versus vegetative endpoints in ecological risk assessment. In an extensive sensitivity analysis of this model, we compared plant attributes potentially affected by herbicides and the consequences for long-term plant population dynamics and plant diversity. This evaluation was implemented by reducing reproductive as well as vegetative endpoints by certain percentages (e.g., 10-90\%) as a theoretical assumption. Plant mortality and seed sterility (i.e., inability of seeds to germinate) were the most sensitive attributes. Our results indicated that effects on seed production at off-field exposure rates must be very strong to have an impact on the risk assessment. Otherwise, effects on seed production are compensated for by the soil seed bank. The present study highlights the usefulness of community level modeling studies to support regulators in their decisions on the appropriate risk assessment endpoints and provides confidence in their assessments. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:1707-1722. (c) 2018 SETAC}, language = {en} } @article{HartwigHass2018, author = {Hartwig, Anne and Hass, Roland}, title = {Monitoring lactose crystallization at industrially relevant concentrations by photon density wave spectroscopy}, series = {Chemical engineering \& technology}, volume = {41}, journal = {Chemical engineering \& technology}, number = {6}, publisher = {Wiley-VCH}, address = {Weinheim}, issn = {0930-7516}, doi = {10.1002/ceat.201700685}, pages = {1139 -- 1146}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Lactose is of great industrial importance and its production includes the cooling crystallization from highly concentrated solutions. Monitoring the crystallization process is essential to ensure reproducible product quality. Photon density wave (PDW) spectroscopy enables in-line monitoring of highly concentrated processes in liquid dispersions. It was applied to the determination of the solubility and nucleation points of lactose monohydrate in water, sizing of lactose crystals, and to dissolution as well as crystallization monitoring. Other process analytical technologies (focused-beam reflectance measurement, particle vision and measurement) were used as reference, and the comparison indicates that PDW spectroscopy is very robust against probe fouling and is, thus, a useful tool for monitoring crystallization processes in concentrated suspensions.}, language = {en} } @article{PoghosyanShahinyanKoetz2018, author = {Poghosyan, Armen H. and Shahinyan, A. A. and Koetz, Joachim}, title = {Self-assembled monolayer formation of distorted cylindrical AOT micelles on gold surfaces}, series = {Colloids and surfaces : an international journal devoted to the principles and applications of colloid and interface science ; A, Physicochemical and engineering aspects}, volume = {546}, journal = {Colloids and surfaces : an international journal devoted to the principles and applications of colloid and interface science ; A, Physicochemical and engineering aspects}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {0927-7757}, doi = {10.1016/j.colsurfa.2018.02.067}, pages = {20 -- 27}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Self-assembling features of sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate (AOT) molecules and micelle adsorption on gold Au (111) surfaces have been examined using molecular dynamics simulation. We argue that AOT micelles display a strong adsorption on gold surfaces resulting in distorted cylindrical micelles attached to the (111) facets. The well protected Au(111) facets decorated by a dense packed elongated ellipsoidal AOT layer hinder the diffusion of the reactant to the (111) facets and could result in the preferential growth of ultra-thin gold nanoplatelets.}, language = {en} } @article{PaillesSylvestreEscobaretal.2018, author = {Pailles, Christine and Sylvestre, Florence and Escobar, Jaime and Tonetto, Alain and Rustig, Sybille and Mazur, Jean-Charles}, title = {Cyclotella petenensis and Cyclotella cassandrae, two new fossil diatoms from Pleistocene sediments of Lake Peten-Itza, Guatemala, Central America}, series = {Phytotaxa : a rapid international journal for accelerating the publication of botanical taxonomy}, volume = {351}, journal = {Phytotaxa : a rapid international journal for accelerating the publication of botanical taxonomy}, number = {4}, publisher = {Magnolia Press}, address = {Auckland}, issn = {1179-3155}, doi = {10.11646/phytotaxa.351.4.1}, pages = {247 -- 263}, year = {2018}, abstract = {While analyzing the fossil diatom flora in one of the longest paleolimnological records (core PI-6) from Lake Peten-Itza, lowland Guatemala, we encountered Aulacoseira Thwaites, Cyclotella (Kutzing) and Discostella (Cleve \& Grunow) Houk \& Klee species appearing successively in the record. Among them, two new species that are assigned to the genus Cyclotella are described herein. Cyclotella petenensis sp. nov. is characterised by a coarse striation marked by a shadow line and a tangentially undulate central area with an arc of central fultoportulae. Cyclotella cassandrae sp. nov. has an elliptically shaped valve, coarse striae and a scattered ring of central fultoportulae in the central area. Classification and differences to similar taxa in the genus Cyclotella are discussed.}, language = {en} } @article{HansenKochKleinpeter2018, author = {Hansen, Poul Erik and Koch, Andreas and Kleinpeter, Erich}, title = {Ring current and anisotropy effects on OH chemical shifts in resonance-assisted intramolecular H-bonds}, series = {Tetrahedron letters}, volume = {59}, journal = {Tetrahedron letters}, number = {23}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {0040-4039}, doi = {10.1016/j.tetlet.2018.05.006}, pages = {2288 -- 2292}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Ring current effects on resonance-assisted and intramolecularly bridged hydrogen bond protons for 10-hydroxybenzo[h]quinoline 1 and a number of related compounds were calculated and the through-space NMR shieldings (TSNMRS) obtained hereby visualized as iso-chemical-shielding surfaces (ICSS) of various size and direction. These calculations revealed that this through-space effect is comparably large (up to 2 ppm) dependent on the position of the intramolecularly bridged OH proton, and therefore, contribute considerably to the chemical shift of the latter making it questionable to use delta(OH)/ppm in the estimation of intramolecular hydrogen bond strength without taking this into account. Furthermore, the anisotropy effects of additional groups on the aromatic moiety (e.g. the carbonyl group in salicylaldehyde or in o-hydroxyacetophenone of ca. 0.6 ppm deshielding) should also be considered. These through-space effects need to be taken into account when using OH chemical shifts to estimate hydrogen bond strength.}, language = {en} } @article{ErtanSavchenkoIgnatovaetal.2018, author = {Ertan, Emelie and Savchenko, Viktoriia and Ignatova, Nina and Vaz da Cruz, Vinicius and Couto, Rafael C. and Eckert, Sebastian and Fondell, Mattis and Dantz, Marcus and Kennedy, Brian and Schmitt, Thorsten and Pietzsch, Annette and F{\"o}hlisch, Alexander and Odelius, Michael and Kimberg, Victor}, title = {Ultrafast dissociation features in RIXS spectra of the water molecule}, series = {Physical chemistry, chemical physics : a journal of European Chemical Societies}, volume = {20}, journal = {Physical chemistry, chemical physics : a journal of European Chemical Societies}, number = {21}, publisher = {Royal Society of Chemistry}, address = {Cambridge}, issn = {1463-9076}, doi = {10.1039/c8cp01807c}, pages = {14384 -- 14397}, year = {2018}, abstract = {In this combined theoretical and experimental study we report on an analysis of the resonant inelastic X-ray scattering (RIXS) spectra of gas phase water via the lowest dissociative core-excited state |1s-1O4a11〉. We focus on the spectral feature near the dissociation limit of the electronic ground state. We show that the narrow atomic-like peak consists of the overlapping contribution from the RIXS channels back to the ground state and to the first valence excited state |1b-114a11〉 of the molecule. The spectral feature has signatures of ultrafast dissociation (UFD) in the core-excited state, as we show by means of ab initio calculations and time-dependent nuclear wave packet simulations. We show that the electronically elastic RIXS channel gives substantial contribution to the atomic-like resonance due to the strong bond length dependence of the magnitude and orientation of the transition dipole moment. By studying the RIXS for an excitation energy scan over the core-excited state resonance, we can understand and single out the molecular and atomic-like contributions in the decay to the lowest valence-excited state. Our study is complemented by a theoretical discussion of RIXS in the case of isotopically substituted water (HDO and D2O) where the nuclear dynamics is significantly affected by the heavier fragments' mass.}, language = {en} } @article{OenerQuerebilloDavidetal.2018, author = {{\"O}ner, Ibrahim Halil and Querebillo, Christine Joy and David, Christin and Gernert, Ulrich and Walter, Carsten and Driess, Matthias and Leimk{\"u}hler, Silke and Ly, Khoa Hoang and Weidinger, Inez M.}, title = {High electromagnetic field enhancement of TiO2 nanotube electrodes}, series = {Angewandte Chemie : a journal of the Gesellschaft Deutscher Chemiker ; International edition}, volume = {57}, journal = {Angewandte Chemie : a journal of the Gesellschaft Deutscher Chemiker ; International edition}, number = {24}, publisher = {Wiley-VCH}, address = {Weinheim}, issn = {1433-7851}, doi = {10.1002/anie.201802597}, pages = {7225 -- 7229}, year = {2018}, abstract = {We present the fabrication of TiO2 nanotube electrodes with high biocompatibility and extraordinary spectroscopic properties. Intense surface-enhanced resonance Raman signals of the heme unit of the redox enzyme Cytochromeb(5) were observed upon covalent immobilization of the protein matrix on the TiO2 surface, revealing overall preserved structural integrity and redox behavior. The enhancement factor could be rationally controlled by varying the electrode annealing temperature, reaching a record maximum value of over 70 at 475 degrees C. For the first time, such high values are reported for non-directly surface-interacting probes, for which the involvement of charge-transfer processes in signal amplification can be excluded. The origin of the surface enhancement is exclusively attributed to enhanced localized electric fields resulting from the specific optical properties of the nanotubular geometry of the electrode.}, language = {en} } @article{HeckKanehiraKneippetal.2018, author = {Heck, Christian and Kanehira, Yuya and Kneipp, Janina and Bald, Ilko}, title = {Placement of Single Proteins within the SERS Hot Spots of Self-Assembled Silver Nanolenses}, series = {Angewandte Chemie : a journal of the Gesellschaft Deutscher Chemiker ; International edition}, volume = {57}, journal = {Angewandte Chemie : a journal of the Gesellschaft Deutscher Chemiker ; International edition}, number = {25}, publisher = {Wiley-VCH}, address = {Weinheim}, issn = {1433-7851}, doi = {10.1002/anie.201801748}, pages = {7444 -- 7447}, year = {2018}, abstract = {This study demonstrates the bottom-up synthesis of silver nanolenses. A robust coating protocol enabled the functionalization of differently sized silver nanoparticles with DNA single strands of orthogonal sequence. Coated particles 10nm, 20nm, and 60nm in diameter were self-assembled by DNA origami scaffolds to form silver nanolenses. Single molecules of the protein streptavidin were selectively placed in the gap of highest electric field enhancement. Streptavidin labelled with alkyne groups served as model analyte in surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) experiments. By correlated Raman mapping and atomic force microscopy, SERS signals of the alkyne labels of a single streptavidin molecule, from a single silver nanolens, were detected. The discrete, self-similar aggregates of solid silver nanoparticles are promising for plasmonic applications.}, language = {en} } @article{YanRudolphNoecheletal.2018, author = {Yan, Wan and Rudolph, Tobias and N{\"o}chel, Ulrich and Gould, Oliver E. C. and Behl, Marc and Kratz, Karl and Lendlein, Andreas}, title = {Reversible actuation of thermoplastic multiblock copolymers with overlapping thermal transitions of crystalline and glassy domains}, series = {Macromolecules : a publication of the American Chemical Society}, volume = {51}, journal = {Macromolecules : a publication of the American Chemical Society}, number = {12}, publisher = {American Chemical Society}, address = {Washington}, issn = {0024-9297}, doi = {10.1021/acs.macromol.8b00322}, pages = {4624 -- 4632}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Polymeric materials possessing specific features like programmability, high deformability, and easy processability are highly desirable for creating modern actuating systems. In this study, thermoplastic shape-memory polymer actuators obtained by combining crystallizable poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) and poly(3S-isobutylmorpholin-2,5-dione) (PIBMD) segments in multiblock copolymers are described. We designed these materials according to our hypothesis that the confinement of glassy PIBMD domains present at the upper actuation temperature contribute to the stability of the actuator skeleton, especially at large programming strains. The copolymers have a phase-segregated morphology, indicated by the well-separated melting and glass transition temperatures for PIBMD and PCL, but possess a partially overlapping T-m of PCL and T-g of PIBMD in the temperature interval from 40 to 60 degrees C. Crystalline PIBMD hard domains act as strong physical netpoints in the PIBMD-PCL bulk material enabling high deformability (up to 2000\%) and good elastic recoverability (up to 80\% at 50 degrees C above T-m,T-PCL). In the programmed thermoplastic actuators a high content of crystallizable PCL actuation domains ensures pronounced thermoreversible shape changes upon repetitive cooling and heating. The programmed actuator skeleton, composed of PCL crystals present at the upper actuation temperature T-high and the remaining glassy PIBMD domains, enabled oriented crystallization upon cooling. The actuation performance of PIBMD-PCL could be tailored by balancing the interplay between actuation and skeleton, but also by varying the quantity of crystalline PIBMD hard domains via the copolymer composition, the applied programming strain, and the choice of T-high. The actuator with 17 mol\% PIBMD showed the highest reversible elongation of 11.4\% when programmed to a strain of 900\% at 50 degrees C. It is anticipated that the presented thermoplastic actuator materials can be applied as modern compression textiles.}, language = {en} } @article{KleinpeterKoch2018, author = {Kleinpeter, Erich and Koch, Andreas}, title = {Stable Carbenes or Betaines?}, series = {European journal of organic chemistry}, volume = {2018}, journal = {European journal of organic chemistry}, number = {24}, publisher = {Wiley-VCH}, address = {Weinheim}, issn = {1434-193X}, doi = {10.1002/ejoc.201800462}, pages = {3114 -- 3121}, year = {2018}, abstract = {The anisotropy effect in H-1 NMR spectroscopy can be readily employed to indicate the position of carbene/betaine mesomeric equilibria. NR2 substituted carbene/betaines tend to adopt betaine structures, whereas in the absence of NR2 substituents, the betaine structures cannot stabilise the structure through both -donation effects of the NMe2 groups and the electronegativity of the nitrogen atoms, and the corresponding carbene-like structures are preferred. These conclusions are supported by calculated bond orders and (C-13)/ppm values. The spatial magnetic properties of isonitriles and carbon monoxide, which can be counted as stable carbenes or, at least, as carbene-analogues, also exist as stable betaine structures, which is again supported by structural and magnetic properties.}, language = {en} } @article{KasyanenkoUnksovBakulevetal.2018, author = {Kasyanenko, Nina and Unksov, Ivan and Bakulev, Vladimir and Santer, Svetlana}, title = {DNA interaction with head-to-tail associates of cationic surfactants prevents formation of compact particles}, series = {Molecules}, volume = {23}, journal = {Molecules}, number = {7}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {1420-3049}, doi = {10.3390/molecules23071576}, pages = {14}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Cationic azobenzene-containing surfactants are capable of condensing DNA in solution with formation of nanosized particles that can be employed in gene delivery. The ratio of surfactant/DNA concentration and solution ionic strength determines the result of DNA-surfactant interaction: Complexes with a micelle-like surfactant associates on DNA, which induces DNA shrinkage, DNA precipitation or DNA condensation with the emergence of nanosized particles. UV and fluorescence spectroscopy, low gradient viscometry and flow birefringence methods were employed to investigate DNA-surfactant and surfactant-surfactant interaction at different NaCl concentrations, [NaCl]. It was observed that [NaCl] (or the Debye screening radius) determines the surfactant-surfactant interaction in solutions without DNA. Monomers, micelles and non-micellar associates of azobenzene-containing surfactants with head-to-tail orientation of molecules were distinguished due to the features of their absorption spectra. The novel data enabled us to conclude that exactly the type of associates (together with the concentration of components) determines the result of DNA-surfactant interaction. Predomination of head-to-tail associates at 0.01 M < [NaCl] < 0.5 M induces DNA aggregation and in some cases DNA precipitation. High NaCl concentration (higher than 0.8 M) prevents electrostatic attraction of surfactants to DNA phosphates for complex formation. DAPI dye luminescence in solutions with DNA-surfactant complexes shows that surfactant tails overlap the DNA minor groove. The addition of di- and trivalent metal ions before and after the surfactant binding to DNA indicate that the bound surfactant molecules are located on DNA in islets.}, language = {en} } @article{GeroldingerTonnerFudickaretal.2018, author = {Geroldinger, Gerald and Tonner, Matthias and Fudickar, Werner and De Sarkar, Sritama and Dighal, Aishwarya and Monzote, Lianet and Staniek, Katrin and Linker, Torsten and Chatterjee, Mitali and Gille, Lars}, title = {Activation of anthracene endoperoxides in leishmania and impairment of mitochondrial functions}, series = {Molecules}, volume = {23}, journal = {Molecules}, number = {7}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {1420-3049}, doi = {10.3390/molecules23071680}, pages = {22}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne disease caused by protozoal Leishmania. Because of resistance development against current drugs, new antileishmanial compounds are urgently needed. Endoperoxides (EPs) are successfully used in malaria therapy, and experimental evidence of their potential against leishmaniasis exists. Anthracene endoperoxides (AcEPs) have so far been only technically used and not explored for their leishmanicidal potential. This study verified the in vitro efficiency and mechanism of AcEPs against both Leishmania promastigotes and axenic amastigotes (L. tarentolae and L. donovani) as well as their toxicity in J774 macrophages. Additionally, the kinetics and radical products of AcEPs' reaction with iron, the formation of radicals by AcEPs in Leishmania, as well as the resulting impairment of parasite mitochondrial functions were studied. Using electron paramagnetic resonance combined with spin trapping, photometry, and fluorescence-based oximetry, AcEPs were demonstrated to (i) show antileishmanial activity in vitro at IC50 values in a low micromolar range, (ii) exhibit host cell toxicity in J774 macrophages, (iii) react rapidly with iron (II) resulting in the formation of oxygen- and carbon-centered radicals, (iv) produce carbon-centered radicals which could secondarily trigger superoxide radical formation in Leishmania, and (v) impair mitochondrial functions in Leishmania during parasite killing. Overall, the data of different AcEPs demonstrate that their structures besides the peroxo bridge strongly influence their activity and mechanism of their antileishmanial action.}, language = {en} } @article{LiebigMorenoThuenemannetal.2018, author = {Liebig, Ferenc and Moreno, Silvia and Thuenemann, Andreas F. and Temme, Achim and Appelhans, Dietmar and Koetz, Joachim}, title = {Toxicological investigations of "naked" and polymer-entrapped AOT-based gold nanotriangles}, series = {Colloids and surfaces : an international journal devoted to fundamental and applied research on colloid and interfacial phenomena in relation to systems of biological origin ; B, Biointerfaces}, volume = {167}, journal = {Colloids and surfaces : an international journal devoted to fundamental and applied research on colloid and interfacial phenomena in relation to systems of biological origin ; B, Biointerfaces}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {0927-7765}, doi = {10.1016/j.colsurfb.2018.04.059}, pages = {560 -- 567}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Negatively charged ultrathin gold nanotriangles (AuNTs) were synthesized in a vesicular dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate (AOT)/phospholipid-based template phase. These "naked" AuNTs with localized surface plasmon resonances in the NIR region at about 1300 nm and special photothermal properties are of particular interest for imaging and hyperthermia of cancerous tissues. For these kinds of applications the toxicity and the cellular uptake of the AuNTs is of outstanding importance. Therefore, this study focuses on the toxicity of "naked" AOT-stabilized AuNTs compared to polymer-coated AuNTs. Polymeric coating consisted of non-modified hyperbranched poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI), maltose-modified poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI-Mal) and heparin. The toxicological experiments were carried out with two different cell lines (embryonic kidney carcinoma cell line HEK293T and NK-cell leukemia cell line YTS). This study revealed that the heparin-coating of AuNTs improved biocompatibility by a factor of 50 when compared to naked AuNTs. Of note, the highest nontoxic concentration of the AuNTs coated with PEI and PEI-Mal is drastically decreased. Overall, this is mainly triggered by the different surface charges of polymeric coatings. Therefore, AuNTs coated with heparin were selected to carry out uptake studies. Their promising high biocompatibility and cellular uptake may open future studies in the field of biomedical applications. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.}, language = {en} } @article{MelaniNagataWirthetal.2018, author = {Melani, Giacomo and Nagata, Yuki and Wirth, Jonas and Saalfrank, Peter}, title = {Vibrational spectroscopy of hydroxylated alpha-Al2O3(0001) surfaces with and without water}, series = {The journal of chemical physics : bridges a gap between journals of physics and journals of chemistr}, volume = {149}, journal = {The journal of chemical physics : bridges a gap between journals of physics and journals of chemistr}, number = {1}, publisher = {American Institute of Physics}, address = {Melville}, issn = {0021-9606}, doi = {10.1063/1.5023347}, pages = {10}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Using gradient- and dispersion-corrected density functional theory in connection with ab initio molecular dynamics and efficient, parametrized Velocity-Velocity Autocorrelation Function (VVAF) methodology, we study the vibrational spectra (Vibrational Sum Frequency, VSF, and infrared, IR) of hydroxylated alpha-Al2O3(0001) surfaces with and without additional water. Specifically, by considering a naked hydroxylated surface and the same surface with a particularly stable, "ice-like" hexagonal water later allows us to identify and disentangle main spectroscopic bands of OH bonds, their orientation and dynamics, and the role of water adsorption. In particular, we assign spectroscopic signals around 3700 cm(-1) as being dominated by perpendicularly oriented non-hydrogen bonded aluminol groups, with and without additional water. Furthermore, the thin water layer gives spectroscopic signals which are already comparable to previous theoretical and experimental findings for the solid/(bulk) liquid interface, showing that water molecules closest to the surface play a decisive role in the vibrational response of these systems. From a methodological point of view, the effects of temperature, anharmonicity, hydrogen-bonding, and structural dynamics are taken into account and analyzed, allowing us to compare the calculated IR and VSF spectra with the ones based on normal mode analysis and vibrational density of states. The VVAF approach employed in this work appears to be a computationally accurate yet feasible method to address the vibrational fingerprints and dynamical properties of water/metal oxide interfaces. Published by AIP Publishing.}, language = {en} } @article{SalibaCorreaBaenaWolffetal.2018, author = {Saliba, Michael and Correa-Baena, Juan-Pablo and Wolff, Christian Michael and Stolterfoht, Martin and Phung, Thi Thuy Nga and Albrecht, Steve and Neher, Dieter and Abate, Antonio}, title = {How to Make over 20\% Efficient Perovskite Solar Cells in Regular (n-i-p) and Inverted (p-i-n) Architectures}, series = {Chemistry of materials : a publication of the American Chemical Society}, volume = {30}, journal = {Chemistry of materials : a publication of the American Chemical Society}, number = {13}, publisher = {American Chemical Society}, address = {Washington}, issn = {0897-4756}, doi = {10.1021/acs.chemmater.8b00136}, pages = {4193 -- 4201}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are currently one of the most promising photovoltaic technologies for highly efficient and cost-effective solar energy production. In only a few years, an unprecedented progression of preparation procedures and material compositions delivered lab-scale devices that have now reached record power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) higher than 20\%, competing with most established solar cell materials such as silicon, CIGS, and CdTe. However, despite a large number of researchers currently involved in this topic, only a few groups in the world can reproduce >20\% efficiencies on a regular n-i-p architecture. In this work, we present detailed protocols for preparing PSCs in regular (n-i-p) and inverted (p-i-n) architectures with >= 20\% PCE. We aim to provide a comprehensive, reproducible description of our device fabrication , protocols. We encourage the practice of reporting detailed and transparent protocols that can be more easily reproduced by other laboratories. A better reporting standard may, in turn, accelerate the development of perovskite solar cells and related research fields.}, language = {en} } @article{ChoiKotthoffOlejkoetal.2018, author = {Choi, Youngeun and Kotthoff, Lisa and Olejko, Lydia and Resch-Genger, Ute and Bald, Ilko}, title = {DNA origami-based forster resonance energy-transfer Nanoarrays and their application as ratiometric sensors}, series = {ACS applied materials \& interfaces}, volume = {10}, journal = {ACS applied materials \& interfaces}, number = {27}, publisher = {American Chemical Society}, address = {Washington}, issn = {1944-8244}, doi = {10.1021/acsami.8b03585}, pages = {23295 -- 23302}, year = {2018}, abstract = {DNA origami nanostructures provide a platform where dye molecules can be arranged with nanoscale accuracy allowing to assemble multiple fluorophores without dye-dye aggregation. Aiming to develop a bright and sensitive ratiometric sensor system, we systematically studied the optical properties of nanoarrays of dyes built on DNA origami platforms using a DNA template that provides a high versatility of label choice at minimum cost. The dyes are arranged at distances, at which they efficiently interact by Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET). To optimize array brightness, the FRET efficiencies between the donor fluorescein (FAM) and the acceptor cyanine 3 were determined for different sizes of the array and for different arrangements of the dye molecules within the array. By utilizing nanoarrays providing optimum FRET efficiency and brightness, we subsequently designed a ratiometric pH nanosensor using coumarin 343 as a pH-inert FRET donor and FAM as a pH responsive acceptor. Our results indicate that the sensitivity of a ratiometric sensor can be improved simply by arranging the dyes into a well-defined array. The dyes used here can be easily replaced by other analyte-responsive dyes, demonstrating the huge potential of DNA nanotechnology for light harvesting, signal enhancement, and sensing schemes in life sciences.}, language = {en} } @article{GouletHanssensRietzeTitovetal.2018, author = {Goulet-Hanssens, Alexis and Rietze, Clemens and Titov, Evgenii and Abdullahu, Leonora and Grubert, Lutz and Saalfrank, Peter and Hecht, Stefan}, title = {Hole Catalysis as a General Mechanism for Efficient and Wavelength-Independent Z -> E Azobenzene Isomerization}, series = {CHEM}, volume = {4}, journal = {CHEM}, number = {7}, publisher = {Cell Press}, address = {Cambridge}, issn = {2451-9294}, doi = {10.1016/j.chempr.2018.06.002}, pages = {1740 -- 1755}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Whereas the reversible reduction of azobenzenes has been known for decades, their oxidation is destructive and as a result has been notoriously overlooked. Here, we show that a chain reaction leading to quantitative Z -> E isomerization can be initiated before reaching the destructive anodic peak potential. This hole-catalyzed pathway is accessible to all azobenzenes, without exception, and offers tremendous advantages over the recently reported reductive, radical-anionic pathway because it allows for convenient chemical initiation without the need for electrochemical setups and in the presence of air. In addition, catalytic amounts of metal-free sensitizers, such as methylene blue, can be used as excited-state electron acceptors, enabling a shift of the excitation wavelength to the far red of the azobenzene absorption (up to 660 nm) and providing quantum yields exceeding unity (up to 200\%). Our approach will boost the efficiency and sensitivity of optically dense liquid-crystalline and solid photo-switchable materials.}, language = {en} } @article{HeidenWirthCampenetal.2018, author = {Heiden, Sophia and Wirth, Jonas and Campen, Richard Kramer and Saalfrank, Peter}, title = {Water molecular beam scattering at alpha-Al2O3(0001)}, series = {The journal of physical chemistry : C, Nanomaterials and interfaces}, volume = {122}, journal = {The journal of physical chemistry : C, Nanomaterials and interfaces}, number = {27}, publisher = {American Chemical Society}, address = {Washington}, issn = {1932-7447}, doi = {10.1021/acs.jpcc.8b04179}, pages = {15494 -- 15504}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Recent molecular beam experiments have shown that water may adsorb molecularly or dissociatively on an α-Al2O3(0001) surface, with enhanced dissociation probability compared to "pinhole dosing", i.e., adsorption under thermal equilibrium conditions. However, precise information on the ongoing reactions and their relative probabilities is missing. In order to shed light on molecular beam scattering for this system, we perform ab initio molecular dynamics calculations to simulate water colliding with α-Al2O3(0001). We find that single water molecules hitting a cold, clean surface from the gas phase are either reflected, molecularly adsorbed, or dissociated (so-called 1-2 dissociation only). A certain minimum translational energy (above 0.1 eV) seems to be required to enforce dissociation, which may explain the higher dissociation probability in molecular beam experiments. When the surface is heated and/or when refined surface and beam models are applied (preadsorption with water or water fragments, clustering and internal preexcitation in the beam), additional channels open, among them physisorption, water clustering on the surface, and so-called 1-4 and 1-4′ dissociation.}, language = {en} } @article{SchwarzeRiemerHoldt2018, author = {Schwarze, Thomas and Riemer, Janine and Holdt, Hans-J{\"u}rgen}, title = {A Ratiometric Fluorescent Probe for K+ in Water Based on a Phenylaza-18-Crown-6 Lariat Ether}, series = {Chemistry - a European journal}, volume = {24}, journal = {Chemistry - a European journal}, number = {40}, publisher = {Wiley-VCH}, address = {Weinheim}, issn = {0947-6539}, doi = {10.1002/chem.201802306}, pages = {10116 -- 10121}, year = {2018}, abstract = {This work presents two molecular fluorescent probes 1 and 2 for the selective determination of physiologically relevant K+ levels in water based on a highly K+/Na+ selective building block, the o-(2-methoxyethoxy)phenylaza-18-crown-6 lariat ether unit. Fluorescent probe 1 showed a high K+-induced fluorescence enhancement (FE) by a factor of 7.7 of the anthracenic emission and a dissociation constant (K-d) value of 38mm in water. Further, for 2+K+, we observed a dual emission behavior at 405 and 505nm. K+ increases the fluorescence intensity of 2 at 405nm by a factor of approximately 4.6 and K+ decreases the fluorescence intensity at 505nm by a factor of about 4.8. Fluorescent probe 2+K+ exhibited a K-d value of approximately 8mm in Na+-free solutions and in combined K+/Na+ solution a similar K-d value of about 9mm was found, reflecting the high K+/Na+ selectivity of 2 in water. Therefore, 2 is a promising fluorescent tool to measure ratiometrically and selectively physiologically relevant K+ levels.}, language = {en} } @article{SchuermannVogelEbeletal.2018, author = {Sch{\"u}rmann, Robin Mathis and Vogel, Stefanie and Ebel, Kenny and Bald, Ilko}, title = {The physico-chemical basis of DNA radiosensitization}, series = {Chemistry - a European journal}, volume = {24}, journal = {Chemistry - a European journal}, number = {41}, publisher = {Wiley-VCH}, address = {Weinheim}, issn = {0947-6539}, doi = {10.1002/chem.201800804}, pages = {10271 -- 10279}, year = {2018}, abstract = {High-energy radiation is used in combination with radiosensitizing therapeutics to treat cancer. The most common radiosensitizers are halogenated nucleosides and cisplatin derivatives, and recently also metal nanoparticles have been suggested as potential radiosensitizing agents. The radiosensitizing action of these compounds can at least partly be ascribed to an enhanced reactivity towards secondary low-energy electrons generated along the radiation track of the high-energy primary radiation, or to an additional emission of secondary reactive electrons close to the tumor tissue. This is referred to as physico-chemical radiosensitization. In this Concept article we present current experimental methods used to study fundamental processes of physico-chemical radiosensitization and discuss the most relevant classes of radiosensitizers. Open questions in the current discussions are identified and future directions outlined, which can lead to optimized treatment protocols or even novel therapeutic concepts.}, language = {en} } @article{JiaGaoMeietal.2018, author = {Jia, He and Gao, Haitao and Mei, Shilin and Kneer, Janosch and Lin, Xianzhong and Ran, Qidi and Wang, Fuxian and Palzer, Stefan and Lu, Yan}, title = {Cu2O@PNIPAM core-shell microgels as novel inkjet materials for the preparation of CuO hollow porous nanocubes gas sensing layers}, series = {Journal of materials chemistry : C, Materials for optical and electronic devices}, volume = {6}, journal = {Journal of materials chemistry : C, Materials for optical and electronic devices}, number = {27}, publisher = {Royal Society of Chemistry}, address = {Cambridge}, issn = {2050-7526}, doi = {10.1039/c8tc01995a}, pages = {7249 -- 7256}, year = {2018}, abstract = {There has been long-standing interest in developing metal oxide-based sensors with high sensitivity, selectivity, fast response and low material consumption. Here we report for the first time the utilization of Cu2O@PNIPAM core-shell microgels with a nanocube-shaped core structure for construction of novel CuO gas sensing layers. The hybrid microgels show significant improvement in colloidal stability as compared to native Cu2O nanocubes. Consequently, a homogeneous thin film of Cu2O@PNIPAM nanoparticles can be engineered in a quite low solid content (1.5 wt\%) by inkjet printing of the dispersion at an optimized viscosity and surface tension. Most importantly, thermal treatment of the Cu2O@PNIPAM microgels forms porous CuO nanocubes, which show much faster response to relevant trace NO2 gases than sensors produced from bare Cu2O nanocubes. This outcome is due to the fact that the PNIPAM shell can successfully hinder the aggregation of CuO nanoparticles during pyrolysis, which enables full utilization of the sensor layers and better access of the gas to active sites. These results point out great potential of such an innovative system as gas sensors with low cost, fast response and high sensitivity.}, language = {en} } @article{PoghosyanShahinyanKoetz2018, author = {Poghosyan, Armen H. and Shahinyan, A. A. and Koetz, Joachim}, title = {Catanionic AOT/BDAC micelles on gold {111} surfaces}, series = {Colloid and polymer science : official journal of the Kolloid-Gesellschaft}, volume = {296}, journal = {Colloid and polymer science : official journal of the Kolloid-Gesellschaft}, number = {8}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {New York}, issn = {0303-402X}, doi = {10.1007/s00396-018-4348-1}, pages = {1301 -- 1306}, year = {2018}, abstract = {A sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate (AOT)/benzyl hexadecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (BDAC) mixed micelle self-organization and adsorption on gold Au(111) surfaces have been investigated using a molecular dynamics approach. The spherical AOT/BDAC mixed micelle is strongly adsorbed on the gold surface and is disoriented to a cylinder-like shape.}, language = {en} } @article{StanglmairNeubrechPacholski2018, author = {Stanglmair, Christoph and Neubrech, Frank and Pacholski, Claudia}, title = {Chemical routes to surface enhanced infrared absorption (SEIRA) substrates}, series = {Zeitschrift f{\"u}r physikalische Chemie : international journal of research in physical chemistry and chemical physics}, volume = {232}, journal = {Zeitschrift f{\"u}r physikalische Chemie : international journal of research in physical chemistry and chemical physics}, number = {9-11}, publisher = {De Gruyter}, address = {Berlin}, issn = {0942-9352}, doi = {10.1515/zpch-2018-1132}, pages = {1527 -- 1539}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Bottom-up strategies for fabricating SEIRA substrates are presented. For this purpose, wet-chemically prepared gold nanoparticles are coated with a polystyrene shell and subsequently self-assembled into different nanostructures such as quasi-hexagonally ordered gold nanoparticle monolayers, double layers, and honeycomb structures. Furthermore elongated gold nanostructures are obtained by sintering of gold nanoparticle double layers. The optical properties of these different gold nanostructures are directly connected to their morphology and geometrical arrangement - leading to surface plasmon resonances from the visible to the infrared wavelength range. Finally, SEIRA enhancement factors are determined. Gold nanoparticle double layers show the best performance as SEIRA substrates.}, language = {en} } @article{RuehlmannBuecheleOstermannetal.2018, author = {R{\"u}hlmann, Madlen and B{\"u}chele, Dominique and Ostermann, Markus and Bald, Ilko and Schmid, Thomas}, title = {Challenges in the quantification of nutrients in soils using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy}, series = {Spectrochimica Acta Part B: Atomic Spectroscopy}, volume = {146}, journal = {Spectrochimica Acta Part B: Atomic Spectroscopy}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {0584-8547}, doi = {10.1016/j.sab.2018.05.003}, pages = {115 -- 121}, year = {2018}, abstract = {The quantification of the elemental content in soils with laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is challenging because of matrix effects strongly influencing the plasma formation and LIBS signal. Furthermore, soil heterogeneity at the micrometre scale can affect the accuracy of analytical results. In this paper, the impact of univariate and multivariate data evaluation approaches on the quantification of nutrients in soil is discussed. Exemplarily, results for calcium are shown, which reflect trends also observed for other elements like magnesium, silicon and iron. For the calibration models, 16 certified reference soils were used. With univariate and multivariate approaches, the calcium mass fractions in 60 soils from different testing grounds in Germany were calculated. The latter approach consisted of a principal component analysis (PCA) of adequately pre-treated data for classification and identification of outliers, followed by partial least squares regression (PLSR) for quantification. For validation, the soils were also characterised with inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP OES) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis. Deviations between the LIBS quantification results and the reference analytical results are discussed.}, language = {en} } @article{KarrasDabrowskiPohletal.2018, author = {Karras, Manfred and Dabrowski, Michal and Pohl, Radek and Rybacek, Jiri and Vacek, Jaroslav and Bednarova, Lucie and Grela, Karol and Stary, Ivo and Stara, Irena G. and Schmidt, Bernd}, title = {Helicenes as Chirality-Inducing Groups in Transition-Metal Catalysis}, series = {Chemistry - a European journal}, volume = {24}, journal = {Chemistry - a European journal}, number = {43}, publisher = {Wiley-VCH}, address = {Weinheim}, issn = {0947-6539}, doi = {10.1002/chem.201802786}, pages = {10994 -- 10998}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Helical chirality is a novel enantioselectivity-inducing property in transition-metal-catalyzed transformations. The principle is illustrated herein for the example of asymmetric olefin metathesis. This work reports the synthesis of the first helically chiral Ru-NHC alkylidene complex from an aminohelicene-derived imidazolium salt, which was ligated to the first generation Hoveyda-Grubbs catalyst. Kinetic data were acquired for benchmark test reactions and compared to an achiral catalyst. The helically chiral Ru-catalyst was evaluated in asymmetric ring-closing metathesis (RCM) and ring-opening metathesis-cross-metathesis (ROM/CM) reactions, which proceeded with promising levels of enantioselectivity. Extensive NMR-spectroscopic investigations and a DFT geometry optimization were performed. These results led to a topographic steric map and calculation of percent-buried-volume values for each quadrant around the metal center.}, language = {en} } @article{HollandMoritzGraupnerMoelleretal.2018, author = {Holland-Moritz, Henry and Graupner, Julia and M{\"o}ller, Wolfhard and Pacholski, Claudia and Ronning, Carsten}, title = {Dynamics of nanoparticle morphology under low energy ion irradiation}, series = {Nanotechnology}, volume = {29}, journal = {Nanotechnology}, number = {31}, publisher = {IOP Publ. Ltd.}, address = {Bristol}, issn = {0957-4484}, doi = {10.1088/1361-6528/aac36c}, pages = {7}, year = {2018}, abstract = {If nanostructures are irradiated with energetic ions, the mechanism of sputtering becomes important when the ion range matches about the size of the nanoparticle. Gold nanoparticles with diameters of similar to 50 nm on top of silicon substrates with a native oxide layer were irradiated by gallium ions with energies ranging from 1 to 30 keV in a focused ion beam system. High resolution in situ scanning electron microscopy imaging permits detailed insights in the dynamics of the morphology change and sputter yield. Compared to bulk-like structures or thin films, a pronounced shaping and enhanced sputtering in the nanostructures occurs, which enables a specific shaping of these structures using ion beams. This effect depends on the ratio of nanoparticle size and ion energy. In the investigated energy regime, the sputter yield increases at increasing ion energy and shows a distinct dependence on the nanoparticle size. The experimental findings are directly compared to Monte Carlo simulations obtained from iradina and TRI3DYN, where the latter takes into account dynamic morphological and compositional changes of the target.}, language = {en} } @article{MertensHilschHaralampievetal.2018, author = {Mertens, Monique and Hilsch, Malte and Haralampiev, Ivan and Volkmer, Rudolf and Wessig, Pablo and M{\"u}ller, Peter}, title = {Synthesis and characterization of a new Bifunctionalized, Fluorescent, and Amphiphilic molecule for recruiting SH-Containing molecules to membranes}, series = {ChemBioChem}, volume = {19}, journal = {ChemBioChem}, number = {15}, publisher = {Wiley-VCH}, address = {Weinheim}, issn = {1439-4227}, doi = {10.1002/cbic.201800268}, pages = {1643 -- 1647}, year = {2018}, abstract = {This study describes the synthesis and characterization of an amphiphilic construct intended to recruit SH-containing molecules to membranes. The construct consists of 1)an aliphatic chain to enable anchoring within membranes, 2)a maleimide moiety to react with the sulfhydryl group of a soluble (bio)molecule, and 3)a fluorescence moiety to allow the construct to be followed by fluorescence spectroscopy and microscopy. It is shown that the construct can be incorporated into preformed membranes, thus allowing application of the approach with biological membranes. The close proximity between the fluorophore and the maleimide moiety within the construct causes fluorescence quenching. This allows monitoring of the reaction with SH-containing molecules by measurement of increases in fluorescence intensity and lifetime. Notably, the construct distributes into laterally ordered membrane domains of lipid vesicles, which is probably triggered by the length of its membrane anchor. The advantages of the new construct can be employed for several biological, biotechnological, and medicinal applications.}, language = {en} } @article{ShainyanSuslovaTranDinhPhienetal.2018, author = {Shainyan, Bagrat A. and Suslova, Elena N. and Tran Dinh Phien, and Shlykov, Sergey A. and Kleinpeter, Erich}, title = {Synthesis, conformational preferences in gas and solution, and molecular gear rotation in 1-(dimethylamino)-1-phenyl-1-silacyclohexane by gas phase electron diffraction (GED), LT NMR and theoretical calculations}, series = {Tetrahedron}, volume = {74}, journal = {Tetrahedron}, number = {32}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {0040-4020}, doi = {10.1016/j.tet.2018.06.023}, pages = {4299 -- 4307}, year = {2018}, abstract = {1-(Dimethylamino)-1-phenyl-1-silacyclohexane 1, was synthesized, and its molecular structure and conformational properties studied by gas-phase electron diffraction (GED), low temperature C-13 NMR spectroscopy and quantum-chemical calculations. The predominance of the 1-Ph-ax conformer (1-Ph-eq:1-Ph-ax ratio of 20:80\%, Delta G degrees (317 K) = -0.87 kcal/mol) in the gas phase is close to the theoretically estimated conformational equilibrium. In solution, low temperature NMR spectroscopy showed analyzable decoalescence of C-ipso and C(1,5) carbon signals in C-13 NMR spectra at 103 K. Opposite to the gas state in the freon solution employed (CD2Cl2/CHFCl2/CHFCl2 = 1:1:3), which is still liquid at 100 K, the 1-Ph-eq conformer was found to be the preferred one [(1-Ph-eq: 1-Ph-ax = 77\%: 23\%, K = 77/23 = 2.8; -Delta G degrees = -RT In K (at 103 K) = 0.44 +/- 0.1 kcal/mol]. When comparing 1 with 1-phenyl-1-(X)silacylohexanes (X = H, Me, OMe, F, Cl), studied so far, the trend of predominance of the Ph-ax conformer in the gas phase and of the Ph-eq conformer in solution is confirmed.}, language = {en} } @article{KretzschmarHaubitzHuebneretal.2018, author = {Kretzschmar, Jerome and Haubitz, Toni and Huebner, Rene and Weiss, Stephan and Husar, Richard and Brendler, Vinzenz and Stumpf, Thorsten}, title = {Network-like arrangement of mixed-valence uranium oxide nanoparticles after glutathione-induced reduction of uranium(VI)}, series = {Chemical communications}, volume = {54}, journal = {Chemical communications}, number = {63}, publisher = {Royal Society of Chemistry}, address = {Cambridge}, issn = {1359-7345}, doi = {10.1039/c8cc02070a}, pages = {8697 -- 8700}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Glutathione (GSH), a ubiquitous intracellular reducing tripeptide, is able to reduce hexavalent uranium, U(VI), to its tetravalent form, U(IV), in aqueous media in vitro, inducing the formation of nanocrystalline mixed-valence uranium oxide particles. After the initial reduction to U(V) and subsequent dismutation, the yielded U(IV) rapidly hydrolyses under near-neutral conditions forming 2-5 nm sized nanoparticles. The latter further aggregate to 20-40 nm chain-like building blocks that finally arrange as network-like structures.}, language = {en} } @article{KlopschBaldermannVossetal.2018, author = {Klopsch, Rebecca and Baldermann, Susanne and Voss, Alexander and Rohn, Sascha and Schreiner, Monika and Neugart, Susanne}, title = {Bread enriched with legume microgreens and leaves}, series = {Frontiers in chemistry}, volume = {6}, journal = {Frontiers in chemistry}, publisher = {Frontiers Research Foundation}, address = {Lausanne}, issn = {2296-2646}, doi = {10.3389/fchem.2018.00322}, pages = {19}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Flavonoids, carotenoids, and chlorophylls were characterized in microgreens and leaves of pea (Pisum sativum) and lupin (Lupinus angustifolius) as these metabolites change during ontogeny. All metabolites were higher in the leaves for both species. Acylated quercetin and kaempferol sophorotrioses were predominant in pea. Genistein and malonylated chrysoeriol were predominant in lupin. Further, the impact of breadmaking on these metabolites using pea and lupin material of two ontogenetic stages as an added ingredient in wheat-based bread was assessed. In "pea microgreen bread" no decrease of quercetin was found with regard to the non-processed plant material. However kaempferol glycosides showed slight decreases induced by the breadmaking process in "pea microgreen bread" and "pea leaf bread." In "lupin microgreen bread" no decrease of genistein compared to the non-processed plant material was found. Chrysoeriol glycosides showed slight decreases induced by the breadmaking process in "lupin microgreen bread" and "lupin leaf bread." In all breads, carotenoids and chlorophylls were depleted however pheophytin formation was caused. Thus, pea and lupin microgreens and leaves are suitable, natural ingredients for enhancing health-promoting secondary plant metabolites in bread and may even be used to tailor bread for specific consumer health needs.}, language = {en} } @article{FangGouldLysyakovaetal.2018, author = {Fang, Liang and Gould, Oliver E. C. and Lysyakova, Liudmila and Jiang, Yi and Sauter, Tilman and Frank, Oliver and Becker, Tino and Schossig, Michael and Kratz, Karl and Lendlein, Andreas}, title = {Implementing and quantifying the shape-memory effect of single polymeric micro/nanowires with an atomic force microscope}, series = {ChemPhysChem : a European journal of chemical physics and physical chemistry}, volume = {19}, journal = {ChemPhysChem : a European journal of chemical physics and physical chemistry}, number = {16}, publisher = {Wiley-VCH}, address = {Weinheim}, issn = {1439-4235}, doi = {10.1002/cphc.201701362}, pages = {2078 -- 2084}, year = {2018}, abstract = {The implementation of shape-memory effects (SME) in polymeric micro- or nano-objects currently relies on the application of indirect macroscopic manipulation techniques, for example, stretchable molds or phantoms, to ensembles of small objects. Here, we introduce a method capable of the controlled manipulation and SME quantification of individual micro- and nano-objects in analogy to macroscopic thermomechanical test procedures. An atomic force microscope was utilized to address individual electro-spun poly(ether urethane) (PEU) micro- or nanowires freely suspended between two micropillars on a micro-structured silicon substrate. In this way, programming strains of 10 +/- 1\% or 21 +/- 1\% were realized, which could be successfully fixed. An almost complete restoration of the original free-suspended shape during heating confirmed the excellent shape-memory performance of the PEU wires. Apparent recovery stresses of sigma(max,app)=1.2 +/- 0.1 and 33.3 +/- 0.1MPa were obtained for a single microwire and nanowire, respectively. The universal AFM test platform described here enables the implementation and quantification of a thermomechanically induced function for individual polymeric micro- and nanosystems.}, language = {en} } @article{ZhongMiMetwallietal.2018, author = {Zhong, Qi and Mi, Lei and Metwalli, Ezzeldin and Biessmann, Lorenz and Philipp, Martine and Miasnikova, Anna and Laschewsky, Andre and Papadakis, Christine M. and Cubitt, Robert and Schwartzkopf, Matthias and Roth, Stephan V. and Wang, Jiping and M{\"u}ller-Buschbaum, Peter}, title = {Effect of chain architecture on the swelling and thermal response of star-shaped thermo-responsive (poly(methoxy diethylene glycol acrylate)-block-polystyrene)(3) block copolymer films}, series = {Soft matter}, volume = {14}, journal = {Soft matter}, number = {31}, publisher = {Royal Society of Chemistry}, address = {Cambridge}, issn = {1744-683X}, doi = {10.1039/c8sm00965a}, pages = {6582 -- 6594}, year = {2018}, abstract = {The effect of chain architecture on the swelling and thermal response of thin films obtained from an amphiphilic three-arm star-shaped thermo-responsive block copolymer poly(methoxy diethylene glycol acrylate)-block-polystyrene ((PMDEGA-b-PS)(3)) is investigated by in situ neutron reflectivity (NR) measurements. The PMDEGA and PS blocks are micro-phase separated with randomly distributed PS nanodomains. The (PMDEGA-b-PS)(3) films show a transition temperature (TT) at 33 degrees C in white light interferometry. The swelling capability of the (PMDEGA-b-PS)(3) films in a D2O vapor atmosphere is better than that of films from linear PS-b-PMDEGA-b-PS triblock copolymers, which can be attributed to the hydrophilic end groups and limited size of the PS blocks in (PMDEGA-b-PS)(3). However, the swelling kinetics of the as-prepared (PMDEGA-b-PS)(3) films and the response of the swollen film to a temperature change above the TT are significantly slower than that in the PS-b-PMDEGA-b-PS films, which may be related to the conformation restriction by the star-shape. Unlike in the PS-b-PMDEGA-b-PS films, the amount of residual D2O in the collapsed (PMDEGA-b-PS)(3) films depends on the final temperature. It decreases from (9.7 +/- 0.3)\% to (7.0 +/- 0.3)\% or (6.0 +/- 0.3)\% when the final temperatures are set to 35 degrees C, 45 degrees C and 50 degrees C, respectively. This temperature-dependent reduction of embedded D2O originates from the hindrance of chain conformation from the star-shaped chain architecture.}, language = {en} } @article{TuncaboyluFriessWischkeetal.2018, author = {Tuncaboylu, Deniz Ceylan and Friess, Fabian and Wischke, Christian and Lendlein, Andreas}, title = {A multifunctional multimaterial system for on-demand protein release}, series = {Journal of controlled release}, volume = {284}, journal = {Journal of controlled release}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {0168-3659}, doi = {10.1016/j.jconrel.2018.06.022}, pages = {240 -- 247}, year = {2018}, abstract = {In order to provide best control of the regeneration process for each individual patient, the release of protein drugs administered during surgery may need to be timely adapted and/or delayed according to the progress of healing/regeneration. This study aims to establish a multifunctional implant system for a local on-demand release, which is applicable for various types of proteins. It was hypothesized that a tubular multimaterial container kit, which hosts the protein of interest as a solution or gel formulation, would enable on-demand release if equipped with the capacity of diameter reduction upon external stimulation. Using devices from poly(epsilon-caprolactone) networks, it could be demonstrated that a shape-memory effect activated by heat or NIR light enabled on-demand tube shrinkage. The decrease of diameter of these shape-memory tubes (SMT) allowed expelling the payload as demonstrated for several proteins including SDF-1 alpha, a therapeutically relevant chemotactic protein, to achieve e.g. continuous release with a triggered add-on dosing (open tube) or an on-demand onset of bolus or sustained release (sealed tube). Considering the clinical relevance of protein factors in (stem) cell attraction to lesions and the progress in monitoring biomarkers in body fluids, such on-demand release systems may be further explored e.g. in heart, nerve, or bone regeneration in the future.}, language = {en} } @article{WangRazzaqRudolphetal.2018, author = {Wang, Li and Razzaq, Muhammad Yasar and Rudolph, Tobias and Heuchel, Matthias and N{\"o}chel, Ulrich and Mansfeld, Ulrich and Jiang, Yi and Gould, Oliver E. C. and Behl, Marc and Kratz, Karl and Lendlein, Andreas}, title = {Reprogrammable, magnetically controlled polymeric nanocomposite actuators}, series = {Material horizons}, volume = {5}, journal = {Material horizons}, number = {5}, publisher = {Royal Society of Chemistry}, address = {Cambridge}, issn = {2051-6347}, doi = {10.1039/c8mh00266e}, pages = {861 -- 867}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Soft robots and devices with the advanced capability to perform adaptive motions similar to that of human beings often have stimuli-sensitive polymeric materials as the key actuating component. The external signals triggering the smart polymers' actuations can be transmitted either via a direct physical connection between actuator and controlling unit (tethered) or remotely without a connecting wire. However, the vast majority of such polymeric actuator materials are limited to one specific type of motion as their geometrical information is chemically fixed. Here, we present magnetically driven nanocomposite actuators, which can be reversibly reprogrammed to different actuation geometries by a solely physical procedure. Our approach is based on nanocomposite materials comprising spatially segregated crystallizable actuation and geometry determining units. Upon exposure to a specific magnetic field strength the actuators' geometric memory is erased by the melting of the geometry determining units allowing the implementation of a new actuator shape. The actuation performance of the nanocomposites can be tuned and the technical significance was demonstrated in a multi-cyclic experiment with several hundreds of repetitive free-standing shape shifts without losing performance.}, language = {en} } @article{YangHuDingetal.2018, author = {Yang, Guang and Hu, Rongting and Ding, Hong-ming and Kochovski, Zdravko and Mei, Shilin and Lu, Yan and Ma, Yu-qiang and Chen, Guosong and Jiang, Ming}, title = {CO2-switchable response of protein microtubules}, series = {Materials chemistry frontiers}, volume = {2}, journal = {Materials chemistry frontiers}, number = {9}, publisher = {Royal Society of Chemistry}, address = {Cambridge}, issn = {2052-1537}, doi = {10.1039/c8qm00245b}, pages = {1642 -- 1646}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Recently, we proposed a small molecular inducing ligand strategy to assemble proteins into highly-ordered structures via dual non-covalent interactions, i.e. carbohydrate-protein interaction and dimerization of Rhodamine B. Using this approach, artificial protein microtubules were successfully constructed. In this study, we find that these microtubules exhibit a perfect CO2 responsiveness; assembly and disassembly of these microtubules were nicely controlled by the alternative passage of CO2 and N-2. Upon the injection of CO2, a negative net-charged SBA turns into a neutral or positive net-charged SBA, which elongated, to some extent, the effective distance between SBA and Rhodamine B, resulting in the disassociation of the Rhodamine B dimer. Further experimental and simulation results reveal that the CO2-responsive mechanism differs from that of solubility change of the previously reported CO2-responsive synthetic materials.}, language = {en} } @article{HoangHaubitzKumke2018, author = {Hoang, Hoa T. and Haubitz, Toni and Kumke, Michael Uwe}, title = {Photophysics of "Floppy" Dyadsas Potential Biomembrane Probes}, series = {Journal of fluorescence}, volume = {28}, journal = {Journal of fluorescence}, number = {5}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {New York}, issn = {1053-0509}, doi = {10.1007/s10895-018-2286-4}, pages = {1225 -- 1237}, year = {2018}, abstract = {In the study a dyad (C6 probe), constructed of two dyes with highly different hydrophobicities, was investigated by steady-state and time-resolved spectroscopic techniques in chloroform, methanol, and in phospholipid vesicles, respectively. The dyad was built on two dyes: the lipophilic benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) and the hydrophilic sulforhodamine B (SRB). The dyes were linked via a short, but flexible alkyl chain (six C-atoms). Based on their spectroscopic properties, BaP and SRB showed a very efficient non-radiative resonance energy transfer in solution. Incorporation into a lipid bilayer limited the relative flexibility (degree of freedom) between donor and acceptor and was used for the investigation of fundamental photophysical aspects (especially of FRET) as well as to elucidate the potential of the dyad to probe the interface of vesicles (or cells). The location of the two dyes in vesicles and their respective accessibility for interactions with dye-specific antibodies was investigated. Based on the alteration of the anisotropy, on the rotational correlation time as well as on the diffusion coefficient the incorporation of the C6 probe into the vesicles was evaluated. Especially the limitation in the relative movements of the two dyes was considered and used to differentiate between potential parameters, that influence the energy transfer in the dyad. Transient absorption spectroscopy (TAS) and pulsed-interleave single molecule fluorescence experiments were performed to better understand the intramolecular interactions in the dyad. Finally, in a showcase for a biosensing application of the dyads, the binding of an SRB-specific antibody was investigated when the dyad was incorporated in vesicles.}, language = {en} } @article{SchulzeWehrholdHille2018, author = {Schulze, Sven and Wehrhold, Michel and Hille, Carsten}, title = {Femtosecond-Pulsed laser written and etched fiber bragg gratings for fiber-optical biosensing}, series = {Sensors}, volume = {18}, journal = {Sensors}, number = {9}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {1424-8220}, doi = {10.3390/s18092844}, pages = {20}, year = {2018}, abstract = {We present the development of a label-free, highly sensitive fiber-optical biosensor for online detection and quantification of biomolecules. Here, the advantages of etched fiber Bragg gratings (eFBG) were used, since they induce a narrowband Bragg wavelength peak in the reflection operation mode. The gratings were fabricated point-by-point via a nonlinear absorption process of a highly focused femtosecond-pulsed laser, without the need of prior coating removal or specific fiber doping. The sensitivity of the Bragg wavelength peak to the surrounding refractive index (SRI), as needed for biochemical sensing, was realized by fiber cladding removal using hydrofluoric acid etching. For evaluation of biosensing capabilities, eFBG fibers were biofunctionalized with a single-stranded DNA aptamer specific for binding the C-reactive protein (CRP). Thus, the CRP-sensitive eFBG fiber-optical biosensor showed a very low limit of detection of 0.82 pg/L, with a dynamic range of CRP detection from approximately 0.8 pg/L to 1.2 mu g/L. The biosensor showed a high specificity to CRP even in the presence of interfering substances. These results suggest that the proposed biosensor is capable for quantification of CRP from trace amounts of clinical samples. In addition, the adaption of this eFBG fiber-optical biosensor for detection of other relevant analytes can be easily realized.}, language = {en} } @article{PereiraZehbeGuenteretal.2018, author = {Pereira, Rui F. P. and Zehbe, Kerstin and G{\"u}nter, Christina and dos Santos, Tiago and Nunes, Silvia C. and Almeida Paz, Filipe A. and Silva, Maria M. and Granja, Pedro L. and Taubert, Andreas and de Zea Bermudez, Ver{\´o}nica}, title = {Ionic liquid-assisted synthesis of mesoporous silk fibroin/silica hybrids for biomedical applications}, series = {ACS Omega}, volume = {3}, journal = {ACS Omega}, number = {9}, publisher = {American Chemical Society}, address = {Washington}, issn = {2470-1343}, doi = {10.1021/acsomega.8b02051}, pages = {10811 -- 10822}, year = {2018}, abstract = {New mesoporous silk fibroin (SF)/silica hybrids were processed via a one-pot soft and energy-efficient sol-gel chemistry and self-assembly from a silica precursor, an acidic or basic catalyst, and the ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride, acting as both solvent and mesoporosity-inducer. The as-prepared materials were obtained as slightly transparent-opaque, amorphous monoliths, easily transformed into powders, and stable up to ca. 300 degrees C. Structural data suggest the formation of a hexagonal mesostructure with low range order and apparent surface areas, pore volumes, and pore radii of 205-263 m(2) g(-1), 0.16-0.19 cm(3) g(-1), and 1.2-1.6 nm, respectively. In all samples, the dominating conformation of the SF chains is the beta-sheet. Cytotoxicity/bioactivity resazurin assays and fluorescence microscopy demonstrate the high viability of MC3T3 pre-osteoblasts to indirect (>= 99 +/- 9\%) and direct (78 +/- 2 to 99 +/- 13\%) contact with the SF/silica materials. Considering their properties and further improvements, these systems are promising candidates to be explored in bone tissue engineering. They also offer excellent prospects as electrolytes for solid-state electrochemical devices, in particular for fuel cells.}, language = {en} } @article{HaubitzTsushimaSteudtneretal.2018, author = {Haubitz, Toni and Tsushima, Satoru and Steudtner, Robin and Drobot, Bj{\"o}rn and Geipel, Gerhard and Stumpf, Thorsten and Kumke, Michael Uwe}, title = {Ultrafast Transient Absorption Spectroscopy of UO(2)(2+)and [UO2Cl](+)}, series = {The journal of physical chemistry : A, Molecules, spectroscopy, kinetics, environment \& general theory}, volume = {122}, journal = {The journal of physical chemistry : A, Molecules, spectroscopy, kinetics, environment \& general theory}, number = {35}, publisher = {American Chemical Society}, address = {Washington}, issn = {1089-5639}, doi = {10.1021/acs.jpca.8b05567}, pages = {6970 -- 6977}, year = {2018}, abstract = {For the only water coordinated "free" uranyl (VI) aquo ion in perchlorate solution we identified and assigned several different excited states and showed that the (3)Delta state is the luminescent triplet state from transient absorption spectroscopy. With additional data from other spectroscopic methods (TRLFS, UV/vis) we generated a detailed Jablonski diagram and determined rate constants for several state transitions, like the inner conversion rate constant from the (3)Phi state to the (3)Delta state transition to be 0.35 ps(-1). In contrast to luminescence measurements, it was possible to observe the highly quenched uranyl(VI) ion in highly concentrated chloride solution by TAS and we were able to propose a dynamic quenching mechanism, where chloride complexation is followed by the charge transfer from the excited state uranyl(VI) to chloride. This proposed quenching route is supported by TD-DFT calculations.}, language = {en} } @article{SenfRuprechtKishanietal.2018, author = {Senf, Deborah and Ruprecht, Colin and Kishani, Saina and Matic, Aleksandar and Toriz, Guillermo and Gatenholm, Paul and Wagberg, Lars and Pfrengle, Fabian}, title = {Tailormade polysaccharides with defined branching patterns}, series = {Angewandte Chemie : a journal of the Gesellschaft Deutscher Chemiker ; International edition}, volume = {57}, journal = {Angewandte Chemie : a journal of the Gesellschaft Deutscher Chemiker ; International edition}, number = {37}, publisher = {Wiley-VCH}, address = {Weinheim}, issn = {1433-7851}, doi = {10.1002/anie.201806871}, pages = {11987 -- 11992}, year = {2018}, abstract = {The heterogeneous nature of non-cellulosic polysaccharides, such as arabinoxylan, makes it difficult to correlate molecular structure with macroscopic properties. To study the impact of specific structural features of the polysaccharides on crystallinity or affinity to other cell wall components, collections of polysaccharides with defined repeating units are required. Herein, a chemoenzymatic approach to artificial arabinoxylan polysaccharides with systematically altered branching patterns is described. The polysaccharides were obtained by glycosynthase-catalyzed polymerization of glycosyl fluorides derived from arabinoxylan oligosaccharides. X-ray diffraction and adsorption experiments on cellulosic surfaces revealed that the physicochemical properties of the synthetic polysaccharides strongly depend on the specific nature of their substitution patterns. The artificial polysaccharides allow structure-property relationship studies that are not accessible by other means.}, language = {en} } @article{UchidaBinetAroraetal.2018, author = {Uchida, Ryusuke and Binet, Silvia and Arora, Neha and Jacopin, Gwenole and Alotaibi, Mohammad Hayal and Taubert, Andreas and Zakeeruddin, Shaik Mohammed and Dar, M. Ibrahim and Graetzel, Michael}, title = {Insights about the Absence of Rb Cation from the 3D Perovskite Lattice}, series = {Small}, volume = {14}, journal = {Small}, number = {36}, publisher = {Wiley-VCH}, address = {Weinheim}, issn = {1613-6810}, doi = {10.1002/smll.201802033}, pages = {7}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Efficiencies >20\% are obtained from the perovskite solar cells (PSCs) employing Cs+ and Rb+ based perovskite compositions; therefore, it is important to understand the effect of these inorganic cations specifically Rb+ on the properties of perovskite structures. Here the influence of Cs+ and Rb+ is elucidated on the structural, morphological, and photophysical properties of perovskite structures and the photovoltaic performances of resulting PSCs. Structural, photoluminescence (PL), and external quantum efficiency studies establish the incorporation of Cs+ (x < 10\%) but amply rule out the possibility of Rb-incorporation into the MAPbI(3) (MA = CH3NH3+) lattice. Moreover, morphological studies and time-resolved PL show that both Cs+ and Rb+ detrimentally affect the surface coverage of MAPbI(3) layers and charge-carrier dynamics, respectively, by influencing nucleation density and by inducing nonradiative recombination. In addition, differential scanning calorimetry shows that the transition from orthorhombic to tetragonal phase occurring around 160 K requires more thermal energy for the Cs-containing MAPbI(3) systems compared to the pristine MAPbI(3). Investigation including mixed halide (I/Br) and mixed cation A-cation based compositions further confirms the absence of Rb+ from the 3D-perovskite lattice. The fundamental insights gained through this work will be of great significance to further understand highly promising perovskite compositions.}, language = {en} } @article{VacogneWeiTaueretal.2018, author = {Vacogne, Charlotte Dominique and Wei, Chunxiang and Tauer, Klaus and Schlaad, Helmut}, title = {Self-assembly of alpha-helical polypeptides into microscopic and enantiomorphic spirals}, series = {Journal of the american chemical society}, volume = {140}, journal = {Journal of the american chemical society}, number = {36}, publisher = {American Chemical Society}, address = {Washington}, issn = {0002-7863}, doi = {10.1021/jacs.8b06503}, pages = {11387 -- 11394}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Helical structures are ubiquitous in biological materials and often serve a structural purpose. Bioinspired helical materials can be challenging to synthesize and rarely reach the degree of hierarchy of their natural counterparts. Here we report the first example of particles synthesized by direct emulsification of polypeptides found to display spiral morphologies in the dry state. The polypeptides were alpha-helical homo- and copolypeptides of gamma-benzyl glutamate and allylglycine. The chirality of the spirals was controlled by the chirality of the alpha-helices. Notably, right-handed alpha-helical polypeptides (rich in 1, residues) produced clockwise spirals, whereas left-handed alpha-helical polypeptides (rich in D residues) produced the enantiomorphs, i.e., counterclockwise spirals. The disruption of the alpha-helical conformation by the introduction of chiral defects led to less regular spirals and in some cases their suppression. A hypothesis for the transmission of helicity and chirality from a molecular to a higher hierarchical level, involving fibril bundling of coiled alpha-helices, is proposed.}, language = {en} } @article{TanLiuSiemensmeyeretal.2018, author = {Tan, Li and Liu, Bing and Siemensmeyer, Konrad and Glebe, Ulrich and B{\"o}ker, Alexander}, title = {Synthesis of thermo-responsive nanocomposites of superparamagnetic cobalt nanoparticlesipoly(N-isopropylacrylamide)}, series = {Journal of colloid and interface science}, volume = {526}, journal = {Journal of colloid and interface science}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {San Diego}, issn = {0021-9797}, doi = {10.1016/j.jcis.2018.04.074}, pages = {124 -- 134}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Novel nanocomposites of superparamagnetic cobalt nanoparticles (Co NPs) and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) were fabricated through surface-initiated atom-transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP). We firstly synthesized a functional ATRP initiator, containing an amine (as anchoring group) and a 2-bromopropionate group (SI-ATRP initiator). Oleic acid- and trioctylphosphine oxide-coated Co NPs were then modified with the initiator via ligand exchange. The process is facile and rapid for efficient surface functionalization and afterwards the Co NPs can be dispersed into polar solvent DMF without aggregation. Transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and dynamic light scattering measurements confirmed the success of ligand exchange. The following polymerization of NIPAM was conducted on the surface of Co NPs. Temperature-dependent dynamic light scattering study showed the responsive behavior of PNIPAM-coated Co NPs. The combination of superparamagnetic and thermo-responsive properties in these hybrid nanoparticles is promising for future applications e.g. in biomedicine. (C) 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.}, language = {en} } @article{CherstvyNagelBetaetal.2018, author = {Cherstvy, Andrey G. and Nagel, Oliver and Beta, Carsten and Metzler, Ralf}, title = {Non-Gaussianity, population heterogeneity, and transient superdiffusion in the spreading dynamics of amoeboid cells}, series = {Physical chemistry, chemical physics : a journal of European Chemical Societies}, volume = {20}, journal = {Physical chemistry, chemical physics : a journal of European Chemical Societies}, number = {35}, publisher = {Royal Society of Chemistry}, address = {Cambridge}, issn = {1463-9076}, doi = {10.1039/c8cp04254c}, pages = {23034 -- 23054}, year = {2018}, abstract = {What is the underlying diffusion process governing the spreading dynamics and search strategies employed by amoeboid cells? Based on the statistical analysis of experimental single-cell tracking data of the two-dimensional motion of the Dictyostelium discoideum amoeboid cells, we quantify their diffusive behaviour based on a number of standard and complementary statistical indicators. We compute the ensemble- and time-averaged mean-squared displacements (MSDs) of the diffusing amoebae cells and observe a pronounced spread of short-time diffusion coefficients and anomalous MSD-scaling exponents for individual cells. The distribution functions of the cell displacements, the long-tailed distribution of instantaneous speeds, and the velocity autocorrelations are also computed. In particular, we observe a systematic superdiffusive short-time behaviour for the ensemble- and time-averaged MSDs of the amoeboid cells. Also, a clear anti-correlation of scaling exponents and generalised diffusivity values for different cells is detected. Most significantly, we demonstrate that the distribution function of the cell displacements has a strongly non-Gaussian shape andusing a rescaled spatio-temporal variablethe cell-displacement data collapse onto a universal master curve. The current analysis of single-cell motions can be implemented for quantifying diffusive behaviours in other living-matter systems, in particular, when effects of active transport, non-Gaussian displacements, and heterogeneity of the population are involved in the dynamics.}, language = {en} } @article{FudickarLinker2018, author = {Fudickar, Werner and Linker, Torsten}, title = {Release of Singlet Oxygen from Aromatic Endoperoxides by Chemical Triggers}, series = {Angewandte Chemie : a journal of the Gesellschaft Deutscher Chemiker ; International edition}, volume = {57}, journal = {Angewandte Chemie : a journal of the Gesellschaft Deutscher Chemiker ; International edition}, number = {39}, publisher = {Wiley-VCH}, address = {Weinheim}, issn = {1433-7851}, doi = {10.1002/anie.201806881}, pages = {12971 -- 12975}, year = {2018}, abstract = {The generation of reactive singlet oxygen under mild conditions is of current interest in chemistry, biology, and medicine. We were able to release oxygen from dipyridylanthracene endoperoxides (EPOs) by using a simple chemical trigger at low temperature. Protonation and methylation of such EPOs strongly accelerated these reactions. Furthermore, the methyl pyridinium derivatives are water soluble and therefore serve as oxygen carriers in aqueous media. Methylation of the EPO of the ortho isomer affords the parent form directly without increasing the temperature under very mild conditions. This exceptional behavior is ascribed to the close contact between the nitrogen atom and the peroxo group. Singlet oxygen is released upon this reaction, and can be used to oxygenate an acceptor such as tetramethylethylene in the dark with no heating. Thus, a new chemical source of singlet oxygen has been found, which is triggered by a simple stimulus.}, language = {en} } @article{FranzToebbensSteckhanetal.2018, author = {Franz, Alexandra and T{\"o}bbens, Daniel M. and Steckhan, Julia and Schorr, Susan}, title = {Determination of the miscibility gap in the solid solutions series of methylammonium lead iodide/chloride}, series = {Acta Crystallographica Section B: Structural Science, Crystal Engineering and Materials}, volume = {74}, journal = {Acta Crystallographica Section B: Structural Science, Crystal Engineering and Materials}, publisher = {International Union of Crystallography}, address = {Chester}, issn = {2052-5206}, doi = {10.1107/S2052520618010764}, pages = {445 -- 449}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Perovskites are widely known for their enormous possibility of elemental substitution, which leads to a large variety of physical properties. Hybrid perovskites such as CH3NH3PbI3 (MAPbI(3)) and CH3NH3PbCl3 (MAPbCl(3)) are perovskites with an A([XII])B([VI)X(-)([II)(])structure, where A is an organic molecule, B is a lead(II) cation and X is a halide anion of iodine or chlorine. Whereas MAPbCl(3) crystallizes in the cubic space group Pm (3) over barm, MAPbI(3) is in the tetragonal space group I4/mcm. The substitution of I by Cl leads to an increased tolerance against humidity but is challenging or even impossible due to their large difference in ionic radii. Here, the influence of an increasing Cl content in the reaction solution on the miscibility of the solid solution members is examined systematically. Powders were synthesized by two different routes depending on the I:Cl ratio. High-resolution synchrotron X-ray data are used to establish values for the limits of the miscibility gap which are 3.1 (1.1) mol\% MAPbCl(3) in MAPI(3) and 1.0 (1) mol\% MAPbI(3) in MAPCl. The establishment of relations between average pseudo-cubic lattice parameters for both phases allows a determination of the degree of substitution from the observed lattice parameters.}, language = {en} } @article{FredeSchreinerZrenneretal.2018, author = {Frede, Katja and Schreiner, Monika and Zrenner, R. and Graefe, Jan and Baldermann, Susanne}, title = {Carotenoid biosynthesis of pak choi (Brassica rapa ssp chinensis) sprouts grown under different light-emitting diodes during the diurnal course}, series = {Photochemical \& photobiological sciences}, volume = {17}, journal = {Photochemical \& photobiological sciences}, number = {10}, publisher = {Royal Society of Chemistry}, address = {Cambridge}, issn = {1474-905X}, doi = {10.1039/c8pp00136g}, pages = {1289 -- 1300}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are considered the future of greenhouse lighting. This study investigates the carotenoid concentrations of pak choi sprouts after growth under blue, red and white LEDs at six different time points. Furthermore, the diurnal changes of RNA transcripts of key genes of the carotenoid biosynthesis pathway as well as of the carotenoid cleavage dioxygenase 4 (CCD4) gene and of the transcription factor genes elongated hypocotyl 5 (HY5) and circadian clock associated 1 (CCA1) were investigated. The carotenoid concentrations were steady throughout the day, but showed a small maximum in the afternoon. An average total carotenoid concentration of 536 +/- 29 ng mg(-1) DM produced under white LEDs was measured, which is comparable to previously described field-grown levels. The carotenoid concentrations were slightly lower under blue or red LEDs. Moreover, the diurnal RNA transcript rhythms of most of the carotenoid biosynthesis genes showed an increase during the light period, which can be correlated to the carotenoid maxima in the afternoon. Blue LEDs caused the highest transcriptional induction of biosynthetic genes as well as of CCD4, thereby indicating an increased flux through the pathway. In addition, the highest levels of HY5 transcripts and CCA1 transcripts were determined under blue LEDs.}, language = {en} } @article{ErlerRiebeBeitzetal.2018, author = {Erler, Alexander and Riebe, Daniel and Beitz, Toralf and L{\"o}hmannsr{\"o}ben, Hans-Gerd and Grothusheitkamp, Daniela and Kunz, T. and Methner, Frank-J{\"u}rgen}, title = {Detection of volatile organic compounds in the headspace above mold fungi by GC-soft X-radiation-based APCI-MS}, series = {Journal of mass spectrometr}, volume = {53}, journal = {Journal of mass spectrometr}, number = {10}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {1076-5174}, doi = {10.1002/jms.4210}, pages = {911 -- 920}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Mold fungi on malting barley grains cause major economic loss in malting and brewery facilities. Possible proxies for their detection are volatile and semivolatile metabolites. Among those substances, characteristic marker compounds have to be identified for a confident detection of mold fungi in varying surroundings. The analytical determination is usually performed through passive sampling with solid phase microextraction, gas chromatographic separation, and detection by electron ionization mass spectrometry (EI-MS), which often does not allow a confident determination due to the absence of molecular ions. An alternative is GC-APCI-MS, generally, allowing the determination of protonated molecular ions. Commercial atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) sources are based on corona discharges, which are often unspecific due to the occurrence of several side reactions and produce complex product ion spectra. To overcome this issue, an APCI source based on soft X-radiation is used here. This source facilitates a more specific ionization by proton transfer reactions only. In the first part, the APCI source is characterized with representative volatile fungus metabolites. Depending on the proton affinity of the metabolites, the limits of detection are up to 2 orders of magnitude below those of EI-MS. In the second part, the volatile metabolites of the mold fungus species Aspergillus, Alternaria, Fusarium, and Penicillium are investigated. In total, 86 compounds were found with GC-EI/APCI-MS. The metabolites identified belong to the substance classes of alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, esters, substituted aromatic compounds, terpenes, and sesquiterpenes. In addition to substances unspecific for the individual fungus species, characteristic patterns of metabolites, allowing their confident discrimination, were found for each of the 4 fungus species. Sixty-seven of the 86 metabolites are detected by X-ray-based APCI-MS alone. The discrimination of the fungus species based on these metabolites alone was possible. Therefore, APCI-MS in combination with collision induced dissociation alone could be used as a supervision method for the detection of mold fungi.}, language = {en} } @article{PloetzMegowNiehausetal.2018, author = {Pl{\"o}tz, Per-Arno and Megow, J{\"o}rg and Niehaus, Thomas and K{\"u}hn, Oliver}, title = {All-DFTB Approach to the Parametrization of the System-Bath Hamiltonian Describing Exciton-Vibrational Dynamics of Molecular Assemblies}, series = {Journal of chemical theory and computation}, volume = {14}, journal = {Journal of chemical theory and computation}, number = {10}, publisher = {American Chemical Society}, address = {Washington}, issn = {1549-9618}, doi = {10.1021/acs.jctc.8b00493}, pages = {5001 -- 5010}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Spectral density functions are central to the simulation of complex many body systems. Their determination requires making approximations not only to the dynamics but also to the underlying electronic structure theory. Here, blending different methods bears the danger of an inconsistent description. To solve this issue we propose an all-DFTB approach to determine spectral densities for the description of Frenkel excitons in molecular assemblies. The protocol is illustrated for a model of a PTCDI crystal, which involves the calculation of monomeric excitation energies and Coulomb couplings between monomer transitions, as well as their spectral distributions due to thermal fluctuations of the nuclei. Using dynamically defined normal modes, a mapping onto the standard harmonic oscillator spectral densities is achieved.}, language = {en} } @article{TanLiuSiemensmeyeretal.2018, author = {Tan, Li and Liu, Bing and Siemensmeyer, Konrad and Glebe, Ulrich and B{\"o}ker, Alexander}, title = {Synthesis of Polystyrene-Coated Superparamagnetic and Ferromagnetic Cobalt Nanoparticles}, series = {Polymers}, volume = {10}, journal = {Polymers}, number = {10}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {2073-4360}, doi = {10.3390/polym10101053}, pages = {18}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Polystyrene-coated cobalt nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized through a dual-stage thermolysis of cobalt carbonyl (Co-2(CO)(8)). The amine end-functionalized polystyrene surfactants with varying molecular weight were prepared via atom-transfer radical polymerization technique. By changing the concentration of these polymeric surfactants, Co NPs with different size, size distribution, and magnetic properties were obtained. Transmission electron microscopy characterization showed that the size of Co NPs stabilized with lower molecular weight polystyrene surfactants (M-n = 2300 g/mol) varied from 12-22 nm, while the size of Co NPs coated with polystyrene of middle (M-n = 4500 g/mol) and higher molecular weight (M-n = 10,500 g/mol) showed little change around 20 nm. Magnetic measurements revealed that the small cobalt particles were superparamagnetic, while larger particles were ferromagnetic and self-assembled into 1-D chain structures. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed that the grafting density of polystyrene with lower molecular weight is high. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to obtain both superparamagnetic and ferromagnetic Co NPs by changing the molecular weight and concentration of polystyrene through the dual-stage decomposition method.}, language = {en} } @article{WolffFrischmannSchulzeetal.2018, author = {Wolff, Christian Michael and Frischmann, Peter D. and Schulze, Marcus and Bohn, Bernhard J. and Wein, Robin and Livadas, Panajotis and Carlson, Michael T. and J{\"a}ckel, Frank and Feldmann, Jochen and W{\"u}rthner, Frank and Stolarczyk, Jacek K.}, title = {All-in-one visible-light-driven water splitting by combining nanoparticulate and molecular co-catalysts on CdS nanorods}, series = {Nature Energy}, volume = {3}, journal = {Nature Energy}, number = {10}, publisher = {Nature Publ. Group}, address = {London}, issn = {2058-7546}, doi = {10.1038/s41560-018-0229-6}, pages = {862 -- 869}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Full water splitting into hydrogen and oxygen on semiconductor nanocrystals is a challenging task; overpotentials must be overcome for both half-reactions and different catalytic sites are needed to facilitate them. Additionally, efficient charge separation and prevention of back reactions are necessary. Here, we report simultaneous H-2 and O-2 evolution by CdS nanorods decorated with nanoparticulate reduction and molecular oxidation co-catalysts. The process proceeds entirely without sacrificial agents and relies on the nanorod morphology of CdS to spatially separate the reduction and oxidation sites. Hydrogen is generated on Pt nanoparticles grown at the nanorod tips, while Ru(tpy)(bpy)Cl-2-based oxidation catalysts are anchored through dithiocarbamate bonds onto the sides of the nanorod. O-2 generation from water was verified by O-18 isotope labelling experiments, and time-resolved spectroscopic results confirmed efficient charge separation and ultrafast electron and hole transfer to the reaction sites. The system demonstrates that combining nanoparticulate and molecular catalysts on anisotropic nanocrystals provides an effective pathway for visible-light-driven photocatalytic water splitting.}, language = {en} } @article{QiZhangKochovskietal.2018, author = {Qi, Wenjing and Zhang, Yufei and Kochovski, Zdravko and Wang, Jue and Lu, Yan and Chen, Guosong and Jiang, Ming}, title = {Self-assembly of Human Galectin-1 via dual supramolecular interactions and its inhibition of T-cell agglutination and apoptosis}, series = {Nano Research}, volume = {11}, journal = {Nano Research}, number = {10}, publisher = {Tsinghua Univ Press}, address = {Beijing}, issn = {1998-0124}, doi = {10.1007/s12274-018-2169-7}, pages = {5566 -- 5572}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Recently, we proposed a new strategy to construct artificial plant protein assemblies, which were induced by adding a small molecule, based on dual supramolecular interactions. In this paper, we further explored this method by employing Human Galectin-1 (Gal-1) as a building block to form self-assembled microribbons. Two non-covalent interactions, including lactose-lectin binding and dimerization of Rhodamine B (RhB), induced by the small molecule ligand addition, were involved in the crosslinking of the animal protein, resulting in the formation of assemblies. By using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), and three-dimensional (3D) tomographic analysis, we arrived at a possible mechanistic model for the microribbon formation. Furthermore, the morphology of protein assemblies could be fine-timed by varying the incubation time, the protein/ligand ratio, and the chemical structures of ligands. Interestingly, the formation of protein microribbons successfully inhibited Gal-1 induced T-cell agglutination and apoptosis. This is because the multivalent and dynamic interactions in protein assemblies compete with the binding between Gal-1 and the glycans on cell surfaces, which suppresses the function of Gal-1 in promotion of tumor progression and metastasis.}, language = {en} } @article{DuyduBasaranAydinetal.2018, author = {Duydu, Yalcin and Basaran, Nursen and Aydin, Sevtap and Ustundag, Aylin and Yalcin, Can {\"O}zg{\"u}r and Anlar, Hatice Gul and Bacanli, Merve and Aydos, Kaan and Atabekoglu, Cem Somer and Golka, Klaus and Ickstadt, Katja and Schwerdtle, Tanja and Werner, Matthias and Meyer, S{\"o}ren and Bolt, Hermann M.}, title = {Evaluation of FSH, LH, testosterone levels and semen parameters in male boron workers under extreme exposure conditions}, series = {Archives of toxicology : official journal of EUROTOX}, volume = {92}, journal = {Archives of toxicology : official journal of EUROTOX}, number = {10}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Heidelberg}, issn = {0340-5761}, doi = {10.1007/s00204-018-2296-7}, pages = {3051 -- 3059}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Boric acid and sodium borates are currently classified in the EU-CLP regulation as "toxic to reproduction" under "Category 1B", with hazard statement of H360FD. However, so far field studies on male reproduction in China and in Turkey could not confirm such boron-associated toxic effects. As validation by another independent study is still required, the present study has investigated possible boron-associated effects on male reproduction in workers (n = 212) under different boron exposure conditions. The mean daily boron exposure (DBE) and blood boron concentration of workers in the extreme exposure group (n = 98) were 47.17 +/- 17.47 (7.95-106.8) mg B/day and 570.6 +/- 160.1 (402.6-1100) ng B/g blood, respectively. Nevertheless, boron-associated adverse effects on semen parameters, as well as on FSH, LH and total testosterone levels were not seen, even within the extreme exposure group. With this study, a total body of evidence has accumulated that allows to conclude that male reproductive effects are not relevant to humans, under any feasible and realistic conditions of exposure to inorganic boron compounds.}, language = {en} } @article{GoldhahnSchubertSchlaadetal.2018, author = {Goldhahn, Christian and Schubert, Jonas and Schlaad, Helmut and Ferri, James K. and Fery, Andreas and Chanana, Munish}, title = {Synthesis of Metal@Protein@Polymer Nanoparticles with Distinct Interfacial and Phase Transfer Behavior}, series = {Chemistry of materials : a publication of the American Chemical Society}, volume = {30}, journal = {Chemistry of materials : a publication of the American Chemical Society}, number = {19}, publisher = {American Chemical Society}, address = {Washington}, issn = {0897-4756}, doi = {10.1021/acs.chemmater.8b02314}, pages = {6717 -- 6727}, year = {2018}, abstract = {In this study, we present a novel and facile method for the synthesis of multiresponsive plasmonic nanoparticles with an interesting interfacial behavior. We used thiol-initiated photopolymerization technique to graft poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) onto the surface of protein-coated gold nanoparticles. The combination of the protein bovine serum albumin with the thermoresponsive polymer leads to smart hybrid nanoparticles, which show a stimuli-responsive behavior of their aggregation and a precisely controllable phase transfer behavior. Three interconnected stimuli, namely, temperature, ionic strength, and pH, were identified as property tuning switches. The aggregation was completely reversible and was quantified by determining Smoluchowski's instability ratios with time-resolved dynamic light scattering. The tunable hydrophobicity via the three stimuli was used to study interfacial activity and phase transfer behavior of the nanoparticles at an octanol/water interface. Depending on the type of coating (i.e., protein or protein/polymer) as well as the three external stimuli, the nanoparticles either remained in the aqueous phase (aggregated or nonaggregated), accumulated at the oil/water interface, wet the glass wall between the glass vial and the octanol phase, or even crossed the oil/water interface. Such smart and interfacially active nanoparticles with external triggers that are capable of crossing oil/water interfaces under physiological conditions open up new avenues for a variety of applications ranging from the development of drug-delivery nanosystems across biological barriers to the preparation of new catalytic materials.}, language = {en} } @article{EhlertGuehrSaalfrank2018, author = {Ehlert, Christopher and G{\"u}hr, Markus and Saalfrank, Peter}, title = {An efficient first principles method for molecular pump-probe NEXAFS spectra}, series = {The journal of chemical physics : bridges a gap between journals of physics and journals of chemistr}, volume = {149}, journal = {The journal of chemical physics : bridges a gap between journals of physics and journals of chemistr}, number = {14}, publisher = {American Institute of Physics}, address = {Melville}, issn = {0021-9606}, doi = {10.1063/1.5050488}, pages = {13}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Pump-probe near edge X-ray absorption fine structure (PP-NEXAFS) spectra of molecules offer insight into valence-excited states, even if optically dark. In PP-NEXAFS spectroscopy, the molecule is "pumped" by UV or visible light enforcing a valence excitation, followed by an X-ray "probe" exciting core electrons into (now) partially empty valence orbitals. Calculations of PP-NEXAFS have so far been done by costly, correlated wavefunction methods which are not easily applicable to medium-sized or large molecules. Here we propose an efficient, first principles method based on density functional theory in combination with the transition potential and Delta SCF methodology (TP-DFT/Delta SCF) to compute molecular ground state and PP-NEXAFS spectra. We apply the method to n ->pi* pump/O-K-edge NEXAFS probe spectroscopy of thymine (for which both experimental and other theoretical data exist) and to n -> pi* or pi -> pi* pump/N-K-edge NEXAFS probe spectroscopies of trans-and cis-azobenzene. Published by AIP Publishing.}, language = {en} } @article{SunGlebeCharanetal.2018, author = {Sun, Zhiyong and Glebe, Ulrich and Charan, Himanshu and B{\"o}ker, Alexander and Wu, Changzhu}, title = {Enzyme-Polymer Conjugates as Robust Pickering Interfacial Biocatalysts for Efficient Biotransformations and One-Pot Cascade Reactions}, series = {Angewandte Chemie : a journal of the Gesellschaft Deutscher Chemiker ; International edition}, volume = {57}, journal = {Angewandte Chemie : a journal of the Gesellschaft Deutscher Chemiker ; International edition}, number = {42}, publisher = {Wiley-VCH}, address = {Weinheim}, issn = {1433-7851}, doi = {10.1002/anie.201806049}, pages = {13810 -- 13814}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Despite the rapid development of Pickering interfacial catalysis (PIC) at liquid-liquid interfaces with chemocatalysts, the use of unstable biocatalysts at emulsion interfaces remains a technical challenge. Herein, we present a Pickering interfacial biocatalysis (PIB) platform based on robust and recyclable enzyme-polymer conjugates that act as both catalytic sites and stabilizers at the interface of Pickering emulsions. The conjugates were prepared by growing poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) on a fragile enzyme, benzaldehyde lyase, under physiological conditions. The mild in situ conjugation process preserved the enzyme structure, and the conjugates were used to emulsify a water-organic two-phase system into a stable Pickering emulsion, leading to a significantly larger interfacial area and a 270-fold improvement in catalytic performance as compared to the unemulsified two-phase system. The PIB system could be reused multiple times. Conjugates of other enzymes were also fabricated and applied for cascade reactions.}, language = {en} } @article{TurriniKroepflJensenetal.2018, author = {Turrini, Nikolaus G. and Kroepfl, Nina and Jensen, Kenneth Bendix and Reiter, Tamara C. and Francesconi, Kevin A. and Schwerdtle, Tanja and Kroutil, Wolfgang and Kuehnelt, Doris}, title = {Biosynthesis and isolation of selenoneine from genetically modified fission yeast}, series = {Metallomics : integrated biometal science}, volume = {10}, journal = {Metallomics : integrated biometal science}, number = {10}, publisher = {Royal Society of Chemistry}, address = {Cambridge}, issn = {1756-5901}, doi = {10.1039/c8mt00200b}, pages = {1532 -- 1538}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Selenoneine, a naturally occurring form of selenium, is the selenium analogue of ergothioneine, a sulfur species with health relevance not only as a purported antioxidant but likely also beyond. Selenoneine has been speculated to exhibit similar effects. To study selenoneine's health properties as well as its metabolic transformation, the pure compound is required. Chemical synthesis of selenoneine, however, is challenging and biosynthetic approaches have been sought. We herein report the biosynthesis and isolation of selenoneine from genetically modified fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe grown in a medium containing sodium selenate. After cell lysis and extraction with methanol, selenoneine was purified by three consecutive preparative reversed-phase HPLC steps. The product obtained at the mg level was characterised by high resolution mass spectrometry, NMR and HPLC/ICPMS. Biosynthesis was found to be a promising alternative to chemical synthesis, and should be suitable for upscaling to produce higher amounts of this important selenium species in the future.}, language = {en} } @article{TadjoungWaffoYesildagCasertaetal.2018, author = {Tadjoung Waffo, Armel Franklin and Yesildag, Cigdem and Caserta, Giorgio and Katz, Sagie and Zebger, Ingo and Lensen, Marga C. and Wollenberger, Ulla and Scheller, Frieder W. and Altintas, Zeynep}, title = {Fully electrochemical MIP sensor for artemisinin}, series = {Sensors and actuators : B, Chemical}, volume = {275}, journal = {Sensors and actuators : B, Chemical}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Lausanne}, issn = {0925-4005}, doi = {10.1016/j.snb.2018.08.018}, pages = {163 -- 173}, year = {2018}, abstract = {This study aims to develop a rapid, sensitive and cost-effective biomimetic electrochemical sensor for artemisinin determination in plant extracts and for pharmacokinetic studies. A novel molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP)based electrochemical sensor was developed by electropolymerization of o-phenylenediamine (o-PD) in the presence of artemisinin on gold wire surface for sensitive detection of artemisinin. The experimental parameters, including selection of functional monomer, polymerization conditions, template extraction after polymerization, influence of pH and buffer were all optimized. Every step of imprinted film synthesis were evaluated by employing voltammetry techniques, surface-enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy (SEIRAS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The specificity was further evaluated by investigating non-specific artemisinin binding on non-imprinted polymer (NIP) surfaces and an imprinting factor of 6.8 was achieved. The artemisinin imprinted polymers using o-PD as functional monomer have provided highly stable and effective binding cavities for artemisinin. Cross-reactivity studies with drug molecules showed that the MIPs are highly specific for artemisinin. The influence of matrix effect was further investigated both in artificial plant matrix and diluted human serum. The results revealed a high affinity of artemisinin-MIP with dissociation constant of 7.3 x 10(-9) M and with a detection limit of 0.01 mu M and 0.02 mu M in buffer and plant matrix, respectively.}, language = {en} } @article{BuechnerJohnMertensetal.2018, author = {B{\"u}chner, D{\"o}rthe and John, Leonard and Mertens, Monique and Wessig, Pablo}, title = {Detection of dsDNA with [1,3]Dioxolo[4,5-f]benzodioxol (DBD) Dyes}, series = {Chemistry - a European journal}, volume = {24}, journal = {Chemistry - a European journal}, number = {60}, publisher = {Wiley-VCH}, address = {Weinheim}, issn = {0947-6539}, doi = {10.1002/chem.201804057}, pages = {16183 -- 16190}, year = {2018}, abstract = {DBD fluorescent dyes have proven to be useful in numerous applications. To widen the range of biological applications, we propose three different types of DBD molecules that have been modified in such a way that DNA interaction becomes probable. After the successful synthesis of all three compounds, we tested their fluorescent properties and their DNA binding abilities. Two of the three probes exhibit an interaction with dsDNA with subsequent fluorescence enhancement. The determined binding constants of the two new DNA dyes are comparable to other minorgroove-binding dyes. Their large Stokes shifts and their long fluorescent lifetimes are outstanding features of these dyes.}, language = {en} } @article{SchulzMehrabiMuellerWerkmeisteretal.2018, author = {Schulz, Eike C. and Mehrabi, Pedram and M{\"u}ller-Werkmeister, Henrike and Tellkamp, Friedjof and Jha, Ajay and Stuart, William and Persch, Elke and De Gasparo, Raoul and Diederich, Fran{\c{c}}ois and Pai, Emil F. and Miller, R. J. Dwayne}, title = {The hit-and-return system enables efficient time-resolved serial synchrotron crystallography}, series = {Nature methods : techniques for life scientists and chemists}, volume = {15}, journal = {Nature methods : techniques for life scientists and chemists}, number = {11}, publisher = {Nature Publishing Group (London)}, address = {London}, issn = {1548-7091}, doi = {10.1038/s41592-018-0180-2}, pages = {901 -- 904}, year = {2018}, abstract = {We present a 'hit-and-return' (HARE) method for time-resolved serial synchrotron crystallography with time resolution from milliseconds to seconds or longer. Timing delays are set mechanically, using the regular pattern in fixed-target crystallography chips and a translation stage system. Optical pump-probe experiments to capture intermediate structures of fluoroacetate dehalogenase binding to its ligand demonstrated that data can be collected at short (30 ms), medium (752 ms) and long (2,052 ms) intervals.}, language = {en} } @article{RiemerCoswigShipmanetal.2018, author = {Riemer, Nastja and Coswig, Christin and Shipman, Michael and Schmidt, Bernd}, title = {Palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling of arenediazonium salts with organoindium or organobismuth reagents}, series = {Synlett : accounts and rapid communications in synthetic organic chemistry}, volume = {29}, journal = {Synlett : accounts and rapid communications in synthetic organic chemistry}, number = {18}, publisher = {Georg Thieme Verlag KG}, address = {Stuttgart}, issn = {0936-5214}, doi = {10.1055/s-0037-1611001}, pages = {2427 -- 2431}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Arylindium and isolated triarylbismuth compounds generated in situ react as nucleophiles with arenediazonium salts in palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions to give substituted biphenyls.}, language = {en} } @article{HardyBertinTorresRendonetal.2018, author = {Hardy, John G. and Bertin, Annabelle and Torres-Rendon, Jose Guillermo and Leal-Egana, Aldo and Humenik, Martin and Bauer, Felix and Walther, Andreas and C{\"o}lfen, Helmut and Schlaad, Helmut and Scheibel, Thomas R.}, title = {Facile photochemical modification of silk protein-based biomaterials}, series = {Macromolecular bioscience}, volume = {18}, journal = {Macromolecular bioscience}, number = {11}, publisher = {Wiley-VCH}, address = {Weinheim}, issn = {1616-5187}, doi = {10.1002/mabi.201800216}, pages = {6}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Silk protein-based materials show promise for application as biomaterials for tissue engineering. The simple and rapid photochemical modification of silk protein-based materials composed of either Bombyx mori silkworm silk or engineered spider silk proteins (eADF4(C16)) is reported. Radicals formed on the silk-based materials initiate the polymerization of monomers (acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, or allylamine) which functionalize the surface of the silk materials with poly(acrylic acid) (PAA), poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA), or poly(allylamine) (PAAm). To demonstrate potential applications of this type of modification, the polymer-modified silks are mineralized. The PAA- and PMAA-functionalized silks are mineralized with calcium carbonate, whereas the PAAm-functionalized silks are mineralized with silica, both of which provide a coating on the materials that may be useful for bone tissue engineering, which will be the subject of future investigations.}, language = {en} } @article{ZhengBaiTaoetal.2018, author = {Zheng, Botuo and Bai, Tianwen and Tao, Xinfeng and Schlaad, Helmut and Ling, Jun}, title = {Identifying the Hydrolysis of Carbonyl Sulfide as a Side Reaction Impeding the Polymerization of N-Substituted Glycine N-Thiocarboxyanhydride}, series = {Biomacromolecules : an interdisciplinary journal focused at the interface of polymer science and the biological sciences}, volume = {19}, journal = {Biomacromolecules : an interdisciplinary journal focused at the interface of polymer science and the biological sciences}, number = {11}, publisher = {American Chemical Society}, address = {Washington}, issn = {1525-7797}, doi = {10.1021/acs.biomac.8b01119}, pages = {4263 -- 4269}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Polypeptoids are noticeable biological materials due to their versatile properties and various applications in drug delivery, surface modification, self-assembly, etc. N-Substituted glycine N-thiocarboxyanhydrides (NNTAs) are more stable monomers than the corresponding N-carboxyanhydrides (NNCAs) and enable one to prepare polypeptoids via ring-opening polymerization even in the presence of water. However, larger amounts of water (>10,000 ppm) cause inhibition of the polymerization. Herein, we discover that during polymerization hydrogen sulfide evolves from the hydrolysis of carbonyl sulfide, which is the byproduct of ring-opening reaction, and reacts with NNTA to produce cyclic oligopeptoids. The capture of N-ethylethanethioic acid as an intermediate product confirms the reaction mechanism together with density functional theory quantum computational results. By bubbling the polymerization solution with argon, the side reaction can be suppressed to allow the synthesis of polysarcosine with high molar mass (M-n = 11,200 g/mol, D = 1.25) even in the presence of similar to 10,000 ppm of water.}, language = {en} } @article{KutlugHassRecketal.2018, author = {Kutlug, Oezg{\"u}r and Hass, Roland and Reck, Stephan and Hartwig, Andreas}, title = {Inline characterization of dispersion formation of a solvent-borne acrylic copolymer by Photon Density Wave spectroscopy}, series = {Colloids and surfaces : an international journal devoted to the principles and applications of colloid and interface science ; A, Physicochemical and engineering aspects}, volume = {556}, journal = {Colloids and surfaces : an international journal devoted to the principles and applications of colloid and interface science ; A, Physicochemical and engineering aspects}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {0927-7757}, doi = {10.1016/j.colsurfa.2018.08.011}, pages = {113 -- 119}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Most investigations on phase inversion (PI) of resins upon addition of water have been carried out by dynamic light scattering (DLS), torque, and viscosity measurements. The main problem, however, is analytic discontinuity due to sample removal and a changing matrix due to dilution during the preparation of the aqueous resin dispersions. This work presents Photon Density Wave (PDW) spectroscopy as a tool for the inline characterization of the acetone process for an acrylic copolymer with high acrylic acid (AA) content. PDW spectroscopy revealed different trends for optical properties compared to torque during water feed. Also the absence of PI due to dissolution of copolymer in the solvent/water mixture is observed by PDW spectroscopy. PI for the investigated copolymer did not occour during water feed but during removal of solvent. Different feeding rates of water gave similar trends while a change in temperature and degree of AA neutralization led to changes in optical properties and torque. Thermal processing showed that the optical properties of mixtures prior and after removal of solvent were completely different caused by changes of solubility.}, language = {en} } @article{BurekKrauseSchwotzeretal.2018, author = {Burek, Katja and Krause, Felix and Schwotzer, Matthias and Nefedov, Alexei and S{\"u}ssmuth, Julia and Haubitz, Toni and Kumke, Michael Uwe and Thissen, Peter}, title = {Hydrophobic Properties of Calcium-Silicate Hydrates Doped with Rare-Earth Elements}, series = {ACS sustainable chemistry \& engineering}, volume = {6}, journal = {ACS sustainable chemistry \& engineering}, number = {11}, publisher = {American Chemical Society}, address = {Washington}, issn = {2168-0485}, doi = {10.1021/acssuschemeng.8b03244}, pages = {14669 -- 14678}, year = {2018}, abstract = {In this study, the apparent relationship between the transport process and the surface chemistry of the Calcium-Silicate Hydrate (CSH) phases was investigated. For this purpose, a method was developed to synthesize ultrathin CSH phases to be used as a model substrate with the specific modification of their structure by introducing europium (Eu(III)). The structural and chemical changes during this Eu(III)-doping were observed by means of infrared spectroscopy (IR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and time-resolved laser fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS). These alterations of the CSH phases led to significant changes in the surface chemistry and consequently to considerable variations in the interaction with water, as evidenced by measurements of the contact angles on the modified model substrates. Our results provide the basis for a more profound molecular understanding of reactive transport processes in cement-based systems. Furthermore, these results broaden the perspective of improving the stability of cement-based materials, which are subjected to the impact of aggressive aqueous environments through targeted modifications of the CSH phases.}, language = {en} }