Corrigendum to “Characterization, biorecognitive activity and stability of WGA grafted lipid nanostructures for the controlled delivery of Rifampicin” [Chem. Phys. Lipid. 193 (2015) 11–17]

We present a computational analysis of the asymmetry in reaction center models of photosystem I, photosystem II, and bacteria from Synechococcus elongatus, Thermococcus vulcanus, and Rhodobacter sphaeroides, respectively. The recently developed FDE-diab methodology [J. Chem. Phys., 148 (2018), 214104] allowed us to effectively avoid the spin-density overdelocalization error characteristic for standard Kohn–Sham Density Functional Theory and to reliably calculate spin-density distributions and electronic couplings for a number of molecular systems ranging from dimeric models in vacuum to large protein including up to about 2000 atoms. The calculated spin densities showed a good agreement with available experimental results and were used to validate reaction center models reported in the literature. We demonstrated that the applied theoretical approach is very sensitive to changes in molecular structures and relative orientation of molecules. This makes FDE-diab a valuable tool for electronic structure calculations of large photosynthetic models effectively complementing the existing experimental techniques.

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`Diet GMKTN55' Offers Accelerated Benchmarking Through a Representative Subset Approach

10.26434/chemrxiv.7038428.v2 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Tim Gould

Keyword(s):

Density Functional ◽

Chem Phys ◽

Comprehensive Analysis ◽

Genetic Approach ◽

Representative Subset ◽

Phys Chem Chem Phys

The GMTKN55 benchmarking protocol introduced by [Goerigk et al., Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2017, 19, 32184] allows comprehensive analysis and ranking of density functional approximations with diverse chemical behaviours. But this comprehensiveness comes at a cost: GMTKN55's 1500 benchmarking values require energies for around 2500 systems to be calculated, making it a costly exercise. This manuscript introduces three subsets of GMTKN55, consisting of 30, 100 and 150 systems, as `diet' substitutes for the full database. The subsets are chosen via a stochastic genetic approach, and consequently can reproduce key results of the full GMTKN55 database, including ranking of approximations.

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Porous Aluminophosphates as Adsorbents for the Separation of CO2/CH4 and CH4/N2 Mixtures – a Monte Carlo Simulation Study

10.26434/chemrxiv.6133346.v2 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Michael Fischer

Keyword(s):

Monte Carlo ◽

Landfill Gas ◽

Experimental Studies ◽

Chem Phys ◽

Monte Carlo Simulation Study ◽

Mixture Adsorption ◽

Vacuum Swing Adsorption ◽

Separation Of Co2 ◽

Pressure Swing ◽

Gcmc Simulations

<div>Aluminophosphates with zeolite-like topologies (AlPOs) have received considerable attention as potential adsorbents for use in the separation of methane-containing gas mixtures. Such separations, especially the removal of carbon dioxide and nitrogen from methane, are of great technological relevance in the context of the “upgrade” of natural gas, landfill gas, and biogas. While more than 50 zeolite frameworks have been synthesised in aluminophosphate composition or as heteroatom substituted AlPO derivatives, only a few of them have been characterised experimentally with regard to their adsorption and separation behaviour. In order to predict the potential of a variety of AlPO frameworks for applications in CO2/CH4 and CH4/N2 separations, atomistic grand-canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) simulations were performed for 53 different structures. Building on previous work, which studied CO2/N2 mixture adsorption in AlPOs (M. Fischer, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2017, 19, 22801–22812), force field parameters for methane adsorption in AlPOs were validated through a comparison to available experimental adsorption data. Afterwards, CO2/CH4 and CH4/N2 mixture isotherms were computed for all 53 frameworks for room temperature and total pressures up to 1000 kPa (10 bar), allowing the prediction of selectivities and working capacities for conditions that are relevant for pressure swing adsorption (PSA) and vacuum swing adsorption (VSA). For CO2/CH4 mixtures, the GIS, SIV, and ATT frameworks were found to have the highest selectivities and CO2 working capacities under VSA conditions, whereas several frameworks, among them AFY, KFI, AEI, and LTA, show higher working capacities under PSA conditions. For CH4/N2 mixtures, all frameworks are moderately selective for methane over nitrogen, with ATV exhibiting a significantly higher selectivity than all other frameworks. While some of the most promising topologies are either not available in pure-AlPO4 composition or collapse upon calcination, others can be synthesised and activated, rendering them interesting candidates for future experimental studies. In addition to predictions of mixture adsorption isotherms, further simulations were performed for four selected systems in order to investigate the microscopic origins of the macroscopic adsorption behaviour, e.g. with regard to the very high CH4/N2 selectivity of ATV and the loading-dependent evolution of the heat of CO2 adsorption and CO2/CH4 selectivity of AEI and GME.</div>

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Enhanced Stability and Controlled Delivery of MOF Encapsulated Vaccines and Their Immunogenic Response In Vivo

10.26434/chemrxiv.7335122.v1 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Michael Luzuriaga ◽

Raymond P. Welch ◽

Madushani Dharmawardana ◽

Candace Benjamin ◽

Shaobo Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Viral Vector ◽

Controlled Delivery ◽

Conformational Structure ◽

Spectroscopy Analysis ◽

Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework ◽

Structural Conformation ◽

Depth Study ◽

Viral Nanoparticle

<div><div><div>Vaccines have an innate tendency to lose their structural conformation upon environmental and chemical stressors. A loss in conformation reduces the therapeutic ability to prevent the spread of a pathogen. Herein, we report an in-depth study of zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) and its ability to provide protection for a model viral vector against dena- turing conditions. The immunoassay and spectroscopy analysis together demonstrate enhanced thermal and chemical stability to the conformational structure of the encapsulated viral nanoparticle. The long-term biological activity of this virus-ZIF composite was investigated in animal models to further elucidate the integrity of the encapsulated virus, the bio-safety, and immunogenicity of the overall composite. Additionally, histological analysis found no observable tissue damage in the skin or vital organs in mice, following multiple subcutaneous administrations. This study shows that ZIF-based protein composites are strong candidates for improved preservation of proteinaceous drugs, are biocompatible, and capable of controlling the release and adsorption of drugs in vivo.</div></div></div>

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Probiotics Slow the Growth of Pathogenic Bacteria

International Journal of Probiotics and Prebiotics ◽

10.37290/ijpp2641-7197.14:28-31 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

pp. 28-31 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Rowles H. L.

Keyword(s):

Growth Rate ◽

Bacterial Infections ◽

Pathogenic Bacteria ◽

Diarrheal Disease ◽

Growth Curves ◽

Mortality Rates ◽

Controlled Delivery ◽

E Coli ◽

Multiple Strains ◽

Commercial Probiotics

Probiotics are live microorganisms, which when ingested in sufficient amounts, confer health benefits to the host by improving the gut microflora balance. The purpose of this research was to determine whether commercial probiotic products containing multitude of commensal bacteria would reduce the growth rate of pathogenic bacteria, specifically Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium. Growth curves were established, and the growth rates were compared for samples of E. coli, S. typhimurium, Nature’s Bounty Controlled Delivery probiotic, Sundown Naturals Probiotic Balance probiotic, and cocultures of the pathogenic bacteria mixed with the probiotics. The findings of this research were that the commercial probiotics significantly reduced the growth rate of E. coli and S. typhimurium when combined in cocultures. Probiotics containing multiple strains may be taken prophylactically to reduce the risk of bacterial infections caused by E. coli and S. typhimurium. Probiotics could be used to reduce the high global morbidity and mortality rates of diarrheal disease.

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