Here, we report on a new zeolite-based silicalite nanoparticle that can enhance the transfection efficiencies generated by poly ethylene imine-plasmid DNA (PEI-pDNA) complexes via a sedimentation mechanism and can enhance the transfection efficiencies of pDNA alone when surface functionalized with amine groups. The silicalite nanoparticles have a mean size of 55 nm. Functionalizing the silicalite nanoparticles with amine groups results in a clear transition in zeta potential from -25.9 ± 2.3 mV (pH 7.4) for unfunctionalized silicalite nanoparticles to 4.9 ± 0.7 mV (pH 7.4) for amine functionalized silicalite nanoparticles. We identify that silicalite nanoparticles used to promote non-viral vector acceleration to the cell surface are found in acidic vesicles or the cytoplasm but not the nucleus. An MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay showed that the silicalite nanoparticles were non-toxic at the concentrations tested for transfection. We show that surface functionalization of silicalite nanoparticles with amine groups results in a significant (230%) increase in transfection efficiency of pDNA when compared to unfunctionalized silicalite nanoparticles. Silicalite nanoparticles enhanced pDNA-PEI induced transfection of human embryonic kidney (HEK-293) cells by over 150%.
Some thiadiazole and dithiocarbamate derivatives were desinged and synthesized in order to study the potential use as anti-wear additives. Their anti-wear properties in three different base oils (DB-51, soybean, and 100 N) were evaluated using a four-ball wear tester (ASTM D4172). The solubilities of dithiocarbamate derivatives in the base oils were better than those of thiadiazole derivatives. The compounds containing oleoyl group rather than nonanoyl group gave good anti-wear properties. The solubilities and anti-wear properties were explained by the polarity of the compounds.
A series of poly(glycerol-succinic acid) dithiocarbamate and 1,3,4-thiadiazole dendrimers, which have potential as anti-wear oil additives, were synthesized. Their anti-wear properties in three different oils (100N, DB-51, and soybean) were evaluated using a four-ball wear tester. The results indicated that thiocarbamate dendrimers have moderate anti-wear properties in DB-51 oil, and 1,3,4-thiadiazole dendrimers exhibited good anti-wear properties in 100N and DB-51 oils. However, dithiocarbamate and 1,3,4-thiadiazole dendrimers were not effective anti-wear additives in soybean oil.
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