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1. Two-dimensional ( P / T ) studies of secondary/tertiary conformational dynamics in nucleic acids: pressure induced melting and Maxwell relations at the single molecule level

   https://doi.org/10.1039/d4cp04664a  

   Sung, Hsuan-Lei; Nesbitt, David J (March 2025, Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics)

   Maxwell relation validated at the single molecule level. The detailed thermodynamics of nucleic acid conformational changes are systematically investigated usingP/T-controlled single molecule FRET experiments. 

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2. Switching mesoionic carbene-organocatalysis from radical to ionic pathway through base-controlled formation of Breslow intermediates versus Breslow enolates

   https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SC08229J  

   Jiao, Jie; Zhang, Zengyu; Lu, Guangyin; Huang, Shiqing; Bian, Yajing; Gao, Fan; Bertrand, Guy; Yan, Xiaoyu (May 2025, Chemical Science)

   Base-controlled formation of Breslow intermediatesversusBreslow enolates has been achieved with mesoionic carbenes. Of particular interest is the coupling of aldehydes and alkyl halides to yield ketonesviaan ionic pathway. 

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3. Investigation of the effects on proton relaxation times upon encapsulation in a water-soluble synthetic receptor

   https://doi.org/10.1039/d3cp06099c  

   Chaudhary, Krishna N; Brosnahan, Kyra I; Gibson-Elias, Lucas J; Moreno, Jose L; Hickey, Briana L; Hooley, Richard J; Caulkins, Bethany G (March 2024, Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics)

   TheT₁andT₂relaxation rates of different protons in small cyclic and polycyclic guests can be controlled by encapsulation in a water-soluble synthetic receptor. 

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4. Microbubble‐Controlled Delivery of Biofilm‐Targeting Nanoparticles to Treat MRSA Infection

   https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202508291  

   Chung, Ju_Yeon; Ahn, Yujin; Lee, Joo_Hun; Yang, Seungju; Lee, Seung_Cheol; Kong, Hyunjoon; Chung, Hyun_Jung (May 2025, Advanced Functional Materials)

   Abstract Drug‐resistant microorganisms cause serious problems in human healthcare, leading to the persistence in infections and poor treatment outcomes from conventional therapy. In this study, a gene‐targeting strategy using microbubble‐controlled nanoparticles is introduced that can effectively eliminate biofilms of methicillin‐resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) in vivo. Biofilm‐targeting nanoparticles (BTN) capable of delivering oligonucleotides are developed that effectively remove biofilm‐associated bacteria upon controlled delivery with diatom‐based microbubblers (MB). The activity of BTN in silencing key bacterial genes related to MRSA biofilm formation (icaA), bacterial growth (ftsZ), and antimicrobial resistance (mecA), as well as their multi‐targeting ability in vitro is validated. The integration of BTN with MB is next examined, resulting in synergistic effects in biofilm removal and antimicrobial activity in an ex vivo porcine skin model. The therapeutic efficacy is further investigated in vivo in a mouse wound model infected with MRSA biofilm, which showed that MB‐controlled BTN delivery substantially reduced bacterial load and led to the effective elimination of the biofilm. This study underscores the potential of the gene silencing platform with physical enhancement as a promising strategy to combat problems related to biofilms and antibiotic resistance. 

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5. TMEDA in Iron‐Catalyzed Hydromagnesiation: Formation of Iron(II)‐Alkyl Species for Controlled Reduction to Alkene‐Stabilized Iron(0)

   https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202006639  

   Neate, Peter G. N.; Greenhalgh, Mark D.; Brennessel, William W.; Thomas, Stephen P.; Neidig, Michael L. (July 2020, Angewandte Chemie International Edition)

   Abstract N,N,N′,N′‐Tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA) has been one of the most prevalent and successful additives used in iron catalysis, finding application in reactions as diverse as cross‐coupling, C−H activation, and borylation. However, the role that TMEDA plays in these reactions remains largely undefined. Herein, studying the iron‐catalyzed hydromagnesiation of styrene derivatives using TMEDA has provided molecular‐level insight into the role of TMEDA in achieving effective catalysis. The key is the initial formation of TMEDA–iron(II)–alkyl species which undergo a controlled reduction to selectively form catalytically active styrene‐stabilized iron(0)–alkyl complexes. While TMEDA is not bound to the catalytically active species, these active iron(0) complexes cannot be accessed in the absence of TMEDA. This mode of action, allowing for controlled reduction and access to iron(0) species, represents a new paradigm for the role of this important reaction additive in iron catalysis. 

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