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Mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) have great capacity for immune regulation. MSCs provide protective paracrine effects, which are partially exerted by extracellular vesicles (EVs). It has been reported that MSCs-derived EVs (MSC-EVs) contain soluble factors, such as cytokines, chemokines, growth factors and even microRNAs, which confer them similar anti-inflammatory and regenerative effects to MSCs. Moreover, MSCs modulate microglia activation through a dual mechanism of action that relies both on cell contact and secreted factors. Microglia cells are the central nervous system immune cells and the main mediators of the inflammation leading to neurodegenerative disorders. Here, we investigated whether MSC-EVs affect the activation of microglia cells by β-amyloid aggregates. We show that the presence of MSC-EVs can prevent the upregulation of pro-inflammatory mediators such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and nitric oxide (NO). Both are up-regulated in neurodegenerative diseases representing chronic inflammation, as in Alzheimer’s disease. We demonstrate that MSC-EVs are internalized by the microglia cells. Further, our study supports the use of MSC-EVs as a promising therapeutic tool to treat neuroinflammatory diseases.Significance StatementIt has been reported that mesenchymal stromal/stem cells and MSC-derived small extracellular vesicles have therapeutic effects in the treatment of various degenerative and inflammatory diseases. Extracellular vesicles are loaded with proteins, lipids and RNA and act as intercellular communication mediators. Here we show that extracellular vesicles can be taken up by murine microglial cells. In addition, they partially reduce the activation of microglial cells against β-amyloid aggregates. This inhibition of microglia activation may present an effective strategy for the control/therapy of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. Graphic Abstract

The influence of starting materials and synthesis route on the properties and the structure of cementitious sodium aluminosilicate gels is not fully understood, partly due their amorphous nature and the fact that they often contain residual reactants, which can make the results of single-pulse NMR spectroscopy applied to these materials difficult to interpret or ambiguous. To overcome some of these limitations, 29Si{27Al} TRAPDOR NMR as well as 27Al{29Si} and 27Al{1H} REDOR NMR spectroscopy were applied to materials synthesized by the one-part alkali-activation route from three different amorphous silica starting materials, including rice husk ash. The latter led to formation of a fully amorphous sodium aluminosilicate gel (geopolymer), while the materials produced from the other silicas contained amorphous phase and crystalline zeolites. Application of the double-resonance NMR methods allowed to identify hydrous alumina gel domains in the rice husk ash-based material as well as significantly differing amounts of residual silica in the three cured materials. Four-coordinated Al existed not only in the aluminosilicate gel framework but also in a water-rich chemical environment with only a small amount of Si in proximity, likely in the alumina gel or possibly present as extra-framework Al in the aluminosilicate gel. The results demonstrate how the employment of different silica starting materials determines the phase assemblage of one-part alkali-activated materials, which in turn influences their engineering properties such as the resistance against chemically/biologically aggressive media.

A newly established in situ technique using Raman spectroscopy was employed for the detailed kinetic investigation of mechanochemical reaction pathways. This approach was applied for the systematic investigation of the direct influence of colliding balls on the reaction rate constants of a mechanochemical cocrystallization reaction. As a model reaction, the mechanochemical cocrystallization of felodipine and the coformer imidazole was investigated. Keeping the total ball mass constant by varying the number of milling balls, our study reveals that the impact of each single collision has a more significant influence on the reaction kinetics than expected.

The cocrystal formation of pyrazinamide (PZA) with malonic acid (MA) was studied in situ. The mechanochemical reaction proceeds via conversion of a crystalline intermediate (PZA:MA II) into the thermodynamically more stable form (PZA:MA I) upon further grinding. The information derived from in situ powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) enabled the isolation of this new metastable polymorph. On the basis of the PXRD data, the crystal structure of the 1:1 cocrystal PZA:MA II was solved. The polymorphs were further characterized and compared by Raman spectroscopy, solid-state NMR spectroscopy, differential thermal analysis/thermogravimetric analysis, and scanning electron microscopy. Our study demonstrates how monitoring mechanochemical reactions by in situ PXRD can direct the discovery and isolation of even short-lived intermediates not yet accessed by conventional methods.

Geopolymer-zeolite composites were synthesized using a silica-rich industrial byproduct from chlorosilane production and sodium aluminate. Pastes were cured at 80 °C and 80% RH, and subsequently dried in two different climates: at 23 °C and 50% RH, and under vacuum. 1H MAS, 23Na MAS and 29Si MAS NMR and XRD measurements were performed after the drying procedures as well as after subsequent aging. Zeolite Na-A was found beside traces of faujasite-type zeolite and zeolite EMT as major crystalline phases in the cured composites; the fraction of geopolymeric gel in the reaction products was determined to be ~18% on a molar basis. Various water species could be distinguished using 1H MAS and 1H-29Si CP MAS NMR, applying rotor-synchronized echo experiments. The largest fraction of the pore water resides in the α-cages of the zeolite Na-A and in the geopolymeric gel; in addition, water exists in the β-cages of the zeolites and adsorbed at sodium ions. The water species in α-cages and in the pores of the geopolymeric gel exhibit slightly different chemical shifts of 4.7 ppm and 4.9 ppm, respectively, in the 1H MAS NMR spectra. Changes of the water content in the geopolymer pores of differently dried samples were observed and led to slightly varied chemical shifts in the 29Si MAS NMR spectra too. Measurements after more than 500 days revealed no significant aging effects of the composites, which confirm their chemical stability.

The potential synergists aluminium diethylphosphinate (AlPi), boehmite (AlO(OH)) and melamine polyphosphate (MPP) were compared in flame-retardant epoxy resin (EP)/melamine poly(magnesium phosphate) (S600). The pyrolysis, the fire behaviour as well as the chemical interactions in the gas and condensed phases were investigated by various methods. Flammability was investigated by cone calorimeter and oxygen index (OI). The thermal and thermo-oxidative decomposition were studied by thermogravimetric analysis coupled with FTIR spectrometer. The special focus was on the investigation of structural changes in the condensed phase via solid-state NMR of 27Al and 31P nuclei. By the comparison of epoxy resin with only one additive or with S600 in combination with AlPi, AlO(OH) or MPP, it was possible to calculate the synergy index. The best performance in terms of fire behaviour was observed for EP/S600/MPP with a PHRR (peak heat release rate) of 208 kW m−2 due to slight synergy. In the case of THE (total heat evolved), clear synergy occurred for EP/S600/AlPi and EP/S600/AlO(OH). By solid-state NMR, different phosphates and aluminates were identified, indicating the chemical interactions between S600 and AlPi, AlO(OH) or MPP. The systematic multi-methodical approach yielded insight into the synergistic effects in the flame-retarded epoxy resin.

Benzamide has been known for its polymorphism for almost 200 years. Three polymorphic forms are described. To date, it was only possible to crystallize a metastable form in a mixture together with the thermodynamically most stable form I. A complete transformation of form I into the metastable form III by mechanochemical treatment has been achieved. Catalytic amounts of nicotinamide seeds were used to activate the conversion by mechanochemical seeding. NMR experiments indicated that the nicotinamide molecules were incorporated statistically in the crystal lattice of benzamide form III during the conversion. The transformation pathway was evaluated using in situ powder X-ray diffraction.

29Si{27Al} TRAPDOR MAS NMR was applied to two faujasite-type zeolites with Si/Al ratios of 1.3 (Na-X) and 2.7 (Na-Y). The aim of this test study is to show that different Q4(mAl) sites (m =4, 3, 2, 1) can be distinguished by differently strong TRAPDOR effects (ΔS/S0). Indeed, it was found that the TRAPDOR effect depends on the number m of AlO4 units connected to the Q4 silicon tetrahedrons. For Na-X, the measured ΔS/S0 values are 1 : 0.81 : 0.56 for Q4(4Al), Q4(3Al) and Q4(2Al), respectively (normalized to Q4(4Al)). The corresponding ΔS/S0 values are the same for Na-Y within the error bars, although the silicon sites are different: Q4(3Al), Q4(2Al) and Q4(1Al) and now normalized to Q4(3Al) as no Q4(4Al) is present. Nevertheless, the proposed method opens up the possibility to distinguish overlapping 29Si NMR signals of the Qn(mAl) sites in amorphous materials as the main goal of these investigations.

The stability of different theophylline cocrystals under milling conditions was investigated by competitive cocrystal reactions. To determine the most stable cocrystal form under milling conditions, the active pharmaceutical ingredient theophylline was either ground with two similar coformers (benzoic acid, benzamide, or isonicotinamide), or the existing theophylline cocrystals were ground together with a competitive coformer. All competitive reactions were investigated by in situ powder X-ray diffraction disclosing the formation pathway of the milling processes. On the basis of these milling reactions, a stability order (least to most stable) was derived: tp/bs < tp/ba < tp/ina < bs/ina.

A systematic comparison of chemical interactions and fire behaviour is presented for the thermoplastic elastomer (block copolymer styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene) (TPE-S)/diethyl- and methylvinyl siloxane (Si)/poly (phenylene oxide) (PPO), flame-retarded with aluminium diethylphosphinate (AlPi) and with ammonium polyphosphate (APP), respectively. TPE-S/APP/Si/PPO performed better in the cone calorimeter test (reduction in peak heat release rate from 2042 to 475 kW m −2 ), but TPE-S/AlPi/Si/PPO in the flammability tests (oxygen index (OI) and UL 94). This difference was caused by the different modes of action of APP (more in the condensed phase) and AlPi (mainly in the gas phase). Thermogravimetry coupled with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (TG-FTIR) was used to analyse the mass loss and the evolved gas products, while a Linkam hot-stage cell to investigate the decomposition in the condensed phase. Moreover, a detailed analysis of the fire residues was done using solid-state NMR. 13 C MAS NMR showed that both flame-retarded compositions form graphite-like amorphous carbonaceous char, originating from PPO. 31 P MAS NMR and 29 Si MAS NMR delivered important information about interaction between phosphorus and the siloxane. For TPE-S/AlPi/Si/PPO aluminium phosphate and silicon dioxide occurred, while also silicophosphate was produced in TPE-S/APP/Si/PPO. The direct comparison of two of the most prominent halogen-free flame retardants containing phosphorus delivered meaningful insights into the modes of action and molecular mechanisms controlling flame retardancy.

The liquid-assisted grinding cocrystallization of theophylline with benzamide leading to polymorphic compounds was investigated. A solvent screening with 17 different solvents was performed. The dipole moment of the solvent used in the synthesis determines the structure of the polymorphic product. A detailed investigation leads to the determination of the kinetically and thermodynamically favored product. In situ observations of the formation pathway during the grinding process of both polymorphs show that the thermodynamically favored cocrystal is formed in a two-step mechanism with the kinetic cocrystal as an intermediate.

Distinct approaches are used to reduce the fire risks of polymers, a key issue for many industrial applications. Among the variety of approaches, the use of synergy in halogen-free multicomponent systems is one of the most auspicious. To optimize the composition of such flame-retardant systems it is essential to understand the mechanisms and the corresponding chemistry in the condensed phase. In this work different methods are used, including cone calorimeter, thermogravimetry (TG), and TG-FTIR, with the main focus on the solid-state NMR analysis of the solid residues. The structural changes in the condensed phase of two thermoplastic elastomer systems based on copolymer styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene (TPE-S) were investigated: TPE-S/aluminium diethylphosphinate (AlPi)/magnesium hydroxide (MH) and TPE-S/AlPi/zinc borate (ZB)/poly(phenylene oxide) (PPO). Strong flame inhibition is synergistically combined with protective layer formation. 13 C-, 27 Al-, 11 B- and 31 P MAS NMR (magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance) experiments using direct excitation with a single pulse and 1 H– 31 P cross-polarization (CP) were carried out as well as double resonance techniques. Magnesium phosphates were formed during the pyrolysis of TPE-S/AlPi/MH, while for the system TPE-S/AlPi/ZB/PPO zinc phosphates and borophosphates were observed. Thus, the chemistry behind the chemical interaction was characterized unambiguously for the investigated systems.

Made available in DSpace on 2020-12-12T02:01:13Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2020-06-01 Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) The small-pore framework sodium stannosilicate AV-10, chemical composition Na2SnSi3O9·2H2O and known crystallographic structure, was synthesized by hydrothermal crystallization. This stannosilicate is built up of a three-dimensional network of corner-shared SiO4 tetrahedra and SnO6 octahedra. The SnO6 sites are linked to six SiO4 tetrahedra (Sn(6Si)) while each of the two crystallographically different SiO4 units are connected to two SnO6 and SiO4 units (Si(2Si,2Sn)). This material was used as model compound for developing a solid-state MAS NMR strategy aimed on the challenges and possibilities for structural studies, particularly considering the short and medium range order to verify the connectivity of SiO4 and SnO6 of such compounds despite the low natural abundances of 4.68% for 29Si and 8.59% for 119Sn nuclei as a real challenge. 29Si{119Sn} and 119Sn{29Si} REDOR (Rotational-Echo Double-Resonance) NMR measurements after 1H cross-polarization (CP) were carried out. The REDOR curves show a significant change after the “normal” quadratic short time evolution from which both (i) the shortest internuclear 29Si – 119Sn distances (and vice versa) and (ii) the number of corner-sharing SiO4 tetrahedra around the SnO6 octahedra (and vice versa) can be obtained. Based on these data, optimized 29Si{119Sn} and 119Sn{29Si} REPT-HMQC (Recoupled Polarization Transfer-Heteronuclear Multiple-Quantum Correlation, again after 1H CP) experiments were implemented, which directly show those heterogroup connectivity as correlation peaks in a 2D spectrum. This information was also obtained using 2D29Si{119Sn}-J-Coupling NMR experiments. Furthermore, 2D29Si INADEQUATE NMR experiments are also feasible, showing the connectivity of SiO4 tetrahedra. The combination of REDOR, REPT-HMQC, J-Coupling and INADEQUATE experiments yielded a complete analysis of the short and medium range structure of this microporous stannosilicate, in agreement with the previously published structure obtained Ab Initio from powder X-Ray diffraction data (XRD). Department of Physics Institute of Biosciences Letters and Exact Sciences UNESP São Paulo State University, Campus of São José Rio Preto Division 1.3 Structure Analysis NMR Spectroscopy BAM Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing, Richard Willstaetter Str. 11 Department of Physics Institute of Biosciences Letters and Exact Sciences UNESP São Paulo State University, Campus of São José Rio Preto FAPESP: 11/51851-5 CNPq: 142029/2012-2 CNPq: 406761/2013-2) CNPq: 465594/2014-0 CAPES: BEX 2428/15-6

One-part geopolymers were synthesized from two different silica materials (a silica-rich residue from chlorosilane production and a commercial microsilica) and sodium aluminate at three different SiO2/Al2O3 ratios and a nominal water/solids ratio of 0.5. The degree of reaction of the silica in the cured geopolymers (i.e. the fraction of silica dissolved to form aluminosilicates and minor products) was determined using two different methods: chemical attack with HCl to dissolve the reaction products and evaluation of peak areas of 29Si MAS NMR spectra. It was found that the degree of reaction of the silica decreases with increasing the silica content of the starting mix, and that it is almost constant after 1 day of curing and almost independent from the kind of starting silica. From the results of the NMR-based method, the mean SiO2/Al2O3 ratio of the reaction products (aluminosilicates and minor products) can be estimated to be ca. 2.0, nearly independent of the starting composition of the geopolymers. The dissolution method is biased, but of sufficient precision to be useful for following changes of the degree of reaction. Major crystalline phases in the cured geopolymers are zeolite A and/or hydrosodalite. Depending on the starting composition, the relative amounts of these zeolites vary; additionally, sodalite (only for the residue from chlorosilane production with >1 wt% Cl-), faujasite, and zeolite EMT can appear in the geopolymers. The 29Si and 27Al MAS NMR results indicate mainly Si(4Al) and Al(4Si) sites, in line with the presence of zeolite A, hydrosodalite, sodalite, and geopolymeric gel of comparatively low SiO2/Al2O3 ratio.

Multicomponent flame retardant systems containing aluminum diethylphosphinate in thermoplastic styrene–ethylene–butylene–styrene elastomers are investigated (oxygen index, UL 94, cone calorimeter, and mechanical testing). Solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance, scanning electron microscopy, and elemental analysis illuminate the interactions in the condensed phase. Thermoplastic styrene–ethylene–butylene–styrene elastomers are a challenge for flame retardancy (peak heat release rate at 50 kW m−2 > 2000 kW m−2, oxygen index = 17.2 vol%, no UL-94 horizontal burn rating) since it burns without residue and with a very high effective heat of combustion. Adding aluminum diethylphosphinate results in efficient flame inhibition and improves the reaction to small flame, but it is less effective in the cone calorimeter. Its efficacy levels off for amounts >∼25 wt%. As the most promising synergistic system, aluminum diethylphosphinate/melamine polyphosphate was identified, combining the main gas action of aluminum diethylphosphinate with condensed phase mechanisms. The protection layer was further improved with several adjuvants. Keeping the overall flame retardant content at 30 wt%, aluminum diethylphosphinate/melamine polyphosphate/titanium dioxide and aluminum diethylphosphinate/melamine polyphosphate/boehmite were the best approaches. An oxygen index of up to 27 vol% was achieved and a horizontal burn rating in UL 94 with immediate self-extinction; peak heat release rate decreased by up to 85% compared to thermoplastic styrene–ethylene–butylene–styrene elastomers, to −2.

A new cocrystal of pyrazinamide with oxalic acid was prepared mechanochemically and characterized by PXRD, Raman spectroscopy, solid-state NMR spectroscopy, DTA-TG, and SEM. Based on powder X-ray diffraction data the structure was solved. The formation pathway of the reaction was studied in situ using combined synchrotron PXRD and Raman spectroscopy. Using oxalic acid dihydrate the initially neat grinding turned into a rapid self-accelerated liquid-assisted grinding process by the release of crystallization water. Under these conditions, the cocrystal was formed directly within two minutes.

Theophylline has been used as an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) in the treatment of pulmonary diseases, but due to its low water solubility reveals very poor bioavailability. Based on its different hydrogen-bond donor and acceptor groups, theophylline is an ideal candidate for the formation of cocrystals. The crystal structure of the 1:1 benzamide cocrystal of theophylline, C7H8N4O2·C7H7NO, was determined from synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction data. The compound crystallizes in the tetragonal space groupP41with four independent molecules in the asymmetric unit. The molecules form a hunter's fence packing. The crystal structure was confirmed by dispersion-corrected DFT calculations. The possibility of salt formation was excluded by the results of Raman and1H solid-state NMR spectroscopic analyses.

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) experiments in pulsed high magnetic fields up to 62T at the Dresden High Magnetic Field Laboratory (Hochfeld-Magnetlabor Dresden) are reported. The time dependence of the magnetic field is investigated by observing various free induction decays (FIDs) in the vicinity of the maximum of the field pulse. By analyzing each FID's phase and its evolution with time the magnetic field's time dependence can be determined with high precision. Assuming a quadratic or cubic dependence on time near the field maximum its confidence is found to be better than ± 0.03ppm at low fields and ± 0.8ppm near 62T. In turn, the thus obtained time dependence of the field can be used to demodulate and phase-correct all FIDs so that they appear phase-locked to each other. As a consequence signal averaging is possible. The increase in signal-to-noise ratio is found to be close to that expected theoretically. This shows that the intrinsic time dependence of the pulsed fields can be removed so that the NMR signals appear to be taken at rather stable static field. This opens up the possibility of performing precise shift measurements and signal averaging also of unknown, weak signals if a reference signal is measured during the same field pulse with a double-resonance probe.