A hydrophobic calix[4]arene derivative was investigated for its iodine (I2) capture efficiency from gaseous and liquid phase. The iodine uptake was followed by UV-vis spectroscopy. Additionally, the influence of the calix[4]arene derivative-polyolefin system on the leaching of iodine through packaging from a povidone-iodine-based (PVP-I) formulation was evaluated. In fact, iodine is a low-cost, multi-target, and broad-spectrum antiseptic. However, it is volatile, and the extended storage of I2-based formulations is challenging in plastic packaging. Here, we investigated the possibility of reducing the loss of I2 from an iodophor formulation by incorporating 4-tert-butylcalix [4]arene-tetraacetic acid tetraethyl ester (CX) and its iodine complex in high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or polypropylene (PP) via a swelling procedure. Surface and bulk changes were monitored by contact angle, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra. The barrier effect of the different polymeric systems (embedded with CX, iodine-CX complex, or I2) was evaluated by monitoring the I2 retention in a buffered PVP-I solution by UV-vis spectroscopy. Overall, experimental data showed the capability of the calix[4]arene derivative to complex iodine in solution and the solid state and a significant reduction in the iodine leaching by the PP-CX systems.

Povidone iodine (PVPI) is an antiseptic widely used against a broad spectrum of pathogens. However, undesired side-effects are still associated with PVPI treatment due to the irritant effect of iodine. Reducing the concentration of a PVPI formulation could provide safer and more friendly formulations, for routine use and applications in very delicate organs such as the eye. However, managing the storage of a low-concentration solution of PVPI is challenging due to the high iodine volatility. In this study, we demonstrated that an amphiphilic p-sulfonato-calix[4]arene derivative forming micelles (SC4OC6) improves the stability of a 0.1% PVPI aqueous buffered solution. UV-vis and NMR spectra as well as dynamic and electrophoretic light scattering measurements showed that SC4OC6 establishes non-covalent supramolecular interactions with PVPI, resulting in the formation of nanoaggregates with a negatively charged surface. Isothermal titration calorimetry provided the aggregation parameters and evidenced that the formation of the supramolecular assembly is an enthalpically favored process. The interaction of SC4OC6 with PVPI enhances the iodine retention and stability of the solution without affecting the rapid and effective bactericidal activity of PVPI, as demonstrated by a time-killing assay with Staphylococcus epidermidis.

Nuclear power will continue to provide energy for the foreseeable future, but it can pose significant challenges in terms of the disposal of waste and potential release of untreated radioactive substances. Iodine is a volatile product from uranium fission and is particularly problematic due to its solubility. Different isotopes of iodine present different issues for people and the environment. 129I has an extremely long half-life of 1.57 × 107 years and poses a long-term environmental risk due to bioaccumulation. In contrast, 131I has a shorter half-life of 8.02 days and poses a significant risk to human health. There is, therefore, an urgent need to develop secure, efficient and economic stores to capture and sequester ionic and neutral iodine residues. Metal-organic framework (MOF) materials are a new generation of solid sorbents that have wide potential applicability for gas adsorption and substrate binding, and recently there is emerging research on their use for the selective adsorptive removal of iodine. Herein, we review the state-of-the-art performance of MOFs for iodine adsorption and their host-guest chemistry. Various aspects are discussed, including establishing structure-property relationships between the functionality of the MOF host and iodine binding. The techniques and methodologies used for the characterisation of iodine adsorption and of iodine-loaded MOFs are also discussed together with strategies for designing new MOFs that show improved performance for iodine adsorption.

Iodine chemistry is an important driver of new particle formation in the marine and polar boundary layers. There are, however, conflicting views about how iodine gas-to-particle conversion proceeds. Laboratory studies indicate that the photooxidation of iodine produces iodine oxides (IxOy), which are well-known particle precursors. By contrast, nitrate anion chemical ionization mass spectrometry (CIMS) observations in field and environmental chamber studies have been interpreted as evidence of a dominant role of iodic acid (HIO3) in iodine-driven particle formation. Here, we report flow tube laboratory experiments that solve these discrepancies by showing that both IxOy and HIO3 are involved in atmospheric new particle formation. I2Oy molecules (y = 2, 3, and 4) react with nitrate core ions to generate mass spectra similar to those obtained by CIMS, including the iodate anion. Iodine pentoxide (I2O5) produced by photolysis of higher-order IxOy is hydrolyzed, likely by the water dimer, to yield HIO3, which also contributes to the iodate anion signal. We estimate that ∼50% of the iodate anion signals observed by nitrate CIMS under atmospheric water vapor concentrations originate from I2Oy. Under such conditions, iodine-containing clusters and particles are formed by aggregation of I2Oy and HIO3, while under dry laboratory conditions, particle formation is driven exclusively by I2Oy. An updated mechanism for iodine gas-to-particle conversion is provided. Furthermore, we propose that a key iodine reservoir species such as iodine nitrate, which we observe as a product of the reaction between iodine oxides and the nitrate anion, can also be detected by CIMS in the atmosphere.

Iodine is an essential trace element, necessary for the production of thyroid hormones, which play a key role in optimal foetal growth and (neuro-) development. To date, iodine deficiency remains a health burden in many countries. We investigated the variability of placental iodine concentrations within and between individuals. We used 20 mother-neonate pairs from the ENVIRONAGE birth cohort, took samples at three standardized locations of the placentas, pooled and digested them, and determined the iodine concentrations using an ICP-MS method as an alternative for the Sandell-Kolthoff method. The variability between and within the three sample regions was calculated using the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) from the variance components of mixed models. With the Friedman test, the differences between placental biopsies were assessed. The ICC showed a higher between-placenta (68.6%) than within-placenta (31.4%) variability. Subsequently, we used our optimized method to determine iodine concentrations in 498 mother-neonate pairs, which averaged 26.1 μg/kg. For 96 mothers, the urinary iodine concentrations were also determined, which showed no correlation with the placental iodine storage, as was expected. Future studies are necessary to explore the effects of these placental iodine concentrations in relation to health outcomes of mother and child at birth and later in life.

A variety of metal organic frameworks (MOFs) were synthesized and evaluated for their iodine adsorption capacity. Out of the MOFs tested, ZIF-8 showed the most promising result with an iodine vapor uptake of 876.6 mg/g. ZIF-8 was then incorporated into a polymer, polyethersulfone (PES), at different proportions to prepare mixed matrix membranes (MMMs), which were then used to perform further iodine adsorption experiments. With a mixing ratio of 40 wt % of ZIF-8, the iodine adsorption capacity reached 1387.6 mg/g, wherein an astounding 60% improvement in adsorption was seen with the MMMs prepared compared to the original ZIF-8 powder.

The relatively high linear energy transfer of Auger electrons, which can cause clustered DNA damage and hence efficient cell death, makes Auger emitters excellent candidates for attacking metastasized tumors. Moreover, gammas or positrons are usually emitted along with the Auger electrons, providing the possibility of theragnostic applications. Despite the promising properties of Auger electrons, only a few radiopharmaceuticals employing Auger emitters have been developed so far. This is most likely explained by the short ranges of these electrons, requiring the delivery of the Auger emitters to crucial cell parts such as the cell nucleus. In this work, we combined the Auger emitter 125I and ultrasmall gold nanoparticles to prepare a novel radiopharmaceutical. The 125I labeled gold nanoparticles were shown to accumulate at the cell nucleus, leading to a high tumor-killing efficiency in both 2D and 3D tumor cell models. The results from this work indicate that ultrasmall nanoparticles, which passively accumulate at the cell nucleus, have the potential to be applied in targeted radionuclide therapy. Even better tumor-killing efficiency can be expected if tumor-targeting moieties are conjugated to the nanoparticles.

Little is known about the role of iodine in plant physiology. We evaluated the impact of low concentrations of iodine on the phenotype, transcriptome and proteome of Arabidopsis thaliana. Our experiments showed that removal of iodine from the nutrition solution compromises plant growth, and restoring it in micromolar concentrations is beneficial for biomass accumulation and leads to early flowering. In addition, iodine treatments specifically regulate the expression of several genes, mostly involved in the plant defence response, suggesting that iodine may protect against both biotic and abiotic stress. Finally, we demonstrated iodine organification in proteins. Our bioinformatic analysis of proteomic data revealed that iodinated proteins identified in the shoots are mainly associated with the chloroplast and are functionally involved in photosynthetic processes, whereas those in the roots mostly belong and/or are related to the action of various peroxidases. These results suggest the functional involvement of iodine in plant nutrition.

Iodine is an essential component for fetal neurodevelopment and maternal thyroid function. Urine iodine is the most widely used indicator of iodine status. In this study, a novel validated ion-pair HPLC-UV method was developed to measure iodine concentration in clinical samples. A sodium thiosulfate solution was added to the urine sample to convert the total free iodine to iodide. Chromatographic separation was achieved in a Pursuit XRs C8 column. The mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile and a water phase containing 18-crown-6-ether, octylamine and sodium dihydrogen phosphate. Validation parameters, such as accuracy, precision, limits of detection and quantification, linearity and stability, were determined. Urinary samples from pregnant women were used to complete the validation and confirm the method's applicability. In the studied population of 93 pregnant women, the median UIC was lower in the group without iodine supplementation (117 µg/L, confidence interval (%CI): 95; 138) than in the supplement group (133 µg/L, %CI: 109; 157). In conclusion, the newly established ion-pair HPLC-UV method was adequately precise, accurate and fulfilled validation the criteria for analyzing compounds in biological fluids. The method is less complicated and expensive than other frequently used assays and permits the identification of the iodine-deficient subjects.

Povidone-iodine (PVP-I) inactivates a broad range of pathogens. Despite its widespread use over decades, the safety of PVP-I remains controversial. Its extended use in the current SARS-CoV-2 virus pandemic urges the need to clarify safety features of PVP-I on a cellular level. Our investigation in epithelial, mesothelial, endothelial, and innate immune cells revealed that the toxicity of PVP-I is caused by diatomic iodine (I2), which is rapidly released from PVP-I to fuel organic halogenation with fast first-order kinetics. Eukaryotic toxicity manifests at below clinically used concentrations with a threshold of 0.1% PVP-I (wt/vol), equalling 1 mM of total available I2 Above this threshold, membrane disruption, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, and abolition of oxidative phosphorylation induce a rapid form of cell death we propose to term iodoptosis. Furthermore, PVP-I attacks lipid rafts, leading to the failure of tight junctions and thereby compromising the barrier functions of surface-lining cells. Thus, the therapeutic window of PVP-I is considerably narrower than commonly believed. Our findings urge the reappraisal of PVP-I in clinical practice to avert unwarranted toxicity whilst safeguarding its benefits.

Povidone-iodine (PI) is a common antiseptic reagent which is used for skin infections and wound healing. The control release of PI is quite important to heal the deep and intense wounds. Herein, the preparation of biodegradable pectin@carboxymethyl pullulan (Pe@CMP) hydrogel was carried out and applied for controllable release of PI. CMP was synthesized by interaction of monochloroacetic acid with pullulan at different ratios. The Pe@CMP hydrogel was then prepared by crosslinking of pectin with CMP in presence of glutaraldehyde as cross linker. After carboxymethylation, COOH contents were enlarged to be 24.2-51.2 mmol/kg and degree of substitution was 0.44-0.93. The rheological properties of Pe@CMP hydrogel were enlarged by increment of pectin ratio. Swelling ratio in water (16.0-18.0%) was higher than that of artificial sweat (11.7-13.2%). Pe@CMP hydrogel containing 20% pectin, exhibited the lowest release and 57.7% from PI was released within 360 min. The biological activity of the released PI was monitored to be highly efficient. The kinetic of release was fitted well to the first ordered reaction and Higuchi models. The mechanism of release was explained by the swelling of hydrogel. The networked structure of hydrogel was opened by swelling and PI was released from the outer pores followed by inner pores, achieving the controllable release.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and treatment rationale of Hürthle cell carcinoma (HCC) following a patient with progressive and metastatic HCC. HCC was recently shown to harbor a distinct genetic make-up and the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kiase (PI3K)/AKT signaling pathways are potential targets for anti-cancer agents in the management of recurrent HCC. The presence or absence of gene variants can give a rationale for targeted therapies that could be made available in the context of drug repurposing trials. Methods: Treatment included everolimus, sorafenib, nintedanib, lenvatinib, and panitumumab. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) of metastatic tumor material obtained before administration of the last drug, was performed. We subsequently evaluated the rationale and efficacy of panitumumab in thyroid cancer and control cell lines after epidermal growth factor (EGF) stimulation and treatment with panitumumab using immunofluorescent Western blot analysis. EGF receptor (EGFR) quantification was performed using flow cytometry. Results: WGS revealed a near-homozygous genome (NHG) and a somatic homozygous TSC1 variant, that was absent in the primary tumor. In the absence of RAS variants, panitumumab showed no real-life efficacy. This might be explained by high constitutive AKT signaling in the two thyroid cancer cell lines with NHG, with panitumumab only being a potent inhibitor of pEGFR in all cancer cell lines tested. Conclusions: In progressive HCC, several treatment options outside or inside clinical trials are available. WGS of metastatic tumors might direct the timing of therapy. Unlike other cancers, the absence of RAS variants seems to provide insufficient justification of single-agent panitumumab administration in HCC cases harboring a near-homozygous genome.

Aqueous dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have recently emerged as promising systems, which can combine low cost and environmental compatibility with appreciable efficiency, long-term durability and enhanced safety. In the present study, we thoroughly investigate the chemistry behind the iodide/triiodide-based redox mediator, which presents - in a completely aqueous environment - several differences when compared to the behavior observed in the conventionally used organic solvents. The speciation of ions, the effect of the concentration of the redox mediator and the type of counter-ion are characterized from the electrochemical, spectroscopic, photovoltaic and analytical viewpoints. Furthermore, we demonstrate that aqueous DSSCs, often assumed as unstable, hold the potential to assure unparalleled stability after five months of aging without any addition of stabilizers or gelling agents, thus envisaging the construction of eco-friendly photovoltaic devices free of expensive, flammable and toxic solvents.

To evaluate the antiviral activity of the oral disinfectant povidone-iodine (PVP-I) against severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV2) in vitro.

A novel triazene-anthracene-based fluorescent aminal linked porous organic polymer (TALPOP) was prepared via metal free-Schiff base polycondensation reaction of 9,10-bis-(4,6-diamino-S-triazin-2-yl)anthracene and 2-furaldehyde. The polymer has exceptional chemical and thermal stabilities and exhibit good porosity with Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area of 401 m2g-1. The combination of such porosity along with the highly conjugated heteroatom-rich framework enabled the polymer to exhibit exceptional iodine vapor uptake of up to 314 wt % and reversible iodine adsorption in solution. Because of the inclusion of the anthracene moieties, the TALPOP exhibited excellent detection sensitivity towards iodine via florescence quenching with Ksv value of 2.9 × 103 L mol-1. The cost effective TALPOP along with its high uptake and sensing of iodine, make it an ideal material for environmental remediation.

Iodine-containing formulations have been widely used to treat iodine deficiency and as antiseptics. Lecithin-bound iodine (LBI) has been approved to treat allergic diseases in Japan; however, its underlying mechanism remains unknown. In this study, we show that LBI ameliorated disease symptoms in an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic rhinitis mouse model. LBI suppressed OVA-specific IgE production by attenuating germinal center (GC) reaction in the draining lymph nodes. The antiallergic effect of LBI is most likely attributed to increased serum iodine levels but not thyroid hormone levels. In vitro treatment of activated B cells with potassium iodide induced ferroptosis by increasing intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and ferrous iron in a concentration-dependent manner. Accordingly, LBI diets increased ROS levels in GC B cells of the draining lymph nodes. This study suggests that iodine directly promotes ferroptosis in activated B cells and attenuates GC reactions, leading to the alleviation of allergic symptoms.

Perovskite-based electronic materials and devices such as perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have notoriously bad reproducibility, which greatly impedes both fundamental understanding of their intrinsic properties and real-world applications. Here, we report that organic iodide perovskite precursors can be oxidized to I2 even for carefully sealed precursor powders or solutions, which markedly deteriorates the performance and reproducibility of PSCs. Adding benzylhydrazine hydrochloride (BHC) as a reductant into degraded precursor solutions can effectively reduce the detrimental I2 back to I-, accompanied by a substantial reduction of I3 --induced charge traps in the films. BHC residuals in perovskite films further stabilize the PSCs under operation conditions. BHC improves the stabilized efficiency of the blade-coated p-i-n structure PSCs to a record value of 23.2% (22.62 ± 0.40% certified by National Renewable Energy Laboratory), and the high-efficiency devices have a very high yield. A stabilized aperture efficiency of 18.2% is also achieved on a 35.8-cm2 mini-module.

To determine the effect of povidone iodine (PI), an antiseptic commonly used prior to ocular surgery, on viability of mixed populations of conjunctival stratified squamous and goblet cells, purified conjunctival goblet cells and purified conjunctival stromal fibroblasts in primary culture.

Diseases caused by upper respiratory tract (URT) and pulmonary infections have been a serious threat to human health for millennia and lack of targeted effective therapeutic techniques. In this study, two kinds of cyclodextrin particles with typical particle shapes of nanocubes and microbars were synthesized through a facile process. Subsequently, the particles were used as carriers for loading and stabilizing iodine and characterizations were performed to demonstrate the loading mechanism. Next-generation impactor (NGI) experiments showed that iodine-loaded microbars (I2@microbars) had a deposition rate of 79.75% in URT, while iodine-loaded nanocubes (I2@nanocubes) were delivered to the deep lungs with a fine particle fraction (FPF) of 46.30%. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) indicated that the iodine-loaded nanocubes and microbars had similar bactericidal effect to povidone iodine solution. Cell viability studies and extracellular pro-inflammatory factor (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6) evaluations demonstrate noncytotoxic effects of the blank carriers and anti-inflammatory effects of iodine-loaded samples. The irritation of the rat pharynx by I2@microbars was evaluated for the behavioral observations, body weight changes, histopathological studies, and TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 levels in pharyngeal tissues. The results showed that I2@microbars had no irritation to rat pharyngeal tissues at therapeutic doses. In conclusion, the present study provides novel treatment of URT infections via supramolecular cyclodextrin carriers for URT local therapy with iodine loading by a solvent-free method, which enhances the stability and reduces the inherent irritation without inhibiting their antimicrobial effects. Two kinds of cyclodextrin particles with typical shapes of microbars and nanocubes were synthesized by a facile process. Subsequently, iodine was successfully loaded into the particles by gas-solid interaction. The iodine-loaded microbars showed air dynamics characteristics for inhalation delivery to the upper respiratory tract with little alveolar deposition in the lungs.

Targeting of therapeutics or imaging agents to the endothelium has the potential to improve specificity and effectiveness of treatment for many diseases. One strategy to achieve this goal is the use of nanoparticles (NPs) targeted to the endothelium by ligands of protein determinants present on this tissue, including cell adhesion molecules, peptidases, and cell receptors. However, detachment of the radiolabel probes from NPs poses a significant problem. In this study, we devised polymeric NPs directly labeled with radioiodine isotopes including the positron emission tomography (PET) isotope (124)I, and characterized their targeting to specific endothelial determinants. This approach provided sizable, targetable probes for specific detection of endothelial surface determinants non-invasively in live animals. Direct conjugation of radiolabel to NPs allowed for stable longitudinal tracking of tissue distribution without label detachment even in an aggressive proteolytic environment. Further, this approach permits tracking of NP pharmacokinetics in real-time and non-invasive imaging of the lung in mice using micro-PET imaging. The use of this strategy will considerably improve investigation of NP interactions with target cells and PET imaging in small animals, which ultimately can aid in the optimization of targeted drug delivery.