919 research outputs found
Photolabile Ru Model Complexes with Chelating Diimine Ligands for Light-Triggered Drug Release
A series of water-soluble photolabile model complexes of the general formula [Ru([9]aneS3)(chel)(py)]Cl2 ([9]aneS3 = 1,4,7-trithiacyclononane, chel = chelating diimine) was prepared and fully characterized. The photo-triggered release of pyridine with visible light as a function of the nature of the diimine (chel = 2,2\u2032-bipyridine (6) 1,10-phenanthroline (7), 4,7-diphenil-1,10-phenanthroline (8), dipyrido-[3,2-a:2\u2032,3\u2032-c]phenazine (dppz, 9), 2,2\u2032-biquinoline (bq, 10)) was investigated. Our aim is that of establishing if this type of complexes in the future might be realistically used in the photo-uncaging strategy of photoactivated chemotherapy (PACT). Compounds 6 \u2013 9 present a MLCT absorption in the blue region of the visible spectrum. When irradiated with light at 470 nm, they rapidly and quantitatively release the coordinated pyridine. Complex 10 turned out to be quite different from to the others in the series. Structure-wise, in 10 the average plane of coordinated bq \u2013 owing to its steric demand \u2013 is remarkably tilted relative to the equatorial coordination plane (37.43 (4)\ub0, with the \u201cfront\u201d of the ligand pointing towards the axial py) and the orientation of py is ca. orthogonal compared to that found in 6 and 7 for minimizing steric clashes with bq. The low-lying acceptor orbitals of bq induce a red-shift of the MLCT absorption maximum to ca. 500 nm. Contrary to the expectations, complex 10 is more photo-stable compared to 6 \u2013 9 and photo-dissociation of both py and bq, in ca. equal amounts, occurs. A detailed theoretical investigation was performed on 10 (and on 6 for comparison), for explaining its peculiar spectral features and photochemical behavior
Selective expression of RT6 superfamily in human bronchial epithelial cells.
RT6 proteins are glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-linked alloantigens that are localized to cytotoxic T lymphocytes and that have nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide glycohydrolase and adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-ribosyltransferase activities. In view of the importance of GPI-linked surface proteins in mediating interactions of cells with their milieu, and the varied functions of airway cells in inflammation, we undertook the present study to determine whether human homologues of the RT6 superfamily of ADP-ribosyltransferases (ART) are expressed in pulmonary epithelial cells. We hypothesized that these surface proteins or related family members may be present in cells that interact with inflammatory cells, and that they may thereby be involved in intercellular signaling. Using in situ analysis and Northern blot analysis, we identified ART1 messenger RNA (mRNA) in airway epithelial cells. As expected for GPI-anchored proteins, the localization of ART1 at the apical surface of ciliated epithelial cells was demonstrated by staining with polyclonal anti-ART1 antibody, and was confirmed by loss of this immunoreactivity after treatment with phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC), which selectively cleaves GPI anchors and releases proteins from the plasma membrane. Using in situ hybridization with specific ART3 and ART4 oligonucleotides, we also identified two additional members of the RT6 superfamily in epithelial cells. In accord with these findings, we identified ART3 and ART4 mRNAs through reverse transcription- polymerase chain reaction of polyadenine-positive RNA from human trachea. Interestingly, these proteins appeared to be preferentially localized to the airway epithelium. The localized expression of these members of the RT6 superfamily in human pulmonary epithelial cells may reflect a role for them in cell-cell signaling during immune responses within the airwa
Association between adiposity after diagnosis of prostate cancer and mortality: systematic review and meta-analysis
OBJECTIVE To explore the associations between adiposity indices, assessed at or after a diagnosis of prostate cancer, and mortality. DESIGN Systematic review and meta-analysis. DATA SOURCES PubMed and Embase, from inception to 16 November 2022. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDIES Cohort studies or randomised controlled trials of men with a diagnosis of prostate cancer that investigated the associations between adiposity (body mass index, waist and hip circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, and subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue) after diagnosis and mortality outcomes. A modified version of the risk of bias for nutrition observational studies tool was used to assess risk of bias. RESULTS 79 studies were identified that investigated adiposity indices after a diagnosis of prostate cancer in relation to mortality. No randomised controlled trials were found. A non-linear dose-response meta-analysis indicated a J shaped association between body mass index and all-cause mortality (33910 men, 11095 deaths, 17 studies). The highest rate of all-cause mortality was found at the lowest and upper range of the distribution: 11-23% higher rate for a body mass index of 17-21and 4-43% higher rate for a body mass index of 30-40. The association between body mass index and mortality specific to prostate cancer was flat until body mass index reached 26- 27, and then increased linearly by 8-66% for a body mass index of 30-40 (33137 men, 2947 deaths, 13 studies), but the 95% confidence intervals were wide. These associations did not differ in most predefined subgroups by study design, number of deaths, anthropometric assessment, follow-up time, geographical location, prostate cancer risk group, and adjustment variables. No associations were found in meta-analyses between 10cm increases in waist circumference and all-cause mortality or mortality specific to prostate cancer, but only three studies were available. The few studies with data on change in weight, waist-to-hip ratio, and subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue reported conflicting results. CONCLUSIONS This review suggests that patients with prostate cancer might benefit from maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding obesity. Future studies should investigate adiposity across different stages of cancer survivorship and use various parameters for distribution of adipose tissue
Systematic review of the incidence, presentation and management of gastroduodenal artery pseudoaneurysm after pancreatic resection.
Background: Gastroduodenal artery (GDA) pseudoaneurysm is a serious complication following pancreatic resection, associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. This review aimed to report the incidence of GDA pseudoaneurysm after pancreatic surgery, and describe clinical presentation and management. Methods: MEDLINE and Embase were searched systematically for clinical studies evaluating postoperative GDA pseudoaneurysm. Incidence was calculated by dividing total number of GDA pseudoaneurysms by the total number of pancreatic operations. Additional qualitative data related to GDA pseudoaneurysm presentation and management following pancreatic resection were extracted and reviewed from individual reports. Results: Nine studies were selected for systematic review involving 4227 pancreatic operations with 55 GDA pseudoaneurysms, with a reported incidence of 1·3 (range 0·2-8·3) per cent. Additional data were extracted from 39 individual examples of GDA pseudoaneurysm from 14 studies. The median time for haemorrhage after surgery was at 15 (range 4-210) days. A preceding complication in the postoperative period was documented in four of 21 patients (67 per cent), and sentinel bleeding was observed in 14 of 20 patients (70 per cent). Postoperative complications after pseudoaneurysm management occurred in two-thirds of the patients (14 of 21). The overall survival rate was 85 per cent (33 of 39). Conclusion: GDA pseudoaneurysm is a rare yet serious cause of haemorrhage after pancreatic surgery, with high mortality. The majority of the patients had a preceding complication. Sentinel bleeding was an important clinical indicator
Polyimide@Ketjenblack Composite: A Porous Organic Cathode for Fast Rechargeable Potassium-Ion Batteries
Potassium‐ion batteries (PIBs) configurated by organic electrodes have been identified as a promising alternative to lithium‐ion batteries. Here, a porous organic Polyimide@Ketjenblack is demonstrated in PIBs as a cathode, which exhibits excellent performance with a large reversible capacity (143 mAh g^{-1} at 100 mA g^{-1}), high rate capability (125 and 105 mAh g^{-1} at 1000 and 5000 mA g^{-1}), and long cycling stability (76% capacity retention at 2000 mA g^{-1} over 1000 cycles). The domination of fast capacitive‐like reaction kinetics is verified, which benefits from the porous structure synthesized using in situ polymerization. Moreover, a renewable and low‐cost full cell is demonstrated with superior rate behavior (106 mAh g^{-1} at 3200 mA g^{-1}). This work proposes a strategy to design polymer electrodes for high‐performance organic PIBs
Polypyrrole-Fe2O3 nanohybrid materials for electrochemical storage
We report on the synthesis and electrochemical characterization of nanohybrid polypyrrole (PPy) (PPy/Fe2O3) materials for electrochemical storage applications. We have shown that the incorporation of nanoparticles inside the PPy notably increases the charge storage capability in comparison to the “pure” conducting polymer. Incorporation of large anions, i.e., paratoluenesulfonate, allows a further improvement in the capacity. These charge storage modifications have been attributed to the morphology of the composite in which the particle sizes and the specific surface area are modified with the incorporation of nanoparticles. High capacity and stability have been obtained in PC/NEt4BF4 (at 20 mV/s), i.e., 47 mAh/g, with only a 3% charge loss after one thousand cyles. The kinetics of charge–discharge is also improved by the hybrid nanocomposite morphology modifications, which increase the rate of insertion–expulsion of counter anions in the bulk of the film. A room temperature ionic liquid such as imidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonimide seems to be a promising electrolyte because it further increases the capacity up to 53 mAh/g with a high stability during charge–discharge processes
Effect of Supervised Progressive Resistance-Exercise Training Protocol on Insulin Sensitivity, Glycemia, Lipids, and Body Composition in Asian Indians With Type 2 Diabetes
OBJECTIVE—To evaluate the effect of supervised progressive resistance-exercise training (PRT) protocol on insulin sensitivity, glycemia (blood glucose and A1C levels), lipids, and body composition in Asian Indians with type 2 diabetes
Investigating regional differences in short-term effects of air pollution on daily mortality in the APHEA project: a sensitivity analysis for controlling long-term trends and seasonality.
Short-term effects of air pollution on daily mortality in eight western and five central-eastern European countries have been reported previously, as part of the APHEA project. One intriguing finding was that the effects were lower in central-eastern European cities. The analysis used sinusoidal terms for seasonal control and polynomial terms for meteorologic variables, but this is a more rigid approach than the currently accepted method, which uses generalized additive models (GAM). We therefore reanalyzed the original data to examine the sensitivity of the results to the statistical model. The data were identical to those used in the earlier analyses. The outcome was the daily total number of deaths, and the pollutants analyzed were black smoke (BS) and sulfur dioxide (SO(2)). The analyses were restricted to days with pollutant concentration < 200 microg/m(3) and < 150 microg/m(3) alternately. We used Poisson regression in a GAM model, and combined individual city regression coefficients using fixed and random-effect models. An increase in BS by 50 microg/m(3) was associated with a 2.2% and 3.1% increase in mortality when analysis was restricted to days < 200 microg/m(3) and < 150 microg/m(3), respectively. The corresponding figures were 5.0% and 5.6% for a similar increase in SO(2). These estimates are larger than the ones published previously: by 69% for BS and 55% for SO(2). The increase occurred only in central-eastern European cities. The ratio of western to central-eastern cities for estimates was reduced to 1.3 for BS (previously 4.8) and 2.6 for SO(2) (previously 4.4). We conclude that part of the heterogeneity in the estimates of air pollution effects between western and central-eastern cities reported in previous publications was caused by the statistical approach used and the inclusion of days with pollutant levels above 150 microg/m(3). However, these results must be investigated further
Nomenclature for renal replacement therapy and blood purification techniques in critically ill patients: practical applications
This article reports the conclusions of the second part of a consensus expert conference on the nomenclature of renal replacement therapy (RRT) techniques currently utilized to manage acute kidney injury and other organ dysfunction syndromes in critically ill patients. A multidisciplinary approach was taken to achieve harmonization of definitions, components, techniques, and operations of the extracorporeal therapies. The article describes the RRT techniques in detail with the relevant technology, procedures, and phases of treatment and key aspects of volume management/fluid balance in critically ill patients. In addition, the article describes recent developments in other extracorporeal therapies, including therapeutic plasma exchange, multiple organ support therapy, liver support, lung support, and blood purification in sepsis. This is a consensus report on nomenclature harmonization in extracorporeal blood purification therapies, such as hemofiltration, plasma exchange, multiple organ support therapies, and blood purification in sepsis
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