Tetracycloalkenyl-meso-tetraphenylporphyrins as Models for the Effect of Non-planarity on the Light Absorption Properties of Photosynthetic Chromophores

As the size of the cycloalkenyl ring in synthetic C5-C7 tetracycloalkenyl-meso-tetraphenylporphyrins (TCnTPP) is increased the porphyrin core changes from planar to non-planar, showing that porphyrins with well-defined degrees of ruffling can be synthesized for use in systematic studies to determine the effects of non-planarity

Protein-Saponin Interaction and Its Influence on Blood Lipids

Protein source and saponins have been shown to influence lipid metabolism; however, little is known regarding the chemical interactions between proteins and saponins or the impact of addition of dietary saponins to different proteins on cholesterolemia. In the present study, quillaja saponin was added to casein and to isolated soy protein (ISP) and the saponin-protein interaction was investigated by gel electrophoresis and fluoroscopy. The impact on cholesterol metabolism also was investigated in gerbils. Results from the interaction studies showed that high molecular weight complexes were formed gradually between saponins and caseins, with β-casein being most susceptible. The resulting complexes differed drastically in charge and molecular weight. In contrast, soy proteins formed insoluble aggregates during heating independently of the presence of added quillaja saponin. Data from the animal study showed that addition of saponin to ISP did not affect serum lipids, while addition of saponin to casein resulted in significant decreases of LDL cholesterol and LDL/HDL ratios, resulting in values similar to those of ISP-fed animals. These results indicate that the effect of saponins on serum lipid profiles is dependent on the source of dietary protein. This could be explained by the finding that quillaja saponin reacted differently with caseins as compared to soy protein isolate

Effects of pre-operative isolation on postoperative pulmonary complications after elective surgery: an international prospective cohort study an international prospective cohort study

We aimed to determine the impact of pre-operative isolation on postoperative pulmonary complications after elective surgery during the global SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. We performed an international prospective cohort study including patients undergoing elective surgery in October 2020. Isolation was defined as the period before surgery during which patients did not leave their house or receive visitors from outside their household. The primary outcome was postoperative pulmonary complications, adjusted in multivariable models for measured confounders. Pre-defined sub-group analyses were performed for the primary outcome. A total of 96,454 patients from 114 countries were included and overall, 26,948 (27.9%) patients isolated before surgery. Postoperative pulmonary complications were recorded in 1947 (2.0%) patients of which 227 (11.7%) were associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Patients who isolated pre-operatively were older, had more respiratory comorbidities and were more commonly from areas of high SARS-CoV-2 incidence and high-income countries. Although the overall rates of postoperative pulmonary complications were similar in those that isolated and those that did not (2.1% vs 2.0%, respectively), isolation was associated with higher rates of postoperative pulmonary complications after adjustment (adjusted OR 1.20, 95%CI 1.05–1.36, p = 0.005). Sensitivity analyses revealed no further differences when patients were categorised by: pre-operative testing; use of COVID-19-free pathways; or community SARS-CoV-2 prevalence. The rate of postoperative pulmonary complications increased with periods of isolation longer than 3 days, with an OR (95%CI) at 4–7 days or ≥ 8 days of 1.25 (1.04–1.48), p = 0.015 and 1.31 (1.11–1.55), p = 0.001, respectively. Isolation before elective surgery might be associated with a small but clinically important increased risk of postoperative pulmonary complications. Longer periods of isolation showed no reduction in the risk of postoperative pulmonary complications. These findings have significant implications for global provision of elective surgical care. We aimed to determine the impact of pre-operative isolation on postoperative pulmonary complications after elective surgery during the global SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. We performed an international prospective cohort study including patients undergoing elective surgery in October 2020. Isolation was defined as the period before surgery during which patients did not leave their house or receive visitors from outside their household. The primary outcome was postoperative pulmonary complications, adjusted in multivariable models for measured confounders. Pre-defined sub-group analyses were performed for the primary outcome. A total of 96,454 patients from 114 countries were included and overall, 26,948 (27.9%) patients isolated before surgery. Postoperative pulmonary complications were recorded in 1947 (2.0%) patients of which 227 (11.7%) were associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Patients who isolated pre-operatively were older, had more respiratory comorbidities and were more commonly from areas of high SARS-CoV-2 incidence and high-income countries. Although the overall rates of postoperative pulmonary complications were similar in those that isolated and those that did not (2.1% vs 2.0%, respectively), isolation was associated with higher rates of postoperative pulmonary complications after adjustment (adjusted OR 1.20, 95%CI 1.05–1.36, p = 0.005). Sensitivity analyses revealed no further differences when patients were categorised by: pre-operative testing; use of COVID-19-free pathways; or community SARS-CoV-2 prevalence. The rate of postoperative pulmonary complications increased with periods of isolation longer than 3 days, with an OR (95%CI) at 4–7 days or ≥ 8 days of 1.25 (1.04–1.48), p = 0.015 and 1.31 (1.11–1.55), p = 0.001, respectively. Isolation before elective surgery might be associated with a small but clinically important increased risk of postoperative pulmonary complications. Longer periods of isolation showed no reduction in the risk of postoperative pulmonary complications. These findings have significant implications for global provision of elective surgical care