Endocrine disorders and fertility and pregnancy: An update

It is estimated that more and more couples suffer from fertility and pregnancy maintenance disorders. It is associated with impaired androgen secretion, which is influenced by many factors, ranging from genetic to environmental. It is also important to remember that fertility disorders can also result from abnormal anatomy of the reproductive male and female organ (congenital uterine anomalies – septate, unicornuate, bicornuate uterus; acquired defects of the uterus structure – fibroids, polyps, hypertrophy), disturbed hormonal cycle and obstruction of the fallopian tubes resulting from the presence of adhesions due to inflammation, endometriosis, and surgery, abnormal rhythm of menstrual bleeding, the abnormal concentration of hormones. There are many relationships between the endocrine organs, leading to a chain reaction when one of them fails to function properly. Conditions in which the immune system is involved, including infections and autoimmune diseases, also affect fertility. The form of treatment depends on infertility duration and the patient’s age. It includes ovulation stimulation with clomiphene citrate or gonadotropins, metformin use, and weight loss interventions. Since so many different factors affect fertility, it is important to correctly diagnose what is causing the problem and to modify the treatment regimen if necessary. This review describes disturbances in the hormone secretion of individual endocrine organs in the context of fertility and the maintenance of pregnancy

Chiral isothiocyanates: an approach to determination of the absolute configuration using circular dichroism measurement

Chiral alkyl 2-isothiocyanates have been obtained from enantiopure, aliphatic amines. ECD measurements allowed us to correlate an absolute configuration at C-2 with a sign of the Cotton effect (CE) observed for n–π* transition at the longer-wavelength range of the spectrum. Chirooptical data calculated for all enantiomers were consistent with the measured CE values and indicated that the weak absorption band at 240 nm could give an important information concerning the stereochemistry of simple, chiral isothiocyanates. Optically active esters of 2-isothiocyanatocarboxylic acids, prepared from α-amino acids, showed two absorption bands located over 195 nm. The more intensive band near 200 nm and the weak absorption located at 250 nm were related to n–π* transitions in NCS group. TD DFT calculations carried out for methyl esters of 2-isothiocyanatocarboxylic acids showed the correlation between signs of CE determined for both absorption bands, and the absolute configuration on C-2

Dicyanovinyl End-Capped 9,10-Bis (Phenylethynyl) Anthracenes for Organic Solar Cells

A series of 9,10-bis(phenylethynyl)anthracene dicyanovinyl end-capped derivatives have been used in bulk heterojunction (BHJ) photovoltaic cells prepared by the solution process. The compounds were excessively decorated with moieties enhancing solubility to avoid spontaneous crystallisations in the blends. The topology of the dyes is of the acceptor-donor-acceptor (A-D-A) type. The quantum chemical calculations were done at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) level of theory and HOMO-LUMO levels were calculated. The solar cells’ configuration was as follows: ITO/PEDOT:PSS/P3HT(P3OT)dyes/Al and parameters characterising them, open-circuit voltage (Voc), short-circuit current density (Jsc), fill factor (FF) and power conversion efficiency (PCE) are presented. Anthracene based A-D-A molecules showed photovoltaic activity with an average power conversion efficiencies (PCE) of 2.7%

Crosstalk between Statins and Cancer Prevention and Therapy: An Update

The importance of statins in cancer has been discussed in many studies. They are known for their anticancer properties against solid tumors of the liver or lung, as well as diffuse cancers, such as multiple myeloma or leukemia. Currently, the most commonly used statins are simvastatin, rosuvastatin and atorvastatin. The anti-tumor activity of statins is largely related to their ability to induce apoptosis by targeting cancer cells with high selectivity. Statins are also involved in the regulation of the histone acetylation level, the disturbance of which can lead to abnormal activity of genes involved in the regulation of proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. As a result, tumor growth and its invasion may be promoted, which is associated with a poor prognosis. High levels of histone deacetylases are observed in many cancers; therefore, one of the therapeutic strategies is to use their inhibitors. Combining statins with histone deacetylase inhibitors can induce a synergistic anticancer effect