Self-assembling knots of controlled topology by designing the geometry of patchy templates

Self-assembling of complex molecular structures with a target topology is of importance to design and synthesize functional materials. Here, Polles et al. demonstrate the spontaneous formation of closed knotted structures from simple helical building blocks with sticky ends in simulations

KymoKnot: A web server and software package to identify and locate knots in trajectories of linear or circular polymers

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Robotics and Artificial Intelligence in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy: Updated Review of the Literature and State of the Art

Abstract Purpose of Review Gastrointestinal endoscopy includes a wide range of procedures that has dramatically evolved over the past decades. Robotic endoscopy and artificial intelligence are expanding the horizons of traditional techniques and will play a key role in clinical practice in the near future. Understanding the main available devices and procedures is a key unmet need. This review aims to assess the current and future applications of the most recently developed endoscopy robots. Recent Findings Even though a few devices have gained approval for clinical application, the majority of robotic and artificial intelligence systems are yet to become an integral part of the current endoscopic instrumentarium. Some of the innovative endoscopic devices and artificial intelligence systems are dedicated to complex procedures such as endoscopic submucosal dissection, whereas others aim to improve diagnostic techniques such as colonoscopy. Summary A review on flexible endoscopic robotics and artificial intelligence systems is presented here, showing the m3ost recently approved and experimental devices and artificial intelligence systems for diagnosis and robotic endoscopy

Covalent capture of oriented calix[6]arene rotaxanes by a metal-free active template approach

We describe the active template effect of a calix[6]arene host towards the alkylation of a complexed pyridylpyridinium guest. The acceleration of the reaction within the cavity is significant and rim-selective, enabling the efficient preparation of rotaxanes with full control of the mutual orientation of their nonsymmetric components

Plugging a bipyridinium axle into multichromophoric calix[6]arene wheels bearing naphthyl units at different rims

Tris-(N-phenylureido)-calix[6]arene derivatives are heteroditopic non-symmetric molecular hosts that can form pseudorotaxane complexes with 4,4'-bipyridinium-type guests. Owing to the unique structural features and recognition properties of the calix[6]arene wheel, these systems are of interest for the design and synthesis of novel molecular devices and machines. We envisaged that the incorporation of photoactive units in the calixarene skeleton could lead to the development of systems whose working modes can be governed and monitored by means of light-activated processes. Here we report on the synthesis, structural characterization, and spectroscopic, photophysical and electrochemical investigation of two calix[6]arene wheels decorated with three naphthyl groups anchored to either the upper or lower rim of the phenylureido calixarene platform. We found that the naphthyl units interact mutually and with the calixarene skeleton in a different fashion in the two compounds, which thus exhibit a markedly distinct photophysical behavior. For both hosts, the inclusion of a 4,4'-bipyridinium guest activates energy- and/or electron-transfer processes that lead to non-trivial luminescence changes

Association of kidney disease measures with risk of renal function worsening in patients with type 1 diabetes

Background: Albuminuria has been classically considered a marker of kidney damage progression in diabetic patients and it is routinely assessed to monitor kidney function. However, the role of a mild GFR reduction on the development of stage 653 CKD has been less explored in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) patients. Aim of the present study was to evaluate the prognostic role of kidney disease measures, namely albuminuria and reduced GFR, on the development of stage 653 CKD in a large cohort of patients affected by T1DM. Methods: A total of 4284 patients affected by T1DM followed-up at 76 diabetes centers participating to the Italian Association of Clinical Diabetologists (Associazione Medici Diabetologi, AMD) initiative constitutes the study population. Urinary albumin excretion (ACR) and estimated GFR (eGFR) were retrieved and analyzed. The incidence of stage 653 CKD (eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2) or eGFR reduction > 30% from baseline was evaluated. Results: The mean estimated GFR was 98 \ub1 17 mL/min/1.73m2 and the proportion of patients with albuminuria was 15.3% (n = 654) at baseline. About 8% (n = 337) of patients developed one of the two renal endpoints during the 4-year follow-up period. Age, albuminuria (micro or macro) and baseline eGFR < 90 ml/min/m2 were independent risk factors for stage 653 CKD and renal function worsening. When compared to patients with eGFR > 90 ml/min/1.73m2 and normoalbuminuria, those with albuminuria at baseline had a 1.69 greater risk of reaching stage 3 CKD, while patients with mild eGFR reduction (i.e. eGFR between 90 and 60 mL/min/1.73 m2) show a 3.81 greater risk that rose to 8.24 for those patients with albuminuria and mild eGFR reduction at baseline. Conclusions: Albuminuria and eGFR reduction represent independent risk factors for incident stage 653 CKD in T1DM patients. The simultaneous occurrence of reduced eGFR and albuminuria have a synergistic effect on renal function worsening

Glia, mastociti e affini: nuove prospettive terapeutiche? - Glia, mast cells and related: new therapeutic perspectives?

Glia exerts a pathogenic role in the development and maintenance of pain. In the past, glia was considered only support material; the glia is 70 to 90 percent of the CNS cells. Normally in a resting state, it is activated by substances released from central terminals of C fibers and releases cytokines that enhance excitatory synaptic transmission in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord (that is the basis of central sensitization), with allodynia-hyperalgesia. By analogy with the role of glia, it has been suggested the importance of the mast cell, a connective ubiquitous cell filled with granules that contain histamine, heparin, serotonin, and NGF as well as lipid droplets that contain hyaluronic acid and a cell membrane on which cannabinoid receptors 1 and 2 and vanilloid are located. Nociceptive stimuli cause mast cell degranulation and the release of substances contained in the granules

Endometriosis and pain

In some patients endometriosis causes persistent or chronic pain and is a specialistic algologic problem. Considering various possible pathogenic pain mechanisms, when pain therapy of endometriosis cannot be etiologic, far from be only symptomatic, it is based on a pathogenetic criterion. We must consider that in endometriosis can be a pain due to activation of nociceptors sensibilized by endometriosic tissues (tissutal nociceptive pain) unresponding to NSAIDs and opioids or a pain due to the nerve damage by nerve compression from endometriosic cistis or by involvement of nerve structures in scar tissue (neuropathic pain) unresponding to antinociceptive therapy but responding, at least partially, to some neuropathic specific pain drugs and to electrostimulation of the nerve system