Design of a Gd-DOTA-Phthalocyanine Conjugate Combining MRI Contrast Imaging and Photosensitization Properties as a Potential Molecular Theranostic

Cataloged from PDF version of article.The design and synthesis of a phthalocyanine - Gd-DOTA conjugate is presented to open the way to novel molecular theranostics, combining the properties of MRI contrast imaging with photodynamic therapy. The rational design of the conjugate integrates isomeric purity of the phthalocyanine core substitution, suitable biocompatibility with the use of polyoxo water-solubilizing substituents, and a convergent synthetic strategy ended by the use of click chemistry to graft the Gd-DOTA moiety to the phthalocyanine. Photophysical and photochemical properties, contrast imaging experiments and preliminary in vitro investigations proved that such a combination is relevant and lead to a new type of potential theranostic agent

From Tetrahedral Tetraphosphonic Acids E[p-C6H4P(O)(OH)(2)](4) (E=C, Si) to Porous Cu- and Zn-MOFs with Large Surface Areas

This study describes the porous MOFs Cu2H4STPPA⋅2 H2O (1⋅2 H2O), Zn2H4STPPA (2) and Zn2H4MTPPA (3) obtained using the tetrahedral linkers tetraphenylmethane tetrakis-4-phosphonic acid (H8MTTPA) and tetraphenylsilane tetrakis-4-phosphonic acid (H8STPPA) under solvothermal conditions. X-ray structures reveal 3D frameworks with large assessable voids. The percentage void volumes and the specific BET surface areas of 1 (48.7 %, 794 m2/g), 2 (48.1 %, 565 m2/g) and 3 (51.3 %, 927 m2/g) predicted by molecular simulations are among the highest reported for MOFs derived from phosphonic acids

Short Naphthalene Organophosphonate Linkers to Microporous Frameworks

We report two novel 3D porous metal-organophosphonate metal organic frameworks (MOFs) [{Cu(4, 4’-bpy)0.5(1,4-NDPA-H2)] (1), [{Cu2(4,4’-bpy)0.5}(1,4-NDPA)] (2) and a non-porous [{Cu(4, 4’-bpy)}(2,6-NDPA-H2)] (3) constructed using the structurally rigid 1,4-naphthalenediphosphonic acid (1,4-NDPA-H4) and 2,6-naphthalenediphosphonic acid (2,6-NDPA-H4). 1 and 2 exhibit high surface areas obtained using the structurally rigid and short aromatic organophosphonate linkers with copper. The compound 1 has been further analyzed by TGA and Quantum Design PPMS vibrating sample magnetometer

Elevated gamma glutamyl transferase levels are associated with the location of acute pulmonary embolism. Cross-sectional evaluation in hospital setting

ABSTRACT CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: The location of embolism is associated with clinical findings and disease severity in cases of acute pulmonary embolism. The level of gamma-glutamyl transferase increases under oxidative stress-related conditions. In this study, we investigated whether gamma-glutamyl transferase levels could predict the location of pulmonary embolism. DESIGN AND SETTING: Hospital-based cross-sectional study at Cumhuriyet University, Sivas, Turkey. METHODS : 120 patients who were diagnosed with acute pulmonary embolism through computed tomography-assisted pulmonary angiography were evaluated. They were divided into two main groups (proximally and distally located), and subsequently into subgroups according to thrombus localization as follows: first group (thrombus in main pulmonary artery; n = 9); second group (thrombus in main pulmonary artery branches; n = 71); third group (thrombus in pulmonary artery segmental branches; n = 34); and fourth group (thrombus in pulmonary artery subsegmental branches; n = 8). RESULTS : Gamma-glutamyl transferase levels on admission, heart rate, oxygen saturation, right ventricular dilatation/hypokinesia, pulmonary artery systolic pressure and cardiopulmonary resuscitation requirement showed prognostic significance in univariate analysis. The multivariate logistic regression model showed that gamma-glutamyl transferase level on admission (odds ratio, OR = 1.044; 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.011-1.079; P = 0.009) and pulmonary artery systolic pressure (OR = 1.063; 95% CI: 1.005-1.124; P = 0.033) remained independently associated with proximally localized thrombus in pulmonary artery. CONCLUSIONS : The findings revealed a significant association between increased existing embolism load in the pulmonary artery and increased serum gamma-glutamyl transferase levels

Total laparoscopic hysterectomy versus total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy for endometrial carcinoma: a randomised controlled trial with 5-year follow-up

This report is on recovery and long-term outcomes in a small-scale randomised controlled trial (RCT) after total laparoscopic hysterectomy versus total abdominal hysterectomy in (potential) endometrial carcinoma patients. An RCT was performed among women with atypical endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial carcinoma scheduled for hysterectomy in a teaching hospital in The Netherlands. Women were randomised to total laparoscopic hysterectomy versus total abdominal hysterectomy both with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and were followed until 5 years after the intervention. Patients completed the RAND 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (RAND-36), Quality of Recovery-40 (QoR-40) and Recovery Index-10 (RI-10) until 12 weeks after surgery. Main outcome measure was quality of life and recovery in the first 12 weeks after surgery. A linear mixed model was used for statistical analysis while accounting for baseline values where applicable. Seventeen women were included, of whom 11 allocated to the laparoscopic arm and 6 to the abdominal arm. Laparoscopic hysterectomy performed better on all scales and subscales used in the study. A statistically significant treatment effect, favouring laparoscopic hysterectomy, was found in the total RAND-36 (difference between groups 142 units, 95% confidence interval 46; 236). Clinical follow-up was completed after median 60 months, but this study was too small for conclusions regarding the safety and survival. Laparoscopic hysterectomy results in better postoperative quality of life in the first 12 weeks after surgery when compared with abdominal hysterectomy

Linking Oviposition Site Choice to Offspring Fitness in Aedes aegypti: Consequences for Targeted Larval Control of Dengue Vectors

Controlling the mosquito Aedes aegypti, the predominant dengue vector, requires understanding the ecological and behavioral factors that influence population abundance. Females of several mosquito species are able to identify high-quality egg-laying sites, resulting in enhanced offspring development and survival, and ultimately promoting population growth. Here, the authors investigated egg-laying decisions of Ae. aegypti. Paradoxically, they found that larval survival and development were poorest in the containers females most often selected for egg deposition. Thus, egg-laying decisions may contribute to crowding of larvae and play a role in regulating mosquito populations. The authors also tested whether removal of the containers producing the most adult mosquitoes, a World Health Organization-recommended dengue prevention strategy, changes the pattern of how females allocate their eggs. Elimination of the most productive containers led to a more even distribution of eggs in one trial, but not another. These results suggest that behavioral adjustments by egg-laying females may lessen the effectiveness of a common mosquito control tactic. The authors advocate incorporating control strategies that take advantage of the natural egg-laying preferences of this vector species, such as luring egg-laying females to traps or places where their eggs will accumulate, but not develop

Factors Associated with Hemorrhagic Transformation in Infarctions Involving the Posterior Circulation System

PubMed ID: 31138479Backgrounds and Purpose: Hemorrhagic transformation (HT) following stroke of the posterior circulation is a rare occurrence, and its risk factors remain relatively unknown. This study aimed at examining the rate of HT and its risk factors in patients enduring acute ischemic stroke in the territories of the vertebral, basilar, and posterior-cerebral arteries. Materials and Methods: A total of 217 consecutive patients the risk factors for ischemic stroke were recorded and comprehensive biochemical, cardiac assessments, and neuroimaging were performed. National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores were calculated for each patient. Those with HT as documented with neuroimaging based on the European Cooperative Acute Stroke Study criteria and potential risk factors were assessed. Results: There were 217 participants with a mean age of 67.33 ± 12.44 years. Among 17 patients (7.8%) developing HT, 8 (47%) had parenchymal hematoma, and 9(53.5%) had hemorrhagic infarction. Cardioembolism was the most frequent etiological factor both in the overall group (31.0%) as well as in those with HT (41.2%). Factors that emerged as significant predictors of HT included high systolic (odds ratio [OR] 1.14; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.08-1.20; P< .001) and diastolic blood pressure (P= .001) on the day of admission and the infarction volume of greater than or equal to 3.60 ± 3.29 cm³(OR 1.00, 95% CI 1.00-1.01; P< .001). While NIHSS scores were not significantly different on Day 1, HT patients had higher NIHSS scores at Day 10(OR 1.22; 95% CI 1.09-1.36; P< .001), and this difference was also reflected in mRS at the end of the 3 month period. Conclusion: HT is a rare complication of the infarction of the posterior circulation that is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Identification of predictive factors for HT in patients with the acute infarction of the posterior circulation may facilitate patient selection for thrombolytic treatment. © 2019 Elsevier Inc

Eagle syndrome: Case report

PubMed ID: 23720084Eagle syndrome is an aggregate of symptoms caused by an elongated styloid process, most frequently resulting in headache, facial pain, dysphagia and sensation of foreign body in throat. The proper diagnosis is not difficult with clinical history, physical examination and radiographic assessment if there is a sufficient degree of suspicion. The treatment is very effective. We report here a typical case of Eagle syndrome which was misdiagnosed as trigeminal neuralgia for many years and was treated with carbamazepine. We aim to point the place of Eagle syndrome in the differential diagnosis of facial pain. We also reemphasize the usefulness of the three-dimensional computed tomography in the diagnosis of Eagle syndrome. Even though Eagle syndrome is a rare condition, in cases of facial pain refractory to treatment or unexplained complaints of the head and neck region, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis as it has therapeutic consequences