Highly phosphorescent N^C^N platinum(II)-peptide nucleic acid conjugates: synthesis, photophysical studies and hybridization behaviour.

The synthesis of novel highly phosphorescent N^C^N tridentate platinum(II)-complex-peptide nucleic acid (PNA) bioconjugates was accomplished through the solid-phase approach. Melting temperature measurements and circular dichroism spectroscopy studies demonstrated that these conjugates maintain the PNA ability to recognize complementary ssDNA and ssRNA, though the length of the spacer between the metal center and the PNA sequence affects their hybridization properties. Noteworthy, the conjugation of PNA to this family of Pt(II) complexes significantly enhanced the luminescent features of the organometallic moiety, leading to increased quantum yields (82.

AIDS-related mycoses: advances, challenges, and future directions.

Fungal infections are a major contributor to mortality for people with HIV/AIDS. Recently, researchers, clinicians, industry experts, and policymakers convened for the triennial AIDS-Related Mycoses Meeting to address critical gaps in the management of AIDS-related mycoses. Delegates highlighted several scientifically driven milestones that have significantly reduced fungal-related deaths, and the need to address outstanding challenges in diagnosis, treatment, and research.

A Narrative Review of the Role of Immunotherapy in Metastatic Carcinoma of the Colon Harboring a BRAF Mutation.

Patients affected by metastatic carcinoma of the colon/rectum (mCRC) harboring mutations in the BRAF gene (MBRAF) respond poorly to conventional therapy and have a prognosis worse than that of patients without mutations. Despite the promising outcomes of targeted therapy utilizing multi-targeted inhibition of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling system, the therapeutic efficacy, especially for the microsatellite stable/DNA proficient mismatch repair (MSS/PMMR) subtype, remains inadequate. Patients with MBRAF/mCRC and high microsatellite instability or DNA deficient mismatch repair (MSI-H/DMMR) exhibit a substantial tumor mutation burden, suggesting a high probability of response to immunotherapy.

Drug-Coated Balloons for the Treatment of Coronary Artery Disease: A Review.

Importance: Drug-coated balloon (DCB) angioplasty has emerged as an alternative to drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with coronary in-stent restenosis (ISR) as well as de novo coronary artery disease.

Observations: DCBs are balloons coated with antiproliferative agents and excipients, whose aim is to foster favorable vessel healing after appropriate lesion preparation. By providing homogeneous antiproliferative drug delivery in the absence of permanent foreign body implantation, DCBs offer multiple advantages over DES, including preservation of vessel anatomy and function and positive vessel remodeling.

Evidence-based clinical standard for the diagnosis and treatment of candidemia in critically ill patients in the intensive care unit.

Candidemia is the predominant form of invasive candidiasis and the most frequently occurring serious fungal infection in critically ill patients in Intensive Care Units (ICU). Studies carried out in Latin America reveal a higher incidence of candidemia and higher mortality rates when compared to North America or Europe. This highlights the need to develop guidelines for correctly diagnosing and treating candidemia in critically ill patients in the ICU.