Comparative Analysis of Viral Load and Cytokines during SARS-CoV-2 Infection between Pregnant and Non-Pregnant Women.

To better understand the vulnerabilities of pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic, we conducted a comprehensive, retrospective cohort study to assess differences in immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection between pregnant and non-pregnant women. Nasopharyngeal swabs and serum specimens from 90 pregnant and 278 age-matched non-pregnant women were collected from 15 March 2020 to 23 July 2021 at NewYork-Presbyterian Queens Hospital in New York City. Multiplex reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, neutralizing antibody, and cytokine array assays were used to assess the incidence, viral load, antibody titers and profiles, and examine cytokine expression patterns.

Early Introduction and Community Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant, New York, New York, USA.

The Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 has become dominant in most countries and has raised significant global health concerns. As a global commerce center, New York, New York, USA, constantly faces the risk for multiple variant introductions of SARS-CoV-2. To elucidate the introduction and transmission of the Omicron variant in the city of New York, we created a comprehensive genomic and epidemiologic analysis of 392 Omicron virus specimens collected during November 25-December 11, 2021.

Single-Step Exfoliation and Covalent Functionalization of MoS2 Nanosheets by an Organosulfur Reaction.

A simple approach to exfoliate and functionalize MoS2 in a single-step is described, which combines the dispersion of MoS2 in polybutadiene solution and ultrasonication processes. The great advantage of this process is that a colloidal stability of MoS2 in nonpolar solvent is achieved by chemically bonding polybutadiene on the perimeter edge sites of MoS2 sheets. In addition, elastomeric nanocomposite has been prepared with singular mechanical properties using functionalized MoS2 as nanofiller in a polybutadiene matrix with a subsequent vulcanization reaction.

Cationic porphyrin derivatives as inhibitors of polyamine catabolism.

The effects of six cationic porphyrins on several enzymes involved in polyamine biosynthesis and catabolism have been examined. Both spermidine and spermine synthase were unaffected by the porphyrins at up to 2 mM. By contrast, ornithine and S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase were inhibited by the nickel and cobalt derivatives of meso-tetrakis(N-methyl-4-pyridiniumyl)porphyrin (T4MPyP) with IC50 values in the 10-100 microM region.

Photosensitized formation of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine and DNA strand breakage by a cationic meso-substituted porphyrin.

Cationic porphyrins, known to have a high affinity for DNA, are useful tools with which to probe a variety of interactions with DNA. In this study we have examined both DNA strand scission and oxidative DNA base damage, measured by 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) formation, using a photoactivated cis-dicationic porphyrin. The data demonstrated a dose-dependent formation for each type of DNA damage.

Small animal magnetic resonance imaging: a means of studying the development of structural pathologies in the rat brain.

Small animal magnetic resonance imaging (SAMRI) was developed to detect structural tissue changes associated with disease states in animal models. The disease state of particular interest here is that associated with long-term alcohol abuse. The small animal model used for this study was the thiamine-deficient Sprague-Dawley rat, a model that provides a relatively rapid means of mimicking the ventriculomegaly frequently found in human chronic alcohol abusers.

Boronated metalloporphyrins: a novel approach to the diagnosis and treatment of cancer using contrast-enhanced MR imaging and neutron capture therapy.

Porphyrins are a unique class of metal chelating agents that have shown specific affinity for neoplasms. The water-soluble free-base derivative, tetrakiscarborane carboxylate ester of 2,4-(alpha,beta-dihydroxyethyl) deuteroporphyrin IX (BOPP), an agent designed for neutron capture therapy, has previously demonstrated selective localization and retention in a C6 murine glioma. In the present work, the authors demonstrate that the manganese chelate of BOPP also selectively localizes in a rat 9L gliosarcoma and preferentially enhances the tumor-normal brain contrast of T1-weighted images for at least 92 hours.

DNA intercalation and photosensitization by cationic meso substituted porphyrins.

Several cationic porphyrins are known to bind to DNA by intercalative and outside binding modes. This study identifies the cis and trans isomers of bis(N-methyl-4-phridiniumyl)diphenyl porphyrin as DNA intercalators based on evidence from a DNA topoisomerase I assay. Moreover, both isomers are shown to be potent photosensitizers of DNA, inducing multiple S1 nuclease sensitive breaks in the phosphodiester backbone.

MR imaging of normal rat brain at 0.35 T and correlated histology.

A custom-built small-animal transceiver was used for in vivo imaging of normal rat brain at 0.35 T, with the objective of identifying anatomic components by comparison of images with corresponding histologic sections. The cerebrum, cerebellum, brain stem, ventricles, hippocampus, and subarachnoid space were identified and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was differentiated from gray matter and white matter on coronal and transaxial magnetic resonance (MR) images.

Magnetic resonance imaging and histopathology of hydronephrosis in the rat.

Magnetic resonance imaging revealed conspicuously hyperintense regions in the papillary area of kidneys of three untreated rats. When the kidneys were examined histologically, a hydronephrosis associated with the presence of bacteria was found. This study relates magnetic resonance images of an early stage of hydronephrosis to its histological picture.

Cutaneous photosensitizing and immunosuppressive effects of a series of tumor localizing porphyrins.

A series of tumor localizing porphyrins was evaluated with respect to their ability to elicit cutaneous photosensitivity and systemic immunosuppression, two of the most common side effects associated with photodynamic therapy. Using the murine ear swelling response as an indicator, it was found that all the non-metalloporphyrins caused cutaneous photosensitization. Immunosuppressive effects were noted using hematoporphyrin derivative (HPD) and meso-tetra(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphine if sensitization occurred immediately after photoirradiation, but none were evident using Photofrin II (PII) or meso-tetra(4-carboxyphenyl)porphine (TCPP).

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and pathophysiology of the rat kidney in streptozotocin-induced diabetes.

Proton magnetic resonance imaging was performed on rats before induction of diabetes with streptozotocin (STZ) and at 2 and 12 days postinduction. Images revealed an increase in maximal longitudinal and axial dimensions of the kidneys at 2 days and a further increase at 12 days. Similarly, an increase in the size of the remaining kidney was seen in a rat which underwent uninephrectomy as a positive control.

Small animal MRI at 0.35 Tesla: growth and morphology of intra-organ murine tumors.

A whole-body small animal radiofrequency coil was designed and built for use with a 0.35 Tesla clinical magnetic resonance imager. The primary motivation for this work was to evaluate the effectiveness of this system for small animal magnetic resonance imaging of tumor-bearing mice.

A comparative study of manganese meso-sulfonatophenyl porphyrins: contrast-enhancing agents for tumors.

Four manganese meso-sulfonatophenyl porphyrins were prepared, characterized and investigated for their potential as tumor-specific MRI contrast-enhancing agents in mice bearing subcutaneous implants of a mammary carcinoma (SMT-F). The trisulfonated tetraphenyl porphyrin, MnTPPS3 presented the most favorable profile: bio-distribution, tumor concentration and tumor relaxivity, when compared at 24 hr postinjection. Imaging experiments revealed that a time-dependent delineation of tumor morphology occurs in response to MnTPPS3 that appears to correlate with necrotic regions of the tumor.

Porphyrin-nucleic acid interactions: a review.

Research involving three important interactions of synthetic cationic porphyrins with nucleic acids: DNA binding, oxidative-reductive strand scission and photosensitized strand scission, is examined retrospectively. The observation that these porphyrins as a class can associate with DNA by intercalative binding, outside binding and outside binding with self-stacking, i.e.

Isointense model for the evaluation of tumor-specific MRI contrast agents.

An isointense model has been developed to evaluate the applicability of putative tumor-specific MRI contrast agents. Data for tissue relaxation measurements in the presence of Mn(III)TPPS4 are used to illustrate the model. The concentration of contrast agent in tumor tissue required for a tumor/normal tissue signal difference-to-noise ratio of 5 (delta SNR = 5) is determined for a T1 weighted pulse sequence and several hypothetical tumor/normal tissue pairs.

Mechanism of the localization of manganese (III) mesotetra(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphine in mice bearing L1210 tumors.

In accordance with earlier work the manganese (III) derivative of meso-tetra(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphine (TPPS4) is found to accumulate in the tumors of L1210-bearing mice. The tumor/liver ratio of porphyrin extends from 1.5 to 3.

DNA strand scission by iron complexes of meso-tetra(N-methylpyridyl)porphines.

The DNA strand scission activities of three positional isomers of Fe(III) meso-tetra(N-methylpyridyl)porphine (Fe(III)TnMPyP, where n = 2, 3 or 4) have been investigated using PM2 DNA as a substrate. A significant degree of strand scission activity was noted in the presence of oxygen without the addition of a reducing agent. This activity was probably due to the presence of reducing agents in the agarose gels used to separate the DNA forms, as higher levels were recorded with reducing agents added to the strand scission mixture.

Proton relaxation enhancement by manganese(III)TPPS4 in a model tumor system.

Managanese(III)tetraphenylporphine sulfonate [Mn(III)TPPS4] has been investigated as a tumor specific paramagnetic contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of L1210 solid tumors in mice. Mn(III)TPPS4 was found to clear rapidly from the blood and concentrate in the kidneys, tumor and liver. Although relatively high ratios of tumor to normal tissues could be obtained (e.

Intercalative and nonintercalative binding of large cationic porphyrin ligands to polynucleotides.

The interactions of two positional isomers and one analogue of meso-tetra (4-N-methylpyridyl) porphine, with the synthetic polynucleotides poly[d(A-T)] . poly[d(A-T)] and poly[d(G-C)] . poly[d(G-C)] have been investigated by circular dichroism.