Pulmonary inflammation and viral replication define distinct clinical outcomes in fatal cases of COVID-19.

COVID-19 has affected more than half a billion people worldwide, with more than 6.3 million deaths, but the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in lethal cases and the host determinants that determine the different clinical outcomes are still unclear. In this study, we assessed lung autopsies of 47 COVID-19 patients and examined the inflammatory profiles, viral loads, and inflammasome activation.

Transcriptomic analysis reveals that RasGEF1b deletion alters basal and LPS-induced expression of genes involved in chemotaxis and cytokine responses in macrophages.

Ras guanine nucleotide exchange factor member 1b (RasGEF1b) of the RasGEF/CDC25 domain-containing family is preferentially expressed by macrophages. However, information is lacking about its role in macrophage function. In this study, we generated mice with ubiquitous deletion of Rasgef1b and used RNA-seq-based transcriptomics to compare the global gene expression in wild-type and knock-out primary bone-marrow-derived macrophages under basal conditions and after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment.

Organoselenium Has a Potent Fungicidal Effect on Cryptococcus neoformans and Inhibits the Virulence Factors.

Cryptococcosis therapy is often limited by toxicity problems, antifungal tolerance, and high costs. Studies approaching chalcogen compounds, especially those containing selenium, have shown promising antifungal activity against pathogenic species. This work aimed to evaluate the and antifungal potential of organoselenium compounds against Cryptococcus neoformans.

Identification and characterization of the anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity of cationic amphiphilic steroidal compounds.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic caused a significant loss of human lives and a worldwide decline in quality of life. Treatment of COVID-19 patients is challenging, and specific treatments to reduce COVID-19 aggravation and mortality are still necessary. Here, we describe the discovery of a novel class of epiandrosterone steroidal compounds with cationic amphiphilic properties that present antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 in the low micromolar range.

Cytotoxicity of 4-substituted quinoline derivatives: Anticancer and antileishmanial potential.

Chemical modifications of quinoline moiety have been recognized as a useful strategy to development of new drugs. Here, the cytotoxicity of a set of twenty-four 4-substituted quinolines (named HTI) was screened for their antitumor and antileishmanial potential in vitro, and the underlying mechanisms investigated. HTI 21 and HTI 22 exhibited the highest cytotoxicity, being selected to the subsequent studies.

A comparative study between Cu(INA)-MOF and [Cu(INA)(HO)] complex for a click reaction and the Biginelli reaction under solvent-free conditions.

The catalytic activity of metal-organic framework Cu(INA) (INA = isonicotinate ion) and the complex [Cu(INA)(HO)] were studied in the Copper-catalyzed Azide-Alkyne Cycloaddition (CuAAC) and Biginelli reaction under solvent-free reaction conditions. The robust, efficient and eco-friendly new method allowed the preparation of a variety of 1,2,3-triazole compounds in good to excellent yields and high selectivity for the 1,4-disubstituted triazole. Moreover, for the Biginelli reaction between aldehydes, ethyl acetoacetate and urea, the corresponding dihydropyrimidinones (DHPMs) were also obtained in satisfactory yields under mild reaction conditions for both catalysts.

Synthesis of d-glyco-alkynone derivatives carbonylative Sonogashira reaction.

A carbonylative Sonogashira coupling approach to the synthesis of glyco-alkynones is described. Eighteen examples were obtained in moderate do nearly quantitative yields under mild conditions employing Mo(CO) as a safe carbon monoxide source. Functionalization of the alkynyl moiety cycloaddition with organic azides provided six examples of glyco-triazoles.

Functionalization of protected tyrosine via Sonogashira reaction: synthesis of 3-(1,2,3-triazolyl)-tyrosine.

1,2,3-Triazol tyrosines were synthesized from tyrosine alkynes that were in turn prepared via Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction. The tyrosine alkynes were subjected to click-chemistry reaction conditions leading to the corresponding 3-(1,2,3-triazolyl)-tyrosines in yields ranging from moderate to good.