Developing Chlorin/Arylaminoquinazoline Conjugates with Nanomolar Activity for Targeted Photodynamic Therapy: Design, Synthesis, SAR, and Biological Evaluation.

In this report, we developed novel chlorin/arylaminoquinazoline conjugates for targeted photodynamic therapy of cancer. The synthesized photosensitizers consisted of chlorin- metallocomplexes (Zn, In, or Pd) conjugated with arylaminoquinazoline ligands with high affinity for epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR). Additionally, the selectivity and antitumor properties of the conjugates were investigated in the EGFR-expressing A431 human tumor cell line .

Pneumocystis jirovecii Pneumonia in a Patient With Newly Diagnosed HIV and a High CD4 Count.

pneumonia (PCP) is a rare, life-threatening opportunistic fungal infection that rarely occurs with CD4 counts greater than 200 cells/mm3. We present a case of PCP in a young male who presented with fever, weakness, dyspnea, and a non-productive cough. He was initially treated for community-acquired pneumonia but was then noted to be HIV positive with signs of immunosuppression such as oral thrush.

A Case of Angioimmunoblastic T-Cell Lymphoma and the Difficulties of Diagnosis.

Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL) is a rare and aggressive form of peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL). It can present with signs and symptoms that have broad differentials, including fevers, night sweats, and skin rashes. In this case report, we present an interesting case of a young male of Nigerian descent with recently treated malaria who presented with such symptoms and a picture that was complicated, due to an inconclusive excisional biopsy for lymphoma.

Cardioprotective effect of antiviral therapy among hepatitis C infected patients: A meta-analysis.

Background: Hepatitis C (HCV) infections have been shown to be associated a with higher risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, the use of antiviral therapy (AVT) and the risk of CVD has not been well established with limited literature.

Objective: We sought to evaluate the association between AVT use post-HCV infection and cardiovascular outcomes.

Evaluation of fragmented embryos implantation potential using time-lapse technology.

Aim: To examine the implantation potential of fragmented embryos that underwent morphokinetic evaluation in a time-lapse incubator.

Methods: A retrospective study analyzing 4210 Day 5 embryos which were incubated in a time-lapse incubator, between 2013 and 2019. Embryos with more than 5% fragmentation (379 embryos) were included in the study.

Complexation ability of tetrasulfosubstituted cobalt(II) phthalocyanine toward ORF3a protein of SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Complex formation processes of tetrasulfosubstituted cobalt(II) phthalocyanine with ORF3a accessory protein of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus were studied. The interaction of ORF3a protein with SARS-CoV-2 virus with tetrasulfosubstituted cobalt(II) phthalocyanine affords a stable complex in which metallophthalocyanine exists in the monomeric form. The complex formation induces slight changes in the secondary structure of the protein by increasing the fraction of disordered fragments of the polypeptide chain.

Nanoparticles of -Vinylpyrrolidone Amphiphilic Copolymers and Pheophorbide as Promising Photosensitizers for Photodynamic Therapy: Design, Properties and In Vitro Phototoxic Activity.

A series of nanoparticles (NPs) with a hydrodynamic radius from 20 to 100 nm in PBS was developed over the solubilization of hydrophobic dye methyl pheophorbide (chlorin e derivative) by amphiphilic copolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone with (di)methacrylates. Photophysical properties and biological activity of the NPs aqueous solution were studied. It was found that the dye encapsulated in the copolymers is in an aggregated state.

May-Thurner Syndrome-a Rare Cause of Extensive Pelvic DVT, but Is there More to Know?

May-Thurner Syndrome (MTS) is a rare anatomical variant characterized by the compression of the left common iliac artery by the right common iliac artery against the fifth lumbar vertebrae. It can present as acute or chronic deep vein thrombosis (DVT), leg pain, varicosities, skin ulceration, and hyperpigmentation. In this case report, we present an interesting case of a young male with no obvious risk factors, who presented with back and left lower extremity pain later diagnosed with MTS on computed tomography angiography (CTA) and venogram.

Spectral and theoretical study of SARS-CoV-2 ORF10 protein interaction with endogenous and exogenous macroheterocyclic compounds.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus has spread rapidly around the world in a matter of weeks. Most of the current recommendations developed for the use of antivirals in COVID-19 were developed during the initial waves of the pandemic, when resources were limited and administrative or pragmatic criteria took precedence. The choice of drugs for the treatment of COVID-19 was carried out from drugs approved for medical use.

Improving embryo selection by the development of a laboratory-adapted time-lapse model.

Objective: To study whether a powerful, in-house, embryo-selection model can be developed for a specific in vitro fertilization (IVF) laboratory where embryos were already selected for transfer using general models.

Design: In total, 12,944 fertilized oocytes were incubated in an EmbryoScope (Vitrolife, Göteborg, Sweden) at our laboratory. Embryos were selected for transfer or freezing using general models.

Comparison of day 2 and overnight day 3 frozen embryo transfers: A prospective randomized controlled trial.

In certain patients cleavage stage embryos may be preferred. The relationship between an additional day in culture and pregnancy outcomes is not well established. We aimed to compare outcomes of day 2 versus overnight day 3 frozen embryo transfer (FET).

Theoretical and experimental study of interaction of macroheterocyclic compounds with ORF3a of SARS-CoV-2.

The pandemic infectious disease (Covid-19) caused by the coronavirus (SARS-CoV2) is spreading rapidly around the world. Covid-19 does an irreparable harm to the health and life of people. It also has a negative financial impact on the economies of most countries of the world.

Modeling the binding of protoporphyrin IX, verteporfin, and chlorin e6 to SARS-CoV-2 proteins.

In this work, we analyze the latest data on the molecular docking of a range of SARS-CoV-2 proteins to protoporphyrin IX, verteporfin, and chlorin e6, as well as consider the prospects for using chlorins and porphyrins as agents for photoinactivation of the SARS2 virus.

Nanoparticles of water-soluble dyads based on amino acid fullerene C derivatives and pyropheophorbide: Synthesis, photophysical properties, and photodynamic activity.

Synthesis, spectral properties, and photodynamic activity of water-soluble amino acid fullerene C derivatives (AFD) and four original AFD-PPa dyads, obtained by covalent addition of dye pyropheophorbide (PPa) to AFD, were studied. In aqueous solution, these AFD-PPa dyads form nanoassociates as a result of self-assembly. In this case, a significant change in the absorption spectra and strong quenching of the dye fluorescence in the structure of the dyads were observed.

Correction to: Spectral-Fluorescence Properties of Zn(II)-Octaphenyltetraazaporphyrins.

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake. In the section of 'Acknowledgements' the grant number is incorrectly indicated. The corrected grant number is given below.

Spectral-Fluorescence Properties of Zn(II)-Octaphenyltetraazaporphyrins.

Zn(II)-octa-(4-chlorophenyl)- and Zn(II)-octa-(4-bromophenyl)tetraazaporphyrins were synthesized by the reaction of cyclotetramerization of di-(4-chlorophenyl)- and di-(4-bromophenyl)maleonitriles with zinc(II) chloride. The obtained compounds were identified by UV-vis, IR, NMR H spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Geometry optimization of the series of halogenated Zn(II)-octaaryltetraazaporphyrins was performed using the density functional method with the BP86 functional and the def2-TZVP basis set.

Live Birth from the Transfer of a Severely Fragmented Embryo Observed by Morphokinetics.

We report a live birth from a heavily fragmented embryo which continued cleavage to a fully expanded blastocyst. A 32-year-old patient underwent 2 IVF cycles without achieving pregnancy. In the first cycle, 2 embryos with fragmentation were transferred; in the second, all embryos were fragmented and no embryo transfer was performed.

Oxidative markers in cryopreservation medium from frozen-thawed embryos: a possible tool for improved embryo selection in in vitro fertilization?

Purpose: The present study evaluated the association between oxidative parameters in embryo cryopreservation medium and laboratory and clinical outcomes.

Methods: This prospective laboratory study was conducted in an IVF unit in a university-affiliated hospital with 91 IVF patients undergoing a frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycle. Following thawing, 50 μL of embryo cryopreservation medium was retrieved from each cryotube and tested by the thermochemiluminescence (TCL) assay.

p27 and its ubiquitin ligase Skp2 expression in endometrium of IVF patients with repeated hormonal stimulation.

This preliminary study examined a possible effect of long duration repeated hormonal stimulation on the endometrium using a molecular tool. The expression of the hormone stimulated, cell cycle regulators, p27 and its ligase S-phase kinase-interacting protein2 (Skp2), were assessed in 46 endometrial samples of patients who underwent repeated IVF cycles (3-21). Skp2 protein is usually undetectable in normal tissue and can be demonstrated only in rapidly dividing cells.

[CHALLENGING THE OPTIMAL NUMBER OF RETRIEVED OOCYTES AND ITS IMPACT ON PREGNANCY AND LIVE BIRTH RATES IN IVF/ICSI CYCLES].

Introduction: Large numbers of retrieved oocytes are associated with higher chances of having cryopreservation of embryos. However, the process entailed exposes women to increased risk for ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Furthermore, mild ovary stimulation protocols are more patient-friendly and with less adverse effects.

[Oxidation and female reproduction: the good, the bad and what's between].

Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species constitute an inseparable part of aerobic life on earth. They have been known to science for about 90 years, but only during the last 50 years research in this field has expanded. Initially, scientists focused on the free radicals-induced damage to biological systems.

Oxidative parameters of embryo culture media may predict treatment outcome in in vitro fertilization: a novel applicable tool for improving embryo selection.

Objective: To examine whether the oxidative status of an individual embryo before transfer may predict chances of implantation.

Design: A prospective laboratory study.

Setting: An IVF unit in a university-affiliated hospital.

Oxidative stress indices in follicular fluid as measured by the thermochemiluminescence assay correlate with outcome parameters in in vitro fertilization.

Objective: To evaluate oxidative stress indices in follicular fluid (FF) by a novel thermochemiluminescence (TCL) assay and investigate the correlation between TCL and i.v.f.

Early embryo-endometrial signaling modulates the regulation of matrix metalloproteinase-3.

Objective: To examine matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) expression in human stromal cell culture after P stimulation and the effect of conditioned medium from human embryo-epithelial cells coculture on its expression and activity.

Design: Metabolic and endocrine studies on human tissue.

Setting: In vitro fertilization (i.