Rational Synthesis of Highly Stable Dithienopyrrole-Embedded BODIPYs Exhibiting Large Stokes Shift.

A series of dithienopyrrole (DTP) embedded BODIPYs were synthesized and structurally characterized. These BODIPYs have strong absorption in the green region and broad emission in the red region with a large Stokes shift ranging from 3100 to 4200 cm. Interestingly, all three BODIPYs show intramolecular charge transfer interaction (ICT).

Global trends of dioxin and dioxin-like PCBs in animal-origin foods: a systematic review and gap areas.

Dioxins and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls are a group of lipophilic compounds classified under persistent environmental pollutants (POPs). Significant sources of dioxin emissions include industrial effluents, open burning practices, and biomedical and municipal waste incinerators. These emissions will enter the food chain and accumulate in animal-origin foods (AOFs).

Template Assisted Formation of 32 and 34π Octaphyrins Embedded with Dithienopyrrole Cores: A New Scaffold to Unravel Proton Coupled Redox Switching and (Anti)Aromaticity.

Herein, we report two distinct octaphyrins obtained by the condensation of new dithieno[3,2-b:2',3'-d]pyrrole based tetrapyrrane under two different acidic conditions. Fourfold meso-substituted octaphyrin was the major product when the reaction was performed in the presence of an aryl aldehyde using trifluoroacetic acid. Whereas, the sixfold meso-substituted octaphyrin was obtained when the precursor was condensed with pentafluorobenzaldehyde using para-toluenesulfonic acid.

Predictors of pituitary tumour behaviour: an analysis from long-term follow-up in 2 tertiary centres.

Objectives: To determine the clinical utility of assessment of tumour invasion, markers of proliferation, and the French clinicopathological classification in pituitary tumour prognostication.

Methods: This is a retrospective evaluation of adult patients undergoing pituitary surgery at Oxford University and St Vincent's Hospitals, between 1989 and 2016, with at least 12 months of clinical data. Invasion was assessed radiologically, proliferative markers (Ki67, mitotic count, p53) by immunohistochemistry.

Comparison of Indirect Fungal Diagnostic Tests in Patients With Proven Histoplasmosis.

Background: Histoplasmosis is a common cause of invasive fungal infection in endemic regions and accurate diagnosis is difficult without direct tissue culture or pathology. Indirect fungal antigen testing for various fungal pathogens are typically performed to assist with diagnostic workup, though cross-reaction can lead to difficulty in interpreting results. We aimed to compare indirect fungal diagnostic tests and evaluate prevalence of positive antigen testing for non- fungal pathogens in patients with proven histoplasmosis.

Persistent Methicillin-Susceptible Bacteremia Rapidly Cleared with Cefazolin and Ertapenem Combination Therapy in a Patient with COVID-19.

Methicillin-susceptible (MSSA) bloodstream infections (BSIs) are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. MSSA BSIs can rapidly disseminate, resulting in deep-seated infections, prolonged durations of bacteremia, and further metastases. Recently, cefazolin and ertapenem combination therapy has emerged as a potential therapeutic strategy to sterilize the blood in patients with persistent MSSA bacteremia.

Triple Intussusception in an Adult-A Rare Presentation of Adenocarcinoma Ileum.

Intestinal intussusception is uncommon in adults. It occurs more often in the small intestine than in the colon. In adults, when small bowel intussusception occurs, it can be due to a malignant lead point.

Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis Caused by Bordetella hinzii.

Although Bordetella hinzii coccobacilli is most commonly identified in respiratory tracts of birds and rodents, this organism has occasionally been isolated in human infections. We describe a case of B. hinzii spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in Missouri, USA.

Comparison of Blood (1->3)-β-d-Glucan Levels in AIDS-Related Pneumocystis jirovecii Pneumonia and AIDS-Related Progressive Disseminated Histoplasmosis.

In this retrospective study, (1->3)-β-d-glucan (B-glucan) was an unreliable marker for AIDS-related Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) because a high percentage of participants with progressive disseminated histoplasmosis and respiratory symptoms had a positive B-glucan result. Where histoplasmosis is common, attributing B-glucan positivity to PCP without further testing risks misdiagnosis.

Prevalence of Vitamin B12 Deficiency and its Associated Factors among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus on Metformin from a District in Malaysia.

Introduction: Vitamin B12 deficiency is more common among metformin-treated subjects although the prevalence is variable. Many factors have been associated with this. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency and its associated factors among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) who are on metformin.

How can gastro-intestinal tuberculosis diagnosis be improved? A prospective cohort study.

Background: Gastrointestinal tuberculosis (TB) is diagnostically challenging; therefore, many cases are treated presumptively. We aimed to describe features and outcomes of gastrointestinal TB, determine whether a clinical algorithm could distinguish TB from non-TB diagnoses, and calculate accuracy of diagnostic tests.

Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study of hospitalized patients in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, with suspected gastrointestinal TB.

A Systematic Review of the Influence of Bolus Characteristics on Respiratory Measures in Healthy Swallowing.

There have been a number of studies on the effect of bolus volume, consistency, texture, temperature and taste on the oropharyngeal swallowing physiology. However, its influence on the respiratory function associated with swallow is not well understood. This study aimed at systematically analysing and documenting the prevailing research literature on respiratory functions before, during, and after healthy swallows of boluses with varied characteristics.

Hyperthyroidism presenting as ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction with Normal Coronaries - A Case Report.

A 31-year-old male, apparently well, presented with typical chest pain. His ECG showed ST-elevation from V1-V4 and echocardiogram revealed anteroseptal wall hypokinesia with ejection fraction of 45%. Normal coronary arteries were seen on coronary angiogram.

Case Report of an Adult Female with Neglected Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH).

An apparently well 27-year-old phenotypically male adult was seen at the endocrine clinic for gender assignment. Patient had been raised as a male and identifies as such. Abdominal CT scan showed a unilateral left adrenal mass and karyotyping revealed 46 XX female karyotype.

Efficacy of Four Remineralizing Agents on Primary Teeth: In Vitro Evaluation Using Microhardness Testing and Quantitative Light-induced Fluorescence.

Purpose: This study's purpose was to evaluate the remineralization of primary enamel using GC Tooth Mousse, Clinpro Tooth Crème, SHY-NM, and Pronamel by employing microhardness testing and quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) values.

Methods: An in vitro study was performed with 100 intact primary anterior teeth. After specimen preparation, they were subjected to baseline microhardness and QLF testing.

Immune checkpoints and immunotherapy for colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains one of the major causes of death worldwide, despite steady improvement in early detection and overall survival over the past decade. Current treatment paradigms, with chemotherapy and biologics, appear to have reached their maximum benefit. Immunotherapy, especially with checkpoint inhibitors, has shown considerable clinical benefit in various cancers, including mismatch-repair-deficient CRC.

Iontophoretic skin permeation of peptides: an investigation into the influence of molecular properties, iontophoretic conditions and formulation parameters.

The transdermal route offers advantages for delivery of peptides and proteins. However, these polar and large molecules do not permeate the skin barrier well. Various enhancement methods have been employed to address this problem.

Enhanced sonophoretic delivery of 5-aminolevulinic acid: preliminary human ex vivo permeation data.

Background/aims: 5-Aminolevulinate (ALA) is an important photodynamic therapy drug for the treatment of actinic keratoses and other non-melanoma skin cancers in cosmetically sensitive areas. One limitation of this drug is a relatively high recurrence rate. Our aim was to evaluate the feasibility of ultrasound augmented ALA delivery in excised human skin.

Enhanced transdermal delivery of 5-aminolevulinic acid and a dipeptide by iontophoresis.

Poor skin permeability limits the application of peptides to the skin. Enhanced skin permeation could facilitate the development of new therapies for dermatologic and cosmeceutical applications. The aim of this study was to investigate the application of iontophoresis to the delivery of small peptide model compounds (5-aminolevulinic acid and L-alanine-L-tryptophan) across human skin.

Enhanced skin permeation and hydration by magnetic field array: preliminary in-vitro and in-vivo assessment.

Objectives: The aim of the study was determine the effect of magnetic film array technology on the skin permeation of urea.

Methods: A 5% urea gel was applied to human epidermal membrane in vitro and human skin in vivo. Application of gel with magnetic film array and plastic occlusive film was compared with application of gel with a plastic occlusive film and non-magnetic film.

Enhanced skin permeation of naltrexone by pulsed electromagnetic fields in human skin in vitro.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the skin permeation of naltrexone (NTX) under the influence of a pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF). The permeation of NTX across human epidermis and a silicone membrane in vitro was monitored during and after application of the PEMF and compared to passive application. Enhancement ratios of NTX human epidermis permeation by PEMF over passive diffusion, calculated based on the AUC of cumulative NTX permeation to the receptor compartment verses time for 0-4 h, 4-8 h, and over the entire experiment (0-8 h) were 6.