Green Light Activated Dual-Action Pt(IV) Prodrug With Enhanced PDT activity.

Light induced release of cisplatin from Pt(IV) prodrugs is a promising tool for precise spatiotemporal control over the antiproliferative activity of Pt-based chemotherapeutic drugs. A combination of light-controlled chemotherapy (PACT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) in one molecule has the potential to overcome crucial drawbacks of both Pt-based chemotherapy and PDT via a synergetic effect. Herein we report green-light-activated Pt(IV) prodrug GreenPt with BODIPY-based photosentitizer in the axial position with an incredible high light response and singlet oxygen generation ability.

Electrochemical deposition of Ni on arrays of GaAs nanowires with n-type channels.

The processes of electrochemical deposition of Ni on vertically aligned GaAs nanowires (NWs) grown by molecular-beam epitaxy (MBE) using Au as a growth catalyst on n-type Si(111) substrates were studied. Based on the results of electrochemical deposition, it was concluded that during the MBE synthesis of NWs the self-induced formation of conductive channels can occur inside NWs, thereby forming quasi core-shell NWs. Depending on the length of the channel compare to the NW heights and the parameters of electrochemical deposition, the different hybrid metal-semiconductor nanostructures, such as Ni nanoparticles on GaAs NW side walls, Ni clusters on top ends of GaAs NWs, core-shell GaAs/Ni NWs, were obtained.

Metal (M = Cr, Mo, W, Re) carbonyl complexes with porphyrin and carborane isocyanide ligands: light-induced oxidation and carbon oxide release for antitumor efficacy.

The tetrapyrrolic macrocycle as a scaffold for various chemical modifications provides broad opportunities for the preparation of complex multifunctional conjugates suitable for binary antitumor therapies. Typically, illumination with monochromatic light triggers the photochemical generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) (photodynamic effect). However, more therapeutically valuable effects can be achieved upon photoactivation of tetrapyrrole derivatives.

Evaluation of the antineoplastic properties of the photosensitizer biscyanine in 2D and 3D tumor cell models and artificial skin models.

Background: Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) is a therapeutic modality that combines the application of a photoactive compound (photosensitizer, PS) with low-power light to generate reactive oxygen species in the target tissue, resulting in cytotoxic damage and cell death, while sparing adjacent tissues. The objective of this study was to evaluate the phototoxicity of a cyanine dye with two chromophores (biscyanines, BCD) in systems with varying levels of cellular organization, and we used the Photogem® (a photosensitizer approved by the Brazilian ANVISA agency for clinical use in Photodynamic Therapy) as a positive control.

Materials And Methods: The cytotoxicity of the compounds was assessed in vitro in 2D monolayers, 3D spheroid cultures, and artificial skin models.

Dynamics of optical properties of sequentially diluted lucigenin aqueous solutions according to luminescence data.

The article discusses optical properties (luminescence) of diluted (24 dilution factor) lucigenin () aqueous solutions. Six series of aqueous solutions, with 50 samples in each series, were studied. The series were diluted on different days within random schedules, following a unified procedure: the first sample in all the series was the (C = 8.

Response of Fluorescent Boron Difluoride β-Diketonates to X-Rays.

This paper reports the results of a detailed study of the optical response of boron difluoride curcuminoids to radiation exposure. Two lines of the dyes fundamentally different in structure (namely, symmetrical and asymmetrical) were tested. If the absorption responses of their solutions in chloroform to X-rays turns out to be quite close quantitatively (note that it has a very indicative visual manifestation - a gradual discoloration is observed in the dose range up to 300 Gy), the fluorescence ones differ notably: among other things, the former demonstrate much more sensitive reactions (the corresponding limit of detection values ​​differ by up to 2.

Fast Reaction of the Prussian Blue Based Nanozyme "Artificial Peroxidase" with the Substrates: Pre-Steady-State Kinetic Approach.

This letter introduces the pre-steady-state kinetic approach, which is traditional for evaluation of elementary constants in molecular (enzyme) catalysis, for nanozymes. Apparently, the most active peroxidase-mimicking nanozyme based on catalytically synthesized Prussian Blue nanoparticles has been chosen. The elementary constants () for the nanozymes' reduction by an electron-donor substrate (being the fastest stage according to steady-state kinetic data) have been determined by means of stopped-flow spectroscopy.

Isotropy of Cosmic Rays beyond 10^{20} eV Favors Their Heavy Mass Composition.

We report an estimation of the injected mass composition of ultrahigh energy cosmic rays (UHECRs) at energies higher than 10 EeV. The composition is inferred from an energy-dependent sky distribution of UHECR events observed by the Telescope Array surface detector by comparing it to the Large Scale Structure of the local Universe. In the case of negligible extragalactic magnetic fields (EGMFs), the results are consistent with a relatively heavy injected composition at E∼10  EeV that becomes lighter up to E∼100  EeV, while the composition at E>100  EeV is very heavy.

Suprastin (Chloropyramine) Causes Proarrhythmic Deterioration of Excitation Conduction, Depolarization and Potentiates Adrenergic Automaticity in the Pulmonary Veins Myocardium.

A number of pharmacological drugs have side effects that contribute to the occurrence of atrial fibrillation, the most common type of cardiac rhythm disorders. The clinical use of antihistamines is widespread; however, information regarding their anti- and/or proarrhythmic effects is contradictory. In this work, we studied the effects and mechanisms of the potential proarrhythmic action of the first-generation antihistamine chloropyramine (Suprastin) in the atrial myocardium and pulmonary vein (PV) myocardial tissue.

Light-Responsive Pt(IV) Prodrugs with Controlled Photoactivation and Low Dark Toxicity.

Light-induced release of cisplatin from Pt(IV) prodrugs represents a promising approach for precise control over the antiproliferative activity of Pt-based chemotherapeutic drugs. This method has the potential to overcome crucial drawbacks of conventional cisplatin therapy, such as high general toxicity toward healthy organs and tissues. Herein, we report two Pt(IV) prodrugs with BODIPY-based photoactive ligands and , which were designed using carbamate and triazole linkers, respectively.

Organization of the blood system of rhynchonellid brachiopod Hemithiris psittacea (Brachiopoda: Rhynchonelliformea).

The brachiopods are sessile invertebrates with an unusual blood system, which consists of a long-branched dorsal vessel. It is still unknown how blood circulates in this system. In the present study, for the first time we propose the circulation of blood in brachiopod Hemithiris psittacea based on morphological and experimental data.

3-Methyl-phenanthrene (3-MP) disrupts the electrical and contractile activity of the heart of the polar fish, navaga cod (Eleginus nawaga).

Alkylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are abundant in crude oil and are enriched during petroleum refinement but knowledge of their cardiotoxicity remains limited. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are considered the main hazardous components in crude oil and the tricyclic PAH phenanthrene has been singled out for its direct effects on cardiac tissue in mammals and fish. Here we test the impact of the monomethylated phenanthrene, 3-methylphenanthrene (3-MP), on the contractile and electrical function of the atrium and ventricle of a polar fish, the navaga cod (Eleginus nawaga).

Shedding Light on Heavy Metal Contamination: Fluorescein-Based Chemosensor for Selective Detection of Hg in Water.

This article discusses the design and analysis of a new chemical chemosensor for detecting mercury(II) ions. The chemosensor is a hydrazone made from 4-methylthiazole-5-carbaldehyde and fluorescein hydrazide. The structure of the chemosensor was confirmed using various methods, including nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy with Fourier transformation, mass spectroscopy, and quantum chemical calculations.

Recent advances and fundamentals of microalgae cultivation technology.

Microalgae are considered to be a promising group of organisms for fuel production, waste processing, pharmaceutical applications, and as a source of food components. Unicellular algae are worth being considered because of their capacity to produce comparatively large amounts of lipids, proteins, and vitamins while requiring little room for growth. They can also grow on waste and fix CO2 and nitrogen compounds.

Four-parameter model of thin surface layer contribution to reflectance-absorbance spectroscopy and ellipsometry.

The contribution of the surface layer to the reflection coefficients is shown to be determined by four surface integral values, which can be interpreted as real and imaginary parts of two complex permittivity excesses. The reflectance-absorbance spectra are determined by the spectra of these parameters. The spectra of the surface excess integrals cannot be found with the angular measurements of reflection-absorption spectra, which are determined by only three angular dependent terms.

Raman evaluation of the crystallinity degree and composition of poly(L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone).

In this work, we study two series of the copolymers of L-lactide (LLA) and ε-caprolactone (CL) with the CL molar content of 5, 15, and 30 %. The first series was the commercial semicrystalline granules (Corbion, Netherlands), which we analyzed without any additional modification. The second series was amorphous films, prepared from the granules by hot pressing with the subsequent fast quenching in order to avoid the crystallization.

Pharmaceutical Approach to Develop Novel Photosensitizer Nanoformulation: An Example of Design and Characterization Rationale of Chlorophyll α Derivative.

In this study, we described physico-chemical properties of novel nanoformulation of photosensitizer-pyropheophorbide α 17-diethylene glycol ester (XL) (chlorophyll α derivative), revealing insights into antitumor activity and maintaining quality, meeting the pharmaceutical approach of new nanoformulation design. Our formulation, based on poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles, increased XL solubility and selective tumor-targeted accumulation. In our research, we revealed, for the first time, that XL binding to polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) enhances XL photophysical activity, providing the rationale for PVA application as a stabilizer for nanoformulations.

Oligohexamethylene Guanidine Derivative as a Means to Prevent Biological Fouling of a Polymer-Based Composite Optical Oxygen Sensor.

The use of biocidal agents is a common practice for protection against biofouling in biomass-rich environments. In this paper, oligohexamethyleneguanidine (OHMG) polymer, known for its biocidal properties, was further modified with para-aminosalicylic acid (PAS) to enhance its properties against microorganisms coated with a lipid membrane. The structure of the product was confirmed by H NMR, C NMR, and FTIR spectroscopy.

The effect of hyperglycemia on the activation of peritoneal macrophages of albino rats.

Hyperglycemia is one of the main damaging factors of diabetes mellitus (DM). The severity of this disease is most clearly manifested under conditions of the inflammatory process. In this work, we have studied the activation features of rat peritoneal macrophages (MPs) under conditions of high glucose concentration in vitro.

Tricyclic hydrocarbon fluorene attenuates ventricular ionic currents and pressure development in the navaga cod.

The release of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) into the environment due to oil and diesel fuel spills is a serious threat to Arctic fish populations. PAHs produce multiple toxic effects in fish, but disturbance of electrical and contractile activity of the heart seems to be the most negative effect. Our study focused on the effects of fluorene, a tricyclic PAH resembling the well-investigated tricyclic phenanthrene, on major ionic currents and action potential (AP) waveform in isolated ventricular myocytes and on contractile activity in isolated whole hearts of polar navaga cod (Eleginus nawaga).

Improving Methods of Diagnosis and Treatment of Posthemorrhagic Hydrocephalus in Young Children.

Background: One of the most severe perinatal lesions of the central nervous system is intraventricular hemorrhage, which often, especially in prematurely born babies with low gestational age and body weight, is complicated by posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus, which requires good early diagnosis and timely treatment. The purpose of the article is to improve the methods of diagnosis and treatment of posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus in young children.

Methods: The study was conducted between 2009 and 2018 in the neurosurgical department of the City Children's Hospital No.

Optical Polymorphism of Liquid-Crystalline Dispersions of DNA at High Concentrations of Crowding Polymer.

Optically active liquid-crystalline dispersions (LCD) of nucleic acids, obtained by polymer- and salt-induced (-) condensation, e.g., by mixing of aqueous saline solutions of low molecular weight DNA (≤10 Da) and polyethylene glycol (PEG), possess an outstanding circular dichroism (CD) signal (so-called -CD) and are of interest for sensor applications.