Panchromatic Absorption of Unsymmetrical Donor-Acceptor Dyes Based on a Meta-conjugated 1,3,5-Heteroaryltriazine Core.

Attachment of three different heterocycles with electron donor or acceptor character to a central 1,3,5-triazine core generates readily soluble side-chain free dyes with two displaying soft crystalline mesomorphism and one displaying a nematic liquid crystal phase as confirmed by polarized optical microscopy, calorimetry, gravimetric analysis, and powder X-ray diffraction. Equally intriguing is the dyes' relatively strong electronic communication between donor and acceptor subchromophores that are meta-conjugated to one another, which is experimentally observed as a broad intramolecular charge-transfer absorption that can extend over 100 nm past the most intense absorption event and is computationally confirmed through density functional theory (DFT) evaluations of the molecular ground- and excited-state properties. This molecular design permits the preparation of dyes with panchromatic absorption not just based on the additive absorption of individual subchromophores.

Therapeutic coordination polymers: tailoring drug release through metal-ligand interactions.

Developing tunable materials which exhibit sustained drug release is a considerable challenge. Herein, we report the concept of Therapeutic Coordination Polymers (TCPs); non-porous coordination polymers constructed from biocompatible components which demonstrate tunable zero-order drug release kinetics upon degradation of metal-ligand bonds. TCPs were constructed from three principal components: (i) a cationic metal center (M = Mg, Mn, Zn, or Cu); (ii) an anionic drug (Diclofenac); and (iii) an alkyl bis-imidazole organic ligand which behaves as a "linker" between metal centers.

Are Classification Deep Neural Networks Good for Blind Image Watermarking?

Image watermarking is usually decomposed into three steps: (i) a feature vector is extracted from an image; (ii) it is modified to embed the watermark; (iii) and it is projected back into the image space while avoiding the creation of visual artefacts. This feature extraction is usually based on a classical image representation given by the Discrete Wavelet Transform or the Discrete Cosine Transform for instance. These transformations require very accurate synchronisation between the embedding and the detection and usually rely on various registration mechanisms for that purpose.

Reversible mechanical protection: building a 3D "suit" around a T-shaped benzimidazole axle.

The T-shaped benzimidazolium/crown ether recognition motif was used to prepare suit[1]anes. These novel mechanically interlocked molecules (MIMs) were fully characterized by H and C NMR spectroscopy, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, UV-vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. By conversion to a suit[1]ane, a simple benzimidazole was shown to be protected from deprotonation by strong base.

NOS3 gene variants and male infertility: Association of 4a/4b with oligoasthenozoospermia.

Results of recent studies confirmed that oxidative stress negatively affects sperm motility and causes sperm DNA damage. Produced by nitric oxide synthase 3 (NOS3), nitric oxide is considered to be one of the important mediators of oxidative stress in testis tissue. The aim of this study was to assess the possible association of three genetic variants (rs2070744, rs1799983 and intron variant 4a/4b) in NOS3 gene and infertility occurrence in two groups of infertile men (idiopathic azoospermia and oligoasthenozoospermia) and fertile controls.

Optical Distinction between "Slow" and "Fast" Translational Motion in Degenerate Molecular Shuttles.

A series of six [2]rotaxane molecular shuttles was designed which contain an axle with a benzo-bis(imidazole) core (in either a neutral or dicationic form) and a single 24-membered, crown ether wheel (24C6, B24C6, or DMB24C6), and the shuttling rates of the ring along the axle were determined. The charged versions showed much slower shuttling rates as a result of the increase in noncovalent interactions between the axle and wheel. The [2]rotaxane with a B24C6 wheel shows a difference in fluorescence between the charged and neutral species, while the [2]rotaxane with a DMB24C6 wheel exhibits a difference in color between the charged and neutral compounds.

Acid-Base Switchable [2]- and [3]Rotaxane Molecular Shuttles with Benzimidazolium and Bis(pyridinium) Recognition Sites.

For the purpose of developing higher level mechanically interlocked molecules (MIMs), such as molecular switches and machines, a new rotaxane system was designed in which both the 1,2-bis(pyridinium)ethane and benzimidazolium recognition templating motifs were combined. These two very different recognition sites were successfully incorporated into [2]rotaxane and [3]rotaxane molecular shuttles which were fully characterized by H NMR, 2D EXSY, single-crystal X-ray diffraction and VT NMR analysis. By utilizing benzimidazolium as both a recognition site and stoppering group it was possible to create not only an acid/base switchable [2]rotaxane molecular shuttle (energy barrier 20.

Stenting versus non-stenting following uncomplicated ureteroscopic lithotripsy: Comparsion and evaluation of symptoms.

Background/aim: Currently, ureterorenoscopic (URS) stone fragmentation and removal is the treatment of choice for managing ureteral stones, especially mid and distal ones and is advocated as initial management of ureteric stones. The aim of this work was to evaluate the symptoms, necessity, potential benefits and adverse effects of ureteral stent placement after uncomplicated ureteroscopic lithotripsy.

Methods: This retrospective-prospective study evaluated a total of 125 patients who had underwent ureteroscopic lithotripsy (URSL).

Genetic variants in RNA-induced silencing complex genes and prostate cancer.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the potential association between genetic variants in genes encoding the components of RNA-induced silencing complex and prostate cancer (PCa) risk. Genetic variants chosen for this study are rs3742330 in DICER1, rs4961280 in AGO2, rs784567 in TARBP2, rs7813 in GEMIN4 and rs197414 in GEMIN3.

Methods: The study involved 355 PCa patients, 360 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia and 318 healthy controls.

Conformational Study of N,N'-Diacyl Bispidines and Dioxo Bis-bispidines: Planar Chirality and Molecular Switching.

N,N'-Diacyl bispidines exhibit chirality in the absence of a chiral center and axis. Conformational analysis indicates planar chirality in the molecular structure as a result of open-ended chiral planes, which has been confirmed by X-ray diffraction studies. Substantial chiral-achiral molecular switching is observed in di(haloacetyl) bispidines upon changing the solvent polarity.

Mechanically Interlocked Linkers inside Metal-Organic Frameworks: Effect of Ring Size on Rotational Dynamics.

A series of metal-organic framework (MOF) materials has been prepared, each containing a mechanically interlocked molecule (MIM) as the linker and a copper(II) paddlewheel as the secondary building unit (SBU). The MIM linkers are [2]rotaxanes with varying sizes of crown ether macrocycles ([22]crown-6, 22C6; [24]crown-6, 24C6; [26]crown-6, 26C6; benzo[24]crown-6, B24C6) and an anilinium-based axle containing four carboxylate donor groups. Herein, the X-ray structures of MOFs UWCM-1 (no crown) and UWDM-1(22) are compared and demonstrate the effect of including a macrocycle around the axle of the linker.

Impact of Voiding and Incontinence Symptoms on Health-Related Life Quality in Serbian Male Population.

Purpose: To investigate the impact of lower urinary tract symptoms on health-related quality of life (QoL) in Serbian population considering socio-demographic characteristics, habits, and health status.

Materials And Methods: The study was conducted in the Primary Healthcare Center "Novi Beograd", Serbia. The study included 1424 male participants, aged 40 years and above.

Assessment of association between genetic variants in microRNA genes hsa-miR-499, hsa-miR-196a2 and hsa-miR-27a and prostate cancer risk in Serbian population.

Due to their potentially functional significance, genetic variants within microRNA genes have been recognized as candidates for cancer-related genetic biomarkers. Among the most extensively studied so far are rs3746444, rs11614913 and rs895819. Nevertheless, only few previous studies in Asian population analyzed the association of rs3746444 and rs11614913 with prostate cancer (PCa) risk, while rs895819 was not evaluated in relation to this issue.

A molecular shuttle that operates inside a metal-organic framework.

A 'molecular shuttle' is an interlocked molecular assembly in which a macrocyclic ring is able to move back and forth between two recognition sites. This large-amplitude translational motion was first characterized in solution in 1991. Since that report, many mechanically interlocked molecules (MIMs) have been designed, synthesized and shown to mimic the complex functions of macroscopic switches and machines.

Comparative analysis of the current payment system for hospital services in Serbia and projected payments under diagnostic related groups system in urology.

Background/aim: Global budget per calendar year is a traditional method of funding hospitals in Serbia. Diagnose related groups (DGR) is a method of hospital payment based on classification of patients into groups with clinically similar problems and similar utilization of hospital resources. The aim of this study was to compare current methods of hospital services payment with the projected costs by DRG payment method in urology.

Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Serbian version of the ICS SF male questionnaire.

Introduction: The objective of this study was to cross-culturally adapt and validate ICS male SF questionnaire to Serbian language.

Materials And Methods: This study included 91 male patients with lower urinary tract symptoms and 24 men with similar age and with confirmed absence of LUTS. ICS male SF questionnaire was translated from English to Serbian language and then back-translated to English.

Assembly of a M4L4 "folded-cube" using a T-shaped, right-angled ligand.

A new bipyridine ligand based on a T-shaped 2,4,7-trisubstituted benzimidazole framework was synthesized with a 90° angle between the two nitrogen donors. When combined with convergent [Pt(dppp)](2+) corners, eight right angles (four metal and four ligand) combine to form a M4L4 cluster with an unusual folded-cube structure.

Association between genetic variant in hsa-miR-146a gene and prostate cancer progression: evidence from Serbian population.

Purpose: Two previous studies of association between rs2910164 in miR-146a gene and prostate cancer (PCa) risk have provided opposing results. Furthermore, no evidence of association of this SNP with standard prognostic parameters of PCa progression was obtained in mentioned studies. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the possible association between PCa onset and progression to a more aggressive form, since it has not been assessed in a population of European descent.

Management of calculus anuria using ureteroscopic lithotripsy as a first line treatment: its efficacy and safety.

Purpose: To present our experience with emergency ureteroscopic lithotripsy (URSL) for ureteral calculi associated with acute kidney injury (AKI).

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the 61 patients consisted of 90 ureteral units (UU), who underwent URSL. The cause of anuria was bilateral calculus obstructions in 29 cases, and unilateral calculus obstruction with, absent, nephrectomized contralateral kidney in 32 cases.

Metal-organic frameworks with mechanically interlocked pillars: controlling ring dynamics in the solid-state via a reversible phase change.

Metal-organic framework (MOF) materials have been prepared that contain a mechanically interlocked molecule (MIM) as the pillaring strut between two periodic Zn-carboxylate layers. The MIM linker is a [2]rotaxane with a [24]crown-6 (24C6) macrocycle and an aniline-based axle with terminal pyridine donor groups. The single-crystal X-ray structures of MOFs UWDM-2 (1,4-diazophenyl-dicarboxylate) and UWDM-3 (1,4-biphenyl-dicarboxylate) show that both frameworks are large enough to contain the free volume required for rotation of the interlocked 24C6 macrocycle, but the frameworks are interpenetrated (UWDM-2, three-fold, and UWDM-3, two-fold).

Assessment of association between common variants at 17q12 and prostate cancer risk-evidence from Serbian population and meta--analysis.

This study aimed to evaluate possible association between genotypes and alleles of two 17q12 polymorphisms (rs3760511 and rs7501939) and prostate cancer (PCa) risk and progression. Two hundred seventy-one patients with PCa, 261 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and 171 controls were included in the study. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped by using PCR followed by restriction fragment length (PCR-RFLP) analysis.

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene polymorphisms and prostate cancer risk in Serbian population.

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified over 46 SNPs associated with human prostate cancer (PCa). Some studies have shown correlation of the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) NOS3 gene polymorphisms with the risk and/or progression of PCa. This study aimed to evaluate the association of NOS3 gene polymorphisms (-786T>C, -764A>G, -714G>T, -690C>T, -649G>A and 894G>T) with PCa risk and progression.

Common variants at 8q24 are associated with prostate cancer risk in Serbian population.

Previous studies have shown correlation between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at 8q24 and prostate cancer (PCa) risk. This study aimed to evaluate possible association between genotypes and alleles of 8q24 polymorphisms (rs1447295, rs4242382, rs6983267, rs7017300, and rs7837688) and PCa risk and progression. 150 patients with PCa, 150 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and 100 healthy controls selected from the general population were recruited for this study.

Assessment of possible association between rs3787016 and prostate cancer risk in Serbian population.

Recent study, which included meta-analysis of two genome-wide association studies (GWAS), followed by a replication, identified the association between single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs3787016 at 19p13 and prostate cancer (PCa) risk. Considering possible genetic differences between populations, we conducted the study in order to evaluate the association of this polymorphism with prostate cancer risk in Serbian population. 261 samples of peripheral blood were obtained from the patients with PCa and 257 samples from patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).