Uranium exposure increases spermatocytes metaphase apoptosis in rats: inhibitory effect of thymoquinone and N-acetylcysteine.

Uranyl acetate (UA), a commercial stock from depleted uranium (DU), has a combined effect of chemical toxicity and mild radioactivity. Here, we investigated the potential antioxidant, antiapoptotic and cytoprotective effects of thymoquinone (TQ) and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) against UA-induced testicular damage in rats. UA reduced testicular superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and nitric oxide (NO) and glutathione (GSH) levels relative to the control group. Interestingly, the testicular SOD activity and NO and GSH levels of UA/TQ- and UA/NAC-treated groups were also significantly lower relative to the control. A marked increase in spermatocytes metaphase apoptosis was found (stage XIII) in UA-treated rats, which is probably due to difficulties in segregation of homologous-chromosomes. This may clarify why UA exposure decreased round spermatids numbers and fertility in previous studies. To check the reason of partial metaphase arrest, the presence of DNA-damage-related γ-H2AX foci in late spermatocytes of all groups was checked, but only insignificant increase was found in UA-treated group. TQ or NAC supplementation reduced the apoptosis and improved the testicular histological alterations. Thus, TQ and NAC attenuate UA adverse effects on the testicular microenvironement through anti-apoptotic and cytoprotective but not antioxidant effects.

The role of intramolecular charge transfer and symmetry breaking in the photophysics of pyrrolo[3,2-b]pyrrole-dione.

A three-step synthetic route to a structurally unique π-expanded pyrrolo[3,2-b]pyrrole derived bis-ketone has been developed. In contrast to all previous ladder-type pyrrolopyrroles, the new dye exhibits a low-energy absorption band in the visible region which is responsible for its red-purple color. Interestingly, even though the compound is centrosymmetric, this band coincides with the lowest energy two-photon absorption (TPA) transition. This non-typical behaviour has been computationally rationalized by finding two close lying excited states, one of which (S1) is active for OPA and the other (S2) for TPA processes, which arise from the mixing of two symmetric partial charge-transfer states. The ultrafast excited-state dynamics was characterized by means of transient absorption analysis. A relaxation process involving S1 symmetry breaking occurs in a few ps, leading to the formation of the lowest energy charge-transfer state. This is weakly emitting, with a measured lifetime in the order of tens of picoseconds. Interestingly, two-photon polymerization has been achieved using this new ketone. The high yield of radical photo-initiation upon two-photon excitation was demonstrated by the fabrication of woodpile photonic crystal templates by direct laser writing using a zirconium-silicon hybrid composite.

Consumer Adoption of Personal Health Record Systems: A Self-Determination Theory Perspective.

BACKGROUND: Personal Health Records (PHR) systems provide individuals with access and control over their health information and consequently can support individuals in becoming active participants, rather than passive recipients, in their own care process. In spite of numerous benefits suggested for consumers' utilizing PHR systems, research has shown that such systems are not yet widely adopted or well known to consumers. Bearing in mind the potential benefits of PHRs to consumers and their potential interest in these systems-and that similar to any other type of information system, adoption is a prerequisite for realizing the potential benefits of PHR systems-research is needed to understand how to enhance the adoption rates for PHR systems. OBJECTIVE: This research seeks to understand how individuals' intentions to adopt PHR systems are affected by their self-determination in managing their own health-the extent of their ability to take an active role in managing their own health. As such, this research aims to develop and empirically validate a theoretical model that explains PHR systems adoption by the general public through the integration of theories from the information systems and psychology literatures. METHODS: This research employs a cross-sectional survey method targeted at the Canadian general public without any prior experience in using PHR systems. A partial least squares approach to structural equation modeling was used to validate the proposed research model of this study (N=159). RESULTS: Individuals with higher levels of ability to manage their own health (self-determination) are more likely to adopt PHR systems since they have more positive perceptions regarding the use of such systems. Further, such self-determination is fueled by autonomy support from consumers' physicians as well as the consumers' personality trait of autonomy orientation. CONCLUSIONS: This study advances our theoretical understanding of PHR systems adoption. It also contributes to practice by providing insightful implications for designing, promoting, and facilitating the use of PHR systems among consumers.

Copper(II)-Thymine Coordination Polymer Nanoribbons as Potential Oligonucleotide Nanocarriers.

The direct reaction between copper nitrate, thymine-1-acetic acid, and 4,4'-bipyridine in water leads to the formation of a blue colloid comprising uniform crystalline nanoribbons (length >1 µm; width ca. 150-185 nm; diameter ca. 15-60 nm) of a coordination polymer. The polymer displays a thymine-based structure freely available for supramolecular interactions. These nanostructures show significant selective interaction with single-stranded oligonucleotides based on adenine. Remarkably, they present low cell toxicity in three cell lines-despite the copper(II) content-and can be used as nanocarriers of oligonucleotides. These results suggest the potential of these types of nanostructures in several biological applications.

Electrical Conductivity and Strong Luminescence in Copper Iodide Double Chains with Isonicotinato Derivatives.

Direct reactions between CuI and isonicotinic acid (HIN) or the corresponding esters, ethyl isonicotinate (EtIN) or methyl isonicotinate (MeIN), give rise to the formation of the coordination polymers [CuI(L)]n with L=EtIN (1), MeIN (2) and HIN (3). Polymers 1-3 show similar structures based on a CuI double chain in which ethyl-, methyl isonicotinate or isonicotinic acid are coordinated as terminal ligands. Albeit, their supramolecular architecture differs considerably, affecting the distances and angles of the central CuI double chains and thereby their physical properties. Hence, the photoluminescence shows remarkable differences; 1 and 2 show a strong yellow emission, whereas 3 displays a weak emission; and 1 and 2 are semiconductors with moderate room temperature conductivities, whereas 3 has increased electrical conductivity up to 3×10(-3)  S cm(-1) . Additionally, 1 and 2 present an irreversible transition to a highly conducting phase with a conductivity almost 4 orders of magnitude higher and a quasi-metallic behaviour. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) coupled to a mass spectrometer and magnetic measurements point to a partial thermally induced oxidation of the carboxylate groups of the ligands with Cu(I) to Cu(0) reduction. DFT calculations have been carried out to rationalise these observations.

Evaluation of the HerpeSelect Express rapid test in the detection of herpes simplex virus type 2 antibodies in patients with genital ulcer disease.

BACKGROUND: A rapid point-of-care test with high sensitivity and specificity is required in order to fulfill the need for early detection and screening of Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection among patients with genital ulcer disease (GUD), for better management and control of virus transmission. METHODS: The goal of this study is to evaluate the performance of the commercially available HerpeSelect Express rapid test in comparison with three ELISA assays: HerpeSelect ELISA, Kalon HSV-2 glycoprotein G2 assay, and monoclonal antibody blocking enzyme immunoassay, which was used as the gold standard for the detection of HSV-2 antibodies. RESULTS: This study showed high sensitivity (ranging from 82.6 to 100%) and specificity (100%) of the HerpeSelect Express rapid test when compared to the three ELISA assays. The agreement between the HerpeSelect Express rapid test with the three ELISAs ranged from 93.3 to 100%. CONCLUSION: The HerpeSelect Express rapid test has adequate sensitivity and specificity for confirming HSV-2 infection in patients with GUD, indicating its suitability for epidemiological studies.

The Impact of Internet Health Information on Patient Compliance: A Research Model and an Empirical Study.

BACKGROUND: Patients have been increasingly seeking and using Internet health information to become more active in managing their own health in a partnership with their physicians. This trend has both positive and negative effects on the interactions between patients and their physicians. Therefore, it is important to understand the impact that the increasing use of Internet health information has on the patient-physician relationship and patients' compliance with their treatment regimens. OBJECTIVE: This study examines the impact of patients' use of Internet health information on various elements that characterize the interactions between a patient and her/his physician through a theoretical model based on principal-agent theory and the information asymmetry perspective. METHODS: A survey-based study consisting of 225 participants was used to validate a model through various statistical techniques. A full assessment of the measurement model and structural model was completed in addition to relevant post hoc analyses. RESULTS: This research revealed that both patient-physician concordance and perceived information asymmetry have significant effects on patient compliance, with patient-physician concordance exhibiting a considerably stronger relationship. Additionally, both physician quality and Internet health information quality have significant effects on patient-physician concordance, with physician quality exhibiting a much stronger relationship. Finally, only physician quality was found to have a significant impact on perceived information asymmetry, whereas Internet health information quality had no impact on perceived information asymmetry. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, this study found that physicians can relax regarding their fears concerning patient use of Internet health information because physician quality has the greatest impact on patients and their physician coming to an agreement on their medical situation and recommended treatment regimen as well as patient's compliance with their physician's advice when compared to the impact that Internet health information quality has on these same variables. The findings also indicate that agreement between the patient and physician on the medical situation and treatment is much more important to compliance than the perceived information gap between the patient and physician (ie, the physician having a higher level of information in comparison to the patient). In addition, the level of agreement between a patient and their physician regarding the medical situation is more reliant on the perceived quality of their physician than on the perceived quality of Internet health information used. This research found that only the perceived quality of the physician has a significant relationship with the perceived information gap between the patient and their physician and the quality of the Internet health information has no relationship with this perceived information gap.

Role of vitamin C and selenium in attenuation of nicotine induced oxidative stress, P53 and Bcl2 expression in adult rat spleen.

UNLABELLED: Forty adult female rats were randomly divided into four groups: control, nicotine, nicotine+vitamin C and nicotine+selenium group. Splenic tissues concentrations of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), nitric oxide, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities were measured. The P53 and Bcl2 proteins were detected by Western blot and their expression in splenic tissues were measured by quantitative real time PCR in all groups. Compared to control group, nicotine increased the concentrations of TBARS and nitric oxide significantly. However, Vit. C or Se supplementation with nicotine caused a significant decrease in these concentrations. SOD and CAT activities of nicotine group decreased significantly compared to control group. Treatment with Vit. C or Se plays a significant role in elevation of SOD and CAT activities. In splenic tissues, nicotine significantly decreases the protein levels and the mRNA expression of P53 and increases the protein levels of Bcl2 and its expression. Administration of Vit. C. to nicotine-treated rats completely reversed the decrease in P53 levels and its mRNA expression and the increase in Bcl2 levels and its mRNA expression to the control values. In contrast, Se administration did not induce any significant changes in these genes levels or expressions compared to nicotine group. CONCLUSION: Vit. C supplementation to nicotine treated rats was more effective than selenium in attenuation of nicotine-induced oxidative stress, p53 and Bcl2 expression in rat spleen tissues.

Sildenafil and furosemide nanoparticles as a novel pharmacological treatment for acute renal failure in rats.

Hospitalized patients often develop acute renal failure (ARF), which causes severe morbidity and death. This research investigates the potential renoprotective benefits of sildenafil and furosemide in glycerol-induced ARF, and measures kidney function metrics in response to nanoparticle versions of these medications. Inducing ARF is commonly done by injecting 50% glycerol intramuscularly. Rats underwent a 24-h period of dehydration and starvation before slaughter for renal function testing. We investigated urine analysis, markers of oxidative stress, histology of kidney tissue, immunohistochemistry analysis of caspase-3 and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 ß), kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), which are specific indicators of kidney tissue damage. The results of our study showed that the combination of sildenafil and furosemide, using both traditional and nanoparticle formulations, had a greater protective effect on the kidneys compared to using either drug alone. The recovery of renal tissue indicators, serum markers, and urine markers, which are indicative of organ damage, provides evidence of improvement. This was also indicated by the reduction in KIM-1 and NGAL tubular expression. The immunohistochemistry tests showed that the combination therapy, especially with the nanoforms, greatly improved the damaged cellular changes in the kidneys, as shown by higher levels of caspase-3 and IL-1ß. According to the findings, a glycerol-induced rat model demonstrates that sildenafil and furosemide, either alone or in combination, in conventional or nanoparticulate forms, improve ARF dysfunction. The synergistic nanoparticulate compositions show remarkable effectiveness. This observation highlights the possible therapeutic implications for ARF treatment.

Novel drug therapy of acute hepatic failure induced in rats by a combination of tadalafil and Lepidium sativum.

BACKGROUND: Hepatocyte death and a systemic inflammatory response are the outcome of a complex chain of events mediated by numerous inflammatory cells and chemical mediators. The point of this study was to find out if tadalafil and/or Lepidium sativum (L. sativum) could help people who have been exposed to carbon tetrachloride (CCL4) and are experiencing acute moderate liver failure. This was especially true when the two were used together. METHOD AND MATERIALS: To cause mild liver failure 24 h before sacrifice, a single oral dosage of CCL4 (2.5 mL/kg b.w.) (50% in olive oil) was utilized. Furthermore, immunohistochemical expression of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) as well as histological abnormalities were performed on liver tissue. RESULTS: The results showed that tadalafil and/or L. sativum, especially in combination, performed well to cure acute mild liver failure caused by CCL4. This was demonstrated by a decrease in NF-κB expression in the liver tissue and an improvement in organ damage markers observed in the blood and liver tissues. Furthermore, such therapy reduced interleukin1 beta (IL-1ß) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels in the liver tissue. It's worth noting that the tested combination resulted in greater liver improvement. CONCLUSIONS: According to the findings, tadalafil and L. sativum, particularly in combination, have the ability to protect the liver from the negative effects of CCL4 exposure. Because of its capacity to improve liver function, restore redox equilibrium, and decrease inflammatory mediators, it is a prospective option for mitigating the negative effects of common environmental pollutants such as CCL4.

Electrospun Tamarindus indica-loaded antimicrobial PMMA/cellulose acetate/PEO nanofibrous scaffolds for accelerated wound healing: In-vitro and in-vivo assessments.

In this work, Tamarindus indica (T. indica)-loaded crosslinked poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)/cellulose acetate (CA)/poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) electrospun nanofibers were designed and fabricated for wound healing applications. T. indica is a plant extract that possesses antidiabetic, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antimalarial and wound healing properties. T. indica leaves extract of different concentrations were blended with a tuned composition of a matrix comprised of PMMA (10 %), CA (2 %) and PEO (1.5 %), and were electrospun to form smooth, dense and continuous nanofibers as illustrated by SEM investigation. In vitro evaluation of T. indica-loaded nanofibers on normal human skin fibroblasts (HBF4) revealed a high compatibility and low cytotoxicity. T. indica-loaded nanofibers significantly increased the healing activity of scratched HBF4 cells, as compared to the free plant extract, and the healing activity was significantly enhanced upon increasing the plant extract concentration. Moreover, T. indica-loaded nanofibers demonstrated significant antimicrobial activity in vitro against the tested microbes. In vivo, nanofibers resulted in a superior wound healing efficiency compared to the control untreated animals. Hence, engineered nanofibers loaded with potent phytochemicals could be exploited as an effective biocompatible and eco-friendly antimicrobial biomaterials and wound healing composites.

Semiconductive and magnetic one-dimensional coordination polymers of Cu(II) with modified nucleobases.

Four new copper(II) coordination complexes, obtained by reaction of CuX2 (X = acetate or chloride) with thymine-1-acetic acid and uracil-1-propionic acid as ligands, of formulas [Cu(TAcO)2(H2O)4]·4H2O (1), [Cu(TAcO)2(H2O)2]n (2), [Cu3(TAcO)4(H2O)2(OH)2]n·4H2O (3), and [Cu3(UPrO)2Cl2(OH)2(H2O)2]n (4) (TAcOH = thymine-1-acetic acid, UPrOH = uracil-1-propionic acid) are described. While 1 is a discrete complex, 2-4 are one-dimensional coordination polymers. Complexes 2-4 present dc conductivity values between 10(-6) and 10(-9) S/cm(-1). The magnetic behavior of complex 2 is typical for almost isolated Cu(II) metal centers. Moderate-weak antiferromagnetic interactions have been found in complex 3, whereas a combination of strong and weak antiferromagnetic interactions have been found in complex 4. Quantum computational calculations have been done to estimate the individual "J" magnetic coupling constant for each superexchange pathway in complexes 3 and 4. Compounds 2-4 are the first known examples of semiconductor and magnetic coordination polymers containing nucleobases.

Development and in vivo evaluation of therapeutic phytosomes for alleviation of rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease associated with progressive articular damage, functional loss and comorbidity. Conventional RA therapy requires frequent dosing and prolonged use, and usually results in poor efficacy and severe toxicity. In the current study, for the first time, we describe a combination strategy using phytosomes co-loaded with curcumin (CUR) and leflunomide (LEF) to improve the clinical outcomes of RA therapy. Exploiting 23 factorial design, various compositions of CUR and LEF co-loaded phytosomes (CUR/LEF-phytosomes) were successfully prepared and were extensively characterized (e.g., particle size, zeta potential, drugs encapsulation efficiency, morphology, DSC, FTIR and release kinetics). The optimal CUR/LEF-loaded phytosomes (F2) demonstrated high stability and spherical morphology with a particle size of ca. 760 nm and negative zeta potential value of - 55.7, high entrapment for both drugs, and sustained release profile of the entrapped medications. In vivo, oral administration of the CUR/LEF-phytosomes (F2) in arthritic rats resulted in significant reduction of paw swelling and inflammatory markers, compared to the free drugs and their physical mixture. Histopathological examination revealed significant improvement in phytosomes-treated animal group with no signs of arthritis. CUR/LEF-loaded phytosomes provide an auspicious strategy for alleviation of RA.

Formulation and evaluation of simvastatin cubosomal nanoparticles for assessing its wound healing effect.

Wound healing is one of the most challenging medical circumstances for patients. Pathogens can infect wounds, resulting in tissue damage, inflammation, and disruption of the healing process. Simvastatin was investigated recently, as a wound healing agent that may supersede the present therapies for wounds. Our goal in this paper is to focus on formulation of simvastatin cubosomes for topical delivery, as a potential approach to improve simvastatin skin permeation. By this technique its wound healing effect could be improved. Cubosomes were prepared using the top-down method and the prepared cubosomes were characterized by several techniques. The most optimal simvastatin cubosomal formulation was then included in a cubogel dosage form using different gelling agents. The results showed that the average particle size of the prepared cubosomes was 113.90 ± 0.58 nm, the entrapment efficiency was 93.95 ± 0.49% and a sustained simvastatin release was achieved. The optimized formula of simvastatin cubogel displayed pseudoplastic rheological behavior. This same formula achieved enhancement in drug permeation through excised rat skin compared to free simvastatin hydrogel with flux values of 46.18 ± 2.12 mcg cm-2 h-1 and 25.92 ± 3.45 mcg cm-2 h-1 respectively. Based on the in-vivo rat studies results, this study proved a promising potential of simvastatin cubosomes as wound healing remedy.

Clinical and Bacteriological Analyses of Biofilm-Forming Staphylococci Isolated from Diabetic Foot Ulcers.

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease that is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Unfortunately, foot ulcers and amputations due to diabetes are very common in developing countries. The purpose of this study was to characterize the clinical presentation of diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) infections, isolate the causative agent, and analyze the biofilm formation and distribution of biofilm-related genes among isolated Staphylococci. Material and Methods: The study included 100 diabetic patients suffering from DFUs attending Assiut University Hospital. Swabs were collected and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of the isolates was performed. Biofilm formation was tested phenotypically among staphylococcal isolates and the frequency of different biofilm genes was analyzed by PCR. Clinical presentations of diabetic foot ulcers were correlated with bacterial genetic characteristics. Spa types were determined using DNA Gear-a software. Results: Microbiological analysis showed that 94/100 of the DFUs were positive for bacterial growth. The majority of infections were polymicrobial (54%, n=54/100). Staphylococci were the most commonly detected organisms, of which S. aureus represented 37.5% (n=24/64), S. haemolyticus 23.4% (n=15/64), S. epidermidis 34.3% (n=22/64) and other CNS 4.7% (n=3/64). Interestingly, co-infection with more than one species of Staphylococci was observed in 17.1% (n=11/64) of samples. A high level of antibiotic resistance was observed, where 78.1% (n=50/64) of Staphylococci spp were multidrug-resistant (MDR). Phenotypic detection showed that all isolated Staphylococci were biofilm-formers with different grades. Analysis of biofilm-forming genes among Staphylococci showed that the most predominant genes were icaD, spa, and bap. Isolates with a higher number of biofilm-related genes were associated with strong biofilm formation. Sequencing of the spa gene in S. aureus showed that our isolates represent a collection of 17 different spa types. Conclusion: The majority of DFUs in our hospital are polymicrobial. Staphylococci other than S.aureus are major contributors to infected DFUs. MDR and biofilm formation are marked among isolates, which is paralleled by the presence of different categories of virulence-related genes. All severely infected wounds were associated with either strong or intermediate biofilm formers. The severity of DFU is directly related to the number of biofilm genes.

Novel Cu(I)-5-nitropyridine-2-thiol Cluster with NIR Emission: Structural and Photophysical Characterization.

A novel Cu(I) cluster compound has been synthesized by reacting CuI with the 2,2'-dithiobis(5-nitropyridine) ligand under solvothermal conditions. During the reaction, the original ligand breaks into the 5-nitropyridine-2-thiolate moiety, which acts as the coordinating ligand with both N- and S-sites, leading to a distorted octahedral Cu6S6 cluster. The structure has been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and FT-IR analysis, and the photophysical properties have been determined in the solid state by means of steady-state and time-resolved optical techniques. The cluster presents a near-infrared emission showing an unusual temperature dependence: when passing from 77 to 298 K, a blue-shift of the emission band is observed, associated with a decrease in its intensity. Time-dependent-density functional theory calculations suggest that the observed behavior can be ascribed to a complex interplay of excited states, basically in the triplet manifold.

Gum Arabic nanoformulation rescues neuronal lesions in bromobenzene-challenged rats by its antioxidant, anti-apoptotic and cytoprotective potentials.

Bromobenzene (BB) is a hazardous environmental contaminant because of its multiple routes of exposure and the toxicity of its bio-derivates. It could elicit neuronal alterations by stimulating redox imbalance and apoptotic pathways. Gum Arabic (GA) protected the hippocampus of a type 2 diabetic rat model from cognitive decline. Whether gum Arabic nanoemulsion (GANE) can increase the neuroprotectant potency of GA in fighting BB-associated neurological lesions is the question to be answered. To accomplish this objective, 25 adult male Wistar rats were randomly and equally assigned into five groups. Control received olive oil (vehicle of BB). BB group received BB at a dose of 460 mg/kg BW. Blank nanoemulsion (BNE) group supplemented with BNE at 2 mL of 10% w/v aqueous suspension/kg BW. GANE group received GANE at a dose of 2 mL of 10% w/v aqueous suspension/kg BW. BB + GANE group exposed to BB in concomitant with GANE at the same previous doses. All interventions were carried out daily by oral gavage for ten consecutive days. BB caused a marked increase in malondialdehyde and succinate dehydrogenase together with a marked decrease in reduced glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and lactate dehydrogenase in the brain. BB was accompanied by pathological deteriorations, amyloidosis, and reduced immuno-expression of integrase interactor 1 in the hippocampal region. Administration of GANE was beneficial in reversing the aforementioned abnormalities. These results pave the road for further discovery of nano-formulated natural products to counter the threats of BB.

Subjective semantic surprise resulting from divided attention biases evaluations of an idea's creativity.

The evaluation of an idea's creativity constitutes an important step in successfully responding to an unexpected problem with a new solution. Yet, distractions compete for cognitive resources with the evaluation process and may change how individuals evaluate ideas. In this paper, we investigate whether attentional demands from these distractions bias creativity evaluations. This question is examined using 1,065 creativity evaluations of 15 alternative uses of everyday objects by 71 study participants. Participants in the distraction group (Treatment) rated the alternative uses as more creative on the novelty dimension, but not the usefulness dimension, than did participants in the baseline group (Control). Psychophysiological measurements-event-related and spectral EEG and pupillometry-confirm attentional resources in the Treatment group are being diverted to a distractor task and that the Control group expended significantly more cognitive resources on the evaluation of the alternative uses. These data show direct physiological evidence that distractor tasks draw cognitive resources from creative evaluation and that such distractions will bias judgements of creativity.

Multifunctional coordination polymers based on copper(i) and mercaptonicotinic ligands: synthesis, and structural, optical and electrical characterization.

Three new coordination polymers (CPs) named [Cu(6mna)]n (CP1), [CuCl(H6mna)(H2O)0.33]n (CP2), and {[(CuI)2H2dtdn].MeCN}n (CP3), (H6mna = 6-mercaptonicotinic acid, and H2dtdn = 6,6'-dithiodinicotinic acid) have been synthesized and their structures determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Complexes 1 and 3 are 2D-CPs while complex 2 is a 1D-CP. The optical properties of these complexes have been evaluated in the solid state, at room temperature and at 77 K, and compared with those of the starting ligands. The electrical conductivity of CPs 1-3 has been evaluated and their thermal stabilities have been studied. CP2 shows an interesting crystal arrangement, where the connection between the ligand and the copper forms a channel-like structure characterized by an intrinsic disorder. Crystal data collected at low temperatures for this complex revealed minor structural changes in the CuCu distances and Cu-S-Cu angles along the chain, excluding phase transition. In CP1, the N and S atoms are involved in metal coordination bonds giving rise to a 2D coordination polymer. In CP3, the Cu-I bonds compose double ladder-like structures, bridged by H2dtdn ligands. The electrical conductivities of CPs 1-3 suggest their semiconductive behavior.

Impact of deranged B cell subsets distribution in the development of HCV-related cirrhosis and HCC in type two diabetes mellitus.

Type II diabetes (T2D) may worsen the course of hepatitis C virus infection with a greater risk of liver cirrhosis (LC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In chronic viral infections, the deranged B cell subset signifies uncontrolled disease. The study aimed to verify the relation between B cell subsets' distribution and liver disease progression in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients with T2D. A total of 67 CHC patients were divided into two groups; 33 non-diabetic and 34 with T2D. Each group was subdivided into CHC-without LC or HCC (N-CHC), CHC-with LC (CHC-LC), and CHC-with HCC (CHC-HCC). Twenty-seven healthy individuals also participated as controls. Flow cytometry was used to analyze CD19+ B cell subsets based on the expression of CD24 and CD38. CD19+CD24hiCD38hi Immature/transitional B cells elevated in diabetic than non-diabetic patients. In diabetic patients, while CD19+CD24+CD38- primarily memory B cells were higher in CHC-N and CHC-HCC groups than LC with a good predictive accuracy of LC, the opposite was observed for CD19+CD24-CD38- new memory B cells. Only in diabetic patients, the CD19+CD24intCD38int naïve mature B cells were high in CHC-HCC patients with good prognostic accuracy of HCC. Merely in diabetic patients, several correlations were observed between B cell subsets and liver function. Immature/transitional B cells increase remarkably in diabetic CHCpatients and might have a role in liver disease progression. Memory and Naïve B cells are good potential predictors of LC and HCCin diabetic CHCpatients, respectively. Further studies are needed to investigate the role of the CD19+CD24-CD38- new memory B cells in disease progression in CHC patients.