Search

One challenge of using nonlinear optical phenomena for practical applications is the need to perform phase-matching. Recently, epsilon-near-zero materials have been shown to demonstrate strong optical nonlinearities, in addition to their other unique properties. As suggested by their name, the permittivity of the material is close to zero for a certain wavelength range. We demonstrate that this small permittivity allows for efficient three-wave mixing interactions to take place in indium–tin–oxide thin films without the need for phase matching the pump and signal beams. The efficiency of the second-order nonlinear interactions is characterized, and cascaded three-wave mixing is demonstrated.

Abstract Photodynamic therapy (PDT) utilizes photosensitizers (PSs) to produce reactive oxygen species (ROSs) upon irradiation, which causes the shutdown of vessels and deprives the tumor of nutrients and oxygen, and in turn induces adverse effects on the immune system. However, significant efforts are needed to increase the efficiency in PDT in terms of light delivery to specific PSs for the clinical treatment of tumors located deep under the skin. Even though PDT offers a disease site-specific treatment modality, current efforts are directed to improve the solubility (in body fluids and injectable solvents), photostability, amphiphilicity (for tissue penetration), elimination, and systemic toxicity of traditional PSs based on porphyrin derivatives. Nanostructured materials show promising features to achieve most of such combined efforts. They can be artificially engineered to carry multiple theranostic agents onto targeted tumor sites. However, recent studies on photosensitive Cd-based nanostructures, mostly used in PDT, indicate that leeching of Cd2+ ions is stimulated when they are exposed to harsh biological conditions for continuous periods of time, thus making them acutely toxic and hindering their applications in in vivo settings. Since nanostructured materials are not completely immune to degradation, great strides have been made to seek new alternatives. In this review, we focus on the latest advances of Cd-free nanostructured metal transition sulfides (MTSs) as alternative PSs and study their high-energy transfer efficiency, rational designs, and potential applications in cancer-targeted PDT. Nanostructured MTSs are discussed in the context of their versatility to serve as phototherapy agents and superior properties, including their strong absorption in the NIR region, excellent photothermal conversion efficiency, controlled reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, versatile surface chemistry, high fluorescence, and structural and thermal stability. We discuss the latest advancements in correlating the self-aggregation of MTSs with their passive tumor cell targeting, highlighting their ability to efficiently produce ROSs, and mitigating their dark toxicity through polymeric functionalization. Treatment of deep-seated tumors by using these PSs upon preferential uptake by tumor tissues (due to the enhanced permeability and retention effect) is also reviewed. We finally summarize the main future perspectives of MTSs as next-generation PSs within the context of cancer theranostics. Graphical Abstract

Anti-angiogenic RNAi-based therapy can be considered as a possible strategy for the treatment of endometriosis (EM), which is the most common gynecological disease. Targeted delivery of siRNA therapeutics is a prerequisite for successful treatment without adverse effects. Here we evaluated the RGD1-R6 peptide carrier as a non-viral vehicle for targeted siRNA delivery to endothelial cells in vitro and endometrial implants in vivo. The physicochemical properties of the siRNA complexes, cellular toxicity, and GFP and VEGFA gene silencing efficiency were studied, and anti-angiogenic effects were proved in cellular and animal models. The modification of siRNA complexes with iRGD ligand resulted in a two-fold increase in gene knockdown efficiency and three-fold decrease in endothelial cells’ migration in vitro. Modeling of EM in rats with the autotransplantation of endometrial tissue subcutaneously was carried out. Efficiency of anti-angiogenic EM therapy in vivo by anti-VEGF siRNA/RGD1-R6 complexes was evaluated by the implants’ volume measurement, CD34 immunohistochemical staining, and VEGFA gene expression analysis. We observed a two-fold decrease in endometriotic implants growth and a two-fold decrease in VEGFA gene expression in comparison with saline-treated implants. RNAi-mediated therapeutic effects were comparable with Dienogest treatment efficiency in a rat EM model. Taken together, these findings demonstrate the advantages of RGD1-R6 peptide carrier as a delivery system for RNAi-based therapy of EM.

Anti-angiogenic RNAi-based therapy can be considered as a possible strategy for the treatment of endometriosis (EM), which is the most common gynecological disease. Targeted delivery of siRNA therapeutics is a prerequisite for successful treatment without adverse effects. Here we evaluated the RGD1-R6 peptide carrier as a non-viral vehicle for targeted siRNA delivery to endothelial cells in vitro and endometrial implants in vivo. The physicochemical properties of the siRNA complexes, cellular toxicity, and GFP and VEGFA gene silencing efficiency were studied, and anti-angiogenic effects were proved in cellular and animal models. The modification of siRNA complexes with iRGD ligand resulted in a two-fold increase in gene knockdown efficiency and three-fold decrease in endothelial cells' migration in vitro. Modeling of EM in rats with the autotransplantation of endometrial tissue subcutaneously was carried out. Efficiency of anti-angiogenic EM therapy in vivo by anti-VEGF siRNA/RGD1-R6 complexes was evaluated by the implants' volume measurement, CD34 immunohistochemical staining, and VEGFA gene expression analysis. We observed a two-fold decrease in endometriotic implants growth and a two-fold decrease in VEGFA gene expression in comparison with saline-treated implants. RNAi-mediated therapeutic effects were comparable with Dienogest treatment efficiency in a rat EM model. Taken together, these findings demonstrate the advantages of RGD1-R6 peptide carrier as a delivery system for RNAi-based therapy of EM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Islamophobia, as a problem, is often argued to be a rational choice by the stereotypical media coverage of Islam and Muslims, even though it points to the symptom rather than the root cause. Islamophobia reemerges in public discourses and part of state policies in the post-Cold War period and builds upon latent Islamophobia that is sustained in the long history of Orientalist and stereotypical representation of Arabs, Muslims, and Islam itself. The book What is Islamophobia? Racism, Social Movements and the State, edited by Narzanin Massoumi, Tom Mills, and David Miller offers a unique contribution to how best to define and locate the problem of demonizing Islam and Muslims in the contemporary period. The three scholars provide a more critical and structural approach to the subject by offering what they call the “five pillars of Islamophobia”, which are the following: (1) the institutions and machinery of the state; (2) the far-right, incorporating the counter-jihad movement; (3) the neoconservative movement; (4) the transnational Zionist movement; and (5) the assorted liberal groupings including the pro-war left and the new atheist movement. The UK-based research group correctly situates Islamophobia within existing power structures and examines the forces that consciously produce anti-Muslim discourses, the Islamophobia industry, within a broad political agenda rather than the singular focus on the media. Islamophobia emerges from the “Clash of Civilizations” ideological warriors and not merely as a problem of media stereotyping, representation, and over-emphasis on the Muslim subject. In this article, I maintain that Islamophobia is an ideological construct that emerges in the post-Cold War era with the intent to rally the Western world and the American society at a moment of perceived fragmentation after the collapse of the Soviet Union in a vastly and rapidly changing world system. Islamophobia, or the threat of Islam, is the ingredient, as postulated in Huntington’s “Clash of Civilizations” thesis that is needed to affirm the Western self-identify after the end of the Cold War and a lack of a singular threat or purpose through which to define, unify, and claim the future for the West. Thus, Islamophobia is the post-Cold War ideology to bring about a renewed purpose and crafting of the Western and American self.

The mechanism and regioselectivity of the Diels-Alder cycloaddition reaction between 9- (methoxymethyl)anthracene and citraconic anhydride are explored using the valuable density functional theory (DFT) methods. The solvent effects are considered using the polarizable continuum model in the toluene solution. Due to a small electrophilicity difference of the reactants, the reaction has a low polar character. The investigated Diels-Alder reaction has a normal electron demand character. Depending on the respective position of substituents in the cycloadducts (head-to-head (ortho) or head-to-tail (meta)) the reaction can be progressed via two different pathways: ortho and meta. Due to a very high activation energy, the meta pathway is rejected. The product of the ortho pathway is demonstrated to be the final product of the reaction in the toluene solution. The obtained DFT results are in good agreement with the experimental results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two Schiff bases are newly prepared by the condensation of 2-chloro-3-quinolinecarboxaldehyde with ethylenediamine and 1,4-butanediamine. The Schiff bases are characterized by the elemental analysis, IR, 1H and 13CNMR, UV-Vis, and fluorescence spectroscopies. Structural parameters together with the theoretical assignment of their vibrational frequencies and NMR chemical shifts are determined using density functional theory (DFT) approaches. There is good consistency between the DFT-calculated results and the experimental data, confirming the validity of the optimized geometries for the investigated Schiff bases. Optimized geometries of two Schiff bases are not planar, however, the substitutions are essentially in the same plane with the pyridine rings. Shapes of the frontier orbitals are determined using the natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis. Due to a high energy gap between the frontier orbitals, both Schiff bases are stable. Based on the Fukui function analysis, two Cl atoms and two azomethine nitrogen atoms are four suitable donor atoms for coordination to metal ions. Effects of the temperature and pH on the UV-Vis absorbance and fluorescence intensity of the Schiff bases are studied in a DMSO solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses recent court decisions that have further developed the law regarding the application of the ordinary course of business and new value preference defenses. The article is intended to update two previously published articles: Everything You Need To Know About The "Ordinary Course of Business" Preference Defense, And More! published in Volume 19, Number 1, 1st Quarter 2013 and Everything You Need to Know About New Value as a Preference Defense, and More published in Volume 17, Number 2, 2nd Quarter 2011. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Edited and expanded text of a speech given by Dr. Hatem Bazian at the Reviving the Islamic Spirit Conference, December 27th, 2015, Toronto, Canada. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the consideration of the prior juvenile delinquency by the New York Sex Offender Registration Act. Topics discussed include the history of the SORA and the Family Court Act (FCA), the case People v. Campbell filed in a New York court that dealt with defendant's prior delinquency adjudications and the New York Criminal Procedure Law. It suggests amendment of the FCA so that New York board of examiners (BOE) considers juvenile delinquency adjudications.

The article focuses on the National Entry-Exist Registration System (NSEERS) announced by Attorney General John Ashcroft on June 6, 2002 in a response to increased public discussion of the perceived threat. Information about the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Services (INS) Special Registration is provided.

In this paper 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction has been studied. An efficient synthesis of 4′-[3-methyl-5-thioxo-1 H-1,2,4-triazol-4(5H)-yl]-2′,5′-diphenyl-2′,4′-dihydro spiro(indolin-3,3′[1,2,4]triazol)-2-one derivatives using triethylamine in MeCN at room temperature is reported. The structures of the obtained compounds were confirmed by means of elemental analysis, MS and spectral (IR, H, and C NMR) methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]