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Krzysztof Sztandera,1 Michał Gorzkiewicz,1,2 Mateusz Bątal,1 Valeria Arkhipova,3,4 Nadezhda Knauer,3,5,6 Javier Sánchez-Nieves,7,8 Fco Javier de la Mata,7– 9 Rafael Gómez,7– 9 Evgeny Apartsin,3,4,10 Barbara Klajnert-Maculewicz1 1Department of General Biophysics, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Lodz, 90-236, Poland; 2Department of Molecular Medicine II, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, 40225, Germany; 3Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine SB RAS, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia; 4Department of Natural Sciences, Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia; 5Research Institute of Fundamental and Clinical Immunology, Novosibirsk, 630099, Russia; 6Clinic for Neurosurgery, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, 40225, Germany; 7Departamento de Química Orgánica y Química Inorgánica, UAH-IQAR, Alcalá de Henares, 28805, Spain; 8Networking Research Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Madrid, 28029, Spain; 9Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria, IRYCIS, Madrid, 28034, Spain; 10Laboratoire de Chimie de Coordination CNRS, Toulouse, 31077, FranceCorrespondence: Barbara Klajnert-Maculewicz, Department of General Biophysics, Pomorska 141/143, Łódź, 90-236, Poland, Tel +48 42 635 44 29, Fax +48 42 635 4474, Email barbara.klajnert@biol.uni.lodz.plBackground: The search for new formulations for photodynamic therapy is intended to improve the outcome of skin cancer treatment using significantly reduced doses of photosensitizer, thereby avoiding side effects. The incorporation of photosensitizers into nanoassemblies is a versatile way to increase the efficiency and specificity of drug delivery into target cells. Herein, we report the loading of rose bengal into vesicle-like constructs of amphiphilic triazine-carbosilane dendrons (dendrimersomes) as well as biophysical and in vitro characterization of this novel nanosystem.Methods: Using established protocol and analytical and spectroscopy techniques we were able to synthesized dendrons with strictly designed properties. Engaging biophysical methods (hydrodynamic diameter and zeta potential measurements, analysis of spectral properties, transmission electron microscopy) we confirmed assembling of our nanosystem. A set of in vitro techniques was used for determination ROS generation, (ABDA and H2DCFDA probes), cell viability (MTT assay) and cellular uptake (flow cytometry and confocal microscopy).Results: Encapsulation of rose bengal inside dendrimersomes enhances cellular uptake, intracellular ROS production and concequently, the phototoxicity of this photosensitizer.Conclusion: Triazine-carbosilane dendrimersomes show high capacity as drug carriers for anticancer photodynamic therapy.Graphical Abstract: Keywords: dendrons, amphiphiles, carbosilane, photodynamic therapy, rose bengal, dendrimersomes

We previously reported that a combined myo-inositol, probiotics, and enriched micronutrient supplement (intervention) taken preconception and in pregnancy reduced postpartum blood loss (PBL) and major postpartum hemorrhage compared with a standard micronutrient supplement (control), as secondary outcomes of the NiPPeR trial. This study aimed to identify the intervention components that may contribute to this effect. Associations of plasma concentrations of myoinositol and vitamins B2, B6, B12, and D at preconception (before and after supplementation), early (~7-weeks), and late pregnancy (~28-weeks) with PBL were assessed by multiple linear regression, adjusting for site, ethnicity, preconception BMI, parity, and previous cesarean section. Amongst 583 women, a higher concentration of myo-inositol in early pregnancy was associated with a PBL reduction [βadj −1.26 (95%CI −2.23, −0.29) mL per µmol/L myo-inositol increase, p = 0.011]. Applying this co-efficient to the increase in mean 7-week-myo-inositol concentration of 23.4 µmol/L with the intervention equated to a PBL reduction of 29.5 mL (~8.4% of mean PBL of 350 mL among controls), accounting for 84.3% of the previously reported intervention effect of 35 mL. None of the examined vitamins were associated with PBL. Therefore, myo-inositol may be a key intervention component mediating the PBL reduction. Further work is required to determine the mechanisms involved [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Myo‐inositol supplementation from ~13 weeks' gestation reportedly improves glycaemia regulation in metabolically at‐risk women, with speculation that earlier supplementation might bring further improvement. However, the NiPPeR trial of a myo‐inositol‐containing supplement starting preconception did not lower gestational glycaemia in generally healthy women. We postulated that the earlier timing of supplementation influences the maternal metabolic adaptation for gestational glycaemia regulation. Methods: In total, 585 women were recruited from Singapore, UK and New Zealand for the NiPPeR study. We examined associations of plasma myo‐inositol concentrations at 7 and 28 weeks' gestation with 28 weeks plasma glucose (PG; fasting, and 1 h and 2 h in 75 g oral glucose tolerance test) and insulin indices using linear regression adjusting for covariates. Results: Higher 7‐week myo‐inositol, but not 28‐week myo‐inositol, associated with higher 1 h PG [βadj (95% confidence intervals) 0.05 (0.01, 0.09) loge mmol/L per loge μmol/L, p =.022] and 2 h PG [0.08 (0.03, 0.12), p =.001]; equivalent to 0.39 mmol/L increase in 2 h PG for an average 7‐week myo‐inositol increase of 23.4 μmol/L with myo‐inositol supplementation. Higher 7‐week myo‐inositol associated with a lower 28‐week Stumvoll index (first phase), an approximation of insulin secretion [−0.08 (−0.15, −0.01), p =.020] but not with 28‐week Matsuda insulin sensitivity index. However, the clinical significance of a 7‐week myo‐inositol‐related increase in glycaemia was limited as there was no association with gestational diabetes risk, birthweight and cord C‐peptide levels. In‐silico modelling found higher 28‐week myo‐inositol was associated with lower gestational glycaemia in White, but not Asian, women after controlling for 7‐week myo‐inositol effects. Conclusion: To our knowledge, our study provides the first evidence that increasing first trimester plasma myo‐inositol may slightly exacerbate later pregnancy post‐challenge glycaemia, indicating that the optimal timing for starting prenatal myo‐inositol supplementation needs further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Azobenzene compounds are putative solar thermal fuels (STF) due to the excellent photostability and structural control of isomerization rates. Azobenzenes, in which both Z‐ and E‐isomers are liquid at room temperature, are promising candidates for STF flow technology. A literature survey of melting points led to the synthesis and isomer separation of ortho‐ and meta‐monosubstituted azobenzenes with fluoro, methyl, ethyl, trifluoromethyl and methoxy substituents and several dimethyl substituted azobenzenes. Four of the compounds are liquid azobenzenes with higher specific energy than literature work with higher molar mass, liquid compounds. Eight of the compounds unexpectedly displayed a higher melting point for the Z‐isomer which is rarely observed. Intermolecular close contacts in the crystal lattice of the Z‐isomer are the main factor responsible for the higher melting temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Nutritional intervention preconception and throughout pregnancy has been proposed as an approach to promoting healthy postnatal weight gain in the offspring but few randomised trials have examined this. Methods: Measurements of weight and length were obtained at multiple time points from birth to 2 years among 576 offspring of women randomised to receive preconception and antenatally either a supplement containing myo-inositol, probiotics, and additional micronutrients (intervention) or a standard micronutrient supplement (control). We examined the influence on age- and sex-standardised BMI at 2 years (WHO standards, adjusting for study site, sex, maternal parity, smoking and pre-pregnancy BMI, and gestational age), together with the change in weight, length, BMI from birth, and weight gain trajectories using latent class growth analysis. Results: At 2 years, there was a trend towards lower mean BMI among intervention offspring (adjusted mean difference [aMD] − 0.14 SD [95% CI 0.30, 0.02], p = 0.09), and fewer had a BMI > 95th percentile (i.e. > 1.65 SD, 9.2% vs 18.0%, adjusted risk ratio [aRR] 0.51 [95% CI 0.31, 0.82], p = 0.006). Longitudinal data revealed that intervention offspring had a 24% reduced risk of experiencing rapid weight gain > 0.67 SD in the first year of life (21.9% vs 31.1%, aRR 0.76 [95% CI 0.58, 1.00], p = 0.047). The risk was likewise decreased for sustained weight gain > 1.34 SD in the first 2 years of life (7.7% vs 17.1%, aRR 0.55 [95% CI 0.34, 0.88], p = 0.014). From five weight gain trajectories identified, there were more intervention offspring in the "normal" weight gain trajectory characterised by stable weight SDS around 0 SD from birth to 2 years (38.8% vs 30.1%, RR 1.29 [95% CI 1.03, 1.62], p = 0.029). Conclusions: Supplementation with myo-inositol, probiotics, and additional micronutrients preconception and in pregnancy reduced the incidence of rapid weight gain and obesity at 2 years among offspring. Previous reports suggest these effects will likely translate to health benefits, but longer-term follow-up is needed to evaluate this. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02509988 (Universal Trial Number U1111-1171–8056). Registered on 16 July 2015. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To describe the effectiveness and safety of nicergoline in patients with epithelial corneal defect or corneal ulcer due to neurotrophic keratitis (NK). A prospective case series review was performed in 14 patients with NK who started treatment with nicergoline as an off-label prescription from January to November 2020. Patients with a epithelial defect or corneal ulcer due to NK were treated with oral nicergoline. Complete corneal healing was observed in 10 (71.4%) of the 14 patients after 25.6 ± 26.60 days (range 7–90) with nicergoline. In three (21.5%) patients wound healing was not achieved, and one patient (7.1%) was lost to follow-up. The mean time between diagnosis and the starting of nicergoline was 10.92 ± 8.85 days (0–28). No adverse effects of nicergoline were observed. Nicergoline as an adjunctive treatment for NK showed a potential use in the healing of epithelial defect in real-life clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we study systems composed of a ρ/ω and B* meson pair. We find three bound states in isospin, spin-parity channels (1/2, 0+), (1/2, 1+) and (1/2, 2+). The state with J = 2 can be a good candidate for the B*2(5747). We also study the ρB system, and a bound state with mass 5728 MeV and width around 20 MeV is obtained, which can be identified with the B1(5721) resonance. In the case of I = 3/2, one obtains repulsion and thus, no exotic (molecular) mesons in this sector are generated in the approach.

Knowledge of neutrino interaction cross sections is an important and necessary ingredient in any neutrino measurement and it is crucial to achieve the precision goals of the neutrino oscillation program, making possible new discoveries like the CP violation in the leptonic sector. We briefly review the major features of the neutrino cross sections in the few-GeV region, paying special attention to nuclear effects.