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Human monkeypox (HMPX) is an emerging viral zoonosis that has now become the most prevalent I Orthopoxvirus i worldwide.[1] The Poxviridae family is formed by large, double-stranded DNA viruses that replicate in vertebrate cells. Graph: Figure 3 (a, b) Transmission electron microscopy showed (a) monkeypox viruses inside intracytoplasmic vacuoles and (b) extracellular location of viruses among keratin fibre. Under TEM, mature viruses appeared extracellularly scattered among keratinocytes, while the assembling virions and mature intracellular viruses were clustered within cytoplasmic vesicles in keratinocytes of the stratum granulosum and the Malpighian layer of the epidermis (Figure 3). [Extracted from the article]

The intriguing and rich photophysical properties of three curved nanographenes (CNG 6, 7, and 8) are investigated by time-resolved and temperature-dependent photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. CNG 7 and 8 exhibit dual fluorescence, as well as dual phosphorescence at low temperature in the main PL bands. In addition, hot bands are detected in fluorescence as well as phosphorescence, and, in the narrow temperature range of 100-140 K, thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) with lifetimes on the millisecond time-scale is observed. These findings are rationalized by quantum-chemical simulations, which predict a single minimum of the S 1 potential of CNG 6, but two S 1 minima for CNG 7 and CNG 8, with considerable geometric reorganization between them, in agreement with the experimental findings. Additionally, a higher-lying S 2 minimum close to S 1 is optimized for the three CNG, from where emission is also possible due to thermal activation and, hence, non-Kasha behavior. The presence of higher-lying dark triplet states close to the S 1 minima provides mechanistic evidence for the TADF phenomena observed. Non-radiative decay of the T 1 state appears to be thermally activated with activation energies of roughly 100 meV and leads to disappearance of phosphorescence and TADF at T > 140 K., (© 2023 The Authors. Advanced Materials published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Helical bilayer nanographenes (HBNGs) are chiral π-extended aromatic compounds consisting of two π-π stacked hexabenzocoronenes (HBCs) joined by a helicene, thus resembling van der Waals layered 2D materials. Herein, we compare [9]HBNG , [10]HBNG , and [11]HBNG helical bilayers endowed with [9], [10], and [11]helicenes embedded in their structure, respectively. Interestingly, the helicene length defines the overlapping degree between the two HBCs (number of benzene rings involved in π-π interactions between the two layers), being 26, 14, and 10 benzene rings, respectively, according to the X-ray analysis. Unexpectedly, the electrochemical study shows that the lesser π-extended system [9]HBNG shows the strongest electron donor character, in part by interlayer exchange resonance, and more red-shifted values of emission. Furthermore, [9]HBNG also shows exceptional chiroptical properties with the biggest values of g abs and g lum (3.6 × 10 -2 ) when compared to [10]HBNG and [11]HBNG owing to the fine alignment in the configuration of [9]HBNG between its electric and magnetic dipole transition moments. Furthermore, spectroelectrochemical studies as well as the fluorescence spectroscopy support the aforementioned experimental findings, thus confirming the strong impact of the helicene length on the properties of this new family of bilayer nanographenes.

Background: The worldwide outbreak of monkeypox has evidenced the usefulness of the dermatologic manifestations for its diagnosis., Objective: To describe the histopathologic and immunohistochemical findings of monkeypox cutaneous lesions., Methods: This is a retrospective histopathologic and immunohistochemical study of 20 patients with positive Monkeypox virus DNA polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical positivity for Vaccinia virus in cutaneous lesions. Four cases were also examined by electron microscopy., Results: The most characteristic histopathologic findings consisted of full-thickness epidermal necrosis with hyperplasia and keratinocytic ballooning at the edges. In some cases, the outer root sheath of the hair follicle and the sebaceous gland epithelium were affected. Intraepithelial cytoplasmic inclusion bodies and scattered multinucleated keratinocytes were occasionally found. Immunohistochemically, strong positivity with anti-Vaccinia virus antibody was seen in the cytoplasm of ballooned keratinocytes. Electron microscopy study demonstrated numerous viral particles of monkeypox in affected keratinocytes., Limitations: Small sample size. Electron microscopic study was only performed in 4 cases., Conclusion: Epidermal necrosis and keratinocytic ballooning are the most constant histopathologic findings. Immunohistochemical positivity for Vaccinia virus was mostly detected in the cytoplasm of the ballooned keratinocytes. These findings support the usefulness of histopathologic and immunohistochemical studies of cutaneous lesions for diagnosis of monkeypox., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest None disclosed., (Copyright © 2022 American Academy of Dermatology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Abstract: Tattoos are characterized by the introduction of exogenous pigments into the dermis. Tattoos usually serve cosmetic purposes, although they may have other causes, such as traumatic pigment implants in accidents or medical-related tattoos in the context of radiotherapy. Dermatologic adverse reactions are relatively uncommon, and they include infections, immune-mediated reactions, cutaneous lesions secondary to the Koebner phenomenon, exacerbation of preexisting dermatosis, benign and malignant neoplasms, and a miscellaneous group of dermatologic conditions that may appear in a preexisting tattoo. The aim of this study is to review the types of histopathologic reactions that may appear in a preexisting permanent tattoo., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Abstract: The prognostic implications of the immunophenotype of the tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in primary cutaneous melanoma are well known. In recent years, the study of this immunophenotype has also resulted in immunotherapeutic consequences. The aims of this study were to characterize the subpopulations of TILs in primary cutaneous melanoma, in cases with and without metastasis, as well as the neovascularization associated with the primary neoplasm, and its influence on the development of metastasis. To this end, the immunophenotype of TILs and the neovascularization of 80 patients with primary cutaneous melanoma (40 each with metastatic and non-metastatic melanoma) were analyzed by immunohistochemistry for CD3, CD4, CD8, FOXP3, PD-1, CD31, and D2-40 antibodies. We found that higher frequencies of TILs with brisk pattern, and CD4+, CD8+, and CD20+ cells in TILs, and a lower frequency of CD31+ vessels were histopathological features associated with better prognosis in primary cutaneous melanoma. Our results support the notion that the immunohistochemical study of TILs and neovascularization in primary cutaneous melanoma may be helpful tools for identifying patients at increased risk of metastasis development., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Suitably engineered molecular systems exhibiting triplet excited states with very long lifetimes are important for high-end applications in nonlinear optics, photocatalysis, or biomedicine. We report the finding of an ultra-long-lived triplet state with a mean lifetime of 93 ms in an aqueous phase at room temperature, measured for a globular tridecafullerene with a highly compact glycodendrimeric structure. A series of three tridecafullerenes bearing different glycodendrons and spacers to the C 60 units have been synthesized and characterized. UV/Vis spectra and DLS experiments confirm their aggregation in water. Steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence experiments suggest a different degree of inner solvation of the multifullerenes depending on their molecular design. Efficient quenching of the triplet states by O 2 but not by waterborne azide anions has been observed. Molecular modelling reveals dissimilar access of the aqueous phase to the internal structure of the tridecafullerenes, differently shielded by the glycodendrimeric shell., (© 2021 The Authors. Angewandte Chemie International Edition published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Here we present an easy flow cytometry protocol to study the viability of Helicobacter pylori which also enables the detection of even low live bacteria densities. This protocol has potential utility for a fast and accurate assessment of experimental eradication methods against H. pylori., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest None., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

This minireview is devoted to honoring the memory of Dr. Thomas Dougherty, a pioneer of modern photodynamic therapy (PDT). It compiles the most important inputs made by our research group since 2012 in the development of new photosensitizers based on BODIPY chromophore which, thanks to the rich BODIPY chemistry, allows a finely tuned design of the photophysical properties of this family of dyes to serve as efficient photosensitizers for the generation of singlet oxygen. These two factors, photophysical tuning and workable chemistry, have turned BODIPY chromophore as one of the most promising dyes for the development of improved photosensitizers for PDT. In this line, this minireview is mainly related to the establishment of chemical methods and structural designs for enabling efficient singlet oxygen generation in BODIPYs. The approaches include the incorporation of heavy atoms, such as halogens (iodine or bromine) in different number and positions on the BODIPY scaffold, and also transition metal atoms, by their complexation with Ir(III) center, for instance. On the other hand, low-toxicity approaches, without involving heavy metals, have been developed by preparing several orthogonal BODIPY dimers with different substitution patterns. The advantages and drawbacks of all these diverse molecular designs based on BODIPY structural framework are described., (© 2020 American Society for Photobiology.)

A geometrically selective bottom-up synthesis of curved nanographenes is described. The synthetic methodology used involves the extension of the π-system of positively curved corannulene by a [4+2] cycloaddition reaction followed by cyclodehydrogenation (Scholl oxidation). By selecting the conditions for the Scholl oxidation, the formation of a seven-membered ring that also confers negative curvature to the resulting nanographene can be activated, offering two topologically distinct, curved nanographenes from a common precursor. Additionally, the structure-property relationship in these new nanographenes is explored via theoretical, electrochemical, photophysical, Raman, and X-ray crystallographic studies.

The singlet oxygen ( 1 O 2 ) production quantum yield (Φ Δ ) of 14 halogenated BODIPY dyes has been determined (0.01 < Φ Δ < 0.99). 1 O 2 production and photostability have been evaluated considering the BODIPY structure, the substitution pattern, and the number and type of heavy atoms and quenching rate constants of 1 O 2 by the sensitizer. In view of the experimental results and principal component analysis (PCA), guidelines for an improved design of efficient and photostable halo-BODIPY sensitizers are proposed.

Photosensitized oxidation of trimethyl[2.2.1]bicycloheptane thioketones by (1)O2 can yield more photoproducts than exclusively ketones and sulfines. Moreover, the ketone/sulfine ratio can be reversed when protic conditions and high thioketone concentrations are used, conversely to earlier results reporting ketones as the main photoproducts. A new mechanistic proposal for sulfine formation is suggested following intermolecular oxygen transfer from a peroxythiocarbonyl intermediate to a second thioketone molecule. Reaction quantum yields (10(-5)-10(-2)) depend on the reaction conditions and time. Sulfine production reaches a maximum at short irradiation times, whereas decomposition to the corresponding ketone is observed at long reaction times. When the thioketone substrate has a hydrogen atom at the α position a peroxyvinylsulfenic acid intermediate can be formed by proton transfer. Reaction of this intermediate with another thioketone molecule can yield more sulfine and its tautomeric vinylsulfenic acid, which dimerizes in situ to the thiosulfinate. The hydroperoxyl group of the peroxyvinylsulfenic acid can also rearrange to the α position, and by reaction with the starting thioketone, α-hydroxy thioketone and additional sulfine can be formed, while dehydration yields the α-oxo thioketone. In situ [2 + 2] and [4 + 2] self-cycloaddition of the α-oxo thioketone yields significant amounts of the corresponding adducts at prolonged irradiation times.

Different photosensitizing materials manufactured by immobilizing (0.5-3.0 g m(-2)) tris(4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline)ruthenium(II) (RDP(2+)), [C60]-fullerene, or 1-(4-methyl)-piperazinylfullerene (MPF) on porous neutral (pSil) or surface-modified anionic (pSil(-)) poly(dimethylsiloxane) are compared on the grounds of their singlet molecular oxygen ((1)O2) production and photodynamic solar water disinfection capability. The C60-based sensitizers display a broad weak absorption in the visible and strong absorption in the UV, while absorption of light by RDP(2+) supported on pSil is strong in both the UV and blue regions. The (1)O2 emission lifetimes (τ(Δ)) determined for RDP(2+) and MPF on porous silicone materials under air are similar (40-50 μs) and correspond to the decay of (1)O2 generated by sensitizers dissolved in the polymer support. In contrast, τ(Δ) measured for C60 in pSil is similar to that observed for MPF or RDP(2+) when immobilized at low loading on pSil, but dramatically increases up to 5 ms if C60 aggregates are formed in the porous material as evidenced by microscopy evaluation. The photosensitizing properties of the dyes, together with their electrical charge and the overall charge of the porous silicone-based materials, lead to highly different sunlight-driven bacteria inactivation efficiencies, as tested with waterborne E. faecalis. RDP/pSil provides efficient disinfection by photosensitization unlike MPF/pSil, which leads to reduced bacteria inactivation rates due to poorer (1)O2 production. C60/pSil and MPF/pSil(-) materials, despite their (1)O2 photogeneration, show unsuccessful waterborne bacteria inactivation due to the negative surface charge of fullerene aggregates in contact with water, and to the net negative charge of the pSil(-), respectively.

Photogeneration of singlet molecular oxygen ((1)O(2)) is applied to organic synthesis (photooxidations), atmosphere/water treatment (disinfection), antibiofouling materials and in photodynamic therapy of cancer. In this paper, (1)O(2) photosensitizing materials containing the dyes tris(4,4'-diphenyl-2,2'-bipyridine)ruthenium(II) (1, RDB(2+)) or tris(4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline)ruthenium(II) (2, RDP(2+)), immobilized on porous silicone (abbreviated RDB/pSil and RDP/pSil), have been produced and tested for waterborne Enterococcus faecalis inactivation using a laboratory solar simulator and a compound parabolic collector (CPC)-based solar photoreactor. In order to investigate the feasibility of its reuse, the sunlight-exposed RDP/pSil sensitizing material (RDP/pSil-a) has been reloaded with RDP(2+) (RDP/pSil-r). Surprisingly, results for bacteria inactivation with the reloaded material have demonstrated a 4-fold higher efficiency compared to those of either RDP/pSil-a, unused RDB/pSil and the original RDP/pSil. Surface and bulk photochemical characterization of the new material (RDP/pSil-r) has shown that the bactericidal efficiency enhancement is due to aggregation of the silicone-supported photosensitizer on the surface of the polymer, as evidenced by confocal fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM). Photogenerated (1)O(2) lifetimes in the wet sensitizer-doped silicone have been determined to be ten times longer than in water. These facts, together with the water rheology in the solar reactor and the interfacial production of the biocidal species, account for the more effective disinfection observed with the reloaded photosensitizing material. These results extend and improve the operational lifetime of photocatalytic materials for point-of-use (1)O(2)-mediated solar water disinfection.

In this study we report on the preparation, photochemical characterisation and evaluation of the photodisinfection power of various new types of singlet oxygen photosensitising materials prepared from two homoleptic Ru(ii) complexes with polyazaheterocyclic ligands (abbreviated as RDP(2+) and RSD(4-)) immobilised on anionic and cationic porous silicone polymers (pSil(-) and pSil(+), respectively). Time-resolved emission measurements in the UV-Vis-NIR have confirmed high (1)O(2) production by these materials in water (tau(Delta) = 25-32 micros) due to efficient quenching of the long-lived sensitiser triplet state by dissolved O(2), particularly in those pSil(-) materials with higher sensitiser load (P(O(2))(T)ca. 0.74 and 0.88 for 1.15 and 4.40 g m(-2), abbreviated as "M" and "H", respectively). Photodisinfection tests carried out using both a solar-simulated lab-scale setup and under sunlight have demonstrated the strong bacteria inactivation ability of the RDP/pSil(-) material with the highest sensitiser load. Results of photochemical experiments with aqueous suspensions of Enterococcus faecalis at an initial concentration of 10(4) CFU mL(-1) yield average inactivation rates of 3200 and 24 000 CFU h(-1) for RSD/pSil(+) and H-RDP/pSil(-) films, respectively. The sensitiser charge, its load on the polymer support and the ionic character of the silicone surface play an essential role on the singlet oxygen production in heterogeneous media, the stability of the resulting material, and on the interaction with bacteria, determining the microorganism inactivation efficiency of the ionic silicone-based photosensitising materials.

Two solar reactors based on compound parabolic collectors (CPCs) were optimized for water disinfection by photosensitized singlet oxygen (1O2) production in the heterogeneous phase. Sensitizing materials containing Ru(II) complexes immobilized on porous silicone were produced, photochemically characterized, and successfully tested for the inactivation of up to 10(4) CFU mL(-1) of waterborne Escherichia coli (gram-negative) or Enterococcus faecalis (gram-positive) bacteria. The main factors determining the performance of the solar reactors are the type of photosensitizing material, the sensitizer loading, the CPC collector geometry (fin- vs coaxial-type), the fluid rheology, and the balance between concurrent photothermal--photolytic and 1O2 effects on the microorganisms' inactivation. In this way, at the 40 degrees N latitude of Spain, water can be disinfected on a sunny day (0.6-0.8 MJ m(-2) L(-1) accumulated solar radiation dose in the 360-700 nm range, typically 5-6 h of sunlight) with a fin-type reactor containing 0.6 m2 of photosensitizing material saturated with tris(4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline)ruthenium(II) (ca. 2.0 g m(-2)). The optimum rheological conditions require laminar-to-transitional water flow in both prototypes. The fin-type system showed better inactivation efficiency than the coaxial reactor due to a more important photolytic contribution. The durability of the sensitizing materials was tested and the operational lifetime of the photocatalyst is at least three months without any reduction in the bacteria inactivation efficiency. Solar water disinfection with 1O2-generating films is demonstrated to be an effective technique for use in isolated regions of developing countries with high yearly average sunshine.

Generation of singlet molecular oxygen ((1)O(2)) by photosensitization with methylene blue (MB) supported in Nafion-Na films has been quantified by integration of the (1)O(2) emission decay at 1270 nm. The quantum yield of (1)O(2) production (Phi(Delta)) in the air-equilibrated solid phase is 0.24 +/- 0.03. Information on the (1)O(2) generation environment has been gained from complementary techniques such as UV-Vis absorption and emission spectroscopy, as well as MB fluorescence and triplet-triplet absorption decay. Results are compared with the (1)O(2) generation by MB in methanol solution (Phi(Delta) = 0.51) and in methanol-swollen Nafion films (Phi(Delta) = 0.49 +/- 0.06). Differences and similarities are discussed in terms of the factors that influence Phi(Delta) in solution and in the solid media. The optical and mechanical features of Nafion, ease of dye loading, compatibility with most solvents, homogeneity, reproducibility and stability of the photosensitizing material makes it a convenient reference for (1)O(2) generation quantum yield measurements in transparent (micro)heterogeneous and homogeneous media.

The influence of the distance between the anchoring site of the tethered [Ru(TAP)(2)dip](2+) complex (TAP=1,4,5,8-tetraazaphenanthrene; dip=4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline) on a probe sequence and the guanines of the complementary target strand was studied by (1) the luminescence quenching of the complex (by electron transfer) and (2) the oligodeoxyribonucleotide adduct (ODN adduct) formation which results in photo-crosslinking of the two strands. Moving the guanine moieties away from the complex induces an important decrease of the efficiency of both processes, but clearly affects the ODN adduct formation more specifically than the quenching process. From these results, we determined the positions of the guanine bases in the duplex ODN that are able to form a photo-adduct with the tethered complex. We also examined the possible competition between a long-range hole migration in the duplex ODN and the formation of a photo-adduct by using a sequence labeled with the complex at the 5'-phosphate end. Such a hole migration appears to be inefficient as compared to the ODN adduct formation. Finally, we studied the influence of the photo-crosslinking on the function of two different DNA polymerases. A 17-mer Ru(II)-labeled ODN was hybridized to its complementary sequence located on the 5'-side of a 40-mer matrix. After illumination, the elongation of a 13-mer DNA primer hybridized to the 3'-extremity of the same matrix was stopped at a position corresponding to the formation of the ODN adduct.