Cascading of Molecular Logic Gates for Advanced Functions: A Self-Reporting, Activatable Photosensitizer

Cataloged from PDF version of article.Logical progress: Independent molecular logic gates have been designed and characterized. Then, the individual molecular logic gates were coerced to work together within a micelle. Information relay between the two logic gates was achieved through the intermediacy of singlet oxygen. Working together, these concatenated logic gates result in a self-reporting and activatable photosensitizer. GSH=glutathione

Proof of principle for a molecular 1:2 demultiplexer to function as an autonomously switching theranostic device

Cataloged from PDF version of article.Guided by the digital design concepts, we synthesized a two-module molecular demultiplexer (DEMUX) where the output is switched between emission at near IR, and cytotoxic singlet oxygen, with light at 625 nm as the input (I), and acid as the control (c). In the neutral form, the compound fluoresces brightly under excitation at 625 nm, however, acid addition moves the absorption bands of the two modules in opposite directions, resulting in an effective reversal of excitation energy transfer direction, with a concomitant upsurge of singlet oxygen generation and decrease in emission intensity

Selective photosensitization through an and logic response: Optimization of the pH and glutathione response of activatable photosensitizers

A series of pH and GSH responsive photosensitizers were designed and synthesized. pKa values were optimized by adjusting the inductive contribution of substituents to reach a pH range (6.0-7.4) relevant to the tumour microenvironment. pH-Activatable behaviour and redox mediated release of the quencher from the PS by GSH allow the construction of an AND logic operator for selective photodynamic action in aqueous solutions. © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2015

Towards Unimolecular Luminescent Solar Concentrators: Bodipy-Based Dendritic Energy-Transfer Cascade with Panchromatic Absorption and Monochromatized Emission

Cataloged from PDF version of article.A polymer-embedded dendritic, bodipy-based panchromatic absorber with a built-in energy gradient concentrates incident solar radiation at a terminal chromophore, resulting in a monochromatized emission directed to the sides of the polymer waveguide (see picture). This particular design minimizes self-absorption losses from the peripheral antenna units with an impressive S factor of 10 000

Near-IR-Triggered, Remote-Controlled Release of Metal Ions: A Novel Strategy for Caged Ions

Cataloged from PDF version of article.A ligand incorporating a dithioethenyl moiety is cleaved into fragments which have a lower metal-ion affinity upon irradiation with low-energy red/near-IR light. The cleavage is a result of singlet oxygen generation which occurs on excitation of the photosensitizer modules. The method has many tunable factors that could make it a satisfactory caging strategy for metal ions

Breaking seed dormancy in oil rose (Rosa damascena Mill.) by microbial inoculation

This study was carried out to determine the effects of microbial inoculation in breaking seed dormancy and on the germination of Rosa damascena Mill. Seeds of R. damascena Mill. are the most used scented rose species in rose oil production. The most important production centers around the world are Turkey and Bulgaria. The seeds were subjected to 4 weeks of warm stratification at 25°C, followed by 150 days of cold stratification at 4 ± 1°C. Before stratification, 4 different microbial fertilizers, EM•1®, B:speel™, BioplinTM and Phosfert™ were inoculated to the seeds. In the study, the microbial inoculation treatments significantly (p < 0.01) promoted the premature germination percentage during cold stratification. During the stratification, the highest premature germination percentage was obtained from the EM•1® (69.3%). The highest germination percentage in terms of cumulative germination percentage was determined in EM•1® (100.0%), followed by Phosfert™ (84.0%) and B: seepel™ (84.0%), whereas the lowest germination percentage was found in the control treatment (69.3%). The EM•1® shortened the mean germination time by 1.7 days in comparison to the control. In conclusion, it was observed that with microbial inoculation (particularly EM•1®) to oil rose seeds and a stratification time of 150 days, dormancy was broken and germination highly improved.Key words: Rosa damascena Mill, dormancy, germination, microbial inoculation, stratification

Why do my thoughts feel so bad? Getting at the reciprocal effects of rumination and negative affect using dynamic structural equation modeling

Rumination means to perseveratively think about one\u27s negative feelings and problems. It is a response to affective distress that is often referred to as maladaptive emotion regulation. According to the response styles theory and control theory, rumination may further prolong and exacerbate affective distress. This means that rumination can be viewed as both an antecedent and an outcome of negative affect (NA), and vice versa. However, at the level of short-term dynamics, state rumination and NA have previously mainly been examined as two separate outcomes. To model the reciprocal within-person effects and hence, to match theoretical assumptions, we combined the two interrelated time series in one model using dynamic structural equation modeling (DSEM). Both effects (NA on subsequent rumination and rumination on subsequent NA) were modeled simultaneously while acknowledging the autoregressive nature of both states (inert properties). We used data from two experience sampling studies (NStudy 1 = 200 Belgian university students; NStudy 2 = 70 German university students). Participants were paged on smartphones several times a day (Study 1: 10; Study 2: 6) for several days (Study 1: 7; Study 2: 9-12). In both studies, we found evidence for reciprocal effects of NA and rumination, and both processes showed autoregressive relationships. Aside from central findings, higher levels of rumination were also associated with higher rumination inertia, pointing toward more habitual rumination also being associated with prolonged rumination. Together, using DSEM, we found reciprocal associations between rumination and NA, while providing new insights into the dynamics between the two processes. (DIPF/Orig.

Toward singlet oxygen delivery at a measured rate: A self-reporting photosensitizer

A Bodipy-based energy transfer cassette with a singlet oxygen reactive linker between the donor and acceptor modules has an interesting emergent property, if the acceptor module is also a photosensitizer. Singlet oxygen produced by the photosensitizer reacts rapidly with the molecule itself to liberate the energy donor, resulting in an enhanced fluorescence emission. The result is a self-reporting photosensitizer providing an assessment of the singlet oxygen production rate under the operational conditions. © 2014 American Chemical Society

Challenges for Allergy Diagnosis in Regions with Complex Pollen Exposures

Over the past few decades, significant scientific progress has influenced clinical allergy practice. The biological standardization of extracts was followed by the massive identification and characterization of new allergens and their progressive use as diagnostic tools including allergen micro arrays that facilitate the simultaneous testing of more than 100 allergen components. Specific diagnosis is the basis of allergy practice and is always aiming to select the best therapeutic or avoidance intervention. As a consequence, redundant or irrelevant information might be adding unnecessary cost and complexity to daily clinical practice. A rational use of the different diagnostic alternatives would allow a significant improvement in the diagnosis and treatment of allergic patients, especially for those residing in complex pollen exposure areas