A simple protocol for the synthesis of perylene bisimides from perylene tetracarboxylic dianhydride.

Perylene bisimides are highly attractive polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons due to their photostability associated to unique and characteristic photochemical properties. They have been widely used for analytical purposes, despite the hydrophobicity of most of these compounds. The ring substitution pattern plays an important role in fine-tuning the physicochemical properties that govern solubility and aggregation.

Insights into the Degradation of Polymer-Drug Conjugates by an Overexpressed Enzyme in Cancer Cells.

Intensive efforts have been made to provide better treatments to cancer patients. Currently, nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems have gained propulsion, as they can overcome the drawbacks of free drugs. However, drug stability inside the nanocapsule must be ensured to prevent burst release.

Depression Among Portuguese Pregnant Women During Covid-19 Lockdown: A Cross Sectional Study.

Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 was declared as a pandemic on March 2020. Research on its psychological effects is still lacking. Perinatal depression is a medical complication of pregnancy, especially in situations of stress.

Antidotal effect of cyclosporine A against α-amanitin toxicity in CD-1 mice, at clinical relevant doses.

Amanita phalloides is one of the most toxic mushrooms worldwide, being responsible for the majority of human fatal cases of mushroom intoxications. α-Amanitin, the most deleterious toxin of A. phalloides, inhibits RNA polymerase II (RNAP II), causing hepatic and renal failure.

An injectable, naproxen-conjugated, supramolecular hydrogel with ultra-low critical gelation concentration-prepared from a known folate receptor ligand.

Short peptides capped on the N-terminus with aromatic groups are often able to form supramolecular hydrogels-self-assembled networks of fibrils able to trap water molecules. Typically, these hydrogelators can form stiff gels at concentrations of 0.1 to 1.

Transcription factor allosteric regulation through substrate coordination to zinc.

The development of new synthetic biology circuits for biotechnology and medicine requires deeper mechanistic insight into allosteric transcription factors (aTFs). Here we studied the aTF UxuR, a homodimer of two domains connected by a highly flexible linker region. To explore how ligand binding to UxuR affects protein dynamics we performed molecular dynamics simulations in the free protein, the aTF bound to the inducer D-fructuronate or the structural isomer D-glucuronate.

Introduction of a Glycine Linker Connecting the Heavy and Light Chains in Synthetic Cardosin B-Derived Rennet Changes the Specificity of Subpocket S3'.

The development of plant-based synthetic rennets is of high commercial interest, due to the current great consumer demand for animal product alternatives. A previously developed recombinant form of the aspartic protease cardosin B with a three-glycine linker showed great potential due to its good performance in milk coagulation. This enzyme was found to be more specific and less proteolytically active than the native form for milk clotting, but the underlying structural causes for these activity changes were not completely clear.

Neurocognitive consequences of chronic cannabis use: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Cannabis is currently the most used illicit substance in the world with a global widespread distribution. Although its acute neurocognitive effects on human behaviour have been reported, there is a lack of robust analysis investigating the link, if any, between chronic cannabis use and neurocognitive function. A systematic review of the literature was conducted in order to identify relevant studies published from 2010 to 2019.