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The crystal structure of a novel bis(ligand)copper(II) complex of the pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde 2-furoyl hydrazone (HPCFur) metallophore is described, altogether with its Hirshfeld surface analysis. The isolated compound crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P21/c, with four [Cu(PCFur)2] molecules in the asymmetric unit. Symmetry around copper is distorted octahedral. HPCFur coordinates in its deprotonated, iminolate form, which impacts the O1−C7 and N2−N3 distances in both ligand units. The complex exhibits a variety of weak, non-conventional intermolecular hydrogen bonds. Hirshfeld analysis and fingerprint plots indicate that, overall, hydrogen bond interactions are responsible for almost 50% of the crystal 3D arrangement, while nondirectional H···H contacts account for 38.0%. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first description of a copper(II) complex containing this ligand. The structural characterization of this poorly water soluble species contributes to a better understanding of the intricate equilibria that take place in biologically relevant ternary peptide/protein-copper-hydrazone systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the availability of language translation on patient portals at academic medical centers in the United States. The study found that while two-thirds of portals were translated into English and Spanish, only a minority were available in non-English, non-Spanish languages. Components of the portals were not consistently translated, with the Interoperability Guide only available in English. The research highlights the importance of language equity in digital healthcare services and suggests that healthcare organizations should prioritize providing language-concordant portals to reduce digital and healthcare disparities. [Extracted from the article]

Two novel unsymmetrical binucleating aroylhydrazonic ligands and four dicopper(II) complexes carrying fluorescent benzopyranothiophene (BPT) or boron dipyrromethene (BODIPY) entities were synthesized and fully characterized. Complex 1, derived from the BPT-containing ligand H3L1, had its crystal structure elucidated through X-ray diffraction measurements. The absorption and fluorescence profiles of all the compounds obtained were discussed. Additionally, the stability of the ligands and complexes was monitored by UV–vis spectroscopy in DMSO and biologically relevant media. All the compounds showed moderate to high cytotoxicity towards the triple negative human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231. BPT derivatives were the most cytotoxic, specially H3L1, reaching an IC50 value up to the nanomolar range. Finally, fluorescence microscopy imaging studies employing mitochondria- and nucleus-staining dyes showed that the BODIPY-carrying ligand H3L2 was highly cell permeant and suggested that the compound preferentially accumulates in the mitochondria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Misfolded prion protein (PrPSc) is known for its role in fatal neurodegenerative conditions, such as Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease. PrP fragments and their mutants represent important tools in the investigation of the neurotoxic mechanisms and in the evaluation of new compounds that can interfere with the processes involved in neuronal death. Metal-catalyzed oxidation of PrP has been implicated as a trigger for the conformational changes in protein structure, which, in turn, lead to misfolding. Targeting redox-active biometals copper and iron is relevant in the context of protection against the oxidation of biomolecules and the generation of oxidative stress, observed in several conditions and considered an event that might promote sporadic prion diseases as well as other neurodegenerative disorders. In this context, ortho-pyridine aroylhydrazones are of interest, as they can act as moderate tridentate ligands towards divalent metal ions such as copper(II). In the present work, we explore the potentiality of this chemical class as peptide protecting agents against the deleterious metal-catalyzed oxidation in the M112A mutant fragment of human PrP, which mimics relevant structural features that may play an important role in the neurotoxicity observed in prion pathologies. The compounds inhere studied, especially HPCFur, showed an improved stability in aqueous solution compared to our patented lead hydrazone INHHQ, displaying a very interesting protective effect toward the oxidation of methionine and histidine, processes that are related to both physiological and pathological aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increasing life expectancy of the world's population, neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), will become a much more relevant public health issue. This fact, coupled with the lack of efficacy of the available treatments, has been driving research directed to the development of new drugs for this pathology. Metal-protein attenuating compounds (MPACs) constitute a promising class of agents with potential application on the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, such as AD. Currently, most MPACs are based on 8-hydroxyquinoline. Recently, our research group has described the hybrid aroylhydrazone containing the 8-hydroxyquinoline group INHHQ as a promising MPAC. By studying the known structure-related ligand HPCIH, which does not contain the phenol moiety, as a simplified chemical model for INHHQ, we aimed to clarify the real impact of the aroylhydrazone group for the MPAC activity of a compound with potential anti-Alzheimer's activity. The present work describes a detailed solution and solid-state study of the coordination of HPCIH with Zn2+ ions, as well as its in vitro binding-ability towards this metal in the presence of the Aβ(1-40) peptide. Similar to INHHQ, HPCIH is able to efficiently compete with Aβ(1-40) for Zn2+ ions, performing as expected for an MPAC. The similarity between the behaviors of both ligands is remarkable. Taken together, the data presented herein point to aroylhydrazones, such as the compounds HPCIH and the previously published INHHQ, as encouraging MPACs for the treatment of AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]