INACTIVATION OF Trypanosoma cruzi TRYPOMASTIGOTE FORMS IN BLOOD COMPONENTS BY PHOTODYNAMIC TREATMENT WITH PHTHALOCYANINES

Abstract— -Three phthalocyanine dyes HOSiPcOSi(CH₃)₂(CH₂)₃N(CH₃)₂ (Pc 4), HOSiPc-OSi(CH₃)₂(CH₂)₃N+(CH₃)3I- (Pc 5) and aluminum tetrasulfophthalocyanine hydroxide (AlOHPcS₄) were evaluated for their ability to inactivate the trypomastigote form of Trypanosoma cruzi in fresh frozen plasma (FFP) and red blood cell concentrates (RBCC). The compound Pc 4 was found to be highly effective in killing T. cruzi, Pc 5 less effective and AlOHPcS₄ ineffective. With FFP as the medium, a complete loss of parasite infectivity in vitro (≥5 log₁₀) was found to occur with 2 μ M Pc 4 after irradiation with red light (>600 nm) at a fiuence of 7.5 J/cm², while with RBCC as the medium, a complete loss was found to occur at a fiuence of 15 J/cm². Even without illumination, Pc 4 at 2 μ M also killed about 3.7-4.1 log₁₀ of T. cruzi in FFP during 30 min. Observed differences in T. cruzi killing by the various phthalocyanines may relate to differences in binding; Pc 4 binds to the parasites about twice as much as Pc 5. Ultrastructural analysis of treated parasites suggests that mitochondria are a primary target of this photodynamic treatment. The data indicate that Pc 4 combined with exposure to red light could be used to eliminate bloodborne T. cruzi parasites from blood components intended for transfusion. The inactivation of T. cruzi by Pc 4 in the dark suggests a possible therapeutic application.     

PHOTOCONDUCTIVITY AND PHOTOVOLTAIC EFFECTS IN LANGMUIR-BLODGETT FILMS OF CHLOROPHYLL-a

The DC photoconductivity and photovoltaic effect in Langmuir films of Chlorophyll- a (Chi a ) of precisely controlled thickness formed between Al and Au electrodes have been extensively investigated. The dark conductivity and dark voltage are almost abolished in a N₂ atmosphere. The action spectrum of the photocurrent closely resembles the monolayer absorption spectrum of Chl indicating that the primary event in photoconduction is the generation of singlet excited states. Thicknessdependence studies on the photoconductivity indicate that carrier generation is a surface process and that the mean diffusion length of the excited state is approximately 20 nm. In short (˜1 s) light exposures the photocurrent always increases linearly with both the applied voltage and the light intensity. In continuous light the current-voltage characteristics are highly non-linear and the photocurrent shows a square-root intensity dependence at high intensities and small applied potentials. These results are interpreted in terms of second-order recombination and charge-trapping processes at high carrier densities. The photovoltage usually shows a logarithmic intensity dependence at high intensities and its maximum value in thick films is 800 mV with the Al electrode acquiring a negative polarity. This behaviour, together with some observations on the asymmetry of photocurrent-voltage characteristics and the effect of substituting an aqueous top electrode for Au, further suggest that the photoactive surface is a p-n junction between the Chl and Al₂O₃ layers.     

PROTONATION AND DEPROTONATION EQUILIBRIA OF LUMICHROME

Abstract— In order to investigate the possibility of the tautomerization of alloxazine to isolloxazine in its ground state, the parameters affecting the redistribution of charges in the lumichrome molecule were studied. The absorption and emission spectra of lumichrome as a function of pH in the range H₀ = - 6 to pH = 12 were recorded. At extreme pH conditions the spectra of lumichrome are similar to those of the isoalloxazine system. At high acid concentration ( H ₀ < - 3.0) the absorption spectrum of lumichrome protonated at N₁₀, is practically identical to that of lumiflavin. The fluorescence quantum yield of the two cations is negligible at room temperature.
At pH = 10.5 lumichrome is deprotonated at positions N₁ or N₃, The two monoanions have different excitation spectra. Except for slight differences in the extinction coefficients, the absorption of the anion deprotonated at N₃ is very similar to the lumichrome spectrum. The absorption spectra of the N₁ monoanion and of the di-anion are similar to the spectrum of lumiflavin except for a blue shift of about 20 nm. Furthermore, the emission spectrum of the N₁ -monoanion is identical to that of the isoalloxazine system. These results indicate that the charge distribution in the lumichrome molecule depends on the protonation and deprotonation of the nitrogen atoms at positions 10 and l. Both processes cause a redistribution of charges so that an isoalloxazine ring system is formed.     

PROFLAVINE MEDIATED PHOTOINACTIVATION OFBACTERIOPHAGE φX174 AND ITS ISOLATED DNA: EFFECTS OF AGENTS MODIFYING VARIOUS PHOTOCHEMICAL PATHWAYS

Abstract. Thiols and disulfides protect both φX174 phage and its isolated DNA from the lethal action of proflavine plus light. The protective ability of these compounds appears to be attributed to the -SH or the -S-S- group and the property to interact with the proflavine-phage DNA complex. The phage inactivation efficiency per proflavine bound to DNA is reduced by 50 to 30% upon addition of cysteine or cystamine. Substances that affect the lifetime of singlet oxygen modify the rate of phage photoinactivation in the presence of proflavine; the inactivation rate is decreased by N^-₃ and increased by D₂O. Irradiation under N₂ atmosphere markedly decreases the phage photosensitization by proflavine. Irradiation with monochromatic light of 440 nm is less efficient than irradiation with light of 440 nm plus 360 nm, and the difference is more pronounced in N₂ than in air. These results are discussed in relation to various possible photochemical pathways.     

INTERACTIONS AMONG PHOTOSYNTHETIC ANTENNA EXCITED STATES

Abstract. The data of Kung and DeVault (1978) showing high-order fluorescence from chromatophores of photosynthetic bacteria are analyzed in relation to other data on first-order fluorescence of photosynthetic systems, particularly that of Monger and Parson (1977). The wavelengths of emission observed (down to 445 nm) require energy equivalent to two lowest singlet-excited states. The dependence on excitation intensity is best explained by any of the following third-order processes: (a) 3 S ₁→3 S ₀; (b) 2 S ₁+ T , → 2 S ₀+ T ₁; (c) S ₁+ 2 T ₁→ 3 S ₀. However, (c) is ruled out because it predicts heavy T ₁-destruction which is not observed. Contribution from the second order process: 2 S ₁→ S ₀ is probable, but even the data of Monger and Parson show that it is insufficient by itself. Two-photon absorption: S ₀+ hv ₁→ S ₁; S ₁+ hv ₁→ S _n; S _n S ₀+ hv ₂ could also account for the high-order fluorescence and its dependence on excitation intensity. [ S ₀, S ₁ S _n are ground, first excited and a higher excited singlet states, respectively, of antenna bacteriochlorophyll, T _t is the lowest triplet state, c/v , is the exciting wavelength (694 or 868 nm) and c/v ₂ the wavelength of the high-order fluorescence (445, 535. or 600 nm), where c = velocity of light.] Maximum values are estimated for some of the rate constants.     

A Water-Soluble Luminescence Oxygen Sensor

We developed a water-soluble luminescent probe for dissolved oxygen. This probe is based on (Ru[dpp(SO₃Na)₂]₃) Cl₂, which is a sulfonated analogue of the well-known oxygen probe (Ru[dpp]₃)Cl₂. The compound dpp is 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline and dpp(SO₃Na)₂ is a disulfonated derivative of the same ligand. In aqueous solution in the absence of oxygen (Ru[dpp(SO₃Na)₂]₃)Cl₂ displays a lifetime of 3.7 μs that decreases to 930 ns on equilibrium with air and 227 ns on equilibrium with 100% oxygen. The Stern–Vohner quenching constant is 11330 M⁻¹. This high oxygen-quenching constant means that the photoluminescence of Ru(dpp[SO₃Na]₂)₃Cl₂ is 10% quenched at an oxygen concentration of 8.8 x 10⁻⁶ M , or equilibration with 5.4 torr of oxygen. The oxygen probe dissolved in water displays minimal interactions with lipid vesicles composed of dipalmityl-L-α-phosphatidyl glycerol but does appear to interact with human serum albumin. The absorption maximum near 480 nm, long lifetime and large Stokes'shift allow this probe to be used with simple instrumentation based on a light-emitting diode light source, allowing low-cost oxygen sensing in aqueous solutions. To the best of our knowledge this is the first practical water-soluble oxygen sensor.     

THE EFFECT OF IRRADIANCE ON VIRUS STERILIZATION AND PHOTODYNAMIC DAMAGE IN RED BLOOD CELLS SENSITIZED BY PHTHALOCYANINES

Abstract— Phthalocyanines are being studied as photosensitizers for virus sterilization of red blood cells (RBC). During optimization of the reaction conditions, we observed a marked effect of the irradiance on production of RBC damage. Using a broad-band light source (600–700 nm) between 5 and 80 mW/ cm², there was an inverse relationship between irradiance and rate of photohemolysis. This effect was observed with aluminum sulfonated phthalocyanine (AlPcS_n) and cationic silicon (HOSiPc-OSi[CH₃]₂ [CH₂]₃N⁺[CH₃]₃I^- phthalocyanine (Pc5) photosensitizers. The same effect occurred when the reduction of RBC negative surface charges was used as an endpoint. Under the same treatment conditions, vesicular stomatitis virus inactivation rate was unaffected by changes in the irradiance. Reduction in oxygen availability for the photochemical reaction at high irradiance could explain the effect. However, theoretical estimates suggest that oxygen depletion is minimal under our conditions. In addition, because the rate of photohemolysis at 80 mW/cm² was not increased when irradiations were carried out under an oxygen atmosphere this seems unlikely. Likewise, formation of singlet oxygen dimoles at high irradiances does not appear to be involved because the effect was unchanged when light exposure was in D₂O. While there is no ready explanation for this irradiance effect, it could be used to increase the safety margin of RBC virucidal treatment by employing exposure at high irradiance, thus minimizing the damage to RBC.     

QUANTUM YIELD OF SINGLET OXYGEN PRODUCTION BY XANTHENE DERIVATIVES

The singlet oxygen quantum yield (φ₁o₂) of 11 purified fluorescein derivatives was determined by reaction with singlet oxygen acceptors in aqueous and ethanolic solutions; in both solvents φ₁o₂ was enhanced with increasing halogenation. Tryptophan and 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidone were found to be unadapted for the determination of φ₁o₂, in our systems; however, the use of 9.10-dipropionic anthracene acid andp-nitrosodimethylaniline in conjunction with imidazole derivatives was suitable for ¹O₂ detection in water. Both methods lead to results in excellent agreement. As in ethanol. φ₁o₂, was equal to the triplet state quantum yield (φ_T), the comparison between the two solvents showed that φ_T in water was greater than in ethanol. The comparison between our values obtained with polychromatic light with published data obtained with monochromatic light suggests that the triplet quantum yield of fluorescein derivatives is wavelength independent.     

Changes of Chlorophyll(ide) Fluorescence Yield Induced by a Short Light Pulse as a Probe to Monitor the Early Steps of Etioplast Phototransformation in Dark-Grown Leaves

The fluorescence yield of chlorophyll(ide) (Chl[ide]) excited by weak modulated light was recorded at room temperature during a 2 h period after a short actinic light pulse that transformed all photoactive protochlorophyllide in dark-grown barley leaves. A typical pattern of fluorescence yield variations was found whatever the age of the leaf but with age-dependent changes in rates. Its successive phases were related to the Chl(ide) spectral shifts observed in low-temperature emission spectra. The fluorescence yield started at a high level and strongly declined during the formation of Chlide₆₉₅ from Chlide₆₆₈ within a few seconds. It increased to a transient maximum during the Shibata shift (15–25 min) that resulted in Chl(ide)₆₈₂. A final, slow decrease to a steady state occurred during the final red shift to Chl₆₈₅. Pretreatments with δ-aminolevulinic acid, chloramphenicol or 1, 10-phenanthroline resulted in correlated modifications of Chl(ide) fluorescence yield transients and shifts of the low-temperature Chl(ide) emission band. The complex response of the final decrease phase of the fluorescence yield to these compounds suggests that it results both from the assembly of photosynthetic Chl proteins and from the reorganization of the etioplast membrane system. From these results it is concluded that continuous recordings of Chl(ide) fluorescence yield after a short light pulse represent a useful tool to monitor the kinetics of pigment–protein organization and primary thylakoid assembly triggered by Pchlide photoreduction.     

LIGHT-INDUCED QUENCHING OF PHOTOSYSTEM II FLUORESCENCE AT 77 K

Abstract— Light-induced quenching of the low temperature fluorescence emission from photosystem II (PS II) at 695 nm ( F ₆₉₅) has been observed in chloroplasts and whole leaves of spinach. Photosystem I (PS I) fluorescence emission at 735 nm ( F ₇₃₅) is quenched to a lesser degree but this quenching is thought to originate from PS II and is manifest in a reduced amount of excitation energy available for spillover to PS I. Differential quenching of these two fluorescence emissions leads to an increase in the F ₇₃₅/ F ₆₈₅ ratio on exposure to light at 77 K. Rewarming the sample from -196°C discharges the thermoluminescence Z-band and much of the original unquenched fluorescence is recovered. The relationship between the thermoluminescence Z-band and the quenching of the low temperature fluorescence emission ( F ₆₉₅) is discussed with respect to the formation of reduced pheophytin in the PS II reaction center at 77 K.     

ONE-ELECTRON OXIDATION AND REDUCTION OF AZAPROPAZONE AND PHENYLBUTAZONE DERIVATIVES IN AQUEOUS SOLUTION: A PULSE RADIOLYSIS STUDY

Abstract— Using pulse radiolysis techniques, 3 azapropazone and 3 phenylbutazone derivatives all structurally related to the potentially photosensitive anti-inflammatory drug, azapropazone, have been reacted with the free radical oxidants N₃, Br₂^- and (SCN)₂^- as well as with e^-_aq a strong reductant. It is demonstrated that for 5 derivatives, azapropazone (Az), 2-[a-Carboxy-valeryll-3-dimethylamino-7-meth1-1,2-dihydro-1,2,4-benzotriazine (Mi307), phenylbutazone (PB), oxyphenylbutazone (OPB), and ketophenylbutazone (KPB), N₃^- and Br₂^- appear to react via a one-electron removal process. For the other derivative, 8-hydroxy azapropazone (8-OH-Az), Nj and (SCN); oxidise via a one-electron process, while Br₂^- probably fqrms a free radical adduct.
The absolute spectra of the one-electron oxidised and reduced transient species for all six derivatives are thus given in this work and are a basis to the understanding of the action of light on these drugs.     

PHOTOINDUCED LUMINESCENCE AND EPR SIGNALS OF POLYPHENOL AND QUINONE POLYMERS

Abstract— Aqueous basic solutions, pH 9.0 of humic acids and melanin-like, synthetic polymers, obtained with adrenochrome, hydroquinone and purpurogallin, were illuminated with visible light under N₂ or O₂ atmospheres. It has been found that light enhances a singlet electron-paramagnetic-resonance (EPR) signal of polymers both under N₂ and O₂, and induces ultra-weak luminescence in the presence of O₂. Degradative oxidation of polymers, accelerated by light, leads to a decrease of EPR signal intensity and generates weak chemiluminescence.     

THE FORMATION OF TWO FORMS OF BATHORHODOPSIN AND THEIR OPTICAL PROPERTIES

Abstract— Using two kinds of rhodopsin preparations (digitonin extract and rod outer segments suspension), we measured changes in absorption spectra during the conversion of rhodopsin or isorhodopsin to a photosteady state mixture composed of rhodopsin, isorhodopsin and bathorhodopsin by irradiation with blue light (437 nm) at 77 K and during the reversion of bathorhodopsin to a mixture of rhodopsin and isorhodopsin by irradiation with red light (> 650 nm) at 77 K. The reaction kinetics could be expressed with only one exponential in the former case and with two exponentials in the latter case. These data suggest that both rhodopsin and isorhodopsin are composed of a single molecular species, while bathorhodopsin is composed of two molecular species, designated as bathorhodopsin₁ and bathorhodopsin₂. The absorption spectra of these bathorhodopsin were calculated by two different methods (kinetic method and warming-cooling method). The former was based on the kinetics of the conversion of two forms of bathorhodopsin by irradiation with the red light. The spectra obtained by this method were consistent with those obtained by the warming-cooling method. Bathorhodopsin₁ and bathorhodopsin₂ have Λ_max at 555 and 538 nm, respectively. The two forms of bathorhodopsin are interconvertible in the light, but not in the dark. Thus, we suggest that a rhodopsin molecule in the excited state relaxes to either bathorhodopsin₁ or bathorhodopsin₂ through one of the two parallel pathways.     

PHOTODYNAMIC EFFECTS OF NEW SILICON PHTHALOCYANINES: In vitro STUDIES UTILIZING RAT HEPATIC MICROSOMES AND HUMAN ERYTHROCYTE GHOSTS AS MODEL MEMBRANE SOURCES

Abstract— Photodynamic therapy (PDT) of cancer is a modality that relies upon the irradiation of tumors with visible light following selective uptake of a photosensitizer by the tumor tissue. There is considerable emphasis to define new photosensitizers suitable for PDT of cancer. In this study we evaluated six phthalocyanines (Pc) for their photodynamic effects utilizing rat hepatic microsomes and human erythrocyte ghosts as model membrane sources. Of the newly synthesized Pc, two showed significant destruction of cytochrome P-450 and monooxygenase activities, and enhancement of lipid peroxidation, when added to microsomal suspension followed by irradiation with ∼ 675 nm light. These two Pc named SiPc IV (HOSiPcOSi[CH₃]₂[CH₂]₃N[CH₃]₂) and SiPc V (HOSiPcOSi[CH₃]₂[CH₂]₃N[CH₃]₃¹ I) showed dose-dependent photodestruction of cytochrome P-450 and monooxygenase activities in liver microsomes, and photoenhancement of lipid peroxidation, lipid hydroperoxide formation and lipid fluorescence in rnicrosomes and erythrocyte ghosts. Compared to chloroaluminum phthalocyanine tetrasulfonate, SiPc IV and SiPc V produced far more pronounced photodynamic effects. Sodium azide, histidine, and 2,5-dimethylfuran, the quenchers of singlet oxygen, afforded highly significant protection against SiPc IV- and SiPc V-mediated photodynamic effects. However, to a lesser extent, the quenchers of superoxide anion, hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radical also showed some protective effects. These results suggest that SiPc IV and SiPc V may be promising photosensitizers for the PDT of cancer.     

EVIDENCE FOR A MAJOR STRONG BINDING SITE FOR TETRACHLOROSALICYLANILIDE ON HUMAN SERUM ALBUMIN

Abstract— Solutions of human serum albumin(HSA) monomer were irradiated with UV light(360 nm) in the presence of [₁₄C]-3,3.4'S-tetrachlorosalicylanilide([₁₄C]-T₄CS).The [₁₄C]-T₄ CS-labeiled HSA was cleaved by cyanogen bromide and separated into two fractions. These fractions were reduced carboxymethylated and separated into their seven characteristic peptides and monitored for radioactivity. Tetrachlorosalicylanilide was found to bind mainly to one region of the sequence of HSA and this covalent binding site was located in residues 124 (Cys) to 298 (Met) of the molecule. The binding of 3,5-dichlorosalicylamido-4-(2,2,6.6-tetramethylpiperidine-l-oxyl (DCS-TEMPO),a spin-label analogue of T₄CS, to HSA was studied by electron spin resonance spectroscopy. In the absence of UV light. DCS-TEMPO bound non-covalently (k = 6.1 times 10₆M₁) to one major binding site on HSA. These results are evidence for the existence of a major strong binding site for the photochemical binding of T₄CS to HSA.     

EFFECT OF SODIUM AZIDE ON PHOTODYNAMIC INDUCTION OF GENETIC CHANGES IN YEAST

Abstract— In view of the increasing attention to ¹O₂ (¹Δ_g) participation in the photodynamic action, different types of genetic changes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by acridine orange sensitization were compared with respect to the response to N₃^-, a well known quencher of ¹O₂. The induction of mitotic crossing over with respect to ade 2 locus and mitotic gene conversion at trp 5 locus were suppressed by the addition of N₃^- suggesting the involvement of ¹O₂ as a major intermediate. However, the induction of reverse mutation at ilv 1 was only slightly suppressed. These results may indicate that there are two types of photodynamic DNA damage; one is produced via ¹O₂ and the other via non-¹O₂ reaction pathway which lead to mitotic gene conversion and mitotic crossing over, and to mutation, respectively.     

A PULSE RADIOLYSIS STUDY OF THE ONE-ELECTRON OXIDATION AND REDUCTION OF 5, 10-METHENYLTETRAHYDROFOLATE

Abstract— The one-electron reduction and oxidation of 5,10-methenyltetrahydrofolate has been studied in aqueous solution in the acidity range H₀= -1 to pH = 7 using the reducing species CO^-₂ and (CH₃)₂-COH and oxidising species Br^-₂, and H₂SeO+₃. The spectral and other properties of the radicals so formed were found to be indcpendent of the reductant/oxidant used. Two protolytic forms of both the oxidised and reduced radicals were observed with approximate p K , values of 0.5 ± 0.3 being determined. Both the bridged form (5.10-methenyltetrahydrofolate) and the unbridged form (5- formyltetrahydrofolate) were found to be easily oxidised, whereas only the former could be reduced.     

PHOTOLYSIS OF AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS OF POTASSIUM CIS-DIAQUOBIS (OXALATO) CHROMATE (III)

Abstract— The photolysis of aqueous solutions of cis -[Cr(C₂O₄)₂(H₂O)₂]- at 254 nm and pH 4 produced CO₂ and H₂ in nearly equal yields. The quantum yield of hydrogen, φ², increased by 9% and the yield of carbon dioxide, φ, by 65% as the pH was lowered from 4 to I. The total gas yield, φ_gas, decreased in the presence of added oxalate or chromium (II) ions and when the light intensity was lowered. The gas yield in D₂O was appreciably higher than in H₂O. The variation of φ_gas with pH (D) and with added oxalate ion was roughly parallel in the two liquid media. The gas yield increased in the series:
A tentative mechanism is suggested to explain the results.     

INFLUENCE OF pH AND OXYGEN ON 315 mμ INACTIVATION AND THYMINE DIMERIZATION IN MUTANTS OF BACTERIOPHAGE T4

Abstract— 1. Irradiation with 315 mμ light inactivates phage T4v-x C, and T4v^-x- , and forms thymine dimers in their DNA.
2. Both the rates of inactivation and of thymine dimerization depend upon pH and gaseous environment during irradiation. The U.V. sensitivities are: 1 (pH 7, N₂, 03, 2.2 (pH 3.5, Oz), 3.3 (pH 3–5, N₂; and the corresponding rates of thymine dimerization 1: 2.5: 5.2. The number of thymine dimers per lethal hit observed withT4v-x + are: 5.7 (pH 7, N₂, O₂, 5.4 (pH 3.5, O₂, 10.9 (pH 3.5, N₂); and forT4v-x-: 4.6, 3.4, and 7.1 with the same sequence of conditions.
3. Also the photoreactivable sectors depend upon the environmental conditions at 315 mp inactivation. In T4v-x f this sector amounts to about 50 per cent at pH 7, 18 per cent at pH 3.5, O., and 29 per cent at pH 3.5, N, respectively.
4. The molecular basis of these findings is discussed. It is concluded that, besides thymine dimer, at least one other lethal photoproduct (probably a photoproduct of cytosine) is involved in photoreactivation.     

CONVENIENT AND SIMPLE METHODS FOR THE OBSERVATION OF PHOSPHORESCENCE IN FLUID SOLUTIONS. INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL HEAVY ATOM AND MICELLAR EFFECTS

Abstract— Phosphorescence of organic molecules in fluid solutions may be conveniently and readily observed under certain conditions. If k _p (radiative phosphorescence rate constant) is 10s^-1, then (in the absence of photoreaction) phosphorescence is observable upon N₂ purging. For example, nitrogen purged, acetonitrile solutions of bromo and dibromonaphthalene display readily observable phosphorescence as a result of internal heavy atom enhancement of π_S, and k _p. External heavy atom enhancement of k, (CH₂BrCH₂Br solvent) of aromatic hydrocarbons even allows observation of phosphorescence from these compounds in N₂ purged fluid solutions. Although bromonaphthalenes are not significantly phosphorescent in N₂ purged aqueous solution, phosphorescence is readily observed in N₂ purged detergent (HDTBr, HDTCl, and SDS) solutions above the critical micelle concentration. The general factors which determine whether phosphorescence is "readily" obervable in fluid solution are briefly discussed and the results are interpreted in light of these factors.