New Polymer Syntheses Part: 55#. Novel Conducting Arylidene Polymers and Copolymers Based on Methyl-Cyclohexanone Moiety

A new interesting class of conducting polymers based on methyl-cyclohexanone in the polymer main chain has been synthesized by solution polycondensation of terephthalaldehyde with methyl-cyclohexanone. Copolymers containing different cycloalkanone moieties were also synthesized using solution polycondensation technique. The model compound I was synthesized by the interaction of methyl-cyclohexanone monomer with benzaldehyde, and its structure was confirmed by elemental and spectral analyses. The resulting new polymers and copolymers were characterized by elemental and spectral analyses, beside solubility and viscometry measurements. The thermal properties of those polymer and copolymers were evaluated by TGA, DrTGA and DTA measurements and correlated to their structural units. PDT as well as T10 was in the range from 205 to 370 ºC. In addition, T10 thermal stability for all the polymers was in theorder: VI> II > III > IV > V. X–ray analysis showed that it has some degree of crystallinity in the region 2q = 5–60 degree.The UV– visible spectra of some selected polymers were measured in DMSO solution and showed absorption bands in the range 265-397 nm, due to n – π* and π – π* transition. The morphological properties of copolymer IV as selected examples were tested by SEM. The electrical conductivities of the synthesized polymers and copolymers enhanced to become in the range of 10-9-10-8 S cm-1 by doping with iodine

Fetal lung volume and pulmonary artery resistance index for prediction of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome

Background: As gestational age grows, the risk of newborn respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) diminishes because the lungs are the last foetal organs to properly mature. While neonatal RDS does not just occur following preterm births, it is often thought of as a disorder of premature babies. This study sought to determine how prenatal lung capacity and foetal Pulmonary artery resistance index (PARI) affected the probability that newborn RDS would occur. Methods: This prospective observational study was carried out on 200 pregnant women aged 20-35 years, with gestational age between 36-40 weeks and singleton pregnancy. According to neonatal outcome the patients were classified into two groups: group A: 26 cases with noenatal RDS and group B: 174 cases without neonatal RDS. All patients were subjected to 2D ultrasonography and 3D ultrasonography. Results: Fetal lung volume (FLV) is a significant predictor of neonatal RDS (AUC: 0.820, p <0.001), at a cut off value of ≤35, with 88.5% sensitivity and 68.4% specificity. PARI is not a significant predictor of neonatal RDS. 1 and 5 min Apgar score were significantly lower in neonates who developed RDS and those who didn’t (p<0.001). Conclusions: 3D FLV and estimated fetal weight measurement using ultrasonography may be a reliable non-invasive indicator of the incidence of newborn RDS in preterm pregnancies when the risk of RDS progression is present. FLV is a significant predictor for neonatal RDS at a cutoff for ≤35 cm3 with sensitivity 88.5% and specificity 68.4%

Continuous Serratus - Intercostal Plane Block for Perioperative Analgesia in Upper Abdominal Surgeries: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Study

Objective:Acute pain management after open abdominal surgeries is an essential goal in perioperative management.. Recently, serratus-intercostal plane block (SIPB) was suggested as an analgesic technique for upper abdominal surgeries.Methods:This prospective, randomized, controlled study included sixty adult patients scheduled for open upper abdominal surgeries. Patients were allocated into two equal groups: SIPB group (S group, n = 30) and control group (the C group, n = 30). In the S group, SIPB was performed in the midaxillary line at the eighth rib level followed by continuous infusion of local anaesthetic for the first postoperative day. In the C group, no block was done. The primary objective of the study was to control postoperative pain on the first postoperative day as assessed by the numerical rating scale (NRS). Secondary outcomes included perioperative hemodynamics, total postoperative analgesic consumption, number of analgesic requests, and incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting.Results:The mean postoperative NRS reported in group S was statistically lower than that in group C (2.4±0.7, 3.9±0.31, P < 0.001). The postoperative morphine consumption was lower in the S group than in the C group [(0 (0-4), 3 (1-4), respectively, P < 0.001]. The incidence of PONV was significantly lower in the S group than in the C group (16.7% and 40%, P < 0.045).Conclusion:SIPB was associated with a better analgesic profile compared with the control group after upper abdominal surgeries. Further studies are recommended to determine block safety in special patient groups, including bariatric and laparoscopic surgeries

Actividad antiinflamatoria de dos variedades de aceite de semillas de calabaza en un modelo de artritis adyuvante en ratas

The aim of the present research was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of pumpkin seed oils (PSOs) of an Egyptian and European variety, in a rat model of adjuvant arthritis. Edema thickness, plasma tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were determined as inflammatory biomarkers while malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were assessed as indicative of oxidative stress. Chromosomal aberration, sperm shape abnormalities, and DNA fragmentations are cytogenetic parameters which aid in tracing inflammatory and oxidative activity. Phenolic contents and β-carotene were determined in PSOs. The results showed elevated ESR, plasma TNF-α, plasma MDA, liver cellular DNA fragmentation, bone marrow chromosomal aberration, sperm shape abnormalities with a reduction in plasma TAC and body weight gain in an adjuvant arthritis control compared to a healthy control. Administration of low and high doses of either Egyptian or European PSO improved all the aforementioned parameters with variable degrees.El objetivo de la presente investigación fue evaluar la actividad antiinflamatoria de aceites de calabaza (PSOs) de variedades egipcia y europea, en un modelo de rata con artritis adyuvante. El espesor del edema, el factor de necrosis tumoral (TNF-α) y la velocidad de sedimentación eritrocitaria (ESR) se determinaron como biomarcadores inflamatorios, mientras que el malondialdehído (MDA) y la capacidad antioxidante total (TAC) fueron evaluados como indicativos de estrés oxidativo. La aberración cromosómica, las anomalías de la forma del esperma y las fragmentaciones del ADN son parámetros citogenéticos que ayudan a localizar la actividad inflamatoria y oxidativa. Se determinaron contenidos fenólicos y β-caroteno en PSOs. Los resultados mostraron elevado ESR, TNF-α plasmático, MDA plasmática, fragmentación del ADN del hígado, aberración cromosómica de la médula ósea, anomalías de la forma espermática con una reducción del TAC plasmático y un aumento del peso corporal en el control de la artritis adyuvante en comparación con el control sano. La administración de dosis bajas y altas de PSO egipcia o europea mejoró todos los parámetros mencionados en grados variables

Metal oxide stabilized zirconia modified bio-derived carbon nanosheets as efficient electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reaction

Abstract: Zirconia is a promising candidate for many applications, especially when stabilized with metal oxide nanoparticles such as yttria and ceria. Zirconium oxide-based materials supported on carbon nanomaterials have shown excellent performance electrocatalysts due to their outstanding catalytic activities and high stability. In this work, a one-pot hydrothermal method was used to prepare porous stabilized zirconia nanoparticles with yttria and ceria (YSZ and CSZ) anchored on carbon nanosheets derived from molasses fiber waste as a sustainable source and annealing at various temperatures (MCNSs). The prepared composites YSZ/MCNSs and CSZ/MCNSs exhibit superior oxygen evolution reaction performance in alkaline medium. Various physicochemical analysis techniques such as SEM, EDX, HR-TEM, BET, XRD and XPS are employed to characterize the designed catalysts. The results showed that the doping of molasses fibers exfoliated into 2D nanosheets controlled the growth of the YSZ particles into the nanosize and increased their crystallinity. This improves the electrochemical surface area and stability, and modulates the electronic structure of zirconium, yttrium and cerium which facilitate the adsorption of OH− ions, and all contribute to the higher catalytic activity. Graphical Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.

Physiological and Neurobehavioral Disturbances Induced by Al2O3 Nanoparticle Intoxication in Nile Tilapia Fish: Benefits of Dietary Chamomile Essential Oil

Despite the usage of nanoparticles (NPs) is rapidly increasing, several experts have noted the risk of their release into ecosystems and their potential negative impacts on biological systems. However, the available studies on the neurobehavioral impacts of aluminum oxide nanoparticles (Al2O3NPs) on aquatic organisms are little. Hence, this study targeted to ascertain the harmful effects of Al2O3NPs on behavioral characteristics and genotoxic and oxidative damages in Nile tilapia fish. In addition, the beneficial role of chamomile essential oil (CEO) supplementation in reducing these effects was also investigated. In the current study, fish were distributed into 4 equal groups (n = 60 fish per group). The control group was fed a plain diet only, the CEO group received a basic diet complemented with CEO at a level of 2 mg/kg diet, the ALNP group received a basic diet and was exposed to an approximate concentration of 1/10th LC50 of ALNPs nearly 5.08 mg/L, and the combination group (ALNPs/ CEO group) received a basal diet coadministered with ALNPs and CEO at the aforementioned percentages. The findings revealed that O. niloticus exhibit neurobehavioral changes along with changes in the level of GABA, monoamines in the brain tissue, and serum amino acid neurotransmitters, besides a reduction of AChE and Na+/K+-ATPase activities. In addition to brain tissue oxidative damage with upregulation of proinflammatory and stress genes, such as HSP70 and caspase-3, supplementation of CEO significantly reduced the negative impacts of ALNPs. These results showed that CEO has neuroprotective, antioxidant, genoprotective, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic properties in fish that have been exposed to ALNPs. Therefore, we advise its usage as a valuable addition to fish diet

Molecular generation and characterization of an efficient recombinant vaccine for avian influenza A/H5N8 in Saudi Arabia

Purpose: To characterize a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N8 for engineering recombinant 6-+ 2 vaccine strain based on reverse genetic technology. Methods: A total of 135 swab samples from various birds were collected from different parts of Saudi Arabia as part of an influenza surveillance activity. The samples were checked for influenza virus infection using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Furthermore, Avian influenza H5N8 (A/chicken/KSA/1-NRC/2018), was used for the generation of H5N8 vaccine strain. The vaccine was tested on specific pathogen-free (SPF) chicken purchased from a local market. Results: The results indicate that the candidate vaccine (rgH5N8/KSA) induced specific neutralizing antibodies in chicken, and thereby protected the chickens from subsequent infections of H5N8. Conclusion: The study reinforces the development of a vaccine against avian influenza H5N8 virus isolated in Saudi Arabia, suggesting its possible application against the influenza virus associated with bird fl

Enhanced nanoparticle uptake into virus infected cells: could nanoparticles be useful in antiviral therapy?

Virus infections cause diseases of different severity ranged from mild infection e.g. common cold into life threatening diseases e.g. Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Hepatitis B. Virus infections represent 44% of newly emerging infections. Although there are many efficient antiviral agents, they still have drawbacks due to accumulation at off target organs and developing of virus resistance due to virus mutation. Therefore, developing a delivery system that can selectively target drug into affected organs and avoid off target accumulation would be a highly advantageous strategy to improve antiviral therapy. Nanoparticles (NP) can be effectively targeted to the liver, and therefore it could be used for improving therapy of hepatic virus infections including hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus (HCV). Many studies were performed to encapsulate antiviral agents into nano-delivery system to improve their pharmacokinetics parameters to have a better therapeutic efficacy with lower side effects. However, the effect of virus infection on the uptake of NP has not yet been studied in detail. The latter is a crucial area as modulation of endocytic uptake of nanoparticles could impact on reduce potential therapeutic usefulness of antiviral agents loaded into nano-delivery system. In this study, a fluorescently-labelled polymeric nanoparticle was prepared and used to track NP uptake into Huh7.5, human hepatoma cells transfected with replicating HCV genomes, compared with non-transfected cells as a model representing hepatocyte uptake. Confocal microscopy and flow cytometry of virus transfected Huh7.5 cells unexpectedly demonstrated two-fold increase in uptake of NP compared to non-transfected cells. Therefore, virus transfection enhanced NP uptake into Huh7.5 cells and NP could be considered as a promising delivery system for targeted treatment of hepatitis viruses