Infrared spectra, thermogravimetric analysis and antifungal studies of noval Cr(III), Fe(III) and Cu(II) 2-methyl-quinazolinone complexes

Some new solid complexes [CrCl3(L)3]×6H2O, [FeCl3(L)3]×6H2O and [Cu(CH3COO)2(L)3]×2H2O have been synthesized quantitatively by the interactions of 2-methyl-quinazolinone (L) with CrCl3.6H2O, FeCl3.6H2O and Cu(CH3COO)2.2H2O in a mixture of an ethanol-bidistilled water (1:1), at 60 °C. They were characterized by melting point, molar conductivity, magnetic moment, elemental analysis, infrared spectra and thermal analyses. The results supported the formation of the complexes and indicated that the ligand reacted as a monodentate ligand bound to the metal ion through the oxygen atom. The antifungal activity of the free ligand and their metal complexes were evaluated against several species, such as Fusarium solani, Rizoctonia solani, Sclortium rolfsii and Botryodiplodia and they showed a good antifungal activity to some selected fungal strain as compared with free ligand. KEY WORDS: Quinazolinone; Cr(III); Fe(III); Cu(II); Antifungal activity, Thermal analyses Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2014, 28(1), 53-66.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v28i1.

Spectroscopic, thermal analyses, XRD spectra and nematicidal activity study of some new N2O2 tetradentate Schiff base metal ions complexes

ABSTRACT. A series of metal complexes [Co(HL)2(H2O)2]Cl2.5H2O (A), [Cu(HL)2](CH3COO)2.2H2O (B), [Y(HL)2]Cl3.2H2O (C), [ZrO(HL)2H2O]Cl2.H2O (D), [La(HL)2(H2O)2]Cl3.5H2O (E) and [UO2(HL)2](CH3COO)2 (F) were prepared. The structures of the compounds in solid state were detected by micro analytical, Fourier transform IR, 1H NMR, UV-Vis, mass, X-ray diffraction spectra, molar conductivity, magnetic susceptibility measurements and TG/DTG analysis. The IR spectral data point out that the ligand behaves as tridentate in nature with Cu(II), Y(III), U(VI) and bidentate with Co(II), Zr(IV) and La(III) metal ions. The conductivity values showed that the complexes found as electrolytes and the XRD models of the complexes indicated crystalline nature. The thermodynamic parameters of compounds have been detected using Coats-Redfern and Horowitz-Metzeger methods at n = 1 and n ≠ 1 and values point out more ordered activated complex formation. The nematicidal efficacy of compounds was assessed.                     KEY WORDS: Schiff base, Spectroscopic analysis, Thermal analysis, XRD, Nematicidal   Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2021, 35(2), 381-397. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v35i2.1

Effects of copper reduction on angiogenesis-related factors in recurrent glioblastoma cases

Purpose: To evaluate the therapeutic effects of copper reduction on angiogenesis-related factors in patients with glioblastoma multiforme treated by gamma knife radiosurgery. Materials and Methods: In the present block randomized, placebo-controlled trial, fifty eligible patients with a diagnosis of glioblastoma multiforme who were candidates for gamma knife radiosurgery were randomly assigned into two groups to receive daily either 1gr penicillamine and a low copper diet or placebo for three months. The intervention started on the same day as gamma knife radiosurgery. Serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and copper levels were measured at baseline and after the intervention. The serum copper level was used as the final index of compliance with the diet. In order to control probable side effects of intervention, laboratory tests were conducted at the beginning, middle and end of the study. Results: The patients had a mean age and Karnofsky Performance Scale of 43.7 years and 75 respectively. Mean serum copper levels were significantly reduced in intervention group. Mean survival time was 18.5 months in intervention group vs. 14.9 in placebo group. VEGF and IL-6 levels in the intervention group were also significantly reduced compared to the placebo group and TNF-α increased less. Conclusions: It seems that reducing the level of copper in the diet and dosing with penicillamine leads to decline of angiogenesis-related factors such as VEGF, IL-6 and TNF-α. Approaches targeting angiogenesis may improve survival and can be used as a future therapeutic strategy

The dilemma of widal test - which brand to use? a study of four different widal brands: a cross sectional comparative study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Serodiagnosis of typhoid fever by Widal test based on demonstrating the presence of agglutinins (antibodies) in the serum of an infected patient, against the H (flagellar) and O (somatic) antigens of <it>Salmonella enterica </it>serotype Typhi has been associated with many debates. This is why the aim of this study was to: (i) Compare the diagnostic accuracy of four different commercial kits used to perform Widal test (Remel, BioSystems, Dialab and Biotec). (ii) Compare the sensitivity and specificity of both anti-O and anti-H antibodies. (iii) Compare the validity of single versus paired serum samples with a rising titer for the diagnosis of typhoid fever.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Duplicate serum samples were obtained from150 patients clinically diagnosed as typhoid fever patients. Moreover, single serum samples were obtained from 25 patients with febrile diseases other than typhoid fever. All samples were tested using the four different Widal brands and <it>Salmonella </it>Typhi IgM anti-LPS ELISA</p> <p>Results</p> <p><b>-</b>The results of Widal tests differed markedly using the four Widal brands in terms of sensitivity and specificity at three cut-off values of 1/80, 1/160 and 1/320. Remel brand gave the highest sensitivities and the lowest specificities and Dialab brand gave the highest specificities and the lowest sensitivities for both anti-O and anti-H antibodies at the three cut-off values.</p> <p><b>-</b>Four fold rise in the antibodies titer was not demonstrable among clinically diagnosed typhoid fever patients</p> <p>-H agglutinins were less sensitive and less specific than O agglutinins</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>-Widal test results showed marked discrepancies using different Widal brands. None of the serum samples of the typhoid fever patients showed four fold rise in the antibody titers. Raised O agglutinins were of slightly greater diagnostic value than raised H agglutinins.</p> <p>Significance and impact of study</p> <p>Widal test done sequentially using two brands could be of value in typhoid fever diagnosis. Single serum sample could be used for typhoid fever diagnosis relying on anti O titer.</p

EGCG mediated targeting of deregulated signaling pathways and non-coding rnas in different cancers: Focus on JAK/STAT, Wnt/\u3b2-catenin, TGF/SMAD, NOTCH, SHH/GLI, and TRAIL mediated signaling pathways

Decades of research have enabled us to develop a better and sharper understanding of multifaceted nature of cancer. Next-generation sequencing technologies have leveraged our existing knowledge related to intra-and inter-tumor heterogeneity to the next level. Functional genomics have opened new horizons to explore deregulated signaling pathways in different cancers. Therapeutic targeting of deregulated oncogenic signaling cascades by products obtained from natural sources has shown promising results. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) has emerged as a distinguished chemopreventive product because of its ability to regulate a myriad of oncogenic signaling pathways. Based on its scientifically approved anticancer activity and encouraging results obtained from preclinical trials, it is also being tested in various phases of clinical trials. A series of clinical trials associated with green tea extracts and EGCG are providing clues about significant potential of EGCG to mechanistically modulate wide ranging signal transduction cascades. In this review, we comprehensively analyzed regulation of JAK/STAT, Wnt/\u3b2-catenin, TGF/SMAD, SHH/GLI, NOTCH pathways by EGCG. We also discussed most recent evidence related to the ability of EGCG to modulate non-coding RNAs in different cancers. Methylation of the genome is also a widely studied mechanism and EGCG has been shown to modulate DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) and protein enhancer of zeste-2 (EZH2) in multiple cancers. Moreover, the use of nanoformulations to increase the bioavailability and thus efficacy of EGCG will be also addressed. Better understanding of the pleiotropic abilities of EGCG to modulate intracellular pathways along with the development of effective EGCG delivery vehicles will be helpful in getting a step closer to individualized medicines

Insight into the Properties of Heteroleptic Metal Dithiolenes: Multistimuli Responsive Luminescence, Chromism, and Nonlinear Optics

A comprehensive investigation of the functional properties of heteroleptic donor-M-acceptor dithiolene complexes Bu4N[MII(L1)(L2)] is presented (M = Pd, Pt). The acceptor L1 consists of the chiral (R)-(+)α-methylbenzyldithiooxamidate ((R)-α-MBAdto), the donor L2 is 2-thioxo-1,3-dithiole-4,5-dithiolato (dmit) in 1 (Pd) and 2 (Pt), 1,2-dicarbomethoxyethylenedithiolate (ddmet) in 3 (Pd) and 4 (Pt), or [4′,5′:5,6][1,4]dithiino[2,3-b]quinoxaline-1′,3′-dithiolato (quinoxdt) in 5 (Pd) and 6 (Pt). L1 is capable of undergoing proton exchange and promoting crystal formation in noncentrosymmetric space groups. L2 has different molecular structures while it maintains similar electron-donating capabilities. Thanks to the synergy of the ligands, 1-6 behave as H+ and Ag+ switchable linear chromophores. Moreover, the compounds exhibit a H+-switchable second-order NLO response in solution, which is maintained in the bulk for 1, 3, and 4 when they are embedded into a PMMA poled matrix. 5 and 6 show unique anti-Kasha H+ and Ag+ tunable colored emission originating from the quinoxdt ligand. A correlation between the electronic structure and properties is shown through density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT calculations

Anti-Kasha Conformational Photoisomerization of a Heteroleptic Dithiolene Metal Complex Revealed by Ultrafast Spectroscopy

We investigated the anti-Kasha photochemistry and anti-Kasha emission of d8-metal donor-acceptor dithiolene with femtosecond UV-vis transient absorption spectroscopy and molecular modeling. Experimentally, we found a lifetime of 1.4 ps for higher excited states, which is exceptionally long when compared to typical values for internal conversion (IC) (10 s of fs or less). Consequently, a substantial emission originates from the second excited state. Molecular modeling suggests this to be a consequence of the spatially separated molecular orbitals of the first and second excited states, which gives a charge transfer character to the IC. More surprisingly, we found that the inherent flexibility of the molecule allows the metal complex to access different configurations depending on the photoexcited state. We believe that this unique manifestation of anti-Kasha photoinduced conformational isomerization is facilitated by the exceptionally long lifetime of the second excited state

Magnetic resonance imaging assessment of lipomatous soft-tissue tumors

Aim: To establish the accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in distinguishing between benign and malignant lipomatous tumors; to evaluate the reproducibility of the MRI interpretation assessing the agreement between judgments of two radiologists with the same experience in soft-tissue sarcomas; to identify an association among MRI findings (size, depth, septa, nodules, signal homogeneity) and nature of the lesion. Materials and Methods: A total of 54 patients (28 men and 26 women), with a mean age of 56 (range=27-84) were included years. All subjects followed-up by the Multidisciplinary Sarcoma Group. The following MRI findings were judged in a blind study by two radiologists: Size, localization, septa, nodules and signal homogeneity. A diagnostic indication was then given from among lipoma, atypical lipomatous tumour (ALT) and liposarcoma. Accuracy in distinguishing between benign and malignant lesions, and between lipoma and ALT (Fisher's exact test), inter-operator agreement (Cohen's kappa), association of MRI findings and malignancy of the lesion (Fisher's exact test and odds ratio) were evaluated. Results: The inter-operator agreement was complete (100%). The agreement between diagnostic hypothesis and histological diagnosis was statistically significant (p<0.05). Among the radiological findings taken into account, only septa and signal homogeneity were significantly associated with the malignancy of the lesion (p<0.05). Conclusion: MRI could be helpful in distinguishing lipomatous tumors, allowing biopsy to be avoided in some cases (negative predictive value=100%)

Procalcitonin Identifies Cell Injury, Not Bacterial Infection, in Acute Liver Failure

Background Because acute liver failure (ALF) patients share many clinical features with severe sepsis and septic shock, identifying bacterial infection clinically in ALF patients is challenging. Procalcitonin (PCT) has proven to be a useful marker in detecting bacterial infection. We sought to determine whether PCT discriminated between presence and absence of infection in patients with ALF. Method Retrospective analysis of data and samples of 115 ALF patients from the United States Acute Liver Failure Study Group randomly selected from 1863 patients were classified for disease severity and ALF etiology. Twenty uninfected chronic liver disease (CLD) subjects served as controls. Results Procalcitonin concentrations in most samples were elevated, with median values for all ALF groups near or above a 2.0 ng/mL cut-off that generally indicates severe sepsis. While PCT concentrations increased somewhat with apparent liver injury severity, there were no differences in PCT levels between the pre-defined severity groups–non-SIRS and SIRS groups with no documented infections and Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock groups with documented infections, (p = 0.169). PCT values from CLD patients differed from all ALF groups (median CLD PCT value 0.104 ng/mL, (p ≤0.001)). Subjects with acetaminophen (APAP) toxicity, many without evidence of infection, demonstrated median PCT \u3e2.0 ng/mL, regardless of SIRS features, while some culture positive subjects had PCT values Summary/Conclusions While PCT appears to be a robust assay for detecting bacterial infection in the general population, there was poor discrimination between ALF patients with or without bacterial infection presumably because of the massive inflammation observed. Severe hepatocyte necrosis with inflammation results in elevated PCT levels, rendering this biomarker unreliable in the ALF setting