Five-membered iminocyclitol a-glucosidase inhibitors: Synthetic,biological screening and in silico studies

The design and synthesis of a small library of pyrrolidine iminocyclitol inhibitors with a structural similarity to 1,4-dideoxy-1,4-imino-D-arabitol (DAB-1) is reported. This library was specifically designed to gain a better insight into the mechanism of inhibition of glycosidases by polyhydroxylated pyrrolidines or iminocyclitols. Pyrrolidine-3,4-diol 15a and pyrrolidine-3,4-diol diacetate 15b had emerged as the most potent a-glucosidase inhibitors in the series. Docking studies performed with an homology model of a-glucosidase disclosed binding poses for compounds 15a, 15b, 16a, and 16a0 occupying the same region as the NH group of the terminal ring of acarbose and suggest a closer and stronger binding of compound 15a and 15b with the enzyme active site residues. Our studies indicate that 2 or 5-hydroxyl substituents appear to be vital for high inhibitory activity

Translation and cross-cultural adaption of the motor behavior checklist (MBC) into Brazilian Portuguese

Introduction:There are only a few instruments available to assess behavioral problems in school-age children based on reports of physical education teachers. The Motor Behavior Checklist (MBC; Efstratopoulou, Janssen, Simons, 2012) was designed to be completed by this professional in free play-situations or during physical education classes to rate students’ motor-related behavior using 5-point Likert scales. The MBC comprises 59 items distributed into two broadband factors (externalizing and internalizing) and seven behavior problem scales: rule breaking, hyperactivity/impulsivity, lack of attention, low energy, stereotyped behaviors, lack of social interaction, and lack of self-regulation. The objective of this study was to describe the translation and cross-cultural adaptation processes of the MBC into Brazilian Portuguese. Method: The following procedures were conducted: forward translation of the original instrument, production of a synthesized version, back-translation, literal and semantic comparison, back-translator’s evaluation of divergent items, synthesized version with back-translator’s suggestions, clarity assessment of the synthesized version by professionals (physical education teachers), focus group to assess clarity indicators of the instrument, evaluation of adjustments by the author of the instrument, and production of the final version. Results: The results indicated a satisfactory level of agreement between the original and the back-translated versions, with 68% of exact equivalence between the translated items and 16% of terms requiring minor adjustments. In the draft version, 84% of the items were evaluated as clear by physical education teachers. Conclusion:Future studies should be conducted to assess the psychometric properties of the Brazilian Portuguese version of the MBC

Controlling magnetic order and quantum disorder in molecule-based magnets.

We investigate the structural and magnetic properties of two molecule-based magnets synthesized from the same starting components. Their different structural motifs promote contrasting exchange pathways and consequently lead to markedly different magnetic ground states. Through examination of their structural and magnetic properties we show that [Cu(pyz)(H 2 O)(gly) 2 ](ClO 4 ) 2 may be considered a quasi-one-dimensional quantum Heisenberg antiferromagnet whereas the related compound [Cu(pyz)(gly)](ClO 4 ) , which is formed from dimers of antiferromagnetically interacting Cu 2+ spins, remains disordered down to at least 0.03 K in zero field but shows a field-temperature phase diagram reminiscent of that seen in materials showing a Bose-Einstein condensation of magnons

Indoor air pollution and respiratory diseases: A general update and a Portuguese perspective

Objective: To quantify the impact of different air pollutants on respiratory health based on robust estimates based on international data and to summarise the evidence of associations between indoor exposure to those pollutants and respiratory morbidity in the Portuguese population. Results: Several systematic reviews and meta-analyses (MA) at the world level demonstrate the impact of indoor air quality on respiratory health, with indoor particulate matter and gasses exerting a significant effect on the airways. Volatile organic compounds (VOC) have been related to asthma and lung cancer. However, only meta-analyses on biomass use allowed documentation of long-term respiratory effects. While early publications concerning Portuguese-based populations mainly focused on indoor exposure to environmental tobacco smoke, later studies relocated the attention to relevant exposure environments, such as day care buildings, schools, residences and nursing homes. Looking at the pooled effects from the reviewed studies, high levels of carbon dioxide and particulate matter in Portuguese buildings were significantly associated with asthma and wheezing, with VOC and fungi showing a similar effect in some instances. Conclusions: Despite the significant reduction of indoor air pollution effects after the 2008 indoor smoking prohibition in public buildings, studies show that several indoor air parameters are still significantly associated with respiratory health in Portugal. The country shares the worldwide necessity of standardisation of methods and contextual data to increase the reach of epidemiological studies on household air pollution, allowing a weighted evaluation of interventions and policies focused on reducing the associated respiratory morbidity.proofepub_ahead_of_prin

Controlling magnetic order and quantum disorder in molecule-based magnets

We investigate the structural and magnetic properties of two molecule-based magnets synthesized from the same starting components. Their different structural motifs promote contrasting exchange pathways and consequently lead to markedly different magnetic ground states. Through examination of their structural and magnetic properties we show that [Cu(pyz)(H2O)(gly)2](ClO4)2 may be considered a quasi-one-dimensional quantum Heisenberg antiferromagnet whereas the related compound [Cu(pyz)(gly)](ClO4), which is formed from dimers of antiferromagnetically interacting Cu2+ spins, remains disordered down to at least 0.03 K in zero field but shows a field-temperature phase diagram reminiscent of that seen in materials showing a Bose-Einstein condensation of magnons

Exertional Dyspnea as a Symptom of Infrarenal Aortic Occlusive Disease

Advanced atherosclerosis of the aorta can cause severe ischemia in the kidneys, refractory hypertension, and claudication. However, no previous reports have clearly associated infrarenal aortic stenosis with shortness of breath. A 77-year-old woman with hypertension and hyperlipidemia presented with exertional dyspnea. Despite extensive testing and observation, no apparent cause for this patient\u27s dyspnea was found. Images revealed severe infrarenal aortic stenosis. After the patient underwent stenting of the aortic occlusion, she had immediate symptomatic improvement and complete resolution of her dyspnea within one month. Twelve months after vascular intervention, the patient remained asymptomatic. In view of the distinct and lasting elimination of dyspnea after angioplasty and stenting of a nearly occluded infrarenal aortic lesion, we hypothesize that infrarenal aortic stenosis might be a treatable cause of exertional dyspnea. Clinicians should consider infrarenal aortic stenosis as a possible cause of dyspnea. Treatment of the stenosis might relieve symptoms

Centerscope

Centerscope, formerly Scope, was published by the Boston University Medical Center "to communicate the concern of the Medical Center for the development and maintenance of improved health care in contemporary society.

Staphylococcus aureus reservoirs and transmission routes in a Portuguese Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: a 30-month surveillance study.

Although Staphylococcus aureus is a major cause of outbreaks in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), there are no studies on the epidemiology of S. aureus isolates responsible for infection in Portuguese NICUs. Between July 2005 and December 2007, a total of 54 methicillin susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) isolates were recovered from 16 infected infants, parents, health care workers (HCWs), and the environment in a level III NICU. Isolates were characterized by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), spa typing, and multilocus sequence typing. Virulence determinants were detected by multiplex polymerase chain reaction. Three major MSSA clones were endemic in the NICU, representing 70% (n=38) of the isolates: PFGE type A-ST5 (n=17); type B-ST30 (n=12); and type C-ST1 (n=9). Leukotoxins and hemolysins were present in all isolates, although none of them carried PVL. HCWs, plastic folders protecting clinical files, and mothers' nipples were identified as potential reservoirs and/or vehicles of dissemination of S. aureus. Consequently, additional infection control measures were implemented in this NICU