Priprava nekoliko novih piridina, tienopiridina i pirido[2,3:4\u27,5\u27]tieno[3\u27,2\u27-d]pirimidin-8-ona iz 2-acetilbenzoimidazola

Reaction of 2-acetylbenzoimidazole 1 with some arylaldehydes under different conditions gave chalcones, 1,5-pentanediones and pyridines. Treatment of chalcones with various types of reagents gave the corresponding new pyridines, thienopyridines, pyrido[2,3:4\u27,5\u27]thieno[3\u27,2\u27-d]- pyrimidin-8-ones via initial addition of active methylene or amino group to the double bond followed by cyclization.Reakcija 2-acetilbenzoimidazola s nekim arilaldehidima pod razli~itim uvjetima daje halkon, 1,5-pentandione i piridine. Obrada halkona s razli~itim reagensima daje nove piridine, tienopiridine i pirido[2,3:4\u27,5\u27]ti -eno[3\u27,2\u27-d]pirimidin-8-one preko po~etne adicije metilena ili amino grupe na dvostruku vezu i nakon toga slijedi ciklizacija

Neutrophil CD64 in early-onset neonatal sepsis

Background: Neonatal sepsis is a life threatening disease with an incidence of 3.5 to 8 cases per 1,000 live births; and mortality rate 16 to 30%. Cytokines, produced by monocytes, macrophages, and endothelial cells in response to infectious stimuli are important proinflammatory mediators in the early phases of the sepsis syndrome. Elevated serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) had been found in both neonatal and adult sepsis. However, for neonatal sepsis, little is known about a group of molecules playing a central role in the innate immune system. Among them is the neutrophil CD64 which is expressed on neutrophil surface in many inflammatory conditions. Objective: To study the neutrophil CD64 expression in neonates with early onset sepsis and its relation to other laboratory markers as IL6, CRP, total leucocytic count and platelet count. Methods: This study comprised 30 neonates with a gestational age of 28 to 40 weeks with a picture of early onset neonatal sepsis within 48 hours of life admitted to neonatal care unit, Suzan Mubarak Hospital, El-Minia University, Egypt during the period from February, 2008 to January, 2009 and 20 healthy neonates age and sex matched as a control group. Neutrophil surface expression of CD64 was quantified with flow cytometry. We measured plasma IL6, C-reactive protein, complete blood count and blood culture. Results: Neutrophil CD64 expression was increased significantly in neonates with neonatal sepsis than controls (p=0.001). Cases with history of premature rupture of membranes (PROM) ≥48 hours, with positive blood culture or poor outcome had the highest levels of neutrophil CD64 expression (528±50.7, 558±58.4 and 560.9±43.9 relative fluorescence units (RFU) respectively). A significant positive correlation was found between CD64 levels and the levels of IL6 (r=0.71, p=0.001),C-reactive protein (r=0.74, p=0.001) and total leucocytic count (r=0.76 ,p=0.01) and negative correlation with gestational age (r=-0.92, p=0.001) and body weight (r=-0.92, p=0.006), but there was no correlation between it and platelet count (r=-0.32, p=0.08). Conclusion: Neutrophil CD64 expression is increased in neonates with early-onset neonatal sepsis and correlated well with other laboratory markers of sepsis.Keywords: Neonatal sepsis, Cytokines, Neutrophil CD64, IL6, PROMEgypt J Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2010;8(1):19-2

EFFECT OF ACTIVE AND PASSIVE MODIFIED ATMOSPHERE PACKAGING ON QUALITY ATTRIBUTES OF STRAWBERRY FRUITS DURING COLD STORAGE

This study was carried out during 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 seasons at a private farm located at Tokh district, Qalubia Governorate. Strawberry fruits ˝festival cultivar˝ to study the effect of active (7.5% O2 +15% CO2 or 10% O2 +10% CO2) and passive modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) on preserving the quality parameters and extend the shelf life of fruits during storage at 0˚C plus shelf life at 10˚C.The results showed that active MAP inhibit the weight loss and decay percentage, maintained fruit texture, ascorbic acid, titratable acidity (TA) and decrease in color development during storage and shelf life. Passive MAP was less effective in reducing the loss of fruits texture, TA and ascorbic acid content. Untreated MAP (control) gave the highest values of weight loss and decay percentage and lowest values of texture, becoming more red and poor appearance after 15 days of storage at 0˚C + 2 days at 10˚C. The results showed also that the optimum gas composition of MAP tests for strawberry was 7.5% O2 +15% CO2. No decay was observed in active MAP at 7.5% O2 +15% CO2 during the storage period plus shelf life. Furthermore, it also retarded texture, color, titratable acidity and ascorbic acid content. Finally, the study concluded that storage of strawberry fruits at active MAP of 7.5% O2+ 15% CO2 improved storability of fruits, and maintained fruit quality and gave fruits with good appearance till of 15 days at 0˚C + 2 days at 10˚C without decay. The shelf life of strawberry after harvest can be extended to 3 days at 0˚C + 2 days at 10˚C by this treatment

ELECTRICAL AND DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES OF AMORPHOUS Ge 1 Se 1.35 Tl0.1 FILMS

The temperature dependence of the DC and AC electrical conductivity were measured for Gel Se1.35 Tl0 . 1 films. The value of DC electrical conduction energy DEσ does not depend on film thickness in the investigated range with mean value of 0.72 eV. The AC conductivity σAC is related to frequency by the expression σ A C = Aω s , where S is the frequency exponent which decreases linearly with increasing temperature. This can be explained in terms of the pair (bipolaron) correlated barrier hopping model suggested by Elliott. The frequency and temperature dependence of real and imaginary parts of the dielectric constant were studied for Gel Se i.35 T10.1 films. The dielectric constant (real part) and the dielectric loss (imaginary part) increase with increasing temperature and decrease with increasing frequency in the investigated range of frequency and temperature. The maximum barrier height WM can be calculated according to the Giuntini equation at different temperatures. The obtained value of WM is in good agreement with the theory of hopping of charge carriers over a potential barrier as suggested by Elliott in case of chalcogenide glasses

Role of Goldenberry (Fruits with Husk) Extract in Ameliorating the Architecture and Osmotic Fragility of Red Blood Cells in Obese Rats

Goldenberry (GB) is a promising fruit that can be a constituent in many possible nourishments. No notifications were obtained regarding the impact of exposure to goldenberry extract in the viewpoint of blood rheological properties as well as erythrocyte osmotic fragility of red blood cells (RBCs) in obese rats. A substantial reduction in plasma triglyceride, total cholesterol, and LDL, with a considerable increment in HDL levels relative to the obese group (p≤0.05), was observed in rats receiving low and high doses of GB, accompanied by restoration of SOD activity and GSH levels. Rheological parameters of rats' blood have been studied over a wide range of shear rates (225-1875 s-1). A significant decrease in blood viscosity in rats who received low and high doses of GB extract was compatible with every shear rate compared to the control group. The shear stress values of the obese rats reduced appreciably (p≤0.05) in all values of shear rate (from 75 to 500 s-1) proportional to the control group, while in the groups that received low and high doses of GB extract, shear stress was restored to the control values. Finally, administration of GB extract significantly decreased yield stress and indices of whole blood aggregation, with an extremely substantial increment in flow rate, in rats given low or high doses of GB compared to obese ones. The result also showed a decrease in both the average raised osmotic fragility and the hemolysis rate in rats after supplementation with low and high doses of GB extract

Chemical Profile of Cyperus laevigatus and Its Protective Effects against Thioacetamide-Induced Hepatorenal Toxicity in Rats

Cyperus species represent a group of cosmopolitan plants used in folk medicine to treat several diseases. In the current study, the phytochemical profile of Cyperus laevigatus ethanolic extract (CLEE) was assessed using UPLC-QTOF–MS/MS. The protective effect of CLEE at 50 and 100 mg /kg body weight (b.w.) was evaluated on hepatorenal injuries induced by thioacetamide (100 mg/kg) via investigation of the extract’s effects on oxidative stress, inflammatory markers and histopathological changes in the liver and kidney. UPLC-QTOF–MS/MS analysis of CLEE resulted in the identification of 94 compounds, including organic and phenolic acids, flavones, aurones, and fatty acids. CLEE improved the antioxidant status in the liver and kidney, as manifested by enhancement of reduced glutathione (GSH) and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), in addition to the reduction in malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), and 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8OHdG). Moreover, CLEE positively affected oxidative stress parameters in plasma and thwarted the depletion of hepatorenal ATP content by thioacetamide (TAA). Furthermore, treatment of rats with CLEE alleviated the significant increase in plasma liver enzymes, kidney function parameters, and inflammatory markers. The protective effect of CLEE was confirmed by a histopathological study of the liver and kidney. Our results proposed that CLEE may reduce TAA-hepatorenal toxicity via its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties suppressing oxidative stress

Batch and continuous removal of heavy metals from industrial effluents using microbial consortia

Bio-removal of heavy metals, using microbial biomass, increasingly attracting scientific attention due to their significant role in purification of different types of wastewaters making it reusable. Heavy metals were reported to have a significant hazardous effect on human health, and while the conventional methods of removal were found to be insufficient; microbial biosorption was found to be the most suitable alternative. In this work, an immobilized microbial consortium was generated using Statistical Design of Experiment (DOE) as a robust method to screen the efficiency of the microbial isolates in heavy metal removal process. This is the first report of applying Statistical DOE to screen the efficacy of microbial isolates to remove heavy metals instead of screening normal variables. A mixture of bacterial biomass and fungal spores was used both in batch and continuous modes to remove Chromium and Iron ions from industrial effluents. Bakery yeast was applied as a positive control, and all the obtained biosorbent isolates showed more significant efficiency in heavy metal removal. In batch mode, the immobilized biomass was enclosed in a hanged tea bag-like cellulose membrane to facilitate the separation of the biosorbent from the treated solutions, which is one of the main challenges in applying microbial biosorption at large scale. The continuous flow removal was performed using fixed bed mini-bioreactor, and the process was optimized in terms of pH (6) and flow rates (1 ml/min) using Response Surface Methodology. The most potential biosorbent microbes were identified and characterized. The generated microbial consortia and process succeeded in the total removal of Chromium ions and more than half of Iron ions both from standard solutions and industrial effluents

Support for UNRWA's survival

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) provides life-saving humanitarian aid for 5·4 million Palestine refugees now entering their eighth decade of statelessness and conflict. About a third of Palestine refugees still live in 58 recognised camps. UNRWA operates 702 schools and 144 health centres, some of which are affected by the ongoing humanitarian disasters in Syria and the Gaza Strip. It has dramatically reduced the prevalence of infectious diseases, mortality, and illiteracy. Its social services include rebuilding infrastructure and homes that have been destroyed by conflict and providing cash assistance and micro-finance loans for Palestinians whose rights are curtailed and who are denied the right of return to their homeland

Self-perceived quality of life predicts mortality risk better than a multi-biomarker panel, but the combination of both does best

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Associations between measures of subjective health and mortality risk have previously been shown. We assessed the impact and comparative predictive performance of a multi-biomarker panel on this association.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Data from 4,261 individuals aged 20-79 years recruited for the population-based Study of Health in Pomerania was used. During an average 9.7 year follow-up, 456 deaths (10.7%) occurred. Subjective health was assessed by SF-12 derived physical (PCS-12) and mental component summaries (MCS-12), and a single-item self-rated health (SRH) question. We implemented Cox proportional-hazards regression models to investigate the association of subjective health with mortality and to assess the impact of a combination of 10 biomarkers on this association. Variable selection procedures were used to identify a parsimonious set of subjective health measures and biomarkers, whose predictive ability was compared using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, C-statistics, and reclassification methods.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In age- and gender-adjusted Cox models, poor SRH (hazard ratio (HR), 2.07; 95% CI, 1.34-3.20) and low PCS-12 scores (lowest vs. highest quartile: HR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.31-2.33) were significantly associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality; an association independent of various covariates and biomarkers. Furthermore, selected subjective health measures yielded a significantly higher C-statistic (0.883) compared to the selected biomarker panel (0.872), whereas a combined assessment showed the highest C-statistic (0.887) with a highly significant integrated discrimination improvement of 1.5% (p < 0.01).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Adding biomarker information did not affect the association of subjective health measures with mortality, but significantly improved risk stratification. Thus, a combined assessment of self-reported subjective health and measured biomarkers may be useful to identify high-risk individuals for intensified monitoring.</p