Synthesis and Liquid Crystalline Studies of 2,4-bis(4'-n-nonyloxybenzoyloxy)benzylidene-4''-n-alkoxyaniline

In this paper, a series of new Schiff-bases: 2,4-bis(4’‑n‑nonyloxy -benzoyloxy)benzylidene-4’’-n-alkyloxyaniline (DC9An) were synthesized. The characterization of compounds was achieved through using (ultra violet, infrared, 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance) measurements. This series comprises 10 members differ by the length of n-alkoxy chain (i.e., OCnH2n+1, n=1-10). Their liquid crystalline properties were studied using differential scanning calorimetry and polarizing optical microscopy. The lower series such as n=1-3 are purely nematogenic liquid crystals, but the other means (n=4-7) have nematic and smectic phases (SmC and SmA). The higher members (n=8-10) are purely smectogenic liquid crystals

Kinetics Study of the Formation of Pyrmidine Thione from the Reaction of 2,6-dibenzylidinecyclohexanone and its Derivatives with Thiourea

Kinetics of the addition of thiourea to 2,6-dibenzylidenecyclohexanone and its derivatives have been studied. The reaction is found as a pseudo-first order process which includes a nucleophilic attack by thiourea at the carbonyl group of the ketone system to produce the heterocyclic pyrimidine thione "thiopyrimidine" (Claisen route mechanism). The effect of the substituents at the para position of the 2,6-dibenzylidenecyclohexanone and its derivatives on the rate of reaction, at different temperatures, is studied. Arrhenius parameters, entropies, enthalpies and free energies of activations are estimated. A suitable mechanism, which is correspondent with the results and with Claisen routes mechanism, is suggested for this reaction

Synthesis of New Series of Pyrazoline, and Study their Kinetics and Reaction Mechanism

A new series of novel pyrazoline compounds were synthesized by addition of thiosemicarbazide to the 2,6-dibenzylidenecyclohexanone (Chalcone) and its para substituted derivatives. This study was conducted for four purposes. Firstly, a series of five membered ring pyrazoline compounds were synthesized and the structure of all new products obtained are supported by spectral data (1H-NMR, 13CNMR, IR and UV-Vis.), and the effect of substituents were studied. Secondly, the reaction kinetics of the new synthesized compounds were studied to investigate the reaction mechanism pathway and order of the reaction; it was found that, the reaction undergoes via Claisen route of mechanism with first-order reaction. Thirdly, the thermodynamics of the reaction were studied, the rate of the reaction, Arrhenius parameters (A), and thermodynamic parameters for activation includes (free energies (Ea), entropies (ΔS#), and Gibbs free energy (ΔG#) were estimated. Finally, the compensation effect was also studied, and found the same pathway for all of the synthesized pyrazoline compounds

Elective Cancer Surgery in COVID-19-Free Surgical Pathways During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: An International, Multicenter, Comparative Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: As cancer surgery restarts after the first COVID-19 wave, health care providers urgently require data to determine where elective surgery is best performed. This study aimed to determine whether COVID-19-free surgical pathways were associated with lower postoperative pulmonary complication rates compared with hospitals with no defined pathway. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This international, multicenter cohort study included patients who underwent elective surgery for 10 solid cancer types without preoperative suspicion of SARS-CoV-2. Participating hospitals included patients from local emergence of SARS-CoV-2 until April 19, 2020. At the time of surgery, hospitals were defined as having a COVID-19-free surgical pathway (complete segregation of the operating theater, critical care, and inpatient ward areas) or no defined pathway (incomplete or no segregation, areas shared with patients with COVID-19). The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications (pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, unexpected ventilation). RESULTS: Of 9,171 patients from 447 hospitals in 55 countries, 2,481 were operated on in COVID-19-free surgical pathways. Patients who underwent surgery within COVID-19-free surgical pathways were younger with fewer comorbidities than those in hospitals with no defined pathway but with similar proportions of major surgery. After adjustment, pulmonary complication rates were lower with COVID-19-free surgical pathways (2.2% v 4.9%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.86). This was consistent in sensitivity analyses for low-risk patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists grade 1/2), propensity score-matched models, and patients with negative SARS-CoV-2 preoperative tests. The postoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection rate was also lower in COVID-19-free surgical pathways (2.1% v 3.6%; aOR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.76). CONCLUSION: Within available resources, dedicated COVID-19-free surgical pathways should be established to provide safe elective cancer surgery during current and before future SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks

Elective cancer surgery in COVID-19-free surgical pathways during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: An international, multicenter, comparative cohort study

PURPOSE As cancer surgery restarts after the first COVID-19 wave, health care providers urgently require data to determine where elective surgery is best performed. This study aimed to determine whether COVID-19–free surgical pathways were associated with lower postoperative pulmonary complication rates compared with hospitals with no defined pathway. PATIENTS AND METHODS This international, multicenter cohort study included patients who underwent elective surgery for 10 solid cancer types without preoperative suspicion of SARS-CoV-2. Participating hospitals included patients from local emergence of SARS-CoV-2 until April 19, 2020. At the time of surgery, hospitals were defined as having a COVID-19–free surgical pathway (complete segregation of the operating theater, critical care, and inpatient ward areas) or no defined pathway (incomplete or no segregation, areas shared with patients with COVID-19). The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications (pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, unexpected ventilation). RESULTS Of 9,171 patients from 447 hospitals in 55 countries, 2,481 were operated on in COVID-19–free surgical pathways. Patients who underwent surgery within COVID-19–free surgical pathways were younger with fewer comorbidities than those in hospitals with no defined pathway but with similar proportions of major surgery. After adjustment, pulmonary complication rates were lower with COVID-19–free surgical pathways (2.2% v 4.9%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.86). This was consistent in sensitivity analyses for low-risk patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists grade 1/2), propensity score–matched models, and patients with negative SARS-CoV-2 preoperative tests. The postoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection rate was also lower in COVID-19–free surgical pathways (2.1% v 3.6%; aOR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.76). CONCLUSION Within available resources, dedicated COVID-19–free surgical pathways should be established to provide safe elective cancer surgery during current and before future SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks

Notes on some common flora and its uses in Wadi Gaza, Gaza Strip

Wadi Gaza is an indispensable part of natural life in Palestine and has a rich biodiversity in terms of fauna and flora. This study aims at surveying the common flora of Wadi Gaza ecosystem during the spring season of 2004 and providing notes on their possible uses by the Palestinian community depending on direct observations, discussions with local people and available literature. As many as 70 plant species belonging to 32 families and 24 orders were identified during the spring months of 2004 in Wadi Gaza. The aster or daisy family (Compositae) was the largest family and comprised 14 plant species (20%) of the recorded species. The natural flora of Wadi Gaza was commonly used in different ways as a food source, herbal medicine, fodder for grazing animals and timber and fuel production. The other direct human uses for specific floristic species were also mentioned. Many wildlife species were found to utilize the wild vegetation of Wadi Gaza for multi-purposes as well. Finally, the authors recommend carrying out detailed scientific works regarding the ecology, distribution and uses of particular floristic species in the Gaza Strip. Key words: Flora – survey – uses – herbal medicine – Wadi Gaza – Gaza Stri

Recurrence of hepatitis C virus genotype-4 infection following orthotopic liver transplantation: Natural history and predictors of outcome

<b>Background and Objectives: </b> There are few reports on hepatitis C virus genotype 4 (HCV-4) recurrences after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Therefore, we undertook a study to determine the epidemiological, clinical and virological characteristics of patients with biopsy-proven recurrent HCV infection and analyzed the factors that influence recurrent disease severity. We also compared disease recurrence and outcomes between HCV-4 and other genotypes. <b> Patients and Methods: </b> All patients who underwent OLT (locally or abroad) for HCV related hepatic cir--<i> rhosis from 1991 to 2006 and had recurrent HCV infection were identified. Clinical, laboratory and pathological data before and after OLT were collected and analyzed. </i> Results: Of 116 patients who underwent OLT for hepatitis C, 46 (39.7&#x0025;) patients satisfied the criteria of recur--rent hepatitis C. Twenty-nine (63&#x0025;) patients were infected with HCV genotype 4. Mean (SD) for age was 54.9 (10.9) years. Nineteen of the HCV genotype 4 patients (65.5&#x0025;) were males, 21 (72.4&#x0025;) received deceased donor grafts, and 7 (24.1&#x0025;) developed&#62; 1 acute rejection episodes. Pathologically, 7 (24.1&#x0025;) and 4 (13.8&#x0025;) patients had inflammation grade 3-4 and fibrosis stage 3-4, respectively. Follow-up biopsy in 9 (31&#x0025;) HCV genotype 4 patients showed stable, worse and improved fibrosis stage in 5, 2 and 2 patients, respectively. Of the 7 patients in the recurrent HCV group who died, 6 were infected with genotype 4 and 4 of them died of HCV-related disease. <b> Conclusion: </b> This analysis suggests that HCV recurrence following OLT in HCV-4 patients is not significantly different from its recurrence for other genotypes