Primary resistance to clarithromycin, metronidazole and amoxicillin of Helicobacter pylori isolated from Tunisian patients with peptic ulcers and gastritis: a prospective multicentre study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The frequency of primary resistance to antibiotics in H. pylori isolates is increasing worldwide. In Tunisia, there are limited data regarding the pattern of H. pylori antibiotic primary resistance.</p> <p>Aim</p> <p>To evaluate the primary resistance of H. pylori to clarithromycin, metronidazole and amoxicillin and to detect the mutations involved in clarithromycin resistance.</p> <p>Materials and methods</p> <p>273 strains isolated from adults and children were enrolled. The primary resistance to clarithromycin, metronidazole and amoxicillin was evaluated by means of E-test minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC). The real-time PCR using Scorpion primers was performed in all cases to assess clarithromycin primary resistance and point mutations involved.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>No resistance to amoxicillin was detected. For adults, resistance to clarithromycin and metronidazole was found respectively in 14.6% and 56.8%, and respectively in 18.8% and 25% in children. Overall, the rates of global primary resistance to clarithromycin and metronidazole in Tunisia were respectively determined in 15.4% and 51.3%.</p> <p>By the use of Scorpion PCR, the A2143G was the most frequent point mutation observed (88.1%), followed by the A2142G (11.9%); the A2142C was not found and 18 of 42 patients (42.8%) were infected by both the resistant and the susceptible genotype.</p> <p>The association of clarithromycin resistance with gender was not statistically significant, but metronidazole resistant strains were isolated more frequently in females (67.8%) than in males (32.2%) and the difference was significant. As for gastroduodenal diseases, the difference between strains isolated from patients with peptic ulceration and those with non peptic ulceration was not statistically significant. When about the distribution of resistant strains to clarithromycin and metronidazole between the three Tunisian cities (Tunis, Menzel Bourguiba and Mahdia), the difference was not statistically significant.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Local data regarding the primary resistance of H. pylori to clarithromycin, metronidazole and amoxicillin and the main genetic mutation involved in clarithromycin resistance in vivo (A2143G) are necessary to prove a clear need for a periodic evaluation of antibiotic consumption and new therapeutic strategies in Tunisia in order to avoid the emergence of resistant strains.</p

New anthracene-based semi-conducting polymer analogue of poly(phenylene sulfide): Synthesis and photophysical properties

International audienceA new anthracene-based polymer analogue of poly(phenylene sulfide) has been synthesized via Wittig polycondensation. The polymer is soluble and shows a good film quality. This organic material showed an amorphous behavior with a Tg of 70 °C. The absorption and fluorescence properties of the polymer were investigated. The HOMO/LUMO energy levels were estimated by cyclic voltammetry measurements. The PAnS thin film exhibits an optical gap of 2.56 eV and emits in orange region. The fluorescence quantum efficiency in dilute solution of PAnS was of 66%. A PAnS-based single-layer diode has been fabricated and shows relatively low turn-on voltage of 4.8 V

Synthesis, characterization, optical and electrical properties of bis(phenylvinyl)anthracene-based polymers

International audienc

New poly(p-phenylenevinylene) derivatives containing isosorbide unit in the side-chain

New conjugated PPV derivatives containing the chiral isosorbide group (P1-3) have been synthesized via the Gilch reaction. The polymers are optically active, soluble in common organic solvents and show good film-forming abilities. High number-average molecular weights were determined by size exclusion chromatography (SEC) (16•103–21•103 g•mol–1). The molecular structures of the polymers were confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopies. Thermogravimetric analysis of the polymers showed good thermal stability up to 320°C. The optical properties of these π-conjugated materials were investigated by UV-vis absorption and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopies. The polymers show a yellow fluorescence in dilute solution, and an orange emission is observed in thin films. The introduction of the polar isosorbide groups improved the PL intensity, and quantum yields between 50 and 73% were obtained. The HOMO-LUMO energy levels were estimated by cyclic voltammetry, and the electrochemical gaps were 1.81, 1.83 and 2.48 eV for P1, P2 and P3, respectively. Single-layer diode devices were fabricated and show relatively low turn-on voltages between 3.1 and 3.4 V

New semi-conducting poly(phenylene vinylene-alt-anthrylene vinylene)s: Synthesis, characterization and photophysical properties

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Blue-luminescent poly(p-phenylenevinylene) derivatives Synthesis and effect of side-group size on the optical properties

International audienceNew conjugated polymers based on separated PPV-type chromophores and incorporating different types of solubilizing side-groups (ethoxy: P1, hexyloxy: P2, dodecyloxy: P3 and benzyloxy: P4) were synthesized via Wittig polycondensation, using a series of bisphenol A-derived di(triphenylphosphonium) salts as starting monomers. The polymers are soluble in common organic solvents and their structures were confirmed by 1H NMR, 13C NMR and FTIR spectroscopies. The optical properties of these materials were investigated by UV–vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopies. In dilute solution, quasi-identical fluorescence spectra were obtained and all the polymers showed a blue emission (420, 445 nm) and a narrow spectrum. In thin solid films, the polymers show side-group-dependent optical behavior and, whereas the emission remains blue in the case of P2, P3 and P4, a green fluorescence was observed for the ethoxylated polymer P1. From cyclic voltammetry analysis, the electrochemical band gaps were estimated to be 2.99, 3.07, 3.15 and 3.06 eV for P1, P2, P3 and P4, respectively. Single-layer diode devices of the [indium tin oxide/polymer/aluminum] configuration have been fabricated and show relatively low turn-on voltages between 2.6 and 4.9 V

New soluble anthracene-based polymer for opto-electronic applications

International audienc

New semi-conducting rotaxane based on β-cyclodextrin and anthracene moieties

International audienceA new rotaxane (BPAAn/β-CD), consisting of an anthracene-based semi-conducting material (BPAAn) encapsulated into β-cyclodextrin (β-CD), has been synthesized via the Williamson reaction in solvent-free conditions. The supramolecular structure of the compound was confirmed by NMR and FT-IR spectroscopies. The optical and morphological properties of this organic material were investigated by UV–visible absorption, photoluminescence spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy. BPAAn/β-CD film has an optical gap of 2.9 eV and exhibits green photoluminescence. An optical gap of 2.9 eV was estimated from the absorption edge of the rotaxane thin film. The BPAAn/β-CD exhibits a blue photoluminescence in dilute solution; whereas, a green emission was observed in the solid state, due to the π–π interaction in the anthracene moieties. The rotaxane shows a significantly enhanced PL quantum yield and improved film quality in comparison with the free BPAAn. The HOMO and LUMO levels were estimated using cyclic voltammetry analysis, and show enhanced electron affinity of the BPAAn in its complexed form. A single-layer device with the configuration [ITO/rotaxane/Aluminum] has been elaborated and showed low turn-on voltage of 5 V