Synthesis of Some New Derivatives of Pyrrolidine-2-one and Studying Their Antibacterial Potentials

New derivatives of pyrrolidine-2-one have been synthesized through lactamization of γ –butyrolactone (GBL) by hydrazine hydrate (80%), ethylene diamine and ethanol amine to afford compounds (1-aminopyrrolidin-2-one), (1-(2-aminoethyl)pyrrolidine-2-one) and (1-(2-hydroxyethyl)pyrrolidine-2-one), respectively. Compound (1-aminopyrrolidin-2-one) underwent several reactions to synthesize the rest of these derivatives. All synthesized compounds were approved by their FT-IR, 1H-NMR and some by Mass spectra. The biological activities of these derivatives were evaluated against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Many of these derivatives showed moderate biological activity against one or both kind of bacteria in comparison to amoxicillin and some showed no biological activity at all

COVID-19 Sequelae and the Host Pro-Inflammatory Response: An Analysis From the OnCovid Registry

Background: Fifteen percent of patients with cancer experience symptomatic sequelae, which impair post–COVID-19 outcomes. In this study, we investigated whether a proinflammatory status is associated with the development of COVID-19 sequelae. / Methods: OnCovid recruited 2795 consecutive patients who were diagnosed with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 infection between February 27, 2020, and February 14, 2021. This analysis focused on COVID-19 survivors who underwent a clinical reassessment after the exclusion of patients with hematological malignancies. We evaluated the association of inflammatory markers collected at COVID-19 diagnosis with sequelae, considering the impact of previous systemic anticancer therapy. All statistical tests were 2-sided. / Results: Of 1339 eligible patients, 203 experienced at least 1 sequela (15.2%). Median baseline C-reactive protein (CRP; 77.5 mg/L vs 22.2 mg/L, P < .001), lactate dehydrogenase (310 UI/L vs 274 UI/L, P = .03), and the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR; 6.0 vs 4.3, P = .001) were statistically significantly higher among patients who experienced sequelae, whereas no association was reported for the platelet to lymphocyte ratio and the OnCovid Inflammatory Score, which includes albumin and lymphocytes. The widest area under the ROC curve (AUC) was reported for baseline CRP (AUC = 0.66, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.63 to 0.69), followed by the NLR (AUC = 0.58, 95% CI: 0.55 to 0.61) and lactate dehydrogenase (AUC = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.52 to 0.61). Using a fixed categorical multivariable analysis, high CRP (odds ratio [OR] = 2.56, 95% CI: 1.67 to 3.91) and NLR (OR = 1.45, 95% CI: 1.01 to 2.10) were confirmed to be statistically significantly associated with an increased risk of sequelae. Exposure to chemotherapy was associated with a decreased risk of sequelae (OR = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.36 to 0.91), whereas no associations with immune checkpoint inhibitors, endocrine therapy, and other types of systemic anticancer therapy were found. / Conclusions: Although the association between inflammatory status, recent chemotherapy and sequelae warrants further investigation, our findings suggest that a deranged proinflammatory reaction at COVID-19 diagnosis may predict for sequelae development

Twelve Variants Polygenic Score for Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Distribution in a Large Cohort of Patients With Clinically Diagnosed Familial Hypercholesterolemia With or Without Causative Mutations

: Background A significant proportion of individuals clinically diagnosed with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), but without any disease-causing mutation, are likely to have polygenic hypercholesterolemia. We evaluated the distribution of a polygenic risk score, consisting of 12 low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)-raising variants (polygenic LDL-C risk score), in subjects with a clinical diagnosis of FH. Methods and Results Within the Lipid Transport Disorders Italian Genetic Network (LIPIGEN) study, 875 patients who were FH-mutation positive (women, 54.75%; mean age, 42.47±15.00 years) and 644 patients who were FH-mutation negative (women, 54.21%; mean age, 49.73±13.54 years) were evaluated. Patients who were FH-mutation negative had lower mean levels of pretreatment LDL-C than patients who were FH-mutation positive (217.14±55.49 versus 270.52±68.59 mg/dL, P<0.0001). The mean value (±SD) of the polygenic LDL-C risk score was 1.00 (±0.18) in patients who were FH-mutation negative and 0.94 (±0.20) in patients who were FH-mutation positive (P<0.0001). In the receiver operating characteristic analysis, the area under the curve for recognizing subjects characterized by polygenic hypercholesterolemia was 0.59 (95% CI, 0.56-0.62), with sensitivity and specificity being 78% and 36%, respectively, at 0.905 as a cutoff value. Higher mean polygenic LDL-C risk score levels were observed among patients who were FH-mutation negative having pretreatment LDL-C levels in the range of 150 to 350 mg/dL (150-249 mg/dL: 1.01 versus 0.91, P<0.0001; 250-349 mg/dL: 1.02 versus 0.95, P=0.0001). A positive correlation between polygenic LDL-C risk score and pretreatment LDL-C levels was observed among patients with FH independently of the presence of causative mutations. Conclusions This analysis confirms the role of polymorphisms in modulating LDL-C levels, even in patients with genetically confirmed FH. More data are needed to support the use of the polygenic score in routine clinical practice

Spectrum of mutations in Italian patients with familial hypercholesterolemia: New results from the LIPIGEN study

Background Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an autosomal dominant disease characterized by elevated plasma levels of LDL-cholesterol that confers an increased risk of premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Early identification and treatment of FH patients can improve prognosis and reduce the burden of cardiovascular mortality. Aim of this study was to perform the mutational analysis of FH patients identified through a collaboration of 20 Lipid Clinics in Italy (LIPIGEN Study). Methods We recruited 1592 individuals with a clinical diagnosis of definite or probable FH according to the Dutch Lipid Clinic Network criteria. We performed a parallel sequencing of the major candidate genes for monogenic hypercholesterolemia (LDLR, APOB, PCSK9, APOE, LDLRAP1, STAP1). Results A total of 213 variants were detected in 1076 subjects. About 90% of them had a pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants. More than 94% of patients carried pathogenic variants in LDLR gene, 27 of which were novel. Pathogenic variants in APOB and PCSK9 were exceedingly rare. We found 4 true homozygotes and 5 putative compound heterozygotes for pathogenic variants in LDLR gene, as well as 5 double heterozygotes for LDLR/APOB pathogenic variants. Two patients were homozygous for pathogenic variants in LDLRAP1 gene resulting in autosomal recessive hypercholesterolemia. One patient was found to be heterozygous for the ApoE variant p.(Leu167del), known to confer an FH phenotype. Conclusions This study shows the molecular characteristics of the FH patients identified in Italy over the last two years. Full phenotypic characterization of these patients and cascade screening of family members is now in progress

Familial hypercholesterolemia: The Italian Atherosclerosis Society Network (LIPIGEN)

Background and aims Primary dyslipidemias are a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by abnormal levels of circulating lipoproteins. Among them, familial hypercholesterolemia is the most common lipid disorder that predisposes for premature cardiovascular disease. We set up an Italian nationwide network aimed at facilitating the clinical and genetic diagnosis of genetic dyslipidemias named LIPIGEN (LIpid TransPort Disorders Italian GEnetic Network). Methods Observational, multicenter, retrospective and prospective study involving about 40 Italian clinical centers. Genetic testing of the appropriate candidate genes at one of six molecular diagnostic laboratories serving as nationwide DNA diagnostic centers. Results and conclusions From 2012 to October 2016, available biochemical and clinical information of 3480 subjects with familial hypercholesterolemia identified according to the Dutch Lipid Clinic Network (DLCN) score were included in the database and genetic analysis was performed in 97.8% of subjects, with a mutation detection rate of 92.0% in patients with DLCN score \ue2\u89\ua56. The establishment of the LIPIGEN network will have important effects on clinical management and it will improve the overall identification and treatment of primary dyslipidemias in Italy

Familial hypercholesterolemia: The Italian Atherosclerosis Society Network (LIPIGEN)

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Primary dyslipidemias are a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by abnormal levels of circulating lipoproteins. Among them, familial hypercholesterolemia is the most common lipid disorder that predisposes for premature cardiovascular disease. We set up an Italian nationwide network aimed at facilitating the clinical and genetic diagnosis of genetic dyslipidemias named LIPIGEN (LIpid TransPort Disorders Italian GEnetic Network). METHODS: Observational, multicenter, retrospective and prospective study involving about 40 Italian clinical centers. Genetic testing of the appropriate candidate genes at one of six molecular diagnostic laboratories serving as nationwide DNA diagnostic centers. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: From 2012 to October 2016, available biochemical and clinical information of 3480 subjects with familial hypercholesterolemia identified according to the Dutch Lipid Clinic Network (DLCN) score were included in the database and genetic analysis was performed in 97.8% of subjects, with a mutation detection rate of 92.0% in patients with DLCN score 656. The establishment of the LIPIGEN network will have important effects on clinical management and it will improve the overall identification and treatment of primary dyslipidemias in Italy

The Effect of Using Estafet Writing Technique to Enhance Students’ Compositional Efficiency

The aim of this research is to learn the impact of the estafet writing technique on student compositional efficiency. Writing is one of the most critical skills students can learn. Yet, for a number of reasons, students often have trouble communicating their teaching. The students face difficulties in writing composition. They have spelling problems, grammar, punctuation, uninterested media, they don’t have enough vocabulary to repeat the same phrases, and they make grammatical mistakes as well. Estafet Writing is one of the active learning techniques and also a creative learning model where one of the students starts writing, which is continued again one after the other. This is one of the easy-to-learn approaches that can teach composition writing effectively.To achieve the study objective, two parts of Al Noor Preparatory School for Boys (the research sample) were randomly selected to represent the experimental group (37 students) and control group (39 students). The study population includes the fifth year students in the center of the Baghdad Governorate (2019-2020) for the academic year at the Preparatory School for Boys. The researcher had planned evaluations of the performance to be used as pre- and post-test. A T-test formula for two independent samples is used for analysis of the data obtained.The results of this study show that the performance of students in writing composition is improved, and the students give positive responses after being taught using Estafet Writing Technique

Experimental and Quantum Chemical Investigations on the Anticorrosion Efficiency of a Nicotinehydrazide Derivative for Mild Steel in HCl

A corrosion inhibitor namely N&prime;-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene) nicotinohydrazide was synthesized and the inhibition efficiency of the investigated inhibitor toward the mild steel corrosion in 1 M HCl was studied. The anticorrosion effect has been investigated by weight loss (WL) techniques and electrochemical analysis includes potentiodynamic polarization (PDP) studies and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The current investigation has demonstrated that the tested inhibitor is suitable in corrosive environment and the inhibitive efficacy up to 97% in 1 M HCl. PDP measurements showed that the nicotinohydrazide is a mixed type inhibitor. EIS measurements showed that an increase in the inhibitory concentration leads to an increase in the charge transfer resistance (Rct) and a decrease in the double-layer capacitance (Cdl). Experimental results for the inhibitory performance of WL methods and electrochemical techniques (PDP and EIS) are in good agreement. The tested inhibitor molecules adsorbed on the surface of mild steel in a hydrochloric acid solution followed Langmuir&rsquo;s isothermal adsorption. Quantum chemical parameters based on density function theory (DFT) techniques were conducted on oxygen/nitrogen-bearing heterocyclic molecule employed as a corrosion inhibitor for mild steel in HCl to evaluate the correlation between the inhibitor structure and inhibitory performance. The parameters including the energy gap (&Delta;E), dipole moment (&mu;), electronegativity (&chi;), electron affinity (A), global hardness (&eta;), softness (&sigma;), ionization potential (I), the fraction of electrons transferred (&Delta;N), the highest occupied molecular orbital energy (EHOMO), and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy (ELUMO) were also calculated and were in good agreement with the experimental results

An audience development questionnaire based on Emotional Text Analysis: a festival case study

This paper presents an action research case study where a questionnaire for identifyingorganizational strategies of audience development for culturaland creative services was constructed through text analysis. This was achieved in two phases: the first, spanning three years (2012-2014), allowed us to explore the context of an Italianliterary festival through anemotionaltext analysis of 395 interviews carried out during the festival; in the second phase, a questionnaire, which wasconstructed based onthe data produced in the preceding phase,was administered to 330 people during the sixth edition of the festival (2015)and the results will beused with the organizers for programming future editions