Evaluation of the synergistic effect of chitosan metal ions (Cu2+/Co2+) in combination with antibiotics to counteract the effects on antibiotic resistant bacteria

The effectiveness of antibiotics that save millions of lives is in danger due to the increasing rise of resistant bacteria around the world. We proposed chitosan-copper ions (CSNP-Cu²⁺) and chitosan-cobalt ion nanoparticles (CSNP-Co²⁺) as biodegradable nanoparticles loaded with metal ions synthesized via an ionic gelation method for treatment of antibiotic resistant bacteria. The nanoparticles were characterized using TEM, FT-IR, zeta potential and ICP-OES. The MIC was evaluated for the NPs in addition to evaluating the synergetic effect of the nanoparticles in combination with cefepime or penicillin for five different antibiotic resistant bacterial strains. In order to investigate the mode of action, MRSA, DSMZ 28766 and Escherichia coli E0157:H7 were selected for further evaluation of antibiotic resistant genes expression upon treatment with NPs. Finally, the cytotoxic activities were investigated using MCF7, HEPG2 and A549 and WI-38 cell lines. The results showed quasi spherical shape and mean particle size of 19.9 ± 5 nm, 21 ± 5 nm and 22.27 ± 5 for CSNP, CSNP-Cu²⁺ and CSNP-Co²⁺ respectively. FT-IR showed slight shifting of the hydroxyl and amine group's peaks of chitosan indicating the adsorption of metal ions. Both nanoparticles had antibacterial activity with MIC ranging between 125 and 62 μg ml^-1 for the used standard bacterial strains. Moreover, the combination of each of the synthesized NP with either cefepime or penicillin not only showed a synergetic effect as antibacterial activity of each NP or antibiotics alone, but also decreased the fold of antibiotic resistance genes expression. The NPs showed potent cytotoxic activities for MCF-7, HepG2 and A549 cancer cell lines with lower cytotoxic values for the WI-38 normal cell line. The NPs' antibacterial activity may be due to penetration and rupture of the cell membrane and the outer membrane of Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria causing bacterial cell death, in addition to, penetration into the bacterial genes and blocking gene expression that is vital to bacterial growth. The fabricated nanoparticles can be an effective, affordable and biodegradable solution to challenge antibiotic resistant bacteria.

The Malay version of smartphone addiction scale: Development, factor structure and validation of a short form for Malaysian adolescents

INTRODUCTION

This study aimed to validate the Malay version of the short form Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS-M-SF) and to examine its psychometric properties in a cohort of pre-university adolescents.

METHODS

We obtained the validity and reliability evidence for the SAS-M-SF using a group of 307 pre-university students in Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia with a mean age of 18.4±0.2 years (70.4% female and 29.6% male). A questionnaire containing the Malay version of Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS-M), the Malay version of the short form Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS-M-SF), and the Malay version of the Internet Addiction Test (IAT-M) was administered on the adolescents.

RESULTS

The SAS-M-SF displayed good internal consistency (Cronbach's α=0.80). Using principle component analysis, we identified a 4-factor SAS-M-SF model. A significant correlation between the SAS-M-SF and the IAT-M was found, lending support for concurrent validity. The prevalence of smartphone addiction was 54.5% based on cut-off score of ≥36 with a sensitivity of 70.2% and a specificity of 72.5%.

CONCLUSIONS

The 10-item SAS-M-SF is a valid and reliable screening tool for smartphone addiction among adolescents. The scale can help clinicians or educators design appropriate intervention and prevention programs targeting smartphone addiction in adolescents at clinical or school settings.

Effect of intrauterine growth pattern on serum visfatin concentrations in full-term infants at birth and at 6 months of life

OBJECTIVE

Visfatin is a hormone discovered in fat cells and is directly related to diabetes. We aimed to investigate the relationship between intrauterine growth pattern and serum visfatin concentrations in full-term infants at birth and at 6 months of life.

METHODS

Cord blood visfatin concentrations were assessed in 90 full-term neonates enrolled into; Group I: 30 appropriate for gestational age (AGA) neonates to healthy mothers, Group II: 30 intra-uterine growth restricted (IUGR) neonates, 19 were born to mothers with pre-eclampsia, Group III: 30 large for gestational age (LGA) neonates, 16 were infants of diabetic mothers (IDMs). Neonates were followed up at six months of age for visfatin concentrations.

RESULTS

Cord blood visfatin concentrations were increased in IUGR compared to AGA group (p = 0.002). Cord blood visfatin concentrations were increased in LGA compared to AGA and IUGR groups (P <  0.001, P <  0.001). Cord blood visfatin concentrations were positively correlated to birth weight in AGA, LGA groups (r = 0.39, p = 0.045, r = 0.449, p = 0.013 respectively). Visfatin concentrations in neonates born to mothers with pre-eclampsia and IDMs were higher than in those born to mothers without pre-eclampsia and to non-diabetic mothers (p = 0.040, p = 0.002 respectively). At six months, serum visfatin concentrations decreased compared to cord blood visfatin concentrations in IUGR and LGA groups (p <  0.001). Levels in LGA were still higher than IUGR (p = 0.004). Serum visfatin concentrations were positively correlated to cord visfatin in IUGR neonates (r = 0.497, p = 0.005).

CONCLUSION

Cord blood visfatin concentrations were increased in LGA and IUGR neonates. At six months, serum visfatin concentrations decreased compared to cord blood visfatin concentrations in LGA and IUGR groups, still higher in the former than the latter.

Enaminones as Building Blocks In Heterocyclic Synthesis: A New One Pot Synthesis of Polyfunctional Substituted Pyridines

Enaminones react with a variety of active methyl and methylene reagents in presence of ammonium acetate to yield functionally substituted pyridines in good yields. The reaction proceeded via initial Michael addition across the double bond followed by cyclization. The reaction of enaminone with aromatic aldehyde in acetic acid/ammonium acetate afforded the dihydropyridine that was oxidized to the corresponding pyridine.

Chemical fingerprinting of naphthenic acids and oil sands process waters-A review of analytical methods for environmental samples

This article provides a review of the routine methods currently utilized for total naphthenic acid analyses. There is a growing need to develop chemical methods that can selectively distinguish compounds found within industrially derived oil sands process affected waters (OSPW) from those derived from the natural weathering of oil sands deposits. Attention is thus given to the characterization of other OSPW components such as oil sands polar organic compounds, PAHs, and heavy metals along with characterization of chemical additives such as polyacrylamide polymers and trace levels of boron species. Environmental samples discussed cover the following matrices: OSPW containments, on-lease interceptor well systems, on- and off-lease groundwater, and river and lake surface waters. There are diverse ranges of methods available for analyses of total naphthenic acids. However, there is a need for inter-laboratory studies to compare their accuracy and precision for routine analyses. Recent advances in high- and medium-resolution mass spectrometry, concomitant with comprehensive mass spectrometry techniques following multi-dimensional chromatography or ion-mobility separations, have allowed for the speciation of monocarboxylic naphthenic acids along with a wide range of other species including humics. The distributions of oil sands polar organic compounds, particularly the sulphur containing species (i.e., OxS and OxS2) may allow for distinguishing sources of OSPW. The ratios of oxygen- (i.e., Ox) and nitrogen-containing species (i.e., NOx, and N2Ox) are useful for differentiating organic components derived from OSPW from natural components found within receiving waters. Synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy also provides a powerful screening technique capable of quickly detecting the presence of aromatic organic acids contained within oil sands naphthenic acid mixtures. Synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy provides diagnostic profiles for OSPW and potentially impacted groundwater that can be compared against reference groundwater and surface water samples. Novel applications of X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy (XANES) are emerging for speciation of sulphur-containing species (both organic and inorganic components) as well as industrially derived boron-containing species. There is strong potential for an environmental forensics application of XANES for chemical fingerprinting of weathered sulphur-containing species and industrial additives in OSPW.

Frequency of VKORC1 (C1173T) and CYP2C9 genetic polymorphisms in Egyptians and their influence on warfarin maintenance dose: proposal for a new dosing regimen

INTRODUCTION

Warfarin is one of the most widely used anticoagulants, yet interindividual differences in drug response, a narrow therapeutic range and a high risk of bleeding or stroke complicate its use. We aimed to determine the allele and genotype frequency of VKORC1 1173 C>T, CYP2C9*2 and CYP2C9*3 variant polymorphisms in the Egyptian population and to evaluate their influence on the interindividual differences in warfarin dosage.

METHODS

A total of 154 unrelated healthy adult patients and 46 warfarin-treated patients were included. SYBR Green-based real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was used for studying VKORC1 (C1173T) and CYP2C9*3 polymorphisms. Mutagenically separated PCR assay was used to detect the CYP2C9*2 allele.

RESULTS

VKORC1 genotype frequencies were 11%, 24% and 65% for CC, CT and TT, respectively. The prevalence of CYP2C9 haplotypes was 81% (*1\*1), 3.3% (*1\*2), 9.7% (*1\*3), 4.5% (*2\*2) and 0.65% (2\*3 and *3\*3). VKORC1 TT and CYP2C9*2\*2 were associated with a significantly lower warfarin dose. VKORC1 and CYP2C9 accounted for 31.7% and 15.6% of warfarin dose variability, respectively, and together with clinical factors explained 61.3% of total variability.

CONCLUSION

VKORC1-TT and CYP2C9 *1/*1 are the most prevalent genotypes among Egyptians. Patients with VKORC1-TT genotype required a lower warfarin dose.

Tuberculosis in a low-incidence US area: local consequences of global disruptions

SETTING

Tuberculosis (TB) in the United States is increasingly concentrated among foreign-born persons. The northeastern states, including Connecticut, are among those with the highest proportion of foreign-born patients.

METHODS

This retrospective analysis of surveillance data from Connecticut for 1996 through 2005 compared TB case rates and risk factors among US-born and foreign-born persons.

RESULTS

Between 1996 and 2005, TB cases declined by 8.7% in foreign-born persons and by 53.6% in US-born persons. The median annual incidence rate for foreign-born persons was 19.7 cases per 100000 population compared with 1.5 for US-born persons. Refugees had the highest TB rate (116 cases/100000) in the first year of their arrival. Resistance to any drug was more common among foreign-born persons (15.0%) than among US-born persons (9.3%). Although the proportion of multidrug-resistant TB was highest among foreign-born persons with prior TB (5.6%), most cases occurred in those without prior TB. Risk factors for TB, such as human immunodeficiency virus infection, drug use, incarceration and homelessness, were more common among US-born TB patients than among foreign-born patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Although TB case rates for US-born persons in Connecticut have declined dramatically, foreign-born persons, including refugees fleeing conflict, contribute disproportionately to the TB burden. Future efforts to eliminate TB must be directed toward immigrants and refugees.

Prospects of plasma immersion ion implantation and deposition (PIlI & D) in the biomaterials field in Malaysia and south East Asia

One of the emerging technologies in the area of plasma processing is plasma immersion ion implantation (PSII). The paper addresses the merits offered by the PSII technique especially in the area of biomaterial processing. Worldwide development status as well as the drive towards commercial applications is elaborated in an attempt to draw the attention to the importance of the process for Malaysia as well as south East Asia.

Importance of beta(2)adrenergic receptor genotype, gender and race on albuterol-evoked bronchodilation in asthmatics

To determine whether race and gender affect beta(2)receptor-stimulated bronchodilation, we quantified FEV(1)and plasma concentrations of albuterol at various times following the oral administration of a single 8-mg dose of albuterol in 15 black and 15 white male and female asthmatics. No important racial or gender differences in albuterol-evoked FEV(1)or percent-predicted FEV(1)were evident, although females tended to be more sensitive compared to males. Pharmacodynamic (PD) models were fitted to data in 19 patients (63%); FEV(1)was too erratic to fit in three, and a clockwise hysteresis in the FEV(1)vs. albuterol concentration relationship was observed in eight asthmatics. Mean +/- SD baseline (E(0)), maximal FEV(1)(E(max)) and C(50)were: 3.18 + 1.03 l, 4.00 +/- 1.12 l, 7.84 +/- 10.2 microg/l, respectively. beta(2)receptor genotype was determined in 16 patients. All Arg 16 homozygotes exhibited proportional FEV(1)response vs. plasma albuterol concentration relationships, and thus were fitted by PD models. All those having a poor FEV(1)vs. albuterol concentration relationship carried the Gly 16 allele. We conclude that receptor genotype, but not race or gender, is an important determinant of albuterol pharmacodynamics.

Monoterpene and pregnane glucosides from Solenostemma argel

From the aerial parts of Solenostemma argel, two monoterpene glucosides have been isolated and identified as 6,7-dihydroxy-dihydrolinalool 3-O-beta-glucopyranoside and 6,7-dihydroxy-dihydrolinalool 7-O-beta-glucopyranoside. A pregnane glucoside was also isolated and assigned as pregn-5-ene-3,14-beta-dihydroxy-7,20-dione 3-O-beta-glucopyranoside together with the known compounds benzyl alcohol O-beta-apiofuranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-glucopyranoside, 2-phenylethyl O-alpha-arabinopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-glucopyranoside, astragalin and kaempferol-3-O-alpha-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-glucopyranoside.

Impact of genetic polymorphisms of the beta2-adrenergic receptor on albuterol bronchodilator pharmacodynamics

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether genetic polymorphisms of the beta2-adrenergic receptor gene affect the relationship between albuterol (INN, salbutamol) plasma concentrations and the forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) in subjects with moderate asthma.

METHODS

Sixteen clinically stable patients with moderate asthma who participated in a pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic study of albuterol volunteered to provide a blood sample for determination of beta2-adrenergic receptor genotype. FEV1 and plasma concentrations of albuterol were determined at various times after administration of an oral solution that contained 8 mg albuterol. Patients withheld inhaled beta2-agonist and corticosteroid therapy 12 and 24 hours, respectively, before the study. beta2-Adrenergic receptor genotype was determined by polymerase chain reaction with allele-specific oligonucleotide hybridization.

RESULTS

Albuterol-evoked FEV1 was higher and the response was more rapid in Arg16 homozygotes compared with the cohort of carriers of the Gly16 variant: Maximal percentage increase in FEV1 (%deltaFEV1), 18% versus 4.9% (P < .03); area under FEV1 albuterol concentration curve, 194%.mL/ng versus 30%.mL/ng (P < .05); initial slope (dE/dC), 1.43%.mL/ng versus 0.55%.mL/ng (P < .003).

CONCLUSIONS

The beta2-adrenergic receptor gene polymorphism is a major determinant of bronchodilator response to albuterol. Future pharmacodynamic studies of beta2-agonists should include determination of 02-adrenergic receptor genotype.

Effects of gender and race on albuterol pharmacokinetics

We evaluated the effects of race and gender on albuterol pharmacokinetics in 30 patients with moderate asthma (15 blacks, 15 whites, 16 men, 14 women). Subjects received a single dose of albuterol 8 mg oral solution and had blood samples collected at various times for 12 hours after the dose. Albuterol plasma concentrations were determined by HPLC with fluorescence detection, and pharmacokinetics were determined by compartmental analysis. The apparent volume of distribution of albuterol was significantly higher in men than in women (631+/-171 and 510+/-109 L, respectively, p<0.05). Consequently, the maximum concentration was lower in men than women (10.3+/-2.1 and 12.0+/-1.9 ng/ml, respectively, p<0.05). Elimination rates were 0.136+/-0.008 and 0.160+0.012 hour(-1), respectively (p<0.10). When corrected for ideal body weight, apparent volume of distribution was not different by gender. No differences between blacks and whites other than lag time were noted in albuterol kinetics. The greater apparent volume of distribution in men is likely explained by differences in ideal body weight or lean body mass.

Categorical analysis of factors affecting needs and demands for removable dentures among Alexandria Dental Research Center clientele

An accurate assessment of dental needs is important to public health planners. With this information, it is possible to assess future treatment needs and demands for services including those for removable dentures. The present work aimed to estimate the magnitude and types of needs, and demands for partial or complete removable dentures, to study some factors that may affect the identified needs and demands for removable dentures, in addition to studying the factors that may affect satisfaction with the dentures. The present study was conducted in "Alexandria Dental Research Center". Data were collected by means of interview questionnaire, followed by dental examination of all patients attending the center for the sake of removable dental restorations for a period of 6 months. A further follow up over a period of three months was undertaken to the 330 cases recorded. About one third of the cases demanded partial and/or complete dentures and were above 60 years old. The first purpose for construction of new dentures was mastication, followed by cosmetics. Only one quarter of cases decided to have delayed immediate dentures. Diabetics and those having chronic diseases showed more demand for complete dentures. The most discriminating variable between the demand for different dentures was the missing in the lower anterior teeth followed by missing in the upper both anterior and posterior and then missing in the upper anterior teeth. Satisfaction score increased with advance of age, among males, among those for complete dentures, and those who had had previous dentures. Stepwise logistic regression revealed that the best predictor for overall satisfaction was the history of having previous dentures. Results of the present study, suggest that early screening and treatment of diabetic patients, gathering detailed information by means of a questionnaire before new dentures fabrication may be an important tool for the dentist in predicting and consequently enhancing patient satisfaction with the dentures. Health education should stress on the value of restoring missing teeth and all available options around this.

Studies on Securigera securidacea (L.) Deg. et Dörfl. (Fabaceae) seeds, an antidiabetic Egyptian folk medicine

A new cardenolide(-)-14-methoxy-rcanoside (1) was isolated from the aqueous extract of the seeds of Securigera securidacea (L.) Deg. et Dörfl. (Fabaceae) together with five new dihydrobenzofuran derivatives named securigran I-V (2-6). Kaempferol and astragalin were also isolated from the aqueous extract of the flowers. (-)-14-Methoxyhyrcanoside and the total aqueous extract of the seeds showed marked chronotropic activity. The total aqueous extract also showed a marked diuretic and severe hypokalemic effects on the K(+)-level in serum. The hypoglycemic effect of the seeds was also confirmed.

Nitriles in Heterocyclic Synthesis: Novel Syntheses of Functionally Substituted Isoxazoles, Pyrazoles, Pyrazines and their Condensed Derivatives

Novel syntheses of functionally substituted isoxazoles, pyrazoles and pyrazines have been reported utilizing ethyl tosyloximinoglyoxalate (1) and the pyridinium salt 2 as starting materials. Functionally substituted nitriles are versatile reagents and their utility in heterocyclic synthesis has received considerable recent attention [3 - 7]. In previous work we have reported several new approaches for the synthesis of azoles, azines and azoloazines utilizing simple readily obtainable polyfunctional nitriles as starting materials [8-12]. Although 1 and 2 can be readily prepared from ethyl cyanoacetate, however, their utility in synthesis of heterocycles has received only very little attention [1, 2, 13-16]