Synthesis, Characterization and Antimicrobial Activities of 1,4- Disubstituted 1,2,3-Triazole Compounds

BACKGROUND

1,2,3-triazoles are five-membered heterocyclic scaffold; their broad-spectrum biological activities are known. Researchers around the world are increasingly being interested in this emerging area, owing to its immense pharmacological scope.

OBJECTIVE

This work summarizes the synthesis of 1,2,3-triazoles and the significance of this pattern as a lead structure for new drug molecules discovery.

METHODS

1,2,3-triazoles can be obtained on a multigram scale through "click chemistry" under ambient conditions.

RESULTS

Sixteen compounds were synthesized and evaluated on five microbial strains E. coli, E. faecalis, P. aeruginosa, S. aureus and C. albicans. NMR, MS and IR were used to characterize all compounds. They were evaluated with their Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs) and interesting results were obtained with compounds 12a, 12b, 3, 2a and 2c, with MIC 0.14 μM (P. aeruginosa), 1.08 μM (E. coli), 1.20 μM (E. faecalis and C. albicans), 3.5 μM (E. faecalis) and 4.24 μM (C. albicans), respectively. P. aeruginosa and C. albicans were the most sensitive among all the strains.

CONCLUSION

The synthesized compounds were found as potential antimicrobial agents against Gram (+), Gram (-) strains and fungi.

Mental health problems among labour children in the Gaza Strip

BACKGROUND

There is increasing international concern over the rising number of children involved in labour, particularly in developing countries. Despite the multitude of related risk factors, and some evidence on their social needs, there has been limited research on these children's mental health.

METHODS

The aim of this study was to establish the association between labour-related variables and mental health problems among 780 children in labour (aged 9-18 years, mean 15.8) in the Gaza Strip. Measures included a demographic checklist, the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, the Spence Children's Anxiety Scale and the Depression Self-rating Scale for Children.

RESULTS

Children came from large families (73.2% had eight or more siblings), mainly worked to increase family income, worked an average 6.8 h per day (range 1-16), and only 37.1% had regular rest. Ratings of mental health problems were predicted by different factors, i.e. total difficulties scores by poor friendship relationships and lack of health insurance; anxiety scores by selling in the streets, working to help family, low family income and lack of health insurance; and depression scores by parents' dissatisfaction with the job and longer working hours.

CONCLUSIONS

  Mental health problems of children in labour are likely to be associated with socio economic determinants, as well as factors related to their under age employment. Policy, legislation and preventive programmes from statutory and voluntary agencies should adopt an integrated approach in meeting their mental health needs, by enhancing protective factors such as return to school.

Investigation of the Electronic and Structural Properties of Potassium Hexaboride, KB6, by Transport, Magnetic Susceptibility, EPR, and NMR Measurements, Temperature-Dependent Crystal Structure Determination, and Electronic Band Structure Calculations

The electronic and structural properties of potassium hexaboride, KB(6), were examined by transport, magnetic susceptibility, EPR, and NMR measurements, temperature-dependent crystal structure determination, and electronic band structure calculations. The valence bands of KB(6) are partially empty, but the electrical resistivity of KB(6) reveals that it is not a normal metal. The magnetic susceptibility as well as EPR and NMR measurements show the presence of localized electrons in KB(6). The EPR spectra of KB(6) have two peaks, a broad ( approximately 320 G) and a narrow (less than approximately 27 G) line width, and the temperature-dependence of the magnetic susceptibility of KB(6) exhibits a strong hysteresis below 70 K. The temperature-dependent crystal structure determination of KB(6) shows the occurrence of an unusual variation in the unit cell parameter hence supporting that the hysteresis of the magnetic susceptibility is a bulk phenomenon. The line width DeltaH(pp) of the broad EPR signal is independent of temperature and EPR frequency. This finding indicates that the line broadening results from the dipole-dipole interaction, and the spins responsible for the broad EPR peak has the average distance of approximately 1.0 nm. To explain these apparently puzzling properties, we examined a probable mechanism of electron localization in KB(6) and its implications.