Search

BACKGROUND: Noncontrast cardiac T1 times are increased in dialysis patients which might indicate fibrotic alterations in uremic cardiomyopathy. PURPOSE: To explore the application of the texture analysis (TA) of T1 images in the assessment of myocardial alterations in dialysis patients. STUDY TYPE: Case-control study. POPULATION: A total of 117 subjects, including 22 on hemodialysis, 44 on peritoneal dialysis, and 51 healthy controls. FIELD STRENGTH: A 3 T, steady-state free precession (SSFP) sequence, modified Look-Locker imaging (MOLLI). ASSESSMENT: Two independent, blinded researchers manually delineated endocardial and epicardial borders of the left ventricle (LV) on midventricular T1 maps for TA. STATISTICAL TESTS: Texture feature selection was performed, incorporating reproducibility verification, machine learning, and collinearity analysis. Multivariate linear regressions were performed to examine the independent associations between the selected texture features and left ventricular function in dialysis patients. Texture features' performance in discrimination was evaluated by sensitivity and specificity. Reproducibility was estimated by the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). RESULTS: Dialysis patients had greater T1 values than normal (P < 0.05). Five texture features were filtered out through feature selection, and four showed a statistically significant difference between dialysis patients and healthy controls. Among the four features, vertical run-length nonuniformity (VRLN) had the most remarkable difference among the control and dialysis groups (144 ± 40 vs. 257 ± 74, P < 0.05), which overlap was much smaller than Global T1 times (1268 ± 38 vs. 1308 ± 46 msec, P < 0.05). The VRLN values were notably elevated (cutoff = 170) in dialysis patients, with a specificity of 97% and a sensitivity of 88%, compared with T1 times (specificity = 76%, sensitivity = 60%). In dialysis patients, VRLN was significantly and independently associated with left ventricular ejection fraction (P < 0.05), global longitudinal strain (P < 0.05), radial strain (P < 0.05), and circumferential strain (P < 0.05); however, T1 was not. DATA CONCLUSION: The texture features obtained by TA of T1 images and VRLN may be a better parameter for assessing myocardial alterations than T1 times. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 3.

The plants belonging to the genus Vicia are of great interest as a source of many bioactive compounds and micronutrients. A snapshot of their cultivation, habitat, main components, from which essential oils can be obtained, is given. The traditional medicinal uses of Vicia plants are also reported, as well as the wide spectrum of the main biological activities attributed to Vicia plants is discussed regarding potential health beneficial properties, in particular anti-Parkinson, anticholinesterase, antidepressant, anticonvulsant, antimicrobial, cytotoxic, antioxidant, antiinflammatory and antinociceptive, antidiabetic, antihemolytic, anticoagulant, estrogenic, diuretic, antihypoxic activities.

BACKGROUND Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a disease with high morbidity and mortality worldwide and the evaluation of myocardial injury and perfusion status following myocardial ischemia and reperfusion is of clinical value. PURPOSE To assess the diagnostic utility of simplified perfusion fraction (SPF) in differentiating salvage and infarcted myocardium and its predictive value for left ventricular remodeling in patients with reperfusion ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). STUDY TYPE Prospective. POPULATION Forty-one reperfused STEMI patients and 20 healthy volunteers. FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE 3.0T MRI. The MR examination included cine, T2 -short tau inversion recovery (T2 -STIR), first pass perfusiong (FPP)，phase sensitive inversion recovery (PSIR), and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). ASSESSMENT SPF values among different myocardium regions (infarcted, salvaged, remote, and MVO) and stages of reperfused STEMI patients as well as normal controls were measured. The diagnostic utility of SPF values in differentiating salvaged and infarcted myocardium was assessed. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS Independent t-test and the Mann-Whitney U-test. Logistic regression. RESULTS SPF values in healthy controls were not significantly different than SPF values in the remote myocardium of patients (40.09 ± 1.47% vs. 40.28 ± 1.93%, P = 0.698). In reperfusion STEMI patients, SPF values were lower in infarcted myocardium compared to remote and salvaged myocardium (32.15 ± 2.36% vs. 40.28 ± 1.93%, P

OBJECTIVE To compare effectiveness and safety of carbetocin and misoprostol for prevention of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) among low-risk women. METHODS Randomized controlled trial among 150 pregnant women with low risk of PPH admitted for vaginal delivery at Kasr Al Ainy Hospital, Cairo, Egypt, between July 2018 and May 2019. Participants were assigned to two groups by a web-based randomization system ensuring allocation concealment. After neonatal delivery, the carbetocin group received one ampoule of carbetocin (100 μg/mL) intravenously and the misoprostol group received two rectal tablets of misoprostol (800 μg) for active management of the third stage. Blood pressure, blood loss, and hemoglobin levels were monitored. The primary outcome measure was need for additional uterotonic drugs. RESULTS The carbetocin group had significantly less blood loss (P

Objective To develop a nanoparticle (NP) platform that can expand both CD4+ and CD8+ Treg cells in vivo for the suppression of autoimmune responses in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) NPs encapsulating interleukin-2 (IL-2) and transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) were coated with anti-CD2/CD4 antibodies and administered to mice with lupus-like disease induced by the transfer of DBA/2 T cells into (C57BL/6 × DBA/2)F1 (BDF1) mice. The peripheral frequency of Treg cells was monitored ex vivo by flow cytometry. Disease progression was assessed by measuring serum anti-double-stranded DNA antibody levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Kidney disease was defined as the presence of proteinuria or renal histopathologic features. Results Anti-CD2/CD4 antibody-coated, but not noncoated, NPs encapsulating IL-2 and TGFβ induced CD4+ and CD8+ FoxP3+ Treg cells in vitro. The optimal dosing regimen of NPs for expansion of CD4+ and CD8+ Treg cells was determined in in vivo studies in mice without lupus and then tested in BDF1 mice with lupus. The administration of anti-CD2/CD4 antibody-coated NPs encapsulating IL-2 and TGFβ resulted in the expansion of CD4+ and CD8+ Treg cells, a marked suppression of anti-DNA antibody production, and reduced renal disease. Conclusion This study shows for the first time that T cell-targeted PLGA NPs encapsulating IL-2 and TGFβ can expand both CD4+ and CD8+ Treg cells in vivo and suppress murine lupus. This approach, which enables the expansion of Treg cells in vivo and inhibits pathogenic immune responses in SLE, could represent a potential new therapeutic modality in autoimmune conditions characterized by impaired Treg cell function associated with IL-2 deficiency.

Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) possess many utilizable physical and chemical properties and have an acceptable level of biocompatibility. Therefore, they are extensively used in different medical applications. Hence, the challenge is to modify the surfaces of prepared iron oxide nanoformulations with a biocompatible coat to enhance their biosafety. In this study, different formulations of IONPs with different capping agents (citrate [Cit-IONPs], curcumin [Cur-IONPs], and chitosan [CS-IONPs]) were prepared and characterized using various physicochemical techniques. The biodistribution of iron and the histopathology of affected tissues were assessed after Cit-IONPs, Cur-IONPs, CS-IONPs, and commercial ferrous sulfate were orally administered to adult female Wistar rats for 10 consecutive days at a dose of 4 mg/kg of body weight/day. The results were compared with a control group injected orally with saline. The iron content in the kidneys, liver, and spleen was measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Histopathological alterations were also examined. The biodistribution results demonstrate that iron accumulated mainly in the liver tissue, whereas the lowest liver accumulation was observed after the administration of Cit-IONPs or CS-IONPs, respectively. In contrast, the administration of CS-IONPs displayed the highest spleen iron accumulation. The ferrous sulfate (FeSO4 )-treated group showed the highest kidney iron accumulation as compared with the other groups. The histopathological examination revealed that signs of toxicity were predominant for groups treated with Cit-IONPs or commercial FeSO4 . However, Cur-IONPs and CS-IONPs showed mild toxicity when administered at the same doses. The results obtained in the present study will provide insights into the expected in vivo effects after administration of each nanoformulation.

Preclinical Research The anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of a polyphenol-rich fraction (TMEF) obtained from Terminalia muelleri Benth. were measured. The analgesic activity of TMEF was tested using acetic acid-induced writhing and hot plate models in mice. The anti-inflammatory activity was assessed using carrageenan-induced paw edema model by measuring PGE2 , TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 plasma levels as well as the paw thickness. TMEF was tested at doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg p.o. and diclofenac sodium was used as a standard (100 mg/kg) in all experiments. The group treated with 400 mg/kg of TMEF showed a greater inhibition in the number of writhes (by 63%) than the standard-treated group (61%). Pretreatment with TMEF increased the analgesic effect in hot plate test in a dose-dependent manner with a maximum effect after 120 min. TMEF pretreatment alos reduced the edema thickness by 48, 53, and 62% at the tested doses, respectively. TMEF administration inhibited the carrageenan-induced elevations in PGE2 (by 34, 43, and 47%), TNF-α (18, 28, and 41%), IL-1β (14, 22, and 29%), and IL-6 (26, 31, and 46%). Four phenolic compounds were isolated from Terminalia muelleri for the first time. Drug Dev Res 78 : 146-154, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The in vitro cytotoxic activity in Vero cells and the antiviral activity of Erythrina speciosa methanol extract, fractions, and isolated vitexin were studied. The results revealed that E. speciosa leaves ethyl acetate soluble fraction of the methanol extract (ESLE) was the most active against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). Bioactivity-guided fractionation was performed on ESLE to isolate the bioactive compounds responsible for this activity. One sub-fraction from ESLE (ESLE IV) showed the highest activity against HSV-1 and Hepatitis A HAV-H10 viruses. Vitexin isolated from ESLE VI exhibited a significant antiviral activity (EC50 =35±2.7 and 18±3.3 μg/mL against HAV-H10 and HSV-1 virus, respectively), which was notably greater than the activity of the extract and the fractions. Molecular docking studies were carried out to explore the molecular interactions of vitexin with different macromolecular targets. Analysis of the in silico data together with the in vitro studies validated the antiviral activity associated with vitexin. These outcomes indicated that vitexin is a potential candidate to be utilized commendably in lead optimization for the development of antiviral agents.

Four novel antimicrobial maleimido phenyl thiourea derivatives were synthesized from N-[4-(chlorocarbonyl) phenyl] maleimide with phenyl thiourea and its derivatives (p-methyl, o-chloro, and p-carboxy). Their structures were characterized by FTIR, 1H NMR, mass spectra, and elemental analyses. Their antimicrobial activities against three types of bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Escherichia coli) and against three crop-threatening pathogenic fungi (Aspergillus fumigatus, Geotricum candidum, and Syncephalastrum racemosum) were investigated. The results revealed that these derivatives are effective in inhibiting the growth of the tested bacteria and fungi as indicated from the inhibition zone diameter and minimum inhibitory concentration. The antibacterial activities of these derivatives were more effective against Gram-positive bacteria than Gram-negative bacteria. These derivatives were investigated as thermal stabilizers for rigid poly(vinyl chloride) at 180°C in air by measuring the rate of dehydrochlorination and the extent of discoloration. The results reveal the greater stabilizing efficiency of the investigated derivatives as shown by their longer thermal stability periods (Ts) and lower dehydrochlorination rates in relation to dibasic lead carbonate, cadmium–barium–zinc stearate, and n-octyltin mercaptide industrial stabilizers. The stabilizing efficiency increases with the introduction of electron-donating substituent groups in the aromatic ring of the stabilizer molecules. Moreover, the investigated stabilizers impart better color stability for the degraded samples as compared with the reference stabilizers.

Antimicrobial novel substituted maleimido aromatic hydrazides were synthesized from N-[4-(chlorocarbonyl) phenyl] maleimide with salicylhydrazide, p-aminobenzohydrazide, or p-aminosalicylhydrazide. They were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), hydrogen-1 nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR), mass spectra, elemental analyses, and antimicrobial activities. These derivatives were investigated as thermal stabilizers for rigid polyvinylchloride (PVC) at 180°C in air by measuring the rate of dehydrochlorination, the extent of discoloration, and the changes that occurred in the molecular masses of the degraded PVC samples. The previously reported stabilizing efficiency data of a nonsubstituted derivative, which was synthesized from N-[4-(chlorocarbonyl) phenyl] maleimide with benzohydrazide, is also given for comparison. The results reveal the greater stabilizing efficiency of the investigated derivatives as shown by their longer thermal stability (Ts) periods and lower dehydrochlorination rates in relation to dibasic lead carbonate, cadmium-barium-zinc stearate, and n-octyltin mercaptide industrial stabilizers. The stabilizing efficiency increases with the introduction of electron donating substituent groups in the aromatic ring of the stabilizer molecules. Moreover, the investigated stabilizers impart better color stability for the degraded samples as compared with the reference stabilizers. A synergistic effect is achieved when the materials under investigation were mixed in various weight ratios with any of the reference stabilizers, reaching its maximum at equivalent weight ratio of the investigated stabilizer to the reference one. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 2014. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers

2-Bromo-4-fluoroaniline (1) was condensed with ethyl 2-cyano-3-ethoxyacrylate (2) in ethanol to afford 3, which upon refluxing in paraffin oil at 250°C gave 8-bromo-3-cyano-6-fluoroquinoline-4(1H)-one (4). Then, compound 4 was taken as a versatile building block that allows the synthesis of thieno[3,2-c]quinoline, pyrrolo[3,2-c]quinoline, and N-methylpyrrolo[3,2-c]quinoline systems. The newly synthesized compounds and their derivatives were characterized by elemental analysis and spectroscopy (IR, (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, and mass). Furthermore, some of these synthesized compounds were screened for their biological activities against various pathogenic bacterial and fungal strains. Our results demonstrate that most of the synthesized compounds possess a significant broad antibacterial activity against all strains of both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. In addition, compound 5 showed remarkable antifungal activity.

Hexahydroquinolines 1a, 1b reacted with carbon disulphide in different conditions to yield the corresponding adducts 2a, 2b and 3a, 3b. Carrying out the same reactions in acetone as solvent produced the modified new products 4a, 4b. The interaction of pyrazolopyridine derivatives 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d with carbon disulphide under the same previous conditions furnished the isolated products 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, and 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d. Studying the behavior of 1a, 1b or 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d toward Lawesson's reagent (LR) formed the final adducts 11a, 11b or 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d. The structure of synthesized compounds was confirmed with the spectroscopic and microanalytical data. The biological activities of 2a, 4a, 4b, 7a, 7c, 8d, 11a, 11b, 12b, and 12c were tested for antimicrobial evaluation.

Theranostic constructs combine both therapeutic and diagnostic properties in a single platform (1,2). As such, these systems have recently gained significant attention because of their promise in visualizing therapeutic intervention. Recent progress in both the nanotechnology fabrication front and diagnostic modalities are advancing the design and application of these tools for different disease states (3–7). The attractive aspects of the approach stems from the idea that such systems can simultaneously function to improve drug therapy by localizing drug delivery (6,8–11), guide the delivery process by visualizing the biodistribution of nanoparticle-based therapies and hence facilitate “positioning the dose” for early-stage particulate-based drug development process (6,8–11), or improve upon conventional therapies such as radiation or hyperthermia (12–14). Toward that goal of combining multiple functionalities into a single platform, one of the encumbering issues remains optimization of the therapeutic and imaging agent concentrations in the theranostic platform for realization of effective localized drug delivery and noninvasive imaging. Progress in this area, especially with safe biodegradable materials will yield an optimal platform that function effectively for both treatment and monitoring of targeted drug delivery. Of the different imaging systems available to researchers and clinicians, magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is attractive for noninvasive imaging. Not only because of its ability to image deep into tissue with sufficient sensitivity, and spatiotemporal resolution through the use of appropriate contrast agents, but also because of its safety, wide availability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners, and hence, clinical relevance. In MR, the signal strength is directly related to the relaxation rates of protons in the local environment, (r1, the longitudinal relaxation rate, and r2, the transverse relaxation rate). Because of this correlation, agents that enhance the rate of either relaxation are important as MR contrast agents. While commercially available dextran-coated superparamagnetic iron oxides (SPIOs) (e.g., Molday Ion) are excellent r2 (or T2-inverse relaxation rate) contrast agents, their theranostic utility is limited (Table 1) (15). For example, dextran-coated SPIO are limited in their drug loading capacity and the weak associations of these coatings can often lead to aggregation and precipitation under physiological conditions (16). For these reasons, alternative iron-oxide-polymer hybrid systems (3,4,17–20) have been sought. Of those, polyester-based systems, such as poly(lactide), poly(glycolide), or their copolymer (poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA)), coated iron oxides have gained attention because of their established physiological biocompatibility, tunable biodegradation, and well-understood formulation conditions for encapsulation and release of a wide range of therapeutics (21–23). These iron-oxide-polymer hybrid systems are nontoxic and have demonstrated utility for in vivo cell tracking and therapeutic delivery such as simultaneous priming of antigen and imaging of cell trafficking (22). Table 1 Commercial Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Agents (15) In this work, we developed a multifunctional theranostic platform that facilitates targeting through a new method for surface modification of biodegradable polyester systems (24), controlled release of therapeutics, and maintenance of MR imaging capability during controlled release. One of the main motivations behind the design of the platform was to demonstrate the ability to not only incorporate multiple functions but to introduce a methodology for maintaining imaging capabilities during controlled release. We demonstrate the versatile use of fatty acids as hydrophobic anchors that strongly associate with the PLGA matrix (24,25), affording presentation of targeting ligand conjugates on the PLGA nanoparticle surface to increase cellular targeting and internalization into cells. Furthermore, we show that fatty acids not only allow co-encapsulation and prolonged retention as hydrophobic stabilizers for SPIO, but afford varying degrees of SPIO aggregation resulting in an enhanced and controllable system for MR imaging. This system, thus, preserves biocompatibility and maintains imaging characteristics without hindering the controlled release of small-molecule therapeutics.

Antigen-specific activation of cytotoxic T cells can be enhanced up to three-fold more than soluble controls when using functionalized bundled carbon nanotube substrates ((b) CNTs). To overcome the denaturing effects of direct adsorption on (b) CNTs, a simple but robust method is demonstrated to stabilize the T cell stimulus on carbon nanotube substrates through non-covalent attachment of the linker neutravidin.

Although there is general agreement that asynchrony of the endometrial mucosa is the mechanism by which implantation is inhibited among IUD users, there is a lack of consensus as to whether the type of asynchronism is a delayed or accelerated maturation. To detect the effect of IUDs on dating of the endometrial mucosa, endometrial biopsies were taken from 50 asymptomatic Lippes loop users on days 16, 20, and 24 of the menstrual cycle. The cases, who ranged in age from 20-40, all had regular cycles. A discrepancy of 2 or more days was categorized as representing endometrial asynchrony. On day 16, 29 cases (58%) showed a delayed maturation ranging from 2-12 days. By day 20, delayed maturation was noted in 40 cases (80%), with a range in delay from 2-10 days. On day 24, 44 cases (88%) showed endometrial asynchrony from 2-8 days. The incidence of endometrial asynchrony observed in this series is considerably higher than that obtained in previous studies. This may reflect differences in definition and in dating time and methods. Some studies have considered 3 or more days of delay to be significant. Another study took specimens during the proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle, at which time accurate dating is not possible. The results from the present series suggest that endometrial asynchrony in for form of delayed maturation may be a contraceptive factor. However, further research involving larger numbers of cases is needed.

Summary The authors describe two different Cysticercus species in the camel: Cysticercus dromedarii and a Cysticercus bovis-like cyst. Zusammenfassung Cysticerci beim Kamel Die Verfasser beschreiben das Vorkommen von zwei Cysticercus-Arten beim Kamel: Cysticercus dromedarii und einen Cysticercus, der grose Ahnlichkeit mit dem Cysticercus bovis aufweist. Resume Cysticerques chez le chameau Les auteurs decrivent la presence de deux genres de cysticerques chez le chameau: Cysticercus dromedarii et un cysticerque presentant de grandes ressemblances avec le Cysticercus bovis. Resumen Cisticercos en el camello Los autores describen la presencia de dos especies de cisticercos en el camello: Cysticercus dromedarii y un cisticerco que ofrece gran semejanza con el Cysticercus bovis.

Summary 1 Piperazine adipate (“Nometane”) was found to be of great value as an anthelmintic against Ascaridia galli in chickens when given in a dose of 100 mg. followed by one of 200 mg./kg. body weight after an interval of one week. 2 The drug is very effective against Toxocara canis when infected dogs are dosed with 200 or 300 mg./kg. body weight after twelve hours fasting. 3 The drug has no effect on Taenia spp. or Dipylidium caninum. 4 Piperazine adipate (Nometane) has no toxic effect on chickens or dogs when given in the recommended doses. Zusammenfassung Vorlaufige Untersuchungen uber die Wirkung von Piperazin-Adipat auf Invasion mit Ascaridia galli und Toxocara canis 1 Piperazin-Adipat („Nometane”) erwies sich als sehr wertvolles Anthelminticum gegen Ascaridia galli bei Huhnern, wenn es in einer ersten Dosis von 100 mg/kg und nach einer Woche in einer zweiten Dosis von 200 mg/kg Korpergewicht verabreicht wurde. 2 Das Medikament war sehr wirksam gegen Toxocara canis, sofern die infizierten Hunde nach 12stundigem Hungern mit 200 oder 300 mg/kg Korpergewicht behandelt wurden. 3 Das Mittel ubte auf Taenia-Arten und Dipylidium caninum keine Wirkung aus. 4 Bei Huhnern oder Hunden zeigte das Praparat in der empfohlenen Dosierung keine toxische Wirkung. Resume Recherches preliminaires sur l'action de l'adipate de piperazine contre Ascaridia galli et Toxocara canis 1 L'adipate de piperazine (“Nometane”) est un anthelmintique de valeur contre Ascaridia galli chez la poule a la dose de 100 mg/Kg. L'adminstration du medicament doit etre repetee a la dose de 200 mg/Kg une semaine plus tard. 2 Le medicament se montra egalement tres efficace contre toxocara canis, a condition que les chiens aient ete traites apres un jeune de 12 heures a la dose de 200 a 300 mg par kg d'animal. 3 Le medicament n'eut aucune action sur les especes du genre Taenia et sur Dipylidium caninum. 4 Chez la poule et le chien l'adipate de piperazine “Nometane” ne montra aucune action toxique aux doses indiquees. Resumen Estudios preliminares sobre la accion del adipato de piperazina en la invasion por Ascaridia galli y Toxocara canis 1 El adipato de piperazina (“Nometane”) ha resultado ser un antihelmintico muy valioso frente a Ascaridia galli en gallinas cuando se administro en una primer dosis de 100 mg/kg de peso vivo y en una segunda dosis de 200 mg/kg al cabo de una semana. 2 El medicamento era muy activo frente al Toxocara canis, siempre y cuando los perros invadidos fueron tratados con 200 6 300 mg/kg de peso tras una dieta absoluta de 12 horas. 3 El producto no presento ninguna accion frente a las especies Taenia ni el Dipylidium caninum. 4 A la dosis recomendada, el adipato de piperazina (“Nometane”) no ejercio accion toxica alguna en gallinas o perros.

Poly(N-[4-(N′-phenyl amino carbonyl)phenyl]maleimide), poly(PhPM), has been investigated for the inhibition of the thermal degradation of rigid poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) in air, at 180°C. Its stabilizing efficiency was evaluated by measuring the length of the induction period, the period during which no detectable amounts of hydrogen chloride gas could be observed, and also from the rate of dehydrochlorination as measured by continuous potentiometric determination, and the extent of discoloration of the degraded polymer. The results have proved the greater stabilizing efficiency of poly(PhPM) relative to that of the DBLC commercial stabilizer. This is well demonstrated by the longer induction period values and by the lower rates both of dehydrochlorination and discoloration of the polymer during degradation relative to those of the DBLC reference stabilizer. The greater stabilizing efficiency of the poly(PhPM) is most probably attributed not only to its possession of various centers of reactivity that can act as traps for radical species resulting during the degradation process, and replacement of labile chlorine atoms on PVC chains by relatively more thermally stable poly(PhPM) moieties, but also due to the ability of its fragmentation products to react with the evolved hydrogen chloride gas. A radical mechanism is suggested to account for the stabilizing action of this polymeric stabilizer. A synergistic effect is achieved when the poly(PhPM) was blended in various weight ratios with DBLC. This synergism attains its maximum when poly(PhPM) and DBLC are taken at 3 : 1 weight ratio. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010

Zusammenfassung Der Effekt von Harnstoff und Zugabe von intaktem Protein auf die in vitro-Verdaulichkeit von unbehandeltem oder Alkali-behandeltem Gerstenstroh Es wurde eine N-Zugabe in Form von Harnstoff, Sojamehl, Heringsmehl bzw. von Kombinationen aus ihnen auf die in vitro-Verdaulichkeit der organischen Substanz (OS) von NaOH-oder NH3-behandeltem Gerstenstroh untersucht. Es wurde soviel N zugegeben, das die Proben 8, 16 und 24 mg N/g TS enthielten. Aus den Ergebnissen ging hervor, das ”die, Tauchmethode„ mit NaOH wirkungsvoller als die, Stapelmethode” mit NH3 war, um den NDF- und Hemicellulosegehalt zu senken (NaOH: 605 und 136 g/kg TS; NH3: 796 und 259 g/kg TS). Wurde den Bestimmungsansatzen N zugegeben, war die Verdaulichkeit der OS bei NaOH-behandeltem Stroh signifikant (P

Zusammenfassung Der Einflus der Rationsgestaltung auf den Abbau von unbchandeltem, chemisch behandeltem Gerstenstroh und Grassilage bei Milchkuhen Es wurde der Einflus von steigenden Kraftfuttergaben auf den in sacco-Abbau der organischen Substanz von unbehandeltem, NH3-, NaOH-behandeltem Gerstenstroh und Grassilage bei Milchkuhen untersucht. Als Versuchstiere dienten 2 Milchkuhe mit Pansenfisteln. Sie erhielten unterschiedliche Mengen an Grassilage und Kraftfutter (0, 20, 40, 60% Konzentrat-futter in Form von Gerstenpellets). Pansenflussigkeit wurde zur Bestimmung von FFS, NH3 und pH-Wert entnommen. Die chemische Behandlung erhohte die Abbaurate der organischen Substanz im Gerstenstroh. Dabei zeigte sich die Behandlung mit NaOH (Dip-Methode) wirksamer als die Behandlung mit NH3 nach 24- und 48-stundiger Inkubation im Pansen. Der Abbau der organischen Substanz von unbehandeltem, NH3-behandeltem und NaOH-behandeltem Stroh bzw. von Grassilage betrug im Durchschnitt der Rationen 447, 630, 860 und 788 g/kg nach 48-stundiger Inkubation. Fur eine 24-stundige Inkubation betragen die entsprechenden Werte 344, 467, 719 und 705 g/kg. Bei steigendem Anteil von Gerstenpellets in der Ration fiel die Abbaurate bei allen Stroharten und bei Grassilage ab. Sie betrugen 698, 685, 681 und 663 g/kg fur 0, 20, 40 und 60% Gerste nach einer Inkubationszeit von 48 h und 584, 557, 559 und 534 g/kg nach 24 h. Sowohl nach 24 h als auch nach 48 h beeinflusten Konzentratanteile von 60 und 40% den Abbau der organischen Substanz signifikant negativ. Mit steigendem Konzentratgehalt fiel der pH-Wert im Pansen von 6,7 bei alleiniger Futterung mit Grassilage auf 5,6 bei 60% Konzentratanteil. Die Gehalte an FFS und NH3-N werden aufgezeigt und diskutiert.

Four novel wholly para-oriented aromatic polyamide-hydrazides containing flexibilizing sulfone-ether linkages in their main chains have been synthesized from 4-amino-3-hydroxy benzhydrazide (4A3HBH) with either 4,4′-sulfonyldibenzoyl chloride (SDBC), 4,4′-[sulfonylbis(1,4-phenylene)dioxy]dibenzoyl chloride (SODBC), 4,4′-[sulfonylbis(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene)dioxy]dibenzoyl chloride (4MeSODBC), or 4,4′-(1,4-phenylenedioxy)dibenzoyl chloride (ODBC) via a low-temperature solution polycondensation reaction. A polyamide-hydrazide without the flexibilizing linkages is also investigated for comparison. It was synthesized from 4A3HBH and terephthaloyl chloride (TCl) by the same synthetic route. The intrinsic viscosities of the polymer ranged from 2.85 to 4.83 dL g−1 in N,N-dimethyl acetamide (DMAc) at 30°C and decreased with introducing the flexibilizing linkages into the polymer. All the polymers were soluble in DMAc, N,N-dimethyl formamide (DMF), and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), and their solutions could be cast into films with good mechanical strengths. Further, they exhibited a great affinity to water sorption. Their solubility and hydrophilicity increased remarkably by introducing the flexibilizing linkages. The polymers could be thermally cyclodehydrated into the corresponding poly(1,3,4-oxadiazolyl-benzoxazoles) approximately in the region of 295–470°C either in nitrogen or in air atmospheres. The flexibilizing linkages improve the solubility of the resulting poly(1,3,4-oxadiazolyl-benzoxazoles) when compared with poly(1,3,4-oxadiazolyl-benzoxazoles) free from these linkages. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009

Two cultivars of maize (Zea mays), Giza 2 (G2) and Population 45 (P45), were grown under natural conditions in pots containing clay loam soil, either infested or not infested with inoculum of Cephalosporium maydis, the causal fungus of late wilt disease. When the plants were 21 days old, they were subjected to two irrigation treatments: irrigation to field capacity, and irrigation after 60% depletion of the available soil moisture at the root zone, i.e. soil moisture stress. Under nonstressed conditions plants of cultivar G2 showed a lower percentage of infection than those of P45. In stressed plants, the percentage of infection increased significantly. Compared with controls (nonstressed, healthy plants), higher percentages of plant dry mass (leaves + stem + cobs) were achieved by all treatments with G2 than with P45, which did not produce cobs under stress conditions. Nonstressed healthy plants had higher transpiration rates and relative water contents than the water-stressed diseased plants. The leaves of diseased plants had a higher content of the amino acid proline than those of nonstressed, healthy plants, probably associated with water stress due to the disease. Infection resulted in a reduction of the number of the vascular bundles in the cross-section of the internode. The values of the phloem area per unit leaf area were greatly reduced in water-stressed and infected plants. In addition, many xylem vessels were occluded in diseased plants but much more in the susceptible P45 than in the moderately resistant G2. Occlusion may be the most important factor causing the symptoms of the disease. The hydraulic conductance (Kh) of the xylem tissue supplying the transpiring areas was calculated from the conduit lumen diameters using the Hagen–Poiseuille relation. The highest Kh values were obtained in the nonstressed, healthy plants, particularly those of P45; plants with both water stress and disease showed the lowest Kh values. The efficiency of xylem conductance was further examined by calculations of the leaf specific conductance and the predicted maximum pressure gradients. Conductance was strongly reduced by infection in both cultivars and there was a corresponding increase in pressure gradients. These observations were consistent with observed reduction in xylem tissues and occlusion of xylem vessels by the infection.

A pseudo-homogeneous model is used to explore the possibility of using a membrane reactor for the industrial production of styrene. This novel catalytic reactor consists of two compartments separated by a hydrogen selective membrane. The first compartment is the reaction side, in which the dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene to styrene is taking place, while the other compartment is the permeation side in which an inert sweep gas is used to remove the hydrogen permeated through the membrane. Different configurations of sweep gas flow were tested namely the co-current and counter-current flow. Partial blinding was also tested in the counter-current flow case. The effect of vacuum in the permeation side was also investigated. Superior performance in terms of ethylbenzene conversion and styrene yield using this novel reactor was obtained in comparison with the conventional industrial reactor. The counter-current sweep gas with optimal partial blinding gave the most superior performance.

Phenylacetyl isothiocyanate (1) was reacted with benzoyl hydrazine (2a) in acetonitrile to give thiosemicarbazide derivative 3 which was cyclized by polyphosphoric acid to give 1,2,4-triazoline-5-thione derivative 4. Treatment of 1 with thiosemicarbazide (2b) yielded another 1,2,4-triazoline-5-thione derivative 5. Similar treatment of 1 with phenyl hydrazine (2c) in acetonitrile gave a differently substituted 1,2,4-triazoline-5-thione derivative 6 in one pot-reaction. On the other hand, when the reaction was carried out in acetone, a mixture of 6 and thiadiazolidine derivative 7 was obtained. However, reaction of 1 with hydrazine hydrate (2d) gave hydrazine derivative 8. Reaction of isothiocyanate 1 with anthranilic acid (9) gave benzo[d][1,3,6]oxazin-1-one derivative 10. Treatment of 1 with 2-aminothiophenol (11a), 2-aminophenol (11b) or o-phenylenediamine (11c) produced benzothiazole derivative 12a, benzoxazole derivative 12b and benzimidazole derivative 12c, respectively. The structures of all the products were confirmed by micro-analytical and spectral data.

Polarographic data of a series of methyl hydrazonomesosalonitriles are reported and discussed. The optimum conditions for the electrochemical synthesis, isolation and characterisation of amonimalononitrile are described in detail.

The polarographic behaviour of a series of 5-arylidene-4-thiohydantoin derivatives is reported and discussed. The reduction proceeds via a CECE mechanism in acid media with the formation of a 5-benzyl-4-thiohydantoin and other products. The mechanism is confirmed through pKa determinations and Hammett's σ-E1/2 relations.

A variety of new azopyrazolo [1,5-c]-as-triazine dyes have been synthesised via diazotisation of 3-amino-4-arylazo-1-pyrazolin-5-one and coupling with active hydrogen reagents. These dyed nylon 6, nylon 66, acrylic, polyester, silk and wool with colours ranging from scarlet red to dark brown and may find useful applications.

A variety of polyfunctional pyridine azodyes and tetrazole dyes were prepared starting from ethyl cyanoacetate dimer. These derivatives were found to dye cellulose acetate, Nylon 6, Nylon 66, silk and wool with colours ranging from canary yellow to light violet.

The polarographic behaviour of a series of 4-arylidene-2-phenyl-2-oxazolin-5-one derivatives over a wide range of pH is reported and discussed. A mechanism for the electrode process is elucidated and confirmed via isolation and characterisation of electrolysis products.

A variety of new arylazopyrazole derivatives were obtained by the coupling of diazotised 5-amino-4-arylazopyrazoles with active methylene reagents and treatment of the resulting products with hydroxylamine hydrochloride. The behaviour of the newly synthesised products as acidic, direct and basic dyes on textiles is reported.

Using a software experimental design strategy and through 25 experiments, steam exploded hemp bast fibers (HBF) as well as their shives were cationized by the exhaustion method using 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl trimethyl ammonium chloride solution. The results obtained revealed that at pH 13, raising the temperature of a bath containing 100 g/L cationizing agent aqueous solution at liquor to substrate ratio 1/15 to 80°C for 90 min produces the cationized forms of HBFs as well as their shives with percent nitrogen content 0.2240 and 0.4893 respectively. The statistical analysis for the results indicated that the percent nitrogen content is significantly influenced by factors of time, pH, and primarily the cationizing agent concentration. The cationized forms of HBFs as well as their shives, having amino contents 76 and 104 mequiv/100 g respectively, were characterized by studying their potentiometric titration and were analyzed by thermogravimetric analysis. Both of these cationized substrates were utilized as anion exchangers for adsorption of permanganate and dichromate anions from their acidic aqueous solutions. Adsorption dynamics of the removal of such anions were first-order reactions whereas the adsorption isotherms showed that the adsorption of those anions on all the aforementioned anion exchangers was favorable. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007

Labeling cells with iron oxide is a useful tool for MRI based cellular imaging. Here it is demonstrated that peripheral rat T cells can be labeled in whole blood, in vitro, with streptavidin-coated micron-sized iron oxide particles (MPIOs), achieving iron concentrations as high as 60 pg iron per cell. This is 30 times the amount of labeling reported with ultrasmall particles of iron oxide (USPIOs). Labeling was mediated by use of a biotinylated anti-CD5 antibody, which is specific for peripheral T cells. Such labeling allowed the in vitro detection of single lymphocytes by MRI, using conditions well suited for in vivo animal work. Electron microscopic analysis demonstrated that MPIOs remained largely extracellular after labeling, with some evidence of intracellular uptake. Cell viability and early and late cytokine release studies showed no significant differences between labeled and unlabeled cells. Therefore, the use of MPIOs for achieving high iron concentrations for cellular MRI is potentially an effective new modality for non-invasive imaging of lymphocytes.

4-(4-Acetylphenylamino)cycloocteno[4,5]thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidine (4) was prepared and condensed with certain aldehydes, phenylhydrazine, malononitrile to obtain 5a-d, 6 and 7, respectively. 4-Hydrazino & 4-substituted amino derivatives of 2-arylcycloocteno[4,5]thienopyrimidines 10a-c & 11a-i were synthesized. Cyclization of the hydrazino compounds 10a-c with orthoalkanoate esters or the arylidene derivatives 12a-c with bromine in acetic acid afforded the fused triazolo system 13a-i. Reaction of the hydrazino compound 10c with acetic anhydride gave 15 while the reaction of 10b,c with acid chlorides gave 16a-d. Furthermore, the tetrazolothienopyrimidines 17a-c were synthesized. Some of the newly synthesized compounds were tested for their antimicrobial activity.

4-(4-Methylphenyl)-2,3-benzoxazin-1-one (1) reacts thermally with a series of alkylidene phosphoranes and the relevant salts to give mainly substituted isoquinolines. Thus, compound 1 reacts with ester ylides 2a and 2b to give isoquinolones 7a and 7b, whereas with benzoylmethylenetriphenylphosphorane (3a), compound 7c was obtained together with the corresponding ylide 9a. The latter compound was treated with K2CO3 and then with polyphosphoric acid to give the isoquinolone 7c. With acetyl ylide 3b, o-diacetyl-α-naphthol 13 and cycloheptenone 14 were also obtained, in addition to 7d. On the other hand, isoquinolone derivatives 18, 21a, and 21b were successfully prepared by treatment of 1 with moderately (4a) and more reactive (4b, 4c) phosphonium salts.

The synthesis of a variety of fused pyrimidine and diazaphosphinine derivatives via reactions of 2-amino-3-cyanohexahydroquinolines (I) and related pyrazolopyridines (VII) with CS2 and Lawesson′s reagent, resp., is described.

The partial oxidation of ethane to acetic acid on promoted VPO with Mo, using an Mo/V ratio of 0.2, has been investigated experimentally and theoretically. The reaction was carried out in a differential reactor at 1360 kPa, in the temperature range 548–623 K, with space times of 1.2–3.6 s and oxygen concentrations of 5–20%. The rate of oxidation of ethane was found to be approximately first order in ethane and zero order in oxygen at 548 K. At 623 K, the order of reaction with respect to ethane decreased to about 0.5, while that for oxygen increased to about 0.27. A kinetic model has been developed, which assumes that adsorbed oxygen reacts with ethane to form ethene, acetic acid, CO and CO2. Ethene is further oxidized to acetic acid, CO and CO2 through a redox mechanism. The model exhibits good agreement with the experimental data. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry

(EMG) data were recorded from bipolar electrodes in the region of the anterior frontal cortex in thirteen male lemurs. The EEG analysis was focused on the differences between active and passive state (no sleep) during daytime only and on the correlation between cortical EEG markers and EMG activity during nighttime. Results: Fig.1 (top-left) shows the grand-average (N1⁄411) of the normalized EEG power density obtained averaging data recorded during the daytime for the two conditions (active, passive). Fig.1 (top-right) reports the individual values of the normalized EEG power density for the two conditions in eight frequency bands of interest The distributions did not show remarkable outliers. Finally, Fig.1 (middle) shows the mean values (6standard error) of the normalized EEG power density illustrating a statistical ANOVA interaction effect (p

The reactions of 2-aryl-5(4H)-oxazolones with phosphonates, phosphates, and tris(alkylamino)phosphines are studied and the underlying different reaction mechanisms are discussed.

Writing papers made from kraft softwood pulp and bagasse dissolving pulp were subjected to thermal aging for different time intervals (24, 48, 72, 96 and 120h) and the resulting changes in their chemical, physical and submicroscopic properties were investigated. The crystallinity changes in these pulps during thermal aging were studied by X-ray diffractograms. The carboxyl content of the kraft softwood pulp increased with time of thermal aging up to 96h and then decreased with increasing aging time, while the carboxyl content of bagasse dissolving pulp increased during thermal aging up to 72h and then decreased after this time. The crystallinity of kraft softwood pulp increased gradually during thermal aging. However, in the case of bagasse dissolving pulp the crystallinity increased up to 72h and then decreased. All pulps were characterized by a reduction in the degree of whiteness and chain depolymerization during the time of thermal aging.

Novel naphthyl-substituted derivatives are tested for their antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive (Bacillus subtilis) and Gram-negative (E.