Using a mobile phone-based application as an adjunct to facilitate oral hygiene practices in children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

AIM

To evaluate the efficacy of a mobile phone application to facilitate oral hygiene practices in children with ADHD.

METHODS

This was a randomized controlled study that included 54 ADHD children after obtaining informed parental consent. The children were randomly divided into 2 groups; Group 1 (conventional) participants were instructed verbally as well as demonstrated the brushing technique on models. Group 2 (mobile phone application) participants were made to download and use the 'BRUSH DJ' app developed by Ben Underwood. At baseline, the oral hygiene index-simplified (OHI-S) [Greene and Vermillion, 1964] of each child was evaluated clinically and the parents were asked to fill a questionnaire regarding the oral hygiene practices followed by their child every day. At the end of the second, sixth, and twelfth week, the parents were asked to fill the same questionnaire in addition to the evaluation of the OHI-S index.

RESULTS

A significant difference was found in the brushing time, brushing frequency, and OHI-S index between group 1 and group 2 at the end of 12 weeks. (unpaired t-test, p<0.05)

CONCLUSION

The mobile phone application proved to be an effective tool in captivating the attention of these children and thus improving their oral health.

Genetic and molecular analysis of leaf blast resistance in Tetep derived line RIL4 and its relationship to genes at Pita/Pita2 locus

The Vietnamese indica landrace 'Tetep' is known worldwide for its durable and broad spectrum-resistance to blast. We performed genetic and molecular analyses of leaf blast resistance in a Tetep derived recombinant inbred line 'RIL4' which is resistant to both leaf and neck blast. Phenotypic analysis of segregating F2 progenies suggested that leaf blast resistance in RIL4 was controlled by a dominant gene tentatively designated as Pi-l(t). The gene was mapped to a 2.4 cm region close to the centromere of chromosome 12. The search for the gene content in the equivalent genomic region of reference cv. Nipponbare revealed the presence of five NBS-LRR genes, two of which corresponded to the alleles of Pita and Pi67 genes previously identified from Tetep. The two other genes, LOC_Os12g17090, and LOC_Os12g17490 represented the homologs of stripe rust resistance gene Yr10. The allelic tests with Pita2 and Pi67 lines suggested that the leaf blast resistance gene in RIL4 is either allelic or tightly linked to these genes. The genomic position of the leaf blast resistance gene in RIL4 perfectly coincided with the genomic position of a neck blast resistance gene Pb2 previously identified from this line suggesting that the same gene confers resistance to leaf and neck blast. The present results were discussed in juxtaposition with past studies on the genes of Pita/Pita2 resistance gene complex.

A mechanistic physiologically based model to assess the effect of study design and modified physiology on formulation safe space for virtual bioequivalence of dermatological drug products

Physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models are widely accepted tools utilised to describe and predict drug pharmacokinetics (PK). This includes the use of dermal PBPK models at the regulatory level including virtual bioequivalence (VBE) studies. The current work considers the Topicort® Spray formulation, which contains 0.25% desoximetasone (DSM), as an example formulation. Quantitative formulation composition and in vitro permeation testing (IVPT) data were obtained from the public literature to develop a mechanistic model using the multi-phase, multi-layer (MPML) MechDermA IVPT module in the Simcyp Simulator. In vitro-in vivo extrapolation functionality was used to simulate in vivo PK for various scenarios and predict a 'safe space' for formulation bioequivalence using the VBE module. The potential effect of vasoconstriction, impaired barrier function, and various dosing scenarios on the formulation safe space was also assessed. The model predicted 'safe space' for formulation solubility suggesting that a 50% change in solubility may cause bio-in-equivalence, whereas viscosity could deviate by orders of magnitude and the formulation may still remain bioequivalent. Evaporation rate and fraction of volatile components showed some sensitivity, suggesting that large changes in the volume or composition of the volatile fraction could cause bio-in-equivalence. The tested dosing scenarios showed decreased sensitivity for all formulation parameters with a decreased dose. The relative formulation bioequivalence was insensitive to vasoconstriction, but the safe space became wider with decreased barrier function for all parameters, except viscosity that was unaffected.

Binding of synthetic carbohydrate receptors to enveloped virus glycans: Insights from molecular dynamics simulations

Can envelope glycans be targeted to stop viral pandemics? Here we address this question by using molecular dynamics simulations to study the binding between 10 synthetic carbohydrate receptors (SCRs) and the 33 N-glycans most commonly found on the surfaces of enveloped viruses, including Zika virus and SARS-CoV-2. Based on association quotients derived from these simulations, we classified the SCRs as weak binders, promiscuous binders, or selective binders. The SCRs almost exclusively associate at the Man₃GlcNAc₂ core, which is common to all N-glycans, but the binding affinity between the SCR⋅glycan pair depends on the noncovalent interactions between the heterocycle rings and the glycan antennae. Systematic variations in the glycan and SCR structures reveal relationships that could guide the design of SCRs to attain affinity and selectivity towards a chosen envelope glycan target. With these results, envelope glycans, which are currently considered "undruggable", could become viable targets for new therapeutic strategies.

Regiochemical Effects on the Carbohydrate Binding and Selectivity of Flexible Synthetic Carbohydrate Receptors with Indole and Quinoline Heterocyclic Groups

Synthetic carbohydrate receptors (SCRs) that bind cell-surface carbohydrates could be used for disease detection, drug-delivery, and therapeutics, or for the site-selective modification of complex carbohydrates but their potential has not been realized because of remaining challenges associated with binding affinity and substrate selectivity. We have reported recently a series of flexible SCRs based upon a biaryl core with four pendant heterocyclic groups that bind glycans selectively through noncovalent interactions. Here we continue to explore the role of heterocycles on substrate selectivity by expanding our library to include a series of indole and quinoline heterocycles that vary in their regiochemistry of attachment to the biaryl core. The binding of these SCRs to a series of biologically-relevant carbohydrates was studied by 1H NMR titrations in CD2Cl2 and density-functional theory calculations. We find SCR030, SCR034 and SCR037 are selective, SCR031, SCR032, and SCR039 are strong binders, and SCR033, SCR035, SCR036, and SCR038 are promiscuous and bind weakly. Computational analysis reveals the importance of C-H⋯π and H-bonding interactions in defining the binding properties of these new receptors. By combining these data with those obtained from our previous studies on this class of flexible SCRs, we develop a series of design rules that account for the binding of all SCRs of this class and anticipate the binding of future, not-yet imagined tetrapodal SCRs.

Regioselectivity in the Scholl Reaction: Mono and Double [7]Helicenes

We employed the density functionaly theory (DFT)-predicted regioselectivity of the intramolecular Scholl reaction in phenanthrene and dibenzo[g,p]chrysene frameworks to obtain π-extended mono and double [7]helicenes, respectively. The formation of these helical structures occurs despite the buildup of a large strain energy up to 30 kcal/mol compared with their most stable isomers. The twisted and strained structures were characterized and analyzed by experimental (NMR, UV-vis, emission, electrochemistry, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction) techniques and were further supported by DFT calculations.

Spectrum of coronary angiographic findings in patients with ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary PCI in a tertiary care center of Nepal

BACKGROUND

Even in developing countries like Nepal, prevalence of ST-elevation myocardial infarction has been shown to be increased with rise in prevalence of conventional risk factors like diabetes, Hypertension, smoking, dyslipidemia and obesity. Our aim is to retrospectively analyze for various risk factors and angiographic patterns of coronary artery disease in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction undergoing Primary Percutaneous Intervention.

RESULTS

During the period of 1 year (January 2019 to December 2019), 816 patients presented to our ER with acute STEMI, among them 437 (53.6%) patients underwent primary PCI strategy and among them 22 (5.3%) patients were died. Thirty-six (4.4%) patients received thrombolysis, among them 5 (13.9%) patients were died while remaining 343 (42.0%) patients were managed conservatively and among them 20 (5.8%) were died. The mean age of patient who underwent primary PCI was 58.5±12.7 years range from 25 years to 99 years. Among them 55-75 years old 217 (49.6%) were highest in number followed by<55 years old 180 (41.2%). Males 318 (72.8%) were predominant. Among those who underwent primary PCI, hypertension 214 (49%) was the most common risk factor, followed by smoking 198 (45.3%), diabetes mellitus 123 (28.1%), dyslipidemia 53 (12.1%) and family history of premature coronary artery disease 18 (4.1%). Among those patients, 292 patients (66.8%) had single vessel disease, 99 patients (22.7%) had double vessel disease, 41 patients (9.3%) had triple vessel disease and 5 patients (1.1%) had non-significant coronary artery stenosis. Left anterior descending (53.3%) was the most frequently found culprit artery, followed by right coronary artery, left circumflex, ramus intermedius and left main artery.

CONCLUSION

Fifty percent of patients presented with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction and underwent primary PCI were between 55-75 years of age. Hypertension and smoking were the most common risk factors present in those patients. Single vessel disease was most prevalent with left anterior descending found to be the most commonly involved coronary artery followed by right coronary artery and left circumflex.

Electron-Transfer-Induced Self-Assembly of a Molecular Tweezer Platform

The design and synthesis of a new molecular tweezer (T-tmp) with electron-rich pincers are reported. The stable monocationic radicals and self-assembled dimeric radicals of this molecular tweezer platform were prepared by chemical oxidative titration. With the aid of DFT calculations, it was found that the dimeric radicals with syn-syn-syn conformer has the most stable structure, with the hole primarily delocalized between parallel stacked pyrenyl groups.

Synthesis of Doubly Annulated m-Terphenyl-Based Molecular Tweezers and Their Charge-Transfer Complexes with DDQ as a Guest

The synthesis of a doubly-annulated m-terphenyl-based tweezer platform has been developed, which affords ready incorporation of various pincer units from monobenzenoid to polybenzenoid electron donors. The complexation study with 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (DDQ) as guest has been carried out, and the crystal structure of T-Py∩DDQ reveals the sandwich-type binding mode in the solid state.

Isolation of a chiral anthracene cation radical: X-ray crystallography and computational interrogation of its racemization

Chiral cation-radical salts hold significant promise as charge-transfer materials, chiroptical switches, and electron-transfer catalysts for enantioselective synthesis. Herein we demonstrate that the readily-available chiral 9,10-diphenyleanthracene derivative (i.e.^SANT) forms a robust cation radical, whose structure was elucidated by X-ray crystallography and DFT calculations. While ^SANT was observed to racemize on a timescale (t_1/2) of 1.1 hours, a computational conformational search and kinetic analysis of the racemization pathway led us to identify a simple methyl substituted ^SANT derivative, which does not racemize (racemization t_1/2 10¹³-10¹⁷ years).

The effects of process technology on the physicochemical properties of peony seed oil

Peony seed oils (PSOs) were prepared using supercritical CO2 (SC) and compared with soxhlet extraction (SE) and mechanical screw press extraction (SPE) methods. The fatty acid compositions of the oils were determined, and the physicochemical properties of the oils, including free radical-scavenging activity, α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition, thermal and rheological properties were evaluated. The unsaturated fatty acids in the SE oils were higher than SC and SPE oils due to the higher percentage of olefinic, allylic methylene and allylic methine protons in the SE oils. The SPE oils also displayed the highest DPPH and ABTS+ radical scavenging activity at the tested concentrations. However, the SE oils showed stronger inhibitory effects on α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes under in vitro conditions when compared with the other oil samples. The three oils had similar melting and crystalline point due to similar contents of fatty acids (FAs). The SC oils had a lower Ea than the others.

Serendipitous discovery of light-induced (In Situ) formation of an Azo-bridged dimeric sulfonated naphthol as a potent PTP1B inhibitor

Background

Protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) like dual specificity phosphatase 5 (DUSP5) and protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) are drug targets for diseases that include cancer, diabetes, and vascular disorders such as hemangiomas. The PTPs are also known to be notoriously difficult targets for designing inihibitors that become viable drug leads. Therefore, the pipeline for approved drugs in this class is minimal. Furthermore, drug screening for targets like PTPs often produce false positive and false negative results.

Results

Studies presented herein provide important insights into: (a) how to detect such artifacts, (b) the importance of compound re-synthesis and verification, and (c) how in situ chemical reactivity of compounds, when diagnosed and characterized, can actually lead to serendipitous discovery of valuable new lead molecules. Initial docking of compounds from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), followed by experimental testing in enzyme inhibition assays, identified an inhibitor of DUSP5. Subsequent control experiments revealed that this compound demonstrated time-dependent inhibition, and also a time-dependent change in color of the inhibitor that correlated with potency of inhibition. In addition, the compound activity varied depending on vendor source. We hypothesized, and then confirmed by synthesis of the compound, that the actual inhibitor of DUSP5 was a dimeric form of the original inhibitor compound, formed upon exposure to light and oxygen. This compound has an IC₅₀ of 36 μM for DUSP5, and is a competitive inhibitor. Testing against PTP1B, for selectivity, demonstrated the dimeric compound was actually a more potent inhibitor of PTP1B, with an IC₅₀ of 2.1 μM. The compound, an azo-bridged dimer of sulfonated naphthol rings, resembles previously reported PTP inhibitors, but with 18-fold selectivity for PTP1B versus DUSP5.

Conclusion

We report the identification of a potent PTP1B inhibitor that was initially identified in a screen for DUSP5, implying common mechanism of inhibitory action for these scaffolds.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12858-017-0083-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Bacteriological profile and antibiotic sensitivity pattern of neonatal septicaemia in a rural tertiary care hospital in North India

BACKGROUND

There is not much published literature on neonatal septicemia available for the Sub-Himalayan region of North India. Hence, we undertook this study to find out the bacteriological profile and antibiotic sensitivity pattern of neonatal septicemia in the neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Blood cultures were performed for all clinically suspected neonatal septicemia cases for 1-year. Identification of all pathogenic isolates was followed by antibiotic sensitivity testing.

RESULTS

We did blood cultures for 450 neonates and 42% were culture positive. Early onset sepsis were 92 (49%) and 96 (51%) were late onset sepsis. Gram-positive isolates were 60% and 40% were Gram-negative. Staphylococcus aureus (40%), coagulase negative Staphylococcus species (16%), non-fermenter group of organisms (NFGOs) (15%), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (10%) were the main isolates. Nasal cannula 101 (54%), birth asphyxia 91 (48%), and prematurity 73 (38%) were the prominent risk factors associated with septicemia. Gram-positive organisms were highly resistant to penicillin (87%) whereas Gram-negative isolates showed high resistance to third generation cephalosporins (53-89%) and aminoglycosides (50-67%). The S. aureus isolates were methicillin-resistant in 41% whereas extended spectrum beta lactamase production was seen in 48% Gram-negative isolates.

CONCLUSION

Our study highlights the recent emergence of Gram-positive organisms as predominant cause of neonatal septicemia in this part of Sub-Himalayan region, along with the review of literature which shows similar results from North India and rest of the world too. Though Gram-negative bacteria still remain the main cause of mortality in neonatal septicemia, we want to dispel the common notion among practitioners that they are the predominant isolates in neonatal septicemia.

A search for blues brothers: X-ray crystallographic/spectroscopic characterization of the tetraarylbenzidine cation radical as a product of aging of solid magic blue

Magic blue (MB+˙ SbCl6− salt), i.e. tris-4-bromophenylamminium cation radical, is a routinely employed one-electron oxidant that slowly decomposes in the solid state upon storage to form so called ‘blues brothers’, which often complicate the quantitative analyses of the oxidation processes. Herein, we disclose the identity of the main ‘blues brother’ as the cation radical and dication of tetrakis-(4-bromophenyl)benzidine (TAB) by a combined DFT and experimental approach, including isolation of TAB+˙ SbCl6− and its X-ray crystallography characterization. The formation of TAB in aged magic blue samples occurs by a Scholl-type coupling of a pair of MB followed by a loss of molecular bromine. The recognition of this fact led us to the rational design and synthesis of tris(2-bromo-4-tert-butylphenyl)amine, referred to as ‘blues cousin’ (BC: Eox1 = 0.78 V vs. Fc/Fc+, λmax(BC+˙) = 805 nm, εmax = 9930 cm−1 M−1), whose oxidative dimerization is significantly hampered by positioning the sterically demanding tert-butyl groups at the para-positions of the aryl rings. A ready two-step synthesis of BC from triphenylamine and the high stability of its cation radical (BC+˙) promise that BC will serve as a ready replacement for MB and an oxidant of choice for mechanistic investigations of one-electron transfer processes in organic, inorganic, and organometallic transformations.

From Wires to Cables: Attempted Synthesis of 1,3,5-Trifluorenylcyclohexane as a Platform for Molecular Cables

Multiple molecular wires braided together in a single assembly, termed as molecular cable, are promising next-generation materials for effective long-range charge transport. As an example of the platform for constructing molecular cables, 1,3,5-trifluorenylcyclohexane (TFC) and its difluorenyl analogues (DFCs) were systematically investigated both experimentally (X-ray crystallography) and theoretically (DFT calculations). Although the syntheses of DFCs were successfully achieved, the synthesis of TFC, which involved a similar intramolecular Friedel-Crafts cyclization as the last step, was unsuccessful. An exhaustive study of the conformational landscape of cyclohexane ring of TFC and DFCs revealed that TFC is a moderately strained molecule (∼17 kcal/mol), and computational studies of the reaction profile show that this steric strain, present in the transition state, is responsible for the unusually high (∼5 years) reaction half-life. A successful synthesis of TFC will require that the steric strain is introduced in multiple steps, and such alternative strategies are being currently explored.

Pediatric tuberculous meningitis: Model-based approach to determining optimal doses of the anti-tuberculosis drugs rifampin and levofloxacin for children

Pediatric tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is a highly morbid, often fatal disease. Standard treatment includes isoniazid, rifampin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol. Current rifampin dosing achieves low cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations, and CSF penetration of ethambutol is poor. In adult trials, higher-dose rifampin and/or a fluoroquinolone reduced mortality and disability. To estimate optimal dosing of rifampin and levofloxacin for children, we compiled plasma and CSF pharmacokinetic (PK) and outcomes data from adult TBM trials plus plasma PK data from children. A population PK/pharmacodynamic (PD) model using adult data defined rifampin target exposures (plasma area under the curve (AUC)0-24 = 92 mg*h/L). Levofloxacin targets and rifampin pediatric drug disposition information were literature-derived. To attain target rifampin exposures, children require daily doses of at least 30 mg/kg orally or 15 mg/kg intravenously (i.v.). From our pediatric population PK model, oral levofloxacin doses needed to attain exposure targets were 19-33 mg/kg. Our results provide data-driven guidance to maximize pediatric TBM treatment while we await definitive trial results.

Charge delocalization in self-assembled mixed-valence aromatic cation radicals

The spontaneous assembly of aromatic cation radicals (D(+•)) with their neutral counterpart (D) affords dimer cation radicals (D(2)(+•)). The intermolecular dimeric cation radicals are readily characterized by the appearance of an intervalence charge-resonance transition in the NIR region of their electronic spectra and by ESR spectroscopy. The X-ray crystal structure analysis and DFT calculations of a representative dimer cation radical (i.e., the octamethylbiphenylene dimer cation radical) have established that a hole (or single positive charge) is completely delocalized over both aromatic moieties. The energetics and the geometrical considerations for the formation of dimer cation radicals is deliberated with the aid of a series of cyclophane-like bichromophoric donors with drastically varied interplanar angles between the cofacially arranged aryl moieties. X-ray crystallography of a number of mixed-valence cation radicals derived from monochromophoric benzenoid donors established that they generally assemble in 1D stacks in the solid state. However, the use of polychromophoric intervalence cation radicals, where a single charge is effectively delocalized among all of the chromophores, can lead to higher-order assemblies with potential applications in long-range charge transport. As a proof of concept, we show that a single charge in the cation radical of a triptycene derivative is evenly distributed on all three benzenoid rings and this triptycene cation radical forms a 2D electronically coupled assembly, as established by X-ray crystallography.

Direct observation of electron-transfer-induced conformational transformation (molecular actuation) in a bichromophoric electron donor

With the aid of laser-flash photolysis, the one-electron oxidation of conformationally mobile tetramethoxydibenzobicyclo[4.4.1]undecane (1), using photoexcited chloranil as an oxidant, allows us to show that extended 1(+•) undergoes a conformational transformation to π-stacked folded 1(+•) on a microsecond time scale (τ ≈ 1 μs), which is at least six times longer than that found for the conformationally locked model compound.

Meningitis caused by Rhodotorula rubra in an human immunodeficiency virus infected patient

Rhodotorula spp. are common saprophytes but may be responsible for systemic infections in immunocompromised patients. Meningitis caused by Rhodotorula spp. in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients has been reported only rarely. We present a case of meningitis caused by Rhodotorula rubra in HIV infected patient. The presumptive diagnosis of cryptococcal meningitis was made on the basis of India ink preparation, Gram staining and latex agglutination test (LAT) for cryptococcal antigen. The final diagnosis was confirmed by isolation of Rhodotorula rubra from cerebrospinal fluid on culture. LAT was considered false positive. Amphotericin B and 5-fluorocytosine were administered but the patient succumbed to his illness.

Cranial vault Salmonella osteomyelitis leading to extradural abscess - a case report

A case of rarely encountered Salmonella typhi osteomyelitis of left occipital bone leading to extradural abscess, is reported. The causative organism was not suspected until the culture report was obtained. The patient responded promptly to surgical drainage and antibiotic therapy.

Bacterial indices of drinking water from natural sources

Two hundred forty samples of water from twenty natural sources were subjected to the study for the detection of four bacterial indicators of faecal pollution. The samples were subjected to the detection of coliform, faecal coliform, E. coli, S. faecalis, Cl. welchii and plate count at 37 degrees C and 22 degrees C. All these samples were found unfit for human consumption. MPN for coliforms, E. coli and S. faecalis varied from 3 to 1800 per 100 ml of water, sero to 1800 per 100 ml water and zero to 540 per 100 ml of water respectively. Plate count at 37 degrees C and 22 degrees C varied from 2.5 x 10(3) to > 150 x 10(3) per ml of water. Cl. welchii was detected in 30.4% samples in rainy season and high plate count at 37 degrees C and 22 degrees C was observed during the same period.

Shima drinking water--a bacteriological analysis

300 water samples, 60 from piped supply and 240 from 20 natural sources were analyzed bacteriologically for four important bacterial indicators every month over a period of one year. The MPN of total coliforms, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus faecalis were detected by multiple tube method and Clostridium perfringens was isolated using litmus milk medium. From piped water supply, only one sample was found unfit for human consumption. The plate count at 37 degrees C and 22 degrees C varied from 0.5 x 10(3) to 15 x 10(3) per ml. of water. From natural sources, MPN indices for coliforms, Esch. coli and S. faecalis varied from 3 to > 1800, 0 to > 1800 and 0 to 540 per 100 ml. of water respectively. About 1/3rd of samples showed presence of Cl. perfringens. The plate count varied from 1.0 x 10(3) to > 150 x 10(3) per ml. of water. Salmonella typhi was isolated in 1.25% samples by membrane filtration technique. The water from all the natural sources was unfit for human consumption whereas piped water supply was of good quality in general.