Antibacterial and antibiofilm activities of selenium nanoparticles-antibiotic conjugates against anti-multidrug-resistant bacteria.

The crucial demand to overcome the issue of multidrug resistance is required to refine the performance of antibiotics. Such a process can be achieved by fastening them to compatible nanoparticles to obtain effective pharmaceuticals at a low concentration. Thus, selenium nanoparticles (Se NPs) are considered biocompatible agents that are applied to prevent infections resulting from bacterial resistance to multi-antibiotics. The current evaluated the effectiveness of Se NPs and their conjugates with antibiotics such as amikacin (AK), levofloxacin (LEV), and piperacillin (PIP) against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa). In addition, the study determined the antibacterial and antibiofilm properties of Se NPs and their conjugates with LEV against urinary tract pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis), P. aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli (E. coli). The result of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) for eight isolates of P. aeruginosa revealed that the conjugation of Se NPs with AK, LEV, and PIP resulted in a reduction in the concentration of antibiotic-conjugated Se NPs. The concentration was found to be about 10-20 times lower than that of bare antibiotics. The MIC of the Se NPs with LEV (i.e., Se NPs:LEV) for S. aureus, E. faecalis, P. aeruginosa, and E. coli was found to be 1.4:0.5, 0.7:0.25, 22:8, and 11:4 µg/mL, respectively. The results of the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) demonstrated that Se NPs:LEV conjugate have inhibited 50 % of the mature biofilms of S. aureus, E. faecalis, P. aeruginosa, and E. coli at a concentration of 27.5 ± 10.5, 18.8 ± 3.1, 40.6 ± 10.7, and 21.6 ± 3.3 µg/mL, respectively compared to the control. It has been suggested that the antibiotic-conjugated Se NPs have great potential for biomedical applications. The conjugation of Se NPs with AK, LEV, and PIP increases the antibacterial potency against resistant pathogens at a low concentration.

Evaluation of tear meniscus height and lipid layer patterns in the tear film in domestic cats: An observational study.

Background: Healthy vision in humans and animals requires a stable tear film. The environmental factor could affect the status of the tear film. Therefore, assessing the tear film in animals is essential to avoid visual system disturbance. Aim: The current research used a noninvasive device to evaluate the tear meniscus height (TMH) and lipid layer pattern (LLP) in domestic cats. In addition, the scores were compared with those of humans with healthy eyes. Methods: Fifty-four domestic cats (28 males and 26 females; mean ± SD = 13.9 ± 18.2 months) were randomly selected and included in the study. The cats were healthy, without any ocular disorders or diseases. Fifty-four healthy eye subjects (27 males and 27 females; mean ± SD = 25.6 ± 5.1 years) were randomly recruited and took part in the study for comparison. EASYTEAR View+ was used, for the first time, to assess the tear film parameters on the right eye of each subject. The examiner allowed a 5-minute gap between the tests. Each test was performed by the same examiner three times, followed by calculating the mean scores. Results: Significant differences (Mann-Whitney U test) were found in the median scores of LLP (p = 0.009) between cats and subjects with healthy eyes. The median TMH score was higher in cats (0.18 mm) than in humans (0.14). However, no significant difference (Mann-Whitney U Test, p = 0.210) exists in the TMH scores between cats and humans. The LLP analysis indicated that a dense white-blue lipid layer (grade 4 or D; lipid layer thickness, LLT, = approximately 80 nm) was predominant in both cats (N = 24, 44.4%) and humans (N = 29, 53.7%). In comparison, variable colors lipid layer (grade 5 or E; LLT = 90-140 nm) was a minority in cats (N = 5, 9.3%) and common in humans (N = 16, 29.6%). The statistical analysis indicated medium correlations between cats' TMH and LLP scores (r = 0.431, p < 0.01) and between age and TMH scores in humans (r = 0.440, p < 0.01). In addition, it indicated a weak correlation (r = 0.291, p < 0.05) between the LLP scores in cats and humans. Conclusion: Assessing animals' tear film is essential to avoid any ocular disorders. EASYTEAR View+ is efficiently used to evaluate domestic cats' TMH and LLP. Cats have thicker lipid layers and longer TMH comparable to those reported for humans with healthy eyes.

Assessment of lipid layer patterns in domestic dogs and rabbits: an observational study.

Background: Maintaining a stable tear film is crucial for having healthy human and animal vision. Animals are expected to have thicker lipid layers than humans due to living in high-temperature and humid environments. Aim: The study aimed to evaluate the lipid layer patterns (LLPs) in Arabian dogs and rabbits using a non-invasive, practical, and easy-to-use device and compare them to humans with healthy eyes. Methods: The study included 75 domestic Arabian dogs (42 males and 33 females; mean ± SD = 6.1 ± 12.7 months) and 75 rabbits (37 males and 38 females; mean ± SD = 3.1 ± 3.4 months). In addition, 75 individuals with healthy eyes (39 males and 36 females; mean ± SD = 25.7 ± 5.0 years) were included for comparison. EASYTEAR View+ assessed the LLP in each animal's and individual's right eye. Results: The median LLP grades significantly differed between dogs and humans (Mann-Whitney U test, p < 0.001). Similarly, the LLP grades differed significantly between rabbits and humans (Mann-Whitney U test, p < 0.001). No significant difference (Mann-Whitney U test) in the LLP grades between dogs and rabbits was found. The analysis indicated that most dogs had either an A (34.7%) or a B grade (37.3%). Similarly, rabbits had predominantly A or 1 (46.7%) and B (30.7%) grades. On the other hand, humans had predominantly D (53.3%) and E (30.7%) grades. Conclusion: The EASYTEAR View+ has been employed to assess LLP in dogs and rabbits, and the measurements were compared to those of humans with normal ocular health. Dogs and rabbits have thinner lipid layers than healthy humans.

Transforming Pharmaceutical Synthesis with Sein-E-B Nanocomposite Photocatalyst through 1,4-NAD(P)H Cofactor Regeneration and C-N Bond Activation.

The need for sunlight chemical renewal and contemporary organic transformation has fostered the advancement of environmentally friendly photocatalytic techniques. For the first time, we report on the novel crafting of a bright future with selenium-infused Eosin-B (Sein-E-B) nanocomposite photocatalysts in this work. The Sein-E-B nanocomposite materials were created using a hydrothermal process for solar chemical regeneration and organic transformation under visible light. The synthesized samples were subjected to UV-DRS-visible spectroscopy, FT-IR, SEM, EDX, EIS and XRD analysis. The energy band gap of the Sein-E-B nanocomposite photocatalyst was measured using UV-DRS, and the result was around 2.06 eV. to investigate the generated Sein-E-B catalytic activity as a nanocomposite for 1,4-NADH/NADPH re-formation and C-N bond activation. This novel photocatalyst offers a promising alternative for the regeneration of solar chemicals and C-N bond creation between pyrrole and aryl halides.

Synergistic Effect of Nilavembu Choornam-Gold Nanoparticles on Antibiotic-Resistant Bacterial Susceptibility and Contact Lens Contamination-Associated Infectious Pathogenicity.

Antibiotic-resistant bacterial colonies mitigate rapid biofilm formation and have complex cell wall fabrications, making it challenging to penetrate drugs across their biofilm barriers. The objective of this study was to investigate the antibacterial susceptibility of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and contact lens barrenness. Nilavembu Choornam-Gold Nanoparticles (NC-GNPs) were synthesized using NC polyherbal extract and characterized by UV-visible spectrophotometer, SEM-EDX, XRD, Zeta sizer, FTIR, and TEM analysis. Contact lenses with overnight cultures of antibiotic-resistant bacteria K. pneumoniae and S. aureus showed significant differences in growth, biofilm formation, and infection pathogenicity. The NC-GNPs were observed in terms of size (average size is 57.6 nm) and surface chemistry. A zone of inhibition was calculated for K. pneumoniae 18.8 ± 1.06, S. aureus 23.6 ± 1.15, P. aeruginosa 24.16 ± 0.87, and E. faecalis 24.5 ± 1.54 mm at 24 h of NC-GNPs alone treatment. In electron microscopy studies, NC-GNP-treated groups showed nuclear shrinkage, nuclear disintegration, degeneration of cell walls, and inhibited chromosomal division. In contrast, normal bacterial colonies had a higher number of cell divisions and routinely migrated toward cell multiplications. NC-GNPs exhibited antibacterial efficacy against antibiotic-resistant bacteria when compared to NC extract alone. We suggest that NC-GNPs are highly valuable to the population of hospitalized patients and other people to reduce the primary complications of contact lens contamination-oriented microbial infection and the therapeutic efficiency of antibiotic-resistant bacterial pathogenicity.

Effect of curfew from the COVID-19 pandemic on amblyopia treatment in children in Saudi Arabia.

Background: Amblyopia was defined as a reduction in the best-corrected visual acuity in one or both eyes with the presence of amblyogenic factors. Objective: The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of curfews resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic on amblyopia treatment in children. Design: A prospective longitudinal study. Methods: The study was conducted in pediatric ophthalmology clinics at a tertiary hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Children aged 3-9 years who underwent amblyopia treatment from September 2020 to May 2021 were recruited. Visual acuity data were collected from the subjects' record files for the first visits prior to the curfew and from the clinics for the second visits after the curfew had ended. Results: A total of 97 children with amblyopia (strabismic, anisometropic, mixed, and visual deprivation) were included. In all, 15 children did not attend the clinic for follow-up visits after the outbreak of COVID-19. The follow-up visits for most of the participants took place 4-5 months after the first visit. No significant difference in visual acuity in the amblyopic eye was found between the first and second visits (p > 0.05). No significant correlation was noted between the baseline difference in visual acuity at the first and second visits and the duration of the amblyopia treatment between the two visits. The adjusted model shows a variation of 0.18% according to the duration between the two visits. Conclusion: The findings showed no significant difference in visual acuity in amblyopic eyes between the first and second visits (before and after the COVID-19 curfew), although visual acuity was clinically improved.

Identification of the Contamination Sources by PCBs Using Multivariate Analyses: The Case Study of the Annaba Bay (Algeria) Basin.

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), particularly the indicator polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), were first quantified in water and sediments of two wadis, Boujemaâ and Seybouse, as well as in the effluents from a fertilizer and phytosanitary production industrial plant (Fertial). Since these contaminated discharges end in Annaba Bay (Algeria) in the Mediterranean Sea, with a significant level of contamination, all the potential sources should be identified. In this work, this task is conducted by a multivariate analysis. Liquid-liquid extraction and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS) methods were applied to quantify seven PCB congeners, usually taken as indicators of contamination. The sum of the PCB concentrations in the sediments ranged from 1 to 6.4 µg/kg dw (dry weight) and up to 0.027 µg/L in waters. Principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) were used for the multivariate analysis, indicating that the main sources of PCB emissions in the bay are urban/domestic and agricultural/industrial. The outfalls that mostly contribute to the pollution of the gulf are the Boujemaâ wadi, followed by the Seybouse wadi, and finally by the Fertial cluster and more precisely the annex basin of the plant. Although referring to a specific site of local importance, the work aims to present a procedure and a methodological analysis that can be potentially applicable to further case studies all over the world.

Synthesis and chemiluminescent characteristics of two new acridinium esters.

Two new acridinium esters with a 2-(succinimidyloxycarbonyl)ethyl side arm, namely, 9-(2,6-dibromophenoxycarbonyl)-10-methyl-2-(2-(succinimidyloxycarbonyl)ethyl)acridinium trifluoromethanesulfonate and 9-(4-(2-(succinimidyloxycarbonyl)ethyl)phenoxycarbonyl)-2,7-dimethoxy-10-methylacridinium triflate, have been produced and characterized. The chemiluminescent properties and hydrolytic stabilities of the new acridinium esters have been investigated.

Pendant Modification of Poly(methyl methacrylate) to Enhance Its Stability against Photoirradiation.

Photostabilization of functional polymeric materials is important for protection against aging and ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. There is, therefore, the impetus to modify polymers to increase their resistance to photodegradation and photooxidation on extended exposure to UV light in harsh conditions. Various polymeric additives have been designed and synthesized in recent years, and their potential as photostabilizers has been explored. Reported here is the effect of pendant functionalization of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) through organometallic moiety incorporation into the polymer's backbone. The reaction of PMMA with ethylenediamine leads to the formation of an amino residue that can react with salicylaldehyde to produce the corresponding Schiff base. Adding metal chlorides (zinc, copper, nickel, and cobalt) led to the formation of organometallic residues on the polymeric chains. Thin films of modified and unmodified PMMA were produced and irradiated with UV light to determine the effect of pendant modification on photostability. The photostabilization of PMMA was assessed using a range of methods, including infrared spectroscopy, weight loss, decomposition rate constant, and surface morphology. The modified PMMA incorporating organic Schiff base metal complexes showed less photodecomposition than the unmodified polymer or one containing the Schiff base only. Thus, the metals significantly reduced the photodegradation of polymeric materials. The polymer containing the Schiff base-cobalt unit showed the least damage in the PMMA surface due to photoirradiation, followed by those containing nickel, zinc, and copper, in that order.

(E)-5-(4-Meth-oxy-phen-yl)-N'-(2-oxoindolin-3-yl-idene)-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carbohydrazide.

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C25H19N5O3, is composed of two independent mol-ecules with slightly different conformations. The extended structure features N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds as well as π-π inter-actions.

In silico screening of a series of 1,6-disubstituted 1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidines as potential selective inhibitors of the Janus kinase 3.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a common chronic disabling inflammatory disease that is characterized by inflammation of the synovial membrane and leads to discomfort. In the current study, twenty-seven 1,6-disubstituted 1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidines were tested as potential selective inhibitors of the tyrosine-protein kinase JAK3 using a number of molecular modeling methods. The activity of the screened derivatives was statistically quantified using multiple linear regression and artificial neural networks. To assess the quality, robustness, and predictability of the generated models, the leave-one-out cross-validation method was applied with favorable results (Q2 = 0.75) and Y-randomization. In addition, the evaluation of the predictive ability of the established model was confirmed by means of an external validation using a composite test set and an applicability domain approach. The covalent docking indicated that the tested 1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidines containing the acrylic aldehyde moiety had irreversible interaction with the residue Cys909 in the active sites of the tyrosine-protein kinase JAK3 by Michael addition. The molecular dynamics for three selected derivatives (compounds 9, 12, and 18) were used to verify the covalent docking by determining the stability of hydrogen bonding interactions with active sites, which are needed to stop tyrosine-protein kinase JAK3. The results obtained showed that the tested compounds containing acrylic aldehyde moiety had favorable binding free energies, indicating a strong affinity for the JAK3 enzyme. Overall, this current study suggests that the tested compounds containing the acrylic aldehyde moiety have the potential to act as anti-JAK3 inhibitors. They could be explored further to be used as treatment options for rheumatoid arthritis.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Metal Oxide Nanoparticles Containing Clotrimazole to Suppress Photodegradation of Poly(Vinyl Chloride) Thin Films.

Pol(vinyl chloride) or PVC has functional properties that enable its use in many industrial applications. It suffers from aging, however, in harsh conditions (e.g., elevated temperature or high humidity levels) if oxygen is present. One way to enhance the photostability of PVC is to blend it with additives. Thus, thin films were made by mixing PVC with clotrimazole, and five metal oxide (titanium, copper, cobalt, chromium, and nickel oxides) additives. The metal oxides and clotrimazole were added at concentrations of 0.1 and 0.5% by weight, respectively. The effect of the metal oxide nanoparticles accompanied by clotrimazole on the photodegradation of PVC was then assessed. The results indicated that the additives have a stabilizing effect and protect PVC against photodegradation significantly. The formation of polymeric fragments of small molecular weight containing carbon-carbon double bonds and carbonyl groups was lower in the blends containing metal oxide nanoparticles and clotrimazole than in unblended PVC. Similarly, the decrease in weight was much less for the films blended with additives. Additionally, surface analysis of the irradiated polymeric films showed significantly lower damage in the materials containing additives. The most effective additive in the stabilization of PVC was nickel oxide nanoparticles. The metal oxides are highly alkaline and act as scavengers for the hydrogen chloride produced during the photodegradation of PVC. They additionally act as peroxide decomposers. In contrast, clotrimazole can absorb harmful radiation and act as an ultraviolet absorber due to its heteroatom and aromatic content. Thus, the use of a combination of metal oxide nanoparticles and clotrimazole led to significant improvement in the resistance of PVC toward photodegradation.

Synthesis, structure elucidation, and chemiluminescent activity of new 9-substituted 10-(ω-(succinimidyloxycarbonyl)alkyl)acridinium esters.

Several new acridinium esters 2-9 having their central acridinium ring bearing a 9-(2,5-dimethylphenoxycarbonyl), 9-(2,6-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenoxycarbonyl) or 9-(2,6-dinitrophenoxycarbonyl) group, and a 10-methyl, 10-(3-(succinimidyloxycarbonyl)propyl), 10-(5-(succinimidyloxycarbonyl)pentyl), or 10-(10-(succinimidyloxycarbonyl)decyl) group, have been synthesized and their chemiluminescent properties have been tested. The 2,5-dimethylphenyl acridinium esters emit light slowly (glow) when treated with alkaline hydrogen peroxide, while the 2,6-dinitrophenyl and 2,6-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl esters emit light rapidly (flash). The substituent at the 10 position affects the hydrolytic stabilities of the compounds.

Syntheses of Hindered-Polymethylacridinium Esters with Potential for Biological Probe Nanoarchitectonics.

Novel acridinium esters containing several methyl groups, at least one of which is in the 1 or 8-position, have been synthesized and their structures established. The influence of the methyl substituents on the chemiluminescent properties of the synthesized acridinium esters has been investigated.

Enhancement of Photostabilization of Poly(Vinyl Chloride) in the Presence of Tin-Cephalexin Complexes.

Poly(vinyl chloride), PVC, has many attractive properties, including low cost of manufacture, resistance to acid and alkali corrosion, and ease of molding. However, PVC suffers from aging in harsh conditions, leading to the shortening of its useful life. Stability to irradiation, for example, can be improved through the incorporation of additives to PVC. The design, synthesis, and application of new stabilizers continue to attract attention. The current work investigates the effect of three tin-cephalexin complexes on the stability of PVC on irradiation with ultraviolet (UV) light (λ = 313 nm) at 25 °C for a long duration. The PVC was blended with tin-cephalexin complexes at low concentrations (0.5% by weight), and thin films (around 40 µm) were made from the mixed materials. Various methods, including weight loss, infrared spectroscopy, and surface inspection of irradiated films were used to investigate the role played by these additives in the inhibition of PVC photodecomposition. The results confirmed that the additives led to a significant reduction in the rate of photodecomposition of the PVC blends. Tin-cephalexin complexes can absorb harmful radiation, deactivate hydrogen chloride, and scavenge high-energy species such as peroxides, therefore acting as stabilizers for PVC.

Effect of monovalent electrolyte solutions on the human tear ferning pattern.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of the addition of a low concentration of sodium chloride (NaCl) and potassium chloride (KCl) solutions on the tear ferning (TF) patterns of tears collected from humans. METHODS: A tear sample (20 µL) was collected from the right eye of 23 males and 7 females (25.4 ± 6.6 years). The tears were collected in one sitting for healthy subjects (N = 13). For dry eye participants (N = 17), the tear samples were collected in two separate settings with five minutes gap in between. A sample (1 µL) from each tear was dried on a glass slide, and the obtained ferns were observed using a microscope and graded using the five-point TF grading scale. Mixtures of tear samples (0.5 µL) and different volumes (0.5-2.5 µL) of each electrolyte (10-30 mg in 100 mL of water) solution were prepared, and their TF patterns were recorded and compared with those of the corresponding pure tears. RESULTS: Significant improvements (Wilcoxon test, P < 0.001) have been seen in the TF grades of the tear samples after the addition of NaCl and KCl solutions. A significant difference (Wilcoxon test, P = 0.016) was found between the TF grades when NaCl and KCl solutions were added to the tear samples. The TF grades of pure tears collected from dry-eye subjects ranged from 2.1 to 3.5, based on the five points grading scale, and decreased to be in the range of 0.4 to 1.6 after the addition of electrolyte solutions. While the TF grades of pure tears collected from normal-eye ranged from 1.2 to 1.9 and improved after the addition of electrolyte solution to be in the range of 0.4 to 1.5. CONCLUSIONS: The TF test was used in vitro to assess the impact of the addition of a low concentration of sodium and potassium chloride solutions on tears collected from humans. The TF grades of human tears significantly improved after the addition of either sodium or potassium chloride solution. The mechanism for the improvement in TF grades due to the addition of electrolyte solutions must be investigated.

Evaluation of Tear Evaporation Rate in Subjects with a High Body Mass Index.

AIM: This study evaluated the tear evaporation rate (TER) in subjects with a high body mass index (BMI) and tested the correlation between BMI and dry eye. METHODS: Thirty male subjects aged 18 - 38 years (26.4 ± 4.0 years) with a high BMI (26.4 - 47.0 kg/m2) were enrolled in the study. In addition, a control group of 30 males aged 20 - 36 years (24.0 ± 3.6 years) with a normal BMI (< 25 kg/m2) participated in the study for comparison. Each subject completed the ocular surface disease index (OSDI), followed by the TER measurement using a handheld VapoMeter. RESULTS: Significant differences (Wilcoxon test; p = 0.002 and 0.001) were found between the median scores of the OSDI (10.3 [3.7] vs. 5.9 [7.2]) and TER (35.5 [13.1] vs. 15.5 [12.8] g/m2 h) in the study and control groups, respectively. The OSDI indicated dry eye in 60.0% of subjects in the study group (n = 18). The TER measurements showed that 76.7% of subjects in the study group (n = 23) had dry eyes. A medium correlation (r = 0.569; p = 0.001) was found between the OSDI scores and TER measurements. CONCLUSIONS: The means of the tear evaporation rate and the ocular surface disease index scores are significantly higher in subjects with a high BMI compared with the control group. Therefore, a high BMI is considered a risk factor for dry eye. The measurement of the tear evaporation rate using a handheld VapoMeter is a simple and rapid method to detect dry eyes in combination with other tools.

Correlation between osmolarity measurements using the TearLab™ and I-Pen® systems in subjects with a high body mass index.

BACKGROUND: Osmolarity is used to detect symptoms of dry eye disease (DED) and can be measured using TearLab™ and I-Pen® systems. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the correlation between osmolarity measurements using the TearLab™ and I-Pen® systems in subjects with a high body mass index (BMI). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty male subjects with a high BMI (27-48 kg/m2; 23.3 ±2.1 years old) participated in this study. The control group consisting of 30 healthy males (24.9 kg/m2; 22.9 ±2.1 years old) was also enrolled. Osmolarity measurements were recorded from the right eye using the TearLab™ and I-Pen® systems, and interviews were conducted to determine ocular surface disease index (OSDI) scores. RESULTS: The OSDI (p = 0.042), TearLab™ (p < 0.001) and I-Pen® (p < 0.001) scores were significantly higher in the study group than in the control group. In the study group, OSDI scores ranged from 2 to 16 (median 8.0, interquartile range (IQR) 6.8), while it was from 0 to 10 (median 6.3, IQR 4.1) in the control group. The TearLab™ osmolarity scores were in the range of 278-309 mOsm/L in the study group, whereas the I-Pen® osmolarity measurements were in the range of 294-336 mOsm/L in the study group, compared with 263-304 mOsm/L and 278-317 mOsm/L in the control group, respectively. In the study group, there was a strong correlation between the TearLab™ and I-Pen® osmolarity scores (r = 0.934; p = 0.001). In addition, strong correlations were found between the BMI and both TearLab™ (r = 0.736; p = 0.001) and I-Pen® (r = 0.707; p = 0.001) scores, as well as between the OSDI scores and both TearLab™ (r = 0.731; p = 0.001) and I-Pen® measurements (r = 0.666; p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Osmolarity measurements using the I-Pen® system were significantly higher than those recorded using the TearLab™ system in subjects with a high BMI. The I-Pen® measurements showed large variations in osmolarity scores and were highly unreliable in correctly identifying normal eyes compared to the TearLab™ system. Also, a strong correlation was found between the osmolarity scores obtained from the TearLab™ and I-Pen® systems.

Synthesis and Characterization of Novel 2-(1,2,3-Triazol-4-yl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)thiazoles and 2-(4,5-Dihydro-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-4-(1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)thiazoles.

Reactions of 1-(5-methyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)ethan-1-ones and benzaldehydes in ethanol under basic conditions gave the corresponding chalcones. Reactions of the chalcones combined with thiosemicarbazide in dry ethanol containing sodium hydroxide afforded the corresponding pyrazolin-N-thioamides. Reactions of the synthesized pyrazolin-N-thioamides and several ketones (namely, ethyl 2-chloro-3-oxobutanoate, 2-bromoacetylbenzofuran, and hydrazonoyl chloride) gave the corresponding novel 2-(1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)thiazoles in high yields (77-90%). Additionally, 2-(4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-4-(1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)thiazoles were obtained in high yields (84-87%) from reactions with N-pyrazoline-thioamides and 4-bromoacetyl-1,2,3-triazoles under basic conditions. The structures of six of the newly synthesized heterocycles were confirmed by X-ray crystallography.

Effect of surgical face mask wearing on tear film in women with a high body mass index.

PURPOSE: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, wearing a face mask has become an essential measure to reduce the rate of virus spreading. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of wearing a surgical face mask for a short period on the tear film parameters in subjects with a high body mass index (BMI). METHODS: Twenty-five females with a high BMI (31.4 ± 5.5 kg/m2) aged 18-35 years (22.7 ± 4.6 years) participated in the study. In addition, a control group consisting of 25 females (23.0 ± 6.7 years) with a high BMI (29.9 ± 4.1 kg/m2) participated in the study in which no mask was worn. The standardized patient evaluation of eye dryness (SPEED) questionnaire was completed first, followed by the phenol red thread (PRT) and tear ferning (TF) tests, before wearing the face mask. The subjects wore the face mask for 1 hour, and the measurements were performed again immediately after its removal. For the control group, the measurements were performed twice with one hour gap. RESULTS: Significant (Wilcoxon test, p < 0.05) differences were found between the SPEED scores (p = 0.035) and the PRT measurement (p = 0.042), before and after wearing the surgical face mask. The PRT scores have improved after wearing the surgical face mask, while the dry eye symptoms detected by the SPEED questionnaire have increased. On the other hand, no significant (Wilcoxon test, p = 0.201) differences were found between the TF grades before and after wearing a surgical face mask. For the control group, no significant (Wilcoxon test, p > 0.05) differences were found between the two scores from the SPEED questionnaire and the PRT, and TF tests. CONCLUSIONS: Wearing a surgical face mask for a short duration leads to a change in volume and quality of tears as well as dry eye symptoms in women with a high BMI.