Green synthesis of thiourea derivatives from nitrobenzenes using Ni nanoparticles immobilized on triazine-aminopyridine-modified MIL-101(Cr) MOF.

Nanohybrid metal-organic frameworks (MOF) have recently been considered next-generation catalysts regarding their unique features like large surface-to-volume ratio, tailorable geometry, uniform pore sizes, and homogeneous distribution of active sites. In this report, we address the triazine-aminopyridine-modified 3D Cr-centred MOF MIL-101(Cr)-NH2 following a post-synthetic modification approach. The excellent chelating ability of triazine-aminopyridine was applied to immobilize Ni ions over the host matrix MOF. The as-synthesized material was physicochemically characterized using various analytical techniques like FT-IR, electron microscopy, EDS, elemental mapping, XRD, and ICP-OES. Subsequently, the material has been catalytically employed in synthesizing new thiourea derivatives by reacting to nitrobenzene derivatives and phenyl isocyanate. The catalyst was isolated by centrifugation and recycled in 6 consecutive runs without momentous loss of its reactivity.

Clinical characteristics of 365 hospitalized COVID-19 patients with neurological symptoms: an observational study.

OBJECTIVE: Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of COVID-related neurological manifestations have been reported. We aimed to categorize the features of hospitalized COVID-19 patients who experienced neurological symptoms. METHODS: In this descriptive, cross-sectional study, we enrolled all patients hospitalized with COVID-19 who experienced neurological symptoms in two hospitals in Tehran. Diagnosis of COVID-19 was established by PCR tests or computed tomography of the chest combined with COVID-19 clinical findings. The clinical characteristics, laboratory data, and imaging findings from 365 patients were analyzed. RESULTS: The average patient age was 59.2 ± 16.7 years and included 213 males and 152 females. The most prevalent neurological symptoms were headache (56.2%), impaired consciousness (55%), and dizziness (20.5%). During hospitalization, most of the patients did not require mechanical ventilation (81.9%). The percentage of patients with end-organ damage was 9% and mortality was 15%. Regression analysis on the neurological symptoms indicated that the mortality rate of patients with headaches was 84% lower than for the other neurological symptoms. Hyperglycemia was significantly related with end-organ damage and mortality (p = 0.029, p = 0.08, respectively). New vascular lesions were evident on brain MRIs of 9 patients and brain CTs of 16 patients. CONCLUSION: Among the neurological symptoms of patients with COVID-19, headache appeared to indicate a protective factor against development of end-organ damage as well as mortality.

Effect of the bread-making process on zearalenone levels.

The effects of the bread-making process including fermentation with Saccharomyces cerevisiae and lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus fermentum) and baking at 200°C on zearalenone (ZEA) levels were investigated. Standard solutions of ZEA were added to flour and then loaves of bread were prepared. Sourdough and three types of yeast including active dry yeast, instant dry yeast and compressed yeast were used for the fermentation of dough. ZEA levels in flour, dough and bread were determined by HPLC with fluorescence detection after extraction and clean-up on an immunoaffinity column. The highest reduction in levels of ZEA was found in the first fermentation (first proof), while the lowest reduction was observed in the baking stage. In addition, the results showed that compressed yeast had the maximum reduction potential on ZEA levels even at the baking stage.