Ultrasound-Assisted Synthesis of Chalcone: A Highly Sensitive and Selective Fluorescent Chemosensor for the Detection of Fe3+ in Aqueous Media.

The chalcone compound DHPO was synthesized through a chemical reaction between 1-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-ethanone and 3,4-dimethoxy benzaldehyde under ultrasound irradiation. The interaction between the DHPO compound and several metal ions was studied using fluorescence behavior, revealing that the chalcone function as a "turn on and turn off" switch fluorescent sensor, for selectively and sensitively detecting Fe3+ ions. The process of fluorescence quenching and complexation of DHPO with Fe3+ ion was further studied using methods such as Benesi-Hildebrand, Stern-Volmer plot, and job plot.

Population pharmacokinetics of gentamicin in acute lymphoblastic leukemia pediatric patients compared to non-oncology patients.

Understanding the pharmacokinetics of gentamicin is essential in special populations, such as pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), in light of previous studies indicating that ALL patients have a lower volume of distribution than non-ALL patients. Furthermore, validation of such results is needed to ensure their clinical application. Accordingly, this single-center, retrospective, cross-sectional study compares the pharmacokinetic parameters of volume of distribution and clearance (Cl) of gentamicin between ALL and non-ALL patients. Inclusion criteria were pediatric patients aged between 1 and 14 years with or without ALL and receiving intravenous gentamicin for treatment courses > 72 h. Patients' characteristics, such as age, sex, height, serum albumin, diagnosis, serum creatinine (Scr) concentration, dosing, and pharmacokinetic information, including peak and trough concentrations, were retrieved. The study scrutinized a total of 115 pediatric patients, comprising toddlers (15.7 %), children (76.5 %), and adolescents (7.8 %). All patients received gentamicin every 8 h, with an average dose of 2.50 (0.64) mg/kg. Patients were divided into two groups based on disease state, with 45.2 % (n = 52) in the non-ALL group and 54.8 % (n = 63) in the ALL group. Both groups had similar characteristics in terms of gender, weight, body surface area, and dose. The only significant covariates identified were weight and creatinine clearance (Clcr) for volume of distribution (Vd). A significant difference was found in Scr, Clcr, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN); however, no significant difference between ALL and non-ALL patients emerged in the volume of distribution or Cl. In conclusion, the study findings indicate that dosing requirements were similar between the two groups. Further prospective studies with larger sample sizes are warranted.

Synthesis, antioxidant, and molecular docking of new fluorescent (4-alkoxyphenyl)-nitrothiophene compounds.

New fluorescent 4-alkoxyphenyl-nitrothiophene compounds 4a-d bearing diverse alkoxyl tails are described. The synthetic strategy was simply accomplished by alkali-assisted alkylation of 4-(5-nitrothiophen-2-yl)phenol (3) with propyl, hexyl, nonyl, and/or dodecyl iodide. The molecular structures were determined using infrared (IR), 1 H NMR, and mass spectroscopy. Ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) absorption and emission spectra of the produced 4-alkoxyphenyl-nitrothiophenes revealed considerable extinction coefficients, which were shown to be controlled by the thiophene bridge in conjugation with the alkoxy donor moiety. It was found that the maximum absorbance wavelength was affected by the alkoxyl group-bonded substituents. The antioxidant efficiency obtained from the 4-alkoxyphenyl-nitrothiophene hybrids was excellent compared with that widely used drugs [butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and vitamin C]. Unlike 2-(4-[dodecyloxy]phenyl)-5-nitrothiophene hybrid 4d, which has made solid claims about the good effect of its reference drugs and vitamins, Docking investigations of the prepared 4-alkoxyphenyl-nitrothiophene hybrids towards the selected 5IKQ protein revealed impressive coordination and antioxidant effectiveness.

Prodromal Marker Progression in Idiopathic Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behavior Disorder: Sample Size for Clinical Trials.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate prodromal marker progression in idiopathic rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder patients with prodromal Parkinson's disease (PD) to calculate sample size for neuroprotective trials. METHODS: Patients with polysomnogram-proven idiopathic rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder were assessed for prodromal PD using Movement Disorder Society criteria. We prospectively measured progression rates of numerous clinical variables, including motor, cognitive, special sensory, and autonomic variables and calculated the sample size required to demonstrate slowing of progression under 3 effectiveness assumptions (30%, 50%, and 70% slowing). RESULTS: Overall, the variables that progressed with lowest sample size requirements were motor variables (234 participants required per group for 50% efficacy over 2 years). By contrast, cognitive, special sensory, and autonomic variables showed modest progression with high variability, resulting in high sample sizes. The most efficient design was a time-to-event analysis using milestones of motor and cognitive decline (126 per group). CONCLUSION: In idiopathic rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder, time-to-event analysis assessing milestones of decline is the most efficient trial design for neuroprotective therapy. © 2019 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

Synthesis, spectrophotometric, pharmacology and theoretical investigation of a new electron transfer complex of 8-hydroxyquinoline with oxalic acid in different polar solvents.

Preparation, characterization, and investigation of a novel organic charge transfer (CT) complex were carried out, with a focus on exploring its antibacterial and antifungal characteristics. Theoretical analysis backs up the experimental findings. CT complex formed was synthesized between 8-hydroxyquinoline (8HQ) and oxalic acid (OA) at RT (room temperature). Different analyses were used to describe the CT complex, including 1H-NMR, FTIR, TGA/DTA, and UV-vis spectra (in different solvents). These indicate that the CT interaction is linked to proton transfer from OA to 8HQ and the subsequent development of 'N+__H…O-" type bonding. On the basis of wave number, the CT complex and reactants are distinguished in FTIR spectra. By using Thermo gravimetric Analysis/Differential Thermal Analysis (TGA/DTA) tests, the thermal stability of complicated and thorough corrosion was examined. Through UV-visible spectroscopy, physical characteristics like ECT (interaction energy), RN (resonance energy), ID (ionization potential), f (oscillator strength) and ΔG (free energy) were calculated. The εCT (molar extinction coefficient), the KCT (formation constant), and additional physical properties of this complex were calculated by the Benesi-Hildebrand equation in order to determine its 1:1 stoichiometry. The biological properties are also supported by theoretical study. The protein, Human Serum Albumin (HSA), is observed to bind with CT complex, as shown by molecular docking and the observed binding energy value is -167.04 kcal/mol. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation 100 ns run was used to refine docking results and binding free energy was calculated using MM-PBSA. This study introduces a novel CT complex, offering fresh perspectives on molecular interactions.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Baseline Assessment of Health Research Systems in Saudi Arabia: Harnessing Efforts and Mobilizing Actions.

Major transformations are taking place in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) to achieve the 2030 vision for the health sector. A key component in strengthening the health system is a strong research governance strategy that can support the decision-making process by providing timely and accurate evidence that reflects local context and needs. This paper sought to better understand governance structures and policies for health research systems and support clusters so that they function effectively. This paper outlines the findings of an in-depth baseline assessment of existing health research efforts, activities, and plans of eight research clusters in the KSA and identifies key gaps and strengths in health research governance and capabilities. A cross-sectional design was used to survey research clusters in KSA. A six-part survey was developed to better understand the research clusters' health research governance and capacities. The survey was sent to all KSA clusters and was completed in a group setting during meetings. Findings clearly show strong efforts to support research governance initiatives in health clusters in KSA. While some clusters are more advanced than others, there are plenty of opportunities to share knowledge and combine efforts to help achieve the goals set out for KSA health transformation. This baseline assessment also reflects the first attempt of its kind to understand the KSA experience and provide much-needed lessons on country-wide efforts to support the health system given the trickling effect of this sector on all others, enhancing and advancing national growth.