Investigation of structural, optical and electrical conductivity of a new organic inorganic bromide: [C12H17N2]2ZnBr4.

A new organic-inorganic hybrid, namely the [C12H17N2]2ZnBr4 compound, has been synthesized and studied by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and optical and complex impedance spectroscopy. It crystallized in the centrosymmetric P21/n space group at room temperature. The asymmetric unit is constituted by [ZnBr4]2- anions, showing slightly distorted tetrahedral geometry, surrounded by four organic (C12H17N2)+ cations. The crystal packing is stabilized by N-H⋯Br and C-H⋯Br hydrogen bonds arranged in a three-dimensional network. The optical absorption measurement confirms the semiconductor nature with a band gap of around 3.94 eV. Additionally, the analysis of Nyquist plots (-Z'' vs. Z') shows that the electrical properties of the material are heavily dependent on frequency and temperature, indicating a relaxation phenomenon and semiconductor-type behavior. Reduction in Z' was observed as a function of temperature and frequency which indicates an increase in ac conductivity and the negative temperature coefficient of resistance. The frequency dependent plots of (-Z'') show that the electrical relaxation is non-Debye in nature. The ac conductivity spectrum obeys Jonscher's universal power law. The Correlated barrier hopping model CBH has been suggested to agree with the conduction mechanism of σ ac for the [C12H17N2]2ZnBr4 compound.

Synthesis, structural and electrical characterization of a new organic inorganic bromide: [(C3H7)4N]2CoBr4.

A new organic inorganic hybrid [TPA]2CoBr4, where TPA = [(C3H7)4N]+ (i.e., tetra-propyl-ammonium) compound has been synthesized by slow evaporation method at room temperature. Single crystal X-ray diffraction (SC-XRD), X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), thermal analyses, vibrational and complex impedance spectroscopy have been used to characterize both structural, thermal, electrical properties. [TPA]2CoBr4 crystallizes in the monoclinic system (C2/c space group) with the following cell parameters: a = 33.145 (5) Å, b = 14.234 (3) Å, c = 15.081 (2) Å and ß = 110.207 (5)°. In the crystal structure, the organic TPA cations which form layers stacked along the a-axis, are separated from each other by inorganic tetrahedral [CoBr4]2- anions. The XRPD pattern confirms both the high purity of the sample and the crystalline nature of the powder. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis shows an endothermic peak at 394 K upon heating which is ascribed to a structural phase transition since no decomposition of the titled compound is evidenced by thermogravimetric analysis. The ac conductivity and the dielectric properties confirm the presence of the phase transition. At the structural phase transition around 394 K, a change from a quantum mechanical tunneling to a correlated barrier hopping conduction models is determined from the temperature dependence of the exponent s of the Jonscher's power law. The analysis of complex impedance spectra shows that the electrical properties of the material are heavily dependent on frequency and temperature, indicating a relaxation phenomenon and semiconductor-type behavior. One single semicircle is detectable in the Nyquist plots of the complex impedance spectra which can be satisfactorily fitted with a combination R//CPE elements assigned to the bulk response. This behavior suggests that the sample is electrically homogeneous. Capacitance analysis proves the high effective permittivity at radio frequencies in the sample.

Corrélation Entre La Consommation D'Antibiotiques Et Les Taux D'Antibiorésistance Chez P. Æruginosa Dans Un Service De Réanimation Des Brûlés Tunisien: Étude Sur 6 Ans (2014-2019).

Antibiotics are one of the greatest advances in modern medicine. Antibiotic resistance is one of the most serious threats to global health, aggravating the prognosis of immunocompromised patients, especially burn patients. Our objective was to study the consumption of antibiotics of critical importance according to the WHO and the correlation between antibiotic resistance in Pseudomonas æruginosa and the consumption of these antibiotics. Our study took place in the Medical Laboratory in collaboration with the Trauma and Burn Center's Burn Unit in Tunisia. In our retrospective study, 1384 non-repetitive strains of Pseudomonas æruginosa responsible for colonization or infection were included, between January 2012 and December 2019. Pseudomonas æruginosa was the most isolated bacterial strain in the service, with an average rate of 15.9% of the service's bacterial ecology. The antibiotic resistance rates tested were high: 77.1% to piperacillin-tazobactam, 56% to ceftazidime, 74.9% to imipenem, 78.8% to amikacin, 54.7% to ciprofloxacin and 32.8% to fosfomycin. Among our strains, 81.8% were multi drug-resistant strains. The analysis of the correlation between the level of consumption of antibiotics and the antibiotic resistance levels in Pseudomonas æruginosa showed that the increased consumption of piperacillin-tazobactam increased resistance not only to piperacillin-tazobactam but also to imipenem and amikacin as well as multi drug resistance. Similarly, the increase in the consumption of fosfomycin correlates with resistance to piperacillin-tazobactam and imipenem.

Anakinra in hospitalized patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia requiring oxygen therapy: Results of a prospective, open-label, interventional study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of anakinra in patients who were admitted to hospital for severe COVID-19 pneumonia requiring oxygen therapy. METHODS: A prospective, open-label, interventional study in adults hospitalized with severe COVID-19 pneumonia was conducted. Patients in the interventional arm received subcutaneous anakinra (100 mg twice daily for 3 days, followed by 100 mg daily for 7 days) in addition to standard treatment. Main outcomes were the need for mechanical ventilation and in-hospital death. Secondary outcomes included successful weaning from supplemental oxygen and change in inflammatory biomarkers. Outcomes were compared with those of historical controls who had received standard treatment and supportive care. RESULTS: A total of 69 patients were included: 45 treated with anakinra and 24 historical controls. A need for mechanical ventilation occurred in 14 (31%) of the anakinra-treated group and 18 (75%) of the historical cohort (p < 0.001). In-hospital death occurred in 13 (29%) of the anakinra-treated group and 11 (46%) of the historical cohort (p = 0.082). Successful weaning from supplemental oxygen to ambient air was attained in 25 (63%) of the anakinra-treated group compared with 6 (27%) of the historical cohort (p = 0.008). Patients who received anakinra showed a significant reduction in inflammatory biomarkers. CONCLUSION: In patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia and high oxygen requirement, anakinra could represent an effective treatment option and may confer clinical benefit. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN74727214.

Protective effects of spirulina against hemato-biochemical alterations, nephrotoxicity, and DNA damage upon lead exposition.

The current study was aimed at exploring the protective efficacy of spirulina against the hemato-biochemical alterations and nephrotoxicity induced by lead (Pb). Female rats aged 12 weeks were treated for 4 weeks with Pb (0.344 g kg-1 bw) associated or not with spirulina (5.3 g kg-1 bw). Renal damage induced by Pb was related to a severe anemia, increases of oxidative stress-related parameters (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) (+29%), protein carbonyl (PCO) (+66.3%), and advanced oxidation protein product (AOPP) (+110%)), plasma lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (+80%), creatinine and urea levels in plasma, and uric acid concentration in urine, as well as genotoxic changes (+89.3% and +60% for DNA and mRNA levels, respectively). Conversely, LDH and antioxidant enzyme activities in kidney were decreased, as well as the levels of plasma uric acid, and urinary creatinine and urea levels. Spirulina-supplemented rats exhibited normal peripheral blood and renal parameters and renal histology. It can be suggested that Arthrospira platensis alleviates damages induced by Pb, thanks to its high phenolic content and antioxidant capacity.

Electrical conductivity and vibrational studies induced phase transitions in [(C2H5)4N]FeCl4.

The compound, tetraethylammonium tetrachloroferrate [(C2H5)4N]FeCl4, was prepared by slow evaporation at room temperature. It was characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, thermal analysis, and impedance and vibrational spectroscopy. X-ray diffraction data confirmed formation of a single phase material which crystallized at room temperature in the hexagonal system (P63 mc space group). DSC showed the existence of two phase transitions at 413 K and 430 K. Electrical conductivity was measured in the temperature and frequency ranges of 390 K to 440 K and 40 Hz to 110 MHz, respectively. Nyquist plots revealed the existence of grains and grain boundaries that were fitted to an equivalent circuit. AC conductivity plots were analyzed by Jonscher's power law. Variations in the "s" values indicated that CBH models describe the conduction mechanism in regions I and II. Temperature dependence of Raman spectra showed that the most important changes were observed in the cationic parts ([(C2H5)4N]+). The activation energy value obtained from the line width decreased which indicated an order-disorder model.

Dandelion-enriched diet of mothers alleviates lead-induced damages in liver of newborn rats.

Lead (Pb) is a highly toxic metal present in the environment. It causes disturbances of several functions, including hematologic, renal, reproductive and nervous ones. Preventive or curative use of medicinal plants against these disorders may be a promising and safe therapeutic strategy. This study evaluated the hepatic toxic effects of prenatal exposure to lead in rats and the possible protective effect of dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) added to the diet. Female rats were given a normal diet (control) or a diet enriched with dandelion (treated). In addition, lead acetate was administered to half of the rats through drinking water from the 5th day of gestation until the 14th day postpartum. Lead toxicity was evaluated in their offspring by measuring body and liver weights, plasma biochemical parameters, liver damage, as well as protein content and activities of antioxidant enzymes in the liver tissues. Lead poisoning of mothers caused lead deposition in blood and stomach of their pups as well as hepatic tissue damages. Moreover, significant decreases in liver weight and protein content were found. Lead treatment caused oxidative stress and marked changes in the activity of antioxidant enzymes. However, no damages or biochemical changes were observed in puppies from the rats co-treated with lead and dandelion. These results indicate that supplementation of pregnant and lactating rats with dandelion protects their offspring against lead poisoning, likely through reduction of oxidative stress and liver damages.

Spirulina exhibits hepatoprotective effects against lead induced oxidative injury in newborn rats.

Lead is a toxic metal that induces a wide range of biochemical and physiological effects. The present investigation was designed at evaluating the toxic effects of a prenatal exposure to lead of mothers on hepatic tissue of newborn rats, and potent protective effects of spirulina. Female rats were randomly divided into 4 groups which were given a normal diet (control),a diet enriched with spirulina (S), lead acetate administered through drinking water (Pb), or a diet enriched with spirulina and lead contaminated water (S Pb), respectively. The duration of treatments was from the 5th day of gestation to 14 days postpartum. Lead toxicity was assessed by measuring body and liver weights, blood and stomach lead levels, hepatic DNA, RNA and protein amounts, blood enzyme activities (AST and ALT), as well as lipid peroxidation level and activities of antioxidant enzymes in hepatic tissues of neonates. Lead intoxication of mothers caused reduction of liver weight as well as of hepatic DNA, mRNA and protein levels in newborns. Moreover, oxidative stress and changes in antioxidant enzyme activities were recorded. Conversely, supplementation of mothers with spirulina mitigated these effects induced by lead. These results substantiated the potential hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity of spirulina.

Using Raman spectroscopy to understand the origin of the phase transitions observed in [(C3H7)4N]2Zn2Cl6 compound.

Phase transitions of the centrosymmetric compound, [(C3H7)4N]2Zn2Cl6, were studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and dielectric measurements. Two reversible order-disorder and displacive phase transitions are observed at T1=327K and T2=347K with 3K and 4K hysteresis respectively, indicating a first order character. The evolution of Raman line shifts, "ν", and the half-width, "Δν", versus temperature show some singularities associated with the transitions, suggesting that they are governed by the reorientational and the displacement of the organic part. Besides the results of the dielectric permittivity study confirms the conclusion drawn from the calorimetric and Raman measurements that the phase transition located in the vicinity of the temperature of the dielectric proprieties is characterized by change of dynamical state of cation.

Photochemical internalization for pDNA transfection: evaluation of poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide) and poly(ethylenimine) nanoparticles.

The main objective of this study was to prepare two types of nanoparticles with poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) and polyethylenimine (PEI) polymers. Plasmid DNA (pDNA) was adsorbed either on PLGA/PEI nanoparticles, or as PEI/DNA complex onto the surface of PLGA nanoparticles. Both types of nanoparticles were prepared by the double emulsion method. The nanoparticles were characterized by their size, zeta potential and pDNA or PEI/DNA complex adsorption. The PEI/DNA complex adsorption was confirmed with ethidium bromide assay. pDNA adsorption onto PLGA/PEI nanoparticles (PLGA/PEI-DNA) was studied by electrophoresis on agarose gel. Cytotoxicity and transfection efficiency of both types of nanoparticle and PEI/DNA complexes formulations were studied in head and neck squamous carcinoma cell line (FaDu). To improve endosomal release, photochemical internalization (PCI) was used. The zeta potential increased when the PEI/DNA complex adsorbed onto PLGA nanoparticles (PLGA-PEI/DNA). Optimal pDNA adsorption efficiency was achieved for nitrogen/phosphorous ratio≥20/1. In vitro transfection and cells viability on FaDu cells with or without PCI were found to be variable depending on the type and concentration of nanoparticles. The results showed that transfection efficiency for PLGA/PEI-DNA or PLGA-PEI/DNA nanoparticles ranged between 2 and 80%, respectively. PCI was found to slightly improve the transfection efficiency for all formulations.

Polarized Raman study of [N(C3H7)4]2Cd2Cl6 single crystal.

Chemical preparation, mid-infrared and Raman spectra of [N(C(3)H(7))(4)](2)Cd(2)Cl(6) are presented. Polarized Raman spectra of oriented single crystals have been recorded in the range 7-3900 cm(-1) under various polarization configurations with regard to the symmetry and the numbers of several band modes observed in the Raman and infrared spectra. The obtained results are consistent with the theoretical predictions based on the infrared and Raman selection rules.

Optimization of a new non-viral vector for transfection: Eudragit nanoparticles for the delivery of a DNA plasmid.

The development of new vectors to deliver DNA into cells for therapy of cancers or genetic diseases has been a major area of research for many years. However, the clinical application of this technology requires the development of efficient, reliable and sterile vectors enabling the transfer of genes in vivo. Non viral, polymer or lipid-based vectors offer a new impetus to gene therapy because they are less toxic than viral vectors (no endogenous recombination, fewer immunological reactions, easy production and delivery of large-sized plasmid). The aim of this study is to develop a new tool for DNA delivery composed of methacrylic polymeric (Eudragit RS and RL) nanoparticles. These nanoparticles were prepared by two methods: nanoprecipitation and double emulsion. The nanoparticles were characterized by their size, zeta potential and amount of DNA adsorption. Cytotoxicity tests based on mitochondrial activity (MTT test) revealed that the nanoparticles had limited cytotoxicity and that this depended on both the cell type and the nanoparticle concentration. Transgene expression was observed using the Green Fluorescence Protein gene as reporter gene, and was evaluated by flow cytometry in FaDu, MDA-MB 231 and MCF-7 cell lines. The results showed that transfection rates ranging between 4 and 7% were achieved in FaDu and MDA-MB 231 cells with nanoparticles prepared by the nanoprecipitation method. In MCF-7 cells transfected with nanoparticles prepared by either the double emulsion or the nanoprecipitation method, the transfection efficiency was between 2 and 4%. Nanoparticles prepared by nanoprecipitation were slightly more efficient than nanoparticles prepared from a double emulsion. Particle size was not an important factor for transfection, since no significant difference was observed with size between 50 and 350 nm. We showed that Eudragit RS and RL nanoparticles could introduce the transgene into different types of cells, but were generally less effective than the lipofectamine control.