Parents' concerns and attitudes towards school reopening during COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional survey-Tripoli, Libya, 2021.

The issue of school reopening has raised several concerns; therefore, the parent's opinion is essential to consider. This study aimed to evaluate the parent's attitudes and concerns toward school reopening in the COVID-19 era. A cross-sectional survey was performed using in-person self-administered questionnaires, the data was collected in the period between January and April 2021 covering parents' concerns and attitudes toward school reopening. A total of 402 parents participated in the survey. Analysis showed that 56.7% of parents have agreed with school reopening, but 54% have raised some legitimate concerns. Importantly, there was a strong correlation between parents' opinions towards school reopening and their level of education, and their concerns about their children's safety if the school was reopened. Despite parents' concerns, it does seem that slightly over half were in favour of school reopening and would send their children to school only if the schools did apply strict precautions and restriction measures. Sharing parents' views toward school reopening with school leaders and decision-makers is important to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of return to schools and to improve existing prevention programs.

Molecular characterization of alpha subunit 1 of sodium pump (ATP1A1) gene in Camelus dromedarius: its differential tissue expression potentially interprets the role in osmoregulation.

BACKGROUND: Dromedary or one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius) is distinctively acclimatized to survive the arid conditions of the desert environment. It has an excellent ability to compete dehydration with substantial tolerance for rapid dehydration. Therefore, it offers an excellent model for studying osmoregulation. Molecular characterization of Na+/K+ ATPase as a central regulator of electrolyte normohemostasis affords a better understanding of this mechanism in camel. Here is the first to resolve the full-length of alpha-1 subunit of sodium pump (ATP1A1) gene with its differential expression in dromedary tissues. RESULTS: The nucleotide sequence for the recovered full cDNA of ATP1A1was submitted to the GenBank (NCBI GenBank accession #MW628635) and bioinformatically analyzed. The cDNA sequence was of 3760 bp length with an open reading frame (ORF) of 3066 bp encoding a putative 1021 amino acids polypeptide with a molecular mass of 112696 Da. Blast search analysis revealed the shared high similarity of dromedary ATP1A1gene with other known ATP1A1genes in different species. The comparative analysis of its protein sequence confirmed the high identity with other mammalian ATP1A1 proteins. Further transcriptomic investigation for different organs was performed by real-time PCR to compare its level of expression among different organs. The results confirm a direct function between the ATP1A1 gene expression and the order of vital performance of these organs. The expression of ATP1A1 mRNA in the adrenal gland and brain was significantly higher than that in the other organs. The noticed down expression in camel kidney concomitant with overexpression in the adrenal cortex might interpret how dromedary expels access sodium without water loss with relative high ability to restrain mineralocorticoid-induced sodium retention on drinking salty water. CONCLUSION: The results reflect the importance of sodium pump in these organs. Na+/K+ ATPase in the adrenal gland and brain than other organs.

Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies after recovery from COVID-19 or vaccination in Libyan population: comparison of four vaccines

Measurement of strength and durability of SARS-COV-2 antibody response is important to understand the waning dynamics of immune response to both vaccines and infection. The study aimed to evaluate the level of IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 and their persistence in recovered, naive and vaccinated individuals. We randomly investigate Anti-spike RBD IgG antibody responses in 10,000 individuals, both following infection with SARS-CoV-2 and immunization with SARS-COV-2 adenoviral-vector and killed vaccines. Overall, antibody titres in recovered vaccinated individuals and naive vaccinee persists beyond 20 weeks. The mean levels of anti-spike IgG antibodies were higher in vaccinated participants with prior COVID-19 infections than in individuals without prior infection. Decline for IgG antibodies were faster in vaccinated individuals without previous COVID-19 infection compared to those with previous COVID-19 infection. Vaccination with adenoviral-vector vaccines generates higher antibody titers than for killed virus vaccine. Slightly over half of asymptomatic unvaccinated individuals develops antibody response. Previous COVID-19 infection elicited robust and sustained levels of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in vaccinated individuals. A single dose of the vaccine is likely to provide greater protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection in individuals with prior SARS-CoV-2 infection, than in SARS-CoV-2-naive individuals. This study also underlines that asymptomatic infection equally generates antibodies as symptomatic infection. Those vaccinated with inactivated vaccine may require more frequent boosters than those vaccinated with an adenoviral vaccine. These findings are important for formulating public health vaccination strategies during COVID-19 pandemic. ImportanceMeasurement of strength and durability of SARS-COV-2 antibody response is important to understand the waning dynamics of immune response to both vaccines and infection. We randomly surveyed 10,000 people for SARS-COV-2 antibodies. One vaccine dose with prior infection generated stronger immune response than two vaccine doses. Overall, antibody titres in recovered vaccinated individuals and naive vaccinee persists beyond 20 weeks. Vaccination with adenoviral-vector vaccines generates higher antibody titers than for killed virus vaccine slightly over half of asymptomatic unvaccinated individuals develops antibody response. This study emphasise on the benefit of vaccination in inducing strong immune response. These findings are important for formulating public health vaccination strategies during COVID-19 pandemic.

Exploratory investigation on the antibacterial effect of antimicrobial peptides of four mammalian plasmas.

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are presently being revisited as promising potential antimicrobial combat agents. Acquisition of resistance to AMPs is very rare compared to conventional antibiotics as they kill microbes by direct disruption of cellular components including the microbial membrane and DNA. In this study four sources of mammalian plasma (human, bovine, caprine and ovine) were explored for presence and effectiveness of antimicrobial peptides by the spot-on-lawn method, followed by the agar well diffusion assay to confirm their antibacterial activity. This was followed by determination of their minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) by the broth macrodilusion method. The MICs were compared to those produced by the antibiotics Ampicillin, Amoxicillin, Doxycycline and Metronidazole. All four plasma types exhibited antibacterial activity in their native form (plasmaN) or in presence of added pepsin (plasmap). The highest antibacterial activity was shown by ovine plasmap against Klebsiella pneumoniae (MIC at dilution of 1:128), while least activity (MIC at dilution of 1:2) was shown by bovine plasmap and ovine plasmaN against K. pneumoniae, ovine plasmaN against E. coli, and ovine plasmap against Staph. aureus. All plasma sources achieved bactericidal effect. Activity of ovine plasmaN against K. pneumoniae was higher than that due to Ampilcillin, Amoxicillin, Doxycycline or Metronidazole. The least antibacterial activity was achieved by Ampicillin against K. pneumoniae, E. coli and Bacillus subtilis. Metronidazole had no effect on any of the four bacteria tested. These results indicate that AMPs hold great promise as a valuable renewed tool in the control of pathogenic microbes.

New polymorphism in the 5' flanking region of IGF-1 gene and its association with wool traits in Egyptian Barki sheep.

Insulin-like growth factor-1 gene (IGF-1) is considered as a major candidate gene for the economic traits of animal production. Polymorphism of 5' flanking region of IGF-1 gene in Barki sheep (n = 91) and its association with wool traits were studied using the polymerase chain reaction coupled with single-strand conformation polymorphism technique (PCR-SSCP), PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP), sequence analysis and different measurements of wool traits (clean fleece weight and fiber diameter). PCR-SSCP analysis revealed three different banding patterns corresponding with three genotypes frequencies GG (0.25), GA (0.58), AA (0.17). PCR-RFLP and corresponding sequence analysis revealed nucleotide transversion from Guanine (G) to Cytosine (C) at nucleotide position 85 and transition from (G) to Adenine (A) at position 87. This is the first study that recorded two SNPs within the 5' flanking region of IGF-1 gene in Egyptian Barki sheep, which were submitted to DNA Data Bank OF Japan (DDBJ) with Accession No. LC151463.1. The genotype GG showed positive significant association (P < 0.001) with clean fleece weight (CFW) trait (Odd Ratio = 2.83). By contrast, genotype AA had negative significant association (P < 0.05) with such trait (Odd Ratio = 0.15). On the other hand, fiber diameter (FD) measurements showed no significant association (P > 0.05) with different IGF-1 genotypes. This study adds evidence of the association between IGF-1 gene polymorphism and CFW of wool in Egyptian Barki sheep. Therefore; it is important to consider IGF-1 gene as a candidate gene marker for wool weight traits and it should be identified before using successful breeding program.

Health and social support services in older adults recently discharged from hospital: service utilisation and costs and exploration of the impact of a home-exercise intervention.

BACKGROUND: Admission to hospital can lead to persistent deterioration in physical functioning, particularly for the more vulnerable older population. As a result of this physical deterioration, older people who have been recently discharged from hospital may be particularly high users of health and social support services. Quantify usage and costs of services in older adults after hospitalisation and explore the impact of a home-exercise intervention on service usage. METHOD: The present study was a secondary analysis of data from a randomised controlled trial (ACTRN12607000563460). The trial involved 340 participants aged 60 years and over with recent hospitalisation. Service use and costs were compared between intervention (12 months of home-exercise prescribed in 10 visits from a physiotherapist) and control groups. RESULTS: 33 % of participants were re-admitted to hospital, 100 % consulted a General Medical Practitioner and 63 % used social services. 56 % of costs were associated with hospital admission and 22 % with social services. There was reduction in General Medical Practitioner services provided in the home in the intervention group (IRR 0.23, CI 0.1 to 0.545, p < 0.01) but no significant between-group difference in service use or in costs for other service categories. CONCLUSION: There appears to be substantial hospital and social service use and costs in this population of older people. No significant impact of a home-based exercise program was evident on service use or costs. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry ACTRN12607000563460 >TrialSearch.

Synthesis, and QSAR analysis of anti-oncological active spiro-alkaloids.

QSAR study describes the anti-neoplastic spiro-alkaloids with relevant molecular descriptors using CODESSA III software. The dispiro[3H-indole-3,2'-pyrrolidine-3',3"-piperidines] 24-48 were synthesized via [3 + 2]-cycloaddition reaction of azomethine ylides, (generated in situ via decarboxylative condensation of isatins 21-23 with sarcosine) and 3E,5E-1-alkyl-3,5-bis(arylmethylidene)-4-piperidones 10-20. Some of the synthesized analogues exhibited promising antitumor properties against HELA (cervical), HEPG2 (liver), T-47D, MCF7 (breast), and HCT116 (colon) human tumor cell lines, demonstrating activity close to or even better than the standard Doxorubicin, based on in vitro Sulfo-Rhodamine-B bio-assay.

5''-Benzyl-idene-5-chloro-1',1''-dimethyl-4'-phenyl-dispiro-[indoline-3,2'-pyrrolidine-3',3''-piperidine]-2,4''-dione.

The title compound, C30H28ClN3O2, features two spiro links, one connecting the piperidine and pyrrolidine rings, and the other connecting the pyrrolidine ring and indole residue. The configuration about the ethene bond is E. The piperidine ring adopts a half-chair conformation where the C atom connected to the spiro-C atom lies 0.713 (3) Šout of the plane of the remaining five atoms (r.m.s. deviation = 0.086 Å). The pyrrolidine ring has an envelope conformation with the flap atom being the methyl-ene C atom. Centrosymmetric eight-membered {⋯HNCO}2 amide synthons feature in the crystal packing. These are consolidated into a three-dimensional architecture by phen-yl-pyrrolidine C-H⋯N and chloro-benzene-pyrrolidine-bound phenyl C-H⋯π inter-actions.

5-Chloro-5''-(4-chloro-benzyl-idene)-4'-(4-chloro-phen-yl)-1''-ethyl-1'-methyl-dispiro-[indoline-3,2'-pyrrolidine-3',3''-piperidine]-2,4''-dione.

Two spiro links are found in the title compound, C31H28Cl3N3O2, one connecting the piperidine and pyrrolidine rings, and the other connecting the pyrrolidine ring and indole residue. The piperidine ring adopts a half-chair conformation, in which the C atom connected to the spiro-C atom lies 0.741 (3) Šout of the plane of the remaining five atoms (r.m.s. deviation = 0.053 Å). The pyrrolidine ring has an envelope conformation with the flap atom being the methyl-ene C atom. Centrosymmetric eight-membered {⋯HNCO}2 amide dimers are the most significant feature of the crystal packing. These are connected into layers parallel to (-120) by C-H⋯O and π-π inter-actions between pyrrolidine-bound benzene rings [inter-centroid distance = 3.8348 (15) Å]. Slipped face-to-face inter-actions between the edges of pyrrolidine-bound benzene [shortest C⋯C separation = 3.484 (4) Å] connect the layers into a three-dimensional architecture.

5-Chloro-5''-[4-(di-methyl-amino)-benzyl-idene]-4'-[4-(di-methyl-amino)-phen-yl]-1',1''-di-methyl-dispiro-[indoline-3,2'-pyrrolidine-3',3''-piperidine]-2,4''-dione.

The title compound, C34H38ClN5O2, has spiro links connecting the pyrrolidine ring and indole residue, as well as the piperidine and pyrrolidine rings. A half-chair conformation is found for the piperidine ring with the C atom connected to the spiro-C atom lying 0.738 (4) Šout of the plane of the remaining five atoms (r.m.s. deviation = 0.0407 Å). The methyl-ene C atom is the flap in the envelope conformation for the pyrrolidine ring. In the crystal, supra-molecular chains are sustained by alternating eight-membered {⋯HNCO}2 and 14-membered {⋯HC5O}2 synthons. Chains are connected into a three-dimensional network by (pyrrolidine-bound phenyl-meth-yl)C-H⋯π(pyrrolidine-bound phen-yl) edge-to-face inter-actions.

5-Chloro-5''-(4-chloro-benzyl-idene)-4'-(4-chloro-phen-yl)-1',1''-dimethyldi-spiro-[indoline-3,2'-pyrrolidine-3',3''-piperidine]-2,4''-dione.

The racemic title compound, C30H26Cl3N3O2, comprises two spiro links, the first connecting the piperidine and pyrrolidine rings and the other connecting the indole and pyrrolidine rings. The piperidine ring adopts a half-chair conformation, while the pyrrolidine ring has an envelope conformation with the unsubstituted C atom as the flap. The dihedral angles between the two p-Cl-substituted benzene rings and the indole ring are 33.13 (14) and 54.11 (14)°. In the crystal, mol-ecules form inversion dimers through pairs of N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds [graph set R 2 (2)(8)]. Aromatic C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds extend these dimers into a ribbon structure, enclosing R (2) 2(14) ring motifs, along the a-axis direction.

Measures of physical functioning after hip fracture: construct validity and responsiveness of performance-based and self-reported measures.

OBJECTIVES: this study aimed to investigate the construct validity and responsiveness of performance-based and self-reported measures of strength, mobility and balance after hip fracture. DESIGN: secondary analysis of clinical trial data. SUBJECTS: a total of 148 older people undergoing hip fracture rehabilitation. METHODS: correlation coefficients assessed construct validity. Internal responsiveness was assessed by calculating effect sizes (ES) I and II. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) assessed external responsiveness with change in EuroQol as the reference. RESULTS: correlations between performance-based and self-reported measures were small to medium (strength r = 0.17, mobility r = 0.45 and balance r = 0.37). The most responsive performance-based measures included walking speed (ESI 1.7, ESII 1.2), Physical Performance and Mobility Examination (ESI 1.3, ESII 1.0) and chair-rise test (ESI 1.1, ESII 0.8). Self-reported mobility (ESI 0.8, ESII 0.6) and strength (ESI 0.8, ESII 0.6) were more responsive than self-reported balance (ESI 0.3, ESII 0.2). External responsiveness (AUC) was greatest for walking speed (0.72) and lowest for the measures of body sway (0.53). CONCLUSION: self-reported and performance-based indices appear to assess different constructs and may provide complementary information about physical functioning in people after hip fracture. Measures of strength and mobility showed greater ability to detect change than measures of balance.

A facile regioselective synthesis of novel spiro-thioxanthene and spiro-xanthene-9',2-[1,3,4]thiadiazole derivatives as potential analgesic and anti-inflammatory agents.

The 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of nitrile imines to 9H-thioxanthone-9-thione and 9H-xanthone-9-thione afforded novel spiro-thioxanthene-9',2-[1,3,4]thiadiazoles 6a-g and spiro-xanthene-9',2-[1,3,4]thiadiazoles 7a-g in good yields. Some of the newly synthesized compounds were tested for anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities comparable to ibuprofen. Compounds 6a,d,e and 7a,d,e showed significant activity compared to standard drug. The toxicity studies revealed that neither death nor other behavioral or toxicological changes were observed on rats up to a dose as high as 200 mg/kg.

Positron emission tomography (PET) in the management of oro-pharyngeal cancer.

AIMS: To investigate the specific role of FDG-PET in the management of head and neck cancer patients. METHODS: In a retrospective study, 112 patients with head and neck cancer treated over a 5-year period had FDG-PET scans. The image of the tumour (local, regional and distant) was compared to, clinical, CT/MRI examination, pathological findings and the clinical course of the disease. RESULTS: FDG-PET correctly identified 95.3% of primary lesions, and 94.1% of the recurrences at the primary site. FDG-PET data was supportive of intended treatment in 31 cases and sufficient to alter the management of seven patients. CONCLUSIONS: Overall FDG-PET has a useful role in the diagnosis of head and neck cancers, and in the demonstration of occult or hidden tumours, distant and metastatic disease.

Novel nicotinate esters of vasodilatation activity.

A variety of 2-substituted-4, 6-diaryl-3-pyridinecarboxylates 4 were obtained through aromatic nucleophilic substitution. reaction of secondary amines with 2-bromo-3-pyridinecarboxylate derivatives 3. The latters were obtained through bromination of 3-aryl-4-benzoyl-2-cyanobutyrates 2 in glacial acetic acid. However; reaction of primary aromatic amines with 2-bromopyridines 3 afforded 2-arylamino-3-pyridinecarboxylates 5 beside the unexpected 2-amino analogues 6. On the other hand, 3-hydroxy-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridines 7 were isolated via reaction of 3 with hydrazine hydrate. Good to complete muscle relaxation of rabbit's jejunium, rat's uterus and rabbits aorta was observed during screening representative examples (3a, 4c, Sd, 5f and 6b) of the newly synthesized 3-pyridinecarboxylates indicating the vasodilatation and antihypertension activity for the tested compounds.

The use of positron emission tomography and computed tomography in the assessment of trismus associated with head and neck malignancy.

The assessment of head and neck cancer has traditionally involved clinical examination and anatomical imaging by computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We present a case where a problem of clinical confusion and inconclusive radiology was resolved by the use of positron emission tomography (PET) coregistered with CT.

Potential protective effect of HSCAS and bentonite against dietary aflatoxicosis in rat: with special reference to chromosomal aberrations.

Bentonite and hydrated sodium calcium aluminsilicate (HSCAS) were added at a level of 0.5% (w/w) to the diets containing 2.5 mg aflatoxins (AF) per kg diet and fed to male mature rats for 15 successive days. Aflatoxin alone significantly decreased feed intake and altered serum biochemical parameters of liver and kidney functions. Aflatoxin caused chromosomal aberrations in bone marrow cells. Bentonite or HSCAS did not alter any of the parameters measured. The addition of bentonite or HSCAS to the AF-contaminated diet diminished most of the deleterious effects of the aflatoxin. Pathological examinations of liver and kidney proved that both bentonite and HSCAS were hepatonephroprotective agents against aflatoxicosis. The cytogenetic findings demonstrated that the addition of bentonite or HSCAS to AF-contaminated diet suppressed chromosomal aberrations. These findings indicated that bentonite and HSCAS could diminished many of the adverse effect of dietary AF in rats.