Crystal structure of 1,2-bis-[(2-tert-butyl-phen-yl)imino]-ethane.

The whole molecule of the title compound, C22H28N2, (I), is generated by inversion symmetry. The mol-ecule is rather similar to that of 2,3-bis-[(2-tert-butyl-phen-yl)imino]-butane, (II), a di-imine ligand comprising similar structural features [Ferreira et al. (2006 ▶). Acta Cryst. E62, o4282-o4284]. Both ligands crystallize with the -N=C(R)-C(R)=N- group around an inversion centre, in a trans configuration. Comparing the two structures, it may be noted that the independent planar groups in both mol-ecules [the central link, -N=C(R)-C(R)=N-, and the terminal aromatic ring] subtend an angle of 69.6 (1)° in (II) and 49.4 (2)° in (I). Ferreira and co-workers proposed that such angle deviation may be ascribed to the presence of two non-classical intra-molecular hydrogen bonds and steric factors. In fact, in (I), similar non-classical hydrogen bonds are observed, and the larger angular deviation in (II) may be assigned to the presence of methyl groups in the di-imino fragment, which can cause steric hindrance due to the presence of bulky tert-butyl substituents in the aromatic rings. The C=N bond lengths are similar in both compounds and agree with comonly accepted values.

Structural insights into cholinesterases inhibition by harmane ß-carbolinium derivatives: a kinetics-molecular modeling approach.

The natural indole alkaloids, the ß-carbolines, are often associated with cholinesterase inhibition, especially their quaternary salts, which frequently have higher activity than the free bases. Due to lack of information explaining this fact in the literature, the cholinesterase inhibition by the natural product harmane and its two ß-carbolinium synthetic derivative salts (N-methyl and N-ethyl) was explored, together with a combination of kinetics and a molecular modeling approach. The results, mainly for the ß-carbolinium salts, demonstrated a noncompetitive inhibition profile, ruling out previous findings which associated cholinesterase inhibition by ß-carbolinium salts to a possible mimicking of the choline moiety of the natural substrate, acetylcholine. Molecular modeling studies corroborate this kind of inhibition through analyses of inhibitor/enzyme and inhibitor/substrate/enzyme complexes of both enzymes.

Adherence to secondary prophylaxis and disease recurrence in 536 Brazilian children with rheumatic fever.

BACKGROUND: More than 15 million people worldwide have rheumatic fever (RF) and rheumatic heart disease due to RF. Secondary prophylaxis is a critical cost-effective intervention for preventing morbidity and mortality related to RF. Ensuring adequate adherence to secondary prophylaxis for RF is a challenging task. This study aimed to describe the rates of recurrent episodes of RF, quantify adherence to secondary prophylaxis, and examine the effects of medication adherence to the rates of RF in a cohort of Brazilian children and adolescents with RF. METHODS: This retrospective study took place in the Pediatric Rheumatology outpatient clinic at a tertiary care hospital (Instituto de Puericultura e Pediatria Martagão Gesteira) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and included patients with a diagnosis of RF from 1985 to 2005. RESULTS: 536 patients with RF comprised the study sample. Recurrent episodes of RF occurred in 88 of 536 patients (16.5%). Patients with a recurrent episode of RF were younger (p < 0.0001), more frequently males (p = 0.003), and less adherent (p < 0.0001) to secondary prophylaxis than patients without RF recurrence. Non-adherence to medication at any time during follow-up was detected in 35% of patients. Rates of non-adherence were higher in the group of patients that were lost to follow-up (42%) than in the group of patients still in follow-up (32%) (p = 0.027). Appointment frequency was inadequate in 10% of patients. Higher rates of inadequate appointment frequency were observed among patients who were eventually lost to follow-up (14.5%) than in patients who were successfully followed-up (8%) (p = 0.022). 180 patients (33.5%) were lost to follow up at some point in time. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend implementation of a registry, and a system of active search of missing patients in every service responsible for the follow-up of RF patients. Measures to increase adherence to secondary prophylaxis need to be implemented formally, once non-adherence to secondary prophylaxis is the main cause of RF recurrence. Detection of irregularity in secondary prophylaxis or in appointments should be an alert about the possibility of loss of follow-up and closer observation should be instituted.