Immediate effect of physical activity on the autonomic nervous system in individuals with autism spectrum disorders of different age groups: a randomised trial.

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is one of the most complex neurodevelopmental disorders. It affects almost all human physiological systems. Individuals with ASD often display dysregulation in their autonomic nervous system (ANS), which may elicit differing effects across age groups. Also, studying the ANS missed several important parameters related to ANS. Studying the ANS is crucial in developing adaptive behavioural strategies and maintaining communication abilities and social behaviours. Thus, this study compared the immediate effect of physical activity on the ANS in individuals with ASD in different age groups. Methods: 200 participants (106 males and 94 females) took part in a double-blinded randomised design. All participants were divided into four groups according to their age (4-7, 7-10, 10-13 and 14-18 years old). Participants performed a 60 min treadmill walk. The main outcome measurements were heart rate (HR), saturation of peripheral oxygen (SpO2), respiratory rate (RR) and end-tidal carbon dioxide (etCO2). Results: Before the study, there were non-significant differences between groups in their physical characteristics (body mass index, Childhood Autism Rating Scale, physical activity level, both parents' existence, aerobic capacity and gender) (p>0.05). At baseline measurements, there were non-significant differences between all groups for all outcome measurements (p>0.05). Immediately after physical activity, there was significant difference between group 1 and other groups (p<0.05), while all other differences were non-significant (p>0.05). At the follow-up (after 15 min of rest), group 1 maintained significant differences with the other groups for all outcome measurements (p<0.05), while there were non-significant differences between the other three groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: This study revealed that the SpO2 significantly decreased immediately after the physical activity, while HR, RR and etCO2 significantly increased immediately after physical activity in comparison to the baseline measurements. Contrary to other ANS parameters (SpO2, RR and etCO2), HR in early ages (4-7 years old) was higher after physical activity and remained elevated longer than other ages. The early ages (4-7 years old) take more time to return to the normal status of ANS parameters including SpO2, HR, RR and etCO2. Trial registration number: NCT05725733.

Non-Surgical Approaches to the Management of Lumbar Disc Herniation Associated with Radiculopathy: A Narrative Review.

Lumbar disc herniation associated with radiculopathy (LDHR) is among the most frequent causes of spine-related disorders. This condition is triggered by irritation of the nerve root caused by a herniated disc. Many non-surgical and surgical approaches are available for managing this prevalent disorder. Non-surgical treatment approaches are considered the preferred initial management methods as they are proven to be efficient in reducing both pain and disability in the absence of any red flags. The methodology employed in this review involves an extensive exploration of recent clinical research, focusing on various non-surgical approaches for LDHR. By exploring the effectiveness and patient-related outcomes of various conservative approaches, including physical therapy modalities and alternative therapies, therapists gain valuable insights that can inform clinical decision-making, ultimately contributing to enhanced patient care and improved outcomes in the treatment of LDHR. The objective of this article is to introduce advanced and new treatment techniques, supplementing existing knowledge on various conservative treatments. It provides a comprehensive overview of the current therapeutic landscape, thereby suggesting pathways for future research to fill the gaps in knowledge. Specific to our detailed review, we identified the following interventions to yield moderate evidence (Level B) of effectiveness for the conservative treatment of LDHR: patient education and self-management, McKenzie method, mobilization and manipulation, exercise therapy, traction (short-term outcomes), neural mobilization, and epidural injections. Two interventions were identified to have weak evidence of effectiveness (Level C): traction for long-term outcomes and dry needling. Three interventions were identified to have conflicting or no evidence (Level D) of effectiveness: electro-diagnostic-based management, laser and ultrasound, and electrotherapy.

The Efficacy of Physical Therapy Modalities in Patients With Hemophilia: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials With Meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of different physical therapy interventions that could validate decisions taken by health care providers in the field of rehabilitation of patients with hemophilia according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), including body functions and structures, activity, and participation. DATA SOURCES: Seven databases-PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Web of Science, Physiotherapy Evidence Database, Google Scholar, and Clinicaltrials.gov-were systematically searched for randomized controlled trials evaluating any physical therapy modality to manage hemophilia. STUDY SELECTION: After abstract and full-text filtration, a methodological quality assessment was performed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale for the studies that met the eligibility criteria. DATA EXTRACTION: Relevant data were extracted from eligible studies and outcomes were categorized according to the ICF. DATA SYNTHESIS: Using Review Manager and Microsoft Excel, a quantitative analysis using standardized mean differences with the 95% confidence interval was completed. Statistical heterogeneity between studies was explored using the I2 test. A fixed effect model was applied to all data analyses. If heterogeneity was statistically significant, the Der Simonian and Laird random effects models were used instead. RESULTS: 35 randomized controlled trials with 1216 participants were included in this systematic review; 13 of them dealt with pediatric patients. Most of the studies were of good quality; 12 studies were of low quality. Meta-analysis showed a significant difference in favor of manual therapy, laser, and therapeutic exercises on selected outcomes of body function and structure, activity, and participation categories of the ICF model. CONCLUSION: This systematic review recommends using manual therapy and therapeutic exercise modalities to improve join health status in combination with educational sessions to improve the quality of life of patients with hemophilic arthropathy. For pediatric patients with hemophilic arthropathy, using laser therapy is promising for improving functional capacity.

Randomized Feasibility Pilot Trial of Adding a New Three-Dimensional Adjustable Posture-Corrective Orthotic to a Multi-Modal Program for the Treatment of Nonspecific Neck Pain.

The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility and effect of a multimodal program for the management of chronic nonspecific neck pain CNSNP with the addition of a 3D adjustable posture corrective orthotic (PCO), with a focus on patient recruitment and retention. This report describes a prospective, randomized controlled pilot study with twenty-four participants with CNSNP and definite 3D postural deviations who were randomly assigned to control and study groups. Both groups received the same multimodal program; additionally, the study group received a 3D PCO to perform mirror image® therapy for 20−30 min while the patient was walking on a treadmill 2−3 times per week for 10 weeks. Primary outcomes included feasibility, recruitment, adherence, safety, and sample size calculation. Secondary outcomes included neck pain intensity by numeric pain rating scale (NPRS), neck disability index (NDI), active cervical ROM, and 3D posture parameters of the head in relation to the thoracic region. Measures were assessed at baseline and after 10 weeks of intervention. Overall, 54 participants were screened for eligibility, and 24 (100%) were enrolled for study participation. Three participants (12.5%) were lost to reassessment before finishing 10 weeks of treatment. The between-group mean differences in change scores indicated greater improvements in the study group receiving the new PCO intervention. Using an effect size of 0.797, α > 0.05, ß = 80% between-group improvements for NDI identified that 42 participants were required for a full-scale RCT. This pilot study demonstrated the feasibility of recruitment, compliance, and safety for the treatment of CNSNP using a 3D PCO to a multimodal program to positively affect CNSNP management.

Optimized scheme for paired transverse corrective forces in S-shaped scoliosis via ultrasound and application in Chêneau brace: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: There is currently no consensus on the optimal positions of the transverse corrective forces (TCFs) for scoliosis braces. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to explore an optimal scheme of placing paired TCF for S-shaped adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and its feasibility in Chêneau brace (CB) treatment. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-over feasibility pilot trial. METHODS: Ten S-shaped adolescent idiopathic scoliosis participants were invited to receive four tests with different paired TCF positions under ultrasound. The positions of the paired TCF were test 1: thoracic apical vertebra (AV), lumbar AV; test 2: 2 cm inferior to thoracic AV, lumbar AV; test 3: thoracic AV, 2 cm superior to lumbar AV; and test 4: 2 cm inferior to thoracic AV, 2 cm superior to lumbar AV. The test scheme with the highest mean in-force correction rate (IFCR) for the thoracic spinous process angle (SPA) was further applied in the CB fabrication of 4 additional participants. RESULTS: A significant higher mean IFCR of the thoracic SPA of 63.6% was found in test 2 (P < 0.001), which also contributed to its higher overall IFCR of the SPA of 64.6% (P = 0.001). Moreover, the mean in-brace correction rates for the thoracic and overall curves in CB were 46.4% and 51.8%, respectively. No adverse events were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Placing paired TCF at the lumbar AV and 2 cm inferior to the thoracic AV achieved better treatment efficacy than other schemes. The practical application of this scheme on the CB was feasible.

Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy Combined With Botulinum Toxin for Post-stroke Spasticity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Stroke is considered one of the main causes of adult disability and the second most serious cause of death worldwide. The combination of botulinum toxin type A (BTX) with rehabilitation techniques such as modified constraint-induced movement therapy (mCIMT) has emerged as a highly efficient intervention for stroke patients to start synchronized motor function along with spasticity reduction. The current systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted in order to evaluate the available literature about the safety and efficacy of constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) combined with BTX in stroke patients with upper limb spasticity. Searches were conducted on WoS (Web of Science), Ovid, EBSCO-ASC&BSC, and PubMed for identifying relevant literature published from 2000-2020. Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) and Quasi-experimental studies were considered for inclusion. Rayyan (systematic review tool) QCRI (Qatar Computing Research Institute) was used for independent screening of the studies by two reviewers. For risk of bias and study quality assessment, Cochrane risk of bias tool (RoB 2) and Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scales were used. Cochrane review manager was used to carry out the meta-analyses of the included studies. The search resulted in a total of 13065 references, of which 4967 were duplicates. After the title, abstract and full-text screening, two RCTs were deemed eligible for inclusion. Both the RCTs scored 8 on PEDro and were level evidence. The studies were heterogeneous. The findings of this meta-analysis in all the three joints post-stroke spasticity assessed on modified Ashworth scale (MAS) at four weeks post-injection aren't statistically significant (elbow P-value 0.74, wrist P-value 0.57, fingers P-value 0.42), however, according to one of the included studies the therapeutic efficacy of the combination of BTX-mCIMT injection assessed at four weeks post-injection in wrist and finger flexors was promising.  The effectiveness of BTX-CIMT combination over conventional therapy (CT) for improving post-stroke spasticity still needs to be explored with long-term, multicenter rigorously designed RCTs having a good sample size. However, the BTX-CIMT combination is promising for enhancing motor function recovery and improving activities of daily living (ADLs).

Post Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection Tremors in a Nonverbal Autistic Adolescent.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in 2020 remains a major public health challenge until mass vaccination. The number of SARS-CoV-2 positive children aged 0-17 years has been increasing as older adults are vaccinated. Infected children tend to have less severe illness compared with adults, have predominantly respiratory or GI symptoms, or no symptoms. Children have an increased risk for multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), which is unique. Neuropsychological complications of COVID-19 remain uncommon. Case reports and data from series exist. We report a case of tremors as sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection in a non-verbal adolescent with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Demonstration of Autonomic Nervous Function and Cervical Sensorimotor Control After Cervical Lordosis Rehabilitation: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

CONTEXT: Sagittal-plane cervical spine alignment has emerged as one of the most important clinical outcomes in health care. Nevertheless, the quantity and quality of research on the role that cervical sagittal alignment plays in improving sensorimotor and autonomic nervous functions are limited. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the immediate and long-term effects of cervical lordosis restoration and correction of anterior head translation (AHT) on pain, disability, autonomic nervous system function, and cervical sensorimotor control in athletes with chronic nonspecific neck pain. DESIGN: Randomized controlled clinical trial. SETTING: University research laboratory. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: A total of 110 patients (59 males, 51 females) with chronic nonspecific neck pain and a defined hypolordotic cervical spine and AHT posture. INTERVENTION(S): Patients were randomly assigned to the control or intervention group. Both groups received a multimodal program; the intervention group also received Denneroll cervical traction. Treatments were applied 3 times per week for 10 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Outcome measures were cervical lordosis from C2 to C7, AHT, neck disability index, pain intensity, smooth-pursuit neck-torsion test, overall stability index, left- and right-rotation head repositioning accuracy, and amplitude and latency of skin sympathetic response. The measures were assessed 3 times: at baseline, after 10 weeks of treatment, and at 1-year follow-up. RESULTS: The general linear model with repeated measures indicated group × time effects in favor of the intervention group for the following management outcomes: cervical lordosis, AHT, neck disability index, pain intensity, smooth-pursuit neck-torsion test, overall stability index, left- and right-rotation head repositioning accuracy, and amplitude and latency of the skin sympathetic response (P values < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Restoration of cervical sagittal alignment in the athletic population had a direct influence on pain, disability, autonomic nervous system dysfunction, and sensorimotor control. Our results should guide treatment planning for athletes and optimize their recovery time. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04306640.

Physiotherapeutic scoliosis-specific exercises performed immediately after spinal manipulative therapy for the treatment of mild adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: study protocol for a randomized controlled pilot trial.

BACKGROUND: Spinal manipulative therapy is commonly used in the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Some therapists also rely on physiotherapeutic scoliosis-specific exercise (PSSE). Combining these two modalities seems reasonable, but the effectiveness of this combination has never been rigorously tested. Here, a protocol for a pilot study is proposed to determine the feasibility of conducting a larger randomized trial. The pilot study was designed to test the hypothesis that spinal manipulative therapy followed by PSSE is more effective than PSSE alone in improving the Cobb angle, sensorimotor integration, the angle of trunk rotation (ATR), body symmetry, and quality of life. METHODS: The protocol describes a randomized controlled pilot trial with 40 subjects divided into study and control groups. Both groups will receive 8 weeks of PSSE, but the study group will also receive spinal manipulative therapy during the first 2 weeks before PSSE. The primary outcome will be an estimate of the feasibility of conducting a full-scale experiment. The influencing factors will be the time to complete enrollment, the recruitment rate, subject retention, and adherence to the treatment allocations. The secondary outcomes that will be used to assess the efficacy of treatment will include the Cobb angle, somatosensory evoked potentials, ATR, three-dimensional postural parameters, and scores on the 22-item Scoliosis Research Society outcomes questionnaire. The Cobb angle will be measured at baseline and at the end of 8 weeks of training. The somatosensory evoked potentials will be measured at baseline and at the end of 2 weeks of training. The ATR, three-dimensional postural parameters, and scores on the 22-item Scoliosis Research Society outcomes questionnaire will be measured at baseline and at 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks of treatment. DISCUSSION: This study will inform the design of a future full-scale trial. The outcomes will provide preliminary data about the efficacy of the combination of spinal manipulative therapy and exercise in treating scoliosis. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Prospectively registered at Chinese clinical trial registry, ChiCTR1900027037 . Registered on 29 October 2019. http://www.chictr.org.cn/edit.aspx?pid=44954&htm=4.

Value of Blood Cultures in the Management of Children Hospitalized with Community-Acquired Pneumonia.

Background and objectives Current guidelines for the management of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in children recommend obtaining a blood culture for children with moderate to severe pneumonia; yet, there is no guidance to assess the severity of the disease. Thus, a blood culture is obtained for the majority of children admitted with CAP, regardless of the severity of their symptoms. The study was designed to investigate and identify the prevalence of bacteremia in pediatric patients hospitalized with CAP and to evaluate the clinical and laboratory variables associated with bacteremia. Methods We conducted a medical record review of children aged from two months to 18 years diagnosed with CAP between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2017, at our two urban tertiary centers. We used binary logistic regression analysis and chi-square tests to look at factors associated with blood culture positivity. Results A total of 464 patients were admitted with CAP. Blood cultures were obtained in 357 (76.9%) patients; 23 patients had repeated cultures. Fifteen patients had positive cultures: 5/380 (1.3%) were considered true positive results and 10/380 (2.6%) were considered contaminants. Intensive care unit (ICU) admission (OR 5.6 with 95% CI (1- 31), p<0.03), toxic appearance (OR 12.8 with 95% CI (1.3-125), p<0.01), and significantly elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) (>300 mg/L (p<0.01) were associated with bacteremia. Conclusion The prevalence of bacteremia among children admitted for CAP is low. The use of routine blood cultures should be reserved for children with moderate to severe pneumonia. Further studies are required to better risk-stratify children with CAP.

Push-Pull Zinc Phthalocyanine Bearing Hexa-Tertiary Substituted Carbazolyl Donor Groups for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells.

An asymmetrical, push-pull phthalocyanine bearing bulky tert-butylcarbazolyl moieties as electron donor and carboxylic acid as anchoring group was synthetized and tested as a photosensitizer in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC). The new photosensitizer was characterized by 1H and 13C NMR, UV-Vis and mass spectrometry. The bulky tert-butylcarbazolyl moieties avoid the aggregation of the phthalocyanine dye. DFT studies indicate that the HOMO is delocalized throughout the -electron system of the substituted phthalocyanine and the LUMO is located on the core of the molecule with a sizable electron density distribution on carboxyl groups. The new dye has been used as a photosensitizer in transparent and opaque dye-sensitized solar cells, which exhibit poor efficiencies related to a low Jsc.

Photo-physicochemical properties of water-soluble non-aggregated indium(III) phthalocyanines.

Phthalocyanines have interesting optoelectronic properties but typically suffer from aggregation in aqueous solution, which can limit their applicability, especially in photodynamic therapy. In this study, indium(III) phthalocyanine peripherally substituted with eight triazolyl-containing phenoxy groups (InOAc) and its water-soluble analogue (Q-InOAc) were synthesised and structurally characterised. Heavy metal effects, exerted by the central indium ion, on the photosensitising and photophysical properties (singlet oxygen quantum yield, singlet state lifetime and quantum yield, and triplet state lifetime) were investigated in both DMF and D2O. Highly efficient generation of the triplet excited state (T1), induced by the incorporation of a large atom, enhanced singlet oxygen formation, as revealed by both chemical and physical methods. Correspondingly, the singlet oxygen quantum yield (ΦΔ) of Q-InOAc was 0.603 in DMF and 0.433 in D2O. These values are higher than those previously reported for the corresponding metal-free, Mg-based, and Zn-based water-soluble phthalocyanines (HH, Mg, and Zn). Consequently, Q-InOAc is expected to be an excellent photosensitiser for photodynamic therapy.

Addition of a new three-dimensional adjustable cervical thoracic orthosis to a multi-modal program in the treatment of nonspecific neck pain: study protocol for a randomised pilot trial.

BACKGROUND: Nonspecific neck pain (NSNP) is one of the most common musculoskeletal problems treated by orthopaedic physicians and physiotherapists. Posture has emerged as one of the major risk factors associated with NSNP, but most previous studies ignored correct posturing as an effective treatment. Therefore, one of the major challenges faced by clinicians is how to incorporate 3D posture findings into the treatment plane. The present study will evaluate the feasibility of conducting a larger randomized trial. This pilot study is designed to investigate the hypothesis that a multimodal programme supplemented with the addition of a 3D adjustable cervico thoracic posture corrective orthotic (CTPCO) will yield short- and long-term improvement on NSNP management outcomes. METHODS/DESIGN: This pilot, single-blind, randomized controlled trial will divide 24 patients into two groups (study and control) using block randomization. Both groups will receive conventional treatment consisting of a moist hot pack, soft tissue mobilization, manual therapy and therapeutic exercise. The study group will undergo ambulatory mirror-image functional re-training wearing a 3D adjustable CTPCO. The primary outcome is feasibility, including recruitment (e.g., time to complete enrolment, recruitment rate), patient retention and adherence to treatment allocation (e.g., session attendance, home practice, use of non-study treatments). The secondary outcomes used to assess the effectiveness of the treatment will include neck pain (measures using the visual analogue scale (VAS)) and neck disability (measures using the neck disability index (NDI)), among other outcome measures, compared between the experimental and control groups. Three-dimensional posture parameters of head measurements will be provided by a Global Posture System (GPS). The outcome measures for determining the treatment effect will be assessed at three intervals: pre-treatment, after 10 weeks of intervention and after 3 months at follow-up. DISCUSSION: This randomized controlled pilot trial will inform the design of a future full-scale trial. The outcomes will provide some resources for the incorporation of ambulatory mirror-image functional re-training intervention compared to a control group intervention for neck pain, disability and 3D posture parameters. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Prospectively registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03331120 . Registered on 22 October 2017.

Design and Discovery of Novel Quinoxaline Derivatives as Dual DNA Intercalators and Topoisomerase II Inhibitors.

Backgroun/Methods: In attempt to develop new potent anti-tumor agents, a series of quinoxaline derivatives was designed and synthesized. The novel compounds were tested in vitro for their anti-proliferative activities against HePG-2, MCF-7 and HCT-116 cell lines. Additionally, DNA binding affinities as well as DNA-top II inhibitory activities of the synthesized compounds were investigated as potential mechanism for anticancer activity. Compounds 13, 15, 16 and 19 exhibited good cytotoxicity activities against the three cell lines (IC50 ranging from 7.6 to 32.4 µM) comparable to that of doxorubicin (IC50 = 9.8 µM). RESULTS: Interestingly, the results of DNA binding and DNA-top II inhibition assays were in agreement with those of the cytotoxicity tests, where the most potent anticancer compounds showed good DNA binding affinities (IC50 ranging from 25.1 to 32.4 µM) and DNA-top II inhibitory activities (IC50 ranging from 6.4 to 15.3 µM) comparable to those of doxorubicin (IC50 = 28.1 and 3.8 µM, respectively). Furthermore, molecular docking studies were carried out for the new compounds in order to investigate their binding pattern with the prospective target, DNA-top II complex (PDB-code: 3qx3).

Oxaliplatin complexes with carnosine and its derivatives: in vitro cytotoxicity, mass spectrometric and computational studies with a focus on complex fragmentation.

The complexation of the Pt-based anti-cancer drug oxaliplatin (OxPt) with biological ligands other than DNA is believed to be a major cellular sink for the drug reducing its therapeutic potential and acting as a potential cause of toxicity. In this paper, the very first hypothesis driven investigation of the role of the naturally abundant cytoplasmic dipeptide ligand ß-alanyl-l-histidine dipeptide (carnosine) in OxPt detoxification is presented. In vitro studies on hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells suggest that carnosine may inhibit the cytotoxic action of OxPt most likely through the formation of complexes that are less cytotoxic than OxPt alone. Evidence is provided to suggest that pre-exposure of HepG2 cells to elevated levels of carnosine appears to have a lasting effect on reducing the cytotoxicity of OxPt even after the removal of the externally added carnosine. This effect, however, is likely under kinetic control as its magnitude was shown not to vary significantly with the level of carnosine exposure within the concentration range used in this study. Various mass spectrometry techniques employing electrospray ionization and chip nanospray were employed to study the interaction of oxaliplatin with carnosine as well as two of its derivatives ß-alanyl-N-methylhistidine (anserine) and N-acetylcarnosine (NAC). Evidence of complexation between OxPt and each of the three ligands examined is presented. Most species observed were unambiguously assigned and compared to their theoretical isotopic patterns. Common fragmentation products due to the collisionally-activated protonated complexes of each of the ligands examined with OxPt, [M + OxPt + H](+), where M = carnosine, anserine or NAC, were reported. Density functional calculations at the B3LYP/LANL2DZ level were used to obtain structural information and relative free energies of different isomers of the observed precursor [Carnosine + OxPt + H](+) both in the gas phase and in solution as well as to probe its fragmentation, highlighting plausible fragmentation mechanisms that account for all the experimental results. Data are presented to show several binding modes between electron rich sites such as N and O centers of carnosine and the Pt metal of OxPt. Calculations were also employed to obtain proton affinities and free energies of key reactions. The proton affinities of carnosine, anserine and NAC at 298 K were calculated to be 254.4, 255.9 and 250.2 kcal mol(-1) respectively. To the best of our knowledge the proton affinities of anserine and N-acetyl-carnosine are the first reported values in the literature.

Conversion of some 2(3H)-furanones bearing a pyrazolyl group into other heterocyclic systems with a study of their antiviral activity.

3-(1,3-diphenylpyrazol-4-yl-methylene)-5-aryl-2(3H)-furanones 2 were prepared and converted into a variety of heterocyclic systems of synthetic and biological importance. Benzylamine reacted with the furanones 2; the product was found to depend on the reaction conditions. Thus, at room temperature the open-chain N-benzylamides 3 were obtained, whereas under refluxing conditions the 2(3H)-pyrrolones were obtained. Hydrazine hydrate affected ring opening of the furanones to give the corresponding acid hydrazides 5. The latter products were used as key starting materials for the synthesis of pyridazinones 7 and 8, 1,3,4-oxadiazoles 11 and 13 and 1,2,4-triazoles 12 and 14 all bearing pyrazolyl moiety as a side-chain. Evaluation of antiviral activity of selected examples of the compounds obtained was performed using two viruses: HAV and HSV-1. Some of the tested compounds showed promising activities.